Aw - Ihe lerrace Standard, Wednesday, August 13, 2003 Dear Minister: It’s a real mess An open letter to: Christy Clark, Minister of Education Dear Ms. Clark: The school board blames your ministry for awarding a three-year wage contract: and then only funding the first year and you blame the school’ board for ils decision to close five schools and lay off 130 teachers here. Keep in mind that every time teachers are cul, they are the youngest teachers. In 1985, just before Expo 86, the Socreds took $60 mil- lion from the education budget — 4,000 teach- ing jobs were: lost, all-the -young-ones; Now it is happening again. This squeezes the last re- maining younger teachers out of our system, The majority of the teachers in this province are 55 years of age and over. It doesn’t take a racket scientist to figure out the math. The majority of the teachers are all going to retire at the same time. Perhaps this. is why your government. has adopted policies-that are fore- ing the closing of ‘schools — fewer schools, CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag fewer teachers required. What is your plan for preparing for the massive teacher shortage that is looming on the horizon? Our district will have to now find another $1.5 million-dollars. Are you-getling the pic- ture yet? You say it’s none of your responsibil- ity, I consider your position as the worst form of child neglect. You have the power to step in and correct this unacceptable situation. The teachers and students are in the middle once again in this district. No money for text books, general supplies, art supplies, science supplies. Surely you care if I can’t teach your curriculum unless I buy the texts, science sup- plies etc. myself: Or maybe you don’t. Is this your government's twisted way to privatize everything? Make them bleed so badly that they'll have to look for ways to raise their own. money.. - 1 told a Chinese friend that I was applying to teach in China. She said “Are you sure you want te do that? All they will give you is a box of thalk every three months.” I said, “I'm not sure I'll be getting much more than that here.” » , David Pollard, Terrace, B.C. Clean up help — appreciated Dear Sir: | While doing security in George Little Park on the Riverboat Days Saturday night we were approached by a young native lad (sorry, I nev- er got your name } who asked us who was go- ing to clean up the mess — paper plates, nap- kins etc, A short time later two teens showed up with large green garbage bags. They were joined by a elderly gentleman with a little snow on top and between them they had over half of the park cleaned up by the time the park’s cleanup crew showed up. A big pat on the back to Sarah Clark and Kate Ames, and the others that ] did not get names from. It was very nice to see teens take such an initiative. Ernie Fisher, Citizens on Patrol, Terrace, B.C, Dear MLA: What’s up? Dear Sir: Elected members, pro- vincial and federal, of. whatever party both have — the same problem. , They get elected to of- fice — free this, free that, good pension -.then forget who elected them. | The people in small towns are in severe eco- namic hardships. Alberta gets help for mad caw, Ontario get help, Quebec gets help, but not B.C. ~~ The International Olym- pic Committee awarded Vancouver/Whistler’ the Winter Games in 2010. That will be good for the lower mainland for jobs in construction work. Here’s the question: The mill in Terrace hasn’t run for two years, Why is that if Mr. Dan Veniez’s financial plan was so good? How come it's not working right now, Is there some plan afoot? West Fraser made mon- ey and still stuck to the L.W.A. agreement. Dan Ve- GET MORE. Canada # PURCHASE INANCING PLUS AN EXTRA _ WHEN YOU BUY, FINANCE, OR LEASE VIRTUALLY ANY NEW 2003.+ z ~ FOR GO MONTHS* a 2003 scaRVECT SIERRA 2500/3500 HEAVY-DUTY Regular, Extanded and Grew Cab Models AN ADDITIONAL GM SELLS AVAILABLE FEATURES INCLUDE: now 4&0 niez said the mill will be Dramas Power BL 300HP Tuba Ene Vode - 2 “ANSON omatc Trans: on * going back to work soon, CD Stereo Leather Seats: Dual zone A/C and much mare ° y 000 OFF — but he said first one month ; RANGING FR 8 TEARS? sur esa. EME MUS then the next. The latest is Ow 2500/3500 HO TAUCK 4 Septernber. Then he tells Prince , Rupert if you buy the pulp mill he will lease it. wes ; What's his plan? Equip- 2003 E&IMAEZSIERRA EXTENDED CAB SL 4X4 ment at the Terrace saw a. ae : ce mill is either getting re- “sat v8 2TOHP Vortec Engine + Automatic 40 MONTH SMARTLEASE (CASH PURCHASE PRICE moved te be rebuilt or + 4Wheel ABS - Split Front Bench -CD Stereo ¢ . : . + Chrome Grille and Wheels « Dual Zone A/C ; sold. I have personally - Locking Differential - Heavy Duty Suspension § seen two trucks loaded ~ DeepTint Gass vir $8,235 00¥N IHCAUDES oy GHT AND 0 with conveyer belts. INCLUDES $1000 CREDIT | What's going on? ’ What’s our MLA doing for the pay he receives from the people who elect- ed him to office? Dave Badge, Terrace, B.C. 2003 wiicz SONOMA EXTENDED CAB 2WD ‘Vortec. 4300 VG 180HP Engine « Automatic 48 MONTH SMARTLEASE CASH PURCHASE PRICE AS: A/C. Cruise + Aluminum Wheels * CD ; . t Stereo-.3rd Door =. a : WITH $0 DOWN | — incwocs rretairano po! INCLUDES $1000 CREDIT ~-“SKEENA MALL “TERRACE * 635-6345. Northwest Smile Design Center Dc B.A. Okimi, be Fay Diy fl face Onfercs,TM 2003 euavice ENVOY SLE + 4.2L 1 275HP Vortec Engine « Autatrec - 48 MONTH SMARTLEASE CASH PURCHASE PRICE Automatic 4WD + Power Windows/Locks . + 4 «Remote Enty + Heated Mirrors: Dual Zone A/C . " 6-Sheaker “D Stereo “forme Differential Vy * Dua i ol 147" . Aociwan wh Ai Bags heel ABS + 17" WITH $5,240 DOWN INCLUDES FREKTAND PO] lc (oéwlll = lel, . : ? ba INCLUDES $1000 CREDIT ex WARD'S 10 BEST ENGINES 2003 2003 ((53) BUICK RENDEZVOUS CX + 3.4L SFIVG 185HP Engine Automatic «A/C -”- 44 MONTH SMARTLEASE - Lightweight Flip and Fold Removable Bench . t bahehaletel -CO Stereo « Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel 5 STAR SAFETY RATING mith Radio Goria “ rover Mindows/Locks ? onto on aden Heated Mittors «Remote Entry - Optional 3rd Row Seating for up to 7? Passengers Ry areal ae INCLUDES FREIGHT AND Pol INCLUDES $1000 CREDIT4 ALL OFFERS INCLUDE FREIGHT, «Serving the Northwest lor 10 years + Full Face Oethodonth Care © Invisolign + the invisoble kraves » TMJ. Treatment # Porcelain Crowns ond Veneers © Teeth Whitening (Bleaching) * Latex Free Cfice CASH PURCHASE PRICE POD Your Pontiac = Buick « GMC Dealers of British Columbla * gmcanada.com » 1-800-GM-DRIVE ‘You Stould Know This: Ofer applies to veticles dellvered on or botore August iat, 2003, & $1,000 cradit 1s Inclusive of applicable faxes and Is rettected In offers In this advertisement. Example: $10,000 ordinary purchase price, after tax price Is $11,450 ($10, 000 . plus $1,490 applicable taxes}, Alter applying $1,000 credif, alter tax price 19 $10,450 ($9,127 reduced purchase price plus $1,323 applicable taxes), with Ihe $1,000 cred being the $873 reduction from the ordinary purchase ptice and the $127 reduction in faxeg which would have otharwiss been paysbte on the full ordinary purchase price, "SmartLease" offer avallablo cn a J0-month lease fof Siersa SL Extended Cab 4WO A7A, and a 46-month lease for Envoy SLE R7A, Rentezvous CX APA and Sonoma ZWD Ext Cab ATE, fotal obtlgation ig $15,974, $24,384, $18,054, $12,192. Annual Klornatre limit 20,000 km, $0.12 per excess kilometre. Oplien lo purchasa at lease end [s $20,485, $16,333, $12,768, $11,060 pus applleabte (axes, Freight included, License, ingurance, registration, PPSA, admin fee9 and taxes hot included, {Purchase financing on approvad GMAC credit only. Example: $10,000 af 0% APA, the monthly payment |s $166.67 for 60 months. Cosi of boring (9 $0, Total obligation fs $10,000. Gown payment, trade and/or setusily deposit may ba required, Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending Gf amaunt borrowed and dawn paymentitrada. Discounts cr olhar incentives may be avaible where consumers opl for a cash purchase price offer, By sélecling tha purchasa financing plier, consumers may be foregoing such discounts and incentives which may cosult in a higher effactive intergst rate, ttFreight included. Licanse, ineutance and taxed nat included. *t7he SmartLeass monthly payment and the GMAC purchase finance tates ara not avallable with and are not calculated an the "Cash Purchase” price shawn. The difference between the pice for the Smartleast/GMAC purchase linance offer and the “Cash Purchase” price otier 1g deamed under provinclal disclosure laws to be a cost of borrowing, whather or not the same represonta actual interest, and Ig required to be expressed as an actual percentaga rate which Is 1.75%, 1.58%. 1.34%, 2.69%. {}°Otfers apply to virtually all 2003 now or damonstrator modals of vehlctes equipped as described. Dealer order of Irede may be necessary. Olfore apply to quatitiag ratad customers in BC only. Limited time otfers which may nol be combined with other offers, Dealers ara tree ta set indhidual prices. See your dealers) tor conditions and datais. Adwards mentioned: GMC Envoy holds a 5 Star Aaling in Side (mpact (dsts, when aquitpedwith skic alrbags. Buick Rendezvous holds & Star Rating for Side dmpact FronVOrlvet Seat and Rear Seal. Testing conducted by the ational Highway Trafile Safety Administration, ¢ Based en Potk Canada Inc.'s New Vehica Registrations 1998 to 2002, #Cfterapplles to Sierra 2500/3500HD series Regular, Extended and Crew Cab equippad with Duramax dlegel engine, AND $1000 CANADA WIDE CASH: THE MOST PICKUPS IN CANADA’ Dr. Peter. A. Okimi 200-4619 Park Avenue, Terrace, B.C. V8G IVS (250) 635-7611 Did you know that a child shad be seen for their fr onthodontte icraaning belore oge 7 Jim McEwan Motors 250-635-4941