Vol, 2, Issue No. 18 School taxes up At a special meeting held April 28, the School District 88 Board of Trustees passed a tax rate bylaw which will in- crease property tax rates by approximately 13 per- cent for the 1986-87 school year. School District 88 secretary-treasurer Vern Rozee announced that the ‘‘sharing ratio’, which used to be called the mill rate, will in- crease this year from 4.52308 to 5.17727. For home owners in the district, this represents an increase of $27 on a property assessed at $40,000, or $58 for a $90,000 assessment. Rozee indicated that these increases are necessary to make up the district’s sharable por- tion of the $21,989,077 budget passed for the 1986-87 school year. The budget adopted at the April 11 board meeting was $21,940,000, however Rozee explained + A Se Fee Arts andcrafts — that the additional $50,000. represents debt servicing costs. Rozee stated that the board’s rationale for the increase is improving delivery of consumable supplies, upgrading and replacing equipment and enhancement of profes- sional services from teachers. Assistant superinten- dent Skip Bergsma in- dicated in a recent inter- view that no word has been received from Vic- toria regarding the district’s application for “Excellence in Educa- tion’’ funds. No agreement has yet been reached in negotia- tions between the district and the Terrace District Teachers’ Association with respect to wages and benefits. The TDTA is meeting this week with ‘executives from the B.C, Teachers’ Federation to discuss working and lear- ning conditions and other contract matters. The 23rd annual Arts and Crafts show sponsored by the Terrace Arts Association attracted many people from the area. Bob Marcellin, Carole Marcellin and their son, Jonathon Marcellin, 11 months old, viewed the displays. The event took place April 26 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Caledonla Senlor Secondary School. See more photos page 12. Danlale Berquist photo Trades Fair display Legislative Library, Parliam vsv 1X4 Ken Batch of the Azalea Garden Centre displays some flowers for guests at the Terrace and District Jaycees’ 15th annual Trades Fair held at the focal arena on the weekend. See more photographs page 13. Special committee probes district budget problems The recently-formed Select Committeé reveal- ed its initial findings following the April 28 meeting of Terrace Council, and the infor- mation indicates that the municipal budget is in serious trouble. The Committee was struck in early April to address cost overruns and deficiencies in re- porting procedures in some departments of the district. Members of the committee are Ald, Ruth Hallock, chairman of the Public Works Commit- tee: Ald. Bob Jackman, chairman of the Finance Committee; and Mayor Jack Talstra. In an interview after the most recent council meeting, Mayor Talstra indicated that the ac- cumulated surplus in the municipal treasury has been nearly consumed by unanticipated expenses and cost overruns. The 1986-87 budget, he said, will have to be a status- quo affair with services maintained at existing levels but no allowances for new projects of any kind. Talstra announced that Westar Timber has been successful in its: ap- peal against 1983 proper- ty tax levies, forcing the District of Terrace to repay the company $26,000. He speculated that the decision of the B.C, Assessment Authority will probably set a precedent for the 1984 and 1985 tax years as well, which will have an impact of around $50,000 on future budgets. Other expenses coming out of this year’s budget include a three percent wage increase to municipal employees in accordance with a cost- of-living clause in the collective agreement, which totals $30,000, and an additional $30,000 to cover the district’s contribution to the B.C. Winter Games. Talstra said that dur- ing his recent visit to Vic- toria he approached cabinet ministers with re- quests for relief from some of the cost burdens presently afflicting Ter- race, Regarding $110,000 payable to the Department of High- ways for improvements to Hwy. 16, Talstra said that he asked Highways Minister Alex Fraser to Inside Business Guide 20 Church Directory 16 Classified Ads. 22 Coming Events 14 Comics 21 Crossword 21 Dining Directory 18 Entertainment 16 Horoscope 8 Letters 54& 14 Opinions 4 Sports 6 Stork Book 10 Talk of the Town 5 Outside Date Hi Lo Prec. Apr. 21 8 2 14mm Apr. 22 8 1 08mm Apr. 23 7 0 ty Apr. 24 8 1 02mm Apr. 25 144 4 0.0mm Apr. 26 7 2 5.2mm Apr, 27 10 3. 1.0 mm Continuing unsettled, cool weather with daytime highs between 7 and 9, and over night lows near Q, forgive’ ‘the amount, reduce the municipality’s . share or extend the time period for: repayment. Talstra also requested assistance from the Ministry of Municipal continued oa page 24 Surging ahead ent Buildings: Victoria, BC. Council confronts animal control | dilemma Terrace council was approached by a flock of angry pigeon breeders at the April 28 council meeting. The bird owners were upset over recent notices from municipal administra- tion ordering them to dispose of the pigeons within 30 days. The keeping of pigeons within residen- tial areas of the district is prohibited under bylaws, but some individuals have been given non- conforming status with restrictions on the number of birds kept and the size and location of coops. Primary delegate for the group was Mrs. Frank Vercammon, whose husband was the subject of accusations at a previous council meeting by one of his neighbors on Walsh St. At the April 4 council continued on page 24 bos gana. ae a Doris Lahue demonstrates the capabilltles of the Riccar Lock Serger, which is a machine that cuts as It sews. Lahue, on behalf of the local Fabric Boutique, gave a demonstration for Terrace resident Deborah Wenizell at the Trades Falr Saturday, April 26.