- The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 25, 1997

Shames charity is wrong

An open letter to Hon, Mike Farnworth,

Minister of Municipal Affairs

A recent decision by the directors of the Regional Dis-
trict of Kitimat Stikine has seemingly Ieft no recourse but
to appeal to the minister’s sense of logic and good sense.

The issue I am referring to is the forgiving of the repay-
ment of a long standing debt by the Shames Mountain Ski
Carporation.

Myself and other taxpaying citizens of Terrace, Thornhill
and area feel this to be in bad taste and a badly made deci-
sion which should be carefully scrutinized by your minis-
try before approval.

This debt along with accrued interest amounts to over
half a million dollars. This debt was originated in good
faith between the ski corporation and the regional district.
ten years ago when the company acquired equipment
owned by the district from a failed ski hill.

Since the acquistion of this equipment ten years past, it
seems that no legitimate effort was made on behalf-of the
ski corp to pay off this debt by (he owners and directors of
the company, many of who are quite affluent businessmen
in our communily,

During the past ten years their other businesses seemed
to do quite well and continue to prosper, which would indi-
cate that they were consciously and financially obligated to
their other business ventures while allowing the taxpayers
of this region to carry a large debt for them.

I believe that quite probably the directors of the regional
district should probably have emphasized this fact to the
owners of the ski corporation many years before now,
however this still does not justify giving away a half mil-
lion dollars of taxpayers money to persons who can quite
probably arrange some form of financial repayment pack-
age if they were dealing in good faith.

One must wonder how in a time when all levels of
government are cutting back and trying to account for
every dollar, a low-level governing body can simply give
away this vast amount of money to well to do people.

Indeed, were I or any average homcowner or taxpayer
unemployed for an extended period of time and could not
afford to pay our property taxes, would the government
keep deferring these taxes for a ‘period of ten years and
then simply forgive and write them off? Or would we be
evicted into the streets and have our homes taken from us
and sold by the government to recoup monies awed them?

At this time we are being told that it is too expensive to
continue operating two communities side by each and
should merge to one, this being Terrace and Thornhill.
And yet the government can afford to give away a half
million dollars to private entrepreneurs?

This forgiving of so much of the taxpayers’ money Is a
demoralizing and hurtful slap in the face to so many mem-
bers of this community who have had so little work and
more cut backs all the time.

To give away one half million dollars of our hard earned
lax dollars to a small group of already lucrative people is
nothing Jess than treachery by our elected representatives
aud must be thoroughly researched by your ministry before
any conclusive decision is made.

Allan Grier
Terrace B,C.

Well water a debacle

Dear Sir: |

It is understood that all the water used in Terrace since ,

~ mid-winter: has come from, the Frank Street ‘well, Le
"During construction and after completion of the well,
through the media, pictures and write-ups led us to believe
that the well would be a never-ending source of the finest
water in quality, taste and texture. Hence, no further water
sprinkling regulations!

Now, halfway through the spring season, comes the
notice of sprinkling restrictions to be in place permanently.

Look around you and see the pride people take in their
lawns and flowers. Many supplement their food by grow-
ing vegetables, All these require regular moisture.

People resent being ordered to stand with a hose (espe-
cially in winter), when lawn aud garden equipment will
more efficiently irrigate in minutes.

Disappointment and bitter criticism are being expressed.
Innuendo, wisecracks and small talk are being thrown
around regarding the well. This should not be. It does not
make for a happy town.

The present council, to include all members since 1993,
should assemble and, in print, state:

1, By whom, and why, was the Frank street location
chosen and authorized.

2. What firm (engineer), ctc., studied the site recom-
mended, and guaranteed in writing the quantity, quality,
and gallonage potential, and for how long.

3. The overall and final cost of testing and operation.

4. The cost of the transmission line east to Kenney.

5. Regarding pumping costs, were the cost records of the
river gallery and battery of pumps at the Wilson Strect
equalization plant used as a guide or comparison? If not,
why not?

All studies, estimates, documents, agreements, by-laws,
minutes, and any other data pertinent to the subject should
be examined and scrutinized. Should the council demure,
then the information should be available to an impartial
group of laxpayers.

Terrace has an abundance of talents: technical, mechani-
cal, engineering, academic and professional, plus experi-
ence aud good old common sense, These persons would
gladly serve their community in this matter.

In either case, the findings should be printed in detail. If
it is a forgivable mistake or error, the public should be in-
formed.

What will be accomplished? To put this costly and
regrettable situation behind us, a bylaw should be adopted
to ensure that any civic project, venture or expansion
would be explained through the media and/or a series of
public meetings, and when the citizens have been rea-
sonably informed, a vote, referendum or plebiscite should
take place, thus leaving the final ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ up to the
people,

The irony involved bere is that people are having to get
drinking water from other systems, or buy bottled water
and a dispenser, none of which come cheap.

Gerald Duffus
Terrace, B.C.

Keep French classes

An open letter to the Northwest Community College:

We, as students at Caledonia Senior Secondary, would
like to express our concern over the cutting of all first-year
level courses in French at the college.

We wauld like to cottinve our studies in this field’ for
personal and/or academic reasons.

In some cases, we need these courses to continue on ina
particular field at another university; however, now any
opportunity to do so has been takeri away from us.

Surely some provision could be siade for one course to ©

be offered in at least onc semester per year.

ene
CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD

The Mail Bag

Some of us have indicated that we were interested in
such’a course when we inquired about registration.

Is a list being kept of names of interested students so that
if the nvmbers are high enough a course could be offered?
Surely, a qualified instructor could be found in the com-
munity to teach such a course.

We ask that Ihe‘college reconsider its decision not ta of-
fer a first-year level course and urge any community mem-
beys and other students who want or uced, this course to let
the college know of their interests.

We would appreciate it if the college would give due
consideration to our request, for we feel that the offering of
a first-year French course is essential to us students, to the
community of Terrace and to the northwest region which
you serve. ,

Krister Partel and 24 other
Grade 11/12 French students

Good mushroom land

Dear Sir;

A couple of points to ponder on the subject of airport
land development.

The land south of the airport bounded by Hwy 37, Beam
Station road and Lakelse Lake is currently in the ALR. Ag-
riculture Land Reserve.

Considering that this is a very good mushroom area, and
on any given day from September to October there are
anywhere from 20 to 30 pickers out there, and on
weekends even more, I suggest that this area will be very
difficult to have removed from the ALR, especially if 200
to 300 pickers have anything to say.

This area probably produces $50,000 to $100,000 a year
which is spent in Terrace.

The idea of a railway to the airport land is likely a dream.
Not being an engineer but noting the very long steep grade
from the existing railway, it would probably require build-
ing a line out toward Lakelse River and back to make (he
grade. The cost of that would be extremely high and unless
there was some type of heavy industry there I don’t believe
it would even be feasible.

Also is the area in the vicinity of an airport a place for
heavy industry, I think not.

M. Anderson
Terrace B.C.

Bike paths applauded

Dear Sir:

Regarding two related articles (‘‘More sidewalks, bike
paths in plan’’, “Don’t use your head”’, Terrace Standard,
May 21), I applaud your efforts and those of city council
and the police in addressing bicycling concerns in our area.

As an avid year-round rider, ] welcome any plans which
will increase the safely and popularity of this healthy ac-
tivily.

Proposed bike lanes would encourage more people to
choose two wheels over four, having used such lanes in

downtown Victoria, | can-attest to the greater feeling of .

security which they ‘bring,

Also, as a parent and teacher, J continue to be concerned
about the number of children who disregard the new hel-
nel law. Too often I’ve seen riders negotiating busy, nar-

row streels with either no helmets in sight or slung over

handlebars: too unfashionable, too un-coal!

For some parents, it may be worth spending a little more
money ona helmet that the child views as comfortable and
Stylish, then reinforcing its importance by the parents
wearing helmets themselves whenever they ride,

Alter all; modelling is the most powerful teaching tool.

a Rolfe McCooey
Terrace, B.C,

Propane prices too high

Dear Sir:

T just returned from visiting my sons in the Prince
George area, and since { drive a propane-powered vehicle I
watch the prices of propane from area to area,

What confuses and mystifies me is thal it actually costs
10 cents a litre to transport propane four hundred miles. Al
least thal’s the only explanation [I can think of. Why else
would propane be 10 cents a litre more bere than the cen-
tral interior?

If that isn’t the case, then Superior Propane and those
that work for them who control the pricing must need an
early retirement.

But seriously, with all speculation and sarcasm aside, 1
cannot for the life of me justify such an exorbitant dif-
ference in fuel prices. Charging what the market will bear
is one thing but highway robbery is another.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease and [ think we in the
northwest should be squealing bloody murder. Maybe then
we'd gel fair pricing.

Eldon Haugan
Terrace, B.C,

MP should mend fences

An open letter to Mike Scott, MP

I would like to congratulate Mike Scott on his successful
campaign and election victory. Skecna has chosen its rep-
resentative and | hope Mr, Scott is able to build on the ex-
pericice of his first term to do an cven better job of work-
ing for us in Ottawa,

In the June 12,1997 Queen Charlotte islands Observer
Mr. Scott reveals plans to reach oul to aboriginal people in
Skeena in an effort.to better understand and represent
them. I urge Mr. Scott to follow through on these plans,
not. only with First Nations people in one to one rela-
tionships, but with aboriginal governments — the band
councils, the tribal associations, the treaty negotiation
teams.

Aboriginal people represent one third of Skeena’s
citizens, and for those living on reserves the federal
government is the next level up from their loca) govern-
ment. If these Canadians are poorly served by the Depart-
ment of Indian Affairs and Northern Development; that is
a federal issue. :

I trust We cant count on Mr. Scott to roll up his sleeves
and accept the tremendous responsibility he has won;
working to find solutions for our federai frustrations.

~ Ken Alton
Smithers B.C.

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