A8 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 5, 2003 ‘Show us the money,’ gov't body here urges Victoria By JENNIFER LANG THEY WANT it all. The Kitimat Stikine re- gional district board is of- fering to take over a range of provincial government services. But there’s a catch. In return for taking over parks, forest service re- creation sites, schools, transit, mines, petroleum, fisheries and wildlife man- agement, the regional dis- trict also wants the power to set taxes, royalties, fines and fees — and issue Tegulations. “We feel that since this government is negligent in the management of our re- sources, we will do it for them as long as we can have it all,” reads a mo- tion that “passed with en- thusiasm” at the Jan. 24 board meeting in Terrace. Thornhill director Les Watmough said highways and hospitals would re- main under the jurisdiction of the provincial govern- meat. “They’re trying to give us all the losers,” said Watmough, who intro- duced the motion. “Well, We want some of the winners.” He wants the regional district to ask its neigh- bours in Bulkley-Nechako and the Skeena-Queen Charlotte districts if they want to join in the offer to take over these services “since the province does not want to be responsible for Aything.” Northwest Smile Design Center DcPA. Ohi, be Family Sealey Full Face Onhadontes, LAL, » Serving the Northwesl for 10 yeors © Full Fate Orthodonth Care © lavisalign « the Invisoble braces * LA), Treutment * Porcelain Crowns ond Veneers * Teeth Whitening (Bleaching) * Lolex Free Office Dr. Peter. A. Okimi 200-4619 Park Avenue, Terrace, B.C, V9G 1V5 (250) 635-7611 Did you know that a child siculd be seen for theit first ehodoatc screening before aga 7? a For men who think that candy is the perfect Valentine’s gift, Sweet. Kitimat - Pei Centre Mall 632: 4313: Terrace Sheena Mall 635-5111 Ma 2F-Srd Ave'624- “SHIT ; Comjalimantary ‘1-888-738-2211 ° The board has grown in- creasingly frustrated with what directors complain is forced downloading. That turned to anger last spring when the board refused to step in to keep Exchamsiks Provincial Park open next year, after a confrontational meeting with Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection official Hugh Markides. “Make us an offer,’ is the term he used,” Wat- mough ‘said. “Well, here’s our offer.” Learning of impending cuts to transit budgets was the last straw. Watmaough said the transit authority recently presented four options. “The option they gat exci- ted about was that the three regional districts take over transit. 100 per cent with a little help from Victoria but no funding,” he said, Revenues would come from rider fares and a fuel tax. “I immediately said, “No way.’” Skeena MLA Roger Harris meets with the re- gional district board this month. He finds these face-to- face meetings useful, be- cause it’s a chance to set the record straight on what’s actually happening. “Part of my job is also providing information,” Harris said. “I think it’s important to talk about the facts — although some- times they get in the way of the discussion.” He pointed to a debate that raged over rumoured closures of highway rest stops in the. region — which Les Watmough turned out to be unfounded. “That’s why it’s impor- tant to go to these things and talk about the facts,” Harris said. “Some things we may not agree upon, but that’s OK.” 3forl 1 Pizza : : _*Restrictions apoly ‘Small Pastas ¢ 15 wings: 2 POR S * 2 Garlic Toast. wary wxchutive Coivvertea- Cab 6 systema wiih Soldia , Engine: a Atganutie Trains Ls with Tow? Haul, Mode midgale and removable rear window allows: you sued go from a 5-pactenger SUV to 3 pick-up ‘ruck cargo boa + 5,3 Live Va 285 HP Vortet En ? Tanstnisslon with Tow? ‘Haul Mode » 49D + 3plece Rerooable Rigid Cargo Cover sae easy To Get into: Wheel and Crit Tint Glast © Alumtih tb thobibe @ peallable wn ippaired GLa prarehave 4°40 month Heats for $+ 1D at THD US UA wich down * oh wap arte wae i (to; Pores ths anew U bean ead ie N21.206, $13,149, Hoane, £13 (84 pa aglets Sowde pei v ee he 1 uly. Bride $0; Hoe kretad Tony re