It was. Hawes who led the push in August to re- scind plans for a Febru- ary multiplex referendum ~ which the mayor want- ed to allow mere time to find other sburces of ‘money — and persuaded council to go with the November referendum plan, She’s an active B.C, Liberal and a supporter of Skeena MP Mike Scott. eee Hawes says she used her connections to get provincial Liberal opposition teader Gordon Campbell to ease off on Skeena Cellulose. She-still maintains the government should never have bought the company. Hawes says she has more time and energy than mayor Talstra‘to. devote. to the mayors "job. “It’s pretty close to a full-time job to be done right,” she said. “I have a lot more time because [’m not running a full-time business.” Hawes also said council debate under Tat- sira is sometimes. massaged in advance to as- sure: consensus — too much so for her. liking, adding she’d allow mare open debate. “Sometimes it feels quite predctermined,” She said,“I think there is a strong guiding hand at work offen.” .. ~ “Does the community want homogenization: Three seek mayor’s chair LINDA HAWES First elected as a city councillor in 1996, Linda Hawes has been active on the city’s So- cial Planning Commission and in working to- wards completion of the multiplex. or do they want their various and diverse views represented?” Age: 43 Occupation: Businesswoman. Activities: Northwest Communities Coali- lion, Northwest. Loggers Association, Big Brothers and Sisters, Rotary Club, Terrace and District Community Services. Been here: 19 years in‘tolal. Family: Two grown children, Lives at: 4210 Kalum Lake Drive. Property/ business interests:*none.-~ ~~ Statement: Is Terrace. ready for its first female mayor? To me, it’s not about gender, it’s aboui ac: countability to the residents of Terrace. I feel that: council. lias too long worked without a specific plan to guide the city’s future. Terrace needs a strategy,.a long-term vision and an ac- tive leader to help the city meet its goals, With vision and active leadership: ° M@ Council would lobby vigourdusly to have Mills Memoria! established as:a recognized regional hospital, We would join: our efforts with- citizens, health’ care. providers and health councils ona local and regional-level to cn- sure the appropriate funding became a reality. - W@ The city: would have a vision for long term growth and the enhancement of quality of life- for every segment of our population, The necds of all ages and every walk of life would be integrated into all future planning. wt City council could make’ children. and youth a priority and actively support initiatives ‘such as Nights Alive, It Takes A Community, ‘provement Program) so that the city could pro- “needed “firchall> Lantear Hill - improvement" and _ mand this cooperation: | _ to whom you could voice your concerns, ideas, and whose first priority is ta ‘represent you. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, November 17, 1999 -A5 CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD and D.A.R.E, Without priorities and direction, the city makes choices like granting $17,000 to the Kitimat Crass Country Ski Club but de- nying $1,500 to Terrace Nights Alive to’ pro- vide safe, supervised entertainment for local youth @ Terrace could rework its Le. (Local Im- vide affordable, workable programs to the resi- dents to have their streets repaved. A reserve fund could be established, as forward-thinking councils do, for the much- evert enhanced recreation. facilities, M@ Terrace would have an operative, dyna- mic forestry commission — with representation from large industry, small value-added mills, loggers, truckers and ‘forestry ‘workers, This could be a forum for jaint opportunity,. prob- lem-solving, and an advisory body so. council could heed these solutions .and Support them on a local and provincial level. MW Regional partnerships would be made a priority in the city — opportunities for econom- ic development and industrial diversity de- lM You‘could have an approachable council “Terrace is very fortunate lochave a dedicat- cd, enthusiastic city staff working on your be- half, ‘but they need active leadership ta pro- vide direction, If you elect me, Linda Hawes, for Mayor on November 20, | promise to provide that leader- ship and vision for the full three year term of office, -You have my word on it. GARRY PRYCE Garry Pryce may not be as well known as the other two candidates, but says he! 5 gol something distinct to offer. “I feel it’s time for deci- sive leadership,” he said. “I feel there’s been an awful lot of waffling and inconsis- tency going on al city coun- cil. F can change that. [| don’t waffle. | can take stands and be consistent.” Pryce also stresses thal he’s an independent can- didate not interested in run- ning for provincial politics. He also goes considerably farther than Tal- stra or Hawes in criticizing the Nisga’a treaty, on which he says. he would have sought a city referendum. “I oppose it on humane grounds,” Pryce of people should dominate the other.” Pryce supports the Community. Facilities Society that manages the REM Lee Theatre, Heritage Park and Ferry Island, adding all three could be used more creatively. He says the Skeena River is our key to ex- ploiting the tourism industry to create jobs. - “Above all, the mayor must -be-able to Lis- ten, to be compasionate, to be Mexible and ta be understanding.,” he says, “I have all. of those qualifications.” ‘Age: 54 said. “I believe that everybody should be liv- ing together coimpatibly and that no one race” Occupation; ‘Businessman, formerly. in steel fabrication, but off work ‘due to health. - Activities: Northwest Singers, former direc- tor of church and school-choirs and bands. . Been here: Four and a half years. Family: Partner Marjorie, three grown children. Lives at: 4403 Birch Avenue. Property/ business interests: House. Statement: My vision of the future of Terrace includes an accessible retirement community, an indus- trial park to- attract more business ‘activity in our community and reducing taxes for ‘every- one. ‘It includes feadership that is more respon- sive tothe needs of residents by reducing in camera mectings at cily hall, : My vision includes. exploring the tourism industry and using il'to- our fullest advantage. “It includes hetter’ forest’ practices by im-- proving. ‘the second growth rate of trees. My vision includes a cleaner cily. Substan- dard housing will be either reduced or climi- - nated, There is no excuse for some of the ap- - palling ‘living conditions that presently exist in Terrace: : I will fight for the tights of the residents in all areas. of safety. People. are not receiving proper medical care, ‘Pedestrians need to feel _ safe in. crosswalks. The crime rate. is rising steadily. ” Residents should Fee! safe in knowing there -are less drugs i in the cily. “a destination location. The multiplex project is Drinking water, should be not only safe to drink, bul desirable to-drink, The city has to be encouraged to: grow with the safely of its. resi- dents in mind: AS your Leader of the city, I will be more conscious of all safety factors. Terrace cannot be a. regional service centre until we have received increased health fund- ing. |- would take forceful action to improve health care in Terrace! Community health councils have no_ real: power. We need-a tailor- made regional health’ body. Council members have travelled ta Victoria. on several occasions over the last three years, returning with only empty ‘promises, 1 would initiate and conduct an organized ‘petilion through the mayor 8 of- fice on behalf of the citizens of the city, pres- ent. il fo the current health minister and de- mand that a signed and ‘witnessed statement be releascd initiating financial support for our regional ‘hospital immediately! | have'always favoured (he present location of the Farmers” Market - We need the ‘multiplex to further enhance the viability of future development here, With alternate funding, the tax burden will be less. Long term-planning such as the multiplex will-enable Terrace to progress into the new millennium, | will provide-a vision for the fu- ture of our citizens and. to promote Terrace as part of my vision fora successful city, ~ Lam an independent candidate. It has been noted that both of my opponents have more than a passing interest in provincial . politics. 1 will stay in office for three full years!” JACK TALSTRA Jack Talstra is far and away Terrace’s most experienced municipal politician. ‘ He’s been mayor for five terms ~— since 1985 ~ and he’s seeking a sixth one. Before becoming mayor he had three terms as a coun- cillor under his belt dating back to 1975. Although Talstra is a fed- eral Liberal and considered a viable candidate for the B.C, Liberals as well, he’s adept at crossing political boundaries when necessary. - Now-premier Dan- Miller praised Talstra as: a key ally in the fight to save Skeena Cellu- lose and preserve jobs in the northwest. Talstra says he believes that work on SCI topped his list of accomplishments over the Jast term. . “| really think (Prince Rupert mayor) Jack Mussallem and myself and the minister made a difference there in keeping this operation faced economic disaster if they’d failed. “[ think I'm a better team player,” he said. “| think [ can deal with senior governments better. | think [ can deal with the twists and tums of finances better.” While Talstra doesn’t rule out running for provincial politics, he says it’s not really in. his - plan. “Tam commilted to Terrace," he said, Age: 53 going,” he said, adding the region would. have | Occupation: Laywer. Activities. Been here: 46 years. Family: Two grown children. Lives at: 3801 Spring Creek Drive. Property/ business: interests: Talstra and Company, Five Star Properties, share: of - the Almarlin building, housing development off Spring Creck Drive. Statement: There are many challenges facing our com- munity as-we near the 21st century. All: of: them, one way or. ancther,’ are linked to: our - economic well- being and therefore demand our attention. . . The future of publicty- -owned Skeena Cellu- lose Inc. is ane such issue. Two. yeats ago, SCl’s sawmill in Terrace was scheduled’ to be shut-down until’ a new buyer could be found. It was my belief that, had-this closure gone ahead, it would have lasted’ a minimum’ of two years and ‘erealed havoc in our local economy, As such, I worked. extensively with Prince Rupert’s: mayor and. the provineial forest min- ister to implement a. temporary fix until’a long-. term solution could be-found. The significance of this‘action wenl beyond ' the affairs of one corporation, however. Every homeowner in Terrace stood to lose a signifi- cant amount ‘of equity in. their homes if SCI closed and collapsed the local. real estate mar- ket, The same. was’ {rue for every local busi- ness which stood to lose customers, sales and ‘day, but.I believe | have gained the knowledge na Cellulose is: still a concern as a lasting $0- ‘(of which SCI is a part) are not lost in “the big ‘tian should apply to our hospilal as well. ultimately, valuc. This was. in addition to the to all; Under my leadership, residential taxes have ‘not risen in the. past three years — yet im- provements: were made without incurring debt. This was accomplished by trimming our op- erating costs.and using the money saved for capital improvements such as street and side- walk reconstruction. There are many difficult issues facing us to- and experience necessary to deal effectively with them, enjoy the task of being your mayor and look forward to implementing a number of new ideas. [ask for your support on Nov. 20, hundreds of good jobs thal would also have been fost. no ‘From-my perspective as your mayor, Skee- lulion has yet to be found. One of my key tasks, if re-elected, will be to ensure (hat the inleresis of our communily picture” of provincial affairs. Local--health care funding is another issue which needs to be dealt with on an urgent ba- sis. oe, Mills Memorial functions as a regional hos- pilal yet is funded as a local facility. This has resulted in shortcomings in care, Terrace is well established as a regional commercial centre! for ‘me, the challenge: lies in convineing Victoria that a regional designa- Dear Sir: Calling market backers first place, namely moving where if was than voted in Aletter Think, then vote Dear Slr: What will school district candidates do to sup- Taxes are another matter of obviaus interest ‘The Sept. 16, 1998 edi- tion of The Terrace Stan- dard reported a warning to the effect that the present city politicians could face the wrath of the voters if ‘they, continue to insist that .the farmers market ‘be * moved. It appears the current “ bateh of ‘city councillors are taking a long term. view ‘towards obtaining what they wanted in the the market. It appears city council seltled with the. farmers market and offered a five tions thal’ if broken allows ‘the ‘cily. ta cancel; thus paving the way for a return to the market location mentioned: in. their long range: plan. And: more people signed the petition ‘ (o-Keep the farmers markel year lease as it has condi-- the last civie election. Time is apparently on the side of the current city council, they can get what they first wanted (the far- mers market moved) with- oul alienating (he voters. Uniless those ‘citizens that signed the petilion to protect the farmers market gel out and vote,. those councillors will have won. Stefka Haigh, Terrace will have | many important decisions o make, such ~as the ‘most appropriate configuration for the new port teachers, public education and collective agreements? Will they advocate a return to local collective bargaining so thal teachers and boards can negoliate all terms of employment, including a fair. wage sctilement, and remoter districls‘can at- tract and retain quality teachers? Let. us hope the new trustees will lend this school districl into’ a new, happier era of co- opera- tion, sound management and clear. vision. They Skcena Secondary School: Andrew Willlams, Terrace and District Tea- chers Union, Terrace, B.C. The Mail Bag Multiplex benefits Dear Sir: While the muttiplex project will cast taxpayers a fair sum aver 20 years, espectally business tax- payers, there will be inherent economic benefits. Terrace already suffers high property taxes for bu- sinesses because we have such a small industrial base to draw from, unlike say Kitimat, A study prepared by the Terrace. Economic De- velopment Authority states the multiplex: will bring an estimated $3.5 million annually to the commun- ity, not to: mention direct employment and con- Struction’ jobs during constriction, It will also help attract professionals and labour to the arca. This will help foster the economic development that is so badly needed in the Terrace area. Financing the project docs not have to be borne by the taxpayer alone. Through corporate sponsor- ships, fund raising, and donations the $7.6 million potential cost could be reduced substantially. The Municipal Finance Authority's Community Bond strategy would allow local area residents:to earn an investment return while saving interest costs for the municipality - a novel and excellent option. The proposed site may nat be the most desir- able, however, it is the most feasible and cost cf- fective. | agree city forefathers didn't think when the arena and pool were built on that site, but sometimes you have to play the cards you're deall. Finally, I think council needs to be positive and communicate to the voters the benefits this project will bring to the community at large. Now that the project has been largely defined, corporate spon- sors should be approached to support financing, To dite this has not been done. Terrace wants to be seen as a growing commun- ity, a regional centre that provides all the ameni- ties. Should the referendum fail, countless hours of volunteer work will have been wasted, potential economic development hindered and the status quo retained, It would be a sad achievement for such a strong, vibrant communily. Justin Rigsby, Terrace, B.C, And more benefits Dear Sir: Most of the discussion | hear concerning the pro- posed multiplex focuses on the cast of the project and lilile seems to be aimed at its benefits. Although there is no single answer to the ills that befall modern socicty, the enhancement of so- cial, recreational and cultural opportunities provide positive alternatives to destructive behaviours, The merits of wholesome recreation and social interac- tion are well understood in reducing health care costs, preventing anti-social behaviour and con- tributing to personal growth and development. The multiplex will be suitable for community celebrations, fairs, banquets, dances and other large events thal are currently restricted by the lack of suitable space, People with disabilities will find user-friendly facilities for preater inclusion, and financially disadvantaged families will have access to reasanably priced recreation services. Steve Scott, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, Terrace, B.C, We can't afford it Dear Sir: ] speak for the no side of the multiplex vote. The debt financing cost is the principle at $7.6 million, the borrowing cost of $135,000 and the in- terest over 20 years at $6.565 million. The opera- ting loss is said to be zero but | have difficulty be- lieving there will be no operating lost during the first three years of start up. In total, the cost will be $14.3 million, paid by Terrace and Thornhill, Terrace residents currently pay the 20th highest taxes in the province. Where will we rank after this proposed increase ($60 a year on a $140,000 home over 20 years is § 1200.) Terrace businesses currently pay the eighth highest taxes in the province, Taxes for the Skecna Mali will increase by $15,400 a year, Safeway’s ~ by $5,600 a year. The citizens of Terrace and Thornhill, through increased costs of goods. Terrace’s major industries pay the sixth highest faxes in the province. Skeena Cellulose (currently in arrears on their taxes) will see its taxes increase by $34,200 (over 20 years that’s $686,000); and Skeena Sawmills (down to operating one shift) will increase by $15,000 (aver 20 years that’s $300,000) and the future of the forest industry docs aot look bright! Where will the tax dollars come from when two of our major industries are suffering from poor economic conditions, or no longer exist? ‘We, as a communily, must ask ourselves if we had $14,300,000 to spend, how would we spend it. Other needs of the community include health care, drug and alcoho! programs, Lanfear Hill, roads, education, 911 system, regional landfill, ete. Sieve Scott has been quoted as saying the cost is only one movie rental a month for the average family: No, Steve; it is $14,300,000 for our com- munily. Can we afford this extravagance? No. J. Malo, Terrace, B.C, Needed for youth Dear Sir: The multiplex referondum is vital to the growth of the area. When peaple choose a place to work, besides a job, they look for what the arca offers, Health, schools, recreation and music opportunities play an important part of why people come here. The proposed multiplex will permit youth not already in organized sports a gym for drop-in bas- ketball, or badminton, or as a (een centre. Already the schoo! gyms are booked uatil after Easter 2000, Parents of youngsters not yct in school need a place to bring their children. There are those living in’ trailers/smail apartments that would love to ~ bring their kids ta such & centre ahd maybe burn off their energies, . We often hear that workers want a shorler work weck, more quality line off for recreation and fa- mily. It’s time this js seriously considered, Norma King, Terrace, BC More letters, Page A6