TERRACE STANDARD Business Review Sweeper Bob picks himself up New business going strong FROM A crushing hand in- jury, to a fight with the Workers Compensation Board, to a stint on welfare, Bob Cowles has been through the wringer. But the 43-year-old for- mer construction worker is now back in action with a job he’s created for himself. Cowles bought a street sweeping machine a month ago, launched himself into business in Terrace under the name of Swish Lot Ser- vices, and hasn’t looked back. “It's going really well,’ Cowles says, adding he’s got work sweeping many parking lots around town and even has plans to ex- pand services into neigh- bouring communities. The machine he uses is a relatively clean and quiet propane-powered model. It sweeps, vacuums and filters the air before depositing all swept up dust into a holding tank, rather than just recir- culating it. *“T hadn't really envi- sioned it being a selling tool,’’ he says. ‘‘But it is. Dust is pollution — a lot of people don’t realize that.” % rc BOB COWLES is off injury compensation and off welfare with a business of his ee own sweeping parking lots. He bought his street sweeping machine with a loan ar- ranged through 16/37 Community Futures and the Provincial Networking Group. A recent arrival here from Vancouver, Cowles seized on the idea of street sweep- ing when he first got to Ter- race and took a Jook around. “T thought ‘My God, this place is dirty’ ” he recounts. Tumed down for retrain- ing by WCB officials, who he says told him it’s not worth retraining workers over 40 and pointed bim to the welfare lines, Cowles contacled people at the Provincial Networking Group here in town. That led to discussions with 16/37 Community Fu- tures and a Joan that helped him buy the machine and get started. ‘They gave me what | needed 1o get back to wark,’’ he says of those two organizations. ‘I can’t thank them enough for that, Now I have an opportunity, a job and some seif- esteem.”’ He says the Provincial Networking Group has also helped him arrange night courses that have led to him trading his Grade 9 educa- tion for bigh school equiva- lency. “fam just so thrilled that these people are there and they can help you — without a tremendous amount of red tape,” he says. i - + Terrace Standard \\t=W | requires relief carriers “—™ in the following zones — Queensway — Cooper, Hundal area — River Drive area a“ e If you would like to be on the backup list for these areas, call Karen at 638-7283. Free home catalogue. PAC RIM LNG Asian flu complicates Kitimat gas plant plan PAC-RIM LNG might have to divide its attention between more customers to get its proposed $1.1 billion liquid natu- tal gas development in Kitimat off the ground, Project consultant Wayne Stanley said the Korean government still has Pac-Rim on hold in negotiations for a sales contract while it completes a long-term economic restructuring plan. That plan, which, includes revisions of industrial. and ene vsio0 ee. |. ii seme ae ergy use growth projections, is part of International _ Monetary. Fund requirements for its bail-out:,from' last: fall’s Asian stock market meltdown. “Our expectation is that there will be a reduction in en- ergy demand,’? Stanley said, which means their buyer - Korea Gas - might not be buying the entire 3 million tonne production from the Kitimat plant. He added Pac-Rim is continuing its marketing efforts in Japan and Taiwan and has ‘yeceived some promising preliminary replies, particularly in.Japan. Stanley noted in the meantime natural gas suppliers con- ' tinue to maintain their commitments to the proposed LNG project, Out & About Real estate sales dive REAL ESTATE sales in the northwest continuc to be a fraction of what they were a year ago, according to the latest Multiple Listing Service stats from the B.C. Real Estate Association, Residential sales in February dipped to just 14 units, worth $1.96 million —- down 53 per cent from the $4.1 million in sales for the same month of 1997. The average price paid invthe:région for.a single: family house in February was+$140,264-=— down from $144,833 from a year earlier. ci a Airline tickets pricey SO JUST how much has the cost of flying increased in the Jast year? A year ago, reports local travel agency owner Barb Kerr, if you were flying economy but were paying full fare — that is you weren’t able to book two weeks in advance — you paid $863.49 Today that figure is $986.54, an increase of more than 14 per cent. ; ; You're not dreaming. Not yet, anyway. “Nelson Homes delivers dreans. Which is why over 33,000 families have trusted us to bring their home ideas to life. Qur new catalogue even includes tracing paper se you can put your ideas into perspective, _ See why we've been satisfying customers for over 40 years. For your free copy of our new catalogue or video, call 1-800-570-6002. Nelson Homes Delivers Dreams 0:05 - www. nelson-homes.com Balne Fay PURO Goines ila j GO WHERE OTHER SLEDS GET A. NOSEBLEED. Get into Mazda’s biggest event of the year... 39 APR Purchase Financing ..WHEN YOU PURCHASE DURING | oo SNOW CHECK Sq 1999 1998 Mazda 2500 SX 4x2 Truck © 1998 AJAC Best New Pick-Up Truck Award Winner ® All new suspension with 350% stiffer frame * Power assisted rack-and-pinion steering * Rear wheel anti-lock brakes © AM/FM stereo cassette ¢ New optional 2” or 1.75” deep Lug track HURRY! OFFER ENDS APRIL 15, 19983 Or lease for $189* per month/36 months. SPD 1 FREE GEAR A fica ue Ail Off RS THOT i $2,500 down (includes Freight & PDE) + Arteria APRILIS, 1998 | OCTOBER 1, 1998) RY APRIL 15,1998 Savant way ul tana : re nhs re . . « Potans Guyer Protection Pun NEV POLARIS LNT YT a MT CUHRENI tercert on rn cet mores * * Pronty, gutranteed shipment 1998 M Q ida MPY A || Sport Nortnwest Airtine Tickel(s} Twa One One > Persoraaed Polans nameplate ! OR OR OR * Free G&A and Sportswear catalog feeG&aA 3050 31 4 S50 3650 «Free memberstio im PRO family # Ali Sport appearance package * 8 passenger seating availoble « Power windows and doar focks with keyless. remote entry © AM/FM stereo with CD player © Dual air conditioning (front and rear) * Foglights ore o dealer installed option occessory Orlease for $299* per month/36 months. — $3,500 down (includes Freight and PDE) 4641 Keith Avenue, Terrace, B.C. - 635-6334 POLARIS RIDE THE BEST The Mow Check promotion is not aveilably Fa principals or employees of Polaris Industries Ud_, authorized Poturis doaten ships, focert, government Neel or tental uvite, } PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www, moido, ca Ask your dealer about Mazda's University/College Graduate Pragram. al Get in. Be moved. t “Oiters available on retail leases al neve 1998 2500 SX 4x2 tuck aid MPY AI Sport foi parterpating AZDA ih dealers” stock from Apne 3, 1998 fora lined ume anty Penance OAC Fitnce example for $10,000 af Availabli only ot participating deolart, Yoid whare prohibited by law Manufacturer's wageited retail prieny do not rellect freight, bat-up or taxer. Snowmotles = + 3.9% APR dB months af $225 44 per month COfes SAtf 32 ior aiotal ol §10 8163? Purchase price fi ul Lal program mutt be registered th the eusionia’s nama os shown on the Saow Check. The customer muy loka deliver y owe chased under tha Snow Chock be td h h Chock. Th ka deliver y oF Te TEASE includes dealer ingontives Marda Personal Lease Males; Ail Ieases basedan JG manths Other iease ihe ond payoff the declar no ole thon October 1, 1798 unless the customer alect af tima ch Sncw Check fe fake the early payment option, Should @ Sew Check ned terms avallable Down payment or equivatent wade, first monthty payment and secutity deposit due be aroilabte from Polaris by tha end of September, tha customer will have 10doys {rom the unit's arrival of the dealership fo complete the purchase, Seow Check cus lomees will Hot qqualily for any other Polaris programs in affect at the lime cf delivery ond tanner chonga model or pick-up ond payment options oncé a Snow Check order har been ploced. Offer good Morch I thiough April 15, 1994. Poluris reverses the igh! fo change modal and specifications ef ony hime withoul lncurring obii- §, Maal evoilobility, except under Seow Check, maybe weverely binuted certain raskictions apply on Marhwesl Airlina tickets, See your participating Poloris fot details, ©1993 Polaris Industries Lid on dellvery. Mazda B-Series 4x2 Truck (model #XRBOUSBADCOL wif down payment of $2.500 (includes Freight & POE). security aposit is $250, lotal lease obligation is $9,554, Marda MPV 412 Au Spatl (mode! #UALY78CB33) with dovrn payment of $4,500 includes Fraight & POE), security deposit ls $250 lata tease oblegation 5 $14.614 Oifers JAC. 20. 000hin per year mileage restuc- Hons apply 10 al! model (tases. (Cexceedad, Be per km apples Alolfers beonge iisutanté, taxes and other dealer charges exlsa See participating dealer lor details Otters cannal be combined ood 3040 Hwy 16E, Terrace Phone 635-7286