Mayor bullish on China MAYOR JACK Talstra is back from anveight-day trip to China with a delegation of northern B.C. politicians and business reps. He said the Jan. 7-15 trip was an eye-opener, but he now has a better idea of how the northwest could ex- ploit opportunities with the world’s largest emerging economy. “Whatever we have here they can make that product so much more cheaply, Talstra said, adding work- ers carn around $200 per month. | The group, which in- cluded Prince George mayor: Colin Kinsley and business. leaders from the intérior, toured Shanghai, Chengdu, Beijing and Nan- ‘9a central © jing. f They toured .a ‘plywood plant, where Talstra said there was no evidence of the most rudimentary employ- ment standards for Wwork- place safety. “Nobody was wearing ear plugs or hard hats or any of that kind of thing,” he said. One flooring plant they toured had set up in China after moving from Indone- sia,: where the wages and costs were apparently too high. Rather than | producing value-added products here: ‘for sale there,, Talstra said it’s more likely someone here with a good idea and access to the resources could " starta plant in China. The other option is to fo-. Homes nearly ready | at Gitaus subdivision cus on products that don’t exist there. Wood houses are gain- ing ground there, and there’ s starting to become a market for log homes arid timber- frame homes that could be pre-fitted here. “Those people have a chance,” Talstra said. An even more promising “option is in the field of train- ing, adding someone with” skills. around building cer- lain types of housing could start. a vocational: school there. . Talstra said the smallest city and the one most like ‘Terrace was Chengdu, be- cause of its inland location remote from coastal or gov- ermment centres. But at [8 million popula: 1 0 -there,” he joked. Although | the mayors weren't able to sit in on business meetings, their THE POPULAT IQN at the Kitselas band’ s Gitaus subdivision east of town is rising dra- - matically with the completion of a dozen new homes. Six houses built last year are already oc- — cupied, said chief councillor Glenn Bennett. And six more will be complete and.oc- cupied around the end of February. _* “We're definitely going to be chasing af- ter additional housing,” Bennett said. The reserve lands are located just east of Kleanza Creek, ‘on the north side of Hwy $600, 000 project about a month to six weeks behind schedule, adding it should be done the end of March or early April. Another big project is just in the vision Stage. . He said the band wants to build af ull- -size gymnasium/community hall at Gitaus. The hall would also have meeting rooms and other facilities, “We’re meeting with consultants to go over the feasibility and to look at how much it would cost,” Bennett said. lion, it was still 900 times the size of Terrace. “They could identify with us in Terrace a little bit.” Talstra said. They rode everywhere in limousines with police es- coris. | “Tike the fact mayors are treated with a lot of respect ‘presence helped open doors for the business delegation. Talstra added. NORTHERN. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - A9 The Terrace Standard is Jack Talstra “online ‘www.terracestandard.com Check out our site or cali 635-7283 tor advartiaing Information NEW TECHNOLOGY makes ASE ‘it easier and more affordable “fo have your vision teste between your regular eye 4» health exams. Your optician can’ use a Computerized system to : f ree check your vision and provide ht you with corrective lenses in a. SIG timely and affordable wa Call us to see if you quality tests Benson Optical Laboratory Ltd. A611 Lakelse Ave., Terrace, B.C. 638-0341 1-800-867-6322 e 100 min. $15.00 ¢ 200 min. $30.00 ¢ 300 min. $40.00 coupon expires 03/31/05 16. : 4 Construction is also nearing completion on the new fire hall located there to serve Gi- taus and other homes in the Kleanza area. Bennett said some setbacks have set the unt borrowed and down payment/trade. Example: $10,000 at d on standard model Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet Silverado vehicles of the same category. (C. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offer which may not be combined monstrator models equipped as described, Dealer order or trade may be required. Offer applies only to qualified retail customers in BC. *tFreight included. License, insurance, registration and a 48 month lease for 2005, administration fees and taxes not included. The SmartLease , trade and/or security deposit may be requifed. 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Offer applies to the purchase of 2095 new or d monthly payment and the GMAC purchase finance rates are not available with and are not calculated on the “Cash Purchase” price shown. {Financing on approved GMAC credit only. Down payment Total obligation is $17,878, $17,114, $20,154, Annual kilometre fimit 26,000 km, $0.12 per excess kitometre. Option to purchase at lease end is $26,770, $12,445, $13,361, 0% APR, the monthly payment is $277.78 for 36 months. Cost of borrowing is $0. To - He'said the band is also pursuing its own system of land codes, which would eliminate much of the requirements of getting permis- _ sion for new developments from the Depart- ment of Indian Affairs, and other agencics. 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