A6 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 19, 1997 College cost cutting plan sailing in murky waters By CRIS LEYKAUF THE TWO warring sides at Northwest Community Col- lege are likely heading to ar- bitralion to find out whether the college can issue layoff notices, This is the latest round in an escalating conflict be- tween the unions and ad- ministration at the college. The college board passed a plan at the end of January to cut university credit courses and 13 full time positions in order to curb a half a million deficit. Teaching and support staff unions at the college claimed they hadu’t had a chance to explore other ways of saving money. So the unions tried to stop the college board by taking their complaint ta a dispute resolution committee which oversees callege contracts across the province. The committee is made up of five union representatives and five employer represen- tatives from across the pro- vince. The committec handed out its decision on Feb. 6 and both sides claimed viclory. The college administration said it intended to carry on with its plan and issue layoff notices, while the unions said it was clear the college coulén’t = make layoffs, because they haven’t followed the proce- dure outlined in employ- ment contracts, That procedure says the college has to involve the unions in trying to save moncy other ways before it issues layaff notices, Now Ed Lavalle, provin- cial head of the umbrella union of college staff, says Michael Hill he’ likely take the matter to arbitration. But college president Michael Hill said he’d like to see if the dispute com- mittee can clarify the mat- ter. “Let's gel our act together . and see if we can interpret this,’ said Hill on Friday, In the meantime be intends to carry on with the cost- cutting plans. Rocque Berthiaume, in charge of the NWCC teachers’ union, warns of repercussions for college administration if it proceed with layofes. The college needs to find oul quickly whether it can or cannot issue layoff notices. According to their contracts, teaching staff must be given layoff notice by February if they’re not needed to teach in the fall. If those teachers aren’t laid off, than a substantial chunk of the savings in the college’s cost cutting plan will disappear. : City to put Nisga’a deal under its microscope CITY COUNCIL wiil take a closer look at the Nisga’a agreement-in-principle in the weeks ahead, Mayor Jack Talstra wouldn’t say for certain that the city will take a position on the tentative treaty setilement, but said it's likely. “Personally, I think it would be a good thing to do,”’ Talstra said, adding it will be up to council. Although the agrcement-in-principle was signed last February, the previous cily council held off taking a stand on the issue, and instead called on the province to carry out a socio-economic impact study of the treaty’'s probable effects on the region. That study was eventually carried out and released in December. It projected losses of up to 80 logging jobs in the region, but suggested eventual economic benefits of the teaty would far outweigh any losses, That assessment was seen as rosy here, particularly by those in the forestry sector. The city’s forestry advisory commission pinpointed the study’s failure to consider the cumulative effect of successive treaty settlements on the northwest forestry indus- try. City economic development officer Ken Veldman is preparing his own report on the agreement-in-principle, Talstra said. That report will form the basis for any discus- sions council has on the subject. Meanwhile, _—negotiations towards reaching a final treaty, “It looks like the treaty may be signed sooner rather than later,’ Talstra added. ‘‘I think all the partics want to sign off before a federal election,’’ continue New act may cost jobs CANADA's proposed Endangered Species Protection Act could cost jobs in the north, says local businessman Gerry Martin. A member of the B.C. Forest Alliance’s Citizens Board, Martin says he’s writing letters asking the federal goverment to consider the interests of working people in resource-based communities. The legislation would protect habitat criti- cal to the survival of endangered species. Fines would be levied against companies that damage habitat and private citizens will be able to launch their own court ac- tions against violators. Martin says the alliance is pushing for some “kind ‘Of “socio-economic "impact studies to be carried out when protection of habitat is contemplated. “Nobody disagrees with the objectives of the legislation,’’ he said, ‘‘hut by the same token there is the potential for some fairly heavy economic disruptions altached to that.” The fear of forest industry backers is that the legislation will lead to a Canadian replay of the American battles to shut down logging operations to protect spotted owl habitat. The legislation, called Bill C-65, has so far passed first reading in the House of Commons. oe “WW wec.be:ca’ [BEAR COUNTRY WAN ~~ Affiliated with the Northam Motor Ink; The Bear Country Inn, a name that you can equate with quality and service. You can count on _ us for the same standards you have come to - expect at the Northern Motor Inn. Our restaurant ’ has new expanded hours and delicious new menu features. Give us a try today. Come in and check out our Fantastic New Menu! _ the picture is government liaison \ ONS northwest real estate board The Northwest Real Estale Board is #1 Sheila Love (left) #2 Richard Evans (center) and #3 Gordon Olson (right) Northwest Real Estate Board 1997 Executive. Education chairman Lisa Godlinski, vice-president Steve Cook, past president and arbitration chairman Erika Langer, Prince Rupert zone rep Gordon Kobza, treasurer Diana Wood, Terrace zone rep Derrick Kennedy, president Pat Quinn, Kitimat zone rep Marg Gibson. Missing from chairman Richard Evaus. proud to present top Sales Awards to: A new look school board Democratic moves hailed By CRIS LEYKAUF “AN HISTORIC meeting.’’ That’s how ‘school board chair George Neumann de- scribed a board meeting last week where tustees unani- mously. approved .@ more democratic form of govern- ing. Before the Terrace and Kitimat districts - merged, Kitimat. trustees - were adamant about keeping a consultative style of govern- ing, with advisory com- mittees, But Terrace trustees were opposed to that idea. “We were up against an absolute immovable wall,’’ said Neumann. He was chair of the Kitimal trustees dur- ing transition talks, ‘‘But here we are, rolling along."’ He said last Wednesday’s special meeting of the board was a hectic one, with ‘'out- of-contral enthusiasm.” Discussion was informal be- tween trustees and parent and teacher representatives. The board agreed to have community advisory com- mittees in Thornhill, Ter- race, Stewart, Kitimat and Hazelton. The committees won't have any power, but they can make —rccom- mendations to the board, and bring issues to its atten- tion. Each committee will be made up of tvo representa- tives each from CUPE staff, non-union staff, administra- tion, First Nations, parents, teachers’ union, students and trustees, However, the composition of the Hazelton committee isn’t following —_ those guidelines. Instead, the deci- sion of who sits on the board will be up to the com- munity. Union representa- tives are uncomfortable with that decision, because it means their members aren't guaranteed a seat, or a spe- cial interest group could flood a meeting. Representatives on the community committees will be ——- volunteers, said Neumann. Each community committee will also elect a few of its members to sil on a district advisory council, which would directly advise the board. It’s not clear how often the committees would meet. Neumann suggested that the district one might mecl once a month, on the same day as the board meeting. ~ The school board has alse approved the idea of having a budget advisory com- mittee. This would be an ad hoc committee made up fram representatives from all the partner groups, and would mean that everyone would have a chance to give input into what programs get money, aud where culs should be. **This is an historic move in Terrace,” said Neumann. He’s pleased thal commit- ments made during trustee elections are being followed through, The first meeting of the district advisory commiltee will be on April 2° in Hazelton. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 19, 1997 - A7 Terrace Community , Band George Neumann Our major fundraising concert * TRIP FOR TWO 10 SAN FRANCISCO * ORIGINAL PAINTING Donator: Canadian Ainlines Plus TWO NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION Denator: Envirestyle Landscape Designs Donator: Canadian Aifines *20 MIN. HELICOPTER RIDE FOR 4 Donator: Northern Meuntain Helicopters «2 GIFT CERTIFICATES © ONE NIGHT HOTEL Donatos: Dante's ACCOMMODATION 4 OL FILTER AND LUBE Donator: Coast inn of the west Darator: N & J Sheil Station Pius DINNER FOR TWO « AUTHOR - AUTOGRAPHED BOOKS Donator: White Spot Restaurant Danator: Misty River Books ©3 MONTH FAMILY POOL PASS Donator: Terrace Parks & Recreation *PRINT Gonator: Northern Light Studio , by Flicka Humphrey * GIFT CEATIFICATES & SWEATSHIRT Donator: Mr. Mikes « GIFT BASKET Donator: Hava Java «9 SAVE-ON-MORE PHONE GIFT CERT. Donalor: Overwaitea Saturday, Feb. 22 ‘97, 8pm R.E.M. Lee Theatre TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM: SIGHT & SGUND IN THE SKEENA MALL & BAND MEMBERS PRIZE TICKETS: ADLLTS (must be 19 yrs. ar over to win) - $15.00 NON-PRIZE TICKETS: SENIORS/STUDENTS - $7.00 CHILDREN (12 yrs. and under) - FREE “Never laughed so hard” Eric Lindros, NHL Superstar Philadelphia Flyers “The Amazing Sterling” Gillian Anderson Golden Globe Winner X-Files (Fox) Sterling’s unique style of entertainment is gut wrenching, side splitting, falling off your chair funny. Everyone that takes part in this incredible show leaves with a unique side effect - a serious respect for the power of the subconscious mind. Sterling is the best hypnotist we have ever seen. His act 1s so cool we had ibe same patrons coming back night after night to be spellbound again and again. Dale Schweighardt Buffalo Bills, Whistler, B.C. “Leigh Sterling is a skilled and caring hypnothera- pist eager to be of belp to p ie 0 yp ; 4 Dr. Paul Bishop Simon Fraser University LEIGH STERLING HYPNOTIST February 27th _ at The Coast Inn of the West Hanky Pankies $10 .00 ADVANCE © $12.00 AT THE DOOR Townhouse approved THE CITY will rezone a southside property for an expected townhouse development over the objectious of neighbours. The land at 2703 Kafum St. — on the west. side of the street, just north of Haugland Ave. — is being rezoned from Jocal commercial to muillifamily residen- tial. Also changing is the Official Com- munity Plan designation from service com- mercial to multi-family apartment Developer Jerome Auriat says the rezon- ing will allow him to go ahead with a six- lo eight-unit townhouse. ‘But nearby residents said more traffic will decrease their quality of life. Councillor Val George noted there’s a shortage of rental accommodalion, and said the city is under pressure to allow more apartments. ‘‘Where would you have us put these?’’ he asked. ‘Put it up on the bench,”’ replied South Kalum resident Bob Petho. ‘‘People up there wouldn't like it. Well, | don’t like it either.”’ Councillor Linda Hawes sought a delay of the decision to give more time to consid- er whether there’s adequate green space in the area for children. But councillors David Hull, Rich McDaniel and Ron Vanderlee said they were in favour of proceeding now, The rezoning passed with Hawes voting against. NEID ENTERPRISES & ARCTIC CAT bring you CAT PRIDE RIDE'S7 Sunday, February 23 Rabin on Sterling Mountain Staring at 10 am. FREE Hot Dogs & Pop Cat Pride Ride Hats! . <