AS - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 2, 2002 Cuts to hurt us all An open letter to: Roger Harris, MLA, Skeena Dear Sir: Iam writing to you asa member of the Brilish Co- lumbia Association of So- cial Workers. | am very concerned about the effect of recent and impending cuts in public spending for social services by the Lib- eral povernment. The province is in re- cession. The connection between economic hard times and social strain is very clear. This is the worst time to cut into our ability as a community to deal with that strain. That the effects of these cuts fall especially on the poor and on children, those least able to deal with it, makes the actions of your government nothing short of reprehensible. If this makes little so- cial sense, it makes even less economic sense. Many of the short term savings that appear to be reatized are simply shifted. People turn to crime or the community at the local level is forced to organize Roads in bad shape I drive to town from the Copper River each morn- ing. The roads are virtually a sheet of compact snow/ice. There's no sand- ing ta speak of and pull- outs for turnoffs are espe- cially slick, Others I've talked with tell me conditions are si- milar throughout the area. We didn’t get that much snow (at least not for the north). It’s tempting to conclude that those responsible for maintaining our roads are not providing an adequate level of ser- vice. Why are the roads in such poor and unsafe con- dition? What are the pers“. pc formance criteria to which those responsible for main- - tenance are held? Who. holds them accountable to these criteria and do they consider performance to date to be acceptable? If not, what are. they going to do about: it? If performance is considered acceptable then have the standards changed (I’ve heard stories)? It’s an issue that I think warrants investigation. I've lived here long enough to know that driving condi- tions during the winter can be far better than they. currently are. I sincerely hope that no one has to suffer serious consequences as a result of these poor conditions. . Jim Stone, Terrace, B.C. More on the roads Dear Sir: “The areas roads are atrocious and dangerous. Do not travel unless abso- lutely necessary. Local highways are rougher than a deactivated logging road. You could rattle your fill- ings loose or perhaps a bumper. Somebody is going to get killed, don’t make it you, Our available truck is very busy. plow It should be in your area within the week. Please do not blame the operator, he is doing all he can. Please do not feel guil- ty about reducing tax reve- nue if you miss work due to road conditions. We save tens of thousands of dollars by not maintaining roads.” Who is to blame if a tragedy should occur, like a school bus full of child- ren colliding with a loaded chip truck? Equipment operators? Certainly not!. Maintenance contractor? Ministry of Transportation and Highways? Or Gordon Campbell and the Liberal goverm- _ met. Dave O’Brien,’ Terrace, B.C. CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The M what the province will not. Food banks area not a sign of social success. They are a symptom of failed social policy. But the effects of this withdrawal of community support at the provincial level will not be confined to the poor. It will affect a large number of middle class families that present- ly struggle with high or special needs children. These families general- ly do a very good job of raising children with intel- lectual or behavioural challenges and do it with a minimum of support. A few hundred dollars a month of respite care can be the dif- ference in a family’s abili- ty to cope successfully. The alternative is often a family breakdown that brings the children into . ail Bag public care, costs thou- sands of dollars a month and leaves both parents and children with a legacy of failure. These are now, and should remain, stories of hard won success. J ask that the true value of such support be recog- nized and protected by your government. Maintaining a strong social fabric is especially important in northern com- munities. They are particu- lariy hard hit by this reces- sion and there is a pressing need for the supports that government programs and funding provide. Now is the worst time to cut. Please argue on our behalf for a wholesale re- consideralion of the pre- sent approach your govern- ment has adopted. Robert Hart, No to drilling for oil and gas. Dear Sir: I cannot believe anyone would even consider drilling for oil and gas to be viable. E have worked in the oil and gas industry, not around it, and I can tell you without a doubt it would be the beginning of the end, This area is unique because we have a potential tourism industry that could easily support the area if managed properly. Who would want to come here to look and oil derricks when they are on va- cation, Tourism is an infinitely renewable resource and everyone wants to drill, mine, and cut till they have the money~and~there is. nothing left but a bunch of bald mountains with holes in them. There is room for selective harvest as long as the environment comes before the cash. How about putting that kind of funding into tourism and see what happens, instead of flogging dead horses. We need a proper boardwalk from town around the bridges by Ferry Island and back again. How about a tourism booth with easy access and real information. I have been a professional guide for 17 years and can see the potential. Can you? Brian Kendel, Terrace B.C. 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GUIMICK GHC SIEADA EXTENDED CAB AX4 Broking System © 40/20/40 Split Front Seot with Custom oth kim « hi Conditioning with Interior Ait Filtration System Suartint PURCHASE HUNCHASC FMAANCIAE 478 1 ‘35995 WTA $2240 GWE INELOOES PALIGRE AND PB) WP 10 36 MOMLHS! UPrb Se WONT amc SHE SIENNA CREW CAB AXA MOIPWeactO D> (Speed Antometic rnsmission with Gyerdiive one Tow/Houl» &-Whee! Dise & 4-Whee! Anti-Lock FAR Stereo with CO Ployes « Deep Tint lass . . ot PURCHASE STARTING FROR PURCHASE FIMANCING 59998 OF TUCUUOES FRECGAT ATH POL UPTO 36 MONTKE! lor most 2001 ang payment, trade ma 77, 39 for 36/48 montis. iis ea of borrgwing |s $0. Total obligation is $10,000. *No damonstratar jovial an anda pares only to qualified retall customars in Canada, 0% and Extanded oO (non cel 1}, 2002S Siena fvarado Grey Gat 2 SOKAS00, and 2 GMC Savana ae YT, race also doas nol apply to 2002 T: WA 000 km, $0.12 per excass kilomatra. Option fa purchase at lease end Is $5, g License, insurance and taxes not includ Oneace® combined with olher of. Certain exces administration fees may apply. “Driva away without paying’ offer does nol a purchase linance rales ae fict Die ay wt fot Caleulated on the * ha aa maSiverado 3500 |. ¢General Motors wil ay ti first month's GMAC lease pa “FOR THE LATEST NFORMATION QAOP BY YOUR LOCAL PONTIAC « BUICK © GMC OF CHEVROLET « OLOSMOGILE DEALER, VISIT US AT pmeanada.com, OR GALL US AT 1-800-GM-DRIVE, 0% purchase financing 0 raved GMAG credit on {or most 2001 and 2002 velicles. Ofte apnieg OnW te vetiies calvared an or before anus 13, 2002, Term uy 19 48 months for moet iG} and POO? ae, Tarm up to 86 months } fe ng 2008 irveke, Dawe i De required, Monihhy saymant and cost of borrowing will vary depend H ‘ ‘ $277, 78/$208. purchasa necessary. Contast open to hase of most 2001 and 2002 vehicl las purchaned batore January 13, O02. Ses your GMdea ee do ae OLED. financing and contest do n 659, $9,440, $9,928, $10, Hy to roe finan atta Purchase how . reli re OHar is deamed under provincial disclosurs ws io baa cost of borrowing, whether or pe ree ne feptesents actual interest, and is requited to be expressed as an actual Balt, 5.65%, 2.94%, 2.72 %, Limited quantiles of 2001 models avallabla. Dealar order or {rade of 2002 motels may be i $ avs fren to 801 (nd eB Aas apply. See your local GM dealer(s) for conditions and details. **Based an 2002 data, Natural Resources Canada, Ottica of Enargy Efficiency. on amount borrawed and down payment. nadian residents only. 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Licance, Insurance, and (axes not included, Certain taxes and For Cavalier, Alaro, Malibu, impala and Montana the Smart tase monthly payrent and ha GMAG ference between the prica for tha Smarileasa/GMAC purchasa finance offer and the “Cash Purchase’ reentage rate which is 7.05%, fequired. Dealers ara trea to sel Indyiduat prices. Lim ed time otter which may not be Based on a48 rronth asa