Don’t divide the community Dear Sir: The Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce was extremely disappointed with the irresponsible remarks made by labour council vice-president Don Philpott CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD think they feel? In many cases El has run out. For small business owners the situation is not much different, Many businesses have downsized because of the economy. Many owners can’t even afford wages for toward local merchants and chamber president Betty Barton in the Feb, 6 article, “Coalition leaders want to boycott merchants.” The. chamber is very dismayed with the government cuts, Government services have helped to diversify our local economy. As a service center, Terrace relies hea- vily on government employees and their contribution. ‘Many smali businesses and merchants have suffered in recent years from high taxes, a poor forest industry, increased regulation, and lack of business incentives. ““Employment in our community is at an all time low because of the. closure of small businesses, the closure of Skeena Cellulose, the decline in tourism since Sep- tember 11 and the lack of retail traffic. Government cuts will only further exasperate this situation. -Itis not just government employees that are out of work, but thousands of forestry workers also. In the Ter- race area alone there are over 1,000 workers idle be- cause of Skeena Cellulose. These same workers have not worked a full year in the last five years. How do you The Mail Bag themselves and EI is not an option for them. Merchants have invested money, blood and sweat into keeping their businesses afloat. Life is tough and our community has a bitter pill to swallow right now. The labour council’s plea will only create a divided and antagonistic community — the last thing we need now. The chamber believes the commun- ity needs to pull together to develop positive and proac- live solutions to the current crisis. The B.C. government is in a state of financial crisis and tough measures — whether we like them or nol — are needed to get this province back to being the economic leader it once was. The chamber invites anyone to come forward with positive ideas to restore the economic health of our economy. Attempts to destroy our economy through boycotts of small business will only damage re- lationships and create further job losses. Board of Directors, Terrace & District Chamber of Commerce, Terrace, B.C. We have a right to choose Dear Sir: I want to respond to some of the remarks made by MLA Roger Harris in the Feb. 6 The Terrace Standard. Allowing people to make an informed decision on where they spend their hard-earned money is neither un- democratic nor irresponsible, 1! is a time-honoured tradi- tion in a democratic society. For years merchants have been willing to seek endor- sements so that they could tell consumers that they can buy green here, or that no animals were harmed in the development of this product, etc. It was all intended to appeal to the consumers’ concerns and interests. What is undemocratic is a government that lies to the electorate and presumes to do despicable things that it promised the voters it wouldn't do when asking for their ’ support. ‘There is no organized boycott of businesses in this community. Community activists would prefer to offer merchants an opportunity to make a statement about | One 7 Oelicels : fe — a zachary Blazosek-Bilash February 6, 2001 - 8 months Parents: Anna & Mark Reece Finlayson February 17, 2001 - 3% months Parents: Terri & Todd at tt Flee «2 Brendan Kryzanowskl-Currle May 15, 2001 -5 months Parents: Billie & Andy Meadow Carpino November 30, 2001 - 2 months Parents: Shelly & Gina how the loss of public and private sector union wages are hurting their respective sales. These union dollars are the life blood of the commun- ity and Roger Harris wants to chase them away from our economy permanently. No one is interested in punishing anyone for how they voted in the last election. What activist groups are inter- ested in doing is providing as many people as possible with an opportunity to voice their opposition to the reck- less and undemocratic behaviour of this government. The Liberals were not given a mandate to destroy our communities. To that extent almost no one, except the very rich, got what they voted for in the last election anyway. And as for Roger’s other pathetic assertion about al- most voting no to Bill 29, that’s like being almost dead or almost pregnant. Said the King to his minions, “I al- most had a shred of integrity, but?” ' Don Philpott, Terrace, B.C. a Jeremy Castano August £3, 2001 - 3 % months Parents: Jerri & Joe ta “GE tad’ Landon Evans April 28, 2004 - 4 months r : a ei a f ? * The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - AZ Everyday 250 million children go to work. Farced child labour still exists. While most are in developing countries, many can be found in industrialized nations. So we encourage companies to adopt strong human rights standards, And that should let you sleep a little better, Choose an Ethical Punds® Registered Retirement Savings Plan — ask us how. Do the right thing. www.ethicalfunds.com Terrace & District Credit Union Parents: Kim & John | Mutual funds are offered through Credential Asset Management Inc. Commissions, trail- ing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments, Please read the prospectus before investing, Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Ethical Funds Inc. has paid for a portion of this ad. ‘ redentia I” astet management eee) AY Marlee Grace Hoffman February 9, 2004 - 4 % months Parents: Sandra & Andy | February 25, 2001 - 10 %4 months Parents: Lynda & Chad Nathan England January 3, 2001-11 months Parent: Jennifer Denver Long December 9, 2001 - 1 month Parents: Danita & Rob bee ‘Lane Spyksma April 28, 2001 - 8 months Parents: Jaime & Darren Llyauna Furtadu Laekyn Furtadu January 5, 2001 - 6 months Parents: Leah & Joe Logan Denluck February 16, 2001 - 9 months Parents: Jamie & Stephen Tyra Forcler June 7, 2001-6 months Parents: Kerri & Dave Tallon Wood August 10, 2001 - 5 months Parents: Nona & Dean Jared Moth May 2, 2001 - 6 % months Parents: Terr! & Pat Ethan Moore March 8, 2001 - 7 months Parents: Vanessa & Michael Ashley Nichole McCarthy April 20, 2001. - 6 months Parents: Sandra & Greg Brendan Kryzanowskl-Currle May 15, 2001 -6 % months Parents: Billie & Andy Jess May 11, 2001 - 6 months Parents: Diana & Dave