They huffed and the uffed enmi-gd ‘ABOUT 50 Terrace smo- “ kers puffed in protest out- side the Workers’ Com- ‘pensation Board office ‘Feb. 10 to show their con- ‘tempt for the province- «wide ban on smoking in all «workplaces. » Terrace Bottle Depot ‘owner John Taylor, who =quit smoking a year ago, “attended the rally because «he says the ban goes « against basic human rights. » “To tell me what E can «do in my own business is ~ wrong,” Taylor said. “I’m ~hoping someone with any “guts at ail will do some- » thing to change this.” Although he agrees that protecting workers from second-hand smoke is a positive action, he’s against the WCB en- croaching on people’s lib- erty. “This WCB is an insur- ance agency,” Taylor said. “It’s not a lawmaker. They’ve got nothing to do with laws.” Protester June Rodick, who has smoked for 47 years, says the govern- -Ment’s new regulations are ‘a double standard. ; She says she’s disgus- ‘ted that the NDP govern- ‘ment can line its packets ‘with the money made from cigarette taxes, then turn ‘around and ban smoking in ‘bars, restaurants and any -other establishment where -workers may he subjected -to second-hand smoke. . “If 1 get pneumonia be- -cause I have to smoke out in the cold, can [ file a claim with WCB?” she - Said, : She added: “Animals -get treated betier than we ‘do. If you put an animal -out in the cold you get in : trouble.” : Loeal resident Garven ‘English, who has smoked rhis whole life, said he at- -tended the rally to show >his disdain for the ban, . /which came : Jan. 1. : He said it’s not enjoy- able going to the pub when ; you have to go outside to ditto .effect ~ The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 16, 2000 - A3 Smokers protest new regs Smokers unite: Terrace residents met at the Work- ers' Compensation Board office last Thursday to protest the new regulations that ban smoking in ail BC workplaces. The smoking bans were put j place to protect workers from the hazards of sec. ond-hand tobacco smoke, smoke. “Sure I still go for a beer, but nat as often,” English said. He added that if bar tenders and servers don’t want to be subjected to second-hand smoke they should work somewhere else. Premier Dan Miller, who smokes, refused last week to intervene or lift the smoking ban, despite unrelenting protest from bar owners and smokers. Miller has rejected the claims from the Coalition of Hospitality Organiza- tions — which represents hotels, bars, restaurants, bingo halls and legions across the province — that businesses are closing and over 570 job have been lost since the smoking re- gulations took effect. According to WCB offi- cials, more than 70 per cenit of businesses have willingly complied with the new laws. News In Brief City lifts bul THE CITY is lifting its ban on the creation of new lots in the southside’s floodplain. The moratorium on new subdivisions in the floodplain was pul in place two years ago by the city at the envir- onment ministry’s request. The ministry feared rapid development on the south- side was creating a high risk of losses if a majar flood were to occur, Rut gity, planner [ David Frawin says the Skeena River * hitTitg highest level, in 50 years ast's Summer yet, he vast majority of the floodplain was ui affected: ” He noted new construction is required to be built up to a level above the 200-year-floodplain, and must be setback a minimum 60 metres from the river. Fete we Re eee ER eee ee ae eee eee i ~ LERANG A OOOH MEREEION * EARLY RELEASE! see the all new MOUNTAIN CAT 600 VEV Presenting the 2001 Mountain Cat® 600 VEV ae With Arctic Power Exhaust Valves.™ And more horsepower. an . 2 7. . Pan * * . . : “ ‘ . ms a ' We t ' ’ 4 Ly ' i] ' 4 we a a 4 a 4 ‘ 4 * a ’ + . e- . the 2001 Mountain Cat 600 VEV sets o highmark for performance. Its variable exhaust volves are electronically controlled, utilizing servomotors for a broad power range, improved fuel economy, reduced sound levels and minimum maintenance. I! makes our ‘Mountain Cat 600 VEV the most exciting powder machine ever. This sled is available in very limited numbers for a very limited time. So-see us today. ‘readlighttyl* Aways wear a helmel and don't crink and ride, ©2000 Arctic Cat Salas Ine., @™ Trademarks of Ateli¢ Cat Inc., Thiet River Falls, MN 56701, (218) 681-4999 222.arclie-cal.com ARCTIC CAT What Snowmobilings All About, ding ban The environment ministry had wanted the city to spend $60,000 to conduct a study of the risk of flooding and erosion to future land development before ending the moratorium. A provincial grant was even created to help pay for such studies. The city applied for a grant twice but was twice turned down, Trawin said. “It doesn’t seem’ to-be'a high: priority to winsaids sneer ™ ~"On'that basis, he redimnbierided eourieil litt tie iit. ‘torium. mene That’s expected to be passed at the next meeting of council. OR LEASE FROM 209 PER MONTHS 46 MONTHS + "A Consumer's fest Buy ~ Consumers Digest 4 « RM/EM stereo with CD player * Side impact protection beam: * 14" wheels PERS Province gets gas JUST AS gas prices are rising, the provincial govern- ment has received a report on how the rates are estah- lished. “Our report makes several recommendations to help consumers and address competition issues at both the retail and wholesale levels,” says NDP MLA Ed Conroy who chaired the committee looking at gas prices. The report has been forwarded to the provincial ca- binet for discussion. It can be viewed at winw.ag. gov. be.ca/publicieas_price_report.pdf In Terrace, prices for unleaded gas went up two cenls a litre last month to 61.9 cents, the latest of sev- eral increases. Prices had been fairly stable here at 54.9 cents a litre until late last year. Tourism boost eyed THE BIGGEST increase in tourists to B.C. this year is expected ta come from the United States. The number of U.S. visitors is projected to jump 3 per cent from last year to 5.3 million, according to Tourism B.C. Buoyed by a strong economy and a favourable ex- change rate, American tourists are also expected to spend more, leaving $2.5 billion behind. The number of tourists from B.C., Canada, Asia and Europe are also expected to grow by smaller amounts. Overall, Tourism B.C. is expecting visits ta B.C. to climb 1.7 per cent and revenue to grow by 3.4 per cent. Escaped man caught TERRACE RCMP arrested an escaped convict from Prince George Sunday, Feb. 6 in the 4500 Block of Park Avenue. Barry David Smith, 27, was serving time at Hutda Lake Correctional Centre, an open custody work camp near Prince George, for break, enter and theft when he walked out of the camp Wednesday, Feb. 2. Terrace Cpl. Derek Ayers said RCMP were in- formed of Smith’s breakout because he has family in the area, Once he was here, narrowing down his location was relatively easy, “Tips from the public led to his arrest,” Ayers said. Smith appeared in court here Monday, Feb. 7 and was sent back lo more secure correctional facilities in Prince George. Crushing experience SKEENA GRAVEL Products Ltd. of Terrace has two contracts worth $250,000 from the highways ministry to first produce more than 6,000 cubic metres of material for either crack sealing or asphalt mix this year. When that's finished, the company moves to just south of Dease Lake to stockpile another 6,000 cubic metres of material for sealcoating sections of Hwy37 North:?™! Stacy she wd 4 ; . Although road contracts have ‘not been awarded yet; the crushing contracts are a Sign there will be somé highway improvement projects in the area this year. Olfers available on retail purchasesfeases of any new 2000 Mazdas tram January 5, 2000 for a linited time only, Lease and Finance 0,A.¢. for qualified customers only. Finarice example dor $10,000 a1 2 9% APA: 45 mouths at $220.90 per month, ¢.0.B. is $605.20 for a total of $10,603.20. MAZDA PERSONAL LEASE RATE: Offers avaiable on entail teases only. Leases are based on 40 months. Other lease terms avoifable. Tolal fease oblfga tions: 2000 Mazda Protegé SE (imadet #D4XMSOAADO}|s S12,277, which includes security deposit of $250 and dawn payment of $1,995 (height and BD.E. of $795 included): 2000 Mazda MPV (model #UADV70AB00) is $17,702, which inchides sceurity depos of $350 and down payment of $3,000 (Ireight and POLE. of $855 included), 20,000 km per yaar mileage restriclions apply, additional Be per km applies. Purchase price offers inchidtes $795 tor cars and $855 for MPV freight and P.O.E. License, Insurance, faxes and other dealer charges extra. Dealer may sellflease for loss. See your doaler tar details. Offers cannot be combined. THORNHILL MAZDA 3040 Hwy 16E