Thornhill should brace itself for tax increases THORNHILL RESIDENTS may soon have to pay more for the services provided by local governments to deal with that rural community’s growing needs, Regional district board members say they may need tore staff to handle the in- frastructure problems asso- ciated with a community of Thombill’s size. And the City of Terrace is currently reviewing the costs of projects that benefit all of greater Terrace, but are oaly paid for by the city, The issue arose Nov, 21 when regional district direc- tors were asked to decide what Thornhill affairs should be included in the regional = district’s next budget. That didn’t sit well with some directors, who argued they were not in the position to make such important de- cisions. “Pve made my Thornhill speech 100° times,’’ said . Hazelton director Alice Maitland. ‘It makes me very uncomfortable to deal with these important issues with only one representative here.” But Terrace director Jack Talstra said regional district staff needed some direction from the board soon, even though the decisions are “tough to make. “Even if it’s not a legal municipality it should be treated as such,’ he said, suggesling that community sewer and building inspec- tion shouid be priorities for Thornhill, ‘A population of 5,000 is larger than many of the communities represented at this table. If it’s going to ~ Alice Maitland continue to grow, there needs to be some order. My council would like to see more planning done.’ And that needed extra planning had some directors suggesting that Thornhill may require some staff members solely devoted to the needs of that com- munity, “T don’t know how our (present) staff will accom- modate this workload,” said New Hazelton director Pete Weeber. ‘‘It seems obvious that Thornhill needs some dedicated staff — at least a planning engineer. We are running a satellite rounicipality here and that is nat fair to the rest of the regional district. Is the sole function of the regional dis- trict to operate a satellite community that doesn’t Andy Burton wish to do anything for themselves and have all their thinking done for them?”’ Director Fred Roisum agreed, pointing out that the board has had a hard time prying staff loose from Thornhill issues to deal with the rest of the regional dis- trict. “We have to look at charging Thornhill more,’’ he said. ‘‘Maybe hiring more people.” Stewart director Andy Burton also said something had to be done to handle the workload created by a growing Thornhill. “It's time they woke up and smelled the coffee,’’ Burton said of Thornhill residents. ‘“They have to get with it. They chose not to decide and now it's up to us to do the deciding for them.” Thornhill and the outlying ; areas may also soon have to help pay for some of the ser- vices provided by the city. Councillor David Hull says Terrace could be spending some $250,000 an- tually for projects that benefit the whole area, but are only paid-for by Terrace laxpayers. Those costs include paying for the victim’s as- Sistance program and the Miss Terrace competition, -as well as tax exemptions for groups like the curling rink and the Terrace Little Theatre. “Ten thousand here, twenty thousand there, it adds up,’’ he says. “We've been aware of this for two or three years but the city took the high road and waited until after the restructure process was over,”’ Hull argues that any move by the city to charge the out- lying areas for the services shouldn’t be considered a 1ax grab. “This is not a tax grab or an attempt to put the screws to Thornhill,’”’ he says. “This is about City of Ter- tace fulfilling its responsi- bilily to its citizens and im- proving services for all of greater Terrace.” Councillor Rich McDaniel also said changes are com- ing to the rural community. “Thomhill people can’t live just like it was before,” he says, pointing out that some services like building inspection are essential. ‘‘I think you're going to sec some Teal changes there.’’ t-B00-813-1158 Totem’s Countrywide Furniture & Appliance 4501 Lakelse Ave. 638-1158 Terrace } A Change For All Seasons... Sofa by day, bed by night, over one hundred fabric cover choices. You do truly design it your way. With six different solid pine frames to choose from Starting from only... $289, Matching pine coffee, ends and A home for the holidays with a futon you've designed yourself! Shelf units also available SM zJust In Time | = For Christmas! Spectacular Savings Throughout The Store! Capacity: 3 tons Height: 11-1/2" lo 17 3/4" ULT 72333 fpal Adjustable Axte Stands a7 2 ULT 500003 3-piece 6” pliers Slip-joint, diagonal and lang nose. Vinyt pouch included, adjustable slaps MRK VTE1 997 TB 20” backpack teddy bear Kic’s inseparable companion, With label holder and on! ( —s & i “a a are . meee Sey re eh fos is 1 i * : First-aid kits Includes: scissors, guide and more UNA SK911 tweezers, Dandages, peroxide, gauze pads, Heavy gauge steel tool box Drawers open fully for easy too! access. ot" X 8-3/4" X12" UTL 69343 i a ms CeEREEA, We have many other great gift ideas at BC Automotive AUTOMOTIVE & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY px Ae 4641 Keith Avenue, Terrace, B.C. 149 B City Centre, Kitimat, B.C. 635-6334 632-2224 Za The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 3, 1997 - A11 Make This A hristmas! og CSTW 32” TV xv-s2822 * Dynamic Picture e Matrix Sound ¢ Clock/Timer ¢ Remote Control SONY. Portable crovso ¢ AM/FM Tuner © Remote Control ° Cassette Deck «© CD Player ¢ Powerful Bass Reproduction SONY. Discman ove 301 © 10 Second E.S.P. * Digital Mega Bass SLV675 VC ¢ VHS Hi-Fi Stereo © Auto Head Cleaner ¢ Multi -Brand Remote ¢ On Screen Display Mint Stereo wvc77 * 50 WattsX2 © 3 Way Speakers * 3 Disc Changer ¢ Dual Auto Reverse Cassette : SONY. Disc Player copcxso © 50+1 Dise “Jukebox” CD Changer ¢ Multi Disc Programming = * Repeat Modes = ONY, — 27" TY «verse e Clock Timer ° Matrix Surround Sound © 2 Channel Blocks Receiver starve sis. © Hi-Fi Receiver « Dolby Prologic © 4x100 Watts © Headphone Jack : » (GHTRSOUND © = UTSTANDING * ERVICE KEITH AVE. MALL CITY GENTRE \ TERRACE KITIMAT TERRACE =| | SKEENA MALL 635-5333 632-5000 635-4948