A1Q - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 16, 2002 ‘TERRACE. STANDARD | Busingss REvIEw Hydro to cut back B.C. HYDRO is cutting two jobs here and custo- mers will no longer be able to drop off bill pay- ments. The office here is one of 10 walk-in offices which will be closed province- wide Jan. 31, along with five customer centres, Hydro = spokesman Elisha Odowichuk said the decision reflects the fall- ing number of customers who drop off bill payments. Just one per cent of customers pay their bills in person, she said, and clos- ing the 15 offices will save $4 million per year. The vast majority of customers pay bills through their bank, by mailing a cheque in, through direct debit, and increasingly through op- lions such as Internet or telephone banking, she said. “There are a lot of dif- ferent options out there,” Odowichuk said. “There’s not a real value in keeping those centres there from a business sense.” Affected employees may be able to transfer within B.C. Hydro or bump less senior employees, she said. CANADA POST clerk Charlene Matthews shows off the newly renovated main post office downtown Terrace. Customers and employees alike say the new look makes the office brighter and more welcoming. The renova- tions included blocking off the mail processing area, and installing low- ered counters that are wheelchair accessible. Building up but no record TERRACE ended 2001 with a significant bump up in construction, but no- where near a record, The city issued building permits worth $14.4 mil- lion last year, said Paul Gipps, director of regula tory services. Construction was~up.°- from $6.7 million the pre- vious year — the lowest in recent years, The tally would have been much higher had construction begun on the rebuild of Skeena Jr. Sec- ondary schocl. That building permil is to be issued soon and is expected to come in at around $10 million, giving the 2002 consiruction’s construction season an early kick start. “They've put it off until February,” Gipps said, no- ting weather hasn’t been conducive to the work. was led by institutional projects, such as a new psychiatric ward at the hospital, a new bench ele- mentary school, other school renovations, and a new. sénior supportive housing project on the bench. Gipps said residential construction was nearly non-existent, reflecting the troubled economy. “There's a lot of uncer- tainty in the marketplace,” he said. Commercial construc- lion, however, did. fairly well, he noted, indicating timism that there will be a turnaround. The Real Canadian Wholesale Club comple- ted an expansion last year and Overwaitea began one. Gipps said the theory in business is often to expand or build when times are bad to be in position to Injuries Stop Here. 524 Pl. aa RAMADA HOTEL Ramada Hotel 444 George St., Steve, of Prince Rupert, won: ¢ Dinner at Traders (540 value) * Two Tickets to Yuk Yuk's Professional Comedy Show * One Night's Accommodation in the Executive Tower Fri. or Sat, Downtown Prince George Congratulations | Steve Merrick of Prince Rupert Winner of our Stay in December Contest. over?2.50 value "1-800-830-8833 wiww.ramadaprincegeorge.com Prince George, BC, V2L 1R6 Ph. (250) 563-0055 Fax (250) 563-6042 Thank-you toall of ‘you that participated int our program and watch for our next protiotion! Gwynne Dyer veteran Canadian war and international affairs analyst January 25th, 2002 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. R.E.M. Lee Theatre Gwynne Dyer is a frequent CBC commentator on the war in Afghanistan and on U.S. plans for a broader war against terrorism in the wake of the September 1 1th attacks. There is no charge, although donations will help defray costs. Sponsored by the Terrace Public Library, unions representing teachers and college instructors, local schools and the Terrace Standard. take advantage of the re- bound to good times when they happen. . “Then when times are booming they’re ready for full-time business,” He said he’s fielding a number of queries from ce- well, velopers considering new Construction last-year *there“is* some “businéss’ dp-* ~“*projects;*he said" "Pm That interest is beiitg fuelled in part by very low interest rates right now, he said. ; a 2 3 Presented by Kitimat Concert Association Saturday, January 19 8:00 p.m. sharp at Mount Elizabeth Theatre Performing in Kitimat only Tickets on sale at Book Masters 632-7323 and Theatre Lobby evening of performance. Adults $21 / Seniors $19 / Students $15 Ticket price includes $1.00 theatre surcharge. 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