City loosens By SARAH A. ZIMMERMAN GRIEVING families will soon have mere flexibility in how they’re allowed to honour their loved ones at the Terrace cemet- ery. City council passed a bylaw this week that changes the rules on above-ground ornamentation at grave sites. The move comes seven months after city council was petitioned by locals to make changes. The amendments state that for two years after the date of burial, fences, borders and above ground ornamentatian will be allowed. After the two-year period has expired, ihe permits may be reis- sued on a yearly basis for a fee of $25. ; These are the same permits available to families whose rcela- tives have already passed away, says parks and recreation superin- tendent Steve Scoit. The amendments also require that all omamentation be removed between Nov. 1 and Apr. 30 each year to make it easier for crews to perform winter maintenance. | regulations at _ the cemetery Above ground ornamentation has not been allowed to date be- cause of high maintenance costs associated with them. The passing of the new bylaw could mean more maintenance hours required at the cemetery, “but Scott is hopeful that the tax- payer will not bear much of the burden. “f don’t think there will be much effect on the taxpayer,” he said. “The $25 fee is hoped to off- set the costs of maintenance.” Another new addition to the bylaw allows for the installation of upright grave markers. A portion in the northern sec- tion of the cemetery has been as- signed to allow for upright mem- ofials. “We've created a concrete rib- bon like a sidewalk where you can place a permanent headstone,” said Scott. The markers will only be per- mitted in these areas of the ce- mietery. The amendments will “allow people to do more with family graves,” said Scott. KYLA CAMPBELL was tie the city over the past couple of years for more compassionate rules allowing above-graund ornamentation at the cemetery. Property values slide again Some assessments up, but trend is down TERRACE properties have collectively slid in value for the third straight year, although many individual homeowners received increased property assessments this month. The total assessment for 2001 in Terrace ~ including residential, commercial and indus- trial properties ~ dropped from $786.4 million to $770.6 million, or about two per cent. It marks a continuing decline since peaking above $831 million in 1998. Residential assessments dropped from - $509.2 million to $500.4 million. The assessments are based on B.C. Assess- ment Authority’s estimates on July 1, 2000. . Real estate markets have gone even lower since then, says area assessor Tom spooky Phone: 604-689-0878 ith gs -Protheroe, James W. Radelet RADELET & COMPANY Barristers & Solicitors | Tax Law * Trusts * Corporate & Commercial 1330 - 1075 West Georgia‘Street, Vancouver, B.C. VéE 3C9 Fax: 604-689-1386 _ 1 Successful operation of this club requires parent VOLUNTEERS adding the assessments that just came out probably don’t reflect current market value. “The market in Terrace has fallen off since then,” he said. “Current market values are jess than what were shown in July.” Realtor John Evans said he’s had queries from clients who wonder why their assess- ments have increased despite a poor market. “Some have gone up although the market’s definitely gone down,” he said. Evans advises his clients not to worry. “People think it affects the value of their home and it doesn't,” he said. What it can affect — if a home’s assessment changes more than average — is the amount of property tax the owner will pay in June. Protherce says he no longer discloses the average residential assessmeni, because it creates unnecessary concern. oe, _ _ But with the total residential assess umber ? Hurréra 234567890,0 an seee TEMPORARY FIREARMS LICENCE (Poss down close to two per cent, city council will have to raise the residential tax rate by the same amount to collect the same tax revenue. And, council has warned rising natural gas and policing costs will likely force a tax in- crease of anywhere from two to five per cent. That means any home whose assessment has remained the same or risen will almost certainly pay more. Houses whose assessments have decreased considerably could pay less. Protheroe said most Terrace homes have moved little in price, while some in Thornhill have gone up. He said a typical Thornheights home that sold for $145,400 in summer 1999 would have sold for $153,500 in summer 2000. Price trends vary depending on age, size, neighbourhood and other factors. Property owners can challenge assessments they believe are wrong. The deadline for re- . questing an independent review is Jan:31. Dale of Birth/ Oale dé nalanance = 1958 ¢01401 : ‘¥ia ow old The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 10, 2001 - AJ ~ News In Brief Counterattack nabs five FIVE DRIVERS face court dates on impaired driv- ing charges in the wake of Terrace RCMP's month-long Christmas CounterAttack campaign. A further 14 drivers were issued 24-hour road side suspensions rather than formal charges by offi- cers running the annual road blocks. Cost. J.R., Walker said this year’s campaign which ended Jan. 3, saw fewer impaired drivers. “In years gone by we have an average of six or seven impaired investigations,” said Walker, He said officers exercise an “ineredibie” amount of discretion in deciding to instead issue 24-hour roadside suspensions, “It’s the break of the night,” Walker said. “Actually, the break of your life. Nobody wants to go before the court for an impaired especially in a town this size — everyone knows you,” DNA to catch poachers THE B.C. INSTITUTE of Technology is setting up a new database for wildlife forensics, The database will use DNA analysis to genetically fingerprint bears and help track down poachers. A diverse database of genetic samples from bears araund the province is being compiled. Wildlife forensics is a growing field, and the DNA project is expected to be a valuable tool for conservation efforts. Calling all Cassiarites NO ONE’S lived in the former asbestos mining town of Cassiar since 1992, but hundreds of former residents have kept in touch through the Internet, where a virtual community is keeping the memory of the northwestern, B.C., town alive. Now former residents are planning a reunion in the Okanagan that’s being billed as a once-in-a- lifetime event. The Cassiar Reunion takes place July 20 to 22 at Silver Star Ski Resort in Vernon, B.C, All Cassiar- ites from the town's 40-year history are invited. For more information contact Kate Elhorn, 1174 South Alder St., Campbell River, B.C., VOW 127, or call (250) 932-1319, Info is also on the web at www.armourtech.com/~Cassiar. SCl passes audit SKEENA CELLULOSE has passed an audit of its loosing and road building operations north of Smi- thers. SCI’s operations complied with the Forest Prac- tices Code in all significant respects, says the For- est Practices Board, The company’s forest cence was randomly se- lected for the audit, which took place between Aug. 1 1999 and Aug. 15, 2000 in the Bulkley tim- ber supply area. It’s the 35th audit by the board, and the 15th to come back clean, while a majority uncovered at least some problems with forest practices. Temporary licences issued to meet demand Gender ! Saxe": MALE =>.’ * Metght? Talla 700M have a licence as of January ESSIUN-ONER) To comply with the Firearms Act requirement for firearm owners to 1, 2001, Canadians sent in their licence — applications in record numbers. To meet this demand, temporary - licences are being issued to eligible firearm owners. : Public safety remains the cornerstone of the firearms program. Temporary licences are only being issued to those who are successfully screened against Canadian Police information Centre (CPIC) databases. And, like all other firearm licence holders, those with temporary firearms _ licences will be continuously screened against police databases. . THe beers ponenenad by tw Dolan can ine siete of enue of the brenoe, Thos biopnce oy weld or ecqpaeibctr of wriertan, e : ‘ 1 fiesmenar- Poem ' ‘ ' regen = Torte ' , That hophicy dua ba prorktect on eiamarel rtrrcamtted by a prPoe erhcer, et k Ye « Thank You! q fg On Dec. 17%, 2000, the Terrace Rotary Club had their annual Christmas Caro! Hayride through the horseshoe area of 4 Terrace between 7pm - 9pm. f! The weather that evening was calm, about -6", the city was covered in a blanket of soft white snow and the toads were clear, Our carol ride started at the George Litie Memorial parking jot. We passed by many Christmas lit homes and . businesses, and saw lots of children's smiles and i, happy, waving people showing and sharing the i Christmas spirit, The parade of sleds started with #1 RCMP member Doug Wheeler at the reins ina RCMP “Suburban, fiashing coloured tights and running the _odd siren, Next was Lindsay's employee, John Parks, wheeling his tractor and pulling a 48° long low bed trailer, supplied by John Kustas of Lindsay's. The trailer was decorated with many colorful lights and cedar boughs. We had plenty of hay bales to sit on, donated by Gordon Watmough, and a power generator suppiled by P.N.G and David Oatway. Our Christmas Caroling music was supglied by Tony Demelo and Sight & Saund which helped carry our . singing splrit clear and far. Of course, Santa was FH with us. He rode on top of a huge red fire engine Bt with coloured lights beaming out Christmas cheer. Res You could hear Santa beltow, "Ho Ho Ho!” The last sled was from the Terrace Fire Department 4 and driven by Chief Randy Smith. We finished at EF George Little Memorial park. A great time had by all. We wish everyone a Happy New Year and . thank all of those peaple who helped make this annual event possible. Also, thank you D.E. lerrace Rotary Club. (pt Bolo. Goudend Glee yous These public safety checks conform to the Firearms Act and keep. firearms away from those who should not have them. STANDARD CONDITION Gong Yeu mart inkern the Chat Freeene Omcat afta prewnter bt wimtor wttun JO mars Yon ilar boy eharape Freer OF ecidene. : La Temporary licence holders are not permitted to acquire firearms. However, they will be in legal possession of their firearms and they will be able to get ammunition. Temporary licences are only vatid until June 30, 2001 or until those eligible receive their five-year licence. . pene eee heaurd by the Chant i ihe Arnermy Act, futtee of Conacte. Grace period introduced | Firearm owners who applied for their licence before the deadline will not be penalized if they did not receive their licence by January 1, 2001. EN oa This grace period will last until June 30, 2007, It only protects people who applied for a licence before January 1, 2001, Firearm owners and users who did not‘apply for a licence or who don’t have a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) may be subject to penalties under. the Criminal Code.