ae an We ian ite | A& - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 8, 7995 Ex-Socreds prominent Local Reform gearing up — REFORMERS could mount a scrious challenge to Skeena MLA Helmut Giesbrecht in the next provincial election if fast Thurs- day evening’s organizational meeting is any indication. About 75 people tumed up to the meeting in the basement of the Masonic Hall and 20 were nominated and acclaimed as directors of the Skeena Con- stituency Association for Reform BC, At the mecting were many of the same organizers and volunteers who powered Reform MP Mike Scott to Ottawa in the 1993 federal election. Chairing the mecling was for- mer Social Credit MLA and cabi- net minister Dave Parker, who was defeated by Giesbrecht in October, 1991, Also there were some key Ter- race businessmen — such as David Lane, Dave McKeown and Mo Takhar — who have worked in past years for Social Credit or federal Conservative campaigns. There was also a strong con- tingent of Kitimat volunteers and ’ organizers present. Meeting organizer Ron Town said 50 new members signed up that night, bringing total member- ship in Skeena to 240, “Ym rather confident — that ‘we're going to have 300 on board here in no time,’’ Town said, That’s the party’s goal for membership here before they be- gin the official search for pros- pective candidates. Named to the board of directors Thursday night were: Dave HEARTY WELCOME. Provincial Reform party le leader “Jack Weisgerber s Visit to Terrace last week brought out a healthy crowd to hear him speak and to nominate a local riding executive, Thal's Weisgerber having a discussion with some of those who attended. Parker, Gordon Anderson, Ron Town, Ron Burnett, Al Grier, Dieter Wagner, Al Egan, Mo Takhar, Dave Newman, Chris Lindseth, Russell Tanner, Vic Cavalciro, Leon Dumstrey-Soos, Lome Sexton, Evelyn Ritter, Richie McLaren, Wanda Olsen, Frances Anderson, and Marlene Orleans, The directors will meet and determine executive positions themselves, Reform leader Jack Weisgerber Bob Cooper, predicted there will be no shortage of candidates in Skeena, given the smoolh organization of the constituency association, kKkkKkK Once a Socred cabinet minister for aboriginal affairs, Weisgerber came under close questioning from local businessman Gerry Martin at a chamber of commerce luncheon. Martin, who sits on a provincial land claims advisory group, presscd Weisgerber for beter definitions of what the Reform party leader said would be affor- dable settlements subject to area ratification. “Tt doesn’t seem that we have any better chance of resolving it under Reform than anybody else. And that’s what scares me,” said Martin. Weisgerber, who signed the deal now outlining how the Nisga’a laiks are to be conducted, said privacy conditions in that the deal are being wrongfully inter- preted by the NDP provincial government. Joining Terrace cheaper for Thornhill By MALCOLM BAXTER AMALGAMATION WITH Terrace will cost Thomhill tax- payers less than going it alone and incorporating. That’s the picture painted by a draft report on Thornhill restruc- turing. Consultant Eugene Lalonde presented his preliminary report to the restructuring commitlee Feb, 23. Peggy Julseth, Thornhill direc- tor on the Kitimat-Stikine regional district board and com- mittee member, said incorpora- tion had emerged as the most cx- pensive option. However, she cautioned, not all the figures are in yet so there will be some changes made before the final report comes down at the end of the month. And even then, with the pro- vince currently reviewing the way it allocates policing costs, there might still be unknowns, district. And there would con- linue to be only one Thornhill fepresenlative on the district board. And adopling the commission approach could not be ac- companied by any extension of the communily’s present bound- aries. “(LCCs) works better with smail communities that are far away from the regional district centre,’ she said, pointing to Dease Lake and Telegraph Creek as examples, Julseth noted leaving things as they are was stili technically an option but added that wouldn't address regional district concerns about having to devote most of its time to Thomhill issues. She also anticipated pressure from the province. for some change in Thomhill’s status. Laloade’s draft report lakes an even-handed approach, spelling out the advaniages and dis- Incorporation would — offer autonomy giving the people of Thombhill the opportunity 10 lack- le what they saw as the issues and control all aspects of their com- munity’s development. However, it would also mean taking on the costs of big ticket items such as policing ind Toad ; Maintenance. 7 ft As for amalgamation, the report points cut people already work in one community and live in the other, shop in both and several services are already cost shared. “The community social fabric has the appearance of one com- munity,’’ it adds. On the other side of the coin, Thomhill’s autonomy might be threatened given Terrace is twice the size and there would likely be concerns some services in that community — road maintenance — would deteriorate under amal-. gamation. The final report will be present- ed to the restructuring committce Tuesday, March 28, A public meeting to discuss its. findings will be held Wednesday, *. April 26 in the REM. Lee Theatre, Or. Paul Tsang announces the closure of his dental practice. All patient charts and X-rays have been transferred to: Or. Joe Zucchiatti 4623 Lakelse Ave. (Across from the White Spot) Phone 635-2552 We Welcome New Patients will help your 2 WAY RADIOS by MOTOROLA The crisp clean sound of Motorola quality safer and more productively. Calt us for B sales and service. ¢ Conventional Mobiles & Portables people work smarter, faster, e VHE, UHF, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, Low Band |. Tolsec Telecommunications 3974 Old Lakelse Lake Rd. 638-0577 z aay Ravin mae wae Selected Folk Art Acrylic Paints 2 oz size Selected Craft Books _ 1/72 Price Don't forget our * 4st Annual Plastic Model Contest March 24 & 25 OVER $1,000 IN PRIZES. Creative Zone Skeena Mall 635-1422 : =a . Julseth explained one of the Wille aeknowledgteg the status Teasons amalgamat fon was the quo might be the easiest choice, it . less expensive option was it of- points out many of the concerns ‘ fered economies of scale. . — growing demand for infra- : ' a Also, an indep endent Thornhill structure, taxation versus service : would have to duplicate many of levels, preserving community ' \ the city services, for example set- lifestyle —- are usually better ting _ UP and staffing its own achicved with increased political mare commmniyy Sle Ngee | Commission concept, Julseth said ae wally a tains quo because COMMUNITY. NeEGori ATING A DEFINITION | that would give ‘a little mare lo- nothing stays the same; the com- i , ; _ Se res COLLEGE Or SELE GOVERNMENT would still rest with the regional change anyway.” 7 _ a. For Firsr Nations. The T Concert dociet ts | oe | C erface Oncer OCIe J Preset see lf- government is one of the issues that education, health, safety, policing and wel- ' will be defined i in the negotiating process fare, and ndministering local laws and taxes. » but itdeesn’ t mein opting out of The form of self-p “government may vary con- British Columbia or Canada. siderably from one First Nation to Tn effect, self-government another agreements already exist in many SELF-GOVERNMENT MEANS parts of Canada, Here in BC, THE RIGHT To BE i several First Nations have assumed DIFFERENT But Equa. responsibility for their awn school - Like all citizens, First Nations hoards, health, fainily and child will continue to be governed by } services within their owh cominunities. the Canadian constitution, and the Charter Sane bands have respansihil ity for property of Rights and Freedoms, ‘ h 7 1 taxation, and negotiate agreements for road, —., Selfgovernment does mean the right Saturday, Ma FC sewer, water, fire protection, and other ser? ~ tobe different but equal. ln B.C. we are : vices with local g governments. already providing programs and services that 8: 00 pm 0 Self-g “government is the right of First , _ address the specific needs and interests of a 4 i Nations to manage theit cwin' affairs within pi articular segment of the population. i REM Lee Theatre their jurisdiction - much like any local gov Self- government will define the ability of ernment. It may include managing landand — First Nations to provide programs and services Sponsot ‘ed by: 7 ; resources, providing public services stich: as... that meet the needs of their own people, ; “Tymoschuk Agencies and the board and For more information about lar chains call ti 880-1022 ot write to: ’ staff of Northwest Community College ois Panto hes Vitorin BC. VEV 1X4 Tickets: Adult - $15 Student / Senior - $10 ( eG. vo 1 Available at Erwin’s Jewellers in the Skeena Mall and at the door. _ Government of British Columbia ee eee cee a a a