Contaminated soil found on ro ert The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 5, 2001 - A3 Gas station in jeopardy» GIANNINO + Pretto has owned the Shell service station on Kalum St. since 1982 and now he’s worried that his 20 years of hard work could be in jeopardy. In the course of prepar- ing to install new pumps, tanks and spruce up ap- pearance of the station, Pretto discovered spots of contaminated soil. The bill to treat or te- move the gas and oil- soaked soil could top $700,000 and that's money Pretto. and his wife Sheila simply don’t have. “This business doesn’t make that kind of money,” said an exasperated Sheila Pretto. On Nov. 13 the Prettos puiled out theit gas pumps to install the new tanks and pumps. Jt was meant to be a 10-day project. But by the second day of excavation the hot spots in the soil were disco- vered. ’ Pretto’s tanks had been inspected for leaks once in 1988 and again in 1999, and no contamination was found. “Because we know there were no leaks at that time it would appear that the contamination is long- standing,” said Sheila Pre- tto. She added the hot spots - are not near the gas tanks _and are scattered over other parts of the property which explains why they weren't found in the course of the previous inspections. The. couple believe the contamination could date back to the 50s or 60s when another gas station exisied on that site. An. independent geo- technical environmental engineer from a company in Smithers was called in io do testing on the soil. But she didn’t have the answer the Prettos waits GIANNINO AND Sheila Pretto are waiting to hear if there is any hope of reviving their gas station busi- ness on Kalum. The Shell outlet was due to have new pumps and tanks installed but work halted when contaminated soil was found on the property. The Prettas have laid off workers and are depend- ing upon grocery sales ta tide them over. Cleaning up the soil could cost as much as $700,000. Hetore the new tanks can be installed the conta- minated soil needs to be treated or removed in order for the warranty on the new tanks to take effect. No warranty means the likelihood of selling the business in the future is next to nothing, said Gian- nino Pretto. The Prettos have con- tacted Shell to see if the company can cover the cost of treating or remov- ing the soil. Giannino Pretto wants the oil company to cover the costs of cleaning up the land or to simply buy him out. So far, they haven’t "The Prettos hope their = a ‘stock of specialty Italian heard anything from the ‘eeCOMpany. - foods will keep customers coming back, but that won’t make up for the lost fuel revenues. They’ve already lost thousands of dollars in gas sales, Giannino said. He also had to lay off five gas jockeys and one cashier due to the lack of work. Come Christmas his assistant manager, Chery] Ruigrok, will also be Laid off. “It’s very difficult to leave,” Ruigrok said. “I know there’s still work ta be done but the hours aren’t there.” Rnigrok has a seven year old child and her hus- band is an unemployed logging industry worker, She’s not sure what she'll do once the lay-off happens. Nights full of lights to mark the season LAST WEEK’S dusting of snow has worked well to highlight the growing number of Christmas lights dis- plays throughout the area. And that means more potential entries to this year’s Christmas lights contest. As it is, entries have already started to come in. As in past years there are five categories — best home, best effort, best apartment/mobile, best commercial and best street. Winners will receive plaques and an acknowledgment in The Terrace Standard, The judging night is Tuesday, Dec, 18 and the judges are local realtors, members of the Terrace Beautification Society and city councillor Marylin Davies. Send entries to The Terrace Standard at 3210 Clinton Ave,, Terrace, B.C. V8G 5R2; or fax to 638-8432 or email them to standard@kermode.net. The deadline i is 1 p-m., Saturday, Dec. 15. And if you spot any displays you think others should know about, call 7 he Terrace Standard at 638-7283. * Your Christmas donation guide THERE ARE many ways you can help make somecone’s Christmas a little brighter. Here are some of the local programs assisting those who are less fortunate in our community, Light up the tree HONOUR A LOVED ONE and help support pro- grams assisting special needs kids by sponsoring a light on the Terrace Child Development Centre’s Tree of Lights in the Skeena Mall. Donations support the centre's programs for spe- cial needs children, including therapy, education and support. It also sponsors prenatal programs to expectant mothers, Both individuals and businesses are asked to purchase a light for the tree between now and Dec, 16. Tax receipts are available. Salvation Army appeal YOU CAN help the Salvation Army spread Christ- mas joy to families and individuals in need. The Army began its kettle campaign Nov. 24. Volunteers will be ringing bells and manning ket- tles at various locations around Terrace, including the Skeena Mall and other major retail locations, The Salvation Army is preparing 600 Christmas hampers containing food and gifts for children, teens and adults this year. A team of local businesses is once again col- lecting donations of new, unwrapped gifts until Dec, 15, Terrace Totem Ford is filling the back af its Wish Truck with gifts and non-perishable food items. Dairy Queen is collecting gifts for children that will be distributed by Salvation Army before Christmas, too, Gifts for the Sharing. Tree, a campaign in its Bist year, can be dropped off at Telemedia (The Mix, CJFW, and NTV). You’re asked to donate an unwrapped, new gift for a child, teen or adult. Telemedia has teamed up with Alcan this year to help boost donations to food banks throughout the northwest. You'll find information about the Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal available after Dec. 1. You will be issued a tax receipt. Mail donations to 4712 Keith Ave., Terrace, B.C., V8G 4K1. Send a gift to a child TERRACE ANTI-POVERTY plays Santa Claus to local children and teenagers through its Christmas Tree program. At a number of retail outlets in Ter- race, customers will find a Christmas tree decora- ted with small, white tags. The tags contain the first names, ages, gender and clothing sizes of local children who are regis- iered to receive a gift or article of clothing, Simply select a tag and purchase an article of clothing or a toy for the specific child on the tag. Don’t wrap your purchase. The stores at which the tag trees are located will collect the gifts and pass them on to volunteers:who will wrap and distribute the gifts | in _time-for Christmas Bye; Ste see Te oe ae ES 0s The Most Efficient Wood Stove On The Market The Ultimate In Home Heating Convenience Requires Less Maintenance & Attention Patented “Ultra Grate” Achieves Nearly Vlagsbt yen te pee sto, _ Than Any Other Make On The Market Easy Top Loading © No Messy Sawdust Or Wood Chips Automatic Temperature Control Heating Capacity Of 2000+ Sq. FL See The Working Burn Unit On. Display A At Terrace Builders Burn Time of up to 40 hours More heat from less wood 1/3 less wood - 1/3 more heat ‘Heats 2000+ Sq. 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