Al 4 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, November 28, 200) Don’t miss chance to spread SCI timber around, trust says BY JEFF NAGEL SMALL-SCALE loggers and mill operators warn a sale of Skeena Cellulose lo Mercer may blow a big chance to reform the local forest industry. The Skeena Community Timber Trust’ wants” the government’ to lake’ a minimum: five-per ‘cent of SCI's timber and make ‘it available for small opera- lors. But members say the government has frequently waived the five per cent takeback provision in past forest licence transfers. And they fear any: sale to Mercer now will be no exception. “This is going to be the only chance Terrace - is. going to have to take. some of that wood back for local control,” predicts Don Kirkby, a lacal salvage logger. “If we don't seize this opportunily, | we're doamed,” adds forest tech- nologist Anneke van Keu- len. The trust has been Anneke van Keulen limber in smaller amounts — which small operators could more readily bid on — or création of a log yard where fledgling value- added operators could Don Kirkby quickly to markets.” If all the timber is transferred to Mercer, they say, the region's wood will remain locked up in the hands of one big player. “This is going to be the only chance Terrace is going to have to take some of that wood back for local control.” come to buy the logs they need, “Most of us little guys are very agile,” says the trust’s Richard Lindstrom. _ Square one if we relyon Kirkby said that could mean another 10 years without reform. “We'll be back “to Keulen said. “We should be looking, now at diversi- fication.” The trust says a bank- ruptcy of Skeena Cellulose may not be as-dire as, it’ s made out to be, . Kirkby, van Keulen and Lindstrom ‘said. they see more opportunity for smatl value-added aperators “if SCI.is bankrupt than if Mercer gets all its timber, - ‘Trust’ members alsa don't like the. idea of com- munities putting up money to buy: intu SCI. “Van Keulen says it’s a bad idea unless the towns get meaningful control of northwest forests. “We should be able to have some control,” she said, questioning: how miny shares in SCI the towns would get for their proposed $20: million in- - vestment. Trust members also say they can think of much belter uses for the $5 mil- lion Terrace would invest. “It's almast blackmail,” wan Keulen said of Mer- cer’s: condition’ for com- \CALEDONIA FINE ARTS pushing for either sale of “We From front Can. adapt. very them as the saviour,” van _Munity buy-in. Councillors don’t believe claim SCI deal depends on towns’ cash As for the support of the towns, he Says any new owner will have that anyway, “We know the backbone of our economy is the forest industry,” he said. Councillors Val George and Lynne Christiansen say they also doubt the sale depends on commun- ity buy in, Both say they too are getting mainly negative responses in the community and admit personal mis: _. givings. } * “I’m not very enthusiastic about the city putting taxpayers’ money into this,” George said. “I think we should only do that as an absolute last resort if that’s what’s needed to make this deal go.” George and Hull also contend government, including municipali- ties, shouldn’t be involved: in busi- ness. “The history of government in bu- siness is not a Sound one,” Hull said. He also notes the provincial Bov- ernment would have to canvene the legislature and pass special legis- lation allowing the communities to in- vest in Skeena. Despite doubts, the. councillors maintain, dhe work put inom the idea by mayer Jack Tal- Stra is important. “You can’t just sit back and do nothing,” Christiansen said. “If it all comes to nothing at least we looked at it,” Talstra has suggested the $5 mil- lion Terrace contribution could in- Val George volve little or na taxpayer money. Sawmill workers have agreed to contribute up to 2.5 per cent of wages. That plus contributions -from con- tractors and businesses that depend on SCI could cover most of the city’s annual cost of paying for a $5 million loan, But even if all annual costs were covered and the city was just guar- antecing the loan, a referendum would still be. required because city tax-dollars ‘would be at risk. » _ ~ Councillors.say Mercer. has yet to share details of its business plan. They say that’s crucial before any decision on community investment can be made — by cily councils or by potential partners. And with the next court deadline barely two weeks away, time is run- nin short. Boutiques. = “Open Sundays © Noor: 5; 00 pm: All I Chrisinas Ornaments & Decorations - 20% OFF Selected Dickens Houses - 20% to (While supplies last) Elvis Dickens House reg.$247,98 ~ NOW $148.79 Santa’s Headquarters For Stocking $ Stuffers & Gilts! 40% OFF Nov. 25 - Dec. 2 “LIFE ENERGY ASSESSMENT - Herbal Tea, Aromatherapy Oil, Clay Poultice, Applied Heat/Cold, Diet/Environmental Changes, Natural Therapies — MASSAGE FOOT REFLEXOLOGY EAR REFLEXOLOGY “EN EAR CANDLING —— SPIRITUAL HEALING “GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE Frances Blrdsell - Natural Health Practitioner 4506 Lakelse Ave. “(across from Tolem Furnitun Call 635-2194 for an appointment. © Acupuncture Naturopathic Doctor Naturcpathic Doctors help individuals create optimal: health, vibrant energy and joy offiving, using natural therapies and gentle techniques including: ° Allergy Testing * Preventative Medicina « Homeopathic Medicine —e Lifestyle and Attitudinal Consultations « Vitamin/Herbal Medicine «1M Treatments Dr Kathy Graham R ay * Naturopathic Physician: zr 1283 Main St., ‘Smithers. = bo?) Tel: (250) 847-0144. * Frances Birdsell, Natural Health Practitioner Holistic Healing - LIFE ENERGY ASSESSMENT Herbal Tea, Aromatherapy Oil, Clay Poullice, Applied Heal/Cold, Diet/Environmental Changes, Nalural Therapies MASSAGE, FOOT or EAN REFLEXOLOGY, EAR CANDLING, SPIRITUAL HEALING VIVA CLINIC 4506 Lakelse « 635-2194 Environmental Sensitivity Specialist presents CRAZY FoR VOU Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin Book by Ken Ludwig Co-Counception by Ken Ludwig and Mike Ockrent Insplred by Material by Guy Bolton and John McGowan Originally Produced on Broadway by Roger Horchow and Elizabeth Williams R. E. M. Lee Theatre, Terrace Friday, December 7, 2001 -- 8 p.m. Saturday, December 8, 2001 -- 1 p.m. Saturday, December 8, 2001 -- 8 p.m. ie tale een eh eget eee etytawemg et wee cn we Spree Tickets available from RUBY RED, SKEENA MALL CALEDONIA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL OFFICE _ CALEDONIA FINE ARTS STUDENTS Event Trexzers $13 Monier Trecers $7 The worldwide copyrighta in the music of George and Ira Gershwin for this prasentatiod ace licensed by the Gershwin Family, CERSHUWEN isa cegistered trademark and service mark of Gershwin Enterprises. CRAZY FOR YOU Is a registered (rademark and service mark of CRAZY FOR YOU Enterprises. SALE STARTS Thursday, Nov. 29% to Wednesday, Dec. 5" * 3x Optical Zoom «2,1 Mega Pixel ¢ QuickTime Movie * Built-in Auto Flash SALE PRICED AT Frame Special All Instock Frames 25” Off REGULAR PRICED FRAMES 4x6 REPRINTS Enlargement Special CE 1 kousk Colorwatch Syst fem