A2 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 20, 2002 Gov’t fears backlash from SCI tough love BY JEFF NAGEL A PLAN to aid the northwest if Skeena Cellulose goes bankrupt is so limited the government expects to be accused of abandoning the region, The province called for bids Feb, 15 to hire three transition coordinators for here, Prince Rupert and Smithers. They would act as a link between local people and any government services and programs that could help deal with fallout from an SCI bankruptcy. The bids are a sign Victoria expected Skeena sale talks to fail Feb, 15 and that it still has those measures ready to go in case there’s no deal by today’s court deadline. The request for proposal document from the government’s community trans- ition branch instructs bidders that any aid would be cut off quickly and that a de- tailed public relations plan may be nee- ded to counter criticism. “Affected communities must take ow- nership of their future as soon as practi- cal,” it says. “A demobilization and exit Strategy is therefore required to permit Transition Services to withdraw from the community in a timely, positive and or- derly manner.” It indicates the coordinators would be in place for the month of March, although they could be extended up to six more months if Victoria deems it necessary, The demobilization and exit strategy would be phased in over three or four months, it says. “The exit strategy should not be ac- tioned at a time when it could reasonably be interpreted as the province abandoning the community,” the document says. “To the greatest extent possible, all transition matlers should be resolved to the com- munity’s satisfaction before lhe province exits the community.” Ideally, the request for proposals says, the exit strategy will be “almost unnoti- ceable” and each phase “should appear the logical thing to do to all involved.” “However, the potential is very high for misunderstanding about the purpose and timing of the exit strategy. Therefore, a carefully crafted communication plan is needed, with overall messaging as well as messaging for each phase.” Officials with the ministry of commun- . ity, aboriginal and women’s services, which would be in charge of the transition effort, were not available for comment, But enterprise minister Rick Thorpe said it’s prudent to have the aid plan ready. “Our government believes very: strongly that if in fact we’re not success- ful we’re going to have to have some people on the ground to provide advice and transition services for families and communities,” Thorpe said. “We have some responsibility to be prepared.” The document indicates the coordina- tars would merely help connect local people to existing government services — there’s no indication of extra money to | increase services for the region. In fact the opposite may happen. Northwest Community College warns that budget cuts may force it to eliminate car- eer and retraining courses likely to be needed by laid off SCI workers, No need to have town hall meeting, says MLA Harris ROGER HARRIS won't be showing up at this Sunday’s rally organized by a group opposed to provincial government cuts. And don’t expect Skeena’s Liberal MLA to call a town town hall meeting of his own any time soon. “It’s not a forum I see as necessary,” Harris said of the idea of a town hall ses- sion, adding his time is better spent meeting with people on an individual or group basis. “I like to make sure the time I spend is productive. I’ve always found those smaller groups work better.” Harris would only consider a town hall meeting if he’d been out of the riding for a long period of time. “That venue isn’t necessary now,” he said, Harris said he meets with constituents during the three days a week he spends in Skeena. He’s counting on spending more time here from now on. That's because the pro- vincial government is using a new, fixed calendar for legislative sessions. Harris said he will be able to spend a full week in Skeena every three weeks. “The issue for me isn’t having a mect- ing. The issue is, am I available to meet with people and hear their concerns?” | James W, Radelet me ‘shone: 604-689-0878 Terrace Shell g Carwash , ‘I Thursday Only * 12 Noon- 6pm J A Carwash *1.00 plus tax I I | Expires March 28, 2002 rl I Shop our store for Italian Pastas and Cheeses, If “AL South African Foods and Parmalat Milk Products. The TERRACE MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION is holding their ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Monday, March 4, 2002 at 7 p.m, at the Terrace Public Library meeling room The Association is always looking for volunteers and/or performers. If you are interested in getting involved, please come aut to the AGM. For more information, call 635-1319 RADELET & COMPANY garristers & Solicitors Tax Law ® Trusts * Corporate & Commercial, 1330 - 1075 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C, VE IC? Fax: 604-689-1386 = 7 | el ee ee | A PROPOSAL for a galf course and RV camp- ground in New Remo heads to the regional dis- trict this weekend, when : directors will decide if the . development will go to the ’ next stage of approval. _ About 10 people ‘showed up at a public ‘ hearing Feb. 12 a public . hearing on a zoning _ amendment next week, tion that the develop- ment’s septic system won't harm nearby residential wells. The proponents will also have to demonstrate there will be an adequate source of drinking water for customers. Since the development is so close to Highway 16, the proposal will have to RV park, golf course wanted. . gain approval from the transportation ministry. If all goes smoothly, the bylaw approving the zon- ing change could gain final approval at the March board meeting. The zoning amendment must also gain approval from the minister of Com- munity, Aboriginal and Women’s Services. Most were neighbours ‘curious about how the nine-hole golf course and . 12-site RV park will affect nearby residential wells. The provincial land commission has already - approved the proposal, which will see the expan- sion of an existing driving - range facility at the prop- erty, located partially in- side the Agricultural Land Reserve. The land commission had turned down a prior bid made by a previous owner to expand the driv- ing range into a golf course, The development re- quires.a zoning change from low density rural to tural resort. Regional district direc- tors Bob Cooper, Rich McDaniel and Les Wat- mough were appointed ta the public hearing com- mittee that reports to the board. Regional district appro- val is just one hurdle. 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