% f a ’ The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 1, 1997 - AS ATale of Tv Two Cities | Terrace and Thornhill vote Oct. 18 on whether to become one, Here’s a case for Yes By JEFF NAGEL and DAVE TAYLOR THEY WANT our water. They want our land. They want our money, And we don’t want them, That, essentially, is the response of many Thornhill residents to the idea of voting to _form one single community on Oct, 18, They’ re suspicious of Terrace and her mo- tives. They see the big city as a noisy nuisance . and feel they would be better off on their own. Now, we reporters like a good conspiracy. We ' Walch The X-Files. We keep an eye out for crop circles. appearing in fields on Braun's Island. But, no, A giant plot against Thornhill this ain’t. Unfortunately many of the less tangible bene- fits of amalgamation are about as easy to con- vey to people as the benefits of national unity, lowering the deficit and resolving land claims. The following is our atterspt to break down the fallacics and focus on the real issues. Land grab? It’s true that Terrace is running short of vacant commercial and light industrial land, But Terrace isn’t lusting and panting after all that land on the other side of the river. Economics will take care of most of the prob- lem: if land used for warehousing on Keith Ave. is worth a lot, the existing use will get booted further out of town in favour of betier paying tenants. Longer term, plenty of land is presently - tied up in log yards and sawmill operations that may not be there indefinitely. Acquisition by the city of the airport and lands surrounding it will also give an ideal new poten- tial home for some light industrial uses. Why. doesn’t Thornhill get the airpori? Simple.. Nobody besides the City of Terrace stood up and offered to take on this historic money-loser. Not Kitimat, not the regional dis- trict, And nobody else would bave convinced the feds they could pull it off. Water grab? Okay, let’s get this straight. Somehow Terrace is going to set up pipes going across the river to - steal good water fom the Thombill water supp- ly and replace it with Terrace’s cruddier water. That would make the grassy knoll the arena hill and the second gunman is David Hull. Terrace has spent megabucks on a perfectly "good water system that’s far safer than the old Method of using surface water from Deep Creek and occasionally tapping the muddy Skeena. Most people agree it’s harder water and not as nice as what you get in Thomhill. But, too bad. That’s life in the big city. Nobody is going to _. Steal anyone else’s water. Other non-issues The dump. Yes, the idea of the Thornhill dump taking all local garbage is repulsive if you live near it, - But whether that site or a differerit one is chosen for a sub-regional dump has got ab- ' sblutely nothing to do with the referendum and won't be affected by the outcome. Services Snow clearing and other road maintenance “services are certainly better in Thornhill, but that won’t change — at Teast until the current maintenance contract runs out in five years. And regardless of the referendum result, if Thomhill is to develop into a modern com- munity it will need a sewer system. The $2.8 million provincial grant for amalgamating the communities could go towards such a project, taking some of the burden off of taxpayers. OLD BRIDGE: Tha banks of the Skeena seem farther apart than ever as Terrace and Thornhill examine their differences. Voters settle the amalgamation question on Oct. 18. Representation Thornhill residents are occasionally glad when they see the antics of Terrace city council, that they aren’t represented by it. But as it stands, Thornhill bas very little repre- sentation in any form of government — just one director on the regional district board. With amalgamation, Thornhill’s voice will grow threefold. The newly restructured arcas would - be represented by three councillors on the new ~ 10-member expanded city council. _’ An issue important to Thornhill! then becomes . important to a city of 20,000 ralher than an unincorporated oversized burg of 5,000 — with higher priority on the provincial agenda. And that could really give Thomhill some say in how the area develops and grows in the fu- ture. Right now, like it or not, Thornhill is af fected by Terrace’s politics and decisions. Rep- resentation an ‘city council would ensure those decisions reflect the interests of the entire area. Look at RCMP service. Terrace city council presently gives local RCMP direction on what kind of service to provide and where to focus ly involve Thornhill issues. Vote yes and three Thornhill councillors will be there to beat the table for the pricritics Thornhill residents want. Representation also works the other way around as well. Thornhill councillors would have a significant say in what happens on the Terrace side of the river — something they don’t have right now. Property taxes Property taxes will go up in Thornhill if amal- ” ganation wins —- even more so in some of the © other restructured areas like Braun’s Island. But most homcowners won't take a buge hit. The average homeowner in Thornhill will see a | $21 hike the Girst year and by year five the tax _ bill will be $54 more than it is right now. . Braun’s Island homeowners will end up paying $245 more at the end of year five. A substantial hike, but then they will be paying the same tax rate as everyone else for essentially the same services. Businesses in the newly incorporated areas will be hit the hardest. They will see major lax increases to bring them in line with their com- petitors across the river. But if status quo rules, taxes won’t necessarily stay put. Over the fast five years property taxes paid by Terrace homeowners have held steady, while their counterparis in Thombill have seen steadily increasing tax bills. Certainty The biggest myth of Thornhill staying as it is is that it won?t. Choosing not to take the offer to join Terrace now doesn’t guarantee the status quo. In fact, all signs point to. merger with Terrace providing ‘Thornhill.~residents with more certainty than they'll have if they stick with the present systein. Policing costs are under review province-wide and it’s very possible that the proportion people in waorganized areas pay will be jacked in the teat future. That alone could dramatically change the property tax picture in Thornhill in fiture years. The hammer It’s true the province is not apt to wade in and ~ force amalgamation of the two communities if this deal is voted down. But it seems highly unlikely that the province will put a better deal on the table for Thomhill ¢ incorporation down the road. And future offers could be much less favourable to Thornhill, Thornhill’s true punishment for voting ‘No’ could come at the hands of local governments. Kitimat-Stikine Regional District board mem- bers from as far away as Hazelton and Telegraph Creck, with vast and varied interests, : will likely put Thornhill further down on the priority list. And with just one Thornhill voice on the board, it will be difficult ta keep the community in the spotlight. At worst, the board . may vote to spend Thomhill taxpayers’ money against their wishes. Terrace city council has already made noises about going to the regional district to get Thorn- hill taxpayers to share in Terrace’s contributions to local groups and services. That will turn into an aggressive agenda alter a ‘No’ vote. Our opinion For the vast majority of people living in Thornhill this is a good deal. The average Thornhill homeowner ends up paying $50 to $80 a year more — alter five raayears —-.for. much more representalion, more ’ certainty, the prospect of major infrastructure. improvements like sewer, and a big chunk of cash to be spent on projects in Thornhill. Businesses there will face some major hikes, but even they should benefit from the long-term stability amalgamation will bring. Should Terrace taxpayers be worried about taking on too much risk by adding Thornhill’s problems to Terrace’s existing challenges? We don’t think so. Terrace will be stronger and better equipped to enter the new millenium if it's unified with its neighbours across the river. But rejection wan't kill Terrace. The biggest losers will be those in the unincorporated areas | who will be turning a blind eye to their best shot at a secure future. Taylor lives in Terrace. Nagel has lived in Terrace, Thornhill, and, now, Braun’s Island. We asked you: which way will you vote? Shawn Dolan: Terrace "Y think it’s go. We’re close- knit comununittes, . Bonnie Mercer: Thornhill '“Thornhill people already “My taxes will go sky high. People pay their share for the arena: That’s the way I see it,’’ shouldn’t squabble over ser-' and pool. As far as I can see vices,"” it’s Terrace just trying to get more money,*” Robert Bonner: Thornhill OTHER THOUGHTS on the sub- ject of amalgamation: Laurie Moore: Thoruhill ‘*The way I see it if we don’t amal- gamate it’s going to be forced on us. I don’t see why we should duplicate services on both sides of the river.’ Randy Friesen: Thornhill “They have enough trouble running Terrace. If my taxes are going to go up I'd like the money spent here.’’ Margoret Stubbins: Thornhill “It’s not the right time, taxes are too high as it is. Besides, I don’t like Terrace. We're people out here too you know." ‘Tara Burett: Thornhill “J think it’s a good idea. It makes sense fo me, but I’m fairly new to the area.’’ Mike Moore: Thornhill “T am completely against it, Randy Lefebvre: Thornhill “I don’t believe now is the “I don’t like it at all, I don’t 100 per cent. The biggest rea- right time, Maybe in the fu- like the politics of Terrace or son is because the study was ture. It depends on how we the taxes,”’ one-sided and untrue, They grow out here, cor made poor assumptions, ”” Ray Rioux: Thornhill Cindy Stark: Thoruhill “*] want to keep Thornhill Thomhill, 1 grew up here and I don’t want it to change.” Dennis Lissimore: Terrace “Definitely will vote for amalgama- tion, I think the RD will end up rais- ing taxes like Terrace’s anyway.” Don Stark: Thornhill “Things have to get better before they get worse. We're supposed to be good neighbours anyway, let’s act that way.’’ Guy in pickup with dogs Not sure where he lives. “What are you talking about? - * When's this? Um, Pm: not sure, okay?” EXER ee See CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD _The Mail Bag” Hang’ em high Dear Sir: I am writing this letter in response to Ms, Sharalyn Palagian’s recent ‘open letter to Premier Glen Clark’’, To be quite honest, I don’t know which is preferable: a visit to my dentist for a root canal or to read yet an- other half-baked letter written by Ms. Palagian. This time she suggests we pay the Americans $1.5 million because of the ferry blockade, on the grounds that this money will be made up by the $70 million Americans will spend in Rupert when they retum. Forgive me if I appear dense but let’s be clear about a few things. The Americans admit quite openly thal they have - taken $65 million worth of B.C. salmon. As their ex- - cuse they use a term called ‘pasturage’; that is, because the Canadian fish were caught in their ‘pasture’ they could intercept them. Now it occurs to me that not so many years ago, in- tercepting, killing and selling someone else’s animals, even if they were in your pasture, was called rustling. - The Americans themselves hung rustlers. I suggest that, following this time-tested American custom, we ask them to hang the appropriate officials . in Alaska, who are responsible for this $65 million ° theft. But on second thought perhaps that idea will not - go over well in Juneau and after ali we Canadians op- - pose capilal punishment, I knowl! Let’s, in the name of fairness and justice, simply agree to exchange values with them. We send | them a cheque for $1.5 million and they send us one for $65 million. Ms. Palagian, I truly do not know what you and the - Chamber of Commerce are trying to do. However [ | suggest te you that you and all member businesses do a survey of the origins of your customers. You will find ° that the vast majority are Canadians. I also suggest that you will find that these Canadians either directly, or indirectly live by means of the north- west’s two major industries, logging and fishing. The loggers have been burned repeatedly over the years by American bad faith, and refusal to honour the numerous so Called timber accords with ihe U.S. The fishers as we all know are virtually bankrupt after this season's bald-faced thicvery by the Alaskans, < If you are successful in appeasing the Americans and they return to your stores, do you seriously think that we Canadians will forgel? Will you advocate appease- - ment the next time the Americans steal or bully? And ° there will be a next time Ms. Palagian, unless we, as a country, finally stand up for ourselves. I don’t care what party Mr. Clark represents, be is at this time our elected leader and [ admire and applaud . his courage in taking a stand and speaking up for Cana- . da. It’s time that you and the Chamber of Commerce examine your consciences. I say again, wake up Ms. Palagian. Russell Earl Terrace B.C. Where were you, Linda? Dear Sir: Councillor Linda Hawes in her letter to the editor’ in your Sept. 24th edition is trying to rain on someone’s . parade, She touts almost word for word the provinical ‘ Liberal position on Skeena Cellulose. The Royal Bank and the Toronte Dominion Bank - make a serious mistake and loan George Petty more - money than the operation is worth and he can’t pay ° them back. Petty goes into further debt not paying local contractors. . The PPWC has a collective agreement-no different than any other in the sector. The union is asked to make major concessions for a problem (SCI’s debt) : that they didn’t create. Everyouc knows the rest. She. might have called the local 1.W.A for our reac- | .- tion before attacking a deal in which her participation was nonexistent let alone lacklustre. Helmut Giesbrecht - and Mayor Jack Talstra are among those who actively * supported the government's efforts to get our workers back to work and they deserve our thanks. Where was Linda Hawes when it mattered? As long as the mills in this part of the region start up - as announced we will be content for now and we will ‘ give credit where it is due. Front and centre for us were Helmut aud Jack. . It is getting people back to work that counts more than a negative opinion from a provincial Liberal who ° happens to be a member of Terrace city council and who still aspires to reach lacklustre status. Surinder Malhotra, vice president I.W.A, Canada, Local 1-71 ° Thornhill future murky Dear Sir: As one of the oldtimers in Thornhill, ] have seen good times come and go. | have lived here since 1960 with my family. To all taxpayers in Terrace Thornhill I say be aware. The downsizing of our hospital and or cutbacks to the Medical Plan gives us more than we bargained for, T have not seen any evidence presenied how amal- . gamation will affect the welfare roli on both sides of the river or the added cost to a greater Terrace. I have not seen any discussion on how it will affect the two crossings of the Skeena River and the future cost there of maintenance. Extending the boundaries of Terrace comes with a hefty cost more visible afler the red herring has died in five years time. That is the time the province pulls out as slated in the salcs pitch, This is a wake up call for Thornhill residents who can barely make ends meet now, never mind a 10 per cent plus tax increase for residents and up to 60 per cent for business on our side of the river. No one on the regional district has a crystal ball nor has municipal council of Terrace. We can not lock five years ahead and sce whether surrounding sawmills are operating, This is more downloading on to municipalities by a government opposed to property rights for its electorate and ordinary people. As to the airport, we are very fortunate the Govera- ment of Canada through the Department of Transporta- tion made sure the national carriers must serve the - north as an undertaking of their license. With.a takeover by Terrace this may change since Terrace and Thornhill combined would not bave the — clout to keep Canadian Airlines here with daily flights to Vancouver. Think about it. oo ee Manfred Lubke Terrace B.C, ” es ‘ wr wee i) eo