A8 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 29, 2002 Missing elves THORNHILL RESIDENT Laure! Ballard is at a loss to explain the myster- j ious disappearance of eight ceramic elf, angel and frog statues from her yard. “t would just like [the culprits] to either return them or take respons- ibility for what they've done," said Ballard. JOANNA WONG PHOTO, By SARAH A. ZIMMERMAN THE PROVINCE's move to alter workers compensation rules will take money out of the pockets of injured workers, a Terra- ce-based advocate’ charges. “Tt puts us in a way worse off position than we were in previously, which was bad enough,” says Jim Smith, founder of the Northwest Injured Workers Associa- tion. The provincial government announced five major changes to. Workers Compen- sation Board policies under Bill 49) intro- duced this month. The legislation implements a new way of calculating benefits, revises the infla- tion-index formula, establishes'a lump- sum payment of wage-loss benefits afler age 65 and establishes a new board of directors for the WCB. Another change eliminates compensa- tion for people suffering from chronic stress thal develops over time. The board will now only previde com- pensation to people suffering from mental Stress as a result of a sudden or unexpec- ted traumatic event. Smith says. denying compensation to workers suffering fram chronic stress is unfair, “In the saciety we live in there are. ; stressors that compound: and build, up.” : ail He says people working in’health’ cate" are a good example of workers in high- stress situations an an ongoing basis. Hospital workers regularly dealing with violent or mentally unstable patients have WCB changes steal from workers -— critic told him that the stress can build up to the point where they feel they can’t do the job any more. “It’s really saddening for care givers when it happens to them,” Smith says. “For WCB to tum around and nat ack- nowledge that is in really poor taste.” He is also concerned about the new way of calculating benefits. The province is cutting the tax-free wage replacement benefit to 90 per cent of net average earnings. The current system includes benefits based on 75 per cent of gross earnings. Smith says that un- dermines the ¢s- sence of what the WCB is supposed ta provide. “Bill 49 is a betrayal of that because we are not getting full compensation for lost earnings due to Jim Smith injury, disease or death,” he says. The provincial government says the changes are needed to prevent a projec- ted deficit of $900 million by 2005 if the unew. resis ation not enacted. * "The: ‘Liberals ‘also say the bill will “maintain benefits for injured workers — which they say are among the best in Ca- nada ~ while keeping system financially sustainable for the future. Totem pole starts long journey AS MANY as 300 people are expected to witness a traditional send-off of a new Nisga’a totem pole \ that begins an epic journey from New Aiyansh to Au- stria Saturday. An open invitation has been extended to anyone | who wants to witness the ! June 1 event. Five elders — four chiefs and one matriarch — will name the pole in a cerem- ony that starts at noon. Then master carver Alver Tait will do the | Breath of Life Dance, a tradition that’s unique to the Nisga’a and involves symbolically bringing the 10-metre (40-foot) pole to life. Tait said once the pole is named, it’s like an im- portant person heading off on a special journey. “We're sending away part of us.” Tait said there were times when he feared he and his team of appren- tices might not be able to get the job done in time. They’ye essentially compressed a five-month project into just five weeks. With slightly over a week to left to perform the task, Tait was confident the job would meet its moving day deadline, The pole is travelling by truck, cargo ship, and rail. The official pole-rais- ing ceremony takes place July 29 at the Schoenbrunn Zoo in Austria, celebrating its 250-year anniversary. Officials commissioned the pole as the centrepiece for its new, $20-million Rainforest House exhibit. Witnesses observing Saturdays’ ceremony in the Nass Valley will be treated to barbecued spring salmon, crab and other goodies, Tait said. It all takes place near a carving shed in Nisga’a statesman Rod Robinson’s backyard, at the corner of Tait and Adams Crescent in New Atyansh. ‘Look Twice. it’s Motorcycle Season. poermeerermenerrrrrrreerrreennenetiie MacKay’ 3 Funeral Service Ltd. Serving Terrace, Kitimat, Smithers & Prince Rupert Monuments Bronze Plaques Terrace Crematorium Concerned personal service in the Northwest since 1946 , . 4626 Davis Street | Terrace, B.C. V8G 1X7 Funeral Service = Phone 635-2444 © Fax 635-635-2160 Association 24 hour pager | Seasou Fiuale with the Terrace Symphony — Orchestra and Guests - Special Guests include: Gene Ramsbottom - Clarinet Kurt Kellan - French Horn Hellen Meutter - Cello . Conductor Mike Wen SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 2002 8:00 p.m. R.E.M. Lee Theatre Adults $10, Seniars & Students $8, Children 12 & Under Free, Family Rate $25 Works by: Mozart, Rossini, Saint-Saena, ’Rimskey-Korsakov & Moussorgsky © strict Everything we do, we do for YOU Acompany that is focused on your community go YO" Want to deal with a friendly, knowledgeable Staff? 8 Call Terrace home? Come i in and Visit us Today! { pates are om the Rise Now is the time to consolidate your debt or invest in Real Estate! n Gal YOU CAN REALLY LIVE WITH 4650 Lazelle Avenue, Terrace, B.C. V8G 186 (250) 6365-7282 (P) (260) 635-2713 (F) Li SPECCEEEE REE EEE KE REECE EEE KER CEE CRIME a sTOPPERS 635-TIPS HOUSE OF COMMONS Andy Burton ney of parliament for Skeena Constituency Office 4654 Lozelle Ave. Terrace, B.C, V8G 156 Phone: (250) 635-1601 Fax: (250) 635-4109 Toll Free: 1-800-661-2208 E-mail: ondy@andyburton.ca Website: www.andyburton.ca OTT rT TTT TT TTT tris @ CJ Dance Studio C presents FROM THE og HEART yp 2002 © June éth in Kitimat at Mount Elizabeth Theatre. Tickels available at the Museum or Book Masters. For more information, contact Suzie Smeader, 632-5487 ® June 8th in Terrace at R. E M. Lee Theatre. Tickets available at Misty River Books, Happydays Handbags or from Carole at CJ Dance Studio, 635-1801 _ Doors open at 6:30 oo 4th Annual Year-End Dance Production featuring Jazz, Ballet & Tap » June 15 « Tp.m> aera "102-4435 lakelse Avenue. PVESEUTYEVEVESYVYYY SESE ESESES ESE EEE EEE EEE ESTEE EEE CE es GLASSES and CONTACTS *Gucci 7 YOUR , *Ralph Lauren ONE STOP SHOP *H Potte rary Potter BUY ONE PAIR Silhouette GET A SPARE Easy Clip far a friend or family member For your convenience & quick service, y * » . please bring in your prescription. - Phone: 250-638-7667 - OPEN:7. DAYS A WEEK: Hey kids . , i _ join Scooby-Doo™ at DQ* and get to the bottom of the totally new, totally groovy Scooby-Doo Mystery Crunch Blizzard? Made with 20 soft serve and mystery crunch candies. It’s so cool , it’s scary! For a limited time at participating OQ stores. 4643 Park Avenue, Terrace www.scoobydoo.com America Online Keyword: Scooby Deo MPB 706 © TM ken 0.0 Gom 200) km 010 Corp Uni MA Preved @: USA SCOORT000, 2007 warn Bros, Al Florin Resend SCOCDYDOD ad al nibied Voc bed Inderal of ang 2002 “ne Stent Orccurenne ee SOMETHING wew.dalryqueen.com DIFFERENT