Tree planters ask for help in keeping industry thriving Dear Sir: Tam writing to clarify the ' position of local contractors CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD ‘and consultants in regard to a “recent attempt by New Skee- fa: Forest Products to grant exclusive silviculture rights ta Brinkman & Associates. - The business of reforesta- “tion is often overlooked in “spite of the fact that this in- dustry is worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the province of B.C. ___In Terrace alone, silviculture has reached $5-6 mil- “Tion’ annually..For most smailer forestry communities a ‘these dollars. are inaccessible because of the difficulties “4nvolved in building a local work force with sufficient “Capacity and expertise, This is not the case with Terrace. --*. ‘Terrace is unique because we have been able to ac- ~~ cess these dollars by building a significant local industry .. that has the capacity and expertise to manage and im- : plement large. silviculture programs throughout the north- west. - For the past decade, local contractors have been able . to retain most of these dollars by capturing 80 per cent -of the regional market. : . Jhat-we have done so in an open tender system only : -- “underlines the capacity and competitiveness of our local : companies. Through the commitment and hard work of local peo- ple}; Terrace has become a regional silviculture centre supporting dozens of contractors and consultants and employing hundreds of people. You ‘know these people. They are your neighbours. “They/ live and raise their kids here. They pay taxes here “and ‘contribute millions of dollars to the local economy. 4 _ > The people of Terrace have built a local industry to : ~-be proud of. It is the survival of this industry that is of is- : “~~ sue here. In the years prior to Skeena Cellulose's (now called New. Skeena) latest bankruptcy, local contractors and consultants were doing at least 80 per cent of the silvi- culture work for it in the Terrace/Hazelton areas. This meant that almost alt of us were exposed to loss- es as unsecured creditors when Skeena went bust. As un- «secured creditors , we were asked to support New Skee- “-na’s bid to take over old Skeena. Almost all of us voted to support New Skeena be- “-gause we knew how important the mill was to Terrace and we accepted their assurances of local involvement in any new opportunities, In late April, after two years of solidly supporting New Skeena, we discovered that Brinkman & Asso- ciates' were to be given exclusive rights to the entire sil- ° viculture program on the Terrace TFL and TSA. We were told that New Skeena would not be accept- . ing any more tenders for silviculture work and the entire "program, worth millions of dollars, would be directly awarded to Brinkman & Associates. For local contractors and consultants this was the worst ‘possible scenario. Once any one company is piven exclusive rights to 65 per cent of all the work in the re- gion, the possibility of any significant local | competition | vatil 4 oe were“ told: that the market is now ¢losed, effectively créating the largest silviculture monopoly in the prov- ince. At no time were any of us consulted or even notified of this. change. It was only after we organized and started MUSIC FOR YOUNG CHILDREN® MYC? offers an innovative approach to piano instruction including singing, rhythm & theory. Small groups ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-9 with parent participation, Shannon} Merritt 638-0220 Sa ‘and’ "prosperidg: in-ain ‘open ‘market we - Web site: http://www.myc.com The Mail Bag lobbying that New Skeena reconsidered its position. We have now been told that the Brinkman deal will be jimited to this year, and we will be allowed to. make a counter proposal this fall. With the help of the local media and the Terrace city council, we have managed to crack open a door which | had been closed io us this spring. However, the threat to our local industry is still very real. IF any one company is given exclusive rights to all the work, ‘the entire local industry will collapse, : Cathy Craig, who works for Brinkman & Associates, says she doesn’t know. “what the big deal is” because she doesn’t understand the impact this deal would have ~ on many of the families who live here in Terrace, If she lived in this area and had any understanding of the local industry, she would not have made such a cal- | lous statement. It is not that we believe Brinkman & Associates has no right to work here. It is that we believe we have a right to compete in our own back yard. Our intention was never to exclude anyone, In fact it was Brinkman & Associates who tried to ex- elude local contractors fram working in their own neigh- bourhood. If we want to save our silviculture industry we need the support of the Terrace community. Write the mayor, write your local MLA, and above all write New Skeena to voice your concerns. Ken Kubota, Backwoods Contracting, Terrace, B.C, (representing Kalum District silviculture contrac- tors and consultants) Treasure hunt capped a great Riverboat Days Dear Sir: As a new resident to Terrace, this year was my first experience of Riverboat Days. The Skeena Valley Rotary Club Treasure Hunt on the Riverboat Days Monday was wonderful. Tt was so nice to see so many families taking part in such a well thought-out adventure. I would like to thank all the many volunteers for put- ling together such an enjoyable afternoon for my family and myself, You all did a fantastic job. Holly Prowse Terrace, B.C. heaith promotion programs. Please print tha name of the daceased or tha person honoured: tha name/address of the next of kin for card; and your . nome/address for tax receipt {Visa and M/C accepted). oaKe Please mail your donation to: HEART ond STROKE FOUNDATION OF B.C. & YUKON er P.O. Box 22, Terrace, B.C. VBG 442 63B-1964 AND ITRONE FOUNDATION Of GC & YUKON “| In Memoriam Gills fund viel heart and sirake research ond | - Let's Maka the ams, ‘it C nt Intervent 7 uunselling Crptr ADENT DENTAL CLINIC 635-2552 4623 Lakelse Ave., Terrace Mor-Fri « 8am ~- 5 pm Tall Free: 1-800-406-1188 The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - A7 FREE FOOT CARE CLINIC CLINIC Why suffer needlessly! If you're experiencing discomfort In any of these locations, sore, tired feet or feg pain * back or neck pain * shin splints ¢ fatigue in ankles * heel pain, heel spurs © sciaticia * abnormal shoe wear * poor posture * orthotic therapy may be ihe answer. . We've helped thousands, maybe we can help you! Have your childran checked - 90% of foot problems if faund early at ages 8- 14 yrs, can be completely corrected. FREE FOOT CARE CLINIC will be held at the BEST WESTERN 4553 Grelg Ave. ‘Terrace, BC September ist, 2003 A-1 Orthotics 3208 Sunset Pl. Westbank, 8C For appointment please call - 1-888-313-1339 Derek Armstrong, Orthotic Technician 7 years expanence in foot cate & custom-made orthotics. NOTE: Your medical may pay for your orthalics (chack your plan) *Secand item must be of equal or lower price than of the original ilem purchased to qualify for this discount. Limit of only on one item ata 0 Further r purchased 25% discount per customer, FRIEND &. SAVE BIG 0 UR HOME. FURNITURE FOR YO ‘Sorry, appliances & Conwood Pine Furniture & selected Springwol beds ora not included in this sale offer & danct qualify forthe bonus discount, TOTEM FURNITURE & APPLIANCES 4501 Lakelse Ave., Terrace, B.C. « 638-1158 « 1-800-813-1158 The Original Founder Of Furniture Row