A10 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 22, 1995 But future still hanging VIA escapes budget hit FEDERAL SPENDING may have been slashed in the recent budget, but it seems VIA Rail’'s Skeena run has been spared -— at least for now. Several years ago in the first round of sweeping Via Rail cut- backs, the Skeena was named onc of several passenger-rail routes in Canada _ considered an essential service. because. it provides the. . only transportation for certain communities. But there’s a big gap between what the run brings in and what it costs and VIA, a federal crown corporation which receives sub- sidies from the federal govern- ment, has tagged the run as a pos- sible victim in the effort to save money. — VIA has made plans but they’ve been put on hold pending a feder- al government decision that’s now several years overdue, “It's a federal government de- cision, ultimately, because of course it costs the federal govern- ment to run these remote services, They will never make. money,” said VIA spokesman Dianne Gra- BEST KEPT transportation secret in the northwest is VIA Rail’s Skeena run from Jasper to Prince 'S placed its fu- ham. . Rupert and back again. But it costs more to run than it earns in revenues and that’ Graham said the recent budget ture in doubt now for anumber of years, will cut another $60 million from its budget over the next three years, “We are working extremely ‘“‘We believe we can get there, hard trying to meet the federal provided we get some conces- targets without cuts to any of our sions from the labor side,’’ Gra- services across the country,"’ ham said. ‘There's various issues said Graham. with various unions, but job Tn 1993, the last year figures are Security is certainly one of them available for, the Skeena run lost and that’s a big one,” $5.46 million. Under the now-expired collec- About 14,000 passengers live agreement, employees travelled on the train that year, represented by the Canadian Auto producing revenues of $872,000 Workers who work cight years against costs of $6.3 million. have job security for life, One key cost factor is wages © CAW members include all on- because they represent more than rain personnel, station people, 40 per cent of VIA's costs, and some office workers. R.D. In Brief Dr. Paul Tsang announces the closure of his dental practice. All patient charts and X-rays have been transferred to: Or. Joe Zucchiatti 4623 Lakelse Ave. (Across from the White Spot) Phone 635-2552 We Welcome New Patients enone Le LTD. . NOW is the time to book SPRING CLEANING! Barry's will remove winter grime from your carpets, upholstery, blinds, acoustic tile, auto, etc. Cail now ior a free estimate! CE| «635-3558 Say “AL CAR.C. Certified INTEAAKTIONAL screen J _ List Your GARAGE 7 SALE for? B22 in the Terrace Standard or Skeena Marketplace Simply bring your ad to our office at 4647 Lazelle {across from the Terrace Credit Union) before Friday at 5:00 pm for Wednesday publication and before Tuesday noon for Saturday publication. STANDARD 4647 Lazelle Ave. 633-7283 Scaled down grant okayed THE KITIMAT Cross Country Ski club will get a $2,000 grant from the district. , But that’s only one-sixth of the original request. _ In proposing the reduced grant, Terrace director Jack Talstra said his rationale was government grants to such organizations should not total more than 30 per cent of their annual budget. In addition, the club had indicated only 20 per cent of its member- ship lived outside Kitimat. Club spokesman Cheryl Brown had earlier indicated it was asking the municipality of Kitimat for a grant as well. Although several directors raised concerns this was the third time the club had come to the well, Talstra noted all communities sub- sidized recreation to some extent. Stewart’s Andy Burton urged the district to introduce a policy on such grants, “They all sound good,” he pointed out, adding he was concerned the decisions were being made in an ad hoc fashion ‘‘depending on the mood of the day.” ‘Treasurer pulls up stakes AFTER ONLY once year in the job, treasurer John France is leaving the Kitimat-Stikine regional district. And he denies his departure is anything to do with the weather. “I'm leaving with a lot of regrets,’’ France admitted, adding he would miss the area. ; However, taking a similar post with the Comox-Strathcona district in Courtenay offered the opportunity to be close to his parents, grandparents to his two sons. ‘““It was purely for family reasons,” he explained, adding he had enjoyed working for Kitimat-Stikine, “Sometimes you have to make tough decisious.”’ It’s all your’s, says district IF THE City of Terrace wants to negotiate taking over ownership of the Terrace-Kitimat airport, that’s fine by the district, The city has already started the process but the regional director for Transport Canada’s Pacific Region wanted reassurances other area municipalities ‘‘are comfortable” with any further negotiations. The district will send off a letter saying it is aware of the situation and has no objections, District joins enviro group THE DISTRICT has agreed to take out a membership — cost $100 per year — in the B,C, Environmental Information Institute. In proposing the move, Stewart director Andy Burton said he was a member and had found they gave out ‘‘factual information, not propaganda”? and offered “‘the other side of the story,” The Institute is chaised by Gerry Furney, mayor of Port McNeill and the executive includes representatives of the mining indusiry, a International Woodworkers union, forest company Interfor and are BAC, Dease Lake eyes RD spot THE DEASE Lake advisory planning commission wants to talk about that community becoming part of the Kitimat-Stikine regional district. Ina letter to the district, Municipal Affairs minister Dartene Mar- zari says she has no objection to the pair entering into discussions. However, she adds, her ministry will be putting together a list of items which would have to be addressed before any such amal- gamation took place, Proclaimed DIRECTORS HAVE proclalmed recognition of 100 years of work done by the B.C, Soclety for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals and also declared April 9-15 Natlonal Wildlife Week, TANDARD. Mike Hamm Janet Viveiros Sam Collier Tracey Tomas