a News : TheReview Wednesday, March 7, 1990 — A2 Wednesday, March 7, 1990 —_A2 NO INCREASE Continued from Page Al will have their accounts credited, Victoria manager Jim McHugh said. McHugh said: “Definitely it’s a concem. We're looking at a con- siderable amount of money, so it’s going to have an impact on our budget. “We're still committed to the improvements we said we were going to do.” The rejected $1.74 per month increase would have taken effect March 1. McHugh said Shaw is awaiting the results of a CRTC hearing into cable in Canada. Shaw has also applied to amal- gamate the Saanich system — which serves Sidney, North Saa- nich and Central Saanich — with the Langford/Sooke system. The increase here would have made rates for the two systems the same. “Our goal still is to equalize the rates,” McHugh said. The CRTC has not made a decision yet on whether the sys- tems can join. Under CRTC regulations, a cable company can’t be granted an increase until at least 12 months after its last increase. Shaw applied for special consideration, to allow the increase despite the rule. NDP On Sept. 1, Shaw’s rates went up $1.50 per month. The current increase would have brought monthly charges up to $13.12 per month from $11.38 for the basic 22-chamnel service. The CRTC decision states that it has taken into account that Shaw’s rates would be equal throughout the region if the increase was allowed. “The commission also conduct- ed an analysis of historical finan- cial performance of the licensce and the characteristics of the North Saanich, Central Saanich and Sidney system,” the decision says. “On the basis of its analysis and in view of the profitability of the system, the commission has not been persuaded that an inercasce is warranted on the basis of any of the criteria addressed in the fil- ing.” The decision notes that com- ments from 31 subscribers were Teceived as a result of the applica- tion. Shaw’s documents to the CRTC estimated that with the increase the local system would not start to show a positive cash flow until 1991, when $127,000 more than expenses would be eared. From 1987 to 1991, $1.85 million in subsidy from Shaw’s other sys- tems would be needed. When the application was announced, Ken Fowler, a Shaw vice-president in charge of plan- ning, said the application would “Stand scrutiny from everybody.” By the time Saanich system improvements are complete, they will have cost the company $3.9 million. More than 11,000 subscribers are served on the Peninsula. In mid-1989 Shaw formed a middle ticr of service beyond the basic 22 channels, adding six ‘channels for $2.95 per month. A top ticr of Pay TV channels is also available. According to Shaw’s applica- tion, it delayed secking higher rates until 82 per cent of capital projects were completed or com- mitted, which “indicates to the commission our degree off com- mitment to the task of improving service.” By August 1991, 121 kilometres of cable and hundreds of trunk and line amplifiers will have been replaced or upgraded. Shaw is also planning to expand service to the Highland and Willis Point areas. Continued from Page Al make “fundamental changes in our values and in the ways we go about our business, if we are to save the environment and our- selves.” Woods, 50, lives in the Esqui- malt-Metchosin constituency, which has already acclaimed MLA Moe Sihota to run in the next election. But not living in Saanich North and the Islands is an advantage because she won’t “contribute to the pressure people are worried about.” Keeping the Peninsula from turing into a city, while meeting a housing need, is a priority. Woods envisions “high-quality, high-density, organic housing,” with recycling and environment- enhancing lifestyles maintained. A sustainable economy — with money ‘reduced from being a measure of all things to merely a useful tool’’ — is needed to clean up “the environmental and eco- nomic mess we’re in,’ Woods said. Woods said the new constituen- cy will be hard to win for the NDP, despite troubles in the Vander Zalm government. But revamping electoral borders has given more weight to the voters of the Gulf Islands. “That’s one of the things that makes the riding more winnable (for the NDP) than it otherwise might be,” she said. Two Scored MLAs represent the old, larger Saanich and the Islands constituency — Terry Huberts and Finance Minister Mel Couvelier. Both are seeking their party’s Saanich North nomination. Woods said, “Either one would be a formidable foe.” Socred performance, however, has not been stellar, she said. The party represents itself as “a good manager of the economy. “But even before the B.S. fund, it was like a person having $10,000 in the bank but the roof is leaking and the kids are barefoot.” Nyland, 62, is more certain of the NDP’s chances. “I don’t think Couvelier or Huberts will be that difficult to beat. Their infighting is dividing them.” Nyland’s nomination centres on the protection of forests and agri- cultural land, an end to dumping toxic wastes and sewage, more recycling and more social justice. The nomination candidate said he has “a fairly high profile” in the community. He’s a member of the Friends of John Dean Park, and is chairman of the North Saanich parks commission. He said environmental destruc- tion put him into the race. “With the incredible treatment of our forests, and our rivers and streams, and the depletion of fish — which has a lot to do with forests — I felt that I had to do something. “When my grandchildren say ‘Why didn’t you do something?’ I'll be able to look them straight in the eye and say I tried,” Nyland said. Caverley, who plans to kick off his nomination campaign later this week, said: “I feel the winds of change are among us. I feel the people of B.C. are desperatcly seeking a change in government.” Development, transportation and the environment are critical issues for the constituency, said Caverley, 45. Caverley is a founding member of the Save Saanich Peninsula coalition, fighting freeway con- struction. He said “the government should be applauded” for its concern for travel safety. “But I’m not in favor of a freeway. I think it would lead to the rapid urbanization of the Saanich Peninsula,” Caverley said. The NDP constituency associa- tion will sclect its candidate May 26. SD, Conquer your fear of - as +t public speaking! Learn . * lo speak more confi- dently at work, with your family and in the community. For more information call Pat, 652- 0433 or Arnie, 656-9381. A BOOKSTORE & MORE NAME 1. R. Chabot 2. E. Smythe 3. G Hollingworth 4. Jack Livsey 5. \V. Moorhouse 6. Erik Bruhn 7. P. Boudreau 8. Godiel 9. M. Anderson 10. T. Backhaus 2436 BEACON AVE., SIDNEY, B.C. ¥8L 1X6 658-2345 TANNERS | Monthly Draw Winners PRIZE $100 $20 $5 Free 649 Free 649 Free 649 Free 649 Free 649 Free 649 Free 649 FREEWAY + # Continued from Page Al “If I could do it this week I would,” Johnston said. She said the comments received from the MLAs-are being given a lot of weight but “I’ve had both types of submissions brought for- ward to me.” Couvelier said: “I told her I don’t believe the citizens are in favor of upgrading to freeway Status.” Personally, Couvelier doesn’t support an upgrade to freeway Status either and is intrigued with the idea of turing it into a park- Way. 2 Huberts said: “We have an expressway and I say, suck more with that but make changes to make it safe.” Huberts said he’s talked to many constituents about the highway and “that’s the message I gave her . change what needs to be changed but don’t do anything grandeur.’ He’s committed to preserving the rural atmosphere of the Penin- sula and’ feels an upgrade to full freeway status would damage thal. “Don’t change it to open freeway status when it might not be necessary at this ime,’ Huberts said. Problem intersections at Beacon Avenue, Island View Road and 4 Mackenzie Avenue need to be addressed, and the area adjacent to Elk Lake should be upgraded with a concrete median, Huberts said. - ~ Do what needs to be done for safety but not to major freeway Status or we*ll lose our rural atmosphere,” Huberts said. ~ Anytime now she’s going to be tclling us what shell do.” Johnston cautioned she’s not § only serving the people who live, & on the Peninsula now, but also those who will be here in the future. GOOD LIVING MENU Be good to your heart; try our low fat, low cholesterol menu. WEDDINGS Rehearsal dinners and small wedding parties. Call us for details. 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