AB - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 19, 1997 ‘

Humans get heave-ho from recording jobs

TERRACE’S SUPREME Court will have to rely on tape recorders to cover proceed- ings now that the provincial government has announced tuey are firing all 125 of its court reporters,

Last week’s move was part of a plan by the government to save $4,7 million an- nually in court costs.

“It came completely from out of nowhere,”’ says Terrace’s only court reporter, Doug Lebel, ‘'There was no warn- ing whalsoever. This is not a nice thing to have happen to you.”’ .

Lebel, who came from Alberta specifical- ly for the jab, says he will probably have to leave town to look for employment.

"*] hate to leave, everyone has been really goad to me here,” he says. “Maybe I can wait it out for when they change their minds.”

Lebel points out the government tried firing all the court reporters in 1984 — a measure that he says failed miserably.

“The tapes didn’t work and the judges went nuts, so they hired us back on con- tract,’’ Lebel says.

Then, in 1993, a provincial enquiry

determined the reporters were actually doing the work of government employees and it ordered them reinstated in the public service, ,

“When they keep changing their minds like this — that’s what costs so much nioney,’” Lebel says. ‘It must have cost a fortune fast time.’”

The ministry expects to save $2.3 million by climinating ‘the court reporters, another $1.6 million by closing 11 court bouses across the province and a further $800,000 by dropping the B.C. Board of Parole.

The nearest courthouse to Terrace slated for closure is Houston, which will have its cases heard in Smithers. That is not ¢x- pected to affect the case-load here, How- ever, critics say the closures further restrict public access to the justice system.

Meanwhile Lebel says the government

will eventually figure out the move was a:

mistake, although it might take a disaster for them to realize it.

“The first recorder that doesn’t work in a murder trial will be devastating,’’ he says. ‘Then [Il be back.’’

Ski study goes ahead

ECONOMIC. Shames’ viability study of both Shames Mountain and

Ski Smithers will go

main backers have they’re not prepared to continue pouring money

“Smithers is quite anxious to have it (the study) go ahead as ex- peditiously as possible,’’

local indicated

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COAST MOUNTAINS

- SCHOOL DISTRICT #82 REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOR KINDERGARTEN (TERRACE/STEWART AREA)

In preparation for the 1997-98 school year, the School Board is seeking the cooperation of parents in register- ing their child on the following dates. Early registration is requested in order to provide the School District

Administration the time to plan staffing io meet school needs.

. REGISTRATION FOR KINDERGARTEN WILL TAKE PLACE ALL WEEK, MARCH 3-7, 1997 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

To be eligible for entry to school in September 1997, students must be five years of age on or before December 31, 1997. A birth certificate and proof of immunization will be required at the time of registration.

Please note that by Ministry of Education rules set in Victoria, full day Kindergarten programs will only be

offered to children: « who have been identified as having special needs, * who are of First Nations ancestry, or « who have significant difficulties speaking or understanding English.

Requests for full day instruction should be made at the time of registration and the school will contact you to .

confirm this.

SE eE——————————— OO

ahead.

Whistler-based Ecosign Mouniain Resort Planners has been contracted to carry out the $45,000 study of bath hills with money put up by Human Resources Development Canada.

It's hoped government agencies will be able to use the study to help

into the hill.

Martin said Eco Sign will likely concentrate on Ski Smithers first, he- cause there’s greater urgency there.

The town of Smithers is embroiled in a community-wide effort to raise money to save the hill, while rumours circu- late about a new buyer

Martin said.

Feb. 28 is the deadline for offers to buy Ski Smithers, and it’s also the day the hill’s hefty loan payments to the Royal Bank come due. If some- thing doesn’t happen by that date the bank will be in a legal position to put the ski hill into receiver- ship.

u

Early French Immersion - Kindergarten This program begins in Kindergarten, with 100 percent instruction in French for at least the first one or two years. English language arts and subjects taught in English are introduced at higher grade levels, Registration

for French Immersion Kindergarten takes place at Kiti K’Shan Primary.

Shames Mountain Ski stepping forward. Corp. find refinancing money,

**16/37 Community Fu- tures initiated it,’’ said *Shames president Gerry Martin. “‘They seem to think there’s some op- portunity with some of the agencies they’re deal- ing with to arrange some long-term financing. And

ing around for further in- vesiment.’”

At the bare minimum, i's expected the study will help the ski hill find ways to hecome more ef- ficient.

Learn to Fly! Gosses for the Private Pilots’ Ucence, ond the Recreational Pilots’ Permit begin February 20, 1997, To register, or for more information please tall Xent: 485918) or Paul: 635-4552 eB

Pacific Northem Gasiid

DIVIDEND NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Directors of Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. has declared a quarterly div- Idend of 24 cants per share on the issued and outstand- ing CLASS A and CLASSB COMMON SHARES of the Corporation payable on March 21, 1997 to share- holders of record at the close of business an March 7, 1997. By Ordar of tha Board K,L, Wharton | - Assistant Secretary

Vancouver, 8.C., Februaty 6, 1997

How are we doing?

When we fall short of yaur expectation, please fell ts. When @ newspaper story does nat seem to reflect fairly what

en Lait not Wika. add tA Db al

_it-gives us a tool in look- |} a ”

oye nd

was said, let our editors know Wher we are unable to solve your complaint, we encourage JOU fa submit ft ta the:

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