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Smart choices Wall to wall And miles to gOmam The northwest is just Another week, another school Marathon runner puts catching on to new, green project bringing colour to a more mileage on his energy technologies wall in your community sneakers than he ever \NEWS A5 \COMMUNITY BI imag i ned\§PORT§ B6

-0 -0 -m ($1.1 0 plus 80 GST outside of the Terrace area)

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h Austin nets fisheries critic portfolio By SARAH A. ZIMMERMAN “I think it could be a very important portfolio liament is sitting for a longer period than anticipat- MLA Roger Harris. THEAPPOlNTMENTof SkeenaMLA Robin Austin because we &e at that point of decision making in ed. His former office on Park Ave. was also occupied as fisheries critic for the opposition in the provincial B.C.,” Austin said. “We’ve got some fish farms al- Austin’s assignment sits well with-he Canadian by his predecessor Helmut Giesbrecht,’ who was a legislature has local anti-fish farm activists ikeling ready but the science is coming and repofts are com- Union of Public Employees (CUPE) president Barry two-term NDP MLA prior to Harris. with happiness. ing in that these farms are detrimental to the envi- , O’Neill, saying he is pleased to see Austin assigned Austin will instead share an office with Skeena- “1 think it’s fantastic that we are going to have a ronment.” the “high-stakes” portfolio of fisheries. Bulkley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen. voice from the riding,” says wild salmon advocate He hopes to see alternatives to ocean fish farms Carole James says the fisheries portfolio is one Cullen’s office is located in the Lazelle mini-mall. Bruce Hill. “I thinkkobin’s a sharp guy - he’s a explored and is interested in looking at the viability, area that the Liberal government has-neglected. Austin says the move will saverbothof the region’s quick study and I think he’ll do a fantastic job.” of inland farms or closed containment fish farms lo- Other areas she hopes to highlight include se- political representatives money. The assignment was announced June 21 as NDP cated on the coast. niors’ care, mental health, housing, Crown Corpora- Austin says the cost-sharing permits him to open leader Carole James released the list of critic roles “We have to figure out a way to make these things tions and BC Femes. two offices in the riding instead of just one. her 33-member caucus. more environmentally sustainable,” he said, adding The BC Femes and Ports critic job was given to “With a little creative sharing he and I can share

~ In a private conversation with Austin, James told he recognizes there are jobs at stake and that must be North Coast MLA Gary Coons. an office here so I will have a full time worker in Ter-’ the local MLA she expects his role to be an impor- kept in mind when examining the issues. Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson is the new race and half-time in Kitimat,” Austin said. tant one. While the fish farm debate will be a key compo- Forest and Range opposition critic. Cullen’s office will be renovated to create addi- “We had a little chat about it and where she nent of his duties he says that’s not his only focus. The entire NDP caucus was given a critic’s job tional office space. He has yet to decide on a location thought I might start in terms of getting up to speed “It isn’t just around fish farms, but how do we of some sort. in Kitimat. That location will be open two pr three on this and told me she expects it to be quite a big promote healthy fish stocks as well?” he said. Opposition caucus chair will go to Jenny Kwan days a week, while the Terrace office will be open kea of critique,” Austin said last week. “It was a big Austin expects to meet with federal fisheries min- ‘while caucus whip is West Kootenay MLA Katrine five days a week. Austin hopes to see those renova- issue during the election.” ister Geoff Regan in the near future. He had planned Conroy. Mike Farnworth, Vancouver-Mount Pleas- tions complete by July 15.

I: Amid rising concerns over the planned develop- to go on a tour of the Broughton Archipelago - a site ant MLA takes on the role of Opposition House Austin is also sifting through resumes of people ment of three open-pen fish farms at the mouth of which has drawn much attention because of the af- Leader. applying to staff constituency offices; The deadline the Skeena River, Austin says he expects the debate fects of fish farms on the ecosystem there - with Re- to apply for those jobs was 1ast‘Friday and Austin around fish farms to be one of his main areas of in- gan and Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen. Robin Austin has found..... a spot to call his constitu- said he had more that 25 resumes to consider. He

terest. ~ That trip was postponed because the federal Par- ency office home and it’s not the office of former hopes to make a decision soon. ‘ ?& School *budgetf short audit standard By DUSTIN QUEZADA SCHOOL DISTRICT 82’s I. ,By SARAH LA..ZIMMERMAN preliminary budget for the MILLS MEMORIAL Hospital has ranked 2005-06 school year has a acceptable standard for cleanliness ,and improvement .is shortfall of $770,000. needed, says an independent audit scrutinizing the’state of But the Coast Mountains health facilities around the province. district will have a clearer The audit, conducted between March 1 and May 31 of financial picture in the fall this year, examined each of the province’s six health authori- when enrolment and staffing ties by making unannounced visits to various hospitals and numbers are finalized, says other health care facilities in each region. the secretary treasurer. A variety of high-risk areas, such as operating rooms, “Enrolment numbers are patient rooms and washrooms, were inspected and ranked. anticipated to drop by about Toilets, beds and tubs - items with a high chance of coming

7 300 students,” said Marcel in close human contact and therefore posing a greater risk of

11 , Georges. spreading infection - were also scrutinized. I

% He said final enrolment The auditor’s report assigns weighted numeric scores numbers allow for adjust- reflectingthe cleanliness of the facilities. A passing grade ’ ments to staffing levels that is 85 percent and means that facility meets the benchmark standard. GO are done between September and December. The district Mills Memorial’s score of 82.88 falls just short of the ac- has to “eat” staffing costs cepted benchmark and was based on a surprise audit of 63 between September and De- different rooms at the local hospital, the report shows. cember, he says because it Terraceview Lodge, however, exceeded that standard and is easier to lay off teachers received a score of 93.21 per cent, based on the evaluation of than to re-hire them. 21 of that facility’s rooms. Georges added most dis- Both facilities in Terrace were audited in early March, tricts submit their budgets says Northern Health spokesperson Sonya Kruger. to the education ministry in She says Mills and other facilities that scored below the February or March. benchmark will be cleaned up. i “It sounds cosmetic,” said “Based on that review we =e going to make any nec- Georges, of the preliminary essary changes to the facilities’ current housekeeping pro- budget, adding the district cess,” says Kruger. “We also recognize it’s a snapshot in time and we’re go- could have gone the route ~ of submitting a balnced bud- ing to move forward from this point.” get, but it would have to be The audits are intended to createca common, province- Q adjusted in the fall anyway. wide system to evaluate cleanliness in health facilities. More This coming school year’s audits will be conducted each year and the scores are intend- budgetary forecast is im- ed to give individual authorities an idea of the state of their proved due to additional hospitals and what problems may need to be addressed. monies coming from Vic- Facilities scoring between 75 and 84.99 per cent mean toria and a cut in expenses improvement is needed, while scores between 65 and 74.99 from last year, he said. mean improvement is necessary. , The biggest savings have Any scores falling below the 65 per cent mark were given come from administrative a failing grade and auditors recommend those facilities “take downsizing and dropping en- action immediately and re-audit.” ergy costs from a retrofitting Only one facility in the Northern Health Authority re- of the heating and lighting ceived a failing grade - that was the L&es District Hospital systems in district schools. and Health Centre in Bums Lake. It scored 62.62 per cent -a Still, Georges emphasized ipprenticeship program orientation June 22. ‘InterestGd students came from all over the area to a’ttend the provincial low - based on an audit of 11 hospital rooms. I the fall remains crucial for wo-day information and assessment session. KAT LEE PHOTO “We’re investigating that result and we are going to con- the budget’s forecast. duct a review to try to understand why that score was re-

‘ Unlike other districts, a ceived,” Kruger says. bigger drop in enrolment ,First Nations .students eye She said she is pleased, however, with the authority’s sec- actually helps the district’s ond-highest ranking in the province. With a score of 88.43 bottom line, said Georges. per cent, it trailed just behind the first-ranked Interior Health If the expected 300 stu- Authority’s score of 90.36 per cent. The lowest score in the dent drop were to be halved, power line technician jobs province went to the Vancouver Island Health Authority, said Georges, the district By KAT LEE The college is responsible for four weeks of classroom which scored 84.46 per cent. , would get more money from 4BOYG’NAL students in the Terrace area are getting training, which consists of airbrakes, Class 3 drivers li- The company that conducted the study, Westech Sys- Victoria, but that money valuable training that could turn into a career thanks to cence, computer skills, report writing and teamwork. tems, has not released a detailed breakdown of the scores on a room by room basis. Its report says “extreme time con- would not cover the cost of I new program offered through Northwest Community The training institute will teach nine weeks of techni- iehiring the teachers that Zollege. cal training. There, the students learn about job safety and traints” prevented it from breaking the evaluations down would be needed. The local college, BC Hydro and the Electrical Industry practical skills like construction standards, tool and mate- that specifically. That’s drawn fire from the Hospital Em- “It’s not a cheap district rraining Institute (EITI) are partnering up to run an ab- rial identification and use, and how to dig holes and plant ployees’ Union that says the public has a right to know how to run,” he said, adding xiginal pre-apprenticeship power line technician program poles to build power lines. clean operating rooms are compared to hallways and waiting teachers in Kitwanga, Ha- his summer. “EITI are international leaders in this training and we areas. It also notes authorities with low scores are the same zelton and Stewart have to The pilot program runs July 18 to October 14, 2005 at are very proud to be partnering with them on this education ones that have contracted housekeeping services out. be compensated with a north he Terrace college campus. initiative,” said Margo Van der TOUW,NWCC director of The Northern Health Authority has not contracted out allowance of up to $3,000. “It’s a trade discovery program,” said Olivier Schitte- Continuing and International Education. those services and Kruger says it doesn’t plan on changing . Schools districts must le- :atte, BC Hydro’s business improvement manager. Continued Page A2 that any time soon. gally run balanced budgets. “We are very proud of our housekeeping staff,” she said.

f i h1 A2 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 29,2005 - Terrace paving outfit nabs H“‘k WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM SPRINKLING RESTRICTIONS Kitimat bid despite complaints The City of Terrace wishes to remind all residents that water sprinkling restrictions are in force year-round, In order to maintain adequate water levels in reservoirs for fire fighting Courtesy on the contract. purposes, additional restrictions are in effect immediately. NORTHERN SENTINEL “We are not opposed to competition,” he said adding A BID for tender by the District of Kitimat for a paving “we just expect the same standards of workmanship on our Water sprin kling is permitted on: ‘contract in that city has been awarded to Standard Paving streets.” ODD nume ered addresses ON ODD numbered DAYS of Terrace over Kitimat’s Kentron Construction Ltd. despite Deni added he is optimistic that Standard’s work will Dered addresses ON EVEN numbered DAYS concerns raised at a Kitimat council meeting last month. also be of high quality. EVEN num At the June 13 council meeting Kentron employee Gaetan He said that there is a cost affiliated to having high stan- Between the hours of: Pozsgay had expressed the company’s concerns to council dards and Kentron’s reputation was built on meeting those 7:OO momoto 1O:OO p.m. ONLY about the negative impact on the local economy if the con- standards by doing consistent quality work. He noted that tract was to be awarded to Standard. Kentron has always dedicated itself to maintaining the high- Hand’ sprinkling of flowers and shrubs with a controlled nozzle is allowed at any time. 8 ’ Municipal manager for the district Trafford Hall said the est standards of workmanship on city streets. district must be fair and evaluate bids based on guidelines of “We are always very progressive with our quality control The City thanks you for your assistance in the ssnsible and moderate use of water. price, quality and risk management. ’ and always work toward improving it,” said Deni. Standard’s accepted bid was $375,291.20, approximately “We spend significant dollars towards quality control. $7,400 less than Kentron’s bid of $382,763.50. We have our own quality control department.” Kentron manager Eugene Deni said he stands by the The 2005 Road Paving Program is stage two of the sum- city‘s decision to award the contract to Standard paving and mer program. The paving contract includes Carlson and D Max Min Total .; D Max Min Total noted that he looks forward to future work contracts with Carswell Roads and Lahakas Blvd. south from Haisla to A Temp Temp Precip 2 A Temp Temp“C Precipmm

the district. Quatsino Blvds. Y “C “C mm I Y “C

“Kentron has had a great working rdationship with the Engineering director for Kitinlat Tim Gleig said paving 17 26.3 11.4 I T 17 31.3 12.7 0.0 District of Kitimat for many many years and is planning on will commence in about two to three weeks. 18 30.2 9.8 T“18 ‘34.2 14.8 0.0 continuing this,” said Deni. Standard’s Mike Scott estimated the projcct will be com- 19 35.3 15.8 0.0 “We know that we want to carry on working (in pleted in about one week. 19 18.7 10.7 0.0 , n/a n/a 20 36.5 17.5 T Kitimat).” I1 Stage one is the 2005 Road Reconstruction Pro- 20 n/a Deni said he is proud of his employees for taking a stand gram which was awarded to J. Oviatt Contracting Ltd. at 21 20.8 12.3 0.0 . 21 33.0 17.9 T on what they saw as a threat to their livelihood but wanted $405,555.50 over Kentron ($494630.06) and JHW Con- 22 n/a n/a n/a ? 22 32.5 16.8 0.0 to make it clear Kentron does not object to Standard’s bid struction ($519,570). 1A866-640-6369 23 n/a n/a n/a 23 34.3 15.5 0.0

From front Construction Zones & Road Maintenance and Highway irnprove- ments go hand in hand with spring and summer weather. Travelers should expect work zones with traffic control and delays. Please watch for and Native students learn trade obey ail traffic signs and Traffic Control Persons. Also, once in the pre-apprentice- University College, and students have in the industry. ship program, the students must pass had to pay their own tuition costs in The college’s pre-apprenticeship the physical component of testing; they the range of $8,500, which covers ex- program is for aboriginal students only, are provided with a membership at a penses likeJtraining expertise, gear and which Van der Touw said was a stipu- ’ Terrace gym, where they have to train use of a truck. lation from BC Hydro. three times a week. In this case, the students won’t have “We want to create a diverse labour Once the 13 weeks are completed, to pay tuition for the program. force,” said Schittecatte. He notes that each student receives a college creden- “The program is being funded by the aboriginal community is underuti- tial, as well as credit towards the first BC Hydro,” said Van der Touw, saying lized labour, pool. in-school session all power line techni- that the company has the resources to “The idea is to involve the conimu- cian apprentices have to attend. Stu- accept 12 peoplein the pre-apprentice- nity at large,” he said. Northwest Conmiunity College is now offering the Process Operator Program (POP), dents will have to eventually complete ship program. ( An orientation on June 22-24 con- the Process Operator Preparation Program, and required certification courses at Grade 12 English, Math and Physics to “Hydro is having a very hard time sisted of interviews, testing and assess- finding northerners for this job,” she ment, and gave the students a chance to continue on. related industries including pulp & paper, oil & gas, petrochenlical & chemical, and food & “Most likely, successful candidates said. see if this job is right for them. beverage nianufacturing. Here’s your opportunity to train for great career. will have a three-month practicum,” , “There’s a problem with keeping “This is a chance to meet guys who said Schittecatte, saying they’ll be em- people in the north.” do this for a living, ask the questions ployed by either BC Hydro or other in- She said that recruiting in the north you want to ask,” Van der Touw said. Information Session dustry contractors as a trainee. may help keep them in the north. Because of increased interest, a sec- Join our staff and program esperts for a free information session to learn all about the ond orientation session is taking place The rate of pay from BC Hydro for “We’ve got an aging workforce,” Process’ Operator Program and how we can help you meet the progratii admission Schittecatte said. Since BC Hydro July 12-13. c trainees is around $19 per hour. requirements. Everyone is welcome. “It’s a great opportunity, to get a wants a stable workforce for the indus- Those interested must have a high try in the north, the goal is to get local school diploma with completion of high-paying job,” Van der Touw said. Wednesday, July 6,2005 from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. “It’s finally good news for jobs in the young people into the industry. Grade 11 Math and Physics, as well as

north.” ~ After completing the program, suc- a valid Class 5 drivers licence. Although this is the fourth time the cess rate is high. In the previous three Those eligible can contact Rob Si- course has been offered in B.C., this courses run by Kwantlen, over 90 per monds, Provincial Apprenticeship Co- is the first time it has come up north. cent of the grads were hired. ordinator at the Metis Provincial Coun- The three previous pre-apprenticeship Schittecatte said that the company is cil of B.C. at 1-800-940-1 150 before ; programs have taken place at Kwantlen simply giving the students a -‘leg-up” the July;Ll,deadline. , , *$

e Stomers is reauesting any informatior

them. Just’a reminder to ensure that nothing of valur ’ left in your vehicle, and your vehicle is secure. If you have information about this or any othei crime or you know the identity of the person 01 person’s responsible for this, or any other crime Crime Stoppers would like to hear from you.

Crimestoppers offers a cash reward of up to 52,000.00 for Information leading to the arrest and charges beinb laid against this or any other unsolved Crime. If you have any information call CRIME STOPPERS at 635- TIPS, that‘s 635-8477. Callers will not be required to reveal their Identity or testify in court. Crimestoppers does not subscribe to call display. Our forests are a source of pride for British Campfire Safety Columbians.Tourists and residents alike marvel at - Encircle campfires with rocks to stop fire spreading. I Don‘t build campfires less than 3 metres from trees, brush or wood ‘Call 635mTlPS their grandeur. Working families, forest communities structures. and our parklands rely on our forests.Yet every year, Keep a shovel and pail of water near your campfire. I an average of 2,000 forest fires put it all at risk. Homeowner Safety * Keep trees, shrubs, branches and other flammable material at least People cause about half of all forest fires, 10 metres from your home. I endangering lives, damaging real estate, and having .Trees near your home should be no more than 2 metres in height and at least 3 metres apart. §ECURITY SY§TEMS a negative impact on tourism. Last year there - Remember to clean your gutters and chimney. weie fewer fires caused by people. Do your part. General Fire Safety -./ -When smoking outside, dispose of cigarettes and matches safely. Protect yourselves and our forests. Be Firesmart. Never toss a lit match or a cigarette out of your car. I * Don’t burn grass or yard waste on windy days. Access Control 24 Hour Monitoring .To report a wildfire call 1-800-663-5555or *5555 from a cellphone. Surveillance Cameras Specializing In Digital And Fire Alarms P.C. Based Camera Systems / For more information on how you can prevent forest fires, visit www.gov.bc.ca. 877-713-9588 250-638-6090 BRITISH Fax: 250-638-600 1 COLUMB J A 4443 Keith Avenue, Terrace, B.C. w The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 29,2005 - A3 :Morestolen items could be News In Brief ireturned if owners marked them Alleged meth lab By MARGARET SPEIRS : THE RETURN OF stolen items would be easier if the public operators to stand trial ’: placed identifying marks on them to prove ownership, according TWO MEN and a woman charged with allegedly operating a clandestine methamphetamine lab inTerrace to Terrace RCMP. I 1. Corporal Mike Tivers of the general investigation unit said if are going to trial in Supreme Court. .< .< records are kept on an item and police find it after it’s been re- , Garrett John Chepil, Jonah Wyatt McEwan, and :: ported stolen, they can return it to its rightful owner. Laura Rhianna Phelps last appeared in brovincial court Items with identifying marks are also less appealing to thieves. for the conclusion of a preliminary inquiry on one count :: Tivers said the vast majority of stolen items are electornics and each of production of methamphetamine, also known as :CDs. I crystal meth June 16. I “Let’s face it: electronic equipment is a big item.” he said, add- A fourth accused person, James Allan Derrang - ing an easy way to identify CDs is to remove the front picture and Branch, had his charge stayed. ; write something personal on it such as a birth date. While dousing a ‘residential blaze at 4827 LazeIIe For a unique piece of jewelry, a photo with a description or an Ave. just after midnight on March 2, 2004, Terrace ; engraved wedding date can aid in its identification if stolen. firefighters saw items they believed were uscd for drug I. If people hesitate to place an engraving on their expensive production in the room where the fire started. itenis, a charitable foundation called TB Vets offcrs spccial tags Police executed a search warrant on March 3 and ;that stick to VCRs, TVs, computers and other items. seized waste products, chcniicals used to make crys- : The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) has a coni- tal meth and ‘khat they belicvcd,to be several hundred j puter data base for scrial numbers. grams of tlic finished product. I -“It would make ourjob easier if people report serial numbers of On March 1 1, Terrace RCMP arrested the quartet at stolen items and put them on the CPIC system.” ‘rivers said, add- a Jackpine Flats residence and seized chemicals, labo- ; ing cvery effort ca‘n help make comniunitics safcr. ratory glassware and suspected crystal meth residue. ; Constablc Mike Lavric said police have several options when The house. located less than two blocks from the ; they find stolen merchandise or items believed to be stolen. Terrace RCMP detachment, has been boarded up ever ; If the items can be identified, they’re retunicd to their rightful since. ; owners. ; If they can’t be identified and there are criminal charges stcni- Shirt thief convicted == * ming from their discovery, the court decides their fate. A TERRACE MAN who plead guilty to one charge ofc : If the matter has not proceeded to court and police can’t deter- possessing stolen merchandise from the Mohawk Stop ’ mine whether the items are stolen, the objects are returned to the N Shop has received a conditional discharge in Terrace L people they were seized from. Provincial Court June 16. : ’ Tivers said police advise the public to put an identifying mark, Frank Genaille received three months probation like the engraving of a driver’s license number, on larger items with conditions to report to a parole officer, not to go : like TVs for identification purposes. to the Mohawk - now a Husky service statiori - and to : But if an item isn’t engraved, there still may be hope for its safe complete five hours of community service. L-retumto its owner. On Dec 30, 2004 at 4:10 a.m. Genaille tried on a 5 If the owner can provide an extensive list of items taken and shirt from a box at the Mohawk gas station at 4760 f can describe them in detail, it’s possible to make a positive match Lakelse Ave. He returned the box but one $40 shirt was $1 and return them. missing, court heard. :- Items from a June theft may soon be returned to their owner At 4:25 a.m., Terrace RCMP pulled over the van Ge- d thanks to a visual identification. naille was riding in on the 4600 block of Scott Ave. and I ~~~~~ I More often than not*police recover unidentified Objects found the shirt. I that,>arerarely returned. CST. MIKE LAVRlC of the Terrace RCMP highway ‘patrol holds evidence bags I of stolen pocket watches and items to make crack pipes that were some of Big ticket as TVs9are easier to return as people gen- several stolen items he seized from a vehicle June 21. Thanks to a detailed de-“ Local man not guilty / erally keep track of serial numbers on more expensive items and scription, he may be able to return some of the wtches to their rightful owner. 1 often mark bigger items rather than smaller ones, he said. of indecent exposure 1 I A TERRACE MAN accused of exposing himself to a woman in an apartment building hallway last year was cleared in Terrace Provincial Court June 23. iCommeEial1 break and enters on the rise 0 Patrick Joseph Rinsma was found not guilty by Judge 1 COMMERCIAL BREAK and enters are on the up in the downtown core. erty in two large seizures. H. J. Seidemann after the final day of the two-day trial.

rise in here according to the latest crime stats for “A particular trend which has also been noted Degrand said Terrace RCMP have been SUC- I 1 I (1 On May 16, 2004, a resident of an apartment build- I this year. during the past quarter has been an increase in the cessful in identifying several individuals and ing on Little Ave. alleged that, while she stood in the Stats to the end of May 2005 show 455 proper- number of commercial break and enters in the groups whom they believe to be among the big- hallway knocking on her sister’s door, Rinsma dropped ; ty offences were committed in the greater Terrace area,” Degrand writes. gest targets. a towel that was wrapped around his waist and revealed 1 area. That’s up over 434 in the first five months of “A great deal of effort has been placed into the “Our office continues to work very hard in at- his unclothed lower body to her as he walked from the I 2004 and just 355 in the first quarter of 2003. gathering of intelligence to determine who is re- tempting to target those most active of criminals, bathroom to his apartment. I That’s a 29 per cent increase in overall prop- sponsible for these events.” within the boundaries of the resources we have, Rinsma testified that, after he showered in the bath- : erty offences since 2003. Police suspect a number of individuals and but I am cautiously optimistic that we have had room,lhe realized he had forgotten to bring a towel, and 1 : In his April report to city council RCMP In- groups to be very active in these crimes, and be- a significant impact and should, over at least the covered himself with his shirt and shorts while scurry- ,> 8 ,<, ’.I,\J r,,,3,,..,,At? 1 spectpr-Marlin Degrand says Terrace has seen lieve a great deal of this activity revolves around short to moderate term, see a reduction in the pace ing to his apartment. ’

1 * a significant increase in crime ovcr the past two drug use and the drug trade,-the report said. of property crime,” Degrand said. , He

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Registeredtrademarks of Boston Pizza Royalties bmited Partnership. used under license 0 Boston Pizza lnlemational hc 2005 www.bostonpina.com A4 ;The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 29,2005 STANDARD. ESTABLISHED APRIL 27,1988 PUBLISHER: ROD LINK ADDRESS: 3210 Clinton Street Terrace, B.C. V8G 5R2 TELEPHONE: (250) 638-7283 FAX: (250) 638-8432 ’ WEB: www.terracestandard.com EMAIL: [email protected] Breaking point Downtown merchants have every right to be peeved about the amount Gf-vandalism and theft happening in the heart of our city. Nearly every week another store has boarded up its windows because they’ve been smashed by thrill-seeking vandals or demolished by a petty thief who sneaks into the store and makes off with armlqads of merchandise. A good many downtown stores - and com- BEF mercial businesses in other parts of the city and Thornhill - have been targeted repeatedly, some- times several times in a single month. bl Store owners are shelling out a goodly amount of money to replace windows, repair broken locks and doors, not to mention the costs associated with stolen goods and rising insurance costs. The rami- Separatist; hysteria has got to go fications of thesecrime sprees are felt pot just by POLLS SAY support for sov- is now being interpreted by are turned off? Who can blame ’ store owners and their employees, but also by the ereignty in Quebec is the high- desperate Liberals as renewed them? But to say they would est it’s ever been. Pundits and I support for separatism. At vote to break up Canada for rest of the community. politicians lament the rising best, that is a misreading of the this debacle is a huge stretch, Just take a look at the growing number of shops tide of separatism in Quebec. public mood. At worst, it is yet indeed. The Quebec voter is They say the sponsor- another example of crass and a lot smarter than the rest of in the downtown area whose once clever window ship scandal and its fallout cynical politics. Canada gives them credit for. displays are now obscured by bars and grates. are bringing Canada closer to Put yourself in the shoes of Absent an attractive feder- Some shops have putup with three, four or five break-up. an average Quebecker. In this alist alternative to the Liber- It’s time to take a Valium. most ‘recent incarnation of the als, the only voice Quebeckers break-ins before taking this measure. For others, Rather than encouraging calm mess the ,Liberalshave created trust is the Bloc QukbCcois. being a victim just one time is enough to make the and perspective, politicians Ottawa treats you like a fool That doesn’t mean a vote extra investment to bar up windows. - some out of ignorance but by spending hundreds of mil- for th”e Bloc is a vote for sover; genuine concern, others driven lions of your money to create a eignty. It means they trust the Terrace is becoming the shopping hub of the by flagrant and cynical oppor- secret program to put up signs Bloc to keep the government ” northwest, but bars on windows do not an inviting tunism - are fuelling a minor and billboards across the prov- in check in the absence of community make. So what do shop owners do? hysteria that will lead to judg- ince“with the word “Canada” what they perceive to be a vi- merits that harm Canada* other legislatures in Canada on it and expecting to turn you able alternative. It also means The idea that one downtown merchant spoke In the fundamental things into a committed federalist. Quebec is mad as hell at the agree more. , about a few weeks ago is a good one - create an that matter, Quebeckers are It uses this program as a Liberals. association for merchants to band together in an n’ different from Other sorshipTo scandal is anthe obscene kickback scheme to its party It would be a serious mis- effort to combat break-ins. nadians. Quebec is a affront. They ask themselves and friends. As we have been take for English Canada to in- society where its citizens seek how their federal government hearing at the Gomery inqui- terpret any of this as a resound- Like a community watch-type program, store happiness, personal growth ry, this is commonly used by ing groundswell of support for ‘ownerswill, keep*an eye out for miscreants lurk- and oPPortunitY’ to be ashave stupid ever as thought to think them that Liberal apparatchiks as an in- the separatist option. And the * around. They’ll’report suspicious activity to fulfilling and well-paying. they. could be conditioned to terchangeable euphemism for crassest form of opportuh‘ jobs, a good-affordable educa- embrace Canada with at .saving Canada from separai=-Tfor psliticians to try to e‘police hdto eachother. They’ll share details tion and a reliable health-care car races, fishing showssigns and ists and saving their electoral ploit this. Quebec desperately about people who have been busted stealing. want music festivals. At a time when skin. wants a change in the political They’ll do what close-knit communities do - honest and go’- people like my 79-year-old fa- The new leader - the sec-’ culture in Ottawa. We all do. ernment and thrive On the rich ond-highest- ranking Liberal Until federal parties offer look out for eachother. ther have to wait for months to multicultural character of their get a hospital bed in Montreal, MP from Quebec and minister a compelling vision for what But they need the help of the RCMP. Inspec- society. of finance, no less, during all they are for, rather than what they wonder how On earth this of this - feigns righteous in- they are against, Quebec will tor Marl& Degrand acknowledges commercial Quebeckers want to t*e waste~$250-millionprogram Pride in and strengthen the In- and the fraud that flowed from dignation. He says he’s sorry, keep its guard up and vote break-ins have largely contributed to a recent rise stitutions that define them. it could be somehow deemed again and again, then spends Bloc. in the amount of crime in the city. The Only difference is, a noble effort in a war against tens of billions more of your Like the rest of us, Que- want to be able to do all of this separatism. money and dispenses enough beckers are angry. But they Though the suggestion of foot patrols in the in French. political favours to make even are not about to throw in the downtown core have been suggested, Degrand In Quebec, where democrat- The idea of go’- ic values, societal consensus, his predecessor blush. towel on Canada, despite how says the detachment is too busy to start foot patr