as Castlegar News August 8, 1990 Forest profits slipping VANCOUVER (CP) — Forest in- dustry profitability — one of the broadest indicators of British Colum- bia’s economic health — has been slipping in 1990. The combined earnings of 10 publicly-owned firms peaked in 1988 after a quick run-up from pre-1985 losses. But it has been downhill since then, with profits dipping below comparative levels from last year in almostevery quarter. Although sales revenues are vir- tually the same as last year — $4,044 million against $4,042 million — profits have plunged by 58 per cent to $151.5 million from $359.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 1989. That drop followed a 54 per cent year-to-year decline in first-quarter industry earnings, which in turn were 23 per cent below the fourth quarter of 1989. Buoyant markets and a stable price for pulp kept profits high last year and may have masked poor perfor- mance in other businesses such as newsprint. But, unable to cope with mounting inventories at their mills this year, the pulpmakers have had to curtail production and recently accep- ted a $30-to-$40 US-per-tonne-cut in selling prices. Reduced pulp production means less demand for wood chips, which sawmills rely on tO supplement their income at times of slack lumber demand. MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. has already announced two-week shut- downs at two Nanaimo sawmills, af- fecting 350 workers. Capital spending cuts, which affect future operations and ripple out into the rest of the economy, have also been seen. Canfor Corp. says it has reduced its 1990 spending program by 30 per cent or about $38 million. Fletcher Challenge Canada Ltd. has put off all discretionary spending. MacMillan Bloedel’s outlays will be down from last year. -WKP parent says income is down UtiliCorp United, West Kootenay Power's parent ‘company, has an- nounced that second quarter net in- come and primary earnings per com- mon share have declined, compared to results in the prior year’s period, while operating revenues increased. For the first six months of 1990, both net income and_ operating revenues increased over results in the same period of 1989 while earnings per share were even, a news release said. For the second quarter ended June 30, 1990, net income was $4.8 million, compared to $5.5 million in last year’s period. Primary earnings per share were $.12 versus $.21 in the 1989 quarter. Operating revenues were $149 million, compared to $134 million. Average common shares outstan- ding increased from 20.8 million in last year’s period to 23.4 million this year. The increase is primarily due to a public offering of 2 million new shares in December 1989. For the first six months of 1990, net Export experts coming The B.C. Trade Development Cor- poration is now providing individual export counselling for Castlegar area business people, International Business Minister Elwood Veitch has announced. Veitch, who is the chairman of B.C. Trade, said an export counsellor from B.C. Trade will be in the area August 14 and 15. service for smaller business is in response to many enquiries that resulted from B.C. Trade’s successful partners in export program,” Veitch said in a news release. “This new income was $27.8 million, compared to $23.1 million in the same period of 1989. Earnings per share were $1.03, the same as in. the 1989 period. Operating revenues were $427 million, versus $354 million. The decline in second quarter results is attributed to the need for rate relief at UtiliCorp’s largest division, Missouri Public Service, and the sale in January of income producing natural gas reserve proper- ties. The decline also was attributed to the effect of two recently acquired winter peaking gas utilities which con- tribute mainly to first and fourth quarter earnings, the release said. Missouri Public Service has requested an electric rate increase of $25.5 million annually and a gas rate increase of $4.7 million annually. A hearing on the electric rate request concluded July 13 and an order by the Missouri Public Service Commission is expected by mid-October. An order on the gas rate request is expected by January. The electric rate increase is needed Veitch said during the past year B.C. Trade has held more than SO partners in export seminars for groups = 0|BEAM oe Don't lug a vacuum Plug in a BEAM primarily for the ongoing $74 million renovation of the division's Sibley Generating Station. The gas rate in- crease is needed mainly to pay for ex- tensive syste improvements. In the first quarter this year, UtiliCorp’s PSI subsidiary and a joint venture partner sold five oil and natural gas properties and production faciliti i If of Lromrpesay negate pe ale My Deluxe Model for Homes to 3500 sq.ft. million have been reinvested in other This model includes . ..* Power Unit oil and gas properties but income © 30-Ft. Hose es mop or 1s_not_ane * Attachments ici until late this year. ‘ Meanwhile, the board of directors @) Installation ofUtiliCorp has declared a regular Kit quarterly cash dividend of 36 cents Piping & Elbows Per common share. The dividend is Gocdionathaial ingenie Has POWER HEAD and CURRENT HOSE No bags to buy — No filter to clean! shareholders of record on August 15, 1990. Other Models Available Now is the time to install a BEAM central system especially planned for your home Six sizes to choose trom — EXAMPLE — CANADA'S BEST-SELLING BUILT-IN VACUUM stock, payable September to $2,4375, $2,6125, dividend dividend rate $6.6532. “This type of assistance to scores of smaller businesses in the regions is in part responsible for B.C. Trade’s of business people in through all regions of B.C. “As a result of these seminars, many businesses in smaller com- munities have advised us they have specific products and services suitable for selling outside of the province,” he said. “What we are doing now is meeting them on a one-on-one basis to assist them in dealing with their individual procedures and concerns related to exporting. Cutting dioxins from the Celgar mill elgar Pulp Company’ 's modernized softwood kraft pulpmill at Castlegar will have no detectable levels of dioxins or furans in its effluent. This will be achieved by eliminating the conditions which create them. ——— New equipment and new cooking processes will be used for more effective extraction of lignin from the wood fibres. The mill also will make extensive use of hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide and oxygen in place of chlorine. This will allow us to cut chlorine use by 85% for each tonne of pulp we make and will mean that the new mill can produce twice as much pulp per day while using 68% less chlorine than is used in the present mill’s daily production. Our next goal is to make the mill chlorine-free. The modem- ized mill has been designed, and will be equipped, to operate without chlorine just as soon as our ongoing research and development work demonstrates that, without chlorine, we can make the kind of pulp our customers want to buy. The modernized mill is described in detail in the Stage II Environmental Report prepared for the Major Project Review Process and the Environmental Assessment Review Process— through which Celgar is seeking approval of its plans. The report has been made public and is available for review in Celgar’s information office in Castlegar and through public libraries in the West Kootenays. Our attack on dioxins is a big step...one of many we’re taking Sto make Celgar an environmental leader and to bring an added “gheasure of security to the more than 2,000 men and women in ae the West Kootenays whose diveliboods gepens oma: — and competitive Celgar | puiprmill % Celgar is modernizing fore Shier Steeda Ff General Manager, Celgar Moderniseson. Project CELGAR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE CITY CENTRE SQUARE, CASTLEGAR. PHONE 365-7737. Our pulp is sold around the world Our heart, our future iy here in the West kh Celgar Pulp Company votenay HOME Warehouse Floor eng Centre Genelle Phone 693-2227 ig success at ing the sale of B.C. products and services throughout the world.”’ Business people interested in making an appointment for in- dividual export counselling should Also declared were the following dividends on UtiliCorp preference OPEN 9:30 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M. TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY phone Frauken Danmeyer toll-free at B.C. Trade in Vancouver, 1-800-972- DECORATE your FLOOR! * All-Nylon Rubber Back Cut 'n Loop. Good Quality. Attractive. Only ......- TI 10 Rubber-back Berber-like Textured Carpeting. Only . Heavy-Duty Nylon/Poly Blend. Heavier than Commercial. Factory Clearance. Reg. $24.95 .. Footloose. All-Nylon Rubber Back. Choice of Colors ....... We're Clearing Hundreds of Yards of Rubber- Back Carpeting. We'll Make You a DEAL! Congoleum's Hilite Linoleum 99 $9.44. in ‘9 Potters. Save overs® _ $27.Sq Xd: Act now! Buy now! = ALL IDEAL CARPETING FOR-THE “DO-IT-YOURSELF” OR WE INSTALL! — Located halfway etween Trail & Castlegar Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 Furniture Warehouse Floor Covering Centre Genelle Phone 693-2227 Mm. Tuesday through Saturday Castlegar News SPORTS August 8, 1990 Castlegar News 61 ‘Where You Belong By CasNews Staff you want? anything — not yet anyway. their best-ever times. cent swam their best-ever times. When you get what you asked for, what more can Ask that question to Castlegar Aquanauts Swim Club coach Tom Carew and Robson River Otter coach Curtis Ready and they'll tell you they’re not asking for For now the two local team coaches will just dwell on the fact that they got exactly what-they wanted from their swimmers at the Regional Swim Champions at Trail’s Wright Pool last Saturday and Sunday. But with the provincial championships just a week and a half away their satisfaction may be short-lived. What both coaches wanted-was to have more of their swimmers qualify for provincials tWén did last year, and to have as many swimmers as possible swim Carew said he got that when 28 of his 55 swim- mers at regionals qualified for provincials, which was Divis up from 24 last season. And as a bonus he said 60 per 2 Swim coach “At the beginning of the year I think | said I was so that’s pretty shooting for 30 kids (to make provincials), we got 28, close,’ said Carew. It was the same story for Ready who tied last year’s mark with three of his eight Otters who made Division 3 Division 4 Wendy Closkey Divisi > cara y Qvoelitiers f ston Keith Kristian, Dustin DaCosta Rriany Ve Verigin (Otters), Meghan Van Vliet, lan Mosby Lisa Woykin (Otters), Adrienne Negrey, Chris Cook, Ryan Biller, Craig Hawkins Kim varigin (Otters) Robert Case, Teddy Hunter Division § Aimie Chernott, Wende Gouk, Mario Fehrenberg, Justin Schuepter Phillips, Dan Fodor, Mike Martini ion 7 Wendy Pilla, Colin Carew, Alex Hartman, Neil Jones, Jason the trip to Trail qualifying, while the same three also swam personal bests. The Aquanauts also had 15 relay teams qualify while the Otters had one. The 10-team meet featured the same competition the local teams had faced all year, so it was no surprise to the coaches when swimmers who had been winning all year won again at the regionals. It was the swimmers who weren't consistent win- ners but came through when it counted that had the coaches talking after regionals. Swimmers such as Wendy Closkey who qualified by taking eight seconds off her best time in the 100- metre breaststroke. “Other than that there wasn’t too many sur- “The people I expected to be prises,” said Carew. there were in there.”” People such as assistant coach Wendy Pilla and Aimie Chernoff and the Division 7 boys relay tream It’s those same people who Carew says have the best chance for a medal in the provincials which will es content, for now did it. likes it. also be held at the Wright Pool August 18-19. For Ready, it was Lisa Wokin who provided the surprise swim of the day. He still can’t explain how she “At the beginning of the year she was around (a) 12th (place finisher), then she moved up to sixth, then fourth, and at regionals she was second, so I don’t The Otters brother-sister duo of Kim and Kristy Verigin didn’t surprise anybody — they won as they have been doing all year — and that’s the way Ready Now he’s looking forward to seeing what they and Woykin can do at the provincial level. The Aquanauts finished second overall at the eet, 146 points behind the Nelson club, which won regionals for the second straight year with 910 points. The River Otters finished eighth overall with 86 points, behind Trail, Colville, Kimberley, Grand Forks and Beaver Valley, in that order, and in front of Greenwood and Creston. Jays romp over Tigers TORONTO (CP) — nervous and scared.’’ That’s what Toronto Blue Jays out- fielder Glenallen Hill said about being named the leadoff hitter Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers. Nervous and scared, that’s under- standable. But he shouldn’t have been “Shocked, GLENALLEN HILL - +. Scared to death shocked. Nothing is surprising about the Blue Jays these days. After losing four out of five games in Texas, they crawled into bed at 7 a.m. EDT Tuesday for an overnight flight, then routed the Tigers 1-S. All-star third baseman Kelly Gruber played in right field for the fourth straight game and little-used Rance Mulliniks took over third base. “I'm trying to get Rance some playing time because I think we're going to need him down the stretch,”’ said manager Cito Gaston In centre was Hill, the rookie who missed two weeks in July due to in- juries suffered during a spider-filled nightmare. Hill is six foot three and 215 poun- ds of rock-hard muscle. He’s expected to hit with power. He’s not expected to act like a speedy clone of the man he replaced in the leadoff role, Mookie Wilson. “Typically, a leadoff man takes good swings, draws walks and basically tries to reach base,’’ said Hill. ‘‘That’s what i tried to do.” He had two hits, a pair of walks, a stolen base and two RBIs ip five trips to the plate, making amends to Jim- my Key (7-5) the best way he could. TheJast time Key pitched in Texas, Hill dropped a routine fly ball and it ‘cost the Jays two runs. Gruber took his spot in right field that day and Hill found a spot on the bench. “It didn’t get me down,”’ said Hill. “*[ just thought it was something Cito (Gaston) thought our team needed.”’ Helped by John Olerud’s two-run homer and sacrifices fly, Toronto jumped ahead 9-0 on Jack Morris and Frank Tanana through four innings Key took a three-hitter into the eighth inning before Tony Phillips broke up his shutout with a two-run single. Expos fading in NL pennant race PITTSBURGH (AP) — Whether "s early in the morning or late at ight, the Pittsburgh Pirates are willing to give that little extra to stay in first place. After arriving home at 5 a.m. EDT Tuesday from a_ rain-delayed doub sweep in Phi that didn’t end until 1:42 a.m., the last thing the Pirates wanted to do BUCK RODGERS . .. detends pitcher that night was play another extra-in- ning game. Well, maybe not the last thing. The last thing they wanted to do was lose, and they prevented that by winning 4- 3 over the Montreal Expos on Jay Bell's one-out sacrifice fly in the 12th inning. “I fixed some bacon and eggs this morning, watched the sun come up and then I slept until 3:45 p.m.,”” said Bell, whovhad three hits. “We were tired, especially after the second game (a 4-3, 10inning vic- tory). But a pennant race keeps you going.”” Especially when you're leading your division by 2 1/2 games, as the Pirates are. They've picked up 3 1/2 games on the second-place New York Mets in the last five days and now have their biggest lead since June 19. For the second time in as many days, the Pirates got a victory from a pitcher just recalled from the minors. Mark Ross (1-0) pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 12th for his first major-league victory since Sept. 1, 1984. Ross, called up earlier in the day from Class AAA Buffalo, was the losing pitcher Monday night as the Bisons lost 5-4 to Indianapolis in 10 innings. -Randy Tay was called up mon », dey. front Clats AA Hartisburg: Pais ‘pliched secomplete-gaime: a5 the : pemcas Pirates won 10-Iin Monday's first gave up @ single to the first batter he faced, Andres Galarranga, then intentionally walked Tim Wallach to load the bases. But the Pirates caught a break when pitcher Dale Mohorcic, pinch-hitting because the Expos were out of position players, missed a suicide squeeze and Otis Nixon was thrown out at home. Ross then struck out Mohorcic. CosNews photo by Ed Mills DIFFERENT STROKES For most golfers missing the ball completely wouldn't be a source of joy, but for this Japanese exchange student who is visiting Castlegar with her classmates from Tokyo, it's just about the funniest thing in the world at the Castlegar and District Golf Course. Baseball Hall of Fame: Who merits induction? NEW YORK (AP) — Now that Jim Palmer and Joe Morgan are officially in the Hall of Fame, the question becomes: Who's next in line for baseball immortality? The qualifications for a spot in Cooperstown have become a sticky subject lately. Some say the standards have softened and today’s all-time greats just aren't as great as they used to be. The formation of a veterans’ com: mittee has allowed players to sneak in those who couldn't get by the writers after 15 years The writers would prefer that the veterans’ committee limit its selec- tions to umpires, front-office types and members of the Negro Leagues who were denied a shot at the major salgagues: Patmée woh 26 gametand ade it Gaylord Adaripary 1 ft > th isefirg yearcof eligibility. Perry totatied 314 -vidtories- 4265. losses) and was squeezed out itt his’ first two years on the ballot Palmer has no illusions about how he stacks up with some of the game's pitching immortals. **Am I as good as Cy Young? Of course not,”’ he said. ‘‘Am I as good 4s some of the pitchers in the Hall of Fame? Probably.not “But 1 would have voted for myself ilk.”” Two years ago, Jim Bunning missed by four’ votes because nine writers left their ballots blank It was once thought that 300 vic tories was an automatic invitation to the Hall of Fame, along with 500 home runs, 3,000 hits and 3,000 strikeouts. “Jim Palmer deserved to go to the Hall of Fame,"’ Perry said. ‘*‘But looking at his record, some other people like Ferguson Jenkins and Jim Bunning should get in, too.”” Perry staggered his way to 300 wins, bouncing from one team to another in an effort to hang on There’s also the problem of his use of the greaseball. Some voters consider it a form of treason. When the voting is announced in ie stems, likely Rod ke. it_oré hige Pes igs. It’s nice to be part of that Carew becausé*of this ‘083 bits lifetime average. SS alee Rollie Fingers, baseball's all-time save leader with 341, will also appear on the ballot for the first time. His ig with the writers will be an ication of the chances for fellow relievers Bruce Sutter, Sparky Lyle and Rich Gossage. Then, there’s the guys who have come close the last few years like Perry, Jenkins (284-226, 3,192 strikeouts) and Bunning (224-184, no- hitters in each league). “*The Hall of Fame doesn’t mean as much to me now,"’ Perry said ¢ “The first year I was really an- ticipating something. ‘‘Now, it will be nice if I get in, but it’s not something I'm thinking about.”’ : If Perry fails the next couple of years, he may never get in because the field will be so strong for the rest of the decade. On deck as potential Hall of Famers are Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Steve Carlton, Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt,’ Carlton Fisk, Tommy John, Gary Carter, Bert Blyleven, Ozzie Smith, Tony Perez, George Brett, Wade Boggs, Rickey dnd’ Aak™ sHenidetsorf, Robin: Yount, Dale Mur- , ‘Dave “Winfield Jirh Rice: Bob Parker.’ Habs trade Smith MONTREAL (CP) — The Mon- treal Canadiens traded centre Bobby Smith back to the Minnesota North Stars for a fourth-round 1992 draft pick, managing director Serge Savard said Tuesday. “We had a couple of meetings and we came to the conclusion that it would be in the best interests of us both that he move,”’ Savard said in an interview. “He's been on our power play for seven years and with Denis Savard here there wouldn’t be much room for him. Bobby agreed with that.” North Stars general manager Bob Clarke pronounced himself happy with the deal: ‘‘We're very excited to have Bobby back with the North Stars.’" “‘He’s a quality player who will help provide leadership for our younger players,”’ Clarke said Smith was the first overall draft pick in 1978 by Minnesota. The North Stars traded him to Montreal on Oct 28, 1983, for Keith Acton, Mark Napier and a draft choice. BOBBY SMITH . - bed season Minnesota made Smith the first overall draft choice 1978 after he had been named Canada’s junior player of the year with the Ottawa 67°s. The North Sydney, N.S. native won the Calder Trophy for 1978-79 as the NHL rookie of the year after scoring 30 goals and 44 assists His best season was 1981-82 with Minnesota when he had 43 goals and 71 assists. Asked about the terms of the trade, Serge Savard agreed it ‘‘doesn’t seem to be a lot but in that situation it was the best we could do “IL traded him to the team that wan ted him the most. He's happy to go to Minnesota. I think he wanted to establish himself there after his career. “He didn’t have a good year last year and teams were questioning if he’s had it. I’m not taking anything away from Bobby. He was a great player,”’ Savard said The lanky six-foot-four centre was known for his durability, playing all 86 regular-season games four times in career. He fad missed only three ind Then, of course, there is PtseEA ¥ “games between 1985 Until his banishment from baseball last August and jail sentence last month, baseball's all-time leader figured to achieve one of the highest voting percentages in history when eligible in 1992, along with Seaver. madsprobleinis,! became expendable when Montreal acquired high-scoring centre Denis Savard from the Chic ago Blackhawks for defenceman Chris Chelios this summer