Professional Businesses and Services Business of the Month SILVER CREST PLUMBING & HEATING ith 25 years of experience and 10 years in business in Castlegar, Dennis Chernenkoff* WW: Silvercrest Plumbing and Heating is a good person to call for your plumbing and heating needs. From the start of construction to the finished product, plumbing, sheet metal and gas pipe fitting, Dennis is available at your convenience. Dennis apprenticed under Nick Koochin of Kinnaird Home Heat and has an excellent working relationship with local businesses dealing with his trade: Satisfaction with his service is guaranteed and Dennis invites you to call him at 365-3044 for your next plumbing or heating job Call for your appointment today. SILVERCREST PLUMBING & HEATING 365-3044 If you would like to advertise in the Professional Businesses and Services Call Cathy e Nicole e Fred ¢ 365-5266 (in-town convenience) Pessagar, Bi C.V1N 2W1 365-8289 Superior Gutters : 365-8181 ‘.oofing DOUBL ED HOME IMPROVEMENTS FREE ESTIMATES * CALL DAVE 365-3545 Helping Hands Construction & Maintenance Seavices ASSISTANCE FOR THE DO-IT YOURSELFER pn: 604-365-5157 aww oc R we? CONSTRICHy, RENOVATIONS ‘2 Ps Frel Pr tret Tel. 365-6385 FAX# 365-FAXS FREE ESTIMATES 43 Years In Business — E : Mickey's Mobile Fibreglass Guaranteed Work SPECIALTIES - SUNDECKS, ROOFS JAMES SWANSON & SONS Outiasts any other material Variety of colours * Free estimates 367-7680 Proven Product since 1963 365-7573 SILVERCREST PLUMBING Call Dennis 365-3044 MODERN REFLEXOLOGY * Large variety of units * Easy access * Competitive rates 5 minutes from downtown Castlegar 365-6531 Columbia We Clean Tt rt! Carpet ¢ Upholstery Ceilings Walls ¢ Blinds SUPERIOR SERVICE SINCE 1981 CARPET CLEANERS & SERVICES For the cleanest clean you've ever seen! FREE estimates 365-6969 TEMP 399-4207 Heating, venting & a/c automated controls Furnace Parts & Service Oil ¢ Gas « Electric THE PLUMBING AN HEATING || DOCTOR * Complete plumbing service (residential & commercial) + Natural gas & propane installation & service * Sewer & drain cleaning SeRvicine CasTLeGan & AREA Puone: 399-4762 t- PHOTOCOPYING — abomons — FAXING (Send & Receive) — Stationery ® Computer Diskettes Ribbons * Residential Commercial Rubber Sta CALL BOB Res. 365-3410 Bus./Fax 365-0500 Wedding Stationery Because there are no unimportant parts.” WHATEVER YOUR NEEDS... - Automotive Low Prices! We deliver! Great Quality! - Boat - Body shop or industrial UAP/NAPA AUTO PARTS 707 - 13th St., Castlegar, B.C. VIN 2K6 965-7248 FUNERALS JUST BECAUSE F 1502-6 Columbia Ave., Castlegar» 365-3056 "BOULDER PATCH 4 o/s TRUCKING LTD. ape Excavating Materials Available Tank Installations * Drain Rock * Crush + Pit Run, Ete. * Sand & Topsoil Ete * Landscaping Jim Postnikoff RR#2, Site #10, C-24 Ph. 399-4745 Castlegar, BC VIN 3L4 Mobile 365-8220-BEEP-288 ¢ SERVING THE WEST KOOTENAY AREA ¢ COMPETITIVE PRICES ¢ FIRST IN SERVICE Engineered Trusses - Glulams - Silent Floor Systems - Pallets P.O. Box 219, Tel: (604) 442-5507 Grand Forks, B.C. Fax: (604) 442-5030 VOH 1HO Toll Free: 1-800-414-8787 DAK Contracting Ltd, => PLUMBING & HOT WATER HEATING # RENOVATIONS CASTLEGAR Ph: 365-7769 © Fax: 365-2998 | HEAD OFFICE 2245 - 6th Avenue ' Castlegar, B.C. VIN 2W1 ARROW LAKES AIR CONDITIONING & MECHANICAL SYSTEMS LTD. ° PLUMBING ¢ HEATING e GAS FITTING * SHEET METAL © AIR CONDITIONING * COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION Phone 365-2485 « Fax 365-7626 613 - 13th Street, Units 1 & 2, Castidgar, BC Twn IVERS om Controls and Refrigeration Ltd. * Heating © Air Conditioning * Commercial Refrigeration * Preventative Maintenance * Building HVAC Automation * 24 Hour Emergency Service * DESIGN * INSTALLATION * SERVICE 365-4999 WE DO STUCCO! COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL Over 20 years experience Quality workmanship ® Senior rates FREE ESTIMATES CALL LLOYD - 365-1117 Moving & Storage aWILLIAMS ‘UNITED ‘UNITED UNITED Van Lines ~ — 2237 - 6th Avenue Castlegar Local, Long Distance & International Moving Container or Van Service Free Estimates ¢ Call Collect (604) 365-3328 Surgenor & Rogers 5] 1444 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, B.C. VIN 3H4 BUS:604-365-7208 FAX:604-365-3098 RESIDENT PARTNER NEIL E. SURGENOR C.G.A CASTLEGAR PLUMBING & HEATING LTD. ¢ Sheet Metal Air Conditioning * Appliances SALES ¢ SERVICE ¢ INSTALLATIONS Servicing Castlegar & area for over 30 years. Ph: 365-3388 1008 Columbia Ave,, Castlegar Lod Bimtiy y BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1995 WEDNESDAY August 23, 1995 LETTERS es march ance Day celebrated / A3 The Castlegar Sun VARIABLE Weather Vol. 5, No. 40 ‘The weekly newspaper with a dally commitment’ 84 Cents + G.S.T. Harcourt commits. to Columbia Trust, forestry grants in WER AFFAIRS : Castlegar visit DEREK ZEISMAN __ Sun Editor B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt swept into Castlegar Friday after- noon, spreading around hand- shakes and government grants freely to the people of the West Kootenay region. Following a half-hour tour of the Doukhobor Village Museum in Ootischenia, the premier trav- elled to the benefits to the people of the West Kootenay, to start work on a Columbia Basin economic plan, and to some initial commu- nity-level projects. “Starting today, the trust and the community will havg the Tesources to design an investment program. They'll generate jobs, skills training and business opportunities throughout the Kootenays,” said Harcourt. Praising the newly-opened Columbia Basin Power Projects Information Office in down- town Castlegar. There he announced an initial grant of $2 million for the Columbia Basin Trust, and another grant of $9.3 million courtesy of For- “This is an exciting all over.” — MIKE HARCOURT cooperation between the province and local ments allowed the trust to be created in the first place, Premier Harcourt promised even More money for area residents fol- lowing the com- pletion of three new hydro-elec- B.C. Premier est Renewal B.C., a provingial corporation set up to promote forest renewal, worker training and silvaculture development “This is an exciting time for the people of this region. I can just feel the growth bursting out all over,” said Harcourt, flanked by Rossland-Trail MLA Ed Con- roy and Nelson-Creston MLA Corky Evans. “The Columbia Trust and for- est renewal grants show our commitment to this very special part of B.C.” The $2 million grant allows the trust, set up to distribute spinoff benefits from the province's downstream power tric projects at the Hugh Keenleyside, Waneta and Brilliant dams. He estimated the projects will generate up to $8 billion in revenues for the West Kootenay area over the next 70 years — money that can be Te-invested into the region.” Josh Smienk, chair of the Nel- son-based Columbia Basin Trust, Praised the province's grant as the first step in a long-awaited regional growth and diversifica- tion program. “We're very pleased that the B.C. government has recognized the important role the Kootenays play in the economy of British See HARCOURT A2 B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt was presented with a series of gifts — anniversary of the famed “burning of arms” — by members of the Ootischenia Doukhobor Méseum early Friday afternnon But is it my size? — including a T-shirt marking the 100th’ the local Douhobor community, during his tour of: SUN STAFF PHOTO Derek Zeisman Blueberry anti-development furor erupts ~ Nothing slips by Blueberry resident Colleen Kendall — espe- cially when it concerns a per- ceived threat to her and her neighbors’ home. Kendall is furious at B.C Lands about an ad which ran in The Castlegar Sun Aug. 2, 1995 inviting comments on develop- ment of 20 acres of Crown Land across Highway 22 from the cur- rent commercial park. The ad, Kendall claims, does in itself raise concerns and leaves a lot of unanswered questions. As City transit service in jeopardy Major increase in ridership needed, says Duff Use it or lose it. That’s the message Castlegar councillor Kirk Duff sent out to the public at last week's city coun- cil meeting, in a last-ditch effort to save the com- munity’s fledgling transit service. Castlegar's bus service, which was budgeted at $271,000 for 1995, is currently only funded by rider- ship fares to the lowly tune of 15 per cent. Duff said if those numbers don’t improve fast, the city risks losing its bus service altogether — regardless of the ramifications for groups like seniors and students. “It's getting down to crunch time now,” said Duff. “If people want to see the service remain, then they'll have to take advantage of it.” He pointed out that despite repeated efforts to improve the city’s bus schedules to make them more attractive to local travellers, the overall transit subsidy hasn't budged from the 85 per cent level. “Last year we eliminated Saturday service to create more trips in town during the week. And we've eliminated the subsidized taxi service to Trail for a number of disadvantaged people — all to increase Castlegar service.” But Duff said the changes have not been met with much enthusiasm by the public res arent high, but ridership has not asing. The service needs more riders, or W's just going to be shut down,” he said “We just can't afford to do things that aren't showing a return. Right now the money could be better used elsewhere.” Currently, Castlegar’s bus system consisting of one regular bus and one handi-dart bus for seniors and the disabled — costs about $271,000 a year. It operates within the city itself, as well as.in Ootische- nia, Raspberry, Robson, Blueberry and Thrums. The transit budget is paid for with an annual grant of $77,000 from the city, $22,000 from regional districts I and J, and $132,000 from B.C. Transit. Overall ridership is supposed to contribute only about $40,000 to the pot — but Duff said the numbers to date show that even this low figure will probably not be achieved. “I don’t know what B.C. Transit’s thinking is on this, but I’m sure they're not happy about paying a 49 per cent subsidy for so few riders,” said Duff. “So on this one, we're going to be ahead of the game — we're looking at the situation before they tell us to look at it.” In a final bid to woo more riders to use the Castlegar transit service, Kristine Stanbra of the local Transit Advisory Committee recently present- ed a plan to B.C. Transit officials to promote the service, by providing time-limited coupons to resi- dents fot free transit rides. B.C. Transit has been favorable to this concept, which will see the coupons combined with local advertising when the system's schedule changes are announced in September. “We are confident that the slight loss in fare-box revenues will be offset by the increased ridership which will result from people experiencing first- hand the schedule improvements our bus system has recently implemented,” Stanbra wrote in a let- ter to city council. See TRANSIT well, Kéndall believes the ad could be a pi ble precursor of clashes between quiet neighbor- hoods and noisy industrial opera tions such as those at Ootischenia and Grosvenor Place “If a tracking company got that [all or part of the proposed indus- trial site] it would be a major problem and certainly something the majority of us would oppose.” Kendall cites the perceived inability or unwillingness by the city to enforce municipal noise bylaws, thus adding to the prob- lems of sleepless residents who have no recourse against compa- nies which blatantly overstep those bylaws. But Kendall's concems aren't solely with the type of business which might take up residence, but rather with the unpalatable impression left by B.C. Lands. B.C. Hydro B.C. Hydro officials are declin- ing to discuss details of what, if any, security safeguards are in place in response to the recent news claims that some 100 pounds of dynamite are enroute to a B.C. dam. Al Geissler, community rela tions manager for Castlegar's B.C. Hydro office said the utility has been in contact with RCMP and their own security department concerning the dynamite Geissler said he has been con tacted by several concemed indi viduals about the “threat” to the Hugh Keenleyside Dam, but pointed out that B.C. Hydro wasn't specifically mentioned by “Why is there no time frame attached to the ad? It suggests that there are no parameters.” There is also issue with the request for comments on devel- opment, said Kendall. “It’s really ridiculous to ask people to comment on develop- ment of Crown Land. How do they expect people to make a decision on development if they don’t know what-the develop- ment will be? It’s vague and uninformative. How can people make an educated decision when they don’t have specifics?” She believes that agencies, par- ticularly in the 90s, have the ethi- cal, moral and legal responsibility of being forthright and open with those it serves. This responsibili- ty should also include consulta- tion with residents who might be impacted by the proposed indus- an extremist group as being the target of their ire “To our knowledge they [the extremists] did not specify a group. B.C. Hydro wasn’t men- tioned at all. No one knows who the actual target is. To our knowl- edge no one believes that materi- al has crossed the border yet.” Geissler said that to comment on specific security measures~ could result in a breach of security. Cpl. Al Hudema of the Castle- gar RCMP said that although they have been alerted by RCMP headquarters in Vancouver about the dynamite, they have no spe- cific plans to “monitor” the Hugh Keenleyside Dam site ‘It’s not feasible to monitor on the basis that someone might show trial park expansion. Kendall wants to know exactly what B.C. Lands, the City of Castlegar, and the Castlegar and District Development Board have in mind for the 20 acres and at what stage is the process. “Do they have any intention of consulting with Blueberry resi- dents? Where are they at? We want to know what they are doing before it is done. The perception is "Are there back room deals going on?””. : With steely-eyed determina- tion, Kendall vows to call B.C. Lands and the City of Castlegar to task and to protect her lifestyle and that of her neighbors’, even if it means hiring an attorney. “I won’t have my house be devalued at the whim of hinsinets See DEVELOPMENT A3 downplays bomb scare up sometime and do something.” Hudema did say however that members have been briefed of the possible “threat” and will be extra observant while on routine patrol. Earlier this month U.S. author- ities confiscated some 400 Ibs. of dynamite destined for Canada. The dynamite was believed to have been part of a 500 Ib. cache stolen from Idaho's Lucky Friday Mine July 30 by an extremist group. One of the two suspects allegedly told the F.B.I. that the explosives were destined for a Canadian extremist group which wanted to blow up a dam. Sun closed Wednesday morning In order to connect the underground power and telephone lines and disconnect the overhead lines. The Castlegar Sun otfice will be closed Wednesday August 23, 1995 from 7 a.m. until approximately Ha.m Martech Electrical and West Kootenay Power will be « orking as quickly as possible during this time, to re-connect our office power During this time our telephones and fax will not be operational We apologize for any inconvenience to dur customers