Page 2B The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, February 1, 1995 Business news? Call 365-5579 Your Home For A Decorating can be a juggling act — balancing cost against quality. Gordon Wall offers the best of both worlds, with quality carpet and linoleum at great savings. Offer ends February 28, 1995. Carpet Berber Delight .......... Montebello Sierra Sun .. Desert Winds Prime Time Corbett Apache Nobel Image Prices include installation and pad. Lino Style Brite Vista .... Sundial Prices include installation. wa floor and window coverings Castlegar 365-0422 Trail 364-2537 801 Victoria Street, Trail COMMUNITY CHANNEL Council support RON NORMAN Sun Editor Castlegar council wants to make sure the information high- way.isn’t a dead end for commu- nity cable channels. Council agreed at its last meet- ing to write to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecom- munications Commission voicing its support for Shaw Cablesys- tems’ community channel. “Shaw Cable is our own channel,” said Councillor Bren- da Binnie She called the channel “great for the community” and added: “I would hate to see that stopped or tampered with.” Shaw Cablesystems asked council to write to the CRTC as a community channel user. Shaw Cablesystems regularly broad- casts council meetings. In a letter to council, Mike McMann, program manager for Sahw Cable's community chan- nel in Nelson, said the CRTC will be holding public hearings s Shaw shortly on an application by SUN STAFF Canada’s teleph comp: to P open the cable television industry to more competition. The cable TV and telephone industries are overlapping in many areas, in what is known as The City of Castlegar’s advi- sory planning commisson has three new members. They are Doreen Smecher, John Kaza- koff and Harvey Leckie. “converg ". The teleph companies want a chance to have a piece of the cable TV pie. “This-process will fundamen- tally change the rules for both us, the telephone companies and future service providers,” McMann said, expressing con- cern.about the future. of commu- nity c ; PACIFIC HOMES REQUIRES DEALER ASSOCIATES cific Homes is one of British Columbia's leading manufacturers of top quality prefabricated package homes. Pacific Homes, a division of the Pacific Group (est. 1959), is looking for dealer-associates to participate in their expanding marketing program on a commission basis. Pacific manufactures component residential and recreational homes to the highest construction standards at their factory. Pacific Homes currently markets their homes in Canada, the U.S. and Pacific Rim countries. Pacific Homes would be pleased to send interested parties a complete package of product and corporate information including our home design catalogues. Call or write Mr. Ed Sparrow at Ma PACIFIC HOMES 4 19486 - 60th Ave., Surrey, B.C. V3S 8E5S Tel. (Toll-Free) 1-800-667-7880 * Fax 534-4990 Mike Turner, Shaw's program director, in Cranbrook, agreed. “We would like the community channel program channel to stay as it is,” he told The Castlegar Sun in a telephone interview. “We don't want anyone messing around with it.” Turner said the request for support is to ensure the CRTC doesn’t forget about the com- munity channel when it makes its decision. ~ “We're afraid the community channel may get overlooked,” he said. “We just want to be assured we’re protected in some way.” Turner said similar letters seeking support at the CRTC hearings went out to other com- munity channel users . He said the response in the East Kootenay has been overwhelming. In his letter to council McMann wrote: “We feel that the community channel has a prominent place on the informa~ tion highway and we want to ensure that its importance is taken into consideration during this process.” He points out that the commu- nity channel has been a “funda- mental part of the Canadian cable television industry and a major co fo local i for over 25 years.” He also noted that most new- comers to the information high- way; seemed “focused on multi-media applications and not on the role television plays in our communities.” He pointed to B.C.Tel’s new cable system operating “illegally” in the Concord Pacific apartment complex in downtown Vancou- ver. That system does not have a ity channel, he said. McM. added that last year Shaw Cablesystems spent $3.6 million to produce community programming in B.C. MOVING FEB..28 Clearance to Fob. 25 DON'T MiSs THE GREAT BARGAINS! #5.- 292 Columbia. Ave. 365-077 120 Kootenay Ave., Castlegar (604) 365-2711 * [fax] 365-2716 511 Front Street, Nelson (604) 354-1700 + [tax] 354-1666 was a city for a number pf years and was defeated when she ran for the mayoralty in the 1993 election. The three newcomers join six returning members: Bob Archambault, Mark Zurek, Ray Bystrom, Harry Thind, Rosa Barre and Ray Bartlett. , The newcomers, whose terms are for two years, replace two former members: Buzz MacDonald and Dave Keen. The commission reviews planning issues, such as rezon- ing applications and develop- Advisory committee gets new members Doreen Smecher ment permits, and makes rec- ommendations to council. Transit change ‘grave concern’ RON NORMAN Sun Editor The Kidney Foundation of Canada has made an appeal to the Regional District of Central Kootenay to postpone or reverse its decision to eliminate taxi ser- vice between Castlegar and Trail for dialysis patients. As of Jan. 1, two Castlegar- area residents have been forced “We fully understand these people need dialysis treatment, but it is not a transit responsibili- ty,” says Duff, who sits on the regional transit commission. Duff told a recent council meeting that the transit system couldn’t continue to supply a ser- vice outside of its area. He noted that the commis- sion -has received letters on the issue from the Social Services to find their own Pp ion to Trail Regional Hospital for their dialysis treatment. Prior to that the regional dis- trict provided the taxi service three times a week as part of its transit system, However, the ser- vice was eliminated in a series of transit cutbacks and the $11,000 annual saving pumped into the HandiDan service instead. But in a letter to the regional board, Phillipa Prescott‘ says she has “grave concern” about the change. “I believe you are aware that this hemodialysis treatment is essential for the survival of the above residents who are living with kidney disease,” says Prescott, chair of the Patient Ser- vice Committee, of the B.C. branch of the Kidriey Foundation of Canada. “Although there are presently only a few people requiring transportation for this purpose from Castlegar to the Trail Hos- pital renal unit, I am informed that there are several other prospective dialysis patients who may need help with transport in the near future,” she added. However, Castlegar Councillor Kirk Duff says he is not in favor of the regional district reversing or postponing its decision. P at Trail Hospital as well as from individuals who use the service. | The regional board at its las meeting referred the request to the transit commission for a recommendation But Prescott says the demand for the service will likely increase. “Unfortunately, we know that the number of people with chron- ic kidney failure in the province is“iftcreasing markedly ‘and it is, likely that there will bé greater” demand for transportation for treatment facilities in all regions.” Prescott said the Kidney Foun- dation is pushing for more dialy- sis facilities to be made available in areas like Castlegar, but it is not possible for the provincial Health Ministry to provide them in each community. “I appreciate that the cost of the taxi service for transport to treatment is very significant and impacts greatly on the Castlegar and area transit service, but in view of the fact that these people with kidney disease have no other choice in order to stay alive, I would ask that the deci- sion be reviewed and at least the discontinuation of the taxi ser- vice postponed until appropriate alternative arrangements can be made,” she said. NEAR DUNCAN RIVER Human remains found SUN STAFF Kaslo RCMP report that par- tial human skeletal remains were found near the Duncan River in the vicinity of the Cooper Creek Cedar Mill. Also found at the scene were a pair of blue jeans, one running shoe and a wallet containing identification belonging to Den- nis Swain Robins. Robins, 46, has been missing since his pickup truck was found partially submerged in the Lardeau River on July 10, 1994. RCMP say the investigation is continuing. No foul play is suspected. Wednesday, February 1, 1995 The Castlegar Sun Page 3B Tourist This is our first for visits t 1995 and the chamber is gearing up for a great year. Marcia Jackson, Renee Read's assistant, is putting together the newsletter this month due to the fact that Renee is busy Tourism intrease Our tourist information stats have been tabulated for 1994 and the chamber has seen a 36 per cent increase in visitors to our office and a 50 per cent incréase in tourism-related phone calls. We're getting busier and busier each year. It’s good to see. Since 1990 visitors to the chamber have gone up by 62 per cent, phone inquiries 69 per cent and mail inquiries by a whopping 122 per cent! We've seen quite an increase in American visitors, not just for northwestern U.S. but from probably every state this past summer. Business awards Our Business of the Year Awards will have a bit different format this year. The awards-five of them-will all be geared towards customer service. The awards include: Best Quality of Service, Fastest Service, Friendliest Service, Most Community-Minded Service, and The Business of the Year. Please take a few moments to fill out one of the forms you'll find in this newspaper and mail it to our office or fax it to us at 365- 5778. We want your vote! Business highlights + In 1993, British Columbia attracted more American visitors on overnight trips than any other province except for Ontario. Twenty-one per cent of the 12 million American visitors to Canada in that year made B.C. their primary destination. + Farm families in B.C. earned an average of $58,235 in 1992, up 5.3 percent from the previous year and well above the national average of $49,982. + Vancouver's New Housing Price Index declined by 3.4 percent during the 12 months prior to November 1994, the largest drop in any metropolitan area of Canada. New members We welcome three new mem- bers to the chamber of commerce this month: Currier’s Insurance Agencies Ltd. located at 2301 Columbia Avenue or call 365-2773. Zazoo Beauty Centre located at 620 - 18th Street, call them at 365-6000. an 8 take full advantage of the oppor- tunities provided by NAFTA, Gatt and the new forum in the Asia-Pacific, APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum), + reaffirm our commitment to a safe and healthy environment; * ensure that our dealings with employees, suppliers, cus- tomers and individuals always meet the highest moral and ethi- cal standards, + seek out and implement frgin ge to ensure land-use plans affecting us have our input. The economic and social sec- tors which participated at the CORE negotiations are devel- oping truly made in the East Kootenay and made in the Kootenay-Boundary land use plans that reflect the people's needs and also protect the envi- ronment. What we need is for the gov- ernment to listen to us — and CHAMBER CHAT new technology; + make lifetime learning a reality in all our businesses, large or nail: * recognize the impact that government subsidies and grants to business have on the deficit and debt; + work with government towards its eventual elimination; * get involved in public poli- cy either directly or through our chambers of commerce boards of trade. CORE help As most of you may know, Renee is extremely involved in the CORE (Commission on Resources and Environment) pro- cess. At the chamber’s request, she is presently working with the West Kootenay-Boundary Com- mission for Sustainability. It is comprised of two groups: East Kootenay Communities in Action and Kootenay-Boundary Com- munities in Action. , y need your help, The B.C. government will be making a land-use decision soon about the future of the East Kootenay and Kootenay-Boundary areas and the people who live here. This decision will be based on commissioner Stephen Owen's CORE Report to Cabinet. This group, together with coalitions formed by a majority of econom- ic and social sectors who negoti- ated land uses for our areas for over 18 months, is concemed that commissioner Owen's recom- mendations do not reflect the Volare Pri call them at 365-7577. Service Message for 1995 The Canadian Chamber of Commerce chairman, Bernard Wilson, issued his New Year's entitled: “ int for a . needs and aspiration: of the vast majority of people who live in our areas. The commissioner's report does not reflect what the people of our area agreed to in those gotiati We need made-i the-Ki land use New and Better Canada.” In it he states that our role, as busi The commissioner's recom- dati are not the i leaders, will be to: ¢ speak out in support of Canada in Quebec, and Quebec in Canada; © continue to invest in Canada and create jobs in Canada; * extend beyond our own bor- ders in the search for new mar- kets for our goods, services, because the interests of workers, families and communities are not fairly represented. We need a CASTLEGAR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE hear our solutions. These groups represent the thousands of work- ers and families who live, work and play in our areas. tions in the CORE process gave them the expérience, knowledge and commitment to ensure that they could develop land-use plans for our areas with local people. In the end, CORE ignored this. They are working on two com- prehensive land-use plans that will protect the environment, jobs and community stability in our area. They will have them com- pleted by mid-February. These two land-use plans will provide the solutions they were working toward during the CORE process. The plans will be inclusive. The CORE recommen- dations ignored the cumulative impacts of other land-use legisla- tion and regulations such as the Forest Practices Code, Commer- cial Backcountry Recreation Poli- cy, Protected Area Strategy Guidelines, Timber Supply Review, etc. The plans will recognize that there will need to be some P Prog’ ming built in to account for the cumulative impacts of all land- use legislation and regulations being considered by government. These plans will also recog- nize the need to offer incentives for businesses to diversify and grow in our areas to continue to provide community stability - while at the same time recogniz- ing the key social and economic roles our resource industries play in our areas. They need to encourage the government to listen to the peo- ple of our areas. They need your help - please write the premier, talk to the media, talk to your friends and associates. Tell them the future of the Kootenay and Boundary areas is at risk. Tell them that there are solu- tions that are being worked on by RRSP o office up the workers, families and com- munities of the East Kootenay and Kootenay-Boundary areas. Please remember that you, too, might .be affected. The govern- ment is implementing land-use plans and programs throughout the province. They are making changes to legislati and regulations affecting land use — from tourism to harvést- ing practices. These changes affect people - workers, families and communi- ties. And they may be affecting you also, if they haven't already. Call them if you can help K y-Boundary C i ties for Sustainability 365-2351. Complaints department We seem to be receiving quite a number of inquiries and com- plaints from people receiving calls from salesmen telling them they've won fabulous prizes and all they have to do is send in some money or perhaps make a small purchase. In this day and age you really don’t get something for nothing. Consumers have to be careful, ing to the Better Busi Bureau. Don’t let pushy salesmen talk you into anything. Take time to think about what they are telling you, and if it sounds fishy and too good to be true, it proba- bly is. Just say no. (P.S. Did any- one win a VCR from that scratch and win card that circulated a couple of months ago? If so, let us know.) Tourism stories Tourists visiting the chamber office last year were astounded by the beauty of B.C. and thor- oughly enjoyed coming here. They know very little of Canada though and seem surprised of the similarity of our two countries. A couple of elderly gentle- men from Tennessee came in late one afternoon looking from some information on Victoria since they were on their way there the following day. After chatting with them for a few minutes one of them remarked to'me that tomorrow they would be in Canada. I answered that they were in Canada to“ay. No, he said, we are in British Columbia. His friend knew better, though, and explained to him that B.C. is like a U.S. state. That one gave us a chuckle. RRIF’s & RETIREMENT OPTIONS ‘A Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) is essentially a continuation of your RRSP with the primary differences being: + Contributions cannot be made to « RRIF + RRIF's require a minimum amount withdrawn each year RRIF's are the favored way of accessing the tax sheltered funds you have saved in your RRSP and can be established at any age. (For example, at age $5 to supplement early retirement pension income.) Government regulations, however, do require you to collapse your RRSP's in favor of « RRIF or some other retirement income option no later than December 31 in the year in which you turn 71. Other retirement income options include Life Annuities, Term Certain Annuities to age 90, and Life Income Funds (LIF's). We work with you ‘at any age... to develop an income and invest ment strategy that will make your money last through your retirement years. ‘As one of Canada’s leading financial planning Companies... with over 80 indepe ‘and operated offices ... w market for RRIF’, LIF’s and annuities, plus GIC’s and we have one of the best travel insurance packages available. For « confidential appointment to discuss your retirement options and/or other financial mat- ters, please phone today. “a tradition of trust” cai 36 per cent One visitor wanted to know how long the runway at the air- port was. Another wanted to know how to make a long distance call, After telling her, she remarked it was the same way they did it back home, and that her husband kept telling her we're not that dif- ferent than the U.S. I wonder what she thought we were like? Next time I'll ask! Quanity Work AT REASONABLE PRICES Auto Body & Hull Painting - Complete Boat Repairs and Paint Refinishing ~ Refurbishing - Gel Coating - Metal Keel Capping = ICBC Claims Handled Promptly - Complete Auto Body Repairs = Custom Painting ~ Factory Paint Matching - Windowshield Replacement 1364 Forest Roap (Lasart's BLDG.) Turn at 141H Ave. - 365-2505 CLEAN-SCENE S CARPET CLEANERS + PROFESSIONAL CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING With Complete Rinsing For Superior Results + FLOOD CLEANUP SPECIALISTS + TRAINED PROFESSIONALS With Over 26 Yéars of Combined Experience THE CARPET CLEANERS MOST PEOPLE RELY ON OUR REPUTATION SPEAKS FOR US. % FOR A FREE ESTIMATE CALL 365-6969 ENJOY A CHAMBER BREAKFAST MEETING GUEST SPEAKER: Jackie Pement, Minister of Transportation & Highways Answers your questions on local highway issues WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH ¢ 8:00 A.M. Taylor's Place Restaurant ¢ Banquet Room Cost: $6.50/Person Call 365-6313 or Fax 365-5778 to reserve (GAR & DISTRICT Chamber of Commerce [Serving sho Cay of Cesttoger, Areas | end 4 OCA Now! One-stop convenience for full cash refund on most soft drink cans and bottles. Instead of the store, take them all to Encorp! Fund raisers! Earn more from can and bottle drives! Call 1-800-330-9767 for details. Your local one-stop drop Machado Bottle Depot 1108 4th St., Castlegar, 365-6673 Mon-Sat 9am-Spm Dynamic Global Bond Fund seeks to give investors high uy © i City Centre Square, Castlegar income and long-term growth of capital by taking advantage bs A ait MO EY of investment opportunities in international bond markets. 365-5191 x Dynamic Global Bond Fund provides foreign diversification oer while remaining fully RRSP and RRIF-eligible. 365-4980 * 368-3366 * 442-2280 Last year we introduced a new RRSP option called StockLink* It was a hit! Probably because it offers all the high return potential of the stock market, but none of the risk Customers have already been asking about StockLink for this year’s RRSP purchase, so we're pleased to let you know that yes, it will be available. And, we'll be announcing the details soon So stay tuned. Watch for our ads and keep pestering us at your branch. After all, why gamble when there’s StockLink, an RRSP option that let's you play and never lose . ‘KS | Kootenay Savings Where You Belong South Slocan + ‘The Money Management People ncial plan included WE'VE MOVED! After 25 years at 272 Columbia Avenue HAACK DENTURE CLINIC has moved to 1492 Selkirk Avenue (across the road from Tim Horton's) No more stairs to climb! For appointment please call 365-8281 Daniel S. Haack - Denturist With every RRSP from ws, you'll receive something you might not expect. 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VIN 3K3 Tel: (604) 365-0040 BOND MARKETS Salmo + You're WortH More For more information call 365-RRSP (7777) Trail + Fruitvale + Castlegar + Nakusp + New Denver + Waneta Plaza + Kaslo ith The Tor nd all 6 Stock Exchange re reserved