6 Castlegar News 1988 Review, March 30, 1988 Curriers proud of service An insurance business that was started in Trail in 1963 and that prides itself on, the service it provides to the entire West Kootenay region relocated just two years ago to yet larger premises for the fourth time in the past 19 years, Curriers Insurance Agen- cies, owned by Walter Sie- mens, has as its motto “Where your business is ap- preciated,” and offers a full line of services including Autoplan, general insurance, life insurance and notary public work Located at 1331 Bay Ave., Trail, next to the Grey. hound Bus Depot, Curriers was started in 1953 and pur. chased by Siemens in 1969. In 1971 he received his com mission as a notary public. The founder of the comp any was Carl Currier who started the business in a small second floor office. It was purchased by George Bergeron in 1960 and then by Siemens in 1969 following years’ association by s with Allstate Insur-. rail, It has now grown from a business with one owner and one staff member in 1969 to the owner and seven staff members today. In 1986 Siemens purchased the Rossland Insurance Agency and was joined by his son, Byron, as manager. Byron had worked previously for several insurance comp. anies in the Vancouver area. Autoplan service provided by Curriers includes insur. WALTER business ance, licence plates, registra tion and vehicle transfers. General insurance services include home, business, mo- bile home, bonding, boats, RV's and travel. Curriers also offers the only private company auto- mobile insurance available in the area. Life insurance services in clude term plans, registered plans and annuities while notary public services in. clude property _ transfers, mobile home transfers, wills, mortgages and leases. Office manager for the firm, and a 17-year employee with the company, is Irene Renz of Castlegar. She over. sees the day-to-day opera tions of Curriers. Another Castlegar resi. dent who is a member of the firm is Peter Majesgy, a sales agent with 25 years exper. ience. Bill Russell heads the SIEMENS appreciated company’s life insurance de- partment. These three people, and the firm's other employees, “all have a sincere commit- ment to provide fast, friendly service,” says Siemens. He adds that the company's commitment to service “is backed by the most exper. ienced people in the area.” Walter Siemens also be- lieves in service to his community and to the insur. ance industry. He served eight years as a Trail alder man, is active in his church, and has been involved in a host of community groups including Rotary In 1979 he was president of the Insurance Agents’ As sociation of B.C. and still serves as a director of the industry's regulatory body, the Insurance Council of B.C., of which he will become chairman in June. OLDTIME SAWMILLING . . . CP Rail train is loaded with newly milled lumber at Rosebery, circa 1913 EARLY RETIREMENT Forest Service reduced As the latest step towards reducing staffing levels in the B.C. civil service, the pro- vincial government recently announced its Early Retire. ment Incentive Plan. Within the West Kootenay area, 19 Forest Service employees — totalling more than 500 years of experience — will be re. tiring this month. There are eight retiring from the Nel son Regional office, seven from Kootenay Lake District, three from Arrow District and one from the Harrop hes CASTLEGAR & DISTRICT RECREATION 2101 - 6th Avenue * Phone 365-3386 * Open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PASS CREEK PARK — Swi IG. CASTLEGAR & DISTRICT RECREATION COMMISSION Chairman Mortin Vanderpol AreaJ Gordon Porter — Area J, Audrey Moore John Voykin — Area |, Ron Ross — City Marilyn Strong — Area |, Jim Penman — City THE CASTLEGAR & DISTRICT RECREATION DEPAR- TMENT WHICH IS A FUNCTION OF THE REGIONAL DISTRICT OF CENTRAL KOOTENAY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR Operation of the Community Complex Operation of the Pioneer Arena Operation of Pass Creek Park Operation of Bob Brandson Poo! oe , * i BOB BRANDSON POOL — CAMPING, PICNICS, NATURE WALKS NITY _ “pes COMPLEX E ARENA INNOVATIVE IDEAS FOR OUR PARKS. Cc Ic HALL, MEETING ROOMS, ARTS/CRAFTS ROOM, KITCHEN TENNIS COURTS AVAILABLE IN CASTLEGAR NORTH & SOUTH — NO CHARGE AEROBICS ARE APPROX. 1500 PARTI PULAR WITH “SCHOOL PROGRAMS A\ PANTS PER YEAR ALWAYS FUN! NO INDIVIDUAL WILL BE DENIED ACCESS TO A RECREATION SPONSORED PROGRAM DUE TO THE INABILITY TO PAY! Since 1976 — 1.74 Million Visitors to Complex! Programming of Robson Poo! Programming of City District Playing Field Programming of Blueberry Creek & Pass Creek Schools Providing Recreational Programs To All Community Re: Co-ordinating Special Community Projects & Events THE FINANCIAL STORY General Revenue Taxation REVENUE Pass a 59 Ree, RESERVE 18' EXPENDITURES 1987 USER FIGURES Community Complex . . . Pioneer Arena Brandson Pool Robson Pool .. Pass Creek Pork ; Programs & School s sidents $280988 $588602 $869590 COMPLEX 48% PROGRAMS 19% COMPLEX 40 COMPLEX DEBT 27% - +. $155191 nursery. “There's no question that this will have a significan impact on our organization,” admitted regional manager “Ross Tozer. Asked how many of the vacant positions would be refilled, Tozer responded: “We really aren't sure at this time.” Many retirees expressed mixed feelings about the 1979-80 reorganization of the Forest Service. Nine ranger districts were replaced by the present two forest dis tricts and, to a certain ex. tent, Forest Service staff became less attuned to the rural communities. “Certainly, the ranger dis tricts were in close contact with communities such as Kaslo, New Denver and Fau. quier,” agreed Herb Thomp son, operations manager for the Arrow District, and with 34 years of service. Still, he pointed out, the Forest Ser. vice has been strengthened as well. “A number of functions were decentralized to the district level, and more spec. ialist staff were hired. The regional and district offices now have experts on subjects such as soils, hydrology, re. creation, landscape manage. ment and pest management.” Rod McLeod, regional tim ber officer (31 years service) saw timber utilization im prove dramatically in the mid 1960's and early 1970's. This was due to incentives and regulations introduced by then forest minister Ray Williston. As one) incentive, mills which complied were given additional cutting rights. This resulted in a great ex- pansion of the B.C. forest industry, especially in the interior where most of the small wood occurred. “A Canadian invention, the chip-n-saw, allowed a drama. tie increase in conversion ef. ficiency,” McLeod said. “Computers studied the log profile and determined how to cut it so as to maximize the yield of lumber.” An economic downturn in the late 1970s resulted in “sympathetic administra- tion” — a relaxation of utiliza. tion standards. “There were valid reasons for this,” McLeod said, “but it was hard to watch forest practices deteriorate after having worked to improve them. Political factors are a big consideration in forest management.” Paul Holitzki, regional fire suppression coordinator (33 years service) is proud of the Forest Service fire suppres sion program. “It's as good as anywhere in the world,” he said. “Air tankers, lightning detection systems and a high standard of preparedness are critical to success, but a careful and alert public is just as important. “Many people don’t realize that fire was a natural ecological factor in the West Kootenay forests,” Holitzki said. “Today, 67 per cent of our fires are still caused by lightning.” At the turn of the century, however, human activity as- sociated with mining and the railroads was also a major factor. Whatever the causes, many old photographs show entire valleys denuded by fire. What of the many and often conflicting demands on the forest? “The concerns have been around for a long time,” said Ken Milner, regional plan- ning officer (31 years ser- vice). “What has changed is that concerns such as water- shed protection are now ex- tended to virtually every hectare of forest land.” “People are going to have to keep talking to each other. All too often opposing in terests focus on the Forest Service which, being in the middle, takes flak from all sides.” Hans Elias (29 years ser- vice) is presently superin tendent of the Harrop-nur- sery. He may not be growing seedlings after the end of March, but he plans to retain his interest in forest man- agement issues. He is an active member of the West Arm Watershed Alliance. “I will miss the camara. derie I experienced within the Forest Service all over B.C.,” Elias said. “And I hope to draw on the knowledge of my retired colleagues. I think we can make the West Koot- enay forests an example of what can be done when people work together.” To continue to ser We are open six da appointments. joyment. We are pleased to announce that San owner of Madison Magique Hair Studio Our tanning salon is also available six d rill ve all of our customers, possible, we have Sandy, Barb and Star. ys a week and three evenings. Phone 365-5841 tor dy Danchella is now the principal with the finest service jays o week for your tanning en- Development board hel The Castlegar and District Development Board assisted in the successful startup of 15 new businesses in the Castlegar area in 1987. But selling the Castlegar and area to businesses and individuals isn't an easy task. “We have a massive job on our hands,” says Harry Stan, the board's executive director. “We have to literally sit them down and sell them so by the time they leave they have a-more positive attitude about Castlegar and area. We have to point out the advantages of why they should locate in Castlegar; that this is where it's happening.” ‘ The development board is extremely diversified in its activity, dealing with issues, clients and infrastructures on the municipal, regional, provincial and federal level. The board provides a number of services to the City of Castlegar and Area I and J Economic Development Commission. Among them are: # assistance to potential clients interested in locating in the Castlegar area; ¢ business and industry information office, specifically dealing with clients interested in locating or expanding operations; ¢ providing consultation and assisting clients; ¢ liaison with city officials; © current information on the city industrial park; © pertinent data as requested by potential clients on the industrial park; ¢ brochure kit folders to clients and potential investors with data sheets tailored to specific client requirements; « assistance to entrepreneurs interested in developing destination attractions in Castlegar and area; © consulting service; © continuing promotion of Castlegar and area as a location for potential entrepreneurs. Maintaining outside contacts are also important to the development ‘board. Richard Maddocks, the board's economic development officer, says a lot of time is spent “networking.” Maddocks says that without these contacts, the board “couldn't do what it wanted for the community.” ‘The staff processed an average of 120 calls per week' The board is affiliated with the following groups: e¢ Community Futures Committee of the Regional District of Central Kootenay. Maddocks is chairman and Stan treasurer of this federal committee. ¢ Canadian Association of Single Industry Towns; © West Koot Enterprise D. Centre; ¢ Economie Development Association of B.C.; e Pacific Northwest Industrial Development Council. ¢ The Provincial Regionalization program for the West Kootenay region. The board's staff is comprised of Stan, Maddocks and Josephine Miller, an administrative assi The board's office is located at 1444 Columbia Avenue (in the old Block Brothers building). There are seven members on the development board: chairman Henry John, a chartered accountant; vice-chair. man Diane Piket, a lawyer; treasurer Gordon Brady, a businessman; and directors Miké Bonderoff, a businessman; Francis Tait, a businessman/tourism operator; Russell Leamy, a laborer; and city Ald. Albert Calderbank. 1987 was a busy year for the development board, which involved itself in a number of projects. One such effort was a job development project. A grant was secured under the Canadian Job Strategy job development program with the help of Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco and the federal government. 4 A number of activities were carried out under this project: a neighborhood park on the Arrow Lakes above Hugh Keenleyside dam; e an RV park at the Community Complex; a day park between city hall and the Bank of Montreal in downtown Castlegar; @ railroad station; e Renata natural stone arch on the Arrow Lakes; © peace dove trail next to Castlegar Golf Course; © creek signs on Arrow Lakes; © provided “what to do in Castlegar” and circle tour information; © performed the landscaping of ground around the new library; © installed “Castlegar” sign at interchange. The project also became involved in a lot of other areas, the most prominent ones being the application for a hydrographic survey of the Columbia River/Arrow Lakes system and the repair and improvement to the Robson wharf. These two projects will inject in excess of $665,000 into the local area. Other accomplishments in 1987 included completing an economic strategy plan and commencing a plan for imple. mention. Maddocks and Stan have both been involved in the formation of the West Kootenay Economic Coordinating group along with the chairmen of Community Futures from Trail and Nelson. The board also participated in Trade Fair ‘87 and Municipal Awareness Week. The staff processed an average of 120 calls per week and completed information and promotional material for 30 businesses and companies interested in Castlegar and area. They made full presentations to about 30 companies that had narrowed Castlegar down to one of three of four places in which to loeate. The board operated on a $76,900 budget in 1987 but was also able to raise additional funding through other sources. The board brought in more than $240,000 in addition to its core funding, creating employment for 32 people. In job development the board received over $226,000 with which 27 people were put to work. In office and staffing. $9,800 was obtained and three people were employed. The board lias a number of goals for 1988. One of them is to imph the Federal Busi D Bank AIM network. The board has acquired this network program which includes marketing, technical, legal, funding, and management information for business, One other data network has been acquired — the B.C. Business Network — which lists information on export and import opportuni international projects, contacts and resources. The Castlegar board is presently one of only six sites in B.C. to have the network. Information from both of these networks is available to businesses in the area. The board also wants to expand its data network to include regional statistics and be able to provide tailored data kits to clients. Other objectives include: © ensuring Castlega inclusion and input to the Kootenay Development Region; © maintaining strong communication links with area elected officials and other economic development organiza tions through the West Kootenay Economic Coordinating Group and Community Future: © completing a kid folder for industrial and business use. According to Stan and Maddocks there are many advantages to businesses which base themselves in Castlegar. Castlegar is the hub of a significant road, air and transportation network. And Castlegar, with a population of 6,900, prides itself on being the major distribution point for the West Kootenay. Maddocks adds that Castlegar's outlook is good, Much of the uncertainty about Cominco's future has vanished. Maddocks and Stan have also noticed an in: ise in activity in terms of inquiries related to Castlegar's industrial park. They actively encourage people to locate in the park whenever possible. “But we are in competition with every other community in the province,” says Maddocks. “There are not that many businesses looking to relocate anywhere in the province. “The industrial park is not going to sell overnight. All we can do is continue to promote it in areas we feel we can have success.” Maddocks notes that the land acquisition part of relocation is a relatively small consideration by businesses. Castlegar News 1988 Review March 30, 1968 7 area Have you been ‘hooked’ yet? One of the Castlegar and District Development Board's highest profile projects this year was the ‘Cas’ fish fly and the “Hooked on Castlegar” promotional theme. province. A board subcommittee actually dreamed up the Hooked on Castlegar con- cept and two residents were hired to tie the 10,000 flies used as part of the The fish fly logo was the brainchild of a committee that emerged from a May 1986 public meeting called to improve Castlegar's identity throughout the promotional package. From there, the project evolved into baseball caps, T-shirts and other clothing, and now the symbol is well known throughout B.C. fs. Miia i . , HOOKED ON CASTLEGAR... . Harry Stan (left) and Development Board display Richard Maddocks of the Castlegar and District logo and theme. Hooked on Castlegar “pa. Westar limber You Gef A Lot More Than Lumber When You Buy Kootenay Fir. | These guys mean business | Your business Because they're part of | what you buy when you buy Kootenay Fir. And they're committed to giving you the product you want, when you want it Service, quality and innovation. That's Westar's edge in the marketplace. 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