eee oe en em oo News file photo The Robson ferry could be cruising across the Columbia River once again when a decision is handed down in seven to 10 days. Ferry continued from front page Dalton said he believed New Democrats could set a off a wave of unwanted con- troversy by turning down the ferry’s return. He said no new government wants to be seen as being unable to deliver on its word. Based on figures supplied to Dalton, he said the govern- ment would spend $275,000 to have the ferry back in ser- vice. Figures that the com- mittee has released have that THE FAR SIDE total at $250,000. Regardless of the numbers, Dalton says it only makes sense to have the ferry run- ning. He said the cost of bring- ing in construction crews and equipment for road repairs and bridge work far surpass- es the price of the ferry. Dalton also contends the government is playing a dan- gerous game waiting game. He said one major multi-vehi- By GARY LARSON cle accident on the winter- weary Sherbiko could cost the government much more than $275,000 in ICBC claims. be Dalton added that if the ferry is forever grounded, the committee plans to take the matter to court. “It would be a sorry sight if the citizens of Robson had to take this to the court of ap- peals to have Mr. Harcourt honor his promise.” For the RECORD In the Dec.5 issue of The Castlegar News a story announcing the appoi ment of the city’s new fire chief Gerry Rempel, The News wrongly stat- ed that; former fire chief Bob Mann was dis- missed of his post. Mann was not dismissed from his duties as fire chief. The News regrets the error and apologizes to Bob Mann for the incon- venience and any em- barrassment caused by the story. "The perfect way W to feed your family!" ® 2816 Columbia Ave. Santa Claus Win a Complimentary Dinner for Two (valued at $75) Place a classified ad in the Castlegar News between December 4 & 21. Number of entries will equal number of times your ad runs. It's easy — and re could win an evening ates: Lion's Head Dining Room [ DRAW DATE DEC. 23, 19: | CASTLEGAR Method of payment: Q Cash Q Cheque Q Master Charge Q Visa (Chargex) Action Ad \nvoice SUBTOTAL oo TAX TOTAL ww Shilirday Dederibat 7.7001" SecondFRON CALL THE NEWS General inquiries 365-7266 OCiassifieds & Det HE SHOOTS, HE... > News photo by Ed Mills Blaine Schykawy plans on making a big splash in the big leagues one day, but for now he has to settle for slap- shots in puddles. Celgar paves way for referendum @ Mill expansion will create sadly-needed funds for major overhaul of Castlegar’s aging roatls, streets and avenues Jonathan Green NEWS REPORTER The road rehabilitation program was laid out on the table Thursday, literally. During open house at city council chambers, residents were able to examine the same $1.286 million proposal to repair Castlegar’s aging streets that they will vote on Dec. 14. Ald. Lawrence Chernoff said the key to the complex project was knowing exactly what was going to happen. . ‘ “To understand the program is the selling point,” he said. —~ , the referendum would see the city undertake a five-year rehabilitation plan, repairing the streets as néeded. The referendum would pay for the first two years of repairs, while the city’s capital budget would cover the rest. Chernoff said, while the city has a good idea what roads need immediate repair, he added that a year-by-year re-evaluation would keep crews on top of trouble spots. “Year 1 is pretty structured,” he said. “After Year 1, we'll relook at the situation. Chernoff said the timing for road repairs couldn't be better. He said Celgar’s expansion will help the city acquire the needed funds so the well doesn’t run dry. “The Celgar expansion is going to create a lot of money for the city,” he said. City administrator Gary Williams echoed Chernoff’s words. “Without the Celgar expansion we wouldn't even be here tonight.” Voting began Friday with advance polls at city hall. On Dec. 14, residents can vote from 8 a.m. 3a. Christmas spirit hits Selkirk Jonathan Green NEWS REPORTER A little precipitation didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the first annual Christmas tree deco- rating contest Thursday at Selkirk College. Teams from 10 different de- partments and one all-staff crew braved the chilling rain to vie for the $450 in prize money. In the end, Campus Recycling team came out on top: Student society president Jeff Leggat said he was pleased with the number of participants. “It’s a good showing seeing as how exams start on Monday.” he said. Leggat said the idea behind the contest, created by the college's special events committee, was to get the students into the holiday spirit. “(The committee) wanted a pro- ject combining Christmas and stu- dent involvement,” he said. He said the added bonus was letting participants get their | minds off text books and tests. | “This puts people in a better mood at exam time,” Leggat said. “They're not as stressed.” With the student society sup- | plying the decorations, it was up | to the teams to come up with the tree design that best represented their respective departments. Imaginations were in high gear, from the hockey helmet atop the Physical Education tree to the ted- dy bear motif of the Social Service Workers, to the miniature-flag- covered tree of International Ed- ucation. But the tree adorned with such decorations as fish cut from a dis- | garded cola can and recycled pa- | per fans caught the judges hearts, netting the winner the $200 top prize. climb in ’92 NEWS STAFF Transit fares in Castlegar will increase Jan. 1, Acting Mayor Doreen Smecher disclosed the fare hikes to council Tuesday, with increases ranging from 10 cents to $1. Adult fares will increase 20 cents to $1.00, while fares for se- niors, students and school age chil- dren will go up to 75 cents. Chil- ove under five will still ride for Fares for Handydart transit will also increase. Trips within the taxation area will rise a quarter to $1.25,while a trip outside of the taxation area will increase from $2 to $3.