a2 Castlégar News February 11, 1990 sat, February 11, 1990 astlegar News AS continued tram front page 100,000 jobs in one swoop,’’ says Ogilvie, who fears a rise in alcohol and drug problems and even child abuse because of the closure. Cominco has been winding down its presence in this East Kootenay city of 6,700 for years. It closed its fertilizer plant in 1988, idling about 100 workers, and has steadily cut the mine workforce that once numbered more than 2,000. Even if Cominco reopens the mine when the economics look better, dwindling reserves mean a permanent shutdown is only a few years away. When it comes, says Ogilvie, Kimberley loses half its municipal tax base. The mayor has asked the provincial government for im- mediate help. Mayor “From the city’s point of view, I have to assume that this is per- manent,’” he says. He wants to accelerate an in- dustrial adjustment and fedevelopment scheme to help the local economy to a soft landing. It won't be easy. “The day of the big corporation walking into town with a briefcase full of money... . those things are pretty remote.”” Jilted one-industry towns also carry a stigma that makes other companies shy away, Ogilvie says. “You want to move to a com- munity that’s moving forward, not One that’s losing a major part of its tax base.’” Attempts to attract industry so far have failed, despite plenty of cheap pdwer, water and a rail line. Plans for a glass-making factory fell through and a proposed magnesium plant went to nearby Alberta, where incentives were better. Ogilvie thinks Cominco has dragged its feet in co-operating with redevelopment. While the “Sullivan mine was still profitable, it discouraged companies that might threaten its hold on local workers, the mayor claims. That gets a rise out of Ron McLean. “We bent over backwards to try to encourage development,”’ says Cominco’s local administration manager. ‘‘We even produced a brochure.”” Cominco made land available for the glass-plant project and has never tried to ward off other fir- ms, he says. 4 “*We don’t control the town but we're certainly willing to