creed LEGISLAT WE PARLIAMENT LIBRARY BUILDINGS VICTORIA BC yev 1X4 WEDNESDAY August 7, 1991 * Vol. 2- No. 32 Firewhat?? bebfitch The | datleger Suh: Castlegar, British Columbia Pilot Rick Cline stands in front of one of the three Firecats based at the Castlegar Airport. Cline flies a Bird Dog which, “basically acts as an on site safety control tower,” he. said. “The Bird Dog also plots the safest and best route for the tankers (Firecats) to gain access to the fire i -Forestry.Service,for.the purpose. fire until ground crews can get in, Council now on SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor Due to a disagreement in fund- ing, Castlegar City Council has decided to table a motion regard- ing new peaeey until their next meeting, August 12. The y's Pal ’s Public Works depart- vegetating here night weren't for. th agrees budget ment recommended to council that the 1991 budget be amended to include provisions which would support engineering and geotech- nical overlays to six different road- ways in town at a total cost of $115,000. Alderman Bob Pakula, the Works and Services Liaison to council, stated his full support of the recommendation, believing that the streets in Castlegar are simply atrocious. “We just can’t keep putting it off year after year, and that’s just what will continue if we don't do Alderwoman Doreen Smecher disagreed with Pakula’s recom- mendation however, questioning the severity and impulsiveness of the whole idea, “I'm going to vote against this recommendation. Not because I don’t think these streets should be improved, but because I don’t By Leigh Rubin Creators Syndicate, Inc. ©1991 teen Riubint after night se roots, I'd get up ” The Conair Firecats are used by the British Columbia uard ‘meant toh hold the to disagree for amendments believe it’s an emergency,” she said, Smecher also questioned whether it would be wise for coun- cil to amend the budget now, in order to come up with $115,000. “Why wasn’t the fact that these streets had to be overlaid discussed in the spring when we set up the budget in the first place? Where will the money come from?” Her questions were answered by City Administrator Gary Williams, who said the funds will be allocated from projects which will not be done, or from other ventures which, when completed, fell under budget. “The money can be found with- in the budget. Its ‘age! there," he said. ‘The roadways, as set out by the Public Works department include 24th St from Columbia Ave to Sth Ave, 27th St from 9th Ave to 10th Ave, 27th St from 4th Ave to Sth Ave, 6th Ave from 27th St to 24th St, 4th St from 3rd Ave to 4th Ave, and 6th Ave from 4th St to Sth St. Studies have shown that the roadways currently provide poor provisions for drainage and inade- quate cross-sectional elements to allow water to collect within the pavement's base. If the motion is passed next week and constriction is allowed to take place, there will not be any widening of the roadways, but new pavement will be applied to the thin asphalt which is becoming increasingly defected. Shaw Cable to purchase Genelle TV Co-operative SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor. Six months after applying to the CRTC for approvai, Shaw Cable has been given the green light in its efforts to acquire asscts belonging to Genelle T.V. Co- operative Association. The small local T.V. co-opera- * tive in Genelle, which has been in > business since the early 1960's, carries approximately 200 cus- tomers. Ken Fowler, Senior Vice Presi- dent of Planning for Shaw Cable Systems in Vancouver, says he ‘was pleased to receive the good news from the CRTC. “It took a little while, but we're very glad the CRTC allowed us this © 7," he said. Fowler beleives that the cus- tomers who are currently being served by the Genelle company will more than ‘welcome the change... i “Genelle residents will be happy to know they will now receive the same service as those residents in Castlegar. They are - currently receiving 10 stations, but soon they will be offered 26 different stations," he said. Dave Ridington, Secretary/ ‘Treasurer for the Genelle T.V. and Co-operative Association, says the bagesinpee is pleased that Shaw Cable will be taking over. "We don't have the capacity to upgrade our systems to industry specifications, as Shaw Cable does. We are a small system, it would be too expensive, 'he said. Shaw Cable, which operates across the four western provinces, paid approximately $50,000 for the Genelle company, and will likely spend another $120,000 upgrading its different systems. This would include upgrading cables and connectors, and other nt. says he hopes that Shaw Cable will officially take over September 1. MIXED Weather 3A, 75 Cents + G.S. Duties filled as City Council Cistlegar City Council has hired a new Engineering Techni- cian to take on the.di design layout, and superv: public works, which ‘the’city is currently planning for.,.: -’ Duane Monsen, who will begin his duties on August 19, is cur- tently employed by LaPointe Engineering in Kitimat where he has been involved in a number of subdivision projects including water and sewer installations. Gary Williams, City Adminis- trator, says council is also plan- ning to hire, on a part-time basis, a Planner who will handle land development and zoning. These jobs are currently being handled by Williams. The changes taking place with- in the engineering department are largely due to a major public works project, designed to grade water and sewage lines in City council will also be reviewing a Comprehensive Development Plan during their next meeting August 12. The document, according to Williams, describes the future directions Castlegar should be heading in regards to development and growth, including transportation and public works. Airport to improve on existing parking BRENDAN HALPER Sun staff. If you've ever ~~ confused with the at the Castlegar Airport, fear not. The airport administration will be removing all half-hour meters in the main lot and going entirely with ticket dispensers which will also accept credit cards, “We felt this could be a little confusing at times,” said Trans- port Canada Airport Manager John Perry. “However we will be installing some meters along the terminal frontage road. This will probably give us an extra dozen ing stalls and it will be more convenient for those only staying a short time.” Perry says the improvements should take place before the en¢ of August. ‘The materials are already on Other improvements slated for 1991 include expanding the air- craft parking and maneuvering area. “Te will be going to tender in August,” said Perry. “If the tenders come in at a reasonable amount xe hope to begin construction in “Demy stated there will be noth- ing done with the runway this year however, “there is a major mnway overlay planned for next year, with the majority of the w: being done at night to help nate disruptions to air traffic.” 28n Out with the old... ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper ... and in with the new. Transport:Canada Airport Manager John Perry stands by one of the many half- hour parking meters at the Castlegar Airport.