Me eM A A a “ar Rp aps ST AeR edt i at) 2 FALE TT ap eh A Tieh they would abide by a facilnmor's sug- whe: we will get a rational review of the ‘we fee! Something ‘special’ for the taxpayers to pry yn it to you again. prions hay- ing exhausted every conceivable method of taking money out of your pocket, either by direct taxa- tion or by increasing everything from marriage license to hunting J court's latter-day robber efi the groundwork | ef huge tax grab. this one hidden in B.C. Hydro rate increases. “With the help of some creative bookkeeping. the Harcourt gov- ernment has given the Crown cor- poration marching orders to collect an additional $80 million from its customers this year and up to $170 million a year in the future. The orders came in the form of “Special Directions,” ordered B.C. Hydro to reclassify more than $1 billion worth of customer-supplied funds as part of its own equity: Nearly half of practices, not considered equity but “no-cost” By a stroke of the pen, the gov- ernment has thus increased B.C. in rates is warranted. And they said the Socreds used creative ing methods. accounting ‘The move has brought together some rather strange bedfellows who are trying to‘comvince the government that the hydro rate hike is bad news all around. which ~ the charge is a coali- tion of B.C. resource hydro indus- tries and the British Columbia iblic Interest Advocacy Centre. ‘The laticr represents six different public interest groups; the Con- sumers’ Association of Canada: poe B.C. Old Age Pensioncrs® ganization: Sehior Citizens’ Organization of B.C.; the Federated Anti-Poverty Groups of B.C.: the Senior-Citi- zens” Association of B.C., and the West End Seniors" Association of B.C. Industry coalition spokesman. Dick Bryan, called the rate increase “a hidden, regressive tax which, like the corporation capital tax, bears no relationship to any- one’s ability to pay and simply raises input costs on a continuing basis.” Bryan estimates that about 40 per cent of the additi andthe Yhe Council of | B.C. Hydro, he points out, alréady delivers about 30 per cent of its revenues, about $640 mil- lion a year. to the provincial gov- ermment. That figure will go to more than $800 million by 1996. So much for the response from big business. How about the little guy? He isn't any happier. Michael Doherty, staff lawyer for the British Columbia Public Inter- est Advocacy Centre, calls the rate increase B.C. Hydro must million a year the g Pp at the orders of the going to collect will be born by large industries. “This comes at a time when decades, with no end in sight until 1995 at the earliest, and mines are closing in British Columbia, some é as recently as two weeks ago.” Bryan says that with this latest increase, B.C. Hydro will be allowed/to carn revenues that would slo be permitted a private utility. He calculates Hydro’s return at about 32 per cent, well in excess of that allowed a private utility company such as West Kootenay Power, which will carn g fora number of reasons. “First, this is a tax on some- thing which is absolutely essen- tial to people for their day-to-day survival. Traditionally, govern- ments have not taxed increase in its electricity bill as a wealthy family. The increase will - hit poor familics much harder,” he says. He also finds objectionable the fact that it represents a hidden tax. Governments, he says, have a duty to present programs and péfieiesth an dbove-board man- ner, so then electorate can decide whether or not to support them. “This is not what has hap- pened here. Instead. the govern- ment introduced these special directives with very .few people even being aware’ of them. Rather than collecting a tax in a manner that is apparent, B.C. Hydro was used to launder the money. Most people probably have no idea that the government is dipping into “their pocket through their Hydro bills.” Well, now they know, and maybe they can do something about it. A chorus of protest from around the province would be music to my ears. Send you NDP MLA a left-over Christmas card with “humbug” written all over it. Get on the phone and give these such as milk or bread or rent. Taxing electricity is just like tax- ing bread. It’s saying to people, ‘if you want to have heat, if you want to have light, we will tax you for that privilege,"” Doherty says: “Second, it’s a regressive tax which will have a disproportion- ate effect on people. A family liv- ing below the poverty line may find itself facing the same sort of underdog a piece of mind. I have no problem wish any government that tries to control spending to bring down. the deficit, but to do it by taxing the hell out of the poor and out of industries that- have a hard time surviving is unforgivable. And if that’s the only way they know how to operate the cash box, they should move over and let some- one else try. self-p ng of the Setting the record straight © As a young mother, I would like to present a few very impor- tamt facts. Asa single parent, in the raising and nurturing of my 19-month-old I spend as much quality time with her as Part of my daughter’ 's growth includes seeing her mother become successful. To endure this that I am facing I must complete my grade 12, which I ado quit inorder to raisc her. The Young Mom's Program has made this dream possible for rhe. Igbeled by a select few as being “ ‘a ,.bunch of welfare mothers This is untrue. The majority of the students are not on welfare, bat have families with very sup- Pprtive mates or husbands. They jot Started their families earlier. Those of us who are on wel- fare are using it to get on our own two feet, and to. get off the system. Social assistance only allows you just enough fof our basic needs. It's notcasy to scrape together enough money for that Alb of the mothers in the progr are here for a very worthy cause—that is our families. Anyone can tell you that it's not easy going back to school after baving a child. I want my daugfiter to learn by example that. with effon, she can also be successful. It saddens me to hear comments _abdut the program and us being or hing your child needs and having to compensate by cutting down on other impor- tant items such as the grocery bill, or by not paying the whole utility bill. We're not just sitting on wel- fare. We are working to get off of it, It’s a great fecling knowing we ate taking these important steps for our future. But, it is a real blow to us when we are also crit- icized for taking those steps by the few people who don't know or understand our situation. So, to those people who have such an Opinion—try to open your mind, because we and our children deserve the same chance as anyone else. We are just learn- ing how to live life and be more for our families and futures. And, on that final note: as it is probably my last month at the Young Mom's Stay in School Program, I would like to thank Suzanne, Kim, and all of the very special and important people who have helped make this Program successful. Lori Wilhelm, a Castlegar resi- dent, will soon gradi from the Young Mom's Stay in School Pro- gram and intends tw further her at Selkirk College this fall. She hopes to eventually become a teacher's wide Wédnesday, January 12, 1994. The Castlegar Sun Letters tothe Editor; : Christmas made extra-special by donations | Socicty was able to have Christ of Christmas is all abourThalik mas parties for the children ts § Hobbit Hill Children’s Centre, Tender Care Infant Program and the Young Mom's Program. Y With the Variety Club Telethoa ‘coming in February I would like: to remind local citizens that funds Dear Editor: erated do come back 40 our.» young mothers, This went a long Borranunie N way towards making a happier Also @ big thank you to the’ «C ‘hrisynas for these women and staff. at. The Castlegar Stn and the , es children. Red Cross. As January looms ahead we 1a liey, of Christmas gifts toy can look back"M these examples ‘one another they d id very i of ge y and and hampers to two of our remember what the trae meaning he On-behalf of the Kootenay Columbia Child Care Society, I would like to thank the Variety Club Christmas Angel Fund for their support Through their generosity the Financial support greatly appreplateal grounds have taken’ on and i would like to thank again all . the people who have contribut-” ed to our rev’ Bicase feel free to drop ib at sey tan 10 hare EE chat with npr the system installed and are awaiting for the last two speak- ers to arrive, * We are very proud of thé now' look that the Station and Podovinikoff. On Sunday, January 9.1 1984, of Slocan ey Prevent and District ” proada Tertione™ cm peace movement, as well as being’ an avid gardenet and enjoying writing ond wavsling, Mr. Podovinikoff is Photo submitted Ellen Louise Popoff, daughter of Dennis and Violet Popoft of Slocan Park, and Robert Douglas Dickson, son of Robert and Shirley Dickson of Castlegar were wed October 19, 1993 at the Kinnaird Church of God. Pastor Ira Johnson pfficiated. The bride was attended by her Matron Honor, Tamara Voykin; and Bridesmaids, Dena Pereverzoff and Christina Dickson; and flower girl, Michelle Pereverzoff. The Groom was attended by his best man, Ken Hunter- Oglow. The couple is residjng in Castlegar. sisters, Margaret Lebedoft of Glade, and Helen Lebédoff of under the direction of the Castle- gar Funeral Chapel. Funeral arrangeinents were USCC and was hétive in the; In loving we of our ’ Mother & Grandmother Mary Polonikoff who passed away January 18, 1993. You are not forgotten, dear mother, Nor ever shall you be As long as life and memory last We shall remember thee Whitewater Ford, is s pleased to announce that Jack Hamelin has joined the Whitewater sales team. Jack has many years of auto experience inthe West Kootenay and welcomes his many customers and friends to drop by and their tive needs. Whitewater Ford 623 ratway St.,.Nélson 969.7304 Lovingly remembered by daughter Polly & family. CLASSIFIEDS Photo submitted Theresa Gritchen,, daughter of Harry and Shirley Gritchen:of Glade, and Edward Pruss, son of Edward -and-Vera Pruss of Ootischenia, were wed July 31, 4993 at a garden ceremony at the groom's home. SELL! Commission On Resources and Environment Kootenay/Boundary Land Use Plan 1 Terra Nova Hotel, Trail, B.C. 5. Selling something? Phone 365-5266 Jendeioh hers 2. 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