The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, June 3, 1992 Local business focusing on the positives and winning awards SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor Recession, cross-border shop- Ping, the GST. With costly issues facing business owners these days, it's easy to see how any business person can remain focused on the negatives and become buried under ecenomic woes. If you're Neil Kawlawsky however, owner of the General Motors dealership in Castlegar, you focus on getting things done, not on the negatives. Kawlawsky Pontiac Buick, which has just completed its sec ond year in business, has outdone itself in vehicle sales and cus- tomer satisfaction, and was recently presented with the Dou- ble Eagle Award, the highest provincial prize given by General Motors for excellence There are 80 GM dealerships in the province, and out of these COME VISIT BEAVER CREEK GREENHOUSE Offering the widest selection of hardy perennials in the West Kootenay and featuring an excellent selection of nursery plants, water plants, hanging baskets and bedding plants. Open 9 a:m.-5:30 p.m. Every Day With Mid Week and Weekend Specials Always |n Effect. Many of our items are also available at our Garden Centre at Home Hardware in Trail “2029 Hepburn Drive, Frultvate « 367-6379 NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE? WE'RE EASY TO FIND, Jest 9 wcenn oF techoumy —SEE MAP IN YELLOW PAGES AD UNDER GREENHOUSES!—PAG! XN only seven qualified for the award. The Castlegar dealership placed second overall, missing first place by a few percentage points. “It's definitely an accom: plishment for the entire dealer ship. Each department had a hand in attaining this award,” said Kalawsky, who admits the pres Mire to stay on top is now greater than what it was to get there. The Double Eagle Award is presented to a dealership which exceeds its sales objectives and maintains a high level of cus tomer satisfaction. Sales objec tives are not set by each individual dealership, but by the national GM office. Kawlawsky met and d that obj “Would you rec dus to others as @ place to purchase vehicles, based on your own experience; and would you rec- ommend us to others for service based on your experience.” The results for the Kawlawsky dealership? An enviable 92 per cent of customers said they would highly recommend to their friends and family, purchasing a vehicle at Kawlawsky. In regards to service, 91 per cent of Kawlawsky cus- tomers said they would recom- mend the dealership to their friends and family.if they needed any ser- vice work done on their vehicles, The figures speak for them- selves, and Kawlawsky says that and impressed head office with a standing of 110.2 per cent When it comes to the customer Satisfaction index, officials at GM's national office base their Statistics on the responses they receive from a survey, which is sent out to all customers who have owned their vehicles for over 100 days. The survey asks a variety of questions, which tell-tale on each dealership. “Basically the survey boils down to two very important ques tions,” Kawlawsky explained = Parks his 29 ploy: deserve recog- nition for this major achievement. “Everyone who works here, from the front desk clerks to the technicians in the service area, is focused on the same goal—to provide top quality service for each and every customer.” Kawlawsky said he feels very fortunate to have the hard work- “ing, dedicated and service-orien- tated staff that he does. “It’s easy to work together when they show they have a real concern for getting things done right the first time.” Now working into its third SUN STAFF PHOTO / Sharlene Imhoff Neil Kawlawsky, owner of the Kawlawsky dealership in Castlegar, displays the Double Eagle awards which the dealership was presented with last week in Vancouver. year, the Kawlawsky dealership in Castlegar will be striving to main- tain and improve its already high level of customer satjsfaction “We realize that we still have a long way to go, but we're getting closer, we're definitely getting there.” Schedule for June 3, 4, & 5 Wed. 6:30 pm, Thurs. 9:00 am + History of Rossland - Jack McDonald & Harry Lefevre discuss the history of Rossland. Wed. 7:00 pm, Thurs. 9:30 am * Strategies Across the Curriculum - One day workshop with Steve Naylor Thurs. 6:00 pm, Fri., 9:00 am + Castlegar City Council - gavel to gavel coverage. June 7 + 5:30 p.m. - Silver City Days Highlights - A look at this years festival. * 6:30 p.m. - This History of Rossland + 7:00 p.m. - The German Scene - Two short programmes that looks at life in Germany. * 7:30 p.m. - CCTA Regional Awards It’s just as dangerous (and illegal) to drink and drive after a game, as it is aftera party. Here are a few fips you may want to put into play * walk home (or to a friend’s? * appoint a designated driver. * cover your bases on public transport Reach home base safely. POLICE ROADCHECKS MAY 29- JUNE 7 DRINKING DRIVING COUNTERATIACK GERRY'S BACKHOE SERVICE * LANDSCAPING & EXCAVATING « LIGHT EQUIPMENT HAULING oj # SNOW REMOVAL # WATER & SEWER SYSTEMS. ' * SAND & GRAVEL 365-7137 BEST OF LUCK TO ALL SLO-PITCH COMPETITORS Cc from 3B ingly more responsible for mak- ing decisigns on land-use, since the governnent is finding out it must comply with taxpayer's wishes. The government, said McAdams, is starting to listen to people who are willing to sit down, talk about the issues, and find a compromise. Severe polar- ization, which is most often heard about, will not be the answer. of industry is not in favour of clear-cut logging, yet these two extremes seem to be heard most,” McAdams said. “These are not the people who will be making the decisions.” One example of sound deci- sion-making is what McAdams reffered to a Parks and Wilderness Plans for the 90s, which is a pre- served are strategy taking in account industry's needs. The “The average envir is not the person who spikes trees, and the average supporter City Voice plan where the province currently stands in regard to land preservation, and provides an out- line of future goals. “The United Nation's council says that 12 per cent of B.C.'s forests must be protected. Cur- rently, we're just under seven per cent.” Parks and Wilderness for the 90s is a public process for identi- fying study areas to be evaluated for their potential as provincial parks or wildemess areas. Based on conservation and recreation goals which have been endorsed through public review, it is a key component of a Protected Areas Strategy for B.C.. The initiative is a joint program of B.C. Parks and the B.C. Forest Service—the agencies responsible for park and wildemess area management. Public participation, explained McAdams, is the key to the pro- cess, and he requested that the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce become a catalyst of the process. “The Chamber of Commerce has a duty to steer and cheer the process. West Kootenay residents have to know they are part of this process.” HAVE FUN BUT PLEASE - DON'T DRINK & DRIVE Removal of home owner grant to affect Castlegar residents Removal of Supplementary Home Owner Grant will affect Castlegar residents The Provincial Government has announced that the Supple- mentary Home Owner Grant for school property taxes will be dis- continued so as tax time nears more and more Castlegar resi- dents have been asking about the effect of the removal of the Grant Tt their tax bill. The answer to that question is “It depends.” If the assessed value of a resi- dential property is less than $52,000 there should be no effect These home owners are not pay- ing more school taxes than the amount covered by the Basic Home Owner grant. The Basic Home Owner Grant has not becn discontinued. In fact, it has been increased to $450 for home own- ers under 65 and $720 for home The Castlegar Sun is your choice for all the local news and sports! Graduation is the beginning — not the end! HAVE A SAFE GRAD! this message sent to you by STANLEY HUMPHRIES SECONDARY TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE with support from owners 65 and over. The owners of houses valued under $52,000 would not have received the Sup- plementary grant, so its removal does not affect them. About 30 per cent of the city’s residential properties fall into this group. For homes assessed at more than $52,000 the effect of the removal of the grant will be an increase in the amount to be paid of approximately $45 for every additional $10,000 of assessed value. That means a house assessed at $62,000 will have a tax increase of $45, a house assessed at $72,000 will have a WEST ROOTENAY CAMERA CLUB 2nd Annual Photo Salon Sunfest Weekend ‘A competition open to all photographers’ For entry forms and information Castlegar: Vogue Studios, Driftwoods, Picture Place & Kootenay Aviation Trail: Kootenay Cameras Nelson: Horizon Photo, Profile & Vogue Studios For additional into: Castlegar Chris/Ross 365-2696 Ken/Terri 365-5473 Trail: Maureen 367-9351 a Luxury 2 Bedroom - = SyangFrize tax increase of $90, a house as. d at $82,000 will have a tax increase of $135, and so on Residents who signed up for the Tax Prepayment Plan last year will find that the payments they made throughout the year and the interest these payments earned will cover the increase caused by the removal of the Supplementary Home Owner Grant if their home is assessed at less than $72,000. And don't forget, even if your 1992 taxes are fully paid, you must sign and return the form for the Home Owner Grant to receive that credit on your tax account. The details relating to each property will be distributed dur- ing the first week of June when the tax notices are mailed. the effect of the removal of the Sup- plementary Home Owner Grant may vary slightly from the aver- age amounts quoted above because of differences in water and sewer frontages. Tax payers needing more information may contact City Hall 3,000 Condo WATERFRONT jo S2eeqj 0" 18 CONDOMINIUM St B00 cash Your support of the ST. PAUL'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION is appreciated Please send me ticket(s) at $100/ ticket. Enclosed please find my J Cheque/money order (payable to St. Paul's Hospital Foundation) J ViSA/Mastercard# | | | | | Expiry date Signature Name Address City Province Phone # Home Please mail to St. Paul's Hospital Foundation. #386 - 1081 BC . V6Z 1Y6 oF call 684-UWIN oF 684.8946 to order hickets ee ee ee Postal Code Office Burrard St, Vancouver Lottery #774517 Wwedhesday, June 3, 1992 The Castlegar Sun = Manager's report The Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce and Trav- el Infocentre are starting to see an influx of tourists already, Our two returning travel coun- sellors: Kirstin Mason and Nora Johnson have been working part time for the month of May and will be full time at the beginning of June. They will be taking turns working at the Nancy Greene Travel Infocentre which will be opening on June 8. Our other two new travel counsellors: Vanessa Dooley and Kelly Marsh have begun their training and will start full time for the months of July and August. They will be participat- ing in a familiarization tour with other travel counsellors from the Kootenays on June 5,6 and 7 They will be touring the Koote- Nays so that they are better aware of attractions and become better acquainted with the region. This information will be most beneficial when they are talking to our visitors and convincing them to stay in our region longer. The Travel InfoCentre has recently received some new brochures for those of you who are thinking about planning your holidays — BC Fishing Directory and Atlas; BC Recreational Atlas; and many individual com- munity/regional brochures. The Business Information Centre has seen some activity as well. Our office has been approached by several people interested in starting up their own businesses. The Ministry of Eco- nomic Development, Small Busi- ness and Trade have recently approved computer our Chamber access to a public tender opportu- nities program on line through the government. The tenders are regional, provincial and nation wide. This computer access also allows our Chamber to link up with 94 other Chambers in the Province as well as a direct link to the Ministry itself. Our resource library is growing and is always available to our members, one of our newest is the BC Pub- lic Sector Book. It has various information about the govern- ment, services and cities within the province. If you are interested inthe public tenders or need to know something about another city or region, all members are urged to contact the Chamber and find out what this access can do for you. Chamber members share free access, non Chamber mem- bers will have to pay the $30 per hour fee We haven't received much response in regards to the shoplift- ing/internal theft seminar. Letters were sent out requesting your input, but only a few have respond- ed. If we do not get more responses by the second week in June, the seminar will be cancelled. I have started my membership visits and the membership display rack is growing, but still has room for more. For those of you whom, I haven't dropped by to see yet, I will be doing so over the next week. If you would like to drop your business information off at the office, please do so. This is the perfect opportunity for mem- bers to promote their businesses. Membership is growing and new RENEE READ will see what I can do. I know it is only the beginning of June but the Chamber's year end is coming up the end of August and we will be looking for nominations for the Board of Directors. Anyone who is inter- ested, please give me a call. If you would like to take an active part in the community this is the perfect opportunity for you. The Chamber will have a membership lists are ilab the Chamber office. Eeacaiber — support Chamber members. The Chamber will not be hold- ing luncheon meetings during the summer months of July and August. The last one will be on Thursday, June 25, at the Fireside The Federation of Canadian i it have an “Cc, progi ig ties Together”. Civic and commu- nity leaders from Hull, Quebec will be visiting Castlegar through Program at this time and have d to come to our Chamber luncheon as guests. Bring a friend or business associate to our next luncheon and welcome our visi- tors from Hull, Quebec. If at anytime you have a spe- cific speaker in mind that you would like at one of our lun- cheons, please let me know and I COMING EVENTS June 1-28 — Wine & Pine 1992, First Annual Celebration of BC's Creative Chefs and Winemakers. June 5 — Miss Castlegar Pageant June 6 — Workshop for Inventors, Entrepreneurs BC Institute of Technology, Burnaby, BC. June 8 — Nancy Green Travel Infocentre Opens. June 13 — Selkirk College Graduation. June 15 — Marilyn Strong of Strong & Associates will be holding a seminar on “How to Get the Best Value from your Telephone Directo- ry Advertising Dollars”. This seminar will be held on Monday, June 15, 1992 at 7 p.m. in the Arts and Crafts Room of the Castlegar & District Community Complex. If you would like to register, please contact, Marilyn Strong, Strong & Associates, 607 - 18th Street, Castlegar or call 365-5626. June 20 — Stanley Humphries Secondary School Graduation. June 25 — Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce Luncheon — guests from Hull, Quebec. June 26-28 — Sunfest map/sign in front of the office that will have businesses, phone numbers and locations on it. Don Berger, from Sign Up Signs, will be approach- ing all businesses to participate. Chamber members will be identi- fied-on the sign and will also receive.a discount on advertising. A mock up of this sign is located in the Chamber office, if you would like to see it. Thank you to all volunteers and directors for helping at our garage sale. We will be organiz- ing it earlier next year and it will be bigger and better than ever. The, winners of our raffle at the Garage Sale were: First — $25 Gift Certificate courtesy of Taylor’s Place — William Fields. Second — 2 Propane Cylin- ders courtesy of ICG Propane — Dana O'Brien Third — 2 Chocolate boxes and stuffed animal courtesy of United Way — Janet Ball Congrats to all! Silver Rattle Antiques 301-11 Ave. Castlegar, (in Tulips Building) 365-5191 Reusing and recycling means that you will need to separate your wastes at home and work. This is proposed in the R.D.C.K. DRAFT SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN. District consultants will reduction, re-use, and reey clin, changes to some landfills. ARE YOU AWARE THAT YOU MAY HAVE TO SEGREGATE WASTES IN THE FUTURE? Public Meetings for Stage 2 of the Plan are coming up. _ Regional present preferred options for waste Programs, as well as possible How 0 you feel about the proposals? Attend the public meeting in your area. OPEN HOUSE 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC MEETING 7:00 p.m. June 23, 1992 - NELSON - Heritage Inn, Hume Room June 23, 1992 - NAKUSP - Senior Citizens’ Hall June 24, 1992 - CASTLEGAR - Fireside Inn June 24, 1992 - NEW DENVER - Knox Hall June 25, 1992 - KASLO - Community (Scout) Hall June 25, 1992 - CRESTON - Recreation Centre 66 Vernon Stre Nelson, B.C. VIL 4E9 Phone: 352-6665 Participate —- Be part of the solution! nal District sot Central Kootenay CHAMBER NEWS | CASTLEGAR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1995 - 6th isons el B.C. VN 4B7 + (604) 365-6313 + Fax (604) 365-5778 TOURISM STAT: Did you know that BC leads Canada in tourism stats for 1991 Statistics Canada says that BC outperformed the rest of the country in 1991, with a 2.4 per cent increase in international incoming travel over 1990. Alberta was — 0.9 per cent Ontario was — 2.5 per cent Quebec was — 3.4 per cent As a whole, Canada was down 1.8 per cent. The total number of US visitors to BC in 1991 increased by 2.7 per cent over 1990. It is esti- mated that the travel activities of US visitors contributed 15.3 per Although the provincial govern- ment does not provide grants or loans for such projects, they are able to provide advice to Canadi- an and overseas individuals and companies seeking investment and development opportunities in the tourism industry. This service is provided in cooperative with International Trade offices of the Ministry of Economic Develop- ment, Small Business and Trade Contact the Chamber office at 365-6313 for more information WE’RE GLAD YOU ASKED Here are a few sample ques- tions Tourism British Columbia receives. You can just imagine what kind of questions Tourism Castlegar receives! * How much does Mt. Robson weigh? + Where's the hotel in BC where the ducks come out of the foun- tain, walk into the lobby and into the hotel elevator? « Where can I rent a couple of reindeer for two weeks? + I have to do a report on Canada. Can you tell me how the outsides of lights are made? * Do you shop in supermarke’s or at flea markets? » Do you have indoor plumbing? (My favourite) + Do you have x Higher? information on the Trans Elasti cent of the total exp by overnight visitors to the province in 1991. Vehicle entries from the US increased nearly six per cent in 1991, a slight increase over 1990. ‘The majority of visitors from Wash- ington and Oregon come to our Province primarily for the purpose of touring and of visiting friends and relatives. A significantly high proportion of Washingtonians (96%) and residents of Oregon (88%) are return visitors. INVESTMENT CHANCES The Ministry of Tourism is dating its datab: of and developers seeking equity par- ticipation or joint venture partners. Bluetop Burger es e aA SEC Cheese Burger $ 3 65 Deluxe & Fries includes @.8.7 All beef patty with lettuce, pickle, tomato & onion. Topped with ched- dar & served with homemade fries. Open until 9:00 pm ‘Castlegar's only drive thru’ |ENTIC RUSSIAN FOOD EWONEY TOURS Om 1355 Bay Ave., Trail - Big Valley Jamboree uly 8-14 - Craven, Sask. A total of 35 top performers. RENO sessseseeeeee Riverboat July 25-Aug. 1 Phantom Of The Opera August 11-13 - Calgary “Enjoy This Theatrical Blockbuster” Celebrate Canada August 29-September 30, 1992 Celebrate Canada’s birthday by travelling across Canada to the Maritimes and New York City. AUTHI 1521 COLUMBIA AVE. 365-8388 TRAIL, B.C. 368-8446 ¢Tar & Gravel Specialists *Tar & Gravel Repairs *Torch On systems DISCOUNT on all jobs booked before AL-FAB ROOFING "When Quality and Service Count" CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT “Fiberglass Shingles *Total Roof Repairs *Roof Insulation of all types June 15, 1992 KELOWNA, B.C. 861-6068