c«__Castlégar News rere ! December 4, 1988 Executives optimistic about free trade . business would likely keep its role as the source of most in 1988, By GORD McINTOSH OTTAWA (CP) Almost, 60 per cent of small-business executives in a national survey believe their sales will increase under free trade — but only half as many want government help to take advantage of the treaty. Thirty-three per cent said they didn't know if their sales would increase. Uncertainty was highest in Atlantic Canada with 43 per cent not knowing if sales would increase under free trade. Thirty-eight per cent didn't know in Saskatche- wan. Certainty of a sales increase was highest in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba. In a survey of 2,700 small businesses with sales between $1 million and $120 million and between 15 to 500 employees, the national accounting firm of Arther Anderson and Co. said that 62 per cent of the firms wanted a greater availability of information on doing business with the United States on such things as market research, legal requirements and tax issues The survey, conducted in October, said 30 per cent want establishment or enhancement of incentives to encourage exports to the United States. WANTS ACTION In the same survey, a resounding 65 per cent wanted action on the federal deficit. The method favored by small business to do that would be through cutting government spending rather than raising taxes. Bill Sloan, Anderson's managing partner in Ottawa, said in an interview that the free-trade enhancements the respondents would likely want would be tax breaks or subsidies, “or some incentive to do business there rather than not do business there.” “It contradicts a little bit the m: inly self-reliant stance they take throughout . . . that they don't want government grants and that sort of things.” But he added: “The main message to me was the surprising confidence small business has in the economy generally and in their business and the future and the fact that they weren't at all intimidated by the prospect of free trade.” After free trade takes effect Jan. 1, the two countries will get down to negotiating over the next five to seven years on the question of what's an allowable subsidy under the treaty. On the prospect of exports to the United States, executives were less buoyant than they were on their overall sales figures in the coming: free-trade era Forty-three per cent believed export sales would increase, while 53 per cent didn’t know. FEELS UNCERTAIN The highest uncertainty was in Atlantic Canada and Saskatchewan where 60 per cent and 65 per cent didn’t know respectively. Sloan said the uncertainty could likely be linked to what seemed to be a large appetite for more information about free trade. He added that the survey also indicated small Ontario inventor new jobs in the economy, lle only 11 per cent cut labor strength. In 1989, 52 per cént expect to hire more employees and six For 1989, three of four companies forecast sales per cent expect decreases, increases, with one of four expecting increases over 10 per cent. This year, profitability Will increase or stay the same as last year at almost eight of 10 small businesses, Half the firms surveyed increased their workforces surveyed, Anderson added. Library. Bldgs., 501 Belleville St Cast] e a ad YVicesoria, B. LA4 t Vol. 41, No. 98 60 Cents eS \VEA ar News CASTLEGAR, BRITISH COLUMBIA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 19868 WEATHERCAST Tonight: Mainly cloudy with tog lows near -2° heading into the weeke: 4 Sections (A, [3 10K 02 KOOTENAY BROADCASTING SYSTEM takes product south TORONTO (CP) A disgruntled Ontario inventor is taking his “revol utionary” road resurfacing machine to the United States because the Ontario government refuses to use it, even though he says the machine could save taxpayers millions. “There's been only a lukewarm response (here),” said Frank Crupi, president of Toronto-based RSR Road Surface Recycling Repaving a road conventionally requires taking off the damaged asphalt, trucking it to an asphalt plant, crushing and recycling it, trucking it back to the site and re. laying it However, Crupi said his machine — dubbed the Road Manager — does the entire process while passing over the damaged area. He estimated the machine could cut the cost of repaving Ontario roads in 1989 by one-third, or more than $4.5 million However, a spokesman for Trans. portation Minister Ed Fulton called that estimation “superficial.” The ministry is interested in the invention, but John Packowski said that while Crupi’s machine does a good job on straight roads, it does substandard repairs on roads with curves or basins. Packowski said construction stan dards are different in the southern United States and Florida roads do not suffer harsh weather damage. He said the ministry has used the machine in the past — once to repair a section of a Toronto freeway and once to repave a taxiway used by CF-18 jet fighters in Trenton, Ont Crupi’s company will be considered for other contracts next spring, he said. However, Crupi said in an inter. view he's heard that before, only to have the. contracts cancelled before he could submit a bid. “I can't hold on to threads anymore. I'm in debt and I have to go where the technology has been he cepted.” Rita Travels jig “DON'T MISS IT... 1" Presents... acwNeE ge COMINCO GYM TRAIL, B.C. Monday, December 5 8 p.m. * Tickets $17.50 AVAILABLE AT: * L&J Books, Trail * Pete's TV, Castlegar * Alpine Drugs, Rossland * Summit Music, Creston * Horizone 1-Hour Photo, Nelson E’VE DONE IT AGAIN NOT ONLY DO WE GIVE YOU THE BEST IMPORT VEHICLE ON THE ROAD WITH THE INDUSTRY'S BEST WARRANTY, BUT NOW WE GIVE YOU THE BEST INTEREST! Offer limited to 1988 new vehicles only — Maximum $10,000 over a 36- month term O.A.C. with no payments “His machine has only limited application,” Packowski said. “We have been very fair.” SHIPS MACHINE But Crupi told a news conference on the tarmac at the CP Rail Yards in west Toronto that his hulking, 51-tonne machine was being shipped by train to Florida where he has a government contract. Crupi said he expectsto snag a number of con tracts with nearby states. “We're sending it to Florida be. cause it looks like Americans are more interested in saving tax dollars than Canadians.” He said his company spent five years and more than $4 million de veloping the Road Manager. Crupi said the company is in debt, but wouldn't specify the amount 8 9° Interest until 1989 THE ROAD CAR OF SMALL CARS MAZDA 323 HATCHBACKS, SEDANS, WAGON, GT. GTX FAMILY-SEDAN ROOMINESS MWAZIDA 626 TOURING-SEDAN PERFORMANCE. Bond seeks Texaco CALGARY (CP) — Australian ty coon and yachtsman Alan Bond has launched his second attempt to sail into the Canadian oil industry by entering the race for Texaco Inc.'s Calgary and Toronto operations Bond Corp., owned by the Perth beer, media, resources and real es. tate magnate, announced it has made a preliminary expression of interest in buying the New York giant's 78-per-cent control of Texaco Canada Inc. The move comes five years after Bond was unable to close a $150. million rescue of Sulpetro Ltd., which sank into receivership under heavy debts after the bid by the “white knight” feel through. It was never disclosed whether the Australian's first attempt to break into the Canadian energy industry fell apart due to a lack of money or as a result of some other catch in complex takeover negotiations. Bond, who won international prom. ince by financing the winner of the 1983 America’s Cup yacht race, re cently succeeded in expanding into resoures by buying Bell Resources Ltd. from fellow Australian Robert Holmes a Court. ON ALL REMAINING 1988 MAZDA CARS OR TRUCKS STILL IN OUR INVENTORY! DON'T MISS THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER Expires December 10, '88 100% FINANCING IS AVAILABLE HIGH-PERFORMANCE WWAZDVA WIK-6 SPORTS LUXURY FOR FIVE. SOPHISTICATED HI-TECH LUXURY SEDAN WAAZDDA 929 CHALLENGING THE BEST IN THE WORLD. WORLD'S TOP-SELLING SPORTS CAR MWAZIDA RXG-7 MAKE THIS THE YEAR YOU DRIVE ONE. CANADAS BEST-SELLING IMPORT TRUCK MAZDA TRUCKS #1 INCUSTOMER SATISFACTION 3 YEARS RUNNING.” CALL NOW CALL COLLECT 365-7241 * PHASE 2 x This is the Mazda Way! BmazpDa| IN THE CASTLEGAR AUTO MALL PHONE 365-7241 COLLECT CASTLEGAR Pool gets $700,000 grant Funds for this project provided by Castlégar & District eal Editor The premier and three cabinet ministers were snowed out Tuesday, but that didn't stop Ron Ross, president of the Castlegar and District Project Society, from an nouncing that the provincial govern ment has awarded the society a $700,000 grant for the new aquatic centre Hon. BILL REI “ Ross announced the grant, the first GO BC funding announced at ceremony feeling of pride we all have in our communities,” Vander Zalm said in a prepared statement distributed at the sod-turning ceremony. “This facility has a strong, proven element of local support and commit- ment from volunteers and it will enrich the life of the community by offering a variety of recreational op- portunities,” he said in the state- ment. Hon. HOWARD OIRKS Minister Responsibic Minister of Stat s ate IT'S A GO! . . . Castlegar Mayor Audrey Moore centres the aquatic centre sod-turning team of Area Area J Director Martin Vanderpol (right) during Tuesday's ceremony centre at the Community Complex. Castlegar and District Project Society president Ron Ross announced at the sod-turning ceremony that the | Director John Voykin (left) and society will receive a $700,000 GO BC grant for the new aquatic CosNewsPhoto by Simon Birch BUT LEVELS DECLINING Schools high in CO2 By BONNE MORGAN Staff Writer Castlegar students and teachers could be feeling sick from high levels of carbon dioxide in the schools a recent study of the Central Kootenay Health Unit indicates. Kinnaird elementary school and Stanley Humphries secondary school were chosen at random to be tested in February for carbon diox ide. The levels in the two schools were found to be “quite high,” says Castle- gar school trustee Evelyn Voykin. The Central Kootenay Union Board of Health reports that the health unit found elevated levels of carbon dioxide when it tested two schools in each school district. “We did find elevated carbon diox- ide in the 800- to 1,700-parts-per. million range in some schools,” a report from chief public health inspector Mike Harnadek states. The Central Kootenay Union board of Health feels that carbon dioxide levels above 800 parts per million “on a prolonged basis may cause symp. SONG SHEETS AVAILABLE Song sheets of Christmas carols and traditional tunes are available now at the Castlegar News. Groups and individuals inter- ested in obtaining the song sheets may do so by calling i person at the Castlegar News. The song sheets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the Castlegar News reserves the right to limit quantities. All the well-known carols are included, as well as the more modern pieces such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Winter Wonderland. under the Growth and Opportunity B.C., or GO BC program, at a sod-turning ceremony for the $2.2. million aquatic centre at Castlegar's Community Complex with numerous local dignitaries and visitors looking on in the heavy snow. “We've waited a long time for this,” Ross told the gathering. “The premier was especially pleased that this was going to be the very first GO BC grant in the province.” Ross said Vander Zalm was “im pressed” with the 78-per-cent sup port the aquatic centre referendum received in October. He said the premier feels the aquatic centre re flects the type of project the GO BC program was set up to help fund. “One of the purposes of the GO BC Initiative is to bolster that strong Ferry Castlegar Mayor Audrey Moore, who wielded the sod turning shovel with Areas I and J Directors John Voykin and Martin Vanderpol, said the community “came together” to pass the referendum. “I'm very delighted,” Moore said. Vander Zalm, along with Cabinet ministers Bill Reid, Rita Johnston and Howard Dirks, were prevented from arriving in Castlegar by the snow which prevented planes from landing at Castlegar airport Tuesday morning. The GO BC project was introduced in October at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention at Whist- ler. Over the next 3% years, the prov- inee will commit $162 million to economics, environment: recrea- tional and cultural initiatives prop- osed by municipalities. users ready to appeal By BONNE MORGAN Staff Writer Robson ferry users are set to toms of headaches and fatigue.” Voykin said carbon dioxide levels at Kinnaird elementary averaged 1,200 parts per million in February. When tested again in November, levels had dropped to an average of 750 parts per million. Carbon dioxide was brought down by measures taken by School District No. 9 to improve ventilation, she said “We had found that the duct ventilation registers had been closed,” Voykin said. “When the registers were opened this reduced the problem significantly.” Humidifiers, air conditioners and fans were also used to circulate fresh air into the two schools There are no available standards for carbon dioxide levels in schools and the health unit bases its standard on office requirements for adequate air circulation. On average, carbon dioxide levels in fresh air may vary between 300 and 400 parts per million. Levels of carbon dioxide at Stanley found at the elementary school. The appeal the recent Supreme Court de- highest was about 900 parts per cision not to reinstate ferry service million, Voykin said, and the-main between Robson and Castlegar. problem area at the high school was found to be the gym. She said many things, such as poor air circulation, raise the levels of carbon dioxide. More students in a classroom, especially if they are moving around a lot, will raise carbon dioxide levels. She pointed out that carbon dioxide levels are usually higher in the winter when windows are closed. Voykin said she hopes to see iurther improvements made to the ventilation in the schools so that the carbon dioxide levels can be brought However, the ferry user's lawyer, Terry Dalton, will wait until the be ginning of next week to file an appeal ther prevented any planes from landing in Castlegar. A spokesman for Deputy Minister of Transportation and Highways Bob Flitton said no decision on the ferry has been made. “The deputy minister is investi- gating the options and the discussion is ongoing,” said Louise Graham, adding, “Nothing has really chan- ged." Dalton said everyone who attend- ed a public meeting in Robson continued on page A2 INSIDE EVELYN VOYKIN down even lower. concern in schools, was removed ago, Voykin said. The district re. cently checked to see if there was any more asbestos. “We're virtually asbestos-free,” Humphries were not as high as those... hopes for more improvements Voykin said. Castlegar a facilitator By CasNews Staff As the hub city of the West Kootenay, Castlegar has become a facilitator of regional initiatives, Mayor Audrey Moore said Monday. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Castlegar city council, Moore said Castlegar’s role in bringing surrounding municipalities and districts together is “most fitting.” “As the most centrally located city in the West Kootenay, Castlegar is strategically placed to serve the 60,000 people of the West Kootenay area,” Moore said. “Our infrastructure is in place to accommodate these developments.” The mayor pointed out that Castlegar's role includes: the regional transportation centre for highways, airline, rail and water transportation; @ the regional education centre with the main campus of Selkirk College; © The regional accommodation centre with most hotel and motel rooms located here; @ the regional recreation centre with central access , t s to Kootenay Lake and the Arrow Lakes, as well as access to the Red Mountain and Whitewater downhill and Nancy Greene cross-country skiing areas; and @ the regional centre for the forestry industry. “It is becoming more obvious each year; that Castlegar will become the regional shopping centre as well,” Moore said. In reviewing council's accomplishments this year, Moore said 1988 “was an exciting year — a good year full of very positive initiatives for our city.” “The successful aquatic centre referendum Says it all," Moore said. “We came together as a community with Areas I and J and voted overwhelmingly for this new and exciting recreational facility. In effect, we said we have confidence in ourselves and in our future.” She added that council's commitment of support to Heritage Society projects is “solid” and said council intends to improve its communications with the society during 1989. “We started in 1988 and I'm sure we'll be very successful,” Moore said. continved on page A? The health unit did not find carbon monoxide to be a problem in the schools. Asbestos insulation, another from area schools about eight years TERRY DALTON ready to go next week with the hope that the Ministry of Transportation and Highways will make a decision on the ferry's fate. “If we hear nothing positive at the end of the week, it will be filed early the following week,” Dalton told the Castlegar News. The government had indicated it would wait until after the court case was finished before making a deci sion on the ferry Members of the Robson-Raspberry Ferry User's Ad Hoe committee were hoping to raise concerns over the ferry closure with Premier Bill Vander Zalm during his scheduled visit to Castlegar yesterday. How ever, the premier didn't make it to the sod-turning ceremony for the ew aquatic centre at the Com munity Complex because bad wea WKPL hearing page A2 Lottery numbers The winning numbers drawn Tuesday in The Pick lottery were 10, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 51. Rebels lose page B1