AG - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 22, 1997 College looks to FRBC Natural resources program threatened by $800,000 deficit By JENNIFER McCLARTY NORTHWEST Community College is hoping a partner- ship with Forest Renewal B.C. will save its natural resources programs. Facing an accumulated deficit of $800,000, NWCC has adopted a four year cost-saving plan that will mean a 25 per cent cut in university credit courses, a 30° per cent drop in. pro- prams to train health and so- cial service workers, and the loss of 16 positions to be split between faculty and clerical staff. Administrators were also considering paring down the college’s popular natural resources program, but de- cided to hold back on cuts in the hope that alternative funding sources could be found in time to save the COUTSES. “This program is clearly a winner, so we were fully prepared to take the risk of finding other funding sources and nol make cuts now,"’ college president Michael Hill said in Smithers. ‘‘The program is in jeopardy, however, if we can’t come up with the money.” Hill mel with staff at the Smithers FRBC regional headquarters last week ta begin work on securing funding. Most likely, he says, Forest Renewal moncy would. be .doled. out. over multiple projects, not hand- ed over to the college in a big chunk. At Icast half-a- million dollars would be needed either from FRBC directly or through - industry partnerships — to cary the program through next year, ‘We've been asked by Forest Renewal to prove that the courses offered are relevant to the forest sector and displaced = workers,” says Hill. “J am_ positive that we can do that.”” The college has also ap- plied to the education minis- try for a share of $8 million recently freed up to enhance LAKELSE LAKE Michael Hill forestry programs across the province. If approved NWCC would get $535,000 — enough to provide 60 more seats in lhe program to be shared between full and part-lime students, Currently there are 129 full time equivalents carried by the program, done on funding for only 59 FTEs. The two year natural resources program gives students the option of work- ing in the forestry sector right away afler graduation, or transferring to a univer- sily with full credit. “Our top priority right now is making sure enrolled students will be able to fin- ish their programs,”’ says Hill. The cut in university transfer courses shouldn't affect the Smilbers campus too much, since most base courses such as English, psychology and anthropol- ogy are built into bigger programs. Taking in full and part- time students, plus seminars offered by the college over the school term, Hill estimates that close to 10,000 people use the col- lege between Houston and Queen Charlotte Islands each year, Under the — college’s savings plan, culs will take place over four years start- ing in the new year. The goal is to cut $891,000 from college programs. Park takes reservations LAKELSE LAKE’S Fur- long Bay campground will be one of two northwest provincial parks to go on B.C,’s new campsite reser- valion system this summer. The popular campground, along with the Tyhee Lake site near Smithers, will join 42 olber provincial camp- grounds currently on the reservation system. The program, which began a year ago in many southern B.C. parks, allows campers to book campsites in ad- vance of their vacations. Al- ihaugh the system could have been started here last summer, northwest park managers resisted the temp- tation to jump right in. ‘We wanted to ask local people who use the parks what they thought of il first,” says B.C. Parks’ Jim Haas. Haas says those people surveyed indicated they wauld not oppose such a system -—— so long as it didn’t take away too many sites from Iocal campers. That’s why parks officials decided to set aside only 15- 20 per cent of Lakelse Lake’s sites for the reserva- tion program. In contrast, some of the parks in southem BC have up to 50 per cent of their sites dedi- cated to reservations. The reserved sites at Fur- long . Bay will not be premium spots close to the lake either — just generic campsites. Plus, if the spots don’t get reserved, they will be opened up on a first come, first serve basis. If you spend anytime in the outdoors - boating, yachting, commercial or sport fishing, hunting, mountaineering, snowmobiling - and hive been caught by darkness, then ITT’s Night Vision products are for you. ITT is the choice of search & rescue, law enforcement and security professionals.True Generation 2 & 3 night vision technology - rugged lightweight construction - water resistant P— &floatable- @& highest resulution & chacity. For information or demonstration call Anne Houghton @ 250-638-1472, agent for The Current Sales Corporation. ITT’s technology is the choice of professionals. Ground School Classes for the Private Pilots’ Licence, and Recreational Pilots’ Permit Begin: February 20, 1997 Course Cost: $250.00 Study Kit: $100.00 To register, or far more information please call: Kent at 635-9181 Or Paul at 635-4552 1 Kermode Flyers’ Association ‘We've tried to address public concerms,’’ Haas says. ‘‘The people in the northwest clearly see the parks as their own, and we didn’t want to take that away from them.”’ Lakelse Lake park opera- tors will receive a daily list of reservations by fax to a gatehouse currently under construction at Furlong Bay. To make a_ reservation, campers call a 1-800 num- ber to BC Tel’s Discover Camping Centre, Operators at the centre are able to de- scribe different parks and their facilities, as well as take reservations, Haas says there will definitely be a fee for the reservation service. Last year the fee was $6.00, but that could change. Campers can pay the service fees and camp costs with a credit card over the phone. Last summer, the centre was swamped with phone calls. “They underestimated how popular it would be and there weren't enough opera- tors,’’ Haas says. ‘‘That’s one of the bugs that will be fixed this season.” Z LEVOLOR Decorate early in ‘97 and enjoy Huge Savings on Canada’s Most famous Window Fashions! RIVIERA HORIZONTAL BLINDS & EXCALIBU VERTICAL BLINDS Assoclatlon Member A Levelor “President's Club” Your Decor Terrace Carpet Centre Ltd. 3202 Munroe St. at Hwy, 16 W., Terrace 635-2976 « 1-800-665-1657 © YOUR COLLEGE IN’ YOUR COMMUNITY. 835-6511 Yip Chi Restaurant Is Now Under New Management = FOR YOUR SPECIAL = 8 & = Llentme s ‘@- “* bd ? | oe U/. #5 BF images by Karlene ¥ ye and exe 4 Custom Video & bf a Photography & >t now offers Pd Boudoir Photography. v sre The ultimate gift in fe personal expression. bd sre Personal, private, sve @ professional sd a photography. &b e:< = A husband and wife sve od professional team. bd $54 Call for your oye WP free consultation + oie == 2 x 4652 Lazelle Ave.Baas ah Se 635-4997 D4 xy Terrace >< oie % > oT eo 5D: Ss: SeD:s2 23D: 2; Ct tO sor oe Et oe Angelina was cisdainfully waving among suits of armor in the Paris antique store, trying to keep her sable away from the dust. Her husband was considering a purchase. “Darling Maxwell, I'm madly in love. with you. And | know what a collector you are of 17th century weapons. But frankly, | would rather be spending our money at Bergdorff's in New York. Wouldn't you much rather be buying something pretty than that ridiculous weapon thing.” Maxwell, 70,-looked lovingly at his 26-year-old wife. “Darling, why don’t you go back to our Suite in the Ritz. !’m just going to finish the details of the purchase and for the shipping to our penthouse in B.C..1'li join you there for tea.” Angelina hugged her sable close to her and swept out of the store. Maxwell carefully watched two clerks lift two heavy falls joined to a handle by - two lengths of chain. The urbane antique deaier hovered over Maxwell. “Wonderful purchase, Mr. Roberts. Can you imagine the damage it did when it knocked down people wearing armor. It will look wonderful hanging in your study in British Columbia.” A week later Maxwell and Angelina flew home. At Customs they had a surprise waiting for them. “You're confiscating it? It's a prohibited weapon? | knew the fovernment was out of its mind. But you, Morning Star is Prohibited Weapon YOU BE THE JUDGE by Claire Bernstein Based On Actual Court Cases sirs, re an extreme example of madness. lam not going te use it to rob a bank.” - The customs officials ignored the ~ star, which is a prohibited weapon.” insulting comments of a man who looked like he had lots of influence. “Sorry, Slr, the item you are trying ta import is commoniy known as a morning Roberts didn't waste anytime. He and his lawyer took the matter before the Canadian Internationa’ Trade Tribunal. Roberts argued persuasively. "The law describes a morning star as '...aall of metal ...studded with - spikes and connected to a handle by a length of chain.’ My 400-year-old antique consists of two balls and two chalns connected to a handle. itis not a. morning star as described by the law, Don't let them take my antique away.” Customs stuck to its guns. “Your honor, one bail two balls, what does it matter? The law states that a morning star or similar device is a prohibited weapon. Roberts has tried to Import a prohibited weapon. Forbid it.” : Is Robert's antique a prohibited weapon? YOU BE THE JUDGE. Then look below for the tribunal's decision. SPONSORED mY ¢v \* RS VY & GRU, LAWYERS “Helping People Cope with the Legal System” Se #2 4623 Lakelse Ave., Terrace, B.C, * Criminal Law Divorce & Family Law Child Custody Personal Injury Adoptions Impaired Driving Immigration Wrongful Dismissal Wills Small Claims 638-1764 Fax 638-7249 COURT OVERTURNED THIS DECISION. Roberts is still walting for the reply. YOU BE THE JUDGE - DECISION “IT IS NOT A PROHIBITED WEAPON" ruled the trade tribunal, but the FEDERAL * ROBERTS WENT TO THE MINISTER OF REVENUE. “Please, Mr, Minister. The taw allows for a special import permit in these circumstances. Would you let me have one? And If the answer is rio, then would you: - allow me to donate the weapon to a museum, since it's a shame to have it destroyed? Today's decision is based on the facts of the case and the jaw of B.C. Claire Bernstein is a lawyer and syndicated columnist, Copyright 1996 Haika Enterprises. b6}-10 -. .