WEDNESDAY
S I N C E
1 8 9 5
JULY 25, 2012 Vol. 117, Issue 143
Duo brewing up cool idea
1
$
10
Page 2
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF
ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALM SALMO
Business licence protest puts downtown economy in spotlight BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
The plight of the city’s downtown business community has prompted a business owner to protest and not pay his business licence for the last five years. The last time Trail Awards and Promotions owner Roger Catalano paid his $90 annual business licence fee was in 2007. He now owes the city $450 in fees, but he wanted the infamy of being the second most delinquent business owner to be his soapbox for a greater issue: the ailing local economy. Catalano used the occasion of his notoriety to write a letter to council—a response to a city letter requesting the negligent fees—decrying the fact city council has not taken “any action what so ever” in the loss of 16 downtown businesses in the last few years. He accused the city of not keeping tabs on what was happening in the local economy, and that the first signs of trouble began five years ago when businesses began closing. “We are in a dilemma of losing all businesses in the downtown,” the former city councillor (1999-2003) and business owner of 65 years, said. “This is not personal, but a wake up call from a business.” He called for the dissolution of the business licence, removal of parking meters, and re-instatement of the Business Improvement Area (BIA). The BIA was instrumental in drawing attention to the downtown in the past, said Catalano, and it is needed again. The BIA would identify and pursue additional businesses to include into the downtown core, and help promote the ones that do exist.
TECK
Will millions in contract bonuses trickle down? BY BREANNE MASSEY AND TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
TIMOTHY SCHAFER PHOTO
The last time Roger Catalano paid his for his city business licence was in 2007 (right). The Trail Awards and Promotions owner is protesting what he perceives to be the city’s inattention to the local economy. It would work independently from the Downtown Opportunities and Action Committee (DOAC)—an arm’s length city committee struck to redevelop the feel of the downtown—a body that Catalano questioned. “With 16 empty spaces in its core, what is the sense of bringing people into the downtown when we have all of these empty stores? What is here for them when they come?” he asked. City councillor Kevin Jolly defended the work being done
by the current DOAC in laying the groundwork for a beautiful and enticing downtown as “necessary.” He also pointed to an ongoing exploration of a bylaw under the Community Charter that would allow the city to exempt properties that are improving their premises from paying extra taxes associated with a higher assessment. That move is part of council’s plan to foster a positive environment for growing businesses and a local econ-
omy, he said. “It’s not government’s job to open businesses. It’s our job to create conditions where businesses can succeed. That’s what we believe we are doing,” he said. Although Jolly refuted the notion the $90 business licence fee was an onerous cost for a business, and that parking meters were also a deterrent for downtown shoppers, he pointed to larger forces at work that have hampered the success of
3!6% DUE TO RECORD 3!6% NEW VEHICLE SALES... WE HAVE A GREAT SELECTION OF LOW MILEAGE 2004 - 2011 PRE-OWNED TRUCKS!
Several million dollars could be injected into the local economy after Teck Trail Operations handed out signing bonuses to over 1,300 employees two weeks ago, but the question people are asking is how much of that money will stick. Six weeks ago United Steelworkers Workers Local 480 validated the first installment of a five-year collective agreement with its two unions, ensuring “business continu“... I would hope ity” and “stability” that if they are in Trail with one of spending it, that the best packages to date. it would go The first install- directly back into ment was paid out the community.” roughly two weeks ago, and Local 480 DOUG JONES president Doug Jones said that union members have been receiving “very positive feedback” from the community. “Teck is doing very well right now,” Jones said. “They’re financially in a good spot and there are a lot of good things happening around here. It’s obvious they’re going to stick around for awhile and I think this (deal) stabilizes everything.” The agreement included the first ever fiveyear contract with a record breaking $10,000 signing bonus, prompting speculation about whether it could have a ripple effect in the local economy. But it was unclear whether employees would invest or spend their earnings locally, Jones said. “I would hate to guess how employees spend their money,” he explained. “But I would hope that if they are spending it, that it would go directly back into the community.” While some local retailers have seen a slight spike in sales, they are reluctant to pinpoint exactly how much money Trail’s economy could see as a result of the recent deal. “I think we’re still seeing the same amount of people each day, but I think more people are making decisions to buy,” said Shawn Brandt, the financial services manager at AM Ford Sales Ltd.
See U.S., Page 3
See CITY, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: 250-368-8551 Fax: 250-368-8550 Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Trail BC
2880 Highway Drive Trail 250-368-9134 DLN #30251
www.championgm.com