WEDNESDAY
S I N C E
JANUARY 2, 2013
1 8 9 5 Trail market one of year’s success stories
Vol. 118, Issue 1
110
$
Page 2
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
New year serves up hectic calendar
From provincial election to 50th anniversary of Silver City Days BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
It wasn’t the end of the world as we knew it, as prognosticated by pundits citing doom at the end of the mesoamerican (Mayan) calendar on Dec. 21. So most of us are feeling fine now as we look ahead to what 2013 holds for Greater Trail residents. Like a May B.C. provincial election or the return of the provincial sales tax, both slated for an appearance on the calendar this spring. It’s no fooling. On April 1 B.C. will change the way its sales taxes are administered, splintering the Harmonized Sales Tax back into two pieces: the Provincial Sales Tax and the Government Sales Tax. Six weeks later polling, policy and predictions roll into the polls for the B.C. election, with Christy Clark’s Liberals preparing to defend what has been a rocky road and record since she assumed the premiership almost two years ago. Whomever wins, the election coincides with the Chinese Year of the Snake, that begins Feb. 10, four days before the election. Draw any inferences you feel are appropriate. This year will be an academic one for local school trustees as the board of School District 20 (Kootenay Columbia) will be schooled on possibility of shutting down both Rossland Secondary School and Castlegar Elementary School on Feb. 25. The board will be well rested to make their decision, however, by taking in the first B.C. Family Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 11—after the premier created the new day of rest last year. Greater Trail residents will likely say farewell to the Zellers store in the Waneta Mall in March, after the nation-wide chain was sold to Target Canada last year. Unlike many of the locations, Trail will not be receiving a Target store in the old location for 2013. But the chain says additional stores will open in
2014 and Trail could be on that short list. The year could hold the answer in one of the more bitter disputes in the Greater Trail region over who pays what in the delivery of water and sewer services. The arbitration case is now before the province, pitting the cities of Rossland and Trail against each other. In February, 2013 Trail will play host to the best in curling from across the province as the senior men’s and women’s provincials descend on the Silver City. The event could be a preview to who will win the national or world championship. And with the Trail Smoke Eaters in the playoff hunt in the BCHL right now, this year could also put an end to their one-year hiatus from post season play in March. May marks the 50th anniversary of Silver City Days, the city’s venerable and popular spring festival in the downtown. On the hill, Teck Trail Operations is expected to complete its $125 million No. 1 Acid Plant this year. This project consists of building a new acid plant to replace two older acid plants, significantly improving the company’s operational reliability and environmental performance. And if refuting the Mayan predictions was not enough, Kevin Costner’s “Postman”—filmed at nearby Metaline Falls, Wash.,—that saw global society collapses and nuclear war has crippling civilization, was set in 2013. Unless the bombs are en route, this scenario is unlikely to play out soon. And in closing, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says it’s going to be an expensive New Year for Greater Trail residents, who will face tax hikes on everything from health care to property, along with an increase in hydro rates. Medical service premiums in the province are expected to rise for the fourth straight year, with the family rate jumping to $133 per month, up $60. B.C. Hydro rates will rise almost four per cent on April 1, and municipal property taxes will jump in most B.C. cities in July.
STARTING OFF RIGHT
TIMOTHY SCHAFER PHOTO
The proper technique for weight lifting is essential for those embarking on a New Year’s resolution to get into better shape or lose weight, says personal trainer Barb Shields, left, who instructs new gym inductees Brady Shields, middle, and Joel Williamson at Performance Fitness. Jody Fors’ gym on Cedar Avenue has been a hub of activity for those looking for a fresh start on the new year, but they always have room for one more.
City of Trail utility rates climb BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
New Year’s Day ushered in 2013, but it also marked a jump in utility rates in Trail. City council approved hiking the rates for the new year for garbage collection and water and sewer, adding up to a total $16.10 increase for the 2013 year. The total utility bill for a
Trail resident will increase to $669.10 for the year, a rise from the $653 in 2012—and works out to an increase of $1.34 per month. The increase could be minimized for Trail residents, however, by paying the utility bill early. There’s a 7.5 per cent discount for paying before the end of February. That would lower the total bill to $619, a $50 dif-
ference in the total utility bill. “By taking an incremental and long term approach we are protecting ratepayers against significant increases in any one year,” said councillor Kevin Jolly, who chairs the general government and finance committee. The cost for garbage collection and disposal is going See NEW, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242
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