A4 THE FREE PRESS NEWS DECEMBER 17, 2000 Ethanol plant decision in January Biomass president says technology works An announcement on the city’s second proposed ethanol plant won’t be made in time for Christmas. But Joseph Guglielmo, president of one of two ethanol companies scheduled to set up shop in the Prince George area next year, says the time might be right come mid-January — 12 months after the announcement was scheduled to be made. “At this point I can not confirm that anything is happening with Biomass in Prince George,” he says. “Hopefully after the New Year I will be able to say more about this.” Mr. Guglielmo runs Biomass, a California-based subsidiary of Scott of California known for waste management in several large U.S. cities. Though experts say the whole process of creating ethanol, a clean burning additive to gasoline, from softwood waste is untried on a commercial level he says their technology is sound. “Should we end up in Prince George, we would not erect a multi-million dollar facility if we didn’t have the technology,” he says. “Anything else you hear is completely false - it sounds like something that may have been set up by our competitors.” The plant, if announced, would be financed without help from the provincial or federal government, he says. A proposal by Dean Ward would see a second ethanol plant here, which is expected to feed off wood waste previously sent to beehive burners. A report prepared for the B.C. and federal governments indicates Prince George is the most logical location in the province for a wood ethanol plant that would produce the additive used in a clean-burning fuel that reduces greenhouse-gas emissions. Canfor has expressed interest in ethanol plants, saying they have more than enough waste to fuel a number of ethanol facilities. Good Call! TALKING YELLOW PAGES Jjgj564-29 29 Your FREE 24 hour Information Source! Presented in association with The Prince George Free Press • Shoppers Guide • Financial • Soaps • Crimestoppers • Homeowners Guide • Horoscopes • Information Guides • Entertainment • Sports • Health & Fitness • Travel & Weather • Computer Guide • Real Estate • Consumer Tips • Lotto Wilson, King & Company BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS T From Front Mayor off to Belleville plant The province’s Employment and Investment Ministry offered a Pennsylvania telemarketing company, RMH Teleservices Inc., half a million dollars Thursday to help them set up a “customer interaction centre” in Nanaimo. That $500,000 is to help train some of the centre’s 800 staff. At least 100 of those staff are now on income assistance and will be placed at the centre as part of a workplace-based training program. Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley, Councillor Gordon Leighton and select staff members are touring Stream’s only Canadian call centre in Belleville, Ontario December 18 and 19. Stream hired an interior decorator and an engineer to tour The Brick building, one of three buildings it’s interested in here, last week to see if that building would meet its requirements. Company staff are still assessing resumes submitted at their job fair here last month, to see if Prince George has the right mix of employable staff to run their operations. Similar job fairs in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia and Lethbridge, Alberta either did not happen or came back with negative results. The results of Prince George’s job fair are not expected to be known until after Christmas. NET INCOME STABILIZATION ACCOUNT ATTENTION AU Agricultural Producers DECEMBER 31, 2000 is the FINAL Deadline ✓ to submit your 1999 NISA Program APPLICATION; and ✓ to make a DEPOSIT or request a WITHDRAWAL. Remember: You must open a NISA account at a participating financial institution before December 31, 2000 to be eligible to participate in the program. For more information, call toll-free: 1-800-665-NISA (6472) CanadS PRESENTS YOU BE THE JUDGE by Claire Bernstein JUST SAY NO...TO DRUG TESTING! "Here’s your cash. I also deposited the cheques and updated your bankbook. By the way, your scarf is superb," said Phil. “A teller who’s both efficient and charming. How delightful!” The customer beamed as she walked away. Phil called over to Jen, the teller beside him. "Hey, are you coming to the party tonight? Lots of action. Good music, good selection of...” Jenifer hushed him. "This is a bank, for heaven's sake. Our supervisor is in earshot and she doesn’t approve of partying tellers.” Phil balked. “That sour puss doesn’t approve of any fun, even after hours.” “Well that sour puss is our boss, Phil. So, be careful.” The supervisor overheard the conversation. She marched into the bank manager’s office. “I believe we have some young bank clerks with drug problems." The manager looked up from his paperwork. “Really? But they all seem to be doing a fine job.” The supervisor adjusted her pearls. “They keep bragging about wild parties. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were high right here at the bank. They should be tested for drugs." "That’s a little drastic. But let me look into it,” the manager said. A month later, Phil came into work with Jennifer. “Wow, that party was amazing. Let’s get some coffee from the cafeteria. I’m feeling a little groggy.” The supervisor was waiting for them. “Drug testing is starting today. You both have appointments at the lab this morning. They’ll take a urine sample.” Susan protested. “And if we fail the test? Are you going to fire us? You’ve never had a problem with our work!” The supervisor’s jaw tensed “The bank has a very generous policy regarding drug treatment." “Forget it," Phil huffed. “We’re calling the human rights commission.” In court, Phil argued firmly. “Your Honour, the bank's drug policy is illegal. It lets them fire employees who refuse treatment after a failed drug test or who fail the test again after treatment. That discriminates against people with drug problems. There’s no proof of any drug related crime or incompetence at the bank.” The bank argued back. “We have a right to have drug free employees. Your Honour. We go out of our way to help drug users get treatment. Drug tests are necessary because mere observation doesn’t always reveal a problem.” Phil interrupted. “Which proves that drugs aren’t affecting job performance." Is the drug testing discriminatory? You! Be The Judge. Then see below for the court’s decision. 117 T7" W ilson, King & Company Patrick Walter Darrell REAL ESTATE & MORTGAGE TRANSACTIONS Are you purchasing or selling your home? Refinancing your existing mortgage? Rezoning or subdividing property? Problems with a mortgage in arrears? Call Patrick J. Cotter, Walter Babicz or Darrell V. Wade Phone 960-3200 • Fax 562-7777 Call Toll Free 1-800-363-4566 1000 299 VICTORIA STRUT, PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. • V2L 5B8 YOU BE THE JUDGE - DECISION "The drug testing policy discriminates against people with drug dependencies.” held Judge Mandy. "The discrimination isn't justifiable because the drug testing and job performance aren’t connected. A teller who fails (he (est isn't necessarily unproductive or about to commit a work-related crime. These mandatory urine tests are intrusive and unwarranted in the circumstances. If the bank was really worried about job performance, it would have random testing of senior level employees as well." Today's column is based on a case Irom Ontario. II you have a similar problem, please contact Wilson. King & Company or another lawyer in your province. Wc are proud lo bring you some of the current legal issues form across the couniry for discussion and debate. To provide compelling entertainment, vve liar e ficiionali/cd lire names, ihe characters and lire scenarios in tlie case. Any resemblance lo real people is purely coincidental. In the interest ol clarriy and brevity, ihe legal issues in the ease have been greatly reduced and simplified. Claire Dernslein is a lawy er and nationally syifdk aled columnist. C opyright 2000 Hailsj Enterprises. C 2 5 -4