op LETTER OF THE DAY Industrial foundation opments would make the best use of the now-vacant Fullerton Fill along the North Vancouver waterfront. The owners of the 65-acre site, the Fullerton Lumber Co., are currently negotiating with the Vancouver Port Corp. over the possible industrial uses of the property. But the company is also enter- -taining a proposed mixed-use for the site that would involve highrise residential de- velopment and such commercial uses as a marina. The Fullerton site is the last major piece of undeveloped property along the North Vancouver waterfront; plans for its future : use should therefore be carefully consid- ered. I NDUSTRIAL and commercial devel- site And while an ergument could be made for expanding city residential stock through highrise development on the Fullerton site, a better argument can be made for securing an area upon which to maintain and expand the key industrial component of the city’s «vaterfront. Without a vital industrial waterfront, the good financial health of North Vancouver and the rest of the North Shore would be severely threatened. The area is home to over 50% of Van- couver’s port facilities. They are major local employers, and waterfront operations provide North Vancouver City and District with a vital industrial tax base. It would be folly to build residential housing on a shaky industrial foundation. NEWS VIEWPOINT RCMP strive to serve community Dear Editor: . I am writing in response to an article that appeared in your paper Jan. 10 under the title ‘‘Local assaults assailed.”’ 1 can certainly understand Dr. Hunt’s concern. It is he who has to treat the victims in what are no doubt senseless crimes. It is not my intention to discredit Dr. Hunt, but I do take exception to his comment ‘“‘gutlessness and spinelessness”’ of the RCMP. The RCMP is an enforcement agency, constrained to work within the parameters of the law and the legal system. We have a moral and legal responsibility to serve the citizens of North Van- couver to the highest standard possible. We have dedicated members striving to provide a high level of service under severe pressures. As an enforcement agency, we investigate, and if there is suffi- cient evidence to prosecute, the matter is referred to Crown Counsel. We have no compunc- tion whatsoever in pursuing these serious offences and every file we investigate is done so in zn at- tempt to elicit all evidence possi- ble. Assault offences are down in 1991 at 933, compared to 1,027 in 1990. I wish to reassure the citizens of North Vancouver that we are ever vigilant and always have the best interests of the citizens and com- munities in mind. R.T. Byam, Superintendent Officer in Charge North Vancouver RCMP Detachment Call ICBC back, Moe, to rework their 19% sums — ONE CRIME thai two cut of three B.C. motorists — maybe many more —- won’t easily forgive Mike Harcourt and his consumer minister Moe Sihota is the blessing they gave to a geneial 19% ICBC rate hike. No question about ICBC needing the money to meet soar- ing accident claims. But it should come SOLELY from drivers responsible. I don't know the ac- tual numbers and they don’t mat- ter. What does matter is the prin- ciple — which isn’t changed by the numbers. But just to illustrate, let’s grab a few figures out of the air anyhow. B.C. has about 1.7 million automobiles. If the average in- surance last year cost $1,000, ICBC’s take would have been $1.7 billion. And if it now needs 19% more, we would be talking about raising an extra $323 million for a total 1992 revenue of $2.023 billion. Now let’s make an educated guess that two of three vehicles — a total of t.13 million — and their owners have a clean record with no claims (though I suspect that's on the low side). And suppose their premiums remained un- changed at $1,000 in 1992. This would bring in $1.13 billion for ICBC, leaving $893 million to be paid by the 570,000 bad guys to make up the needed $2.023 billion. So the latter’s BASIC 1992 premiums would average $1,567 — an average rate hike amounting not to give-or-take 19% but to 56.7%. The smaller the percentage of baddies making all the claims, the harder they would be hit. For ex- ample, if ICBC’s financial head- ache came from only one in four drivers, they would be slapped with an average basic $1,760 — a 76% jolt. Those unable to afford it could settle for the bus, shoe ~ leather and healthy aerobic exer- cise daily. Naturally, some fine tuning would be in order. Minor sinners might be let off with as little as 20%-30% extra, while some ma- jor culprits could be hit with sev- eral hundred per cent. No prob- jem here, however. Why do you think the Lord gave ICBC com- puters? And, as I say, the actual numbers are unimportant. What IS important — assuming there’s a God — is simply that the inno- cent don’t subsidize the guilty. If you’ve a clean record for years, the only extra you should ever pay is the annual inflation increase. Oh yes, I know this flies in the face of ali accepted insurance principles. But 19% across the Noel wee Le ’~ AND YON HITHE! board flies in the face of natural justice — as well as keeping the worst problems on the road. So help 2 million-odd voters forgive you, Moe. Call ICBC back cnto the carpet right away and : show it how to rework its surns. Sorry about that, you otherwise nice bad guys. But fair's fair! WRAP-UP: Bod-'n-curtsey night this year is set for Saturday, May 9, when the 1992 white-gowned debutantes will be ceremonially presented to Lt. Gov. David Lam at the 47th Military Ball | (celebrating VE-Day 1945) in the Hotel Vancouver. Eligible are’ young ladies aged 16 to 21 spon- sored by a serving or former of- ficer in H.M. Forces, and the ap- plication deadline is Feb. 15. Call Capt. P. Edmiston, 931-9058, for ‘info and forms ... “Fresh Start’”” . —~ the Cancer Society’s quit- smoking support group for repen- tant puffers — begins Tuesday, Jan. 28. Details from 985-8585 or 925-1952 ... Wanna take up art? Adult programs in basic drawing’ and painting are held weekday evenings at Ron Andrews Rec Centre — dial 987-PLAY for detaiis ... And happy birthday wishes tomorrow, Jan. 25, to Kiwanian Jim Reavill. WRIGHT OR WRONG: If you value people who never talk about other people, make friends with an egotist. 986-1337 Go 986-1337 North Shore Display Advertising: 980-0511 Distribution managed Real Estate Advertising 985-6982 Subscriptions Classified Advertising 986-6222 Fax 985-3227 Newsroom 985-2131 Administration 985-2131 ESS MEMBER Scn’%< re rd ia ad a 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, SDA DIVISION North Vancouver, B.C. = V7M 2H4 61,582 (average circulation, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday) Entire contents © 1992 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved. Publisher Peiler Speck Managing Editor... Timothy Renshaw Associate Editor Noel Wright Advertising Director .. .Linda Stewart Comptroller Doug Foot North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and qualitied under Schedule 111, Paragraph Ili of the Excisc Tax Act, is published each Wednesday. Friday and Sunday by North Store Free Press Ltd. and distributed to every dour on the North Shore Second Class Mai Registration Number 3885. Subscriptions North and West Vancouver, $25 per year. Mailing rates available on request. Submissions are welcome but we cannot accept responsibility tor unsolicited material inctuding manuscripts and pictures which should be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. v ee north shore’ photo Cindy oodms WHY SHOULD the blameless pay more for the hospitalized driver who wrapped this car round a pole and was charged with speeding in unsuitable conditions?