8 — Sunday, September 1, 1996 — North Shore News s Lions Bay, where were you? Dear Editor: Three of the four North Shore municipalities, North Vancouver District, North Vancouver City and the Municipality of West Van- couver, issted proclamations to support the Sth Annual World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1-7). The proclama- tions were part of a Park Royal display, organized through Lions Gate Hospital, North Shore Health, La Leche League, —_ Kaylela House, lactation consultants and parents. Unfortunately, the Village of Lions Bay would not issue a proclama- ‘ton. Lions Bay's reason? “It was jagainst teir policy, as - nothing specific was planned for Lions Bay.” Lions Bay was asked to reconsider their decision based on the fact World .. Breastfeeding Week is an international event spear- headed by UNICEF. The focus of the week was Breastfeeding: A Community MAILBOX POLICY Responsibility. Provincial and federal, governments — are financially supporting breast- feeding, initiatives. Lions Bay is part of the North Shore and women who live there deliver at Lions Gate, use North Shore Health Services and shop at Park Royal. Lions Bay Council did agree to reconsider the request for a proclamation but again voted negatively. They say they support breast- feeding but I can’t help won- der if their ngid adherence to _ policy is an example of the ack of support and attitudes breastfeeding mothers face daily. ‘How do the women of Lions Bay feel about’ their community not wanting to be part of an important event targeting optimum health and nutrition of its littlest cit- izens? . Renee Hefti, consultant, ' World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action ‘West Vancouver .. LETTERS to the editor must be legible (preferably type- ‘written) and include your name, full address and telephone _ number. Due to space constraints the North Shore News cannot pub- oe lish all letters. ‘ Letters can be faxed to 985-2104. ° ‘most areas: EC NUD twinning mini Dear Editor: I see the experts on economic twinning in North Vancouver District, including Mayor Murray Dykeman, have called the trip to Nonthaburi, a city in Thailand, an unqualified SUCCESS, The mayor is proud, he said. According to him the $80,000 of taxpayers’ money was well spent. Even one of the North Van District office managers was proud. Albeit nobody was able to show any financial benefit. Not even a single job. Twinning between cities of countries origi- nated when it became apparent that local gov- ernments in other parts of the world can play a key role in the economic development within their jurisdictions. Municipal pvinning programs, with government agencies assisting, are primarily tailored to meet corporate interests abroad. The only form of twinning carrying potential benefits for municipalities is economic twinning. It provides the only opportunity to recoup some of our own tax ( The politics of public spending in Canada, University of Toronto. Press). Such business deals are often financed through the Canadian-government financed — Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Foreign investment in China, for instance, is approaching a trillion dollars with more to come (U.S. Business). A Canadian city’s twinning efforts can secure orders for its own business community at home. To bring this about an ini- tial political handshake is essential. Hence my efforts in the past. The Russians, too, are recipients of large international investment capital. Oil consor- tiums, with Canadian participation, are very much into exploration and the development of the large oil deposits off the coast of North East Siberia in the Sea of Okhotsk (Ihe Economist). It’s through an economic twinning arrangement that, according to a Federation of Canadian Municipalities Report (FCM), the City of Calgary secured a $3-million deal for its business community. ‘Twinning of American cities throughout the Pacific Rim, said US News, has resulted in addi- tional traffic for U.S. ports. Bur when our own Vancouver Port Corporation asked North Vancouver District to join in the Port’s own twinning efforts with both Shanghai and Viadivostock, we turned them down, But when the FCM, with CIDA’s blessing under the so-called professional exchange pro- gram, asked the district ro avin with Nonthaburi, Thailand, the district agreed. As a result the mayor and the former municipal manager went on a two-week trip to look at Nonthabuni’s garbage. The Thais did return the courtesy, how: ever. They came to North Vancouver’ to look at ours, They also looked at our business machines. Cost to the Canadian taxpayers, $80,000. The trip may have been great for the mayor and the municipal manager who has now left. Where are the benefits, I ask. : soe Ernie Crist, Councillor District of North Vancouver Avoid peopie who bug you by knowing who's on the line before you answer, With Call Display service from BC TEL, for $5.95 orlessa - month. And when you sign up befor vA : : a September 15, you get thirty days free* Plus you can pick up a Call Display unit dirt cheap. It’s the safe, chemical-free method to exterminate unwanted callers. Losing our great view Dear Editor: ; Recently we had rela- tives visiting us from Switzerland, As we drove out towards Horseshoe Ba my sister exclaimed “O dear, what happened.” She was referring to the view. that is rapidly disappearing as the trees get higher. And she’s right. West Vancouver’s view of. the harbor, Georgia Strait, and the sun setting over, Vancouver Island is. surely. one of; Vancouver's: great attractions and one our vis- itors take. away. with them. {'m quite aware that itis: politically incorrect to even think about a tree in any-: thing but a positive: way. I'm not) an ‘arborist so “LT don’t kriow ‘what. can’ be: done, but there are. lots of people who do... Next time you take that drive, check it out. It really is a shame. And: more importantly, think how tastic the alternative: would Mike Stacey _ West Vancouver oo LIITED TIME ONLY: *