AT - Friday, November 9, 1984 - North Shore News Hl mailbox [>< ‘Erroneous statements’ Dear Editor: Because of the municipal election on Saturday, November 17, 1 have been asked to refute some of the erroneous statements that have been made concerning some aspects of municipal administration in West Van- couver. The following mat- ters can be checked with Dunwoody & Co. (auditors for the Municipality), the Minister of Municipal Af- fairs and the permanent staff of the Municipahty. DEVELOPMENT COSTS Since 1979 developers have paid in full for all the on-site costs---roads, water supply, storm water drains, creek protection, retention ponds, underground lighting, etc. In addition, they have to pay the development cost charges for off-site water, roads, open spaces and drainage. These facts are the com- plete opposite to statements that have been made recent- ly. Many other municipalities do not require these payments. At this time, of 25 organized mumeipahties in the Lower Mainland, IS tmpose development cost charges and of these 15, only one (Pitt Meadows) charges more than West Vancouver. COMMUNITY PLAN Our Community Plan was put into place in 1980 after a full series of public meetings from one end of West Van Reasons why food so costly Dear beditcu Re Dt Creo R letter “SBritush bood Cheaper” (Sundays 1 suggest that Or can casily “unknown reason it de compares the wages and Capen Much Okt 2%) COopet discover the Salary Structure oof Beitain, ald Canada tememberurg Phat One Aan S Wap bine beats ro amother s price Nerother ob saving re me beat | pethiape alse appli ated ved expert vote bread barre ced Prevthr sides RJ hing North Vancouver Carry on regardless, Mr. Collins! [dee Bodutaot Poouenda tye! toothye Paeaabert et Writing bes te wapatpens beat wrcatly Fear rh boat the rest SA ote stbhe svt ty pertaty abe tveod Lr ae et eee § ee ee ed ryoctaeet by Miron wt strall Vee bovery hoya on rts aye ryt onde, wy who tas the cab atic wl MA Conmeape Fo say on cae tl rn MAL Covedtans viv hy Nye WOES thiert rhe Say ities tra vboe a riaedve city of Sandy Coded tee ee sterreab te cae sth som redy Shetha Black West Vancoursce couver to the other. prescribed only two aad a half residences per acre above the Upper Levels Highway (compared to four and seven to the acre in the older parts of West Van- couver). This protects West Vancouver from the den- sities Of population that have caused near-slums in some municipalities. TAXES West Vancouver’s§ taxes are NOT, as has been stated, the third highest in the Lower Mainland but in- deed---as a percentage of assessed values---one of the very lowest in Canada for a developed municipality. Considering that, within our tax income, we are paying for our sewerage system and many other developments, we can be proud of our low tax rate compared to some municipalities that have had their sewerage systems, water systems, road systems, etc. paid for over 30 years or more ago. **DEFICIT” It has been stated that DEEPSEA SHIP HARBOURS are never beau- tiful with their dock machinery and shipping chaff but West Vancouver has a God-given, grandstand seat to the best part — the en- trance/exit of one of the world’s greatest ports there is an $18 million deficit in West Vancouver. THIS 1S ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE. Anybody with any experi- ence in municipal gov- ernment knows that no municipality is permitted to have deficit financing at all. West Vancouver does have some $17.5 million CAPI- TAL DEBT. This is to pay for our sewerage system and our water system, including the Eagle Lake water supply, extending up to the next 20 years. Such debt is normal capital financing common to all municipalities, and is lower than most. FORESHORE LEASE The Foreshore Lease from the provincial government allows the Municipality to arrange the subleases for our commercial marinas and to ensure they operate proper- ly. It also permits us to pro- tect the community against unwanted trespass or en- croachment. As well, it enti- tles the Municipality to give small subleases or permits to encroachments that do no harm to the public domain where 5,000 vessels flying flags of 40 nations parade past our win- Despite being the envy of so many, we lucky people have never had the ambition to ex- plort this super, natural gift untl a few years ago when the plan was begun to pick up the beachfront properties as they became availa- in the five-block sea- frontage between Ambleside Park IXth street, dows yearly. ble. Now, and the municipality owns 69 percent of that remark able landstrip, makiny tC possible to start on sections without further acquisitions ning now, the Ambleside Waterfront Plan will be our fitting new face to the world of ships and (tourists as we begin the 2ist Century exciting, worthy prospect, not only for visitors’ but for our own delight as well never tire of the changing scene only a few gaze, yards offshore. Beyin- lt isan We will and are, legacy back. Almost all the foreshore residents are most happy with this arrangement to legalize any acceptable en- croachment. An independent advisory committee for this subject has been set up. Our costs of administering the lease in 1985 are budgeted at $15,000. Our revenues, mainly from the commercial subleases, are estinrated at $50,000. It is regrettable that the unjustified opposition to this excellent arrangement delayed the matter and cost in most cases, from many years the Municipality an estimated additional $10,000. **SECRET’’ MEETINGS Allegations of ‘‘secret’’ and ‘‘in camera’’ meetings by Council are COM- PLETELY UNTRUE. The only ‘‘in camera’’ meetings concern personnel and land negotiation matters. More public hearings have been held in the last few years than in any 10 years Itasonly npht to return the scaview to thas and COMMAP penerations and there as approval in the ever increasing use of Che prand scawalk The about to be of P&th portion will devclop Ambleside Vilhape westof P&th revitalized cast alturday ai Maus Re-elect With Confidence DERRICK HUMPHREYS, Mayor. previously. The advent of television in the council chamber and notvication of agendas in the newspaper are further evidence of wide open public discussion by Council. STIPENDS The stipends of the Mayor and Aldermen have been SIG refuted criticized. The facts are that the full-tume Mayor is paid $27,900 per year---or 76 cents per capita of the popu- lation. Aldermen receive $8,400 per year---or 23 cents per capita. Derrick Humphreys Mayor West Vancouver NET 1.3 A Good Buy At Today's Prices BRAND NEW 4984 4 Door Sedan SAGAAIS. #L45412 Simon Fraser Lada Inc. 60841 E. Hastings D6376 2941-7763 Dual Fuel Option Available ~Votng Day Novorsbear | Advane e Poll Now 9 14 14 16 8 Wam toby om ve Ipal Hell STABILITY, INTEGRITY, HARMONY. Patihiahed try the ( onmsrution to fo blot Murgteeayn without competing with businesses there; fea- ture a small civic centre with pier at 14th St.; provide a marine-oriented public square at 15th for craft shops and studios — all linked by a splendid promenade hugging the tide some places and meandering around tree-framed vistas other places. It will not be another Lonsdale Quay or Granville Island. The Village scale and the local ambience will be kept with most of it as expertly landscaped open space. As with all progressive action, there exists a small minority of non-visionaries who regard the fu- ture as only one day at a time. them the wheel would have been the devil’s invention. their Instamatics at famous world proclaim against (heir own - - - theless, this Mayor and Council will continue to keep a collective eye on the stars, remembering to keep our feet on the yround of economic reason, while we peton with the exciting yob ahead. Almyht?) Your Vote of Confidence will allow this to begin to happen To They point views and Never