COVE CLIFF SCHOOL PLANS Reader clarifies issues Dear Editor: In the environmental crunch created by the North Vancouver School District’s attempt to culvert 420 feet of Myrtle Creek, we are all facing a complex situation in trying to accommodate a much- needed educational facility within an environmentally-sensitive set- ting. It is regrettable that the North Shore News has failed to facilitate community understanding of the issue. In your News Viewpoint, School Priority, you editorialize that in waving “the environmental flag” we are really masking ‘‘concerns stemming from self-interest and resistance to neighborhood change.’’. We contend that our responsible self-interest in preventing an im- portant environmental offence is no less socially worthy than the *‘self-interest’’ of the parents wishing optimal opportunities for their children’s education. Neither ‘‘self-interest’’? deserves belittlement. Both interests are vital in today’s community. With regard to the North Shore News’ impartiality in this matter, in the Sept. 10 article Cove Cliff school put on hold we note the un- . critical acceptance of statements made by school board spokesper- sons, chairman Don Bell and assis- tant superintendant Pat Bell. The allegation that the creek is “serving as occasional sewer back-up” could have been con- firmed or refuted by the district engineer ~ he has recently denied that this is the case. Maitibox policy WHEN SENDING a letter to tbe editer, be sure to include your usme, written legibly, year full address and your tele- pkone number. Due to space constraints we cannot publish all the letters we receive. Published letters may be edited for brevity, clarity, accuracy, legality or taste. | Feature re GRANNY SMITH APPLES R Large Hothouse | TOMATOES Pat Bell’s statement that “‘it is not a productive creek,’ and that “Myrtle Creek has minimal value as a salmon habitat,’’ might have been contrasted with the finding of 2 Fish and Wildlife Branch study that Myrtle Creek and Buntzen Creek are the only two streams entering the 25-mile shoreline of Indian Arm which should be pro- tected and enhanced -for coho salmon and cutthroat (trout habitat. You accept Don Bell’s state- ments concerning ‘‘the recent discovery’’ of the failure to trans- fe. Burrardview’s title to the school board and the ‘‘recent deci- sion’’ to go from a two-storey to a one-storey building on the propos- ed Cove Cliff site as being made necessary by wheelchair access re- quirements. With regard to the failure to transfer title, this was “discovered” in 1981 and was the subject of correspondence at that time. With regard to the ‘‘recent’’ one-storey decision, Pat Bell now concedes that there was never any paper plan or report dealing with a I can offer you results with experience and a proven sales record. Call me today at 984-9711 for all your personal two-storey option, but that some thought was given this possibility around 1980, The objective of ac- commodating wheelchair access in new school buildings has been with us since 1979. It will be unfortunate if mis- statements such as the News at- tributes to the two Bells are suc- cessful in diverting attention of the parents and public from actual events and non-events — such as the puzzling failure of the school board to apply for funding to the education ministry before its deadline; or the board’s failure to initiate ongoing consultation with site neighbors as requested of it by district council when it expedited rezoning 15 months ago to allow the board to get on with plans. And why doesn’t the board level with us and acknowledge that it is the increase in the area of the pro- posed sports field. by 70 per cent over that shown on the six or seven schemes by its architect between 1979 and 1988 that is really driving the culverting approach? Bill Blakely Peter Smith North Vancouver RALPH HUBER real estate needs. The Sussex Group - $.R.C. Realty Corporation Thompson Soodiess | GRAPES CELERY STALKS = GREEN PEPPERS T- Sunday, September 24, 1989 - North Shore News Screened Top Soil SALE #] — 5159° yd. delivered locally #2 — [129° yd. delivered locally (8 yds. minimum, C.O.D’s oniy) SALE ENDS OCT. 14/8¢ Ones BNO4caARTAGE 287 3000 CUSTOM DRAPERIES AND VALANCES Labour $6.50 per panel unlined, $7.50 lined. CUSTOM BEDSPIREADS AND COVERS Low, low prices on blinds and tracks For FREE Estimates Cali 987-2966 Serving the North Shore for 18 years. CORK ISLANDS 7 nites - 31260 Ale from Sesile, Hotels Vanster 9 nites $773g08 Air, Hotels, Breaitasts, Tancters, Sightseeing 7 nites $1099 | All tnctusiva from Toronta Arbutus Shop 31g 4439 West J0th Helping kids study better. We can help your child develop and improve struc- J tured study methods that will help throughout his school 3 career. Positive motivation, wartn encouragement, an ft experience of success right from the start, and a certified teacher who provides individualized / attention make all the difference. Now enrolling for * Reading © Math ® Study Skills ; ™ © Algebra © Writing. Sylvan Learning oacuem Center. Helping kids do better™ NORTH SHORE 985-6811 RICHMOND 273-3266 COQUITLAM 941-9166