asecond
opinion

“1M sorry, your
Honor, 1 was confused.
You see, I couldn’t
remember where I
could smoke, where I
<ould speed or where I
could gamble.”

This is the kind of absurd
defence our courts are likely
going to hear as we head
into an increasingly frag-
mented future, where com-
munities will simply do their
own things, passing a bizarre
variety of focal bylaws as
pat of a patchwork quilt of

efuddlement.

It has a lot to do with

“weak governments and even
weaker politicians, afraid to
pass laws for all British
Columbians.

The rationale seems to be
that, instead of risking the
possibility of offending any-
one, communities should be
allowed to decide which ser-
vices, amenities or regula-
tions they wish to impose
upon themselves, Heaven
forbid that our lame provin-
cial political leaders — of

Restaurant Hours of Operation

Starting Monday, March 3, 1997

ch 2 nd

ETA

Gov'ts boun

both the government and
opposition variety —— should
be required to take a stand
on an issue.

Asa result, we now have
a growing list of tentative
quasi-policies, flown as trial
balloons and implemented in
a haphazard fashion.

At the slightest sign of
criticism, our timid political
bosses run for cover. And
the excuses and rationaliza-
tions from the fikes of both
Glen Clark and Gordon
Campbell are truly faugh-
able.

For instance, the premier
now says he would never
force a Las Vegas-style gam-
bling casino on a community
that didn’t want such a facil-
ity. And the opposition
leader says that such an issue
should be decided by a local
referendum in each commu-
nity concerned.

But where do they stand
on the issue? What are their
principles?

Our politicians use tired
cliches such as: “We don’t
believe in a one-size-fits-all
approach to public policy.”

aren the face of ie this
sounds pretty good. But
what they’re really saying is
they don’t have the nerve to
make decisions that might
possibly alienate even a small
number of voters. And the
consequence is an inexcus-
able amount of confusion
now creeping into our lives.

_ Right here on the North

Monday through Saturday
Tlam - 2:30pm

Shore, the emerging chaos is
already apparent in the way
our three municipalities are
approaching a couple of
important issues: photo
radar and smoking.

In the absence of uni-
form provincial policies, our
local governments have
decided to go their own sep-
arate ways. North Vancouver
City, for instance, is in favor
of photo radar, as was North
Vancouver District. But the
district recently passed a res-
olution reversing its posi-
tion, saying effectively that
there would be no photo
radar until the provincial
government figured out how
to share the revenue from
fines. Meanwhile, West
Vancouver has been opposed
to photo radar all along.

Motorists can be forgiven
if it’s unclear where photo
radar is in effect on the
North Shore. However,
there’s less confusion about
whether politics are now
taking precedence over pub-
lic safety. Needless to say,
drivers should refrain from
speeding regardless of the
jurisdiction.

But all this is nothing
compared with the baffling
world of smoking regula-
tions on the North Shore.
The only certainty is that by
the time you figure out the
rules affecting this important
public health issue, they’re
bound to have changed!

North Vancouver City

ym, 10 30any -

sclow:

2 for I SUNDAY BRUNCH

Pay $15.95 for one, get che second one free
(valid only Sunday, March 2. 1997 or Sunday, March 9, 1997>
Please present this coupon to redeem your Sunday Brunch
Ten ce ee ese ee eo es es ee ed

For reservations or information, please call: (60-4) 922-9576

or fax us at: (604) 896-2327

FURRY“ REEK

Gof ana Country Clee

PRRIENCE

TEE SPL

SACULAR

seems to be moving towards
a total ban on smoking in
public places. Depending on
the outcome of a scheduled
March 24 public meeting,
this prohibition will come
into effect at the end of this
year.

Burt if the behavior of
North Vancouver District
council is any measure. then
you shouldn't count on easy
implementation. A proposed
district bylaw that would
have resulted in a 100% ban
on smoking in restaurants
and drinking establishments
has now been amended. If
approved next Monday, then
restaurants in the district
will need to designate 70%
of their space as non-smok-
ing, while 30% in pubs and
bars will be required.

West Vancouver was also
initially in favor of a 100%
non-smoking bylaw. But the
previous council watered
this down by phasing in the
ban over several years.
Under the current bylaw,
West Vancouver will be
smoke-free by the year 2000
— that is, if council mem-
bers don’t change their
minds.

Clearly, these are tough
issues, wrestled with by our
local representatives, but
with little direction from our
political masters in Victoria.

If we can’t achieve con-
sistent policies here on the

j COMMUNICATIONS INC.
CELLULAR * PAGING « SATELLITE

North Shore, you can imag-
ine what a mess it 1s to fig-
ure out where the rest of the
province stands on these and
other regulations.
Decentralization might seem
attractive and desirable, but
when pushed too far it cre-
ates uncertainty and bewil-
derment, which isn’: good
for business, or peace of
mind.

We're in desperate need
of leadership on a province-
wide basis. It’s going to take
some guts. It’s going to rake
politicians who have princi-
ples and who aren’t afraid to
stand up and be counted.
It’s not enough to hide
behind the skirts of local
autonomy.

To govern is to choose.

—— The North Shore News
believes strongly in freedom of
speech and the right of all
sides in a debate to be heard.
The columnists published in
the News present differing
points of view, but those views
are not necessarily those of the
newspaper itself.

F reranire

LEVIS OU

inline inside

Dear Editor:

In response to your article
“Lynn Valley sports court
planned” (Jan. 26 North
Shore News), I agree with
area residents’ concerns and
some of their suggestions. It
makes no more sense to build
another neglected outdoor
facility than it does to build
an outdoor bowling alley.

An enclosed facility could
benefit a variety of users, year-
round, while at the same time
minimize impact on residents.
Ir would also generate rev-
enues similar to an ice arena,
without the high mainte-
nance costs of ice upkeep.

However, the point missed
is that any facility built should
be in replacement for the loss
of the Ross Road fiasco. I
doubt the area kids would
appreciate any facility built
that is not in their backyard.

North Shore Kinsmen
Inline Hockey League ©

Lube, oil & filter change
Reg. $28.95 Pennzoil 10W30

ME Not vaiid with other offers

1362 Marine Drive 980-9115

Mon-Sat 8:00am-6:00pm,
petitor’s coupon of equal value accepted

Sun. 9:00am-5:
Expires March 1

thon’ coupon of equal value scored Espines March 1357]

Gét30 unlimited
Home Free calls a
month for: i'year. |

| Plus your first’

days local
airtime free.

#2 - 987 Marine Dr., North Vancouver 988-3300 |

1-525 Suyinour St.
Vancouver
689-3300

a711 Kingsway
Burnaby

436-3300 244

13734 1041n Ave

$83.
101-3278 Westwoog Si.
Couuitiam

“3300
#3-196398 Fraser Fwy.
Langie:

#4-32330 3. Franer Way
Abtotstord

AaGY-3322
46-45300 Luckanuck Way
Chillevack.
824-8470

ingiey
§30-3300

8 informed: Free phone and $25.95. a month ceilutar plan based on a 36- month transferable contact. New customers only, OAC. Uniimited
weekends start Friday at 6 00 pm and end Monday at 700 am. Weekday evenings start at 6:00 pm and end at 7:00 ain. Non-free daytime
periods are charged 55¢ a minute Annual radio system licensing fee of $48, long distance charges and taxes extra, Early cancellation fees

apply Home Free calls unlimited in length - maxinum 30 calls per month - local calls only. Home Free calls must be to customer's registered
BC TEL residential land!ine number Free cally home applicable only to cails made on the BC TEL Mobility network. Limited time offer.