MAIL Box——— Menac Dear Editor: I was out running on a Wednesday evening along one of the yno Valley ereeks near my home. To get an hour's jog T have to run up a st creck quite a few times. On the way up a bunch of rowdy pre-teens was gesticulating obscenely (some boys had stuck sticks between their fees). I ghnced at them with contempt and ran on. This obviously angered the little moro’ On my way back the group had positioned a number of bi cles across the path to prohibit me from passing. | spoke with a very angry tone and instructed them to get out of my way immediatel [ continued on my run, and as I passed them on my way up, the whole gang began chasing after me on their bikes, calling me names. [ don't quite know what they said, all I heard was “you: have hair like a witch.” But some p. 4 a young woman with a dog, proceeded to say to the kids in 2 soft th peutic voice: “Do you know what vou are saving, boys?” To this lion heart (and T be very cynical), I say thanks a ton. Vell, they tool se after me on bi the swarming mob- ike frenzy getting evident. With about 40 metres between myself and the louts, I suddenly turned, in a rage, and began running full speed towards them. I was pumped at being prac- tically assaulted and harassed. You should have seen the fae horror struck. They began cunning, scuttling in all directio; caught up to one, and threatened to drag him to the police detachment if he didn’t leave the scene right away. I was careful ch along the ing mob disturbs duration of my run (45 minutes up until then), they had fled. Around me no one did a thing (thanks, all ve brave acigh- bours). Had I been alone, and had the boys (and girls; two at any older, my show of force might not hav ‘helped. not the first time TP have been intimidated by teens while on a run. The fast time it was nwo teens on a motorbike (and they are not allowed to ride such a thing along this path) who raced past, shouting and just about clipping me repeatedly. And there was that by law, Lam not even permitted to carry or use mace unless it is the kind used against dogs, and J could argue these w akin to wild dog As J say, 1 hav safe while running on my own. F have only ¢ n greeted ina friendly manne er by adult men and women alike. The only time I have ever felt threatened was with teens, or pre-tees s, or ina mob. 1am sure our readers on the North Shore know that recent- Iya sizable number of women got swarmed and sexually assault- ed in Central Park, New York, in tull view of police and other park users and inhabitants. Given the atmosphere, the lewd ges- tures I endured, | have no doubt Canadian kids are up to the task, with the added proviso that adult Canadians are more lax and permissive in their attitude to young criminals. It goes without saying that 1 am disgusted at the lack of response I got from people around. As for parents who breed this lor ... not to touch the creature. On my way down again, after hanging around for the entire ridge tragedy remembered Dear Editor: Re: Bridge disaster recalled (June 21 News). . I was in Vancouver the day it hap- pened, and the next day visited the disas- ter site by boat. The Second Narrows Bridge under construction had collapsed and many men had died. It was:a sad and very moving experi- ence, never forgotten every time I have crossed the bridge since then. Now, 40 years later they have renamed the Second Narrows Bridge the Ironworker’s Memorial Second warrows Crossing. | To me this is in the manner and more frighteningly reminiscent of decadent communism than in memory of those who died tragically so long ago. Denis Mason West Vancouver . Hana Mercer North Vancouver No controversy in field Dear Editor: Your front page story (Soccer sparks WV turf war, June 23) demands a response. The standing commince of West Vancouver Council on Recreation Facilitics Master Plan is endeavouring to help the West Van Soccer Club train boys and girls, ages five to 15, by providing lighted fields for soccer practise use only. The committee is working in close co- operation with the school board, whose school play fields are required, process which includes public meeting consultations with neighbours of the selected schools. Councillors Durinan, Soprovich and I, and the school trustees, have met twice with the neighbourhood residents of Caulfeild and West Bay schools. At these mectings the soccer practise/lighting rogram was described and the neigh- uring residents responded with their Trad at Starting 499 Leather. Sofa,. Loveseat, Chair and Ottoman’ ’ Reg. $3698 Ail 4 pieces 7 COLOURS Ii STOCK Limited Quantities questions and voiced their concerns. As anticipated, views motivated by self- interest were expressed by neighbours and by soccer supporters. However mat- ters raised at the mectings did identify shortcomings in the project. design. As a result, the committee has asked the dis- trict and school board staff to review the lighting program, the field selection and the facilities with the representatives of the soccer club and find ways to relieve or minimize the impact on the affected neighbours. There are alternatives and they will be explored to ensure that the council and the school trustees can authorize a pro- which the community will support. This is not a “war” and the committee will not allow the program to founder by any attempt to create controversy. Councillor Allan Williams District of West Vancouver ‘By Yaletown interiors Friday, July 7 , 2000 ~ North Shore News - 9 An independent, co-educational school, K to GS, expanding to Gi2. Mulgrave fosters standards of excdlence in developing knowledgeable, confident, compassionate and public spirited individuats #2,1301. 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