approves ne'

- Community associations can
_ propose projects for funding »

” Kelth Lowe
Contributing Writer”
GET out your weed eaters!

“In a-motion proposed by Coun. Bill Denault,

“Vancouver District council vated 4-3 on Monday to create a

“tinplate” for a formalized agreement between the district and

_ community-based wrganizations to provide their own local
improvements that might otherwise go unfunded.

Mayor Don Bell, along with Couns. Doug MacKay- Dunn
‘and Heather Dunsford supported the motion, while Couns.
Lisa Muri, Ernie Crist and Janice Harris were opposed.

Crist voiced the concern that the recommendation would
“effect vely create a nvo-tiered approach to community manage-

"ment. . o

“Tt (will) divide the community into two parts,
“The rich and the not-so-rich.”

*“According to Denault’s plan, groups or associations repre-

” said Crist.

. senting a specific: area or interest within the district, will be

esponsible “for: forwarding : projects, which involve . distric

wned land. The g groups will set objectives, determine operating

ind capital costs'and risk/benefit analyses and provide financial .
ind - legal “commitments... The district, in turn, will decide
- whether. to lend its approval to the project. |:
A performance bond of $10,000 was suggested as one of the
quirements council may demand,

‘The “zigzag trail” and tree planting projects in Pemberton
leights were cited by. Mayor Bel amples of possible pro- |

jects that would fit under the new formalized agreement.
Bell: said ‘the enn was neither discriminatory,

North

- ation”

“What it in effect does,”
Bell said, “is assist those com-
munities that mighi be inter-
ested to know how to do it
and nor be left out because
they don't know the system as
well (as others).”

In his recommendatian to
council,  Denault cited
“inereased public intolerance
for increases in) taxation,
inereased downloading frora
senior fevels of government
and increasing fix xed operating
costs for local government” as
reasons for the district's short-
fall, toward local improve-
ments,

Crist countered that coun- -
cil had jilready “squandered”
the Heritage Funa and that

initiative will help dis-
trict’s operational costs..

the motion would only serve

‘o “download and shirk responsibility under (a) halo of cooper-

He said an agreement already existed in principle and this
measure would merely create more bureaucracy, while Muri
conjured sp images of residents being forced to drag their fawn

mowers over district property.
“We did pass a referendum in the District of North

Vancouyer,” said Crist, “We ‘asked all the people, in all: the

+ neighbourhoods, to. contribute: to pay for a library, to pay for i
; succer fields, and on and on it goes. ;
“T don't like what I see at the edge,” he said. “I don't Tike i it

ar all.” .
Referring toa possible option that suggested leasing certain

° Son. ‘Police said he sustained severe “head
injuries. He died one week after the crash...

- Ferguson’s passenger, an 18- -year-old
-man,. and the .. driver ofthe Mazda, a 28-
“year-old : North Vancouvér man, were both

Myles Steven Ferguson died lis. Friday ir in’
A pital. ie

: more details.

ing tothe. North’ Vancouver: CMY
lazer: rolled afte

Every Sunday featuring great..
<< health for gocd living.

treated and released from hospital.

‘Police ‘suspect speed. was a. factor and”
alcoho! use was connected with the collision.
“North Vancouver: RCMP. declined, to- give’

‘The collision i is ‘still ‘under i investigation.

Quite simply, .
North Vancouver's
best location, .
best waterfront. view,

‘best service; most

An una Marie DiA Angelo

parties,. meetings,

--and receptions

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133 Care Ces Court

North Vanover, B.C.
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COUN. Bill Denault says -

Wednesday, October 4, 2000 - Morth Shore ‘News - 43°

pr vemenis

it would mean re-leasing property “back to our taxpayers that
own it in the first place” and called it a “frightening recommen-
dation.” ;

Denault then mocked Muri's reaction by off-handedly refer- -
ring to the recent Olympic Games in Australia.

“In retrospect,” * said Denault, “we should have raised this

motion three weeks ago. The-way some councillors jump to
conclusions, we could hyve sent them to Sydney and maybe got
some medals out of it.”

Denault said the idea of his recommendation was to keep the
district's operating costs in line and inaintain expected levels of
services and amenities in this community.

“It’s as simple as that,” he said. :

Dunsford concurred, calling, it a “good idea,” while also a
rebufting Muri’s objections. :

“It’s not demanding the residents ge out and + sweep side- -.-

walks,” she said. “It’s simply providing a vehicle for Pete fe to ooo

go for ward and share the resources.” 7
Bur Crist referred to an option that would have the district :
assume operating costs toa maximum ceiling, in return for the:
initial capital and labour being provided by the community
organizations. 2
“How do you expect the Pemberton, Norgate, or any - other :

“ratepayers association to £o out and collect tens sof thousands of

dollars to build a sidewalk” "asked Crist.”

.areas to community organizations ata nominal cost, Muri said-j