4 A8 - Wednesday, February 17, 1982 - North Shore News EE mailbox, Police should catch thugs, not j-walkers Dear Editor: On a cold autumn morn- ing, four criminal types and I were apprehended for the “immoral, repugnant crime” of J-walking, near the corner of West Georgia and our. I feel the social obligation to relate this story from my sordid past as a warning to all those normally good Samaritans that may be tempted to leave the “straight and narrow” for a life of crime. As we bolted from the “people’s limousine” after another sojourn from the far-off, soon-to-be-civilized reaches of Surrey, we were waved to a halt while in the act of J-walking by “the long arm of the law”. The protec- tor of the innocent and upholder of all that is good! Standing with my cohorts in crime, I noticed their facial expressions pass through reserved shock to disgruntied indignation and final hopeless amusement at this admirable attempt by our protectors of the status quo to ferret out and arrrest rebellious subversives caus- ing havoc on our corrupt city Streets. This whole foolish escapade makes me smile when I think of those people who are constantly on the stump for a stronger police force. What do they want? Blue uniformed behemoths bristling at every corner? I for one would feel m- tuumidated, not safe, because it seems that careless misde- meanors are the very things that the police are likely to push their noses into. While the innocent and defenceless would still be intimidated and brutalized by cowardly street thugs and mean ag- gressive scum who seeming- ly continue to go unchecked in their primitive thoughtless and destructive activities. We don't need police giv- ing J-waiking tickets to com- muters trying to get to work on time. While they're carry- No more low-cost housing in City Dear Editor: Is the City of N.V. being involved in a gift-lease land deal in the residential area at 15th & Bewicke? If this proposed expensive (for taxpayer) land deal for low cost housing is finalized with GVRD, it will result in double barrelled subsidies for city taxpayers. It works like this: The federal government borrows its money at 19%, gives it to GVRD at 2% and the City of N.V. enters into a gift-lease arrangement with GVRD andthe beleaguered taxpayer is forced to pay over the years for such ill thought-out ents. 1. The City will lose con- trol of this land and will be forced to carry later finan- cial burdens through GVRD should the tenants in this proposed high density area refuse to pay rental increases in the future as has happen- ed in other similar areas, e.g. Santa Monica. 2. This dangerous pro- posal will not benefit our local people or their children. What if the N.S. Tenants’ Assn. bring in their own supporters who will cn- sure a tighter and tighter squeeze on our fast dwindl- ing tax dollars? 3. High density in this area will add greatly to the traffic problem on Marine Drive, this is even now in a sorry State. 4. This area is zoned P! and City Council should review and assess once more the original planning reasons for this at an open public meeting. 5. 15th and Bewicke is a nice residential area, its character would be destroyed by high density townhouses. Do the local residents approve? Let's face it City council — there is no low cost hous- ing any longer in the City. However, there is still some suitable land in the Surrey and Squamish area. Council should get top market value for its land, that is, if it is tro- ly working for the benefit of Kimball 5100 Series Grands in Walnut, Pecan and Ebony exclusively at CARILLON MUSIC #1O3- 2849 North Road Burnaby 421-5525 our local residents. I wish to refer briefly to the recent letter in the N.S. News written by a second vice-president N.S. Tenants’ Assn. I particularly object to the last paragraph of this let- ter where this “Johnny Come Lately” squawker mentions Ald. Stella Jo Dean. I would inform her that Ald. Jo Dean has served this community diligently and well for many years. We are indeed privileged to have an alderman of such integrity and capability serv- ing on City Council Alice B. O'Keefe Senior Citizen North Vancouver ing on with such foolishness, real crime is going uncheck- ed, making life uncomfor- table for honest people and yes, even J-walkers Waterfront Assn. protests OPEN LETTER TO AREA ASSESSOR H.R. JONES With respect to your letter of February 4, 1982 claiming that this was a late appeal, and cannot be heard, we are of the opinion to the con- trary. A commitment was made publicly by representatives of the B.C. Assessment Authority at a January 15, 1982 meeting of the West Vancouver Waterfront Owners’ Association that ap- peals dated January 20 and mailed that day would be valid. This promise was made publicly in front of over 100 ™ “es If you spend your spare time getting a spare tire, maybe it’s time you got rolling on your fitness program. “A Let’s get our priorities straight once again! Jeffrey Crawford North Vancouver rate payers. People in that audience accepted the assessor's promise in good faith, and acted accordingly. Our group appeal is in that category and we must insist that the Assessment Authority honour its public commitment to hear this ap- I am confident that you will act accordingly now that the situation is explained, and request your. co- operation in advising the date set to hear this appeal. Van Waterfront Owners Association Come comanee Gr oomeegs Cane o. J Quality Styles Senply Sophi sticciltanry 985-7615