2-North Shore News — Sunday. August 27, 2000 Excuses listed ft From page 1 heating, overloading, running out of gas, doors falling off, a driver being late because he stayed up the night before to watch the movie Gladiater and a drives being up late the night before because his girlfriend tried to commit sui- cide. Jepsen has received e-mails from other cyclists who appear to share his concerns. “The shuttle service provider has had a pret- ty poor reliability record,” wrote Chris Mulder. “The patience of cycle commuters like myself is wearing thin.” Mulder said he had witnessed the shuttle vans “falling, apart before our eyes,” with a range of mechanical problems and broken parts. Commuter Dave Byng described the situation as “a majer problem that needs to be addressed immediately. How difficult is it to run a couple of buses over the bridge on a regular schedule?” Vela-City operator Steve Sokalski said the service was “like any business — things break down. We haven't missed any whole days — we've missed some runs. I'd say the percentage of trips made sompared to the number of tips missed was about }/10th of %.” “We're providing 2 service,” he said. “We're doing evervthing right.” He said there had been some roblems getting across the bridge in 15 minutes because ofan increase in traffic. Sukalski_ conceded there had been some difficulty with early morning trips at the start of the summer, with a high employee turnover and several, student § He said the driver who stayed up to watch Gladiator had been red, “We had some young students whe maybe didn’t appreciate the responsibility of the job,” he said. But Sokalski believes only a smal! handful of cyclists are dissat- isfied with the service: “In my mind,” he said, “it’s like the 80-20 rule, where you spend 80% of the time making 20% of the people happy. With this it’s more like 95% and 5%.” Sokalski said at no time had the shuttle been operating with- ‘out insurance. He said such a suggestion was “slanderous.” “We're working for the government, we had to ensure every- __, thing was just. the way it was supposed to be. If it wasn’t all in order, they wouldn’t have given us the contract.” Welcome to the second issue of ‘Tidings’. Every sec- r Shuttie delays Said Jepsen, “We have been far loo patient and understanding. Twice this week we had to leave evelists behind at the end of the day because there was not enough zoom, That's not too bad when it’s sunny — what's it going to be like in the dazk and raat in November? We nced a reli- able larger bus with more seats, we need a back: up bus in the event of breakdowns, and we need drivers who understand the importance of this service's reliability for the daily commuters.” “Unlike transit,” Sokalski said, “we don't kick people of fit there isn’t enough roons.” He said part of the problem with overcrowding was linked to pedestrians joining cyclists in the vans -- each of which can only carry £2 peuple. Sokalski said in the last couple of months, a number of commuters have switched from a regular transit bus to using the shuttle service. “One (pedestrian), when he was asked to get off the bus, said, “Prva taxpayer too.” OF concerns about mishan- dling of bikes by shuttle dri- vers, Sokalski said it was “virtu- ally impossible” not to have incidental damage, but. said when there wes an obvious flaw, like a broken tail light, the company would pay for a replacement. Pam Ryan of the Lions Gate Project’ Office said cyclists’ concerns had been taken into consideration at ‘Thursday's meeting, and they would be contacted by the end of next week with a response. “We're not 100% satisticd with the reliability of the service,” she said, “although the contractor has been trying very hard.” Ryan said pedestrians were permitted to use the service if'there was enough space, but said cyclists should take priority. She confirmed that the original Velo-City contract was up at the beginning of September, but said no decision had yet been made on whether to renew the contract. Sokalski estimates chat since the service started last December, the three Velo-City vans have crossed the bridge 16,000 times, and carried more than 40,000 people. Lately those numbers haven't included Dan Jepsen. He's been using the Second Narrows bridge instead. “1 can’t go to work,” he says, “and say ‘I’m fate because the bus driver was up late because his girlfriend tried to commit sui- cide last night.” [ hate being classed as a whiner but it’s way beyond funny.” The Lions Gate Project Oftice currently operates a shuttle hot- fine number with reguiac updates: 519-7600. court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 6. Stronger economy turned projected deficit to surplus From pagel plus.” The surph.s was described as “a $1.6-billion improvement trom the $L5-biion deficit forecast in the March 1999 budget.” The main reason given for the improvement was a stronger economy, rendering higher government revenues and improved Crown corporation results. ‘ Premier Ujjal Lousanjh said the balanced budget was part of his commiunent to “getting B.C.'s house in order and keeping it that way.” Burt West Vancouver-Ganbaldi MLA Ted Nebbeling derided the announcement as “part of the next clection’s wave of good tidings. FE don’s drink for a second that people will forget the cnormous waste they've had to deal with -- like the fast ferries. It's quite inconceivable to dare vo think they can fool people once again,” he said. “It's a balanced budget,” said North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Daniel Jarvis, “but the debt has risen to $2 billion (in the next year, toa toral of $34 billion), and we're still paying $7.3 million a day in debt te U.S. banks, They've done nothing to address the debt. Moncy isn't going into hospitals or education -~ it’s going into higher wages for (the government’s) friends.” Police find weapons and pot WEAPONS charges have been laid against a North Vancouver man following his arrest by the’ North Vancouver RCMP Emergency Response Team, , The RCMP received a report on Aug: 15 at 9:46 p.m, that resident Andreas Fliessbach was despondent over the breakup ofa relationship and had access to a firearm. RCMP called in their ERT, said Const. Dan Guilfoyle, “in the interest of public safety and officer safety.” Fliessbach was arrested carly on Aug. 16 without incident, after which police searched his home and found three firearms, which they seized. The 33-year-old was charged with storing a weapon in 2 carcless manner and possession of-a weapon dan- gerous to the public peace. ‘ . A search warrant for the residence was obtained under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and further charges are - being proposed regarding the seizure of marijuana -from the home. Dots oy Fliessbach appeared in court.on Aug. 16 and was released on”. his own recognizance with numerous conditions. His next — Deana Lancaster Your source for West Vancouwer District news and information 750 17th Street, West Vancouver Tel: 925.7000 * Fax: 925.5999 www. westvancouver.net go ond Sunday, you'll firid the latest on District and = Coundl news, community events and recreational -, -- programs, It’s just one way we're opening up dia- “logue with our residents. In fact, the District has made communication a key pricrity as it charts a *, new course through its Corporate Business Plan. - ‘So, for District initiatives, Council news, or ever: : community celebrations, you will find it here. *. Fall registration for all Aquatic, Arena, Culture & ¢ Heritage, and Communty Centre programs is Saturday, - Sept. 9th, 8am to 12noon, Numbers are handed out at ;. 8am, Seniors Centre registration is Wednesday, Sept. 6th. :;, Numbers are handed out at 6:30am. _ fancouver District logo > a look that reflects our nique and scenic community. . The words ‘water- ont community’ were included to represent the -" area's many distinct communities. : ~The result: A iook, shown below, that's more rep- resentative of the District’s community feel. Watch “ for the logo on the District's Web site, ads, notices, :.., cofrespondence, and other printed material. Harmony Arts Festival ends on a high note What happens when you mix over 55,000 visitors, - 15,000 volunteer hours, 400 artists, 100: sponsors . & suppliers, and 100 visu-- al. and performing arts events and exhibitions? A” wildly” successful Harmony Arts Festival! The festival celebrated its’ tenth anniversary under glorious sunshine . from _ August 4th to 13th. In fact, the festival was so successful that organizers: reported an astounding 65’ per cent jump in attendance over the ‘previous marketing program and a large num- ber of performance . events,” . says Festival Coordinator, Paige Kerr. New no performances such as strolling performers anda tap’ dancing show in the Ferry Building’s fountain added an element of unpredictable fun. Response to the festivities were over- whelmingly. positive with comments such :as: “the festival joins” : One of the many highlights was the. : number of volunteers who enjoyed: the experience. Once they discovered: how much fun it was, they ‘often: : signed up for additional shifts. “Everyone on the Hariiiony staff was: new, so we're thrilled with the o come,” adds Kerr. Committee. mem bers are already gathering ideas. fo next - year's event, including : more. back-to-back - performances encourage .people to’ stay fo