8 - North Shore News -— Friday, August 18, 2000 Vehicle levy unfair to residents Dear Editor, Re: Cars are tax-subsi- dized two, Aug. 6, 2000. I won't dispute Lorraine's facts and figures, but transit riders are tax-subsidized too, especially the thousands who habitually evade proper fare payment. As a former transit employee, | am definitely not anti-transit. I am_ strongly against paying a S75 vehicle levy, gasoline tax, commercial parking tax, or any other tax- ation the unclected TransLink Board wishes to impose on the overburdened taxpayer, until they seriously deal with fare evasion (zero tolerance!) and cost efficiency with due respect to the taxpayer. ~ Do you really think the $75 vehicle levy is fair to resi- dents (some on the North Shore) who have no transit at all, or bi-hourly bus service within the three-block radius of their home? They already pay for transit they can’t use in their property taxes, BC Hydro bills, and provincial income tax (SkyTrain). They also pay provincial and federal fuel taxes of which I advocate the government should invest some in improved transit to lure people out of their cars, before implementing any additional taxation. Now a full time volunteer, 1 cannot afford lattes or a “modest” $75 levy. Susan Falls West Vancouver MAIL Box Surre Dear Editor, To the Mayor and members of council, West Vancouver: Governments are to serve and encourage. In the case of West Vancouver we are surrounded and sup- pressed by the actions of higher levels of govern- ment or by their throw-off non-clected subsidiaries. First, to the West: The ferry authority though the absence of planning and consultation during the last decade have arrived at a belated impasse which only some major decisions and action can rectify in the course of time. Meanwhile we suffer. Second, to the South: The Lions Gate Bridge and approaches. The Vancouver Parks Board (which should be abolished and Stanley Park run by the GVRD) performed a policy of opposition and non co-operation, These caused a series of delays Dundarave park plan unded by others’ probl from which the project will never recover. The Parks Board costs should be made public. The bridge authority is fast becoming a world example of how not to maintain and repair a sus- pension bridge. The planning for a Burrard Tunnel fey road and rail is already four years late. Third, to the North: In 1970 then mayor and council, strongly supported by an overwhelming mass of citizens, caused the minister of lands and forests to renege on a lease he had already signed to Bengay of Las Vegas. This would have permitted a casino and condominiums in Cypress Bow. Later Cypress Bow! Recreations were granted a 100-vear lease of the area without a call tor appli- cations, tenders or a public hearing. The ministry acts without replying to Wese Vancouver letters. Fourth, to the East: The dictatorship of the non Hot dogs do Dear Editor: CMS publiciy elected chairman of both Translink and GYRD has committed himself to absorb the West Vancouver Blue Bus System within the Metro sys- tem. The West Vancouver system functions very well. Ets service is superior, The drivers have their own union, The provincial government promised in 1986 through the minister of municipal affairs that the West Vancouver Blue Bus system would net be interfered with. Any action must be most strongly opposed. In summary, we in’ West Vancouver are. sur- rounded with problems not of our making. These are situations which we should not have to put.up with! Derrick Humphreys, West Vancouver better at home not to mention the noise and the crowd, it sure- remarks explained © Dear Editor, 1 would like to correct a statement attributed to me in the Aug. 1 North Shore News report on the proposed Dundarave Park washrooms. At the July 24 West Vancouver council meet- ing, | expressed concern about the size and location of the pro- posed facility which will include washrooms, changing rooms, storage, and an expanded concession with sun terrac: for con- cession dining. This 1,460 sq. ft fazility is planned for the northeast corner of the west side of the small park. 1 suggested that a more appropriate location might be the little-used park area north of the hedge behind the Beach House Restaurant. Locating the washrooms “north of the train track” was not sug- gested by me or, J believe, by anyone else at the council meet- ing, for obvious reasons. 1 also commented that including a large sun terrace in the complex for concession dining was 4 “slippery slope” toward privatizing public parkland. 1 understand that there will be opportunity for further pub- lic comment before council makes a final decision on the size and location of needed service facilities in both Dundarave and John Lawson parks. More information can be obtained trom the West Vancouver parks department. Katharine Steig, West Vancouver riSuecasa! cknawtedge the assistalice In response to the fetter of August 2 Dog Policy needed advertising. While [understand Ms. Smith's desire for advertising No Dogs at Caribbean Days, [| am glad that dogs are not permitted during this event. Caribbean Days is very crowded, loud, and how There was a terrible oversight: when the park was created; little shade is provided. Most people love to ake their dogs with them on out- ings, but in this case, leaving the dog at home was the kind thing to do. Without proper shade, fy would have been uncomfortable. These things are all very stressful tc: an animal. It is very hor these days, Unless there is prop- er shade and a bow! of fresh water, leave the pooch at home. The car is also no place for an animal in this heat, even if you park in the shade. Please remember that our four legged friends cannot speak for themselves and rely on us to take excellent care of them. Lesley Rae North Vancouver COLLISION SPECIALISTS Che Howe of the Wifetime “> ®Onuarantee ~ FOR AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR CAR For Foreign & Domestic Cars, 4X4’s, SUV’s + Light Tracks NORTH SHORE’S HIGHEST VOLUME ALL MAKE CENTRE WITH STATE OF THE . ART EQUIPMENT Micheel Mooney Coll, Div. Manager Jason stino Assistant Also Mechanical Division. Repairs to all makes of Cars an Light Trucks (Foreign & Dornestic). TAYLOARMOTIVE SERVICE LTD. 174 Pemberton Ave., North Van Accredited Collision Repairs PRIVATE & INSURANCE REPAIRS ° Quality Workmanship FULLY GUARANTEED - * Trustworthy Service ¢ Free Estimates | Alternative transportation arranged. & TALKING .» ESTIMATES * az vapn9 CONSULTATION | PREM. 985-7455 Public Meeting es CHRISTIE HOUSE RENOVATION PROJECT Assembly use for a community arts centre managed by the.” North Vancouver Community Arts Council. Open House and Public Information Meeting Date: Thursday, August 24, 2000 Time: 7:00 p.m. Display Open 7:30 p.m. Presentation followed by Question Period a Place: Room ‘B’, District of North Vancouver Municipal Hall, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver The District of North Vancouver is proposing to rezone the heritage house at 267 West Queens Road from Single- Family Residential use to Public You are invited to attend an Open House/Public Information Meeting” with members of the Community Arts - Council and DNV staff. who- will explain the proposal further. : “Invitations are being distributed to res- idents within 50m of. this. site and on . the 100-400 blocks of West Queens Road, as well as to community groups in the neighbourhood. Further information may be obtained by calling the Community Planning “Department at 990-2326 or 990-2322. °