af ty a i ; north shore ‘news ____ VIEWPOINT elena - Bridge mired in= ~ muddled thinking | T HE pathetic plight of tHe North Shore's Lions Gate Bridge reflects current mud: dled political thinking, "ay Andy Andy Danyllu_ Contributing Writer. The Lions Gate- Rridge, which is a vital transportation link, has become the negleet- ed-vietim,of politicians pre. occupied with public. posture » dng and: seemingly bereft’ of. any common sense," The public, is being offered _ “Sophie's Choice”: eitheria $70-million repair job ora “Private-Partnership” paid for by the users of the bridge. The government meets its’ ‘politica ‘objec- tives by appearing to be, both fiscally and envi- ronmentally sensiti ‘Better stiflthey.; chuckle, otLet the “ North Shore knuckle: heads | who voted Liberal\: niake the “choice” *: between “bare- bones” repairs at a cost ‘of $70 mil- ! lion, or something quite grandiose. which they (and those who must journey through Liberal ‘ridings)~ pay for it with tolls.” Betore: “taunicipal feaders” fall into. this double ridged © “critical ANDY Danyliu ... “_— tolls unfair “declsion path, they might want to reflect upon’ some common, sense questions, Who would choose to pay tolls on the Lions _ Gate Bridge if they eancross tree at the Second Narrows (Iron Workers Memorial)? Even those who can't afford the time, will find they can afford the tolls even less, Tolls on the Lions Gate Bridge will make it », aconmnercial white elephant, until tolls are alse in place on the Second Narrows crossing, By the time that happened we, will likely: have a new government that: might then see the wis dom of placing tolls: across-bridges and high- _Avays where NDP supporters now live, Where dogs it all end? ; ” Finally where is the common sense to exact a toll: ‘(olackmnail, extortion are other words exacerbated by population growth, and a deci- ; pedestrians, Sunday, June 22, 1997 - North Shore Naws ~ 1t Pemmvranutnanat ene! hes rettomnaceamanamni-y demandes mr] LOOK FOR US ON resale ott kag ll en entnrete HOURS wastemaet ted tinea! nent a _hitp://wwwinsnews.com _ or Emall-Tonshaw @-d a irechca Cea It the “Dest In the industry” technologies and products have * been employed, from the latest computer software and hatdwate, best designed Curnishing, all new heavy equipment suche as hoists and specially lols, to envionment (riendly systers for waste oil, coatant ana celtigerant tacavery, that came to mind) upon those who journey to dk to aan AIX Maney fo pay for those who cantt or wan't work? Most British Colutrubians already pay more than halt of, Swhat they carn ite director indirect taxes, and now we'll pay tolls to go to work or 4 study to work, or even search for work, The only ones escaping the “tolls will be those who'll stay where they.are to do nothing, So, can we conclude the $70- million patch and paint job is the only option? Sophie’s Choice appears to be the one that Don Mel and his councillors have made, Perhaps it is... but'if'so what are the long-term consequences? Ernie Crist walh still have nowhere, to drive or ride, his buses: Present itraffic jams become My V6 engine, dual sliding doors, air conditioning & much, much | more 4y sion that should be, made now is postponed until it’s too lates’ 4 But only $70 million is wasted! 1 suggest citizen groups hold public meet-, ings. Municipal leaders start providing infor- mation and reveal their own plans for future .. growth so common sense prevails over. public ‘eposturing. ‘Where are the Chambers ‘of Commerce? Where are the ratepayer « grou ps? Where are you? Don’ nblame politicians it you don’t tell them what makes sense. My own perception: is that we are.all best served by a third option: keeping the grand old - lady tall-free but upgrading her to accommo- date buses, an extra lane of two, bicycles ind’. * 30 mo., $3300 down, TP $14,370 + Taxes O.A.C. Sub-vented tuase in lieu of RDA. ae Single Payment Lease ~ 30 mo, term - rate sub-vented in View of RDA i. Pm told by engineers it can be done. But we must act quickly;because the bridge won't wait: forever, Our government mist be «per: snaded 10 act now, - We owe it to ourselves and our children to, tel them how we'd like ‘them toact. . — Andy Danylit isa a forme + West Vancouver conncilfor ; we Faster than you | can say... < oe. Charter & schedule Nights daily to the Gulf Islands. The Nor th Shore News regularly allocates space for reader input on a wide range af com- munity issees in the form of quest columns, If you have a colionn please.send it c/o The Editor, North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver, V7Mb2H4 or via e-mail Ps trenshaw@direct.en. Submissions must be type- written and should be approximately 500 words. Dear Editor: _ _ Thave finally found a topic thar Doug Cailins‘and 1 agre on, Photo radar isi the ulti-® mate example of how our shallow® politicians, want to “treat symptoms rather than ideal with root causes, Photo radar; was imple- mented by ‘the NDP govern- mentsin Ontario over the protests of the ‘police ‘and any knowledgeable'vitizens. “Tt caustd extensive grid. lock because ‘cautious citizens slowed, down in the passing lanes. of four-lane highways and blocked the total flow, Transit *“times to work increased by 20% causing seri- ous losses..of productivity, Accident rates did not change. Revenues were below. -fore- “casts and the program was los- ing money. Local radio stations invited bee nee nae eee ene ee Mange tem ne anee mm Mae cere ee A Re At hy aL A eg me nein ee et A ES meet ea te mE seer AE od Ne Oe oe cellular telephone road reports of the locations of the roving vans. Citizens cooper: ated to try to protect their fel- low citizens from this attempted “government cash grab. “T had the privilege to be photographed on-an empty stretch of a four-lane freeway” in Mississauga: at 6:30 on) Saturday night. There were ho other cars nearby and | was forced to pay my “tax” for going 15 over the posted limit. My average speed when travelling around Foronto was 20 km below the posted — limits [because the total lack of gov- ernment leadership has ereat- ed hopeless jams’ and/ their Union Station hub transit sys-: tein does Hot serve my needs, ; Finally, the NDP was ossed | out and photo radar was a km shelved. He vans were sold. The vans have actually been reused in several jurisdictions as cach government tres and fails to treat symptoms rather than deal with their fiindamen- tal problems. Thanks for saying:; sit like you see it, Doug! Keith Cowan“ whe! West Vancouver eee Rete ernie f * We fly right. out of, potas MAILBOX POLICY [RRQ at LETTERS to. the ‘editer yque- destination. must be legible (preferably “_ - typewritten) and include your name, full address and telephone number. Due to space constraints. the North Shore News can- nor .publish all letters Pubtished letters may be edited, for brevity, clarity, accuracy, legality and,t taste, Submissions — can be’ faxed to 985-2104. ys Be ry IANNAAIR 1-800-665-2FLY _