42 - Sunday, November 30, 1997 - North Shore News District 0 "1998 Budget Discussions Each fiscal year brings challenges for Council and staff as we atiempt to balance community needs and expectations for services with the available resources. The 1998 “budget cycle” hits the public agenda on December 15, when the 1998 Provisional Budget will be presented to Council. This is just the beginning of the budget discussions, Watch for more information ‘and meétings in the New Yeai ‘Some recCommission clients pic ‘have intérrupted their busy fitness schedules to check out the new hats, water bottles, sports bags, bandanas, : towels and other | reasonably priced quality products . -. now available in all recCentres. ~~ RecShops have - opened just in time for Christmas and offer great ideas for } gift bundles and’ gift certificates. A special promotion offers an opportu- nity to win a Personal Training» package with a purchase of $10 or more recShop products or gift certificates. For more information call 987-PLAY (7529). New garbage schedules Due to the postal strike, garbage schedules will be distributed in the North Shore News this year. Look for your schedule in the December 17 edition. , Are trees important to you? hat was one of the questions being asked in the community this summer, and was quickly followed by “If they are important, how should they be protected?” Responses to those key questions, anid others, were used as.a basis for new regulations to improve protection and preservation of neighborhood trees. Council is considering final adoption of these new regulations at the Monday, Decmber 1, Council Meeting. Proposed changes to the regulations expand protection by requiring a permit for work on trees larger than 40 cm (15.75") in diameter on private property. Put in perspective, that is a tree approximately twice as high as a two storey house, as illustrated at right. Thats an improvement over previous restric- tions of 75 cm (29.4”), and more in line with the community's opinion on the size at which trees hecome important to the forested character of neighbourhoods. If approved by Council, the new regulations will encourage proper care and maintenance of trees, ? not on bureaucracy and red tape. A new : approach has bez: developed with local i tree companies to certify those using : “best practices” for tree work. Certified 3 i professionals will be registered 2 i with the District and seé a 24-hour : turnaround on permit applications i which will cost $25,com- i pared with the regular i $75 {ce for permits. For more information i on the proposed regula- : tions or getting a tree pleas i permit, cal! 990-3737. Around the community..... Maplewood Farm's 15th Annual Country Christmas Sat: Det mBer 6&” This event is guaranteed to get you into the. hol- i iday spirit early. Schools and other entertainers perform seasonal favourites in the Livestock i H Barn while Farm visitors watch from straw bales i and farm animals from their stalls. Carolling and performances are at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. The Farm will be deco- rated in the spirit of Christmas and hot # chocolate and other tasty items will be vailable. Weather permitting, there will Iso be pony rides for the kids for $2.50. Baden Powell Trail en The Panorama Drive trailhead to the ) Baden Powell Trail will be receiving a a much needed facelift with better signage g and upgraded trail conditions. Work on fee drainage, trail surfacing and stairs, will ea improve this popular trail before the busy 3 spring hiking period. The estimated i _ budget is $25,000. Pemberton Heights A new trail linking Pemberton Heights to Marine Drive is being upgraded with stairs and a trail zig-zagging up the “bluff* to emerge at the existing viewing platform. This $55,000 project, spearheaded by Pemberton Heights Community Association member Frank Ashdown, will be completed in the new year. Seymour Local Plan Update THANK YOU! to the more than 100 Seymour residents who came to the November 19 kick- off meeting to find out about the process for the Local Plan and to brainstorm topics to be stud- - ied for the plan, which will cover the area east Ad of the Seymour River. Whether you have lots of time or very little, we hope you'll take the opportunity to get involved. The lines of communication are open. ; ¢ Call the INFO-LINE at 990-3700 anytime to listen for updates or to leave a message. * Check the Plan site at www.district.north-van. be.ca/admin/depart/planning/seymour.htm * Or keep an eye on the two signs placed strate- gically on the Parkway and Dollarton H'way. You can help in getting the process started. Questionnaires are available at Ron Andrews recCenter and Parkgate Library until December 6, asking your responses to some key questions, such as: What are the important issues? What - riakes the Seymour community special? What could make it even better? Can’you volunteer your time, ideas, talents? The management committee will sift through the responses and commnittecs will be launched in January 1998. Blueridge Blueridge Community Association is meeting on i Thurs. Dec. 4, 7 p.m. at Blueridge Elementary. Topics: Seymour Local Plan and the district's 1998 Budget. For information, please contact i Angela Trudeau at 929-4367 or Eric Anderson at 929-6849.