bikers perspective CONCEPTS of bikers, as created by Hollywood, are being blamed for a group of residents on Rupert Street being singled out as responsible for pro- blems on the North Vancouver street, ac- cording to one of the residents. John Gosvig, who lives at 1447 Rupert, called at the News this week to respond to an article in Sunday's paper which detailed the efforts of another resident on the street, Sylvio (Leo) Belair, to nd the area of bikers by petinoning to North Van- couver District council. “I'm a biker,” Gosvig said, “but not as far as your inter- pretation goes. You've got the Hollywood version of it.” As for himself and other residents of homes on Rupert Street, he said: “There’s no gang. There is no organized ‘colors flying’ (bike gang emblems worn of leather jackets)’.” . The rider of a Harley Davidson, Gosvig_ resents being labelled as the public’s stereotype of a biker. “The whole label drives me nuts, It's identified with a bunch of lawless, radical fanatics. It's just what peo- ple believe when they hear the word. I'm honest, I work and J don't have a criminal record.” By CHRIS LLOYD Accusations in Belair’s petition that bikers have been terrorizing’ the neighborhood with threats of violence amount to nothing more than a dispute between Belair and Gosvig, accor- ding to the latter. Gosvig claims that Belair is a scavenger, who has fre- quently rummaged through the yard of the home Gosvig occupies. “Confronting him a second ume about his trespassing, I offered him a choice of be- ing bounced off my property or just staying off on his own.” One of the major concerns in Belair’s petition, of in- cessantly noisy music seven days a week until 2 a.m. has nothing to do with = the bikers, according to Gosvig, who said a reggae band prac- tises every night in a house on the street, opposite Belair’s home. Gosvig acknowledged that it was he and other bikers living on the street who tore the front off an empty house at 1455 Rupert Street and us- ed it to fuel a bonfire back in April. But not only does he insist that they had permission to do so but that they were ac- tively encouraged to do so by a contractor who was due to demolish the building within the next 48 hours. “The wrecking crew hired See us for good hearing aid service — sales, repairs, batteries and advice. northwestern hearing centre 985-5552 1910 Lonsdale north vancouver Open Tues - Fri 9 30-5 Sat 9 30-1 Closed Mon draperies by S. Laursen Custom Draperies, Bedspreads 1 Venetian, Vertical and Wooden Blinds ‘In-home Service’ FREE ESTIMATES GLADLY GIVEN All blinds 20% off lat Labour per panel $5.50 (unlined). $6.50 (lined) FOR THE FINAL TOUCH Ham. to 6pm. Monday thru Saturday call 987-2966 by the owner, Les Clowers, had told us, ‘Have a little fun. Save us the trouble and tear it down’!” he maintain- ed. And he added that not on- ly was Belair present during the destruction but that he was enjoying the spectacle. The fact that the landlord complained to the News that the RCMP had not laid charges against the bikers but had then declined to in- itiate such charges, he said, was most likely due to the fact that he had since check- ed the facts with the demoli- tion contractor. Gosvig suspected the reason for the problems of the area being blamed on the one group of residents amounts to a hatred of bikers by Belair. In particular, he pointed to the complaints of speeding traffic and ex- cessive vehicle noise. NEWS photos Eric Eggertson A BIKER — “but not the Hollywood version”, John Gosvig came to the News office to give his side of the story. “It’s absolutely ludicrous. Rupert and Harbour Avenue is the main bypass road for Mountain Highway and Main. With heavy industry all around and a motorcycle shop down the street, how can we be responsible for traffic,” he asked. As for beer bottles being thrown at Belair, Gosvig pointed out that when the RCMP responded to the complaint, officers could find no broken glass. He described the other ac- VITAMI 1OOtH St and King George Mwy Gur naby Miidiegate Mall "155 hingsway ‘soott 1 Conte ate tw tO. St B-50 Com cusations on the petition, such as guns being fired, as “assinine”. Though Belair plans to present his petition § to District council on Monday, June 13, it is unlikely Gosvig will attend. He contends that public opinion is already weighted. against him in Belair’s favor — because of the image of bikers which he says is created precisely by pre- judices such as those of Belair. plex 11B vitamins-100 tablets $ 25 Alo Tan Dark Tanning lotion 225 ml Protein Powder 454g reg. *7* $599. hapa =) arate West End 57 BY Davie cat (deseverrvear: Vaatre cna ven (dette 1 sar sgytes y Htngytowary Open Fri. till 9 pm Official vitamin consultants to B.C. Lions & Vancouver Whitecaps j steeanare a Ww roadway $4 bane sale ends poe epstorien LONEOALE Burnaby HUTA Conigheod brwy al North: Moad vin tere vay thee they 2nd & Lonsdale, North Van 988-3454 A3 - Wednesday, June 8, 1983 - North Shore News ALSO INSIDE West Van celebrates ‘PAGE A12 Sharing spirit PAGE C1 Student designed PAGE B5 going on PAGE C7 Avtomotive B4 Business B3 Claenihied A\6 Community Ala Entertainment C2 Fashion ca Food cs Malibos ar Sports 81 Haydon Steward C3 Temwm ca TV Time ce What a Going On