10 - North Shore News — Sunday, December 12, 1999 Dear Editor: ct “SkyTrain? thanks, PI drive!” (Dee. Noel Wright column). In -his criticism: of the public transportation system ~ Royal Winton 37 Lonsdale Ave... N. Van. 984-6700 fh 1730 Marine Drive, W. Van. 926-7710 BOOK NOW! : Christmas dinner © roast turkey & gravy © apricot staffing & cranberry - sance - (.& candied yams-brissel : sprouts, with almonds ‘subsid in Vancouver, Mr. Wright claims chat personal automo- bile use is justified based on the facr that drivers “over- pay for their driving through taxes and licence fees, with “at least some of the balance now subsidizing public transportation.” Unfortunately for Mr. Wright’s argument, this claim of “overpayment” couldn't be farther from the truth. Due to the car’s ability to pass on costs associated with its use, it is in fact the auto- mobile user who receives a subsidy, both from the envi- ronment and from general taxpayer revenue. For instance, the automo- bile essentially pollutes “free of charge,” even though this pollution costs soci terms of unclean air and water, habitat and resource loss, increased health expen- ditures and so on Morcover, dri pay for: road maintenance and construction in propor: tion to the amount. they payers pay ‘equally for. this. service, it. f : -, essentially amounts to anoth- : . x subsidy to automobile use. : is a. -Even.“free parking”: when- you consider that. merchants increase the price of goods in order to pay for and maintain ‘these "parking spaces. *.- All consumers (even those” . bike, or take pub- MAIL Box: rivers get free ride Thanks for your support lic transit) «pay these increased costs for consumer goods, and thus in effect subsidize those who drive and require parking spaces Economic studics esti- mate that cach automobile receives a $2,000 ro $5,000 per vear subsidy i in terms of externalized costs, which ubviously leads to an overuse of the automobile by individ- uals, To be fair, this number must be balanced against the subsidies to the public trans- portation system and taxes exclusive to automobile However on balance we would tind that the personal automobile still comes out ahead of the public trans- portation system in terms of subsidization, given the vast number of personal automo- biles in the Lower Mainland. - This suggests that in order to improve public transportation services, it is economically justifiable to increase taxes on automo- biles (and inercase public " transportation funding) to the point where the “subsi- dization” of the nvo transportation is equalized. So if Mr. Wright wants to continue - driving . his. car that’s fine, however he should stop expecting the taxpayer..and the. environ- ment to foot the bill for his “cherished personal. trans- portation.” ” Yan Hodges North Vancouver Dear Editor: It has been an honour to serve on North Vancouver District council for the past three During this time Lappreciated the opportunity to work with some truly remarkabie people who vol- untecr many hours of their time supporting their com- munity. T would particularly like to acknowledge district staff that work constructively and diligently to improve the liv- ability of the whole District © North Vancouver, The recent cleetion cam- paign introduced new dynamics into the way we choose council membe how we govern) ours The new council is facing some very important finan- cial decisions and ; ues that will \ affect the quality of life for all of us. To be successful, these decisions will require fair and equitable choices that weigh the benefits tor the whole municipality. A big thank you to those who supported me in. the clection. For those who made a different choice, | hope we . will be able to recognize the common issues and | together work towards maintaining our quality of life. [ intend to continue my keen interest in community - and district-wide issues. Glenys Deering-Robb North Vancouver Free speech fight continues Dear Editor: There was an error in Katha: Hamer’s otherwise excellent report on the B.C. Supreme Court — having referred me back ro the Human Rights Tribunal for a decision on whether its rul- ing in my case was consti tional (“Challenge of rights code fails,” Dec. 5). I did not state that the court's decision was “political.” I did say it was ridiculous, since there is no chance at all thar the adju- dicator is going to say he was wrong and that the, ourra- geous law under: which he operates should be thrown out. Any reference to the pol- itics of the matter had to do with the NDP’s kangaroo Community comm ime! Dear Editor:.. Although la preciare your articie on my father, it was dis- maying for me and. my family to read your reporter's inter- pretation of my interview with her. While ] was hoping for a public. acknowledgement of my father’s comreitment to his community, your reporter requested personal details and ICC. HAS A TEAM OF LAWYERS, SHOULDN'T YOU? * All claims have time limits * Documents you sign can be'used against you. Taylor & Blair “BARRISTERS & SCLICITORS*. : 102-145 West 15th St. North Van. 4 "Check shhon, fires, & brakes, visual inspection report ‘Check radiator hoses, befis, drain & refill “coalng system, tee alieaze cond: : pressure full report* -alignment, by certified technicians; produces ful before & after teport & toad ‘est - your choice’ - ‘Prices cover most care & light trucks : Govt. licenced inspection station S2564 . was saddened to see - snippets of our conversation, joined betiveen. quotation: marks’ in | phrases I would noc and:did not say. While I: told her that: : -.he seemed scary to us as chil-. dren, I also told her that he was always fair. With regard: ‘to his political life; I ‘said he probably made some eriemies . along. the way but thatsh court system. of human | tights, which has been con- — demned by the B.C. Press - Council and ‘other . bodic Meanwhile, my fight cont ues for free speech and jus in this: benighted’ province. As the seer. said, “It’s over dll it’s over.” Doug Collins © West Vancouver