Bank job NEWS photo Paul McGrath NORTH Van RCMP Const. Bal Brach enters the Bank of Nova Scotia at 1357 Lonsdale shortly after a robbery on Tuesday. The robber showed an “explosive device.” Police say the robber ran north on Lonsdale with a money bag. A red dye pack placed in the bag by the bank exploded. Police believe the suspect will have red dye on him for several days. The robber was described as being olive-skinned, aged 30 to 40. Call 985-1311. lV assessments at issue Martin Millerchip News Reporter martin@nsnews.com TWO North Vancouver District residents are alleging that home assessments by the B.C. Assessment Authority are being conducted by unqualified per- sonnel. And district council may ask the Union of — British © Columbian Municipalities (UBCM) to get involved with B.C. Assessment in establishing new employment practices and standards. But area assessor Calvin Smyth says there is nothing untoward in the use of “candidate” appraisers who are taking appropriate courses. The North Shore office of the assess- ment authority administers an area that includes the Sunshine Coast, Lions Bay, Bowen Island, Squamish and the Whistler area as far north as D’Arcy. Smyth told the News he employs 30 appraisers of whom “about half have cre- desitials.” Completion of courses offered by the Appraisal Institute of Canada, passing an exam and acceptance by the institute of a “demonstration appraisal report” are the usual professional qualifications, Smyth said that a diploma in urban land economics or a bachelor of com- merce degree were also acceptable quali- fications. He added that the work of all trainces and students is scrutinized by a supervi- sor who is in charge of a group of neigh- bourhoeds. But council heard last .week from three Ranger Avenue residents who have taken issue with their assessments. All” supported a motion by Coun. Ernie Crist asking the UBCM to request a review of B.C. Assessment Authority employment practices and standards and to “ensure that only fully qualified staff establish assessed values.” . From page 3 District homeowners question the use of ‘candidate’ appraisers Bill Cassidy told council that the story of a neighbour who received an assess- ment showing a 5% increase for a view that was not there. His neighbour, Geoff Fenton, con- firmed for the News, that a private appraisal of his property later assessed the value at considerably Jess and that a con- versation with West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Jeremy Dalton resulted in a visit from B.C. Assessment the following day. The result: a $33,000 reduction in his Property assessment. Two blocks down Ranger, Charles Beer questioned the cffectiveness of his assessment this spring “for the first time in over 27 years residence at our present address.” Beers learned: “that our neighbour's property directly across the street, which sold in September 1998 for $383,000 had been re-assessed from $437,900 in 1998 to $374,500 in 1999, a drop of $63,490, whereas our property had dropped only $36,500.” Continued Beers, “A property of almost identical size (70' x 130' vs. 70' x 129') one street behind us (Redonda) was assessed at exactly the same value as ours, This, despite the fact that the Redonda property benefited from an excellent view, underground wiring, ornamental street lighting, wide street with no restricted Parking, quict street with light traffic relative to a dead-end street. We enjoy none of these amenities at our location. “Upon appealing our 1999 assess- ment, it was lowered by a further $11,000 based, apparently, solely on the strength of an assessor’s inspection from our front porch while we were out of the country, and taking into account his/her opinion of ‘the view’ only, and no other pertinent factors that were presented during the appeal. “We should also mention that upon perusing our Residential Property Record, we noted an assessor had record- ed that a ‘neighbour says house has base- ment." “Our home has no basement; it is a split-level house. Further, until our recent assessment appeal the B.C. Assessment Authority has never request- ed an opportunity to inspect our proper- ty to ensure the accuracy of their assess- ment. “On the basis of the foregoing we have to seriously doubt the equitability of the assessments which have been made of our property.” , Cassidy and Fenton, in a letter to Smyth, take aim at the appraiser for their area, Gordon Reid, whose work they claim “has been the subject of many con- troversies and reversals.” They say he has been a “candidate” tor 12 to 13 years and ask “Docs your office not have standards whereby candi- dates must qualify ... within a reasonable level of time?” Smyth told the News he could not recall precisely how long Reid has worked as a candidate but said it has been “a while.” He added that Reid has complet- ed “all his courses” and just has to submit his demonstration appraisal report. Smyth said he was well aware of the Ranger residents “who have been fight- ing their assessments for years over an amount that would make such a small incremental difference on their taxes. “They’re in the political arena now, but there is a process for them, just like there is for anyone clse who wants to appeal.” Council stopped short of endorsing Crist’s UBCM motion, but forwarded it to Smyth for comment and will revisit the issue June 21. Ex-broker pursues hockey franchise make a presentation to have a new franchise start in September,” Godoy said. Friday, June 4, 1989 — North Shore News — & Local numbers unknown From pane & “Atthe moment ... we're explaining to people what the situ- ation is and taking their names and promising to get back in touch with them.” Third said there’s some uncertainty as to whether sponsor- ships will actually be one-year commitments for groups of five, or whether there will be a role for individual volunteers to play. “The actual sponsorships, as it stands now, is for tWo vears and it has to be tor groups of five people who already have some connection — hike five people from a business or a ser- vice club or something like that. “OF course most of the people calling us are individuals. Pm quite certain there will be a role for them; it’s just that because it’s a slightly different way of doing it, they're still try ing to work it out.” Ali said the NSMS still deesn’t know how many refugees will come to the North Shore. “We will wait to see what kind of response they will give us and how many refugees they will assign to the North Shore and our group of volunteers.” . For more information on the program, or to offer help, call the society at 988-2931, BLOWOUT! of 599 , y actus. sold pine sofa bed frame, x " tripte fea cove faton, seatch-geurded foten cover, Fi al Ay FUTON Silens and piftew cavers, White Qual 267 E. ist. W¥an Entrance in rear lane Hon Sat, 1t-Epm Sunday 12-5 pm 994-4504 FUTON Choice of 25 medels J MORTGAGES WHEN THE BANKS SAY “NO” : Financtal Services Ltd. VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.instafund.com Lender Broker fees may apply = F Su. 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