WEST VANCOUVER council has come out

strongly against the decision of the provincial
government to cancel the sheriff service’s role in
serving civil court documents.

By MARK O'REILLY

The move, due to take ef-
fet in seven days, is expected
to cost West Vancouver as
much as $50,000 a year.

**The responsibility for the
administration of the justice
system lies with the provin-
cial government ... and to ac-
cept these costs would set a
dangerous precedent,”* said a
letter from the Union of B.C.

Municipalities that received
backing from West Van
aldermen Monday.

Mayor Derrick Humphreys
told council that the board of
the Greater Vancouver
Regional District. has met
with: Municipal Affairs
Minister Bill Ritchie to press
the municipal case.

**(We) put it clearly to the
minister that it's basically

wrong to make the serving of
civil documents a respon-
sibility of local policc,"’
Humphreys said.

He added that attempts to
meet with Attorncy-Gencral
Brian Smith, who has
ordered the change, have
been fruitless so far.

Humphreys said he has re-
quested a meeting with Smith
through MLA John Reynolds

Sunny periods
THURSDAY.
highs.

and is hopeful that a mecting
can be arranged for this
week.

The $50,000 a year comes
in because the task of deliver-
ing civil documents to those
with cases before the courts
would fall primarily to police
and to private firms.

The UBCM letter that
received West Vancouver's
support says ‘‘one could

West Van council hits process- serving plan

strongly question using a
highly trained individual to

carry out the service
function.”’
The provincial govern-

ment’s decision to cut the ser-
ving of civil documents from
the sheriff's duties is part of
the overall program to reduce
the size and responsibilities
of the provincial
government.

He.