a - Fnaay, Vecember 6, 1Y¥¥6 — Nomn Snore News Taxing challenge fa Council goals discussed at first meeting By Martin Millerchip Contributing Writer THE inaugural meeting of North Vancouver District Council gave Mayor Don Beil an opportunity to list the challenges facing the municipality as he assumes office. Bell said the two most important issues facing council are the limitation of the tax burden on residents and the limitation of growth He said the district could be facing a 6.5% tax hike with- out any further downloading from the province. He suggested that after two years without tax increases the district budget has little far after absorbing the cost of inflation and at least 2% annu- ally in operational costs. Bell said the district needs the authority to collect rev- enue in other ways than through property taxes which he describes as “inequitable.” A reception hosted by the district following the mecting gave the councillors an oppor- tunity to tell the News their goals over the next three years. Coun. Ernie Crist described the Municipal Act “as a chain around our neck.” He said it makes no financial sense for the province to be aren ae NEWS photo Cindy Goodman NORTH Vancouver District Mayor Don Bell and retir- ing former-mayor Murray Dykeman formally mark the changing of the municipal guard. collecting taxes from the municipality and then sending some of the money back. Crist also vowed to work towards a city/district amalga- mation, a transportation sys- tem based on rapid transit, fast buses and mini buses and the promotion of health and recreation. Crist would like to set up a North Shore Citizens for Rapid Transit committee and pressure the province to pay for the recreation fees of any patient diagnosed with stress an symptoms. Coun. Trevor Carolan promised to establish the dis- trict administration in a leader- ship role within the Greater Vancouver Regional District, especially with regard to its water policy. Carolan would also like to increase the amount of com- mercial and “clean industrial” watertront development in the district. “We have lost several gen- erations of commercial and light industrial activity on our ye : Cigarerig ~ Health'Canada advises thatsm _is-addictive and causes lung cancer; | heart disease. ‘emp hysema.and. ny t aan that-smoking waterfront. The question is where are people going to work,” said Cazolan. Coun. Glenys Deering- Robb is alo promising to push for an industrial land strategy, stating. “It’s very important in the creation and maintenance of jobs.~ Deering Reb alse Promised tw complete the updating of the — Local Community Pl Coun. Janice Harris said she firmly supports all cight capital proj approved for borrowing by the recent refer- endum and will be working to bring them to fruition. She also said she no longer wants to add oil and grit intez- ceptors on a permit by permit basis on new construction. Harnis said she will be seck- ing to place the interceptors on all outflows into fish-bear- ing streams. Coun. Lisa Muri made the biggest promise of her young political career when she said it should be possible to avoid tax increases. “We can find other ways to live within our means other than dinging the taxpay “YT don’t think $1.5 million is a large amount in terms of the overall budget. I know people who walk around with that sort of money.” Muri also committed to more community involvement in decision-making, and better communication with the pub- lic. Coun, Pat Munroe said he See Munroe page 5 Dykeman receives. standing ovation By Martin Millerchip Contributing Writer THERE was only one item of business on Mayor Murray Dykeman’s last agenda Monday. The adoption of minutes would nct normally warrant a J special meeting and its own agenda but this was Murray man’s last meeting after six years and two terms in the or’s chair. As the outgoing council approved the minutes, Dykeman gota huge laugh from the crowded gallery when mented, “Unanimous! Wonderful!” The remark not only reflected on the occasionally acri- nonious debate and conflict with which Dykeman has always had difficulty in dealing but also underscored his gen- eral good humor. The special meeting gave Dykeman the chance to say I! to municipal service in the town where he grew up. eman told the hushed and crowded council chamber that when he was first elected mayor he phoned his Uncle Stan in Lower Jemseg, N.B. . “When I told him he said *You must be terribly proud to be mayor of your home town. I would have liked that.’” Lower Jemseg, according to Dykeman, is « bend in the rood There’s the Dykeman General Store and across the.road the church where my great, great, great grandfather laid the cornerstone and that’s it. It’s not a very big town.” He described the youth of North Vancouver District as its biggest asset and urged the new council to find a way co | reach the students currently in grades 9 and 10 who could be voting in three years. “Youth in our community are the driving force of change. Please use that asset. They should be heard and must be listened to,” said Dykeman. He spoke with pride of being piped around district hall on his last day in office but also recalled the salute on the truck horn from the municipal workers who collected his garbage. : Dykeman chose not to run for a third term after his wife was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. ; “I have a new job to start in the morning,” said- Dykeman. “My good wife Lorna has made sure I am quite clear about my job description and I am as excited about my new job as I was on the first day as mayor.” : The crowd rose to accord Dykeman a standing ovation.’ BEA GAC MR, Importers of Gemstones, Manufaccurers of Fine Jewellery Capilano Mall North Vancouver 984-2040 Eaton Centre, Metrotown 430-2040 Mayfair Mall, Victoria 382-2040