6 - Wednesday, July 19, 1989 - North Shore News VMieech accord: premiers INSIGHTS taking a hard new look THOSE WHO LIVE BY THE SWORD dic by the sword, goes the saying. Substitute votes for the sword and the same is true of politicians. An object lesson being the infamous Meech Lake accord. For Prime Minister Mulroney it brings hope of holding power in- definitely with grateful Quebec votes. So at a 1987 midnight ses- sion by the lake, he conned seven other provincial premicrs into backing it. Offered tempting new powers in return for accepting Quebec as a ‘‘distinct society,” they smelled votes back home — which always outweigh any con- cern for the future of Confedera- tion. However, all 10 provinces must ratify Meech by next June — and without changing a single comma, says Brian and his master, Robert Rourassa. Otherwise, they warn, Quebec will quit Canada, and the world (i.e., Brian's) wiil end. The only right answer to blackmail, of course, is: ‘‘So be it!’? Happily, it now seems, that’s what we may yet hear. The two original rebels, Premiers Frank McKenna of New Brunswick and Gary Filmon of BRIAN Muironey points the sword? Manitoba, suddenly have allies in Nova Scotia's John Buchanan and Grant Devine of Saskatchewan who want a2 ‘parallel’ accord to protect the rights of women, native peoples and language minorities. Newfoundland’s new premier, Clyde Wells, will pull out unless there are significant changes. B.C.’s Bill Vander Zalm is having “second thoughts."’ Wiy are the four now backtracking? Simple. In Anglo Canada they can now smell the simmering backlash against Quebec's endless demands and linguistic tyranny -- and they’re not ready to fall meek- ly on their swords to keep Brian in office forever. Unless he listens, they might just leave him to fall on His! rank FOUR DECADES LATER — despite the cultural revolution of TV — a North Van group of fe- male bookworms is still flourishing. Launched in 1949 by Mary McNeill and the late Liza Broughton at the home of Mrs. Carson Graham, ‘‘The Book Club’”’ has met monthly ever since to read, discuss and exchange books of mutual interest. Among founding members were such well-known community figures as Mrs. Mickey McDougall, Edna Coppins, Olwen English and Hilda Keatley — while notable guest speakers have included author Pamela Stevenson, the late Ethel Wilson and journalist D.A. McGregor, and poet Dorothy Livesay (later 2 member and presi- dent). At this season’s last meeting, at the Bowen Island home of Dr. and Mrs. Clarence McNeill, Better byla ws in all three North Shore municipalities is T HE NEED for establishing fair zoning bylaws crucial, The war underway between two the North Shore's literary ladies ceremonially cut their 40th birth- day cake. eae POSTSCRIPTS: Shaw Cable's Martyn Stubbs denies that Doug Collins is *‘banned** on Shaw cablewaves (Wednesday World, July 12). The problem, says Mar- tyn, was simply that Ald. Ernie Crist wanted to do a “‘life’’ of Doug on a phone-in program, the format of which didn’t fit. Would Shaw have Doug on a program that DID fit? Can't see why not, said Martyn... This year’s Theatre Uader The Stars, whose season got off to a promising start last week, has a strong North Shore flavor at the top. President is lawyer John Dobbin of North Van. David Newman, artistic director of The King and I, is director of audiovisual productions for North Van School Board. And The Greatest Little Whorehouse in Texas is directed by West Van’s James Hibbard... West Van hockey fan Janice Dougherty and local boy Gary Nylund, now a New York Islander defence man, tied the knot Saturday at the Danish Lutheran Church in Bur- naby and then celebrated with some 170 guests at Vancouver Golf Club. After thei Florida honey- moon they'll live (where else!) in the Big Apple... And a ‘*Golden Club”’ welcome to Lawrence and Suzanne Reitan-Henricksen -- North Van residents for over 30 years who today, July 19, celebrate their SOth anniversary. zs** WRIGHT OR WRONG: People who say money can do anything usually don’t have any. TONIGHT, ON THE NATIONAL (NORE ON TH DEEP BUDGET CUTS TO THE CBC... neighbors in the Pasco Road community north of Horseshoe Bay over the construction of a new house is @ case in point. The home’s location has sparked a feud between neighbors and ruined goodwill in the neighborhood. Neighbors beside the new house claim the building will protrude 30 feet in front of their waterfront home and block their view. The owners of the new home contest that it is within their rights to buiid the house where it is and thai it does not block any view that ex- isted before construction began. The result is a wrangle following an all-too-familiar formula: the problem was brought up before council; a mediating body was established; mediation failed; a court csse ensued; the court case was lost; the court case is now being appealed. This could have been avoided if clear-cut zoning bylaws were already estab- lished. Yet the scenario isn’t limited to Pasco Road. Throughout the North Shore similar development bat- tles are being weged. The Pasco Road fracas — a small dispute compared with the heated debates over 320 Taylor Way, Collingwood School and Lynn Canyon Park — constitutes a growing problem on the North Shore: plan a development and then wait for the flak. Fair and coatrolied development can only be estab- lished by local government. Good laws make good neighbors. By making zoning bylaws crystal clear, local councils leave nothing open to interpretation. Cnily then will the public stop protesting once buildoz- ers move in. . Peter Speck Managing Editor... Barrett Fisher Associate Editor... . Noel Wright Advertising Directur . Linda Stewart North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and quahted under Schedule 111, Paragraph ii of the Excise Tax Act. 1s published each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by North Shore Free Press Lid ari distrbuled lo every door on Ihe North Shore Second Ciass Mail Registration Number 3885 Subscriptions North and West Vancouver, $25 per year Maing fates available on request. Submissions are welcome bul we cannot accept respunsibilily ter unsolicited? material including manuscripts and pictures which should be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope Publisher THE VOICE OF NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER br rrr 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. 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