knight ; time SOMETIMES you have to tip your hat to the government. When they can reach into your wallet to steal even more “money, and do it in ‘such a way there is _ barely a murmur of protest, you have to be impressed. “ Indeed, the NDP, under the guise of ICBC, even - managed to manipulate the RCMP and the media ‘to complish this calloused, rip-off.-After convincing the Mounties that photo radar would save lives, (though how; God only knows) then Highways Minister, Jackie’. Pement, ‘orchestrated a pro- paganda, blitz designed to ake us willingly part with our hard-eamed ‘cash... ray photo rada applied.‘The Victoria Times’ Colonist quoted her. on Sept. tol 21, 1995 saying, “What this is really uimed at is getting the worst of the worst.” She went on to explain only the top 15 per cent of specders would be ticketed. Okay, let's do the math. The government has estimat- ed revenue from photo radar to be between $100 and $160 million dollars. At $100 per ticket, that translates into one million to 1.6 million tickets issued annually. Currently, there are just over three mil- lion licenced drivers in the province. Therefore, at least, one in every three drivers can expect to get a ticket, That's a minimuin of 33% of all drivers, not the worst 15% of all speeders. This does not include all other tickets issued to motorists by the police throughout the province. B.C.’s Jeap into photo radar has been beset with problems from the outset. To date, the government has spent over $12 million (that they will admit to) on the program. only to discover it doesn't work. . {nastunning, candid admission to BCTV’s John Daly, the second most recent Highways Minister, Corky -"Evans, revealed the system didn’t work and the govern- -gient would be cancelling the contract with ATS Canada, _ the program developer. Before Evans could get — “*his.foot out of his mouth, Premier Glen Claik told him to’ get his butt out of the min- ister’s chair. ‘The new minis- mi "Brian: Russell Both ge:.26 Offence: ‘assault with a weapon: ‘forcible confine- , ‘Call NV RCMP at 985- 1311 _ ter, Lois Boone, immediately went into damage contrel mode to save their monu- mental cash cow. She decided to continue working with ATS Canada to solve the problems with the “automated” part of the sys- tem, Ironically, the “A” of ATS stands for “Automated,” the very thing the system apparently isn't. But i digress. Boone retreated to the wilds of Prince George to announce the project would be operated regardless. Tickets would be processed manually, she said. When asked how much more this would cost, Boone could only stammer and stutter, clearly demonstrating she hadn't considered the ramifi- cations to the public purse. Now, there’s a shock. A few hours later, min- istry mandarins issued a press release saying it will cost $8.6 million to manually run the program in 1996- 1997, the same as it would have cost to operate the auto- mated system. : How in the world is any- one supposed to believe peo- ple hired to interpret photos, search databases and gener- ate tickets and letters are going to cost the same as a- computer doing the same thing? Given the experience of the NDP in deception, you'd almost expect a lie would be credible. While on the topic of credibility, it's very sad to see RCMP Staff Sergeant is for thee Mike Clarabut, whose hand is on the Gler of the photo radar program, say his boun- doggle to Europe. paid for by ATS, to attend a irade show as part of the ATS delega- tion, was police related, But then, he is a traffic cop. Real police officers, those who actually do. a day's work, have a saying about traffic cops. They say it’s like having a sister ina whorehouse, you still care, but you hate what she’s doing for a living. The police should tell the government to take a bike on this one. The NDP have bought into an electronic, computerized “toll” system. The only, difference between the cops who work photo - radar and the attendants on the Coquihalla is the person- al contact experienced when you fork over your money. How are . we doing? When we fall shore of your expectation, please tell us. When a. newspaper story does nat seem to reflect fairly what wav said, let ‘our < editors know. When we ate unable to solve yuur complaint, we encourage you it co submit to the: B.C. Press Council BouS4i4 Victoria, B.C. V8R 654. Tel: (604) 595-2571 Fax: (604) 595-2573" ‘The B C. Press Council was creatin i in - 1983 as an independent review board - _ te protect the public from press inaccuracy or unfairness end to promexe quality journalism. Friday, July 5, 1996 ~ North Shore News — 9 DROP-IN BIN Every Sunday 1:30 - 4:30 Starts July 7th . Seylynn Rec Centre 605 Mountain Hwy. ____(at Fern St.) N.V. For details call 988-1541 selected shions | pls day M ming y - Storewide until 12 noon Shopin the morning. You il have more time to enjcy your weekend, and we’ li payihe GST (twice) on regular arid clearance merchandise. ~ ators wl diduct ho equtalont twice the GST trom your total purchase on Satria, uy 6 unt 00 noon." "Not valid’ combination with any other tax savings offers. Excludes Gosinetics; Fragranses, Suniglass Hut’, Panasonic GAOO TVs, Royal Velvat towels, pre-racorciad videos, CDs & tapes, clearance books, watch straps, “Eaton Gift Certiicates, mstairants, concessions and services. Details in store. Personal shopping only.