8& - Wednesday, April 1, 1992 — North Shore News ACTION group had year of ups and downs Dear Editor: Just some thoughts to close this chapter on the West Vancouver group’s (ACTION) Cultural Cen- tre proposal for the old Odeon on Marine Drive. First of all 1 would like to thank the North Shore News for its coverage by Evelyn Jacob and Trevor Lautens. The year that we devoted as volunteers to this project has been full of ups and downs. The “‘ups’’ were meeting and working with the incredible people who make up the residential, business and arts population of West Vancouver. We really are a diverse and exciting community. I've met seniors who are so on the ball and excited about their growing community I only wish they would run for council. I’ve met families who are active in tak- ing up the challenge of creating the community of excellence we all hope and expect to be. The new merchant community is growing in its strength and is showing interest in taking a strong stand on the issues that will determine whether we are just another commercial strip or a series of defined quality character business areas. The other ‘‘ups’’ have been the project itself and the realization of what the arts and culture can do for a community. The ‘‘downs’’ are, of course, losing the site and thus the pro- ject, and getting a rather chilling view of the politics involved in getting community involved in West Vancouver. In the process of working on the project I got a chance to see the municipal decision-making machine. When I hear Ald. Pat Boname say (March 18, News) ‘‘when ! said — who pays? — he stopped phoning,’’ it amazes me. I phoned her twice for advice and I stopped phoning after ] watched her attack on the Ambieside merchants who put up and paid for the Christmas lights display. As to the facility study of the North Shore, it is fine as long as it is acknowledged that since council has put up the funds from the budget for the study and since those funds came from our taxes, then obviously Brenda Berck, the commission's cultural development Abortion stance ignorant Dear Editor: I am writing in response to Trevor Lautens' article in the March 20 edition regarding NDP abortion funding. Mr. Lautens’ idiotic remark that none of his children came in- to the world ‘‘conveniently’’ serves to prove his misunderstand- ing of the abortion situation. His compulsion to try to make the reader see that abortion is an easy way to climinate an unwanted pregnancy also proves his incredi- ble ignorance. Mr. Lautens says the first child came when he was ‘‘too young” and the iast one came when he was “too old.’? Of course, he “‘personally’’ brought them into the world, | assume. Get with it, Trevor! Many women are faced with pregnancy in their teenage years with no means of support, either financial-or emotional. Then there are girls between the ages of 12-18 who are cases of rape. The violence of the act itself is something they might never get over. The prospect of raising a child from this heinous act is overwhelming. Would Mr. Lautens still sit in judgment? I, too, have beautiful children that I would not trade for any- thing in the world. However, my Expansion has no sense of balance Dear Editor: I can’t protest loudly enough over the Cypress Bowl Recreation Lid. proposed skiing expansion within Cypress Provincial Park. If allowed, the balance of recreation and conservation would be tilted in favor of skiing, and that’s no © S balance at all. Urbanization and overcrowding demands that Hollyburn Moun- tain be preserved as a respite from the din of metropolis. Now this private company-within-a-park wants a chairlift to the top! Cypress is a Class “A”? provin- cial park and has been singlea out **for preservation of its natural environment for the inspiration, use and enjoyment of the public.”’ Perhaps the new parks mandate should read ‘‘for the preservation of the business environment and the enjoyment of downhill ski- ing.’ Glenn H. Tate Vancouver husband and I planned for their arrival and every step of their up- bringing has been a mutual deci-- sion. if Mr. Lautens had a 12-year- old daughter (who is hardly more than a child herself) who was raped and ended up pregnant, would he so casily be able to sit on his pulpit and preach his un- reasonable sermon? Possibly, because he would ruin his daugh- ter’s life by making an example of her — I hardly think that con- stitutes him to be a ‘‘perfect’’ fa- ther as he is so heartily trying to express. I, and many other women in this province, applaud Mike Har- court for his compassion and his deep understanding that the abor- tion issue is always going to be controversial. ~ With all my heart, Mr. Lautens, I sincerely hope that your daugh- ters are never confronted with this decision or the chance that you might have to make it for them. I certainly hope if it happens, that you can make the right decision for her. Victoria Thompson West Vancouver Overdevelopment irresponsible Dear Editor: A letter in the Feb. 23 News propusing an alternative route to alleviate traffic congestion of the Mt. Seymour Parkway, and an ar- ticle on another meeting on over- crowding ‘in the Dorothy Lynas School, point again to North Vancouver District Courcil’s failure to address overcrowding in the Seymour/Deep Cove area. Also, council’s proposal to use revenue from land sales for road maintenance exposes the sad truth that the district can’t operate and provide services to tke existing populace unless it keeps on selling Jand, thereby exacerbating the overcrowding problem. Council’s propensity for overdevelopment without address- ing basic concerns such As access and schools is irresponsitte and . makes one wonder who is actually in control — council or devet- opers? J.L. LeBel North Vancouver PUBLIC NOTICE LOAD RESTRICTIONS HOWE SOUND HIGHWAYS DISTRICT Pursuant to Section 26 of the Highway Act and the Commercial Transport Act, all load restrictions within the Howe Sound Highways District are hereby rescinded effective. 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 28, 1992. Overioad permits will be allowed in accordance with the regulations of the Commercial Transport Act. Peter R. Milburn, P. Eng. District Highways Manager Art Charbonneau Honourable Minister Ministry of Transportation & Highways Dated: March 27, 1992 At: 1690 Main Street Howe Sound District Office North Vancouver, B.C. Province of British Columbia s Ministry cof Transportation and Highways officer, works for us, the tax- payers. Of course, the mayor and council should also fall under that definitien, but power is a strange drug, and the few bright sparks I've met at the hall who are not taken by it know better than to go against the fiow. We as a community have seen many studies done by West Van- couver Council. Historically, the mayor and council love studies and commissions because it allows them to look fike they are doing something. We have a terrific community of caring and talented people here in West Vancouver. We should listen to them and act on their advice. James Hazell Interim Project Coordinator ACTION West Vancouver News Mailbox requirements LETTERS TO the editor must include your name, written legibly, your full address and telephone number. Due to space constraints the North Shore News cannot publish all letters. Published letters may be edited for brevi- ty, clarity, accuracy, legality and taste. Letters can be faxed to 985-3227. Come to the GRAND OPENING of the North Vancouver COMPOST Demonstration Garden’ {| and hive your compost and gardening questions answered by News Celumnist Geoff Tobiasson and compost expert Mike Levenston. Food & Fun for all! Park & Tilford Gardens Saturday, April 4, 12-2 P.M. This special good April Ist-10th, 1992 Graphics counssy Environment Cina ¥