B8 - Sunday, June 29, 1983 - North Shore News Optimism at District hall THE RESTRAINT that has been so evident in every sec- tor of our society over the past 18 months was reflected at the municipal level by such diverse indicators as a total lack of activity in land sales, a minimal number of building permit applications, and a dramatic drop in the quantities of garbage going to the Premier Street landfill from the commercial sector. A noticeable reversal of these trends as we entered 1983, however, gives some hope that we have seen the worst of the recession and can look forward to some measure of economic recovery in the time ahead. In recognition of these dif- ficult times, your Council has kept a right rein on the 1983 budget while respon- ding to the needs of all tax- payers (residential, commer- cial, industrial). We have adopted some very difficult but necessary restraint measures in order to hold the level of municipal operating expenditures slightly below the 1982 level while sull maintaining our basic services and avoiding the pitfalls of massive cuts which would detrimentally affect our community over the years to come. I refer specifically to such actions as: ¢Discontinuation of our Fire Department's new = mini- pumper program; *A bare maintenance budget for our Recreation Commis- sion (which many feel is already under-funded); *Reduction in Planning Department staff to mention a few. And still most taxpayers have seen an increase in their municipal taxes (average 5% residen- tial, 15% business and 35% industrial) depending on comparable assessments between 1982 and 1983. This anomaly is caused by the significant cutbacks in prov- BANK OF BRITISH MARILYN BAKER incial revenue sharing grants in 1982 - revenue which must now be generated from the general tax levy. We still, however, boast one of the lowest tax rates in the lower mainiand. Looking ahead, I believe there is a more optimistic picture for the coming years. Completion of the long- awaited new crossing of the Seymour River with the ac- companying interchange im- *provements to Capilano Col- lege heralds a newed push for development of the many vacant parcels of land in the east end of the District. Some major capital works (funded by our tax sales land reserve) to be undertaken by the municipality (Edgemont revitalization, municipal hall renovations, Capilano Library Branch expansion) “Ps MAYOR JACK LOUCKS come at a time when the private sector needs such stimulation. Benefits accrue to the District by work done at a reasonable and com- petitive price. The initiation several years ago of long term com- munity planning is seeing fruition with the completed official plans for Deep Cove and Maplewood. Further- more, the Marine Drive Cor- ridor study is well under way. Allin all I beheve that Disinct residents can view with confidence a_ stable balanced approach to municipal development and anticipate with enthusiasm our part in the Greater Van- couver Region's countdown to Expo 86. Marilyn Baker, Mayor North Van District MAXIMUM SECURITY, CONVENIENCE AND SERVICE. PERSONALIZED BANK CARD AUTOMATED BRANCH BANKING SYSTEM Ae rae pe Quay leads City growth IN SPITE of the detnmen- tal effect of the economic recession on many local commercial and industrial businesses, and the resulting increase in unemployment, growth in the City of North Vancouver was very strong during the past year and looks very promising for the year ahead. During the 1982 calendar year building permits for development, worth approx- imately $49.6 million, were issued. This compared to a total building permit development worth $37 million in 1981, and while the City initially projected only $20 million worth of development for the 1983 calendar year, there is every indication this figure will be exceeded by a considerable amount. The Lonsdale Quay development, which has pro- ved to be one of the most vibrant developments of its kind on the west coast of Canada, is proceeding as planned. In addition to the Pacific Marine Training In- stitute, which was opened for use in February 1982, the British Columbia Railway Building has now been sub- stantially completed and was occupied as of April 1983, and the 1.C.B.C. Building is slated for occupancy some time in July or August of this year. This will mean that, since its inception, the Lonsdale Quay development will have been responsible for the direct introduction of some 2,000 permanent jobs to the Lower Lonsdale area, as of August !, 1983. In addiuon, three other Lonsdale Quay projects are at vanous stages of planning with two of them likely to commence con- struction in the latter portion this year. In togal, these three projects will introduce a further 215,000 square feet of floor space to the Quay development. ' Development activity is also under way, or in the planning stages, on proper- ues close to the Quay. C.H. Cates and Sons Ltd shas begun construction on its Motor boats Canoes Sailboats (nent to Ambleside Park) WE’RE HERE TO SERVE YOU! RENTALS DRYLAND STORAGE Sailboard storage Boats under 14’ OUTBOARD REPAIRS BOATLAUNCH On the North Shore Quer 30 Years AMBLESIDE MARINA 1352 Argyle, W V new office and industrial complex which should be completed early next year. Three other proposed pro- jects north of Esplanade have reached an active stage which, if proceeded with, will add a further 150,000 square feet of floor space. In the central Lonsdale area, there continues to be some growth in office and commercial space. The courthouse at 23rd and St. Georges, which has a con- struction cost of over $3,900,000, is close to com- pletion and should en- courage planning of new projects north of 17th Street. Eastern House, formerly referred to as the Dentco Building, is finally about to have its office and retail space occupied now that the litigation imvolving it has been concluded. concluded. When considering future development in the City we must not overlook the Fullerton Fill Site. This seventy-acre waterfront area has been subjected to exten- sive examination and it is an- ticipated that a public hear- ing will soon be held to finalize and enshrine in the City’s) official Community Plan the recommended uses for this property. Many interested groups await some indication of these designations, after which the City expects to receive a number of development proposals for this area, which is con- sidered to be one of the prime undeveloped sites re- maining on the West Coast. The projects presently under construction and the many proposals for future construction make the long term development for the Ci- ty look very promising. An improvement in_ the economy that would cnable companies such as Burrard- Y arrows to restore the many jobs that have been lost dur- ing the past year would make our community's future look exceedingly bright. Jack Loucks, Mayor North Van City $8.00 per hour $5.00 per hour $15.00 per hour 922-0215