\ _ a Wednesday, July 8, 1998 — North Shore News — 3 Student work cash OK'd by White White in turn accuses Fry of concocting the story for political purposes. “If she has a probiem sith how | ruz things she should come over here and run against me,” said an angry White. Over at the North Vancouver human resources development Canada officc, communications ~ consultant Rick Waters was at first extremely reluctant to get into the © middle of 2 “schoolyard fight” between the nwo politicians. “Bureaucrats never talk about what the politicians are doing, so we have no comment on that,” said Waters. “If Hedy Fry wants to atrack Ted White that’s a political thing.” But Waters eventually warmed to the subject, saying it's a healthy process to let the public know how their system works. He explained that three years ago White established a citizens’ committee to ask interested North ‘Vancouver residents what they thought of various federally-funded projects. On the basis of those con- sultations, he said, White accepts some pro ms and reject others. “He thinks a lot of the projects are a waste of time,” said Waters, adding the federal minister has the power to overrule White's rejec- tions. “I would say it’s truce to say that . Ted probably turns down more - Projects than. most MPs would,” said Waters. “And it’s probably true to say thar we believe at our department that the projects are generally help- ful to students and-we often recom- “amend to the minister if Ted has turned down something he might wish to overrule.” ':.. Waters said the forms for the student program at issue were sent ‘te. White for approval on April 27 - anid returned approved on May 15. In the $206,447 program, 86 stu- dents will work in various areas including the Boys and Girls Club, ‘a crisis centre and Fraser Fibreglass Lrd. Qn Monday Fry couldn’: say Canoes compete ABOUT 240 pullers competed in Squamish Nation waz canoe races July 4 and 5 at Ambleside Beach. The event drew competitors from Washington State, Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley. Pictured: Mike Billie of North Vancouver finished third in the men’s single paddle. Burrard Band will hold its w2z canoe races at Cates Park in Deep Cove this Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12. Slow boats get fast ferry food — Robert Galster News Reporter robert@usnews.com BC Ferries passenge's will have a chance to sample a s-ortion of the recently unveiled fas: ferry menu aboard the corporation’s slow boats throughout the sumnver. “It is BC Ferries’ custom to change the menu z we approach the summer season,” said the corporation’s spokesman Clay Suddaby. As it turns out, this year’s change was a piece of cake considering a large portion of the new menu had already been developed for the fast ferries. The first fast ferry is scheduled to undergo sea trials in August and be in service on the Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo route some- time after Labor Day. “There's a tot of similarity (between the wo menus),” said Suddaby. “We're going for a lighter, healthier cuisine -~ something our cus- tomers have told us (they wanted).” BC Ferries’ superintendent of quality con- trot Hans Ziramermann, who manages the company’s test kitchen, echoed Suddaby’s sen- timents. “This summer, light and cool is the rule,” smoked turkey with cdam. on foccacia, and for those hard-to-please children, good old-fash- ioned peanut butter and jelly.” The introduction of the partial menu will provide passengers with a combination of the best of both worlds. “Traditional offerings include crispy baked chicken, cacsar salad, beef stroganoff, chicken royal, and of course our best sellers — french fries, coffee, clam chowder, other soups, soft drinks, hamburgers and hot dogs,” said Zimmermann. The fast ferries will not ofter deep fried foods because the necessary fire walls for deep fryer units were deemed too heavy for the ultra- light aluminum Pacificats. News food scribe Timuthy Renshaw sam- pled the crispy chicken at a recent introduction of the fast ferry menu held at the ferry assembly facility in North Vancouver. ; “Reminiscent of Coionel Saunders’ claim to fame,” wrote Renshaw, adding it featured a crispy exterior and a moist interior all thor- oughly laced with herbs. Overall Renshaw wrote the new menu con- stituted “a titanic improvement in the offing.” Added Renshaw: “This is not the Queen Mary, me hearties, but the new age fast ferry Munchies move BC Ferries travellers like to eat. A lot. Topping the list of sales in the fiscal year. 1997-98 is coffee at 2,568,360: units sold while sausage rolls prop up the bottom with | a measly 25,756 units sold. The following is a sampling of the number _ of other items sold aboard the flect.during the same period: : @ french fries — 1,098,106; @ soft drinks — 1,042,630; @ tca — 554,632; B hamburgers — 434,383; B clam chowder — 345,104, B@ milk — 341,209; : B soup of the day — 314,583; B® hot dogs — 251,952; @ toast — 247,923; B frozen yogurt ~- 244,618; @ muffins — 216,762; ® scones — 182,652; B jello -- 120,657; @ giant cookies — 105,379; @ fish and chips — 60,317; how her office came up with the figure of 72 students teing denied Municipal manager to report pack to council on service concerns Catherine Contributing Writer -. SAFETY remains a burning issue “for West Vancouver firefighters. “Due to erosion of funding, our service levels or ability to provide the services have “been compromised,” said West Vancouver Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (WVVPFFA) spokesman Jay Brownlee. “>. “We fear for what the future holds,” he said. . Brownlee’s comments come on the heels of the publication and private delivery of over 18,060 yellow flyers to West Vancouver homes. Called “An important message from your firefighters,” the brochure claims that West Vancouver fire halls are understaffed and in dire need: of repairs, upgrades and equip- said Zimmermann. “We've added a seafood wrap with shrimps, scallops, rice and vegetables, uiche lorraine with salad, and nachos with all the trimmings. Our summer sandwiches include firefighters rattle ci ment replacements. The flyers have managed to alarm the public and disappoint West Vancouver politicians. “I view the letter (flver) as alarmist,” said Coun. Russ Fraser. Saying thar firefighters are acting irre- sponsibly in their approach, he termed the flyer campaign a “grave error” on the part of the firefighters. But Brownlee maintains the campaign is strictly for informational purposes and was not meant to frighten West Vancouver resi- dents. “These are not scare tactics,” he said. “This is a public education campaign to raise awareness of the state of fire service in West Vancouver.” Among other things, Brownlee wants to sce more members hired to bring the associ- ation in line with current requirements. Presently, three men are assigned to a truck. Standard staffing levels in most municipalities are four or more to a truck. According to Brownlce, this consticutes an “elementary level” of service. West Vancouver Fire Fighters’ president menu shows attention to changing dining demands that deserve applause.” The menu may be receiving that applause two months carlier than expected. Barry Campbell wants to see allocated funds better utilized and geared more towards departmental requirements. “[ think more funding could be diverted to the fire services to maintain a high level of service (to the community),” he said. Both Campbell and Brownlee agree that while a new aerial fadder truck may be expensive, it is a one-time purchase that is necessary and overdue. “We need an equipment replacement schedule,” said Brownlee, “because right now it’s on a piecemeal basis.” He said reli- able marine rescue equipment is also need- ed. Council remains largely unimpressed with the unusually vocal fire department. “I was a little distressed,” said Mayor Par Boname about the flyers. She suggested that council, management and unionized mem- bers need “to get back together” and work things out. Coun. Bill Soprovich backed the fire- fighters and pushed for council to take action sooner rather than later. Coun. Victor Durman scolded the fire- fighters for not printing what he called “che @ Nanaimo bars — 40 391. . — Robert Galster truth.” He emphasized that the fire budget has not been cut, nor is it scheduled to be cut in the near future. Oo He was supported by Coun. Liz Byrd . -- Coun. Allan Williams questioned the fire- © fighters motives. “It’s a union fight is what it is,” said Williams, ; . But Campbell maintained otherwise, say- ing the flyer campaign is not.dn attempt to influence future wage negotiations. : Acting fire chief Ron Olson's information - report to council stresses that management was not involved in the “yellow journalism” flyer campaign. However, his report backs up what the firefighters union published. Olson recognizes that the campaign was an expression of “frustration due to poten- tial cuts in service levels.” He believes “this style of public information campaigning” will end once council, management and fire- fighters have agreed to a proper plan of action. Next up for council consideration will be municipal manager Doug Allan’s report on the topic which, according to Boname, will result in a public report back to council.