Municipal taxes will rise with grant cuts Martin Millerchip News Reporter martin@nsnews.com NORTH Shore taxpay- ers could be unwrap- ping 21999 municipal tax present that’s a lot bigger than projected courtesy of the provin- cial government. North Vancouver District is hardest hit and looking ata tay rate that could more than dou ble. “Tooguess that’s ‘Merry Chrisunas’ or “Bah, humbug? to our residents from the provincial government.” said Mavor Don Bell as he deliv: ered the bad news during Monday's council: debate on Adopuon of is provisional 1999 budget. As previously reported in the News, council agreed last week to a provisional bud- wet figure of $67.2 million uiat will Mereasc municipal taxes by 2.93%. or approsmately $30 for the owner ofan average-issessed residence. New provincial downloading could increase that figure to 6.26%, or approximately $78 per average home- owner. The province announced Friday that it will climinate $42 mil- lion in unconditional Equalization Grants to munic- ipalities with — populations greater than 5,000. North Vancouver District is one of 15 municipalities that will lose more than $1 million. The district had hoped to receive $1.546 million in an equalization grant that had already been reduced by $1.545 million in 1997. The provincial announce- mene, released on a Friday afternoon of the last weekend before Christmas, is couched in terms of “getting the econ- omy moving” by means of “traffic fine revenue sharing and a $50 million a year invest- ment in community infrastruc- ture.” The district’s share of the 1999 traffic fines is projected at $275,000, leaving a $}.271 million shortfall. Whar capital investment the province may choose to make in the district (on a 50-50 cost shared basis) remains to be seen. Compounding the district’s tax woes in 1999 is another oblique announcement bv the province of an Order in Council that will cap the annu- al grant in licu of taxes to the district from Vancouver NVS mayor Don Bell ... provincial government is running in the red. Wharves ar 82 million tor uae POUT and subsequent tas Vea According to distinct bud get officer Torry: Smythe, the srantocap wall cat ao turther $323,000 trom the disuict’s 1999 tay deve. The capping also creates a book loss of over 8400000 ter the district on ity 1997 and 1998 tan devs that will have te be made up. Said Rell in a) prepared statement: “Urbike muons ipal goverament whet balance its budget vear in ang vear out, the provincial gov: ernment has been running in the red and is pow expecting local taspavers to shoulder the burden through higher taxes.” Irs unclear whether the distacte will pass on ube latest round of provincial download: iy ta ity residents Via taxes or cuts in services. Coun, Trevor Carolan has already served notice that he wih net vote for a tay increaye higher than the 2.93%) already agreed, He acknowledged Monday thar such oan approach — would attest organiza pens that are fund cd through district grants. Coun. Ernie Crist said the shortfall Swill force us into a fundamental review of all) our operations. There can be ne more sacred cows.” Crist: said the dis- trict would no longer be able to afford to “subsi- dize the city in shared services.” Couns. Glenys Decring- Robb and Lisa Muri beth wanted district residents to stand up and say “we're not going to take it any more.” Decring-Robb said grant requesters could be referred to senior governments in’ the future. “Pm saving to our residents get after MLAs and make them work,” said Deering- Robb. Muri drafted a motion, unanimously supported by council, that calls on the Unien of British Columbia Municipalities executive to arrange an emergency meeting of all the affected municipali- ties. Council will also write to all municipalities that have popu- lations over 5,000 asking for support in opposing the provincial grant cuts. Muri said she wants to scc some form of letter of opposi- tion with a cutout addressed to Victoria inserted in the News for residents to fill in and mai! off. “And then I want us to march to Victoria,” said Muri. Meaawhile, North Vancouver City faces a $556,000 shortfall in its 1999 provisional budget as a result of the province's cuts. But Terry Christie, the building centre. 915 West 1st St, North Van (behind Capilano Mali) SS canager oof financed plana, coun on Moaday andhe that he was not set dranniecally concerned, "On Sradan (Deo. PX) we sotiee uhat the told recened GAIL Renard holds some of the funds North Shore organizations and individuals sent her way last week. The funds arrived in the wake of last Friday's News story describing how her kids’ Christmas presents were stolen from the trunk of her car. News readers help out ing on the Robert Gaister News Reporter robert@nsnews.com AN outpouring of affection has left a North Vancouver woman over- whelmed by helping hands. Last Friday, a News story described how Gail Renard had $350 worth of Christmas gifts for her kids stolen from the trunk of her car. Since then donations from individuals and organizations wanting to lend a helping hand have more than made up for her loss. “My answering machine has been loaded with calls,” said Renard. “There’s just been an overwhelming aumber of calls.” The generosity of News readers more than Prowangial wesernment cut is grant, thisison tie heels of the ROS. reduction oan 1YYS,7 Crmsne sand PRs cear (1999, we'll receive nothing in tncondinonal revenue sharing bat chings suchas tratne rine revenues wall thse an impact on the SAS6.000 revenue toss, thar’s equivalent to appront See Cay page & RS: NEWS photo Mike Wakefield replaced what Renard originally lost. ripped off.” Renard. “E want people to be aware the replace- ment is one thing, but the excess is not neces- sary,” said Renard. “Yeah, I got ripped off but some people don’t even have a chance to be To date, Renard has received more than $1,100 from a variety of sources, including the Lynn Valley Lions Club, which was first to jump in with a $350 gift. Renard will share the rest of the donations with others in need. She said she will donate the excess cash to the Harvest House and Family Services of the North Shore. “It was hard to handle all of this because my jatention was to inject a littl conscience into whoever did this (stole her gifts),” said Bridge jumpers stopped FIVE adults were bungee jumping off Lynn Canyon sus- pension bridge on Sunday. North Vancouver ROMP 0 Const. ‘Tom Seaman sud police believe this was the first ume bungee pumping SAN VET atigmpted trom the Nort Vancouver lindmark. Vhe bungee jumpers were from Whistler and the orth Shore and in their late nventies and early chir- des. Their names were not released. Police say the bungee jumpers scemed properly equipped tor the activity. Seanian said that police arrived aiter four of the bungee jumpers had ‘ready feapt trom the bridge. A woman Standing nextin fine for a plinge, The police constable sand there are no laws dircedy prohibiting bungee jumping trom the suspen: sion bridge. bur the activity prevented the public trom having proper access to the suspension bridge. Seam said the bungee jumpers were couperative and stopped their jumps when asked. Police went to the park after 2. person called the RCMP at 3:30 p-m., saving that people Were jumping trom the suspension bridge. —: Annan Marte D'Angelo Grave marker moved BS POLICE are investi- gating how a broken tombstone ended up near McCartney Creek Park on the Northlands Trail. Way The grave marker was found by a woman walk- North Vancouver trail on Dee. 19. The tombstone read: “Sumpton In loving mem- ory of James William. Husband, Father, Son, Brother and Friend. March 9, 1962 - Nov. 3, 1991.” Police say the tomb- stone was taken from the North Vancouver ceme- tery on Lillooet Read. Anyone with informa- tion is asked to call Const. Darren Munroe at 985- 1311 or Crime Stoppers at 669-8477. — Anna Marie D’Angelo mainin y