Task force report cost questioned Dear Editor: The indusuial Waterfront Task Force recently presented its final report to North Vancouver District council. The thrust of its recom- mendations focuses largely on reducing. municipal taxation of industry, so as to protect jobs and stay competitive in the global economy. What I find troubling is the exorbitant cost of produc- ing the report. Under a FOI request, I was told that desk- top publishing, production and printing charges for 80 copies cost the taxpayer $6,619. Thar works out to be $82.75 per copy, for a 2¢- page report! 1 do not want to demean * the hard work of the volun- teers. However, [ would have had a lot more respect for the committee’s recommends- tions if they had been pub- lished on newsprint. Dave Sadier North Vancouver north shore news MAIL BOX _ Social Dear Editor: Once again, fam impelied to comment on the Other Voices column that appears regularly in your newspaper. The name would perhaps be appropriate if the North Shore News actually sought cut viewpoints differing from its own, pro-business, anti- government one. However, this is clearly not the inten- tion of its owners and editors. Instead, along with other media already saturated with Fraser Institute propaganda, we are exposed to still more of it in your newspaper. Those of us who demand bal- anced reporting on any issue ought not include the North Shore News on our reading fists. Your July 4 Other Voices article treated us to yet another right-wing rant by “frec-market” ideologue Claudia Rebanks, who uses her space to criticize the edu- cation “monopoly.” Dismissing as unimportant the fact that students, teach- ers and parents all prefer smaller class sizes, Ms. Rebanks concludes that “public education is a source of many failing grades these days,” apparently because she finds no clear eviderce link- ing smaller class size to “improved academic achieve- ment.” She also ignores the effects education underfund- ing has had on students and teachers and how it has con- tributed to “deteriorated ... public confidence in the edu- cation system.” She should know that school taxcs alone do sot fund our education system. She should know that per- sonal income taxes in Canada have risen while corporate taxes have dropped substan- tially, 9 fact she undoubredly supports. She should also know that taxes on the wealthy have dropped relative to the rest of us and that it is the more wealthy who are demanding “choice, innovation and accountability” in education (and healtheare, social and public services). What these people really want is to opt out of those services which they can safety net threat afford to pay for privately (with generous government funding, of course). They will then demand Jower taxes, believing they no longer ben- efit directly from public ser- vices, failing to understand or appreciate the positive soci- etal benefits of wealth redis- mibution. Their secession, in turn, will undermine public ser- vices further and perperuate a downward spiral in the public sector, with concurrent expansion of the private sec- tor —~ and private profits. This, after all, is the ultimate goal of the Fraser Institute and its supporters: to destroy the public sector, undermine government and democracy, deregulate the economy and allow the rich and powerful further freedom to profit at the expense of both the envi- ronment and society in gen- eral. And those Canadians with empty pockets can per- haps rely on charity and phil- anthropy, as in the “good old days” before a social safety net existed. Ken Timewell North Vancouver Column on porn decision was ‘pious muck’ ’ Dear Editor: ‘Re: Noel Wright’s July 11 News column. . Mr. Wright’s article about John Sharpe’s. acquittal on possession of child pornogra- phy is badiy flawed. .. He forgets that the “Charter is not a judicial invention, but something ° handed to the courts by . Parliament, and ultimately by ‘the people who put them there. uo, “It’s the job of judges to interpret the Charter, but if you don’t like the results then complain to the appro- riate party at clection me. ° Better still, complain to your . neighbours who put them | there. ; ‘Mr. Wright’s casual and public labelling of a twice- acquitted personas a “kid- dic-porn. drooler escaping What Mr Sharpe really escaped from was a convic- tio: for being thoroughly repugnant, but there’s no law againsc that. I would suggest chat the oh-se-dreary non-syllogisms inte do'od fas of an illogical flame-thrower be re-subtitled to “hither and yawn”, since your read- ers deserve fair warning before trespassing on that pious muck you call editori- al. Dr. R. Glen Cooper West Vancouver glen_cooper@compuserve.c om ICBC HAS A TEAM OF LAWYERS, SHOULDN'T YOU? “{« Documents you sign can be used against you. |Taylor & Blair BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS” 102-145 West 15th St. North Van 983-4311 RRS www.taylorandblair.com Graham Taylor FREE CONSULTATION )SURE AND: DELAYS a to Sky Highway 99 9 km north of Squamish (Alice Lake turn-off) The Squamish Triathlon Association advises travellers of a scheduled closure and delays at the Alice Lake turnoff / Squamisn Vailey Road (9km north of Squamish) on Sunday, July 25th, 1999, for the “Squamish Triathian - a memorial to Bob Mcintosh” as follows: Sunday, July 25 1999 ROAD CLOSURE from appreximateiy $:20 am: to 9:40 am INTERMITTENT DELAYS from approximately 9:49 am toa 70:10 am The Squamish Triathion Association apolo- gizes for any inconvenience caused to trav- ellers and requests their patience to allow this very important community event to take place. All proceeds from this event go to the Robert W. Mcintosh Scholarship Fund. wef Look What's In Store For You 7 Galleria Ambleside is changing what we have come to know as vetail. Tae browse and purchase then leave idea, does not work for the owners of this store. ‘ ; George and Colleen of Music Gallery and Christine of Gold Bond B:sks had shops at City Square Mall for 10 years before they decided it was time for something neta They have combined their knowledge of music: ' books and live entertain- ment. Their coffee house on Marine Drive in West Von serves Seattle's Best coffee, yummy treats supplied by 7 — " _— mm Monte Cristo Bakery and a Look at the new ‘ala th be ool a CD's they have to offer. “Toet tobt all Euening entertainment is an eclectic mix of local artists my clothes! performing everything from jazz and blues to classical -and pop. On Thursdays an Open Mike encourages new musicians and singer/son writers to experience a - We have designed a closet organizer ¢ with a typical child's needs in mind. - There's a “home for ail their stuff,” live audience. . . 3 Make a point of stopping in at Galleria Ambleside. . whether it's ten pairs of runners or all their play dress-up clothes! scot-free” is a bit scary, since a verdict. of not guilty is sup- ‘posed to:mean something in this country. sia ~ Itsa new concept with a wonderful attitude. . . Come Join Our. Grand Opening Celebration Saturday, July 24th 10am-llpm } ' Enjoy * Free Pastries and Beverages © Free Entertainment ® Prize Draws to Win Free CD's & Books Galleria Ambleside * Gold Bond Books * Music Gallery WOODLINES CUSTOM BUILT FURNITURE FOR HOME OR OFFICE : Mon-Fri 9-5 « Sat 10-4