Dear Editor: Nomally 1 enjoy (perhaps appreciate is a better word) [zo Knighr’s.columns in the North Shore News. However, his column of Wednesday, June 30, leaves me wondering what he hoped to accomplish. Bruce Chambers is gone as Vancouver Chief Constable — that’s a “done deal.” Why docs Knight insist that al! the details o* why he might have been let go be made public? Whatever — shortcomings Chambers may have had as Chiet Constable, he scems to be a decent, sincere man who was trying to do his job the best he knew how. The Ser that he fell short of the goal does not make him an ogre, to be publicly crucified. At least he had the courage to try and, in my book, his failure was in not realizing sown cough what a troubled team he nad ww work with. If fault-finding is the game, then 2 good deal of the blame must lie with the Vancouver Police Board. ‘They chose Chambers, but then they did not support him. Like Knight, I wish I could believe they won't make the same mis- take with the next Chief. But I don’t agree with Knight that the public will have any more confidence in the board if the board “states unequivocally why they did not renew his contract.” We don'’s need to know why, in detail, That should be strictly berveen Chambers and the board. If Chambers did something wrong, dismissal is punishni_at cnough for him and for his family. I have heard no hint of north shore news MAIL BOX Columnist should try Vancouver Loucks for mayor... emeritus Chief Constabie’s shoes for SiZ@_.... ca... criminal or civil wrongdoing by Chambers — the claim seems mainly to be that he did not show sufficient respect for the people working for him. Does Knight believe it is necessary to totally ruin a man simply because the job was too big or too dificult for him, or because he did not get the sup- port he might have had a night to expect from his employers? 1 should declare my bias. My father was a policeman ali his adult life, and eventually a Chief Constable, and it’s not a job [ would wish on any man. Vd have more respect for Knight's point of view if he had first taken a walk in the chiet’s shoes. It’s too easy to enticize when you-have nothing on the line. Bill Tracey bill_tracey@be.sympatico.ca The news that Mayor Loucks will not seek reelee tion is not entircly unexpeer- ed. Bur the city cannot afford to lose the years of know!l- edge he has accumulated. I propose the creation of a “Mayor Emeritus” position for him, with a seat guaran- teed at the council table when he chooses to attend. Precedent for such a position exists in parliament in Ottawa for Stanicy Knowles. It would be an honorary position, with him being available to offer background information or advice, when asked, on items which city records may not cover. Much credit should also be given to Olive, Jack's wife, for her many years of lave and support. Being the wife of a busy mayor like Jack Three-lane causeway invites lawsuits Dear Editor: T still can’t believe our gov- ernment is guing to renovate the Lions Gate Bridge without increasing, the width of the bridge and the canseway to four lanes. Two lanes cach way would certainly ease the con- gestion for those cars opposing the rush-howr traffic, but the most significant issuc is safety. With three narrow fanes and no divider benwcen the oncoming traffic, the causeway isa disaster waiting to happen. The NDP ays no expansion without tolls, but they had bil- Hions for an Island Highway that was not as critical as the bridge, and it has no toll. Ancouver council docsn’t Commercial inquiry Dear Editor: Just a simple question regarding the legality of Rogers Cablesystems’ policy of pre-empting commercials originating from networks with commercials of their own (for example, on TLC and A&E). Tam more than aware of the services that our friendly neighbourhood monopoly provides, and [ don’r believe that it is appropriate for “the giant” to selectively edit my viewing with their propagan- a. Is there anything that can be done? Chris Heward North Vancouver afroman@axionct. want more traffic dumped into the West End; but we're still only talkiag, about owe lanes cach way. The additional lane would help (reduce) the back- up that occurs dunng rush- hour traffic. There would still only be a maximum of avo Janes feeding into or out of Vancouver, The Vancouver Park Board has pushed for a tunnel to clim- inate the traffic and expand the park. They have been the eriti- ca stumbling block that’s pre- vented widening the causeway, all in an attempt to bluff che NDP into a tunnel. Well your bluff hasn’t worked and you will be remembered for contin- ving the ndiculens legacy of 5 three-lane road through the park and all its problems. The environmentalists don’t want any trees removed to widen the causeway. But Vancouver's supposed to be a world-class city and this is the 20th century. Are a few trees worth the accidents and fives that are lost on the bridge and the causeway every year? And if the causeway is widened, the walkways could be moved away from the road to make them sater end more pleasant to use. Ic is repugnant to me that Vancouver will have to contin- ue to suffer the problems of a three-lane bridge into the next century, We are going to spend a lot of money renovating the bridge. Surcly it is worth spending more to enhance safe- ty and case the traflic conges- tion. Let’s not screw up this opportunity. It's time tor the citizens to pressure the decision makers to do the sensible thing. Hon’t juste read this letter and do nothing because you don’t TALKING YELLOW PAGES. faster, { eG CaMOT —- | COLLISION SPECIALISTS for Fereign & Domestic NORTM SHORE’S HIGHEST VOLUME ALL MAKE 1.€.B.€. VENDOR * Quality Workmanship ° Trustworthy Service-* 1,C.B.C. Vendor ¢ BCAA. Approved ° ees Accredited Collision Repairs - TN The Home of the Lifetime think you can make an impact — you can. It’s cough being a world-class city when the dezi- sion makers ain’t. Finally, if'all they do is reno- vate uie bridge, | have some words of advice for the rclatives of every fatality on the bridge or the causeway: include Glen Clark, Vancouver council and Vancouver Park Board mem- bers in your lawsuits. Perhaps they should all be charged with negligent homicide cach time there's a death. Cliff duFreene West Vancouver Wednesday, July 7, 1999 — North Shore News — 8. can not have been casy. For Stella Jo Dean and husband Roland, the same comments apply. Stella Jo, having chaired so many committees, should also be honoured in some fashion. I suggest she be made a permanent member, or “Member Emeritus,” of the Heritage Committee and the city’s beautification pro- gram, for the dedication and Suits in High Twist Wool or Super 100’s Wool {| reg. $799.00, now $399.00... Sport Jackets in Italian woe! and wooi and silk blends, now 25% Off — Dunn’s and Hathaway Dress Shirts now 50% Off Knits: Perfect for the Weekend outing or the Golf Course, now 25% Cfi Spring Casual Jackets in the latest shades of Micro Fibre, now from $79.00 Casual Sport Shirts from Horst Dusseldorf, Modango, Casa Moda, Klauss Boehler and others, Row 25% Off Cotton Casual Slacks now $44.99 to $64.99 work she has done for both of these. These two have been part of the city’s life for so many years that they are really going to be missed. Plaques and monuments are fur the deceased. Let the city and its residents honour these rwo while they are alive and well. Donald M. Currie donaldm@navigator.inter- gate.ca —~ @uarantee ~ Alse Mechanical Division. 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