| i ; g a "MAILBOX Attorney General responds to St. Pierre column on trustee Dear Editor: Paul St. Pierre’s article “Lord State Almight vs. the Camerons,’* published on Friday, July 5, con- tains errors and assumptions which I would like to correct. The story, concerning a father’s court fight to manage a portion of the estate for hix child’s benefit. contained allegations that the Provincia! government was trying to gain control of the fund. The article states that the Office of the Public Trustee intruded into the Private life of a family and that the ‘‘government’’ couldn't possibly manage funds in a pru- dent manner. The Office of the Public Trus- tee performs such a critical rofe in Protecting the rights of minors and dependent adults that | must, therefore, address allegations about that office, and inaccuracies about the Jennifer Cameron case. By law, the Public Trustee is required to review all estates when a child might have an interest in that estate, and to be sure the best interests of the child are repre- sented in the will. Investments made by the Office on behalf of the child are pro- tected by legislation. First, I must set the record straight on the relationship be- tween the Office of the Public Trustee and the Ministry of At- torney General. The Office of the Public Trustee acts independently in performing its duties. The of- fice reports, for administrative purposes, to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Management Services. Second, it is in the public’s in- terest to correct the inaccuracies, contradictions and sensaiional tone used in the coverage of this story. This coverave not only mis- represents the duties of the Public Trustee and the spirit, in) which those duties are performed, it also fails to show that the action taken by the Public Trustee was taken in consideration of the best interests of the child. Allegations that the Puivie Trustee attempted fo “gail Cone trol’ of an inheritance for ten nifer Comeron are inaccurate on several izvels, Jennifer Cameron was lett no specific inheritance or trust in her mother’s will. Jennifer was her mother’s only child. Her father has four other children from 2 previous marriage. Mrs. Cameron, who had inherited a sizable estate herself, left all of her money to her husband to invest as he saw it. The will did not guarantee that Jennifer would receive a reason- able share of her mother’s estate untess her father died before her mother, or at the same time. it was the intention of the Public Trustee to ensure that Jen- nifer receive a fair share in her mother’s estate. Mr. Cameron was not willing to set aside any money out of his wife’s estate specifically | for Jennifer, and the Public Trustee, therefore, made a claim on Jennifer’s behalf, Had a trust fund been established for Jennifer there would not have been a court challenge. There has been no question of Mr. Cameron’s ability to handle his financial affairs. The Public Trustee looks at cases from the perspective of protecting the child in an imperfect world. Post partum group thanks Dear Editor: On behalf of the Pacific Post Partum Support Society I wish to thank the District of North Van- couver mayor and councillors for the support they have given to mothers on the North Shore ex- periencing post partum depres- sion, through their grant of $1,000 to our society. We offer support groups and telephone counselling to mothers of young children who are having Established 1956 All Work Guaranteed ICBC Claims Yesterday Service feelings of depression or anxiety after the birth or adoption of a child. If any of your readers wish in- formation about our programs they can phone our office at 255- 7999, Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Shauna Little, Treasurer Pacific Post Partum Support Society Vancouver CAR |PROBLEMS LATELY? . DAVE’S BODY SHOP! 1 431 Clyde Ave, West Vancouver 22-2300 — The Office of the Public Trust- ce is not appealing the judge's decision in thir case. ft placed its concern before the courts and has performed its duty under the law. It performs that duty consistently and with the highest integrity. [t should not have to bear ill-in- termed distortions of its motives und actions, Russell G. Fraser Attorney General of British Cot- Sunday. July 28, 1991 - North Shore News - 7 Mailbox policy LETTERS TO the editor must inglude your name. written legibly, sour full address and telephone number. Due to space constraints the North Shore News cannot publish all letters. Published letters may be edited for brevi- ty, clarity, accuracy, legality and taste. “ARDAGH HUNTER TURNER Barristers & Solicitors Personal Injury AFTER HOURS Criminal Matters Only 926-3181 FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION 986-4366 FAX 986-9286 4300-1401 LONSDALE NORTH VANCOUVER, BC. DRAPERIES BY S. LAURSEN CUSTOM DRAPERIES AND VALANCES Labour $7.50 per pane! unlined. $8.50 lined CUSTOM BEDSPREADS AND COVERS Low, low prices on blinds and tracks For FREE Estimates Call 937-2966 Serving the North Shore for 19 years —_—, canaain OOXKY ee NOTICE TO ALL FRONT STREET BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS This is notice that all vehicles, trailers and other materia! left on the property immediately south of Front Street and east of Amherst Avenue will be removed after September !, 1991 and the property will be fenced by CanadianOxy. B.W. Thornton Plant Manager CanadianOxy Industrial Chemicals Limited Partnership Rasponsiaie Care 4 Tota: Commtrreant R HERITAGE * OUR FU’ NORTH SHORE CREDIT UNION presents can expect, August 11, as the VSO spins its magic in a concert by-ihe-sea amid the meadows of Cates Park. The performance begins at 7:30 pm...with Peter McCappin conducting...but beginning at 3 pm there wiil be wandering minstrels, a Kiwanis Club Wine and Biergarten and much more. The park will be closed to traffic on concert day, so a Park & Ride service is being offered from Capilano College, and BC Transit is quadrupling bus service. Join us for a truly ‘harmonious’ finale to our Centennial Weekend celebrations. * SPECTACULAR :- SATURDAY |. A reminder that it’s not too late to plan on joining us for the BIG BIRTHDAY BASH high atop Grouse Mountain, Aug.10... Family tickets are available half price at all Safeway stores, so pack a picnic, leave the car behind, and hop aboard Bus #236 from tonsdale Quay, or Bus #232 from Phibbs Exchange. They'll be operating every 15 minutes up to Grouse on Party Day...for your convenience. Centennial Update is brought to you courtesy of the [= NORTH SHORE NE CREDIT UNION Feitaan inyour Communily-