Answers nee GVRD May 15 public forum seeks input THESE DAYS, even numerically challenged people like — The regional district wants input Critical Choices West Queens Rd., North Van, Here’s where the fun begins, on Creating Our Future: flamed with citizenry zeal once myself — those who have problems with complex financial concepts such as a balanced chequebook — can’t help but be aware of the economic issues facing our society. Everywhere you turn, there's more money news. Canada’s been put on credit watch. Provinces are carrying un- sustainable debt loads. B.C. tax- payers are revolting (that’s a verb, not an adjective). The federal budget, once again, draws fire. Frustration with government spending is at a peak, but the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) is offering a timely outlet for citizens who want to believe they truly do have a voice in what happens to their tax dollars. Enter the Creating Our Future: Critical Choices forum on Satur- day, May 15. The pi blic forum is designed to not only inform residents about a variety of important regional issues, but solicit our opinions on how we want those issues dealt with, and at what cost. The GVRD will be seeking in- put on several questions, some of which are the following: @ Do you support a fee for gar- bage collection based on the number of bags set out for pickup? @ Should buses and car pools be given special privileges, such as express lanes? ®@ Are you willing to live in a community with higher density to maintain the livability of the region? @ What kind of lands do you want protected to provide future outdoor recreation and nature opportunities? Peggy Trendei- Whittaker ECO INFO ® To improve our drinking water quality, should we construct sec- ondary chlorination facilities throughout the system, or switch to the stronger compound chloramine, which is more toxic to fish? © Should a higher proportion of the funding for health-care ser- vices in the region be allocated to hospital construction in GVRD municipalities outside of the City of Vancouver? @ Are you willing to reduce your use of the automobile to decrease air pollution and reduce traffic congestion? @ How would you like to see your GVRD tax dollars spent on GVRD programs? Obviously, topics under discus- sion on May 15 run the gamut. Bedding Plants 99¢ a pack (1/2 km west of 2nd Narrows Bridge) OFFER ENDS 15/MAY/S3 i I 0 valor on aspects of the management plans for solid waste, liquid waste, drinking water quality improve- ment, and air quality. Hospital planning, land use and transportation will also be studied. If all this sounds a bit over- whelming, rest assured that not only will you be given the background information you need to talk about these issues, but the process will even be enjoyable. On Sunday, May 9, watch for a i6-page ‘“‘Creating Our Future’’ insert in the North Shore News (also appearing in the Vancouver Sun on Friday, May 7). In easy-to-understand language and graphics, the insert talks about the important choices facing the region in the areas named above. Included for reference is a sim- ple map of the GVRD, on which are marked local landfills, resource recovery plants, transfer stations, wastewater treatment plants, water reservoirs, parks, and areas earmarked for protec- tion under the Green Zone plan. The last page is a feeiback form that poses the questions be- ing asked. Most are multiple choice, but your additional com- ments are welcomed. Ideally, you will become so in- you've read about the issues, you will immediately phone 436-6954 to register for the May 15 con- ference, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On that Saturday, registrants will gather at six different sites throughout the region. On the North Shore, people will meet at Delbrook Community Centre, 600 with a high-tech twist. BC Tel is helping provide the technology to link the six sites together with an interactive video hook-up that will allow the six sites to talk to each other, and to community cable viewers at home, See Forum page 20 GVRD holds open house THE GREATER Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) i vites local residents to an open house at the Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plan on Sunday, May 2, between | and 4 p.m. The Lions Gate plant serves a population of over 150,000 on the North Shore, treating wastewater (sanitary sewage and stormwater) from homes, businesses and industry. Each day the plant produces 90,000 litres of treated sludge — the organic solid material remaining after wastewater is processed. Prior to 1992, the sludge was discharged into Burrard Inlet. ™ Colorful indoor planters Bouquets & cu flowers ORDER NOW PHONE: 985-1914 | FLORIST: ‘# 985-1292 ‘DYKHOF NURSERIES & FLORIST 460 Mountain Highway, North Vancouver HOURS: MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 9am-6pm SUNDAY & HOLIDAYS 9am to 5:30pm : FREE BRASS TRIM K with the purchase of any FIREPLACE PRODUCT Come and visit our showroom or call us for a FREE estimate. We also stock a large selection of quality fireside accessories. Recent upgrading to the plant includes a new $4.9 million sludge dewatering facility to remove water from the sludge so it can be trucked away for recycling as a soil fertilizer. Upgrading the region’s wastewater discharges to pro- tect our local bodies of water is part of the GVRD's Creating Our Future action plan for a healthier and more livable region. Local residents may be inter- ested in touring the new facility and talking to staff about how the treatment plant works. The plant is located at the foot of Tomahawk Avenue under the Lions Gate Bridge. MAIN ST. MON.-SAT. 10-5 987-1293 1293 Marine Dr., N.Van.