AMALGAMATION IS in the news. School boards are going to be joined at the ‘hip » whether they like it or not and an argument is going on about whether the City and District of North ‘Vancouver should meet the same fate. ~ In the latter case | think a mar- riage would be warranted — after" :due debate. It makes no sense to _ have one small local government , “sitting inside another, when one ve would do. _In the case of the school boards © -across B.C. what we are seeing is ~ democracy from the top. It too may make sense. : ‘But it’s an “either or" situation . ‘and did the NDP say anything. 4 about ‘doing that i in the 1991 elec- tion race? ' “It reminds me of the way things are being done in Australia. - “] was amazed to find out on my recent visit there that the Liberal “- government of the State of ~~ Victoria had wiped out elected’ local councils and replaced thern, ‘if:you can believe it, with appoint- ed commissioners. “T never thought the Aussies “would stand for,such a thing. But: these days they.are very meek, just t tke us. I like'to think, though, that. € are not-that meek. The rationale behind this. Mussolini-like move was effi icien- cy and economy. Of course. ‘Democracy is always a bit ofa. Jt has meant that 210 munici- palities have been reduced to 78, All except one are ruled by com- ‘missioners, and that one is said to . bé‘a playground for the ich and. for politicians. |.” The premier, of the State of. Doug Collins on the other hand ’ Victoria is Jeff Kennett. - When he was in Opposition he. fervently denounced amalgama- tion. But, in power, he has snatched focal councils away from the ratepayers and replaced them ° with the anointed and appointed. It is claimed that savings have been made. Twenty per cent in some cases. Well, even more sav- ings might be made if state gov-, ernments were wiped out, too, and everything | were ruled. from a * Canberra, * : Don’t laugh. From what'l saw of the Labor government,’headed _ by Prime Minister and pro- - Republican Paul Keating, such a move would be welcome. Keating favored’amalgamation in Victoria. va When he cast councils to the ' dogs, Kennett‘is reported to have said it would “get Victoria away from the horse and buggy days.”. What (vas wrong with those days? Australians were Australians then, not wimps. . Rule by commissioner is not to be‘permanent. Once Victoria has set things ‘to rights,” elected councils will return. But they will be smaller — between five and 12 Z ; _ persons each — and the amalga- ‘mailbox mations will stay. In other words. there will stifl he only 78 councils instead of 210, And elections will take place only every three years instead of annu- ally. When this revolution was first proposed there was furious opposi- tion. Eighty per cent of the people didn’t want it. But who takes any notice of “the people?” Hardly anyone in positions of power. as we know only loo well in our own great democracy. The theory is that if you : don’ t tike what they do you can throw them outcome the next election. But the farther government is removed from the grass roots, the longer i it takes. That's why it took us nine years to relegate the: Mulroney bunch in Ottawa to the dustbin of history. “Itis often true, of course, that Jjlocal government is sometimes the government that local people care least about, it being largely.a mat- ter of roads and sewers. Boring | stuff — unless it’s your sewer or your road. But sometimes an issue waxes - big, as in the recent dispute over — © development in the Seymour area. Then the peasants bring out their - pitchforks and changes are made. “Would that have happened if we had commissioners. running the joint? Of course not. They would ». Wednesday, November 22, 1995 - North Shore News ~ 7 Ae, VOR CA ONT IATA FRM ON ASAD ATEN NARS MER CAN CRN, AOR iL CHAN( Rey. 2595 CENTRE hs Now 19.95 with Penzoil 10W30 pl362 MARINE. DRIVE 980-9115" areanne Dee La ouee 06M GRE SCAM MUN EOGKN) OUR GAME Med GK OE — CUSTOM | | DRAPERIES, ‘TRACKS AND VALANCES Labour $8.50 per. panel unlined, $9.50 lined. CUSTOM BEDSPREADS & BLINDS *. “At low, lew prices. For FREE Estimates ‘call 987-2966 © {Ask about Seniors’ Discounts)..." Serving the North Shore for 24 years \ KEN BAXTER. LAWYER 24 Years Experience mm" ONSDALE QUAY. | “NORTH VANCOUVER | 986: 6321 have been for development. money ¢ and efficiency. What we don't need or want is democracy from the top... But perhaps Education Minister Art Charbonneau has been getting. advice from Australia. Dear ‘Editor: — “AS a parent in my 40s'I enjoy reading your “Youth Views” column: | wish to comment particularly.on the éxceilent article by Jake Baker (Nov. 19 News). I, too. recently stopped watching TV — actually so did my entire : family — since we made the decision to cancel our cablevision. : Jake says he isa lot happier” now. Well, so are we! .» We spend moré time on hobbies, writing to friends, talking to each other and on‘our spiritual lives. Not only do we miss nothing, we have gained a reat deal of satisfaction and peace., For the most. part, TV sucked away my time, my energy, my sense of ; reality, and left me feeling guilty and frustrated. I wish Jake and his friends the strength to continue with their resolve jagainst “the black hole.” Diane Nation ._ North Vancouver : “Defieux-Saxelby Insurance Services Inc. “105-200 ‘West Esplanade, N. Van “ (Located beneath Famous Players Theatre) HOURS: . Monday-Thursgay iOam.-6 p.m. - ‘| Friday 10a.m.-8 p.m.” Saturday.10 a.m.+ 5 p.m. Sunday 72:.Noon - Georgia St. 669-0045.