8 — Sunday, January 26, 1997 — North Shore News j Here's why NVD needs raise Dear Editor: I do not accept the notion that the recent atrack spear- headed by Mr. John Lakes, a former North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce presi- dent, against district council, in connection with a proposed indemnity increase, is based on concern for the district raxpay- ers. I believe we have to fook for the reasons elsewhere. Where was Mr. Lakes for instance when the district’s land assets were mismanaged to the tune of millions of dollars? Where were his letters to the editor and where were his delegations and petitions? Why was he silent? Is it because he was asleep or is it » merely another ‘severe case of political bias? Nobody expects councillors to be compensated for time spent during the evening or weekends, but having to take time off their regular daytime work to do council business is something else again. - And this is what the job now demands. Municipal councillors are merely trying to cope with the staggering challenges as best as they can. The Municipal Act clearly states that a councillor may not receive a salary, wage or com- pensation of any kind other than an uninsurable indemnity based on estimated expenses. In reality, only one third of this so-calied indemnity is tax free and it is not enough to cover expenses. But there is more. Because of a discrepancy in the Municipal Act on one hand and federal tax laws ua the other, councillors also face the loss of potential severance pay fram their regular employ- ment, worker’s compensation, nsions, etc., all benefits that ave nothing to do with being a councillor. All this information was ignored by the task force appointed by the previous mayor. T have to agree, however, thar there is an alternative. It is to effectively eliminate any and all but independently wealthy citizens from serving on district council. NVD Coun. Ernie Crist --- council indemnity should be adjusted to meet the new reality. The preblem with this sce- nario in the past was that most of those “generous” citizens and those whom they con- trolled suffered from the same disease more or less. A large DEAT PUAN LE DATE FOIA ES aE te te corporation, which should have paid $1 million in taxes into the district. coffers, for example, paid less than a $100,000. Developers did not do too badly cither. No free lunch after all. I believe that the real motive behind the hue and cry about the indemnity issue is not the proposed increase in the councillors’ indemnity from the present 33% to 50% of the mayor’s compensation and which is totally justified, but to divert attention from the real objective which is to rurn the clock back to the days when district business was controlled by the “Blue Boys” and their big business and big developer friends. But I also believe that a return to those “happy” days could prove very unhealthy for district taxpayers. I would not want to fight that battle again. It would be like fighting the Second World War ail over SEAVICE LTD. riv TUNE-UP SPECIALIS;S m B.C.A.A. - A.R.A. - APPROVED again and with the same enemy. I believe the interests of the district. taxpayers are best served if anyone, not just those who are “financially indepen- dent,” can hold down a coun- cillor’s job. As far as I am concerned the counci! indemnity should be adjusted to meet the new reali- ry. We are talking about the Most important level of gov- ernment, namely local govern- ment, with a close to $100- million budget. And I don’t think we want any more scars on the mountain side, the development of Cove and Mountain‘ Forest, ~— more demands on our infrastructure and higher taxes, more pollu- tion, more traffic congestion or more shortages of class rooms ete. And this is what this is real- ly all about. Everything else is smoke and mirrors. Ernie Crist, Councillor District of North Vancouver Sorry for hitting dog Open letter i: .og owner: I am very sorry and extremely sad that I hit your dogs with my car on Saturday, Jan. 4. had just driven through the intersection of Keith, Third, Marine and Bewicke, About 15 feet up Keith your dogs bounded out from the Chevron sta- ton. One cnded beneath my car. ere were you? You sure weren’t walking your dogs on a leash. Th to the kind gen- deman who came to my assistance and to assure me this was unavoidable. Thanks also to the uniden- tified woman who sat on the grass on the median where your, dog was thrown and cared for your chocolate lab. I hope your chocolate lab, who may not make it, was not the special pet of a child. D. Kent North Vancouver | AirCare - Gov. 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