Mailbox Dear Editor: Greg Richmond in his tetier concerning the sinking of the Icelandic whaling ships (Dec. 5) states that he is dying of curiosity to learn how many North Shore supporters of the Sea Shepherd Society will be continuing their support of what he calls a ‘terror group”, Although not) an unreserved supporter of all that Paul Watson does, far from considering ceasing the sporadic financial support 1 have given him in the past [ am considering increasing my con- tributions as a result of the Icelan- dic operation; Mr. Richmond deserves to know why. Firstly, nobody contends that the act was not a criminal one. Mr. Watson has stated that he not only acknowledges this but hopes that the Icelandic authoritics will press charges. For while he admits that what was done was unlawful, he and his supporters believe that the Icelan- dic whalers have been guilty of acts with potential consequences far more serious than the sinking of a few unmanned and adequately in- sured ships. These conse quences are no fess than the extinction of a species from the face of the earth, If this were to happen all future generations would be condemned to know of these creittures only through the few films and photographs we ure able to be- queath them. The Atlantic Grey Whale is already extinct as a result of whaling perhaps soon to be followed by the Bowhead, Right and Great Blue Whales. By what moral right are the Icelanders en- titled to rob the world in this way? More than a decade ago now those who were in favor of bring- ing whaling to a halt were urged to do so through democratic means and by and large this was done. As a result of the unceasing efforts of lobbyists, particularly in the Unit- ed States, democratically-elected representatives were persuaded to urge the International Whaling Commission to ban whaling. In $982 this commission agreed to cease all commercial whaling. Iceland however has openly chosen not to comply with this democrat- ically arrived at decision. If Mr. Richmond has difficulty in understanding the frustration of some of those who have worked so long and hard to save the whales, | ask him to compare the situation with that of a man whose life is threatened. In such circumstances society judges it acceptable for him to take the life of another in his self-defence even though in all other circumstances the taking of life is the most serious crime that can be committed. The Sea Shepherd group, Mr. Richmond, were acting in the defence of the whales; deplorable maybe, but as a result of the ac- tions of the Icelandic whalers perhaps also regrettably necessary if these mammals are to survive. Nick Doe North Vancouver Dear Editor: I can't help wondering who paid for Collins’ trip to South Africa. Maybe the South African Gov- ernment? the Aryan Nation? the Grand Dragons? Certainly it was © ~ vne wishing to defend apuar- wea In printing these columns the North Share News appears to be vf « 7 - Wednesday, December 24, 1986 - North Shore News ee running a propaganda mill. Nora McGill West Vancouver Book Now For New Year's Eve! Benningtons The Seafood House Max value 510 Valid till Dec. 30/86 This coupon not valid unless signed Name. Burger’ si Cala Mary / CMY 3 Bennington’s Seafoe d House invites you and your guzst to receive one complementary Entree when one En- tree of equal or greater value is pur- chased on presentation of this coupon. 2 for 1 Valid 7 days a week after 4:30 | . .Date Natchog, O aordoe™ senior heated over Dear Editor: le tax Referring to the answer Assessor Clarifies View Allowance Info in the North Shore News on Oct. 31, 1 was one that had an increase of over 11 per cent. This is the fourth increase since April 1984 in my case, each of between 10 and 12.5 per cent. The double talk of his letter only tended to confuse me more so I, with what I have discovered to be hun- dreds of others, having read the fine print at the back of the Assessment Notice, appealed. I did that last year when they bent my back with a 11.2 per cent increase and | sat in a Court of Revision for hours with a chairman and two members trying to handle the hundreds of appellants. The hearings must have gone on for weeks. At that time I noticed that the crowds were made up of all people of my age or more, seniors! Although the tax rate differed very little over the past four years, total current tax has increased by almost $400 in my case and next year it will be a fur- ther $180. The others in that crowded court were feel- ing the same pinch. Needless to say that hardly any of the appellants were successful. I was there that day and did not see one. The assessment of the properties, all figured in the office without going out, are based on what a house near you recently sold for. Mind you, each new sale included the sales commission so that on a $100,000 home the assessed value is liable to increase at least 7 per cent which is the real estate commission. Ah! But what about if I have been in my house for years and intend to stay? That does not matter. Mrs. Jones up the street just sold her home to enter an old-aged pensioner’s home. Your house is assessed at least as much as she sold hers for. increases My appeal then was also turned down although | put my case strong enough to warrant a call to the area by the members of the court. A letter told me ! was unsuccessful. It reminded me of life in Europe 40 years ago. Anyway, | appealed again this year to the latest in- crease and knowing it is like hitting one’s head against the wall I again await the court’s word but this time | will take it further. It is high time the archaic system of assessment is looked into and apparently one can appeal still more, though if they base their findings in the same way, | am going to waste more time. But | think your readers should know about it. 1 don’t believe half the property tax payers know exact- ly what goes on, and they are the voters! At least one local aldermanic candidate expressed opinion prior to the local North Vancouver election. The irony is that where the mayor and aldermen may have some say in the tax rates or as some call them, the mill rate, some faceless individual puts a value on the place and he or she is not in an elected office, but it is by his pronouncement that you pay more taxes. Quite frankly, whilst I am the owner of a very modest home, I fail to see why someone living in a bigger house has to pay more for his garbage to be collected or the light in his street or the clerk in the BC Assessment Authority office but if that is so then for God’s sake leave the seniors alone. We had to fight to keep a 5 per cent cost of living allowance yet they are thrusting upon us a !2 per cent increase because we are living in a house. Perhaps they want us all in homes! For it is the seniors that seem to be the only ones appealing! Edward Ert North Vancouver Canada must | DRAPERIES BY decide now Dear Editor: The United States has broken the limits of the SALT II Arms Treaty by its recent launching of the 131st B-52 bomber. Canada must now decide — does it support arms control, or does it support the unrestrained arms race? Those desiring peace should demand that Canada act to stop this new escalation of militariza- tion by cancelling any further cruise missile testing. B.C. 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