THE TRAFFIC fines that some people have let ride may. come back to haunt them soon in the form of a collections agent. By Anna Marie D'Angelo a TSN ‘News Reporter The provincial government says _ it will introduce legislation this ses- sion allowing collection agencies to _ collect unpaid traffic fines. - Drivers owing money for fines ‘miy have their wages garnished, . bank accounts depleted and ca _Seized in. order to puy off tickets, according to the . Ministry : of Transporation and Highways. * “We view it as being no different = than the government being like any other creditor who is going ‘after a “pad debt,” ‘said North :Vancouver- “Lonsdale MLA David Schreck, The amount. owing provincial coffers in unpaid fines' was $129 million in’ February, according to the Transportation and Highways : Ministry... | . The government estimates the unpaid fine pool goes p by $2.4 million a nionth. West Vancouver ‘Police traffic head, Sgt. John Looye, welcomes increased consequences for motorists who don’t pay’ tickets, ‘Something has got to be done. if a collections agency works then that’s fine and dandy,” said Looye. Looye ‘said. Lower Mainland police traffic sections have been lobbying for years for more consequences to drivers who don’ t pay their tickets. 7° - »He ‘said ‘some’ drivers choose. to drive without. a icencé, rather than pay tickets at licence renewal time. Fines have, to be paid before new licerices are issued. “The Motor Vehicle ‘Branch’ won't, deern them as - prohibited from’ driving’ so all:-you are getting isaguy | ith '! 10° driver’ s licence,” Said Looye. ” NEWS photo Terry Peters NORTH VANCOUVER | RCMP Const. Karen Mang and police traf- fic .sectlon employee Erin Fladmark enact a scene familiar to some speedy motorists. + $ 100 fine. In North Vancouver, RCMP traffic section head Sgt. Dwain Wetteland said officers there find it frustrating to deal with drivers who haven't paid fines or drive without licences. “jt’s not unusual to come across a driver without a licence. That has definitely increased over the years,” said Wetteland. Locally, statistics indicate that West Vancouver Police traffic members have issued 2,359 traffic fines so far this year. In 1994, they handed out 6,428 with the majority being for speeding. Police in the entire department gave out about 11,000 tickets last year. tn North Vancouver, the RCMP traffic section writes out-an average of 1,500 tickets a month. Like West Vancouver, the majority of tickets are for speeding. A speeding ticket carries a $100 fine. “Excessive” speeding is $150. Meanwhile Schreck said he supports seizing cars from propibited drivers who continue to drive. ; estate firm will make an announce- ment, likely’, within 10 days, said Goldstein. : Coun. Ernie Crist has picked up: the bali’ municipally for the ten- ants. : staff notify Victoria that the district with four counts of attempted murder and five counts of arson. ‘which : :endangered ife.: Fraser’ Begg, 46, was ‘attacks aga inst his former p psy chiatrist in Vancouver. Begg was ‘arrested ‘after an alert North Vancouver RCMP offi- | cer r Saw. the man cycling in front of the detachment. Begg . 20-YEAR-OLD | West sae ‘man’ was jailed 45 days on March 20 in connection with a mischief charge.“ ‘Russell William Brownlee was originaliy charged with urglarizing a house in the 2000-block of MacKay Avenue n March 14, 1994, in North Vancouver City. He pleaded’ not’ guilty to burglary,’ but instead‘ pleaded guilty to ‘a reduced charge of. i mischief in North Van court, : “COMPARE RT INCIVERS settd gine sefa benframe, triple | / foam cose futon, Scotchguaréad futon cover, '. bilawss ond a phouy covers, White quantittes last. He ‘has, recommended district bedroom, ‘also wants .to - prevent Seymour. | Village from going to a co-owner- ship structure such as fractional interesis. Meanwhile, not only is Jordsvar worried about losing her . three- $900-a-month | suite, she’s concerned where’ her family : will end up. She. said the vacancy rate for . similar housing on the North Shore : ‘is less than 0.4%. Jordsvar, her three children and husband do not want to leave the area.- “We love it here." she said. Jordsvar also worries about what will happen to elderly tenants & who can’t afford to buy. Under a fractional interest con- version, buyers purchase a share of. the property as a whole instead of | § an individual unit. Opponents of such transactions point out that rental housing sold through fractional interests does not have to meet current building code standards. The Bellevue's conversion to’ fractional interests in West Vancouver - garnered. much media attention last year, | West Vancouver council tried to challenge the conversion, but was” rebuffed by a'court decision favor- “ing Bellevue’ owners - No: +85 Seabright Holdings Lid. AMBLESIDE TOYS & HOBBIES: 1425 Marine Drive,’W.V. :. “Open Sun 12-4pm + _ 922-3512. Sunday, April 9, 1995 — North Shore Naws - 8 Quiroplan aaa Gladly Accept (at no additional cost) ‘Sussex. Insurance ) ; 3 locations on the north Shore DEEP COVE LONSDALE WEST VAN Dailarton Shopping Centre 3rd & Lonsdale Central Ambleside 407 N, Dollarton Hwy. 136 West 3rd. St. 14718 Clyde Ave. : 924-1251 °° 988-6344 925-2633 Chéz Michel Sample our new menu with: O/ OFF ; 0 food only (maximum 6 people) Mon. to Thur. dinner with this coupon. Offer ends April 27 1373 Marine Drive, W.Van. 926-4913 Cae CO) MRAPIDLUBE “THRU Oll CHANGE PROFESSIONALS © « Limit ? coupon per package + NO CASH VALUE [i+ Open Sunday 10 to 5 Lo * Cannot be combined with any other oil change offer, at a wd NOTED GED creed MOD Oo) UE CS OE LN *Aadtator Flush - 15 min. ($49.99 Including cootant:& labour with coupen). * Auto Transmission Service - 15 min. “ I Replace fitter, gasket & fluid ($59.99 with coupon) | * Fuel System Cleanout - 15 min. For fuel injection & emiaslon system ($59.09 with coupon) " DELUXE EXTERIOR HAND GAR WASH $4.9 ! COMPLETE INTERIOR & EXTERIOR HAND CAR WASH $9.29 1 | with this coupon, . plies April 10, 1995 DAVID MITCHELL, MLA West Vancouver-Garibaldi : April 11: - April 14 10: 30. pm | . ~« April 15... 5:30 pm - - April 16" .:9:00 pm” Tuesday 8: 30 ‘pin Friday | ’ Saturday » Sunday cf Monthly Income & Liquid See WFlexible cf RASP/ARIF Eligble all: Kathy. ‘Sager Vice President BLUE CHIP THINKING {3 is a trademark o of Midland Walwyn Capital i f Ratas AS ( ot Apr 7/95 annual equivalent, Subject to change and avalibity