Why city nude needed removing C Dear Editer: This letter is intended to present the faces relating to the recent controversy over the removal of a sculpture from) North Vancouver Civ hall, which occurred two months ago. & North Vancouver City reg: ularly displays art works. as part of its participation in the Art in Public Places program sponsored by the North Vancouver Arts Council. B The work is a lite-size sculpture of a woman, pre- sented in a reclining position. Even though the knees. are raised, the overall tength of the statue resulted in it pro- truding a considerable dis- tance into a narrow public corridor used as. a walkway by the public and staff alike. This corridor provides the only public access for anyone needing to use the elevator to move from the city hall park- ing lot to the upper floor of city hall or the library, and as a result is frequently used by people in wheelchairs or with mobility problems, and by parents with young children in strollers, @ In addition, city hall is in the process of renovation and there is an increased amount of traffic in this area due to the movement of construc: tion workers and materials. @ While it is true chat some staff member: did not con- sider the statue appropriate for display in this public space, Our primary concern with its location was the haz- ard it presented to public Rec centre service endorsed Dear Editor: The News has recently covered the end of Joe Moore’s ¢oncession contract at the rec centres as well as sto- ries about opposition to group homes for the mentally handi- capped and employment opportunities for the menzally handicapped. Well, the association for the mentally handicapred is now operating daytime concessions and Karen Magnussen and Lonsdale rec centres. They have been operating for a few weeks now and I must say, [ really like them. Fresh muffins, sandwiches and soup every day —~ and they are really good! The employees are ali a pleasure to deal with and appear to truly enjoy their jobs. Gainful employment of this type is far better for them, and for the community at large, than shutting them away from the real world would be. Although J am a rec centre employee, (not management), I speak only for myself, I have no stake in who operates these concessions, | make no state- ments as to right/wrong on the Joe Moore issues. I just think these kids deserve a fair shake considering the great job their doing. Pat Meloy ~ MeloyP@district.north- van.be.ca satety. M Nort only did the statue protrude inte a walkway, its terracotta colour blended with che brown carpet an which i¢ was placed, @ A representative of the arts council was asked if the stat- we could be relocated to another areca and placed on a raised plattorm in’ order to eliminate the public safety hazard, but responded that the artist insisted it be placed on the floor. & Since we were unsuccessful in negotiating a solution, we had no choice but to ask that the statue be removed — after the official opening of the art show had been held. @ There were several other nude works in the display, which were not mentioned in our discussion with the arts council, clearly indicating that: censorship was not an north shore news MAIL Box issuc. We consider it unfortu- nare that a controversy: sur rounding censorship and harassinent has been the focus of your media coverage of this incident, with no attempt made to ascertain the factual background. The city is proud to work cooperatively with the North Vancouver Arts Council ta Promote the works of local artist and is saddened that this incident has cast an unflattering light on this rela- tionship. A. Kenneth Tollstam City Administrator North Vancouver Dear Editor: North Vancouver City hall is not the place for nudes, even plastic ones. Reading the diatribe from Michelle Binkley (Nov. 15 News Jetter to the editor: may well describe the mod- em antode to fife in weneral: “Censorship takes away the vers fundamental right we have as citizens of + free country to read and sce ahat we want.” Ler ome tell you, Ms. Binkley, most of us over 50 were raised when censorship proscribed a degree of decen cv from movies ... and litera ture. Many are now being fur ther debased by the filth on the internet. Wheesas the individual may have some degree of choice according to his or her desires, a public place in or on public property is not the venue to display anything that offends even one person. Just call me old-fashioned. R. Earnshaw North Vancouver Dear Editor: Criticizing the News is like criticizing your own mother, when she is the only mother vou have. Also, writing a report gard about politicians is a thankless job, Pam sure. Maybe even more so than being a focal politician. Bat, if fread the report correctly 2 district. councillor got an A because she did not quit even though she is ill. As for Crist vour reporter said: for effort ideas and per- sistence, Crist should get an A, for making those ideas came true he suggested aC, and for being nasty when peo- ple stand in’ his way. an F would be appropriate. Well, since perception appears to be evervthing, how rist counters with report card for News about this: [give the News: an A for making space available for such reports, aC tor objectiv- iv; and an F for reporting Jocal issues in-depth so that people mighr kaow what is going on. Ernie Crist Councillor District of North Vancouver SSHOPPERS DRUG MART CORRECTION Re: NOVEMBER FLYER IN EFFECT UNTIL NOVEMBER 28TH, $998. On page 1, the price on the Rialto Shower Caddy SHOULD READ 19.95. We apalagize for any inconvemence this error may cause cur customers. This week has 33 days. (We've stretched this week’s flyer into a4 and a halt week Value Book vrstead ) Fill your freezer for less. Get great savings on %.. choice meats with our Fresh Freezer Packs. You get excellent value and quality with these selected meats. 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