GChamber’s b threat to SG From page 1 Ar the ame. Crist stated such measures were appropri ate partially due to “the unac- ceptable and boorish behavior by members of the executive of the chamber displayed in the council chamber tn connection with the indemnity issue.” “In light of the chamber's concern about saving taxpay- ers’ money, it might be appro- priate to cut the grants for the chamber as well,” he added. The motions were defeated. On Friday, Crist’ said the chamber had become what appeared to he politically active in the raise request. . “They intertered, in other words, in our internal affairs so it was appropriate. P'm not going to stand there and let a member of the chamber of commerce come forward and insult me.” What’s wrong with the chamber becoming politically involved in the raise issue? “Ttake exception to the’ insults,” Crist said. However, the chamber sub- sequently said it had not autho- rized anyone to speak on its behalf on the pay hike issue. Crist said the chamber funding is caught up in a larger issue — that of how to provide economic development in the district. The district has pulled its funding of the North Shore Economic Development Commission. Now, said Crist, district. council is trying to develop a grant policy that is more effective, gives the district more control and sets efficiency criteria to measure the effee- tiveness of taxes spent. Crist said he’s repeatedly talked of finding such efficiencies. And Crist added that the chamber has as much right to speak on the current indemnity issue as anyone else. The fact the chamber has instituted its own gag is “their problem.” Last year, Lakes, a North Vancouver District resident, asked residents to forward beans and bologna to council- lors as a tongue-in-cheek protest to a 50% pay raise being sought by district councillors. Now, with the new wage hike on ‘district council’s agen- da, Lakes is honoring the chamber’s request not to speak, The gag on Lakes has been imposed by chamber chairman Doug Smith. Because of the “explosive” nature of the issue, Smith also asked all: chamber board and committee chairmen to maintain a low protile on the wage hike issue. Smith's caution stems for a fee-for-service contract. the chamber traditionally had with the district. Chamber president judi Ainsworth said the services per- fain to business itormation and tourism services: provided in North Vancouver by the chamber. Traditionally, said Ainsworth, the chamber has done such work for the district ona fee-for-service contract. For 1997, the services were worth $66,000, a sizable por- ten oof the — chamber’s $315,000-a-year budget. The contract: usually runs from January to December, said Ainsworth. Vac. district usually approves the contract after the budget process is done in the spring and a cheque usu- ally arnves at the chamber in the summer, But not this year. Instead, the chamber began providing the services atthe beginning of the vear, as usual. However, in the spring, the dis- trict launched a review of its fee-for-service contracts, said Ainsworth. The district didn’t sign a contract in the summer. Smith worries that if cham- ber members take a public posi- ion against the raise, it may boomerang when the chamber and district councillors meer to discuss the $66,000) impasse COUN. Janice Harris says chamber may have reason to worry. Dee. 17, the day after council talks about wages. Smith conrirmed that a let- ter has been sent to chamber board members. In the letter, he said othe pay — issue is extremely volatile with council- lors and because the chamber’s fee-for-service contract is at risk with no contingency plan in place, the situation would like- ly be aggravated by a perceived position taken by the chamber. Smith said the chamber did not take a position on hast year's raise request, and has not taken a position on this year's. However, he said members may be perceived to be speak- ing chamber policy even when they are not. Harris said she’s “terribly upset™ about the chamber’s eal | gay order. “No council should operate like that and J don’t want to be perceived or be seen as a vine dictive, grudge-holding coun- cillor, because Vin not.” Harris has voted against both raises. Ainsworth hopes that the two parties will be able to rede- fine the services provided by the chamber tor 1998 as the Dee. 17 meeting. Ainsworth said the chamber provided tourism information to 38,000 visitors and ticlded approsi- mately 4,000 inquiries from people Jooking, to expand or start businesses in) North Vancouver. She believes the chamber provides the services in a cost- effective and efficient manner. “L don’t imagine that the districy would wane all of these people on their doorstep.” I the district chops the con- tract, Ainsworth said the cham- ber would have to look at new ways of operating. “We really haven't etched in plan B because this is a very longstanding working relation- ship that we hope we can con- tinue,” she said. District, Mavor Don Bell said the Dec. 17 meeting will deal with work done for the district this year. Without speaking to the specitics of how much it is worth, Bell said, “My position is | believe the chamber has done valuable work for us this year.” “THIS WEEK’S BEST BUY : FACTORY FUTON Entrance in fear lane Mon.- Sat. 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