Hrd yait Peete U CPDATE sores! Bright Lights Eom Celebration; } ClassHiess | Fashion Petter 1 Sports eee 44 eee 35 oce 5G 000 16 ose £9 Lene Manone “teres lg My, YANNET cod Katharine Hamer News Reporter Ebamer@énusnews.com ASK anyone on his lot at First and Lonsdale: Guido Carbone sells the best Christmas trees. Carbone came to Canada from Caserta, Italy. He's been selling Christmas trees on the North Shore tor 32 years, He used to be at Westview shop- Ping centre before he came to Lower Lonsdaic. There's’ a caravan to keep warm in and a bustle of activity across the street with all the film crews waving, boom: mics and lights around. From inside the cara- van, Elvis is belting out White Christmas. Along with his helper, Phil Egitto, Carbone mans the iee fot from 9 a.m. to Y p.m. right Sce Christmas page ® Catherine Barr Contributing Writer ~ NORTH Vancouver City council may have committed a moving violation when it considered TransLink’s controversial vehicle levy. On Oct. 16, in front of a large council chamber audience, councillors unanimously stated that “the proposed levy not be _. supported.” Preferably, council wanted to see a funding option based on an equitable system of true user-pay, such as a gas tax. At the time, it was good news for the public who showed up in force to rally against the unpopular tax. . Then, on Nov. 20, just days before a crucial TransLink board vere on the vehicle levy, council made an unexpected U-turn. tho nmr take plac oer 4 toll week subgatepradge gov in coe North Shore road to close vote at GVRD was not a direct route Contrary to known parliamentary procedure, and the Local Government Act, Coun. Darrell Mussatto moved “that failing receipt of any (additional) funding, council (will) support the implementation of a levy to support the objectives of the Strategic “Transportation Plan.” In essence, the motion matched a Nov, 6 resolution made by North Vancouver District. The 4-3 vote to override its previous decision came at the urging of Mayor Barbara Sharp as she asked council for further clarification of the Oct. 16 motion. ; Specifically, Sharp said she had been phoned by North Vancouver District Mayor Don Bell who wanted to know if Travel 739 Experience real cowboy country at Big Bar Ranch Allan Hollender creating a community of go-getters Business p15 a ~.. NEWS photo Terry Feters HAILED by residents from across the North Shore as the best Christmas tree salesman around and loved by all for his Santa-like coun- tenance, Guido Carbone (centre) poses on his fot at First and Lonsdale with customers Pam Warner (left) and Layla Smaiel. Se council was willing to be “flexible” on this matter. Bell is the North Shore representative on the TransLink board. The revised city motion by Mussatto on the levy passed 4-3 thanks to the support of councillors Keating, Fearnley and Sharp. . On Nov. 22 the TransLink board of directors went on to vote 7-5 to support the vehicle transit tax scheme. Bell support- ed a levy that will see a minimum charge of $40 and a maximum charge of $120 for automobiles. The average levy for commer- cial vehicles will be $190. Bell said his vote “was the summary of what I heard from the municipalities on the North Shore.” Section 219 of the Locai Government Act states that a motion can only be brought back by a mayor for reconsidera- tion within a one month period of time. Five weeks had already lapsed. Also, a resolution can only be brought back if not See Levy page 8