custrict fores THROUGHOUT the Lower Mainland the issue of water- front development is high en social planning agendas, By Trevor Carolan Contrituting Writer Icis difficult, therefore, ta understand North Vancouver District Council's reluctance to ini- liate a long-term foreshore planning stndy as proposed by Coun. Ernie Crist, Mr. Crist’s agenda can be hard to follow, and Ive differed with him publicly in the past, but on this matter the moral high ground is Sis, ‘ How in common sense can the mayor and remaining council oppose this insightful idea? Foreshore development is a reality « for the district’s East Seymour region. ‘ How it's going to shape up though is anyone's guess, Currently, a patchwork of major waterfront development projects are on the drawing board and, as usual, lew district residents have more than sketchy knowledge of them, For its size North Vancouver District has very Himited water- frontage. Even now, comfortible public access is restrictive, particularly for seniors, Maplewood Flats is relatively woknown and awkward to reach; ‘annrama Park in Deep Cove and Cates Park, at Dollarton, are jewels, but scarcely up to the demands sure to come from East Seymour's booming residential growth. Recent debate over Deep Cove's Seycove Marina shows how divi- sive lack of administrative foresight can be inthe building-up of cultur- ally sensitive areas. Itonly makes sense to begin planning for the future now, Why is council refusing to look Drug changes good economics, says MLA Dear Editor: Your March 27 story on the changes to Pharmacare could easily create confusion. If the recommendation of the Pharmacare Review Panel had been implemented, seniors would pay the first $500 of their drug bills and 20% thereafter to a total of $2,000 per year. The ~~ B.C. Pharmacists Association supported that massive cost shift. ; Health Minister Paul Ramsey said no and saved Pharmacare. _. An increase that averages $1.50 per prescription looks pretty small compared to the destruction of the seniors’ Pharmacare program. Government responded to my calls to save Pharmacare and instead of adopting what some pharmacists wanted, it went for the ‘change on the dispensing fee. Government also said that if'a reasonably priced prescription is therapeutically effective. then that is what will be paid even if a pre- scription is written for an expensive alternative. I call that good science and good economics. Why would some pharmacists call for the elimination of the seniors’ Pharmacare program and then turn around and criticize the move that saved it? I suggest that what some phar- macists wanted was a system that would have let them hide increases in the dispensing fee. That would have been worth millions to their members. What they got was a system that encourages seniors to shop for the best deal. Fees vary between stores, so even the $1.50 can be avoided by some shoppers. The Minister of Health, Paul Ramsey, should be thanked for putting the interests of seniors ahead of the self-interest of some _ pharmacists. David D. Schreck, MLA, North Vancouver-Lonsdale Please get a life, Mr. Lewis Dear Editor: I see once again that West Vancouver’s Lionel Lewis is up to his usual disruptions with the coun- cil and staff at municipal hall. Does this man have nothing bet- ter to do with himself? Sure, we live in a democratic society here, but there is a point where abuse of the system starts to slaw down due process. ; Mr. Lewis has seen more than his fair share of the municipality’s attention. There are other pressing matters that need taking care af. The seniors, youth problems, a new western recreation facility and many other serious matters demand ~ the mayor, council and stuff’s time. Keep your tires properly inflated. You'll increase iy the life of the tires. You'll save on fuel and lower harmful emissions. A balcony enclosure, though? Give me a break. The fall of the western civilization is not going to occur over a FAR regulation. Yes, Mr. Lewis is a taxpayer. But unless he is prepared to pay all the wages for everyone at the dis- trict to meet his personal needs, | suggest that he give other residents the opportunity to raise their needs. If the lifestyle on the North Shore is so unsatisfactory to him, maybe he would prefer it back in South Africa. After all these years of ranting and raving, 1 think it is time, Mr, Lewis, to get a life. R. Penwill North Vancouver ” Greater Vancouver Regional istrict ata long-term study that can only be of benefit? Previously, Erie Crist has sug: gested the ides of a seawall fram Cates Park to Deep Cove, and his study idea is obviously inked. Not everyone ayes with his point of view, especially those dwelling in the Dollicton- Deep Cove waterfront area. For decades, these water frost homeowners have enjoyed virtually exclusive use of tae Burrard tater waterfront, Theit cineor is pre- dictable and understandable; no one likes to ive up privacy. Druid sadar tells me, however, that in the long rua, a seawall is a wood idea, Indeed. i's inevitable. Look at While Rock, New Westminster, False Creek snd West Vancouver. New population pres- sures demand both the pleasures and small business opportunities afforded by sensible waterfront planning — often ata loss of priva- cy and exclusivity to some, expen- i ¢§ Friday, April 1, 1994 - North Shore News - 7 sive even, but still feasible over the long haul, TH understand Mr. Crist carreet- ly. he proposes the acquisition of Jand and capitalization for the pro- ject giadually, over many vets, That makes sese; the Stanley 2ark seawall that my father helped to build teak 30 years to construct. A visionary district council would recognize the inevitability of some sort of seawall development project and at least begin studying the ideas democracy will deraand it soon enough, The proposed high-density con- dominium project at the old Matstimoto boalyards may be the beginning of sertous watertront development in Bast Seymour, Plenty more is coming. A builder Pkuow miaintiins it's simply a matter of time before Panorama Drive in Deep Cove goes to multi-family zoning. Already. technically illegal condo-izing of property has taken ore iS your place here homes are effectively bail and duplex and triplexes aire awaiting their inevitable rezoning, A long-term planning policy will serve the common good. Itisnt just the seawall and the well-organized group of water{cont homeowners resisting i thas at issue here, We need to review how all dis- ict foreshore areas will be devel- oped in the future —— not only for our own benetil, but for future gene erations of district residents, Recently elected on promises to better serve citizens district-wide, Mayor Murray Dykema aad coun: cil should review their short-sighted rejection to the Crist proposal and launch a joint staff/eommunity task force to study long-term waterfront land use policy. A past-member af the North Shore Arts Commission, Trevor Carolan writes from Deep Cove, Wet wr. .. presented by 22 U 4 ess aH ins / inte aoa dae eizemy fh Dy yet é AEDS eRe ae April 15, 16 & 17, 1994 Centennial Theatre, North Vancouver, B,C. Plan to attend this internationally recognized sale of auto- mobiles, automobile art & automobilia in the elegant sur- roundings of Centennial Theatre. There are still a Few spots ‘ , available for those wishing to sell, call 983-2662 now. Peter Thomas & TH meer STORE For More information... es Araciassr Fy TOK EAST SHI. ST, NORTH VANCOLVERS 983-2662 4 SALLE bape APPR