| Sharp takes soccer Shots | sion

Dear Editor:

I liked the North Shore
News’ comment on Coun.
Barbara Sharp’s demand that
North Vancouver RCMP
investigate and deal with
impromptu __ celebrations.
However, although there was
no public notice of the event,
it was not strictly impromp-
tu.

In fact, the whole world
was waiting for World Cup
soccer and reports by the
media said that two billion
people around the world
were excitedly watching the
games. Soccer fever is no
secret, and North Vancouver
was no exception.

It is important however to
recognize that we have a
diverse society here in
Canada. In fact we celebrate
our diversity every year, and
have done so recently here in
‘B.C. The majority of
Canadians believe that diver-
sity is our strength.

International migration is
“tow the single contributor to
population growth in British
Columbia. Net: international
Bess po made up 37% of

population growth in

immigrant’
ir: own “cclebrations wand

closiites:for brief periods of
The . nature _of the

On June 27, a portion of
Commercial Drive in
Vancouver was closed to traf-
fic to provide space for the
predominantly Italian com-
munity to celebrate in sup-
port of their favorite soccer
team.

It would cost Councillor
Sharp little to travel outside
the confines of her own con-
stituency and visit Burnaby,
Coquitlam, Richmond and
other municipalities to sec
demographic changes and
enormous physical devclop-
ments.

If she travelled as far
afield as California, she
would be surprised to see
that the Iranian community
of about one million is play-
ing a major role in the areas

of” socio-economic and cul-
tural development.

She may be shocked to
see that in the hospitals in
San Francisco and Los
Angeles, a good number of
the nurses and doctors are
speaking Farsi to cach other.

Yes, our communities are

“growing, .and each has its

own events and celebrations.

Yes, a number of soccer
fans from our North Shore
Iranian community cheered
and celebrated on Lonsdale
and) Marine Drive, on
Robson Strect downtown
also,

It was Sunday midday, in
business arcas where it is
inconceivable that a large

north shore news

MAIL BOX

number of people were dis-
turbed. The celebrations
were not violent, albeit they
were enthusiastic. There cer-
tainly can be no comparison
with the Stanley Cup riot on
Robson of a few years ago.

The North Vancouver
RCMP exhibited —under-
standing and cooperation,
and should be lauded for
their efforts instead of being
put ina position of having to
report and justify their
actions.

I would hope that a city
councillor has more pressing
issues to deal with on her
constituents’ behalf. I know
the police certainly have, and

should not be put in this
untenable position.

If Coun. Shérp had any
political savvy and fore-
thought, she would appreci-
ate that she has possibly
committed political suicide
by alienating thousands of
constituents by raising the
concerns of a small number
of people complaining about
loud shouts.

Petty people like Coun.
Sharp need greater insight
and should have attempted
to calm the few complainers
rather than risk alienating the
many celebrants.

Bahman Shirazi
North Vancouver

SAFE

WAY

Sunday, July 12, 1998 — North Shore News - 9

train crew
made meal memorable

Dear Editor:

My husband and { took the Starlight Dinner Train on
June 14. We enjoyed what was an unusual and unique expe-
rience albeit damp and overcast weather. We commend the
cleanliness and service given by the Starlight staff. However,
upon arrival home i a band noticed his wallet was miss-
ing. We returned to the North Vancouver station at mid-
night to find the station deserted and closed for business. At
3:30 a.m., a BC Rail cleaning employee phoned to confirm
my. husband’s wallet had been found. We commended the
actions of the employce who retrieved the wallet leaving a

“thank you” card for him when we retrieved the wallet from
BC Rail. Bc warned folks, You can never be too careful.
Mrs. M. Higgs
Mapiz Ridge

CLUB

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9

s that e

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