an independent investigation into andling of case Heated debate follows News story concerning flood-damaged homes NORTH VANCOUVER . District outrage Monday that an Oct. councillors expressed 15 News story was the first they knew of a B.C. Supreme Court case that held the district negligent in its dealings with two Lynn Valley fami- lies and their fleod-damaged homes. Councillors say they want to be informed by staff of all legal cases involving the municipality. . Coun. Janice Harris asked for “an independent investigation into the district’s handling of the affair ‘and. touched off a short but heated debate. - Municipal manager Mel Palmer -condemned the News. “The article is totally wrong and‘at no time did the North Shore News phone us for any ., Clarification,’? charged an angry Palmer. He refused to elaborate further:.on. the issue when ap- proached by the News. Palm ‘did tell council that the ., district ‘was ‘not a party to the ac- “tion, which was being defended by » the Municipal Insurance Associa- : tie: ‘Palmer said -the district had ‘been specifically advised not to get . involved with the case in order not - to jeopardize its insurance claim. * “He also claimed the story linked the resignation of deputy director of engineering Harry :McBride to the liability case. : But Palmer. told council ‘that ’.. MeBride resigned to take another ‘job. He also said the district had no. details of the court decision - before the News story appeared i in print... is The * Supreme Court was ‘teleased Oct. ‘decision 8 while the. NORTH VANCOUVER DISTRICT COUNCIL by Martin Milierchip News story was published Oct. 15. But not all of council was con- vinced by Palmer, | Coun. Paul Turner noted that early in council’s present term a court case resulted in a motion asking for reports on all legal ac- tivities involving the district. , “When do we get in the loop?’’ asked Turner. “It seems the to. me that ‘simplest thing would have been to see the judgment as soon as it was released. “I get these, calls. [don’t know anything. I look tike a fool. [ ref- use to take that. It’s just not fair,’’ said Turner, Coun. Ernie Crist also ques- tioned whether council was being kept in the dark. “TY appreciate legal matters are delicate and we, as elected of- ficials, cannot compromise the interests of the corporation, but we should know what is going on,’ said Crist. Council agreed to ask for a staff report on the court case and the Supreme Court judgment and deferred debate on Harris’ motion calling: for an independent —in- vestigation of staff’s actions. News wins BCYCNA awards THE NORTH SHORE News was recognized for journalistic ex- celferice atthe 1993 British Col- umbia and -Yukon.. Community . Newspaper Association .“(BCYC- - NA) Awards ceremonies held Oct. 1 and 2 in Vancouver. | ; The News placed second overall in. the. BCYCNA’s .General . Ex-. cellence category for tabloid newspapers with circulations over 25,001. First place went to the White Rock Peace Arch News. Judging for the category - was READERS’ VOICE CALL US: 983-2208 based on editorial content, layout and design, advertising, photographs and. art, and produc- tion... The News finished third in the category last year. News photographer Neil Lucente also took second place. in the BCYCNA’s Color Feature Photo category with a dramatic front page picture of a North ‘Vancouver City firefighter prac- tising rescue techniques on the exterior of a city highrise office building. NEWS photo Terry Poters NORTH VANCOUVER District Fire Services firefighters rescued 13-year-old Meagan Sutherland on Friday, Oct. 15, after she fell into the Seymour River and was swept by the current near Twin Bridge. The Castlegar teenager had gone into the river to help a friend’s dog. Sutherland was stranded on 2 rock before being rescued. No injuries were reported. Gets second term by acclamation MARK. SAGER may. be slightly disappointed that he has been elected to a second term as mayor of West Vancouver by acclamation. WEST VANCOUVER DISTRICT CGUNCIL by Maureen Curtis First, he was prepared to defend his post — signs ready, newspaper ads booked. Plan B, should he not be re- elected, involved a lot more skiing than he has been able to do during the past three years. Although he was expecting a fight for his seat as mayor, Sager said he is happy to be able to continue on to address municipal issues: such as the Open Space Bylaw, the revitalization of the NEWS. PHOTOGRAPHER Neil Lucente Who do you plan to vote for in the federal election? Martin North Vancouver The only candidate who will stand up for.social programs and medicare in this election is Graeme Bowbrick. I’m voting for him. Jennifer Villard North Vancouver Definitely, the Progressive Con- servative candidate Mary Collins, because the Reform Party have no idea what they’re talking about regarding Quebec’: 5 anglophores. Clyde Avenue ‘area and the devel- opment of a community arts fa- cility and a_ western reereation centre. “Pm really happy ‘we'll have some continuity. There’s a lot to be accomplished,’’ Sager said. He is in the middle of budget discussions for the Greater Van-, -couver Regional District (GVRD). As head of the GVRD budget administration committee he has. spent a year working to introduce more financial accountability at the regional district level of gov- ernment. “‘We'’re going through budget line by line,’’ Sager said. Sager feels the community has invested in him during the past three -years while he has been “learning the job as mayor,”’ and he is pleased to be able to use that knowledge for another term. He thanked fellow members of the MAYOR SAGER... wins by ac- clamation. council for “‘their coopéative and constructive manner’? in which they have undertaken their duties. ‘Index fi Budget Beaters . @ Business ...... Doug Collins: Crossword: ... Cuisine Scene . Bob Hunter ... er. | . BS: EB Lifestyles... ....... , [2 News of the Weird North Shore Now WW Sports .......... I TV Listings ..... What’s Going On Weather Thursday, sunny with cloudy periods. High 13°C, low 5°C Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement Number 0087238 sora trae Pye bt TO PROVIDE “North Shore v voters with more 2 local input into the campaign leading up to the Oct. 25 federal election, the Nortit Shore News’ election coverage will focus on your opinions and concerns. Your Call will appear in every issue, asking you questions relating to the election. The same question will repeat for three issues, with a fresh question every Sunday. You can only cast one vote, but you can express yourself every day by dialling 983-2208. Dale Lockhart ‘North Shore I'm going to vote for the Green Party, because the environment is the most important issue in the campaign. THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who do you plan to vote for in the federal election? Lisa North Vancouver I support Graeme Bowbrick of the New Democrats. I believe they are the only ones who are going to stand up for our medicare system.