THE following are
brief summaries of top-
ics on the agendas of
North Shore munici-
palities and school
boards:

North Vancouver District
Council: Monday, Dec. 6 at 7
pm. — swearing in ceremony

v Judge William J. Rodgers;
invocation; inaugural address
by Mayor Don Bell; official
election results; 2000 council
appointments and GVRD
committee recommendations.

North Vancouver City
Council: Monday, Dec. 5 at
7:30 p.m. — oaths of office
and oaths of allegiance admin-
istered by Judge R. J. Bauman;
invocation given by Father
John Barry, St. Edmund’s
Roman Catholic Church; pre-
sentation of silver goblet and
retirement scroll to Coun.

Stella Jo Dean; presentation of
a 25-year-service award, silver
goblet, retirement scroll and
ceremonial gavel to Mayor
Jack E. Loucks; introduction
of special guests, inaugural
address by Mayor Barbara A.
Sharp; appointment of com-
mittees and other agencies;
appointments of acting may-
ors; appointments of Courts of
ston.

West Vancouver District
Council: Monday, Dec. 6 at
6:30 p.m. — singing of
O’Canada; swearing in of duly
elected and re-clected mem-
bers of council; inaugural
address by Mayor Ron Wood;
appointment of council repre-
sentatives on boards, commis-
sions, panels and committees;
2000 citizen appointments to
advisory bodies; notice of sit-
ting by the Court of Revision
for local improvements;
appointment of acting mayors
for 1999/2000; authorization
for use of cheque signing
machine and signature plates.

West Vancouver School
District 45: The rext board
meeting is Tuesday, December
4.

North Vancouver Schoot
District 44: The next board
meeting is Tuesday, December
7. No agenda to press time.

Retailers fear another
minimum wage increase

’ A new survey of independent retailers sug-
” gests many negative impacts if the minimum
. ‘wage is increased again by the provincial gov-
ernment. . ;
The survey of about 200 members of the
Retail Merchants Association of B.C. reports that
” three-quarters (77%) of the independent retailers
-* Surveyed state that they currently hire unskilled
entry-level workers. .

*. Half.(50%) -say another minimum wage
increase will result in fewer jobs for those peopic
and 45% would hire fewer young people and stu-

: dents ;

e irvey finds 60% believe they will experi-
ence: yative impacs ifthe minimum wage. is

mpacts asa result of previous minimum wage

Mark Startup, the President and CEO of the.

Retail Merchants Association of B.C. (RMABC)
says another increase will be hard on those who
need work experience the most, namely young
people and those with little or no job skills.

While there have been a number of academic
studies on the issue of the job-killing impact of
minimum wage, this survey should give the gov-
ernment the best advice, because it comes from
the people who actually create the jobs.

| He said Labour Minister Joan Smallwood is

actively considering an increase.

“We have presented the government with
alternatives,” Startup said. “Tax breaks or incen-
tives ted to the most needy would be better

: \ "than a broad brush approach that creates the
1 ‘Over half (54%) experienced negative .

unintended consequence of killing jobs.”

'". B.C’s retail sector is 2 major. contributor to

the B.C, economy, generating annual revenues

‘of over $33 billion and jobs for 200,000.

a,

CF AFLAMING

This new store in Capileno Mall is
much like the exotic bird it is named after.

Flamingo Gifts is a shop full of unusu-
al gift ideas, all of which are rade by hand
in ont of the way places like Borneo, South
East Indonesian Islands, Bali, Lombok
Sumbawa, Flores, Papua, New Guinea and
Timor.

The store’s owners, Peier and Marie
Velek travel to these interesting spois on the
map searching for merchandise to fill the
shelves and excite the customers.

Once inside you'll find wood carvings,
wood Mowers, mirrors, furniture, knick knacks,
candle holders and aii sorts of wild and wonderful
gifts and lots of hand-crafted pouery pieces.

‘What's interesting about this shopping experi-
ence is the story associated with each piece dis-
played in the store. The owners buy their stock from
small {amity workshops in jungle villages. if you ask
the question about where a certain piece is from you
can bet the answer will be a tale like no other.

Flamingo Gifts is opening iust in time for your
pfe-Christmas buying. The gifts are priced from
under $5 to about $1,000 and everywhere in

4” up to 36” high

From

‘CERAMIC
PLATES -
' from £" to 20", ~

‘vom 59)

oY

Boat 20 diffe

¢

between, Chances are yuu'll find something for
almost everyone on your list, especially those
friends and family shat have almost everything.

A big hit seems to be the carved exotic Nlow-
ers. They carry lilies, sunflowers, roses, bird of par-
adise, gladiolas etc. The sizes range from 20 cm to
about 2 meters and cost from $1.30 to $60. ©

Their candle holders in metal are another big
seller along with CD racks and wonderful hand
carved fish and birds. ee

Flamingo Gifts is a store for those with an -
adventurous spirit. Bring your insagination with you.

| CHIMES

Reg.Size “XLG

TANIMALS-

A Giraffes; cats, fishes,

Tulips, mini-roses
many colours 20 cm