et ee “today?” The gi MaILBox ROYAL COMMISSION CALLED FOR Assessment process rattles WV residents Dear Editor: We wish to state our feelings as to the unfairness of the present B.C. assessment process. We are appealing the assessor’s concept of the aciual value of our land, which has increased 56 per cent since the last assessment. If every taxpayer, who likewise feels that he has been dealt with unjustly, would also appeal these skyrocketing actual land values, then the appropriate governments might address these inequities. There now appears to be no relationship between the value of one’s property and the costs of the services required. Indeed, the cri- terion for the evaluation today is determined by the vested interests of the land developers and the real estate people who pander to the needs of the off-shore investors. The real estate industry, in bid- ding the land beyond its true mar- ket price, is having a deleterious impact on the cost of housing generally: The inflationary land prices in this community have been further escalated by West Van- couver District allowing the building of monster houses, whose plans have somehow eluded the covenants of the city hall. We feel that, because of the aforementioned detrimental in- fluences, we are being made the scapegoat in the farcical assess- ment game. It is obvious that a royal commission is needed to in- vestigate the machinations of the Assessment Authority in Victoria. When will the powers that be wake up to the fact that livable accom- modation for Canadian citizens is soon going to be a thing of the Past? It is not sufficient for the chairman of the Assessment Court to state that the actual value is determined by the Assessment Authority. Nor can such actuai values be justified by the chairman asking the rhetorical question, “"Would you accept such an in- flated price, if you sold your home short-term gain serves no purpose to the one whose -home is his only asset. Because of the very nature of the remoteness of Victoria from the local scene, the appellant is EXPECT EXCELLENCE Es | MARYLIN TOWARD | offer experience, en- thusiasm, and ability proven by aconsistently successful sales record. Bus: 925-2911 Sasssex Res: 926-5890 sex Group-S.R.C.Realty Comoratio rendered impotent in presenting his case at the Appeal Board. Suffice to say that the present system of assessing is not working. The huge increases in actual value, occurring every few years, should not be tolerated by B.C. taxpayers. Surely there can be devised a more equitable arrange- ment, where gradual increases can be instituted. Failing this, a correc- tion should be made, as in 1983- 84, when a blanket appeal was put forward on behalf of North Shore taxpayers. They listened to the people then. F. and L. Cunningham West Vancouver Kenneth J. Baxter Lawyer 310 - 145 Chadwick Court, North Vancouver Gust south of the market — next to the Seabus) Lonsdale Quay Plaza LAKES, STRAITH & RODGERS BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS « A. JOHN LAKES » JAMES L. STRAITH * WILLIAM J. RODGERS REAL ESTATE WILLS & ESTATES CORPORATE LAW COMMERCIAL LAW PERSONAL INJURIES FAMILY LAW CIVIL LITIGATION CRIMINAL LAW 984-3646 #202 - 1217 LONSDALE AVE. Janine M. Stewart Dan M. ‘Sudeyko STEIN JABOUR, is pleased to announce that JANINE M. STEWART . and DAN M. SUDEYKO have joined the firm as Associates. Ms. Stewart, who has a B.A. in Fine Arts and an LLB. trom U.BC.,, was called fo the bar in 1985 and formerly practiced in Vancouver. A North Shore resident since 1970, she is married and has a two year old daughter. Mr. Sudeyko has a BA. from SF.U., a BS.W. from U.B.C. and an LLB. from U.Vic. He articled with Stein Jabour and was called to the bar in 1988. Dan is also a member of the Vancouver 8éers Soccer team. Ms. Stewart's preferred areas of practice are Real Estate, Corporate and Commercial, Wills and Estates. Mr. Sudeyko’s preferred areas of practice are Criminal and Civil Litigation, and Family Law. Stein Jabour is a full service law firm formed by the merger of THE NORTH SHORE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEGAL CLINIC and STEIN & COMPANY. Its members are: DONALD E. JABOUR NICHOLAS DAVIES CHARLES G. STEIN JANINE M. STEWART DAN M. SUDEYKO 986-8600 Barristers & Solicitors #300-233 W. Ist St, N. Vancouver MON. - FRI :00 oa = 065 MARINE, NORTH VAN. 986- att: | comes Contre. 7 - Sunday, December 4, 1988 - North Shore News CUSTOM DRAPERIES AND VALANCES Labour $6.50 per panel untined, $7.50 lined. CUSTOM BEDSPREADS AND COVERS Low, low prices on blinds and tracks For FREE Estimates Call 987-2966 Serving the North Shore for 18 years. NORTH VANCOUVER NOTICE OF TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE Esplanade between Chesterfield Avenue & Lonsdale Avenue Location: Closure Date: December 6th, 1588 Ciosure Time: 9AM to 3 PM Esplanade will be closed to vehicular traffic to facilitate erection of beams for the Roger's Avenue Pedestrian Overpass. Motorists are requested to use alternate routes. We apologize for any inconvenience. C.M. Gale City Engineer SYLVAN WILL. SYIVAN LEARNING CENTRE PROGRAMMES Take positive action to help your child or Reading teen make this year a success. At Sylvan we f specialize in bringing out a student’s full Math mM potential. We test in order to pinpoint the f specific areas in which your child needs Writing help. And we attack the problem with an srudy Skills individually designed program. Postive | motivation, friendly encouragement, an Algebra experience of suc- e . cess right from the 1s» Stan LeamingCu:portin | Sylvan start and in- Learning dividualized atten- tion makes all the difference. f Helping kids do better™ 201-1217 Lonsdale Ave., N.Van. 985-6811 _ PARK CIN REAR