6 - Sunday, January 10, 1999 - North Shore News north shore news VIEWPOINT losed thinking ONSIDERING the manner in which the B.C. government has handled the Lions Gate Bridge upgrade, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the planned construction schedule will wreak havoc on the lives of North Shore residents. After all, our input has been all but ignored since the beginning of this slow dance seven years ago. As we reported last September, the aging span will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Closures are expected to begin later this year and continue nrough the summer of 2000. In addi- tion, tiie Ministry of Transportation and Highways has received the green No doubt, bridge closures are neces- sary to do the work, but 8 p.m. is far too early to put up the stop sign. Has the government considered the impact on North Shore ski hills, restaurants, shops and other business- es that draw a healthy portion of their evening business from Vancouver’s West End and west side? And what about the poor working stiffs — the people this government says it repre- sents — who work past 8 p.m. down- town before catching a bus back home to the North Shore over the Lions Gate Bridge? Wasn’t it just last week that Premier Clark promised his government would be more sensitive to the needs and con- cerns of B.C. businesses than they have light to close the bridge from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 am. Monday four times during the restoration project. in the past? It may be a new year, but the song and dance remains the same. vou seit § —-—— Dglitics, principles seldom mix “I think there’s too much focus on negativity and not enough recognition of the positive things that are happening.” Fublic service minister Moe Sihota, sesponding to crit- icism by West Vancouver councillors over the provincial decision to slash municipal grants. (Frum a Jan. 8 News story.) Qo00 “What I hear continually when your repeal attempt arises is the charge against you of do-gooderism, of politically correct toadyism, of anti-family politick- ing. North Vancouver District Coun. Trevor Carolan, in a recent letter to the Repeal 43 Committee, a Toronto-based committee lobbying to amend the Criminal Code and out- law the use of “reasonable” force in controlling children and pupils. (From a Jan. 8 News story.) a00 “There’s nothing worse than seeing all those wacko mothers and fathers in Walmart, where their kid is screaming bloody blue murder because they can’t have a $100 toy, and their parents are engaging in Kitsilano- style gestalt encounter therapy. Why don’t they just give the kid a smack and leave the rest of us in peace and contentment?” Trevor Carelan, in the same story. QaQao “When they started out they offered chauffeur-like service, but now their drivers don’t understand Fnglish and I have to give directions to Edgemont Village.” Moira McCrea, bemoaning the current standard of ser- vice provided by Sunshine Cabs in comparison to Local Minibus. (From a Jan. 6 News story.) Q “Basically the Ministry of Education is forcing com- puters down everyone’s throats yet ignoring basic needs such as textbooks.” Capilano elementary school Parent Advisory Council member Peter Chapman, on the need to provide the school’s students with the basics of textbooks rather than computers. (From a Jan. 3 News story.) Worth Share Kews, founded m1 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and qualied under Schedule 131, Paragraph $71 of the ‘Exrise Tax Act, is publa ned each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday dy Noch Shore Free Press Lid. and distrituaed to every door, on the fort ~ Shore: Canada Post Canachan Publications Malt -° Sales Product Agreement No. 0087238 Emo Distribution Manager SBG-1337 (124) “IF you stand for nothing, you'll fail for anything,” warned B.C.’s late Socred premier W.A.C. Bennett. Reform Party members have good reason right now to pon- ‘der his words. At the party conven- tion nine manths ago they endorsed Preston Manning's United Alternative proposal by a whopping 90%. Sparked by Reform’s failure to win a single Ontario scat in the 1997 election, the VA goal is to create some coalition or merger with Tories and other right-of-centre groups which, by avoiding splitting the right-wing vote, could eventually defeat the federal Liberals To teat end Manning declared he was ready +9 contemplate the possibility of a modified platform, a new party with a new nance and even a new leader. Since then — despite Conservative leader Joc Clark's flat rejection of the Reform plan — the project's steering committee has attracted numerous prominent individual ‘Tories to sponsor the February 19-21 UA convention in Ottawa. But with that kick- off event now less than six weeks away, some grassroots Reformers are getting cold feet. Paid-up party membership, now reportedly around 70,000, is way down from the 120,000 peak that Reform carli- er claimed. Current fundraising drives are said to be suffering as supporters “hold PETER SPECK Publisher 985-2131 (101) fonathan Bait Creative Services Manager 985-2131 (127) 61,582 (average cereutation, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday) Classified Manager Photography Manager 986-6222 (202) 985-2531 {160} Entire contents © 1997 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved. off renewing their membership until they see what the February 19-21 “unite- the-right™ assembly, with its 1,200 dele- gates (40% Reform, 40% Tory, 20% other Parties), finally produces. The root of the prob- lem lies in that tiresome old word “principles.” Whatever else may be said of Reform, its firmly held principles — solidly endorsed by the majority of its rank- and-tile — are what distinguishes it from all the other parties. They also explain its failure so far co make mean- ingful political headway cast of Manitoba, Reform rejects Canada’s basic linguis- tie duality, believing instead in the equali- ty of all provinces and individuals with no special treatment for Quebec. It demands 4 Triple-E Senate — elected, equal and effective. It puts fiscal responsibility ahead of free-for-all squandering on social ser- vices. Rightly or wrongly, it is seen as some- what intolerant cowards such minorities as gays and non-Caucasian immigrants. The very last thing a loyal Reformer can be accused of being is all things to all men. By contrast, that accusation CAN be levelled against many Tories and their official policies. The nation’s linguistic duality and the wooing of Quebec is front and centre of their platform. A Tripic-E Senate holds little appeal for them, Fiscally, they're prepared to be considerably fooser with the social service hither and yon LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must inctute your name, full address & telephone number. VIA e-mail: trenshaw @ direct.ca te me ta Bac enonon som" Newsroont ~ SB5-2131 7 Mariaging Editor 985-2931 (116) aren Evers Acting Display Manages 980-0511 (307) “Trial Agrios Promotions Manager 885-2191 (218) General Office Manager 985-2191 (105) internst- bttp:/Ayww.nsaews.com purse strings. Tolerance of gays and all other minorities is taken as read. In short, the Tories, like the apparent- ly invincible Grits they pant to replace, know where the votes are: not only among the silent majority but, equally important, among every squawking spe- cial-interest group in the land, however tiny. Please ‘em ail and power would finally be within Joc Clark’s grasp — were it not for the fact that the Chretien Liberals play just the same cynical game very much better. So the sad truth facing Reformers is that politics and principles normally mix about as well as oil and water. Once in a generation some genius ofa principled politician — a Truman, a Thatcher, a Mandela or a “Wacky” Bennett — pulls off the trick successfully. But the odds against it are daunting. That’s why the February gabfest in Ottawa will produce little but hot air — untess the Tories bring themselves to embrace Reform principles, or Reformers abandon them in return for Ontario votes. 900 ENJOY GOSPEL SONG evening at West Van United Church with Marcus Mosely, Leora Cashe, Will Senders. Joseph Chappel and pianist Jaye Krebs Sunday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. —- call 926- 3690 or 925-1017 for tickets (S15, seniors and under-15s $10) ... And happy birthday Tuesday, Jan.12, to West Van Kiwanian Fred Whitbread. Qo00 WRIGHT OR WRONG — Today’s three basic food groups: canned, frozen and take-out. ‘ HOWSTOZREACHEUS: Administration 985-2131 Display Advertising 980-0513 Real Estate Advertising 985-6982 Classified Advertising 986-6222 Distribution 986-1337 Display & Real Estate Fax 985-1435 Newsroom Fax 985-2104 Classified, Accounting . & Main Office Fax 5893227 Michael Becker - News Editor 985-2131 (114) Andrew McCredie ~ Sports/Community Editor 985-2138 (147)