Trees played off against cr From page 1 Moan improved “queue jumper” for transit vehicles travelling to the North Shore; @ the elimination by che year 2030 of all private vehicle traf- fic from Stanley Park entirely. Over 60 opponents so overwhelmed the park board chambers Monday night that many were forced to sit cross- legged on the floor while awaiting their turn to address the board. For decades, the board had roundly rejected similar pro- posals, ‘but has since embraced this incarnation in the wake of new elections last November. In light of the board's sudden shift, some cried “foul” and questioned the motives of the commissioners. One of those people attending the marathon, six- hour meeting was David Cadman, a spokesman for the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC). Fle accused several: of the commissioners of reneging on pledges they made to oppose such a plan while on the stump. “Last fall they stood firm on not widening the causeway and now their first act is to * overturn their previous com- mitment,” he said. “They set out to deceive the public. This puts the board and staff... total disrepute. : “Stanley Park is a sacred trust. It’s a place people treat with reverence and respect. For them to treat it in this fashion is shocking.” Commissioner Allan De Genova admitted that he had . changed his tune since the ‘election, but only when the BCTFA assured him that his causeway safety concerns would best be allayed by adopting such a proposal. . “E looked at the broader : picture and decided that, at ~the end of the day, it was a win-win situation,” he said, noting, that a key part of his : decision was made because | the . proposal _ effectively ver safety addressed his primary. satety concern: the re-alignment of the S-curve at Lost Lagoon. “Originally, it wasn't going to be removed. When that was settled, (the trade-off) seemed satisfactory to me in the long run. It was worth it.” While most of the speakers agreed that safety was of the utmost concern, many also questioned at what cost to the environment? Director of Stanley District Jim Lowden said that 36 trees would have to be removed immediately if the project was approved, and it was possible that as many as 90 others might meet a similar fate dur- ing the construction phase. “We don’t envisage a sub- stantive impact,” said Lowden. “When the equiva- lent widening happened last fall (for the sidewalks), it resulted in an excellent horti- cultural management process.” He also touted other bene- fits of the project, such as the ce-electrification of the route leading into the park, the phase-out of diesei-fuelled buses in favour of electric trol- leys and superior road surface and ground water control. “It’s a comprehensive safe- ty package,” he said. And while the widening of the causeway and straighten- ing of the S-curve will rob the park of just over an acre of green space, the proposed vedevelopment of the Chilco bus loop between Georgia and Alberni. Streets should infuse the park with approxi- mately 0.73 new acres. The BCTFA will foot the estimated $5-miltion bill for all causeway improvements north of the Lost Lagoon overpass, while the remaining Tapesthy 1089 Marine Drive at Lioyd Avenue ja. apie JANUARY CLEARANCE SALE! Save up to 80% on selected books! The Great:Canadian @iL CHANGE Since 1878 LTD. $24.89 and enviro fees. Petro Canada 10W30 , Don't forget about our T-Tech transmission service gZ ~ . + Change 100% of your fluid not just 4 40-60%. : ES BEES " “OPER SUNDAYS A meeting held Mcnday by the Vancouver Park Board brought heated discussion over a proposal to widen the Stanley Park causeway. Some trees would fall. $10 million will be split equal- ly berween BCTFA, ICBC, the City of Vancouver and TransLink. The park board will net absorb any of the cost. West Ender — Norris Morgan was one of a scant few supporters who suffered the slings and arrows of the often-apoplectic crowd when he addressed the board and cast his vote in favour of the plan. With two chiidren and a avice-a-day commute across the bridge, Mergan has seen his fair share of traffic snarls and reckless drivers jockeying for better lane positions. He said he’s had enough. “When you get out there in the rain and the dark at 60 kilometres an hour it can get Pretty scary, “ he said. “If we're going to have the bridge then we should make it safe. Will [ give up 36 trees for that? I think the question answers itself. “It's easy for people who Make yeur love unique 92-2435 Marine Dh. West Van 922-3014 wack taney don’t drive the bridge every day to say no to this, but five more feet isn’t asking a lot. How could anybody, from a safety standpoint, complain about five more feet?” Burt John Whistler, another SPEC member, wondered whether a wider causeway would lead to safer driving or simply an increase in the num- ber of lead-footed drivers. “[m very cynical of this safety mantra,” he said. “This is not an issue of safety but an issue of speed. Rather, the tight to ‘speed safely.’ If we widen the road then what guarantee do we have that the motorists won’t just go faster? The park board must now determine — at its next regu- lar meeting on Feb. 7 — BUYING A CP TOYOTA TALK TO TYLER Slinager oftess Internet prices to the public. Buy or Lease tade-i ins ace ted Home: 926-5212 prose VAN FLORIS T— | Weekly Specials Large Primula 5" Pot, Reg. $2.49 - 3 for $956) J: 4" Pot, Reg. $1.99 - 3 or more, each Bulb. P lants Daffodils, Crocus, Tris and Hyacinths in Bud and Bloom Our Best Primula ‘6” $4 99 4" Pot, Reg. $2.99 - 3 for ° Demonstration Saturday, February 5th - 11:00 am - 12:00 noon Living Wreaths and Planters featuring Spring Flowering Plants tnastare Specials - Personal Shopping Only Open Monday to Saturday 9:69 am to 6:00 pm Friday to 7:00 pm PAN =| Zz, Open Sunday 10:06 am to 5:00 pm WEST-VAN-FLORIST & GARDEN CENTRE 1821 Marine Drive, West Vancduver . Tel: 922-4171 + 92 12-3968 Fax: 922-9735 Reward offer From page 3 resents approximately 50 artists. Meanwhile Mounties have not ruled out that some of the break-ins are related. On Aug. 6, another art gallery in Lower Lonsdale was the target of burglars. Thirteen jade sculptures were stolen from the Lyte Sopel Studio. The jade scuip- tures were valued at approxi- mately $65,000. Powell said that a gallery in Whistler was hit by bur- glars at about the same time as the Morgan Dawne Gallery in September 1999. The Crime Stoppers reenactment of the North Vancouver break-ins was filmed using local Mounties posing as the thieves. The reenactment is slated to air on Global TV (channel 13). Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked - to call the North Vancouver RCMP at 985-1311 or Crime Stoppers at 669- NEWS photo Cindy Goodman where and when the next pub- lic meeting should be held. 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