10 - Wednesday, October 27, 1999 ~ North Shore News Leadership lack Dear Editor: Re: Community Diversiz, Advisory Committee. Twas stunned to read in the Oct. 17 North Shore News that North Vancouver District Council had voted 4-3 to dis- band the Community Diversity Advisory Committee. The rationale was thar the policy was a “grenade”, Orwellian “doublespeak” and “our worst nightmare come to fruition.” I made it a point to obtain a copy of this policy which struck Councilor Glenys Decring-Robb with “tear and bewilderment.” I teamed the policy deals with access and inclusion for all groups and how to impic- ment it within the municipali- an cxample of T note also that the com- mittee that was composed of “radicals” such as representa- tives from the recreation con. mission, the public library, the district, the Services to Seniors Coalitios and the Advisory Committee on Disability Issues. What is council saying by disbanding the committee that it formed in 1996? Is council saying that the North Shore is not 2 welcome place to al? Is council saying thar it doesn’t tolerate discnim- ination? [s council saying that some people should receive preferential services over oth- ers from the municipality? Council, needs to fearn from the business community. Many major corporations have had diversity initiatives tor years. They have learned that benefits. so 0% "Mark T Venetian Blinds Bi LEVOLOR -_ Phos reeeive an additions! ©. 10% off on ordezs of 5 or sore. Ga battery, isst antifreeze, check Sumun ‘Lupe brakes, visual inspection | * pe condition report + setimate, mien front or rear nkiars. Lifet shoes - raost mal I Hearina a CooLinc : Check radiator, hoses, belts, drain & refill s or shoes by certified tech--. guarantee on pads & -# cooling system, pressure chack & ful report ay iG, Ausanmanr Finest cordless Hunter computerized gone north shore news MAIL Box Why ditch district diversity? diversity makes good business sense. ICBC, BC ‘Tel, Royal Bank, VanCity, Rogers Communications, Bank of Montreal, TD Bank and many others know that ro attract the “best and the brightest” they need to foster environnents where everyone feels included. To develop and maintain a competitive edge, they know that they need to, not only tol- crate diversity, but to embrace it and effectively manage it. And they have been relatively successful at it. IT expect more leadership from my elected officials. Their role is to make North Vancouver District the best managed municipality in Canada, not to take us back to the dark ages. 1 note from the council minutes that the &3i- sion was made after 10:30 p.m. Perhaps it was too fate in the evening for them to be thinking clearly. If this is the kind of teadership [ can expect from my elected officials, all I can say is that I am glad municipal elections are around the corner. Vera Radyo North Vancouver 5.00% Dear Editor: 4 officials can find a diversity poli- cv so offensive is beyond belief (Diversity Group Sacked — Oct. 17 News). The recommenda- tions of the diversity advisory group are not rad- ical, in fact, similar policies have been adopted by countless municipalities, organizations and com- panies throughout North America. Why thea do our councillors see them as a “grenade?” F can only presume that such atti- tudes are the result of their own ignorance. Coun. Glenys Decring-Robb is quoted as saying that the concept af zero tolerance fills her with “fear and bewilderment,” the only conclu- sion to be drawn from this is chat she is willing to accept some degrce of discrimination. Following this logic, E presume the esteemed councillor is also willing to tolerate some amount of discrimination against women, or the elderly , or the disabled. Discrimination, of whatever nature, has no place in the modern world and the attitudes of these councillors have no place in elected office. Harp Dhaliwal North Vancouver harp@telus.net Hey, N. Shore: take transit Dear Editor: The Qet. 13 editerial was amazing. A huge number of those 65,000 cars crossing the Lions Gate Bridge every day ship one individ- ual an average of, at most, 10 to 20 kilometres from home to one of a myriad of parking lots in downtown Vancouver. The cars sit in the parking lot until the indi- vidual wants to go home and then ships him or her the same 10 to 20 kilometres home. As my 2% year old) says: “What's chat about?” People who live in’ Abbotsford, Pitt Meadows or Port Moody may be able te justi- fy using a car that way if they work in down- town Vancouver. People who live on the North Shore live 540% 5.80% sort netometre 5.30% fr &-bond 8 a ior Syzac, Year 2 Year 3 away from the city but at the same time we live very closc. That's one of the great things about living there. It’s quicker to take a bus from the North Shore than it is to drive to downtown, certainly between 7:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. And the more people who use the bus the better the transit system will have to become. Unfortunately, experience shows that the tran- sit system will respond to demand rather, span demand res onding to an increased supp! North Shore people arc on average ivhk educated and intelligent. We should be tener in the effort to save this beautiful place we live in for our children and our grendchilcren.. Philip McCourt North Vancouver truck date corrected Dear Editor: Re: Truck move blasted (Oct. 3'News). Thank you for highlighting the B.C. Trucking Associations . (BCTA’s) concern about the diversion of commercial: vehi-- cle traffic from the Horseshoe: ° Bay BC Ferries terminal to the - Tsawwassen terminal.’ There was one minor error in the: © -- article. BCTA last officially, communicated with |‘ BC Fercies through . iinister Gordon Wilson. at.‘a Ing that was. held on. Fuse; 28,: 1999, not 1998 as stated in the article: , Paut R. Landry, President ” B.C. Trucking Association alignment, by certified technicians, produces fu!! before & after report & . rs foad test - your choice... - “Prices cover most cars & light trucks All service by Govt. registered technicians - TALKING: YELLOW PAGES ie |