ry 3, 1993 RUE POULTRY RRC AYE PCE ATE SERN s SASS = moa CLcMe aS SX SUIS WSRINAETS Tews VEWPORT Public input ORTH VANCOUVER District has taken a large pioneering step for- ward in local environmental protec- tion with its proposed Environmental Pro- tection Bylaw. But it will take public input to make it more than just window dressing for en- vironmental lobbyists. The bylaw as proposed by Mel Kotyk, the district’s environmental protection of- ficer, is a compilation. of strengths from three existing bylaws that regulate how de- velopment and residential activities affect watercourses, trees and soils in the district — three areas that fall under municipal jurisdiction. The district’s proposed bylaw would, for example, allow the municipality to desig- mate trees as important heritage features based on. heritage, landmark or wildlife | LETTER Take stand against NVD tax increase Dear Editor: I find the latest North couver District Council decision to raise taxes again disappointing. Van- ernment level, people. When will politicians at all erence of conduct? We no longer need, at any gov- necessary to be al) things for all We need less government, both values. It would carry hefty fines for illegal tree removal, The bylaw would also designate buffer strips sround creeks and rivers and pro- hibit the importation of contaminated soils into the district. A public workshop on the bylaw has been scheduled for tomorrow at the Leo Marshall Curriculum Centre, 810 West 2ist St., in North Vancouver starting at 7:30 p.m. Workshop information is avail- able by calling 987-7131. ' The launch of substantial environmental projection legislation at the municipal level is long overdue. But its impact and effec- tiveness depend on informed and commit- ted residents. Attending Thursday’s workshop would be a good sign of that commitment. OF We need to become involved. Because more disappointing than the tax increase is the way taxpayers will allow this increase, and possibly others, to occur. They will allow this without the bureaucracy levels of government realize there is no more to grab?. When will they learn to conduct themselves efficiently? When wil} they direct their staff elfectively? When will the district return to its specific terms of ref- in manpower and in assets. We need a better return for our tax dollar. We need more specific account- ability. We need politicians who - understand time management and work efficiency, not politicking. even asking why, or contacting their representative, or demanding a better deal. Or will they? B. Gilbert North Vancouver Publisher ..............Peter Speck Managing Editor .. Timothy Renshaw Associate Editor Noel Wright Sales & Marketing Director ..Linda Stewart Comptroller ..; Doug Foot North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and quaiitied under Schedule 111, Paragraph ill of the Excise Tax Act, is published each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by North Shore Free Press Ltd. and distributed to every door on the North Shore. Second Class Mait Registration Number 3885. Subscriptions North and West Vancouver, $25 per year. Mailing tates available on request. Submissions are welcome but we cannot accept responsibility ‘for unsolicited material including manuscripts and pictures which should be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope Newsroom V7M 2H4 Disptay Advertising Real Estate Advertising 985-6982 Classified Advertising 986-6222 980-0511 Distribution 986-1337. Subscriptions 986-1337 Fax 985-3227 newsprin! Administration 985-2134 : , ‘North Shore managed MEMBER @ Printes on 10% recycled 985-2131 SUNGAY + WEONESDAY + fHIDAY 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. SDA DIVISION . 61,582 {average circulation, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday) Entire contents © 1992 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved. not exactly WY wavelensti NOT EVERYONE in West Van, it seems, is too thrilled over the new face of Park Royal Shopping Centre — the word ‘‘face’’ being used here in a wider sense than mere physical appearance. Certainly, there are numerous visual improvements following the costly facelift which inconvenienc- ed shoppers much of last year. But with Woodward's struggling to survive und stores still vacant in the original malls — let alone all the untenanted ones along the new outdoor strips — more than a few patrons are wondering just what THEY gained so far from the $20 million splurge. Rick Amantea — Park Roya! boss man for Larco Investments Ltd., the centre’s new owners since 1990 — is naturally upbeat. Only 12,000 sq. ft. of the extra space, he says, have as yet no prospective tenants, All the rest, he claims, is ‘‘actively under negotiation,” with many new stores expected to open this . spring. We'll wait and see.. Meanwhile, two recent events on the fringes of Park Royal's leased Indian land are raising some West Van cyebrows — and hackles. One was the sudden, unan- nounced clear-cutting a month ago of the large wooded area west of the bowling lanes for construc- tion of a golfers’ driving range. Anyence with the slightest awareness of the average West Vancouverite's love affair with ‘trees would have deemed it pru- dent to at least tell the locals in advance what was afoot. But not the new Park Royal, Fully within its legal rights, it simply barged ahead with its hoped-for pot of gold — figuring that a little urban backyard jog- ging was none of the locals’ business! RICK AMANTEA... old friend's face not quite so sensitive. ~. JUDITH MARCUSE... coast-to- coasi’ honor for NV dance group. web a HITHER AND YON And now the Oasis Car Wash cast of Taylor Way — West Van’s only such facility — has been given the bum’s rush. Owner Elgin Arnold's lease was abruptly terminated by Park Royal on Christmas Eve with 30 days’ notice. Again, ali perfectly legal, but not quite the Christmas gift ¢ Elgin wanted after 30 years of shining up West Van chariots. Amantea says the plan is to - upgrade the facility and reopen it within 4 couple of months or so — “probably without Mr. Ar- nold,’' The latter is now closeted with his lawyers, apparently over the little matter of 30 years’ — business goodwill he looks like losing without a cent of | recompense. For half a century West Van. and Park Royal’s former owners, the Guinness family, enjoyed a smooth, mutually beneficial rela- |. tionship — based in no small part on the latter’s sensitivity to the needs and funny little prejudices of the unique community it sery- ed. ' Larco doesn’t yet seem quite ° tuned to this West Van : wavelength. And the company’s .” public relations ‘‘face’’ is starting to show it. POSTSCRIPTS: A gruelling 33- day schedule of 62 events (44 workshops and {8 performances) : in cities coast to coast will keep > * North Van’s Judith Marcuse Dance Company quite literally on its toes until March 3. It departed last Friday on this season’s longest Canadian modern dance tour, :: funded by the Canada Council ° and local sponsors ... ! Canucks Oldtimers face off. ; against West Van Police Satu;day, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. in a charity hockey game at West Van Rec Centre arena -— for tickets'call 926-8621 or 922-4141 ... Congrats to the Kiwanis Club of Capilano and secretary Vie Nygeard —. named 1991-92 Merit Club and: outstanding secretary respectively in the Kiwanis Northwest District which stretches from Alaska to Oregon and Idaho ... And many happy returns of today, Feb.3, to « West Van Kiwanian Joe Lindsey. WRIGHT OR WRONG: Never worry about folks who openly disagree with you. Worry about those too cowardly to tell you DNS qeaereres