A6-Sunday News, November 23, 1980 Pub night The licensed lounge proposed for the North Vancouver Recreation Centre (and approved by the Liquor Control Board) has suddenly become a hot political potato. A 631-signature petition calling for a public hearing on the proposal has been submitted to both North Van councils by the senior citizens’ Silver Harbour Centre. District Alderman Ernie Crist claims start-up costs have escalated and warns of the added burden on taxpayers. In the other corner District Alderman Jim Ball, who is also chairman of the Rec Commission, says the pub would be a moneymaker, with profits helping to offset the overall operating costs of the centre. Presumably, those profits would first be applied to paying off the start-up costs of perhaps 850,000-860,000 which worry Alderman Crist. Last week District council took the position that any public meeting on the subject should be held by the Rec Com- mission itself, rather than by council, since the planned pub is essentially a Rec Com- mission decision. Alderman Bell says the pub is backed by numerous groups participating in Rec Centre programs. A hearing before the commission, as opposed to council, might therefore encourage a more balanced expression of opinion between supporters and opponents. Certainly, all concerned parties should be allowed their kick at the cat before the pub -- which, as a publicly owned amenity, we assume would be well controlled -- goes ahead. But we feel council acted wisely in handing that particular “pub night” back to its sponsors. Manners please! Those free-enterprise West Vancouver commuters who roar past the patient Lions Gate Bridge line-up and try to sneak into it on the Capilano River bridge, blocking North Van traffic behind them, need to be taught some manners. The lesson could start with “LEFT LANE NORTH VAN ONLY” signs along that stretch of Marine Drive. And a police car waiting for rush-hour offenders at the end could drive the lesson home. ‘sunday news north shore news NEWS 086-2131 138 Lonsadaie Ave North Vancouver BC V7M 2H4 604: 986-2131 ADVERTISING 060-0611 Publisher CLASSIFIED CC ACULATION 966-6222 966-1337 Pete Spe * Associate Publisher Editor-in-Chief Advertising Director Ropert Granam Noe! Wrght Er Cardwe! Classified Manager & Office Administrator Bern: Hilharad Creative Director Tom Francie Production Rick Stonehouse Faye McC'sae Menaging Editor Andy Frase: Newe Editor Photography Cniee vioyd Ellaworth Ou Ree Aocounting Supervisor Barbara Koen North Bhore News founded ‘000 as a “dapecdon ly Newepaper and quarfied unde Bchoduie W Pall Paayg ag the Excieo Tan Ac! «8 pubbaned each Wednesday and Suda, ty North Shore Free Preea (1d and hatte te @.ey Door on ihe North Shore becond Ciass Ma Roget at Numooe JS88% GBubecriptione $20 po yoa beotee oo ete WE Noth Shoe F-oo Press ita Al ighte eee .eu Ne eepoOn@but, a aptar '. Ro te we. ’ Da cee pte ANd geet or oe whoa t @her abet fia. Cree: Cees ” stat ped AGG ORBEOU 6 tt Oo Ot re VERIFIED CIRCULATION 60,870 Wedronda, 40013 5. J, ~ oO » SR’ 1 THIS PAPER 1&8 RECYCLABLE Can the Charter do the job? By GORDON HARDY The federal government is pressing ahead with a charter of rights in a new constitution. The govern- ment claims “the basic rights and freedoms of Canadians will be entrenched in a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms so that they cannot be infringed upon by any single government, legislature, or Parliament.” But will it = protect Canadians from mass in- ternment, arbitrary arrest, deprivation of freedom of speech, unjust discrimination, etc? And if it doesn't, why bother en- trenching such a Charter? This question is being asked by political groups, lawyers and constitutional experts at a conference being held November 23 at Kitsilano High School, 2550 West 10th Ave., Vancouver co-sponsored by the People's Law School and the Social Planning and Review Council. Community groups from around the province are invited to send representatives. For more information, call 734-1126. The conference theme is: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Can it ELECTION LEFT. OVERS: Will West Van school board candidate Gordon Rowntree fight on after his narrow defeat in last weekend's elections, when he lost out on polling night to John Gregory by 4 mere 30 votes? Rowntree requested a recount by Returning Of- ficer Doug Allan, which resulted in Gregory's lead being cut to a slim 16-vote margin (1,563 for Gas against 1.547 for R.} Now. the big question is whether Gordon will proceed to the next stage — a judicial recount —_ which te authorized under the Municipal Act whenever the margin is 50 votes or less He has until Tuesday to claim i. five days after the original recount Even at that Gordon ts still quite a way short of the hairbreadth four votes which after recounts, finally lost the North Van City clection to former alderman Ralph Hall a year ago This time Ralph came back in spades. winning his return to council with a handy 83-vote lead over Dana Taylor. who'll nevertheless join Ralph in Novomber 1981 (remember you read it hore first’) Over in North Van District theo three incumbent aldormen had few problema in winning further two-year stints Piles McKim ol Procise Instant Printing was led to misquoting the ecripturos by describing the rosull as “Peter Ball and Mary (oh dear'! Their two challengers Jim Fraser and Franco Cecconl, obviously do the Job? The answer, according to many, is a strong no. Robin Elliot, a UBC law professor says the Charter begins by Stating that rights are beyond the ordinary reach of Parliament or provincial legislatures, and then gives authorities loopholes through which they can tamper with rights. A repressive government could drive an armoured car through some of these loopholes. For example. the Charter only protects freedoms when they are “generally ac- cepted”. Would this have protected Japanese-Canadi- ans in 1939? Most Canadians “Well, if we can't save our marriage, how do you feel about staying on as my housekeeper?” sunday brunch by Noel Wright had identity problems as far as the 20% of the electorate which bothered to vote was concerned In that particular contest. incidentally. social worker Alderman Mary Segal's trlumph seems to have paralleled the leftwing swing which swept Mike Harcoun to the mayor's chair across the water Mary didn't only top the total poll. way ahead of her much senior and more conservatve colleagues Aldermen Peter Powell and Jim Ball. She also beat them in all 18 individual polls in the District — 6 feat last achieved by present Mayor Don Bell when he clected as an heaven knows years ago was alderman how many Getting edgy about what 1961 has in store for you’ Relax. enlightenment ts on the way The North Shore News resident astrologer Milo Kovar gives his annual lecture on the shape of things to come this Thur sday November 27 at ~ pm in Salon A of the In ternational Plaza 1999 Marine Drive North Nan For only four bucks you may even achieve peace of mind for the next 12 months — and tf you want to probe Geoper you can arrange a personal horoscope reading from Milo by calling 985 O8260 evenings Forewarned is forearmed More on uw Bal McGown Ms North Shore Night School | who has just become the {\rat hon Amencan to receive coveted President's at the convention of the National Association = for Public Continuing and Adult Education in St Louts. Missouri He has been director of adult education for the North and West Van Boards since 1969 The award cited his work in the continually expanding program of the North Shore Night Schools and = as secretary-(reasurer of the BC Associanon of Con- tinuing Education Jolly good show Bill — you've lots to teach us the Award Repairable used toys of all kinds are needed by our gallant firefighters who are spending the next month refurbishing them for the North Van Christmas Bureau and the West Van Santa Claus fund These two organizations bring joy cach Chnsitmas to hundreds of BILL McGOWN | adult educator not only generally accepted, but cheered the order to intern fellow-Canadiang whose only crime was that their fathers or grandfathers came from an enemy state, The Charter prohibits certain common kinds of discrimination but fails to protect other groups which really need protection. For example. B.C.’s_ estimated 200 thousand handicapped people get left out in the cold because the Charter does not mention § the handicapped. : However, the worst aspect of this omission in the Charter is that it is written in such a way that the courts will not be able to extend coverage to excluded groups like handicapped people and Canada's homosexual population. Most people favor an entrenched charter of rights, © But critics of the one being proposed fear it gives merely an appearance of guaranteed rights. When push gets to shove. they say. it will take a very different charter of rights to do the job of protecting Canadian Liberties. (Gordon Hardy ts a writer for The Peoples Law School) low-income North Shore families for whom Yuletide would otherwise be a pretty miserable season. Wooden and metal toys are in par- ticular demand, but bashed- up plastic toys, says Capt. Doug Cairns of North Van City Fire Department. are impossible to fix Bring the sound ones. pilus games, books and sports equipment in reasonable condition, to any North Shore fire hall — and glow in the spirit of the scason CELEBRATION TIME is coming up again. The Victoria Normal School (Teacher Training) Is planning a 50th anniversary grad reunion May 11-12 next year at UVic — contact Mn. M. Dempsey. PO box 1700, Victoria. B.C V8&W 2Y2 if you qualify for the bash ... Then, right in our own backyard. West Van High School class of (61 Is preparing for its 20th year get-together next June 27. If you're one of them. arrange to join the fun by calling Steve Peake (922-0181) or Linds Grant Forshaw (921- 9343) Just before we leave the celebration scene happy anniversary this Wednesday to Mary and Bob Bradshaw of North Van, with belated (November 17) birthday grectings to Bob Handel ... And if youre looking for something personal to celebrate tomorrow (Monday. November 24), try giving a pint of blood at the Lions Gate Hospital donor clinic. 2to 8 pm WRIGHT OR WRONG: Nothing derails a train of thought more — effectively than having to listen to somebody with a one-track mind