6 — Wednesday, February 11, 1998 ~ North Shore News ERE are the priorities? The president to the south of us can’t keep his fly zipped. Scandal rocks a nation. A diversionary expedition to slap down a Middle Eastern dictator is called for. The U.S. leader rallies the international troops and we Canadians dutifully dance to the song. _ While we kill with ready willing- ness, those with notions of reaching out helping hands to others in need throughout the world must go beg- ging to convince the powers that be that it might just be a good idea to build bridges rather than blow them up. Two examples of just how powerful it can be to act as a positive agent of change in the world came to light last north shore news __ VIEWPOINT Heather Gray-Grant of North Vancouver led an effort to help a little Russian girl receive major corrective surgery for a cleft palate. The generosity of others who believed in the project has resulted in the establishment of a foundation to help more children unable to obtain corrective surgery in their countries of origin. Meanwhile North Vancouver nurse Fiona McMahon is pushing for a foundation to support cost-effective teams of volunteer health care profes- sionals who would travel to develop- ing countries to provide free correc- tive surgery to children in need and to give training to others so that medical skills are improved in the countries visited. These are the kinds of ambassadors A STRONGLY WoRDeD Wa RESOUTIN FROMTHE UNSEOUNTY CONGL, YOUR EXCELLENCY! | week on the North Shore. matibox Ferry cost hikes are ‘speculation’ Dear Editor: ° We write’ in response to the letter from D.K. Simkinson in your Jan. 21 issue (“We need cost-effective ferries”). The letter refers to the “$100 million” being spent on BC Ferries’ first fast ferry. Let’s set the record straight: the bud- get for our three fast ferries is $224 million. __ Any speculation to the contrary is exactly that: specula- tion. . The letter also suggests that the corporation should be ’ building additional Century Class commuter vessels instead of the fast ferries. The fact is, we need to build both. The two different vessel designs solve different challenges for BC Ferries. For example, the fast ferries eliminate the need for massive terminal expansion at Horseshoc Bay by moving heavy commercial truck traffic to our Tsawwassen terminal, while the Century Class brings improved efficiency to our smaller routes. Our first Century Class ferry, the Skeexa Queen, has proven to be an unqualified success on the Swartz Bay- Saltspring Island route, and we are hopeful that announce- ments regarding additional Century Class ferries can be made soon. Curtis Eaton Chairman of the Board BC Ferry Corporation Jack Munro Chairman, CFI MAILBOX PCLICY LETTERS to the editor must be legible (preferably type- written) and include your name, full address and telephone number. . Due to space constraints the North Shore News cannot ublish all letters. Submissions can be faxed to 985-2104 ut still must be signed and fully addressed. north shore North Shore News, founded « 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and quakted under Schedule 111, Paragraph 111 of the Excise Tax Act. 1s published each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by North Shore Free Press. Ltd. and aestributed 10 every door on the Hort ‘Shore. Canada Post Canadan Publications Mail CEMPEEWEBECTR ESS Canada should really be supporting. Recall the system, not your MLA RECALL — which has finally bombed in Prince George North and Skeena — is a classic exam- ple of all those doomed brain- waves that “seem like a good idea at the time.” They didn’t think it through. It failed for three reasons that will also scupper any future recall bids. First, no precise grounds need be given for recalling an MLA. In Prince George, Education Minister Paul Ramsey was variously accused of conning the electorate about a “balanced” budget that wasn’r; of foisting homosexual litera- ture on grade schools; or simply of being backed by only 39% of the voters. A confusion of charges weakens public focus compared to a good solid crime or scandal. Second, intimidation. Names of recall signatories are available for scrutiny — this is no secret ballot. So undetected employer or union pressure can be a very effective deterrent to signing. Third, the need to collect, within 60 days, the names of 40% of the last elec- tion’s eligible voters — a percentage far higher than that successfully used for years in California recalls. When mixed with the fact that up to nearly 20% of the names on the voters list were found to be inaccurate — due to death or moving away — the task became impossible. As the NDP had always hoped. The truth is that recall simply doesn’t fit our present parliamentary system. Not least because it will always be perceived as merely refighting the previous election. A far better safeguard would be to basically reform the system itself — by separating the legislature trom the executive, as in the US. The legislature would be elected for a fixed four-year term, each ciected party having its house leader. The premier would be elected separately, also for a four-year term, from candidates nominated by cach of the legislature par- tics. He would appoint his own NON- ELECTED cabinet from among the best and brightest talent in B.C. And being elected primarily on per- sonal merit, he would not even necessari- ly belong to the majority party in the leg- islature. But whether or not the majority, the MLAs of the premier’s party could now concentrate on serving their constituents first and last, free from any fear of “pun- ishment” by the premier if they some- times opposed his initiatives. By the same token, the premier and his cabinet would never have to resign if defeated on a specific measure — they'd merely be sent back to the drawing board. By “recalling” in this way the system, why would you ever need to recall your MLA — unless he was caught holding up the local credit union or in bed with th mayor’s wife? ‘ BOQ he NON-CHURCHGOERS in search of personal spiritual renewal, as well as *" the faithful of all denominations, will be warmly welcomed at the 11th Annual ©: Renewal! Mission, Feb.27-28, at St... Simon’s Anglican Church, 1384 Deep; Cove Rd., North Van. Leading the Friday evening and all-day Saturday: sessions is.” noted Calgary missioner the Rev. John- Torley, who once setup a thriving’ Anglican church in a shopping centre... His theme: how individuals can become - truly “free to be”. ; Call the Rev. Ed Hird (929-5350) or Adele Easto (929-0542) for further” °° information. Registration is $25 ($30 after Sunday, Feb.15). Make cheques: payable to St. Simons Church and mail: - to hs. Easto, 403-1050 Bowron Court,::” North Vancouver BC, V7H.2X7. a You'll meet some very nice people. ~ who don’t care how long it is since you |. set foot in church, if ever — and it could '. be the weekend when everything finally”. :” starts to come together for you! gag MANY HAPPY RETURNS of today, Feb.11, to West Van birthday girl... Joan Jackson ... More of the same today. to North Van Kiwanian Doug Horner ... And happy birthday wishes this Valentine.’ Saturday, Feb. 14, to West Van Kiwanian Terry Higgins. . goa WRIGHT OR WRONG: Gens are." found by sifting through tons of useless REACHIUS) banthea Rede LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must include your name, full address & telephone number. 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