6 — Sunday, November 15, 1998 — North Shore News ENIORS in West Vancouver have one thing to say to their elected council: you’re all wet. In its never-ending search to trim municipality expenses, council has its sights set on the subsidy system implemented for seniors’ recreation. Not surprisingly, certain members of West Vancouver’s senior popula- tion — twice the provincial and national average according to the 1996 census — are not impressed. Having managed to make it into the Golden Years, they say council is meddling with what they consider to be their right to cheaper use of public facilities. Currently, West Van seniors (those over the age of 60) pay two bucks for admission for a public fitness session. Recommendations from a report to council suggest savings could be had north shore news VIEWPOINT Senior service by increasing the fee to $2.88 or pos- sibly $3.20. Raising the age to quali- fy for senior subsidies from 60 to 65 is also being considered. Traditionally, seniors have been offered cheaper fares as a sign of respect for their contributions to society during their productive years. However, in light of ever-changing demographics — West Van officiais predict the size of the municipality’s senior population will continue to grow as a ratio to the non-senior pop- ulation — it’s time to reassess senior subsidies. Obviously, an active senior popula- tion benefits everyone — the seniors themselves and the provincial health budget. However, in the case of West Van, a recreation fee increase of less than one dollar is neither onerous nor mean-hearted. ~ [7x much of an inconvenience was it for these poor guys to go to Europe and fight?” Lynn Valley resident Lindsay Lindholm, after some patrons of the Black Bear Pub objected to war veterans selling poppies in the pub because they found the vendors’ presence disruptive and inconvenient. (From a Nov, 13 News story.) 900 “It took me 2% years of research to put this together; it’s really my reason for being here (in Ottawa). Ii I allow this bill to be debated in the House, there will be three speak- ers, 20 minutes each, and that's it. Gone. Two-and-a-half years of work down the tubes. There's nothing democratic at all, or representative at all, about what happens ire that place (the House).” North Vancouver MP Ted White, on direct democracy. (From a Nov, 8 News Sunday Focus feature.) Qo90 “They didn’t pepper-spray us, they water-sprayed us.” First World War veteran Fred Connett, on response to rowdy reveller: at the Lord Nelson monument in downtown London, Engund, at the end of the First World War. (From a Nov. 11 News story.) O00 “The guy shovelling the coal on the ships those days is just as brave as the guy firing the guns. You have men who were fighting men, air combatants, but for every combat- ant you have to have several non-combatants, doctors, dentists, signallers, service personnel, blacksmiths.” First World War veteran Fred Connett, on the contribution of non-combat personnel to the war effort. (From the sane Nor. 11 News story.) 000 “It’s a great way to meet people. You don’t have to go to bed with them, you just have to dance with them.” North Vancouver dance teacher Jill Bailey, on the popular: ity of swing classes. (From a Nov, 11 News story.) ONO “The world is small, and these people are our neigh- bours. I'd like to think that if something like this hap- pened to us, other people would respond.” Vicki Tyndall of North Vancouver's Old English Bed and Breakfast Registry, on helping victims of Hurricane Mitch. (From a Nov. 13 News story.) recs - y north shore ‘ Worth Shore Hews. tounded m 1969s en : re eee aired wiependent suburban nevespaper and quavtied ~ : : . under Schedule 111, Paragraph 11¢ of the oacaan McEeM B -E: R: . Excise Yax Act. 1s published each Wednesday. a se ~ a“ Friday and Sunday by Morth Shore Free Press D Lied and distributed fp every coor on the Horth BOA Oremor ‘Shore. Canada Post Canadian Pubhcations Mat ‘Sales Product Agreement No. 0087238 Mading rates avatable on request Jonathan Bell Creative Setvices Manager 805-2131 (127) 63,582 (average circulation, Wednesday, Fnday & Sunday) Distribution Manager 986-1337 (124) If neither Joe nor Prest FOR right-wingers keen to profit from the odds by placing their bets early, the man to watch a year or so hence is neither Joe Clark nor — for all his merits — Preston Manning. The former's woes have been well docu- mented during the lack- lustre Tory leadership campaign. That Joe himself commands respect and even affection among many Canadians — based primarily on a blameless personal life and his service as External Affairs Minister under Mulroney —— is a given, In a general sense his claim that peo- ple “trust” him is probably correct, until one asks in what capacity? Memories ef his accident-plagued nine-month stint nwo decades ago as the rime minister “who couldn't count” are hard to erase. He has no stirring new plattorm. With his numerically weakened party mired in a $10 million debt, he’s rejected seeking an carly Commons seat, which would at least heighten his day-to-day profile. His [9-member caucus is the smallest in the House. All in all, a pretty weak hand for the tough game ahead — to revive the Tories as the only viable opposition to the Grits by winning back former members from Reform and enrolling new ones. By contrast, Preston Manning is Deo Dhaliwal Human Resoutces Manager 985-2131 (177) PETER SPECK Publisher 985-2131 (101) Torry Paters Photography Manager $85-213% (160) Stephossoa Classified Manager 988-6222 (202) Comptraier 985-2131 (133) Entire contents © 1997 North Shose Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved. speeding along with a full head of steam towards next February’s United Alternative convention, which seeks exactly the same right-wing unity as Clark, except under Reform instead of Tory auspices. With provincial Tory heavyweights trom Alberta to Ontario, led by Premier Ralph Nein, climbing on the Manning bandwagon, his UA initiative has already achieved unstoppable momen- tum — despite Clark’s refusal to have anything to do with it. Whatever shape a right- wing merger born next February might take, however, its leadership would be a crucial factor. To achieve his goal Preston has indicated a readiness to lay his present Retorm leadership on the line, but would undoubtedly fight hard to head the new political force. He could count, of course, on solid western support, but that alone might well be the kiss of death among Ontario Tories, with their pathological suspicion of “rednecks” from bevond the Manitoba border. So what if Preston finally couldn't make it as leader of a spanking new United Alternative? : What might be an ideal political pro- file needed to gain widespread acceptance alike in the West, Ontario, Quebue and the Maritimes? How about starting with a seasoned, widely experienced political professional, maybe a former Tory MP turned Reform? and yon Doug Foot Timothy Managing E¢'tor ‘S85-2131 (116) Aron Evers Acting Display Manager 980-0511 (307) Trixi Agrios Promotions Manager 985-2131 (218) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must include your name, full address & telephone number. VIA e-mail: renshaw @ direct.ca Gall Sneigrove General Ottice Manager 985-2131 (105) internet: hitp://unwew.nsnews.com n, who? A successful stint in provincial politics wouldn't hurt, either. A native of Toronto, raised in Montreal (hence useful French) and with a first-hand acquain- tance with most regions of Canada? Trusted in Hogtown as one of their own by birth. Throw in, for good measure, a busi- ness background as a born salesman, plus professional communication skills honed during an interlude as a radio talk show host. Make him the right age, say around the mid-50s. Include him as one of Preston's right- hand men, presently with a key oppasi- tion critic “porttolio.” And above all, mark him down today among Preston’s most loyal supporters for the UA leadership. But if worst came to worst next February and someone had to step into the breach for Retorm ...? ‘The profile, dear reader, is that of West Van-Sunshine Coast MP John Reynolds. Think about it! 9090 CD RELEASE concert for acclaimed Vancouver Opera singer Fiona Blackburn’s second album, “Lark in the Morning,” 3 Celtic Roots nvusical delight with an outstanding cast of Vancouver's top musicians supporting her, takes place Friday, Nov.20, at 8 p.m. in North Van's Centennial Theatre. Tickets ($16, stu- dents/seniors $14) from the Centennial bos office (984-4484), Ticketmaster, Howard's Pianos (West Van), Troy Music ’ (North Van). For Celts and Celt-lovers, a “don’t miss!” 9090 WRIGHT OR WRONG: Success is a matter of luck. Ask any failure! HOW. TO REACH US: Administration 985-2131 Display Advertising 80-0511 Rea! Estate Advertising 985-6942 Classified Advertising 986-6222 Newsroom 885-2131 Distribution 935-1337 Display & Real Estate Fax 985-1435 Newsroom Fax 995-2104 Classified, Accounting & Main Office Fax Michael Becker - News Editor 985-2134 (114) Andrew McCredie - Sports/Community Editor 985-2738 (147)