STUDENTS got an up-close view of Al Gore and his platform at 2 raliy in Everett. Ssocia Deana Lancasier News Reporter dlancaster@nsnews.com A group of Handsworth secondary students is taking a close look at North American democracy ia action. © The kids — about a dozen, depending on the time they have available — are all in teacher Jim Adams’s Social Studies 11 class, and just by chance this year, they’ve got a unique opportu- nity to study government and the election process on both sides of the border. On Monday, Oct. 23, some of the students attended Al Gore’s Democratic rally with is students c Sunday, November 5, 2000 ~ North Shore News - 3 Handsworth Grade 11s campaign for Gore 4,000 to 5,000 Democrats in Everett. They were guests of the Washington State Democrats and joined them in Bellingham doing “lit drops” — ringing doorbells, hand- ing out brochures, explaining and talking about policies and encouraging people to vote. On Saturday, they were down there, at it agaia, and on election day: Tuesday Nov. 7, they'll be doing some iast-minute campaigning — “probably working the streets,” said Adams. The students have had to familiarize them- selves with a lot of information because in the U.S. voters have more than one choice te make. As well as electing a president, voters in different: counties are alse asked to choose congressmen, senators, governors, attorney generals, judges, treasurers and more. Plus they may have referendums or initiatives to vot¢ on. Ir’s an intimidating lot and, according to Adanis, American elections usually only get about 50 per cent of eligible voters to the polls. In contrast, our federal elections draw about 70 per cent of voters to the polls. Comparing and contrasting the two processes is something the students will be doing plenty of. Once the U.S. elections are done, they'll be working in the Canadian elec- ELECTION NOTEBOOK NV Green spot empty TO press time Friday, time was running out call Cayford at 913-0090. 2 photos submitted HANDSWORTH students in teacher Jim Adams’ Grade 11 Social Studies class are learning about government on both sides of the border. Recently they've been campaigning for the Democrats in Whatcom County. Mpare € tions, with the party and candidates of their choice, until election day, Monday, Nov. 27. “Unfortunately in the states, there isn’t much choice. Washington is largely a Democratic state, the Republicans haven't been as active there,” Adams said. “It’s a unique opportunity for them. They get to see what's good and bad in both sys- tems.” As well, the students are focusing on the role of the media in elections. “They're looking at how accurate is the (media's) portrayal of political events and debates. And at what the media's role should be ... Less than 1 per cent of voters actually get to hear a candidate live, so they're kind of reliant on the media.” : . o0ag : NEWS photo Julie Iverson ~ " -[ll-mannered pepper SAIDA Desieltes holds a pepper with attitude bought at a mar- ket in Park Royal. The pepper was a big hit ata Halloween party. for the Green Party of Canada to put forward a federal election candidate for the North Vancouver riding. Said Steve Kisby, the Green Party riding contact for North Vancouver, “It’s not looking good.” Nomination papers of those seeking to compete in the two North Shore federal ridings must be submitted to the riding returning officer by 2 p-m., Monday Nov. 6. The Green Party of Canada candidate in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast is Wilson Creek physician Dr. Jane Bishop. qa0o0 The West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates meeting with West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast candidates at 7:30 p.m. on Friday Nov. 24 at West Vancouver secondary school in the theatre. Roger Cayford is the moderator for the event. If you can volunteer tu assist The North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates mecting with North Vancouver candidates. 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday Nov. 21 at Cheers Restaurant. The event includes breakfast and costs $15 for. ° chamber members and $20 for non-members. North’: Shore News executive editor Timothy Renshaw is the mod- erator for the event. Contact the chamber at 987-4488 to attend. , 9000 : “DPWH” posted the following election observation at ° the nsnews.com Web site's discussion forum: “In the previ-. ous election the Liberals benefited from vote . splitting « between the PCs and Reform. In this election, it seems that most of the right wing vote has solidified behind the CA. Thus much of the effect of vote splitting will occur on the center/left end of the spectrum. This will decimate the PCs and NDP and will elect more CA and Bloc seats. while reducing the Liberals in some areas. 1 predict a minority Liberal government with the balance of power residing in the PCs and maybe the NDP. It will be a very fractious house after this election...” ; : ~~ Michael Becker Halloween assault could net charges — NORTH Vancouver RCMP are investigating a confronta- tion in which a young man received a huge gash to his scalp on Halloween night near Seymour Heights cle- mentary. According to the North Vancouver RCMP, the young man sustained the gash during a confrontation with a 16- year-old youth. : Police say the injured man had friends with him who did not see the ~ assault. : Roman candles were being set off in the vicinity of the assault, according to police. . The Mountie at the scene said an ambulance was called several times before one finally arrived. The injured man was taken to Lions Gate Hospital - where he received numerous stitches to his wound. A suspect was arrested in connec- tion with the incident. Police also have a witness statement. North Vancouver RCMP are awaiting a statement from the injured man. Assault charges are being contemplated. Meanwhile police continue to investigate the assault of a bus driver on Nov. 1 at East 9th Street and Grand Boulevard. Two verbally abu- sive male teenagers picked up in Lynn Valley punched, kicked, and used a belt to hit the bus driver during an 1:30 a.m. incident. Police say the dri- ver tried tu push one of the confronta-.- tional teens off the bus at the stop. The suspects are Caucasians’ and in-. their late teens. One was 1.83 m (6°), the other 1..73 m (5°8").Call 985-.° 1311 with information.