Ex-mayor Sager purchases airline LESS than half a year since step- ping down as West Vancouver’s mayor, Mark Sager has shot out from beneath a cloud of swirling rumors surrounding his political future as the new owner of a regional airline. In late February, Sager and partner Chris Holmes bought Hanna Airlines, a one-plane operation offering three sched- uled daily flights between Vancouver and the Gulf Islands. The company’s marketing manager Graeme Ireland said the company hopes to double its capacity with the acquisition of a second aircraft this week. “We love flying the Pacific Northwest and we want to be certain our clients wil! also share our joy of flying,” stated Sager and Holmes in a compa- ny press release. : in addition to a West Van law practice Ciao Mein restau- rant, Sager also has an interest in a Gabriola Island marina. — Robert Galster Kinsella wins NV Liberal vote company cr, beat Jay Straith 267 to 76 in the Carson Graham school - event. Kinsella, who has worked as a special assistant to Prime Minister Jean Chretien, moved to North Vancouver in 1995. — lan Noble NVD | on heai From page 3 of their floor areas for smokers while setting aside 70% for non-smukers. Pubs would have been allowed the reverse of that ratio: 30% non-smoking and 70% smoking. On Monday, health considerations appeared to weigh more heavily with council than they had one week ago. Terry Crown of the Queens Cross pub warned once again of the economic impact to the beverage industry. “I'm afraid the jobs just won't be here with a smoking ban. I don't smoke, but as far as I know it is legal,” said Crown. But Brian O’Connor, North Shore Health’s Medical Health Officer, dismissed the economic issue in a passionate, prepared speech to council. “Second hand smokc kills people --- non- smokers — short and simple. There is no debate,” said O’Connor. “This issue is about health —- albeit about the loss of health mar.. . cars after the expo- sure and thus not having the immediacy — but when it strikes as a health issue, it is cata- strophic. “It is about the health of all patrons and staff — smokers and non-smokers alike -~ and many of them are our young people who are employed in the hospitality industry. “They are compelled to be exposed to a known carcinogen — second-hand smoke — in their place of work. “It will kill some of them.” O’Connor reminded council that non- smokers make up more than 75% of the North Shore’s population and that a Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) survey supported a complete smoking ban. also challenged council to live up to the responsibility of ensuring health-for-all over the economic interests of some. “If your mission is to make the district a better place on behalf of all who live there, then the stroke of a pen is all that ir takes — and that is infinitely cheaper than all of the health promotion and education programs and all of the treatment, surgeries, rehabilita- tion and palliative care that attends the con- sequences of this addiction which is visited on many non-smokers shrough exposure to sec- ond-hand smoke.” A somewhat sheepish council went along with Coun. Ernie Crist’s proposals to amend, yet again, the district’s smoking bylaw. Crist acknowledged public smoking should be prioritized as a “heaith issue” but HARRISON GALLERIES Presents new works by Nicholas Bott Opening Sunday March 9 2:00 - 5:00 pm artist in attendance in West Vancouver location Show runs March 9 - 19, 1997 1471 Marine Drive, West Vancouver 926-2615 hammer ed tht soe admitted any attempr by the three North Shore councils to move in unison had become “a shambles.” In the end, Coun Lisa Muri was the only vote against 2 100% smoking ban in district restaurants by Jan. 1, 8, but only because she wanted an immediate ban. There was more debate around Crist’s proposal that ali remaining indcor public facilities (pubs, clubs, bingo halls and casinos) should be 100% smoke- free by Jan. 1, 2000. However, only Mayor Don Bell and Muri eventually opposed the initiative. Crist and Coun. janice Harris asked staff to report back on standards and controls for smoking, rooms !n pubs that could be vented, cooled and heated and that workers would not be required to enter. O’Connor later tald the News he was very pleased with council's reconsideration. “My main interest is iu getting 100% smoke-free restaurants because of access by children and by virtue of the fact that the restaurants comprise probabiy 90% to 95% of the establishments on the North Share,” said © Connor. He reiterated that medical heaith officers across the Lower Mainland were working towards a smoke-free GVRD by the year 2000. BAIl-Stars && Bright Lights. w Collins | Crossword @ Maithox. M@ Municipal Record......................... 16 North Shore Alert... 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