mdoggles and betray Dear Editor: “Another: day. Another boondoggle. Another scape- gaat to take the blame for our provincial government’s gross mismanagement of just about . everything! The latest fiasco in the series ts of course the cost overruns in the much-toured fast ferry program. The origi- nal estimated cost of $70 mil- lion in. the first ferry has bal- > looned.to over $113 million. “Phe total cost will be more than,$300 million as opposed ‘to the-budgeted $210 million, «The liberal opposition has ». been warning the government * for over: three. years thatthe project was ‘going cto be over budger and behind schedule. Yet according to the minis- "ter responsible he was kept in the, dark about the sl fe T-am‘a pr perty inspector. “the Nor h Shore and. i I unscrupulous, just; as: 7 know some. very: honest’ p ple inthe reil estate be i nytim ures, Does anyone believe anything this government says anymore? The premier claims he did- n't know that his pet project, the project he helped launch when he was the minister ini charge in 1994, was a “cost. plus contract.” Right! And by the way, did you know that the Lions Gate Bridge is up for sale? On the champagne- bottle: faanch date of the first Pacificat, the premier shouted: “They said we couldn't do it and we have.” Last’ Monday, when the news of the cost overruns hit, he was conve- niently nowhere near the leg- islature, I think I see a pattern here. The. premier is always front “and centre for the announce- ments “and ribbon cuttings * Most of the inspectors | that I know are people of integrity. - We are paid.to “be critics and if our criticisms = hurt . someone’s feelings, or “kill a deal,” then the realtor needs ‘to find his client a more suit- e able property, My: obligation is; to my : ; “ chicnt,if1 can make my client J know.a few ¢altors who and -the,.real estate .agent happy, so'inuch the better.” As for. my qualifications; ¢ over: 25 years experience north shore news MAIL BOX and pomp and ceremonies. But when the facts emerge, he is quick to run and hide and let the fll gays rake the shots. [take pride in my balanced approach and views. Bia there are times when | feel like going on the rootiop and shouting at the tap of my lungs: “Snap our of itt * This government just doesna'r get it, From the surplus budgers that weren't to the bingo scandal, to Hydrogate, to the phoney Jobs and ‘Timber Accord, to this fast’ ferry boondoggle, the government has berrayed British Columbians over, and. over again. In his speech to Vancouver Board of ‘Trade, earlier this week, the minister - in the building industry, 22 years as a renovating cons "ac- tor on the North Shore. 1 have taken three courses.” at BCIT pertaining to prop- erty inspection and have passed three exams, I have also spent several’ . thousand. doilars to date on - my education and insurance. My education is ongoing. I amsa. member of: two accredited. associations regu- lating. property - inspeczors, and YES, I can spell. inancia | assistance available -up.t $2 25,000 OAC » a 7, eis Yellow Pages” Yalow Pogos | diFeCtory the - > responsible for public service, Moe Sihota, said that he gets “frustrated with all the nega- tivity, doom and gloom, the pessimism, and the anger thav’s out there.” He also wants us to posi tive-think our way out of our economic problems! Pean assure the minister of two things. One, his frustration is nothing compared to the frus- tration of a province stuck with the mest incompetent, arrogant, and deceit gov- ernment in the North America. And two, positive thinking can get us out of this made-in-B.C. mess, only. another election will. ev Katherine Whittred, MLA North Vancouver-Lonsdate { spend an average of four hours on an inspection and | “another three hours writing up a report (not a checklist) and Ido not charge $350. I would like to be in the: - group of inspectors that Mr, Dowty refers to in his article who. make-up to. $10, 000 a month. -1 must be doing some- thing wrong or Mr. Dowty is reading too many comics! Noel Murphy — West. Vancouver | Andrew WS. Donald — _ President whole of no amount of NV City pet bylaw misses the mark | Dear Editor: After a Jan. 18 public hearing, North Vancouver City Council gave second and third readings toa bylaw that will pro- hibit any new pet store in the city from selling amphibians and reptile The-statements made by members of the public were long, emotional, sometimes tedious, and completely missed the point ’ of the bylaw, : So, for that matter, did council’s decision. The bylaw should have heen argued by the C hamber of Commerce as to whether it was a justifiable straint of;trade, If city council can determine, in detail, what a merchant ean © sell, it could pass another bylaw, prohibiting a new restatirant from selling pork chops. This bylaw will not prevent one parrot from plitcking a chest feathers; i it will not prevent one case of Keeping 3 aboa strictor ina bathtub; it will not prevent one iguana from being starved, Ifa person buying one of these exotic species does 1 not care to follow the very clear and detailed information he gets from the one pet store still allowed to have ‘them for sale, they will.’ ignore them. ny Or they will go to another municipality and rtiake ‘their pur- : chase there. They might even purchase them through the’ Internet. ’ The public hearing was a good cathartic, exercise for many. of those in favour of the bylaw, > . Unfortunately, if this bylaw: is p ised all that will happen is that no other pet store is likely to open in the city, and the abuse. or mistreatment of these reptiles and amphibians will 80.0) : Donald M. Currie : Becauise of a News misprint, a a letter fi from Transportation’ and Highways Minister:Harry Lali published‘in the Jan: 27. News stated thar Lions Gate Bridge de de eck see ons would be. lowered by crane'“onto a bridge below..: Lali stared that the sections would b oo. barge below ese vee Pervez H. Patel: ~ dnvesiment Mainager CANADIAN