A6 - Sanday News, January 3, 1982 Six vital weeks Time is running out for West Vancouver homeowners in their fight for relief from the crushing school tax burden inflicted.on them last year. That burden jumped by 70% over 1980, compared to an overall increase of only 35% for the Greater Vancouver Regional District and an actual DROP of 20% elsewhere in the province. Average 1981 net school taxes for West Van single;family homes soared to $819 — as against $312 in Vancouver, $293 in the GVRD overall and $15 in other B.C. areas. Much of the West Van increase was dué to the $400,000 Victoria grabbed from West Van taxpayers to subsidize Interior school districts. Under Victoria's current financing formula the grab, this year, could rise to $1 million or more. Hence, West Van school board’s bid to quit the provincial school system altogether and go it alone. Meanwhile, the board has to finalize its budget by February 15. Traditionally, that's more than two months before Victoria sets the provincial mill rate which determines the bottom line on the tax bill. How could anyone budget realistically in such a sittation? Education Minister Brian Smith has a duty to announce IMMEDIATELY how he proposes to correct the blatant injustice to West Van taxpayers. And the school board needs help in making him recognize his duty. West Van council and West Van taxpayers at large should get into the act fast to exert the necessary pressure on Victoria. They should also demand full support from their MLA, Attorney General Allan Williams. They've only six weeks left in which to raise hell in defence of their pocketbooks. Second chance In an election today the polls say the Tories led by Joe Clark would form a majority government — and even Mr. Clark’s party back-stabbers haven't pro- duced any credible substitute for him as leader. The nation appears ready to give him a second chance. If the dump-Clark faction ignores that signal, it may not only be Mr. Clark who misses a second chance, but the Tory Party itself. 1139 Lonsdale Ave North Vancouver BC V7M 2H4 (604) 985-2131 news narth shore news ADVERTISING NEWS 980-0511 965-2139 CLASSIF Ef) 986-6222 CARO UL ATION 986-1337 Publisher Peter Sook Associate Publisher Robert Graham Editor in-Chiet Noet Wrgnt Advertising Directors Enc Cardwell Nows Editor Coys bhoyd Managing Editor Andy Fraser General Manago: Adminiatration Bern Hillard Creative Olrector Tuer Pearce is Production Director Photography He bh Gtonmehaocumer tC Msweer he Oto hee Accounting Supervisor Cire utation Director Barbars Keen tara Ab lis Purchoasbo. baye Me C cae North Shore Newe (onde te en | Despre Veseel Sete Gag rere mer) gesetb red ge der ok Hoy ht F py engge eugeh out Torte Pecepe Tae Alt top abebe tee feast Wee be ea et weodeay fo, feet Satara bee bes fe ry es cr Le toe, | red ve Bae att Sytec ota Sper cae thane Ma fhe pti hye bes urseae Subecripttone $70 per year Entire Contents All rights reserved THO) North Shore free Prees tid tae. eg eo iboetet a 1 LAV ein at ge Penn? es V7. . neh ben aed ee carb gee en a a, Wee DD DOD Wed weutay, 84 946 Be te