4 — Friday, April 30, 1999 ~ North Shore News lief under fi over truck repair Council surprised ladder truck out of service Catherine Barr Contributing Writer WEST Vancouver’s fire chief was on the hot seat Monday night at West Vancouver municipal hall as council] members grilled him over the issue of the municipality’s bro- ken down aerial ladder truck. Chief Ron Olson was called before coun- cif on Monday night to explain publicly why the aerial truck was taken out of service with- out council’s knowledge. Politicians were clearly disturbed by the fire department's actions earlier last week when, without council’s knowledge, the 20-ycar- old vehicle was declared unfit for service due to faulty brakes, stecring and springs. The issue was the subject of an April 21 News story. “I find it surprising thar the fire manage- meat offered their opin- ions to the press before offering their opinions or request to council,” said Coun. Victor Durman. “(It) grossly surprised council to find our the truck had to be withdrawn.” Following the April 21 News story, it was learned that North Vancouver City’s aerial truck was also out of service for regular maintenance for a three-week period. North Vancouver City was to be the first backup team for West Vancouver in the case of an emergency. The North Shore was consequently left with only one acrial ladder truck in service for approximately four days. Burt with North Vancouver City’s acrial vehicle back in service, Olson assured coun- cil that public safety had not been compro- mised. He said firctighters are capable of fightiac it’s income tax fi “T find it surprising that the fire management offered their opinions to the press before offering their opinions or request to council.” — Coun. Victor Durman. fires from within highrise buildings and that cach building in West Vancouver is. fully equipped with proper sprinkling devices and emergency exits. “Theretore, living in a highrise in West Vancouver is as safe or safer than (before),” said Olson. He added thar se repairs to | West Vancouver's: aerial ladder truck, which is equipped with a 100-toot ladder, will take about four weeks. During that time, backup arrangement: have been made with North Vancouver. Councillors asked Olson why the munici- pal budget has never listed a new aerial lad- der, or even the repairs to the existing one, as a budgetary item or request. “E was instructed not to,” Olson said. Later, when asked who instructed him nor to include these items in the budget, Olson said only that he preferred nor to comment. When asked if council directed him to leave the items out af the budget, Olson said: “absolutely not.” As fire chief, Olson reports directly to the municipal manager, who, in turn, reports to council. Still, council members were quick to point our diat when they were asked for 330,000 to repair the existing truck, it was granted almost immediately. “Communications is everything,” said Durman. Firefighters’ spokesman Jay Brownlee agreed. “There used to be a committee that facil- itated communication berween council and (as),” he said. “And (then) the committee d:sintegrated so we have no real official way of communicating with council.” “We would like to work with council and the chief and work together,” said Brownlee. Bob Mackin News Reporter HEY, it’s Friday. Time to kick off your shoes and celebrate the weekend. Watch some playoff hockey on the tube or take a hike on a local mountain. Wait a second. Did you remember to do your taxes? Ifnot, grab your calculator and get cracking. Because the - ‘clock is ticking. Revenue Canada wants to know what you were up to last year. You have until midnight to tell Ottawa via your 1998 tax return. According to the head tax- man, Herb Dhaliwal, Revenue Canada is expecting an avalanche of paper returns. “Due to recent labour dis- ruptionw,, Revenue Canada has received fewer returns so far thir oar tha. in previous years,” said Di. ai, minister of national revenue. “I encourage Canadians to file as quickly as possible or it will take us longer to catch up. “For those who file on Paper this means that, when the bulk of returns come in at the end of April, processing times may be longer than usual,” Other options include the TELEFILE via telephone or the electronic EFILE. If you do owe tax, you don't necessarily have to empty your pockets tonight. You may attach a post-dated cheque to your return, If using EFILE, fill in the remit- tance form. Puc if you're — self- employed, breathe easy. You and your spouse can file by June 15. Clients who owe tax for 1998 still have to pay the balance owing by April 30, whether the return is due then aron June 15, Revenue Canada _ also NEWS photo Mike Wakefietd Mulgrave gala MULGRAVE elementary students Loryn Arnett, Michael Chiavattarrl and Sarah Roberts show off items up for auction at the school's Spring Gala, to be held tomorrow evening at the Waterfront Centre Hotel. No sympathy from board From page 3 The big test will come dur- ing Victoria Day weekend when the Second Beach pool reopens. The northbound onramp from Park Drive to the cause- way is closed weekdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Parks board chairman Alan Fetherstonhaugh said he has reminds individuals and their spouses to file tax returns to ensure they continue to receive any federal child tax benefits. Individuals also have to file returns to receive their goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax credits. Many Revenue Canada offices will be open until mid- night tonight to accept income tax returns. Canada Post outlets will be rockin’ til midnight at 3071 Mountain Hwy. and 2930 Lonsdale Ave. in North Vancouver, and 1395 Marine Dr, in West Vancouver. If you owe money, send a little sympathy for the plight of Morris and Boname. “The park is for the enjoy- ment of people; it’s not meant to be a tratlic bypass for the convenience of people in North and West Vancouver who don’t pay anything towards the upkeep of that park. “When they start paying, they can have a say in what goes on in Stanley Park.” ling time again, folks cheque or money order instead of cash. The toll-free number for T.LP.S., Revenue Canada’s automated shone service, is 1- 800-267-6999. For information on TELE- FILE call 1-800-959-1114. Revenue Cs ada’s local office number is 689-5411. If you’re on the web, go to Revenue Canada’s web site , More bear sightings reported in N. Van From page 1 Barnes said that in usual cases involving a first incident with an aggressive bear, con- servation officers ry to tran- quilize and relocate the animal. But there is no place to telocate, a bear right now because remote areas are cov- ered with snow. Several sightings of another bear had been reported this week in the area of Mount Seymour Parkway, Mount Seymour Road and Indian River Road. To press time, the most recent sighting was on Thursday morning on Indian River Road. Barnes said that it’s not early for bears to be coming out to forage for food, but it’s carly for the animals to be down in North Vancouver res- idential areas. He said once bears come down from the mountains and into residential areas foraging for food they don’t go back. The bears eat clover, dan- delions and other plants when there are no berries, said Barnes. The North Vancouver RCMP say they have received several bear reports all week. Conversation officers remind residents not to put meat in compost bins. Barbecue grills should be cleaned immediately. Full dog dishes Icft outside also ateract bears. Barnes added that hum- mingbird feeders attract bears and are not necessary at this time of year because hum- mingbirds have other food sources. ADVERTISING CORRECTION: in our Mother's Day Brosdsheet (promo #884) included in this newspaper PLEASE NOTE: Page 3 - Eaton's is the only department store that casriers 1928 Jewellery - was ‘ucorrectly described. Copy should read: “Collection shown exclusive to Eaton's as a Departmant Store.” We sincerely apologize to our valued customers and rogret a: énconwenience or confusion this may have caused, EATON’S Now our homemade ‘specialities are ready & waiting for you to pickup Teriyaki Chicken Fried. Chickén " Grilled Vegetable Salad Mediterranean Pasta Salad and other great gourmet items. ” Tuesday, May 4, 1999 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Upper Lynn . Elementary School (in the Library) 1540 Coleman Street Options for public parking and recreational access ' at the north end of Mountain Highway to the lower Mt. Fromme Recreational Trails Drop by and meet informally with District Parks and Engineering sta North Vancouver eewVee rave ers OTe Te eV eee etsy to review and comment on options to alleviate parking concerns at the north end of Mountain Highway. | | "Gloecl Sunaaye®