ONE could never group me into the category of a Glen Clark supporter yet I must tip my hat to his action this spring in forming the Barrett Commission on the leaky condo problem. Water leaks and other building deticencies in condo- minimis, and new homes for that matte.r is nota recent problers. Articles in Vancouver's daily newspapers can be found as far back as the . “90s and my personal experience of this problem goes back to the mid 1980s, Sloppy building practices have been around for many years as any realtor will tell vou. Some realtors have shared with me thas they really shud- der when selling anew build ing simply because of all the unknown problems that may and often do arise and the dif ficulty in getting builders to return and tix the problems. I think the really sad aspect of this entire mess (besides the unfortunates who took such a financial beating) was that it took strong government action to address the problem. All ef us must share in the responsibility tor allowing such an environment to exist Where this could disaster could hap- pen. Realtors, the real estate governing bodies, building inspectors, and the building industry itself knew the prob- lem existed. Yer we did noth- ing except perhaps stake our heads and mumble to our associates about the sorry state ofthe building industry. While awards were being handed out for building design, best brochure, ete. property lines nothing of wbstance was done by the building industry to address and help solve the probleny. Yer within weeks of Clark's Appointment of Barrett and the ensuing media coverage, suddenly builders were offer- ing rain guard, weather guard and other such named war- ranties to counter the sudden drop in sales resiiting trom bringing this scnous problem to the public's agention. Business clamours for a free market place with less govern: ment coarrol and regulations. Unfortunately, this entire mat- ter once again underlines the undeniable fact that business, leit to its own devices, will not ensure a minimum standard of excellence. Yes, there are buitders who build a quality product and respond iinmediately to any building deficiencies that turn up in the months following the sale. After all, there are always zotg to be seme minor building adjustments. These builders claim they were unhirly tarred with the same brash as the builders whe threw up shoddy structures then closed their operations and disappeared. That is unfortunate, vet as an industry they knew the problem existed and did noth- ing to correct it. Iris their the collective results of their commpainiots -~ be thar awards of accllenes or tribunals of is nota problent that specific to real estate. Too niaay of us today are willing to sav “Hey its not my problent.” Weil, maybe that is the problem, not just in the building mdastry but in our society as a whole. We see injustice eversday vet because it is happening te someone else we decide to not get involved --to do nothing. Then, when injustice happens tous we wonder why we stand alone, unprotected. There are far too many injustices within our sockeny today. Yet. until we individual- ly and collectively decide that “good enough no longer is” We are going to continue ce receive what our apathetic behaviour breeds. Ifwe truly want a society that rewards such values as henour, mtegrity and honesty we must fight for it. Ifwe de not, as individuals, take derini- tive action when we see unae- ceptable behaviour bv indus- try, OUr justice systena, Our politicians and so on, then our inaction silently condones that behaviour, and any resem blanee to a just, fir and caring society may be Jost forever. The feaky condo episode was just another indicator of the direction in which our society has moved. ft is a symptons of a mabise of far greater significance. Whether it is the medical community being forced to take definitive action resulting from the public uproar over See We page 69 AT A GLANCE _ ADDRESS: 226 Furry Creek Drive Pre cere ree ere SE rerrr est rire rererririsier ir) LOT SIZE: 18,000 sq. ft. (approx.} Dame eeece ne roceneoernesonesnesesneserzeees INTERIOR SIZE: 2500 SQ. FT. , NUMBER GF BEDROOMS: 3 or 4 Cm Ore eke rere a meus acer s seers en eeserereeseere NUMBER OF FLOORS: 2 Pee ee eeene sneer recmossesvaseseseeneorsensoae ASKING PRICE: $499,000 Om aaeresaee new bessererenuvecnsceresceseueD OPEN HOUSE: Sunday 2 - 4pm PoeePeCETETeeECEVrerrrrrreerrrrreriiririrsy) LISTING AGENT: Paul Oteman, 230-3806 Ameren ee enema nesecetere weer eeeseseneneoes SPECIAL FEATURES: Outstanding view, vaulted ceilings, large lot. Friday. November 6, 1998 - Nonh Shore News - 59 ois NEWS photo Terry Peiers: Bear-able gift buying FIND stuffed bears, lixe the ones Jill Cole is showing off, as well as other handmade goods at Mt. Seymour United Church’s Christmas Cratt Fair, taking place tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 1200 Parkgate Ave. in North Van. SUE NTP | Feature Lasting @ 220 Furry Creek Drive y as SMUG TAR me ba eS eT Weed “Breathtaking view Nestled beside the thirteenth fairway at Furry Creek Golf & Country Club, this near new four bedroom home has been positioned to take maximum advantage of its spectacular setting. Vaulted ceilings, maple hardwood floors and a magnificent stone fireplace blend together with the maple kitchen cabinets, granite countertops and iainless steel appliances to create a functional, yet warm and inviting envirorimnent. Paul Oteman ReMax Masters Realty Inc.