Dear Editor: . Inge Schamborzki has paid a terrible price for being a visionary and a leader in the regionalization of health care ser- vices in B.C. We all have. While other regions were still trying to grasp the concepts of what a commu- nity-based system is all about, Schamborzki and the North Shore Health Region Board were working with local health service providers and consumers to design an integrated sys- tem to better meet the needs of North Shore residents. The only ones unwilling to: partici- pate in this process were the doctors. When will the physicians be held accountable? They made it clear from the very beginning -- before Inge north shore news MAIL BOX Lions Gate doctors are part of the health care problem Schamborzki was ever hired, that rhe only candidate they would suppor: for the position of CEO of the North Shore Health Region was Bob Smith, former Lions Gate hospital CEO. They refused to work with Schamborzki, who, working with com- munity-based health service providers, managed to achieve positive results in spite of the physicians. The doctors wanted status quo, and now, unfortunately, it appears they have got it — at a terrible expense to the community, to our health care system, and to .he career of a talented and respected health care administrator. The progress made under the leader- ship of Schamborzki will likely be scrapped and we'll start all over again. Public administrator Len Kelsey, who is also a former Lions Gate hospital board chairman, will appoint a new regional board, with nimbership reminiscent of the former hospital board. The focus on community-based ser- vices that keep people out of hospital will be lost, and more money will be spent to recreate a system that has already proved too expensive and inef- fective. All of us working in the health care system have been challenged to address the reality of increasing demands and decreasing resources. We need to work together. The doctors refused to be part of the solution. The result is that they have become the biggest part of the problem. Denise Jarvis North Vancouver Help preserve Canada’s differences Dear Editor: In a recent issue of your paper, your columnist Eleanor Godley suggested that Canada should follow Australia’s lead _.and consider changing our form of government from a monarchy to a republic. In my opinion we should give a lot of careful thoughr to this proposition. Canadians are always complaining that we ‘are becoming too Activity is the key to good Dear Editor: Daily, there is news that Causes most of us to sit up and take notice, and physical * activity -- or the lack of it — ‘hit mafy newspaper front _ pages across our country ear- her this year. Findings from the 1997 Physical Activity Benchmarks, Americanized. One thing that helps to maintain our difference (apart from the French factor) is that We are a constitutional monar- chy. If Canada became a republic, it would not take many years before there were no differences — between Canada and the U.S. Many years ago, 1 remem- ber reading the following: “There is no perfect form Highlights Report received national media attention when a news conference was hosted by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (CFLRI) and partners in Ottawa. Their good news was that the number of Canadians who are active enough to - Subject matters Dear Editor: : Re: Louis LeBlanc’s April 1 letter: I don’t get the Glebe and + Mail (not cnough pictures, type too small, articles too long) so I never read the let- ters to the editor. - I can only guess che car- toon ‘you're referring to is “Chretien’s ‘influence’ in the official languages” which I actually drew on March 10 which means that Globe and Mail readers must have seen it in-any one of the 75 papers across Canada that run my stuff, and figured it would make a guod subject for a let- ter to the editor, thereby forc- ing Globe and Mail subscribers to endure a day-old joke. So the next time you read anything original, creative or witty in an editorial letter, be assured yet another hardwork- ing cartoonist has been ripped off! Ingrid Rice North Vancouver Racism not a factor ' Dear Editor: . Re: Subject: ... racism in : airport action (Leo : Knight’s April 8 News col- umn). : Thank you for your April 8 article regarding the “incident” involving the cabbies “of East. Indian ~ extraction.” 7 As a native (noc First - Nations) Canadian who supports the acceptance of « many. cultures in our soci- ety, | applaud your willing- "Mess to speak out against / the illegal activities of any group of people whether they be of a “visible minor- ity” or not. The media must take some responsibility for the reluctance of RCMP brass to order a physical response without a court injunction. There is an all too hasty accusation of racism or over-reaction whenever the uniformed constable does take strong action to pro- tect the public. Patrick B.O’ Brien North Vancouver bobrien@direct.ca of government, buc of ali the imperfect forms, the least imperfect is a constitutional monarchy.” A reporter once asked King George V whar he saw as his function in the govern- ment process. King George replied that he saw himself as an arbitrator. In no other form of gov- ernment is there a functionary in the system to protect the achieve health-related bene- fits has almost doubled from 21% in i981 to 37% by 1995. The bad news is that a full two-thirds of all Canadians are still risking their health and quality of life because of their dangerous inactive lifestyles. Indeed, the studies show that the impact on vour health is on par with smok- ing a pack of cigarettes each day. We still have our work curt people against the arrogance of an elected prime minister who has, to all intents and purposes, a dictatorial posi- tion until the next election. Even in the American republican system, there is no person who can suggest to the President that his legislation is unwise and not cause a politi- val rumpus. J.V. Lempriere North Vancouver health — out Out cipACTION. ° CELRI and you the mediz — if we are to make a difference in the way Canadians perceive the positive role that physical activity plays in the mainte- nance of their health. Thank you for placing Lifestyle Tips as a feature article in your newspaper. Nanci Colbeck Director Communications and Community Programs The Silk Garden CLOSING OUT CLEARANCE Everything in the Store 0% OFF All stock ‘must go! Silk flowers, plants & trees, floral arrangements (will take custom made orders) 8" Hanging Greenery Sale 59” reg. 19” 3’ Piant Sale 19” reg $39” 5' Plant Sale $39” reg $79” 1093 Marine Drive at Lloyd Ave., North Van _OPEN 7 DAYS 10-6 Sunday, April 19, 1998 — North Shore News - 9 ‘Indecency outrage Dear Editor: Re: Ortawa judge Jennifer Blishen’s March ruling thar, unlike men, women do not have the legal right in Canada to publicly expose their breasts for a sexual or commercial purpose. Our courts have adopted an approach to indecency and obscenity that at its base is essentially the same as the “I know it when 1 see it” one made infamous by Justice Potter Stewart in the 1964 U.S. Supreme Court case Jacobellis vs. Ohio. Consequently, Canada’s indecency and obscenity laws have been rendered Kafkesque; they are ultimately unknowable. It should be noted that prosecution under an unknowable law is a blarant violation of sections 7 and 9 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Anne Hansen President | Naturist Women of Canada Saint Anthony's School Art Show 11:00 am - 4:30 pm, Friday, April 24" jg } 11:0¢ am - 2:09 pm, Sunday, April 26" | Saint Anthony's School Gymnasium 3S 595 Keith Road, West Vancouver. Cnyoy 10. Your : 's Delight Ti Have you applied for your 20% Canada Education Savings Grant yet? Each baby's $10/month RESP will grow by an M seing extra $1,000! Fora 3s FREE Report call: z “uss ne Peter Miller. 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