' . who. added > REOMICHRPAL ELECTION ‘DB Four-way fight for mayor’s chair in North Van Distric Finances, environment, leadership key campaign issues IN WEST Vancouver, Mayor Mark Sager will be returned to a second term in office by acclamation. In North Van- couver City, Mayor Jack Loucks will compete with a challenger for the first time after 16 unopposed years in the mayor’s chair. In North Vancouver District, Mayor Murray Dykeman said he welcomes the opportunity to fend oif three challengers in his bid to continue in the position he has held for the past three years. Dykeman, who hopes to be elected to a second term as mayor, is being challenged for his job by outspoken district Coun. Paul Turner, former district councillor Peter Foweli and business person Umeeda Switlo. Dykeman said the three years he has spent as mayor have been “very exciting and rewarding” and that he has watched the com- munity grow during that time. “T think .we have achieved a sense of community and the (RCMP) community policing pro- gram has been. an achievement that. has pulled the community together,’’ said Dykeman. “|. find the responsibilities and functions of the mayor to be a challenge, but it’s also been very “exciting. It’s a fast-changing kind of responsibility,’? said Dykeman, that one of his priorities “is to encourage greater ‘public participation in planning and recreational development. Dykeman said he does not find it unusual that four people are running for the. mayoc’s: chair. in .the district this year. He points out that four can- ’ community and staff. By Surj Rattan News Reporter didates sought the mayor’s job during the municipal election held three years ago. Turner, who often clashed with Dykeman over a variety of issues during the past three years, said he decided to run for mayor because he thinks the district can improve in several areas. ‘In so many areas we can do so much better. We'll need strong leadership to protect our neigh- borhoods. “If we’re to have quality ser- vices at the lowest possible price, we'll need someone who can lead the council to work with the It’s clear there’s a lot of (public) dissatisfaction,’’ said Turner. Powell said he decided to run for the mayor’s job because of his growing frustration with district council over the years. He said that it was only during the current election campaign that incumbent members of council - Clark challenging ~T5- -year- -old incumbent facing mayoralty race for first time in 16 years “NORTH. VANCOUVER ‘ City -. (NVC) Mayor Jack began to talk about fiscal respon- sibility. Powell questions why the issue was not discussed during the past three years. “It's (frustration) been building up over the past years. My taxes have gone up 30% in three years. Nobody on council wanted to take any responsibility. “I'd seen enough televised council meetings to know there was something wrong. It’s the complete inability of the past three-year council to get a grip on the financial situation,’’ said Powell. He said that he sees a lot of fat in the current district budget. Meanwhile Switlo, who has often criticized council response to environmental issues, said she decided to seek the mayor’s job because she believes Dykeman and Turner canriot do the job. “T looked. at the qualifications and the experience of the two (Dykeman and Turner) people running and decided mine sur-' passed theirs and that 1 could do a better job and lead council,’’ said Switlo. Switlo, who lists her occupation as a trained biologist, said Dykeman and Turner do not have the necessary background to deal with the district’s environmental! issues. “T-have the business and en- vironmental experience. I have the courage to make a difference,’’ said Switlo. NEWS photo Terry Peters HIGH WINDS levelied municipal election signs earlier this week atong Keith Road near Marine Drive leaving what could be inter- preted as a natural poll of local municipal candidates and the quality of their signs. : ucks for top post - Loucks has competition for 6 Jack has been a very good mayor for some time, but I do believe it’s time for a change. 99 ‘the city’s mayoral, chair for “the first time in 16 years. “By Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter Loucks, 75, is being challenged , by NVC Coun. Rod Clark, 41, for the full-time $48,714-a-year job. Unlike their. counterparts in North Vancouver District, NVC ‘counciliors do not publicly criti- cize the mayor routinely. Loucks is viewed as a respected consensus builder by many coun- cils members. He is seen as fair and capable and-not one ~who makes hasty decisions. He has been able to run council smoothly despite strong and READERS’ VOICE CALL US: 983-2208 divergent members. Said Loucks, ‘‘! hope there is not a disadvantage to being in of- fice this long. [ would say that opinions of council what has taken place in 16 years: is that the city has moved along quite well; not as perfectly as we would have liked, but that is not because of what council has done.” Some close to city hall say Loucks is not known as a politi- cian with great vision for the municipality. Clark is known for his vocal, and sometimes in- ‘Are you happy with your & — Rod Clark flamatory opinions. He maintained his opinion that the Lonsdale area should be dot- ted with highrises in the face of widespread public opposition to the construction of the tallest building on the North Shore in the 100-block of West 2nd Street. Clark says he can work with all members of council to achieve his goals as mayor, if elected. As mayor, he said he would ‘hustle’? business and promote the municipality. “Jack has been a very good’ mayor for some time, but } do present municipal council? Bill North Vancouver City lam very pleased with the per- formance of our mayor, Jack Loucks. He has performed ex- ceptionally well over the years. I believe he deserves to be elected a further term. I will be sup- porting him next Saturday. Dennie North Vancouver City I'm very pleased with Jack Loucks and the job he is doing. I think that he is trying hard to keep the budget down. He is aware of the needs of the com- munity. believe it’s time for a change,”’ said Clark. “ . * Clark said he was responsible _ for convincing business leaders to attend a recent council meeting on the issue of building a cruise-ship terminal on the former Versatile Pacific Shipyards lands on the North Vancouver City waterfront. Clark ‘rejects as “‘hollow’’ the criticism that he is inconsistent on some council issues. _ But during the past year, he went out of his way to oppose the Wagg Creek Park seniors devel- opment and a pay increase for. council members. Despite his vocal oppositicn, he eventually voted in favor of the bylaw in July that increased the city councillors’ pay 3.03%, and he voted in favor of changing the official community plan that would allow for the seniors devel- opment. index Budget Beaters . fi Business....... 88 Classified Ads .. 8 Doug Collins... Comics........ @ Crossword ....-:.. Cuisine Scene .... i Editorial Page ..-. ’ Bob Hunter...... #8 Inquiring Reporter HB Lifestyles ........ North Shore Now. ‘ MSports.. 0.06.00 5. #8 TV Listings....... ® What's Going On.. ' Weather Thursday, mostly cloudy with showers and windy. High 9, low 4°C. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement Number 0087238 TO PROVIDE North Shore voters with more input into the cam- paign leading up to the Nov. 20 municipal election, the North Shore News’ election coverage will focus on your opinions and — concerns. You can only cast one vote, but you can express yourself every day by dialling 983-2208. Jean North Vancouver District I think the mayor, Mayor Dykeman, is quite good, but I’m not happy with the present council. I hope that with new councillors that our council will be much better in the future. THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: - Are you happy with your present municipal council? Bernie North Vancouver District For the most part I’m very hap- py with the current council, i.e. Dykeman, Crist and Gadsby. They are very approachable | representatives on council and I | hope we can get four more sim- ilar to them.