vf NEWS photo Cindy Goodman JO Ann and Sill Wedley successfully challenged the inclusion of GST as part of the assessed value of a West Vancouver condominium they bought new in 1994. ‘Supreme Court. Inca decision released in 1998 Madam Justice Risa E. ~ Levine found that the appeal ‘board should reconsider the -.Wedleys’ evidence to deter- -Mine the appropriateness of including GST in. the assess- ment of their property and properties in general. The Property Assessment Appeal Beard released a deci- sion and order on Feb. 2. The board ruled that GST is not part of market value when a new property is first purchased, that the assessor had been incorrect when including GST in the reported prices of new properties. The assessor has 21 days to appeal the decision. Said the board in its writ- ten decision, “The assessor now concedes that GST is not part of the market value. This is a change in theory from that developed and presented before ihe previous board panels. The board has consid- ered the assessor's submission, finds support for it in) Dr. Wedley’s submissions, and is prepared to accept that GST is not part of market value. Accordingly, as of the pur- chase date, the market value is the amount received by the vendor.” The 1996 and 1997 assess- ments on the Wediey’s prop- erty. were lowered from $639,000 to $612,000 and $623,000 respectively. Yet, the Wedleys, or any- one else who might take issue with GST considered as part of the market value on preper- ty, must still appeal individual assessments annually. The Feb. 2 decision applies to the Wedley’s specific appeal. Said Bill Wedley, “Hopefully, this ruling will set a@ precedent whereby the assessor will finally realize chat GST is not part of the equa- tion.” _. According to Wedley, B.C. Assessment owes the couple a net amount of $2,500 as a consequence of winning the last B.C. Supreme Court case. After all was said and done, the Wedley's actual savings in taxes amounts to just $216. Said Wedley, “We always knew that ntoney was not the issue. 1 guess maybe [ have earned about 25 cents on the hour. Sometimes actions are taken for principles, not money.” He also ateributes his tenacity on the matter to the fact that his home did not feel much like a castle after he Parking, safety issues raised Fron page § consult with the community ding with some of the that have raised con The idents are con- cerned about a loss of 10 parking spaces, a new entry lane that would bring tattic close to three houses and per- sonal security conceros from decreased visibilin moving back a cul-de-sa putting up fencing and t Milne said the cul-d area is used by children walk- ing to and from school. Granger said that whenev- er he goes down to the park, there is always enough street parking to accommodate the lost spots. He said the city sent letters to the three property owners affected and hasn't heard any opposition from them. Finally, he said the choice of low ground cover and trees with single stems, rather than confers, should alleviate anv concerns about problems see- ing adults and children in the cul-de-sac area. Because the trail is slovred to host an April 13 TransCanada = Trail event involving al) three North Shore municipalities, there is some urgency that the dispute be resolved. The city is aiming to have trail work completed by that time. received his first assessment on the property. “We have to five in our condo, the assessor does not. Each day I get up, I look at the walls, the doors, the toi- lets, sinks. 1 continually won- der, ‘Where is the GST?’ “The only way to exorcise that ghost of GST fram our wails is to fight it. It has taken us five years, but all of a sud- den it actually feels like our castle. How can you place a price upon that?” ICBC HAS A TEAM OF LAWYERS, SHOULDN'T YOU? All claims have time limits f * Documents you sign can be used against you. Taylor & Blair BARRISTERS & SOLICIVORS* 102-145 West 15th St. Norih Van 983-4311 Graham Taylor | Famil Owned Since 1946 www.taylorandbiair.com i : FREE CONSULTATION Kevin Blair NEWS photo Paul MeGrath WORKERS fell trees as part of redesign work being done to Mosquito Creek Park’s main trail: Dr. Csilla Gyovai DENTIST ANNOUNCES NEW HOURS 00. Oftice Schedute rotates to meet ali patients needs 1170 East 27th St, North Vancouver ° Lynn Valiey *.. Friday, February 18, 1% a.m - 3 p.itt. os A registered nurse and dietitian will assess your risk o for heart disease. nee How do you know that you are having a heart attack? : —_ Do ASA and Vitamin E help prevent heart attacks? : Every year 40,000 Canadians have strokes: Learn how to detect the warning signs. For more information call: 988-7095. ¢ Appointments Recommended .