8 - Sunday, January 6, 1991 — North Shore News MAILBOX Chamber of Commerce suggests highway solution | Dear Editor: Regarding improvements to the Squamish High- way: When the Transportation Committee of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce examines a problem, it has to consider the impacts of several alternatives from a ‘‘do nothing” option all the way to the ideal solutions. Given that the watersheds are impenetrable for water quality reasons (though even the GVRD has admitted that purification can be achieved at a cost, and it now looks as though we will have to do it — road or no road), the two ‘‘idea! solutions,’’ apart from the Capilano surface route, are a tunnel or a new alignment and the combination of several tun- nels and viaducts along the coast. An earlier correspondent referred to the Italian toll highways, which represent a beautiful example of what can be done. Further exploration of that idea will be done by the committee. For presentation to the directors of the Chamber, I, as committee chairman, have selected to explore the tunnel idea first, partly to demonstrate that, in- deed, we can go through the watersheds without damaging them, and partly to start a dialogue, as we agree with one of your correspondents that we could have built a series of shorter tunnels and avalanche sheds such as those in the Fraser Canyon. The high cost of any alternative has brought for- ward the suggestion for the involvement of the private sector as, tO quote your paper again, the people and the government have billions of dollars invested in the Squamish (Whistler} area, and they should protect their investment. Tolls may be undesirable but they are the fairest means, and especially if an alternative toll-free facili- ty is available. The Transportation Committee would like to reiterate our conviction in the ‘‘user pay prin- ciple,’’ with some government involvement, however, as sooner or later we will have to build an alternative route to Squamish, and if tolls will not finance it, then the taxpayers will have to foot the bill entirely. Zoltan Kuun Chairman Transportation Committee North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce High time to replace ‘Tories Dear Editor: It is with some interest that I noted Mr. Chuck Cook’s quote in a recent edition that ‘‘Michael Wilson is probably the best fi- nance minister we have had over the past three decades."’ He goes on to say that Mr. Wilson, how- ever, is a very poor com- municator. Well, let us look at the facts. The Tories have raised taxes over 40 times since 1984 and still they cannot manage the budget. The GST is flawed to the point of becoming laughable. Imagine, a tax on books, not to mention tex- tiles. This revenue neutral tax will raise billions for the Tories so that they can buy votes next election with programs we cannot afford. Canadians are so pleased with this government that we see each and every opinion poll telling us that our country will most certain- ly elect splinter group MPs, rather than the bunch currently in Ot- tawa. The Reform Party is attrac- No one deserves to Dear Editor: Your recent article ‘‘Drug abuse may make users susceptible to AIDS” concludes with the state- ment that *‘Those who live healthful lifestyles virtually assure themselves of a strong defence against the AIDS virus.” This is simply not the case. The disease can happen to anyone who is having sex, no matter how careful they may otherwise be. An individual will become infected if the receptor cells in his/her body are exposed to the HIV virus. Ship parade ‘best ever’ Dear Editor: Congratulations to the orga- nizers of this year’s Carol Ship run to Deep Cove. It was spec- tacular! The ships were close together, the smaller ones first with the bigger ones following. For the first time in years we weren’t left with the impression of the smaller ones having to scramble to keep up. Placing the SS Beaver at the end left no doubt that this was, indeed, the finale. In past years just as we thought the sailpast was finished another ‘‘straggler’’ would come around the corner. We could tell many others thought this the best parade ever from the response of the spec- tators as they tooted their car horns and flashed Christmas lights in appreciation. We know we speak for many other residents when we say, “Thanks. You were wonderful.”’ The Ralphs Deep Cove A healthy “‘lifestyic’’ will slow the progress of the disease. It will NOT confer immunity. It also implies that those who develop the illness deserve whatever happens to them. tive because their piatform stresses fiscal responsibility. It is tire we put Mr. Cook out to stud, clect an MP who will reflect the wishes of his or her constituents and, hopefully, we can put this country back together. The blame for this mess is on Mr. Mulroney and his pack of ill-advised flunkies in Ottawa. It is high time they were replac- ed. Donald I. Bird North Vancouver get AIDS No one deserves this illness. Absolutely no one. 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