6 ~ Friday, November 21, 1986 - North Shore News » s a Publisher: News Viewpoint | Editor-in-Chiot Managing Editor Advortising Director Peter Speck Noel Wright Barrett Fisher Linda Stewart Disptay Advertising 980-0511 Classified Advertising 986-6222 Newsroom 985-2131 Distribution 986-1337 Subscriptions 986-1337 SUNDAY » WEDNES OAV - FHIDAY 1139 Lonsdaie Ave. North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 Ente contents «- 1986 North Shore Free Press Ltd Au nghts reserved Minority rules orth Vancouver District remains a cradle of local political apathy. . Consistent with the general yawn with which the area’s electorate regards the inconvenience of voting, a scant 9,115 hardy district souls managed, in the midst of other Saturday duties, to vote in the municipal elections. The number might seem admirable if viewed alone, but the district has 32,765 eligible municipal voters. The die-hard 9,115 represented 27.8 per cent of that total. Where were the other 23,650 district residents? Some might argue they were only doing what is traditional; that apathy is an accepted and integral part of municipal politics, especiafly when there is no mayoral race. Unfortunately, as shopworn as it may sound, local government remains the closest and most accessible form of democracy, and obviously, the consistently poor turnout of voters in municipal elections indicates thai the silent majority in North Vancouver District is content to be led by the vocal minority. But residents, no matter how content or dissatisfied, have a duty to register that contentment or dissatisfac- tion with local government. 57,656 Caveraqe Wednesday Fada 4 Sutthaye Democracy can indeed be an inconvenience, but the alternatives are so much worse. Congratulations on ‘a job weil done’ Dear Editor: With respect to the recent elec- tions | would like to thank the 9,118 voters of North Vancouver who turned out to exercise their franchise. Special thanks to Mayor Baker, Ald. Gadsby, Ald. Dykeman, former Ald. Jim Ball, and Angus Ree, MLA, for their advice and support. Also, to all those who worked on behalf of myself and the other candidates, | would like to extend my congratulations for a job well done. I would also like to thank Tim Renshaw and the News staff for their coverage of the election. Rick Buchols Ald. Candidate District of N. Van, | W. Van candidate says dollars swayed voters Dear Editor: Thank you for your recent coverage and personal support during the recent West Vancouver elections. Thanks also to the many voters who supported my stand. Once again the large bank rolls of the community swayed the voters, 1 hope some day, some way, we can realize dollars and big advertising don’t produce democratic elections. Thank you all and a Merry Christmas. Bert Fleming West Van Ald. candidate Rowntree thanks the community for help Dear Editor: Once again the News devoted very generous space to the municipal elections attracting the largest voter turnout in West Van- couver in many years. My advertising in the News car- ried my campaign message to thousands of voters, and a small! but loyal group of citizens worked hard doing the many other things to get me re-elected. My sincere thanks to all who helped, and to the editor for the excellent news coverage. Gordon Rowntree West Vancouver Ald. Dear Editor: I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #60, West Van- couver, to thank the merchants and citizens of West Vancouver for their generous support of our recent Poppy Fund Campaign. After expenses, such as cost of poppies, wreaths and other supplies, all remaining monies are placed in trust and can only be used for those purposes specified in the general bylaws of the Royal Canadian Legion. The campaign expenses are unusually low because all the work is voluntary. The basic purpose of poppy funds is to provide immediate assistance to ex-servicemen and women in * need and their dependents. This fund is also used for care facilities for the elderly or disabled persons and their dependents, comniunity medical appliances, medical research, Meals-on-Wheels, day-care centres and related ser- vices to veterans and their families. Some of our donations in this regard are as follows: $10,000 for the new Endoscopy Clinic at the Lions Gate Hospital for the purchase of an Olympus Gastroscope aad light scope. © $5,000 to help provide a bus for Cedar View Lodge. © $1,500 to Veterans Memorial Society for fur- nishings for the Vets Manor in Gastown. © $3,000 to provide furnishings for a senior citizens complex in West Vancouver. Russ Mennell Poppy Campaign Chairman Branch #60 Royal Canadian Legion izarre’ reguiations puzzie scooter o Dear Editor: licence. mer Are they going to protect me Recently I received a Honda Spree 1 Gear Scooter as a gift and to my amazement cannot unders- tand the requirement necessary to qualify as a motor “‘bicycle”’ rider. To begin with I contacted a clerk from the Motor Licence office in North Vancouver, to find the details on getting a licence. After writing a 10 question theory exam I was asked how large the engine was and after telling them it was less than 50 cc, they explained ! did need an actual motorcycle {| was later informed that because my scooter had no pedals | would have to do two practical road tests. The reason for having pedals on a scooter to begin with is in case your engine malfunctions and you can pedal it rather than push it. What confuses me is now that I’ve passed my theory exam, I have to ride my scooter to Burnaby, Surrey or Richmond to do my beginner’s road test accompanied by a person over 19 years of age with a ‘‘motorcycle”’ licence. from injury or should they drive their car beside rme? The scooter as well as any moped goes at a max- imum of 30 mph — but the only difference is the pedals. Maybe I will buy a couple of pedals and glue them on to the sides of my scooter. Come on Vancouver where did you come up with this bizarre reg- ulation? I'm conserving for you so don't make it difficult. Jikki Middleton North Vancouver