8 - Rorth Shore News — Friday, March 24, 2000 == MAIL Soft sentences no deterrent for dealers Dear Editor: Re: Angel Just traffickers/Mark Enlers, March 19 North Shore News. Yet again we have sent our children a mes- sage that tt is totally acceptable to break the law time and again, without suffering any major repercussions. It does not matter if you have a past crimi- nal record as a bomber, after all it was Halloween, and boys will be boys, so no doubt that is why this criminal received only a fine and probation. Ehlers, upon completing that probation,decided to sell owo extremely dan- gerous drugs, PCP and MDMA. He pleaded guilty to five urafficking charges, which dues not mean he only did it five times. The presiding judge described Ehlers’ drug trafficking as “... an honest reflection of basic capitalistic principles ....” Apparently his crimes are more to do with suppiy and demand, and Ehlers is in the business of servicing a demand. No doubt if our drug taffickers are allowed to Garbage can Dear Editor: ‘ Please permit me to aid those in our community who states a maximum capacity. The 121-litre containers are 36% larger than the accept- flourish, they will in due course be in the busi- ness of providing a public service. Of course his role as a provider who wreaks havoc on our youth, does not qualify him fora jail term which is costly and frequently unduiy harsh, according to the judge and his judicial references, who instead gave Ehlers a slap on the wrist fer his crimes. As long as we have judges who are soft on criminals our drug problems will dramatically increase. Blaming parents and a lack of educational programs for the problem is a cop-out. Make the penalties harsh enough and the attraction for “easy money” will swiltly loose its appeal. This is just another example of why the public, whom the jaws are supposed to protect, feel that our judicial system is woefully inettec- tive. Clare Griffiths West Vancouver issue solved composting. West Van may even want to showease it in their Argyle Avenue display Ox Trafficker no IATSE member Dear Editor: In response te your Sunday, March 19, article “Angel Dust traffickers sen- tenced,” please consider the following: Your article implies that being a member of the “booming film industry” is a passport to reduced sentenc- ing and special considera- tions. Not so! IATSE does not issue visas to evade justice, rig scales, or adjust: bundfolds except in your entertainment dreams. Although we are in the business of creating tic: tion, we need reality to anchor ourselves. We survive on facts, The facts are: Mark Helmut Ehlers is not nor has ever been a member of {ATSE, the union that covers workers in the B.C. film indus-v. He was employed sporadic.!!v and on a tempo- rary basis as a permittee at one of the special effects shops that services the film industry twice removed. Judge Jerome Paradis’ comments on an unduly harsh and arguably ineftec- tive penal and rehabilitation system may be valid, but his decision for Jeniency should not have included a non-exis- tent IATSE membership and distant temporsry employ- ment in the film sector. Elmar Theissen Business Agent iATSE Local 891 Rules not taken seriously Dear Editor: I'm responding to the article of Feb. 23 (Disqualified hockey team considers playing in court) describing the situation wherein the Tier 1 Juvenile AAA hockey team was dis- qualified from the playoffs. I cannot understand the posi- tien of the head coach, Mr. - Kit Perrick. Ie would appear that he is blaming the B.C. Amateur Hockey Association (BCAHA) for the fact that he was not allowed to continue to coach. Certainly he under- stood the necessity of a coach being able to ensure the safe- ty of his players and thus completing the required seven-hour Canadian Hockey Safety Program. It would seem that Mr. Perrick was cither unaware of the rules that he has as a coach or that he thought himself above these rules. Surely, Mr. Perrick must real- ize that when you take on work you must be conscious of the fact that the rules are there for the benefit of the coaches, the association and the players. It’s untertunate the play- ers did not get to play in the finals. The players can look only to their own coach for blame and not the the associ- ation. I hope Mr. Perrick is never allowed to coach again. He obviously does not take rules seriously enough. Linda Scott North Vancouver have literacy and numeracy difficulties regarding illega!- sized garbage cans. First, the regulation is not new. A year ago, it was fully explained on the reverse side of your garbage day sched- ule, which is likely still taped, unread, to the wall beside - your garbage can. The change was likely noted prior to that in a North Shore News District council sum- mary. Second, the regulation does not require you to trash able 77-litre containers. The 12)-titre containers are 32 inches tall. Thirty-two inches minus 36% equals 20 inches. So borrow the neighbour's jigsaw, chop 12 inches off your can, and use a bungy card to hold the loose lid on. Nail the 12-inch surplus ring to the garage wall and now your kids have a basket- ball court. Recycling of the whole can would be a good youth Science Fair challenge. For example, [ expect that the can would adapt well to of composting techniques. Cleaned, assembled in bulk, schools could use cans for sports storage of balls, bean- bags and mats. As for our local retailers, give yourselves a good swift kick in the pants — you could have modified your product line a year or more ago, advertised it, and start- ed selling only regulation cans while your competitors’ obsolete inventory gathered dust. Robert Lindsay Harper clharper@planeteer.com » the tall trash can. It simply Jeanette Palfrey and Hal-Ping Lee (middle) with Sentinel Secondary School * “students, Ellictt ja -Setiawan (let) and Kristen Haakons _ We'd like to thank BC Bankers for investing in our communities’ most important asset — our youth. The bankers of British Columbia are committed to helping youth prepare for their future in a tangible way. Every year, bank employees contribute countless volunteer hours to teach Junior Achievement s business education program in school classrooms throughout BC. The banks of British Columbia also financially support Junior Achievement through an annual fund raising campaign. Last year, over $250,000 was ralsed through the support of BC banks. ee coves iN YOUR CCMMUNITY Look to the future not the past Dear Editor: I am sad that innocent positive remarks could be construed in such a negative light as the letter writer of “Foreign fingers ...” (March 15) has apparently done. That letter demands a response. Within the context of our Eldercollege, group the low-keyed, thoughtful comments of our member were met with a very emphatic response. My letter was intended to reinforce this mood and to demonstrate how many new immigrants appreciate, so very much, the atmosphere that they encounter in our coun- try, reflecting the values that all thoughtful Canadians hold dear. I had no intention of starting a debate on a topic that is endless. There is no doubt whatever that colonialism created many problems that our world has yet to deal with fully; and, obviously anger in the hearts of some. The problem today is the lega- cy of our past, with which we must come to terms if our world is to survive. I must assure the writer that our gentleman had no “nidder: agenda.” He was not “hint- ing.” He was clearly expressing his own per- sonal experiences arising from a lifetime of liv- ing worldwide. Hopefully the world-wide communications network will bring afl peoples greater under- standing of divisive forces at work, and the strength of positive thinking combined with peaceful protest. The 20th century demon- strated, in spades, the futility of, what might be termed “the forces of evil” in full-batue dress. Until all humans learn to accept the past for what it is — dead — and move into a more productive paradignt for the future there is.lit- de hope for the human race a Keith Hester North Vancouver Public losing control of system Dear Editor: I have really enjoyed your editorials lately, especially the ones regarding TransLink and on Sunday, March 19, involving CUPE. When [ first became seriously interested in politics 20 or so years ago, J received a brochure on how the communists could take over the North American system. | did not believe it; however, here we go with a few of the points that [ remember: G Break up the family as much as possible. Have it where the “system” is in charge of setting the morality, etc. for our children instead of the par- ents. B Get rid of organized religion as much as pos- sible. Bi Keep the people as poor as possible, if they are . struggling for their existence, they will not have time to fight the system. @ Create as much dissension a3 possible among the populace (for example, race against. race, men/women, age, whatever keeps the pot stir- ring). iCBC HAS A TEAM OF LAWYERS, SHOULDN'T YOU? * All claims have time timits ¢ Documents you sign can be used against you. © Faylor & Slaia BARAISTERS & SOLICITORS* & 102-145 West 15th St. North Van 983-4311 www.taylorandblalr.com [ere] part SULTATION 1K Have the “state” take over as much as possi- : ble. re Well here we are in the year 2000 and look what we have — maybe not as.extreme.as the®:.; above in all cases (and probably _not..a Communist movement) but the public..n0 longer has control of very much of the.“public?, system as far as | can see. All we do is to kee paying, paying and paying some more. lt does fot seem to matter whether it is federal or provincial, or even municipal: those‘ who. work for government seem to be “untouchable.2.. I ask over and over again, why do we stand. -. it? When are we going to take back our public... systems? Will we ever have the guts to have our own revolution — we don’t pay till they delive There is not a big enough army or police fore in this country to stop us if we decided we just’ have had enough. Probably not in my liferme — but ar-least your editorial staff is wying keep up the good work! : a Sue Cook North Vancouver Corre In our B2-4 One Day Sale “.’ flyer, the Royal Velvet offer": shown on the flysheet should read “twin sheet $19.99". . in our 2-48 Beauty at the Bay flyer, Givanchy Organza 50ml Eau de Parfum Spray on™: page 9 is $68. °°, Sorry for any inconvenience ris d On