$ — Wednesday, February 26, 1997 — North Shore News Time to think big Dear Editor: As the Clark government currently appears to be in a “second look” mode, it is to be hoped that this policy will extend to the recently suggest- ed alternatives for a tiird cross- ing. These alternatives represent, at best, a short-term Band Aid solution that would be outdat- ed before construction is com- pleted, leaving the same prob- lem to be resolved at ever- increasing cost and upheaval and the resultant waste of tax- payers’ dollars expended on any of these inadequate schemes. Any meaningful decision on the crossing required must con- sider-not only the rapid growth on the North Shore, but the residential and recreational development of the entire area north to Squamish and Whistler and increased ferry traffi c. Non-resident traffic de- mand cannot be satisfied by ' improved rapid transit or any of . the dollar-driven, minimal pro- posals recently floated. The reality and ramifications of a minimum-cost scheme are minimun: improvement and ultimate maximum: cost. The only long-term solution is to face up to the necessity for a six-lane tunnel crossing that would bypass the already over- loaded areas of the North Shore and downtown Vancouver. In addition, the Lions Gate Bridge deck should be restored and the bridge used solely for public transport, cyclists and pedestrians. Ultimately, this crossing may have the potential for modification for LRT service. Costly, yes, but the solution will never cost less in the future. This is Gien Clark’s oppor- tunity to emulate his fancied role model, W.A.C. Bennett and demonstrate some vision- ary “big thinking.” Will he and his government be up to the challenge? Bryan Quinlan West Vancouver *MINISTRY OF FINANCE EXPERIMENT,” YOu SAID! ‘How TouGH CouLp THAT BE : NA Dear Editor: m, ' A recent letter to the North Shore News editor. (Bridge bell colls for Ted) deserves some comment and clarification. _ .. Along with the other North Shore MLAs, I have continuously worked for a -solution to the long-standing problem of “how will we solve the Lions Gate Bridge crossing problem” and “what will be the selution?” _ aoe This work has involved the personal review. and evaluation of several propos- als, meetings with constituents, and the spear heading of a petition drive to spur ¢ government on in the decision-mak- ing and implementation process. : . Countless media contacts, interviews _ and articles have made it possible for the extraction of comments and responses on my part, which, if taken in their full con- text, would express more fully my views and position. My constituents are largely saying that tolls are not what they want. I agree that . “no tolls” is the most desirable scenario we could accomplish. I am on record on numerous occa- sions as being against tolls. One needs to be careful however not to take the posi- tion that we will not tolerate even the consideration of a toll, because this will expose us to the possibility shac the gov- ernment will use this as a reason to back away from the entire project. There are a multitude of possible out- comes, some of which are some form of toll. Some of the toil solutions are exclu- sive to the Lions Gate Bridge itself, and is, says MILA others would institute tolls elsewhere as well. No one wants a significant toll, bur if faced with the possibility of a toll, or no new bridge/crossing at all, most of my constituents would opt for a low “loonie” type toll. When I have discussed this at length I have done it from the point of view that more than one option needs our consid- eration. J have never said that tolls are the answer. The good news is that all of this con- troversy, the petition, the involvement of hundreds of constituents, the mis-quotes, and the fired up reactions seem to have brought this topic into the forefront again, and likely to an early solution. Ted Nebbeling, MLA West Vancouver . Callous driver kills cat I would just like to say that Tam very a at the driver of the - vel iche that hit our beloved Russian blue cat “Mooney” on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the 1800-block of Berkicy Road. The accident happened between 8 and 8:30 p.m., just after we had put our two-year- old son to bed. As the cat was an outdoor cat, we did not find out about the accident until around 10:30 p.m. when my brother-in-law noticed a cat lying on the road in front of our house. By the time we realized that our cat was dead, it was ~. Granville Mall iesson to Hastings Park area Dear Editor: The Feb. 14 column by Trevor Lautens regaruing the removal of the PNE from Hastings Park, reminded me of -the false optimism when the Granville Mall was created. The rosy view that this would be an attraction for fam- ilies to stroll in pleasant sur- roundings was soon startled into reality when it became a haven for drug dealers and other problems The resultant stagnation has now spread north along Granville Street. It seems probable a similar fate awaits the new proposed Hastings Park. If the PNE is removed from its present site, it will be diffi- cult, if not impossibie, to put it back again once the realization of the damage done to the local neighborhood is apparent. Residents of all Greater Vancouver enjoy the PNE and visitors from across the conti- hent come to ride the roller coaster, a real treasure in itself. The central location of the many events there during the year add to the character of the city. When this heritage is threatened we all feel the Toss. The residents of the area adjacent to the PNE grounds will be the most affected by these changes. Before it is too late, Vancouver City Council should ask them their opinion. L. Markham West Vancouver too late to do anything. If this person would have stopped to see if our cat was OK or not, they would have noticed a cel- lar, name tag and phone num- ber attached, and we could have possibly done something to save him. Now, we can only hoy that he didn’t have to T. As I was placing his lifeless form into a box, I couldn’t help but wonder, “How do we tell our son that someone who didn’t care enough to ket us know killed his favorite pet?” I realize that accidents hap- pen, and cats are vulnerable to traffic-related incidents, but please, the next time you see an injured animal or happen to hit one yourself, don’t just keep driving. Do something! Brian Massulfo and family bmassullo@westmar.com *. Located inside Lynn Valley Centre 1199 Lynn Valley Road ’ North Vancouver 987-5234 _"” Open dally at 12 neon, Thers. & Fri. avoniags tit Spm Delay bridge decision Dear Editor: I think we’re wrong to ask the current crowd in Victoria to replace the Lions Gate Bridge. In fact, [| think we should insist that they restrict spending to critical repairs needed to keep the bridge safe for the next five years. This would delay the replacement decision until after the next election. : A bad decision now will cast taxpayers much more in the long-run. Postponing the decision increases the likeli- hood of a rational long-term solution. Going ahead now risks a biased decision calculated to 2"f punish “wealthy” North Shore voters for electing Liberals. . PE. Knowlan North Vancouver tick_knowlan@bc.sympati- cO.ca 7AYLO RM 1OTe ve TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS ATR.A.-B.C.A.A. > A.RA. CERTIFIED CENTRE AUTOMATIC & STD. 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