10 - Sunday, February 18, 1990 - North Shore News EMERGENCY RADIO DUES UP 2,000% City withholds radio licence fees THE CITY of North Vancouver is joining other B.C. municipalities in witholding its radio licence fees following a federal regulatory amendment that increases fees for emergency radios by over 2,000 per cent. By CORINNE BJORGE Contributing Writer North Vancouver City’s fees, used to maintain its emergency communication systems, would jump from the 1989 rates of $472 to 1990 rates of $11,220. “It amounts to a new tax levy on public safety,’’ stated a recent letter from the Federation of Ca- nadian Municipalities (FCM). According to the FCM, municipalities have the option of waiting until March 31, 1991 to submit their 1990-91 fees without fear of a late-payment fee. “FCM encourages its members to pay nothing until next year,"’ WAIT FOR SEARS 1 DAY WOMEN’S COAT SALE coming this Thursday February 22, 1990 SEARS your money's worth...and more said the letter. And a report by city director of purchasing and property services Derwyn Owen stated that the city will also have to pay increases in the North Shore and the regional systems, increasing city fees to be- tween $18,000 and $20,000. The federal government will receive roughly $184,000 in in- creased fee revenue from municipalities in the Greater Van- couver Regional District. “To surcharge the already high cost of maintaining and upgrading emergency communication systems for the protection of our citizens by adding these usurious fees, is without justification and inconsis- tent with other federal government policies,"’ stated Owen’s report. The report says that while the federal government has helped in- stall the warning and communica- tion systems in the province, it seems to be reversing its earlier assistance. Owen's report stated that within eight to 10 years, the federal gov- ernment ‘‘will fully recover...their contribution to the creation of the system.”’ CARRIERS A similar situation occurred in 1987, when the federal government had first proposed putting the municipal fees on the same scales as private radio fees. The govern- ment decided to extend the prefer- ential fee structure after being lobbied by various municipalities. But FCM said the government should again recognize the special position that the municipalities oc- cupy. “*The services in question are essential public services and cannot be treated in the same way as private enterprises,’’ said FCM. YOUR BEST ASSURANCE FOR FAST COMPREHENSIVE REAL ESTATE SERVICE SETHE RAMEE OE Le ps tke Nakayama Bus: 922-6166 Res: 984-7574 RA MONTREAL TRUST REAL ESTATE Our carriers ar winners! You can be too! Here’s how: Join the North Shore News carrier team. You could be earning good money deliver- ing the newspaper one to three times a week and at the same tiriie be accumulating chances to win great prizes. It’s not too late to enter the Carrier ‘‘All-Star’’ sweepstakes. We will be awarding monthly bonus prizes as well as grand prizes including Nintendo® Control Decks, Mountain Bikes and more. The biggest prize is a family trip to Disneyland — all expenses paid. Call us today. You could be earning good money and participating in the sweepstakes by next week. DISTRIBUTION 986-1337 THE VOICE OF NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER north shore SUNDAY + WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY