8 - North Shore News — Friday, December 8, 2000 Rec faci Dear Editor: Lam writing in response to a letter posted in your Oct. 27 edition written by Mr. Peter Minshull. In this letter he states, “I take strong excep- tion to Mr. Baumgartner’s self-serving attempt to further his business interests by trying to stir up some sort of tax revolt. against the North Vancouver Recreation Commission.” As many taxpayers in North Vancouver are aware, the NVRC: received = more than $6 million in- subsidies Blackburn Mountain Tool , Two in one Snowboard & bike tool. Reg $39.95 - from che city and district of North Vancouver this vear. These tax dollars subsidize 10,000 NVRC fitness mem- bers. (7,500 adults, 1,400 seniors and 1,100 teens.) While Mr. Minshull states that, “he too pays taxes” and “the NVRC program is one of the best services I get for my tax dollar,” 1 would like to shed some light on some numbers so Mr. Minshull can better understand che real issues. The last census available (1996) shows 44,000 popula- Giro Semi Light Weight tion for North Van City and 82,000 for North Van District. So therefore, taxes collected on behalf of 100 per cent of the taxpaying popula- tion are being used to subsi- dize, less than six per cent of the population who happen to be adults. In addition to the current annual subsidy in excess of $6,600,000, the tax- payers are also responsible for the land, buildings, equip- meat and capital improve- ments for NVRC fitness facili- ties. More than $800,000 in tax dollars have been spent Snowboarding Helmet Reg. °99.95 Santa In-store: Decomber 15 % 16 WEL COMET 70 BIKIN' & BOARDIN' HEAVEN! | Moose BS Permanent. design collection at ‘the Museum of Modern. lities are misuse of publ directly on new fitness equip- ment by the NVRC in the fast four years. There are no tax revenues contributed by these facilities in the form of prop- erty taxes, permits, licences or fees. Therefore, the true tax subsidies for these 7,500 adult fitness members is staggering! {n a time when the city and district is hard put to find dol- lars for broad-based commu: nity recreation needs for youth, seniors, under privi- leged and disadvantaged; the NVRC has budgets in the mil- lions to provide “health clubs” for adults that Jeast require these tax subsidies. Our tax dollars need to be spent on broad-based reere- ation needs that are not pro- vided by the private sector. Funds are needed to upgrade, maintain and provide more fields for soccer, football and baseball programs for our youth. We also need funds for all-weather artilicial turf fiet.!s during our wet fall and winter months. Our youth need more ice arenas for hockey programs, as there is much greater interest and participa- tion by female hockey play ers, due to the popularity of the Canadian female hockey team in the Olympics. Our youth _and seniors need more swim- ming pools. Our seniors need more carling and lawn bow!- Dear Editor: Congratulations to whoev- er it was who came up with ing facilities. Our comniuni- ties also need more facilities for special needs, the under- privileged and the disadvan- taged. This issue calls tor some simple common sense. Smatt business is deservedly recog- nized as “The engine that dni- ves the economy.” Governments spend tax dol- lars, while small business xen- erates tax dollars. Governments should — nor waste tax dollars providing, services that already exist in the private sector. Private fit- ness clubs are placed in the astonishing position of paying taxes to fund direct competi- tion against: themselves. We are fiterally paying to put our- selves out of business! Moreover, the public is paying tax dollars. to erode their own tax base. Every dof- lac government spends on ser- vices that already exist is a dol- lar not spent on broad-based recreation needs, education, drug abuse prevention, home- lessness, child abuse and other social challenges. I'm sure Mr. Minshull, as a taxpayer, would never agree to that. Mr. Minshull, this’ is an issue that affects every single taxpayer, Ignoring .govern- ment competition with small _ business is short sighted and is economically destructive. The Silent Heroes superb the Silent Heroes idea — an excellent replacement for the insipid Sunshine Siel/ Boy. ic funds current adult fitness members enrolled in tax-subsidized NVAC facilities could support another five or more private fitness facilities which would contibute another $300,000 to $500,000 annually in prop- erty taxes, licences, permits and fees to the city and district of North Van. The taxpayers would no longer be responsible for the subsidies or the tax dollars spent on buildings, capital improvements, equipment or staff for the fitness component of these facilities. These new revenues and tax savings could be used for programs in need, Furthermore, Mr. Minshull | arrogantly states that “his impression of private fitness clubs was that they use pres- sure tactics to sell customers more services dan they could use.” J am sure everyone who © is a member of a private club, would fi nd Mr. - Minshull’s “impression” an insult to their consumer intelligence. | I invite Mr.. Minshull. to © call me directly for a free one- month trial period-at Gold’s Gym where we. would be pleased to have the opportu: nity to turn his “impression” © into a positive experience. Roy Baumgartner Gold’s ~ Gym, “North Vancouver : thing... These are. the. real Sunshine people. P’m proud — of you for honouring | them. Ginny Jaques North Vancouver “BICYCLE roars F PACFIC. &