4 — Wednesday, March 24, 1999 — North Shore News Green fee debate turns red with anger Martin Millerchip News Reporter martin@nsnews.com THE annual debate over summer green fees at Northlands Golf Course played into the rough at North Vancouver District Council Monday. On the same night that Golf Digest officially presented the dis- trict with a plaque for its Northlands course being chosen runner- up as Best New Canadian Course for 1998, a staff report project- ed a Northlands deficit of $433,000 in 1999. The district cannot pass its annual budget while predicting an operating deficit. That deficit figure is based on a $40 (GST included) peak rate and a debt payment of $711,000 to the district's Heritage Fund. Staff recommended in 1998 that the golf course should repay $11.8 million (the overall cost of developing Northlands was $13.5 million) over 40 years with interest set at 5.25% for the first Two men sought in rape case WEST Vancouver Police are seeking two suspects in a Saturday morning rape. Police say a native woman met two men at the entrance of Club Mora in Gastown at 1:45 a.m. on March 20. The tio left in a black truck, possibly a Nissan Pathfinder. The suspects cirove the vic- tim to a North Shore house and then to Bellevue Avenue and 25th Street in West Vancouver. The 19-year-old victim was forced to drink a large atnount of alcohol. She passed out and was sexually assaulted in the vehicle some- waatime between 3 a.m. and 4:30 am. She was then dumped from the vehicle before the suspects fled north on 25th. The driver was Indo- Canadien or Persian, approxi- mately 25 years old and approximately 5°8”, wearing a dark suit and possibly glasses. The passenger was the s.me height, also Indo-Canadian or, Persian, but about 23 years old. Anyone with information is asked to call the West Vancouver Police at 925-7300. Thieves lift SeaBus A SeaBus is missing. It’s not one of the ferries seen motoring across the inlct to Vancouver every 15 “ain- utes, The missing ScaBus is a one-meire long model. The model was built in 1976 and is owned by BC Transit. _ It weighs 20 kg (45 Ibs) and, according to the North Vancouver RCMP, is valued at $25,000. The model was stolen dur- ing a burglary on Saturday at Lindsay Models and Design Consultants Ltd. in the 800- block of West ist Street. Police say burglars got into the business after smash- ing the front glass doors with a rock. The model was being repaired when it was stolen. It has been on public dis- play at the BC Transit office at Lonsdale Quay. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call North Vancouver RCMP Const. Paula Brown at 985- 131} or Crime Stoppers at 669-8477. —Anna Marie D'Angelo A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Proposal to reduce Northlands debt triggers council furore five years. That would set green fees of $49.90 this year. Monday staff proposed two scenarios based ca reducing the interest rate to 5%: a $47 round, or a $45 round with a reduction in maintenance and operating levels. Meanwhile the North Shore Public Golf Course Society pro- posed a $42 round that president Richard Simpson described as “an acceptable recreational cost for all golfers on the North Shore.” But that proposal is based on a Heritage Fund repayment of $9 million and a lower interese payment rate. A deep division amongst councillors over what constitutes an affordable round of golf became heated when the proposal to reduce the amount owed was supported by Mayor Don Bell. “Say the number, Mayor Bell,” asked Coun. Janice Harris repeatedly as she endeavoured to get Bell to explain which set of “ae alliance affect you? Dear Meniber and Customer of BCAA, I would like to share with you some important information about a proposed strategic alliance between BCAA and Calgary-based Western Union. Members will be asked to vote on this important initiative at BCAA's Annual General Meeting on March 25. The fundamental cbjective of this strategic alliance is to strengthen and grow BCAA’s insurance business. That’s why I would like to highlight for you a few of the important points that affect each and every BCAA member. . figures he was supporting as a repayment schedule. Bell finally triggered an explosion from Harris and councillors Trevor Carolan and Glenys Deering-Robb when he repeated 2 preference for forgiving part of the golf course det. At one point the beleaguered Bell, audibly suffering from a heavy cold, was facing such a barrage of questions trom Harris thar Coun. Ernie Crist asked who was running the meeting. Order was quickly restored, but Beil continued to take a ham- mering. Deering-Robb labeled his position “unbelievable” while Carolan, his voice cracking with emotion, said he was “revulsed” by Bell's suggestion. “You take this to the next election and tell them you gave away four and a half million dollars,” shouted Carolan. With Harris, Carolan and Deering-Robb supporting the $47 green fee scenario, councillors Crist and Munro supporting 4 $43 round “and not a penny more,” and Bell and Coun. Lisa Muri somewhere in the middle no consensus was reached after two votes. Bell then refused to take further motions, stating, “We are past the point of rational discussion.” Continuing to build on BCAA's strengths BCAA has spent more than 90 years developing a reputation as a solid, reliable company, providing quality products and services. With offices throughout the province and skilled employees with strong relationships with members, we can compete with the best. ChaJienges for BCAA's Insurance Business OF BCAA BCAA’s insurance company is currently limited in its ability to grow and serve its mem- bers and customers. Our strategic alliance with Western Union will help us ensure that our members have access to high quality, affordable insurance products and services. It will also reposition BCAA more strongly in the market, so we can compete more confi- dently with the big players — banks and financial institutions — who are entering the insurance business. What is proposed? As part of the agreement, Western Union will purchase BCAA's insurance company. Members will continue to deal with BCAA’s insurance agents, but Western Union would now be underwriting BCAA's insurance products and offering new products to our mem- bers. This strategic alliance is about building a better future - better opportunities for all employees and better and increased choices for our members. The facts abont the strategic alliance Some groups are making misleading claims about this strategic alliance. Our members deserve to be dealt with honestly and openly. Here are the facts. * Not one employee at BCAA will lose his or her job. No jobs will be exported out of BC. Insurance employees are assured of not only continued work, but better opportunities for career advancement as part of a larger, and growing, organization. * Not a single unionized BCAA employee is affected by the deal. . ¢ Members will have access to more and better insurance products through BCAA. * Western Union is a western Canadian company. No more money will leave the province than is currently leaving to cover the costs of our reinsurance. This alliance is the right step for BCAA at the right time The benefits of the proposed strategic alliance are significant and it is imperative that we move forward in expanding our business for the benefit of our members. The only risk is not taking action. I encourage every BCAA member and employee to consider the facts and the issues on this important initiative. All BCAA members can vote cn this Special Resolution at the Annual General Meeting. If you would like mcre information on the proposal or voting at the mecting, please call (604) 268-5269. Bill Bullis President and CEO ae * wakes a