Dear Editor:

All is not well in the municipality of West
Vancouver, as recent perceptive articles by Trevor
Lautens (Blasting West Vancouver's bureaucracy)
and Noel Wright (Only one way to grab civie purse-
strings) clearly demonstrate.

For the past six years I have been strongly advo-
cating that a major professional acco snting/man-
agement firm be engaged to do a complete analysis
of the efficiency of all municipal departments and the
heads thereof and their ania Ie management staff.

Such a comprehensive review would undoubted-
ly be expensive, but the subsequent elimination of
much waste and inefficiencies, feather-bedding of
staff, empire building, and needless bungling would
amount to savings of millions of dollars over future
years, to the benefit of all West Vancouver ratepayers.

This formal request made to councils both at res-
idents association meetings to discuss budgets, and
in other submissions, has always met a refusal to
undertake this much-needed assessment and neces-

Dear Editor:

lon n WY ft

sary recommendations.

‘Many reasonable cost savings and capital reduc-
tion suggestions made to councils at these budget
meetings have been totally ignored.

West Vancouver has had some staff salary increas-
es of 40% over four years, far outstripping any infla-
tion index or staff increases in commerce and indus-
try. A senior bureaucrat apparently carned $20,000
in overtime in one recent year, but all efforts to
obtain an explanation were fruitless.

it is easily understood why West Vancouver's tes
idential tax rate is, by a wide margin, the highest in
British Columbia. I is not the minimal cost of the
hanging baskets. The business persear who has to
carn his competitive income sas a totally different
viewpoint on costs from the Sureaucratic culture
who are able to spend the residents’ taxes with loose
control and very little a accountability.

‘The municipal inefficiencies that many residents
have seen and commented on, would never be toler-
ated in aay private enterprise, for example personally

iscal fr

seeing nine men with three trucks on a minor road
repair which required only owo or three men and one
truck.

This is one reason why West Vancouver continues
to have the unenviable record of a higher number of
employees per capita to residents than any other
municipality in British Columbia.

To those taxpayers who appear agreeable to
accept 2 tax increase up tu 9.4%, on higher home
assessment values for 1997, they should remember
we still await school board and GVRD"s 1997 assess-
ments, both to be undoubtedly higher than last year.

This year’s municipal shortfall is $3 million.
There will be shortfalls again in 1998 and onwards,
to be increased by large additional costs for the loss
of the West Vancouver courthouse, the taking over
of the Cy; press Bow! Road maintenance, and other
items for West Vancouver's financial account still to
be announced.

Lionel Lewis
West Vancouver

pe

or with the aid of another,

Re: Peter Worthington’s
Toronto Sux column about
Mr. Collins and his current
difficulties.

I hooked up to your
web pages and read a few of
his colunns on line. T had
the unexpected trouble that
comes with those involun-
tary fits of laughter chat

“occur at the same time. as
the fits of despair. I look
forward to reading more of
‘his work as well as the other

-articles you keep on-line.
Andrew. H.C. Schuh

Ont.
: aschuh@fptor.footprint.c

Dear Editor:

Re: “Dignified death a bet-
ter way to go" hulic Dixon.

This is a tragic example of
the mind-set of a society gone
wrong. A culture that has
blinded itseif to the true
meaning of life, our purpose
on earth and our ultimate
future.

Every person from the first
moment of conception is a
complete human being with
all his/her personal features
and characteristics,

ey living soul is beloved
by Gi and has a i
purpose in life. In gencral we

assignments with distinction

at we graduate with hon-
ors, and ascend into the land
of eternal promise.

It is tragic that so few
understand that mortal life is
but the first phase of cur jour-
ney inte cternity, and our
eternal destination will be
decided by our acceptance
and endurance or rejection of
the trials and tribulations
which we must face through-
out our natural lives.

While we are warned that
we must shoulder our burdens

and persevere to the end, we
are given the assurance that
no one will be tested beyond
his capacity to endure, but the
stronger we are the greater
will be the crown of glory.

Christ warned: “He who is
not willing to carry | his cross is
not worthy of Me.”

Many who have taken the
life of another, cither through
abortion or violence, have
lived to experience remorse
and reconciliation with their
God, but can thar person who
has deliberately, either alene

self-destructed have such an
opportunity?

PAW here there is life there is
hope but what comes after,
fight or darkness?

Nothing is worth risking
the utter horror of the “Outer
Darkness.”

P. Seeley
West Vancouver

Tired of
anti-NDP
barrage

Dear Editor:

One of my biggest
gripes is having to with-
stand the constant barrage
of anti-government. bash-
ers in your columns. Who
says that there are no free-
bies? No handouts? How
many claim that our gov-
ernment isn’t willing to
take that extra step? Then
listen up.

J will always revere my
first pift from a benevolent
bureaucrat: a shining pho-
tograph of my most cher-
ished possession, my car.
And such a clear image.
Not your disposable cam-
era here. We're talking
sophistication ‘plus!

Given preference
though, T woul have pre-
ferred a front or side view
but, hey, I’m nat com-
plaining. And it was taken
in his lunch period. Yes,
12:45 was etched on the
photo. Now come on, let’s
get honest, how many of
you thought these guys
took extended lunches and
jong coffee breaks?

‘ou’ve got my vote,
Glen.
Barrie Street

_ North Vancouver

FEY RE

Sara

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seepage a

om are all first-graders.
. Our purpose is to fulfil our

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