Dear Editor: Peggy Trendell-Whittaker’s article about Vanpools and the Jack Bell Foundation’s assistance in the purchase of vans gives several good reasons why vanpools are a good idea. Unfortunately, it does not address some of the dif- ficulties. { cammuted to work for five years in a four- or five-person carpool. 1 was glad when I moved and vowed never again would | carpool. The main problem was differing ideas about timeliness; { waated to get to work on time, which meant allowing time for traffic holdups, whereas others thought otherwise. ] thovght passengers should be ready when the car appeared, whereas others didn’t seem to mind keeping the pool waiting Carpools don’t work for everyone while they put on their coats and boots and kissed their spouses and chii¢ren. ft can take 15 minutes to pick up four people who are ‘‘almost’* ready and live within a couple of blocks of each other. I hate to think how long it would take to collect 11 passengers for a 12- person van. If you ask the passengers to assemble on convenient corners to reduce the pick-up time, they lose the best feature of driving instead of taking public transit — namely staying warm and dry in inclement weather. Another problem is that the workplace has changed in recent years, Many people now no longer work set hours. When i was car- pooling (20 years ago) it was quite OK to announce to colleagues at a meeting that I had to go join my Better stick to gardening Dear Editor: Never has the “North Shore News displayed its mindless, knee-jerk anti-NDP bias so clear- ly — or so foolishly -- as it did in its editorial of April 3. First, the NDP was criticized for maintaining its position on abortion, a position it has repeatedly stated very clearly and which was endorsed by the voters in the last election. The NDP has also traditionally supported the concept that non- union employers should be en- couraged or required to pay their employees at or close to the going union rates for work of similar nature. So why the News should be surprised or upset at the NDP’s insistence that this policy be followed in non-union bids on government contracts is difficult to understand. Governments should indeed be criticized for breaking campaign promises. You seem to think that they should also be castigated for keeping them! But it was the way in which the News accepted, hook, tine and sinker, the April Fooi’s story put out by The Province that the NDP was creating a ‘‘thought police’’ panel to monitor politicai- ly-incorrect attitudes that really revealed your newspaper's nar- tow-mindedness and gullibility. In future do stick to things you understand, Jike gardening and horoscopes. Harry Seddon North Vancouver Editor's note: To err is human. Article pointed out flaws Dear Editor: Congraiulations on your publica- tion of Margot Furk's ‘‘Com- ments fron an ‘ordinary Cana- dian* '* (April 17 guest column). Her perceptive article points out . the fundamental flaw of the recent constitutional coaferences, where members of special interest groups masqueraded as ‘‘ordinary"’’ Ca- nadians. As a result, group or col- lective interests took precedence over individual rights. While this was a frustrating process for snany of us to observe, we can only hope that any ‘‘final’’ package of constitutional reforms strikes a fair balance between in- dividual and collective rights. And, of course, such a package must be presented to British Col- umbians for their approval in a provincial referendum. Your readers may be interested to know that ! recently hosted a constitutional forum for students from high schools in West Yan- couver, Squamish and Pemberton. BUILD WITH CONFIDENCE New Homes & Renovations Consultation Design _ Estimates Professional fr Builders 980-3965 [1523-0378 These Grade t! and 12 students demonstrated both common sense and a fine understanding of the qualities needed to hold our coun- try together. As ‘“‘ordinary’* Canadians, our youth should be given a greater voice in discussions relating to the future of our country. After all, it’s their Canada. David Mitchell, MLA Official Oppoistion House Leader carpool. I would find it difficult and unpopular here today. It may be more difficult than you think to assemble 12-person vanpools. Finally, a comment on the class 4 driver's licence. I obtained this licence about two years ago. It is not difficult, but it costs about $100 and three or four visits to the Motor Vehicle Branch, one or two to a medical clinic and one to Wednesday, April 29, 1992 -- North Shore News -— 7 a doctor. For a working person this is a most inconvenient amount of time off work. Vanpools sound good in theory: maybe they work in Seattle. 1 would certainly try one it if were offered. However, my opinion is that unfortunately they won't work here. J.D. Peirson West Vancouver Nicotine deadher than Btk Dear Editor: The microbial insecticide Btk, used to deter the gypsy moth, has an oral and dermal toxicity level of zero. This means it is not harmful to humans, animals, fish, birds, bees etc. On the other hand, nicotine, also used as an insecticide, has an oral and dermal toxicity level of 50. Deadly second-hand ciga- rette smoke is inflicted upon hundreds of thousands of humans every day in shopping malls, restaurants, pubs etc. So why are all these con- cerned citizens worried about Btk when the real killers are cigarettes? W.G. Curry North Vancouver ARDAGH HUNTER TURNER Barristers & Solicitors Personal Injury AFTER HOURS FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION Criminal Matters Ont 7 eeaiet 986-4366 | 986- 3286 #300-1401 LONSDALE, NORTH VANCOUVER, BC. DRAPERIES BY S. LAURSEN CUSTOM DRAPERIES AND VALANCES labour $7.50 per panel unlined, $3.50 lined CUSTOM BEDSPREADS AND COVERS Low, low prices on blinds and tracks For FREE Estimates Call 987-2966 Serving the North Shore for 22 years GEM APRIL 30, MAY 1 & 2 You are invited to meet with our gem expert and goldsmith during our most spectacular display of loose gemstones é Jewels Inc. Nicdlon oad Layaway Plan Insurance Claims 1414 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver 984-4691 CAP WEEK The Pain-Free Novel Writing a novel needn't take over your life. Let popular novelise Crawford Kilian show you the sane approach to writing and getting a book published in his One-Hour-A-Day Novel workshop on Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is $125 and includes lunch. Phone the Extension office, 984-4901 for information and registration. Crafts Program Information Session Are you interested in ceramics, weaving, textile surface design, drawing or visual literacy? A career in the crafts field might be for you. Learn about the Clay and Textile Arts program and the certificate program in Crafts Instructor Training at an information meeting on Thursday, April 30, 7-9 p.m. in room All?. Calt 984-4911 for infornsation. Clay & Textiles Exhibition A dazzling exhibition of students’ work from the Clay and Textile Arts program continues through Friday, May | in room AII?. The doors are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with hours extended to 8 p.m. Thursday. ie» Building Self-Esteem Self-esteem is the cornerstone of our personal development, bur it is often threatened in our increasingly competitive world. Extension's Building Self-Esteem workshop shows you how to improve the way you think and feel abour yourself. Led by registered psychologist Gerrie Waugh, the workshop takes place on Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $95 (lunch included). Phone the Extension office, 984-4901, for more information and registration. Intemational Basketball See the defending Gold Medal champions from the Commonwealth of Independent States, formerly the Soviet Union, take on the National teams from Canada, Mexico and China in the Pac-Rim Classic Tournament, May 21-22 at the Capilano College Sportsplex. Tickets are $5 to $15, available through the College at 984-1737, or from Basketball B.C., 737-3115, CAPILANO COLLEGE 2055 Purcell Way North Vancouver British Cotumbis 986-1971