—™

MAILBOX

MATSUMOTO SITE

group
‘self serving’

Dear Editor: ; ; “

It seems sad that the process of governing by the people is so easily
manipulated by the loudest voice, not the numbers or even by the voice
of reason. i

In the case of the: Matsumoto Shipyard rezoning, who are the people
who voiced their opinions so loudly? It was probably not the people who
have ever set foot on the property. It was not the people who have work-
ed there, lived there, or had any business to conduct there.

Save Our Shores seems to be a onc-interest, self-serving group of peo-
ple on a misdirected mission; no ecologists these, they want to save their
view. ; .

The benefits to North Vancouver District as a whole have not been
taken into consideration by these people, because after the council’s own
feasibility study showed that a park on the site was not possicle or
perhaps even desirable, the district is left with a business, with al] its ma-
chinery and buildings on a site zoned light industrial.

_Unable to be turned into a park, yet unable to convert to a thriving
apartment busincss, the people of North Vancouver lose two ways. Now
there will not be an attractive set of buildings fronting the water with a
park-like public access seawalk, nor will such a business’ property taxes
be going to the North Vancouver District coffers. The site can only be
sold to another industry.

Even if the site at some future date could be bought by the gov-
_ emmment, what funds will it take to convert a narrow strip of land
bounded on its longest side by a busy highway, and with what loss of
potential revenue for the local government? a

It has occurred to many peopie that the motivation and energy to op-
pose the rezoning of the Matsumoto Shipyard’s land was born in jeaiousy
to'protect a water view that could not be afforded otherwise, or a nar-
row-minded resistance to change however beneficial it may be to those
most truly concerned, or perhaps even in racial prejudice. :

Pat Grass “ : , .
Lions Bay

EN ha gteey

H 20% to 50% off;
«| Cottons, silks, [inegs :
prints vein.

 ATIMAL

FABRICS

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7 ~ Friday, July 8, 1988 - North Shore News

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