Dear Editor:

Re: June 18 North Shore
News letter to the editor,
from Mr. John Edwards enti-
tled “Citv priorities ques-
tioned.”

I write, not at the request
of council, but as the city
clerk to correct’ some errors
in Mr. Edwards’ letter.

The city council never met
in-camera on May 15 nor any
other day io discuss the issue
of payment of legal expenses
incurred by Mayor Sharp.

Council was presented in
open council on May 8 witha
Notice of Motion submitted
by Councillor — (Darrell)
Mussatto. Council on May
23 in open’ meeting
endorsed, by the required
two-thirds vote of all council
members, the following reso-
lution of Councillor
Mussatto’s.

“Whereas the City of
North Vancouver has policies
and bylaws that indemnifies
individual councillors and the
= mayor from any issues arising

from their normal, legal and
expected duties as a council-
lor or mayor;

“And whereas Mavor
Sharp has recently concluded
2 civil trial brought about
against her as a direct result
of her duties as a councillor
from 1996 to 1999 in the
City of North Vancouver;

“And whereas Mayor
Sharp had to pay for her own
legal defense in the civil trial;

“Therefore be it resolved
that in accordance with
Section 287.2 of the
Municipal Act, Mayor Sharp
be paid an amount required
to cover the net legal costs
she incurred in defending
herself as a councillor in the
City of North Vancouver.”

Carried by the required
two-thirds majority of all
members.

Because Councillor (Bob)
Fearnley and Mayor Sharp
left the meeting because of
legal advice they had

’ received, the council consist-

ed of five remaining mem-

MAIL Box—
In-camera discussion denied Toush choices needed

bers: those five councillors
then unanimously endorsed
the above-quoted resolution.

All motions dealing with
council compensation are
debated openly and publicly.
In fact motions to compen-
sate council are referred to
the Council Indemnity
Review Committee for guid-
ance and direction to council.
The Council Indemnity
Review Committee is chaired
by Councillor (John)
Braithwaite and it is com-
prised of members of the
public who volunteer their
services to council to assist in
sorting out such sensitive
issues as
compensation /indemnity.

It is very important to
point out that the city clerk,
with strict guidelines from
the province,, determines
what is to be considered in-
camera (behind closed doors)
and what is to be considered
in open council. I am proud
that we conduct our business
in open council and only refer

New leader could top Chretien

this: Libs. 105, Bloc 65, PC
20; NDP who cares, and the :
Alliance. would conceivably -
have 2 minori government -
with 111

ans Now, give or take a few:

seats in cither direction, there |

is a strong probability there:
will be'a minority govern-
“either Alliance ©

Liberal.

Given the Bloc and the
Liberals can’t agree on the
colour of the sky, there
_ would be every opportunity
~ for the Bloc and the Alliance

. to form a coalition. Take
"away the sovereigni; issue,

the Alliance and the Bloc can
certainly agree on the devo-

‘lution of federal powers in

‘favour of more autonomous

‘provincial governments.
What all of this translates
to is the fear that the only
person in this country capa-
le of loosening the Liberals
grip on power is poised to be
given the chance as the new
leader of the Canadian
Alliance.
The Liberal gloves are off
and it’s about to get vicious.
“— lknight@direct.ca

- tage Clan’:
regular $525

_SALE $395 -

to in-camera issues such as a
labour relations issue, land
negotiations, legal advice, or
a protection of privacy mat-
ter.

I value the point of view of
everyone and will ensure that
each and every voice is heard.
T am passionate about the
freedom and accessibility to
the process of local govern-
ment. I just insist that every
letter adhere to accuracy.
Bruce A. Hawkshaw

Open letter to City
Councillor Bil! Bell:

Having read of our out-
rage in the June 14 North
Shore News, regarding our
(North Vancouver) MP Ted
White’s decision not to rec-
ommend funding towards
salvaging the engine of a
Victory Ship, I must ask you
if you have ever had to make
a decision, during your 10
years on council, which you
knew would be unpopular
with some group or organi-

City Clerk
North Vancouver City

‘ Festival Sponsors - :

zation?

Jazz Festival
Weekend

June 29-July 2

Get in the Groove!

Thursday, June 29 &

| Friday, June 30, Noon to zpim

Saturday, July 1 &

’ Sunday, July 2, 2pm to 4pm

Enjoy the Jazz Festival from
the North Shore. Kick off the -
Canada Day long weekend”
Thursday with Gypsatero, |
welcome the weekend Friday ..~
with the Anna Lumiere Quartet.

_ Celebrate Canada Day on Saturday

with the cool, crisp jazz.
‘standards of the David Phyalt
Trio and then wrap up the
festival at the Quay with the
music of Sharkskin. For more
details see.the Jazz Festival .

», Program Guide or :

www, lonsdatequay.c com.

-_ Open 7 Days a Week
~ Daily 9:30am-6: 30pni

Friday 9:30am-9:00pm __
Canada Day Holiday Hours.

‘Open 9:30am-6:30pm, Saturday, July 1.
Restaurants stay open after Market closing.

“TALKING
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- Vgpe2. 9000
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wiw.tonsdalequay.com
Tel. (604) 985-6262. .

“123 Carrie Cates Court
at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue
_ in North Vancouver.

f

~THEVANCOUVER SUN

What a pity you cannot

respect a fellow politician's
equally considered decision.

As a taxpayer, I am glad
that my fiscally responsible
MP “dares to speak out,”
against a cause that he con-
siders does not qualify for a
federal grant, particularly
during such a depressed
economy.

I only wish Ted could be
given the Federal Human
Resources Ministry portfolio
and then Mr. Bell even you
may sing his praises!
Raymond Yates
North Vancouver