News flash!: mayors’ race

MAYORAL horse
races are a novelty in
North Vancouver City.

Just not that many run in
these parts, fellow voters.

No point; the Jack
Loucks monarchy kept the
city on the straight and nar-
row through the "80s and
90s. During thar time
approximately 80% of the
good mayor’s subjects were
so pleased with his reign
that they never bothered to
vote for anyone else. More
accurately, they never both-
ered to vote at all.

Such is the tranquil polit-
ical life in North Vancouver
City.

But with good King Jack
retiring from the municipal
‘political game this year,
1999 brings with it the first
real North Vancouver City .
mayoral race in years,

. And that’s good. Because
the city faces sone signifi-~

cant 21st century challenges “

that require bold leadership.
Not the least of which is
determining how best to
develop its remaining <ity-
owned properties in the
Lower Lonsdale, area and.
how best to revitalize its:
urban waterfront. ~
The city’s 1999 mayoral
 field.is limited, mind you —
two-horse affair — but at

part. Ripping Yarns scries on
the North Shore’s three

agua
Rod “The Comeback Kid”
Clark:

Long-time North
Vancouver City resident with
previous city council experi-
ence and the last real may-
oral challenger to King Jack.
No shortage of drama in this
entry’s bio. First ran in
1983; beat out Elko Kroon
hy wwo votes in a judicial
recount; lost in the 1985
election after declining to
join a council-slate backed
by Daon Development,

-. Which was seeking to devel-
“op the entire 30-acre Park

and Tilford distillery Site as a
shop; ing centre, “2.5000
iounted a successful re-

“election comeback ia 1987.
* Served as a. councillor antil

the.1993 election, when he

“* took on Mayor:Jack:”

Suffered a Loucksian
lambasting. .

Dropped out of politics
to lick wounds, spend time

‘with his family "and ruin his

pharmaceutical sales busi--
ness.
But with Loucks" retire-

“ment and the field suddenly.

"; wide-open in’ 1999;

city’

that ‘rarést of lorth

“hole

jaunched another run for the

mayoral roses.
“Assues inchide: taxes of |.
ourse'— the first weapon in
any challenger’s arsenal. But
also says there are major
the city’s communi-
ting process — viz:

“ROUNDATION

Sharp:

what happens to Marine
Drive once the car dealer-
ships relocate to the new
waterfront auto mall?

Advocates community
appreach to Lower Lonsdale
development. Wants a smail
cruise ship facility incorpo-
rated in the Versatile ship-
yards plan.

- Also wants a stadium on
the North Shore that can
acconumadate major trock
and ficld events. However
doesn’t think the site should
be in the city, especially not
at Mahon park facility near
where he lives.

Former Lions Gate
Hospital board member:
health issues consequently
figure high on political
agenda.

Business and free enter-
prise supporter, right-of:
centre; scrappy political
fighter,

Convinced he can juggle
his business and mayor’s job.

Has been out of the
inunicipal game for six years;
could be rusty; leadership
experience also a question
mark; but could provide a
new outlook and fresh vision
in the post-Loucks era.

Retains some name
recognition, but will have to
overcome: wounds inflicted
in the 1993 mayoral loss.

Good in the mud and heavy

oing of local politics, but
long-distance stamina
unknown.
_ Odds are set at 8 to 1.
; B09
Barb -“The | Mediator”

Grand Boulevard-area

resident with lengchy council ..

service -- 2 councillor since
1987.-Has the all-important

“endorsement of King Jack.

Also has lengthy and varied
community favolvement,

including stints with the
Lions Gate Heypital Board,
North Shore
Neighbourhood House,
Economic Development
Commission and a host of
council-related postings.

Vows to keep city taxes
low and keep partisan poli-
ties out of city hall.

Says she’s not a member
of a political party. Has,
however, strong Jabour con-
nections and NDP sensibili-
ties. Currently a mediator
with the Labour Relations
Board; formerly the business
agent for the Compensation
Employees Union.

Husband heads the
North Van City local of the
firefighters union.

Sharp consequently the

targec of a political grenade
recently rolled under her
chair by fellow city Coun.
Bob Fearnlzy, The charge:
conflict of interest; the rea-
son: Fearnley says Sharp has
voted at least 14 times in
the past two years on North
Vancouver City Fire depart-
ment issues, including the
selection of a new fire chief,
who would be her husband's
boss. Fearntey’s motion to-
have Sharp disqualified from
holding her councillor’s
position subsequently
defeated in a 3-2 council
vote.

Despite the delivery of
Fearnley ordnance, Sharp
believes council is a cohesive
team and wants to keep it
that way. Says her. skills as a
mediator are. key.to mayor's
jo
} Fearnley would doubtless
be mediation target No. I

Claims a long list of

achievements for the current :

council that includes -keep-
ing taxes low, rendering the

_ city debt-free, i increasing

A ETTER WAY T s Tate
if GREAT PLACE ais) SHOP

in city

Sunday, October 31, 1999 — North Shore News -— 7

Fracue it.

public access to city hall and
city business; streamlining
transportation with the low
level cast-west connector;
making tracks in developing
Lower Lonsdale city lands
and the Versatile shipyard
site,

Wants to ¢ iltivate eco-
nomic development and sus-
rainability.

Would take a leave of
absence from job to tackle
the mayor's position.

Has the political back-
ground and stamina, also has
council incumbent's edge;
but could find niayor’s job
takes far more than media-
tion skills. Promoter of the
status quo. Short on the
vision thing. 4 to 1 odds.

Despite longer odds,
Ripping Yarns’ money is on
the Clark entry.

Next week: North
Vancouver District.

— trenshaw@direct.ca

Maer Mas

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