10 — Sunday, December 28, 1997 — North Shore News Help needed By the end of the day the phone calls and faxes were flooding in to the News. A West Vancouver parent phoned to offer Weber her support. She said hee child had been in the system and it doesn’t work. E-mail arrived from a North Shore resident who fosters young people coming out of the secure custody centre. “1 fully agree with Weber's description ... (the kids) are not helped in any way by merely being there. Several times detention was actually sought ‘because all my friends are there right now, thac’s fun!’ ” A North Vancouver District councillor telephoned the News and a North Vancouver City councillor phoned Weber himself to offer her support. Const. Tom Seaman, media liaison officer for the North Vancouver RCMP expressed his opinion in a fax. He pointed out that it’s a very small percentage of young people involved in repeat criminal activity. But he said those that arc, need) more direction. By the time a young offender reaches a youth custody centre he has usu- ally been before the courts many times, “¥ see nothing wrong with forcing kids to learn respect and jearn that you have to work for things ... We have to stop pussy footing around with kids ... if it takes building larger, better equipped and staffed facilities to save these kids, let’s do it.” The directors of the Burnaby Youth Custody district said Weber’s comments were misleading. “If you look at his statements, | think he’s more pun- ishment-focused,” said acting district director Bob Morris. “Rob feels kids should be treated more harshly,” added Rick Faoro, the director of operations for secure.custody. Watch for more on this issue in the North Shore News next week as reporter Deana Lancaster goes to youth jail. BC Ferries critics countered From page 1 According to the coalition, which is now being formed, B.C. Ferries overstepped its statutory powers by trying to build a fast-ferry industry in B.C. and paying millions for training for that industry. Islander Richard Goth said a coalition meeting in carly January will give direction on whether the case is launched. B.C. Ferries spokesman Clay Suddaby said the coalition wrongly stated that Catamaran Ferries International, the B.C. Ferries subsidiary building fast ferries, is nor subject to an inde- pendent audit. It is, said Suddaby. He added that the operatons of CFI do not con- travene the Ferry Corporation Act. The training and shipyard upgrades are a necessary part of the corporation's operation, he said. The $224-million fst ferry program is part of an $800-million, 10-year capital expansion plan. WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY! The North Shore Arts Commission presents How Can We Get Rich in the Arts? The First Annual North Shore Arts Symposium THERE IS NO REGISTRATION FEE Together we will establish directions and endeavours that will make us the Arts Industry Capital of Canada, building a tourist-based economy and enhancing the already high quality of life on the North Shore SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1998 @ 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. LUCAS CENTRE, 2132 HAMILTON STREET, NORTH VANCOUVER AGENDA 8:00 am 9:00 am “Kick-Off Motivational” Breakfast Arta as an Industry 10:30am Arts as Recreation 12:00 pm “Getting to Know Yeu” Lunch 1:00 pm Arts Education and Arts in Education 2:30 pm 4:00 pm The Role of Municipal Goverament Summary of Day’s Activities, Suggestions, Requests. Directives and Conclusions 5:00 pm Reception, Artists for Kids Trust Gallery For further details, and to confirm your participation, call 980-3559 Registration is free, but the deadline is January 9, 1998, “oe ity of North. Vancouver: ‘141 West 14th, Strest, North, Vancouver Bt oe “Phene: 985-7761 Fax: 985:9417.. Web site: www.cny.org » I If it's on our lot it’s gettin ‘ MARINE won =: