A8 - Sunday News, January 17, 1982 “providing special relief to school districts such as West Vancouver until an ap- propnate adjustment:to the present school formula can take place.” Paul Sykes, a UBC physics professor, explained to the meeting how the educational finance formula used by the provincial government for raising money for B.C. schools will result in West Van taxpayers paying out an extra 1.26 million dollars in taxes to subsidize school districts outside the Lower Mainland. Mayor Derrick Hum- phreys summed up the Situation by saying: “West Vancouver is taxed one and a quarter million dollars over what is needed to run West Van's schools.” Humphreys said that he and School Board Chairman Mark Sager are meeting with provincial authorities on January‘22 to discuss the finance formula. A woman in the audience asked “Why don't we withhold the one and a quarter million dollars to Victoria? It’s justified because the provincial government withheld the gas tax from the _ federal government.” A Horseshoe Bay resident charged that “the provincial government has gone ahead and used this vehicle to extract a great deal of money from us.” Williams told the stormy meeting that the present school tax formula is meant “to provide equality of education for children throughout the province and help less fortunate school districts.” Someone in the audience asked: “Who said less fortunate?” Williams said he wanted to know why the West Van school budget continues to rise when the school population is declining. School Board Secretary- Treasurer John Cassey told the News later that West Van's 1981 school budget was the second lowest in the Metro area. The per-pupil cost in declining enrolment, he said, rises because the educational program has to be the same whether for 25 or 20. Williams was booed by some members of the audience when he suggested West Vancouver should support other school districts. As he left the platform a voice warned him: “The handwriting is on the wall, Allan.” Joan Russell, of 4875 Water Lane, a member of the West Van Parents Association, expressed concern that ‘because taxpayers are paying so much, they are beginning to resent schools.” She said she has noticed “a polarization occurring in the com- munity,” and described it as the dollar versus the child. “The school board is also blamed for costs not their doing. In the long run it’s the kids who will be hurt if the formula is not changed,” she said. Speaking at the meeting also were Harry Jones and Kelvin Smythe from the B.C. Assessment Authority and Cliff Parrish, a _ private appraiser. Jones and Smythe outlined how assessments were arrived at, and how to file an appeal which this year has to be in by January 20. Parrish said the actual value of property and the market value are not synonymous. “The distress sale market is the only one that exists now,” he declared. “From what I have seen, the land assessment is way out. The land value is higher than the market value.” Michael Wilcox, 6193 Nelson Ave., treasurer of the association, told the News that the assessment on his land has gone up 300 per cent. M.L. Tompkins, a Panorama Village con- dominium owner, com- plained that condominium assessments were unfair. “The 187 people living in Panorama Village on seven acres are being taxed as if it were 47 acres. We're being raped,” he protested. Interim Chairman Darrell Frith said he hoped the meeting would create “a ground swell of public opinion.”” Bert Fleming, organizer of the meeting which attracted an estimated crowd of 250 people. said that the idea for the meeting had just occurred a week ago “over a cup of coffee.” The association is setting up a fund to help educate the taxpayer to fight high LARRY’S GOOD STUFF GAMES 2045 Lonsdale Ave. N. Van. 988-6511 BANK MANAGERS SALE 36” off NORTH VANCOUVER ONLY Jan. 18 & Jan. 23, Monday - Saturday H.O. RAILWAY ¢ Mantua ° Bachmann Life Like * Model Power Lionel “O" Gaye GAME WATCH *Fishing «Chef ¢Micky Mouse “Popeye *Egg R.C. Motorcycle Motorcars ePlanes * Boats (Dan Van) GAMES “TSR °AH ®Parker eWar Games WV tax rebels boo W FROM PAGE A1 taxation. Donations may be made out to the “Ratepayers of West Vancouver” and sent to Michael Wilcox, 6193 Nelson Ave., West Van V7W 2A1. PHOTOS FOR SALE 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday only 986-6222 i you want to order, a photo that appedred in the NEWS, call lisa Cameron bicldcrest WHITE SALE SAVINGS From 20% to 50% o Towels, Rugs and Accessories : DON’T MISS IT! ° OAKRIDGE 266-8811 © PARK ROYAL 926-5122 illiams er] Dungeons & Dragons ROCKETS WOODEN SHIP KITS © Serqgal “Corel eMantua © Scientifn SUBBUTEO AF X AIR BRUSH KITS ATARI CASSETTES DIE CAST e Majorette ANNUAL SAL 2123 Marine Drive 19615 Willowbrook West Vancouver Drive, Langley 922-7317 Cars @ Trucks 930-9521