| There’s one North Vancouver te

HERE’S a couple that
needs to get back
together.

Oh, sure, they had a
messy break-up back in
1907, but it’s reconciliation
time. Even in the rough and
tumble world of municipal
politics, time heals all
wounds.

Can you say amalgama-
tion? Most municipal politi-
cians in North Vancouver
City have a hard time with
that one, but they nced to
start practising it.

When the city broke away
from what was the munici-
pality of North Vancouver
way back in 1907, there was
only one North Shore
municipal entity.

Only one North Shore
bureaueracy, one set of
municipal politicians, one
set of municipal rules and
regulations, one resounding
political voice speaking for
all North Shore residents.

Simpler times, you say?

Hear!

Hear!
Taxpayers
and businesses

bound in red
tape across the
land are crying
out for more
simplicity from
all levels of
government.

Duplication
of services, the
overlap of
municipal
boundarics
and institution of complex
funding formulas in such
areas as‘police, fire, emer-
gency response and recre-
ation needlessly confuse and
cost loca) taxpayers and
businesses.

Meanwhile, inter-munici-
pal squabbles and bureau-
cratic turf wars dilute North
Vancouver's political voice
on every level.

North Vancouver amalga-
mation is, of course, nat a
new issue.

The reunification of
North Vancouver has been
an issue ever since the arca
was split in two.

Amalgamation loomed
large back in the 1960s
when discussions, mectings
and other municipal jockey-

“Inter-municipal
squabbles and.
bureaucratic turf
wars dilute
North
Vancouver’s
political voice on
every level.”

ing for position culminated
in an amalgamation
plebiscite on Sept. 19, 1968.

The vote in the district
was overwhelmingly in
favor: close to 90% said ves.

The vote in the city,
hewever, was not so deci-
sive: just over 50% favored
amalgamation, with the ves
vote holding a mere one
vote margin over the no
camp.

Sounds typically
Canadian when it comes to
the issue of unity, eh?

Back then, the Municipal
Act required a 60% majority
in both municipalities.

Close but no cigar.
Discussions
continued
through the
‘70s and into
the *80s.

And again into
the “90s.

You can’t keep
a good idea
down.

Driven by
North
Vancouver
District Coun.
Ernie Crist,
the issue was
resurrected in 1997 when
the district again made over-
tures to the city to begin
reconciliation talks or to at
least support a study of the
idea.

Crist proposed that an
amalgamation plan be for-
mulated. It would open with
fact-gathering and end with
an amalgamation referen-
dum in the next municipal
elections. ;

Crist’s reasoned proposal
failed to win council sup-
port. The city, of course,
refused even to discuss the
issuc. With entrenched
bureaucracy and political
fief'doms comes a rapid clos-
ing of minds.

The district instead com-
missioncd a report into what

has diplomatically been
called “shared: service
arrangements” between the
mwo North Vancouvers.

In a united North
Vancouver these would
merely be services.

Untortunately, city par-
ticipation in the collection
of information tor the report
was limited.

Bur even without it, and
without any push for or
against amalgamation in the
recently released Coopers &
Lybrand reporr, it is abun-
dantly clear that reanifica-
tion of the two North
Vancouvers remains the
right thing to do.

No need even to read
between the lines.

According to the
$48,000 report, “shared ser-
vice arrangements provide
many benefits in terns of
economies of seale,
improved convenience and

accessibility, seamless service
provision and avoidance of
dupheation.~

In other words, amalga-
mation of services makes
Abundant fiscal and logistic
seme.

Back in 1995, the city
approved a multi-million -
dollar overhaul of North
Vancouver City hall, The
previous vear, the district
completed a $12-million
overhaul of its own district
hall.

Doubtless beth overhauls
were needed, but common
sense dictates that a single
municipal hall serving both
municipalities would have
cost less to fix and will cost
less to run than two.

In 1966, a report by
Joseph Ward and Associates
stated that amalgamation
could resuut in savings of

more than $300,000 annual-

ly through such moves

CARTER

FIRB AW CIAL

Best Ideas Kit.

A Must Read This RRSP Season!

* Top mutual fund recommendations

for right now!

* High yield investment alternatives.
* Midland Walwyn’s top stock picks.

e And more!

For your FREE copy
CALL 925°5565

MIDLAND

Sunday, January 11, 1998 — North Shore News - 7

as unifving city and district
administration and the
municipalities two councils.

That projected savings
would surely be much high-
er in today’s dollars.

City hall remains the
hotbed of amalgamation
resistance,

That's understandable
because the city, its politi-
cians and bureaucrats have a
vested interest in remaining
separate from the district.

There would be no roum
for two sets of councils and
two sets of municipal
bureaucracies in a single
North Vancouver.

0 many

City fathers point to the
city’s fiscal responsibility and
better management as sound
arguments against amalga-
mation.

Good points.

But that fiscal responsi-
bility and civic management
would be key components of
the new North Vancouver,
imported from the city into
the district and the new
North Vancouver.

Ic would be an amalga-
mation of good municipal
practices and an elimination
of bad ones.

A sound civic marriage,
indeed.

| FITNESS RESOLUTION SOLUTION

WALWYN

But CHIR THinnen

™Blue Chip Thinking is a trademark of Midland Walwyn Capital inc.
Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund

Sponsored in part by:

Fhietity ik) invesimen:s

No need to regret holiday feasting when all you need
to do is give us a call...the right fitness program can
heip you shed those pounds and keep them
off...while other gyms have come and gone, we've
been helping our members reach their fitness goals”
since 1965. Try our introductory offer and see why =
Gold's is the largest and strongest family.

of fitness clubs worldwide. . ,

DRAPERIES & BLINDS
BY S.LAURSEN & SON

* S°F7O0™ peyiza

Lube, oll & filter change
$28.95 Pennzoil 10W30
Not valid with other offers.

1362 Marine Drive 980-9115
Mon-Sat 8:30am-6:30pm, Sun. 9:00am-5:00pm ; ExpiresJan. 25/98

’ sewives
fully Reg.
warranty
approved

“~ MARRIED TO A HEART PATIENT?
You are cordially invited to attend Heartmates® Plus, an 8
week course for spouses of heart patients, where you will learn:

The emotional impact of heart disease on the whole family
¥ How to cope with your own feelings and adjustments

@ How to help your children (of all ages)

How to re-pair your primary relationship

Thurs. Eves. 7 - 8:45pm Cail Jan Spilman, R.N., M.Ed.
fan. 15 - March 5 926-0609 to register

$85.00/month = tncome tay deductible

MEMBERSHIP TRADE:NS} f

FOR COMPETITOR'S FITNESS CLUB MEMBERSHIPS
Gold's does not have time limits on cardio equipment.

"Cal L
DEREK A. CAVE

Trial Lawyer
Get the settlement
you deserve.

2508, Kapilano 100 Building 925-7880

100 Park Royal, West Van.

Another one of our designs.

Ask about our Seniors’ discounts.
For Free Estimates
Phone 987-2966

Serving the North Shore for 25 years