6 ~ Sunday, August 24, 1986 - North Shore News —~ News Viewpoint ro Ferget it, Bill! ocal government, as represented by municipal councils and school boards, is the purest form of democracy. It strengthened. must be preserved and Councils and school boards are the government level closest to the people and deal with the matters of most pressing personal concern to the individuals who elect them — police and fize protection, the safeguarding of property values, education, recreation and the overall quality of community life. Moreover, they perform these functions with cons- tant input and supervision from Jocal voters, who can physically narticipate in their proceedings every weck. Even between elections no council or school board can get away for long with policies or decisions that are clearly contvary to the will of the majority of their cit- izens. So if Bill Vander Zalm is serious about being a “‘grass roots’’ premier, he should dismiss from his mind for good any more thoughts about the ‘‘county”’ system of regional government he once aired when municipal affairs minister. Imposing un extra layer of government between Victoria and city hall could only increase the bureaucratic burden on taxpayers, reduce councils and school boards to puppets and destroy the very real control communities now enjoy over the conduct of their affairs. This control sometimes makes city hall and the school board thorns in the flesh of senior governments. If democracy is to have any true meaning, that’s exact- ly the way it should be! Noel Wright A LOVE AFFAIR by a local business man with one of our most scenic waterways has brought a tourist attraction this Expo year that deserves to be better known. Bruce Anderson, a partner in the pile-driving firm of Anderson- Smith Marine Contractors Ltd., knows every nook and cranny— and all the considerable history— MIKE NICELL ... West Van's seven-time “coho host" @ Sunday brunch ® of Indian Arm, where he has a summer place in additien to his Deep Cove home. Since May he’s been running thrice-daily sightsee- ing tours up the {2 miles to Wigwam Inn in his 29 ft. cabin cruiser ‘‘Mercury VIII''. Slowing down past the historic buildings, the numerous tiny cottage settle- ments, the waterfalls and interest- ing oddities like the disused copper mine, Bruce gives his passengers (maximum 12) loving chapter and verse of each onc. His intimate knowledge of the inlet adds a lot to what, in any case, is a most en- joyable two hours afloat. The boat leaves Deep Cove gov- ernment wharf at 10 a.m., F p.m. and 4 p.m. every day through September, including Sundays, and you can book in advance through Pavlik Tours at 929-1120. The outing costs a modest $12 (dis- counts for seniors and under-12s), What with the 25 gallons or so of gas per trip, wages, insurance and other costs, Bruce hardly seems likely to grow rich by doing his bit LETTER OF THE DAY Use logic, tolerance with skateboarders Dear Editor: Our frenzied paranoia over skateboards would indicate that skateboarding poses a far greater threat to our safety and well-being than chemical spills, toxic wastes, or even nuclear war! The current hysteria is unwar- ranted and would be almost ludicrous if it weren’t for some unpleasant experiences inflicted on these youngsters, who, as adoles- cents, are simply following the trends of their age group, like so many of us have done before. Adults are using the current hype to declare ‘Open Season" on these kids, who are also citizens of North Vancouver, and whose in- terests should be considered when any legislation is adopted. The B.C. Transit Authority can impose fines on anyone using skateboards on its property, and the R.C.M.P. are apparently empowered to con- fiscate skateboards. No distine- tion seems to be made between reckless and controlled skating. THE VOICE OF NOHTH AND WEST VANCOUVER 0 . poe “ ‘ nort SUNDAY +» WEDNESDAY © FHIDAY 1139 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 57,656 visser Preday 8 Sunday) dense tay ry a Display Advertising 980-0511 Classilied Advertising 986-6222 Newsroom 985-2131 Distribution 986-1337 Subscriptions 986-1337 North Share News ¢ tA Diu LOVE AFFAIR with a waterway ubove, to «. its stories told by Bruce Anderson, guests aboard ‘‘Mercury VHI'. Below, two of the historic buildings on Indian Arm — the Wigwam Inn, presently aa outport of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, and complex. for B.C. tourism. But then money never did come first with lovers! one INDIAN SUMMER comes quite literally to Ambleside Park next Saturday and Sunday when our Squamish Band neighbors—with West Van Parks Dept. cooperat- ing—hold a two-day party in the beach area. Highlights include the arrival (via Expo) of a 60 ft. canoe carved in Bella Bella, canoe races between the groyne and Dundarave pier, a salmon barbecue and other native hi-jinx. By comparison, Labor Day itself may seem almost dull! Meanwhile, that ‘tother Labor Day"’—the seventh annual Coho Fest sponsored by West Van Chamber of Commerce and again orchestrated by Eaton manager Mike Nicell—moves into top gear. The salmon art contest and other displays in Park Royal from September 2 culminate in the big Skaters are yelled at and com- plained about verbally and in print, despite the fact that the ma- jority of the boarders skate in con- trol. Most skateboarders are teen-to-fifteen years old. young for drivers’ licenses and summer eriployment, they have embraced the skateboard as a means of transportation, — skill, derring-do, and fun. When they gather, i¢ is to practice their “Olfies. ““Grinds’’ and “Acid thir- Too the old Vancouver Power Company EWS photo Noel Wright outdoor Funday, September 7, with its road run to Kitsilano, Coho Walk to the hatchery, pan- cake breakfast, salmon barbecue and lots of other fresh air revels. Stay tuned. WRAP-UP: Remember the Cerovsek kids of North Van— violinist Cory, child prodigy win- ner of the Royal Conservatory of Music's Gold Medal at age 12 who played for Queen Elizabeth with the Toronto Symphony, and _ his equally talented pianist sister Kat- ja? Taking time out from their music studies at Indiana Universi- ty, Cory and Katja (now 14 and 16 respectively) perform in a duet 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 26 at Expo’s Plaza of Nations Another North Van talent on stage this week at Expo is folk/pop songster and guitarist John McLauchlan, singing and playing Monday through Saturday at 11:36 Drops”. The boards of today are wider and safer than their counterparts of 1978. The upturned tail allows for quick stops, and heavy duty trucks on rubber shocks permit them to swerve and turn. The skater can have control of his board. Skateboards, for that age group, are important avenues of enjoy- ment and camaraderie. While their reckless use should nor be condoned, they should be tolerated Publisher: Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Advertising Director Peter Speck Noel Wraght Barrett Fisher Linda Stewart Entire contents 1986 North Shore Free Press Ltd All nights reserved creas JOHN McLAUCHLAN ... North Van (alent at Expo. DEANNA SCHOLES ... who played it cool. clown a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Discovery B.C. Pavilion ... Who says posties and »ooches are natu- ral enemies? We.: Van letter-car- rier Ray Andrews tells how the. whole office went into mourning on the recent death of Tip, a dog on his route, and actually sent a letter of condolence to the owners—who replied in due course with a card of thanks. Where's Ripley when we need him? Coolest store on Marine Drive dur- ing the recent heatwave celebrated its first five years in business the other weck, with Deanna Scholes doing the honors as clown at the birthday bash held by the Norgate outlet of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream ... And a businesslike wel- come to West Van's latest money merchant, Greg Vassallo, manager of the new Canada Trust branch in Hollyburn Medical Centre which will formally open at 10 a.m. tomorrow (August 25) with com- pany and civic brass in attendance. “me WRIGHT OR WRONG: The best way to stay healthy is to vat what you don’t want drink what you don’t like and do what you'd rather not. on residential streets, as are bicy- cles, tricycles, big wheels, roller skates, wagons, strollers, hockey nets, etc. Legislation, as it stands, pro- hibits skateboards on any and all toads. In enforcing the bylaw, we should use logic, tolerance, and common sense with its varying shades of grey, instead of the law books, which are written only in black and white. Patricia Adams North Vancouver.