MAILBOX Friday. September 28, 1990 - North Shore News ~ ‘7 Municipal workers should live in West Van Deir Editor: Taxes don’t benefit West Van- couver. The District of West Vancouver is a very beautiful place to live — for that matter, the whole North Shore is. Those of us who live in West Vancouver fully realize that we pay highly for being part of the beauty of sea and mountains. West Vancouver does not have industry or large commerce, ex- cept for the Park Roya! Mall. Therefore most of the taxes raised to operate the municipality come Dear Editor: I totally agree with C. Anders’ Aug. 31 letter regard- ing dogs in West Vancouver, as I also have a problem with dogs. My letter is directed 10 ir- responsible dog owners in North Vancouver who let their dogs roam the streets. I'm totally blind and have a guide dog named Babs. Sometimes, when we = are walking to Lonsdale or in my own neighborhood, I encounter dogs loose on the street. This is very scary for me. When I hear a dog bark I'm very uneasy Loose dogs pose hazard for blind from residents. Our taxes are high. Of the $26 million (1990) raised in taxes, ap- proximately $18 million goes to pay for staff. How much of the $18 million actually stays in West Vancouver? With a total staff complement of 800-plus, approximately 520 employees, or 65 per cent, reside outside West Vancouver. Simple mathematics tells us that approx- imately 11.7 million tax dollars are spent outside the community for things like housing, food, fuel, since I can‘t see where it is. Will it come after us or even attack? I have to change to another street or go back home. Try to imagine yourself in my position. I try to lead a normal life and be independent, so please do not put unnecessary obstactes in my way. It is illegal for dogs to be on city streets unless on a leash. Your cooperation would be appreciated by me and other guide dog users. J. Billesberger North Vancouver Provide housing incentives Dear Editor: Rather than help alleviate and solve the present rental housing shortage, the more restrictive laws we bring in will not only discourage developers from build- ing new rental units, but further sell and tear down their present rental buildings to build more condos. The only way to improve and © increase rental housing is not to bring in restrictive legislation but bring in building incentives. This has to be a three-way street: municipal government has to offer land tax breaks and _ rebates; relaxation of zoning bylaws; faster approval of plans, cutting devel- opers costs, etc. The provincial government has to offer developers higher ratio, low interest financing, and the federal government must offer developer income tax incentives to encourage investors. Mare Howard North Vancouver (former City alderman) FREE SEMINAR Reat Estate Planning for Retirement. See today's Home Section page 71. FRESH TURKEYS ‘New York & Farm Fresh Time is running out! Jackso 2214 West 4th Avenue 733-9165 ORDER NOW! n Meats 2717 Granville Street 738-MEAT A FREE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE FOR THE FAMILY ct SEYMOUR RIVER HATCHERY SUNDAY, SEPT 30 — Il AM. to 4 PM. Following salmon “jogger's race” to hatchery. Seymour Salmonid Society (a non-profit Norih Shore community organization) invites you to see and marvel at the life cycle of salmon and steelhead trout — trom eggs to 20 lb mature fish. in a unique North Shore wilderness setting. FREE BUS F Rice Lake Gal . ‘Clop of ilocet ra Information: 929-2167 FREE COFFEE, POP Hatchery souvenirs. on sale etc. That means that focal businesses, who pay high taxes, do not receive the patronage of civic employees, because these people don’t live in West Vancouver. That’s 11.7 million tax dollars a year going outside the community at a time when West Vancouver's businesses are struggling to sur- vive. Is this development, or slow death? As a hiring practice, the District of West Vancouver states that “non-smokers are given prefer- ence."’ Although J agree on a clean air policy, I fail io accept the fact that local residents, tax- Payers, are not given preference. Is it really the administrators’ fault that hiring practices do not give preference to local residents? Or is it the politicians’? Well, the administrators are secure in their perches, and politicians come and 20. However, it is the politicians who approve policy. Should we not then question the politicians, in this election year, and vote for those candidates who favor a pol- icy of ensuring that our tax dollars are spent within the com- munity? If our politicians are compelled to live within the community they serve, shouldn’t our employees, especially senior managers, also live within the community they serve? Are we paying taxes to support other communities? If West Vancouver is a good place to work, why not also live there? Why do we have a policy allowing people to take our money and run? Why can't we have a “hire local’ policy to comp! ‘ment our clean air? AS taxpayers, what are your views on this matter? R.E. Clack West Vancouver Esquimalt, not North Van, yard busy But I also had the opportunity to read the Victoria Dear Editor: Initially | was very pleased to read the News Sept. 7 editorial column entitled Ferry Tales. 11 was heart- ening to see that the Socred government had finally taken months of NDP advice and awarded the new $120-million ferry contract to Versatile Pacific. What I found puzzling was the fact that your edi- torial scemed to indicate that the vast majority of this work would happen on the North Shore, which of course would be good for the people of my con- NDP Candidate North Vancouver-Seymour stituency. Dogowners told to pick up after pooches Open letter to fellow dog owners: The responsibility is ours. When walking your dog, please pick up its droppings. Dog feces are not only a health hazard, but they are also unsightly and un- pleasant to walk through. The necessary equipment is easy — iust a plastic bag. IF you are squeamish, a meat tray or half an ege carton lid can be used for a scoop. . If you find your dog's piles are too bulky, try a different brand of Yes, it’s that time again, It’s Margareta’s 75% off sale! But this extravaganza of savings only lasts for five glorious days September 27th until October Ist. We have a great selection of shirts, skirts, pants, and shorts in a variety of colours. styles & fubrics. Hours Thursday 9 - 9 Friday 9 - 9 Saturday 9 - 6 Sunday 11-5 Monday 9 - 6 2 locations only 1926 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, 736-9499 and 156 West 3rd Street, North Vancouver, 980-1665 argatela._ D E Ss I Times-Colonist. Imagine my surprise reading that the president of Versatile Pacific had stated ‘‘a signifi- cant amount of work and, of course, the final assembly would be done in Esquimalt.” It seems that the editor should have entitled the editorial ‘Fairy Tales.”* Dominique Reelants food. Some foods produce less bulk than others. Please make trails and sidewalks more pleasant for everyone. Shirtey 3. Gabie North Vancouver G N oc nen neoprene