. Committee © Newspeak: reductio ad absurdum Dear Editor: Since reading that politically correct Newspeuk is costing us bedraggled taxpayers $35 million a year, 1 felt that the time had come for action. As a result of this incredible news, I went into a trance and pro- grammed what's left of my mind to automatically reject such absurd terms as “chair” and “fisher,” to mention a couple of the more obnoxious examples. Under my new program, the principal person in an organization or on a committee will become : “sofa” becauss a sofa is superior to a chair and in a Newspeak context, is just as ridiculous. If we must reduce the language lo idiocy, let!s at least do so with a bit of panache. And, af no added cost, an enhancement: for those more august bodies, one whi the prin- cipal person is of particularly impressive stature, ! have Created the term “Chesterfield.” Doesn't it have a nice ring? : : Can't you just sce it —~ Aloysius ‘Fatuous, Chesterfield. of. the for i Linguistic -Genocide! - | ‘I Kaven't bine ime | to produce an all-encompassing lexicon but'a cou- ._ ple of evident changes: spring readi- L 0 -Mandatin; a _ fixed ferns. ‘Tam’ ait to commend Noel Wright on his: column in the Dec, 29. North Shore. News (Why: suf Ihave not read ‘a more Gahine -and:logicat, case fi r fixed terms.at’ ‘the'federal and provincial levels if goyernment:. : “Some. of’ the: worst political abuses that have occurred ‘over the “past several years’ have occurred as a, direct result of our senior levels of government having the “right” ‘to define their'< own term of: office, “will, accnie-to' the area “if you just (re)elect-us”?-and mad scrambles to tour. the: pro ince; country or city ‘(all fat, the ' ‘hapless taxpayers’ ‘expense, of course) and meet “the folks” prior to a writ-being dropped se only two examples. . 2s agree, with: Wright that the solution. is extremely simple: legal- ys oy, legislation, mandate fixed “terms | of office. Surely the recent “Bill 35: Local ” Elections: Reform Act” signalled a willingness ‘on the part of the pre- :7 sent. provincial ruling party, the -New Democrats (who, some might *_ “argue, are neither new nor demec- ,” -ratic);to consider, setting a fixed ; term, say four’years, asa mandate for elected provincial governments. I'mean, if they, mandate a three- year fi xed term for municipal coun- cils ‘and rigorously legislate what ‘those councils may and may not do’ ‘during their term of office, surely ~ ¢\that can be taken‘ as a signal that they would consider’ similar legis- lation at the provincial level? They, couldn’t be hypocritical enough: to mandate sauce for the “goose that they (the gander) are not “Se prepared to roast in? Could they? Well, could they?? Marsali Maclver North Vancouver * ly to mind, such as “carpetbaggers” for politicians (which they could share with profitable, non-taxpay- ing corporations) and “net-hauter™ or “line-puller” for those among us who try to make a living from the bounty of the sea. This would, of course, replace “fisher,” a welcome change since a fisher is also a syn- onym fora “weasel-like carnivore.” I readily admit that while the _above are free, they do lack the dash and drama of some of the paid versions. I mean, how can you compete with “sobriety deprived” to describe drunkenness? That alone must be worth # good portion of the $35 million! So until we achieve linguistic probity or at Teast until radio and TV announcers Jearn thal a thou- sand metres is a kilo of metres and not a killom of etters and that the proper pronunciation for “negoti- ate” does not come with a “cee” before the “ate,” we should careful- ly consider Orwel’s rejoinder, “If thought corrupts language, lan- guage can also corrupt thought.” Rupert Gomes Burnaby his study was prepared to address the need for green space on the west side of Lower Lonsdale. The study identifies a suitable location fora hard:surface play area which will enable short-term needs. to:be met while not compromising the long-term perk needs, Residents wishing to make a presentation to the committee at this meeting, should contact the City Clerk, Bruce Hawkshaw, at 985-7761.-The Clerk may also be contacted for copies of the study. For further information contact the Park Planner, Leesa Strimbicki, aii 985-7761. | AMENDMENT FOR FITNESS CENTRE USE Public Hearing will be held on Me NDAY, JANUARY 17, 1994 at 7: 30 , in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 141 West tains Street, North Vancouver, B.C., to ‘receive representations in ‘connection with the | tottowing proposed amendments to: “Zoning Bylaw, 1967", also known as Bylaw No. 3778: Poo - BYLAW NO. 6486 To amend the text of the zoning bylaw as it relates to Lot 9, Block X, D.L: 265, Plan 12454, Comprehensive ©. Development 227 Zone, located at 949 West 3rd 1 Street (Capilano Business Park); to provide for a Fitness Centre Use on the site. The referenced lands" are outlined i in hatched pattern on the map below: (a ne “__WEST SRD STREE oe MACKAY. ROAD WEST 1ST STREET he TT oes a MEenenrena 7 an waar F rrr TT APPL. ICANT: PRAXIS GROUP NORTH VANCOUVER IN SKIING TEST CENTRE SAISA VR 27 SL/GS, VR 27 ST/CS & MORE (sesTinarion ski 1550 Marine Dr. # 984-4394 DR. GORDON TAYLOR b.a. b. C. MD. is pleased to announce the opening of his new clinic Specializing in neck & back pain #203-267 West Esplanade North Vancouver 990-0008 Date: Monday, January 17, 1994 Time: 7:30 pm | Place: Council Chambers ‘North Vancouver City Hall Purpose: Presentation of the findings and: . recommendations as outiined in . the LOWER LONSDALE (WEST SIDE) NEIGHBOURHOOD PARK STUDY. - TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. ll OTICEi is hereby given that i itis the intention of the Council » of ‘The Corporation of the City of North Vancouver, to:’: * ~ adopt the following resolution at the regular Council . meeting to be held on MONDAY ,JANUARY,17, 1994, in the Council Chamber, Sty Hall, 141 West 14th Street, North Vancouver, B. C., a "That Teniporary Use Permit No. 11, be issued to Champions. Karate. feadenny Ltd., 125/127 East 1st Street, to © permit ona temporary t basis LL PERSONS who believe that their. interest in properties is affected by the! above proposed Bylaw NO 486 a and: 3°: permit shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard - in person, by attorney or petition. ‘f he ‘proposed Bylaw: and relevant background documents as well as the TEMPORARY PERMIT may be inspected at the office of the City. Cl KY { between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, from JANUARY 3 - JANUARY 17, 1994, except Statutory Holidays. Written submissions will be accepted up to and including JANUARY.-17, 1994; but submissions will NOT be accepted after the conclusion of the Public Hearing and the Public Meeting. NOTICE of this Public He caring and this Public Meeting i is pursuant to Sections 957 and. 975 of the Municipal Act of British Columbia.: Sandra E. Dowey © , Deputy City: Clerk