MAILBOX Editorial standpoint confuses Dear Editor: Re: News Viewpoint ‘'Voters vs. common sense’? — Jan. 16/91 The readership of your newspaper will undoubted- ly be confused by the 360 degree turn your editorial News Viewpoint has taken with regard to the Westview Drive Interchange. On Nov. 24, 1989, your News Viewpoint’s tone supported the diamond, and now your Jan. 16, 1991 News Viewpoint’s tone supports the loop. As a spokesperson for HALO (Homeowners Against the Loop Overpass), I do not believe that the Ministry of Transportation and Highways (MoTH) based their decision on the diamond solely because of the ‘‘evidence presented by area voters,’’ as your Jan. 16 News Viewpoint states. Furthermore, i cannot believe that the writer of that News Viewpoint would be naive enough to believe that the lobbying efforts of a local resident’s group was the only deciding factor in the govern- ment’s final decision of the diamond. As stated in a Jan. 18, 1990 letter written by the MOoTH to HALO, the ministry also had to consider the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. As evidenced by Table 2 of the Westview Inter- change Construction Cost Estimates, the Ministry has met its fiscal responsibility, as the total cost estimate of the diamond is $1.8 million less than the $25.9 million cost of the loop. In both of your News Viewpoints, you stated ‘‘the loop would be less disruptive to build.’’ But in Table 1 of the cost estimates, it states that the loop would be ‘more difficult”’ to construct than the diamond. Contemplate, if you will, the smooth construction staging of the current Lonsdale Interchange project, * which is of course, as you know, a diamond inter- change. Lastly, with regard to the last two paragraphs of your Nov. 24, 1989 Viewpoint ‘‘Unless financial and technical arguments for the loop design are over- whelming, it should be shelved in favor of the dia- mond,”’ it is hard to believe that the writer of this Viewpoint could possibly be the same writer of the more recent one. Nonetheless, we ask you to inform your readers that the financial and technical argu- ments for the loop were not overwhelming. “In the end, the diamond won’ (Jan. 16/91 Viewpoint) represents a city council which stood behind the majority of its residents’ preference of the diamond design, which in turn represents a provin- cial government which stood behind the elected rep- resentatives of the City of North Vancouver. What is the purpose of voting politicians in for, if not for a fair review of the facts and then, if it so warrants, implementing the majority’s wishes when most of the facts support the majority’s wishes? Rosemary Roberts Spekesperson HALO Ree’s loop backing ‘astonishes’ | PETER BARKER Dear Editor: As the Homeowners Against the Loop Overpass (HALO) spokesperson from 1985-1989, I was astounded to read of Mr. Ree’s strong preference for the loop overpass at Westview in your Jan. 11 issue. For the past five-plus years our group has discussed this issue with him and he has been included in all correspondence between the Ministry of Transportation and Highways and our group — in fact, he even attended a meeting with HALO and the project engineers on Jan. 14, 1986. At no time did Mr. Ree ever express a preference for either design. He also didn’t take the oppor- tunity to attend any of the three : : Tune U Specia North Vancouver City Council meetings where the design issue was discussed at great length and the diamond design endorsed by council (Feb. 3/86, Nov. 13/89 and Sepi. 10/90). There has been ample opportunity for him to discuss his design preference with the citizens and city council. Due to his past silence and apathy regarding the final design for the overpass, it appears that Mr. Ree’s recent outburst is more the criticism of an outgoing, malcontent backbencher who jumped on the anti-Zalm govern- ment bandwagon rather than an expression of genuine concern for the overpass design. Kim Thom North Vancouver News Mailbox policy WHEN SENDING a letter to the editor, be sure to include your name, written legibly, your full address and your telephone number. DRAPERIES Due to space constraints we cannot publish all the letters we receive. Published letters may be edited for brevity, clarity, accura- cy, legality or taste. BY S. LAURSEN CUSTOM DRAPERIES te AND VALANCES Labour $7.50 per panel unlined, $8.50 lined CUSTOM BEDSPREADS AND COVERS Low, low prices on blinds 988-6321 Kenneth J. Baxter Lawyer 310 - 145 Chadwick Court. 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Commencing February 1, 1991 they shall carry on the Practice of Law as Lakes, Straith & Bilinsky Lawyers 202-1217 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver 984-3646 TO THE PARENTS OF NORTH VANCOUVER The Teachers of North Vancouver are seeking a CONTRACT not CONFRONTATION Our working conditions are your children’s learning conditions Class size limits are essential for quality education and tracks For FREE Estimates Call 987-2966 Serving the North Shore for 19 years AN OPEN INVITATION... ... To join members of West Van council, local politicians, city hall staffers, community leaders, West Vancouver business people, neighbours and friends at a Gala “Thank You” Dinner and Roast to Honour DON AND MARJORIE LANSKAIL On Thursday, February 21st at 7:00 pm at the Gleneagles Golf Club in West Vancouver. good only until Sat. Feb. 16/91 1192 Marine Dr. Tickets are £60 each and may be reserved by calling John Moonen at 683-2123. Nan. 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