Money- -saving motive for destaffing attacked AT A North Vancouver public “mecting scrutinizing a coast guard plan to cut 55 lighthouse keepers at 35 British Columbia _lighthouses, bureaucrats intro- duced preliminary cost-saving ‘figures. for destaffing but admitted final numbers are not in. By lan Noble -News Reporter ‘. That did not sit well with the 35 or, so. audience members gathered 8 Monday from the fishing, recre- ational and business communities ‘loudly ‘supporting ‘embattled light- ‘house keepers. Hugh.. Ashworth, the coast Guard’ S manager of engineering ser- vides,’ said estimates, based on ‘destaffing at lighthouses on the east coast. and others’ that have been destaffed here, show savings’ will mainly come from reduced trans- ‘portation costs to service lightkeep- ers, the salaries of lightkeepers and converting sites to solar power from ‘diesel fuel. Figures released by the coast guard © show operating costs for “staffed lightstations, including per- onnel’ and. maintenance. costs, ‘totalled $7.471 million for the 1993- 94 fiscal year in the western region... “Modernizing” costs. for each ite will be between $145,500 and $157,500. Coast guard public affairs officer Rod Nelson told the News those costs do not include automated weather observing stations, which can run up to $300,000 per site, or some maintenance costs. Rick Bryant, the coast guard's director of technical services for the western region. said the savings tealized will depend on when destaffing is implemented. However. no detailed cost-sav- ings estimates have been done, Bryant said. Also, figures given take into account only coast guard costs, while other service providers such as Environment Canada were not consulted for the preliminary fig- ures, he added. Such providers will, however, be consulted in the future, said Bryant. That did not moilify the simmer- ing gathering at North Vancouver's Pacific Marine Training Institute. West Vancouver resident and Sea Kayaking Association of B.C. spokesman Ray Pillman called for detailed estimates to be made public and cost comparisons. between _ Staffed and destaffed lighthouses to ‘be tabulated by someone impartial. He said asking the public to make a judgement on destaffing without such figures is unfair. Nelson said staffed lighthouses cost $115,000 annually. to operate for salaries, benefits and basic main- tenance, while unstaffed Jighthouses . Clinie “mentation of — its cost $26,000 to operate. Recreational boater Mike Driver said the dollar discussion missed the point. “There is no expense great enough to justify a lifes” Driver said. Although coast guard mianage- ment wanted the meeting to be a “public consultation on the imple- lightstation destaffing policy.” audience mem- bers continually slammed destaffing and called for pinching pennies by trimming munagement — ranks See Betrayed page 15 er) Sunday, January 29, 1995 - North Shore News — 13 | “CONG GRATULATIONS Christmas Around The World Contest Winner, Kathy Eadie receives her prize from Terti Tobin of Marlin Travel. Kathy won 4 trip for 4 to Disneyland, compliments of Marlin Travel and all the merchants of Park & Tilford Centre. 333 Brooksbank Ave.. North Vancouver Ta] EE BE EE Looking for a deal? lcome to Use this coupon to receive a TEEN BURGER® Not valid with any other promo- tional offer. Valid untit Feb. 8, 1995 at 920 Marine Drive location (across from Capilano Mall). -- Buy 1 Mozza Burger® at the . regular price & receive the. znd mozza burger® for FREE. One coupon per visit per customer, | please. Not valid with any other pro- motional offer. Valid until Feb. 8, 1995 at 920 Marine Drive tocation (across from Capilano Mail). ; FOR MOZZA BURGER Dr. Patrick Magovern will be holding a weekly medical acupuncture clinic at the Hollyburn Medical Building in* Ambleside, West Vancouver. There will be a special . emphasis. on the treatment of chronic pain problems. For information brochure and appointments | - Please telephone Dr. Magovern’s Burnaby offi ice eee _at 432- 1654. : proctucte hi listed, at reg. price, you can geta ‘second bottle of the same product for just Two DOLLARS. Look for the. VITAMIN HOUSE label. te s your ‘GUARANTEE of quality. Limited time offer ” While supplies last VIEWS IN ALL DIRECTIONS SOLID CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION . ’ CORNER SUITES WITH WRAP AROUND BALCONIES ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED SUITES AND COMMON AREAS CENTRAL HOT WATER AND HOT WATER HEATING FREE LAUNDRY FACILITIES PARKING AND STORAGE WITH EACH SUITE ' DIRECT MAIL SERVICE TO EVERY SUITE _ ENTERPHONE FOR GREETING VISITORS PRICES INCLUDE BASIC RENOVA’ TION PRCKAGE : _~r” ONE BEDROOM SUITES From $124, 900 _=7 TWO BEDROOM SUITES ‘Fron $212,900: _-7 THREE BEDROOM SUITE $269,900 _~ PENTHOUSE (3 8ED.28aTH) $489,900 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CALL OR VISIT THE SALES CENTRE AT: TEL: (604) 926 0505" MARKETED BY: SIMON MYARA | 2150 BELLEVUE AVE. WEST VANCOUVER Sutisn Sutton Group Broadview Realty. An independent member broker.