8 -Wednesday, May 7, 1997 — North Shore News Arson sentence outrage Dear Editor: Re: the April 11 News item, “North Van Man sentenced for Arson Spree,” by Anna Marie D'Angelo. That should have read “North Van Man Forgiven for Arson Spree.” It is no wonder that Canadians are so ashamed of our bogus court system. The only thing system- atic about it is that every- body involved in it makes lots of money, except the long-suffering taxpayer, who pays for it all. The weasel-word sen- tence of one year “condi- “tional” jail sentence, is nothing bur a sick joke. Docs this judge, Nancy ‘Morrison, have any idea of what: the maximuni sen- tence is for all the crimes committed : by. this crimi- nal? Te At the risk of adding insult to injury, I'd like the taxpayers to know what “salary she is collecting annually for -dispensing such legal gems as this pathetic sentence, not to ‘mention the huge costs of vail’ the. police — work involved and the endless” court procedures, IT -would: suggest that we taxpayers should send -. the $250,000 arson bill to the judge just for starters. * Just'as a reminder that crime doesn’t pay. Sandy Sanderson West Vancouver north shore news MAIL Box Dear Editor: Your April 13 editorial “LGH alert” carries too many factual errors to allow me to pass it off solely as editorial opinion. Your viewpoint states that “what is at stake is how our community hospital is run now and in the future.” Our viewpoint is that what is at stake is a nation- al health are system which is straining under some of the highest costs in the world. Locally, we are committed to structuring an integrated health care system, resolving costly service duplication, and filling service gaps that are detrimental to the health of our community. : Your viewpoint reinforces the myth that hospitals are the only agencies com- mitted to the health of the community. In fact, more people living on the North Shore connect or prefer to conncct with services outside of hospitals to improve or maintain their health and well-being. While there will always be a need fer quality acute care services, the road to being healthy does not always begin or end at Lions Gate Hospital Emergency. Over the past 2% years North Shore Health Region directors and staff have met with hundreds of our community's citizens and care providers (including physicians) who have identified health issues. It is‘usual, 1 suppose, for some people to react when they begin to see the changes they have identified or sup- ported become reality. We are at the stage in our work when we could either continue to “talk about change” or begin to introduce what is required to preserve and enhance a sys- tem. Your viewpoint refers to the directors of the North Shore Heaith Region as a “collection of appointed board members.” While this may be superticially cor- rect, the reality is that the original board was appointed through a public Registering some hearty applause for open minds ith board actia process of application and interview that was unprecedented on the North ore. This high quality board was experienced in governance and represented the community and the health care industry. The current board was appointed from the original membership plus a physician and union representative, each of whom was selected through a public nomination process. ae Never before has the whole North Shore community had such an opportu nity to have a say in how to improve their health and create a system of effec- tive and integrated care. Never before has any community-oriented body taken the time or interest to consult with the public and develop health care policies which will look beyond any agency of interest. Never before have there been open, public board meetings. tobe, We have been told by the community and service providers alike to put more resources at the front-line. They have asked us to restructure and streamline administrative hierarchies which are no longer required for an integrated system - of care. They have asked for the provision of effective community alternatives to: typically more expensive acute care systems. a Change in health care is not casy to implement but the North Shore Health: Region has made and will continue to make the changes required to try to meet==/ the service expectations of the community. We therefore solicit your editorial. . understanding and support for making such changes in the widest interest of the)" North Shore community. a We also encourage interested members of the public.to attend any of the: avice montdy board hall. Colleen Knoll North Shore Health Region Board Dear Editor: re Now that bicyele helmets are. mandatory, I think tha bells should also be in the same category. . On the Seaview Walk in West Vancouver, cyclists sneak up’- on you. ; 7 meetings held at the North Vancouver District municipal ._ Dear Editor: Open letter to S. Gaudin: I am writing this letter to thank you for the service.you have done for the. community at large. You enabled me to teach my child a vatu- able lesson about the freedom of speech and per- sonal values. My son and T were watching the news together and the topic of racism and hate- mongering came up. How grateful was ! to have, in my home, a copy of the North Shore News with your letter in it. It gave me the example 1 needed to illustrate the existence of people who, by ignorance or design, sce racism and hatemongering in any opinion that differs from their own, or in any attitude that simply advocates universal fairness. My late father was a Second World War veteran who raised me with strict moral values and judg- _ ment. I do not believe that your freedom was the freedom he was fighting for. The men and women who make this country great do so, in large measure, through the exercise of their free- dom to enunciate differing opinions and ideas. It is a vital part of a cultural tradidon you seem ueither to understand nor appreciate, and whose abolition, I suspect, you would endorse. Iam saddened that there are still people like you in this world; yet at the same time grateful. You have given me a perfect example of who/whar T should teach my son to avoid in his lifetime if he is to become a productive citizen. I have mailed a cheque to The North Shore News Free Speech Defence Fund. { hereby ded- icate it to you. Robert A. DeCoste North Vancouver Taoist Tai Chi ~ TarCuHI FOR BETTER HEALTH Ou May xNow that Taoist Tai Chi is relaxing, but did you know that it can bring your heart rate up to aerobic levels? This art uses techniques developed by generations of Taoist monks and sages for loosening the spine, realigning the posture, improving circulation and strengthening muscles ~ and joints throughout'the body. The result is a : - challenging, energizing, complete way to health. Why nor give it a try? Tavist Tai Chi Society of Canada PACIFIC REGION A REGISTENED CTLARITABL™ ORGANIZATION , IN LOWER, MAINLAND CALL 681-6609 y ane The founder of the Taoist Tai Chi Society is Tai Chi and ch't-kung Master Moy Lin-shin. — @ Give her safety on the road... and we'll give you a $50 Gift Certificate for BC Tel Mobility. 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