NEWS photo firad Ledwidge DOORMEN TOCK to the great outdoors last week while visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge. More than 100 doormen gathered to attend a convention in Vancouver. REFORM PARTY RESPONDS ef REFORM PARTY finance critic Herb Grubel called on the goverment Monday to place a time frame for the elimination of the deficit. By Art Babych Contributing Writer Referring to Finance Minister Paul Martin’s “lilac”- colored economic report released earlier in the day, Grubel said it isn’t enough for the government to say, “Our ultimate goal is the elimination of the budget deficit.” He said the book committed the governmezi to the “previously announced and easily achievable” deficit target of 3% of GPP in two years, but sets no target date for the deficit to be completely wiped out. The world financial community is anxious, said Grubel, the MP for Capilano-Howe Sound, calling on the government to commit itself to a definite time frame. Martin suggested lilac may not be the proper color of cit stance rebuked the books, as suggested by Grubel, and said perhaps the West Vancouver MP “is looking at it through rose-col- ored glasses.” He said the government has stated it's going to reduce the deficit to 3% of GDP by 1996-97 and that its ultimate goal was to eliminate the deficit. “That is the position we took in the red book,” he said. “That is the position i took this morning in the purple book.” Grubel however said that Canadians have heard these “vague” promises before. He also noted that financial experts say the deficit can’t be eliminated without reform and cuts to social programs. “The lilac book does not make that point and the financial commu- nity is anxious,” Grubel said. The MP concluded by asking Martin, “Will the min- ister stop tiptoeing through the lilacs and promise major cuts in social program spending?” Martin said it is important for the government not to set out a “multi- tude” of targets, but to focus on one issue. Wednesday, October 19, 1994 — North Shore News ~ 3 injunction urged to shut down shop NVC staff allege code violations ALLEGATIONS AND accusa- tions were exchanged between a landlord and one of his ten- ants at North Vancouver City Council chamber Monday. NORTH VANCOUVER CiTY COUNCIL By Robert Galster Council was considering a staff recommendation to seek a B.C. Supreme Court injunction to close an automobile repair shop located at 370 East Esplanade for failing to comply with various city bylaws when the ruckus broke out. A staff report to council outlined “several life-threatening conditions” on the premises of Chariot Enterprises including building, elec- trical and fire code violations. These were noted during a city staff inspec- tion of the premises on Sept. 22. The report stated that “the general condition of the premises was found to be hazardous” and “requiring a person to take extraordinary care while walking through the area lack- ing in light and amongst scattered auto parts and pools of used motor oil.” . The report also noted that during the city inspection of the premises, the property owner and city staff members “tripped and fell into a pile of used automoiive debris.” Although no serious injuries resulted from the fall, emergency medical attention was required, Both Nick Seldon, owner of Chariot Enterprises, and Harry Oak, the landlord were in attendance. Although council did not have an obligation to hear either of the par- West Van investigates move to condo unit sales RESIDENTS OF 2150 Bellevue and mem- bers of West Vancouver Council think a flag reading “buyer beware” should be fly- ing from the roof of the former apartment complex. By Kate Zimmerman News Reporter The El! Monte Apartments were recently renamed The Bellevue and are currently on sale as condo units through a “fractional interests” scheme which West Vancouver District Council is investigating. “This is not just a renter’s issue. It’s an investor’s issue,” said Tim Horton, who has lived at the El Monte for eight years. - The fractional interests set-up means The Bellevue “bypasses municipal regulations regard- ing zoning and subdivisions, which means a devel- oper can buy up rental stock and sell it off without any regard for the municipal housing process,” Horton said. “It’s like taking 40 friends and buying a build- ing together,” said West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager. “It would work well as long as they remained friends. But if they didn’t, there would be no provincial legislation in place to direct their actions.” . Sager said prospective owner No. 85 Seabright Holdings, whose principals are listed as Samuel Belzberg and Michael Hannesson, has probably found a loop-hole in provincial legislation to allow it to sell fractional interests. He and several tenants of The Bellevue are meeting on Friday with the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Joan Smallwood, regarding the matter. The mayor said council is concerned about pre- serving “rental stock” in the district, looking out for the rights of renters and protecting the safety of purchasers. Horton noted that if No. 85 Seabright succeeds in selling these condominiums, the frac- tional interests arrangement may become wide- spread on the North Shore. Municipal solicitor Paul Wilson said those con- sidering buying units at The Bellevue should not assume that a fractional interest is the same as a strata lot, a co-op, or actually owning property. “T’d recommend they have a lawyer’s advice as to what their rights and limitations would be,” said Wilson. “I'd strongly advise that.” Mark Daly lives in the building with his wife Lori and their baby. He said few residents will be able to afford the 25% downvayment required by The Bellevue, which is not approved for CMHC financing. Renters at the El Monte pay $700 to $800 for a one-bedroom apartment; the Dalys pay $1,050 for a two-bedroom. The condos range in price from $125,000 to $489,000. Though the Dalys plan to move, Horton has expressed interest in renting his apartment, or a similar unit, from one of the new investors. The Dalys say renovations to the complex have made their lives miserable in recent weeks and have resulted in frequent breakdowns of the eleva- tor. Lori believes the new owners are trying to force the tenants out. Tuesday morning, the elevator was condemned by the province. Sager suggested that under the fractional interests set-up, anyone who had pur- chased a unit in The Bellevue on Monday or Tuesday would probably already be responsiblc for making sure the elevator was replaced. The grand opening of The Bellevue took place See Sale page § ties, it voted to do so. Oak spoke first and stated that to the best of his abilities he has tried to get rid of Seldon and his business, but has not been able to do so. “We talked with the sheriff, we talked with the police, we talked with his neighbors and I don’t know what to do,” said Qak. Oak added that he also went to the city licensing department, but was informed that Seldon did not have a business licence. “The unfortunate part is that his (Seldon's) mother and father are very good friends of mine,” said Ouk. “How do you tell a man that his 46 How do you tell a man that his son is a problem? 99 son is a problem?” In turn, Seldon pointed out that he offered to pay for his ‘ousiness licence, but he was tuned away. “They have no right to do that as nothing has changed in my business over the last year and they have no right to refuse to accept my money.” Selden added that he feels the city is conducting 2 witch hunt against his business by making ‘“‘a concericd effert to overly enforce bylaw regulations” at his premises. Council voted unanimously to authorize city staff to seek the injunction against Seldon. . & Doug Collins... & Crossword....................61 | & A Day in Court...........13 ae AS @ North Shore Aiert.....14 | NOW... cesccscsecssserseseenecseuee 21 | & Small businesses Bi Sunshine Girl B& Noel! Wright.................. am: Woather Thursday: mainly cloudy with showers. High 13°C, low 6°C, Canadian Pubtications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 0087238