6 - Wednesday, December 3, 1986 - North Shore News THE VOICE GF NORTH AND WEST VARCOUVER Peter Speck Noel Wright Barrett Fisher Linda Stewar1 Publisher: Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Advertising Director Display Advertising 980-0511 Classified Advertising 986-6222 Newsroom 985-2131 Distribution 986-1337 Subscriptions 986-1337 _Mews Viewpoint _ Lay no bets yet! ohn Tnrner’s endorsement by a 76.3% majority as Liberal Party leader tells us only one thing for sure. At least we now know who will be squaring off against Prime Minister Mulroney at the next federal election, likely in 1988. At this point, however, any attempt to assess the impact of Saturday's vote of confidence on the for- tunes of Canada, the Liberal and Conservative Parties and Messrs. premature in the exireme. Turner and Mulroney themselves is The current polls put the Liberal Party well ahead of the Conservatives in popular favor, due mainly to the inept fumblings of the latter on important issues (tainted tuna, bank collapses, the Sinclair Stevens fias- co) rather than to any positive achievements by the Grits or Mr. Turner. Indeed, the party's most urgent task now is to formulate a coherent and detailed policy platform—something entirely missing from its first two years in opposition. Meanwhile, Mr. Turner trails in the personal popu- jarity polls, causing some to reason that he could not lead the party to victory. The large majority of dele- gates who disagreed suggests they are pinning their faith on an attractive agenda plus continued Tory pratfalls rather than on their leader’s charisms. But with the election 18 months (and as many opi- nion polls) away, both parties and their leaders still have time to get their acts together. Mr. Turner may become a TV star. Mr. Mulroney may convince us that we're being grossly unfair to him. Free trade may blossom or wither. The economy may go boom or bust. Lay ro bets on ANYTHING just yet! Sir! on, sal “WELL DONE, SIR. You -piayed the game and played it ° well, and we have all benefited from your stewardship.” We are listening, last Saturday night at West Van’s plush Hollyburn Club, to Alderman Dave Finlay winding up one of his best speeches ever. Politics and sentiment seldom mix. At the odd times when they do, it can be a warm -~ and thought-provoking — spectacle. Gathered in the Club’s banquet toom to savor salad, sirloin, sherbet thank-you’s and farewells were some. 200 members and spouses of West Van’s establishment. [f a terrorist had blown the place up, the com- munity would have been virtually leaderless on Sunday morning. The thanks-and-please-carry-on messages were for the dozens of volunteers who serve on such ad- visory bodies as the planning com- mission, design panel, recreation commission, board of variance, library board — you name it. The thanks-and-farewells were for two outgoing aldermen. And — as the dramatic high point of the evening after eight memorable years —- for the outgoing mayor. While guests happily digested their sirloin, Alderman Gordon Rowntree launched the ceremonies by honor- ing the volunteer boards, panels and commissions. Revealing a hitherto unsuspected talent as a stand-up comic, he laced his tributes with one-liners which scored gale after gale of laughter. SUNDAY + WEDNESDAY: FaiDAy 1139 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 57,656 (average, Wednesday Fuday & Sunday) Soe Deer arg INT” Viren Jere, (Gee. utes and fare’ Sager popped up again to do the honors for outgoing three-term Diana Hutchinson. In great form, she proceeded to steal the show for 20 minutes with some hilarious pat- ter plus a rose and a kiss for the head of each of the municipal hall depart- Noel Wright Just what was needed for starters. Alderman Mark Sager, the 28- year-old poll-topper in !ast month's election, followed by introducing and saying nice things about the schoo! board members. Then came the heavier sentimentality. Outgoing Alderman Don Grif- fiths, who’s served two terms on council, received his accolade and parting gift, very appropriately, from his old buddy of their Comin- co days together in Trail, Alderman Alex Brokenshire. LETTER OF THE DAY Deug overlooke Dear Editor: * Doug Collins’ comment in his early November cclumn to the ef- fect that he knows of no volunteer marine rescue people other than Phil Matty and the BCLS spurs me to action. The Coast Guard Auxiliary more formally known as the Ca- nadian Marine Rescue Auxiliary Western Incorporated is a very ac- tive group of 850 volunteers with their 450 vessels covering the entire B.C. coast and Yellowknife. Last year’s Rescue Coordination Centre’s statistics show the aux- iliary was involved in 950 inci- dents, 33 per cent of the total! for the coast. This year, to the end of October, we have been actively in- volved in 843 incidents with 127 lives saved. @ focus © ments whom she summoned to the podiurn in turn, Finally, the long-awaited words from Chairman Dave Finlay, by no means always a backer of Mayor Humphreys. He tackled the tough part head- on, recognizing those who ‘‘felt strongly’? about the election result and noting the very personal nature of municipal elections. But, he declared, ‘‘political change is in- evitable. It may not fulfil all of our dreams, it may even shatter some of Coast In 26 locations along our coast our people are on 24 hour pager- activated call, 7 days a week, 12 months a year. The Rescue Coor- dination Centre and the Coast Guard radio stations have up-to- date lists of all our members, their vessels with phone numbers and radio call signs. Our members are trained in search and rescue techniques, first aid, CPR, radio procedure and the PORE pengent 4U0utban hea ipapet and quabted under Schedule I Patagenh IH ot the Bay Fieday and Sunday by forih Shore been Press Lid and drvinbuled 10 every dacs On abOn Muto TEAS Subscephons Norn ated Vest Mancouent, $25 pe rat Wading rates, PHONY ATE NEILOIN bul wt CANNOT ACCEDT Fe .pOntity fOr UNSOMC Hed Matera) NCUA MANUS. HHS them, but it’s the way our system operates and, in the long run, I’m sure none of us would want it any other way.’” Then came his remarkably warm and sensitive salute to ‘‘the Hum- phrey years’’. . . “eight good years ... productive years of leadership and dedication. They resulted in vir- tually every facility in West Van- couver being uyygraded and enhanc- ed for the enjoyment and use of all of us. I cannot think of a single thing in the municipality that has not benefited from the activity, the in- terest and the concern of Derrick Hurnphreys.’’ He leaves the municipality, Finlay continued, in good financial health, well governed and tackling current problems in a positive manner — an enviable record of achievement. “Duty and commitment to West Vanceuver have been the cor- nerstones of his administration.”’ Finlay closed with the words that open this column and the company rose in a standing ovation. The man who'd led West Van since 1978 un- wrapped his gifts — an inscribed silver tray and cuff links — and thanked them with wit, grace and brevity. Why can’t EVERYDAY politics be a little more gentlemanly? Guard other related skills. Along with search and rescue activities our people actively promote boating safety by conducting ‘‘Courtesy Vessel Examinations’? and mann- ing displays in boat shows and shopping malls. While it’s tough about the Don- zie's mooring, Canadian Marine Rescue Auxiliary vessels are ready and waiting in Horseshoe Bay, Fisherman’s Cove, Bowen Island, Entire contents © 1986 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All mghts reserved. IVE YEARS (From the North Shore News, December 2, 1981) ABORIGINAL TITLE to the en- tire North Shore is.claimed by the Squamish’ Band,’ according to Chief Joe Mathias. The claim, basic to the Band’s negotiations with Ottawa on the constitution, also includes Stanley ‘Park, False Creek, the H.R.Macfiilian Plane- tarium and B.C.Place'Stadium. *- * #, + GARBAGE COLLECTION in West Van by private contractor started Dec.!. Strata title residents protested a contract’ provision that levied commercial rates on them, with fee increases of over 200%. _ 6 * SUNDAY SHOPPING, approved by 53% in a mid-November North Van District referendum, was still awaiting a council decision set for Dec. 14. - # * WHITECAP STAR Bob Lenar- ‘duzzi married Deanne Lynn Veitch at Highlands United Church, North Van. \uxiliary Passage Island and Gambier Island, Halfmoon Bay, Gibsons Landing, Vancouver Harbour, Port Moody just to mention a few in this locality. Last year three of our members received the coveted’ Lemon Heart Awards for outstanding courage and effort in saving lives at sea. M.J. Lucas, president Canadian Marine Rescue Auxiliary Western Incorporate’