Dear Editor: a A This is an appéal to the majority of our residents who do not vote.at municipal elections. As an alderman, I have always tried to define and to ‘protect. the: interests | of the majority. My ‘dilemma _— is that the majority has no interest in protecting its own interest. You must ap- preciate the fact that if you do not bother to vote, your default gives a greater weight to the interests of those who do bother to vote. Therefore a group with a OPEN LETTER TO HIGHWAYS MINISTER Dear Editor: — You will be well aware of the mounting criticism of your Department by motorists who feel that there is not enough effort on your part to minimise or eliminate ~ dangerous conditiogs.on the highways. Permitting left turns ... such as that at. Cassiar and Adanac ... is one area which demands seroius reviews. I understand a committee is at present doing this, and hopes. to report its findings shortly. I am particularly con- | cerned with the high ac- cident rate on the Lions Gate Bridge. The most special interest, albeit a _ minority, receives greater weight at an election simply because it does vote and you ‘do not.:Also this can achieve ‘a higher priority for the ‘interest promoted by a minority group than it might deserve. It has always puzzled me why so many who have an obvious stake in good municipal government disdain from voting. Perhaps you do not realize that apathy encourages poor ‘government and the. painless screen neede common type of collision is the rear-ender, « “and my personal research in, several raishaps has determined that the attention of the driver has been given to some visual phenomena off the bridge ... a passing. ship or other ... for perhaps only a few moments, but enough to make'it impossible to stop the vehicle in time to prevent a crash when. at- tention returns to the highway and the cars ahead are stopped. This explanaion may not appear: in~ police reports as it would be -an admission: of ‘negligence. : I have noted that many “similar bridges in the-United States have been screened to . prevent this happening, and _Of the bridge. effort of voting. contributes to good government. Candidates’ at. an election try to get out the vote. The council is trying to. overcome voter apathy by its new televised .“Town Mectings” and I do think the first one was successful. I am sure that we would give full consideration to any other suggestions ‘which could result in a bigger turnout at future elections. The motto of the University of British Columbia is “Tuum Est” ra I am suggesting that you do likewise here. The material used is ordinary burlap, 40 inches wide and some 3 km long. It is attached to the rail on either side for the full length The cost would be.relatively low. If it is colored green it would not be unsightly. The. saving in life, injury and pre worth while. Copies of this letter are being circulated to persons ‘and organisations whom I _ feel would be sympathetic to this idea ‘and ‘would make their views ‘known to you. R.E. Earnshaw North Vancouver Singles dances DO happen Dear Editor: With reference to the letter concerning “couples only” dancing published in last week's paper. Please inform the writer that although I agree with him in principle, he ob- viously didn’t do _ his homework on the subject, as I am presently conducting at KEEP IT SHORT Readers’ tetters on ail tonice are welcomed and LBOX wants to print as mony as possible, subject on- ly to space imitations. To help us print YOUR fetter while it’s still timely, please - keep it short and to the point—normatly no longer than 200 words (about 20 tines of average typing or 26 lines of average handwriting). All lettera must be signed and inctude an address andior phone number. The writer’a name mist also be spelled out clearly in block letters. Street addresses and phone numbers will not be published, and a nom-de- lume will be used If apectal- f requested. We reserve the ght to edit fettera for brevity, taste and legality. Let's hear trom you — often. The addresa is North Shore Newa, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, 8.C. v7M [ WOReS cor LERE A ‘926-7371 res ‘least thirty programmes in dance all over thé Lower Mainland. These classes are open to both singles and couples. There are four of these classes being conducted on the North Shore op Wed- nesdays (the night in question) and two are at the Ring your sweetheart’s bell with great gifts like these from B.C. Tel. The Diplomat nt Rendez-vous, for her. Or, give one to a lovable person like yourself. ALTE) al Capilano Mall, North Vancouver desk model, for him. And the elega _ You can purchase the outer housing of these and many. other excitin decorate 7 _ Phones on display at your neighbourhood Phone Mart. Sincethe mechanical parts, a -. and.cord remain B.C. ‘Tel property, servicing is always assured." Pay North Vancouver Recreation Centre, “Dance to the Sound of the Big Bands” and ‘Today's Dance”. Both classes are open to singles and couples. Happy Dancing! Jill Bailey Jill Bailey & Co. Inc. West Vancouver . Up to you” and “it is yours”. . property damage could make it well. Mon., Tues., Wed., Sat. & 30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. which can mean both “it is candidates for the next election. You can be of. assistance to us by. defining: the interests of the majority, and therefore can expect more responsive and better government as a result. I.. assure you that I will be most . interested in any response from you, and I am con- fident other members of. council would be as well. The interésts I -want to ‘protect om’ council are your interests and it is up to you also to do your part to protect them. . I am making this appeal now because your interest in your local government is needed now, not just before the next election. ~It is in your interest to become acquainted both with the John R. Lakes present council members Alderman North Van District ___ Chantilly DPridal Bouti que 10% off Sale - Until Feb. 21st/81 20% off selected short dresses **Wedding Fair’’ Feb. 22/81 © Hyatt Regency Registe: .