2 - Friday, February 13, 1987

North Shore News

COST ‘EXORBITANT’ SAYS LOUCKS

WV City protests radio fee hike

NORTH VANCOUVER City Council is not pleased with a
federai plan to raise radio Heence fees by 2,400 per cent,
leaving the city with an “exorbitant cost.”

Under the proposed rates, the
anpual cost of operating the
Varous city-run two-way radios
will jump from $236 to $5,664, city
staff said ina report.

Purchasing and property direc.

tor Gerry Brewer noted there is no
improvement ino the Ministry of
Communications service to justify

the 2,400 per cent rate hike,

As well, sud Brewer, the city's
contribution to the ROMP radio
system, the North and West Var-
couver, Emergency Program and
the Greater Vancouver Regional
District radio system will swell the
yearly bill toads much as $10,000.

The rate hike was to be effective
April 1, but Minister of Cont

PEMBERTON SHELL

PEMBERTON & MARINE DRIVE, NORTH VANCOUVER

SAT., FEB. 14
10AM-4PM |

muemeations Flora MacDonald
recently postponed the move to
become effective sometime next
year,

Ald. Stella Jo Dean stummed the
plan and sugpested Ottawa was
trying to solve its financial pro-
blems by turning to niunicipal
govermments for more money.

“What To fect che federal pov-

ernment is trying to do is decrease
its federal deficit. [ hope the gov-
ernment does not see fit to raise
the fees." she said.

Said Mayor Jack Loucks: ‘It's
going to be an exorbitant cost."

Council is to send a letter to
MacDonald to protest the planned
tate hike,