© - Wednesday, April 30, 1997 — North Shore News nerth shore mews NEWS VIEWPOINT Kids on crime DULTS don’t seem to have the will to do it so youth are lead- ‘Ling the way in trying to bring some real consequence to youth crime. Their target: the toothless Young Offenders Act. When it comes to dish- ing out deterrents to that small percent- age of youth starting out on a career in crime the kids understand what their parents don’t: there has to be some real consequence to criminal actions, no matter what age the criminal. Right now there is precious little con- sequence for young offenders, and the ' kids know it. . Four teens from Regina have there- fore taken it upon themselves to do something about it. They are behind a petition to. tighten up the Young Offenders Act, to make it mean some- thing to young and old alike, signatures. Among other things, it calls on Ottawa to make restitution manda- tory and to publicly name young offenders after their third offence. The document rings with common sense, because nothing does more to derail crime than fear of punishment and fear of publicity. Three strikes and you're out in the public eye is more than fair. And way overdue. Ina recent case in Victoria, for exam- ple, a 14-year-old boy was arrested for. two violent robberies in two weeks. He was released on bail by the courts. The police subsequently were on his trail again in connection with the beating of another teen, this time with a baseball bat. Are we fed up enough vet, fellow aduits, with this kind of irresponsible child abuse? free speech defence fund MORE excerpts from the hundreds of respondents to the North Shore News Pree Speech Defence Fund: . 1) °There is still time ta stop the nonsense of political correctness, but not with the attitude of fear and cowardice ... If we just agree with the statements of Mr. Collins and others, but keep gquict, the ' results are very casily predicta te. So the ‘financial support of t x fre speech (fund) is needed.” ; : — Viadimir Cicha of North Vancouver oon °He (Doug Collins) is nor always on target, but be always gives us something to think about, especially in these days of biased, monopoly-minded media. Most people agree with your "approach to free speech; please do not give in to those groups who wish to propagate their version of the news (or history) while denying shis right to others.” — B.W. von Spindter of North Vancouver 0065. "We must not allow our freedom of expression, especially in the press, to be taken away. — Diane and Jim Brown of North Vancouver Donations to the North Shore News Free Speech Defence Fund can be sent to the News offices, 1139 Lonsdale’ Ave., North Vancouver, V7M 2H4. Cheques should be made out to the North Shore News Free Speech Defence Fund. — trenshawdireet.ca north shore. 5 North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent 9 durban newspaper ated quattied under Schedule 111, Paragraph 111 of the Excise Tax Act is pubbshed each Wadaesday, Friday and Sunday by Notth Shore Free Press Lid. and cestrthuted to every duor on the Monh Shore. Cxtoda Port Canadan Pubhoabors Mat ‘Sales Product Agreement No. 0087238. Distribution Manager ‘986-1397 (124) Creat Seve Mae S21 (127) 61.582 faverage orculation, Weonesday. Frasty & Sunday) Because the kids sure are. ae oces7 = Two ways to vote on North Shore SUNDAY we analysed the election “baggage” encumbering the four regular political parties on the North Shore. Today, a look at the ban- ner-bearers of the two major oncs. In both ridings Reform is ficlding politi- cal pros versus Liberal - newcomers. However, widespread voter cynicism about politicians in gener- al suggests that may not be wholly to the laters’ disadvantage. At the Reform nominating, meeting for West Van-Sunshine Coast a vir- tual unknown, campaigning on his lack of political expenence, won 37% of the votes against the high-profile elected nomince. John Reynolds, che West Van Reform banner-bearer in question, needs little intro- duction in these parts. A Tory MP (1973- 83), he was later elected Socred MI.A for West Van, became a provincial cabinet min- ister and also served as arguably the best- ever Speaker of the B.C. Legisiature. Now in his prime, with wide business experience and awesome energy, he’s the political pro par excellence. Literal challenger to Reynolds is urban development consultant Philip Boname, hubby of West Van Mayor Pat Boname. Founder-president of Vancouver-based Urbanics Ltd. since 1976, his resume seads like a urban planner’s glossary — his many involvements ranging, all the way from Vancouver City Planning Commission, Ottawa's National Capital Commission and the International Council of Shopping Siewert PETER SPECK fluman Resources Manager Saies & Marketing Dieezot Publisher 985-2131 (177) 980-0511 (319) 85-2137 (101) Photography Manager Diso! 805-2131 (169) 990-0511 (103) Entire contents © 1997 North Shore Free Press Lid. All rights reserved. Centres to the International Downtown Association of Washington, D.C., the Pacific Rim Council of Urban Development and a guest lecturership at UBC. He is .. _ bilingual. : Noel Like his West Van coun-. Wright terpart, North Van’s political pro, sitting Reform MP Ted White, enjoys 2 high local profile ~~ not least for his infor- mative weekly “advertori- als” in the North Shore News. In addition to keeping constituents constantly up to date on his own and his party's activities on their behalf, he regularly polls their opinions on controver- siaJ issues and votes accordingly in the House. For White, “people’s representa- tive” is no mere phrase. It’s his operating system. His North Van Liberal opponent Warren Kinsella — though an electoral novice — is no political lightweight. He has served as Special Assistant to Jean Chretien (1990-93) and Executive Assistant to Health Minister David Dingwall (1993-95). Lawyer, award-winning journalist and author (his Web of Hate on racism in Canada was a national bestseller), he’s now a senior advertising firm executive. All four are worthy candidates, selling entirely predictable party platforms. The Grits promise jobs, deficit-cutting, Medicare-protection, crime-fighting and (Sotte voce) appeasing Quebec. Reformers want deficit-slashing, tax relief, tough crime- busting and no nonsense about Quebec. All promise to speak loud and clear for their constituents. To date Ted White alone has hither and yon actually done it. Since the Liberals will almost inevitably be returned to power nationally, North Shore voters don’t need to worry much * about platforms. It will be the Grit platform ~ again in Ottawa after June 2. Which leaves just two other factors for North Shore vot- ers to weigh: (1) candidate personality and apparent trustworthiness; (2) “strategic”. voting to return a genuine government-in- waiting to Ortawa. . “Strategic” voting can mean suspending traditional party loyalties for a greater national good — in this case, replacing the’ treasonable Bloc Quebecois by a truly.” Canadian official opposition. As of last week ic could be Reform’s 52 Mis, Jean Charest’s two Tory MPs or the NDP’s nine. . Realistically, on which would you put. your money aght now for restoring democ- racy to Ottawa? 000 ree CELEBRATE ail that’s great about 99% of - our young le — especially their many. ongoing contributions to our communities... — during North Shore Youth Week, May « 4-10 ... Meanwhile, many happy returns of | . today, April 30, to Mount Seymour Lion. . Bill Harbourne. ... And congrats to West Van’s Peter Black, unanimously elected he new president of Ambleside-Tiddl oF Lions. . ; oe 000 So WRIGHT OR WRONG: Temperamental = 95% temper + 5% mental. “ — The North Shore News believes sivongly in freedom: of speech and the right of all sides” in @ debate to be heard. The columnists pub- lished in the News presence differing points of view, but those views are not necessarily those - of the newspaper itself. : LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must include your name, {ull address & telephone number, Comptrofier Managing Editor 985-2131 (133) 965-2131 (115) Mital Aries, Promotions Manager 985-2131 (218) Classiied 908-6222 (212) Socigrova Genera! Office Manager laternet- http://wew.aswews.com VIA Internet: trenshaw @ direct.ca COMPUTER BBS - 980-8027 User ID:maiibox Password-letters Disp! & Main Office Fax Michael Becker - News Editer 985-2131 (114) S85-2131 (185) Andraw Pdcfvadia - 885-2131 (147)