ectic

North Shore
voters to cast
ballots May 28

BY IAN NOBLE
News Reporter

A QUICK check of Lons-
dale’s political pulse on
the eve of a provincial
election revealed a sub-
dued heartbeat.

Of those who answered News
questions, few were revved up about
the election and some were down-
right cynical. calling politicians
crooks and bums.

Many expressed the time-hon-
oured — it-doesn’t-matter-because-
once-they’re-
in-they-don't-
do-what-they-
said-they’d-
do position.

One citi-
zen espousing
that view is
blase senior
Peggy Prato.

Good-
news politicians make promises
during elections, she said, but
“when they get in they don’t follow
through with their promises.”

Kurt Meissner’s not exvited
about the election either, saying he
doesn't have. anywhere to park his
vote. “They're all crooks,” is his
succinct summary of the situation.

He has a kindred spirit in 30-
year-old Kevin Bland, who's enter-
ing his 13th year of voting eligibili-
ty without ever having cast a ballot.

“I’ve never had anyone to vote
for so I've never voted. I'm not very
politically minded but the way they
carry on is a farce,” he said.

An election would be worth-
while if it was the “final and good
one” but if it just means more elec-
tions down the road, he‘d rather not
bother. :

“It’s a get-me-in thing and then

BRITISH COLUMBIA

need

Budget
dismissed

A BUDGET introduced by
the New.-Democrats Tuesday
is the same old story, said
Liberal West Vancouver-
Capilano MLA Jeremy.
Dalton.

The budgct claims a susplus,
but anticipates increased debt.

Dalton called the process a
shell game.

He said the province's debt,
which is estimated to reach $28.4
billion at the end of this fiscal
year, is completely out of control.

I hope. people in the province
are paying attention to the mort-
gaging of their children’s future”
Dalton said.

North = Vancouver-Lonsdale
NDP MLA David Schreck points
to. indicators such as the
province's credit rating. growth
and job creation — which he said
are the highest in Canada.

Schreck asked residents to
look at third-party, independent
sources instead of listening to
those who simply | criticize
because they want to grab power.

Margaret Woods, president of
the Certified General Accountants
of British Columbia, said the
NDP has failed to institute a more
open and accurate accounting
method. While government says
the debt will be reduced by $99
million in the next year, Laxpayer-
supported debt will actually
-increase by SE billion.

Wednesday, May 1, 1996 — North Shore News - 3

aM

" NEWS photos Mike Wakefield

KEVIN BLAND, enjoying a coffee in the sunshine, says the election will be waste unless it's the “final and good” election.

it’s over. It's kind of a waste.” he
said. :

A jovial Alex Tait was the only
one to get his blood coursing thanks
to the election call.

“LT think it’s great. Throw the
bums out,” he said.

After saying he wants to see a

However, Lisa McCarthy, a
soon-to-be North Vancouver mom,
does want an election called.

She worries ubout expensive
spending promises made by New
Democrat premier Glen Clark.

“L think it's a little bit like dan-
gling carrots in front of the citizens

of money. ;

“T think we need to know who's
going to be in the next four years so
the bureaucracy isn’t making unnec-
essary changes at the expense of
taxpayers,” said McCatthy.

Twenty-four-year-old | Dylan
Surridge, however, enjoys the dan-

change in government for no partic- of B.C."
ular reason, he delightedly informed
us he was only kidding.

“f don’t care about politics. I'm

just giving you a hard time.”

Some of the promises, such as
employment programs, are worth-
while, she said, but a lot represent
bureaucratic changes that cost a fot

gling carrots and goodies promised
during elections. As a student, he
specifically thinks Santa Clark's
tuition freeze for students is a wor-
thy gift.

"WEST: VANCOUVER: CAPILANO |
ELECTORAL DISTRICT.

! guasm Election boundary
¥-—--— Municipal boundary

NORTH VANCOUVER-SEYMOUR |.
cecronay oTAcT.:. }

NEWS grephic Linds Douglas

CANDIDATES FOR the fcur North Shore ridings are gearing up for the May 26 provincial election.

HERE'S WHO is up to bat in the political game that is
B.C. Election *96.
The. following is a list of confirmed candidates for

the four Nocth Shore ridings:

West Vancouver-Garibaldi
Incumbent Independent MLA David Mitchell is not
running for re-election. Contestants for his seat include:
NDP: Lions Bay Mayor Brenda Broughton.
Liberal: Whistler Mayor Ted Nebbeling.
Reform Party of B.C.: James Mercier, chartered
accountant and businessman.
Sucial Credit: Mike Becker, shup steward for BCGEU
and small business owner.
Green Party of B.C.: Peggy Stortz.

West Vancouver-Capilano
Liberak: Incumbent Jeremey Dalton.
NDP: Dan Reeve
Reform Party of B.C.: ‘Ted Shandro,
Social Credit: Larry Gillanders. businessman and party
leader.
Green Party of B.C.: Matthew Ferguson. SFU grad.

North Yancouver-Lonsdale
NDP: Incumbent David Schreck.
Liberals: Katherine Whittred. @ teacher. (Under appeal
to press dine.)
Progressive Democratic Alliance: Royston Forsyth,
forestry consultant.
Reform Party of B.C.: Yet to be chosen to press time.
The normiaces are Stanley Dzuba, a professional engi-
neer and retired army lieutenant colonel, and Robert
Weber, « correctional officer and former police officer.
Social Credit: Bob Biagioni, chartered accountant.
Green Party of B.C.: Rene Chalout,

North Vancouver-Seymour
Liberal: Incumbent Dan Sarvis.
NDP: Michelle Kemper, a BA student and Co-Op radio
volunteer.
Reform Party of B.C: Caroline Meredith, special
needs educator,
Social Credit: Jobo Kunickey. accountant.
Grean Party of B.C. Mark Brooks.

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Ernie Crist profiled: 13

theatre

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brought to the Deep
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