6,~ Bassey, April 9,,1989 2 North Shore:News INSIGHTS Expensive band-aid for community arts problem COMMUNITY ARTS” ARE AS SACRED nowadays as motherhood once was. Like motherhood, they also cost money and — again like motherhood — it’s sornetimes uninvolved taxpayers who have to pick up the tab. Hence the West Van controversy over appropriating two Argyle Avenue seafront homes for com- munity arts use. They are among Argyle properties from 4th and 18th Streets purchased by council since 1974 under its plan to even- tually link the SeaWaik with Ambleside Park and develop the whole strip as parkland. Meanwhile, the strip remains West Van’s most historic residen- tial area. Apart from houses yet to be bought by city hall, those it al- ready owns are still rented out at an average $1,400-$1,500 a month — some on long Icases, others month-to-month. Tenants of the two homes taken over have been given 12 months notice, which is fair. But costs to their neighbors and to West Van ratepayers are another thing again. With five other houses slated for demolition as part of the arts facil- ies a, SUDI AINSWORTH Chamber manager ity scheme, the annual! rent lost will be some $100,000. Upgrading the two old buildings to code and necessary interior remodelling wiil likely run to another six digits. Flood prevention could be a fur- ther expensive headache --- the big flood of the early ’80s put lower floors under 18 inches of water. And a full-time caretaker may be essential to protect the properties against beer-swilling beach van- dals, all too common in the area during the summer months. Add the increased traffic and parking problems along the narrow road and for remaining residents it’s understandably a case of “there anes the neighborhood.”’ They're asking whether the bill, which could eventually nudge half a million, for this temporary band-aid solution to the needs of the arts community is justified — and whether it wouldn’t be far bet- ter to save the money towards the long overdue $5 million arts centre being planned for the Rec Centre site. A reasonabie question. Except, of course, that nice people should never question motherhood — nor, today, the powerful community arts lobby. weer AIRBORNE KNIGHTS: Among all the forms of comradeship few are closer than that of the men of the armed forces who flew — and fly today — in our fighters and bombers. Which explains why the thriving worldwide Aircrew Association, based in London, England, has some 12,000 Costly challenge second) Supreme Court HE NEW (and chalienge of West Vancouver District Council’s most recent decision favoring the Collingwood School expansion is an insult to the taxpayers of this community and to the democratic process. Members of council are elected to sit in judgment members — aircrew both past and present — from Commonwealth countries and the U.S. They main- tain the many personal links which aircrew service forges, look after aircrew interests and raise funds for service welfare agencies. West Van now has its own branch of the Association with 40 members to date. They meet at 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the West Van Legion on 18th Street and they have the red carpet out for new members. If you once served — or are serving today — call Norman Pittam, 925-3135, or Gordon Baker, 926-3118, for all the details. kak TAILPIECES: Named Thursday as new manager of the North Van Chamber of Commerce — replac- ing Peggy Pitt-Brooke who’s retir- ing after more than 22 years ser- vice — is Judi Ainsworth. A former Chamber director, she is well known throughout North Shore business circles and the hos- pitality industry for her major contribution to the promotion of North Shore Tourism ... Tribute to Pat Carney next Friday at the VT&C Centre will sec Barbara McDougall, Lucien Bouchard, Speaker John Fraser and other Ot- tawa heavyweights among the some !,200 guests — for any re- maining tickets call 266-1726 ... Tommorow, April 10, wish happy birthday to North Van's Frank Decker ... And a toast to Harold and Edie King on their 46th anni- versary. eee WRIGHT OR WRONG: If the meck inherit the earth, so be it. Just let’s hope they stay meek after they get it. i Photo submitted SOME PUP TENT! ... Cliff Michael (@), minister responsible for B.C. Place Stadium, welcomes North Van's Rick and Brady Pimlott to the world’s largest ‘‘sleepover’’ last week by some 6,000 Beavers in the world’s largest domed stadium. and make the tough decisions that face this communi- ty. The issues they consider are rarely painted in black or white, and some decisions will be unpopular with some people. But our elected politicians make these decisions on behalf of the whole community, and for a group of people to repeatedly challenge those decisions in court constitutes a slap in the face of every resident. Repeatedly challenging the political process costs the municipality and all taxpayers thousands of dollars in legal fees — money that could be better spent on fixing roads or keeping tax rates down. While council sat and listened to all sides of this issue, members of the group in question have stood firm: they have not listened to the compromises made by Collingwood School; nor have they been interested in making any compromises of their own. It’s a wonder Collingwood hasn’t moved to another municipality where a school of its stature would be more welcome. This issue has disrupted the lives of the students, local residents and members of staff and council long enough, taking time, energy and money away from other more imporiant problems that face the com- munity. It’s time to call it a day, and start putting some of these efforts to more productive tasks. etl VOICE OF NOMTH AND WEST VANCOUVER: Ga g \ 980-0511 986-6222 985-2131 986-1337 986-1337 985-3227 Display Advertising Ctassified Advertising Newsroom Distribution Subscriptions Peter Speck Managing Editor Barrett Fisher Associate Editor ..Noel Wright Advertising Director Linda Stewart North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and qualitted undet Schedule 111, Paragraph M1 of the Excise Tax Act, 1s published each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by North Shore Free Press We and aistiibuted 9 every door on the North Shore cond Class Mail Registration Numbers 3885. Subscnptions North and West Vancouver, $25 per year 59,170 (average, Wednesday Mailing rales avaitable on request. Suomissions are i welcome bul we carnol accept responsibitity for Friday & Sunday) unsolicited matenal including manuscepts and pictures a which should be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope SDA DIVISION Publisher SUNOAY WEONESDAT T PRioay 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 MEMBER Sarees Rewenaners of Ameren ane North Shore owned and managed Entire contents © 1989 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved.