6 - Sunday, June 24, 1990 - North Shore News INSIGHTS Does Bill dream of gardening? 1GET the feeiing now and then that Bill Vander Zaim is becoming a bit dejected — which adds to my growing in- stinct that there’ll be no fall election. There are several explanations why our hitherto gung-ho premier may be a little down in the dumps, especially since he’s been leaning backward with some suc- cess for six months to keep out of personal mischief. First, Meech Lake. Earlier this year, Bill was laughed at by Brian Mutresey for suggesting that all 10 provinces be designated “distinct societies.”’ Shortly afterwards he opined that the Ac- cord looked to be already dead. As late as May he said Quebec must ‘‘give something’’ to salvage it. But despite these random mus- ings he has at least consistently endorsed the AIM of the deal. Quebec gave nothing and two weeks ago, back from the seven- day pressure cooker into which Mulroney tricked the First Ministers, Bill joined with eight of his fellow premiers in declaring the Accord essential to keep Canada united. In fairness, this can hardly be called a ‘‘flip-flop.”’ But since his return he admits his office has been flooded with calls and letters attacking his ‘‘pro-Meech’’ stand. Meanwhile, some of his cabinet have been less than helpful. Health Minister Peter Dueck resigned because of travel ex- penses. Servives Minister Carol Gran has covered her own and the IN MEMORY of Dave...Sheelah Bremner receives her tate hus- band’s Award of Distinction. government’s face with egg trying to conceal details of government jet use by ministers. Provincial Secretary Howard Dirks, asked about alleged lottery grant fiddles, has blithely conceded the political nature of such grants. With ccl- leagues like these, who needs Mike Harcourt? After the famous Vander Zalm TV speech last January the Socreds soared back to within three percentage points of the NDP. Now, the rumor mill has it that they’re again trailing by 15 points or more. Whatever the main reason, this is hardly the stuff of a winning September- October election campaign, especially with the two politically “dead”’ holiday months almost here. There’s another reason, howev- er, why the premier may be play- ing for time. Much of his lost support over Meech Lake is known to be turn- ing towards Preston Manning’s Reform Party, despite the RP leader's opposition so far to going provincial. But a maverick wing calling itself the Reform Party of B.C. already exists and local pressure could yet force Manning to give it its head. If RP candidates did run, Vander Zalm agrees it could well cost him the election by splitting the free-enterprise vote and ensur- ing an NDP victory. So, with well over a year still to go before he must drop the writ, there’s nothing to lose by waiting to see what — if anything — the Reformers do. Hit with so many fresh troubles not directly of his own making, could Bill’s dreams nowadays be turning at times to the carefree life of a gardener? kak WRAP-UP: Outstanding con- tributions by North Van’s late David Bremner to the Arthritis Society and its North Shore branch were recently honored with the posthumous presentation of its Award of Distinction to his widow Sheelah ... Re-elected 1990-91 president of West Van Legion Branch 60 is Jean Coull. Other exec members are past prez Peter Cherry, veepees Mel Oughton and Dick Lyle, treasurer Norris Spence, chairman Norman Faiers and service officer Jim Irvine ... Happy anniversaries today through Tuesday to three ‘‘gold- en-plus”’ couples — West Van's Elmer and Adelaide Scott (54th), Deep Cove's Frank and Margaret Hamilton (52nd) and North Van’s Nat and Angie Grandinetti (S3rd) ... And many happy returns of Tuesday, June 26, to North Van birthday boy Morris Oleksyn. eee WRIGHT OR WRONG: Blessed are they who have nothing to say and cannot be persuaded to say it (thanks, James Russell Lowell!) WiLL GO UP.... yp LP sevistoesines OW TO GUARANTEE YOUR TV. NEWS RATINGS COMMING UP IN THE NENS TONIGHT, THERE WILL BE No MENTIO Housing suspicions HE RECENT opposition raised over a proposed social housing project in North Vancouver City illustrates the continued disintegration of community in modern urban society. The development, which was approv- ed by city council, is a 19-unit structure that will provide affordable family housing for residents with incomes rang- ing frece social assistance to over $30,000 annually. At 2 city council hearing, area resi- dents expressed concerns over increased parking, density and environmental im- pact. But also expressed was concern over the type of residents who might inhabit the development. While it is difficult to pass moralistic judgement upon those who oppose change in their neighborhood, the piight of those untucky enough to be without a neighborhood because of economic or social position must be considered. Social ghettoization as dictated by housing restrictions is increasingly a problem on the North Shore and elsewhere. Apartment complexes, con- dominimums and townhouses are now routinely segregated by age and family circumstance. Tenants with children are regarded by some apartment management as_ less desirabie than tenants with pets. Condominiums are given over to the retired and adults only. What disappears in all this segregation and compartmentalization is the neighborhood interaction of the various vital components of society; what de- velops is the attitude of us-versus-them and the fear and distrust of different people from different ‘social strata. “‘Want to buy s suit?’’ An opening line from West Vancouver’s Murray Goldman, legendary owner of a string of clothing stores. “It’s absurd. What are we going to say? As of 1995 all people liv- ing in illegal suites have to vacate. All it would take is one single mother with a child to be evicted and hit the cover of the North Shore News and we would ali be running for cover."’ North Vancouver District Ald. Ernie Crist, commenting on the secondary-suite situation in the district. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”’ Members of North Vancouver District’s Housing Strategy Task Publisher Associate Editor North Shore News, tou SUDUIDUT few Dap et sqrapn tt of wilct Snould Oe ac Compared ty a farmeped ad envelope Peter Speck Managing Editor Timothy Renshaw Noel Wright Advertising Director Linda Stewart Force, in chorus after being asked what North Vancouver District Council would learn from further consultation with ratepayers groups on housing issues follow- ing council’s vote to defer all ac- tion on the task force’s report to allow more feedback from com- munity and ratepayer groups. “The task force represented 2 very wide variation of interests in the community. It was approved by council, The process was very carefully carried out, very thorough. To start that all over again is almost beyond helief."' District housing task force member Sheila Gilmour, on coun- cil’s decision to defer action on: the committee's report. Fed VOICE OF NCITTH AND wis? VANCOUVER 1139 Lonsdale Avenue. North Vancouver. BC V7M 2H4 §9,170 (average. Wednescay Friday & Sunday} eS SDA DIVISION Display Advertising Ciassified Advertising Newsroom 985-2131 Distribution 986-1337 SUNDAY + WEDNESDAY © THIDAY Subscriptions 386 North Shore owned and managed of the “He is an ambassador human spirit."”—. UBC professor Verna Kirkness, describing Squamish Band Chief Simon Baker, who was recently awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia. “The white people came here and you just can’t stop pro- gress....And they gave us our reserve here and social welfare.”’ Squamish Band Chief Simon Baker, on his band’s battles to overcome the impact of the arrival of Europeans. “No way.”" North Vancouver District Ald. Joan Gadsby, on legalizing sec- ondary suites in the district. 980-0511 986-6222 MEMBER xr, @ —! Entire contents « 1990 North Shore Free Press Ltd All nights reserved