yv . . oo, ‘ . ’ Y wo . can i Sana dik ane eee peepee gare ee - a stan benieattnnathhdhlinnt, hétihion, shih te hiction stitthentais de ‘vere pr eorereamery . e _6- Friday, July 4, 1997 ~ North Shore News north shore news ____ MAIL Box Wright’s wrong on bridge Dear Editor: Concerning the First Narrows crossing, Noel Wright is right: I am very surprised at his-gung, ho approval of the gov- ernment’s $70 million cop-out to rehabilitate the existing ridge, T believe that, as demonstrated { in his article in the North ‘Shore’ News of June 11, 1997 he has fallen into the same Mickey Mouse, band-aid “thinking as Boone, district council and possibly the Vancouver City council. ¢ seems to base his position mostly on objections to the proposed tolls if a proper crossing is provided by the private sector, Assuming the government wakes up and builds a new " improved crossing, why should there be tolls on this crossitig? . The NDP government has spent about $1.2 billion on improy- ing the Island Highway and i don’ t hear any mention of tolls «Bein required for it,’ Also there are no tolls on the Second Narrows, Massey Tunnel, Alex Fraser Bridge, the Cassiar Tunnel, Highway 91 " . Connector, What is the difference between these projects and + the First Narrows? Politics? The $70 million offered by Boone is about the same amount that they blew in extra union wages -on the Island Highway, I presume that Noel realizes that the-First Narrows is not used exclusively ,by North Shore residents including com- tmuters, eventhough the spiteful government and Vancouver : City council might. like to think so. A significant amount of traffic is by Vancouverites travelling to Vancouver Island, the Sunshine ce rior, Surely there are studies showing the extent of this, My. experience indicates that there are serious traffic jams bor ways during some evenings and on most weekends, as well ag the usual rush hoor problems. Noel talks about the government’s $70 million proposal being a solution for the immediate future, and he apparently wants to amortize the costs for a new crossing over only’ years. With this line of thinking the grandkids would not have _to be very bright to be a lot smarter than their 1997 prandpar- ents, And our grandkids will remember us for how dumb we were to go along with it, It seems to me that with interest rates and inflation being the lowest in decades it is an opportune time to obtain the nec- essary money for such important projects. The government should be able to borrow cheaper than private corporations, If you throw the Boone donation into the existing bridge now, and likely have to build a better crossing in the future,. the interest costs could be much higher and our children’ and grandchildren will have to pay most of the additional shot. Incidentally, Noct says the existing bridge has a clean bill of health. After nearly 60 years, does that include surviving a major earthquake? . Tivy North Vancouver 1 Re: Saskatchewan Wheat Pool — - Eyesore of the North Shore? . \t_was with great distress 1 discovered the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool terminal-on page 27. of -. the North Shore News (June 20, 1997), along with the caption “Eyesores of the North Shore,” I wonder if the Western Canadian farmer forms the same opinion about a facility that handles j in excess of 3 million metric tones of their Canadian product’annually? Help! We are being sur- -rounded . by’ monsters. _ Monster. ‘homes that is., One’ resembles a cathedral, “Another a fort and the lat- estone, looks __ mentary view us this way? ’ ‘all windows on the nort . ‘have about our facility, » venue’ berweed, 25th and 9th Streets. - ‘ , ‘Be ‘careful’ of the: taany -trucks, cranes, portable toi- ‘fets that have been around -for months: and- be careful -Not to -trip in -the- many “holes in the road caused by ‘polled. _ Saskatchewan Wheat Pool has been a quiet, yet proud member of the North Shore: comm nity since 1966, We employ 148 people, many of them residing on the North Shore. We partic- ipate in the summer student employment program, We are an active participant in community events such as Port Day and have been involved with the Lonsdale elementary school in the City School Pane program for the past five years, Do the staff and students of Lonsdale ele-' i We are constantly i improving our terminal. In 1994 a complete paint.job and replacerment of= mp side of the building to reduce noise, and i improve ‘Appearance was com-" pleted. We will continue to keep the facility in a respectable and presentable condition. We work ‘ * with the North Vancouver Noise Control committee to address and corr cet any concerns, they” re Who formed this unjust opinion or was it the idea of one - individual | in the editorial depart: ment? J ‘think ‘so. What makes our appearance better or worse than any other’ industry located .. ‘between the Iron Workers Memorial bridge and the Lions Gate Bridge? It is a ‘fact that our ter-"" minal can not be seen by 95% of the community and. Ido not believe the other, ‘5% wer * Saskatchewan Wheat Pool is located in an industria area on ‘the waterfront ofthe North’ Shore: We provide a valuable service to not only the Canadian’ farmer but the Canadian economy. _ export grains to over 50 different countries around the world. We hold export ‘shipping r past, Whistler and as an alternate route to the inte: | this option does not preclude ‘any of th -all these vehicles, One can- ot jhelp.. feeling ‘that the ‘family dwelling home is It scents that the devel- planners have : lost . all” ‘concept’ of what a: single}, . for the Port of Vancouver, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and their employees’ are proud people and to be Cilled an “Eye of the North Shore” truly is unfair, » Dave Riches 4iOperations Superintendent », Saskatchewan Wheat Pool pers and architects are wry- ing to outdo cach other in Size. and “design of ‘these. monster - ‘homes Fight on “Dear Editor: ‘Congratulations “for your ” pport of Doug. Collins. Free Speech has no, bounds. Long may. you fight against Il'suppréssion of thought. “paul Stocks” : : paulstocks@earthlink.n net F Our 39th B.C.A.A. - A.R.A:. DON TAYLOR, TALKING Some‘ owner, game high d shop se oene x} x insu jon 29.000 985-7455 474 Pemberton Avenue 4 bli. south of pring) APPROVED CENTRE =f Sel INO Oak Reto we hg Restaurant : ~NOW LICENSED-- «Presents your Deép Cove.” Theatre tickets and veceive 15% off any dinner entrée. | Reservations welcome 929-3912. 43711 Gallant Avenue, Deep Cov Cove | ' Wright is right about Lions ; Dear Editor: eyes o Noel Wright. should be congravilted | for his common sense analysis’ of the seemingly. never-ending | Lions .Gat Bridge issue ($1,000 North Shore Reality Chee » Wedne ay, June 11, News), Like Mr, Wright, T too am perplexed over the ‘oppos 0 of our four local MLAs to the decision of North Vancotive District tu mr the ithe option. of a $70 million’ enhanced, rehabilitation of the bridge, with’ three widened lanes and. tolls. Liberal MLA Jeremy Dalton’s recent ‘constituen accurately pointed out that, “The resolution of the’ Lion Gate Bridge issuc is long overdue, Delay after delay't tiow finds ; us in-an ‘accelerated rate of deterioration.” * This. willfu neglect of the bridge has resulted in a serious ha: dt who use it. Clearly, the time for talking is over The North Shore does not need a third crossing nor a bridge with more lanes. What we need right now is ‘the’ hecessaty ‘Teadershi ¥ ensure that the. current bridge i is fixed and made afc no added tolls, - Those, who argue for increased bridge capacity are. ignor: ing the facts, Consider that traffic volumes on the Lions Gate:; “Bridge have long since stabilized; and general congestion no worse today than'on any of the. Lower, Mainland’s othe " major crossings and arteries, Moreover, the future vision contained in GVRD Region Strategic Plan (deemed? regional growth strategy by. the Minister of Mur on February 10, 1996). directs the-concentratior of tei tion growth along major, transportation rout but : the North Shore — and more emphasis, placed on ‘not mobile travel, This fits perfectly with North Vancouver. District for the only sensible and prudent option’ availabl million’ proposed: Lions Gate Bridge rehabilitation’ But ‘perhaps the ‘most persuasive’ argument pair the existing bridge, is that: if circumstances should ‘change i er proposals fro constructed in.the fut “bein . i opefully: Mr, Wright’s: colunin ‘will w Pale North Shore commuters who would be expected't fork ov 8 * "approximately $1,000;per year in tolls ini order: four -latic bridge. 1s ‘wonder when Ted Nebbli ing,