increase in cyclists on path to bridge raises safety concerns Layne Christensen News Reporter ichristensen@nsnews.com KLAHANIE Court residents are upset over main- tenance work that has transforined a nearby fout- path into a “bicycle freeway.” Residents of the seniors’ lodge and housing complex at 3.7 Niahanie Ct.. to che east of the Lions Gate Bridge cloverleaf on ramp, use the path through the woods at Kiahanie Park to access the rest of West Vancouver. The Lions Gate Bridge Praject Commission paved the gravel path at the end of November, Since the shuttle service for evelists crossing the Lions Gate Bridge began in December, the number of cyclists using the path has increased. And thai has residents like June Somers worried. “We feel like pias at the end of a bowliny alley,” said Somers, who outlined her concerns ina Dec. 16 letter to West Vancouver District council. Residents had long requested that any improve- ments to the trail include a paved, divided path to separate cyclists from pedestrians. “The day they paved that path without dividing it was the day they increased our problems manifold,” she wrote. Somers and other residents who Sope to bring their concerns before council charge that the paved pathway is part of a larger problem. Currently, the only way for Klahanie residents to access West Vancouver by foot is via the path, which leads to the sidewalk of the cloverieaf loop at the north end of Lions Gate Bridge and then down a dirt path to Marine Drive. Wheelchair scooters and seniors who find the path to Marine Drive too steep use the bus access road. Klahanie residents say a thoroughfare that bypasses the cloverleaf would be safer. In November 1998, they almost got their wish, when North Vancouver District council considered a proposal for a dedicated bus and bicycle lane on Marine Drive to be included as part of the Lions Gate Project. Sidewalks and pedestrian paths through the Klahanie Park area were to be a part of the package, which was defeated by council. “Pedestrians and the handicapped in wheelchair scooters have as much right to a safe passage as do cars and bicycles,” said Somers, arguing that a divided, well-lit pathway would cost the munic- ipality about $120,000. Gordon MacKay, West Van's assistant director of operations, said the proposed upgrades could Crisis services society sued A Vancouver woman is suing the North Shore Crisis Services Society (NSCSS) for damages after she lost her job last year. In a statement filed at B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 19, Fawzia Ahmad said that short- ly after beginning work in May 1996 as acommunity program coordinator for — North Vancouver-based NSCSS, she learned “that several lesbian employees resigned when the defendant failed to address their work-related concerns effectively. “The defendant thereby failed to maintain a workplace safe for all employees across sexual orientations.” The NSCSS is a non-profit irked ver are ee ae — ‘Nednesday, January 25, 20G0 - North Shore News - 3 ike tra NEWS photo Mike Wakefield KLAHANIE Court residents Evelyn Watters and Danny Robson want improved pedestrian access to the Lions Gate bridgehead. Pedestrians and cyclists share the narrow path that leads to the cloverleaf on-ramp. NEWS choto Terry Paters WORK continues on the overpass to the new Harbourside Business Park. Auto mall occupancy ist set to be fina lized society that operates a shelter for women who have left abu- sive relationships. Ahmad claims that she was a “conscientious and dedicat- ed employee.” According to the statement of claim in May of fast year she was given notice by the NSCSS that her . employment with the society would end in six weeks. On the day after she received that notice, Ahmad claims the NSCSS executive director ordered her to pack up hee personal belongings and feave the office immedi- ately. See Warman page 4 AN announcement to be made in the next few weeks will finalize the occupancy list for the new Harbourside auto mall. Part of a development on the former Fullerton fill site at the foot of Fell Avenue in North Vancouver, the auto mall will likely become the new home of most Marine Lxive car dealers. Development manager Peter Martin of Concert Properties (formerly Greystone Properties) said the Harbourside site will include office space for light industry and pro- fessional companies ou a sale, lease, or build-to- suit basis. Park and retail space have also been allotted for the waterfront land. Concert Properties was given the go-ahead by North Vancouver City council in May 1999, after appreval from the Burrard Environmental Review Committee (BERC). BERC is involved in the environmental impact assessment process for al! potential waterfront developments, Its members include the Port of Vancouver and the Department of Fisheries and Occans. Censtruction is now well under way at the site, said Martin. A railway overpass is more than ’ 75% complete, and a contractor has been hired to take care of roadways, sewers, gas and hydro lines. An official unveiling of the site is sched- uled for April 5. The auto mall itself has been bought by the Jim Pattison Group, which will re-sell service lots to individual auto dealers. City planner Péchard White said the auto mail was expected co be open for business by the fall of this vear. — Katharine Hamer cost more than that. MacKay said the province should pick up the tab for the work. fan Druce of the B.C. Transportation Financing Authority, the government agency responsible for Lions Gate Bridge, project said that paving the pathway was a temporary measure and the dis- cussions were ongoing with the municipality to improve pedestrian and bicycle access to the bridge- head. However, funding was an issue. “People would like a Cadillac. But obviously, providing a Cadillac isn’t always the best response for taxpayer money. Sometimes it’s better to have a nice Buick,” said Druce. Court closed to hear girl’ testimony 7-year-old testifies against father accused of sex assault NORTH Vancouver provincial court Judge Doug Moss ordered that the public be excluded from a courtroom on Monday while a seven-year-old girl testi- fied against her father. ‘The girl’s father is charged with sexually assaulting the youngster in what Crown lawyer Linda Ostry called a series of acts alleged to have taken place sometime between Jan. 1, 1998, and March 13, 1999. Ostry asked for the public exclusion order in the interest of the proper administration of justice as set out in the Criminal Code for witnesses under age 14 in. sexual assault trials. The names of the youngster, her accused 35-year-old father and the girl’s mother were banned from publication. The family lived in North Vancouver during the time of the alleged assaults. Two publication bans had already been made before Monday’s court proceedings, but the Crown lawver went over the bans again. In a rare occurrence, the accused has been referred to by initials only on court docket lists and not by his full name as others who are charged with the same crime. The prosecuting Crown lawyer said the girl had not seen her father since last March when the allegations were dis- closed. “She doesn’t know how she’li feel if she sees her father,” said Ostry. Ostry asked that a screen be available should the girl not wish to see her father in the courtroom while she testifies. Ostry said that if the girl’s testimony was “nor advancing,” - there was a two-hour videotape of her allegations that could be used, as permitted by the Criminal Code. The girl was to testify with a court support worker by her side. The child's father, dressed in a dark business suit and black shirt, pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was repre- sented by lawyer Robin Stewart. —Anna Maric D'Angelo