6 - North Shore News — Wednesday, April 19, 2000

————-VIEW POINT:

10 Sale

ORTH Vancouver City coun-
cillors are verging on the hypo-
critical in their newly aggres-
sive stance against pawnbrokers operat-
ing in the municipality.
They also seem to be a bit confused.
At issue: on Monday council voted
unanimously for city staff to flesh out
a proposal that would prohibit the
establishment of new pawnshops or the
relocation of existing ones in the city.
The motion submitted by Mayor
Barbara Sharp and Coun. Barbara
Perrault describes pawnshops as busi-
‘nesses that “in many cases the prime
use... is for the transference of stolen
pre-owned goods to cash.”
Perrault acted on a complaint
received from a member of the Lower
_- Lonsdale Business Association about
-« the planned opening of another pawn
- shop. . .

mailbox

Many thanks for
help during ordeal

Dear Bditor:

On‘a recent Wednesday, as I was driving up Westhill

D ve, my car stalled and refused to start up.

Thinking I'd put the car in park, I got out to go check

ef the hood:” --

The car started rolling backwards dragging me with it.
reached for the emergency brake but it was too late, the

picking up speed on the steep hill.

‘jumped out, of the way and the car rolled over m
t_and into a Jamppest: Luckily the post sent the car o'

There is only one pawnshop regis-
tered in the city. There are 11 second-
hand dealers active in the city.

The big clue about what this pawn-
shop fuss might really be about can be
found in Perrault’s following state-
ment: “This type of business is fre-
quently found in urban areas where
crime, graffiti and urban decay are in
evidence and therefore sends a very
negative signal to prospective cus-
tomers and would-be residents.”

The city, more than happy to take
the business licensing and tax income
generated by such businesses, is con-
cerned about the appearance of the
existing nature of enterprise in the
Lower Lonsdale area. It’s no secret that
there are major plans afnot to redevel-
op and gentrify the neighbourheed.
Second-hand storefronts drag down
property vaiues.

bumper sticker.

Ir sums up today’s
growing anger at elect-
ed governments that
cule like dictatorships
with our money.

That anger explains
the increasing number
of citizens, especially
among the younger,
who are simply tuning
out of the political

“TF we stop voting for them,
will they go away?” asks a new

THE BAD NEWS IS.

ALL FOUR COURT

CASES ABE GOING
AHEAD.

oe

So what precisely docs he now offer
as this suffering province’s would-be
comeback kid?

His basic theme is that,
under the present sys-
tem of government, the
people are totally
excluded from the deci-
sion-making process.
He guarantees a B.C.
constitution that, with-
in two years of Reform
~ becoming government,
, would be put to B.C.
and yor - - voters in a referendum.

road into a grassy area where it came to a stop.
slight impact.of the pole was cnough to total the
J was in shock and I didn’t have a phone on me to call
the pr lice anid get hel ; a
ess.

d hi ppened. to be driving. by at the time. -

The father came right over to see it I was all right and
ome speaking softly and soothing my nerves
way. ank: you, so much for your help.’ You

eT called my husband ‘and we imme-

the. accident :scene to contact. the

d. already been notified by a nearby resident
and: were having the car towed. I would like to thank

Constable TJ. Carroll for his kindness and understanding, ;

ety shaken by the whole ordeal, it was a close ¢:
fe Moore, .

a anfanche: @nsnews.com
61.582 (average Creation, Wesheiay, Fray & Sunday). ~

s thanks to. the kind gentleman and his son in
bitte ‘van: who. were working on.a house in that: area —

process altogether.
Percentage turnouts :
in the mid to low fifties for provincial
elections are among the ominous signs.
But one B.C. party claims it would
make the changes needed to render
government truly accountable to the
voters on an ongoing basis its top prior-
ity. :
Such was the essence of the message
brought to the North Shore last week-
_end-by BC Reform Party leader and for-
‘ mer Socred premier Bill Vander Zalm.
The occasion: a $15-a-plate brunch
mecting at a North Vancouver cestau-
rant atrended by some 70 of the faithful
and the curious, the majority aged 50 to
70-plus. . So
All things considered, a respectable
turnout for a showery Saturday midday.
The Zalm himself never changes.
_ Handsome, tanned and impeccably
groomed. = -
Sharp as a needle with every personal
contact. Bursting with awesome energy.
If ever a guy had what it takes to go
- places, he’s the one — except, of
. course, that he’s already been to the
”. highest political places in B.C.

{t would introduce a :

more open, direct form: .

of democracy — including fixed election

dates; free votes in the legislature; effec- ~

tive recall, initiative and referendum
rocedures, and the election of MLAs
y majority vote.
The Zalm’s BC constitution would

- also require citizen approval for budget

deficits, tax hikes, new taxes, major pro-
jects and major social! policies. And only
individual citizens would be allowed to
contribute to political parties — not
corporations or unions. .

IMustrating today’s overall problem

with governments, Varider Zalm recalled
an unexpected phone cif he’d had from

_ then premier Glen Ciark, calling from

the Nass Valley. -

Burbling with enthusiasm, Clark told
Vander Zalm the Nisga’a Treaty had
just been ratified by the band, making it
the greatest day in B.C. history. “Are
you going to put it to a referendum?”
asked Vander Zalm. —- ;

“No, Bill,” replied Clark. “It would
never pass!” an : :

Despite having not a single MLA in-
the Legislature and his own recent

- one nagging item. | -

BC, Liberals’ and NDP alik
Bill and Reform BC w

a) Wangs S792 FHT “204 1997S OA AD “Pod> NWI) Sour] ETSCLAA

defeat in the Delta by-election, the.”
.Zalm remains upbeat. os
He notes his party’s two main pro!
lems az the moment: shortage of funds -
to get its message out to the broad B
electorate, plus a shortage of younger’
supporters. - oe
* But he compares Reform BC’s posi-
tion under his leadership today to that:
of Social Gredit under W.A.C. Bennett
in 1952, and that of Ontario Premier <:
Mike Harris in 1995. (2.00200 os
Victory looms for the snatching!
. One can dismiss all this, of course.

.an amusing case of overblown hype:.

from a political ha-been. — except fo

What Vander Zaim proposes woul
if implemented, revolutionize po ics in
favour of the voters and their

‘earned moncy..

That's why the old-line partic

ike

uld

quietly and dic. .: oa
. Which leaves two final 4

Majesty Queen Elizabeth” 11! on
74th birthday: © tt

WRIGHT OR WRONG
’ the darkest hour is on

0 min

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