A7 - Wednesday, February 10, 1982 - North Shore News ennai x, WV mustn‘t become ‘house divided’ OPEN LETTER TO WEST VANCOUVER RESIDENTS The lack of remedial ac- tion by the provincial government concerning the anomalies in the provincial school financing formula is dividing our community into what appears to be two op- posing schools of thought. I believe this is the time for united understanding of the cause of the prablem and not for internal local opposing thought and action. The Midister of Educa- tion, the Hon. Brian Smith, was warned at a meeting at Hollyburn School in November 1980; he also had his own Fleming report that clearly set out the problem; I warned him again in October that alterations in the pro- vincial school financing bas- ed on pooled assessments throughout the province was inequitable and inequitious. The Hon. Allan Williams was told at a joint meeting of West Vancouver municipal council and the board of School District No. 45 that the 1'% million dollars due to go from West Vancouver to finance schooling elsewhere was intolerable. He said he hoped some _ rectification would ensue after the recent cabinet meetings. The rec- afication of the municipal blanket appeal against the assessment levels has reduc- ed the $1% million to $400,000 which is the same as we paid out in 1981. This is still intolerable. The needs for sensible school financing locally on all our taxpayers must not be permitted to divide those homes without children prsently against those homes with children in the school system and the teachers association. The lack of pro- vincial action gives rise to a militancy of thoughts which tend to divide us within ourselves and to give un- wanted radical thought, ac- tion, and licence which we ull deserve. Our present board of school trustees will do their best under the cir- cumstances, I am sure. All things are not possible, par- ticularly at this ime. Let our attitudes individually and collectively be focused on the real problem that besets us which is the provincial school financing formula. Let us avoid internal peti- tions, precipitous meetings, inflammatory advertise- ment, or threats internally which divert our attention from the problem which we must face with unity. Let not the productivity of our teachers or those they teach be interfered with by themselves or others. We have every right to ex- pect from the Minister of Education or from our Member of the Legislative Assembly a solution, even temporary this year, and a sincere undertaking to rec- tfy the situation before next year. In the meantime, let us all in mutual concord, make certain that we do not become a house divided within itself. Dernck Humphreys Mayor West Vancouver N. Van trustees seek school tax relief OPEN LETTER TO EDUCATION MINISTER BRIAN SMITH At the January 12 meeting, the North Van- couver School Board again considered the likely proper- ty tax impact on our local taxpayers in 1982. In par- ticular, we reviewed the Alcoholic | Dear Editor: I must admit to feelings of anger and frustration over the article by Mr. Bob Hunter in the Sunday News of January 31. The tragic death of this young woman is evidence indeed of the misunderstanding society has op a very serious pro- blem in this and every other Waterfront Dear Editor: At the January 15 meeting of the West Van Waterfront Owners’ Association, the assessors verbally promised to accept all assessment ap- peals dated and mailed on January 20. This promise was made in front of over 100 rate payers present at that mecting For the benefit of water foo answer Call G4, BO $4 Flrat Om tN bee Bae yyy Sat a a appointment Mons Dra on Poyayam Expiros Feb 17 ‘wary Wom ee CPONES pL PaeE | eR M4 IN TRAD IN TE FINA FROONAL PAS A te bs + COPUNE FA MARINE [oft AINE ¢ . — as by HIS N HER NATURAL HAIFA Db StGaNS By appomtment 9644 GBT / Fleming report, considered its recommendations, and noted its predictions of im- pact if no changes are made in the financing approach. I write at this time to ex- press our serious concern and alarm over the con- tinued inequity of taxation in the province. Due to the rapidly rising assessments, community. More and more doctors today have come to accept the fact that alcohol is a disease, and that some otherwise normal people have, through no fault of their own, no control over” alcohol. It is my contention that Mr. Hunter’s article was in- sensitive, ill-prepared and our homeowners last year were faced with average school tax increases of 22%, although our budget in- crease was held to 11%. Many homeowners” ex- perienced much larger in- creases than the above. Yet we note that many taxpayers in localities outside the metro area actually ex- perienced a very small in- article ‘insensitive’ was written without research whatever. any Mr. Hunter would be well advised to contact the local offices of A.A. to get his facts straight on this matter before writing further on this subject. N. Rutledge North Vancouver owners appealing front owners not as yet con- tacted, we are requesting they immediately forward their cheque for $75.00 as in- itial payment for the fee for Mr. C Partish, the profes- sional appraiser, who has been retained to represent our group appeal. Will cach and every water front owner please send their cheque to the address on our The natural han and naturally THIS AD WORTH ATL ANC HM. Whe Cut 1s Cut falls wear Comb and tet dry or blow dry The Carl Pemmacurl is a new PH controlled perm Combined with a natural Cut to Create an exciting Hew look you just wash and wear No setting of blow drying FIVE DOLLARS letter (3180 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, B.C., V/V 1N4) to the attention of Mr Jim ~~ Berry, Secretary Treasurer. Your co-operation is ap- prectated Michael Moody President WV Waterfront Owners Assn cut follows the flow of the exactly as the hatr Completely wash and crease or a decrease! In- deed, many paid no school tax at all! Even more serious is the fact that unless you take definite action, a _ similar Situation will occur again this year. Our Board has exercised considerable effort over the past few years to restrain costs. The percentage in- creases in our budget in both 1981 and 1982 have been among the lowest in the Metro area. Increases in operating costs per pupil have similarly been held at a relatively low level for the past several years. Yet our taxpayers continue to be fac- ed with dramatic increases, thus unfairly subsidizing those in other parts of the province. Mr. Minister, we believe the present situation to be completely unacceptable. We, therefore, request that you take immediate action to correct the situation and, in particular, that you pro- vide special dispensation for our homeowners in 1982. We anxiously await your favourable reply. (Mrs.) Chairman North Van School Board Marg. 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