lors subsidy criticized Fram page 1 sioned recreation fees and charges task force, Coun. Liz Byrd proposed chat the limit for seniors be raise from 60 to 65 years old. ing reducing, and pos bly eliminating, extra subsidies for seniors, which would mean .. that recreation rates co review the cur: rent reereation fees and charges and recommend i that would “stan- ssues were rd, including commu- nity residency, ability to pa program costs, seniors’ su sidies and possible di playing field user charges. But public pressure elimi- nated field user charges from the Est. Then in July, council directed the task force to get more community input. ’ Ralph Ferstay, task force member and West Vancouver parks and recreation manag- er, reported that a four-page survey was handed out to recreation users. Approximately 200 of. the 700 surveys distributed were returned.’ ~ Using the surveys as a “guide, the task force began collaborating with the advi- sory finance commission, the - parks and recreation commis- sion and the seniors’ advisory board. According to Ferstay, a key. concern -is.. the rapidly . aging West Vancouver popu- lation. F : “The 1996 census indi- seated ! ‘(that in Wesr Vancouver) approximatcly ¢. . FACTORY EATON -tnlrance in fear lane -.~ Non.- Sat. I $3008. one 2/5 or r better “yet ah one in five is a senior (65 and alder)” he said. The ratio is more than twice the provin- cial and national averages. Ferstay said that contin- ued grow ‘th in the municipal: \ rniors population can be expected “The park department is already feeling the effects of this growth and the demand for service for seniors,” i In Wi of all rec are 60 ¥ tion centre users rs old and up. At the aquatic centre, this num- ber increases te 33% both these groups, 75% are 65 and older. ures, council must now “lecide how to handle seniors and recreation fees If council votes to cut senior subsidies, activity cen- increase, senior public admis- sion rate for fitne for example, would increase from $2 to $2.88. If a 20% subsidy is approved, the fig- ure could climb to $3.20. Still, both increases are le than the original proposed fee of S4. Additionally, if council votes to raise the age limit to vill then be a spe ; introduced at th seniors’ centre for those in the 60 to 64 age range. But Coun. Russ Fraser questioned the validity of the user survey He said that in general, write-in’ surveys are not “valid” because they tend to favour the focus group. He added> that “all taxpayers . should be consulted, not just recreation users. | i] 7 ong , Macindes: Solid pine sofa bed frarae, tri. faam case faten, scatch-qartetfaton cove, : + pillows end piles covers. While qcentines last O67 E Tet, Yan -éon sinaayi2-Spn 984-4504 or Victor Duarman Williams both ke for the system) and Couns. and Allan vonced their dis seniors’ subsidy suggested that West Vancouver seniors are wealthy enough to afford increased fees. “It sounds like a great idea to subsidize seniors,” said Durman. “Bur there is a bigger group of (non-user) seniors who are having to pay the bill.” oun, Ron Wood was quick to point out that all taxpayers support programs they don’t use. “Fovsure there’ seniors ye school taxes certainly don’t » he drive on the streets. We sub- sidize the kids that play the p. ” But Williams then que tioned the reasoning behind the senior subsidies “I can see it for children, but why should a 60-vear- old or a 65-year-old or even a 70-year-old have to have a subsidy today?” He added that in the past, the subsidies made sense because the seniors were the “pioncers” that helped build the community. He said th is no longer the case in t 90s. Coun. Bill) Soprovich reminded Williams that not ahost of evervbody West Vancouver is weal: “There (should bel some duc consideration for peaple who have paid taxes for all these vears,” he ssid Suill, according, tw ‘liams, there is an atterna- tive for those unable to atford the increases. “We are to ensure that the public is aware char (the municipality) is to provide leisure services to all regard- less of ability to pay,” he said.” “Therefore, if someone says they cat pay, arrangements make a motion to have the seniors’ age inereased from 60 to 65 which would apply to “all facilities.” But canfu- sion broke out as councilors disagreed as to whether the golf course was part of the recommendation or nor. saresult, the matter has been tabled pending cla cation of the proposal and the Byrd’s motion, The matter will be dis- cussed again at a future council meeting. Correction DUE to an editing error, John McCrae was described as a Canadian | Second World War poet in John Moore’s Nov. 11 page 3 opinion column. McCrae, the author of In Flanders Fields, is a. Canadian First World War poet. Keith A. Cameron Barrister & Solicitor _30 years experience MORTGAGE INVESTORS Let me help you with your problems. => Purchases & Sales of Businesses > Wills & Estates . © Foreclosures”: = Real Escate Matters Free initial consultation 929-0998. "Appointment availab‘e evenings & weekends upon request CABINET. SHOP LTD. KITCHENS * BATHROOMS | ‘INTERIOR REMODELING: Family Owned and Operated Since 1979 > Hundreds of Standard, Specialty, .8¢ Custom Doorstyles Available - -> Professional Designers & Skilled Trades People from HOE AS\ TO REALTY \ - We viake i sharpen Friday, Ncvember 13, 1998 — North Shore News - § ee NEWS phote Mike Waketield © - Fall fair MULGRAVE school's fall fair is Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at North Shore Winter Club, 1325 E. Keith Rd., North Van. From left: Linda Taunton, Barbara Simpson, Helen Turner, Cynthia Tullis and Geof Wheelwright. i MIRAPIDLUBE & ORIVE-THRU Oil CHANGE PROFESSIONALS No appointment necessary inciedes wp to Sl of 10034 & 21 point satety laspectioa’ ! yLONSDALE & 13TH CAUTION. KHAHTSAHLANO FOOTRACE WEST VANCOUVER November 15th / 1998 1. 7:50am Start Gleneagles. School 2. 6100 Block: Marine Dr.: / temporary closures (approx 20 min.) : police department ; ' ih 120: BMW INSPECTION 1 ONLY y 9145" PLUS PARTS* INSPECTION ONLY. $225 PLUS PARTS* BMW TIMING Beer REPLACEMENT - $298 INCLUDING : Applies (0 Baw 3, ‘ a 50°