4 — Friday, July 30, 1999 — North Shore News City invests in Pubic art pian Catherine Barr Contributing Writer NORTH Vancouver City thinks a $125,000 public art program is worth every penny. The motion, which was passed Monday night, includes provisions for 2 $85,000 annual budget contribution to be made from the city’s existing capital works budget. Additional funds will also come fram the city’s operating budget to pay for a public art coordinator ($20,000), a com- munity art program ($15,000) and public art maintenance ($5,000). The figure was decided upon based on a discussion paper and recommendation — from the North Shore Arts Commission. In the draft policy paper, the commission proposed a “per- centage for art” concept. If adopted, a bylaw would be passed stating that every capital project must set aside a tixed budget percentage for art. This percentage could range any- where from .25% to 2.5%. But a staff report from deputy finance director Isabel Gordon instead recommended an alternative option for funding the initiative. In her report, she said that the majority of the city’s capital funding comes from Tax Sale Lands Reserve intcrest and other statutory reserves. Use of the moncy is limited by the terms under which the reserves were set up. In order to use a percentage of the reserves for art concept, all the bylaws regarding the fund north vancouver y: Council would have co be amended. Gordon instead recommend: ed a donation based on an over- all percentage contibution not ed to anv one project -— $125,000 represents 1.25% of the overall capital budget of S10 million (based on the capital budget over the last tive years). The option also means that the money will come from the city's existing capital budget and will not require a tax increase to fund it. Council will also have a say in how the moncy is spent and how the community art program will be set up. Staff will report back on this item with options at a later date. Councillors Barbara Sharp and Barbara Perrault think it is a great idea. “Art is functional, it’s practi- cal and it enhances the commu- nity,” said Perrault. Coun. Sharp agreed. “Public art is about life; it's about health,” she said. “(Ir becomes the heart of the city.” Both Sharp and Pecrault said that spending the moncy will be well worth it and will go towards enhancing the art programs that are already in place in the city. Meanwhile, and in keeping with their new approach to art, city council also passed a motion giving chalk artists permission to create chalk artwork on the south sidewalk of Carrie Cates Court on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. during the summer months. new plaza ctock. Plaza time CROWDS gathered July 23 to attend the official opening of North Vancouver City’s revamped Civic Plaza. The 14th street facitity features a Father angered by delay in search Frons page 1 Rory Manning was two days shy of his 25th birthday when hie went for a hike up the 2.9-kilometre GVRD trail to Grouse Mountain on Jan. 27. . An avalanche © struck around 1 p.m. Four pcople were injured and cvacuated during the next nine hours. Manning could not be found. He suffocated under the weight of the avalanche. Manning was contacted days later by the Abbotsford- based Canadian Amphibious Search Team (CAST). The pri- vate, non-sanctioned group was paid by Manning to begin its own search when North Vancouver RCMP and North Shore Rescuc postponed a~ joint operation. They cited harsh winter weather and the high risk of further avalanches in the area. RCMP denied CAST per- mission to enter the area. CAST eventually got on the tail after signing liability waivers with the GVRD and Grouse Mountain. However, it was the volunteer NSR, led by a pet dog, that finally found Rory Manning’s body encased in ice under more than a metre of snow on May 24. Manning told the News that evening he was relieved his son had finally been found bur remained angry about the delay. He said he had the utmost respect for CAST and vowed to someday make his grievance with the RCMP public. North Vancouver RoMP Supt. Jamie Graham had not been served with the writ by Thursday morning when con- tacted by the News. He said the RCMP con- ducted a thorough search through challenging terrain and difficult weather condi- tions. He said Manning's body was eventually found when it became safe for searchers to resume the mission. He said the RCMP and NSR did their best to fulfil Public not at risk Frani pase? cus. According to Dr. Bran O'Connor, medical health ficer of the North Shore Health Region, Group A streptococcus Hlesh-cating dis- vase is transmitted through close contact: between indi- viduals. People at risk of contract- ing the flesh-eating disease live in the same houschoild as someone with the serious infection and have intimate contact. Intimate contact includes sharing sleeping arrangements. Anyone with direct mucous-secretions con- tact (oral or aasal) with a per- son with Hesh-cating disease is also at risk. Family members of a person with the serious condition may be prescribed antibiotics to prevent a future infection. O'Connor said routine contact, including contact with the patient on a hospital ward, is not considered risky as far as contracting the flesh- cating disease. “Family members of someone who has this are about 100 times more likely to develop it than anyone else in the general population,” said O°Connor. Group A_ streptocaccus causes sore throats, and skin infections, but can cause more serious _ infections including toxic shock syn- drome if the — bacteria “invades” the body. : O'Connor said Group A streptococcus flesh-eating dis-. case may be increasing in revalence and that’s why ealth officials are being told of all cases. He said this was the sccond reported case this year on the North Shore. for son their responsibilities. Ie was an emotionally draining exercise for all involved, he said. “We took considerable time and effort, his son was . found,” Graham said. “I’m extremely sorry, and - I empathize with him greatly.” The Grouse Grind. trail. reopened in mid-June. . ° ° "sAvailable on one year plan from Cantel® AT&T with a monthly service fee of $20 or greater. Limiced tme offer. See in-store for details. GRogers Cancel inc. "AT&T Corp. Used Under License. Park Royal Shopping Centre South -