Sunday, January 4, 1998 — North Shore News - 15 mer LGH administrators land new jobs News Reporter fa@nsnews.com THE employment of two former Lions Gate Hospital executives has saved the cash-strapped North Shore Health Region approximately $170,000. Group keen on changing system Robert Galster News Reporter robert@nsnews.com POWER to the people. A concept that needs no introduction and, according to some, is the key to firming up* the inadequacies of Canada’s political system. North Vancouver's Reimar Kroccher is president of Canadians for Direct Democracy, a group advocat- ing the implementation of a system that allows voters to introduce and remove policies and laws via referendum. “Pve kind of been dis- couraged by the political sys- tem in this country,” said Kroecher. “There seem to be only a few in the driver’s seat and the people aren’ in it.” Kroecher who _ teaches economics at Langara College said he got involved with the group because of a deep-seat- ed dissatisfaction with the existing political system. “Onc of the frustrations of teaching economics, is you sce all the flaws in the system and when the students ask what can we do about it, all we can say is write your MP or MLA .. and these guys have no power cither,” said Kroccher. “It’s like a transmission not connected to a car.” Kroecher added a lack of accountability plays a large part in the problem. “The people have to have some leverage to be heard more than once every four or five vears,” said Kroecher. The group already counts North Vancouver District Coun. Erie Crist as one of its supporters. He introduced the concept to council which, in turn, commissioned a staff report on the issue. “After all these vears in office, 've come to the con- clusion that the only way we can solve the problems is if people take charge of their affairs,” said Crist. “I'd rather have people make mistakes because in the final analysis we can only move as far as the public’s understanding allows us.” Crist sees the concept as one way to get around voter apathy as illustrated by a municipal clection — voter turnout of about 20%. “Direct democracy will deprive them of any excuse to shift responsibility to the politician,” said Crist. Canadians for — Direct Democracy will be holding an information meeting on Friday Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Capilano Library, 3045 Highland = Blvd., 9 North Vancouver. Health region chief execu- tive officer Inge Schamborzki said former hospital chief exccutive officer Bob Smith and former chief operating otticer Lynctte Best have both found work ar Vancouver hos pitats atter being Jet go from Lions Gate. Best, whose termination in spring 1997 caused wide- ¥ spread aimorary in the haspy tal against. the North Shore Health Region brass, was enti- ded to TS months salary, approximately $177,000, Bur she started as St. Paul's Hospital's director of nursing practice in’ carly September, said Schamborzki. The region paid out five months of Best’s salary and a $22,000 lumpy sum payment for the remaining 13 months. That covers the difference between Best's $118,000 salary from) Lions Gate and her $97,000 © salary at St.Paul’s, said Schamborzki. Smith was let go in early 1996. Schamborzki. said he received a lump sum payout for salary of approximately $220,000 at the time. However, because he worked at Vancouver General Hospital. trom) January to August during 1997, the region owas reimbursed approximately $60,000) by Sovith, said Schamborzki. Schamborzki. added thar, as far as she knows, Best's compensation package did not regular ticketed price of HUNDREDS OF STOREWIDE CLEARANCE ITEMS Fashions, Furniture, Linens & more. Save 15% on regular and sale merchandise feo! NO on Major Appliances, Personal Care, Small Electrics, Home Electronics, Broadioom, Vacuums and Infants’ Wheelgoods ONE DAY ONLY Tuesday, January 6th Seniors’ Sale 15% discounl excludes cosmetics, tragrances, Balh & Boo concessions & services, Easy Spaint shoes, DKNY handinags and shoes, Eaton Gitt Cortiicates, Roots merchandise, Jockey and Calvin Kem apparel, b7 Claibome ard Guess fashion ancessores & apparel, Woman's Desiqners-(classes 359/18), Men's Designers Mar, Valentino, Joseph Abboud & cK clothing, Mont Blanc accessories, Prospector footwear, Royal Velvet towels, Eaton Home towels, Sunglass Hut, watch straps, sale anc clearance-pnced fine jewellery, Dior and Estate jewellery, Gucci, Swatch, Guess and Prestige watches, “Eaton's will deduct an arnount equivalent to the GST from the total pice of your purchase. Exchided from this offer are: Panasonic GAOO TVs, pre-recorded video & audio tapes, CDs. Offers valid for those G5 years of age or older Offers cannot be combined together or with any other tax saving offer. SENIORS’ DAY SALE incluce a sick leave payout, a controversial payment that provides cash for an adminis- trator’s unused sick time. Best, a registered nurse, received the 1992 Award of Excellence in Nursing Administration, given by the Registered Nurses” Association of British Columbia.