Al - Sunday, January 1, 1984, - - North Shore News 1 mailbox Dear Editor: & As a proud employee of the SeaBus system | am total- ly appalledatthe article ‘‘AT- TACKED ON SEA-BUS’’. The attempt at cheap sen- sationalism, the pathetically poor news writing and finally the false and inaccurate state- ments all combine to make it the worst news article of the year. Congratulations North Shore News!! I can now understand why the term ‘‘By New Staff’’ is used. No in- _ dividual reporter would ever admit to writing such garbage. I have been employed at SeaBus since the system Started and a resident of North Vancouver for thirty years. 1 have watched your newspaper develop and feel it has now achieved its ap- parent goal of duplicating the National Enquirer. I would aot be as angry if the article New Year’s greetings >| Employee appalled — , was close to fifty per cent ac- curate, most news writing falls within that area. However your paper’s story was well below that average. The headline alone is totally false. The woman was not ‘*Attacked’’ on the SeaBus. It is hard to determine from the news article just where the woman was attacked. people fail to realize is that we have a captive audience, the fermes don't dock until the police are in position. If we had been notified there would not have been a second attack on the woman after she left the terminal. Most of the SeaBus employees are extremely pro- ud of their system, We have the highest employee safety I feel sorry for the woman’ fécord in M.T.O.C. We have involved. Had she not been so upset she might have thought to mention the inci- dent, to any one of the many Terminal or Ferry Attendants who are in view of the passengers on both floating terminals and both ferries. Had one of these employees been alerted by her, the suspects could have easily been apprehended by one of three different police forces at our disposal. We have an. excellent - response time from the police departments, and what most MARILYN BAKER the fewest incidents per passenger in the bus. system. We also have the lowest passenger litigation record in the system. Our relationship with the law enforcement agencies is very good. If this article has frighten- ed even one person from us- ing the SeaBus then you have committed a grave injustice to the people of North Van- couver. Unfortunately the damage is done and I fail to see a proper corrective measure. An apology and a retraction would be in the a ON BEHALF of our Council and staff, I extend to each resident of the District of North Vancouver the very best of the season. As each of us prepares and - enjoys the traditions so special to family and friends at this time of year, it is often a time also for reflection on what lies behind us...and “what lies ahead. The economic recession has af- fected us all. No one remains untouched when such a monetary downturn strikes our lives. And therein lies an opportunity...an opportunity to recognize the ties and close inter-relationships between all sectors that make up our economy — public and private enterprise, business large and small, management and labor — and the absolute necessity for us to work together for survival. There are some realities to be faced. We could not con- tinue to support the infla- tionary standard of Wing of several years ago. must all re-evaluate our personal expectations if we are to suc- cessfully climb out of the pit that did not prove to be bot- tomiless. And; in my opinion, we must each accept some responsibility for how this is to happen. Discussion, a Spirit of co-operation and a willingness to achieve an end that will benefit us all are mandatory if we are not to have repeats of the confron- _ tations that marked 1983. If we cannot achieve some semblance of harmony within our own small, beautiful, bountiful corner of the world, how do we ever hope to live in peace with other na- tions 7 . Members of our communi- ty have suffered some set- backs, but we have also some positive signs of recovery. Your Council and staff have worked very. hard to hold- the-line on 1983. expenditures and were able to fulfill municipal responsibilities for less money than 1982. We are in the fortunate position of having a considerable land bank that provides funds for JACK LOUCKS THE COMING year offers many challenges and oppor. funities to all levels of government in our country 1 hope that at the Federal level the government will pro vide the leadership and legislation that will co courage an improvement in the cconomy, cnsure that a realistic supply of affordabic housing units ts available to those in need, and maintain interest rates at a reasonable level At the Provincial level | hope that the government will take a second look at its proposed programs and then take steps to adjust some of the proposals so that i meets many of tts goals without reducing vital services to those who arc in greatest need Municipaily, | hope to see our present level of services maintained of improved without an increase ino the DERRICK HUMPHREYS capital works...works that can be done when prices are competitively low...and work that keeps people employed. I refer specifically to the Edgemont Village revitaliza- tion, the new crossing of the Seymour River, much needed renovations to our municipal Hall and the planning of an expansion of Capilano Branch Library. Some $1.5 million spent on remedial and upgrading works in our creeks and watercourses has seemingly served us well as heavy rainfalls this year produced mainly routine con- cerns and not the widespread community damage seen in many other areas. 1 know our new Council will be taking the same vigilant approach to the 1984 budget and I am confident that we can again hold-the- line on expenditures without any drastic cuts in service if we all work together. May peace, hope and love be with you and yours as we move forward into a bright and Happy New Year general property tax, further improvement of our tax base, continucd implementation of our 10-year plan, andthe completion of the neat stage in the development of our Waterfront Park In closing, on behalf of the Caty Council, | would like to extend to cach resident of the Cuy of North Vancouver Season's Greetings and Best Wishes for a happy and pro sperous New Year | SINCERELY convey my best wishes for the coming Christmas Scason té all The past year has been a good one for the Muntcipal ty of West) Vancouver In spitc of the present restraint, our services to the public con Unue up to standard Some capttal capenditures have been tabled for another time while others, the new Bluc Bus facility and project for the Ambleside redevelopment are sull in place Your Council and the Municipal staff will continuc working diligently on behalf your during the coming year | ask all residents to assist in the spirit of keeping West Vanouver moos Again, my best wishes for the Holiday Scason and the year to come ‘"as sweet as right direction. For your next article, check your source, check your material and use a different news writer, please. The views and opinions in this letter are my own, I do not represent or speak for the company (M.T.O.C.) or for the SeaBus Division of the company. Raymond E. Hughes Controller/Mate (Ed. note — The article in question clearly indicated that the attack was ‘‘an isolated incident’’; and that the security aforces can only respond to problems if they are reported to them. The pearpose of the article was not to scare off SeaBus users but to make them aware of possi- ble problems and how they should be handled.) we # INCLUDES CUT, SHAMPOO" & FINISHING. A su satile that it curts y draperies by S. Laursen Custom Draperies, Bedspreads 1” Venetian, Vertical and Wooden Blinds ‘“TIn*home Service’’ ; FREE ESTIMATES GLADLY GIVEN All blinds 20% off list Labour per panel $5.50 (unlined). $6.50 (lined). 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