7 — Friday, July 7, 1989 - North Shore News

MAILBOX

Advisory bedies to provide objective advice

Dear Editor:

Since Noel Wright has used my name in his column (Junc 21) without the benefit of discussing the issues with me, I feel compelled to respond in order to provide your re with the unsaid “‘other side of the story.”

My commeats on behalf of the West Vancouver Advisory Plan- ning Commission are prefaced with the acknowledgement that the commission sits at the pleasure of the mayor and council, to whom it reports.

Bodies ‘need to be scrutinized’”*

Dear Editor:

As a concermed citizen of West Vancouver I wish to express my gratitude to Noel Wright for his column of June 21, “Open Gov- ernment is Open tc Interpreta- tion.”’

All elected governments need watching and the present govern- ment of West Vancouver has, on various occasious, shown itse!f to be high-handed in its decisions — sometimes, as in the notorious case

From his statements, I query whether Mr. Wright has some misperceptions about the process.

Mr. Wright cites ‘‘open gov- emmment’? — J cannot quarrel with that, that is my belief too, but ad- visory ies are not government — council is. Advisory bodies are only there to advise.

Mr. Wright states ‘‘servants of council’? — certainly not! If we are servants of council, then we can no longer be seen as providing objec- tive advice, and that is the whole tenet that the APC, and as we un-

of the Twin Towers, acting hastily aud covertly without consulting its citizens,

I have often felt, during the present municipal regime, that Ald. Carol Ann Reynolds is the only msmber of council who | can rely on to act with probity and in- tegrity. In informing Mr. Wright of the state of affairs with regard to in-camera meetings of ap- pointed, not elected, commissions, she has acted responsibly. And, in

Tobaceo removal commended

Dear Editor:

In your Wednesday, June 7 issue, you ran an article concerning the Pharmasave store in Caulfeild Village removing all of the tobacco products from its shelves.

Accolades to store owners Pat and Rob Williamson for their con- cem for their community and for not lining their own pockets at the expense of contributing to health hazards and making tobacco pro- ducts easily obtainable to youth.

As one who lost a father from lung cancer directly attributable to cigarette s smoking | and two in-laws

the same » E am ex- roy aware of the danger. I very much appreciate their contribution to my community and commend them for their action. :

As for Mark Nussbaum’s (Lon- don Drugs Ltd. vice-president)

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derstand it, the majority of council are trying to protect.

I believe the advisory bdedies must both be, and be seen to be, at arm's length from the political process, if they are to be truly ef- fective.

Why did I cancel the last APC meeting? — not ‘“‘rather than risk her (Ald. Carol Ann Reynolds’) attendance,”* but to avoid what couid be an embarrassing situa- tion, until council could zeconfirm its previous but unwritten policy on aldermanic attendance.

publishing his views of her disclosures, Mr. Wright acted in the best traditions of informed, democratic journalism.

I have already written the mayor and council on the matter of legit- imate scrutiny of advisory bodies and I trust that many other citi- zens, inspired by the column, will do the same.

A.J. Mallinson West vancouver

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If one non-designated alderman can attend a meeting, then so may all. That is when the political and advisory process become confused, particularly if a highly contentious issue is under discussion. Under these circumstances I believe the credibility and effectiveness of the commission ‘vould be compromis- ed

Serving on advisory bodies is totally voluntary —~ no remunera- tion is involved nor expected. Per- sonailly, I am a 27-year resident of West Van and expect to tive here the rest of my life. { contributed to the community and volunteered ty services in the days of Mayor

Peter Jones, and have since served continuously — first on the Advi- sory Design Panel, then the Advi- sory Planning Commission, under the terns of both Mayor Derek Humpkries and Mayor Don Lan- skail.

It is indeed unfortunate the we volunteers have to be sucked into the political squabble. If Ald. Reynolds insists on attending our meetings, then so be it. However, I would rather that a recognition and respect of others’ views, and common courtesy, prevail.

P. Nigel Grant, chairman Advisory Planning Commission West Vancouver

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