6 — Friday, Apri! 30, 1999 — North Shore News

E might not be lighting up

the political horizon with “ charisma, but B.C. Liberal leader Gordon Campbell is starting to make a lot of sense.

In a recent speech to the faithful at the Liberals’ annual convention in Kelowna, Campbell laid out some policy proposals that contained some refreshingly substantial ideas on overhauling how democracy operates in B.C.

Refreshing because it is more cus- tomary at such political group-hug sessions to lambaste the other team and trot out statements larded with empty generalities.

Campbell promised such radical changes as free votes in the legisia- ture, fixed budget dates, province- wide referenda and, more radical

north shore news

VIEWPOINT

ings to the public.

Open government, you say?

What a concept.

Campbell also promised to allow British Columbians a vote on how we elect our MLAs.

A system that chronically elects governments with less than 40% of the popular vote is in dire need of overhaul.

Open government, a break from party politics, a new more representa- tive way of electing your provincial representatives — promises thus far perhaps — but at least they are promises with some genuine possibil- ities.

There is more then to electing the Liberals than merely replacing a bad NDP government.

There is the promise of moving forward.

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immigrant applause for this great land

Dear Editor:

Re: April 16 News letter (Vancouver hostile to immi- grants).

As an immigrant, I would presume to give some friendly advice. Yes, you did hear hurttul remarks at the meeting you attended but remember they were uttered by people who are very worried about the future of their beloved Canada and the outcome of the country’s immigration policy. But to dwell on it with bitterness will not improve matters. They are Canadians and have a right to express an opinion. It is up to us immigrants to prove them wrong.

You say you were misled by Canadian Immigration ads. Who believes all you read in advertisements anyway? Surely you checked facts before making a decision. I must add here, we were given a true and factual rundown of life in Canada but again we didn’t expect streets paved with gold; we antici- pated years of hard work to regain what we had forfcited in making the move.

As for the rain: surely you can’t blame poor North Vancouver for that. As far as I know that still rests in a far higher pair of hands.

As for high taxes: yes, they may be high but then Canada, like all First World Western countries, is trying to balance its budget and give assistance to many Third World countries. As for being forced to invest in Canada: that is the least you should do. Not only Canadians benefit but all Canadians, including immigrants. ;

The education system might not be perfect but from my observation it turns out intelligent, caring and well-educated young people. To even equate it with Third World standards is really laughable; I come from a Third World country, I

know, . Finally, 1 must add I love North Vancouver, Canada and its people and without exception have experienced nothing but indness and helpfilness so what does rain matter? . Ms;. E. Lewis .

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CR ee ed ed

Smyl: the North Shore’s Great One

NEVER mind Canada’s The Great One. How about the North Shore’s The Gzeat One?

While the departure of Wayne Gretzky was sensational and emo- tional — and squeezed from many journalists some of their besr writing and editing — one of the hockey greats of the less- than-great Vancouver Canucks might also be leaving these parts.

That's Stan Smyl, who collected an armful of records as a Canuck and has soldicred on, certainly through depressing times the last couple of years, as a Crauck assistant coach. Stan and wife Jennifer ofien appear at West Vancouver schools ts taxi their children back and forth, as so many of us 'o, and both of them are class acts.

Stan’s love of the game and the heart that he brings * it would doubuless rival Gretzky's, if there was a scale to meas. +:

it. Unlike several hundred NHL players we could mention, The Steamer never ve less than 120 per cent, which made im bigger than his ample but not over- whelming natural talents. So those say who know much more about hackey than Ido. . In a game rife with rumours and idle . chatter, it’s been bruited about in recent months that Stan might be leaving his North Shore home for a job elsewhere — perhaps coaching. "One story: He was offered a job in

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Japan. It sounded attractive, but the three Smy! children vetoed it. (You may have heard of this kind of Kids’ Power Play before.)

Another: That, precisely ac the time some reporters were floating the theory that Canucks general manag- er Brian Burke was dis- pleased with his coach- ing staff, Burke offered to re-sign Smyl on the spor, long betore the (disastrous) season ended.

One sure thing is that in August, Stan will again be running his popular hockey school at

The North Shore would be the poorer if the Smyls did leave for yhiter pastures. Q

Speaking of Gretzky, I wonder how many callers burned up the lines to CKNW the Friday morning after Gretzky’s “99%-sure” press conference April 15, inflamed by the string of adjectives that the station’s pit-bull clone of Al Davidson suck on him.

The broadcaster’s premise was that Gretzky was an egotistical so-and-so and had proven himself to be just another lousy human being for not stating then and there that he was 100% sure he was

retiring.

I'd happily click off this contrived boorishness, but why go cold-turkey on my addiction to Frosty Forst and his exchanges with Phil Reimer and the weather and traffic ladies, Rick Forchuk, ete?

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But then again there are people who, to my amazement, question the wisdom that emanates from this column in pearl- like purity. They’re entitled.

But I look with small respect on critics ~~ like some supporters of the proposed West Vancouver arts centre — who claim my frets are wrong and thar I've misquot- ed people, and cite not a tittle of evidence to support their statement.

One such is John Clark, president of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and aspiring councillor, ina letter to the editor last month.

And who were the misquoted? | asked with my customary combination of gra- ciousness and zeal for accuracy that fas made me millions of fans among the 170,000-odd citizens of the North Shere?

Supposedly Maggie Pappas, leader of the West Vancouver Arts Centre Trust, and Councillor Ron Wood, a

To my knowledge, both are adults with full Charter rights and able to speak up for themselves. My number is 921-9722 (it’s in the book) and, although I go to bed notoriously carly and usually am up work- ing between about midnight and 4 a.m., I welcome calls ard do not fall over ina faint when criticized.

The intercepted e-mail exchange between 2s. Pappas and Ambleside and Dundarave Ratepayers Association presi- dent Carolanne Reynolds (who did not, repeat not, send it to mc), excerpted in this space last week, spoke for itself — far more damagingly than any personal opin- ion I’ve expressed.

As for Mr. Clark’s proposal to build the centre next to the Ambleside duck pond ... Ym too kind to comment.

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