410% Sunday; December’ 14, 1997 -

Search for spiritual trut

Dear Editor:

Mr. Wright, you surprise me. I may be naive, but I thought that, even in this age of tabloid and paparazzi, “real” newspapermen were stilt concerned about che truth!

Yet you claim it’s not important. You agree with Rev. Bill Phipps when he says that Christians should “worry more about poverty than about whether Jesus Christ was the Son of Ged.” I've read your column with interest for years. You are always deal- - ing with truth issues. So why not this one?

Poverty is certainly an important issuc. I’m sure even those in the United Church flock who are presently bleat- ing at Rev. Phipps are also right out there with the rest of the Church members worry- ing about poverty. But to say that the wemporal problem of poverty is more important than eternal truths (i.c. cruths about the nature of God) seems to me to be a bit

‘North Sriore News

extreme, especially since our interest in the problem of poverty is actually based upon those truths.

If Jesus Christ was not God in the Flesh, the Creator who chose to leave His rightful place among the riches of heaven to be born into the dark poverty of our world, if He did not care enough to go to all that trouble, why should we carc about poverty?

How long can we selfish human beings maintain our interest in the well-being of others without the conviction that God, Himself, is intimate- ly concerned with the prob- lem?

What does the poverty of this world matter anyway if we are all still hopelessly embroiled in our own spiritual poverty? Everything thar is important about -love and morality, for the Christian is inextricably wrapped up in the question of whether or not Jesus is God.

The Bibie says, “For you know the grace of our Lord

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Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty migh: become rich.” (2. Corinthians 8:9).

Hf Jesus is God, if He did care enough to go to all that trouble to redeem us from ourselves and the terrible mess we've gotten ourselves imto, that’s got to be one of the most important truths there is.

Don’t cali discussions about this kind of truth “brawling.” They are at least carried out with a lot more decorum than discussions that go on in bar-rooms. And this whole debate is certainly more than a “doctrinal scrabble” game. If Jesus is God, it’s a truth that is important to everyone. You will do us all a great service if you go back to doing what you do best: encouraging people to think about truth and giving them a forum for doing so in your newspaper.

Ginny Jaques North Vancouver

Kudos to consequences for kids

I support a firmer approach for youth offend-

Dear Editor:

I couldn’t agree more with Noel Wright’s Dec. 7 column. Kudos to Robert Weber for bringing the cushy conditions of Burnaby Youth Secure Custody Centre to our attention.

ers. What happened to the meaning of the word “consequences?”

Linda LeQuesne

North Vancouver

Katherine Whittred, MLA North Vancouver-Lonsdale

. 303-126 East 15th Street North Vancovuer, BC V7L 2P9 Tek 988-3885 Fo: 981-0022

On April 18, 1997, the Provincial * Government announced its preferred option for the Lions Gate Bridge: A new four-lane facility along the existing corridor. The Government would invest a total of $70 million in the project with the balance to be raised through other means, i.e. tolls. Altematively, if the Province decided not to proceed in this manner, it would rehabilitate the existing three-lane bridge and causeway at an estimated cost of $70 million.

‘Two questions immediately come to mind: Does the Government categorize the Bridge as a vical rransportation link or merely a commuter convenience for North Shore residents? And, is a tolled | four-lane bridge a long-term solution?

Whether we like it or not, population growth is inevitable. A tolled four-lane brige not only would discriminate against North Shore residents and small busittesses, ic wouldnit even be sufficient to serve future generations. Can we keep adding lanes to the Bridge? (By way of a background, the Lions Gate Bridge was built in 1938 as a two-lane toll facility and converted to three Janes in 1952. The Province purchased it in 1955 and tolls were removed in 1963.) Some dme ago, the idea of a cunnel that would pay for itself was put forward. But this

environmentally sound proposal didn't get its due consideration and was rejected outright.

Your North Shore MLSs along with the City and Districts of North Vancouver and West Vancouver are all opposing tolls as. a way tu pay for a new crossing, A site-specific toll on the Lions Gate Bridge would greatly harm the economy of this region, which is home to a large number of small and home-based businesses.

So far, the Government has committed more than $270 million to save the troubled Skeena Cellulose operation and the jobs it generates. The Island Highway is being built at a budgeted cost of over $1 billion (in 1993 funds) and no tolls. Yer only $70 million have been allocated to fix a vital transportation link, not to mention an internationally recognized landmark. What is wrong with this picture?

ditor:

ean the North Shore News seems to be providing an unfavorable view of the fast ferry project currently under way at Vancouver Vancouver Drydock and A&F Aluminum Catamarans (see North Shore News Viewpoint, Oct. 22, “Stalled Ferries).

The author of “Stalled Ferries” neglects to consider the positive impact this massive pro- ject is having on the North Shore.

Hundreds of skiiled workers and tradespeo- ple in North Vancouver, will have the opportu- nity to build the largest high-speed aluminum

Shipyard,

H Support our fast ferry program

catamarans in the world.

Take this project away and vou are swelling the ranks of the unemployed. What is the cost of that? We talk abour adding value to our economy, and reducing our reliance on dwin- dling natural resources; the fast terry project puts this idea into practice, by investing in skills and technological industry in B.C.

The fast ferry is something positive happen- ing on the North Shore. Give us some bal- anced coverage on this issue.

Colin Gilchrist North Vancouver

Apologies for Pacific Linen ad

Dear Editor:

Re: Pacific Advertising

We at Pacific Linen Canada honor and respect those veterans who fought for the freedom of our country. We sincerely apologize for any offence taken for referencing this year’s Remembrance Day with our sale which ran during

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FAMILY SERVICES of the NORTH SHORE

Christmas Bureau in dire straits

This year we are in desperate need of sponsors to help our families for Christmas.

Bureau co-ordinator Diana Cowden says “usually by this time of year we are almost done with matching families with sponsors and organizing gift baskets and food hampers. The donations just aren't coming in like they have other years and we're in desperate need of families and businesses to sponsor a family this Christmas.

Call the Christmas Bureau and sponsor a family. So many children are counting on us for help this Christmas.

Linen

Stopping the Violence in Relationships

Family Services of the North Shore believes it takes a community to

ra

Fain SErurces ot ne North Shore i

that same time period. It was not our intent to dishonor, insult or offend anyone. We apenly acknowledge this seri- ous error in judgment.

To demonstrate our sincer- ity, Pacific Linen has made a corporate donation to the Royal Canadian Legion, and we have published formal

apologies in all of our markets

stop family violence and we are one of many agencies who participate in the Together Against Violence Network. We have experienced staff who provide the following services for women who have experienced pnysical, psychological or sexual abuse in their relationship. There is no cost for these services.

#Six counselling

sessions for women who may be living in an abusive relationship or who may have left an abusive relationship;

*Ten weeks of group counselling for women who are no longer in 2 crisis situation.

We hope that you will call us at 988-5281 and ask for our intake

across Canada.

We want to thank those of you who took the time to call or write to us.

We appreciated your com- ments and concern and can assure you that this will not happen again.

Heather Munroe Vice-President Pacific Linen, Canada

Families Matter

Watch for information about Family Services of the North | Shore every Sunday. We'll keep you informed about events and Family Life Education courses. As well, we'll offer advice from professionals on all aspects of family life. We welcome your comments.

OOo ORO CUO E EHO R OH SEDO EDO NES EHDHOEOOEREEEEE SSO EESOOEEESESONEES

worker at local 223 to find out more about these programs. We appreciate the courage it takes to call and ask for help.

Help is just a call away.

Family Services of the North Shore employs an intake worker from 9:30-12:30 Monday to Friday. Our experienced intake worker will reassure you about the counselling process. She will be able to help

you with your questions : and help you decide the ; program which will be

best for you. Please cali

F 988-5287 and ask for

local 223.

The Christmas: Bureau : needs your help

984-XMAS (9627)

‘for donation information. =

The United Way campaign needs your support,

it, afganizatian dedicated to enriching

and strengthdoangetar ily fife on the Northshire

> register for- courses or for further info call 988-5281 Fax,988-3961". - “4

“1410, Clyde Aven

“5401 - 255 West Ist

Vancouver

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