——— MAIL Box:

Advice to youth: don’t jump to conclusions

Dear Editor:

Permit me to enlighten the thinking of your young correspondent, Emily Craig (North Shore News March 3 “Adults Need to Lead By Example”). She replies to my "A message to Youth — Grow Up”.

Lask Emily: Did you read Hana Mercer's arii- cle on the denigration of parenthood?

Did you study your MP Ted White's adverte- rial stats on juvenile crime?

Did you not perceive that the Australian jirve- nile court judge’s words (not mine) were not directed towards an intelligent young person of your character and industry? The judge obvious- ly wishes he could see fewer of the young people in his court who misuse and abuse the system and order we abide by.

Teenagers like you are not found in such places. Emily, you have made false assumpticas in your emotional rush into print.

1 “volunteered” my time — and my life — in 1943 to the hazardous occupation of aircrew in a war which, following victory, entitled us both to the freedom of speech allowed in these pages, even though its publishers have been fined by a kangaroo court for their interpretation of that same freedom.

At age 76, with ailments and afflictions of my twilight years, my volunteering days are over.

As for my “preaching,” Emily, my generation earned the nght to be listened to.

It paid its way and made its financial contt- bution to a succession of governments, believing it was money dedicated to our old age support.

We saw it squandered on irandouts and boon- doggled — still! Yes, Emily, vour generation will have to support your parents (babyboomers). In my fetter, which attracted your criticism, | opened with a quotation from George Berard Shaw.

I offer you another on leadership which 1 hope you might employ in your future career, lines that motivated me in the leading of my staff, penned by Lao Tze circa 3500 B.C):

“A manager is bess when peaple scarcely know he is there; not so good when they acclaim him; worse when diey despise him. But ofa. good manager, his work all done, his task fulfilled, they will all say: ‘We did this ourselves." ”

One so eloquent as you, Emily, will certainly be successful, but please, you must not be jump- ing to conclusions,

Russell C. Shelton West Vancouver

Opinions betrayed ‘ignorance’

Dear Editor:

What an unfortunate dia- tribe of ignorance and bigotry in M. Davidson’s letter “Upset over group’s demands” in the March 5 issue. son.

He/she begins with the

uestionable assertion that anada is a Christian coun-

In discussing the issue of Iranian fire-jumping, his/her only argument against it is that Christians would not be

ethnic

permitted similar concessions to their religious customs in other countries.

Surely M. Davidson couid come up with a sounder rea-

In Canada we are not bound to follow the rules used in Islaniie dictatorships. try. We should set standards of tolerance and acceptance, and recognize and encourage communities to express themselves.

Provided, of course, that their activities do not offend the rest of saciety.

The protester goes on to show his/her complete igno- rance and confusion between Sikhs, Indo-Canadians and Muslims, and seems to attribute violence te all of the communities as a result of a Particular event. Shame on

you! Carl Ian Walker North Vancouver

DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER .. Parks and Recreation Department... " 44.. Building Community

Proceeding with Recreation Facility Master Pian recommendations, the District of West Vancouver is reviewing a number of recreation facilities and sites.

__ Drop-in Open Houses are being held for you to share your comments on the

faquatic Centre Study

Come and view concept design options for an expanded Aquatic

_ Centre and tell us what you think:

4:30 to 0:30 pm, Thursday, March 30” ‘& Thursday, April 27" West Community Health Centre, 990 - 22 Street, WV and the:

Civic Area Land Use Study (Centra! Recreation Site) Come and view recommendations for the Civic Site and the larger

Civic Area:

* Anew Community Centre & an expanded Aquatic Centre ¢ Acentral public gathering and meeting space

* Outdoor spaces for sport, activities and youth

» New street entrances, pathways and underground parking * Future development scenarios for the site and the larger

study area

4:30 to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, April 11% & Thursday, April 13° West Community fHealth Centre, 990 - 22” Street, WV

For further information, please cali:

925-7200

[ have designed it

Wednesday, March 22, 2000 - North Shore News - 9

ted white, m.p.

advertonal. March 22. 2000

VISIONS AND PHOTOS

My report of March 1st, which dealt with the taxpayer funding of grants for so-called "millennium" projects, generated a fot of feedback In the form of letters and calls to my office. It was interesting to note though, that support for taxpayer funding came only from grant recipients themselves, or from persons claseiy connected to the applicants. Everyone eise was upset that their hard-earned tax dollars were being dispensed to a ong list of special interest aroups. In addition, most of those who were opposed to the grants expressed the opinion that if any of the projects had been truly worthwhile the money could have been raised in the community, or from the private sector.

As a result of all the interest in this topic, i decided to write a report about two of the

letters | received. The writers were both

supportive of their owr particular "millennium" projects, but { think you wiil be as surprised as | was with the content of one of those letters. (Permission to publish was, of course, obtained from the writer.)

YOUR HOUSE/OUR HOME

The letter containing the surprise came from Suzanne Wilsor of the Year 2000 Photo Project, Your House/Our Home. Here is an excerpt from her letter:

"I thought you might be interested in hearing about my Millennium Project taking place in your riding, my Year 2000 Photo Project, Your House/Our Home. I to be self supporting, All of the funds come

§ from myself and donations from the

participants. This is our celebration. There is no funding from any government or private agency. I felt that part of a year 2000 celebration should show that

| projects that can be self supporting

should not apply for funding.

My project is Usted on the Millennium Bureau of Canada weh site, but funding from them has not been applied for or received.

The purpose of my Year 2000 Photo Project, Your House/Our Home is to leave a photographic and written record of the homes and families of the City of North Vancouver in the year 2000. This record of photographs, stories of the his ‘ories of families and houses, and greetings from the year 2000 is being given to the North Vancouver Archives in December, 2000. A display of all 2000 homes will start on December 12, 2060 at the Archives.”

Of ati the "millennium" projects | have read about and heard about, Suzanne's project seems to me to be the most relevant, creative, and worthwhile. Not only has she set out to leave a wonderful

) historical record for future generations, but

her work is being done without any request

f for taxpayers’ dollars from our spendthrift

government in Ottawa. For these reasons, i hope you will consider actively supparting tha Year 2000 Photo Project, Your House/Our Home, by making a donation, or by offering to help Suzenne prepare a photographic and written record about your famiiy, and/or the history of your North Vancouver City house or your

apartment. The telephone number for.

the project is 988-6283. VISIONS OF THE NORTH SHORE The second of the two letters mentioned at the beginning of this report came from Linda Feil, Executive Director of the North Vancouver Community Arts Council, and Co-Chair of Vislons of the North Shore, which, as | mentioned in my report of March 1st, received $288,575 from the Millennium Bureau of Canada. Following are some excerpis from the

for future generations.

promotional material which accompanied {| her letter.

“The Visions of the North Shore Millennium Project is remembering and recording our heritage, reflecting our present through artistic creation and challenging our youth to express their visions of the Norti: Shore and its future.

(it) embraces the new millennium through a heritage and visual arts coiiaboration thar celebrates 12 sites that have significant historic, naturai and cultural relevance to | the North Shore.

Tweive print artists have been commissioned to create an original work reflecting the site and tegether the works will form a portfolio that will enrich community collections and public places. At each site, an interpretive display will include archival photos, historic narrative and the First Nation place name and _ story associated with the site. A commemorative publication and CD ROM are planned to complement and complete the information at each Iecation.”

The sites chosen to be part of the project are: Cates Park. Lynn Canyon Park, Maplewood Farm, Carisbrooke Park, Ambleside Park, John Lawson Park, Dundarave Pier, Horseshoe Bay, Grand Boulevard, Lower Mosquito Creek, Foot of Lonsdale Avenue, and Moodyville. The artists will be Taiga Chiba, Pierre Coupey, Wayne Eastcott, Damian George, Bonnie Jordan, Jennifer Judge, Jean C. Morrison, Rass Penhall, Setsuko Piroche, Joan Smith, Arnoid Shives, and Xwa Lack Tun (Rick Harry). 1

| would have liked to have seen a detailed budget for this project, because it is my understanding that the $268,575 from the federal level is matched by equal amounts from the municipalities of the North Shore and the Provincial Governrnent. in other words, taxpayers have actually contributed at least $864,000 to Visions of the North Shore. Unfortunately, no. budgetary: information ° came with the letter, and there has been no | response from the North Vancouver Aris Council to my phone message of two. weeks ago. The phone number for the North Vancouver Arts Council is 988-

BOTTOM LINE . Clearly, Visions of the North Shore is a |

much more complex project than is the Year 2000 Photo Project, but is likely costing us upwards of $864,000, while the Photo Project is entirely funded. by participants and supporters. Both projects | are claiming that they will leave a legacy

8844.

‘You will come to your own 4 conciusions about the relative merit and value of the two projects of course,

but had | been at the table when Visions |.

of: the North Shore was being put tagether, | would have baen pushing for zero to minimal reliance on taxpayer funding. few of our loca! artists would have been happy to DONATE: thelr time and. creations to a community celebration of

the end. of the millennium, if only {-

sumeone had asked. And perhaps our :1 local municipal union locals would have . come together with a volunteer force to carry out the necessary construction work in the parks, if only someone had |. asked. And perhaps our local business

community. would have donated the {:

photographic, art, and building supplies, if only. someone had asked. -| Unfortunately, a: dependency on your : tax doliars appears to have gotten in the way 0f initiative and creativity. Oh well, it's only money.

K seems to me that at least af: