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eens honoured

Activism leads to accolades for two students

Deana Lancaster

News Reporter diancaster@nsnews.cont

THERE must be something in the water at West Vancouver secondary ‘school.

A Grade 12 and a Grade 10 student are each gaining widespread recognition for their environmental and humanitarian efforts. For half a decade 17-year- old Simon Jackson has been working to protect the envi- ronment of the rare Kermode, or spirit bear. The bear. is white, a colour varia- tion of the black bear, and is - found only on the north coast of B.C.

“Jackson has appealed to government and forestry companies, gained the support of well-known public figures and

_ environmentalists and founded the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition. . For his efforts he is one of four Canadians ; included among a prestigious international line-up of “Heroes for the Planet” in Time magazine’s first-ever global edition. . The issue, produced for the 30th anniver- sary of Earth Day which was on April 22, is enttled “How to Save the Earth — and the /Heroes For the Planet Who Are Making it Happen.” : ;

magazine.

SIMON Jackson, 17, has been honoured by Time

It will be on newsstands until May 19.

Only 60 awards were given world-wide, with six of them going to youth. Jackson and the rest of the honorees recently attended a gala reception and special concert in San Francisco.

Jennifer McGoldrick is in Grade {0 at the school and is one of 12 young people in B.C. to be recognized as a Millennium Dreamer for her outstanding contribution to the community.

McGoldrick has been work- ing co raise awareness and funds for international efforts to end the devastating effect of land mines.

Asa Millennium Dreamer she is to join other young people from Cansda and around the world at a special recognition event at the Walt Disney World Retreat in Florida this month.

In association with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific atid Cultural Organization), Millennium Dreamers is one of the largest programs of its kind, covering more than 100 countries around the globe.

It’s a fitting time for the achievements. of Jackson and McGoldrick to be recognized on such a global scale — this weekend marks the beginning of Youth Week 2000, and their efforts demonstrate that you can never under- estimate the power of youth.

Wednesday, May 3, 2000 — Nerth Shore News - 3

¢

NEWS photo Terry Peters»

WEST Vancouver secondary Grade 10 student Jennifer McGoldrick has been =~ named a Millennium Dreamer for her work to ralse funds and awareness to haip

end the devastating effects of land mines.

| CUPE blasts tax-freeze demand

From page 1

': The $71-million drai* financial plan prepared by staff had set out a 4.3% ‘increase to ratepayers, the net effect of which is an extra $77 for the aver- ‘age home. ;

“This is about working smarter and accepting responsibility for the work we're doing at each and every level of our organization,” said Crist.

“After many years in office I have come to the conclusion that we could

~ get far more value from our dollar, than we do at present.”

- The meeting began with discussion about certain items that could be cut from the 2000 budget to bring down the tax increase. But Crist said he

“wanted to look at the “big picture” instead of cutting small items like a $32,000 commercial container purchase. . » Crist has argued repeatedly drat some departments’ “angels,” such as the fire department and the library, have increased their services while improving efficiency. That effort, he held, must be taken in all departments. -' MacKay-Dunn agreed, ‘saying 4.0% increase requires “managing better and using, our managerial staff more effectively.” : Dunsford and Denautt said they have heard loud and clear from many residents that they do not want to pay more taxes. Reducing the rate “increase to 0%, said Denault, is a “micro-managing” job for staff.

“1 don’t believe that it’s council’s job to micro-manage. I have confi-

lence in staff that they can come back with our objective.”

But Mayor Don Bell and the two councillors who voted against the niotion argued vehemently that it was shirking the responsibility of elected officials. _

-.“J’'m so tired of this, I’m so frustrated and I’m so annoyed,” said Coun.

* Lisa’ Muri. “And you know what Ernie? It’s not business-like. It's not busi-

“ness-like to have staff go back and figure out something else. They did exactly what we told them to do. They have come back with ways to do it and.just. because’you don’t want to cut it and you don’t want to look unpopular you want'another one (budget designed by staff).”__

: Responding toa question from Coun. Janice Harris, municipal manag-

“er Gord Howie said he expected next week’s report to be “surprisingly sim- ilar” té the two previous reports. He said the directors had already discussed many ways of increasing efficiency. ; ; 7

; A ting about $2 thillion from the budget, said Bell, requires political decisions that council must make.

’- he said, adding that the budget must be passed in two weeks: “I think we

should do the best we can to keep this budget as low as possible and do that in a responsible way. I chink that calls for council members to'stand up and make those decisions and rot try to hide behind staff.” :

Belt argued that the district has done well over the past five years to absorb cost increases, including inflation, wage settlements, service enhancements, and a $3.5-million cut in grants from the provincial gov- ernment. Facing a potential tax rate increase of 33% between 1995 and 1999, staff managed to keep the increase at 12.5%.

“T dtink this motion is unrealistic from a business point of view and from a practical point of view,” he said. “I think this is pandering, to the popular public perception thar there is colossal waste in government.” ‘

Two of the items discussed at the meeting illustrated the difficulty in cutting budget items without affecting the level of service. '

Council voted 4-3 to ditch a $140,000 upgrade to the intersection of Marine Drive and Capilano Road, including improved lane and median design, signal upgrade, hydro relocation, sidewalk additions, and street- lights. The Marine Drive corridor transportation sub-committee had iden- tifted the intersection as its first priority. a!

Coun. Harris pointed out that in the interests of safety, this “over-used and under-designed” intersection should receive immediate attention. If it . was not included in this year’s budget, it would not be included in next year’s budget cither. : i

She also explained that another item, a $32,000 commercial refuse con- tainer purchase program, was meant to generate revenue. By purchasing 80 new conta.ers, the district had planned to expand its commercial customer base. The new containers would also cut down on the $80,000 to $90,000 the district spends each year on maintaining old containers.

Council also voted 4-3 to cut that pro; . Having voted on a number of items on April 27, council had reduced the rate increase to 3.34%, '

About 30 members of CUPE local 389, which represents district work- ers, packed the chambers carrying signs saying “Say NO to zero — Protect municipal services.” ‘ .

Cindy McQueen, a union representative, told council it’s impossible to obtain a 0% increase without affecting services. “I think what they need is an education on how to review the bloody budget,” she said after the meet- ing. “It’s been explained to them. They have senior adrninistrators and staff to answer their questions but it’s not getting through to them. They’re

-*] think it’s the wrong time to try and make a substantial policy shift,”

clouded by their view to get to a zero budget and it's not possible.”

Admissions stopped temporarily to clear virus

From page 1 “

Centre, Cedarview Lodge, Capilano Care Centre © (Beacon Hill Lodge), Lynn Valley. Lodge-North hore Private Hospital and Inglewood Lodge.

“The virus outbreak has not occurred at Lions Gate: Hospital or its long-term care facility, Evergreen House. : ;

OConnor said staff at the facilities with the “virus outbreak also have come down with the

infection. He speculated that some staff work at more than one care facility and may have con- tributed to the virus’ transmission to other care facilities.

O’Connor said admissions were stopped at the two facilities so as not to expose new’ resi- dents to the relatively mild gastro-intestinal virus.

“Once it gets into the facility, in a number of instances, it seems to run right through the place,” said O'Connor.

He said that residents were allowed to leave the care facilities and have visitors during the virus outbreak. O’Connor said good hygiene including hand washing is the best way to reduce the spread of the virus. O’Connor said the virus was spread most often through fecal-oral trans- mission. :

He said this type of infection is not uncom- mon in “closed populations” such as ones found in long-term care facilities.

West Van

budget supported —

Katharine Hamer .- News Reporter - os : WEST Vancouver council gave its unanimous approval Monday night to the year 2000 budget = outlined by municipal staff.” The budget, part of the municipali ty’s first-ever five-year. financial plan, » made it through a full three readings in:

almost as many minutes.) >. “The 2000 annual: budget under-

- lines our commitment to renewal,” said:

Coun. Victor Durman. oa Durman said budgetary - priorities. had been set with. an emphasis ‘on: improving the appearance of the munic ipality, with funds also earmarked: for: infrastructure — and ~ ‘maintenance,;:” increased use of technology, the:long: term capital plan which includes*th Recreational Facilities Master Plan,: the’ reorganization of management;. and: development” of communications, including the municipal Web site... This year’s operating budget is set a $48,074,950, with revenue culled from; property taxes, fees and. charges, licences and permits and government, grants. : a a keen Property taxes will increase by 1.86% — $38 per year.for an average residen tial assessment of $580,638. oe Durman, said 1:1% of that. tax’ increase would help maintain: current ’ service levels, while 0.76% would: be routed directly to improving cominuni-": ty appearance. ra Said Coun. Jean Ferguson, “increas- ing taxes wasn’t done capriciously. We id take it very seriously.”. .. oe . Coun. Allan’. Williams, meanwhile, pointed out that increases in. utilities <.. rates and transit fares were “imposed by somebody. else” (respectively, .; the Greater Vancouver. Regional District: and TransLink): 0 e350 8s :