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DURING A TUuRKEY-INDUCED VISION , THE AMAZING BARDALINI SEES WHATS COOKING FOR 1997.

Tories-Reform ‘no’ to merger costing us all ©

WITH a federal election looming this year — possibly before the spring is over — the numbers game becomes even more fascinating than usual.

On the basis of the present 295-seat

f. Commons, where 148 seats are needed for

sere rey ete

Why run for office?

Dear Editor:

Since the municipal. elections of Nov.-16, there has been much dis- cussion, in North | Vancouver District (NVD). at least, regarding * the 50% pay increase. that distzict councillors voted for themselves.

‘Although I believe that elected . Officials . in . larger municipalities should be paid, I. think there are several points which make this par- ticular decision unacceptable for _NVD residents.

One isthe issue of councillors

ting themselves a raise at all. ;

In my view, it is OT ie a for councillors to, solely. make this deci-

ir own’ salaries. re should:be input from other wurces’“and: the; decision made

How extraordinary that the issue raise didn’t surface at the

: maity all catididates mectings or pre-

vious ‘council “meetings. I suppose with all the other important issues to ‘discuss it was sifnply forgotten about ’ until after the election.

: have just completed two terms *(six® years) as a councillor in Lions + Bay.: At- any time we could have

“voted outselves’a raise too, maybe

100% increase with twice as much paid holiday time.

What an opportunity! But wait, whar’s the catch? The catch is that

es eS viewpoint —

councillors: (and mayor) in Lions Bay are volunteer positions and have always been since 1971. There is no indication that will change. There are no pay cheques, no paid holiday time, no tax-free portions of salaries and no tax breaks. So why lo it:

We do it because we want to give ©

back to the community what the community has given to us, to maintain the quality of life we have here and to contribute to the con- tinued well-being of our municipal- ity. Our rewards are the many

~ thanks we-get from residents and

the good feeling. that comes when you’ve done something positive with no thoughts of being reim- bursed in dollars and cents.

You might think there is not much to concern a counci) in a municipality of 1,500 residents. Believe me there is. Almost every issue that concerns larger municipal- ities also concerns the smaller ones.

To some of us it is indeed a full- time job and some days the. job never ends.

Newly elected councillor Trevor Carolan is way off the mark when he says, “You get what you pay for. If

‘I’m paid more, you'll get more.”

(News Dec. 18, 1996).

Maybe he- should take another look at why he ran for office in the first place.

Anne Page Lions Bay

‘Jean C harest, admirable though some

an absolute majority of one, the loss of 29 seats would reduce the 176-member Liberal caucus to a minority in the House.

The recent flop in the polls by both the party and Jean Chretien pe sonally means such a loss is by no_ means impossible. Defeat in just 25° UF). the 97 seats the Liberals hold in Ontario, plus the loss of four or more their 45 in Adantic Canada and Manitoba would do the trick: . ; :

Given today’s jaundiced view of all politicians, the Grits could suffe even greater losses, especially in Mike Harris's Tory Ontario. But reduc ing them to a parliamentary minority is the easy part:

The big question then becomes: Who on eart would run the ‘oll try? aye Current indications are that the Bloc Quebecois — devoted | to ruining Canada, not running it — may hang on to at least 50 Quebec seats. And for old time’s sake fet’s have the NDP adding one for a total of 10 that scenario there’s only one way an alternative miajority government could ever replace the Liberals. .

First, the latter would have to lose at least 89 of their current’ seats for a new maximum of 87. Second, cither Reform would wipe out the Tories completely or vice versa — or else the two would ° finally have to forta a coalition after taking all remaining 148 se

Since a Liberal loss as high as 89 scats is likely stretching things. a and since Tories and Reform so far reject any kind of merger, we fac indefinitely only two possibilities in Ottawa: a further Liberal majority government (highly doubtful); or a minority. government of so! living hand-to-mouth, day-to-day, with the 1 nation- wrecking, Bloc Quebecois acting as the constant spoiler, :

For this lousy choice the blame lies squarcly on Preston Manning and

of their qualities may be.:They. playing a private game of chicken while Canadian democracy: wither

Each clings to the empty hope of swallowing the other party, voters, and wiping its name off the political board. That. simply won’ happen. Each has too many strengths — and complementary: weakn

Despite recent disappointing polls Reform still commands: Al B.C. — vital in any national ousting of the.Grits. few gains among disillusioned Onzarians."The ‘Tories, despit trouncing, have a lineage stretching, back-130 years to Sir Jé Canada’s alternate government. Reform and Tory policies ly

Manning's biggest mistake has been to oppose the development provincial Reform parties, which could have done much io spread loyal to the national party. Charest, by far the most popular national party: leader, nevertheless bears the ‘albatross of being. yet another Quebecer.

In short, a merger of the two (like Australia’s National and Parties) would be far stronger than cither can ever.

- tep priority for revitalizing our ailing democratic '

As long as they reject it, Canadians cv “eee SEND NOSTALGIC happy birthday grectings tomorrow, Jan. mer NDP premier Mike Harcourt, celebrating his 54th. : -. @- @ @ . WRIGHT OR WRONG: change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

— The North Shore News believes strongly in freedom of s ech and the right of all sides in a debate to be beard. The columnists published in the. . News present differing points of view, but those piews are not. necessarily: - those of the newspaper itself :

Emergency case

Canada, large debts and yearly deficits mean tough decisions have to made.

Those tough decisions usually mean cuts. Federally, cuts tc social programs, subsidies, defence and other areas are start- ing to improve Canada’s balance sheet.

But the bottom. line is being felt by many agencies dependent on government funding.

Emergency planning is one of them. The 1,500-strong Chilliwack base provid- ed a modicum of security for B.C. disaster planners. Base equipment, training and supplies meant the Lower Mainland had

capable soldiers with good equipment ready to help in times of disaster.

The base will soon be gone, along with its reassuring presence.

The Liberal government’s plan to move in forces and equipment from Edmonton during emergencies provides scant com-

fort. The réaction would be morc rapid in’

theory than practice.

An alternative for an area that is over- due for a major earthquake, connected by some vulnerable bridges and the home of a city built chiefly below sea level deserves realistic attention.

An army base situated at the far end of

a long valley may not ‘be the best answer.’ . The bulk of the Lower Mainland popula-: tion, including North Shore residents,’ would likely be better served by facilities, closer to home.

Why not augment existing reserve units. with emergency equipment and supplies?

Obviously, a cash infusion to Lower Mainland emergency preparations equal to base savings isn’t reasonable.

But the Lower Mainland’s unique potential for disaster means some of the base savings must find their way to better disaster relicf than currently exists.

B.C. taxpayers deserve it.