10 — Sunday, June 20, 1999 — North Shore News

Collins debases free speech f

Dear Editor:

Re: “Collins no pushover in Saanich” (June 9 News).

1 could not believe that Doug Collins actually said: “They were a bunch of screaming lunatics, commu-" nists, Trotskyists, NDP” and so. on.

Dialogue like thar could actually drive me to wateh the Royal ‘Air Farce. It‘is sheer inanity. This is 1999. People don’t rlk like that, people don’t think like that, except apparently Doug Collins.

It makes me angry and sad in this community that the concept of free speech is debased by Doug Collins solely so that he may have a venue to spout his psychotic bile. Lam absolutely and pas- sionately in support of free speech. However, for the tree speech of Doug Collins, suggest chloroform.

David Kritzwiser dkritz@ibia.net

District inspector praised

Dear Editor:

Toread) with reporter Martin Millerchip’s Sunday Focus story about the City of North Vancouver’s inspections manager, John Guenther (Building a better irmage, May 30).

A building inspector per- forms 4 necessary yet often thankless job.

During the past few years T have had many opportunities to consult with Mr. (John) Guenther on a wide range of homebuilding issues that impact the various con- stituents in North Vancouver. I am always impressed by his commitment,. his innovation and his willingness to work tirelessly on initiatives he believes would benefit his city. I trust that North Vancouver City realizes how fortunate it is to count Mr. Guenther as one of its key department managers.

Peter E.. Simpson, CEO Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association

inequity in funding

Dear Editor: I would like to applaud

Timothy Renshaw’s June 6.

coluinn “Good deeds deserve applause.” -

Asa member of the North Shore Prostate Cancer Awareness Group, I too salute Jim Pattison’s commitment to prostate cancer,

Mr. Renshaw’ very clearly points out the inequity of fed- eral funding for prostate can- cer research,

Men would be wise co heed Mr. Renshaw’s admoni- tion, “ignoring prostate can- cer has a significant price tag.” Biil Hawkins North Vancouver

interest

north shore

OPeCiAL INOMENTS iN a CHILDS LiFe:

AR OY hein fare, et - om

EA form Coat bs. Saender ihe,

Redraw poverty

Dear Editor:

Chris Sarlo of the Fraser Institute (June 13 News) advises our government in the interests of “credibility” to put away compassion when drawing poverty lines. That’s not credibility; that’s inhumanity.

Compassion involves “feeling with.”

If we want to live in a civil society, it is nor wise to refuse compassion to our ncighbours in need. In my generation we have seen com- passionless government in Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, in atolls in the South Pacific, in Central America — the list is long.

Most Canadians say “No thank you, Chris.”

T think Sarlo must be working with out- dated myths about the poor, so I suggest that he cease dithering about poverty lines (that seems to be an attempt to hide the amount of poverty “the Market” is delivering).

Then he could direct his research, which is funded at least in part by public money, to more profitable activities.

First, he could look at who are tiie poor. In Vancouver, 44% are families with two or more earners! Someone else is making money from their inadequately paid labour.

In one quarter of these families there arc children, but the incidence of child poverty in

© With 4 real doors that open § © Tons of interior room | © 3.3 litre V6 with 170 hp.

PW RRST MiLiOn FROM SELLING 4 WEB SITE.

lines

female lone: parent families (1990-96) is 58.6% (Based on Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-off, 1992 base).

Another third of the poor are mentally ill, mentally challenged or disabled.

Perhaps this research would increase Sarlo's compassion-quotient.

Then Sarlo and the Fraser Institute might rescarch the effects of poverty en our com- munities.

He would find, I know, that it brings high- er health and law enforcement costs, lower revenues to business and government — lower productivity, yet.

I doubt that he would want to look at poverty among the elderly. Although three quarters are still classified as low-income, poverty among the elderly has been success- fully reduced by government programs.

instead, Sarlo should look at the govern- ment revenues transferred through tax breaks to the already-wealthy.

Shouldn't there be a cap on those, in the interests of justice?

There’s a policy gap that cries out for research, and it should suit him perfectly. It wouldn’t require any compassion at all!

D. Siewart North Vancouver

Watea lor the feature in the Jane 13th issue of tie North Shera News.

ICBC HAS A TEAM OF LAWYERS, SHOULDN'T YOU?

* All claims have time iimits + Documents you sign can be used against you.

Taylor & Blair

BARAISTEAS & SOLICITORS" 102-145 West 15th St. North Van 983-4311 : ma www.taylocandblair::om : Graham Taylor FREE CONSULTATICN Kevin Blzir

Protect Your Assets

FROM HARMFUL RAYS

coeoe a ee

SPRING SPECIALS ¢2 Lupe, On & Fazer

Check rh test antifreeze, check tires & brakes, visual inspection

Super Lupe

All above with written B.C.AA., inspection--~¢

report, rotate tires. top up all fluids ‘ine, all,

tik if *

With scope check by one of B.C.'s top Air Care ~q technicians, road test & report any findings =~

CoouncTuasUP

Pressure test cooling system, check belts, ~o hoses, visual leaks, check on rad condition, Se ees tighten clamps, drain and fill antifreeze ine! 4.508

£2 Airn-COND. cueck & REPORT -

wW Diagnose A/C operation. Test temp. perfor- qu

mance, check refrigerant level, check com- % i pressor belts, hoses, etc.

ALIGNMENT

High tech, full 4 wheel computer check out, with print out & road test

“Prices cover most cars & light trucks eAll service by Govt. registered technicians

Govt. licensed inspection Teng

station S2564 genom

b 176 Pemberton, Horth Van. (5 b&s South of Marine Drive)