A6 - North Shore News - Sunday, November 18, 2012
VIEWPOINT Published by North Shore News a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, 100-126 East 15th Street, North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 2P9. Doug Foot, publisher. Canadian publications mail sales product agreement No. 40010186.
Losing balance B
Y relinquishing control over British Columbia’s school year, the province has freed school districts to tweak their calendars to their hearts’ content, but the move may have come at the cost of larger-scale, systemic improvement. In speaking to the North Shore News about the regulatory change this week, representatives for stakeholders in both North and West Vancouver talked in glowing terms about the potential advantages of a balanced school calendar, a model adopted in some other jurisdictions whereby summer break is shortened in favour of longer spring and winter breaks. The idea arises from research suggesting that the long summer gap hurts students’ retention, making it hard for them to catch up in the fall. It’s unlikely, though, that under the
province’s new laissez-faire regulatory framework, either district will look at the plan seriously, because to go it alone — or even as a pair — would be impractical. A change to a shorter summer would require a cultural shift that stretches beyond the jurisdiction of any school district. The change would affect everything from provincial sports to rec programs to daycare to transit planning; a patchwork of calendars would be a recipe for problems. Realistically, any shift on that scale would have to be co-ordinated at the provincial level. But now, with Victoria out of the equation, it’s unlikely it will ever happen. The balanced calendar may or may not be the best option for our school system, but as a result of the province’s move, it’s an option that’s no longer on the table.
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“They came and went, came and went. So and so didn’t come back and someone else would come in and take his place.” Decorated RCAF Spitfire pilot Roy Wozniak discusses the loss of life during the Second World War (from a Nov. 11 Sunday Focus story). ••• “The whole site could be underwater in 30 years.” District of North Vancouver Coun. Doug MacKay-Dunn questions plans to locate the Lions Gate secondary wastewater treatment plant at the foot of Pemberton Avenue (from a Nov. 16 news story). ••• “We have quite a number of children, upwards of 200 to 300 children, who are dependent on their parents receiving their safety-net support from Harvest Project.” Harvest Project executive director Gary Ansell talks about the importance of the non-profit raising $200,000 over the next eight weeks to cover its costs for the coming year (from a Nov. 16 news story).
We chose not to live near Metrotown Dear Editor: My wife and I chose to live, and raise our family, in Lynn Valley because of the relative easy access to amenities and, more importantly, to live within the unique natural surroundings offered by the North Shore mountains. We feel somewhat at arm’s length from the hectic lifestyles often associated with higherdensity-living in many surrounding areas. Currently, our Lynn Valley neighbourhood is characterized as quiet, with good neighbours and spectacular views of the local mountains, with easy access to green spaces, hiking and biking trails to work and other amenities. I believe most people who live in Lynn Valley, or other areas of the North Shore, do so for similar reasons. I was shocked when I viewed the proposed Lynn Valley Community Plan this past summer. I am even
more shocked as I have recently learned of other proposals or projects already underway on the North Shore. How could our elected representatives and community planners be so naive and easily persuaded by development companies? We need to keep focused on our community goals and objectives. Community objectives should include maintaining, improving and revitalizing services to meet changing and growing community needs. We need affordable housing for new and young families, as well as older residents. We need amenable services for everyone living in the community. And we need sustainable sources of funding. There must be other options besides going forward with mega development projects, and without the support from the Lynn Valley community.
Lynn Valley residents do not want three apartment towers and higher densities blocking mountain views and placing even more demands on already oversubscribed community streets and services. I can’t imagine why elected officials and community planners support large developments such as those proposed for Lynn Valley and other areas on the North Shore, when most North Shore residents oppose it. Large development companies have teams of experts whose sole job is to persuade elected representatives and community planners into supporting their projects. If we wanted to live near Metrotown we would have bought a house to raise our family near Metrotown. Please wake up! Keith Forrest North Vancouver
LVCA meeting excludes community
Dear Editor: An announcement has gone out to the members of the Lynn Valley Community Association to take part in an information meeting where BOSA explains their plans regarding the Lynn Valley Centre development. The meeting is scheduled on Nov. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Molly Nye House. The meeting is only for members that have joined before Nov. 1. I am highly disappointed that LVCA is continuing on the path of excluding everyone in what is happening in Lynn Valley. After all, it is a “community association.” So would it not be reasonable to have an open discussion that includes everyone?
CONTACT US
It leaves everybody wondering what is really discussed at these meetings and why the secrecy. Why does LVCA not listen to the people that they claim they represent? Emails that were sent to the LVCA in regard to this meeting remain unanswered. The residents of Lynn Valley are already upset about the highrise proposals and to hold private meetings with the developer (BOSA) is not going to resolve the tension in the community. What is LVCA really trying to accomplish? To alienate everybody? Alex Schwarz North Vancouver
Define ‘affordable’
Dear Editor: I had to pause and re-read your story about the Seylynn Village hearing. Since when is $1,130 to $1,950 per month rent for an apartment considered “affordable housing”? Jamie Leigh North Vancouver
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