the other press

2

February 14, 1977

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the month of March approaches, students and the
general public alike will be asked to dig deep i into their pockets
to enable them to meet their ICBC auto insurance payments
for the coming year.

In the students’ case, to a large extent these payments will

considering the parents more than likely purchased the car in
the first place).

Last year, when the Socred government raised the insurance
rates, students were one of the more vocal in protesting what
was then considered, and in some corners still is, an
unnecessary political and vindictive move.

That was last year. The public cried, but finally gave in--to
their precious need for a private automobile, their own little
kingdom, the last great individual right.

This year the rates are considerable lower, but it is money
that could have been better spent. What might have been an
opportune time to convince the public of the need for a public
transit system has been missed.

A public transit system in British Columbia is unfortunately,
a long way off.

The problem is a complicated one, one that needs to be
looked at by all levels of government--and the public.

Transportation has been the responsibility of B.C. Hydro, a
Crown corporation. When the NDP came to power, a Bureau of
‘Transit was set up with the intentions of concentrating on
alternative forms of transportation.

Since the Social Credit take-over, the Bureau has been in
limbo, with the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)
fighting for control in this area.

The GVRD has been pushing for a regional transportation
system, with the intention of having a Light Rapid Transit
(LRT) line running between Vancouver and New Westminster.
This plan, and the commission that would have been set up to
study it, has been stalled by the city of Vancouver over the
proposed cost-sharing arrangements.

 

 

The GVRD needs the support of it’s member municipalities
to push for the provincial government involvement.

The GVRD is on the right track (pun intended), but they
need more input from the federal government.

According to the GVRD, their plan would cost the
taxpayers roughly $1.8 billion. Vancouver City officials
suggested the cost would be much higher.

Obviously more study is needed--real study, not of the
procrastinating style which we have been seeing for so long.

First, a plebiscite should be held to determine if the
taxpayers would want their money spent on such a massive
project.

All levels of government must have input, including
regional governments.

Studies should be carried out to search for all the
alternatives that are conceivable for each region.

The next problem to overcome would be financial--what
monies are available, where can more be generated from
(remember ICBC?).

The different levels of government will have to sacrifice
certain priorities (financial or otherwise) to make, any scheme
of this sort get out of the planning stage.

In the event that a LRT system is decided on, existing
facilities in each region would have to be looked at for possible
adaptation.

The cost of then repairing and upgrading the existing
lines--as well as laying new lines, building bridges, tunnels,
stations, and re-routing bus systems--would have to be
determined. :

There is an enormous amount of work to be done and an

world.

It would be less of a financial blow and less of a ‘‘future
shock’’ to ourselves, if we started now.

be coming out of their parents’ pockets (a double strain,|

even greater need to change our way of perceiving the modern] .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cE aE eS a RR BND,
Business manager

    

responds

From the former business man-
ager to the students.

Unfortunately, due to the
circumstances, I am faced with
as Business Manager. of your
Student Society, I have no
alternative but to write to you,
the Student Body, who support
decisions made by individuals of
your Council. I think it is about
time you knew about the cir-
cumstances, your council has
given ‘‘myself,’’ and my staff. I
leave it to you to decide, what is
right and what is wrong?

Over three months ago, I was
given the position as Business
Manager of your Society. I was
chosen from a hiring committee
consisting of your Chairperson,
Alexander Boynton, Vice-Chair-
person, Jamie Croil, John
Beardsley, Douglas College

Personnel Administration, and
Jim Anderson, Financial Aid
Officer and Liason Officer be-
tween Administration and the
Student Society. No contract of
benefits, terms etc., were given
to me at the time, because no
one thought about such until I
brought it to their attention,
only to be tabled and tabled and
tabled because they just did not
have the time to sit down and
straighten the situation out.

I was told verbally, I would be
on a three month probationary
period, which is standard at
most jobs applying for manag-
erial positions. I have worked
directly for two months with
Alex, and Jamie (over two
months) helping them sort out
the problems they were faced
with. Alex could not continue

 

Kathy Neilsen

of Pacific

newspaper.

 

the Other press

Staff Box

Managing Editor: Gord Isfeld Copy Editor: Terry Glavin News Editor:
Rory Munro Photo Editor: Pat Johnson
Gwen Odland Writers: Neil Dowie, Eileen Galuska, Grant Dahling
Typesetter: Patrick Dyck

Member of Canadian University Press, and subscriber
News Service.

The Other Press is a democratically run student
Published under the auspices of the Douglas,
Coliege Student Society very Monday. The news office is
located at the rear of the cafeteria

campus.
The Other Press, Box 2503, Douglas College, New Westminster, British
Columbia, 522-6038, between 12 and 1, weekdays, Advertising: 522-6038.

Arts and Events Editor:

on New Westminster

 

 

 

|and got all mixed up.
As a result we apologize to}

 

his position because of his heavy
course load, and because per-
sonal feelings he felt were
happening within Council.
Jamie Croil resigned his posi-
tion a week ago because of his.

 

‘course load this semester. Ray |

Harris, became Chairperson of
the Student Society by acclam-
ation and when J. Croil resigned
R. Harris appointed R. Rae,
Vice Chair of Surrey Campus to
J. Croil’s position, Vice-Chair.
Three weeks ago, I was given

a job description put together by
R. Harris, plus a set of rules he
made up with J. Anderson, J.
Beardsley and himself, to place
me where he felt necessary.

‘lL agreed to all but one, and
asked for a committee to discuss
such. When that committee was

struck, I was ignored, by the

Chair, R. Harris and my opin-
ions. were not listened to. Con-
sequently nothing was solved.
Wednesday, Feb. 9th, I attend-
ed a review of my position.
Present were Chairs of each
campus. R. Harris and R. Rae
who chaired the meeting, J.
Anderson was a guest speaker.
The meeting which was in
camera ended with a decision to
go to Council to terminate the B.
Manager of the Student Society.
No reasons given.

cont’d. on page 11

 

Notice of Correction

Rory says he is sorry
In the article entitled “‘where
your tax dollars’’ go on page 3 of
Jast weeks issue, inadvertently
during production of the paper'
someone drank too many beers

Tricia Ness for describing her as
a nude second year graphic
student.

 

 

 

 

 

TO