Opinion

It may be the first week of summer, according to the calendar, but Mother Nature sure has us confused thanks to some wacky weather. Normal temperatures for these parts return next week, as summer vacation goes into full swing.

Dear Editor: Re: Bellevue Tower Proposal Toppled , North Shore News, June 8. I can’t believe the short-sightedness of some members of our council in preventing the subject proposal from going to a public hearing.

Dear Editor: The recent decision by the District of West Vancouver to close the Ambleside boat ramp (to power boaters) while unfortunate, was predictable and unstoppable.

I don’t know about you, but I often think of the North Shore as a sanctuary from the madness of the world. The world is a pretty ferocious place, and every day, it just seems to get nastier. This week, the UN Refugee Agency said there are now 65.

There’s a debate frequently playing out on the North Shore, pitting the retention of heritage against the desires of the neighbourhood. Heritage homes are notoriously expensive to maintain.

Dear Editor: Why remove what is needed? Ambleside businesses took another hit (June 20) as West Vancouver mayor and council unanimously endorsed the Ambleside Waterfront Plan.

Dear Editor: The article titled North Van Mayors Push for Property Tax Reform , June 17, would be amusing if it weren’t so sad. The two mayors did the usual hand-wringing and offered seemingly earnest suggestions on how property taxes can be reduced.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flew into town late last week and began to solve one pressing issue facing Metro Vancouver and then found himself in the middle of another one where a solution may prove to be more elusive.

West Vancouver council is now the first on the North Shore to request the feds and province wake up to the housing affordability crisis and rein in the rampant speculation that’s driving up costs. We commend them.

As adults, we should be setting a good example for our youth when it comes to getting active through alternative forms of transportation. Canadian kids scored a dismal D-minus on ParticipAction’s 2015 report card on children’s physical activity.