Opinion Friday night concerts: Control or cancel Carloads of out-of-town groups descended on the comer of Beacon Avenue and the Pat Bay Highway again Friday night for a rock concert in Sanscha Hall. Sidney RCMP officers had their hands full dealing with enforcement of liquor laws and maintaining the peace. It’s not the first time the Peninsula’s police officers have been forced to deal with an imported problem. Last time, busloads of youths were escorted off the Peninsula by Mounties. This time, police said that operation and security had improved at Sanscha Hall. It’s not saying much, considering the vandalism, theft and liquor infractions experienced after the “alternative’’ Los Angeles-based band NOFX got lost coming off the ferry, March 20. A large group of frustrated concert goers apparently blacked out a camera at a local convenience store and had a free-for-all shoplifting spree. Problems with these types of music enthusiasts is not new to other Island municipalities. In a recent interview with The Review, concert promoter Jake Warren of Know Reason Productions said that Sanscha Hall is one of the last venues available to him for holding concerts. Halls in Victoria, the Wester Communities and other municipalities up-Island have refused to take bookings for “alternative” music bands. Warren was understanding about the problems caused by concert goers March 20 and said his company would pay for damages to the hall. This past Friday night liquor was again prevalent in the hands of minors at Sanscha. Police made 24 liquor seizures and spent a good deal of time controlling activities in the Sanscha Hall area. Sidney RCMP Set. Andy Rosequist said extra policing was required because security was inadequate. The police are prepared to their job. But because of limited resources, as in so many other operations, matters must be priorized. Now, police are asking for direction from the community. Rosequist’s first priority is for the residents of the Peninsula. ‘“Does the Peninsula, and more specifically Sanscha Hall, wish to be the venue for rock concerts?’’ The police’s resources are already strained to the limit and inviting more potential problems here makes no sense, he said. Asking our local police force to act as security at Sanscha Hall is not only unfair, its impact on the rest of the community could be devastating. Calls from other areas of Sidney and North Saanich may not receive the quick response that residents deserve and handsomely pay for. The citizen’s committee that governs the operation of Sanscha Hall should review its rental policy. At the very least, concert promoters should be required to hire a substantial amount of off-duty policemen for security purposes in and -around Sanscha Hall. Adequate controls must be in place prior to the Friday night event if this activity is allowed to continue. [IT TAKE TO MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT KIND OFA SICK, TWISTED MIND DOES TERRORIST ,..2 {un BE A = Letters to the editor on issues of concern to our readers are welcomed by The Review. All letters must be addressed to the editor and bear an original signature of the letter writer. Letters must contain the letter writer's street address and telephone number for verification purposes and not for publication. Letter should not exceed 300 words in length and may be edited for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. *° Review Serving the Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9726 - First St. P.O. Box 2070 Sidney, B.C. V8L3C9 Sidney, B.C. V8L3S5 656-1151 Publisher: Rory McGrath Editor: Glenn Werkman Reporters: Valorie Lennox Advertising: Corrie Morozoff John Gelder Production Manager: Tamie Sargeant Office Manager: Lori Fitzpatrick Circulation Manager: Wendy Denison AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER CCNA 4 = ORD Ot: SERS 25500 SSPapens COM CONTROLLED No logic in having Iwo municipalities Editor: Why does North Saanich municipality use Sidney as their address? If they are part of Sidney, why do they need a different municipal hall, different mayor, council members, engineers etc. To me this is a duplication of Services. Joe Raposo North Saanich More savings in residents’ plans Editor: We read with interest your edito- tial on the Swartz Bay terminal and realized reporters are not always given all the correct infor- mation (Last-minute at Lands End, The Review April 1). Mayor Maurice Chazottes was “quick to point out” that no tunnel would mean the saving of $2 million. The residents’ plan also rejected the tunnel, but their plans would have saved another $1 million, for a $3 million saving. The Kittiwake extension is highly costly and changes a lovely rural road into an eyesore. For instance, no trees would have been felled (with the resi- dents’ plan). More trees will soon be destroyed as the hairpin bend from Tryon into Curteis has to be widened so trucks with trailers from the marina, can use the new connection. There will need to be a retaining wall at the bottom of ramp A anda complete grading of Curteis road. More trees will come down as more widening will be necessary along Curteis Road. The wonder- ful sound barricr of a huge rock will be destroyed. I suppose residents shouldn’t be surprised. When Ald. Brian Dunic said in council that they were all tired of this issue and the plan should be passed, Ald. Dee Bailin had to remind council that resi- dents were also tired of it, but council was elected to look after the welfare of the constituents. Bailin also suggested that they all go together and walk the area involved to make sure they fully understood what was at stake. Only Ald. Edo Nyland was inter- ested. Had council seriously examined the residents’ plan, they might not have passed the one they did, but then their homes were not involved. Our mayor needn’t be so proud of himself, he has cost us a million more dollars than was necessary, and Ald. Bailin, please clone your- self, we need more caring people like you. Joy Hurren North Saanich Tibetan project got help from Brentwood Editor: When I recently supplied repor- ter Valorie Lennox with informa- tion about the Tibetan Refugee Clothing Project, (Residents help refugee project, March 11) I did not realize the extent of the area covered by The Review. Consequently I neglected to mention that the Brentwood Rot- ary Club and its president, Emest Freiderichs, have been very encouraging and last October donated $600 towards the cost of shipping winter clothing to desti- tute Tibetans living in the Hima- laya foothills of northern India. My fundraising efforts include a Tibetan aid thrift shop Thursday, Friday and Saturday in my Victoria home, and I gratefully accept donations of any sell-able items as well as warm clothing for the Tibetans. I am also looking for sponsors for particularly needy Tibetan children and elders; a monthly donation (tax deductible!) of as little as $10 per month will guar- antee food and shelter as well as the additional benefit of knowing that somebody cares. Please visit my shop or call me for details, 381-5123. For Tibetans in exile. Bente Rehm Victoria Hydro increase is linked to inflation Editor: A recent letter to the editor from W. Rowden of Brentwood Bay, questions the need for the Jan. 1 water rental increase on electricity bills (Captive user vs. corporate elite, The Review, March 4). Water rental fees are levied by the Province of British Columbia on the use of water in hydroelectric generation and have no connection to domestic water charges. The B.C. Utilities Act permits the “flow-through”’ of cost increa- ses over which B.C. Hydro has no control, such as water rental fee increases, without a public hear- ing. The recent increase of approxi- mately 1.6 per cent was due to the indexing of water rentals to infla- tion. John P. Sheehan Vice-president Environemental and Corporate Affairs B.C. Hydro Vancouver We losi a friend Editor: Barbara We lost a friend, yes, so distinct her voice we heard for years. Her charm and love as we recall her passing brought on tears. In untold numbers they have come to praise her name and skill. As one who shared her time and love and did it with a will. And perhaps as time and years pass by. There is one yet to come A lady’s voice with journal flare as that of Barbara Frum. J. Gessner North Saanich Continued on Page A8 Volume 80 Issue No. 16 TheReview Wednesday, April 15,1992 — A6 = i AIR sa ANY 4 i| a! fe [Gz \ 1h : f Ze ; s