Hey gang,

The drive-in theatre, that long-standing but beleaguered family fun tradition, is under attack - by the GVRD.

The Twilight Drive-In, the only drive-in movie theatre in the Lower Mainland, is being handed a huge "Parking Stall Tax" bill, because the GVRD claims that the spaces they provide for customers are a "parking lot" - no different that the one at the mall.

Now, let's set aside the fact that the parking lot tax itself is an arbitrary and inequitable way for the GVRD to gather additional revenue. I think you'll agree that this is a completely illogical application of the tax. The whole concept of a drive-in depends on providing spaces for the cars. Customers are bringing their own seating. It ain't no parking lot.

The worst thing about this is that it throws needless financial strain on a business which the owner went through great struggles simply to get up and running in the first place. Owner Jay Daulat formerly operated the Hillcrest Drive-In, which was forced to close due to development. It took him a long time and a lot of effort to revive the local drive-in experience by opening the Twilight. A spurious tax that will force him to raise prices is the last thing he needs.

There's two ways you can show your support. There's an online petition you can sign:

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stoptaxingfun

Additionally, you can send an email to TransLink voicing your opposition. Doesn't have to be long - mere quantity of letters counts for a lot, I'd think. Here's the email of Paul Barlow, Project Manager for Parking Site Tax Implementation:

paul_barlow@PROTECTED

Thanks!
Adam