Friday, April 22, 2011 The Royal Sweethearts celebrated Easter this week.
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ary Annivers 1985-2010
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Search & Rescue
Dirt biker hits tree It took three hours to carry the man out. Amy Judd
ajudd@mrtimes.com
Maple Ridge resident Bernice Rolls dressed up in a suffragette costume and walked around downtown Maple Ridge to encourage citizens to vote in the upcoming election.
Troy Landreville/TIMES
Democracy
‘Suffragette’ battles voter apathy
Whonnock resident Bernice Rolls hopes to remind people that voting in the upcoming federal election is important. by Teija Beck
editorial@mrtimes.com
One Maple Ridge citizen is taking to the streets to encourage citizens to vote in the May 2 federal election. If you see a woman in an oldfashioned purple shawl, white blouse and long skirt marching down the street in downtown Maple Ridge, it’s likely Bernice Rolls, a citizen passionate about the importance of voting. Rolls has donned clothing similar to those worn by suffragettes, women advocating for the right to
vote, in the late 1800s and early 1900s. “My message is just to get out and vote,” Rolls said. “Democracy depends on it. Consider areas of the world where it does not exist. Many people do not realize that the right to vote did not come without a struggle,” Rolls said. She pointed out women were not granted the right to vote until 1918, made official in 1920 with the ratification of the nineteenth amendment. Chinese and Indo-Canadians were denied the right to vote until 1947, and Japanese people could not vote until 1948. First Nations citizens had to wait until 1960 before being allowed to cast their ballots. By wearing these historical garments through the streets, Rolls
hopes to remind an increasingly particular candidate.” apathetic public that voting is an The October 2008 election important part of democracy. had the lowest voter turnout in “I’m concerned that the fate of Canadian history, with only 58.8 our country is in the hands of too per cent of voters going to the few people,” Rolls said. “If we do polls. participate, it The 1992 federal will make a difelection was the last ference.” time more than 70 per “My message is to Rolls said cent of voters cast a most people she ballot. get out and vote. meets on her Meanwhile, Rolls Democracy depends walks encourage plans to walk in her on it” her and say they suffragette costume, Bernice Rolls will vote. wielding her sign that “A lot of them reads “Vote,” on nice are grateful and days until the May 2 say they will vote or do advanced election. voting if they’re working [on elec“I’m reminding people that their tion day],” Rolls said. “Lots of vote is important,” Rolls said. people toot their horns and give “Like the hummingbird who me a thumbs up. I usually get transported water drop by drop to a smile. I think they appreciate put out a fire that threatened the knowing I’m not promoting any forest, I’m doing what I can.”
A dirt bike rider collided with a tree while he was riding with friends on April 20. Due to the nature of his injuries and his location, a plan had to be formed to bring him safely out of the woods to receive medical attention. Ridge Meadows Rick Laing Search and Ridge Meadows S&R Rescue received a call around 8:15 p.m. that their assistance was needed to bring the 49-year-old Pitt Meadows man down Blue Mountain to a waiting ambulance. “We put a team together,” said Rick Laing, head of Ridge Meadows search and rescue, “and was able to access him on one of the dirt bike trails.” This team included 14 members of the local search and rescue, along with six from Coquitlam, and six from Mission. “We thought it was going to be a long stretcher carry,” said Laing. Search and Rescue, along with B.C. Ambulance, Ridge Meadows RCMP, and the Maple Ridge fire department all responded.
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