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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2011
W E S T M I N S T E R
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Making friends for life Brent Harris went to Uganda to help others – and he did all of that – but the experience also taught him to cherish his life in Canada. Read about his time spent in a community where children lacked the simplest tools to learn how to read and write and medical challenges were extreme. His story is on page 11 African journey: Brent Harris, far right, spends some time with his new friends in Uganda. Contributed photo/THE RECORD
City to revoke military store’s licence Westley Baker’s lawyer asks city to wait until after trial, but city takes action now BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
The City of New Westminster has decided to cancel the business licence of a local military surplus store recently raided by police, despite the owner’s appeal to allow the business to remain open. On Monday, city council voted six to one in favour of cancelling the business
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licence for Westley Military Surplus at 623 Front St. The business sells used military supplies and equipment/supplies relating to camping and outdoor activities, but it has also been licensed under the Canada Firearms Program to sell non-prohibited ammunition. The store’s owner, Westley Baker, pled not guilty on April 8 to five counts of unauthorized transfer of ammunition and one count of manufacturing a firearm. The charges stemmed from a five-month police investigation and a Feb. 25 search of the business. “During a search of the business on Feb. 25, 2011, a semi-automatic C-8 carbon
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assault rifle was seized along with some soft body armour,” states the report presented to council. “Both the assault rifle and the body armour are unlawful to own or possess.” On Monday, city council held a showcause hearing to consider a staff recommendation to cancel the business licence. Other options included allowing the business to continue operating and suspending the business licence for a specific amount of time. Derek A. Birch, a solicitor who represented Westley and his business at the hearing, said the charges against his client are allegations at this time and should
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remain as such until the matter is dealt with in court. He said Baker is a 25-year member of the local business community who has done business without serious issues. “Revoking or cancelling Westley Baker’s business licence is really revoking Westley Baker’s livelihood and that of his wife,” he said. In a letter to the city, Baker asked that the city allow him to continue operating the business and selling clothing, war medals, surplus and outdoor items. Birch said Baker is willing to enter into a contract that would state he would not sell ◗Licence Page 4
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