Delta Optimist December 8 2022

Exemplaryservicetocommunityrecognized

Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Pins presented by Delta MP at Ladner event

ijacques@delta

Exemplary service in Delta was recognized on Saturday at a special event at Harris Barn in Ladner

It was there that Delta MP Carla Qualtrough recognized more than 100 individuals and organizations for their exemplary service to their community.

“For the past three years, our community has faced extraordinary challenges and has come together in the face of a pandemic and eco nomic uncertainty,” said Qualtrough. “These indi viduals and organizations not only played their part, but who also stood up to lend a hand during these uncertain times.”

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Pin was designed to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years of selfless service on the throne.

These pins commemorate that long life of service The pins were presented to first

responders, frontline workers, volunteers, caregivers, community leaders, business lead ers, and others who have had a positive impact on others

“For 70 years, Queen Elizabeth set an example of selfless service,” added Qualtrough “She also took every opportunity to recognize those who worked to make their communities better

The Platinum Jubilee pin continues that tradi tion I am so happy to be able to recognize these people and organizations for their years of service Delta, and Canada, are better places because of their exemplary contribu tions to our community”

Constituency manager Bernadette Kudzin said their office had been thinking for a while about a way to pay trib ute to people and organizations in the community for the way they really stepped up to help others these past few dif ficult years The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Pin seemed perfect.

“When we put out the

call for nominations, we hoped to garner a wide variety of people in all walks of life people working in not-for profit organizations, volun teers, first responders, essential workers, health care workers, people involved with sports, culture, the arts, busi

nesses, government and journalism,” she said “We received an over whelming response and the stories submitted by the nominators were inspiring

“Carla also felt strongly that we should recognize some organizations, like the Legions, the newspa

pers, the firefighters, the police and community leaders from all levels of government in both Delta and Tsawwassen First Nation, for their exceptional commitment to serve the people of Delta and TFN”

Before the formal presentation ceremony,

TFN Elder Ruth Adams delivered a traditional blessing and Chief Laura Cassidy deliv ered a greeting from Tsawwassen First Nation. A full list of the award recipients can be found with this story on our website at: www.deltaoptimist.com

IAN JACQUES

optimist com

RICHARD PASCO/CITY OF DELTA PHOTO

Members of the Ladner and Tsawwassen Legions were among many individuals and groups presented with awards from Delta MP Carla Qualtrough during Saturday’s event at Harris Barn in Ladner.

Carriers

Deltawon’tbe‘knee-jerking’SLOsout ofclassroomssaysMayorHarvie

The Delta Police School Liaison Officer program has been around since 1971

SANDOR GYARMATI sgyarmati@delta optimist com

It’s absolutely necessary and the community has made it clear they want it to remain in Delta

That’s what Delta Mayor George Harvie, who chairs the city’s police board, is saying about a recent announce ment from B C’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner regarding School Liaison Officers (SLOs) in schools.

B C’s Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender issued a let ter to the B.C. School Trustees Association (BCSTA) reiterating her recommendation that the use of SLOs be ended by all school districts, unless and until they can dem onstrate an evidence based need for them that cannot be met through other services

“I strongly recom mend that all school districts end the use of SLOs until the impact of these programs can be established empirically,” she said

However, Harvie told the Optimist that dur ing this year ’ s municipal election campaign, and knocking on thousands of doors, Delta residents overwhelmingly con veyed support for the Delta Police SLO pro gram, which began in the early 1970s

“The community wants to see our police liaison officers in schools continue. In fact, what I want to do is petition the government to change our archaic appoint ments that the province does to police boards to be refreshed and include more city councillors, and also elected school trustees. That’s the rela tionship we need to build with our police board,” said Harvie

“In no way do I sup port knee jerking our school liaison officers out of the classroom They’re absolutely necessary It’s vital for parents to know that they’re there, includ ing for any safety con cerns A lot of the infor mation I’ve read why some are against it is just an agenda some have and I’m totally against it and don’t want to get involved in,” he said

Harvie noted a letter to the premier outlining the Delta position will be on the agenda at an upcom ing Delta Council /Delta Board of Education Liaison Committee

Delta Board of Education Chair Val Windsor said that the board in the coming weeks will be discuss ing the letter sent to the BCSTA

“During the elec tion campaign, as they were knocking on doors, trustees heard positive

comments from Delta residents about the School Liaison Officer program in Delta. This is an important matter that deserves thoughtful con sideration and consulta tion with various stake holders,” said Windsor Delta Police spokes person A/Insp James Sandberg said the Delta SLO program has a long history of success

“We work closely with the Delta School District and the students to ensure the model used by our SLOs is reflective of the values of all students

and is especially attentive to those youth who are marginalized by race, dis ability, trauma, or other circumstances It is not uncommon for the DPD in conjunction with the school district to review and modify how the police interact with the youth and the schools as frequently as required,” explained Sandberg

“The DPD will work closely with the DSD and Trustees to ensure the Human Rights Commissioner’s con cerns in her letter are reviewed and addressed

in conjunction with the youth and the commu nity,” he added

Currently, Delta SLO’s serve 37 public and private schools. The program includes 29 elementary schools, eight secondary schools as well as the Delta School District’s International Student Program.

The Vancouver and New Westminster school board’s last year scrapped their SLO pro grams. The Vancouver board this week voted in favour of reinstating a program

DELTA POLICE PHOTO

Delta Police Const. Bianca Boyce interacts with students at Richardson Elementary in her role as a school liaison officer.

Chargesswornindeath ofSouthDeltateen

Nearly a year after the tragic death of 17 year old Maaike Blom, 11 charges have been approved against a 22 year old Delta man who was known to her.

It was back on Dec 5, 2021 when the Delta Secondary student was reported missing by her family Two days later she was located deceased at a residence in the 2400 block of Falcon Way

“As a result of the cir cumstances surrounding Maaike’s disappearance and subsequent death, an investigation was initi ated by the Delta Police Department Major Crime Section The police inves tigation determined that Maaike did not die as a result of a homicide,”

said a news release issued Friday after noon by police. “Over the past year, the Major Crime Section gathered evidence and informa tion, which led to Crown Counsel approving 11 charges against Delta resident Jimmy Eely.”

Police say that on Thursday, Dec. 1, Eely was arrested in connec tion to the 11 charges, which include interfer ence or indignity to a dead body, and mul tiple firearms and drug offences

Eely made his first appearance in provincial court on Friday

“Although the loss of Maaike will be eternal, we hope that an arrest in this matter brings some form of solace to

Maaike’s family, friends, and the community We acknowledge that there is still a long road of heal ing ahead for everyone involved in this tragic situation,” said Deputy Chief Harj Sidhu, Officer in Charge of Operations

“The complexity of the investigation has taken some time to reach this point, and we appreciate the patience and sup port of the Blom family and extend our heartfelt condolences to them as they continue to process the loss of their daughter, Maaike”

Delta Police say they will not make any further comments on the details of the investigation as the file is now before the courts

Optimist staff writer

Council approves 4.9 property tax increase

SANDOR GYARMATI sgyarmati@delta optimist com

Delta homeowners will be digging a little deeper in their pockets to main tain and enhance services and amenities in the city Council on Monday gave approval for a 4 9 per cent property tax increase

For an average resi dential home with a change in value in line with the overall Delta average, the increase in 2023 property taxes is approximately $126 That amount doesn’t include what other tax ing authorities, including TransLink, will charge Combined with a $71 increase in the 2023 flat rate utility fee, the overall increase is $197

A report to council notes the proposed 2023 general operating budget maintains overall city service levels and pro vides for some service enhancements, while considering inflationary pressures

City manager Sean McGill told council Monday that many residents during the city’s consultation process also conveyed they would like to see the city focus even more on traffic calming and pedestrian safety Staff said survey feed back found that almost 90 per cent of respon dents were either neutral or felt positive about the value they were getting for their tax dollars.

Other service enhance ments include an enhanced park and street side garbage cleanup program This includes an additional vehicle and a full time posi tion to keep up with the increased demand of gar bage removal in Delta’s parks and roadsides.

A far as the utility rate increase, staff said the 2023 flat rate utility bill would increase by 5.96 per cent, from $1,191 for a single family home in 2022 to $1,262 in 2023

DeltaSouthcouldget partofDeltaNorth

SANDOR GYARMATI sgyarmati@delta optimist com

The public comment period on proposed changes to B C’s pro vincial electoral districts recently wrapped up, changes which include the ridings of Delta North and Delta South

The BC Electoral Boundaries Commission this October released its preliminary report, rec ommending the creation of six new provincial ridings and changes to the boundaries of many existing electoral dis tricts.

The total number of seats would increase to 93 from the current 87

The commission notes that under the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, an electoral bound aries commission must be appointed after

every second provincial election to review and propose changes to pro vincial electoral districts in B C

If approved by the Legislative Assembly, the proposed boundaries will be used for the next two provincial elections

The proposed changes include part of the Delta North provincial elector al district being moved to the Delta South dis trict

The preliminary report recommends moving the area south of 64th Avenue out of the Delta North, cur rently held by the NDP’s Ravi Kahlon, into Delta South, which is currently held by Liberal MLA Ian Paton.

“This will distribute the populations of these two ridings more evenly and create room for

anticipated population growth in Delta North,” the report explains “Delta South includes Ladner, Tsawwassen, Parkdale Gardens, Boundary Bay and agri cultural lands. Moving the area south of 64th Avenue into this riding keeps the area around Watershed Memorial Park in one electoral district”

There’s been little to no negative feedback on the proposes change, so far according to both MLAs.

The commission’s final report must be sub mitted to the Legislative Assembly by April 3, 2023

The Legislative Assembly will then decide whether to accept all, some or none of the commission’s rec ommendations.

Harviecallingontheprovinceto reviewitscontractwithMainroad

Mayor calls snowstorm response a failure

SANDOR GYARMATI sgyarmati@delta optimist com

It is vital that the snow response for provincial highways and crossings of the Fraser River is suf ficient to prevent gridlock and prevent a failure of the provincial transporta tion system.

That is what Delta Mayor George Harvie is telling BC Transportation Minister Rob Fleming in a letter urging a review of the contract currently in place for Mainroad Group for winter main tenance of the Lower Mainland provincial highway network Harvie is also asking for a review of the BC Emergency Alerting System to enable notification of highway closures and major issues affecting Lower Mainland commuters

The mayor described the Lower Mainland commute on the high ways network, which started in the afternoon of the Nov. 29 snowstorm

and went right into the next day, as a failure

“With increasing unpredictable weather patterns B.C.’s provincial transportation network must have the necessary preparations in place with adequate resources for winter maintenance,” said Harvie.

The shutting down of the Alex Fraser Bridge for an extended period, as well as the George Massey Tunnel having major problems, made the commute a night mare for motorists as many spent 10 hours or more stuck on the road

Following the night of commuter chaos, Mainroad Lower Mainland Contracting LP issued an advisory outlining its procedures, noting the safety of the travelling public is at the core of Mainroad’s plan ning and preparation for any weather event

“However, we rely on the travelling public to be prepared for the unpre

dictability of winter and to drive to the conditions Tuesday’s storm mixed with heavy congestion created a gridlock traf fic situation which was worsened by motorists that were not prepared for winter driving con ditions, causing many incidents and stalls. The volume of gridlock pre vented Mainroad crews from having full access to roads and bridge decks to perform winter main tenance,” the company stated.

Also following the disastrous commute, Surrey Coun Linda Annis and New Westminster Coun Daniel Fontaine co signed a letter calling for a “ snow summit” to analyze what went wrong and how to prevent a repeat

They also asked Harvie, who chairs the Metro Vancouver board, and Fleming to bring municipal officials and transportation agencies for the meeting.

PUBLISHER: Pierre Pelletier ppelletier@delta-optimist com

EDITOR: Ian Jacques ijacques@delta optimist com

SPORTS: Mark Booth mbooth@delta-optimist com

REPORTERS

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Celebrating service

IAN JACQUES

When an email came in last week from Delta MP Carla Qualtrough’s office that the Optimist was going to be rec ognized with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum pin, and invited to receive the award at a celebration event, well we were very proud of the honour

Little did we know that we were just one of hundreds of individuals and or groups in the community who would be receiving the award

Publisher Pierre Pelletier was on hand to accept He said he was blown away by the vast number of individuals and organizations that were on hand.

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum pin has been designed to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years of selfless ser vice on the throne Here in Delta these special pins were presented to individu als and organizations that have shown exemplary service to the community.

The list is impressive community volunteers, service organizations, and first responders

We are humbled and grateful to be included among all those recognized ***

On another topic, in the past few weeks, the Optimist has reported on two significant changes in the Delta business community

Tracey, Bill and Jill McKnight announced that after 27 years, South Coast Casuals in Ladner Village would be closing in March 2023, as well, after two decades as a franchise owner, Steve Krawchuk has sold the Ladner and Tsawwassen McDonald’s locations

Krawchuk and the McKnights rep resent everything that is so wonderful about our business community They have dedicated so many years to serv ing residents not just in their business es, but by giving back their volunteer time and financial commitment to so many events and charitable causes.

We thank them for their years of service and sacrifice and wish Steve, Bill and Tracey a rewarding and much deserved retirement

Breaking the Ice 1950s

Delta

1994 006 072

Snowmageddon strikes again

Dear Canada: (at least everyone outside of Metro Vancouver)

We know you know all about our traffic troubles last week when the snow fell

Oddly, it becomes national news when we have a traffic jam Granted, it was a pretty big traffic jam that kept people in their cars for up to 12 hours, but it’s not the first time you ’ ve pointed this out when we ’ ve had snow.

This time was particularly bad Apparently, when we were told it was going to snow, everyone went home at the same time… at 2:30 p.m., try ing to get a jump on rush hour traffic.

Because of this, the plows couldn’t clear the streets with all the cars in the way, and traffic was at a standstill as many drivers out here don’t have winter tires on their vehicles.

But come on, give us a break Snow in Vancouver isn’t like snow on the Prairies, Ontario or even Quebec First of all, it’s really wet,

because we only get snow around the freezing mark Cars melt a little of it, then it freezes on the cold roads, so we are driving on wet ice rinks You try that…it’s not all that easy.

Granted, we should be using winter tires. All seasons don’t cut it (I used to work for a tire company, I know a lot about them.) That would help, but it only takes one or two cars or trucks to block a road or bridge And our 4x4’s don’t help much when they can’t stop.

However, rest of Canada, remember a couple things First of all, we have these things called hills and gravity, hills and snow don’t mix.

We also have many traf fic compression areas called bridges and tunnels, which tend to restrict traffic flow for a long way when someone gets stuck on them Not too easy getting around them, as there aren’t many alternative routes

It seems like the first snow catches us off guard every year It’s always a mess I guess that’s because we have so much time to forget it when spring arrives early in the year, unlike other parts of the country And we are just used to driving on clear, albeit wet, roads

You give us a break about our snowy traffic issues, and we won’t rub it in when the blossoms are on the trees at the end of February

Deal?

Sincerely, Your left coast Canadian friends

Brad Sherwin, MBA is a long time resident of South Delta, and has over 30 years ’ experience in marketing, public relations and business strat egy He teaches post secondary marketing, coaches hockey goalies and is past president of Deltassist.

TH ANNIVERSARY

The Delta Heritage Society is pleased to celebrate 100 years of the Delta Optimist Please visit us at the Douglas J Husband Discovery Centre Do you have photos that help tell Delta’s story? Interested in becoming a DHS member? Contact us at info@deltaheritagesociety ca

This 1950s photograph depicts John Christopherson with an icepick breaking apart ice that had formed around the tugboat ‘East Delta’ in order to prevent damage to the vessel The BC Packers’ oyster plant pier at the bottom of 112 Street on Boundary Bay can be seen in the background

Archives

Blamethedrivers,not thetunnelorbridges

Editor:

On Nov. 29 we were hit with a snowstorm, and our first responders were clearly overtaxed

I spent six hours on Highway 99 south for a drive that normally takes 10 minutes. I understand that we need to wait for everything to be safe before traffic can move when there is an acci dent, but the abhorrent

behavior of some Delta drivers sickens me.

There were people blocking first respond ers, others were block ing Richmond drivers from getting home by obstructing their exit, and many jumped the line, which escalated an already terrible situation. This traffic fiasco was avoidable.

We should all under

stand how to properly zipper merge. Every sin gle day on my commute to work I see people who are doing it wrong, peo ple who are merging too soon and making the line longer, and many driving in the bus lane and merg ing after the zipper The Tuesday snowstorm was an example of this to a gross extreme.

Barbara Schumaker

Snowstorm proved why the tunnel should be replaced with another

Editor:

Every time it snows in the Lower Mainland traffic comes to a stand still because the bridges become impassable.

The only river cross ing that isn’t affected by the snow is the Massey Tunnel. Although it’s long surpassed its origi nal design capacity the tunnel always remains open during adverse weather conditions, like we experienced Tuesday

The tunnel never requires the applica tion of the toxic road salt that has such a negative effect to the environ ment, never needs snow to be removed to remain passable, there are no five hour waits because of ice, and we never have to shut the tunnel because of “ice bombs” falling from the cable stays With the reality of extreme weather events due to climate change,

replacing the tunnel with a bridge is a 20th century solution to a 21st century problem

My hope is that what ever political party is in power in Victoria can park the egos and replace the Massey Tunnel with a bigger one that is designed to accommo date all the traffic that is displaced during a snow event because the bridg es are impassable

Robert Stewart

snowstorms

Editor:

Re:Letters: Tuesday’s snowstorm proved why a tunnel is better than bridge

The author makes some claims about the Massey Tunnel that need a reality check

He claims the tun nel “always” remains open during adverse weather conditions, “ never ” needs snow to be removed to be pass able, “ never ” needs road salt to be applied, and has no five hour waits because of (falling) ice.

The reality is numer ous media outlets reported the Massey Tunnel was closed Tuesday during heavy

snow for a period of time. Snow does fall from large trucks and other vehicles while in the tunnel so it’s very possible that some snow did need to be removed, also at the tunnel entrance and exit points snow does accumulate and needs to be cleared

In fact, it is pos sible that at the tunnel entrance point snow can become packed or a layer of ice forms such that large semi trucks or double decker bus ses could exceed the tunnel posted maxi mum entrance height of 4 15m I’m not sure if it “ never ” needs salt applied but I would be

surprised if that were true.

Perhaps the Lower Mainland does not have enough snowplows or commuter drivers are not prepared for win ter driving regardless of bridges or tunnels This isn’t Toronto and we don’t have 10 snow plow trucks assigned to each bridge or tunnel. Perhaps the rate and vol ume of snow was so high that even 10 snowplows wouldn’t be enough.

But for the author to suggest that somehow a tunnel is better than a bridge in heavy snow is a stretch and likely misin formation

Keith Munro

Give the gift of good health this holiday season

Delta Hospital Campus of Care. Photo provided by Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation

Last December, Tsawwassen residents Jay Gebrail and his wife, Anna, were excitedly preparing for a visit from their son’s family, including their new grandson, from the United Kingdom Then, just three days before Christmas, Gebrail was out with his walking group when he felt a crushing pressure on his chest “I stopped walking, and then I dropped to the ground,” Gebrail recalls An ambulance rushed the 79 year old to Delta Hospital’s Emergency Department (ER)

Upon his arrival at Delta Hospital, healthcare professionals determined that he was in urgent need of an angiogram Gebrail had several arteries with blockages up to 90%, including one completely blocked artery that required two stents

Once surgery was completed, Gebrail spent several days recovering on Delta Hospital’s medical floor “Even though I had to spend the holidays in the hospital, the staff were great,” he recalls “They did everything they could to keep me comfortable and well cared for ”

The COVID 19 pandemic’s ripple effect has caused staffing shortages, and a dramatic rise in patient visits, as well as in severity of patient illnesses Delta’s Emergency Department is seeing up to 145 patients a day almost double last year’s numbers

Delta Hospital’s ER has seen a steady increase in visitations and admissions over the past two years, averaging over 30,000 visits per year During the holiday season, the ER typically experiences increased patient visitations, causing stress on already taxed staffing and resources

The Delta Hospital Campus of Care needs you now, more than ever before

This year, Delta Hospital has critical equipment needs for their Emergency Department, and urgently requires more advanced equipment through the Delta Hospital Campus of Care You can help to ensure that Delta Hospital’s healthcare professionals have the resources they need to provide the best possible care

Delta Hospital’s Holiday Wish List reflects the critical needs of many areas of the Delta Hospital Campus of Care, including the hospital’s long term care facility, Mountain View Manor, and the Irene Thomas Hospice

The annual Holiday Wish List reflects some of Delta Hospital’s needs to support the best patient care across the entire Campus of Care For instance, the Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Voice and Swallowing exam for stroke patients could be done at a patient’s bedside to assess aspiration risk; however, due to outdated equipment, patients are currently being transported to another site to receive this test

Also on the Holiday Wish List is the LUCAS CPR Chest Compression System This enables medical professionals to best save lives of sudden cardiac arrest and avoid neurological damage during an event by supplying a steady supply of oxygen to both the heart and brain

The Irene Thomas Hospice needs a Sorrento Therapeutic Chair for patients with low mobility and extended stays in bed It reduces pressure injuries and prevents sliding and falls Your gift today matters By providing staff with the very best equipment and resources, you help to strengthen the entire Delta Hospital Campus of Care

“Delta Hospital is woven into the backbone of this community,” Gebrail says “Supporting Delta Hospital is important because it means that we don’t have to travel through the tunnel to get emergency medical attention ” To read more about the Delta Hospital Campus of Care Holiday Wish List, please visit: www dhchfoundation ca/holidaywishlist

Afive-hourtripfrom RichmondtoTsawwassen

Editor:

I am not sure where Mr. Stewart (letters, page 9) was Tuesday but he was not sitting in Richmond traffic waiting for the tunnel to open up

I left Richmond Ice Centre at 8:50 pm, made it three car lengths and then sat in traffic until

the tunnel reopened at 1a m

I was through at 1:25 a m and back in Tsawwassen by 1:40 a m Almost five hours due to the tunnel being closed It did not fair any better than the bridges We needed the 10 lane bridge that would be

open by now not the antiquated tube that funnels up to 6 lanes of traffic into 1 lane during rush hour

The government needs to wise up as currently we are not going to see any change for 8 more years.

Jeff Peters

Use sand for safer roads in snowstorms

Editor:

Concerning Tuesday’s (Nov. 29) snowstorm.

I have a great idea Why don’t we re introduce sand to our provincial government as a tried and proven way to keep the roads open, reduce loss of life, reduce devastating and expen sive auto accidents, and allows the roads to be travelled safer in a storm. As a once trucker with

over 3 million safe miles under my belt, it always amazes me that years ago the sand was used exten sively and always helped Nowadays they refuse to use sand and we con tinually have problems Nothing helps traction more than sand does. So why oh why do they refuse to use sand when people are dying? The interesting part is as soon as there’s a fatality, they

always use sand on the road Isn’t that a little too late?

It saddens me that a government will allow the carnage to happen negligently like this

That ICBC will allow the multimillion of dol lars in damage caused by this

Perhaps a class action lawsuit or something similar might help.

James Ponath

New condo law is an invasion of Big Brother

Editor:

I write with respect to David Eby’s new law which allows the Provincial Government to intrude into the condo owners ’ ability to live as we like in our own pri vate dwellings

The new law prohib its strata councils from imposing rental and age restrictions in condo buildings. It would leave the door open to inves

tors to purchase units with the sole purpose of renting them out. In effect turning condo buildings into tenement buildings

Renters do not have the same incentive to abide by the condo bylaws as the owners Also, while I have noth ing against children as such, as condo owners live in close proximity with each other without

an age restriction I fore see noise reaching an uncomfortable level.

This is a flagrant inva sion of Big Brother into our private lives and every effort should be made to ensure this law is rescinded Obviously there is a desperate need for more housing but the solution isn’t to infringe on the condo owners liv ing enjoyment.

Jim Butler

Six storeys is not wanted in Ladner Village

Editor: Re: Delta council hears Dunbar Lumber site rede velopment

proposal

I would like to com ment on what I believe to be misleading information posted in this article about the Official Community Plan amendment to the Ladner Village Area Plan that took place December 2021.

The article says: “While many spoke in favour at the public hear ing last year, including those from the business community, council also

heard opposition, pri marily about the height allowance”

Checking with Delta City Clerk the exact numbers were: 684 in opposition and only 80 in favour

In the minutes of the public hearing you will note Mayor George Harvie distinctly said any decision about six storeys in Ladner Village is purely “discretion ary ” in other words via dictionary defini tions: “not compulsory, not automatic” that is:

“optional”

It also needs to be said that councillors such as Alicia Guichon passion ately voted against allow ing six storey buildings in Ladner Village

I hope that our new councillors will use their “discretionary” powers wisely when reviewing the Dunbar proposal and truly listen to the overwhelming majority of Ladner residents who spoke and wrote against six storeys in our special heritage village

Doug Reynolds

Dr Richard James, Dr Melissa Tam, Dr Nav Grewal and Dr Juan Mata

PHIL MELNYCHUK Contributing Writer

Christmas is a busy time but the need for blood never stops so Canadian Blood Services is ramping up its efforts to keep up donations.

“Typically as we enter holiday season, there always is a growing pres sure on blood supplies,” Craig Nielsen, communi ty development manager with the agency, said last week

Busy schedules and seasonal illness can affect the number of people who show up at clinics that are crucial to main taining supplies for the health care system

Nielsen said that while this time of year usu ally sees a slowdown, he hasn’t seen any data saying this year is worse than others

A new venue for Delta this year will be a blood donation clinic at Harris Barn, at 4140 Arthur Dr , on Thursday, Dec 15

It’s the first time a clin ic has been held in that large venue, said Nielsen He said there are current ly 75 open appointments that people can book there in order to donate blood

“It’s a new space. It’s a site we ’ ve never been to … so we ’ re looking to fill that one up, ” he said “If it works out well this time around and we have a good response from the community we’ll hopefully book back there in the future as well”

There’s also a clinic this Saturday (Dec 10) at South Delta secondary, but that’s mostly booked

In the new year, there’s also a blood donation clinic on Jan 4 at Ladner Community Centre.

If, for one reason or another, people can’t donate, Canadian Blood Services has other ways of helping

It’s just launched the Give 3 in 2023 challenge, asking people to help in three ways, either through a blood dona tion, a cash donation, posting about your dona tion on social media, joining the stem cell registry, registering to be an organ or tissue donor, or by bringing a friend to your next donation appointment.

Currently in B C , 5,800 open appointments need to be filled by the end of the year

A news release says there’s a “noticeable drop” in donations from November to February “ … we continue to experience the impact of COVID 19 through a high number of appointment cancellations,” said blood services CEO Dr Graham Sher

“We need more people across Canada from all communities and backgrounds to become regular blood, platelet and plasma donors and more people to register as a stem cell donor or potential organ donor,” Sher said

“Patients and their loved ones are counting

on it.”

About 1,000 people in Canada are waiting for a stem cell match, and 4,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant

People can book appointments online at blood ca, on the GiveBlood app, or by calling 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236 6283).

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

– MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022

NoticeisherebygiventhatDeltaCityCouncilwillholdaPublicHearingtoreceiverepresentationsfromanypersonswhodeemitintheirinteresttoaddressCouncilregardingthefollowingproposed projects ACouncilmeetingisscheduledtoimmediatelyfollowthisPublicHearingintheeventCouncilwishestogivefurtherconsiderationtotheproposedprojects

Date: Monday,December12,2022 Time: 6:00pm Place: CouncilChamber&Virtual/Zoom DeltaCityHall,4500ClarenceTaylorCrescent,Delta,BC

Project No 1 (File No LU009451)

Location:Unit117 7198VantageWay Applicant: JeordieKer,OpexDeltaFitness Telephone: 7783867297 Proposal:ApplicationforRezoningtoallowanaccessoryhealthcare officeusetooperatewithinanexistingindoorrecreationfacilityinan industrialbuilding

Delta Zoning Bylaw No 7600, 2017, Amendment Bylaw No 8191, 2022

Toamend“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”byrezoningUnit117 of7198VantageWaywithinthemultitenantedsitefromMedium ImpactIndustrial(I2)ZonetoComprehensiveDevelopmentZoneNo 24(CDZ24)inordertoallowaphysiotherapist,provinciallylicensed massagetherapistand/orotherhealthcareprofessionaltousea9m2 roomwithinthe202m2unitfortheprovisionofhealthservices

Staff Contact: PaulBelzile 6049523155

Project No 2 (File No LU009411)

Location: 11357and1135988Avenue

Applicant:ArjanBhullar Telephone: 6047252701

Proposal: ApplicationforRezoningandDevelopmentVariance Permittoallowsubdivisionintotworesidentiallots

Delta Zoning Bylaw No 7600, 2017, Amendment Bylaw No 8185, 2022

Toamend“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”byrezoningthe subjectsitefromDuplex/SingleDetachedResidential3(RD3)to SingleDetachedResidential7(RS7)inordertoallowatwolot subdivisionandconstructionofanewsingledetacheddwellingwith aningroundbasementandasecondarysuiteoneachlot

Development Variance Permit LU009411

TovarySection11708of“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”by reducingtheminimumlotwidthfrom11mto109mforbothLots1 and2

Staff Contact: AdaLiu 6049463395

WATCH LIVE: ThisPublicHearingwillbebroadcastliveatwwwdeltaca/watchlive Members of the public who do not wish to speak may listen and watch the proceedings on the City's website VideorecordingsarearchivedontheCity’swebsite

Project No. 3 (File No. LU009386)

Location: 1168774AAvenue

Applicant: RanjitPataria,ImpeccableConstructionLtd Telephone: 6043745409

Proposal: ApplicationforRezoningandDevelopmentVariance Permittoallowsubdivisionintotworesidentiallots

Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, Amendment Bylaw No 8171, 2022

Toamend“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”byrezoningthe subjectsitefromDuplex/SingleDetachedResidential3(RD3)to SingleDetachedResidential7(RS7)inordertoallowatwolot subdivisionandconstructionofanewsingledetacheddwellingwith aningroundbasementandasecondarysuiteoneachlot

Development Variance Permit LU009386

TovarySection11708of“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”by reducingtheminimumlotwidthfrom11mto109mforbothLots1 and2

Staff Contact: AdaLiu 6049463395

Project No. 5 (File No. LU009299)

Location:11520and1153075AAvenue

Applicant: JaspalCheema,SatoriHomes Ltd

Telephone: 7788874592

Proposal:ApplicationforRezoningtoallow subdivisionintothreeresidentiallots

Delta Zoning Bylaw No 7600, 2017, Amendment Bylaw No. 8189, 2022

Toamend“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600, 2017”byrezoningthesubjectsitesfrom Duplex/SingleResidential3(RD3)toSingle DetachedResidential5(RS5)andSingle DetachedResidential7(RS7)inordertoallow athreelotsubdivision Lots1and2wouldbe rezonedtoRS7andeachdevelopedwitha newsingledetacheddwellingwithanin groundbasementandasecondarysuite Lot3 wouldberezonedtoRS5andoccupiedbythe existingdwellingat1153075AAvenue

Development Variance Permit LU009299

Project No 4 (File No LU009269)

Location: 1168874AAvenue

Applicant: RogerJawanda,CitiwestConsultingLtd Telephone: 6042094901

Proposal: ApplicationforRezoningandDevelopmentVariance Permittoallowsubdivisionintotworesidentiallots

Delta Zoning Bylaw No 7600, 2017, Amendment Bylaw No. 8184, 2022

Toamend“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”byrezoningthe subjectsitefromDuplex/SingleResidential3(RD3)toSingle DetachedResidential7(RS7)inordertoallowatwolotsubdivision andconstructionofanewsingledetacheddwellingwithanin groundbasementandasecondarysuiteoneachlot

Development Variance Permit LU009269

TovarySection11708in“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”by reducingtheminimumlotwidthforsubdivisionfrom11mto 1097mforproposedLots1and2

Staff Contact: JanetZazubek 6049463355

TovarySection824in“DeltaZoningBylaw No 7600,2017”bywaivingtherequirement forasingledetacheddwellingwitha secondarysuite,constructedbeforeJuly27, 2010,tohaveatleastoneparkingspace containedwithinagarageinordertoallowthe existingsingledetacheddwellingwitha secondarysuitetoberetainedonproposed Lot3

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022

Date: Monday, December 12, 2022 Time: 6:00 pm

Place: Council Chamber & Virtual / Zoom Delta City Hall, 4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, BC

Project No 6 (File No LU009404)

Location:4959LindenDrive

Applicant: HowardSmid,H SmidEnt Ltd Telephone: 6046442754

Proposal:ApplicationforRezoningtoallowsubdivisioninto tworesidentiallots.

Delta Zoning Bylaw No 7600, 2017, Amendment Bylaw No 8181, 2022

Toamend“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”byrezoning thesubjectsitefromSingleDetachedResidential4(RS4)to SingleDetachedResidential7(RS7)inordertoallowatwo lotsubdivisionandconstructionofanewsingledetached dwellingonproposedLots1and2 Thenewhomeon ProposedLot2wouldincludeanatticandasecondarysuite

Staff Contact: AdaLiu 6049463395

Project No 7 (File No LU009405)

Location: 998and100850BStreet

Applicant:DaveBrar,BramorDevelopmentCorp Telephone: 6048250121

Proposal: ApplicationforRezoningtoallowsubdivisionintothree residentiallots.

Delta Zoning Bylaw No 7600, 2017, Amendment Bylaw No. 8180, 2022

Toamend“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”byrezoningthe subjectsitesfromSingleDetachedResidential5(RS5)toSingle DetachedResidential7(RS7)inordertoallowathreelot

subdivisionandconstructionofanewsingledetacheddwelling withasecondarysuite,attic,andaccessorystructureoneachlot

Staff Contact: AdaLiu 6049463395

WATCH LIVE: ThisPublicHearingwillbebroadcastliveatwwwdeltaca/watchlive Members of the public who do not wish to speak may listen and watch the proceedings on the City's website VideorecordingsarearchivedontheCity’swebsite

Project No. 8 (File No. LU009234)

Location: 5121,5135,and514912Avenue

Applicant: RajanDhanowa,SyncPropertiesLtd Telephone: 6042186051

Proposal: ApplicationforRezoningtoallowsubdivisioninto 10residentiallots.

Delta Zoning Bylaw No 7600, 2017, Amendment Bylaw No. 8152, 2022

Toamend“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”by rezoningthesubjectsitesfromSingleDetachedResidential 1(RS1)toSingleDetachedResidential6(RS6)inorderto allowa10lotsubdivisionandconstructionofanewsingle detacheddwellingwithinanin-groundbasementanda secondarysuiteoneachlot

Staff Contact: AdaLiu 6049463395

Project No 9 (File No P22 04C)

Location: City-wide(broadapplication)

Applicant:CityofDelta Telephone: 6049463380

Proposal: ApplicationforRezoningtoaddparking requirementsforpurposebuiltrentalapartment developmentsandupdateexistingvisitorparking requirementsforallapartmentdevelopments.

Delta Zoning Bylaw No 7600, 2017, Amendment Bylaw No 8204, 2022

Toamend“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”as follows:

1 ProposedParkingRequirementsforPurposeBuilt RentalApartments

Toaddto“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”aparking rateof10spaceperdwellingunitforapartmentbuildings, securedasrentalintenure

2 ProposedParkingReductionforDevelopmentsnear ScottRoad

ToamendSectionof844 of“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017”byincreasingthereductionappliedtothe minimumparkingsupplyrequirementfrom15percentto 20percent,wherethesubjectsiteiswithin125mofScott Road

3 ApartmentVisitorParking

Toreducethevisitorparkingrateto01spacesperunit forallapartmentdevelopments.

Staff Contact: JeremyKeating 6049463201

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2022

Date: Monday, December 12, 2022

Time: 6:00 p m

Place: Council Chamber & Virtual / Zoom Delta City Hall, 4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, BC

Project No 10 (File No LU009373)

Location:Unit14 7550RiverRoad

Applicant:DavidBatten,KrahnEngineeringLtd Telephone: 7788085420

Proposal:ApplicationforRezoningandDevelopment

VariancePermitinordertoallowacannabisdispensaryto operatefromaunitinanexistingindustrialbuilding 4Twenty CannabishasalsoappliedforaProvincialnon medical cannabisretailstorelicence

Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, Amendment Bylaw No 8172, 2022

Toamend DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017 byrezoning a261m2 unitwithinamultitenantedbuildingontheproperty fromtheMediumImpactIndustrial(I2)Zonetothe ComprehensiveDevelopmentZoneNo 23(CDZ23)

Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch Application No. 044127

ApplicationforaProvincialnonmedicalcannabisretailstore licencetopermit4TwentyCannabistooperateacannabis dispensaryatUnit14 7550RiverRoad 4TwentyCannabis isproposingtooperatesevendaysaweekfrom10:00am to 8:00pm

Development Variance Permit LU009373 TovarySection824of“DeltaZoningBylawNo 7600,2017” byreducingtherequiredsupplyofparkingspacesfromeight tosevenspaces

Staff Contact: LukeReynolds 6049463381

WATCH LIVE: This

PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLICHEARING PROCESS

ThePublicHearingisopentoallmembersofthepublic Anypersonwhobelievesthattheirinterestinpropertywill beaffectedbytheproposedprojectshallbegivenan opportunitytoprovidetheircomments(support, concerns,oropposition)toCouncilinthefollowingways:

�������� Writeto: MayorandCouncil CityofDelta 4500ClarenceTaylorCrescent Delta,BCV4K3E2

�������� Email:mayorcouncil@deltaca

�������� To speak virtually at the Public Hearing, you must register withtheOfficeoftheCityClerk before 10:00am onMonday, December12, 2022

Toregister,emailpublichearing@deltacaorcall 6049463220andprovide:

1 PublicHearingmeetingdate&Projectnumber;

2 WhetheryouwillspeakbytelephoneorbyZoom videoconference;and

3 Yourcontactinformation(name,address,phone number,andemailaddress)

Onceregistered,youwillbeprovideddetailsneededto participate

You do not need to register to speak in person

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE PUBLIC HEARING

Materials related to the projects such as the staff report, proposed bylaw, detailed maps and other informationmaybeinspectedatDeltaCityHall,4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, BC, Monday to Friday,excludingstatutoryholidaysfrom8:30am to 4:45 pm from Thursday, December 1, 2022 to Monday,December12,2022 Materialsmayalsobe viewedatwwwdeltaca/publichearing

Ifyouhaveageneralinquiryregardingtheproposed projectorifyouwouldlikeassistancetoinspectany relevant documentation, please contact the Community Planning and Development Department by email at cpd@deltaca or by phone at 604946 3380

ThisPublicHearing istobeconvenedby electronic meansasauthorizedbytheCouncilProcedureBylaw No5000

CorrespondenceaddressedtoCouncilwillformpart ofthepublicrecordforthisPublicHearingand must include your name and full address, and be receivedbytheOfficeoftheCityClerknolaterthan 10:00 a m on Monday, December 12, 2022 Tobe included in the Agenda, correspondence must be receivedbefore12:00pm onFriday,December9, 2022

PHOTO BY SANDOR GYARMATI

The Dunbar Lumber site proposed redevelopment is a six storey mixed use project that includes a courtyard-style building with commercial space and parking on the ground floor, parking on the second floor and residential on the remaining four levels.

Consultationcoming forproposedLadner development

SANDOR GYARMATI sgyarmati@delta optimist com

Delta council last week approved a proposed pub lic consultation process for a major redevelopment application in Ladner Village

The Dunbar Lumber site at the corner of Bridge and Elliott Streets is proposed to be transformed into a six storey, mixed use project. The new development includes a courtyard style building with commercial space and parking on the ground floor, parking on the second floor and residential on the remaining four levels.

Having been revised since it was originally submit ted last year, the proposal includes 129 condo units When the application was submitted last year, it required an Official Community Plan amendment However, that’s no longer the case as council since then approved major changes the Ladner Village Area Plan. It means the proposed development would adhere to the revised OCP, so a public hearing would not be required.

The consultation process includes a sign on the property, notifying surrounding property owners, cre ating a project website, using social media, consulting external agencies and internal city departments and holding two public information meetings

Planning staff are to finalize public engagement materials, provide notices and anticipate scheduling information meetings for January 2023

While she also voted in favour, Coun. Alicia Guichon told her colleagues she feels there was an assumption by local residents when the new OCP was approved that a public hearing would be held for the Dunbar Lumber site redevelopment. She said she doesn’t want the public to feel “misled” by the pro cess.

Coun Dylan Kruger noted there’s been 30 years of failed attempts to have a new plan for the village to encourage much needed revitalization The proposed Dunbar Lumber redevelopment is the first major pro posal under the new plan, he added.

Notice is hereby given that Delta City Council will hold a Public Hearing to receive representations from any persons who deem it in their interest to address Council regarding the following proposed projects A Council meeting is scheduled to immediately follow this Public Hearing in the event Council wishes to give further consideration to the proposed projects

Public Hearing will be broadcast live at www delta ca/watchlive Members of the public who do not wish to speak may listen and watch the proceedings on the City’s website Video recordings are archived on the City’s website

SANDOR GYARMATI sgyarmati@delta optimist com

Parking requirements for certain new develop ments in the City of Delta could be reduced Council this week gave preliminary approval for a bylaw amendment to reduce the amount of parking stalls required for purpose built rental apartments to further incentivize more units being built in Delta

Staff recommend that a parking rate of just one space per dwelling unit for rental apartments, including both market and below market, be added to the zoning bylaw

Staff will also continue to monitor parking rates for below or non market projects and may bring forward a future proposal for further reductions.

A staff report notes Delta’s proposed park ing rate for rental apart ments would be one of

the most progressive in the region, with simi lar municipalities also showing reduced rates.

The city is also propos ing the further reduce parking requirements for developments along the Scott Road corridor to encourage greater transit use The R6 Rapid Bus is to begin along the cor ridor in late 2023.

The report also notes that Delta is currently not

proposing to introduce parking maximums, as developers may choose to provide additional parking supply should the demands of their tar get market support it

No changes are pro posed for secondary suite parking require ments

A public hearing on the proposed parking requirement changes is scheduled for Dec. 12.

PHOTO BY MARK BOOTH

Certain developments in Delta may see fewer parking spaces required.

DeltatakingneutralstanceonTilburyLNGexpansion

The City of Delta continues to take a neutral stand on FortisBC’s proposed LNG expansion and the marine jetty project at Tilbury

Climate activists recently rallied outside Minister of Environment and Climate Change George Heyman’s constituency office calling on the minister to reject the Tilbury Marine Jetty Project, the marine portion of FortisBC’s expansion plans for its Tilbury terminal

“Tilbury LNG is a first test of Premier Eby’s promise to meet the province’s climate commitments,” said Climate Campaigner Peter McCartney in a news release from the Wilderness Committee “He knows we can’t bring on new lique fied natural gas (LNG) exports that will make it harder to do so when we ’ re already not on track”

Opponents say two thousand gas wells would be required in northeast B C to supply the facility, which could create as much climate pollution as the entire City of Vancouver.

“British Columbians are taking transit, insulating their homes, and composting food scraps to reduce the climate pollution of our daily lives, but gas utility FortisBC wants to build a project that would undo their work,” said McCartney

Despite the cities of Richmond and

Vancouver also conveying opposition, Delta is taking a different approach in waiting for the outcome of the environ mental review process before deciding on a position.

Mayor George Harvie, who during the municipal election campaign reiterated that it would only be appropriate to come out in favour or opposition after all the information has been gathered, earlier this year convinced the Metro Vancouver board to also wait

The regional district’s board of directors this summer voted in favour of a motion put forward by Harvie to defer deciding on the LNG Phase 2 Expansion Project at Tilbury until the combined provincial and federal environmental assessment is done. However, it wasn’t unanimous

The board was set to vote on a recom mendation from Metro’s Climate Action Committee for the regional district to convey opposition to the FortisBC Tilbury plant expansion, as well as the adjacent Tilbury Marine Jetty Project, because “of overall concerns related to upstream and downstream greenhouse gas emissions and inconsistency with Metro Vancouver climate targets.”

The committee had received a report from staff critical of the projects and voted in favour of recommending to the board that Metro write to the B.C. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, B C Minister of Energy, Mines

There continues to be opposition to the Tilbury LNG expansion. Pictured is a protest held in the summer of 2021.

and Low Carbon Innovation, federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, B.C. Environmental Assessment Office as well as the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to communicate oppo sition

FortisBC, saying the staff report was flawed and left out important facts, also requested a referral so that additional information was gathered

Senior project manager Andrew Hamilton made a presentation to the board citing several concerns, includ ing the report not providing an accurate assessment of the projects and the role they will play in supporting shared region

al and global climate action goals, includ ing decarbonization of the marine sector

Following the presentation and ques tions from directors, Harvie put forward the deferral motion, saying Delta remains impartial, not making a decision to sup port or oppose until a public hearing, and that his city is engaging in the process to gather information

Following the Metro board’s vote, FortisBC in a statement to the Optimist said the utility is continuing to work collaboratively with Metro Vancouver, Indigenous nations and stakeholders through the environmental assessment process.

SANDOR GYARMATI sgyarmati@delta optimist com

OPTIMIST FILE PHOTO

PublictellsDeltaPolicewheretogo,twiceayear

Awareness campaign is a good way to connect

PHIL MELNYCHUK Contributing Writer

Having cops responding to people’s complaints about loud, fast cars, park ing peeves and flexible interpretations of what’s a legal stop, doesn’t solve all of the problems

The Tell Us Where to Go program, though, has other benefits, such as increasing public awareness and reduc ing the frustration levels of people con cerned about their neighbourhoods Delta Police have been offering the Tell Us Where to Go program for three years now. Twice a year, police will put out a notice on social media asking people about their pet peeves regarding traffic Complaints will flow in from around the city, covering everything from reck less U turns, careless parking, tailgaters and drag racers

Police will then visit those locations, observe and if needed, enforce and tell the public their view of the situation using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

On the most recent Tell Us Where to Go day last month, 10 members of the traffic section, along with Speed Watch volunteers, visited 60 locations

In one instance when police set up their radar gun on English Bluff Road in Tsawwassen, drivers were obeying

the speed limit, “ so far,” reported one officer, while the same was reported for Boundary Bay

But it wasn’t all quiet. Police did stop a car for doing 55 km/h in a school zone on 12th Ave. and issued a warning, while they also wrote a ticket for a local resident doing 57 km/h in a 30 km/h zone in the Sunwood Drive area

One resident also posted concerns about speeding in school zones

Police also spotted and stopped a car doing 119 km/h on the Alex Fraser Bridge in a 70 km/h zone, while 16th Ave. at 56th St. is another favourite loca tion for Tell Us Where to Go

The program is a good way to con nect with the community, said Acting Insp. James Sandberg.

Using the back and forth exchange through social media, the public can comment while police can give their view when they’re on site, building a communication process

“We’re trying so much to get back to our grass roots, which is community policing, which is partnership with our community,” Sandberg said. “You’ll hear me say it time and again, that we can’t do it alone. We rely on our com munity to keep our community safe”

With a little more expertise than the average Joe, police can give an objective

with the community

view of a location, and thus allay some concerns

Sometimes after checking out a com plaint area, vehicles simply are not trav elling as fast as some residents think and police discover that most motorists are driving within accepted speeds

Sandberg said officers usually observe an approaching vehicle visually and determine its approximate speed before activating the radar gun

For him, a key factor is whether the

vehicle is being driven in a way that’s a risk to the public

“If I see something in traffic that I perceive as dangerous, my scrutiny level is going to get focused that much more because of the public safety piece,” he said.

Sandberg said some call the program a waste of time, but he disagrees.

“It’s not a waste of resources because it raises awareness It does some enforcement,” said Sandberg

DELTA POLICE PHOTO

Delta Police recently held another Tell Us Where to Go traffic safety aware ness day.

PHIL MELNYCHUK Contributing Writer

Part of the sweeping measures announced recently to cut crime includes new cellphone software that will help police across B.C. make better decisions at men tal health calls

It’s called HealthIM and in return for spending a few minutes inputting details about the person they’re dealing with, police can do better assessments, better understand the person ’ s behaviour and learn about the risks they may be facing.

The information also is automatically relayed to the hospital that will be receiving the person, giving doctors and nurses advance information, or warnings, they need for faster admission

Delta Police are ahead of the curve when it comes to this technology as they introduced the system three years ago.

“I think that it’s done a lot,” said Acting Insp James Sandberg. “It’s improved nursing safety for sure. In terms of how we deal with the patient, it’s improved that situation. Long term, it has made us better, more consistent at assessing people and situations”

The program was announced last month as part of the provincial government’s new Safer Communities Action Plan

According to a news release from the premier’s office, the app guides police officers by asking ques tions to help them understand the behaviour of the

person in crisis A report will be generated using clini cal language for other responders.

The app can also store information about people that can be used if police have had previous encoun ters and can offer tips about triggers, de escalation tips, flagging violence or weapons It also provides a risk analysis in three categories: risk of harm to them selves, risk of harm to others or inability to care for themselves

Sandberg said officers are trained to use the app in an advisory function only and that they have the ulti mate decision on what action to take

“The officers are going to make the decision, inde pendently of the app, to apprehend or not,” Sandberg said.

Usually two officers attend mental health calls, which allows one to input the information while the other officer interacts with the person in crisis

At the same time, designated hospitals for mental health apprehensions, such as Surrey Memorial, will receive a copy and be warned about the likelihood of violence or weapons.

The reports from DPD will become part of a patient’s health record, so doctors are informed as well

Sandberg said the system reduces the wait time in hospitals for officers if they’re delivering someone under the Mental Health Act. That reduced waiting time for police officers has paid for the annual cost of the software, he pointed out.

With DPD the only force in B C now using the app, Sandberg said some nursing staff are not familiar with the app, but if it’s implemented province wide, it will become generally accepted.

B C though is playing catch up to the rest of the country

“Alberta has mandated it province wide Saskatchewan, I think has mandated it province wide (2018) RCMP in Manitoba are using it,” and most city police forces in Ontario are using it, Sandberg said

“Delta just happens to be the first one in B.C.”

The program also has gone through a privacy impact assessment to ensure it doesn’t breach any laws

He added that even if a person is not apprehended, her or his assessment can be forwarded to local men tal health centres.

“It’s creating the opportunity to do outreach It’s bringing that person to the attention of the commu nity health office,” Sandberg said

Ideally, it could help people avoid getting into crisis and reduce the number of involuntary apprehensions, he added “It makes the apprehension situation safer in a majority of instances. If there is data on that per son and we know that data going in, it improves the situation for everybody involved.”

The government is working with police and health agencies but there’s no implementation date for the rest of the province, said the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Transportation minister given speci

PHIL MELNYCHUK Contributing Writer

A detailed plan to fix the awkward traffic River Road roundabout has been sent on to the transportation minister Kelly Holbrook sent a second letter that calls for putting up red on white signs at the round about entrance; reposi tioning the speed reader board so motorists know it’s their speed that’s being monitored, and painting large yield signs on the pavement just before the roundabout

Another step is mak ing a double solid line on the roads entering the circle, in order to narrow the lanes, and thus slow down traffic at the entry to the traffic circle

Kelly Holbrook, with Blue Water Systems on River Road, wrote the let ter after pushing for the last few months for safety improvements

roundabout

The steps were devised after talking with Delta Police and the construc tion group ’ s engineers that built the road.

She’s also met with Mayor George Harvie and Delta South MLA Ian Paton, who hand delivered her first letter to Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming in October

“These changes are to be started in the next few weeks, monitoring traf fic to see if it has made any changes to drivers’ behaviours,” Holbrook said in her Nov. 17 letter.

She said that the changes she has request ed will be made and will be monitored Research is also underway about install ing rumble strips as another means of slow ing down traffic, she said

“Let us do it right and reduce costs and loss of life,” she added.

Holbrook says if these steps don’t work, she’ll press for more improve ments She started the campaign in September after one of her employ ees was broadsided in the traffic circle

“Every day, those of us that work on the last stretch of River Road before Highway 17 inter sects it in two, have our lives and livelihoods at risk going into and out of that roundabout, on to what is now referred to as Frontage Road,” she said in a previous inter view with the Optimist. “The new roundabout design is problematic, to say the least”

She said that vehicles come speeding off Highway 17 and rarely slow down for the traf fic circle, adding that using social media or advertising to educate motorists about safety in roundabouts should be considered.

H E S E A S O N O F

GIVING

Please visit these wonderful non profit’s websites to learn about how they care and support our community

If you do not have internet access, but would still like to make a donation, please send to the Delta Optimist with the cheque made out to the organization of your choosing and we will make sure it reaches them:

5008 47A Avenue, Ladner, BC, V4K 1T8

THREE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ADD TO YOUR GIFT LIST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Did you know that you can play a part in vastly improving or possibly even saving the lives of others in the Delta community?

A charitable donation even a small one may not seem like much But when they all add up, they lead to meaningful change for those who need it most, from young children struggling with a developmental disability to healthcare professionals striving to care for their patients in the face of critically limited resources

holiday season

It doesn’t take much to make a big difference in the lives of others across our community Discover how easy it is to help

We at the Delta Optimist are deeply invested in the well being of our community After all, the Delta Optimist has been a part of this community for 100 years and counting That’s why we hope you’ll join us in making a difference to the lives of others this holiday season by making a donation to one or more of the invaluable local organizations detailed below

Read on to discover how you can be a hero to others this season.

Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation

The Delta Hospital Campus of Care needs you more than ever before. Your support helps to ensure that our dedicated healthcare professionals across the Campus including our long term care facility, Mountain View Manor, and Irene Thomas Hospice have the resources they need to provide the best possible care for you, your loved ones and our community Your support provides much needed funds for our Holiday Wish List, which reflects the critical needs of many areas of the Campus Please consider donating today at dhchfoundation ca/holidaywishlist

BGC South Coast BC believes every kid is amazing not if they had other opportunities or if their circumstances were different, but just as they are When children feel they belong and that they matter, they’re able to experience the world as they should Over the holiday season, finding the beauty and joy around us can be pretty magical In that spirit, we welcome you to join us in our wish for everyone: to ensure that those magical things happen for each and every one of our amazing kids Donate to BGC this holiday season at bgcbc ca

REACH provides early and effective speech therapy to children to help them communicate their needs and wants to their parents Speech therapy has many benefits for children including enabling them to speak so that others will understand what they are saying and preparing them for school so that they can keep up with other children in learning This year, REACH’s giving campaign, Gift of Speech, aims to remove 54 children from the speech therapy waitlist, and your gift of $50 will allow one child with complex needs to receive the therapy The earlier children receive this help, the more life changing it is Please visit REACH Gift of Speech to learn more and to give a lasting gift this holiday season.

Here’s how you can be a hero to others this

BGC South Coast BC

Deltaapprovesninth cannabisshopapplication

SANDOR GYARMATI sgyarmati@delta optimist com

It looks like nine is enough in Delta when it comes to cannabis shops

Council recently approved sending anoth er rezoning application to open a recreational cannabis retail store to a public hearing, the ninth such application to be considered by council

The dispensary would operate within a unit of an existing industrial building at 7550 River Rd , in an area surround ed by industrial proper ties which are primarily zoned Medium Impact Industrial Operating under the business name 4Twenty Cannabis, the dispen sary would include an 807 square foot retail storefront and 1

,206 square foot ware house on the main floor with an 807 square foot office located within the existing mezzanine

The business is pro posed to be open to the public seven days a week from 10 a m to 8 p m

A report by the plan ning department notes staff have no concerns with the requested vari ance given the small scale of the business and the limited proportion of the unit within which sales would be permit ted.

Also requiring the approval of the prov ince’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, the application is the final accepted by the city before council agreed to impose a mor atorium on accepting any further applications The freeze was imposed

so a current batch had been dealt with.

The previous eight applications have since been approved with some of the stores throughout Delta already open for business.

Mayor George Harvie during council’s discus sion noted the current moratorium will be indefinite as the city will keep to its current num ber.

He added that a report will be coming back from police and staff later next year on any issues or concerns that have resulted from the dispen sary operations

Community Planning Director Marcy Sangret said that while the ones that have already opened have not been open in Delta for long, there’s been no issues raised, so far.

One winner will be drawn every weekday from December 5 - December 20. Delta Optimist’s

12 Days of Giveaways contest rules:

No purchase required.

SANDOR GYARMATI sgyarmati@delta optimist com

The City of Delta and Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) are partnering to undertake a combined heat risk assessment and comprehensive evalua tion of the risks extreme heat poses to the com munities

The two governments recently wrapped up a request for bids for a consultant to help under take the completion of an Extreme Heat Risk Map, and subsequent updates to Delta and TFN’s

Extreme Heat Response and Emergency Plans.

It’s to ensure that staff have accurate knowledge of the risks associated with extreme heat, how those risks will change over time to support the development and contin ual revision of response plans and strategies to prepare, mitigate and

adapt to extreme heat events

“This collaborative approach will help to ensure that all available resources for the prepa ration for and adaptation to extreme heat events are leveraged, and that information is freely shared between the two communities to assist in the mitigation of impacts on both communities,” the request for proposals noted.

Having the informa tion will help staff to engage with heat sensi tive populations, includ ing the elderly, isolated, people with disabilities or functional limitations, and provide information to those populations and community at large on the risks associated with extreme heat The plan ning is to also help refine resources and strategies, such as the implementa tion of cooling centres

The province earlier this year announced that 36 First Nations and local governments are receiv ing a share of almost $1.9 million in funding to help communities implement projects such as extreme heat risk mapping, risk assessments, extreme heat response plans and climate adaptation plan ning

The City of Delta and Tsawwassen First Nation received $60,000 in fund ing for extreme heat risk mapping, assessment and planning

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is part of the Province’s Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy, and adds to the BC Heat Alert and Response System launched earlier this year. The $189 million fund is administered through the Union of BC Municipalities

Purchaseseeds&supportthefoodbank

MARK BOOTH mbooth@delta optimist com

Ladner based West Coast Seeds has launched Food Banks Canada Collection a signature blend of seeds available for purchase that will see 100 percent of sales donat ed to Food Banks Canada

The campaign is a direct response to dire statistics in Food Bank Canada’s HungerCount

“As an organization we place a great emphasis on supporting the communities we operate in,” said Aaron Saks, President of West Coast Seeds. “We have partnered with

This signature collection of seeds makes the perfect addition to spring and summer gardens Growers will enjoy a dazzling dis play of multi colour sunflowers, a one of a kind mix of crunchy mini cucumbers, and an easy to grow blend of fragrant and delicious basil

Detailed growing instructions are included on custom made packets

The seeds can be ordered online at westcoastseeds com/pages/food banks canada collection

Food Banks of Canada to help them realize their goal of ending hunger in Canada”

WEST COAST SEEDS PHOTO

West Coast Seeds’ special Food Banks Canada Collection.

Mike Starko Challenge committee member and event founder Warren Purchase presented Right to Play delegate Brandy with a cheque for $37,000 at the gala wrap up for the inaugural Mike Starko Challenge held at the Beach Grove Golf Club The event was held in the memory of the longtime Tsawwassen resident and triathlete who was tragically killed in a cycling accident back in April

Thanks to Envision Financial for donating Halloween treats to staff at the Delta Hospital Campus. We are also grateful for the surprise donation of $1,000 they made to Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation!

PIERRE PELLETIER PHOTO

The Delta Hospital Auxiliary had 138 invited guests for its annual Christmas Luncheon on Monday, Dec. 5 at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn.

Community

An Instagram reel of seniors who live at The Waterford in Tsawwassen drumming along to Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk has more than 1 5 million views and is going strong!

“We posted this reel in early November, but suddenly last week it gained momentum, and before we knew it, we’d hit 1.5 million views,” says Janice Miller, Marketing Manager for Bria Communities, the parent company of The Waterford While she’s not entirely sure how the video went viral, she knows the content plays a part

“First of all, everyone loves Uptown Funk!” she laughs “Beyond that, it’s got a message of hope We want to remind people that getting older doesn’t mean you stop having fun” Janice notes that their Instagram voice is unique “It’s a little cheeky because seniors still enjoy well played puns, spicy jokes, and belly laughs Our photos and videos are vibrant and active because that’s what life is like in Bria Communities”

The 25 second video features residents using drumsticks on exercise balls and following styl ized actions to the rhythm of Mark Ronson’s catchy 2015 song. The song was number one the year it came out, and has maintained popularity, with the official video garnering 4 8 billion views on YouTube.

“The seniors who live with us have a lot of opportunities to be active every day,” says Kelsey Anderson, Wellness and Lifestyle Manager at The Waterford “But doing the same class each day is boring I’m always looking for new fitness ideas to introduce I found this one on Pinterest and decided to implement it”

The idea of a workout that involves drumming took a while to catch on

When Anderson first introduced Drumming To The Beat, she had three to five residents participate in each session This fall, she changed the location of the class to the main lounge, and the class grew “Residents could see what was hap pening and how much fun it was Now it’s so popular that the class is always full”

Bria Communities is intention ally cultivating a culture where seniors have maximum opportuni ties for wellness.

The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) invites indi viduals of all ages to fully engage in life with all seven dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, intel

lectual, vocation, social, environ mental and spiritual

“A class like Drumming to the Beat gets your heart rate up and gets you stretching and moving,” notes Tanya Snow, Director of Bria Communities, “But the wellness benefits go beyond the physical. You’re involved in a group activity, engaging your brain in keeping the rhythm, accomplishing a task, and enjoying music it connects so many wellness dots!”

The Waterford residents fea tured in the video learned about their viral fame this week when Kelsey showed the video at her monthly resident meeting “They can’t believe so many people have watched it,” she says “They’re get ting ready to sign autographs!”

Bria Communities

INSTAGRAM REEL PHOTO

The Wexford’s drumming session to a Bruno Mars’ hit song has over 1.5 million views on Instagram reel and counting.

SouthDelta’sFoodontheCorner in40thyearoffeedingpeople

PHIL MELNYCHUK Optimist Contributor

The group that helps people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside also needs a little help in order to keep serving up hot coffee, homemade soup and sandwiches every Saturday

Food on the Corner is now in its 40th year of welcoming people once a week, with the truck set ting up in the same place at Main Street and East Cordova Street, since it began in 1983.

The group is a Christian ministry sup ported by local churches in South Delta and runs on a shoestring budget with volunteers contrib uting their time and sup plies However, one of the main expenses, the cost of maintaining the catering van, insuring it, and fuel ling it, is climbing Plus with inflation eat ing away at paycheques, people are being more careful with their dollars “Our donations have fallen off considerably,” said Rick Lewall, with Food on the Corner.

To keep costs down,

volunteers also pick up free bread four times a week from Save on Foods and Thrifty Foods in Tsawwassen

All told, about 115 vol unteers work every week to make the homemade sandwiches and soup to ensure there’s lunch for the 150 to 225 people who show up

Apart from about two and a half months during the height of pandemic, the group hasn’t missed a Saturday since they started in 1983

Lewall said that he’s seen conditions in the area worsen since the COVID19 pandemic. There are more people who have less money.

“The problem in down town Vancouver has definitely got consider ably worse and the need is considerably more, ” he said That means Food on the Corner has to supply more sandwiches and soup, he added.

Moving people from encampments in parks have seen them instead set up tents on sidewalks and in back alleys, Lewall said Today’s drugs are also more addictive com

pared to decades ago, he added.

For the most part, those on the street are people who’ve dropped out of society for one reason or another.

“Nobody ever chose that lifestyle when they were born Nobody did,”

said Lewall

Anyone who wants to donate, can go directly to the website foodonthe corner ca

Cheques made out to Food on the Corner Society also can be mailed to 5170 Wallace Ave , Delta, V4M 1A1

Mary loves the idea of being around many different people, whether that’s line dancing at the ‘happy hours’ or attending the Brain Game program.

especially loves the fact that while there’s always something to do, you can be as busy or unbusy as you want to be it comes down to finding your own balance of staying social, active, mobile and independent Or as she likes to say, “living the way you want”

SUBM TTED PHOTO

The familiar Food on the Corner truck is a fixture at Main Street and East Cordova Street every Saturday

“You can do as much or as little as you want.”

1:1-5a,

1:8-17; 4:13-17

Community

Preparing for what?

I love Advent These four weeks before Christmas are an unopened gift. During what is a busy time with shopping, school con certs, homes to clean, people to visit, family arriving or leaving for Christmas and a host of other things on our “to do” lists, these four weeks offer us the gift to reset and prepare space for Christ to be born in our hearts and in our world.

It may seem a little tone deaf and out of touch with all that is happening at this time of year, but it is neces sary This is when we hear the voice of John the Baptist proclaim that the People of God are to repent Then they will need to be baptised, not with water mind you, but with the Holy Spirit. Then once all that is done, there is the cau tionary note about fire

Minister’s Minute

ROBIN RUDER CELIZ

ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN CHURCH

and damnation It is a bleak message and one too that seems quite out of touch with reality and the point of the season, but think about it for a moment

John proclaims a message of repentance, what he means is for the People of God to do an about turn and go in the opposite direction. They are to turn around and turn back to God.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit transforms the People of God to carry out the mission that God has planned for them

Fire, while rather trou bling, can also remind us of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit breathing life into the People of God to empower them to do God’s work But for that to happen, they need to let go, to burn off that which is holding them back from being the people God intends them to be

What do you need to let go this Advent in order to be ready for Christ to be born again in your life? How can you make space, like the Innkeeper of long ago, for Christ to be born in your heart, your life, and our world?

Editor’s note: This is the final column by Rev. Robin Ruder Celiz as he is moving to a new par ish in Surrey

Around Town Carol ships

For more than 44 years beautiful lights, decorated boats and the songs of the sea son highlight one of Ladner’s favourite Christmas traditions Festivities will start Friday, Dec 9 and Saturday, Dec 10 at 7 p m As Ladner lifts their voices the carol ships will sail into Ladner Harbour It’s a wonderful family event at the government dock at foot of Elliott Street (beside Sharkey’s) Back once again are this year ’ s special musical guests Kickdrive.

Church garage sale

Saviour Lutheran Church (4737 57th St. Ladner) is holding a free church garage sale on Saturday, Dec 10 from 9 a m to 3 p m

Book signing

Vancouver based true crime author Eve Lazarus will be hold ing a signing of her new book, Cold Case BC: The Stories Behind the Province’s Most Sensational Murder and Missing Persons Cases on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 12:30 to 2 p m at Ladner’s Black Bond Books Lazarus has received wide acclaim for her previous titles, including Cold Case Vancouver and Murder by Milkshake, due to her laser sharp instincts and historical insights

Christmas Presence

An evening of stories, songs and spirit is in store on Saturday, Dec 10 at St David’s Anglican Church (1115 51a St Tsawwassen) The evening features Pacific Theatre’s Ron Reed and Allen des Noyers with Joelle Lush and Delta Idol winner Liette Admission is by donation ($20 suggested) with all proceeds to local Ukrainian arrivals.

LIFESTYLES

StudioWestpresentsTheNutcracker

The start of a new holiday tradition in South Delta hits the stage Dec. 17 18

MARK BOOTH mbooth@delta optimist com

Studio West Dance is getting into the holiday spirit like it never has before with its first ever presentation of The Nutcracker, Dec. 17 to 18 at Genesis Theatre in Ladner.

At a time of year when the Ladner studio is typically winding down classes for the Christmas break, it is instead been hectic with extra sessions and dress rehearsals, leading up to the four matinee and evening performances

The idea is to make the Tchaikovsky clas sic a holiday tradition in South Delta, giving families something to look forward to while students can aspire to take on larger roles as they advance through their ballet classes.

Studio West owner/director Jayla Robinson was thrilled she was able to secure Genesis just a week out from Christmas

“It ended up working out perfectly We really wanted to do The Nutcracker and had been planning for a while to put this on, so I looked into dates as soon as I could back in May just to give the theatre a heads up of what they could possibly save for us, ” explained Robinson “We’re just so excited to have that Saturday and Sunday. It’s so fun for people to now have the opportunity to do something here in South Delta (right before Christmas) We’re hoping people will go out on a limb and say ‘let’s buy a ticket.’”

It’s taking a collective effort to pull this show off with more than 70 dancers per forming during the course of the production, ranging in all ages

Ballet teachers Thomas and Muriel Teague are not only overseeing the direc tion and choreography, but Thomas will also be on stage in the role of Drosselmeyer Robinson will also be joining her students with a special guest appearance as Mother Ginger.

Studio West has also welcomed back graduate Audrey Habros to perform in the show

Some of the students taking on the main dancing roles include: Peighton Brown and Lauren de Leuuw as Clara; Harrison Last as Nutcracker Prince, Emma Bavis and Hanna Turner as Rat Queen and Sophia Lawton as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

“Thomas and Muriel come from the professional world of ballet. They did The Nutcracker in San Diego and danced profes

sionally with recognized ballet companies in the United States,” added Robinson. “They have been just amazing and Tom has been building all the sets as well They’re very passionate about this adventure of trans porting people into the magical world of bal let and feeling they are entertained.”

Tickets for all four shows (1 p m and 6 p.m. each day) can now be purchased online at studiowestdance ca Genesis Theatre is located next to Delta Secondary (5005 45 Ave, Delta)

Tsawwassen mother & son hit the stage with Metro Theatre

Metro Theatre’s Christmas

Pantomime Sleeping Beauty

Wakes Up stars a mother and son from Tsawwassen

Cameron Thomson went to South Delta Secondary where he was active in their musical the atre program playing the lead in Beauty and the Beast

His mother Christine, has been a member of the Delta Community Choir (DCC) for many years Chris and her hus band Jamie, also a DCC member and piper for the Delta Police Pipe Band, started bringing Cameron to the Metro “pantos”

when he was quite young.

A few years ago Cameron auditioned for the panto Robin Hood and Marion and was cast as the prince of Sherwood Forest himself

The next year Chris decided she would work up the courage to audition alongside Cameron for King Arthur’s Court. Chris was cast as a villager and Cameron was cast as the constantly romancing Sir Lancelot

This year the mother son duo are working together again Cameron portrays a rapper with an attitude named Jake Chris

plays the Royal Sycophant, an over enthusiastic yes woman to the King and Queen

Pantomimes are re tellings of classic fairy tales but with some twists

In this production Sleeping Beauty, or Princess Aurora as she is known to her subjects, wakes up to the possibilities of a techno logically advanced world beyond her castle walls. After getting lost in the forest she is helped home by a young man with a cell phone who is able to use Google Maps to find her turreted home the castle

There are symbols of goodness and evil that are a staple of the pantomime the “Good Fairy” all in white and the “Demon” Each side vies with the other for control of the fate of the Princess Then of course there is the “Dame” , the much loved char acter who yearns for even more stage time (and usually gets it).

The show opens this Friday, Dec. 9 and runs until Jan. 2. The theatre is located at 1370 SW Marine Drive. Tickets can be purchased online at TICKETS for Sleeping Beauty Wakes Up

Submitted by Metro Theatre

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Studio West Dance’s The Nutcracker includes (left to right) Thomas Teague (Drosselmeyer), Emma Bavis (Rat Queen), Peighton Brown (Clara), Harrison Last (Nutcracker Prince) and Sophia Lawton (Sugar Plum Fairy).

OCEAN TRAILER

H.B. ROOFING COMPANY LTD.

Ocean Trailer began in 1985 and is still run by the Keay family The heart of Ocean Trailers is their employees. They are a diverse group backed by over 240 enthusiastic, hardworking individuals.

HB roofing is a professional roofing company that is locally owned and operated. HB roofing has been in business for over 30 years. Our professional roofing contractor philosophy is to provide

workmanship and customer satisfaction to all HB Roofing’s clientele. HB roofing, the professional roofing contractor’s services include a full sheet metal shop onsite, production of metal roofing, fabrication of materials onsite, continuous gutters, and a fully equipped disposal service. HB roofing manufactures many of their roofing materials. This advantage gives HB roofing the edge among the competition in providing quick and efficient service.

OCEAN TRAILER

BUSINESS IN DELTA | Hidden gems from River Road to Tilbury

Gems of Opportunity

Delta’sindustrialstrength

The farms and pastures of South Delta are a visible reminder of the region’s rich agricultural history. They provide a distinctive rural character to Delta and produce some of British Columbia’s best turf, vegetables and nursery plants While fertile soil allows for farming interests in the region to diversify and equestrian facilities to thrive, Delta and Tilbury are also home to aerospace, manufacturing, construction, energy, transportation, deep sea and river shipping, restau rants, and much more all located within Tilbury

And yet surprisingly, many people in the Lower Mainland don’t know that Delta is home to one of the top business parks in Greater Vancouver: Tilbury Industrial Park

Tilbury is a modern and high growth industrial park situated along the Fraser River. More than 300 businesses in Tilbury, employing 8,000 people, offer a broad range of products and services from aerospace and high tech to manu

facturing and distribution.

Supporting Tilbury Industrial Park, Deltaport is a major deep sea container terminal, Roberts Bank is Canada’s main coal shipping terminal, and Boundary Bay Airport (CZBB) is home to a large number of general avia tion operations with over 200,000 take offs and landings every year

Advantageously located, the trans portation infrastructure for Tilbury includes two freeways and two high ways, BC Ferries access in nearby Tsawwassen, sea, rail, and road net works, Boundary Bay Airport, Boundary Bay Industrial Park and nearby Vancouver International Airport Delta has also been progressive in its com munications infrastructure with its established and expanding high capac ity wireless data network to provide high speed Internet access and services to businesses in the Tilbury Industrial Park

With files from the Delta Chamber of Commerce website

JIM K NNEAR PHOTO

An aerial view of Delta’s Tilbury Industrial Park.

Contact Mark at mbooth@deltaoptimist com or 604 946 4451

Southpointemakes historyatprovincials

Tsawwassen school captures silver medal

MARK BOOTH mbooth@delta optimist com

It was a historic run for the Southpointe Academy Titans at the B C “A” Girls Volleyball Championships in Prince George

For the first time ever, the Tsawwassen inde pendent school reached the provincial volleyball podium, culminating an exhausting three day run with a silver medal after a 3 1 loss to Langley’s Credo Christian in Saturday night’s champi onship match

Along the way, they took out the tourna ment’s No. 4 and No. 1 seeds to reach the final, doing it with just eight players, along with a Grade 9 call up.

The South Fraser

regional champions and the No. 5 seed served noticed by sweeping their three power pool matches to open the 16 team tournament, then defeated North Vancouver’s Lions Gate Christian to begin Friday’s playoff round. It was prior to a quarter final match with No 4 Nanaimo when head coach Michaela Staller had seen enough of the competition to real ize what her girls could accomplish “At that point we kind of had a big pep talk that it’s these moments you will remember about high school,” explained Staller “It was a group that started to develop confidence as the week end went along and you could really start to see it

in their play They looked at Nanaimo as it was our game to win and it was very emotional because our school has never gone that far before.”

Southpointe dropped the opening set to Nanaimo before roaring back with three straight wins They followed the same script to defeat top ranked Unity Christian from Chilliwack in the semis.

The Titans finally ran out of steam with a four set loss to No 2 Credo Christian that saw each of the games go right down to the wire.

“By the end we were just too sore and tired We were making unforced errors we nor mally don’t make,” added Staller “It was just one of those things where we

just didn’t have enough of a bench or enough recovery time If we didn’t have to play a sev enth game it could have been a different story,

but the girls were all still pretty happy”

Left side hitter Lucie Shaver and setter Kitty Song were named tour nament all stars. The ros

ter also includes Natalie Longo, Savanna Chahal, Louisa Gong, Sara Croy, Avery Shin, Mariam Hamza and Grade 9 call up Ariana Tejeda Sadat.

South Delta wins bronze at B.C. AAAA Championships

MARK BOOTH mbooth@delta optimist com

The South Delta Sun Devils couldn’t stop the Okanagan domination but did manage to land on the podium for the second straight year at the B.C. AAAA Girls Volleyball Championships in Kelowna

The Sun Devils closed out their cam paign with a win over the Riverside Rapids in Saturday night’s bronze medal match The battle for third was a rematch of last year ’ s title game that saw the PoCo school rally to hand South Delta a heart breaking five set defeat. This time, the Devils overcame a one set deficit and the loss of key Grade 12 Rachel Rosser who broke her foot in Friday’s Round of 16

win over Lord Tweedsmuir.

Earlier, South Delta got past Dover Bay in the quarter finals before falling in straight sets to No 1 ranked and host Okanagan Mission Huskies in Saturday’s semis. The Huskies went on to defeat Mt. Boucherie in an all Kelowna champion ship match.

“We were optimistic about getting another chance at (Okanagan Mission) but if you had asked us the moment after Rachel wrecked her foot where do you think you guys will be at the end (of the tournament) I would have said if we can make the top four without her that would be quite the accomplishment for this team to pull off,” said Sun Devils head coach Dan Burgess

“I think it was the fourth time we have

played Okanagan Mission. We beat them at UBC, lost in the semis (at the Best of West) and then in the final at the Red Serge (in PoCo last month) without Myah (Cressy) They are a solid team, they were injury free and they performed for their home fans I don’t feel bad about that loss at all. It was 3 0, but two of those games scores were 27 25 and 26 24.

“The girls walked away from that semi obviously disappointed but at same time, we didn’t really drop the ball It was very impressive with how they came back out for the third place match They dropped the first game but they felt like they were going to win the whole way They were fired up for the chance to get a little bit of vengeance. ’”

Mackenzie Campbell and Cressy capped their outstanding high school careers with first team all star selections, solidifying their status as top post sec ondary prospects Also getting university coaches’ attention was Grade 11 Alex Turner Malinek as the 6 foot 4 outside hitter was named to the second all star team

The team also featured Grade 12s Georgia Jacobsen, Jaden Sull, Anna Yamaleev, Amely Voronstov, Tayah Meehan, Anna Tanaka, Bianka Filc, Georgia Kwiatkowski; Grade 11s Maggie Gower, Georgia Archibald, Isabella Burtini, Madi Dhal, Maddie Dier, Isabella Waterfall, Grayden Patroch, Emma Turner, Bella Deshaye and Erin Woodhead.

SOUTHPO NTE ACADEMY PHOTO

Southpointe Academy Titans capped their best season in school history with a silver medal finish at the B.C. “A” Girls Volleyball Championships last weekend in Prince George.

In MeMorIaM

REMEMBRANCES OBITUARIES

PHYL, Always in our hearts, Missing you, Bob, Sandra and Robert

ADAMSON, Kenneth McLam

August 11, 1929 November 24, 2022

Fond memories linger every day, Remembrance keeps them near.

It is wth deep sadness that we announce the passng of our father Reno, ust a few days after hs 91st brthday Reno served as a proud member of the Vancouver Polce Department from 1956 until his retirement n 1987 obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant Reno was born in Natal, BC, to Agostino and Letzia Crstofol, who immgrated from Northern Italy Reno’s greatest joy in lfe was his famiy He and Marlene loved spendng summers at Okanagan Lake with friends and famly

He s predeceased by his lovng wife Marene of 60 years, his sisters, Saveria, Lea and Ada Reno s survived by his chldren, Cathy Rea, Carol (John) deHaas, Bob (Betty) Crstofol, grandchidren Jackyne, Rob, Krsten, Michelle, Sarah, their partners, and great grand children, as wel as many neces and nephews

Service to ceebrate Reno’s lfe wll be held at Deta Funera Home, 5329 Ladner Trunk Road, Delta BC on Thursday, December 15, with a viewng at 11:00 AM, Funera Service at 12:00 PM noon, with a reception to folow Condolences may be offered at www detafuneral ca Delta Funeral Home 604 946 6040

Passed peacefully at the Irene Thomas Hospice in Ladner, BC, at age 93, after a brief stay where he was in good spirits, had great visits with family and friends, and as always with Ken, lots of laughs. Survived by his loving wife Edra, who received gladiolas on their anniversary every year for 67 years; children Paul (Deb), Mark (Pauline), Karen (Tom), and Kendra (Brian); grandchildren James, Angela, Jillayna, Michael, Lisa, Curtis, Julia, Alissa, Ryan, Taylor, Graydon, and Paige; and great grandchildren Olivan, Marigold, Gage, Berkley, Tate, Warren, Beo, Brockton, Bryce, Maddox, and Audrey. All the family were able to visit during his ast days in person or by video.

Ken was born and raised in Acton, Ontario. He had several interesting jobs in his early years, including working at Avro Aircraft on the CF100 in the 1950s. He met Edra on a blind date (she was a great gal, he said), and they married at Wildfield, Ontario, in 1955, starting their family in Acton (Paul) and Kitchener (Mark) and then moving to Ottawa in 1960 (Karen and Kendra), raising the family on Elmsley Crescent in Lynwood Village.

He was the General Manager of Carleton Culvert in Bells Corners for 17 years and was well known in the road construction industry in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. Ken was an active sponsor and coach in the early days of the Nepean Hockey Association (including pre game ice shovelling before the arenas were built in 1967). Koppers brought him to Vancouver in 1977 to manage their Western Canada sales through to his first retirement in 1989. He then joined up with steel fabricator Brenco for 20 years until his next retirement at age 80. He was well regarded in his many endeavours business for Ken was always based on relationships and led to many friendships over the years.

ZELLWEGER, Anna (nee Savage) May 31, 1928 November 26, 2022

The famly of Anna Louise Zelweger of Ladner BC s saddened to announce the passng of our dear Mom and Grandma on November 26 2022 at home at the age of 94

Anna wll be lovingly remembered by her chldren: Jack (Vaere); Bryan; Bll and Paulne (Darcy); grandchidren: Kristine (Davy), Matt (Chantele), Brett (Chanta), Joey (Marisa), Janine, Jonathan (Annabe) and Bradley as well as great grand chidren Mason, Ethan, Avery and Laya She was predeceased by her husband Johnny in 2010

Mom grew up in East Rchmond where she met our Dad, John Zelweger They marred in 1955 and set up home at the Brighouse Estate dary farm that Dad operated on leased property in Richmond They had their 3 boys within 4 years In 1964 they bought the farm on Westham Isand Paulne was born in 1965 and in 1966 they sod the cows and made the move to Westham Island to start vegetabe farming Mom never left!

Mom iked to knit, bake, garden and vounteer She oved animals and had birds, cats, dogs and horses over the years She was a member of the Martha Group and the Bible Study Group at the Ladner Unted Church and was a vounteer with the Delta Hospita Auxliary hepng the resdents with carpet bowlng at Mountan View Manor Mom and Dad enoyed travelng wth trps to Hawai and Europe and in their ater years spent many wnters as snowbirds down in Desert Hot Springs, Caifornia

ADVERTISING POLICIES

POLDERMAN, Adriana

October 4, 1929 November 29, 2022

or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. Any corrections of changes will be made in the next available issue. The Delta Optimist will be responsible for only one incorrect insertion with liability imited to that portion of the advertisement affected by the error Request for adjustments or corrections on charges must be made within 30 days of the ad’s expiration. For best results please check your ad for accuracy the first day it appears. Refunds made only after 7 business days notice!

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of our beloved mother and Oma. Born in 1929 in the Netherlands, Adriana is now with her Lord. She is survived by Peter Tracey, Jan Edie, Nonnie David, and Jopie Kevin; grandchildren Kaileigh, Chelsea, Angela, Michelle, Nicolas, Adam, and Matthew; and cousin Addy Poley. A service to celebrate Adriana’s life is planned for December 10 at 1:30 pm at Richmond Presbyterian Church, 7111 No. 2 Rd, Richmond Should friends desire, donations may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Ken made lifelong friends in Acton, Ottawa, and Tsawwassen. In Tsawwassen, retirement activities ncluded golf, lawn bowling, poker, snooker, and bridge; and he volunteered and was active with the Legion and KinVillage. He made the website feature page of his golfing group with a highlight photo chipping out of a creek bed. He invested much time and attention in his model train systems and enjoyed demonstrating the trains for his great grandchildren (and usually managed to get them running). He had a gregarious personality, with an engaging grin and a sense of humour he enjoyed social get togethers of any kind and always added festivity to an occasion.

The family is grateful to everyone who gave us comfort and support during this time (and who sent cheers to Ken) and to the amazing hospice staff who assisted in his last days with care, compassion, and a positive spirit.

We wish to thank the Fraser Heath Home Support Workers and Nurses; Darlene and other staff at HoneyDo Lifestye Assistants; and Lee Anne Little for their care of mom especally during this last year when her mobiity became so chalenged With ther support, care and compassion we were able to keep mom at home at the place she loved the most unti the end

A Memoria Servce wil be hed at 2:00pm, on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Ladner Unted Church, 4960 48 Ave, Ladner Masks are to be worn in the church Parking can be chalengng around the church, please give yourself tme and/or consider carpooling

Donations may be made n Anna Zelweger’s name to the Delta Hosptal Foundation, 5800 Mountain Vew Bvd, Delta, BC V4K 3V6

Condolences may be offered at www deltafuneral ca

Funeral Home 604 946 6040

CRISTOFOLI, Reno Gian Battista “Cris”

November 27, 1931 December 2, 2022

REMEMBRANCES

OBITUARIES

KELLY, Joan October 25, 1936 November 12, 2022

Our beloved Joan (Haze Joan Kelly nee Buzza) passed peacefully at the Surrey home of her son Kris following a lengthy and courageous battle with scleroderma, later complicated by dementia. A gifted poet and advocate, Joan’s warmth, compassion and kindness, gentle humour, and twinkling blue eyes touched the lives of her large and loving extended family and many dear friends, including those living with scleroderma in BC.

Treasuring her memory are her sons Kris and Ken Johnson; stepchildren Margaret Lincoln, Pat Doyle, Linda Neilsen, Bill Kelly and their families; the family of grandsons Jordan and Shea DeVries; brother Bob Buzza and the Buzza/Henricks family of cousins, nieces and nephews.

After many happy years in Richmond and Ladner, Joan was predeceased by her husband Bill Kelly in 2010, her daughter Kym DeVries, her parents Willis and Hazel and brothers Dick and Jim Buzza.

Joan’s family thanks the Scleroderma Assn of BC for sharing her story and creating a memorial fund in her honour, found at www.sclerodermabc.ca

Joan’s Celebration of Life will be held on January 8, 2023, from 2 4 pm at the Ladner Community Centre, 4734 51st Street, Ladner, Delta, BC.

SCHURMAN, Lois Edna

Lois Edna Schurman, aged 79, died peacefuly at home on Thursday, November 24th from complcations of cortcobasal syndrome Her husband of 57 years, George, as wel as her sons Pau and Steve and ther famles, and her surviving siblngs Bruce and Joyce al miss her terrby Lois graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario then worked for several years as a high schoo teacher before she devoted herself to beng a ful time homemaker and mother She was an exceptional wife and mother and found great oy and satisfaction in both roles

As her sons grew up, she worked professionally n a medical office, but her passon was n serving organizations and communites mportant to her She served on the Technca Committee for Brtish Columbia Men’s Gymnastcs while Pau competed in gymnastics Later, she served many years on the strata counci for the condominium where she and George retired Both organzatons are better for her servce Lovng supportve smart and possessve of a great sense of humour, she’l be missed by many friends and famiy members

Rod was born nto a farmng famly, growng up with ssters Rhoda and Judy and brother Gerry in the farmhouse in Ladner He left farm work behnd n 1956, worked for Safeway for 17 years His friendly open personaity and hs strong organzationa skils were a benefit to managing the warehouse In 1973 Rod and 2 partners founded Signal Truckng Ltd , utiizing his years of experence n the industry He was always very apprecative of his team of empoyees and showed this by having regular BBQ’s and celebrations at the Signa Trucking yard After seling the company n 2010, Rod and Connie dd quite a bt of traveling to the US, and to vst cousns in Alberta Rod always had a ready laugh and time to stop and vst

He wll be greatly missed by famiy, and the many frends whose lves he touched

Rod eaves behind his wife Connie, daughter Shana Love (Rck), stepchildren Roger (Anna) and Douglas (Maia) Taylor, Nancy Mathas, sister Judy (Bil) Holmin, many nieces, nephews, and ots of cousns 8 grand chldren and 10 great grand chidren No servce at Rod s request

QUAY, Lan

May 18, 1936 December 3, 2022

With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Lan Quay on the afternoon of December 3rd, 2022, at the age of 86 She was surrounded by her loved ones.

Shu Lan Hiong was born on May 18th, 1936, in Kuala Belait, Brunei, and immigrated to Canada with her family on April 5th, 1970. She was predeceased by her daughter Rofina in 1995. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Paddy; son Anthony; daughter Folina (Dean); granddaughters Lindsey (Martin) and Lesley (Quinten); and relatives and friends.

Lan was a kind, generous, and selfless individual who always put everyone else before her own needs. She will be remembered as a loving, dedicated, exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many.

She will be greatly missed by her family and anyone that was fortunate and blessed to have met and been a part of her life. We take comfort during this difficult time, knowing she is at peace and is now reunited with her beloved daughter Rofina.

Forever in our hearts until we meet again.

May the Sunshine of Comfort Dispel the Clouds of Despair

HOLGATE (née Thomas), Elaine Norma January 31, 1939 November 26, 2022

It is wth mmense and profound sadness that we share the news of Elane’s unexpected passing on November 26th Dagnosed only weeks before wth Adenocarcinoma, she spent her fina days at home surrounded by lovng famly and caring friends

Elaine is survved by her four daughters: Kelley (Rick), Tracey (Holle), Karen (Yorke) and Michele; sx grandchidren: Sean, Paul, Brett (Alse), Cole, Ben and Choe; sister: Marlynn King, brothers: John and Brian Thomas, and predeceased by twin: Sharon Johnson and parents: Stan and Irene Thomas

Elane had a zest for lfe and a warm smie for everyone she met She wll be lovingly remembered by her countess frends and large famiy as a generous, carng, fun oving and extremey kind woman who had a passionate commitment to makng the world a better place Elaine always had an ear to lsten, a comfortng hug and concrete support for those in need

Elane was a 1956 graduate from West Vancouver High Schoo, then went on to earn a teaching degree from UBC She taught eementary schoo for 10 years before dedicatng her time to her growng family and the community She spent most of her days giving back to others as a cinca counsellor and a volunteer with numerous organizations ncuding Delta Hospice Thrift Store, Red Cross child abuse preventon, Delta Mental Heath, Chrstan Womens’ Club, and as a leader and ifeguard (Bronze Medalion) at Daybreak Point Bible Camp on Anvl Isand

In addition to her strong faith, Elane’s passon was her family She generously treated them to many internatonal traveing adventures, making priceless treasured memores Eaine also traveled the world with frends, groups and her former husband, Tom, vistng numerous destnations

A specal thank you to the hardworkng staff at Delta Hosptal, the Fraser Heath Home & Pallative Care Team and Irene Thomas Hospice

In lieu of flowers, pease consider a donaton to Canadan Mental Heath Assocation or Deta Hospital Auxiiary Society

Elane wil be lad to rest in the Boundary Bay Cemetery with a celebraton of ife to be held n the new year

“Say not in grief that she is no more, but say in thankfulness that she was ” Hebrew Proverb

Her loss leaves a huge hole in the hearts of her family and friends, who were always entertained by her stories and awesome sense of humour.

Kim was beloved by everyone who met her. With a sparkle in her eye and a contagious laugh, she loved to tease and be teased. From watching her favourite Seattle Seahawks to cruising the Gulf Islands with her husband Paul in their boat or having a pint in the pub, Kim did it all in her special way!

Her travels took her to many places in the world, including Europe, England, Mexico, Costa Rica, New Zealand and Australia.

Kim was determined, no matter what the challenge, and gave her all to ensure that she succeeded. A talented artist, Kim had a love of quilting, knitting and all things crafty.

More recently, Kim enjoyed spending time travelling with Paul in their motorhome, and despite being sick, she pushed herself to receive her commercial vehicle air brake endorsement so that she could drive the motorhome to spell Paul off.

After many years of struggling with the effects of cancer, Kim passed peacefully with Paul at her side and joined her mom Donna for Happy Hour in Margaritaville

Kim is survived by her husband of 21 years, Paul, father Gail, brother Shannon (Jan), sister Kelly (Ken), brother Cory (Josée), nieces and nephews and great niece and great nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be planned in the spring when her favourite flowers are in bloom. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and the BC Firefighters Burn Fund.

PYBUS, Rodrick Donald

October 26, 1939 November 21, 2022

WATKINS, Kim Leanna

April 13, 1960 November 30, 2022

Kim Leanna Watkins (nee Parker), 62, of Surrey, British Columbia, lost her courageous battle with cancer on November 30, 2022.

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