Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times January 2 2014 by Maple Ridge Times

Thursday, January 2, 2014 Nashville Predators’ blueliner Victor Bartley was named The TIMES’ sports person of the year…

Page A9 • LOCAL NEWS AND HAPPENINGS • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 12 PAGES WITH REW View more photos with

Missing tyke quickly found

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It was all hands on deck when a three-year-old girl bolted away from her mother in a rural Maple Ridge park on Sunday.

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Cliff Park

by Roxanne Hooper rhooper@mrtimes.com

It was 15 long minutes between when a three-year-old girl bolted away from her mother’s side in Cliff Park, and when the toddler approached an elderly couple and told them “I’m looking for my “mommy.” But during those 15 minutes, every available police officer in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, along with local paramedics, Maple Ridge firefighters, and members of Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue were en route to the rural park in east Maple Ridge to help hunt for the missing child, explained RCMP Staff Sgt. Dean Scott. The Langley mother and her toddler were walking through what was described as a relatively “unfamiliar” park with friends just before 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29, when the child ran off. Given the impending sunset and the multiple natural dangers in that park – including cliffs, water, and endless bush – this file became an immediate priority, said Scott, who recently transferred here from Surrey RCMP. “Drop everything… Nothing was more important in the Ridge Meadows region than that file… than finding that little girl,” Scott said, noting officers had all entrances and exits from the park covered within minutes. Thanks to technological advancements, the girl’s picture was gleaned from the mother’s phone and circulated to every emergency responder coming on site within minutes. Fortunately, it turned out to be unnecessary, Scott said. But it was great to see how technology could enabled their search, said the 34-year police veteran. “That was the fright of our week,” he added, noting it did cause a slight backlog in other calls but given the outcome it was well worth it.

Rick Moyer/TIMES

Battle of the lights Four-and-a-half-year-old Tyson Deane-Freeman was elated that his father Todd emerged triumphant in an annual head-to-head battle of lights. The battle has been raging for a few years between Todd and his brother Troy Deane-Freeman, both from Maple Ridge, but one from the west and one from the east ends of the community. Full story and more photographs online at www.mrtimes.com, search “Battle of the Lights.”

Newsmaker of the Year

Failed Prokop murder tops 2013 list

No arrests yet, but Mounties continue to investigate the shooting of a former councillor. by Eric Zimmer

editorial@mrtimes.com

Franz Prokop continues to recuperate. He’s recovering “remarkably” well four months after being shot in the head during summer of 2013, according to Mounties.

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However, news of his attempted murder rocked this community, in part because he was a well-known restaurateur-turned-realtor and former Maple Ridge councillor, in part because no one has been arrested yet in the brazen day-time shooting. These are also factors that elevated this year-end story to The TIMES’ 2013 Newsmaker of the Year. At 12:40 p.m on Aug. 31, Prokop called police reporting he’d been shot. Working as a realtor, he was showing a 19-acre property

on Lougheed Highway at 240th Street, when he was shot. He was airlifted to hospital and underwent surgery the same day. No suspects were found on the property at the time, and police described it as a targeted hit – emphasizing it was not a random attack. But regardless, news that a man who served as a municipal councillor from 1994 to 1996 had been gunneddown horrified the town.

continued on page A6…

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Franz Prokop Attempted murder victim and former Maple Ridge councillor

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Farmland

ALC gives nod to Pitt development A road is required to relieve traffic congestion for farmers.

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Cinderella on stage Maple Ridge native Stephen Elechsen and his entire family will be on stage at The ACT this week, in a pantomime of the beloved fairytale, Cinderella. Catch more of how Elechsen Stacey Sherbrak photo first got involved with the theatre group and Stephen about this show’s run in Elcheshen Maple Ridge. • More at www.mrtimes.com

If you know where this week’s picture of the “i” was taken, tell us on Facebook.

Guessing time again Congratulations to Richard Farrance for correctly answering last week’s Where Am ‘i’? Now, venture a guess at where this week’s picture was taken. • More at www.mrtimes.com Lori Graham Is the economic development coordinator for Pitt Meadows. Contact her at lgraham@ pittmeadows.bc.ca

Developing Ideas by Lori Graham

2013: A year of growth Reflecting back on the past year, TIMES columnist Lori Graham, in her capacity as acting Osprey Village is growing. CEO for Pitt Meadows Economic Development, highlights some of the positives she expects will have long-lasting impact on Pitt Meadows and the region. • More at www.mrtimes.com

Ken Watson, of Reliable Flagging, has worked throughout the Lower Mainland as a flagger for the past 15 years. “No one obeys the speed limit,” he said, having worked along this stretch of Dewdney Trunk Road, just west of Sharpe Road, repeated through the years. “The posted speed is 60, but most days they’re doing at least 80. If you see someone doing 60, it’s a novelty.” He was on site during corn harvest this past fall.

by Maria Rantanen mrantanen@mrtimes.com

Pitt Meadows was given permission in 2013 to go ahead with development on the north side of the Lougheed Highway. In mid-August, the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) gave the green light to pull 33 hectares of farmland north of Lougheed Highway between Harris Road and Meadow Gardens Way out of the Agricultural Land Reserve for commercial development. But approval was given by the Agricultural Land Commission based on several conditions, one being the construction within three years of the North Lougheed Connector, a bypass that would take traffic off Old Dewdney Trunk Road and ease up congestion for farmers. Gerry Kosicki, who has been farming in Pitt Meadows for 37 years, supports the decision to build the North Lougheed Connector. Farming can be time sensitive – crops need to be harvested at the right time or immediately if the weather is turning – and despite hiring traffic controllers to help out, there can be tension

Goodbye 2013… on the road with commuters in a hurry to get to work or home. Kosicki has seen a huge increase in traffic since he began farming, and as the communities to the east grows, there is no letting up. “The traffic has increased and we’ve been left to our own devices,” he said. Safety is paramount to Kosicki as a farmer, and that’s why he’s hired traffic controllers. But as he drives his tractor 15 to 20 miles

Roxanne Hooper/TIMES

an hour, there is often one driver in a string of cars behind him who gets impatient and risks his life to bypass him. But getting the new connector would relieve a lot of that congestion, Kosicki said, and while no one likes to see farmland lost, the issue needs to be looked at from a broader perspective. In addition to building the connector, conditions for pulling land out of the ALR are further protection of farmland and chan-

ges to the regional growth strategy of Metro Vancouver. The City of Pitt Meadows also agreed to the protection of north Lougheed corridor and to make a contribution to the drainage utility. Pitt Meadows Mayor Deb Walters was pleased with the decision, and pointed out there was still “considerable work to be done in a rather short period of time but [the ALC’s] support is the first step in moving forward.”

Development

Albion Flats deal imminent: mayor

District staff and SmartCentres staff have been talking as have District lawyers and SmartCentres lawyers.

land on the northwest side of 105th Avenue out of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) for commercial development. About six months later, SmartCentres proposed a land swap – land on the southeast side of the road owned by the District of Maple Ridge, currently by Maria Rantanen home of the Albion Fairgrounds, in mrantanen@mrtimes.com exchange for their land on the northIt’s been a year of silence on the west side. Albion Flats development front. Since then, District staff has been At least, in public. talking to SmartCentres staff, and But behind the scenes, there District lawyers with SmartCentre has been a flurry of activity as lawyers, said Maple Ridge Mayor the District of Maple Ridge and Ernie Daykin. SmartCentres has been trying to The process has been “agonizErnie Daykin figure out how they can swap land ingly slow,” the mayor said, but he Maple Ridge Mayor in order to get some shopping into is hopeful that a deal will be made the Albion area. public at the end of January. In December 2011, the Agricultural Land “It needs to be a very good deal for the Commission (ALC) sent out a decision saying District, obviously a fair deal, but it has to they would not allow SmartCentres to pull be a good deal for the taxpayers and citizens

Some choices are hard.

Goodbye 2013…

of Maple Ridge,” Daykin said. It has to be a “win-win” deal, good for both sides, he added. After a deal has been reached, the District of Maple Ridge will have to put in a block exclusion application for several parcels of land on the southeast side of 105th Avenue and a non-farm-use application for the agricultural lands on the northwest side, where the fairgrounds would be relocated to. Daykin said he sometimes thinks people underestimate the “power” of the ALC. “If the ALC is not on board, we’re snookered,” he said, explaining that because the land swap is a legal and land issue, it has been dealt with behind closed doors. But Daykin said the day that he is allowed to speak on the issue when a deal is brokered, he wants a communications plan in place to inform the public on all the work that’s been going on in the background.

Some are easy.

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Thursday, January 2, 2014

Opinion Who we are The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES newspaper is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership. We’re located at 22345 North Avenue, Maple Ridge, B.C. The TIMES has a CCAB audited circulation of 29,950.

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Our View

Newsmaker beyond crime A number of important issues surfaced as significant news during the past year, but the visceral impact of the shooting of one of the community’s prominent citizens made our 2013 Newsmaker of the Year. It was more than a crime story. Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin’s comment pretty much sums it up: “When I first heard the news, I was shocked because I have known Franz for years, as have many, many folks in the community, and also upset because this type of incident is a very rare occurrence in Maple Ridge.” The incident served as a reminder that violence may be more prevalent in the seedier realms of society… but is not restricted to those darker places. Other stories and issues of the year also had significant relevance. There was Doug Bing juggling his duties as a Pitt Meadows councillor and as a Liberal MLA after his election to the provincial legislature as part of a general election result that surprised many. A rash of arsons plagued downtown Maple Ridge, luckily without loss of life. On the development front, Zellers closed, Target opened, and a new gaming centre significantly changed the local business landscape. While Sensible BC failed to force the provincial government to rethink marijuana laws, the group’s petition fared better locally than in most parts of B.C. Also vying for the top spot as the most important news of the year was the outrage that many in the community felt over Andelina Hecimovic’s acquittal on charges stemming from the October 2010 deaths of Beckie Dyer and Johnny DeOliviera in a car crash. But in the end, we felt the community’s deep gut reaction to the shooting of Franz Prokop and the subsequent police investigation had the greatest immediate impact, and that’s why it was chosen as the 2013 Newsmaker of the Year. – B.G.

This Week’s Question What is at the top of your list of New Year’s resolutions?

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Opinion

A last look at auld acquaintances

“Should auld acquaintance be for6) Sandy Macdougall and got and never brought to mind…” Gordie Robson returned to the What better way to take the edge ranks of columnists to inflict their off the season than four or five delightfully twisted views on the days at Rancho Ruskin, having a reading public. Both politically wee bit of ’nog and reading Robbie astute and unafraid to tell it like Burns, the 18th century Scots poet it is, they are a welcome addiwho penned Auld Lang Syne, a tion to the local press. The more tune to fill the ears of drunken revthe merrier, I say. Can Cherryl elers every New Year’s Eve. Katnich, the darling of the right I have forgotten some auld wing, be far behind? acquaintance myself, as I recall 7) The special needs communpeople and events that marked the ity, the intellectually disabled, the by Tim Tyler past year in preparation for my mentally challenged, whatever t3atyler@shaw.ca annual Rear End Review. There label you wish to adhere to them are the usual suspects, of course: that are different, as long as it’s 1) Randy Kamp, our boy in the back benches not the ‘R’ word, have been part of my past year in Ottawa, gazing longingly at the front seats and every year since the Angel Andrew was where the cabinet ministers sit, fat pension born. I will continue to celebrate their achievewaiting for him when he retires, gone into that ments and highlight their challenges as long as I netherworld of forgotten politicians. am looking down, not up, at the grass. 2) Steven ‘Big Stiff’ Harper, spawned in the 8) Trevor Linden announced plans to open one Reform Party as chief policy wonk in 1989 and of his signature gyms in Maple Ridge, causing a member of the Ultra Right Wing Northern women, not all hockey fans, to line up, sign up, Foundation characterized by Trevor Harrison in and swoon over possibly meeting the handsome his book, Of Passionate Intensity, as neo-Nazi former Canuck. I used the announcement to social Darwinist intellectuals, now known as the champion benefits of exercise and fitness, wherConservative Party. ever you do it. I will continue to patronize the 3) Christie Clark: “Dimples Defeats Dix” in Leisure Centre, Trev. Nothing personal. the provincial election where, to my everlasting 9) Pipeline Wars: part of the effort to revitalize delight, the experts were wrong. The NDP, heavy the economy both nationally and provincially, pre-election favourites, went down like a swimthe prospect of laying pipe to move oil to the mer with cement shoes. To clarify: I was glad coast through vulnerable environmental areas the experts were wrong, and not that Adrian lost. – lakes, rivers, wildlife habitat, etc. – set off a 4) Craig Speirs: tree-hugger, pinko, candidate, firestorm of debate and protest not seen since councillor, and prime mover of the local Sensible Hostess stopped making Twinkies or Lululemon BC campaign to legalize marijuana, to unleash stopped making see-through pants. on an unsuspecting populace the madness that 10) Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto, human train is dope, pot, weed, cannabis sativa, THC. Alas, wreck, crack smoker, a man whose actions as not enough signatures were obtained, though I head of Canada’s largest city gained countrysigned four times, and the cause was lost – to the wide, continent-wide, world-wide attention, delight of the right and righteous everywhere. scorn, rebuke, and laughter. He could well be 5) Rookie municipal councillor Corisa Bell Maclean’s magazine Man of the Year in the turns out to be a bit of a muck-disturber – kind super heavyweight category. of refreshing to council-watchers longing for “We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang some dirty dancing on the debating floor. syne.”

For what it’s worth

Mailbag

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Assault

Postie attack was preventable

WWW.SD42.CA

We’ve received nothing but grief from I am a resident of the complex where a Canada Post, and now a man is suffering very hard-working postal worker delivers because of it. our mail. My heart goes out to him Just so everyone knows, the attack Letters and his family. I wish I had on that worker [Postie robbed, stopped to say, “Hi,” more to struck, Dec. 10, TIMES] could have often as I’ve gone past him. been prevented. It’s sad to know there are the We have 34 units for which there people that could do this to a is a postal box, and it sits right outpostal worker, or anyone, for side our gate. It has been kicked that matter. over, and it has been broken into Hey Canada Post, NOW several times. can we move the postal We have brought this to Canada Post’s boxes? Or maybe if that isn’t convenient attention many times. We’ve asked that for you, we could just arm them with the box be brought inside the gates of our guns. L Donaldson, Maple Ridge complex, so it is safer. Dear Editor,

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Maple Ridge

Tax increases seem without end Dear Editor,

Thanks to Mayor Ernie Daykin for enlightening us that the District of Maple Ridge received the “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” from

the Government Finance Officers Association, whoever they are. I doubt any of the members live in Maple Ridge. This means nothing to me, because I don’t care

Traffic safety

Austrian lights stop jumpers Dear Editor,

Austria has gone a long way towards eliminating intersection accidents. Thoughtless types eager to be going, who jump the gun when they see a green light about to happen, fail to think of the possibility of a late amber-runner. It is a certain recipe for yet another serious MVA. In this scenario, the accidents tend to be very bad, indeed. Here is what they’ve done about that dreadful scenario. In Austria, when the north/south green light goes amber, then to red, the light simultaneously goes to amber for east/west traffic. That way, few people will run a late amber for a light that is about to go green the other way. It tends to stop light jumpers. The awful carnage on our streets and highways must somehow be stopped; perhaps this idea will be the answer. Changing the lights as I’ve suggested will perhaps be expensive. However, cleaning up and paying for repairs is prohibitively expensive. And the price in human suffering is just too high.

Robert W. Stirling, Maple Ridge

who they are. I get it that every once in a few years a budget increase may be necessary, however, why is it an increase every year? I have lived in Maple Ridge for more than six years, and every year, without fail, my taxes are increased by four or five per cent. It all sounds good to make statements that we have to look after our children and grandchildren. Politicians have been milking that kind of talk for years. The future will be what it is. To say I am disappointed with another tax increase would be an understatement. And one more thing: Mr. Mayor and all his councillors are not elected for “governance,” but are elected to “serve,” and the sooner they and all elected officials get that one concept in their brains, the better we all will be. Garnet Schneider, Maple Ridge

Odd Thoughts

Not all wealthy deserve tar brush Dear Editor,

The ruling in the U.S. affluenza case is a travesty [Cure really worse than disease, Dec. 17 Odd Thoughts, TIMES]. There are calls for the judge to be removed from the bench. To create and analogy between this case and the Russian and French revolutions is bizarre.

What you’re telling us on Facebook

•

In one of The TIMES’ recent Faces & Places features, we profiled a number of people who were celebrating the holiday season by giving. “Wonderful to see the generosity from all generations within the community.” – Cheryl Zandbergen

Share your views. Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MapleRidgePittMeadowsTimes

To tar all the wealthy with one brush is wrong. In both revolutions, the majority of the aristocracy inherited wealth and positions. In our free enterprise system, anyone can work and attempt to create their own wealth. Many have calloused hands as they are starting out. Many occupations in our society result in soft, uncalloused hands: teachers, social workers, accountants, dentists, doctors, etc. Should they be guillotined, hanged, or shot? Many of the wealthy give large grants, trusts, and donations to worthy causes. Many have “sympathy and empathy for others. There should be a vaccine against self righteousness and judgmentalism. How did Communism work out for Russia? Even today they have a new Tsar Putin.

Cherryl Katnich, Maple Ridge

For more letters to the editor visit... www.mrtimes.com – Click on Opinion/Letters.

LETTERS POLICY: Copyright in letters and other materials submitted voluntarily to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic, or other forms. Letters are also subject to editing for content and length. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership.

Parents interested in learning more about the SD42 Montessori program are invited to attend our open house at 7 pm on January 13, 2014.

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Thursday, January 2, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Realtor Franz Prokop was shot while showing a property in rural, east Maple Ridge on Aug. 31. He survived and is recovering, while police continue to hunt for his shooter.

Goodbye 2013…

Meadows CLEANERS TIMES files

Sgt. Jennifer Pound, formerly media spokesperson for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, spoke to the press in October, releasing details about Franz Prokop’s shooter, thanks to the victim’s own description.

Hunt continues for Prokop shooter …continued from page A1

As Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin recounted, he too was “shocked” when he first heard the news. “I was also upset because this type of incident is a very rare occurrence in Maple Ridge,” he said. Daykin emphasized that Maple Ridge is a safe community and it “does shake folks up” when something like this happens. The serious crimes unit at Ridge Meadows RCMP classified the shooting as an attempted murder, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in to head up the case. It wasn’t until October, when IHIT first announced that Prokop was making a “remarkable recovery,” that the first description of a suspect was released, courtesy of Prokop himself. The suspect was described as an IndoCanadian man in his mid-50s, with a full beard, turban, round face, and limp. The suspect’s vehicle was described

as a larger dark pickup truck, which at the time of the shooting was reportedly parked on the north side of Lougheed, just east of 240th, next to Prokop’s BMW. As the year came to a close, still no one had been arrested in connection with the shooting yet, but IHIT Sgt. Adam MacIntosh said investigators are actively pursing the case and will rely heavily on the public’s help to solve this attempted murder case. “It’s upsetting that this could happen to anyone in our town,” Daykin told The TIMES. But the mayor stressed he has every confidence that the case will conclude with an arrest. “With investigations like this, things can take a long time to develop. Our members continue to take in any and all information,” MacIntosh said Monday, noting that Prokop is continuing to make good progress in his recovery. His condition keeps improving, MacIntosh said.

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RIDGE MEADOWS MINOR BASEBALL ASSOCIATION

Ridge Meadows Minor Baseball – 60th Season REGISTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE AT VALLEY FAIR MALL

Sunday, February 11/12, 2014 10 AM - 4 PM Registration closes on March 1st …don’t be disappointed! Umpires can register as well! Rally Cap............................2009 / 2008................................. $110 Super T.....................................2007........................................$120 Tadpole..............................2006 / 2005.................................. $140 Mosquito............................2004 / 2003 ..................................$190 PeeWee.............................2002 / 2001...................................$210 Bantam..............................2000 / 1999...................................$230 Midget.........................1998 / 1997 / 1996.............................$270 Junior...........................1995 / 1994 / 1993............................ $270 Registration is easier and more convenient than ever. Families can now register at the following location:

Valley Fair Mall – 22709 Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge or On-line at www.rm-baseballbc.ca Please check our website for more Info: www.rm-baseballbc.ca

We’ll see you at the Ball Park! Ridge Meadows Minor Baseball Association “A Partner in the Community”

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Open House

Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks and Leisure Services will be hosting an open house to provide an opportunity for residents to review and comment on a concept plan for the Pitt Meadows Centennial Garden located at the foot of Barnston View Road in the Waterfront Commons Area of Pitt Meadows. Park Planning Staff will be available to answer questions and provide comment sheets. Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Time: 6:30-8:00 PM Meeting Location: South Bonson Community Centre 10932 Barnston View Rd, Pitt Meadows, BC Questions can be directed to Sylvia Pendl, Park Planning Technician, 604 467-7338 or spendl@mapleridge.org

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Thursday, January 2, 2014

times Travellers

• Email a photo of you holding The TIMES to: timestravellers@mrtimes.com

Tis the Season! Transit service changes begin Monday, December 16

Kevin Brettl, his mother Karmen, their friends Derek and Marti Massaro, Karmen’s husband Rob, and the Brettl’s international exchange student Henrik Holter from Norway recently spent some time on an ATV excursion along the Mexican beaches of Cabo San Lucas. They stopped during a ride to have a picture taken with a copy of their hometown newspaper, The TIMES.

This week’s Times Travellers feature is brought to you by :

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www.translink.ca

604.465.5507

Get there in the Nick of time – go to translink.ca/servicechanges for information 604.953.3333

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Landscaping, 18020 Kennedy Rd., Pitt Meadows, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Robert Jeglum is raising money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of B.C. on Jan. 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. by chipping trees at 223rd Street and Lougheed Highway.

What’s On

January 6 to April 28

• Maple Ridge Library at 11995 Haney Pl., offers drop-in computer help every Monday from Jan. 6 to April 28 at 2 p.m. to anyone who knows how to use a computer but has a few questions. Info: 604-467-7417.

www.mrtimes.com Post events 10 days in advance by email to:

editorial@mrtimes.com

Christmas tree chipping

January 7: Tech help

• Ridge Meadows Search & Rescue team members will chip Christmas trees by donation at 23598 105th Ave., Maple Ridge, on Jan. 4, 5, 11, and 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pitt Meadows Lions are chipping trees on Jan. 4 and 5 at Meadows

• Bring in cellphones, cameras, eReaders, laptops, etc. to the Maple Ridge Library and let the library’s student council explain how they work and what they can do. It Won’t Byte takes place 7 p.m. Register: 604-467-7417.

January 7: Support

National Lacrosse League. Vancouver.

• Coquitlam prostate cancer support group holds its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the Coquitlam Pinetree Community Centre, 1260 Pinetree Way. All those involved with prostate problems are encouraged to come and share their concerns in a confidential atmosphere. Info: Norm at 604-936-8703 or Ken at 604-936-2998.

HOME OPENER Jan.11, 7pm

January 8: Dancing

• Town ‘n’ Country Swingers are holding modern square dance classes for seven weeks starting Jan. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Register: Gloria at 604-467-0951.

January 9: Seniors

VS Pre Game Festival - 3 hours prior to each game, meet the Bombshells, Bomber the Fox, music, food & MUCH MORE

• A Seniors Helping Seniors meeting takes place at 9:30 a.m. at the seniors centre, 12150 224th St., Maple Ridge. • Full list: www.mrtimes.com

ks, icket Pac ts T , ts e k Ticke ame Tic Single G kets and Season Group Tic X.

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WORSHIP WITH US ALLIANCE

WORSHIP SERVICES 8:30 am & 11:00 am for the whole family

20399 Dewdney Trunk Rd

604-465-5717

ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA

BAPTIST

ST. COLUMBIA ANGLICAN CHURCH 12109 Harris Road & Ford Pitt Meadows, BC 604-465-6233

FRASER VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH Yennadon Centre

experience

12854 - 232nd Street Maple Ridge

JESUS IS THE WAY

KJV Conservative Music Pastor Dan Deschamp

Sundays 10:30am 28304 96th Ave. thelivingway.ca

MENNONITE BRETHREN

PRESBYTERIAN

SOOJUNG CHURCH & REVIVAL CENTRE

20450 Dewdney Trunk Rd, Maple Ridge

Children & Youth Programs www.mrcchurch.com Pastor Duane Goerzen

Join us every MONDAY for Dinner, Dessert & Coffee 6:00 – 7:00 Group meeting 7:00 – 8:00 Share Groups 8:00 – 9:00

Celebration Station for kids 5-13 years • Childcare provided for kids under 5 years

PLAC E

604-462-7933

2013

WELCOME TO

ST. JOHN'S

"The church next door to the hospital" (River Road & Laity Street)

Sunday Services

"Hall Available" www.holyspiritanglican.ca

stjmr@shaw.ca www.nwnet.org/~stjmr

FOURSQUARE

LUTHERAN

PRESBYTERIAN

NRchurch.ca

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

604-463-5733

HANEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

23000 116 AVENUE

(E.L.C.I.C.)

11858 - 216th St 604-467-1715

SUNDAY @ 10AM

PASTOR: Roland Ziprick 12145 Laity St.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

604-467-4343

10:00 AM

SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:00 AM

Weekly programs for all ages!

www.haneypreschurch.org

United in love. United in Christ.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

Pastor Dave Buzza dbuzza@nrchurch.ca Loving God Loving You

Maple Ridge Seventh-day Adventist Church 21467 Dewdney Trunk Road Maple Ridge 604-312-1849

9:15 am • Pitt Meadows United

Golden Ears United 10:00 am • Family Service with Children’s Church 22165 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge

More information - ridgemeadowsunited.com

For more info 604-377-3575 www.celebraterecovery.ca

1859

8:30 am & 10:30 am Church School & Nursery @ 10:30 am

Maple Ridge Baptist Church 22155 Loughheed Highway

WORSHIP - CALL NADIA

ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA

Rev. Greg Dalman, Senior Pastor Rev. Neil Penner, Adults & Evangelism Rev. Phil Siebenmorgen, Youth and Young Adults Kyle Veer, Worship Pastor

12109 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows

3-19040 Lougheed Hwy, Pitt Meadows

“Come and experience a safe place to ﬁnd freedom from life’s hurts, hang-ups and habits.”

272nd off Lougheed, Whonnock

Sunday Worship

Pastor Alfred Lee www.soojungchurch.org

604-465-4211

HOLY SPIRIT ANGLICAN CHURCH

Come explore with us!

Sunday Worship 11:30am ( ) 2pm (English)

SUNDAY Service 10:00 am

ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA

SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:00 AM

Thomas Haney Centre

604-826-0602

YO U R

604-463-6347

LIVING WAY CHURCH

Sundays 10:30 am & 6:00 pm

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A DV E RT I S E

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Meeting at

Sundays @ 10am (old Whonnock Elementary School)

Communion Service 11:00 am Rev. Gordon Dominey

1.855.985.5000

604-998-1203 • E M A I L :

Church at Study - Sat. 9:45am Church at Worship - Sat. 11:00am Prayer Meeting - Tues. 7:00pm

What do the prophecies in the Bible say about: End Time Events, One World Government, New Earth, Christ's Return?

www.prophecycode.org

To place your Church Announcements call NADIA at 604-998-1203 N M AT H E R @ VA N . N E T

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Sports

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Recreation

Reach The TIMES' sports desk: Phone: 604-463-2281 or email: sports@mrtimes.com

Year in review

Preds d-man, Burrards sniper shine in 2013

A former Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association player is manning the Nashville Predators blueline.

years older than me and was always the star growing up all through minor hockey in Maple Ridge. I always wanted to follow in his shoes. Growing up, you always seek the approval of your older brother and that was one of the main things that kept pushing me day after day to train harder, work on my game, and continue to improve.”

by Troy Landreville

tlandreville@mrtimes.com

A 25-year-old defenceman who debuted in the National Hockey League last March and has since stuck in the world’s finest hockey league is the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES 2013 sports newsmaker of the year. Victor Bartley, who played all his minor hockey locally with the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association, played his first NHL game with the Nashville Predators during their 6-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on March 8, 2013. The details of his first shift were a blur to Bartley, who recalled “All I could recall when it was over is that I thought to myself, ‘You belong here.’” [Bartley sticks in Music City, March 21, 2013 TIMES] Last year, his first in the NHL, the 6’ 200 pound defenceman notched seven assists in 24 games, with a plus-two rating. What is technically Bartley’s sophomore campaign has had its challenges, for both himself and a Predators squad that going into this past Monday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings occupied the NHL’s Central Division basement with a 17-18-4 record. Bartley has spent time in the press box as a healthy scratch but has suited up for 30 of the Preds’ 39 games, posting a pair of assists and minus-two rating. He averaged 15:40 of ice time per contest going into Monday’s contest. Bartley registered his first point of the season on Dec. 5 during the Preds’ 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. His shot from the point was tipped in by teammate Mike Fisher. “The season has gone well so far,” he said, following the Preds’ 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars last Friday. “This is my first full NHL season so it’s going to have its ups and downs. I’ve been in the lineup quite a

Burrard tops WLA

Nashville Predators defenceman Victor Bartley (left) played all of his minor hockey in Maple Ridge. John A. Russell photo/courtesy Nashville Predators bit this season and have taken more of a defensive shut-down role this season on the second defence pair with Kevin Klein. It’s been different because I’ve always been more of an offensive defenceman. My game’s evolved over time like all players and I’ve really enjoyed my role of shutting down top players.” Bartley spent his first season in the Predators organization in 2011/12, tying for 10th among AHL defencemen, and second among AHL rookie rearguards in points (39) for the Admirals. He was in Sweden during the 2010/11 campaign, playing with second division Allsvenskan, and ranking second among league defencemen in points and assists, and tied for third in goals (11g-23a-34pts, 52gp). Prior to going pro, Bartley played major junior with

Kamloops and Regina of the Western Hockey League from 2004-09, amassing 168 points (36g-132a) and 466 penalty minutes in 336 games. Bartley returns home during the off-season, training in Maple Ridge Monday to Friday while practising yoga a few times a week. He has hockey bloodlines, being the younger brother of former Vancouver Giants forward Mitch Bartley, who happens to be his role model. The older Bartley played from 2001 to ’08 including one season with the B.C. Hockey League’s Burnaby Bulldogs, four with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, and two more with the University of British Columbia. “My brother Mitch had a big influence in my life, growing up,” Victor said. “He [is] three

Bartley wasn’t the only elite athlete who made an impact locally in 2013. Curtis Dickson, a star forward with the Maple Ridge Burrards was named the Western Lacrosse Association’s Most Valuable Player, despite the fact his team finished fifth in the seven-team league with an 8-10 record. The Burrards jumped out to a 5-2 start to their season before stumbling the rest of the way, winning just three of their next 11 contests. However, on an individual basis, Dickson shone by leading the league in scoring by a wide margin, racking up 103 points on 58 goals (tops in the WLA) and 45 assists. Despite missing a game, Dickson tallied 16 more points than the second-leading scorer in the league, Victoria Shamrock Curtis Conway who finished with 87 points. And Dickson’s 58 goals were a whopping 16 more than the next best goal-scorer in the WLA, Victoria’s Corey Small, who found the net 42 times.

Away from the arena and on the field, Dickson was one of 51 players who took part in the Canadian national men’s field lacrosse team selection camp, held Oct. 11-14 on the campus of Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. Once its roster is finalized, Team Canada will compete at the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) world championships to be held July 10-19 in Denver, Colo. The list of 97 players who submitted tryout applications was pared down to 51 by a selection committee including current and past national team coaches, as well as current college and professional coaches. Burrards general manager Daren Fridge praised Dickson’s offensive prowess. “He is very difficult to defend against,” Fridge said. “One-onone, on a bigger surface, that ability becomes even more challenging [to defend against] than box lacrosse. He’s a physical specimen, an athletic guy who has a hard outside shot” Asked if Dickson is a contender to make the national team, Fridge said, “without a doubt.” Dickson will be back playing box lacrosse, this time professionally, in the new year as one of the marquee players with the Calgary Roughnecks. As a member of the National Lacrosse League’s Roughnecks, Dickson will visit the Langley Events Centre for a game against the newly relocated Vancouver Stealth on March 21.

Maple Ridge Burrard Curtis Dickson (far right), in action against the Langley Thunder, led all Western Lacrosse Association scorers in 2013 with 58 goals, 45 assists, and 103 points.

New year, new fishing

Junior B hockey

Despite the inevitable doldrums of January for some anglers, TIMES columnist Jeff Weltz is excited for the new year and new fishing tournaments to come in 2014. More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”

Ridge Meadows is now above .500 at 13-12-2-3.

Flame on! Juniors notch sixth straight win On the Fly by Jeff Weltz

A fly fishing instructor and outdoor writer, Jeff has fished the area since the early 1970s. Contact him at fishingnewsman@gmail.com

The Ridge Meadows Flames’ resurgence continued in their final game of 2013. The junior B hockey team capped the year with a 4-1 win over the Delta Ice Hawks Saturday, Dec. 28 at the Ladner Leisure Centre. Their sixth straight win lifts the Flames above .500 at 1312-2-3. They sit in third place in the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s Harold Brittain Conference, seven points back of the second-place Abbotsford Pilots (17-9-2-2) and 18 behind the frontrunning Aldergrove Kodiaks (23-4-2-1).

Against the Ice Hawks, the Flames led 1-0 after the first period, 2-0 after 40 minutes, and jumped ahead 3-0 on Jordan Rendle’s powerplay goal 3:21 into the final frame. The Ice Hawks ruined Flames goaltender Tyler Read’s shutout bid when Delta’s Brent Chreptyk scored with his team on a powerplay at the 7:07 mark of the period. But the Flames’ Jake Holland scored his second of the night, on a powerplay and into an empty net, with three seconds to go in regulation to round out the scoring. Ridge Meadows’ Michael Bell scored the game’s first goal with 54 seconds to go in the opening period. Read, who made 26 saves, was the game’s first star.

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

JANUARY

2014

Thursday, January 2, 2014

This month at The ACT Maple Ridge Art Gallery: COLOUR IMPACT with THE GROUP OF NINE

GEMS Movie Series: NO

January 11 – February 8

Monday, January 27 – 7:30 p.m.

A group of local painters explore how colour is used to tell a story, recall a memory or express an emotion.

René, an in-demand advertising man working in Chile during the Pinochet regime in the late 1980s, is enlisted to create advertising tactics that came to be widely used in political campaigns. Rated R. In Spanish with English subtitles.

For more information about these events and upcoming events contact or visit the

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Admission free.

THE ACT Arts Centre & Theatre

January 2 - 5

11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge

With music, corny old jokes, slapstick humour and magical special effects, this wonderful production is great for the whole family.

Opening Reception Saturday, January 11, 2014, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Cinderella Panto

Randy ELVIS Friskie and his Las Vegas Show Band – THAT’S THE WAY IT IS TOUR Friday, January 10 – 7:30 p.m. Friskie’s performance brings the King to life. Relive the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s movie scenes and songs from Blue Hawaii to Viva Las Vegas!

Lobby Nights at the ACT Join us on select Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. for a free evening of entertainment, including Spinning with the Whonnock Weavers, SFU Philosophers Café, and Celtic Jam with Nigel Tucker. Visit www.theactmapleridge.org/lobby-nights for schedule. Register now for Winter Arts Programs Try something new in 2014. We have lots of great programs for all ages starting in January and February. Online registration begins today! Check out our website for the Friday Night Dance Schedule with Robyn Picard, everything from Ballroom to Swing!

Arts Club ON TOUR: Driving Miss Daisy

Visit www.theactmapleridge.org for schedules.

Saturday, January 11 – 8:00 p.m.

This Pulitzer Prize-winning drama follows the charming and moving adventures of a Southern matriarch and her chauffeur over their 25-year friendship.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter for up to date info on events at The ACT!

A11

A12

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

SEASONAL SUPER SALE

Smart Clothes. Everyday Living.

CLEARANCE

O T UP

OFF

the regular price on a wide selection of clearance merchandise YELLOW-TICKETED ITEMS ONLY - PRICES AS MARKED

WOMEN’S DENVER HAYES HYPER-DRI HD1 HOODIES

MEN’S SWEATERS STARTING AT

ON SALE

$ 99

Reg. $5499

*STYLES MAY VARY

Local shops support local teams and events, Shop local - Everyone benefits *while quanties last. No rainchecks.

22722 Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge YOUR WORKBOOT EXPERTS

604.463.7277 604.463.7277

Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM • SAt 9AM-6PM • Sun 10AM-5PM