Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times October 22 2013 by Maple Ridge Times

Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Animal lovers are rallying to help save Wobbles’ leg.

Page A13 • LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 24 PAGES

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Police case

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Witnesses sought in shooting

A man was shot downtown on Sunday.

Kian SaeediMepham, two, found just the right pumpkin at Laity Pumpkin Patch on Thursday, Oct. 3, the day the family run agritourism business in Maple Ridge officially opened to the public this season.

by Roxanne Hooper rhooper@mrtimes.com

Troy Landreville TIMES

Small business

Pumpkin farming a family tradition Sunny weather has resulted in a bumper crop at Laity Pumpkin Patch. by Troy Landreville tlandreville@mrtimes.com

Pumpkins are the Snowbirds of the gourd family. Like the silver-haired members of the human race who flock to sunnier climes in the winter months, the seasonal fruit revels in the sun. Laity Pumpkin Patch has seen a bumper crop in 2013, thanks in large part to one of the warmest, sunniest summers in recent memory. “We have a real good crop,” said Heather Laity, who owns the family run agri-tourism business along with her husband Don. “They [the pumpkins] love the

warm temperature in the summer. That’s Laity Pumpkin Patch has operated for what pumpkins like. They love the heat.” more than two decades and is nearly a Even the recent fall chill and torrential year-round operation. rainfall hasn’t affected the several thou“It takes another month to put everysand pumpkins of all shapes and sizes thing away,” Laity said. “July, August, that colour 18 acres at the farm, located at September – it takes three months to the bottom of Laity Road, a few feet west set up. Then there’s all the planting and along 128th St. weeding.” Laity said because the soil Attractions include an interwas so dry from the summeractive path that takes visitors long heat wave, any rainpast wooden animals and a water drained quickly. frontier town (complete with in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows The pumpkin patch has week a general store and schoolgrown in popularity over the house), tractor wagon rides, past few years. a corn maze, farm animals, “Before that, not many people ever and, of course, pumpkin picking. thought about going out to the farm, but The pumpkin patch is open every day now it’s caught on,” Laity said. until Oct. 31. Laity Pumpkin Patch is at The couple’s four sons, two daughter21145 128th Ave. People can call 604-467in-laws, and six grandchildren all help out 4302 or visit its website at www.laitywith the family business, Laity added. pumpkinpatch.com for more information.

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BUSINESS

A young man was in surgery Monday, after being shot in the leg during an altercation on the streets of Maple Ridge this weekend. Circumstances leading up to the shooting are still unclear, and Mounties are speaking with a series of potential witnesses to the shooting that occurred Sunday evening at about 7:40 p.m. Police received reports of shots fired in the area of 224th Street and 121st Avenue in downtown Maple Ridge, and arrived to find the injured man, said Ridge Meadows RCMP Cpl. Alanna Dunlop. “The investigation is in its early stages,” Dunlop said, noting investigators and forensic experts worked through the night and into Monday gathering evidence Cpl. Alanna Dunlop Ridge Meadows RCMP in the shooting. “It appears that this shooting may be related to a dispute that occurred between two or more individuals who were in this area in the early evening,” she said. Anyone with information about the shooting, or what led up to the altercation, is asked to call the RCMP at 604-463-6251, or to remain anonymous, they can call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leave a tip online at www.solvecrime.ca. “Ridge Meadows RCMP would like to speak to anyone that may have information about this investigation,” Dunlop said.

Participants must email their poems to editorial@mrtimes.com, making sure to include their full name, email address, phone number, and community. One poem per person, please. The keyword “Veterans” should be in the subject of the email. Deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. Online, all the time...

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

UpFront Click for community

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Zombies walk in Ridge Zombies will lurch, crawl, limp, or slither through downtown Maple Ridge on Oct. 25. The business improvement association is hosting a walk from Valley Fair Mall to the Dairy Queen at 4 p.m. The cost of registration is a non-perishable food item for Friends In Need Food Bank. Zombie makeup is being applied from 2 to 4 p.m. at Valley Fair. All zombies who make it to DQ will be given a treat. Details at DowntownMapleRidge.ca. • More at www.mrtimes.com

Stolen boat recovered A 43-year-old Maple Ridge man was arrested after he was allegedly caught in the act of painting a stolen boat. The boat’s owner contacted Ridge Meadows RCMP around 3 p.m. on Dale Somerville Wednesday to report his Sgt. Ridge Meadows RCMP boat was stolen from the 14400 block of Rippington Road in Pitt Meadows. An RCMP investigator took the boat’s owner to a marina on River Road where the boat was found. “Here’s where a good hunch paid off,” said RCMP Sgt. Dale Somerville. • More at www.mrtimes.com

Waiting behind bars The RCMP’s case against the men who allegedly organized the MV Sun Sea human-smuggling operation could fall apart if the B.C. Court of Appeal upholds a decision that the law is unconstitutional. And denied bail, Kunarobinson Christhurajah, 33, is waits for the judge’s decision from behind bars at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre. • More at www.mrtimes.com

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Local shops

Owners share business insights

Operators have a difference in opinion about how the community is fairing – business wise. by Mitch Thompson editorial@mrtimes.com

The beginning of October marked the start of small business month in B.C., and with about 3,300 licenced businesses in Maple Ridge alone, this community is poised to recognize those with the entrepreneurial spirit this week. But a week of focusing on small businesses may not be enough for people like Mehdi Habibzadeh, owner and head chef of the Greenhouse Bistro and Cafe, who sees the downtown core of Maple Ridge as under-performing. “Anywhere you go, the heart of downtown [has] a lot of stuff going on. This,” he said, gesturing to the quiet sidewalks of 224th Street, “is opposite. After four-or-five o’ clock, it’s a ghost town.” Habibzadeh and his restaurant have been in the community for 10 years, and in that time he’s seen the main thoroughfare of downtown churn through business after business. The building beside him, alone, has been home to six different shops in the past few years. “I’m the longest person here. I’ve lived through everything,” he said. “A lot of businesses here come and go, come and go. They never survive.” One issue is the hours that the surrounding businesses keep, said Habibzadeh. By closing early, generally around 5 p.m., potential customers are driven away from the area – which means everyone’s foot traffic decreases. His restaurant has also been affected by the shortened parking time limits on 224th Street. He said one of his regulars received two tickets in two weeks, and has since stopped coming. With high overhead costs and mounting debt, the veteran chef is skeptical about how much longer the bistro can remain open. He said the municipal council needs to focus on building up Haney Place Mall and attracting more and larger businesses.

Mitch Thompson/TIMES

Medhi Habibzadeh, owner and head chef of the Greenhouse Cafe and Bistro, is concerned about the viability of businesses on 224th Street in Maple Ridge, and would like to see greater effort from the city in developing the downtown core. Then, the area can compete with Ears Bridge, they were able to the major shopping centres in quickly set up shop. Coquitlam and over the bridge. “We’re central,” he said of Across the street, in the pertheir location on 224th Street. petually busy 4Cats Arts Studio, “We were considering differAaron Woods is optimistic about ent parts [of the street], but we the street and opted for right the future of his in the middle, business. hoping people “It’s been would come awesome. Since to us, and so the first day it’s far it’s worked been busy,” he out.” said. Woods said The studio, he was aware which opened of the street’s last year, runs reputation for art classes for being a business kids, as well as meat grinder, Mitch Thompson/TIMES hosting birthbut feels things Aaron Woods of 4Cats Arts Studio day parties on are changing. weekends. “We seem For Woods, to be riding the it was a way to wave of posiput his and his tive thoughts wife’s skills with about this street. in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows art and children Everyone seems to use. to think it’s “It’s a very changing for the exciting business and it’s always better, and we’re a part of that,” a lot of fun,” he said. he said. Originally, the Woods had Unlike Habibzadeh, Woods has planned to open their franchise had no problems with the parkin Langley, but it was unavailing limits outside his studio, and able. However, with easy access the biggest challenges they’ve to Maple Ridge via the Golden faced so far has been too much

Small

BUSINESS week

demand for their services. Positivity about small business ownership can be felt further west in Pitt Meadows, as well. The Original Lunch Doctor, a sandwich shop staple of Harris Road, came under new ownership just three months ago and, Bonnie Latoch, the new owner, is pleased with her move. “I really like it. There’s never a dull moment here,” she said. Her first two months we’re a bit rocky, as residents were hesitant to accept change to the 30-year-old lunch spot. Latoch even had to contend with unfounded rumours of drastic menu changes, which made some customers upset. Persistence and patience were key in winning over the locals. “Little by little, month by month, it’s gotten better,” she said. “You just have to try to fit in. They’re not going to fit into your business, you have to fit into them.” However, in spite of the gains she sees the shop making, both socially and financially, Latoch has a similar opinion of the Golden Ears Bridge and its effect on businesses on the north end as Habibzadeh.

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Tuesday, October 22 , 2013

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Sept 29 THE HEAT IS ON at Boulevard Casino to Nov 2 View more photos with or online

FIREBALL

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At precisely 10:17 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, District of Maple Ridge property tax clerk Ross Findlay took cover under his desk during the Great British Columbia ShakeOut.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

LOTTO

Troy Landreville/TIMES

Emergency preparedness

Test serves as reminder

More than 690,000 people, including municipal staff and RCMP personnel in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, participated in the Great British Columbia ShakeOut.

across the province. That’s up from the more than 590,000 people in B.C. who participated in the 2012 ShakeOut. In the Fraser Valley, including Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, 41,286 people took part in the drill. In Pitt Meadows, about 25 staff members and Mayor Deb Walters evacuated City hall in a bit more than four minutes, by Troy Landreville then spent the next 10 minutes debriefing tlandreville@mrtimes.com and discussing the importance of emerThe instructions sounded inside Maple gency kits. Ridge municipal hall at precisely 10:17 In the meantime, across town a total a.m. Thursday morning. of 143 staff members evacuated Maple District staff briefly huddled under their Ridge’s municipal building, according desks before heading outto district manager of doors to a fog shrouded health, safety and employstaging area at Memorial ee development Anita Peace Park, near 224th Bhandari. Street. “However, all district Once assembled, they, facilities including the disalong with Ridge Meadows trict hall, towers, fire, operRCMP personnel and staff ations, and leisure [centre] from the leisure centre, participated by dropping to listened to information and the ground, ducking under advice from the district’s their desk and holding on,” Maria Rantanen/TIMES chief administrative officer, she added. “In addition, Jim Rule. Pitt Meadows City hall was also our operations facility had While the Oct. 17 eartha meeting with all their vacated in Thursday’s Shakeout. quake was simulated, the staff in the morning to threat of a major tremor in this area is all discuss the purpose of ShakeOut and the too real. roles they may have to play in ICS in the B.C. is considered at high risk in relation event a real-life earthquake occurs.” to the rest of Canada. An example: on Jan. Worldwide, more than 24.5 million 26, 1700, a magnitude 9 earthquake shook people dropped, covered, and held on. the entire province as well as Washington, Speaking to the group assembled at the Oregon, and California, and generated a staging area, Rule listed recent devastating massive tsunami. natural disasters, including the deadly 7.2 And the Pacific Coast is the most earthmagnitude quake that occurred this past quake-prone region of Canada. Although Tuesday, Oct. 15 in the Philippines and the numbers vary annually, more than a has, at last count, claimed 144 lives, the thousand earthquakes rumble beneath the 2010 quake in Christchurch, New Zealand, surface of B.C. every year – more than and the 2011 quake and tsunami that three a day on average. rocked coastal Japan. In the past 70 years, the offshore region “The inevitable will happen in B.C. to the west of Vancouver Island has had There’s two plates, on the [Strait of] Juan more than 100 earthquakes of magnitude De Fuca and the Georgia Strait, that will five or greater. eventually build up pressure and ultimateThese could have caused damage had ly, there will be an earthquake here,” Rule they been closer to communities. said. “It’s just like death and taxes, it will Preparedness was the purpose behind happen. It’s a matter of when. It could be the Great British Columbia ShakeOut, the tomorrow, it could be next week, it could largest ever earthquake drill in B.C. which be 100 years from now.” • More at www.mrtimes.com, search “earthquake” involved, officially, 691,139 individuals

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Tuesday, October 22 , 2013

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Fire damage

Witch hopes to reopen soon

Insurance investigators are now working with pub owners following a kitchen fire Thursday.

by Ronda Payne

editorial@mrtimes.com

While it’s certainly not business as usual at the Witch of Endor Pub, it will be as soon as repairs can be made. The process has begun, owner Justin Strange explained after fire gutted the kitchen of the local establishment last Thursday morning. How long the repairs will take remains to be seen, said Strange, who is owner of the Justin Strange Group of Companies, which owns the Witch. “They’re [insurance investigators] in there right now, trying to understand the damage,” he told The TIMES. Maple Ridge fire officials have ruled the fire accidental, saying the blaze began in a deep fryer in the kitchen in the rear of the building. “The kitchen is a total loss,” noted Strange. He added that it’s unknown how extensive

the smoke and water damage is to the rest of the building. “It’s an opportunity for us to improve our operations, make a new menu, and create a better space for our customers,” Strange commented, stressing there are positives, even in the case of a fire. The pub will obviously go through improvements as the repairs are conducted, but Strange noted that regardless of what needs to be done, the pub will retain the same feeling and experience for customers. “That’s my number one priority,” he noted. “The customer base we have is appreciated, they are a valuable group of people and are very loyal.” Until the insurance company is finished their investigation, timelines for repairs and reopening can’t be estimated. In the meantime, staff from the pub have been relocated to other properties in the Justin Strange Group of Companies. “Obviously everybody is a bit alarmed and shaken up,” Strange said of the staff response to the fire. “Everybody will be taken care of, we will be preserving our staff.”

View more photos with or online

Troy Landreville and Rick Moyer/TIMES

It’s still unclear how long the Witch of Endor Pub will be closed after Thursday’s kitchen fire.

Minister visit

Workshop aimed at aiding startups The District of Maple Ridge initiates a new program designed to help entrepreneurs get going in town. by Maria Rantanen

mrantanen@mrtimes.com

Small

BUSINESS

There are plenty of questions week when starting a new business. And the economic development office of Maple Ridge is launching a program this week to help would-be entrepreneurs get their business started. In fact, Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto will be in Maple Ridge today (Tuesday) to help kick off the program and officially open the Sandy Blue North Fraser Business Innovation Economic development officer Accelerator. The program, aptly named BusinessSTART, is a free hour-long workshop that goes through the basics of starting a business, for example, business licences, accounts, registration, and then connects the workshop participants to resources available to help them grow their business. Sandy Blue with the economic development office said the workshop will offer “what you need to know when you are opening a business.” “We want to give access to the resources they need,” Blue said. Currently, there are 24,000 jobs in Maple Ridge, and council’s Vision 2025 is to have 48,000 jobs locally with a population of 132,000. There are 1,500 home businesses and 1,500 other businesses in Maple Ridge, 700 of those in the downtown core. For more information, people can go to www.investmapleridge.ca. in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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.

Spencer Levan

slevan@mrtimes.com Publisher

Bob Groeneveld

bgroeneveld@mrtimes.com Editor

Roxanne Hooper

rhooper@mrtimes.com Assistant Editor Editorial Maria Rantanen Sylver McLaren Troy Landreville Advertising Ralph De Adder Nick Hiam Anne Gordon Sheryl Jones Distribution Supervisor Wendy Bradley Administration Rebecca Nickerson

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The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES, a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at www.mrtimes.com. The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and complainant. If talking with the editor or publisher of this newspaper does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2. For further information, go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.

Our View

Nothing small about impact “Small business” is a misleading concept. It’s only small until you start crunching the numbers. And it gets even bigger when you consider the impact that small businesses have on our communities. B.C. is a hotbed for small business – defined as businesses that employ 50 people or fewer – with more per capita than anywhere else in Canada. We have just about 85 small businesses per 1,000 people, just ahead of second-ranked Saskatchewan (82 per 1,000), and significantly ahead of thirdranked Alberta (75 per 1,000). B.C.’s 385,100 small businesses represent 98 per cent of all businesses in the province. And while more than four out of five small businesses in B.C. can be classified further as “micro-businesses,” employing five or less people (or in many cases, Small consisting of selfemployed individweek uals) they generate more than a quarter of the province’s gross domestic product. If those numbers don’t impress, how about these: B.C.’s small businesses shipped $16.9 billion worth of goods internationally in 2010 – more than half of the total value of goods exported from the province that year. More important, however, is the role that small businesses play in the community, not only as employers and revenue generators – and let’s not forget, as taxpayers – but as friends and neighbours, supporters, and organizers of local events and festivities, members of PACs and service clubs, sponsors of kids’ sports and the arts, and generally, people we go to when we need goods or services from someone we can trust. This week is small business week. Help celebrate the role that your neighbours play in making Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows great communities in which to live, work, and play. – B.G.

BUSINESS

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This Week’s Question What steps does your family have in place in case you’re hit by fire? ■ Your View Last week’s question, results… What is the best thing the community can do about homelessness?

Support The Caring Place.

Provide more shelters.

12 %

Re-open Riverview.

52 %

Stop the drug trade.

Ship them out of town.

23 %

VOTE ONLINE: www.mrtimes.com

Opinion

Respect surprising… or not Some things are not surprising. gathered in a shocking five per Some are. cent respect rating) actually gain As someone who has a great from taking his arrogance and deal of respect for David Suzuki questionable dealings into the myself, I can’t say I’m terribly political arena? surprised that a recent Angus There was another, somewhat Reid Global poll found he is the interesting dimension to the most respected person in Canada. Angus Reid poll – not so much On the other hand, it’s beyond interesting in terms of the results, surprising that Senator Mike as in that the question would be Duffy is apparently respected by asked and a reputable polling four per cent of Canadians. company would put stock in the by Bob Groeneveld It blows me away that the results. former Parliament Hill teleThe survey determined that vision blowhard whom history John Furlong was “among the may prove to have single-handedly destroyed least known Canadians.” Canada’s Upper House with his self-serving C’mon. Seriously? financial porkery registered any respect at all in I get that he garners little respect (17 per the survey. cent in B.C., and only six per cent throughout Prime Minister Stephen Harper was significant- Canada). After all, he’s a guy who, along with a ly over-rated at 23 per cent, while Rick Hansen bunch of others, wasted a lot of money in British garnered only twice that much respect. Columbia in 2010, when most Canadians would Although, I profess a certain amount of humble have wished him to have wasted it in their provpride in the revelation that my province of birth inces instead. and habitation, British Columbia, is outdone by But least known? only the Maritimes in lack of prime ministerial Six per cent of 35 million equals somewhat respect (67 per cent of us don’t have much use more than two million Canadians who would for Harper, while Maritimers despise him to the recognize John Furlong by name. tune of 76 per cent), and we outshine all the Seriously, folks, I can admit to a pretty swelled other provinces in admiration for Hansen (76 per head from time to time, but I’m willing to bet cent respect in B.C., compared to 61 per cent in that, if you dropped my name all the way across Alberta). Canada, somewhat less than six per cent of the Interestingly, across the country, all of people you come across will recognize it. Canada’s political party leaders floated between Raise your hand if you honestly believe more 20 and 23 percentage points of respect. So… than two million people know who you are… I should I be surprised, as I look around at the understand there’s a movement afoot to re-open state of things, that the leaders and wannabe Riverview for you. leaders of our country (once one of the most What sets John Furlong among the “least respected countries in the world) can’t seem to known” Canadians is the absence of my name earn the respect of one in four of us? and yours on the survey list. I wonder if David Suzuki would consider a It’s just like I’m never picked as the “sexiest run at the prime minster’s office? Or could his man alive” when they put that question to the respect level take the resultant nose-dive? masses – only because they never put my name Or could someone like Conrad Black (who on the list.

Odd Thoughts

Mailbag

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Education

Earlier 9/11 worth attention

Dear Editor, I would like to challenge the Pitt Meadows Secondary school students [Tragedy neglected, Oct. 17 Letters, TIMES] to find out about the other “9/11,” which happened on Sept. 11, 1973, in a coup to remove a democratically elected leader. To the students, perhaps 9/11 in New York is the biggest event in their teen years. Was the school assembly a general assembly that fell on Sept. 11, or was it called for a different purpose, and if so, why would they expect 9/11 New York to be recognized? 9/11 New York was a disgraceful and murderous act, yes, but recognizing it as part of an assembly other than Nov. 11? I’m not so sure it was the right place. Yes, it was the biggest terrorist event on U.S.A. soil, but consider the revenge. More than 500,000 innocent Iraqis died from “shock and awe,” and continue to die today

because of Americans’ continued occupation, whose only real purpose was to have “feet on the ground” next door to the big enemy, Iran. If the U.S. had just wanted to get rid of Saddam Hussein (innocent of 9/11 New York, no matter Scan with how disgusting he was) they could have arranged another CIA assassination/killing they were so famous for in countries in which they have Letters to “American interests” to prothe Editor tect for business and industry. Annette Code, Pitt Meadows [Editor’s note: President Salvador Allende died during a successful coup overthrowing the Chilean government on Sept. 11, 1973. While his death has been ruled to have been a suicide, the coup’s death toll was almost exactly the same number as those who died in 9/11 New York.]

International trade

Big China deal needs to be stopped

Dear Editor, In fall 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper quietly announced that he wanted to pass the biggest trade deal in a generation, without a single vote in Parliament. Any day now, Harper could ratify the secretive and extreme Canada-China FIPA investor deal. The agreement, which would bind Canada for 31 years, would let foreign corporations sue Canadian governments if our government did anything to limit their profits.

Any Canadian law or government decision – even ones that protect Canada’s environment, create jobs, and stop dangerous projects – could be fought in secret tribunals outside of our legal system. Arbitrators unaccountable to the Canadian public would have the power to award billions in damages to foreign corporations if we do anything that hurts corporate profits, like improve environmental standards or slow down the export of cheap, unprocessed resources. FIPA would expose

What you’re telling us on Facebook

•

A fire Thursday morning at the Witch of Endor Pub in Maple Ridge drew reaction from readers. “Not good to hear of this fire. Hope pub is up and running again soon.” – Dave Kenworthy “…Call me crazy, but I had a premonition of this while driving by The Witch yesterday afternoon around six in the evening. This gives me the creeps. Weird.” – Luke Magnus Tengs “Aw, that’s sad. A landmark. Wondered what was going on there. I could see the emergency vehicles when I crossed Dewdney.” – Donna Hutchinson Paulson “Wow, crazy!”

– Elise Wehren

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

Canada to lawsuits from China’s massive companies in secret, investor-state courts that have a track record of ruling against the interests of Canadians. Under this system, Canada has already been sued more than any industrialized country in the world. Right now, an American company, Lone Pine Resources, is using a similar measure in NAFTA to sue Canada because Quebec placed a hold on gas fracking to study its impacts on health and environment. Similarly, if B.C. tries to regulate or block Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipeline, Sinopec, China’s stateowned oil company may be able to sue for damages, and we may never even hear about the case or the details of the results. Other countries, such as India, South Africa, and Australia, are moving away from this kind of trade deal. I call on my Member of Parliament, Randy Kamp, to do whatever it takes to make sure the federal government rejects this deal. Ryk Schmahmann, Maple Ridge [Note: A fuller version of this letter is online at www. mrtimes.com. Click on Opinion/Letters, or search the writer’s name.]

Health care

Mental illness getting off-loaded

Dear Editor, Maple Ridge citizens are concerned about hospital parking costs, and rightly so. We are being gouged for parking at our hospitals. But are our citizens aware that the Conservative government in Ottawa (the Cons) are going to reduce our provinces’ transfer payments for health care to the tune of $36 billion dollars? This is the Cons’ new paradigm in trying to diminish our Canadian health care system: simply underfund it, so that the provinces are left with trying to make up the shortfall and, of course, have to cut back on programs and services because they don’t have the cash, so the system deteriorates and Canadians have to go to “private for profit” care.

It is a clever and insidious tactic to undermine our universal health care. And then you have Christy Clark and the BC Liberals who say they can’t afford to provide decent facilities for the mentally ill, so we have to deal with them in our municipalities. Mental illness is a sickness, so why aren’t they funding the services to deal with it? It is off-loading, pure and simple. You should get used to this new paradigm, because it is what is taking place in our country due to the corporately backed Cons in Ottawa. Parliament was prorogued so that these things were not getting debated in the house. It is stifling the democratic debate of our elected bodies Canadians have elected. John E. McKenzie, Maple Ridge

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.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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A10

Opinion

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Health care

Vaccines save life and pain

hey are coming after Grandma again! Last year, during flu season, I authored the opinion that we should support the health districts’ edict that health care workers who choose not to get a flu shot should not be caring for anybody unless they are willing to wear a mask. The implementation of that policy last flu season was stopped by one of by Gordy Robson my biggest fans, head nurse Deborah McPherson. Somehow (you think it may have had facility went down by 87 per cent. something to do with the election?), the The study showed that vaccinating health districts decided to back off the health care personnel provided more proedict, and although health districts are tection to residents than vaccinating the supposedly independent of government, residents themselves. they chose to, as they say in politics, The Chief Canadian Medical Officer in “kick the can forward,” which means charge of our health care and the B.C. they put off the implementation. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Harry Kendall Depending on your analysis, that deciare telling us health care workers should sion probably caused thousands of British be vaccinated. Columbians to die from the flu, and Perhaps we should listen. according to Dr. Bonnie Henri, it is not There is information being distributed a nice way to pass. It is painful, which to health care workers throughout the makes it painful for your province to help them loved ones, too. make informed decisions. Our health care We are to the point Our health care workers, workers, through their through their union, have where we kicked the can, too, and are currently in decided that they want the union, have decided arbitration. right to share the flu virus, that they want the Dr. Jeff Kwong, one of and they called the edict the highest-level research“tyranny.” right to share the flu ers of immunization in Their unions decided the virus, and they called Canada, has been pleadsubject was too hot for the edict “tyranny.” ing for all governments to them to handle, so they promote the benefits of passed the issue off to the vaccination. Health Sciences Association (HSA) which It is hard to comprehend how educated is the bargaining arm of health care people are somehow convinced that vacunions. cinating their children or themselves is HSA has been leading the legal protest dangerous. in the arbitration process against the Do we want to go back to days of polio, province’s six health authorities. measles, and mumps? Everyone is waiting for the ruling from Earlier this year, we had an outbreak Arbitrator Robert Diebolt, who presided of measles in Abbotsford in which it was over 15 days of arguments from each reported that compliance of vaccination side. amongst children is down to 62 per cent. One of the presentations was that To deny vaccines is to deny science. people who choose not to be vaccinated There are millions of children who are will have to wear “a badge of shame,” walking today who wouldn’t be, had they since everyone will know that masks are not been given the polio vaccine. only being worn by those who choose not (I digress.) to be vaccinated. Go figure! Every survey I have seen says there is So, if the unvaccinated insist on workno downside to flu vaccination. ing, maybe someone should assign them On the upside is an interesting analysis to all the comatose patients with DNR of data and patient population health in (Do Not Resuscitate) designations. New Mexico’s 75 long term care facilities That will open up at least a couple of and nursing homes, which found that, as hundred beds. vaccination rates of health care personJust saying… nel with direct patient contact rose from Gordy Robson’s column appears Tuesdays in the print and/or 51 per cent to 75 per cent, the chances of online versions of The TIMES. Reactions can be emailed c/o editorial@mrtimes.com. a flu outbreak amongst patients in that

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DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION MEETING You are invited to attend a development information meeting respecting a rezoning application. (NO. 2011 -134-RZ) FOR PROPERTY AT 24891 104 AVENUE & 24860 106 AVENUE, MAPLE RIDGE 10640 248 STREET & 10480 248 STREET The purpose of this meeting is for any interested parties to learn more about the proposed rezoning and to provide comments to the proponent (D.K. Bowins & Assoc. Inc) regarding this proposal. NO DECISIONS WILL BE MADE AT THIS MEETING. This proposal will be subject to a future Hublic Hearing before Municipal Council of which the surrounding neighbourhood will be duly notiﬁed by municipal staff. The proposed rezoning application is for the development of

36 SINGLE FAMILY LOTS OF A MINIMUM SIZE OF 731M2 64 MULTI FAMILY LOTS This meeting will be held on:

TUESDAY, 2013 OCTOBER 29, 5:00pm to 7:00pm ALBION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 10031 240 STREET, MAPLE RIDGE If you are unable to attend this meeting and would like further information regarding this proposal, please contact: DISTRICT OF MAPLE RIDGE D.K. BOWINS & ASSOC. INC. OR PLANNING DEPARTMENT 604-826-4399 604-463-5221 Comments respecting this proposal may also be submitted to D.K. Bowins & Assoc. Inc. By phone: 604-826-4399, Fax: 604-826-3316, Email: dbowins@shaw.ca or letter to: 8955 Emiry Street, Mission B.C. V4S 1A6

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

&places

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Celebrating 40 years serving our Community

faces Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

Showcasing some of this community’s people and happenings

Maria Rantanen/TIM

3 197

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2013

Taking advantage of the awesomely warm fall weather, Daniel Bustamante, Jason Tabo, and James Hague stopped at the Billy Miner Pub for lunch and a brew on the deck last week. Rick Moyer/Special to The TIMES

puty fire s been named de Howard Exner ha Spence ne Da r te Ridge af chief for Maple he re was ll chief duties. He took over the fu Endor h e at the Witc of attending to a fir 16). t. Oc , ay sd ur (on Th

or online

Rick Moyer/ Special to Th Ruth Phillip e TIMES s an Ridge (above d Eric Wesner of Map le ) and Aidan Lampron (l were amon eft) g the guests who attend Thanksgivin ed the g Day dinn er at St. Pa School. The trick’s event was h real estate osted by th offices, and e local about 60 re on-hand th altors were roughou helping to p t the day as volunteer s, repare and serve the m eal.

www.mrtimes.com

View more photos with

Between now and Christmas, Meadowvale Family Dental Centre is donating $25 to Meals on Wheels for every new patient they receive. The hope is to raise $2,500. In the meantime, a barbecue and open house last month turned into a fundraiser for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Community Services. That event raised $200 and the dental team matched it, so office manager Stephanie McElroy (left) was able to recently present a $400 cheque to community services’ Vicki Kipps.

Rick Moyer/

Special to Th

e TIMES

Daymen roken arm, Despite a b ed , insist on Anderson, 13 nteering at the volu once again er at St. g Day dinn n vi gi ks an Th . He’s been 14 . ct hool O Patrick’s Sc ght. ce he was ei helping sin

The new acting CAO for the City of Pitt Meadows, Kim Grout, was found huddled under her desk last week. Okay, it’s not that the job has become too overwhelming already, it’s that she was participating in ShakeOut, a provincewide emergency preparedness drill held Oct. 17 at 10:17 a.m.

How can you share? Do you have a local photo of someone or some place you’d like to share with the rest of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows? Email it to us as a high-resolution .JPEG to editorial@mrtimes.com. Please include a brief description – including everyone’s ﬁrst and last name. Put “faces & places” in the subject line of your email.

3 197

2013

Celebrating 40 years serving our community

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Early Childhood Education

There’s something irreplaceable about real, tactile books

good friend gave me a Kindle reader for my birthday. It’s quite the invention – if I want to, I can download a copy of War and Peace and it’ll only weigh 100 grams. Heck, a paper copy of the same book would weigh at least 20 times that much. With my new reader, I don’t have to pack around a flashlight for reading in the dark, and there are reams of books available either free or for a small fee, including books and games for children. With those advantages, why would anyone bother reading a traditional book anymore? Once I got the Kindle, I began to notice lots of other reading devices, particularly those aimed at parents of young children – lovely, colourful pieces, the size of an Etch-a-Sketch, that talk to children and, according to ads, “teach them to read.”

One ad even showed a mom using the latest gizmo to read to her young child. I guess these devices have a place – especially in our technological age, and considering that literacy is more than just the act of learning to read. Having said that, I’d like to put in a word for the good old-fashioned book made out of real paper, and kids’ books, in particular. I’m a sucker for picture books. They come in all sizes and shapes, from the smallest, baby-resistant cardboard book to the intricately illustrated whopper. Sometimes each page will have just one word, and at other times the stories will move even the most hard-hearted adult to shed a wee tear. Books excite more than just visual or aural senses. It’s pretty hard to duplicate the tactile sensation of Pat the Bunny with an elec-

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tronic version. libraries provide access to And, sure, pop-ups on thousands of picture books. the computer or tablet are And a child can choose fun, but they can’t beat the up to 60 books to take out 3-D version in a picture on loan at any one time, book. for up to three weeks. I guess what I’m trying That’s a lot of free readto say is that reading is ing. more than just a passive But if truth be told, just experience, or a simple going to the library is an absorption of words and adventure for children. by Kathy Booth parsing of sentences. When our kids were Stories can teach about little, we spent hours at the emotions, empathy, sharing, making library reading books and choosing books choices, or being careful. to take home. Some favourites were borThey can be funny, sad, or silly. And rowed over and over. reading a book with young kids opens up Whoever said that children have a short so many opportunities to talk about these span of attention has never seen a child things. with her favourite book. The advantage of books is that they – Kathy Booth is a local writer addressing the importance of don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. The early childhood development, and the work being done in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, and with Katzie First Nation. Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows public

Starting Early

View video & photos with or online

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Community giving to save dog’s leg

A vet is confident contributions towards Wobbles’ care will cover the cost of her needed surgery. by Ronda Payne

Dr. Adrian Walton of Dewdney Animal Hospital is confident animal lovers will help save Wobbles’ leg and has already set up the surgery.

editorial@mrtimes.com

Donations to save the leg of Wobbles, a sweet five-month-old border collie-cross, have been coming in at a steady rate. Dr. Adrian Walton of the Dewdney Animal Hospital is so confident funds being collected will hit the $1,650 needed, he has already booked the surgeon to do the extensive and complex surgery. One donor, Ella Treleaven, a 10year-old Maple Ridge girl, even gave all her birthday money to Wobbles.

Ronda Payne/TIMES

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Wobbles has a minor pelvic fracture and a major spiral fracture of her left front leg. It is this front leg that requires surgery, Walton said. “Because of the location, you can’t cast this [type of injury],” the vet noted. “The best approach is to surgically repair it.” Everyone involved in Wobbles’ care is donating time and other resources to help. The surgery, vet stay, medication, fluids, X-rays, after-care, and more would normally cost $3,500 to $4,000, Walton said. Walton describes Dr. Mark Smith, of Canadian West Veterinary Specialists, as a “surgeon extraordinairre,” who will do the operation. Anyone who wants to help Wobbles can contact the local branch of the SPCA at 604-463-9511.

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“Dr. Walton made a video [of Wobbles] and I saw it on Facebook, my mom showed me,” said Ella. “In the video it said that he was going to either cut her leg off or have the surgery... and I just thought a dog that young needs four legs.” Many others agree with Ella, who doesn’t even have a dog of her own. “We have three cats,” she said, but added, “Dogs are fun.” Not every animal in Walton’s care gets this kind of community support – unfortunately, it’s not possible, he said. But Wobbles was a special case. The young pup was found in Mission after being hit by a car. A “kind person” then brought her in for care and she ended up with Walton, said Carolyn Smith, Maple Ridge SPCA’s assistant manager.

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Tuesday, October 22 , 2013

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times October 22: Weavers

editorial@ mrtimes.com

What’s On

www.mrtimes.com October 22: Youth academy

• The RCMP are holding an info session about the spring 2014 youth academy for students aged 16 to 18 interested in a career in law enforcement. The info session is at Maple Ridge Secondary, 21911 122nd Ave. at 7 p.m.

October 22: Seniors Care

• What are the different levels of care, how much does it cost, which services will be included? Carol Lange of Nurse Next Door helps navigate the seniors health care system. The session is at the Pitt Meadows Library from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., presented by the seniors network. Register: 604-786-7404 or seniorsnetworkmpk@gmail.com.

October 22: Technology

• Bring any new gadgets – cellphones, cameras, eReaders, laptops, etc. – and let the Student Library Council explain how they work. It Won’t Byte takes place at the Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre, 12150 224th St. from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Register at the Maple Ridge Library or at 604-467-7417.

October 22: Special needs

October 23: CEED Centre AGM

• CEED Centre Society holds its annual general meeting and discussion from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the CEED Centre, 11739 223rd St., with music, a potluck, election of directors, and a discussion about the environmental and social priorities in our community. RSVP to Christian Cowley at 604-463-2229 or christiancowley@ceedcentre.com.

October 24: Seniors

• Aging Gracefully: Advocacy for Caregivers takes place at the Maple Ridge Library at 6:30 p.m. The seniors network offers advice to family, friends, and those employed to assist seniors, outlining a step-by-step process. Registration required: 604-786-7404 or htreleaven@shaw.ca.

October 25: Support group

• Hominum Fraser Valley, an informal discussion and support group to help gay, bisexual, and questioning men, meets at 7:30 p.m. For information and meeting location, call Art at 604-462-9813 or Don at 604-329-9760.

October 26: Writing

• Writer’s Workshop with Janet Love Morrison is held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Maple Ridge Library. It is an in-depth, handson workshop offering an opportunity for anyone who writes or aspires to write. • Full list: www.mrtimes.com

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• “It’s All About Connections,” a group for parents of children with extra support needs, hosts Natasha Etherington, who has written Gardening for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Special Education Needs from noon to 2 p.m. at The Hive, 12138 Edge St. RSVP: tracy.hewgill@rmacl.org at 604-4678700 or carol@rmcdc.com at 604-463-0881.

October 23: Seniors

• A Roof Over Our Heads is a dialogue about seniors housing. What factors put seniors at risk of homelessness? Join in to discuss the issues and help create a vision for seniors housing in Maple Ridge. The event is hosted by the Seniors Housing Task Group and runs from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ridge Meadows Seniors Centre, 12150 224th St. The event is free, but registration is needed: 604-786-7404 or seniorsnetworkmpk@gmail.com.

102213

Post events 10 days in advance by email to:

• Whonnock Weavers and Spinners Guild meets at Whonnock Lake Centre at 7:30 p.m. They welcome spinners, weavers, felters, knitters, basket makers, and anyone interested in fibre arts. Info: Marie at 604-462-9059.

Pitt Meadows Golf Club Established 1963

63 -2013

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Reservations 604.465.5431 13615 Harris Rd Pitt Meadows

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

New business

Argentina lures local family

A century-old vineyard in South America is producing awardwinning wines under a watchful eye of a Maple Ridge family.

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by Maria Rantanen mrantanen@mrtimes.com

The winemaking business learning curve has been straight up for one Maple Ridge family. But after three years of growing grapes on a near-century-old Argentinian vineyard, Maple Ridge resident Terry Martens and his wife Cindy are seeing the fruits of their labours, Haarth Organic Wines, being sold in local stores. In 2010, the couple bought the 85acre (55-hectare) winery, which was Troy Landreville/TIMES planted in 1921 and 1923 with “very Peter Martens (left) markets the wines while his father and mother, Terry (right) and Cindy Martens old vines,” Terry said. own and run an 85-acre vineyard in Argentina. Maple Ridge, though, is home base. Besides having a great appreciation ent wines from their Argentinian ily as well – Terry loves to spend for good wine, knowledge about the grapes, four reds and two whites, time in Argentina where he said the continent, and some good business and Terry hopes wine lovers in B.C. way of life is simpler, and the people sense – Terry deals in large mining learn about the diversity of wines he works with are honest and hard equipment – the actual growing of available from the South American working – not scared of hard work. grapes and making of wine was all country. Terry grew up on a farm in Alberta new to the couple. The first year they were in busibefore getting into the mining Typically, vines last about 100 ness, the Martens entered their business, and growing grapes has years, so the Martens are having to wines – their 2011 vintage – into brought back some lessons from his replace some of their plants. an Argentinian competition. Their childhood. But these older vines also give 2012 vintage won three gold med“The thing that came back to “deep complexity and consistency” als, two silvers, and their Cabernet me [from] when I was a kid [is] year over year, Terry said. Sauvignon won a double gold. how dependent you are on mother “Ours are about as mature as they Terry said the family wants to nature,” Terry said. get,” he said, adding that “the deep emphasize quality over The Martens’ oldest son, Peter, root stock is what’s critquantity, but they also owns a separate company to market ical [in winemaking].” Small want to keep their wines the wines, called Natural Wine & The Martens spend affordable, and most bot- Spirit Import. part of the year back on tles are in the $20 range. “Wine is a very personal thing,” the continent where they in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows week Their wines are being Terry said about his family’s busihave lived in the past. marketed through private ness. “[We] are trying to make The Argentine climate beer and wine stores wines that appeal to different segis good for growing grapes as it is – not the government liquor stores ments of the population.” arid and the water is clean and gla– and Terry said local stores are sellA few weeks ago, the Martens cier-fed. attended the Wines of Argentina But the altitude of the country also ing their wines fast. Haarth currently produces 200,000 event in Vancouver where 30 of plays into the quality of the wine litres of wine, which translates to their peers presenting their products. – with hot days and cold nights, the 250,000 bottles, but the farm has the “People just loved our wines, first, vines get plenty of sunshine durcapacity for half a million litres. because they’re good wines, second, ing the day, but they can rest in the Besides launching into a new busi- because they’re organic,” Terry said. night, so as not to get stressed. • More at www.mrtimes.com, search “Haarth” ness – which is drawing in his famThe Martens make six differ-

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