Tuesday, January 7, 2014 About 50 people dove into 2014 with a cool dip at Alouette Lake.
Page A3 • LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 12 PAGES Ridge Meadows Hospital
Twins make early entry in New Year Twin brother and sister are Maple Ridge’s New Year’s Babies. by Troy Landreville
tlandreville@mrtimes.com
What a way to kick off the new year for Chris and Alisha Powell. Alisha gave birth to twins Landon and Alivia at Ridge Meadows Hospital on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. The twins were the first babies born at RMH in 2014. Landon came into the world at 3:24 p.m. followed by his little sister two minutes later. The twins were born roughly three months premature. Landon weighed 985 grams at birth, while Alivia weighed 850 grams. Landon’s and Alivia’s due date was April 7, and their mom didn’t know she was in labour. The siblings were delivered by emergency C-section. They have been transferred to Royal Columbian Hospital, where they’ll likely stay for the next two months “at least,” Alisha said. “They have had their ups and downs but they are doing really well for being 26 weeks [premature],” she said, adding, “I’m so excited that they are healthy and they are doing well.” Chris said that he and Alisha are allowed to touch their children and hold their hands when they are active, adding, “so we are not disturbing them when they are sleeping.” The twins are in separate incubators at RCH because if they were together, there would be too many wires and tubes, their dad noted.
Alivia Powell
Landon Powell
Ridge Meadows Hospital New Year’s Baby
Ridge Meadows Hospital New Year’s Baby
“As soon as they are able to, they will share a crib,” Chris said. “We can’t wait to hold them,” Alisha added. As for having a boy and a girl, it mattered little to
Chris and Alisha. “We didn’t care,” Alisha said. “As long as they were healthy we would be happy. It worked out nicely to have one of each.”
Assessments
Maple Ridge climbs, Pitt Meadows climbs higher Properties are assessed by a provincial agency but the information is used for municipal taxes.
Property assessment notices are arriving in the mail from the provincial agency, BC Assessment, and are based on the value of a home on July 1, 2013 and its physical condition on Oct. 31, 2013. Despite modest increases in single-family homes in Maple Ridge, overall residential values, which also include apartments and townhouses, were down 1.29 per cent. Townhouses in Maple Ridge remained steady in value, with a typical one worth $361,000. Only apartments in Maple Ridge decreased in value, dropping from $200,000 to $198,000. In Pitt Meadows, both residential and business properties increased in value, the former by .39 per cent and the latter by 1.67 per cent.
by Maria Rantanen mrantanen@mrtimes.com
A typical single-family home in Pitt Meadows jumped in value this year. According to BC Assessment, the typical home in Pitt Meadows is worth $25,000 more than last year, climbing from $500,000 to $525,000 in value, whereas single-family homes in Maple Ridge rose modestly in value, with the typical home worth $8,000 more than it was in the previous year.
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A typical townhome in Pitt Meadows – which would explain why values of Pitt didn’t change in value, staying at Meadows homes seem to be higher than $350,000, whereas apartments dipped those of Maple Ridge homes. about $2,000 in value with The assessments are the typical apartment valused by municipalities “Most homes in the ued at $198,000. to calculate property Raj Sandhu, deputy taxes, but a homeowner Fraser Valley are assessor for the Fraser who disagrees with their remaining stable in Valley, said that most assessment must make value...” homes are remaining an appeal to the provinstable compared to last cial agency. Raj Sandhu year, with modest changes An appeal, called a between minus five per “notice of complaint,” cent and plus five per cent. must be made to BC Assessment by Jan. “Most homes in the Fraser Valley are 31 in order to be reviewed by a property remaining stable in value compared to assessment panel. last year’s assessment roll,” Sandhu said. For information on assessments or But the trend is that, the farther appealing assessments, go to www.bcaswest homes are, the higher their value sessment.ca or call 1-866-825-8322.
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A2
Tuesday, January 7 , 2014
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
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Guessing continues Each week, The TIMES is inviting readers to identify people from this community’s distant and recent past. Any ideas who this is? If so, visit our Facebook Like us & play page and play. with Those who tell us before 9 a.m. Any guesses who this is? Friday are entered for a weekly and grand-prize draw. • More at www.mrtimes.com
Driver found guilty Maple Ridge Chrysler employee and father of four, Dan Reaveley, had a look of relief when he left a New Westminster courthouse on Friday after hearing the man who was driving the truck that struck and killed his wife was found guilty on six charges. Charlene Reaveley, along with Lorraine Cruz, was killed on Feb. 19, 2011 on the side of Lougheed Highway in Coquitlam. • More at www.mrtimes.com
Robbers sentenced A pair of thieves were given two years in jail for their part in a series of heists, including one in Maple Ridge. Luke Stuart Thom Ash, 30, and Ryan Allan Olson, 28, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of robbery and one of theft of property valued at less than $5,000 in August. Sentencing took place Thursday in B.C. provincial court in Port Coquitlam and the presiding judge was Pedro de Couto. • More at www.mrtimes.com
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A3
New Year
Polar swimmers share a cold one
A swim on New Year’s Day is a growing tradition in Maple Ridge. by Eric Zimmer editorial@mrtimes.com
Paige Charron calls the experience “refreshing.” She was one of the many brave souls who gathered at Alouette Lake on New Year’s Day to kick off 2014 with a noon-time plunge into the waters. “This is the biggest group I’ve seen yet,” Charron said. “When I first came here three years ago, there were maybe only 30 people here.” Charron, who has been taking part in polar bear swims for the past 14 years, said she was a long-time participant in the one at English Bay. Eventually though, she said, it just got too crowded and almost felt dangerous. She didn’t want to give up on the tradition, though, after moving to Maple Ridge. “This makes me more happy than New Year’s Eve,” she said. “I searched and searched and found this small event that was put on by the Ridge Meadows Outdoor Club.” John Marvin, a former member of the club, recalled the early days. “When we first started doing
Participants dove into 2014 with a dip in Alouette Lake during this year’s Polar Bear swim.
it, there were like 15 of us here altogether,” he said. “It’s been about six years since I’ve jumped in, though, and they were holding this event long before that.” It was easy to see how the event has grown in popularity over the years. A rough count of bodies in the
water throughout the duration of the event totalled more than 50. “We’re probably a little crazy,” said participant Dan Lancaster. Swimmers of all ages – some in costumes, others with props, shared a 10-second countdown before rushing into the water without hesitation. There were many dry-land
Eric Zimmer/TIMES
supporters as well, who held in their hands things like cameras, bathrobes, towels, hot drinks, and hand-warmers. Even though the event was officially done in under 10 minutes, a stream of late-comers enjoyed polar bear plunges on their own time.
• More online at www.mrtimes.com
Emergency services
Second fire hits 1930s Maple Ridge house
A fire that tore through a home on New Year’s Eve is the second one the house has suffered in less than two months. by Eric Zimmer editorial@mrtimes.com
A Maple Ridge house that was gutted by fire a month-and-a-half ago, suffered a second blaze on New Year’s Eve. The house, which has been sitting empty, is located at 119th Avenue and 223rd Street, and was already under fire investigation when firefighters were called back to the home during the night. Bob Barclay, who owns the house, spoke with The TIMES just hours after the latest fire. He said the fire started “somewhere
between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.” Four trucks and 14 firefighters arrived on the scene to battle the flames. Barclay said the fire was put out about 11:30 p.m. The damage from the first fire was still evident in and out of the house on New Year’s day, but Barclay said this fire started in a new corner of the house. “The stuff you see on the outside is all from the previous fire,” he noted. Assistant fire chief Timo Juurakko explained that the fire began inside the house and was contained to the building’s interior. The investigation continues and police are asking that anyone with any information regarding the fire call Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477.
• More online at www.mrtimes.com
Eric Zimmer/TIMES
Damage from the fire less than two months ago was still clearly visible on New Year’s day.
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A4
Tuesday, January 7, 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.
Spencer Levan
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Bob Groeneveld
bgroeneveld@mrtimes.com Editor
Roxanne Hooper
rhooper@mrtimes.com Assistant Editor Editorial Maria Rantanen Sylver McLaren Troy Landreville Eric Zimmer Advertising Ralph De Adder Nick Hiam Anne Gordon Sheryl Jones Distribution Supervisor Wendy Bradley Administration Rebecca Nickerson
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Our View
Never too late to beat the flu This flu season’s prevalent strain is particularly nasty, already having sent a number of people to intensive care. It’s also unusual in that it seems to be hitting young people hardest. The good news is that, although the season has clearly started already, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. There have been reports of vaccine shortages in other parts of Canada, but the BC Centre for Disease Control notes that there still is plenty of vaccine available in this province. BC Children’s Hospital notes that children are more apt to get sick from illnesses such as influenza and norovirus, and reminds parents that healthy children six months to less than five years of age are now eligible for free flu shots, as are older children with many chronic medical conditions and who have household members at high risk or under the age of two years. There are other measures suggested by both BC Children’s and the BCCDC to help avoid catching the bug, too. As 80 per cent of common infections are spread by hands, frequent washing is a good idea. Children should wash their hands with soap and water, scrubbing for about the time it takes to sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star plus a little more, before eating, after using the washroom, after sneezing, coughing, or using a tissue, and after playing with toys shared with other children. Teach children to sneeze or cough into the crook of the arm rather than their hands. Children and the people who care for them should stay home when sick, especially if they have a fever. Don’t visit grandparents or other elderly people if you or your child is sick; older people can suffer more severe illness. Encourage kids NOT to share cups or toys or anything that they might put in their mouths. And call 811 for more information about health concerns. – B.G.
This Week’s Question How long do you think you can stick to your New Year’s Resolutions? ■ Your View Last week’s question, results… What is at the top of your list of New Year’s resolutions?
Health: lose weight/stop smoking.
36 %
Be a nicer person.
16 %
Spend less money.
11 %
Spend more time with family. No point in resolutions.
7% 29 %
VOTE ONLINE: www.mrtimes.com
Opinion
Not really a 9-1-1 emergency Yes, it is an emergency when Here’s one that can be underthe in-laws are arriving in an stood by exasperated mothers hour and you got the turkey in everywhere: “Can an officer the oven too late and the crancome over to tell my kids to go berry sauce is still frozen berries to bed?” in the freezer and the potatoes But you don’t need a police aren’t peeled and you forgot to officer, you just need a newsbuy the parsnips for the tradpaper. itional carrots and parsnips (and Allow me to explain: Mom you’re not even sure if you have would tell us over and over that the carrots) and two extra leaves it was “time for bed” (which, for have to be added to the dining one thing, is far too ambiguous by Bob Groeneveld room table and the crystal and to be taken as a direct command silverware needs to be polished anyway). and you’re sure what you’re Then Dad would lower his going to wear and… newspaper a couple of inches, just enough for it But it’s not a 9-1-1 emergency. to rattle a bit and for him to peer over top at us. At least, not until they actually arrive. Zoom! We were in bed! E-Comm, the emergency communications Some of E-Comm’s top “absurd” calls are on centre that handles 9-1-1 calls for the Lower the wrong list – they should actually be on the Mainland, released its “top ten most absurd 9-1-1 “stupid” list: calls of 2013.” • “I’d like to speak to someone about renting a And they really are quite absurd. In fact, you fire truck to block off a street for a party.” have to wonder how some folks get both shoes • A 9-1-1 caller asks how to call the operator. on every morning, on the proper feet, and over • A caller dials 9-1-1 to activate voicemail on their socks and below their pants. his cellphone. My favourite was third on E-Comm’s list Or the “arrogant” list: (although they didn’t indicate if the list was • A caller asks 9-1-1 if they can get the ‘OK’ to ranked from the top down or the bottom up – or drive in the HOV lane because “traffic is backed at all): “A caller phoned 9-1-1 to report a missed up and they are late for an important meeting.” newspaper delivery.” • A caller dials 9-1-1 to ask for a morning OK, given my personal station in life, I can see wake-up call. how that could be perceived as an emergency… Or the “pathetic” list: but again, not really a 9-1-1 emergency. • A caller phoned 9-1-1 to get their date’s conSome of the top ten are clear indications that tact information so they could confirm details of there are parents out there who have reached their plans. their wits’ end. Or the “incomprehensible” list: For instance, this one: “My son won’t give me • “I threw my phone into the garbage can and the remote control.” can’t get it out.” I’ll admit that I sometimes find losing control They’d all be funny… except they’re not. of the remote control can be a disorienting and E-Comm handles more than 2,500 9-1-1 calls somewhat emasculating experience. every day. Most of them really are emergency But really? 9-1-1? Do you really want to broadcalls. Many of them are matters of life and death. cast the fact that you lost control of the remote? And the absurd, stupid, arrogant, pathetic, and What kind of man are you? incomprehensible calls literally can be deadly.
Odd Thoughts
Mailbag
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
A5
Municipal council
Wasted money raises taxes
It is awfully easy to spend someone else’s money. We have lived in our house for 40 years, and we are still looking at the same old street, with no streetLetters lights and cracked and broken pavement, no sidewalks, etc. What are we paying $3,000 tax for? Perhaps it is to pay for the bike lane to neverland, or for the useless round-a-bouts built near Maple Ridge high school. What a blatant waste of our money! I used to think we were lucky not to live in Vancouver, with Mayor Moonbeam, but it appears council has copied all of Vancouver’s foolish and wasteful spending habits. People need to get out and be involved, and perhaps we can get some sense back into municipal council. John Gienow, Maple Ridge
Dear Editor, Well, here we go again! Another tax increase. I can not understand what part of the phrase, “live within your means,” council does not get. While the rest of us take a hit to with all the increases for everythe thing you can think of, and most of the business people have had to downsize or adjust to falling revenues, council thinks it can just raise our taxes to pay for all the poor planning and decisions it has made this past year. I think I will be a lot more involved in municipal politics in the future, as it appears a lot of incompetent people are making decisions with our money – decisions that are not the right ones. It is a good thing these people were not running a business, as it is obvious they would have been bankrupt in a short time.
Editor
Community
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Dentures?
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Dinner aids African grandmothers
Dear Editor, The Golden Ears Gogos held their second annual fundraising dinner at Samuel Robertson Secondary on Dec. 3. Our purpose was to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, support-
ing African grandmothers raising their grandchildren because the parents have died in the AIDS pandemic. Our chapter is one of many across Canada raising money for this very worthwhile cause. We wanted to offer our
Health care
Hospital provided great care
Dear Editor, I took my husband John to Ridge Meadows Hospital at 2 a.m. on Friday, just before Christmas, with a severe anaphylactic reaction, which turned out to be caused by a medication. He received extraordinary medical care, both from the Emergency Room staff and, most particularly, from the doctors and staff in the ICU. We were treated with kindness and respect and kept informed in detail about his treatment. Thanks to their care, he was not only here, but home in time for Christmas. A true Christmas gift. Lonnie Roscoe, Maple Ridge
grateful thanks to SD42 and the school staff, particularly principal Dickson for allowing us the use of the cafeteria. The VCC culinary program was instrumental in our success, with chef Karen Gin, her assistant Allison Haride, and the students of the VCC culinary program providing a delicious dinner. Ron Lancaster and the work experience students made sure the evening’s activities ran smoothly. We would also like to thank the members of our community who attended the evening. Our gratitude extends to all those whose generous donations made the silent auction such a great success. Lynn Rajala and Heather Stewart for Golden Ears Gogos
Maple Ridge
No business case for high salaries
Dear Editor, My interpretation of council is people are elected as stewards of our money, and to provide direction to our employees at city hall. It is council’s job to ask questions to make sure staff’s decision are ones to which we, the bill-payers, would agree.
What you’re telling us on Facebook
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For the fifth year in a row, there was an informal Generation Charity Family Fun Run in Pitt Meadows on New Year’s Day, and some readers responded to reports. “These are good people. Everyone in the Ridge Meadows area should come out and run with them.” – Karin Fortin Jackson “Thanks Troy! Great story, as usual, you help us get the word out and we appreciate you and the Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES.” – Lorie Muller (event organizer)
Share your views. Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MapleRidgePittMeadowsTimes
Corisa Bell is the only one doing her job on council. Right now the tail is wagging the dog, and Ernie Daykin is allowing it. My taxes increased by 10 per cent not the 3.9 per cent reported by our mayor. The reason our taxes are going up might have something to do with the cost overrun that happened when the beautification of 224th Street had to be dug up three times. Are our high-priced engineers so incompetent that the proper decisions cannot be made right the first time? Or what consequences did the engineer suffer when he did not listen to the advice given him, that the manhole covers on Dewdney Trunk were all two inches too deep, and now must all be redone at a cost of $4,000 per cover? I am sure that the staff is aware that, if there is extra money sitting in the pot, it is much easier convincing anybody who will listen that more staff is required or that raises are needed to keep good people. It is funny how private enterprise can attract good people to run their businesses for less money. If all the high-priced help that we have employed at city hall were to run a business, it would not last two years. Mel Zemliak, 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.
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This is the beginner-level, four week program designed to introduce your son or daughter to lacrosse, and allow him or her to try the sport before registering for a full-season. The program is limited to children residing in Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge with no formal lacrosse experience and 5 -7 years old.
Program dates are Saturdays Jan 25, Feb 1, Feb 8, and Feb 15 from 6:15pm - 7:15pm at the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre Gymnasium. $25.00 registration fee, includes four sessions featuring Ridge Meadows Burrards coaches, a t-shirt, and sticks provided. Each child’s name will be entered for a chance to win a free lacrosse stick. There will be a draw at each session. All necessary equipment will be supplied; however, your child must come with running shoes, comfortable clothing, and a protective helmet (hockey-type helmet is ideal, bike helmets are fine).
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A6
Opinion
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Christmas story
Ring those bells
A week into the new year, it’s heartwarming to see the Christmas bells still up in downtown Maple Ridge. The bells, up every year since 1966, are said to contain an Anne Murray feeling of Christmases past. It does tie together the downtown area, despite the vast undeveloped spaces. The bells were even put up in July for a movie production. Just before Christmas, Fred Armstrong, now part of the dark side, in charge of the city’s propaganda (public relations), spun a great story of how the city discovered the original moulds for the bells. Fred and his friends at City Hall have apparently offered other communities the right to use the moulds. The spin goes on to “ensure the decorations are only seen in Maple Ridge. No other community within 200 kilometres can use them.” The business brain trust of the city went on to say, “Any other community wanting to use them will have to pay a royalty to our city.” Remember, this business brain trust is in charge of our tax dollars. As Paul Harvey would say, “Here’s the rest of the story.” In 1966 Roe Vino and Owen Fuller bought the original set of bells from a wholesaler in Calgary. They brought the bells, the garland, and the lights back home, but didn’t buy the iron frames because they were too heavy. Roe, supported by Owen (Fuller & Watson) recruited Dick Dewhurst and Art Emmery (E&D Sports Shop) and Graham Mowett (Esquire Men’s Wear) to contribute to the purchase of the original bells and collectively convinced the blacksmith of 224th Street to make the iron frames. They also convinced the city to commit to store them, look after them, and erect them every year.
Just Saying by Gordy Robson
No, Fred, there was no BIA (Business Improvement Area). Apparently, in the ’90s – my guess is through breakage – the city needed replacement bells and quietly had moulds made of a set of the original bells. They then reproduced them, replaced a number of bells and nobody noticed. From Mr. Armstrong’s comments, one has to assume the city then lost the moulds they had made. Then 20 years later, they found what they had lost. Fred, with the approval of the rest of his team, loved the public relations story about finding the “original” moulds. Being “true businessmen,” they sent the moulds to a plastic company to make more bells. One cannot help but wonder if the moulds they made in the ’90s picked up a patent number on the copied bells. It is a cute story. The terrifying part is, this same brain trust has now entered into secret negotiations with representatives from Wal-Mart to exchange property in the Albion flats. I wonder what our award-winning CFO Mr. Gill has to say about the City’s entrepreneurial entry into the retail bell market, and how does he feel about the business brain trust disposing of property without a public process. Just saying… Gordy Robson’s column appears Tuesdays in the print and/or online versions of The TIMES. Reactions can be emailed c/o editorial@mrtimes.com.
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Students at St. Patrick’s School collected 60 shoeboxes full of hygiene items, school supplies, toys, and candy for Operation Christmas Child. This is a project developed by the Christian-based Samaritan’s Purse, that provides for people in underdeveloped countries. OCC has collected and distributed more than 100 million shoebox gifts worldwide, 662,000 of those collected in Canada in 2012 alone.
Deddy Gee se of Hagen ’s Travel, G Sewing and reg Sheppar Sound, Map d, a sales co Boekhorst, le Ridge Do nsultant wit and Bruce w n h Haney to wn Busines Fu ller of Fulle for the Win s Associatio r Watson d Your Wish n’s Ineke re w th C h e winning n ri locally and ames Friday drop their re stmas contest. People were encou ceipts in to raged to sh ballot boxe four $2,000 op s ar packages o ound town • Story and ffered by th to win one more photo e of ab o ve mentioned s online at sponsors. www.mrtim es.com, sear ch “Deddy”
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Rick Moyer/TIMES
-old son Damon a e her two-and-a-half-year Deanna Deane-Freeman gav ned to piano man d-a-half-year-old Tyson liste hug, while they and four-an s store at 203rd ood n-F in front of the Save-O Matt Laity. Laity was set up volunteers y Arm ion vat Sal ng with other Street on Christmas Eve, alo ney in the kettles. singing and collecting mo
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MES
January 7: Tech help
• Bring in cellphones, cameras, eReaders, laptops, etc. to the Maple Ridge Library, 11995 Haney Pl., and let the library’s student council explain how they work. It Won’t Byte takes place at 7 p.m. Info and to register: 604-467-7417.
January 7: Poetry
• Holy Wow Poets hold their Happy New Year recital at 7 p.m. at The ACT, 11944 Haney Pl., Maple Ridge. The bar concession will be open.
January 7: Prostate support
• Coquitlam prostate cancer support and awareness group invites Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows residents to its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. in the Coquitlam Pinetree Community Centre, 1260 Pinetree Way. Anyone with prostate problems is encouraged to come and share their concerns. Info: Norm at 604-936-8703 or Ken at 604-936-2998.
January 8: Square dancing
• Town ‘n’ Country Swingers are holding modern square dance classes for seven weeks, starting Jan. 8. Register: Gloria at 604-467-0951.
January 9: Seniors
View more photos with or online
www.mrtimes.com
Daniel Nou, 12, won a Chr istmas colouring contest co-sponsored by the City of Pitt Meadows and the Pitt Me adows Community Foundation. He couldn’t be Canadian author Eric Wilson visited St. Patrick’s School there to receive his accolades himself, but his recently, speaking to a Grade 4 class. The best-selling mystery mother Josephine Nou and her niece Meia Nou writer talked to the students about his books, showed photos, , three, accepted for him, receiving comme and captured their imaginations describing all the places he ndations from foundation president Michae travelled when writing his stories. l Hayes (left), Pitt Meadows Mayor Deb Walters (white jacket), and TIMES publisher Spencer Levan. During the same Do you have a local photo of someone or some place you’d like to share with the rest of Maple Ridge and Pitt event, the girl guides wer e Meadows? Email it to us as a high-resolution .JPEG to editorial@mrtimes.com. Please include a brief description pro claimed winners of the – including everyone’s first and last name. Put “faces & places” in the subject line of your email. tree decorating contest.
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• A Seniors Helping Seniors meeting takes place at 9:30 a.m. at the Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre, 12150 224th St., Maple Ridge.
January 10: Elvis tribute show
• Randy Elvis Friskie and his Las Vegas Show Band present memorable music from Elvis movies. Relive the 50s, 60s and 70s movie scenes and songs from Blue Hawaii to Viva Las Vegas. The show is at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available from The ACT ticket centre in person, by calling 604-476-2787, or at www.theactmapleridge.org.
January 11 & 12: Chipping
• Ridge Meadows Search & Rescue team members will chip Christmas trees by donation at their facility, 23598 105th Ave., Maple Ridge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Money raised goes to the search and rescue team.
• Full list: www.mrtimes.com
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Tuesday, January 7 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
In memoriam
Maple Ridge
JANITORIAL FRANCHISE BE YOUR OWN BOSS!!!
Ridge eyes city designation Doctor remembered “City” approval could be sought through an alternative process. by Maria Rantanen mrantanen@mrtimes.com
Perception is the main reason Maple Ridge is considering changing from a “district” to a “city,” something municipal staff is telling council will be less confusing for investors and outside companies. Maple Ridge council was scheduled
to discuss the process and reasons for becoming a city at Monday’s workshop meeting, which was the first meeting of 2014, the year the District turns 140. The process would take six to nine months to run its course. An “alternate approval process” could be used to get public approval. Through this process, if more than 10 per cent of electors asked for an “assent process,” that is, a general vote on a voting day, then the latter would be held. The estimated cost for a vote is $75,000 whereas the alternate approval process would only cost $1,500.
Goodbye 2013
Arsonists suspected in fires There was a series of suspicious fires in Maple Ridge this past year. by Eric Zimmer
Goodbye 2013…
ezimmer@mrtimes.com
Maple Ridge suffered a number of suspicious fires this year, including the most recent one on New Year’s Eve. But Maple Ridge fire chief Dane Spence doesn’t believe 2013 was an exceptional year for fires in Maple Ridge. “This has happened before and it’s not uncommon for these things to happen in spurts,” he said. However, Spence stressed he’s not trying to “downplay it.” The District’s fire battles began in April when in one night, firefighters were called to three separate blazes.
In June there was a fire in an unoccupied building in Hammond, but it was extinguished by the building’s sprinkler systems. The fire department didn’t need to respond to the fire, but concluded it was a case of arson as well. In late July, a downtown Maple Ridge house in the 21000 block of Dunbar Street was fully destroyed by fire in the early morning hours. On Nov. 13, firefighters responded to three calls. In one case, a family lost everything but got out safely as fire consumed their rental home at 223rd Street and 119th Avenue. The same house burned again on New Year’s Eve. Fire and police officials continue investigating. • More online at www.mrtimes.com
A Maple Ridge family doctor passed away this weekend. by Maria Rantanen
mrantanen@mrtimes.com
Doctor and well-known local volunteer and Rotarian, Marco Terwiel, who was a family physician in Maple Ridge from 1968 to 1999, passed away this Saturday. Terwiel was born in Utrecht, Netherlands, on Jan. 11, 1937. He graduated in 1961 from the University of Utrecht with a medical degree. Terwiel moved to the United States in the early 1960s, and after practicing medicine for about five years in Washington State, he moved to Maple Ridge in 1968. In addition to being a family doctor, Terwiel served as the medical director of Ridge Meadows Hospital from 1994 to 1995. He was also a member of the board of directors of the BC College of Family Physicians from 1988 to 1992 and the national commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade from 1998 to 2001.
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In 1996, he was made a Knight of Justice in the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. Terwiel’s volunteer work extended to Rotary, and he was a founding member of the Meadow Ridge Rotary Club. For his work, he received the Paul Harris Fellow in 1995 and was named Rotarian of the Year in 1997 and 2007/08.
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Sports
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Recreation
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Reach The TIMES' sports desk: Phone: 604-463-2281 or email: sports@mrtimes.com
Charity event
Fun Run gives active start to new year An informal charity run and walk at Osprey Village got participants off on the right foot for 2014. by Eric Zimmer editorial@mrtimes.com
While much of Pitt Meadows Eric Zimmer/TIMES was sleeping or quietly recoverElise Muller, (in the white hoodie) Lorie and ing on the morning of New Eric’s daughter, helped with registration Year’s Day, outside of the during the New Year’s Day fun run in Pitt Stomping Grounds coffee shop in Pitt Meadows’ Osprey Village, Meadows. it was a very different story. time participants this year. For the fifth year in a row, “We weren’t out late last The Generation Charity Family night,” said Doylend. Fun Run, organThe crowd started ized by Eric and slowly building in size Lorie Muller took “We weren’t out and just after 10 a.m., place. late last night.” Eric Muller addressed People began Crystal Doylend the crowd, thanked showing up to them for coming, and register for the the run began. informal event at Participants had the option of 9:30 a.m. running either two, five or ten Crystal Doylend and her kids, kilometres. Isabelle and Liam, were first-
Eric Zimmer/TIMES
An estimated 140 people – of all ages and abilities – took part in the run this year. The Mullers said this year saw 140 people participate in the run, and $1,000 was raised for Athletes in Kind (AIK), a local charity initiated by Lorie. Since 2005, AIK has raised
more than $170,000 in support the BC Childhood Cancer Parents Association at BC Children’s Hospital. Eric said he thought the weather, which was overcast but
Eric Zimmer/TIMES
Lorie and Eric Muller spoke to the crowd just before the run began. dry, with morning sun on the horizon, really helped in encouraging people to come out and participate in the event as well.
Junior B hockey
Flames off to lukewarm start to their new year Ridge Meadows sandwiched a win between two losses to kick off 2014. by Troy Landreville
tlandreville@mrtimes.com
After finishing 2013 with a flourish, the Ridge Meadows Flames have experienced a so-so-start to the new year. Ridge Meadows went unbeaten in December and was 7-0-1 going into their New Year’s Day match-up with the host Aldergrove Kodiaks. You’d have to go way back to Nov. 23 to find the last time the Flames suffered a regulation loss. That’s when they fell 8-6 to Abbotsford. But in their first three games of 2014, the Flames have posted a win and two losses, sandwiching a 5-3 victory over the Mission City Outlaws on Friday with setbacks to the Aldergrove Kodiaks (3-1) and Abbotsford Pilots (5-4). These results even the Flames’ record at 14-14-2-3 as they remain cemented in third place in the PJHL’s five-team Harold Brittain Conference, 14 points ahead of the fourth-place Outlaws (7-20-2-3) and nine back of the second-place Abbotsford Pilots (19-9-2-2).
The Kodiaks lead the conference with a The Pilots outshot the Flames 45-27 PJHL-best record of 24-5-2-1. through three periods. Abbotsford Pilots 5, Flames 4 Flames 5, Mission City Outlaws 3 The Pilots scored the final two goals of The Flames notched their first win of the night to edge the Flames Saturday at 2014, beating visiting Mission City by a Abbotsford’s MSA Arena. two-goal margin Friday at Planet Ice. Ridge Meadows moved ahead 4-3 on Ridge Meadows led 2-0 after the first Jake Holland’s second of the game and period on a pair of powerplay goals from 10th of the season, scored 1:09 into the Travis Oddy and jumped ahead 3-0 on third period. Nicholas Maydaniuk’s even But the Pilots tied the strength marker 9:15 into the Ridge Meadows game when Braeden middle frame. Monk found the net at That’s when things Flames home game the 13:40 mark of the unravelled for the Flames, Who: Flames vs. Richmond final frame, and then who saw their three-goal lead Sockeyes took the lead for good slip through their fingers. Where: Planet Ice Maple on Clayton Lake’s game The Outlaws scored goals Ridge winner 1:43 after Monk’s 2:42 apart by Dylan Kooner, When: Friday, Jan. 10. tally. the first coming at the 15:19 Game time is 7:30 p.m. The Flames got off to a mark of the period, the secTickets: At the door scorching start with goals ond on a powerplay at 18:01. from Holland and Ryan Mission City’s Nolan Scott, scored in rapid Riebalkin made it 3-3 when succession early in the first period. he scored, assisted by Kooner, with 4:15 The Pilots rallied to tie the game on to play in regulation time. markers 2:01 apart from Brady Lawlor (on But the Flames weren’t going to let this a powerplay) and Eric Wieking. one get away from them. In the second period, the Pilots took a Just 42 seconds after Riebalkin tied the 3-2 lead as Ryan Parmer scored 1:03 after game, Scott scored what turned out to be the puck was dropped to open the frame. the game winner. The Flames’ Dale Howell tied the score Oddy completed his hat trick with a at 3-3 with an unassisted goal 4:53 into powerplay goal, scored into the empty net, the middle period. with nine seconds to go in regulation.
Aldergrove Kodiaks 3, Flames 1 On New Year’s Day at Aldergrove Arena, the top team in the Pacific Junior Hockey League extinguished the Ridge Meadows Flames’ six-game win streak. The Aldergrove Kodiaks built a 3-0 lead and went on to defeat the Flames by a 3-1 count, as the Kodiaks’ improved their record to 24-4-2-1. The Flames’ Michael Bell spoiled Kodiaks goaltender Jordan Liem’s shutout bid when he scored on a Ridge Meadows powerplay with 5:57 to go in regulation time. After a scoreless opening period, the Kodiaks broke the ice with a pair of second-period goals off the sticks of PJHL scoring Stephen Ryan at the 5:11 mark and Elvis Jansons with 6:04 remaining in the frame. Ryan’s second of the night gave the Kodiaks a three-goal cushion at the 3:08 mark of the third period. ICE CHIPS: The Flames’ next contest is this Friday, Jan. 10 when they host the Richmond Sockeyes at Planet Ice. The Sockeyes (21-4-3-2) sit second in the Tom Shaw Conference, a point back of the 23-9-1-1 North Vancouver Wolf Pack. On Saturday, they visit Port Moody Arena to play the Panthers, with an opening puck drop of 7:45 p.m.
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Tuesday, January 7 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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