Tuesday, T uesday, March Marc 11, 2014
Maple Ridge goalie Jeff Smith enjoys a phenomenal rookie year playing in Powell River…
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Page A13 • LOCAL NEWS • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 16 PAGES
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Super Beetle owner leads Cruise convoy
Travis Bowering is inviting drivers, whether they’re behind the wheel of a muscle car or a mini van, to join him for Cruise for Your Cause. by Troy Landreville tlandreville@mrtimes.com
Troy Landreville/TIMES
Cruise for Your Cause organizer Travis Bowering held his four-year-old daughter Sophie as he leaned against his 1972 VW Super Beetle. On April 26, the Super Beetle will be a part of a convoy of cars that will traverse through the Lower Mainland to raise funds for a variety of causes.
For Travis Bowering, the memory of his dad, Larry, resonates more strongly than ever. Each spring, the Pitt Meadows resident and owner of a 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle pays tribute to his father through Cruise for Your Cause, a memorial car cruise along Lower Mainland roadways. “It’s for me to remember my dad, and my family comes out from Alberta, and they all do the drive, as well,” Bowering said. “It also gives everyone else an opportunity to come out and almost do the same thing, in a sense.”
continued on page A9…
Court appeal
Appeal date set in 2010 dangerous driving case After a long wait, two Pitt Meadows families will wait longer for their day in court. by Eric Zimmer ezimmer@mrtimes.com
Two Pitt Meadows families have learned when they will get their chance to appeal a judge’s decision surrounding the death of their children, four frustrating, painful years after the fact. “The appeal date is October
16,” said Debbie Dyer. It was Oct. 19, 2010, when Debbie’s daughter Beckie and her boyfriend Johnny De Oliveira, driving down the Lougheed Highway, were killed when Andelina Kristina Hecimovic’s car hit them. Police said the couple were killed on impact; Hecimovic was injured but survived. Things got worse for the families when Hecimovic was acquitted on two counts of dangerous driving causing death. Since then, the Dyers, De
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Oliveiras, and a group of friends have been fighting the decision. They were met with some success in October 2013, when B.C.’s Criminal Justice branch announced it would appeal the judge’s decision. “It’s frustrating because now, by the time the appeal is even heard, it will have been four years since the accident,” Dyer said. “Who knows how long that decision will take.” Dyer recognizes the possibility that the original decision could stand: “but hopefully not.” Online, all the time...
www.mrtimes.com
“People lost their lives and she [Hecimovic] walked out scot-free with no fine, no nothing.” Dyer said such extensive delays need to be looked at by the criminal justice system. She added the whole process has been aggravating: “There’s no stepping forward until you get this heard all over again, and it’s heartbreaking every time.” The process won’t bring Beckie and Johnny back, but Dyer said that if the families of can “un-set the precedent” set in the Hecimovic decision, “maybe
we can save somebody else’s life, and people will understand it’s not okay to go out and do things like this.” Audrey De Oliveira, Johnny’s mother, said, “There have always been accidents and people killing and dying, but this has to stop.” She said they hope that they can help other families through similar circumstances. “We’re not going away,” she added. “This is going to be with us forever.”
• More at www.mrtimes.com
Injured? Apply a legal remedy. www.beckerlawyers.ca
Wishing a Merry Christmas & Happy Centennial H you appy C entennial
604-465-9993 pittmeadows.bc.ca facebook.com/pittmeadows @citypittmeadows
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Tuesday, March 11 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
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A3
Connecting Businesses With The
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Fundraiser
South Asians help local groups
Alouette Addictions and the hospital foundation will benefit from a recent fundraiser in Maple Ridge.
Verdict appealed A murdered woman’s family is still waiting for closure, 12 years after her body was found dumped in Stave Falls stuffed in a suitcase. Amanda Zhoa lived in Burnaby and disappeared in October, 2002. Her boyfriend, Ang Li, and his cousin were charged in relation to the murder but they had left the country. Li was found guilty in a Chinese court, but is appealing the verdict. • More at www.mrtimes.com
At least 60 people attended a vigil for Wes Foulds at the Hayward Lake Saturday.
Crowd remembers Wes Foulds’ family was “amazed” to see how many people braved the winter weather this weekend to help remember a man who disappeared five years ago. At least 60 people gathered at the Hayward Lake picnic area Saturday night for a candlelight vigil in Foulds’ honour. The family continues to try to figure out what happened to Foulds, who disappeared on March 4, 2009. • More at www.mrtimes.com
Club showcases rocks The Maple Ridge Lapidary Club has been holding rock and gem shows since the 1950s – and recently held one at the Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall. • More at www.mrtimes.com
by Maria Rantanen
mrantanen@mrtimes.com
Food, wine, and meeting old friends – these were the highlights of the South Asian gala last week for Ed Gurm. The Maple Ridge man who was in charge of the entertainment lineup at the Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society’s annual gala – held at the seniors centre on March 1 – was very happy with the turnout and the evening’s events. “It was fantastic,” he said. “It is getting better and better every year.” The gala has been held for seven years, and this year it raised about $10,000, which this will go to two local nonprofit agencies: Alouette Addictions Services and the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation. The South Asian society likes to support various charities that might not get enough funding, which is why the fundraiser is organized every year, Gurm explained. They want to help people get “back on track” and “on their feet,” he said, which is why Alouette Addictions was chosen as one of the beneficiaries. “[Helping agencies] makes our society better,” he added. “If we can help one addicted person... that’s what our motive is.” About 250 people were at the gala, and Gurm said he saw familiar faces as well as new ones. Gurm, who belongs to the South Asian cultural society, said he met someone he hadn’t seen in a couple decades at the gala. “It was kind of nice getting to see people and how well they are doing,” he said. The society tries to keep the tickets, which sell for $95, affordable for everyone, Gurm said, and this is due in part to the sponsors they get for the gala. Gurm said he wanted to express a “special thanks” to the sponsors of the event.
View more photos with or online
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Shannon Balla/TIMES
The Ridge Meadows South Asian Society held a gala at the seniors centre, to raise money for non-profit agencies. Children also took part in the entertainment.
Labour relations
‘Strong strike mandate’ from teachers
On Cooking by Chef Dez
Chef Dez is a food columnist and culinary instructor in the Fraser Valley. Visit him at www.chefdez.com. Send questions to dez@chefdez.com or to P.O. Box 2674, Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 6R4
Zest adds to cooking Lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange zest can add flavour to cooking and can also be used as garnishes, explains Chef Dez in his latest column. And he also explains why having the right tool to peel citrus fruits is also an important part of the cooking process. • More at www.mrtimes.com
Teachers have been without a contract since last June.
“I think 89 per cent indicates a pretty strong strike mandate,” Serra said. The teachers have 90 days to issue a 72hour-strike notice. by Maria Rantanen Teachers have been mrantanen@mrtimes.com without a contract since their two-year Teachers across B.C. contract ended in voted 89 per cent in June. George Serra favour of taking strike Teachers want MRTA president action and Maple Ridge to focus on teachTeachers’ Association ing, Serra said, and president George Serra said that whether they decide to actually is close to what the local result take job action – which has was as well. to be approved by the Labour The vote took place last week Relations Board first – is from Tuesday to Thursday, and “dependent on progress at the the results were released on bargaining table.” Thursday evening. If they do go on strike, the first
phase wouldn’t affect teaching, Serra said, rather it would most likely be a refusal to do supervision and to meet with administration. The second phase might be rotating strikes, for example, district by district, Serra continued. Education minister Peter Fassbender said he respects the process of collective bargaining, where “both employers and unions have tools available to increase pressure at the bargaining table.” “A strike vote does create additional uncertainty for students, parents, support workers, and teachers,” he added. “That’s precisely why we need long-term stability in our schools and why we need to pursue a long-term
agreement at the bargaining table.” Fassbender said the employers’ bargaining team tabled a 6.5-percent wage increase in the first six years, and that class size and composition are on the bargaining table. “We will continue to seek a long-term agreement that’s fair for teachers, affordable for taxpayers, and that puts the interests of students first,” he said. But Serra said the union would like a discussion that compares teachers’ salaries across the country, adding that B.C. teachers are paid less than their counterparts across Canada. “We’re looking for acknowledgement on how far we’ve fallen behind,” he said.
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Tuesday, March 11 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Police files
Senior struck by car A women was injured in downtown Maple Ridge on Saturday evening.
Maria Rantanen/TIMES
A house in Haney was deceptively quiet at the front while police arrested suspects in the back after executing a search warrant.
A 78-year-old female pedestrian was seriously injured after she was struck by a car on Saturday evening in Maple Ridge. Ridge Meadows RCMP were called to the area of Dewdney Trunk Road at Garden Street at about 7 p.m. The pedestrian suffered leg and head injuries and was transported by ambulance to hospital. The pedestrian is listed as being in serious but stable condition. “We have spoken to witnesses, and [are] investigating whether or not the pedestrian was using a crosswalk at the time,” said Ridge Meadows RCMP Const. Mike Moore. “The driver of the car suf-
fered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.” The road was closed in both directions from 224th to 222nd street until 10:30 p.m. as traffic service RCMP investigated, Moore explained Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Const. Bruce Trotzuk at 604-467-7664. The investigation into the crash is continuing.
House raided
Ridge Meadows RCMP raided a house at St. Anne Avenue and 223rd Street on Wednesday around 2 p.m. and arrested five people after getting a search warrant based on the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Three people were released without charges and two remain under investigation.
• More online at www.mrtimes.com
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
A5
Business organization
Chamber director steps down by Roxanne Hooper rhooper@mrtimes.com
Jesse Sidhu has left his position as the executive director of the chamber. Sidhu, who was at the Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce for the past few years, has tendered his resignation, confirmed president Terry Becker.
He informed the board of directors he’s leaving “effective immediately” but will remain involved in an advisory role until the end of the month. “My mission was to revive the chamber of commerce and transform it back into a well-respected business organization,” Sidhu said.
• More online at www.mrtimes.com
View more photos with
Maria Rantanen/TIMES
Rainbow magic at Glenwood
Glenwood Elementary kindergarten students Beau VanWelzen, Eva Trenkova, Regan Hamilton, and Brandon Martinez, were showing off the WITS rainbow that was made from hearts by the schools students. The hearts include messages on how students use their WITS strategies – walk away, ignore, talk it out, and seek help – when dealing with conflict.
or online
www.mrtimes.com
C y
The ACT
Kanaka choir joins Penner An elementary school group will perform with a renowned singer.
“[The album] speaks to children about what’s happening in the world and the importance of positive messages,” he said. The title track of the album called Where in the World is based on Penner’s by Cindy St. Laurent trip to Zambia with World Vision many editorial@mrtimes.com years ago, which emphasized to him the importance of helping children get a Parents can teach children what’s hapsense of their own idenpening in the world by tity. attending Fred Penner’s “It’s trying to bring in concert at The ACT in the audience to a perMaple Ridge on Thursday, spective of who they are, March 13. where they are, and what Penner has been a poputhey are doing in the lar children’s entertainer world,” he said. since his career took off Before creating music in the 1980s, and he has Penner worked with performed at The ACT troubled youth, which promultiple times. vided him with an underTeacher Dawn Flanagan standing of the trauma of has been coaching Kanaka child abuse and the ability Elementary students to of music to heal. perform with Penner. “The songs that I tend to Penner has created Fred Penner performs at The ACT write now and for most of 12 children’s albums, on Thursday. my creative career, have composed the music for tried to touch on very APTN/YTV’s Tipi Tales personal aspects of development,” said and starred in his own CBC show for 13 Penner. years called Fred Penner’s Place. The performance on March 13 at The Penner will be performing his first new ACT is at 7 p.m. For tickets, go to www. family album in over a decade called theactmapleridge.org. Where in the World, which is being • More online at www.mrtimes.com, search “Penner” released by Tru North Records.
Come Celebrate
Put on your green and join us!
Saturday, March 15th 2PM-4:30PM
at Westgate tgate Flower Garden
Hot colate Cho andade Irishved. em ser Hom will be es Scon
Entertainment Provided ided B By: Sionnaine Irish Dance Academy S Special appearance for the Kids S and young at heart Donaations will go to
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604.460.7230
WATER MAIN FLUSHING
The City of Pitt Meadows Public Works Department will be flushing water mains throughout the municipality for approximately twelve weeks beginning March 3, 2014. During this time there may be a temporary drop in water pressure or a noticeable discolouration in tap water. To correct problems with milky water, open the cold tap slightly to bleed air from the water lines. If you experience problems with dirty water, turn on an outside tap and let it run until the water clears. The City thanks residents for their patience during this routine maintenance of the water mains. If there are any questions or concerns please call 604-465-2434. Public Works Department 11333 Harris Road Pitt Meadows, BC, V3Y 2M5
A6
Tuesday, March 11, 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.
Shannon Balla
sballa@mrtimes.com Publisher
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
Contact us Visit our Website
www.mrtimes.com Email us
editorial@mrtimes.com
Write us a letter
#2 - 22345 North Avenue Maple Ridge, B.C., V2X 0R7 Switchboard Classified Delivery Fax
604-463-2281 604-463-7283 604-463-2281 604-463-9943
Our office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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
Government’s recycling policy biggest threat to B.C. newspapers British Columbians have every right to be proud of our world-leading recycling program, built right here in this province. The achievement of the mighty Blue Box is the product of an efficient partnership between municipal governments, the private sector, and the people of British Columbia. It gets the job done, and at an average cost of $35 per household each year, it gets the job done at a good price. So, if the system for recycling waste Peter Kvarnstrom packaging is workCNA Chair ing so well, why is the province so keen to “fix it” and hand it over to the very multi-national corporations who shipped us all that packaging in the first place? It sounds remarkable, but that is exactly what the provincial government is doing. On May 19, the government’s new multi-material recycling regulation will formally end the days of local decision-making over our Blue Box programs, and hand it to some of the largest producers of plastic and paper packaging the world has ever known. Critical decisions about the province’s recycling program will no longer be made by elected representatives who live in the communities those programs serve, but instead by a group made up almost entirely of Toronto-based executives of multinational companies who will decide who will pay how much for the privilege of collecting and processing your recyclables. What is going on here?
continued on page A8…
This Week’s Question How about them Canucks, eh? ■ Your View Last week’s question, results… Should businesses be required to shovel snow off the walks in front of their premises?
Businesses, homes, everybody!
65 %
Smart businesses would anyway.
15 %
Only during business hours.
8%
Not if they don’t mind getting sued.
2%
Taxes should cover that work.
9%
Vote online at: www.mrtimes.com
Opinion
All the burdens that we bore I was at my Facebook browsWe don’t stem them, barely ing, I was Twittering and groushem them or condemn them and ing their phlegm that O’er the dearth of homeless They cast in our direction housing and the burden that they where our fading insurrection bore, they ignore. When amidst my wild We’re the masses that are hudcantank’ring I befelt a deepfelt dled, so easily befuddled that the hank’ring, politicians play us A stirring sort of hank’ring for For the simple fools we are and old Edgar Allen’s lore. nothing more. It was from this dark depresBetween us and the homeless by Bob Groeneveld sion that a maundering regression lies a chasm of statistics, a dull Stirred within me an accession grey line betwixt us, to reread him, nothing more. A fading line betwixt us, very nearly naught But as I read those words of Poe’s, words of betwixt us, from our leaders it’s eloquence and prose, Just one step to the homeless and the burdens Becoming buried in the woes of the Raven’s that they bore. “nevermore,” I cannot help my wondering if Poe’s Lenore I befelt a gladness slowing and a madness, sad- was wandering ness growing; Among the homeless, wandering with the In my soul it was bestowing dark’ning homeless and the burdens that they bore thoughts of his Lenore And was she ever wondering a soul-decaying And society’s loud grousing, seldom doing, wondering always grousing Like Edgar Allen’s maundering that burned O’er the dearth of homeless housing and the within his core? burden that they bore. Are we destined thus to wonder, destined thus Now these words, they come betwixt us, twixt to wander with our souls the arrogance that picked us, Into the shadows of the homeless, of the sadly Fixed us, never kicked us to the dark side of hardened homeless and the burdens that they life’s war, bore? Never stole our soul from in us, not with drugs We can always build them shelters, temporary nor mental illness, beds and shelters, To where the dark would ever lure us and a Places we perceive as shelters, but they’re for dark mayor could manure us, our own protection, nothing more. Claiming such an act might cure us and the And some among us, caring, sharing, building burden that we bore. bridges more than shelters, Now despite the condemnation, the contaminWin our plaudits, though it’s odd it’s through ant relation our audits Of the fecal trepidation strips our souls down That we limit what they do and what it’s for. to the core. It’s a signal from the leaders we choose, cheatShould you wonder how God sees us, just ers, bottom feeders, recall the words of Jesus, That we’re bleeders, moaning bleaters, empty Through our faults it’s that they seize us: pleaders, nothing more. “They’ll be with us evermore.”
Odd Thoughts
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
editorial@mrtimes.com
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
A7
Heather Hills Golf Course
Mayor has other side of story
been engaged in a legal about requiring the Heather action against Gordon and Hills Golf Course to comply Mary Robson over the operwith the same laws and ation of a public, requirements as any commercial golf other public, comLetters course that is located mercial golf course to on property that is in the District that the not legally zoned is zoned properly for that use. It’s that and is abiding by the simple. District bylaws. Editor The legal action Gordon and Mary initiated by the Robson have always District is about fairness to had the option available to other landowners. This is them to apply to the District for a zoning change and go through due public process Heather Hills and consideration by council to make their golf course compliant with the zoning bylaws, and they have Dear Editor, chosen not to do so. It is with great sadness that I learned about the passing The Agricultural Land of a pillar in our community. I am not referring to a person, Commission sent corresbut the Heather Hills Golf Course [Heather Hills Farm has pondence to Mr. Robson’s fallen, March 4 Just Saying, TIMES]. legal counsel on Jan. 30, The Robson family spent untold hours and funds to cre2013, relating to the placeate an oasis in our small area of the province, only to see ment of sand on the propit fall to bureaucratic stupidity. Surely the taxpayer-funded erty, and the property’s authorities who make the decisions have better things to do status as a golf course. than to shut down a community resource such as this. I provide the following I thought we were wanting to encourage recreation and quote from that letter: exercise for our society, not limit it. “Although the Commission Dean Cousins, Maple Ridge did provide authorization for [Note: Find more letters on this topic online at www. the importation of sand, this mrtimes.com. Click on Opinion/Letters.] was under the advisement, by your client, that the sand would be used to improve What you’re telling us on Facebook the hazelnut orchard. No approval, tacit or otherwise, TIMES columnist Gordy Robson announced has been provided for the in the pages of this paper last week that he’s golf course, and it remains a walking away from a battle with the municinon-farm use.” pality over the operation of Heather Hills golf The District has issued course. He’s closed the golf course and announced he’s a business licence to the selling the farm. Since then, Mayor Ernie Daykin has replied. Now readers are chiming in, too. Heather Hills Farm Society Inc. for the last several “So sad. Great spot to golf and enjoy times with friends.” years for the selling of hea– Christina Norrie ther and hazelnuts to tourists. “Change is sometimes needed for a community to grow and Mr. Robson was the prosper.” – Brenda Garcia mayor of this community “Two set of rule[s] in hall; unfair is way this city works for for three years and should $$$$.” – Binder Khunhun know the rules and the process to apply for the appro“So unfortunate for the Robson family. Hope you sell your priate zoning on the Heather home quickly and rebuild a positive future from all this Hills Golf Course lands. unfairness.” – Jennifer Howe The Robsons have now “I don’t think [Ernie Daykin’s] letter proves anything other indicated that they will stop than council seems to have an influence on zoning when it using their land as a public suits them.” golf course. It is unfortu– Melanie Williams nate that the District had to “The mayor needs to leave office and open up a Windsor resort to legal proceedings Plywood store where he could serve the people better, to obtain compliance with cause he ain’t doing it now.” – Larry Bremner its bylaws. Yes, enough is enough, “Good thing the corn maze is in Pitt Meadows!” and the Mayor and Council – William Robson have taken a stand on “In my opinion, the Robsons pulled the plug on the whole Gordon and Mary Robson thing and are now preparing to sell off [their] holdings in staying within the legal Webster’s Corners. So, where is the Gordy versus Ernie requirements that pertain issue. Go home Ernie, it is over.” – Nel Joostema to all property owners in Maple Ridge. Share your views. Like us on Facebook at: Mayor Ernie Daykin, www.facebook.com/MapleRidgePittMeadowsTimes Maple Ridge Dear Editor, Mr. Gordon Robson wrote a column [Heather Hills Farm has fallen, March 4 Just Saying, TIMES] regarding the Heather Hills Golf Course. He has used his column to present his side of the story. I would like to outline the facts with respect to this issue. Over the past year, the District of Maple Ridge has
Community resource closed
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Dear Editor, It boggles the mind that the federal government
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Money
Rich and poor good and bad
Dear Editor, There is a problem when one cannot acknowledge the good that people do, just because they are wealthy. Is it a crime to be successful? Both wealthy and poor include greedy and dishonourable. Both include generous and kind. It serves no purpose to divide people. Cherryl Katnich, Maple Ridge
B.C.’s share of the New Prosperity mine’s revenue would have been in the billions, not to mention all of the spinoff economic activity and jobs that would have also resulted. Rejecting the project makes no sense. Sandra Robinson, 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.]
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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Includes Variable Throwback Pricing Incentive. $121 bi-weekly payments include $1,120 Throwback Pricing Incentive. Payments are based on 2014 Sorento 2.4 LX AT FWD (SR75BE), 60-month financing amortized over 84 months. After 15 months, bi-weekly payments increase to $156. Principal balance of $8,138 due after 60 months. Throwback Pricing Incentive may be taken as a lump sum or to reduce financed amount. ≠ Offer(s) available on select new 2013/2014 models through participating dealers to qualified customers who take delivery by March 31, 2014. Dealers may sell or lease for less. Some conditions apply. See dealer for complete details. All offers are subject to change without notice. Vehicles shown may include optional accessories and upgrades available at extra cost. All pricing includes delivery and destination fees up to $1,665, other fees and certain levies (including tire levies) and $100 A/C charge (where applicable) and excludes licensing, registration, insurance, other taxes and variable dealer administration fees (up to $699). Other dealer charges may be required at the time of purchase. Other lease and financing options also available. **Offer available on the retail purchase/lease of any 2014 Rondo model from participating retailers between March 1–31, 2014, upon proof of current ownership/lease of a competitive cross-over vehicle. Competitive models include specific VW, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai, Honda, GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicles. Some conditions apply, ask your retailer or go to kia.ca for complete details. +Offer available on the retail purchase/lease of 2013/2014 Sportage and 2014 Sorento AWD models from participating retailers between March 1–31, 2014. $750 Credit will be deducted from the negotiated purchase/lease price before taxes. See your retailer for complete details. ∞Cash purchase price for the new 2014 Rondo LX MT (RN551E) is $18,582 and includes a cash savings of $5,000 (which is deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes and cannot be combined with special lease and finance offers). Retailer may sell for less. ≠Throwback Pricing available O.A.C. on financing offers on new 2013/2014 models. Financing for 84 months example: 2014 Sportage LX MT FWD (SP551E) with a purchase price of $24,782 (including $1,665 freight/PDI) financed at 1.49% for 84-month period with $0 down payment equals 32 reduced bi-weekly payments of $96 followed by 150 bi-weekly payments of $143. Cost of borrowing is $1,321.94 and total obligation is $26,104. Throwback Pricing Incentive varies by model and trim level and may be taken as a lump sum or to reduce the financed amount. The Throwback Pricing Incentive for the 2014 Sportage LX MT FWD (SP551E) shown is $1,504 (a $47 reduction in 32 bi-weekly payments). Limited time offer. See retailer for complete details. Throwback Pricing is a trademark of Kia Canada Inc. 60/84 Amortization Financing example: 2014 Sorento 2.4L LX AT FWD (SR75BE) with a purchase price of 28,482 (including $1,665 freight/PDI) financed at 0% for 60 months amortized over an 84-month period with $0 down payment equals 32 reduced bi-weekly payments of $121 followed by 98 bi-weekly payments of $156 with a principal balance of $8,138 plus applicable taxes due after 60 months. Cost of borrowing is $0 and total obligation is $28,482. Throwback Pricing incentive varies by model and trim level and may be taken as a lump sum or to reduce the financed amount. The Throwback Pricing incentive for the 2014 Sorento 2.4L LX AT FWD (SR75BE) shown is $1,120 (a $35 reduction in 32 bi-weekly payments). Limited time offer. Offer excludes applicable taxes. See retailer for complete details. 0% purchase financing is available on select new 2013/2014 Kia models O.A.C. Terms vary by model and trim, see dealer for complete details. ΔModel shown Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price for 2014 Sorento SX V6 AWD (SR75YE)/2014 Rondo EX Luxury (RN756E)/2014 Sportage SX AT Luxury AWD (SP759E) is $40,595/$32,195/$38,295. Highway/ city fuel consumption is based on the 2014 Sorento LX 2.4L GDI 4-cyl (A/T)/2014 Rondo 2.0L GDI 4-cyl (M/T)/2014 Sportage 2.4L 4-cyl (A/T). These updated estimates are based on the Government of Canada’s approved criteria and testing methods. Refer to the EnerGuide Fuel Consumption Guide. Your actual fuel consumption will vary based on driving habits and other factors. Sirius, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries. ° The Bluetooth® wordmark and logo are registered trademarks and are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Information in this advertisement is believed to be accurate at the time of printing. For more information on our 5-year warranty coverage, visit kia.ca or call us at 1-877-542-2886. Kia is a trademark of Kia Motors Corporation.
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A8
editorial@mrtimes.com
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Local control ceded to Toronto CEOs …continued from page A6
The consequence will be a dramatic increase in costs for British Columbia’s businesses, particularly the province’s newspapers. In fact, we estimate that the newspaper industry is threatened with a bill that could come to $14 million. That is a dramatic increase when you consider that newspapers aren’t required to pay product stewardship fees today, directly. Newspapers, like all businesses, pay for those services the same way all British Columbians do: through property taxes. That doesn’t mean newspapers haven’t been participating in recycling and the environment, far from it. In fact, newspapers are the original recycled product, and publishers have taken steps, such as moving to vegetablebased inks, to minimize the environmental impact of our product. Diversion rates for newsprint are a remarkable 85 per cent, already well above the government’s own target. The government’s new recycling regulation wouldn’t do a thing to improve newspapers’ already impressive recycling record. What it will do, however, is dump a massive new cost onto the back of a fragile industry still challenged to stay standing. While our readership is stronger than ever, British Columbia’s newspapers are struggling financially. Having Victoria force a $14-million tax on newspapers in the current environment looks an awful lot like someone throwing an anchor to a drowning person. Sadly, every single newspaper, from large regional dailies to the smallest community weekly, in every part of the province, will be impacted. Indeed, there is no greater threat to the vibrancy of B.C.’s newspaper industry today than the government’s new recycling policy. Think about that for a minute while enjoying your next read. It is your daily newspaper, your community weekly, that is at risk here. But the new recycling regime will not only cause a wave of dam-
age and job losses across newsrooms everywhere, it will also have an impact on many other businesses, as well as thousands of municipal jobs that will be put at risk with the loss of local decision-making for our recycling programs. And don’t believe for a minute that this will somehow help B.C. families. The reality is that these costs will be passed on to consumers, who will now pay for the cost of recycling every time they have a box of pizza delivered, pick up a carton of milk, or buy a roll of toilet paper. The government still hasn’t said what was so wrong with the current Blue Box program that they could only fix it by hurting local businesses and costing hard-working people their jobs. Yet, in spite of having no clear rationale, the province seems intent on gambling away the success of the Blue Box with an experiment in something they like to call “extended producer responsibility.” The ironic truth, of course, is that the government’s new handsoff approach actually represents an abdication of responsibility, not its extension. As a result, decisions about nearly every aspect of our recycling system will be handed over to a small group of big businesses based thousands of kilometres east of the Rockies. British Columbia’s environment minister
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
&places
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Partpriority of your Our is to find the Community for right you! overcar 40for years
faces Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
Call
A9
604.343.2036
View more photos with or online
www.mrtimes.com
Showcasing some of this community’s people and happenings
What’s On
www.mrtimes.com Post events 10 days in advance by email to:
editorial@mrtimes.com
Shannon Balla/TIMES
District of er of public works with the Frank Quinn, general manag er nag of parks and ne, Kelly Swift, general ma Maple Ridge, his wife Lyn adows RCMP, Me ge e Fleugel with the Rid leisure services, Supt. Dav ent office were pm elo dev ic nom trict’s eco and Sandy Blue with the Dis iety’s gala. ws South Asian Cultural Soc at the recent Ridge Meado
Staff and tr ustees gave a sendoff to row, third fr outgoing su om left), w perintenden ho was in th Pitt Meadow t Jan Unwin e position fo s school dis (bottom r five years tr ic t. Se Karen Yoxa n d in in the Maple g h er off were (b ll, trustee K Ridgeack row) ex athy Marsh Clarkson, El ecutive assi all, board ch eanor Palis stant ai , r an Mike Murray d Susan Car communicat , trustees K r, acting su ions manag en p er in te er Irena Po Rempel, se chop, and (b ndent Laurie Meston, cretary-trea ottom row) surer Flavia trustee Dav Coughlan, an e d trustee Sa rah Nelson .
Maple Ridge Councillor Corisa Bell (right) was at the Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society’s gala with her daugher Kaylyn. Meanwhile, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Doug Bing and his wife Helen (below) were also at the gala held at the Ridge Meadows Seniors Centre on Saturday, March 1. The event raised money for the Alouette Addictions and Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation.
Driver examiner Lana Bjarnesen, Pitt Meadows assistant fire chief Brad Perrie, ICBC spokesperson Kate Woochuk, and Ridge Meadows RCMP Const. Oliver Broermann recently visited a high school teaching students about driver safety.
Shannon Balla/TIMES
March 11: SongStage
• SongStage is hosted by local songwriter Ivan Boudreau from 7 to 9 p.m. and features artists Stone Poets at The ACT, 11944 Haney Pl.
March 11 to April 15: Films
• Maple Ridge Library will show documentary films on Tuesdays, from March 11 to April 15 at 6 p.m. Info: 604-467-7417.
March 11: Whonnock Weavers
• Whonnock Weavers and Spinners Guild hosts a free spin-in at The ACT from 7 to 9 p.m.
March 12: Gogos
• Golden Ears Gogos meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Fraser Room, Maple Ridge Library, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd. Info: Lynn Rajala at lrajala@shaw.ca or 604-467-1235.
March 12: Support group
• Parkinson’s Support Group meets from 2 to 4 p.m. at the seniors centre, 12150 224th St. Info: Peta Purdy at 604-463-1332 or rpcoco@ telus.net, or Edith Elliott at 604-4636018 or elliotte12@telus.net.
March 13: Fred Penner
• Fred Penner joins the choir of Kanaka Creek Elementary at The ACT, 11944 Haney Pl., Maple Ridge. at 7 p.m. Tickets are $13. For tickets and info, visit www.theactmapleridge.org or call 604-476-2787.
March 13: Ex-service women
Raeanne Schachter photos
rds Fire & Rescue service awa During the Pitt Meadows ed our hon was (above centre) on March 1, Brian Harper n Jua t) righ low (be ile wh as firefighter of the year, rd. These awa n itio ogn rec cial spe Ferreyro was given a fire chief Don Jolley (above awards were presented by yor Deb Walters. left) and Pitt Meadows Ma
Brenda Garcia (right) attended the Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society’s annual gala at the seniors centre in Maple Ridge. Shannon Balla/TIMES
How can you share?
• Ridge Meadows Ex-Service Women’s Club meets at the Royal Canadian Legion, 12101 224th St., Maple Ridge. They are having lunch at noon and a meeting at 1 p.m.
March 13: Literacy
• The literacy committee is reviewing its strategic plan from 1 to 3 p.m. at the CEED Centre, 11739 223rd St. RSVP: coordinator@communityliteracy.ca.
March 14: Culture Fest
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.
• More details about the awards at www.mrtimes.com, search “Ferreyro”
• Culture Fest, a free event at The ACT, runs from 4 to 9 p.m. and features Ache Brasil.
• Full list: www.mrtimes.com
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A10
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Tuesday, March 11, 2014
health
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
wellness
AND THE GOODLIFE
Seniors
Thieves target Ridge seniors centre GREAT ENTERTAINMENT MEAT DRAWS EVERY TUES., THURS., FRI., SAT., SUN. FULL DINING DAILY EXCEPT MONDAYS KARAOKE WITH PHIL EVERY THURSDAY
MAR 14-15 ................................... REPLAY MAR 16 .......... ST. PATRICK’S DAY MUSIC MAR 21-22 ................. CHEEK TO CHEEK MAR 23 .......... MIDNIGHT EAGLES (JAM) MAR 28-29...........................BRIAN ZALO MAR 30 ............................. SWEETWATER
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12101-224th St. Maple Ridge
604.463.5101 (Office & Lounge)
A giant, donated TV was stolen from a seniors complex in smash-and-grab-style theft by Eric Zimmer
ezimmer@mrtimes.com
A recent theft has residents of a local senior’s complex concerned. In the early morning hours of March 2, the alarm system at the Ridge Meadows Senior Centre was triggered as a result of a break-in. By the time police and a representative from the building’s security company arrived on site, the burglars had already escaped with their prize: a 60-inch flat-screen TV, that had been donated to the centre as part of building renovations last spring. “Basically, it was a smash and grab,” said Gaetan Rutherford, president of the Ridge Meadows Senior Society. The TV was located in the community-use room, right beside the building’s main entrance. The room itself also features a set of entrance doors, which are no longer used. And it was these doors the thieves smashed to gain access to the TV. However, Rutherford added, they
would have to have come prepared, hope for the TV’s return, though. as the TV was bolted to the wall. “We’re never going to find that And thus far, there are no suspects TV,” she said. “And I’m pretty or leads in the case. sure we’re not going to get another “There was a witness in the buildTV until our security system is ing across the parking lot that said upgraded.” they saw a black van with two or She said the timing was somewhat three guys that were ironic, since in the parking lot,” for about the Rutherford explained. past month, She also noted that she has been even though police taking stock of said it snowed that the building’s morning, there were security and no snow tracks to the neighbourfollow. hood in which “So I don’t know.” it’s located, The broken all in an effort doors have since to provide a been replaced, but better security Rutherford specusystem. Eric Zimmer/TIMES lated that the fact the She said that, Ride Meadows Senior Centre resident Gladys thanks to the TV was in such plain view from the outtheft, she now Williams in front of the now-empty TV wall. side, may have part has a “valid of what prompted the break-in. argument that says, ‘Let’s get on Rutherford also said the changing that.’” face of the neighbourhood could Rutherford said residents of the have been a contributing factor. 55-plus building are “pissed off and She pointed to the sale of the angry” about the theft. Legion Towers nearby, as an But she also said some residents example. ‘That has now become a have become more aware that “the very mixed bag of tenants,” she said, world they’re living in now, isn’t the adding, “and a lot of them are pretty world they used to live in.” More online at www.mrtimes.com sketchy.” Click on ‘Community’ Rutherford isn’t holding out much
Health & Wellness • The Good Life
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
A11
Kidney cruise coordinated in honour of late car collector …continued from page A1
The third annual Cruise is happening Saturday, April 26, starting at the BC Kidney Foundation office, 4940 Canada Way, Burnaby. Meet-up time is 9 a.m. The vehicles leave the foundation’s parking lot at 9:30 a.m. sharp. Similar to the past two years, 34-year-old Bowering will be joined by other members of the car community, who, through fundraising efforts leading up to the mass convoy, support charities of their choice. Through the fundraiser, Bowering has met people who are also dealing with the loss of a loved one. “I’ve heard quite a few stories of people losing a parent, having another loved one in their family who have been struggling or who have been lost to cancer or other various things,” he said. “They’re sharing similar stories and coming out to re-live the memory [of their loved one] and keep it alive and strong, as well.” The inaugural cruise, in 2012, took place nearly a year after Larry’s death.
The late Larry Bowering is the inspiration behind Cruise for Your Cause. Larry, who died April 15, 2011, is the dad of Cruise organizer and Pitt Meadows resident Travis Bowering. Larry was an avid car buff who circuit raced open-wheel dirt-track cars and quarter-mile Willys. Through the years, many vehicles were part of his collection. Among his pride and joy was a 1967 Malibu SS. As well, for 30 years, Larry was a volunteer firefighter in Millet, Alta. All the while, he suffered through many years of struggling with health issues including kidney failure and kidney transplants.
Larry was on dialysis for roughly five years before his kidney transplant, which lasted 12 years. After that kidney failed, Larry was back on dialysis for three more years before his death April 25, 2011. Like his dad, Bowering is a motoring enthusiast. He’s been involved in dirt biking, 4x4’ing, hot-rodding and, for the past five-anda-half years, autocross. And for the past two years, he’s taken his bright yellow Super Beetle out for a drive during the annual fundraiser. The 2013 event was a 222-kilometre drive around Metro Vancouver. It went well, despite not being an ideal day for a drive, Bowering said. With rain cascading down on them, 80 cars hit the roadways at different times of the day, including 61 to start at the Kidney Foundation headquarters. A total of $7,900 in total donation dollars were raised in support of 25 unique charities. At the end of the drive, 31 cars finished the day at Iona Beach near Vancouver International Airport. “It was very wet, unfortunately,” Bowering
“Providing housekeeping and non-medical home support services to our Ridge-Meadows seniors’ community” Housekeeping Services:
• Cleaning kitchens and bathrooms • Mopping and vacuuming floors • Dusting/general tidying • Cleaning windows (indoor) • Washing laundry/changing linens • Spot cleaning walls/cleaning baseboards • Doing dishes/loading dishwasher
Support Services:
• Companionship (go for walks, trips to library, or just a visit call us with your request) in your home, or at assisted living facilities/hospital, we’ll go where you need us to be! • Transportation to and from appointments/meetings/events (we will happily accompany you as well if you like) • Errand-running/shopping assistance • Non-medical help with recuperative/post-hospital visits (dog walking, housekeeping and much more!) • Assist with finding tradespeople (getting quotes) and being on-site for any estimates • Appointment reminders
Call us today at 604-671-7601 to book your free 30-minute assessment meeting. Visit our website at www.maidtocare.ca
Annual St.Patrick’s Day Extravaganza! Irish Dancers Potato Cakes Green Beer
said. “The weather didn’t co-operate, but it was a good turnout of cars.” The more the Cruise grows, the tougher it becomes for one person to organize, which is why Bowering is delegating responsibilities to others.
But he said all the hard work put into promoting and putting on the event is worth it in the end. “I just like doing it every year for Dad, of course,” he said. “It keeps his memory alive, keeps me doing something in memory of
THANK
him, and it’s just fun to get a large gathering of cars and then go for a drive.” Follow the event on Facebook and to contact Bowering, email info@ cruiseforyourcause.org.
• More at www.mrtimes.com Click on ‘Community’
YOU! FROM ALL OF US AT GREYSTONE MANOR
Thank you to our communities for this award and especially to our residents who let us enjoy being a part of their lives, every day! Find out why Greystone Manor is the READERS CHOICE seniors residence in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows. Join me for a complimentary lunch and tour.
Cheryl Noble , General Manager cnoble@parkplaceseniorsliving.com 604-467-2808
11657 Ritchie Ave., Maple Ridge (Behind McDonalds on 228th St.)
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A12
Tuesday, March 11 , 2014
Weather shifting
Early flowers a sign of change
T
he first few flowers that spring up through melting snow can bring us as much pleasure as June with all its roses. The nights may still be icy, but those early flowers tell us gentler weather is almost here. Traditionally snowdrops are the earliest and, like almost all winter flowers, last for many weeks outside. The Giant Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) is usuRoxanne Hooper/TIMES ally the first to bloom, Someone forgot to tell this little daffodil that Mother Nature called for snow. closely followed by the small Common Snowdrop If the upper bulb dies, rel-proof. This crocus is (Galanthus nivalis) with the lower bulb replaces the frankly invasive, but it’s the double snowdrop plant. Once I came across delightful to find crocus bringing up the rear – all a dropper string of three blooms in unexpected establish best when transGalanthus nivalis bulbs. places when almost nothplanted after flowering The Snow Crocuses got ing else is flowering. while still in leaf. their name from their tenThe bulbs are tiny and When happy in semi dency to pop up through have inconspicuous leaves. shade with seasonal rain snow. One of the earliThen there’s the January available, single snowdrops est is the golden Crocus flowering hardy Cyclamen expand from anacyrensis, coum. seed and but Crocus Flowers are delicately from offsets. chrysanthus pink or white, and when If you start and its selecit’s happy it colonizes with snowtions such lawns. The low-growing, drops by buyas Blue Pearl patterned leaves emerge in ing dry bulbs, and Cream early fall and remain until planting in Beauty aren’t May when it goes dormant. very early fall far behind. Drought and heavy is best. Some All are very lawnmowers don’t bother gardeners say small, but it. But good drainage is by Anne Marrison a few hours when left important which may be Anne Marrison is happy to answer garden questions. Send them to amarrison@shaw.ca soaking trigalone can why it’s very happy under gers faster grow into cedars. growth. huge drifts. Usually Iris reticulata The Giant Snowdrop can Unfortunately, they’re puts up flowers by midhandle a sunny spot betseldom left alone because February. It’s a very dwarf ter than the others. Once they’re a favourite squirrel iris which likes the brighter snowdrops go dormant, munchie. But it’s still poslight at the edge of borders. drought is no problem nor sible to have a lawn carSome are very fragrant are high summer temperpeted with crocus flowers, such as the purple-maroon atures. if you choose Crocus coloured George. Like some other bulbs, tomasinianus. Most flowers are purple snowdrops produce ‘dropSelections include the or bluish, but Cantab is pers.’ These are nature’s assertively purple Ruby pale blue and ‘Katherine survival plan: a deep-down Giant, the gentler Barr’s Hodgson’ has bluish white bulb connected to an upper Purple, and the pale purpetals with speckles and bulb by a tough vertical ple, grey-backed species. fine lines of a deeper blue. root. • More at www.mrtimes.com All are absolutely squir-
Gardening
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Sports On Deck
Players awarded Their team finished sixth overall in this past weekend’s Grade 8 provincial tournament at Pitt Meadows Secondary, but two female Maple Ridge Ramblers hoops players received top provincial recognition. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Recreation
Did you know?
We offer non-judgmental support for everyone. No matter what.
604.467.5179 • www.alouetteaddictions.org
Junior B hockey
Royal rookie key Kings’ success
On the heels of a stellar regular season, Jeff Smith is looking to backstop the Powell River Kings through the BCHL playoffs. by Troy Landreville tlandreville@mrtimes.com
Thilo Burns photo
MRSS Ramblers lacrosse player Trevor Gobillot in action.
MRSS takes top
In their inaugural season, the Maple Ridge Secondary Ramblers finished first and grabbed the Junior Tier 2 field lacrosse provincial gold, at this past weekend’s tournament. • More online: www.mrtimes. com, click on “Sports”
Westview wraps
They missed the provincial playoffs, but it’s been a satisfying season for Westview basketball coach, Kris McMurray. • More online: www.mrtimes. com, click on “Sports”
Sign-up continues
Though deadline for early-bird registration has passed, cyclists who wish to participate in this year’s Local Ride spring cycling series are still able to register. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Send your scores and game reports to sports@mrtimes.com
A13
Unlike the soap opera that existed with the Vancouver Canucks last season, there is no such goaltender controversy to speak of in Powell River. Splitting time almost equally between their goaltenders, the B.C. Hockey League’s Kings cruised to a stellar 36-16-2-4 record, good for second in the Island Division behind Victoria. And while Jonah Imoo enjoyed a very good season in his second full campaign with the Kings, with 16 wins and a 2.98 goals against average, rookie Smith has been nothing short of phenomenal. Profiled in the Dec. 27 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES [Kings puckstopper ruling BCHL in rookie year] the Maple Ridge resident and product of Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association has had a freshman year for the ages. Smith won the BCHL Goaltender Award for garnering the lowest goals against average (2.25) among all of the league’s netminders who have played a minimum of 1,000 minutes. He finished the regular season with second best save percentage amongst BCHL goaltenders, at .923. Smith also tied for fifth in the league with Coquitlam netminder Gordie Defiel with 20 wins, and ended up tied with three other goaltenders for second for most shutouts, with three clean sheets to his credit. Going into his first season of junior A hockey, Smith wasn’t sure what his role was going to be, and the amount of success
Goaltender Jeff Smith had a fine rookie year with the Powell River Kings. Now, he and the Kings are in the first round of the B.C. Hockey League playoffs, taking on the Nanaimo Clippers. Justin Auclair photo
that he’s enjoyed has been a bit of a shock to him. “I’m completely surprised,” he said. “It’s a little surreal. It’s been a great year and I’ve achieved my goals and... exceeded my expectations for myself.” As for the two-goalie system deployed by Powell River head coach Kent Lewis, Smith has taken it in stride. “It was pretty much, the coach would go with whoever was playing well,” Smith said. “It worked out really well. It gave me a chance to rest up when I needed it.” He and Imoo like to push each other on the ice, and are good friends off of it. “We battle hard against each other,” Smith said. “That’s how we get better. Off the ice we’re good buddies. We support each and get along really well.” Lewis said with the veteran Imoo being “a good teammate” there was no need to rush the rookie’s development. “They’re good together,” Lewis
added, regarding his two puckstoppers. However, this hasn’t been an entirely perfect year for Smith, who had to battle through a fourgame losing slide in mid-February. After carrying a 12-3-1 win/loss record into the Christmas break, Smith went 8-7 to cap the season. The axiom what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger applies here. Those dog days of February gave the 18-year-old a bite-sized taste of adversity, and he channeled his frustration in a positive direction. “I was going through some rough times and got down on myself, but I learned how to battle through adversity,” Smith said. “I had one good game and built off of that, and I’ve had seven straight starts, now.” The most recent accolade for Smith has also shown his mental toughness in the playoffs. After winning the first two games of their best-of-seven series against the Nanaimo Clippers, the Kings lost 5-1 to the Clippers Friday at Nanaimo’s Frank Crane
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Arena. During the loss, Smith – who allowed three goals in the first two games of the series – was pulled from the net in favour of Imoo after Nanaimo’s Jacob Hanlon scored to make it 4-0 at the 11:58 mark of the third period. Smith was right back in goal as the starter on Saturday, making 29 saves during a 3-2 Kings victory in Nanaimo. The teams met last night (Monday, March 10) for game five in Powell River. It got underway after the TIMES went to press. Looking back on the Kings’ playoff opener against the Clippers on March 4, Smith admitted that nerves washed over him early on. Smith surrendered a pair of first period goals but shut the door after that in a 3-2 Kings win. “I was a little nervous in the first period, it being my first BCHL playoff game but after that I was completely fine,” he said. “My game is more of a calm, cool, collective style.” Take away his imposing 6’2” 205 pound frame that doesn’t give shooters a lot of holes to aim for, and arguably Smith’s greatest attribute is his ability to maintain his composure while playing in what many consider to be the highest pressure position in all of sports. “I’m confident in my defence and confident in myself,” he said. “I really trust my teammates around me and they trust me.” “We’ve been happy with his progress,” Lewis noted. “Jeff’s very calm, very relaxed and prepared and he’s just a really nice kid. He’s calm in the net; that’s what guys like.” Looking ahead, Smith has secured a NCAA scholarship with Div. 1 Umass-Lowell, starting in 2015/16, so he’s likely going to return to Powell River for another year of junior hockey next season. “I’d like to get a full year as starting goalie under my belt,” Smith said.
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A16
Tuesday, March 11 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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