Tuesday, April 1, 2014 The Heat pay tribute to former NHLer and Pitt Meadows native Brendan Morrison this week.
Page A13 • LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 16 PAGES Police files
Spring arrives in the forest
www.mrtimes.com
Ruth Ross caught these pictures of spring coming alive in the backwoods of the Spirea Nature View Trail in Golden Ears More Provincial Park during Photos with a recent hike. “They are representative of the changes spring brings to the forest. Layar Beautiful green moss, or interesting fungi, online and swollen creeks,” Ross said. She’s one of The TIMES readers who has chosen to share her stunning spring photographs. You can, too, just email local spring photos to rhooper@mrtimes.com.
Swirly arrested by Roxanne Hooper
rhooper@mrtimes.com
Mr. Swirl, a former teacher and convicted child sex tourist, is back behind bars in connection with a local and foreign child pornography case – some of which ties back to his time living in Maple Ridge. Christopher Paul Neil, 39, was arrested by B.C. RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) investigators in Vancouver on Friday. His arrest is in connection with two investigations – one by the RCMP ICE unit and the other by Vancouver Police, explained RCMP Sgt. Rob Vermeulen. Neil was in Port Coquitlam provincial court Monday and remanded until April 10 for a bail hearing.
• More at www.mrtimes.com
Farming
Agricultural group pushes for backyard chickens Some Maple Ridge residents hope poultry will be allowed in rural and residential areas. by Maria Rantanen mrantanen@mrtimes.com
Carol Campos would just like to have a few chickens in her backyard, as pets. And, if a recommendation from the District of Maple Ridge’s agricultural advisory committee comes to fruition, she may be allowed. Campos and her husband bought a property in Maple Ridge zoned rural, but they didn’t realize that having poultry depended on the lot size. The property she and her husband
bought on 128th Avenue in Maple Ridge belongs in the zoning RS-3, which is agricultural. The Camposes had chickens as pets – as opposed to dogs or cats – for about 20 years in west Maple Ridge, and no one ever complained. When they bought their new property, Campos even went down to the bylaw office at municipal hall and asked whether they were allowed chickens in their area. But later she found out that because her property is smaller than one acre (0.4 hectares), she is not allowed to have poultry on her property, even though it’s in the agricultural area. After a warning from the bylaw office, the couple received a letter saying if they didn’t get rid of them, they’d be fined $500 per day.
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After they got rid of their chickens, which Campos called “gardening companions,” she didn’t feel like going in the backyard. “After they were gone, it was heartbreaking,” she said. Campos said across the street from her home, property owners have cows, a calf, and chickens. “It’s silly not to be able to have a few hens,” she said. Like hobby beekeeping, which used to be strictly agricultural but is now allowed on larger single-family lots, backyard chickens could be an “urban agricultural activity,” said District planner Diana Hall. The advisory committee passed a motion to ask council to look into allowing chickens, and the topic will come to a workshop meeting.
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Carol Campos had to get rid of her backyard chickens despite living in a rural area in Maple Ridge.
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
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Earth Hour fizzles
Betty and Klaus von Hardenberg want to ensure that the water in the Thornhill aquifer stays clean and plentiful.
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows both posted a smaller reduction in power use during Saturday’s Earth Hour compared to last year. Hydro customers were encouraged to turn off their lights for an hour on Saturday evening. While last year, power consumption in Pitt Meadows went down 2.7 per cent, this year the reduction was only 0.6 per cent. Maple Ridge reduced its power by 0.7 per cent this year, compared to 2.5 per cent last year. • More at www.mrtimes.com
Sidhu bids farewell Jesse Sidhu, who served as executive director of the Chamber of Commerce serving Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows for three and a half years, stepped down recently to run his own business. Sidhu wrote a farewell letter to the community. • More at www.mrtimes.com Discover the joys of flora and fauna in our rural areas. Liz welcomes questions at g.hancock@ uniserve.com
River Talk
by Liz Hancock
Spiders fascinate In this month’s column, ARMS member and nature lover Liz Hancock talks about orb spiders, calling them “Mother Nature’s amazing engineers.” • More at www.mrtimes.com
Experience Layar
Some images and advertisements in today’s edition of The TIMES have been enriched with Layar and contain digital content that you can view using your smartphone or tablet.
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Step 1. Download the free Layar app for iPhone, Android, iPad, or tablet. Step 2. Look for pages with the Layar logo. Step 3. Open the Layar app, hold your device above the page, and tap to scan it. Step 4. Hold your device above the page to view the interactive content, and hit scan.
Maria Rantanen/TIMES
Environment
Water reference pleases couple
The District is developing an environmental strategy. by Maria Rantanen mratnanen@mrtimes.com
For a Thornhill couple, water is one of the more important issues in an eco-plan being developed by the District of Maple Ridge. Klaus and Betty von Hardenberg were pleased to see two items as part of the District’s draft environmental management strategy: the discussion of mapping all aquifers and a discussion about the management of groundwater. “There’s nothing more important than water,” said Klaus von Hardenberg, adding that “everybody has a right to water so we have to plan the city with that in mind.” The District of Maple Ridge is in the midst of developing an environmental management strategy, and a consultant recently made a presentation to council on its progress, including some recommendations. The goals of the strategy are to conserve and manage natural assets in Maple Ridge, design and build sustainable neighbour-
hoods, and improve communicaWith new residents moving tions and environmental awareinto Thornhill, it’s important to ness. educate them on how wells need Betty von Hardenberg said to be maintained, said Betty. that some might argue that the The money will be used to environmental management make a larger poster format diastrategy gets “in the way” of gram to show “how the aquifer developing one’s own property, works, how users of the aquifer but she believes it works to use it, and how they can affect everyone’s advantage. it,” Betty explained. “If people could look at this as TAPS has been working on protecting assets and not being water issues in Thornhill for detrimental – it’s a benefit for us eight years, and their enthusiall,” she said. asm isn’t waning, The von Betty said. “If people could look Hardenbergs She believes established the District is at at this as protecting the Thornhill a “very critical assets and not being Aquifer point” in developdetrimental...” Protection Study ing the environ(TAPS) eight mental strategy. Betty von Hardenberg years ago, and a Having language few weeks ago about the aquifers the group, via the CEED Centre, and groundwater management in received a $2,500 RBC Blue those documents are “two critWater Project Community Action ical things,” she added. grant. She said she is “really appreThe focus will be educating ciative” that District staff is the public on how to protect working on the plan, because groundwater. of the all the natural assets in Because many of the wells on Maple Ridge. Thornhill are shallow wells, like “This work is very, very the von Hardenberg’s two wells, important for the District to supthey can easily get contaminport,” she said. ated from day-to-day activities, The strategy is expected to for example, changing oil in a come back to council later this driveway. spring for final approval.
TIMES files
Susan Miller is the Katzie chief.
Elections
Katzie swear in council
The First Nations held an election on March 1 to choose three councillors. by Maria Rantanen
mrantanen@mrtimes.com
The Katzie First Nation will swear in its new council today (Tuesday). Elections were held on March 1, and the three councillors who were elected were Peter James, Rick Bailey, and Robin Green. The chief, Susan Miller, was acclaimed earlier this year, after a short stint as interim chief. In the March 1 election, James received 108 votes, Bailey received 68 votes, and Green received 60 votes. Voting took place on all three Katzie reserves: on Katzie 1 in Pitt Meadows, Katzie 2 in Langley, and on Katzie 3 on Barnston Island. All three councillors – James from Barnston Island and Bailey and Green from the Pitt Meadows reserve – have served previously on the band council. Green served during the preceding two-year term. The ceremony will take place in the long house on the reserve in Pitt Meadows.
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Tuesday, April 1 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Police files
Jewelry bandit chased down A Ryan Jewellers staffer pursued a thief several blocks to retrieve items.
his tight grip on the man’s arm and let him walk away. He did get back a watch valued at $7,500, and the diamond stud earrings that were worth by Jean Konda-Witte about $1,000. editorial@mrtimes.com But, unbeknownst to him, the crook still made off with A jewelry store employee another diamond Gucci watch chased a thief through the valued at about $3,000. rainy streets of downtown “When I got the merchanHaney Thursday night, retrievdise back, I felt good,” but ing some but not all of the his heart sank a bit when he jewelry stolen from his Valley Surveillance video captured returned to the store to find Fair Mall shop. he hadn’t retrieved everythis suspected thief’s pic. The brazen theft occurred thing. at Ryan Jewellers just before Prior to the theft, the man 8:30 p.m. on March 27, when had been trying on a pair of diamond a customer was trying on jewelry then stud earrings while chatting with the suddenly bolted from the store. sales clerk standing behind the counter. When the owner’s son heard screams When she looked down for a moment, and a commotion in the front of the store, the man grabbed two men’s Gucci diahe came out to learn they’d been robbed. mond watches and hot-footed it out the Without any delay, he gave chase, and store. The clerk ran after him but was being a runner he was able to follow and unable to catch him. That’s when the eventually catch up to the suspect a few son, also in pursuit, took over. blocks west, close to Haney Place Mall, “It has never happened to me before,” he told The TIMES. the owner’s son said. “I’ve never had to “I grabbed him and just said ‘give me back what you took’,” the staffer recalled. run after a customer.” Anyone with information is asked The suspect, out of breath and tired to call Ridge Meadows RCMP Const. from the chase, complied. He took one Stacy MacDonald at 604-476-6935 or earring out of his ear, another out of his CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. pocket, and handed it back. Then, after • More at www.mrtimes.com, search “Gucci” he handed back a watch, the son released
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, April 1 , 2014
A5
Food drive
Local businesses climb on board with world-record attempt
Involvement is increasing as Pitt Meadows aims to make history this month. Eric Zimmer
ezimmer@mrtimes.com
Gwen O’ Connell is feeling overwhelmed by the generous spirit of her City’s citizens these days. The Pitt Meadows City councillor is spearheading the city’s crack at a Guinness world record: most food collected in a single day – 600,000 pounds to be precise.
With the collection day less than two weeks away, O’Connell said the spirit of the community has been shining through. “I’m truly overwhelmed and humbled by the community’s response to this,” she said. “Pitt Meadows gets behind this kind of stuff and people want to make this goal – everybody’s getting on board with this.” For example, O’Connell said, the Pitt Meadows IGA has an instore display where for $10, customers can buy a 13-pound bag of pre-packaged foods to donate. Community groups like the scouts and local hockey and soccer teams are getting involved as
well. “During a meetAnd one ing, we discussed family busidifferent ways we ness is doing could help support its part in Pitt Meadows’ 100a rather year anniversary,” unique way. she explained. Hopcott “We knew from Meats has the City’s website set a goal that the Wesbrooke of raising (Seniors Living Jenn Hopcott-Foxley will use one of the a steer’s Community) and company trucks to transport donations. weight in the Friends In food donaNeed Foodbank tions – a total of 1,400 pounds. was trying to do this, and we Jenn Hopcott-Foxley, operthought, ‘OK, let’s donate’.” ations manager for Hopcott Even though she’s not entirely Meats, said the idea came somesure yet “what 1,400 pounds what out of the blue. of food will look like,” there’s
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A6
Tuesday, April 1, 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
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The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES, a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at www.mrtimes.com. The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and complainant. If talking with the editor or publisher of this newspaper does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2. For further information, go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.
Our View
Still time to trash bad plan The B.C. government is trying to fix something that isn’t broken – and it’s making a mess in the process. Cities and towns in B.C. have successful recycling systems in place, but the province has thrown everything into confusion by mandating the creation of a monster called Multi-Materials B.C. Since MMBC began ramping up, one protest has followed another, as municipalities and businesses began to realize the effects it would have on them. Premier Christy Clark called its creation a “bumpy road.” Business groups have allied under the banner Rethink It B.C., to demand the government delay implementation and sit down to talk about changes to the new entity. The theory is that the companies that profit from products that produce waste should have to pay the cost of recycling that material. Proponents say the added cost will also be an incentive for those companies to reduce the amount of packaging they use, as not producing waste is a better solution than recycling it after it is produced. MMBC, beginning May 19, is a B.C. initiative – run by a board of directors representing Unilever Canada, Wal-Mart, Tim Hortons, Loblaws, Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble. Does anyone expect them to put B.C.’s interests first? MMBC’s fees will be much higher than those in other regions. For instance, newspapers would have to pay 20 cents per kilogram, compared to 0.42 cents in Ontario. About 85 per cent of all newspaper in B.C. is already recycled, and municipalities generate revenue from it because it is the most valuable recycled material. Peter Kvarnstrom, Canadian Newspaper Association chair, warned that the added costs will force layoffs in an industry that is already fragile. Everyone, including critics of MMBC, can get behind reducing waste. But this plan needs more thought. – Victoria Times Colonist • More online at www.mrtimes.com
This Week’s Question Are you excited that spring is here? ■ Your View Last week’s question, results… What can be done to improve Canada’s health care system?
Nothing! Leave it alone.
27 %
If I knew, I would have told someone.
13 %
Just tweak the American system. Look at European models.
1% 46 %
Open market: everyone for themselves. 13 %
Vote online at: www.mrtimes.com
Opinion
Harper’s policy ordinary joke I expect that, soon after you a bit more challenged than averstart reading this, you’ll glance age. towards the top of the page, They thought Kijiji was a suitsmile knowingly… and make an able replacement for Statistics incorrect assumption. Canada when deciphering So, to head you off at the pass: Canada’s overall employment no, this is not an April Fool’s situation, in preparation for setjoke. ting national policy on such little Apparently, today’s federal things as filling the country’s Conservatives really are this stufuture skilled labour needs, or pid. allowing corporations to hire Economic brainiac Prime from out-of-country and bypass by Bob Groeneveld Minister Stephen Harper and his Canadians seeking jobs. business-approach-to-government Economists (other than flunkies have been basing their Harper) wondered where the economic policy on… wait for the drum roll… Conservative policies were coming from, as they Kijiji. seemed completely at odds with the information According to the Poynter Institute – the people coming out of Statistics Canada… the organizawho regularly update the journalism bible in tion on which Canadians spend millions of dolNorth America – significantly more than half of lars to collect and parse information so that the the people reading this only get their mass inforfederal government (in this case Harper and his mation from printed paper. cronies) can get a reasonable idea of what the That may be difficult to believe, considering country has and what it needs, for – you know all the smart phones, pads, mini-pads, tablets, – policy development. laptops, desktops, Dick Tracy wrist watches, and But Harper and his Conservatives tried to other and sundry devices aimed at luring our emasculate Statistics Canada a few years back readers out of the material world and into cyber– remember? – making much of the fundamental space. data-collection through the census voluntary. Even people within our industry are having difThat was just before the time when it started ficulty with the concept that our trek into a total- becoming clear that Harper didn’t have much ly electronic future is a longer, slower slog than use for scientists who tended to come up with was envisioned by the folks who in the 1980s the “wrong” answers when investigating anypredicted it would be complete within 10 years thing to do with climate change. and furthermore, their vision of an electronic Statistics, science… who needs all that comfuture was not anything like the one we appear plicated stuff when a quick look at the want ads to be heading towards – considering that, at the can get you all the answers you prefer? time, only a handful of people in large universiPerhaps the most depressing part of it all is ties knew anything about the ARPANET, and few how the Conservatives react when the real world of them had any inkling that it would years later is explained to them. became our ubiquitous Internet. Federal Employment Minister Jason Kenney So, bear with me while I try my best to explain simply admitted his ignorance, claimed nobody Kijiji for the electronics-challenged. else knew more than he did anyway, and intimKijiji is an online classified ad service. ated that nobody should be “laughing at Kijiji.” There, now that wasn’t so hard, was it? Well, nobody is laughing at Kijiji, Minister Harper and his cronies, however, appear to be Kenney. We’re all laughing at you.
Odd Thoughts
editorial@mrtimes.com
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
A7
Recycling
Polak’s plan slams small business
Dear Editor, Last month, Environment Minister Mary Polak announced what seemed like good news: small businesses would be “exempted” from the province’s onerous new packaging and printed paper regulation coming into force this May. Unfortunately, it looks like the real news for small business isn’t quite so good – many are not actually exempted, and some will not survive. The new recycling policy fundamentally changes the current blue-box program. Instead of being run by local municipalities, the B.C. government has given control over the blue-box program to an unelected body, called
Multi Material B.C., governed by multinational corporations out to of Toronto. the If this has you scratching your head and wondering what was wrong with the existing blue-box program, you are not alone. Opposition to Polak’s plan is growing. Last week, a coalition of B.C-based businesses representing agriculture, newspapers, landscaping, manufacturing, retail, wholesale, food, and waste collection sectors held a press conference to announce a #RethinkItBC campaign to fight the new rules.
Letters
Editor
Bridge tolls
Watch your bills carefully
Dear Editor, For those of you who cross the Golden Ears Bridge and receive your transaction statements electronically, make sure you check the entries carefully, because if you gloss over them, you might be paying charges for crossings you didn’t make. In my case, I was charged for 23 crossings that I did not make. Apparently, the device used to read vehicle license plates is not always accurate and does make mistakes, especially if a vehicle plate is partially obscured by dirt, grime, or road film. When that happens, the system makes a best guess on the vehicle license and levies a charge. Fortunately, I caught the mistakes, but I wonder how many others go unnoticed. Greg McNally, Coquitlam
Animal welfare
Keep messy cats at home
Dear Editor, Cat owners should be held accountable. More than 200 million birds lose their lives to outdoor cats each year (greater than any other causes combined). Loose cats dig up my plants to have their crap every day. It just doesn’t really give you an appetite when you see and smell cat feces and cat pee between your veggies. If I allowed my dog to run loose, crap in someone’s yard, or chase the cats and squirrels as they wish, everyone would be in a big uproar. Cats should be under the same rules as our dogs. Cats should be leashed, licensed, and controlled. Keep them in your own yard. W. Rutledge, Maple Ridge
What you’re telling us on Facebook
•
A small victory for smokers in Maple Ridge last week, council defeated a bylaw change that would mandate puffers to smoke 7.5 metres or more away from building entrances. One argument was it would be too hard to enforce. Readers were asked their thoughts: “…why should we have to smell and walk through clouds of smoke whenever we want to go near a building?” – Dianne Fernandes Enns “The further away the better. It may be too hard to enforce right now, but you have to start the process.” – Kelly Lilley “People still smoke?” – Vicki McLeod “Who enforces the existing regulations? Why not create smoking areas for these pariahs? Somewhere out of town.” – Tim Tyler “Some people ignore the three metres but the majority will abide. I think 7.5 metres just emphasizes the impact second-hand smoke has, and how far it travels. Only 16 per cent of Maple Ridge residents do smoke. Wow.” – Tom Manion “It should be the 7.5 metres, in fact smokers shouldn’t even be anywhere near entrances, period.” – Alvin Cohen
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If small businesses really were “exempt,0” why would so many of them band together against this new policy? Minister Polak did put in place some compliance thresholds around gross revenue, packaging volumes, and number of locations. The problem with her approach is that the thresholds are too low, and in some cases don’t apply at all. The bottom line is that too many small businesses are still being hurt by a policy that adds a lot of cost and bureaucracy for no environmental benefit. For example, under the new rules, franchises are not exempt. Several pizza franchisees have reported to us they will be paying between $200 and $400 a week in taxes to MMBC. Pizza joints don’t have fat margins, and paying for this might mean selling another 100 pizzas a week – or passing those costs on to customers. Some small businesses are being bullied into compliance by big corporations. Several major grocery stores have sent letters to suppliers, saying they will only do business with firms that are MMBC compliant, regardless of whether or not they fall under Polak’s exemption. One went as far as threatening to withhold partial payment as a fine for lack of MMBC compliance. These same supermarkets will not accept any price increases associated with compliance – small business has to eat the cost. In small towns, community newspapers and local recycling depots are at risk of going out of business, thanks to the new policy. B.C’s newspaper industry is facing $14 million of additional taxes. They will be paying 4,762 per cent (that’s not a typo) more per kilogram of waste than the equivalent program in Ontario. How many job losses that translates into has yet to be seen. That it is at odds with the government’s stated “strong economy, secure tomorrow” agenda is crystal clear. The only good news in this mess is that it is never too late to reverse course on bad policy. Premier Clark has shown she has the courage to admit mistakes and change course where necessary. It’s necessary now. The new recycling rules don’t work for small business or the communities they support. Laura Jones, Canadian Federation of Independent Business For more letters to the editor visit... www.mrtimes.com – Click on Opinion/Letters.
LETTERS POLICY: Copyright in letters and other materials submitted voluntarily to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic, or other forms. Letters are also subject to editing for content and length. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership.
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A10
editorial@mrtimes.com
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Boulder Bay
Tim Hortons’ kids camp proposed
I
know that the Tim Hortons n Greek mythology, a Children Foundation phoenix is a bird that is (THCF) has been working associated with the sun on a proposal to Mission and fire and obtains City for more than a year. new life by rising from the Mission somehow got ashes of its predecessor. permission to extend its Who would guess our boundary from the Central latest phoenix comes from Fraser Valley Regional a Tim Hortons coffee shop? District (I still can’t figure In the 1960s, the B.C. by Gordy Robson out how that is geographicjustice department opened ally possible, as it is west of a youth camp at Boulder Mission), to enable them to Bay on the Alouette Lake reservoir. It was founded on the philosophy of the outward make a deal with Tim Hortons. THCF has seven camps that provide bound programs, which were in vogue in camping experience for 17,000 disadvanthe day as a way to get kids back on the taged children annually. straight and narrow. THCF has been in discussion with fedPremier Dave Barrett did some shifts eral, provincial, and municipal governthere while he was working at Haney corments over construction of a $17-million rectional institute – before he got fired. year-round camp on the site. The facilities were later abandoned and To get to the east side of the lake, one started to deteriorate. In 2007, former heads 20 miles north from the Stave Lake Maple Ridge mayor Carl Durksen – who dam. The first eight kilometres of the road ran Boulder Bay – joined forces with former Mission mayor Abe Neufeld, who was were upgraded in the past four years, to regional director of prison, and with a few provide year-round access to Zajac Ranch. In April last year, then Finance Minister other local citizens made a very serious effort to save the facilities, suggesting it be Mike DeJong announced the BC Liberal government would put up $5 million to used for a residential drug rehab facility. improve the old logging road to serve After spending thousands of dollars on “Tim Hortons Children’s Camp on Pine proposals, the Mission City council decidLake” (www.THCF.com). ed in its wisdom to send the Mission fire THCF is currently working to obtain the department to Boulder Bay and burn the two remaining core infrastructure requirefacilities to the ground. ments needed: BC Hydro and Telus. Once Soon after, they discovered that Boulder those two services are acquired, THCF Bay wasn’t in the District of Mission. announced, it will be in a position to comOops! It was too far west. Maple Ridge plete the due diligence planning required District staff of the day did not believe it, and chose not to investigate the possibility prior to the construction of the camp. I hope they have better luck with the that it actually was in Maple Ridge. Mission staff than the mayors did. And like a phoenix, a possible new Just saying… camp is rising from the ashes. Now Mission is referring to it as the children’s Gordy Robson’s column appears Tuesdays in the print and/or online versions of The TIMES. Reactions can be emailed c/o camp on Pine Lake. editorial@mrtimes.com. Durksen and Neufeld will be happy to
Just Saying
APRIL
2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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This month at The ACT
Maple Ridge Art Gallery: Seasons in the Park
March 22 - April 26, 2014 The Maple Ridge Art Gallery is pleased to welcome back the local Garibaldi Art Club for its spring 2014 exhibition. The many seasons of Memorial Peace Park in Maple Ridge will serve as the inspiration for this year’s show.
One Man Lord of the Rings
April 3 – 7:30 p.m. Following the success of his One Man Star Wars Trilogy last season at The ACT, Canadian actor Charles Ross, using a pair of elbow pads as his only prop plays every character, casts every spell, fights every battle and shrinks Peter Jackson’s epic film trilogy down to a hilarious fantasy-filled homage to one of the most popular series of all time.
Always Be Yourself with Norm Foote & Friends April 10 – 7:00 p.m. Come join us for this fun-filled family friendly performance with Norm Foote!
Willy Wonka Jr.
April 16 – 19 An Xtreme Theatre production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr.
Annie Jr.
April 25-26 Showstoppers Academy presents the favourite musical Annie Jr.
Gift Certificates from Multiple Locations
Nijinsky Gibber Jazz Club
April 26 – 7:00 p.m. On April 26 The ACT lobby transforms into the Nijinsky Gibber Jazz Club, a free performance of jazz music and dance that’s sure to inspire.
Jesse Peters
April 26 – 8:00 p.m. From classic jazz and blues covers to his own compositions like Face Time, played on CBC, you’ll be enchanted by this Canadian gem. Let go and let the music and performance draw you in for the ride.
Lobby Nights at the ACT
Join us on select Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. for a free evening of entertainment, including Spinning with the Whonnock Weavers, SFU Philosophers Café, Songstage with Ivan Boudreau and Celtic Jam with Nigel Tucker. Visit www.theactmapleridge.org/ lobby-nights for schedule.
Friday Night Dance
Check out our website for the Friday Night Dance Schedule with Robyn Picard, everything from Ballroom to Swing! Drop in classes. Singles welcome!
Register for Spring Arts Programs!
Lots of art programs for all ages in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Check them out in the Spring Arts and Recreation Guide.
Visit www.theactmapleridge.org for schedules. Register at recreg4u.ca or 604-465-2470.
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
&places
faces
Tuesday, April 1 , 2014
WE PAY CASH for Used Cars
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
Call
A9
604.343.2036
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
April 1: Holy Wow Poets
ted a $6,000 Marc Dalton (right) presen MLAs Doug Bing (left) and ently on behalf rec ws Ridge and Pitt Meado cheque to KidSport Maple l organization loca this ps hel ney nt. The mo of the provincial governme munity. com enrolled into sports in this get under-privileged kids
• Holy Wow Poets meet for their lobby night at The ACT, 11944 Haney Pl., from 7 to 9 p.m.
Christian C owley, exec utive information display at th director of the CEED C Eric Zimmer/ entre Societ e recent Nat TIMES y, set up an ure Day at Amsterdam Greenhouse s.
Garibaldi Arts Club members Jean Abbot (left) next to her piece, They Gave All, artist Diane Speirs (immediate left), with her piece Moon rising over the ACT, Donna Wakefield (below left) with her piece Determination, and (bottom) ConnieJean Moore, next to her piece, Even Chickadees Get Cold, were among the artists in attendance during the recent opening of the Seasons in the Park exhibit in the Maple Ridge art gallery. The art club hosts an annual spring exhibit at The ACT.
Ridge Meadows Hospice staffers Lara Lee and Paige Charron participated in a recent Shades of Green St. Paddy’s fundraising pub night at Samz Pub in Pitt Meadows. The event raised $3,800.
April 1: Recycling AGM
• Ridge Meadows Recycling Society’s 2014 AGM takes place at 6:30 p.m. at The Well, located inside Chances Gaming Centre, 22710 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge. Info: www.rmrecycling.org.
April 1: Support group
• Coquitlam prostate cancer support group meets at 7 p.m. in the Coquitlam Pinetree Community Centre, 1260 Pinetree Way. Info: Norm at 604-936-8703 or Ken at 604-936-2998.
April 2: Taxes
• Understanding Taxation and Filing takes place at the Maple Ridge Library, #130-22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd., at 7 p.m.
April 3: Seniors
• A Seniors Helping Seniors meeting takes place at 9:30 a.m. at the Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre, 12150 224th St., Maple Ridge.
April 3: The ACT
• Canadian actor Charlie Ross performs in his one-man show One Man Lord of the Rings at 7:30 p.m. at The ACT. Info: www.theactmapleridge.org or 604-476-2787.
April 3: Support group
• Parkinson’s caregivers support group meets at 10 a.m. Info: Julie Lloyd at 604-459-9071 or djlloyd1@ shaw.ca, or Joanne Long 604-4629735 or joanne.long@shaw.ca.
Ray Johnson and Bertha Mortimer have been hosting monthly I Love to Dance social ballroom dancing event at the Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre on 224th Street for nine years now. It’s an event for novice to professional dancers looking for some space to strut their stuff. The cost is $20 each. The next dance is Saturday, April 19. Info at: www. ilovetodance.ca.
April 4: Band
• Ninjaspy will stop in Pitt Meadows at the community church, 12109 Harris Rd., at 8 p.m., as part of the band’s Jump Ya Bones tour.
April 5: Cartoonist
• Cartoonist Ernie Poignant will be selling copies of his book of cartoons, Poignant Moments, at the Maple Ridge Library at 2 p.m. All proceeds from sales of his book will be donated to Canucks Place. Full list: www.mrtimes.com
How can you share? Do you have a local photo of someone or some place you’d like to share with the rest of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows? Email it to us as a high-resolution .JPEG to editorial@mrtimes.com. Please include a brief description – including everyone’s first and last name. Put “faces & places” in the subject line of your email.
2014ARE ACCORD LX GOING, ALMOST GONE. 2013 CIVIC AND FIT MODELS GOING,
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A10
Tuesday, April 1 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Buy more, save BIG
when you stock up on the items you use most!
Hurry! Sale ends Thursday, April 3 Large Size
Kraft Salad Dressings Assorted varieties. 414 to 475 mL.
166 Each when you buy 3 or more
CLUB PRICE
Kicking Horse Coffee Assorted varieties. 454 g.
899 Each when you buy 2 or more
CLUB PRICE
Classico Pasta Sauce Assorted varieties. 218 to 650 mL.
250 Each when you buy 4 or more
CLUB PRICE
McCain Frozen Rising Crust Pizza 770 to 900 g. Or Pizza Pockets 8’s. Assorted varieties.
499
Minute Maid Juices
Knorr Sidekicks
CLUB PRICE
Or Five Alive or Nestea. Assorted varieties. 1 Litre. Plus deposit and/or enviro levy where applicable.
100 Each when you buy 5 or more
CLUB PRICE
Yoplait Source Yogourt
Assorted varieties. 650 g.
200 Each when you buy 4 or more
CLUB PRICE
Select varieties. 525 to 720 g.
Assorted varieties. 300 to 340 g.
349 Each when you buy 3 or more
General Mills Cereal
Kraft Shredded Cheese
299
Each when you buy 3 or more
Each when you buy 3 or more
CLUB PRICE
CLUB PRICE
Primo Pasta
Assorted varieties. 111 to 167 g.
Assorted varieties. 900 g.
100
125
Each when you buy 5 or more
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Palmolive Dish Liquid
Christie Cookies
Assorted varieties. 182 to 300 g.
Assorted varieties. 739 mL.
199
150
Each when you buy 3 or more
Each when you buy 2 or more
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Grade “A” Turkeys
Under 7 kg. Frozen. LIMIT ONE PER HOUSEHOLD WITH A MINIMUM $50 PURCHASE. Valid April 2 to April 10. While supplies last.
99
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lb 2.18/kg
Prices effective at all British Columbia Safeway stores Wednesday, April 2 through Thursday, April 3, 2014 only. We reserve the right to limit sales to retail quantities. Some items may not be available at all stores. All items while stocks last. Actual items may vary slightly from illustrations. Some illustrations are serving suggestions only. Advertised prices do not include GST. ®™ Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Co. and Safeway. Extreme Specials are prices that are so low they are limited to a one time purchase to Safeway Club Card Members within a household. Each household can purchase the limited items one time during the effective dates. A household is defined by all Safeway Club Cards that are linked by the same address and phone number. Each household can purchase the EXTREME SPECIALS during the specified advertisement dates. For purchases over the household limits, regular pricing applies to overlimit purchases. On BUY ONE GET ONE FREE items, both items must be purchased. Lowest priced item is then free. Online and in-store prices, discounts, and offers may differ.
APRIL 2 3
WED THUR
Prices in this ad good until April 3rd.
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, April 1 , 2014
A11
Cinema
Youth to film ‘transition’
Young people are invited to express their idea of the future in short videos.
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT
Jordan Perea
by Cindy St. Laurent editorial@mrtimes.com
Cinema Politica Ridge Meadows is challenging youth to contemplate the future of their communities for an upcoming youth film festival. The theme for the Youth Film Festival Ridge Meadows 2014 is called Ridge Meadows 2034, hosted by Cinema Politica and the Golden Ears Transition Initiative. This year Oosha Ramsoondar, an event organizer at Cinema Politica, said the organization decided to get youth involved. “We decided that we would have this festival that would encourage youth to think about the future, what kind of a society or community they would like to live in, and how they see the challenges that we are facing now being resolved, or on the way to being resolved as they are adults living in our community,” Ramsoondar said.
Carrier of the week
Breanne Behari, Shayla Riggins, Ziggy Martin, Thea Morgan, and Oosha Ramsoondar from Cinema Politica are promoting a youth film festival. The theme is based on the idea of the transition movement, which focuses on relying on more natural and local resources in order to minimize the effects of fossil fuel. Those who are interested must submit a video between six and eight minutes in length, portraying what they want their community to look like when they are adults. The video should focus on issues such as food supply, modes of transportation, poverty, homelessness, and the economy. Judging will be based on content, creativity, impact/effectiveness, and technical excellence. The contest is open to residents in Maple Ridge
and Pitt Meadows 25 years and younger. The screening of the videos will be on May 8 at the Maple Ridge Municipal Hall. Videos must be submitted by April 28 on a USB flash drive. To submit a video, contact Richard Farrance at rjfarrance@ gmail.com, Gerry Pinel at glpinel@shaw.com, Oosha Ramsoondar at o_ramsoondar@hotmail.com, or Verity Howarth at verity@ telus.net. For more information call Ramsoondar at 604-466-3144 or visit the Facebook event page called 2014 Youth Vision Film Festival.
• More at www.mrtimes.com, search “cinema”
HAPPY CENTENNIAL CITY OF PITT MEADOWS
Congratulations on doing a fantastic job. As winner of one of our Good Sport Awards you get
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SAWYERS LANDING LOCAL SERVICE AREA-UPDATED PARCEL TAX ROLL In accordance with section 208(3) of the Community Charter, notice is hereby given that the 2014 Parcel Tax Roll for the Sawyers Landing Local Service Area created by “District of Pitt Meadows Local Area Service Parcel Tax Bylaw - Bylaw No. 2263, 2006” is available for inspection at the Pitt Meadows City Hall during regular office hours. A person who owns a parcel included on the parcel tax roll may request that the roll be amended respecting a matter referred to in section 205 (1) of the Community Charter, but only in relation to the person’s own property. Requests for amendment for matters referred to in section 205(1) must be made in writing and be received at Pitt Meadows City Hall no later than April 15th, 2014. For further information, please contact: Finance Dept City of Pitt Meadows (604) 465-2424
Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services, in partnership with Sentis Research, is conducting a survey to measure usage and satisfaction with parks and recreation programs, services and facilities. Randomly selected households have been mailed a notification letter with a link and a unique, onetime-use pass code to enter the online survey; if your household was randomly selected to participate in the survey we hope you will take part.
A12
Tuesday, April 1 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
C y Charles Ross performs a oneman show about a classic tale, infusing it with humour and improvisation.
The ACT
Play draws on ring trilogy Charlie Ross follows his Star Wars show last year with a play based on the Lord of the Rings. by Cindy St. Laurent
editorial@mrtimes.com
Charlie Ross will bring the Lord of the Rings trilogy to life in a one-man show at The ACT. Last year, Ross sold out his One Man Star Wars Trilogy performance, which he has been performing for 13 years. After the play’s success, he decided to make one based on the Lord of the Rings trilogy. “Obviously a popular film is a great way to take advantage of a built-in fan base,” he said. On April 3, he will be performing his eight-year-old One Man Lord of the Rings show, with a pair of elbow pads and min-
imal lighting as his only props. He created the show back in 2004, but couldn’t start performing for a few years until he got the rights for it. The entire Middle-Earth trilogy is summed up in 3,600 seconds, using 10 hours of final cut film and special effects to accompany Ross as he plays every character and fights every battle. “If I’m really honest with myself I’d say the show continually changes. It has its obvious scripted form, but new jokes are always just arriving. I’m trying new things all the time,” said Ross. Ross is a B.C. actor who followed his heart and his career to Halifax, N.S., in 1999. He started creating his one-man trilogies when he was doing Fringe theatre around the age of 26. One Man Lord of the Rings runs at 7:30 p.m. at The ACT. For information or for tickets, call 604-476-2787, go online at www.theactmapleridge.org, or visit The ACT, 11944 Haney Pl., Maple Ridge.
9 5 TH A N N I V E R S A R Y S E A S O N
AMY GRANT
with the VSO MONDAY, APRIL 14, 8PM
Orpheum Theatre
David Hamilton conductor Amy Grant performer
MEDIA SPONSOR
@VSOrchestra
Six-time Grammy® Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist Amy Grant brings her special brand of music making to the Orpheum, live in performance with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, in a concert featuring Grant’s biggest hits from her extraordinary twenty-five year career!
Tickets online at vancouversymphony.ca or call 604.876.3434
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
Pitt Meadows Heritage & Museum Society
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday, at 7:00 7:00 p.m. p.m. Wednesday,April April10th 9th at A t the t h e General G e n e r a l SStore t o r e ssite i t e oof f tthe he At P i t t Meadows M e a d o w s Museum M u s e u m && AArchives rchives Pitt 1 2 2 9 4 H a r r i s R o a d , P i t t M e adows 12294 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows 604-465-4322 604-465-4322
Meeting commences at 7:00 p.m.
Meetingwith commences atour7:00 p.m. refreshments and “Dressingwith for the Centennial” slide show to follow. refreshments to follow (members and and people people wishing wishing to to become become members members are are welcome) welcome) (members
A Reminder: the Pitt Meadows Museum’s Annual Heritage Reunion Tea Penny Reminder: the April Pitt Meadows Museum’s Annual DriveAfalls on Saturday, 12th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at theHeritage Old Heritage Reunion Tea and Penny Drive falls on Saturday, April 20th Hall on Harris Road. This year in celebration of the 100th birthdayfrom of to 4:00 p.m.is at thetoOld Hall on Harris Pitt 1:00 Meadows the Tea open the Heritage general public. Please join Road. us for tea, For birthday more information to more volunteer please treats and cake and to or learn about some the Pitttime Meadows Heritage Museum at Pitt 604-465-4322 or email us at andcontact Museumthe Society and the Meadows Museum and Archives. pittmeadowsmuseum@telus.net. For more information or to volunteer some time please contact the Museum at 604-465-4322 or email usto atthank pittmeadowsmuseum@telus.net. The Museum Society wishes the following individuals, The Museum Society wishes to thank following individuals, groups and businesses for theirthe support in 2012: groups and businesses for their support in 2013: City of Pitt Meadows – council and staff; Corporation of the District of Maple Ridge – council and staff; Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Parks and Leisure Services Commission and staff; Government of Canada - HRSDC - Summer Employment for Students program; Government of Canada and the Canadian Museums Association – Young Canada Works program; Government of British Columbia, B.C. Creative Communities program; Meadows Landscape; Annette Code; Sandra Caddo; Em Warner; Theresa Flynn; Eileen Karula; Jean Abbott; Sylvia Tompkins; Frances Speakman; Chum Richardson; Elizabeth Brooke; Joe Antalek; Pacific Coast Paranormal and Research Society; Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times newspaper; Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows News newspaper; Em’s Designer Crafts; Jennifer Chernecki; Don Cramb; Leslie Norman; Bjorn Norman; Hanna Norman; Jamie Carballo; Shannon Rhodes; Tony Wheeler; Jim Scott; Maple Ridge Museum and Archives; Otter Co Op; Darlene Unreau; Erin Pasternak; What’s On Ridge Meadows Magazine; Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Tourism; John Adolph; Jeff Chenatte; Jordan Turner; Luke Deathridge; Tanner Sims; Nick Sims; Nick Pochailo; Nikki McLaren; Jessica Rhodes; Ken Ramsden; Ted Mueler; Brady Weir; Janet Symonds; Jakob Vorlicek; Amrit ; Julia Tomalova; Daryl Siow; Janet Symonds; Westminster Savings, Project Better Balance; Shirley Leyenhorst; Tim Woodland; Sarah Thompson; Diane Stiglish; Gerritje Willms and Tina Lasseur; Maureen Sutton; Maureen Swierstra; Ken and Thelma Joyner; Bruce Bauman; Pat Norris; Patti Rear; Diana Antalek; Yvonne Chui.
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Sports On Deck
Fans celebrate Maple Ridge’s own hometown hero Larry Walker, a standout baseball player and left-handed power hitter, was part of a special group recognized this past Saturday. A season opener between the Mets and Jays included a Montreal Expos tribute. It celebrated the former team’s best season – that was 1994 – which was due in part to Walker. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
NRDA’s Diane Cougar on Saturday.
Club cash raised The New Ridge Dart Association 1998 held its spring fundraiser this past Saturday at the Haney Public House. The fundraiser was organized to bring about awareness of the league, and attract new players, as well as promote local business involvement. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Results posted
Canadian Junior Golf Association’s BC Junior Open featured local golfers, and results from the tournament are in. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Season opens
Pitt Meadows’ SFU track athlete Michael Hutchinson was part of the team’s season opener at UBC on Sunday. Hutchinson took one of the top spots in the 400-metre dash and finished in fourth place. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Send your scores and game reports to sports@mrtimes.com
Recreation
Did you know?
We have drop in counselling. Come in & see a counsellor right away.
604.467.5179 • www.alouetteaddictions.org
Tribute
Heat honours Pitt hockey legend
The Abbotsford Heat team will pay tribute to former NHLer Brendan Morrison during a game this Friday. by Eric Zimmer ezimmer@mrtimes.com
He’s a family man, former NHLer, and a Pitt Meadows-raised product of Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey. And this week, Brendan Morrison will be at the Abbotsford Heat game on April 4, as part of the Legends of Hockey Series. Morrison, who was born in North Vancouver, but raised in Pitt Meadows, got his start playing in the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey League. He said he was “humbled” when he was asked to appear as part of the series. “It’s an honour when you get a call from someone saying they want to honour you as a legend of hockey,” Morrison told The TIMES. “It’s pretty overwhelming – you look at some of the guys that have been honoured this year and it’s quite the group.” Morrison’s NHL career spanned 17 seasons, in which he played on a number of teams, including eight seasons on the Canucks roster. These days, he lives in Calgary with his wife and four young children. Morrison may be finished playing on the professional circuit but that doesn’t mean he is slowing down. “Four kids equals activities almost every night,” he said. He also started his own company, and has some commercial real estate ventures on the go with a Vancouver-based group. To top it off, the ex-NHLer also hosts his own fishing show, which is available on six different channels in B.C., including CHEK. “It’s been good. Really good,” he said, of life after the NHL. Morrison is still involved with hockey, though, as both his oldest son and youngest daughter are active in the minor league. “I help with coaching them,” he
Brendan Morrison, NHL veteran, and a Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey product, will be honoured in Abbotsford this Friday during the Heat game. Morrison played for a number of teams over the course of his career, including the Vancouver Canucks and the New Jersey Devils.
Gerry Thomas/Calgary Flames Hockey Club
explained. be a big part of next week’s game As for further future profesas well. sional involvement with hockey, Even though he’s in town for Morrison hasn’t one night only, and closed the door. “I’m done playing… is attending the “I’m done playing, game solo, Morrison this year is about but is there a chance expects the event I might get back into will be a family dedication to the the game in some affair. family.” capacity? For sure.” “My mom and Brendan Morrison Not this year dad are still in though. Pitt Meadows, my “This year is about dedication to sister’s there – a bunch of family the family.” is still in the area. They’ll be out at And Morrison expects family to the Heat game,” he explained.
HAPPY 100TH PITT MEADOWS
Even though his career has seen him play in cities like New Jersey, Washington, Chicago, and Calgary, Morrison never forgets where he’s from. “I always tell people I’m from Pitt Meadows,” he said. “I have very fond memories of growing up there.” More information on this Friday’s game and hockey tribute in Abbotsford, as well as start time and ticket information, can be found online at www.abbotsfordheat.com.
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