Single mother Trudi Appleton received the Mother’s Day gift to top all Mother’s Day gifts…
Page A11
Walmart
2150 Hawkin s St, Port Coquitla m
• LOCAL NEWS • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 20 PAGES
Superstore
19800 Loug heed Hwy, Pitt Meadow s 32136 Loug heed Hwy, Mission
Provincial politics
MLA votes ‘no’
Ridge Meadows Home Show Sho how
Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton went against his party on a vote on gender designation.
Show future up in the air
by Maria Rantanen mrantanen@mrtimes.com
Organizers are pleased with this year’s attendance, despite rain. Story and photo by Eric Zimmer ezimmer@mrtimes.com
View
More Photos with
www.mrtimes.com
Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton voted against his government – along with three other members of the legislative assembly – on a section of a bill that deals with gender designation. Section 115 of Bill 17-2014 allows individuals to change their gender designation on their birth designation without gender reassignment surgery. The applicant must have a letter from a doctor and a registered psychologist, and, if a minor, consent of his or her parents. Dalton said he’s concerned about young people, many of whom already struggle with their identity and “with who they are” on many fronts. “My concern is it might lead to more self-acceptance issues with young people,” Dalton said about the legislative changes. Marc Dalton Dalton said he supports gender Maple Ridge-Mission MLA reassignment surgery, but he said this change to legislation for him is about self-acceptance of young people. “It’s very human to struggle with who you are,” he said. Dalton pointed out that voting against the section of the bill was no surprise to his party as the B.C. Liberals allow for free votes on any issue except the budget, adding that having a free vote “is not a weakness but a strength.”
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Layar or online
BMXer Liam Wallace took flight during the action extreme sports show on Saturday. It was one of the highlights of the Ridge Meadows Home Show.
Though exhibitors were “booking booths like crazy” for next year, and an estimated 20,000 people came through the gates of the 2014 Ridge Meadows Home Show on the weekend, the future of the event is uncertain. The outdoor portion of the show has long been a major attraction for those who attend, but that could change, should a proposed SmartCentre development go ahead at the Albion Fairgrounds. “We don’t know,” what the future has in store, said long-time event organizer Cass Winder. “We haven’t seen the proposal,” she elaborated. “It may be very workable for us, or it may not.”
continued on page A5…
Courts
Driver jailed 7.5 years for killing two, maiming one
A man who killed the wife of a Maple Ridge Chrysler employee was sentenced Thursday. by Susan Lazaruk Special to The TIMES
An impaired hit-and-run driver who killed two women and maimed a man for
life was sentenced on Thursday to seven and one-half years in jail. Cory Sater, 40, sobbed upon hearing the sentence. Sater, who arrived at court carrying a Bible and said “this book will save your life,” was handcuffed and led away to the cells. Outside court, some relatives of his three victims — mother of four Charlene Reaveley – whose husband works at Maple Ridge Chrysler – Lorraine
Only online…
offences,” said Crown prosecutor Christopher McPherson, who had sought eight to nine years and was satisfied with the sentence. Defence lawyer Rishi Gill, who had sought a jail term of three to four years, said, “It was a difficult case and a difficult sentence.” He said it wasn’t appropriate to discuss the possibility of appeal.
continued on page A4…
For the top 10 list of the most expensive real estate listings in Maple Ridge this month, visit www.mrtimes.com, search “expensive”
Ask us how to get $10,000 CASH OAC with your next PAY-OFF HIGH IT New or INTEREST CRED T! EB CARD D Used Car
CALL 604.465.8931
Cruz, who were both killed, and Paulo Calimbahin, who lost a leg — said they had hoped for a longer sentence. Others, including Reaveley’s widower, Dan, said they were satisfied with Sater’s jail term. “It doesn’t make any difference,” he said. “It won’t bring Charlene back,” said her mother, Mary Ogilvie. “It’s a significant penalty for these
CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE
Online, all the time...
Time Tested Pain Relief Dr. M. Mahmood
Mind-Body Wellness
MD. (IMD*), R.Ac., ABIHM
3-22722 Lougheed Hwy Maple Ridge, BC (behind Mark’s)
www.mrtimes.com
www.careplacewellnesscentre.com
Wishing a Merry Christmas & Happy Centennial H you appy C entennial
604.466.2818 pittmeadows.bc.ca facebook.com/pittmeadows @citypittmeadows
A2
Tuesday, May 6 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Registering now...
Visi tD
n atio orm
1
$ 00
from every DQ® Cake purchased ay 11 11th May from from May May 4tthh ttoo M
sey for mor Lind ei nf c. a/ Q
will benefit your y local CChildren’s hildren’s M Miracle irraacle N Network etwork® member hospital.
Early Childhood Education Program Application for admission is required. Call for information. Daytime / Evening / Saturday Options Summer Intensives Information session Wed. May 28 – FREE Call to register FOODSAFE BASIC (LEVEL 1) 43080 Sa $76.00/1 session
Jun 7 8:30 am-4:30 pm $15 book and certificate fee
FORKLIFT OPERATOR CERTIFICATE
43110 Sa 43120 Sa $176.00/1 session
May 10 8:30 am-4:30 pm Jun 14 8:30 am-4:30 pm $30 book and certificate fee
BUILDING SERVICE WORKER 43430 M-F May 20- Jun 10 6:00 -10:00 pm
Please note revised dates. $789.00/15 sessions $40 manual & material fee
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER ASSISTANT PROGRAM
PROGRAM STARTS FALL 2014
Admission Requirements: • Grade 12 (G.E.D. not accepted), copy of diploma or transcript. • Volunteer time and/or appropriate work experience (100 hrs) • Able to pass Criminal record check – required for practicum placements, will be submitted by College. • English and academic skills assessment, performed at the Application Session. • Two professional references – written Bring documentation, references and a calculator to the application session. Registration In Person: Friday June 6, 2014, 8:30 am - on a first-come-first-served basis. Application Session: Friday, June 13, 2014, 9:00 am – noon: only prospective students who have been accepted for registration on June 6 will be invited to attend the application session. $28/1 session
CERTIFICATE COURSES ACCOUNTING 2 45362
M/W/F
$339/12 SESSIONS
ACCOUNTING 3 45372
M/W
$339/14 SESSIONS
$219/7 SESSIONS MAY 21-JUN16
12:30-2:30PM
MAY 12-JUN 30
7:00-9:00PM
44220
SAGE 50 / SIMPLY ACCOUNTING LEVEL 2 44105
SA
$249/3 SESSIONS
MAY24-JUN7
$50 TEXT FEE
Two locations to serve you:
EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION
22490 Lougheed Highway • 604-463-8158 20492 Lougheed Highway • 604-465-8600
$189/5 SESSIONS
44010
Find us on Facebook facebook.com/mapleridgedq
All trademarks owned or licensed by Am. D.Q. Corp. ©2013.
M-F TH
MS ACCESS 2010
44235
M-F
$249/8 SESSIONS
JUN 9-12 JUN 12
BOdyssey ella&Vita Bistro
A Fine Dining Experience
Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet Sunday May 12 • Starting at 10am to 2pm
Breakfast Station Lunch Station
Dessert Station
Carving Station
19.95 Children 14.95
• Meat, Chicken, Seafood, Pasta, Veggie & Salad Station • Homemade Soup
• Assortment of Cakes, Fresh Fruits, Strawberry Mousse, Baklava & Ekmek • Coffee, Tea & Assorted Beverages Adults
$
$
BELLA VITA RESTAURANT A Fine Dining Experience & ODYSSEY BISTRO
3
$ 00 Off or Dinner Entrée 50% Off Lunch Beverages at regular price & receive a 2nd meal of equal or lesser value at 50% off
Valid 7 days a week with this coupon • With this coupon-Dine in Only Cannot be combined with other offers or specials, excluding Mother’s Day. Please present this coupon before ordering. Maximum 3 per party. Expires, August 30th 2014
22471 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge • Please call for reservations 604.467.3212
22471 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge Please Call for Reservations 604-467-3212 Friday & Saturday 11:00am - 11:00pm Sunday - Thursday 11:00am - 10:00pm
M-F
9:00AM-2:30PM
12:30 -2:30 PM 9:30 -11:30 AM
M-F
$189/5 SESSIONS
BOOK FEE: $25 MAY 27-JUN 2
BOOK FEE: $25
MS POWERPOINT 2010 44287
M-F
$189/5 SESSIONS
MAY 20-26
BOOK FEE: $25
12:30 -2:30 PM
12:30 -2:30 PM
MS WORD 2010 LEVEL 2 44270 44271
M-F M/W
$279/9 SESSIONS
APR 29-MAY 9 MAY 26-JUN 23
9:30 -11:30 AM 6:30-8:30PM
JUN 13
8:30 AM -3:30 PM
BOOK FEE: $25
WORLDHOST 44283 MAY 22-JUN 2
BOOK FEE: $25
MS EXCEL 2010 LEVEL 1 44140
MS OUTLOOK 2010
MAY 12-21
9:30 -11:30 AM
F
$139/1 SESSION
SOCIAL MEDIA FOR BUSINESS 44286 9:30 -11:30 AM
M-F
$159/4 SESSIONS
JUN 3-6
9:30-11:30 AM
General Interest & Personal Development Zumba© with Kathy White NEW SESSIONS Thurs. to June 5 7:00 pm $10 drop-in Pilates with Kathy White NEW SESSIONS Wed. to June 3 6:30 pm $10 DROP-IN Holistic Nutrition: How to Cancer-Proof Yourself With Nutrition Wed. May 21 7:00 $24/1 session Personal Development & Care: WomanScript With Oonagh Rogers Sat. Jun. 14 9:00 am Please note revised date $149/1 session Surviving Separation & Divorce Tamara Throssell Thurs. Apr. 24 6:30 pm $29/1 session Self-Compassion With Sylvie Jensen Wed. May 14 6:30 pm $69/3 sessions Women & Self Care With Sylvie Jensen Wed. Apr. 16 6:30 pm $69/3 sessions Relationship Course Deanna Lo Terzo Sat. May 10 8:30 am $199/3 sessions $12 material fee One 2.5 hour ad hoc session TBA Kiss Your Excuses Goodbye! Sat. Apr. 26 9:00 am
Tu May 27 6:30 pm $39/1 session Small Business: Learn to Love Selling Like the Pros Tues. May 13 7:00 pm $119/3 sessions E-Commerce Tues. May 13 7:00 pm $79/3 sessions Getting Down to Business Tues. Jun. 3 7:00 pm $59/2 sessions Creative Writing: How to Write & Publish Your Own Book in 40 Days With Bob Burnham Tues. May 20 6:30 pm $49/1 sessions Simplified Solutions: Downsizing & Clearing Clutter Tues. May 13 6:30 pm $39/1 session Organizing Memorabilia Tues. May 29 6:30 pm $39/1 session Wesley Brown’s Goal Workshop Tues. Jun. 10 6:30 pm $39/1 session Photography: Macro Photography With Eric Svensen Thurs. May 15 7:00 pm $149/6 sessions Photography Field Trip With Eric Svensen Sat. May 31 9:00 am Sat. Jun. 14 9:00 am $99/1 session
CALL FOR INSTRUCTORS! Do you have a passion, skill or special knowledge that you would like to share? Submit a proposal to Ridge Meadows College outlining course content, resources needed, length, possible dates and contact information. We may be able to work with you in presenting your course. Written submissions only please. Email: rmc@sd42.ca or Fax: 604-463-5437
www.rmcollege.ca 20575 Thorne Avenue Maple Ridge T 604-466-6555
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
UpFront Click
for community
A3
FREE information sessions to
Start Your Business Right. enquiries@businessstart.ca
604 467 7491
Fundraiser
Big Bike rolls through Haney
Eight groups helped raise money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. mrtimes.com
Timeline amended Maple Ridge council will be looking at its financial plan earlier than it normally does in order to allow the new council, which will be sworn in in December, to focus on its strategic plan. Council’s business planning usually takes place during the month of December. • More at www.mrtimes.com
Habitats protected Four fish and wildlife projects in the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows area – to support salmon stocks bull trout, and shoreline habitats – will receive more than $160,000 through the Fish MLA Doug Bing and Wildlife Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Compensation Program. “Salmonids... will have their habitats expanded and further protected,” said MLA Doug Bing. • More at www.mrtimes.com 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
On Cooking by Chef Dez
Baking scones for mom The TIMES hopes lots of readers caught up with Chef Dez at this past weekend’s home show, at The TIMES Barbecue School. In today’s column, he offers a great ham and cheddar scone recipe for Mother’s Day. • 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.
by Maria Rantanen mrantanen@mrtimes.com
A very big bike with 29 enthusiastic riders made its way through downtown Haney on Friday, raising almost $21,000 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Kicking off the annual event on Friday morning was the Tri-Hard Walking Club, with MLA Marc Dalton and Duncan MacDonald at the front of the bike. There were six rides throughout the day with eight different teams – some teams joined forces on a single ride. Returning teams were Starbucks, West Coast Auto Group, E-one Moli Energy, Winners, and Curves. There were two new teams, one from the District of Maple Ridge and the other a community-based team called the Community Hearts and Minds. The ride went “really well,” said Gillian Yardley, the area manager for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. “Omigosh, they were so enthusiastic,” she said about the riders. Each rider has to raise a minimum of $50 to participate. The Maple Ridge ride on Friday raised $20,926, up slightly from last year. In 2013, 4,000 teams took part across Canada raising $8.4 million for research into heart conditions and stroke. For information about Big Bike, go to www. bigbike.ca.
Maria Rantanen/TIMES
Duncan MacDonald and Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton were at the front of the Big Bike that rode through Maple Ridge on Friday raising money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. The bike (inset) seats 29 riders.
School district
Board chair concerned cuts affect students
Fees will be added to school transportation as board balances its budget. by Maria Rantanen mrantanen@mrtimes.com
The board of education managed to squeeze out about $5 million in savings and passed a balanced budget last week – but not without criticism about how education is funded. The chair of the Maple RidgePitt Meadows board of education, Mike Murray, said he is concerned that continuous cuts will have an impact on students
in the district. consistently and with “Less attention to certainty.” students means a At a recent B.C. greater number of stuSchool Trustees’ dents falling through Association meeting, the cracks,” Murray delegates asked the said. Minister of Education This year, in addiPeter Fassbender tion to cutting teacher to look at the fundpositions and support ing formula, Murray staff, the board of edusaid, and the minister cation implemented indicated the ministry Mike Murray costs for students who would look into it. School board chair are bused to school The school district and dipped into reserves to the also needs to continue to be as tune of about $800,000. efficient in their operation as Murray said the board needs possible, Murray said. to keep talking to the provincial As well, the board has to send government asking that school a message to the B.C. governdistricts are funded “fairly and ment of “no more downloading.”
Feel good. Live longer. Start your good life today.
NO MONEY DOWN NO ENROLMENT NROLMENT $ *
(on a 2 year membership)
NO JUDGEMENT ® CLUB EveryBODY Welcome Here
7
PER WEEK
Meadowtown Centre Women’s Club
connecting made easy:
604-460-0348
facebook.com/goodlifefitness
201-19800 Lougheed Hwy, 2nd Floor Real Canadian Superstore
YOUR
Murray would also like the provincial government to look at school taxes and whether more funding could be generated through them. Murray pointed out that his personal portion of property taxes collected for schools – which is set by the provincial government – has gone down by 16 per cent over the last decade. “For that not to have gone up... seems odd to me,” Murray said, adding that “it bears further analysis.” It is estimated that next year’s budget shortfall will be about $1.6 million, Murray said. The budget was passed last Wednesday.
goodlifefitness.com @goodlifefitness
*Based on the purchase of a 2 year membership. Bi-weekly payments will commence based on your start date. $7 weekly payments valid at Pitt Meadows Women’s Club only. Applicable tax applies. No additional fees are required above the regular membership fee. Membership fees vary based on club and the membership option chosen. Offer valid at participating locations only. Please check goodlifefitness.com or with club for hours of operation. Other conditions apply, see club for details.
A4
Tuesday, May 6 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Sentence not meant to ‘exact revenge’: Judge …continued from page A1
RCMP seized a large quantity of items reported stolen.
Police files
Cache of stolen items recovered
After following a truck taken in Maple Ridge, police made two arrests and seized a cache of reported stolen items
A former Maple Ridge man will remain behind bars until next week at least. Brandon Russell Cumming-Hobson, a 19year-old currently from Surrey but with what police describe as strong ties to Maple Ridge, was arrested recently and has been remanded in prison until a bail hearing in Port Coquitlam provincial court on May 15. He’s charged with multiple counts of possession of stolen property, driving while prohibited, identity theft, and possession of a controlled substance. Meanwhile, his coaccused, Samantha Rose Wooton, a 23-year-old from Surrey, faces multiple charges of possession of stolen property, identity theft, and failure to comply with a probation order. She was also in custody Monday, but had not yet appeared before a judge. All these charges stem from allegations the pair were involved in a monthlong crime spree that stretched up and down the Lower Mainland, from Squamish to Abbotsford. It all came to a head on April 23, when members of the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto
Crime Team (IMPACT) Enforcement Team spotted an unoccupied Ford F350 pickup truck in Surrey. Running the vehicle, it turned out it was reported stolen from Maple Ridge on April 10 and believed tied to a break-and-enter in Langley on April 19, explained IMPACT Insp. Peter Jadis. A short time after spotting the truck, a man and woman drove away only to be arrested by officers watching the vehicle. A search of the truck and a hotel room used by the pair revealed items that have been reported stolen in theft from cars and break-and-enters during the past four weeks from Squamish to Abbotsford. A subsequent search warrant was executed on a storage facility in Surrey on Monday, April 29 and further items were recovered including garage door openers and vehicle insurance papers, in excess of 40 sets of keys, credit cards, jewelry, computers, laptops, cameras, mail, smart phones, and hundreds of pieces of ID including passports, Nexus cards, government ID, and credit cards as well as $5,000 in cash. Evidence recovered has been linked to more than 55 break-and-enters and theft from automobiles in the Lower Mainland. IMPACT investigators will be contacting victims in an effort to reunite them with their stolen property.
In his written judgment, which took an hour to read in New Westminster B.C. Supreme Court Thursday, Judge James Williams said the main objectives of the sentence is denunciation and deterrence. He said the accident represented “an incredible shameful waste of humanity… These were good, decent people who were greatly valued and loved by others.” But the judge said the sentence is not meant to compensate losses or exact revenge. “The lost lives will be not be restored,” he said, acknowledging that people would leave the courtroom with a “sense of sorrow, sadness, and waste.” The “impact of the damage extends to Mr. Sater,” who is the
Kimberley and Giacomo deBenesingle father of two, Williams said. dictis were on their way home from But, he added, Sater’s “moral culpan evening out when they saw a ability is very high.” Nissan Pathfinder spin out Sater made a decision and crash on Lougheed to drive his vehicle that Highway at Pitt River night, knowing he didn’t Road in Coquitlam. have a licence, after drinkThe Reaveleys and ing eight drinks, including Giacomo deBenedictis ran six double highballs in a to help while Kimberley bar before being cut off. deBenedictis called 9-1Sater was convicted in 1. They helped Lorraine January of two counts of Cruz and her boyfriend impaired driving causing Paulo Calimbahin out of death, impaired driving their damaged vehicle. causing bodily harm, two Neither was hurt. counts of dangerous drivCharlene Reaveley Moments later, Sater’s ing causing death and struck down and killed Jeep Cherokee sidedangerous driving causing swiped the Pathfinder and bodily harm. He pleaded hit Charlene, Cruz and Calimbahin guilty to leaving an accident scene. at between 44 and 64 km/h before Shortly before 12:30 a.m. on the driving away. night of the crash, Charlene and - Susan Lazaruk is a reporter with The Province Dan Reaveley and close friends
DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?
he is wanted for HEARING LOSS! If you or your loved one is showing signs of hearing loss, please call now for a FREE HEARING SCREENING and to book them into our 30 WANTED Program today 604-466-3277. They will have a great opportunity to be the first to evaluate new digital noise reduction hearing aids, RISK FREE* with a free trial. Participants that wish to purchase these Instruments will be offered tremendous savings!
• More at www.mrtimes.com
His victims complain of the following: 1. Turning up the television too loud 2. Asking you to repeatedly repeat yourself 3. Isolating himself in noisy situations
www.cvoh.ca www.cvoh.ca *Some e rrestrictions apply, see in-store forr information about the risk-free trial and details about the savings offered. Program is available while space is available. +If you find a lower advertised price on an in-stock new identical item from an Authorized Canadian dealer, now or within 14 days of your purchase, just show us the price and we will match it.
Visit us at 22540 Dewdney Trunk Road Maple Ridge, or call 604-466-3277 Garage door openers should be treated just like keys and kept on the owners’ person, said IMPACT Insp. Peter Jadis.
The Wiens Family
Family owned an operated since 1997
NOW OPEN! Denman Place Mall Vancouver
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Show volunteers, staff applauded
Eryk Zale helped load up the animals in the petting zoo Sunday afternoon, including the baby lamb Quatro. Despite the rain, Warm Hearth manager Lisa Blaine Cbelow) kept warm and dry thanks to tents, umbrellas, and firepits at the Ridge Meadows Home Show.
…continued from page A1
Roxanne Hooper/TIMES
SPRING PRESSURE WASHING SPECIAL
$199 Exterior House Washing $139 Gutter Cleaning $299 Roof Soft Wash Cleaning • Additional charge for homes over 2500 sq. ft. or more than 2 stories. • Additional charge for gutter scrubbing. • Offer expires May 30, 2014.
For more details, go to lilsquirtpowerwashing.com
www.mrtimes.com
Winder doesn’t know when the public input process will take place, but said decisions around the show’s future would be made after one has happened, and those decisions will be made by the show’s board of directors. She hopes that going forward, people will realize what they have in the outdoor facilities. ‘The grounds are beautiful,” She added. “They are a real ‘people’s space’ and there’s lots of people who use them.” And as for the show itself, Winder said she was “really amazed” by the numbers who took part in the outdoor events this past weekend, despite what she called less than ideal weather. She also credited everyone View who helped with the show More for its success, including the Photos 170 student volunteers. with “It goes without saying that our volunteers and staff are pretty resilient; when Mother Nature tests you like that on the fairgrounds, you Layar or find out what you’re made online of.” Seeing the smile on the faces of those attend that “makes it all worthwhile,” Winder said. Inside Planet Ice and the curling rink, three-year-old Evan Pannell and his five-year-old brother Kyren had smiles on their faces as well. The pair sat patiently upstairs, where the psychic fair was taking place, munching on candy apples and hanging out with their dad Damian, while their mom visited one of the psychics. “This is the second year we’ve come,” Damian said Saturday. “It’s great so far.” It’s cleanup time now for Winder and her crew, and the process – which involves everything from sending thank-you letters, to meetings and debriefing, to the physical cleanup of the area, takes about a month. Then, she said, after some much needed sleep, work will begin on planning next year’s event – whatever form it may take.
A5
or call Shawn at
604-603-6648
CONFUSED CCONFU ONFUSED ONF about your next move?
GET SOME DIRECTION
Roxanne Hooper/TIMES
Michael Schrattner splashed around in the puddles on Sunday. He joined his wife Leeza, an employee of Marine 1, in the boat exhibit at the Ridge Meadows Home Show.
604-942-8880
Evan and Kyren Pannell enjoyed their candy apples while waiting for their mom at the psychic fair during Ridge Meadows Home Show on Saturday. Eric Zimmer/TIMES
Are you a local Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows business that wants to attract families, kids & parents? The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows School District publishes Connections SD 42 magazine annually with 9,000 copies being distributed directly to families of elementary school students; and 1,000 distributed to libraries, community centres and other family locations. To get more information to advertise in this highly read & visible publication, call Shannon
604-463-2281 or email sballa@mrtimes.com
• COQUITLAM SQUARE • 206-2922 Glen Drive Coquitlam Next to Coquitlam Centre Mall
• Family Law • Real Estate • Wills & Estates • Business Law • Mediation
Schwarz & Co. LAW CORPORATION
www.schwarzlegal.ca
"$#'1 !* (/2', */ %.*'-+++(/2' */ ),+&
;IJW>;W UX ]IG >LL QIUG
OYASC ESSTB *#-/&/+'. 0'%") !,-$/%/,-") '-$ 1/.%") /- (-"
NoG]FLHF G]F\HFJaI_]
%&*(""
rbMc McbN gPfe
)'#%!$
VYFF PB ADTYN[
Z=^@\9^@<<<\
RRR?8:XHUKHX?;IK
UTVES dFaq]F cmkW RaI[K]ki hFLpLqY gHKoJ`La
BDH<=G=IC ?KEF GD=I;=IC :K>FD EHD H<FD @A JFKD?
A6
Tuesday, May 6, 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 604-942-3081 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
Liquor laws opening up The latest change in B.C.’s liquor laws – opening up beer gardens into “whole family” experiences at charity events – points to a disturbing trend in this province and elsewhere: anything that makes money – for charity or business – appears to be fair game. The announcement from the government comes brightly presented in cheerful tones, suggesting that a light is finally being shone to dispel the dark ages of alcohol abuse. “Public safety will continue to be a top priority,” we are assured, and, “Sports and entertainment venues will also see positive changes, thanks to modernized rules.” There’s lots of chatter about charities making more money, and related businesses getting economic benefits. It’s all about “increasing choice and convenience for consumers, cutting red tape, spurring the economy and supporting B.C. jobs, while protecting health and public safety.” Wait a minute… the negative effects of alcohol on both health and public safety are very well understood. How exactly does freer and easier public access to alcoholic beverages – hard liquor will now be available, as well as beer – protect health and public safety? And somewhere in all that, we’ve missed the implications of adding children in the mix – there’s no discussion of the effects of direct exposure of children to alcohol, as they get to sit beside their moms and dads drinking in public. Relaxation of liquor laws implies public approval of increased alcohol consumption, and worse, this draws children in further. We’re wondering how many more charitable organizations will have to organize more open and modernized beer garden events so they can raise funds to help alleviate some of the social problems that our new laws might exacerbate. – B.G.
This Week’s Question Do you agree with opening up beer gardens to more alcohol and admitting children? ■ Your View Last week’s question, results… What is the best way to deal with texting drivers?
Criminal Code: jail time
6%
Take away licence
36%
Impound vehicle
18%
Impound phone
16%
Bigger fines
17%
I do it, but I’m not the hazard
7%
Vote online at: www.mrtimes.com
Opinion
Failure as a modern human being I’m not a very good modern I’ll start working my way human being. through the list. I mean I don’t even have a No sense working hard and sex tape on the interweb. trying to improve my standard I’ve never taken a selfie. of living. I’ve never sexted or cyberbulI’ll take the shortcuts. lied. Then I can do like lots of No chatrooms, online purwealthy Canadians and learn chases, Instagram account, how to squirrel away the iPod, Amazon, slang like money in offshore accounts to LMAO, and Skyping. avoid paying taxes. And it’s not just based on They have sent $170 billion using technology benchmarks. offshore while still living here, by Heather Colpitts I’ve never smoked crack at a using the roads, police servidance club or thrown eggs at ces, schools, bridges, hospitals a neighbouring mansion, urinated on an image and other amenities and infrastructure they don’t of an American president, done insider tradwant to have to pay for. ing, punched a sex trade worker, or owned an The pinko Commie group Canadians for Tax unusual exotic pet. Fairness estimates that would mean an additional Sweet apple cider, I’ve never even had my own $8 billion in tax revenue to the federal and provor been on a reality TV show. incial governments. Society has held up certain people as role modBack to the task as hand – the list. els, whether they consider themselves that or not. Okay, first up sex tape. Get that one out of the And sure, plenty sneer at Rob Ford or roll their way and the rest should be a cinch. eyes at the latest Beebe escapades but that’s what Don’t want to film it in familiar surroundings. gets the attention. Entities like TMZ don’t exist Painting’s not done in the bedroom and there’s a because people aren’t watching and supporting pile of flooring in the living room. them. Create a plan and a budget, I guess. There’s How is it you know more about John people to hire, scenes to block out. Tortorella, his pay, his everything, than about Motel room: $80. your own doctor, the scientist who made a disNo, hotel room: $300 ($100 tip for the housecovery that unlocked the cure for a serious diskeeping staff). ease, or even the neighbour down the street who Cast: $600. donates countless hours to her service club. Crew: $1,500. Because they are not filthy rich and let’s be Stunt double: $400. honest, the only people worth emulating are the Catering: $300. $500 incidentals. rich and famous. Psychological counselling ($125/hour for a It’s kind of a chicken-and-egg-question. Rich therapist multiplied by the number of people who first then famous, or famous then getting rich. view the sex tape = $250 estimate). Doesn’t matter. They have much nicer omelettes Total budget: $3,950. than you or I. Gee, that’s three months mortgage payments So by all the standards of modern society, I’m just to feel like a normal person. Oh well, there’s a failure. always a price to be paid and I’m sure once I hit So, having just hit a birthday that includes a some of these societal benchmarks, I’ll be a hapseven and a four but not saying in which order, pier, more fulfilled human being.
My Two Cents
editorial@mrtimes.com
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Thursday, May 8, 2014
A7
Energy costs
Gas drives cross-border traffic
masse and do something about Another long weekend and this, instead of bitching individLetters another mass exodus to the ually – or sitting in line at the U.S.A.: no wonder everyone border for two hours for a tank to headed across the border, even of gas? the if just to fill up their gas tank. I have always supported my Gas was $1.50 per litre (i.e. local economy, always buy about $6/gallon) – talk about Canadian as much as I can gouging for the Easter weekend. – even my vehicles were assemGive your head a shake, B.C. bled in Ontario. I am born and government and municipalities with all raised in this community (55 years). their taxes, and shame on the oil and gas I hope everyone had a great Easter companies! weekend, despite the weather. D. Armstrong, Maple Ridge When are people going to stand up en
Dear Editor,
Editor
Smart meters
Gabriola Effect short on research Dear Editor,
I enjoyed the “Gabriola Effect” letter [Gabriola Effect works on the mind, April 15 Letters, TIMES]. The writer gets A-plus for dramatic writing, but just an F for research. The smart meter does not transmit once per day for 30 seconds, as stated, but between 9,600 and 190,000 times per day in millisecond bursts that occur 24/7/365. The signal can carry for up to three kilometres and penetrate the ground up to three
feet. Signals from hundreds to thousands of metres in your area will reach your home, adding to the cumulative effect from other sources, such as cell towers and WiFi devices. The statement “the health risk is none” is incorrect. While you may not be able to feel the RF radiation, the cells in your body typically react to it. Many health issues have originated with a newly installed smart meter,
Federal politics
Not perfect… but still best Dear Editor,
Mr. Liboiron is a touch testy [Conservatives not perfect after all, April 24 Letters, TIMES]. Sorry to disappoint, but my keyboard remains in use. It’s a democracy, after all. He brings up the same old same old election results. The facts, are the Conservatives received the most votes of any single party, to form a majority government. The other parties, who do not even like each other, failed. Can we put this nonsensical argument to rest? Also, it’s curious how debaters always seem to know what “the true majority” supports. Further, I did not write the U.S. was a socialist country, but that it has a socialist president who is ruining it. Since Mr. Liboiron “esteems” me, I can assure him that, though I burned out my computer, I purchased an iPad.
Cherryl Katnich, Maple Ridge
What you’re telling us on Facebook
•
Closing down the off-leash facilities at Volker Park seems to have a number of humans growling. And the outrage doesn’t seem to be quieting. “Check out and like the Facebook page www.facebook. com/volkerdogpark. Sign the petition and learn when and where for meetings and rallies to stop this closure!” – Brenda Garcia “There are playgrounds for children. There should be some for dogs as well. Come on people, were not living in the stone ages here, these are more than just our pets, our furkids [are] part of our families, they deserve a place to run free and play with other furkids.... its grossly unfair to remove this park... 100 per cent against this…” – Samantha Diachuk “So that means we can let our dogs play in the nonsecure area of the park right? Since they’re basically telling dog owners they don’t matter, I’m saying the cities parks don’t matter.” – Heather Peters
Share your views. Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MapleRidgePittMeadowsTimes
either from RF radiation or dirty electricity, and are usually eliminated when the meter is removed. It is disingenuous and unhelpful to ridicule and dismiss the adverse effects reported in good faith. Smart meters are part of a $2-trillion wireless industry that is hell-bent on ensuring that you live in a wireless world, for their profit, whether you want to or not. While the April 15 letter was entertaining, wittingly or not, the writer employs the modus operandi of this industry: the best defence is a good offence. Scientists who demonstrate harm are made examples of by being defunded, and their careers destroyed. Citizens who raise warnings are labelled lunatics and painted as psychiatric cases. If wireless is so safe, why would these extreme reactions be necessary? Why not just hold a public forum for doubters and answer legitimate questions, on camera? The truth is, the telecoms are well aware that wireless is inherently unsafe and cannot be proven safe. That’s why the industry is moving to small, hidden “stealth” transmitters that you won’t be able to see or recognize. Hell for the wireless companies would be if you woke up tomorrow and started to ask difficult questions about safety, including why 500 Canadians a day are diagnosed with cancer, why the WHO is forecasting a 70 per cent increase in cancer over the next 20 years, and most importantly, why our MLAs and the Provincial Health Office are looking in the other direction. Unfortunately, the Gabriola Effect cannot explain away these very real issues, nor can they offer solace to the people now in the chemotherapy ward. Ron McNutt, Maple Ridge
LETTERS POLICY: Copyright in letters and other materials submitted voluntarily to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic, or other forms. Letters are also subject to editing for content and length. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership.
FREE
Customized Whitening For Life!* SMILE BRIGHTER THIS SPRING! Call Today To Book Now 604-457-0990 meadowvalefamilydental.com *Insurance Plans Accepted
Dr. Smit & the Team Welcome You to our Clinic
* Along with your cleaning you will receive complimentary whitening with each hygiene visit! (Offer expires May 30th 2014. Please bring this ad to first appointment to redeem)
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry New Patients, Walk-ins & Emergencies Welcome • Open Evenings & Weekends Oral Sedation • Mouth Guards • Veneers • Whitening Invisalign • CEREC One Visit Crowns
604-457-0990
meadowvalefamilydental.com 111-19150 Lougheed Hwy. Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2H6
We represent accident victims in BC & Alberta, NOT Insurance Companies - FREE initial consultation
LAWYERS
Over
48 50 years years combined experience combined experience
All personal injuries... however caused
Our family will give you specialized attention.
FOWLE
Suffer a personal injury while visiting Alberta: We also handle Alberta claims!
PRIMARY PRACTICE: • MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS • PERSONAL INJURY • WILLS & ESTATES
604•476•2130
Toll Free: 1•800•663•8996 Fax: 604•476•2135
#650, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Road Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 5Z6
A8
editorial@mrtimes.com
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Transportation plans
Traffic jam is in the making
T
here once was a plan. In the 1980s our community plan designated two major arterial routes. The east-west corridor, which was designed in part to service thousands of acres of designated industrial land in the north 256th Street area – which is rich in resources. The second route branched off from the east-west corridor around 240th Street, and went south to connect to the Fraser River at about 230th Street and the Lougheed Highway. Back then, the provincial department of highways purchased land for the future construction of the bridge to Langley. Incidentally that land is currently for sale and in an apparent deal with the District, they have been allowed to maximize their value by allowing high-density, residential zoning. That is why that section of the provincial highway (Lougheed at the Telosky Hill) got special treatment and was over designed. The District is in control. Why don’t they consider zoning it for mixed use? If the District really thinks we need a Wal-Mart, they should tell the highways department that we have no obligation to maximize their value. I digress. Back to the east-west connector. There was a vision. The District, faced with an actual route decision and asked to provide an acquisition plan, decided the safest thing to do was to take it off the map and remove it from the community plan. When the region made the decision to move the bridge to 200th Street area, all of the District’s planning disintegrated. In good planning, transportation corridors define how growth happens. In bad planning, transportation runs around in circles trying to solve nightmares. While the District stumbles and fumbles trying to decide what farmland they are going to use next to create commercial and industrial growth, an industrial growth spurt is happening. One of the great resources in the north 256th Street area is gravel. When the Kirkpatrick pit – which had served Maple Ridge for decades – was
Just Saying by Gordy Robson
exhausted according the department of mines, the family put the property on the market and proposed a reclamation project for two-acre residential lots that would have required contentious rezoning. The Van Maren Group, a very reputable developer, bought the land, reclaimed the pit in a model way, and kept the industrial zoning. The company’s vision is succeeding despite the District’s inability to show potential buyers there is a future plan for a transit corridor. You would think a District that seems to want to take credit for anything, would acknowledge what is happening in the north 256th Street area. Out of the 51 parcels available in the Kanaka Industrial Park, almost half have recently been sold, with designing and building underway for companies involved in metal fabrication, bridge structures, truck sales, etc. The Van Maren Group confirmed they have sold 7.5 acres of land to a large U.S.based manufacturing company that produces concrete topping products. Perhaps the District is not celebrating the industrial growth boom because they are running around looking for a plan to deal with the inevitable traffic jam. Seven years ago in personal discussions with the CAO of the District about punching the road through to 256th Street, there were many in-camera discussions (I, like Corisa, cannot talk about them), he did publicly say the District would have to get permission from 17 approval agencies. I suggested he start the process. Wonder how he and council are doing so far. Just saying… Gordy Robson’s column appears Tuesdays in the print and/or online versions of The TIMES. Reactions can be emailed c/o editorial@mrtimes.com
C y 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
Hard to smile?
Not Satisfied with your present
Dentures?
We can help!
Bob Shivji who has over 30 years of experience would like to introduce Milad Salasi to his Westwood Denture Clinic • • • • • • • •
Complimentary consultation Complimentary clean and polish Walk-ins and repairs welcomed Complete dentures and partial dentures Denture over implants* Standard or Precision dentures 5 year warranty on Precision dentures We accept all dental plans
*Procedures to be completed in conjunction with a dentist.
Milad Salasi
DENTURE WEARERS
WESTWOOD DENTURE CLINIC
169-3000 Lougheed Highway, Coquitlam
604-468-4867 (Next to Superstore)
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
&places
faces
WE PAY CASH for Used Cars
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
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
May 6: Fantasia
• Maple Ridge Concert Band presents Fantasia at St. George’s Anglican Church, 23500 Dewdney Trunk Rd at 7:30 p.m.
Reflecting on sacrifi ce: A team of stude nts at St. Patrick’s Sc Stations of the Cros hool performed a liv s before Easter. On ing the eve of Good Fri students from Maple day and the Easter Ridge’s Catholic sch we ekend, oo l paid their respects Stations re-enactmen with their first ever t.
May 6: Support group
• A brain injury support group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Family Education Centre, 22554 Lougheed Hwy. Info: 604-862-9724.
May 6: Art club
• Garibaldi Art Club meets at 7 p.m. in the craft room, third floor of The ACT, 11944 Haney Pl.
Maria Rantanen/TIMES
reciation ized during volunteer app Joan Hamilton was recogn yor of ma the e Her s. ani Kiw s with week for the work she doe a ing dur , was congratulating her Maple Ridge, Ernie Daykin council meeting.
May 6: Library
• It Won’t Byte takes place at the Maple Ridge Library at 7 p.m. Register: 604-467-7417.
Callum Davie (left), seven, and Julia Chiasson (below), 14, of Maple Ridge, have just returned from The War Amps 2014 BC Child Amputee (CHAMP) Seminar in Victoria, which brought together young amputees from across the province. Callum was born a left-arm amputee and Julia was born a partial left-hand amputee. They attended the three-day seminar, where they were shown how to set the bar high and not let their amputation be a barrier to living a full and active life.
May 6: Poetry
• Holy Wow Poets meet at 7 p.m. at The ACT; open mike to follow.
May 6: CRE8 Youth Day
The Royal Sweethearts celebrated Easter recently at the ABC Family Restaurant. This group gets together for lunch once a month, dressing up and usually decorating or celebrating whatever special event or holiday may be coming up. The group included Bernie Smith-Gander, Jackie Hansen, Carolyn Grange, Ida Jansen, Hazel Motick, Bernice Hughes, Marlene Cinits, Mary Fulton, Pat Langton, and Rachel Allen.
• Five professional artists share their tips for working in the industry in cartooning, acting, voice-over, and special effects make up. Info: www.theactmapleridge.org.
May 6: Dissolve
• Shameless hussy presents the onewoman, 16-character, theatrical tour de force Dissolve at The ACT. For ages 13-plus. Info: 604-476-2787.
May 6: Prostate awareness
• Coquitlam prostate cancer support and awareness 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.
Congratulations to six-yearold Juno Colburn of Maple Ridge. He’s the winner of The TIMES Easter colouring contest and walked off with a bag of goodies. He’s a Grade 1 student at Eric Langton Elementary, and we want to thank him and the other children for sharing their artistic skills.
May 7: Band music
Cooper’s Foods at 240th Street and Dewdney Trunk Road recently raised more than $600 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Staff from Cooper’s, Amber Hackett, Chad Buxton, Jacquie Miller, Kathy Taylor, Chris Torgerson, Cheryl Brunner, and Dave Russell presented Heart & Stroke Foundation’s Gillian Yardley (fourth from left) with a cheque.
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.
• The music department of Garibaldi Secondary, 24789 Dewdney Trunk Rd., presents its May Music Magic concert at 7 p.m. Tickets: 604-463-6287.
May 8: Ex-service women
• Ridge Meadows Ex-service Women meet at the Royal Canadian Legion, 12101 224th St., Maple Ridge. Lunch is at noon and the business meeting is at 1 p.m.
• Full list: www.mrtimes.com
2013 CIVIC AND FIT MODELS ARE GOING, GOING, ALMOST GONE.
2013 CIVIC Sales 604.343.2036 Service 604.465.7622 20611 LOUGHEED HWY MAPLE RIDGE www.marvjoneshonda.com
500
$
CASH PURCHASE INCENTIVE* ON SELECT 2013 MODELS.
See dealer for full details
A10
Tuesday, May 6 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
The Maple Ridge Concert Band plays at community events, like here at Remembrance Day, and today (Tuesday) they are putting on their spring concert at St. George’s Anglican Church. TIMES files
Concert
Band plays St. George’s
Fantastical music is presented tonight in Maple Ridge.
The Maple Ridge Concert Band is presenting a concert tonight full of fantasy. Concert coordinator Laurie Dumas is inviting the audience to use their imagination during the concert. “Please sit back, relax, maybe even close your eyes, and visualize the pictures we are going to paint with sound as we enter into a world of fantasies,” Dumas said. Some of the pieces featured will be Fantasy in G-major by Bach, Fantasy on American Sailing Songs, and Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song. The concert, Fantasia, is the first of two annual formal concerts that band puts on.
The second one is the winter concert, which takes place at the end of November. The spring concert takes place tonight (May 6) at 7:30 p.m. at St. George’s Anglican Church, 23500 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Maple Ridge. Participants are encouraged to bring a donation to the food bank as Envision Financial will have a Full Cupboard food donation booth set up in the lobby of the church. Tickets are available at the door for $10 each. Intermission refreshments will be provided by the women’s auxilliary and the Maple Ridge Adult Beginner Band will provide music during the intermission. The concert will finish at about 9:30 p.m.
WILL AND ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR YOUR AUDI-V W DEALERSHIP ALTERNATIVE FOR QUALITY DIAGNOSTICS, . REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE Kathy Blom, Phil Bourque & Brian Elson Join us for a free information session on recent changes to the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA) and what they mean for your estate plan.
May 8 - Meadow Gardens Golf Club, Pitt Meadows May 31 - Vancouver Golf Club, Coquitlam June 14 - Morgan Creek Golf Club, Surrey Visit wscu.com/financialplanning to learn more and register.
604 517 0100
wscu.com
Problem Solving is our Specialty! We service all European makes including:
• • • • •
BMW Mercedes Audi-VW Land Rover Jaguar
• • • •
Smart Mini Cooper Volvo Porsche
40 OFF
$
any regular priced
Audi-VW repair
NORLANG AUTO REPAIR
PRESENTATIONS BY
BC’s Best European Car Care
20540 - 88 AVE, WALNUT GROVE • 604-888-8681 DESIGNATED INSPECTION FACILITY
Find us at:
www.norlangauto.ca
We are Open Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
A11
Making it right
‘Construction angel’ delivers ultimate mom gift
Versa Renovations has stepped up to do a project, for free, for an appreciative family of five. by Troy Landreville tlandreville@mrtimes.com
T
o Trudi Appleton, Felipe Freig is a hero – but instead of wearing a cape, he’s got a construction belt strapped around his waist. And to think they were complete strangers a couple of months ago. Freig, who owns and operates Versa Home Renovations in Langley, recently stepped forward to do free renos in Appleton’s Pitt Meadows home. The work would have cost Appleton roughly $20,000, a big hit for a single mom of four children. “I’ve coined him my knight in shining armour,” Appleton said of Freig. “Cliches aside, he’s my construction angel. It’s been very overwhelming.” “I felt that we could help out,” Freig said. “We been blessed with so much work that it’s time to give back and help a family in need. I wanted to help out and tackle this project at no charge to Trudi.” Versa is adding a bathroom and laundry area to an empty basement space.
Troy Landreville/TIMES
Trudi Appleton is proud to show the Versa sign in front of her Pitt Meadows home, after the home renovations company came to the single mother’s aid and led a $20,000 project at no cost, in the house’s basement. “We gutted the old framing and started from scratch,” Freig explained. Appleton was put in a difficult spot after a renovation company based out of Port Coquitlam, Ecowest Renovation
Ltd., filed for bankruptcy after receiving a $5,000 deposit from her to do the work. According to a post on the Better Business Bureau website dated March 12, Ecowest Renovations Ltd. filed a volun-
tary assignment in bankruptcy effective March 4, and MNP Ltd. was appointed as trustee of the estate. The note said MNP Ltd. advises customers who paid a deposit to the company or otherwise advanced funds for work not yet completed that Ecowest will not be completing any further work with respect to installation agreements or other contracts. “Based on MNP Ltd’s initial evaluation of the assets and the amount of secured claims, including the secured claims of Canada Revenue Agency, they do not expect there to be any funds available from the bankrupt estate for the claims of unsecured creditors,” the post said. Among those affected by the bankruptcy was Appleton. With three sons ages 11, 13, and 16, and a 15-year-old daughter, she has her hands full, especially with only one full bathroom in the home. “It was getting more and more painful as the kids were getting older,” Appleton said. “Mornings were definitely a challenge for everyone to keep a smile on their face.” Appleton figured she had two options: sell the house that the family has lived in for 14 years, and then move to a house that would accommodate a parent and four children, or add a basement bathroom to their existing home.
continued on page A13…
A12
Tuesday, May 6 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
10
$
$
39
99 $
Tuesday May Friday May 106-Thursday 23, May2013 15, 2014
399 ¢
1199
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Mother’s Day
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
A13
Reno firm rescues Pitt mother
with all my clients. He recently called “Finding a five bedroom home is a chal- me and explained to me that Ecowest lenge,” Appleton said. “This, I’ve already Renovations had made a deal to renovate created into a five bedroom home.” Trudi’s basement and offered her finanShe decided to go with the latter option. cing…” “There was an unfinished laundry room After Ecowest’s bankruptcy, John called in this house all along, and it [adding a Freig to find out if he knew of any laws or second bathroom] was in the plan, that procedures to recover her lost funds. one day we would do this,” she said. “I never met Trudi before, but when “Then it became, ‘I’d have to do this, or John explained that this happened, I felt a we’d have to move’.” little responsible for not taking the job in Ecowest was one of five contractors that the first place,” Freig related. “I felt that bid for the project. if I wouldn’t have said no, this wouldn’t “I did choose them, ultimately,” have happened to Trudi.” Appleton said. A deposit of $5,000 was “John was phoning Felipe to find out required to start the work. where I stood,” Appleton added. “That’s The balance was to come from a bank when Felipe said, unfortunately, she’s loan, that has since been forgiven. basically high and dry. That’s when Felipe “I’m off the hook for insisted I give him a the loan, but I did call.” lose the $5,000,” She was skeptical Appleton said. “I at first, but a week did that in a draft. later, Freig called That has no recourse John to say that he – I won’t see that hadn’t heard from again.” Trudi, and insisted The timeline on the she call him. work “was getting Appleton connected pushed, constantly,” with Freig, telling Appleton explained. him that she has limThe project manited ability to pay. ager made measureHis response: ments, and a plan “Don’t worry about was supposed to be it. I want to make Troy Landreville/TIMES put in place. It was this right.” The basement of Trudi Appleton’s home is a plan that Appleton Appleton decided undergoing a transformation, a Mother’s Day gift never saw. to go public with the “The project was story to give Freig to top all others for this single Pitt Meadows mom. on hold; every now the credit she feel he and then, the owner deserves. of the company would text me: ‘We can’t “It’s a good story, because every time start it now, start it in three weeks,’ that he phones me, he’s got another trade that kind of thing,” she recounted. has offered to put in time without charge,” A promise to start the work in the Appleton said. new year drifted into February, and then The work will be completed, and the March, and in the beginning of March bathroom will be put in place, roughly in Appleton received notice Ecowest had the next couple weeks. declared bankruptcy. “I have cried tears initially because I That’s when Freig came into the picture. just couldn’t believe I had been taken [by Freig had done some work for a mutual the previous contractor],” Appleton said. friend of Appleton and her ex-husband, “I thought I was smart enough. But then John. it turned to tears of overwhelming joy. Freig had also remodelled a basement Every time Felipe would phone me and for John a couple of years ago. John asked say that someone else had heard of your Freig if he could take on a project for story and just wanted to make it right, Trudi. and has offered this and that. I feel almost “But we were too busy and couldn’t uncomfortable receiving all of it, but I had take on the project,” Freig shared. “I a lot of people say, don’t be silly.” • More at www.mrtimes.com, search “Appleton” always kept in touch with John, as I do …continued from page A11
GIFT SHOW MAY 5-11
Sugar & Spice Bath & Bodycare Avon – Cancer Crusade Accessory World – Sunglasses & Cell Phones FOOD COURT
FASHION ARDENE
778-785-3865 ext 397 A&W
BEN’S TOWN TAILOR
604-477-8786
ORANGE JULIUS
604-467-9015
604-463-7201
BLUELINE SPORTS
604-467-8892
SANDWICH TREE
604-466-3738
BOOTLEGGER/RICKI’S
604-463-6774
TOKYO GRILL
604-466-1808
BYAN’S FASHION
604-463-2161
OUTER LIMITS
604-467-1166
FOOD SERVICES
SUZANNE’S
604-467-4630
HANEY BAKERY
604-463-5260
KIN’S FARM MARKET
604-466-1186
SHOES
THRIFTY FOODS OPEN 24hrs
A STEP AHEAD
604-466-6405
OUTER LIMITS
604-467-1166
PAYLESS SHOESOURCE
604-467-5533
PHARMACY
TOWN SQUARE COBBLER
604-463-4445
TARGET
604-463-3632
ALOUETTE DENTAL CARE
604-467-6333
GNC
604-463-8336
INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLE STORE 604-477-1212
DEPARTMENT STORE TARGET
604-476-5001
HEALTH CARE SERVICES
JEWELLERY CARTEL JEWELS
604-477-3081
604-476-5000 PERSONAL CARE SERVICES DIVA’S TOUCH NAILS
ELECTRONICS ACCESSORY WORLD
778-245-0222
604-477-1151
FLAWLESS HAIR BY LOUISE 604-466-2909
BELL MOBILITY
604-463-8736
FIDO
604-467-4818
GAMERS CHOICE
604-477-3332
B.C. LOTTERY
TELUS
604-467-5559
CORPORATION
604-463-7612
THE SOURCE
604-466-1690
BEN’S TOWN TAILOR
604-477-8786
VIRGIN MOBILE
604-467-1317
H&R BLOCK
604-463-4336
MARLIN TRAVEL
604-463-5171
OTHER SERVICES
ROYAL LE PAGE
GIFT & SPECIALTY BENTLEY
604-463-8655
BROOKSIDE REALTY
604-463-4231
BLACK BOND BOOKS
604-463-8624
TOWN SQUARE COBBLER
604-463-4445
DOLLAR TREE
604-467-4819
PHIL’S ENGRAVING
604-465-7959
GAMERS CHOICE
604-477-3332
WESTMINSTER SAVINGS
PURDY’S CHOCOLATES
604-467-8528
CREDIT UNION
604-517-0100
SHEFIELD & SONS TOBACCONISTS GIFTS & SOUVENIRS
604-467-6440
224TH & LOUGHEED 604-467-1554 • haneyplacemall.com
Tuesday, May 6 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
AMSTERDAM greenhouses & garden centre Since 1979
Happy Mother’s Day!
1)<5!?$ F>7
1!?-) .SSB
8"!?C I!9-")? 2);9C7<C?9
A#8? -#''8%9:&*.9%"@" 6@<:28?2%:
BIG & BEAUTIFUL
FUCHSIA TREES
FROM
FROM
MIXED BASKETS
24
$
49
88 Each
$
HERB PLANTERS ,2"7& #5.2 658 37+ '38"9# /5 5.2 2*0/3.237/ /5 -*9*123/* 65/$*2)0 (3# 37+ *7!5#
0") :);9 8"!?);) :7'')9 !? 0>M? N5)<K+CK% Quality! Quality! Quality!
1C@) 6!??)< G)?7 COO +CK >? G>9")<3; 6CK '<>@ ..P*B C@ 9> UP*B =@
13
$
45 00
Check-Out before 4:30 pm 4:00 pm
)1&*"/5 ./,&- %2. )&3"2.- 0 '$"5(.&3
14
$
95 50
Check-Out after 4:30 4:00 pm pm
L2NN 8C<?C9!>? L>< N5)<K G>@
FROM
14
$
11+)/ 0#8=;@@" 4(&, .2!3@ 69"=@
Each
FRAGRANT LILAC BUSHES All Pot Sizes
9
$ 88
NOW
WIND CHIMES FROM
$
20 OFF %
Regular Price
GARDEN STAKES
FROM
9 - 59
$ 99
6 - $9999
99
$ 99
30OFF
30OFF
%
%
Regular Price
Regular Price
Sale Prices Valid May 6-12, 2014 While Supplies Last!
AMSTERDAM COUPON
AMSTERDAM COUPON
Buy 1 Orchid Plant Receive 1
TOMATO BASKETS
1/2 PRICE
1/2 PRICE
10” or 12” Baskets Buy 1 Get 2nd of Equal or Lesser Value
ORCHID POT
#B(E(#*EBBB.
FREE
88
Valid May 6-11, 2014
AMSTERDAM greenhouses & garden centre Since 1979
7#? 6@<@?52:9#%< #? >?"@?<, !3@2<@ $233
HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR
In 1 gallon pots Reg. $12.99
.BQ 4LL '>< 9CR)E>79 ><+)<; >5)< T.&D L2NN 6NHJ/N2F M!9"!? & R@ <C+!7; '>< ><+)<; >5)< T,B 6)A!9 C9 9") 6>><
HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER receive 1 package of
FUCHSIAS
%$"9* 4.37/"/"*0 930/
!+55# 4"*&3-&(
With every purchase of a
Large
NOW
88 Each
A14
Valid May 6-11, 2014
GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE
SPRING HOURS Mon - Fri 9-9 • Sat & Sun 9-6
19100 Old Dewdney Trunk Rd., Pitt Meadows 604-465-6614 | amsterdamgreenhouses.com
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Sports
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Recreation
A15
Did you know?
There is no referral necessary. Just come in and ask to see a counsellor.
604.467.5179 • www.alouetteaddictions.org
On Deck
Silver for jumper Pitt Meadows’ Vladislav Moldavanov, a track athlete at SFU, finished second in triple jump, after he posted a distance of 14.32 metres at a competition at Stanford. It is the third-best distance in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, (GNAC) and just shy of the NCAA provisional mark of 14.50 metres. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Thrower takes top Grade 12 Garibaldi Secondary student Natasha Akbarizadeh, who also competes with the Dynamo Throws club, is the 2013 Canadian under-18 hammer throw champion. She has also signed with NCAA Division school, Gardener Webb University in North Carolina. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
On what was the hottest day of the year so far, Carson Cordes from Maple Ridge Secondary returned a serve against Pinetree Secondary on Thursday, May 1, during a high school boys doubles match. The Fraser Valley League games were played at Westview Secondary.
Troy Landreville/TIMES
Tennis
Ridge team targets B.C. championships
Troy Landreville/TIMES
MRSS Rambler Teagan Wiebe (right) in a game against Surrey.
Rugby wraps up The Maple Ridge Secondary boys and girls rugby teams are wrapping up their respective seasons this week. The boys play their last home game today at 3:45 p.m., and the girls finish things off with a home game this Thursday. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Player qualifies Allison Campbell, currently a member of NCAA Division I Indiana Hoosiers water polo team, has qualified for the NCAA championships at the University of Southern California in L.A. The competition takes place May 9 to 11. Campbell is a former water polo player for the Haney Neptunes and is now a coach with the club as well. • Stay tuned to the TIMES for more
Golfer competes Pitt Meadows golfer Ryan Hunt was part of the Canadian Junior Golf Championships, which were held recently at Ledgeview Golf and Country Club in Abbotsford. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Send your scores and game reports to sports@mrtimes.com
In its first year playing in the Fraser Valley League, Maple Ridge Secondary tennis players have shown their skills on the court. by Troy Landreville
tlandreville@mrtimes.com
Maple Ridge Secondary School athletes are carrying the flag, locally, when it comes to the high school tennis scene north of the Fraser River. Consisting of eight boys and seven girls between Grades 8 to 10, the MRSS squad is Maple Ridge’s and Pitt Meadows’ lone tennis team competing in the Fraser Valley League The team, led by coaches Darren Causon and Ian King, plays its home games at Westview Secondary, which has courts situated on the east side of the school grounds. Causon, a teacher at
Troy Landreville/TIMES
Bailey Soolsma and Risa Yorizane from Maple Ridge Secondary played doubles tennis against a pair from Pinetree Secondary last Thursday, May 1. MRSS, played junior tennis growing up in Winnipeg and is an enthusiast of the sport. “This is what I did as a kid,” said Causon. He carried on playing as
he grew up, and played both nationally and in university. This is the first year MRSS has entered a team into the Fraser Valley League, and its success
has taken Causon by surprise. “At the start, our expectations were reasonable,” he said. “I didn’t know how we were going to do because I didn’t know how
everybody else was.” After last Thursday’s victory over Coquitlam’s Pinetree Secondary, MRSS carries a 6-1 record going into its first playoff round today (Tuesday) against Delta Secondary (games at Westview Secondary get underway at 3:30 p.m.). Each session is made up of 11 matches. Whichever team wins six or more matches wins the game. MRSS’s lone loss came to Terry Fox Secondary. If MRSS wins today’s playoff game versus Delta, the team will automatically qualify for the B.C. High School Provincial Tennis Championships in Burnaby on May 23 to 24. The MRSS tennis team includes (boys) Brendan Koyanagi, Evgeni Maisyeu, Yongyi “Leo” Shen, Hugo Vieira, Carson Cordes, Simon Udell, and Thomas Hong; and (girls) Mitali Acharay, Sabrina Foster, Andrea Cevallo, Bailey Soolsma, Risa Yorizane, Chelsea Prokopich, and Cami Navarro.
To keep up with the community’s top headlines Follow us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/ MapleRidgePittMeadowsTimes
Follow us on Twitter @mapleridgetimes
A16
Tuesday, May 6 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Rhododenrons
Shrubs add easy colour to the garden
R
hododendrons are easy to work with. the shrubs most These selections will root likely to make gareasily, resist rhododendron deners happy in diseases and flower early. the Pacific Northwest. Especially for people in That’s because rhodos smaller spaces, it’s importlove our acidic soil, mild ant to choose varieties temperatures, large number that they love the look of of canopy trees, and (usunow, and that won’t annoy ally) high rainfall. them later with excessive Even better, the shallow growth. by Anne Marrison roots of rhodos make them Some rhododendrons Anne Marrison is happy to answer garden easy to transplant. can stretch far and wide as Also, weeds are reluctant questions. Send them to amarrison@shaw.ca they get older. That means to grow underneath them, pruning may be necessary because the heavy, evergreen leaves block if they’re planted near a door or under a light. window. Then there are the spectacular flower Hybrid rhodos with rough bark usually clusters in spring. respond well to pruning. Rhodos with As well, it’s easy to find a rhododendron smooth bark may have trouble. to suit your garden, because there are And both kinds are unlikely to flower on more than 1,000 species and innumerable the new shoots for a few years. cultivars. And they’re popular with plant The dryness under roof overhangs and breeders because they hybridize easily. alkalinity from concrete foundations can Breeders also like rhodendrons that are also cause problems for rhododendrons.
Gardening
People with very small space would do best with extremely compact rhododendrons, including some nice purple-blues such as “Blue Bird” or “Blue Diamond” – or the paler “Ramapo.” The small-leaf rhodos handle sun and moderate drying better than largerleaf kinds. Large-leaf rhodos do best in fairly moist, dappled shade. Small-leaf rhodos tend to grow to about a metre (three feet) high over 10 years, according to nursery labels. Those labels never mention eventual heights subsequently attained, but very old compact rhodos can reach two metres (six feet) and more. Many rhododendrons never stop growing. Somewhat less compact, but still small and shapely is the very popular “PJM” rhodo, which has very bright pink flowers. Rhodos need to be planted in airy and acidic soil to which bark and/or peat and compost have been added.
Bob Groeneveld/TIMES
Rhododendrons come in all shapes, sizes, and colours to suit almost any gardener’s shubbery desires.
Bark mulch is especially useful because it holds in moisture, adds acidity, and helps to aerate the soil. It’s also very useful as a top dressing.
• More at www.mrtimes.com, search “Marrison”
Carrier of the week
Dylan Dorey
DRAWS THURSDAYS at 8pm, MAY 1 to 29
Congratulations on doing a fantastic job. As winner of one of our Good Sport Awards you get
ONE FREE SMALL PIZZA
22441 Dewdney Trunk Rd. MAPLE RIDGE
5 CHANCES TO DRIVE AWAY WITH THE
DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IS MAY 15
GRAND PRIZE JEEP WRANGLER VALUED AT OVER $25,000 PRESENTED BY COQUITLAM CHRYSLER
ATTENTION ALL
MAPLE RIDGE & PITT MEADOWS
2014 HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATES AND POST SECONDARY STUDENTS THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION, MAPLE RIDGE BRANCH OFFERS BURSARIES OF $1000 EACH, EVERY YEAR. MILITARY/LEGION AFFILIATION IS NOT REQUIRED.
Application forms are available from the Legion office and lobby 12101 224th St, Maple Ridge, Tel: 604.463.5101, Tuesday to Saturday Noon to 4pm or through your secondary school counselor’s office. Deadline for receipt of applications is MAY 15th. Note, second, third and fourth year post-secondary, college & university students are welcome to apply.
REDEEM THIS AD FOR A
BONUS ENTRY! for Crack the Vault draw
4
one coupon per person, per day. details at guest services.
REDEEM THIS AD FOR
$5 FREE SLOT PLAY
one coupon per person, per day. must be encore rewards member. valid may 6-12, 2014.
HardRockCasinoVancouver
@HardRockCasinoV
@HardRockCasinoV
HardRockCasinoVancouver.com | 2080 United Boulevard, Coquitlam BC | 604 523 6888
SCAN WITH LAYAR TO SAVE ON YOUR EVERYDAY PURCHASES
A20
Tuesday, May 6 , 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Langley Farm Market PRODUCE
RHUBARB
RED SEEDLESS GRAPE
1
1
$ 99
/lb.
1
/lb.
PITT MEADOWS ONLY
Pork-Butt Steak (FP)
SEEDLESS NAVEL ORANGES
RUSSET POTATO Product of Idaho (10 LB Bag)
2
$ 99
$ 28
58¢
/ea.
/lb.
Product of Mexico ($2.82/kg)
Product of BC ($1.28/kg)
99¢
88¢
/lb.
ATAULFO MANGO
OKANAGAN SPARTAN APPLE
Product of California
Product of BC ($1.94/kg)
$ 49
Product of Chile ($4.38/kg)
SPINACH
OTV TOMATO
Product of BC
/lb.
Product of California ($1.94/kg)
88¢
/ea.
/lb.
M E AT
Chicken-Legs Back Attached (FP) Beef-Striploin Steak (FP)
1
1
$ 99 $4.38/kg ....................................... /lb.
$ 99 $4.38/kg ..................................... /lb.
$19.78/kg ....................................................
8
$ 99 /lb.
GROCERY
Blue Diamond
San Remo
Almond Breeze, Assorted 946ml ................................................................................... 2 for
4
$ 50
RW Knudsen
S Biscuit
200g.......................................................................................
89¢
Each
Wasa
Just Blueberry Juice 946ml ...................................................................................
4
Crispbread, Assorted
$ 99
Each
200-270g ..............................................................................
2
$ 49
Each
BAKERY Zucchini loaf 450g .......................................................$299/ea. Chinese Coconut Bread 300g................................... $180/ea. DELI Freybe
Naturally Black Forest Ham
100g...............................................................
Gluten free Lactose Sea Salt
1
$ 48
Genoa Salami
100g...............................................................
1
$ 19
Swiss Cheese
100g..............................................................
SpMciRls VRlid fPom tNMsdRy, MRy 6 - SNndRy, MRy 11 whilM qNRnOiOiMs lRsO.
Your choice. Our honour. Our Effort. Our award.
WE ARE HIRING! FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: • Meat Cutter • Baker
PITT MEADOWS
N
LOUGHEED HWY.
LANGLEY FARM MARKET
12438 Harris Road
604-460-7122
1
$ 48
2013 - 2014
2013-2014
LFM LANGLEY FARM MARKET
For fresh and quality foods For freshness & quality you can count on!
Thank you to all our valued cNsOomMPs foP yoNP ongoing sNppoPO
MAPLE RIDGE
#1-22621 Lougheed Hwy
604-466-0281
W
LOUGHEED HWY.
E
NeW HOurS: MondRy - FPidRy 8:30 Rm Oo 8:00 pm. SRONPdRy Rnd SNndRy 8:30 Rm Oo 7:00 pm. HolidRys 9:00 Rm Oo 6:00 pm.