Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Long-time organizer and community volunteer Betty Levens hands over the reins of Maple Ridge’s Terry Fox Run.
Page A5 • LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 14 PAGES
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Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Long-time organizer and community volunteer Betty Levens hands over the reins of Maple Ridge’s Terry Fox Run.
Page A5 • LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 14 PAGES Education
Strike takes toll on local teachers
with
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Tasty 140th
A Maple Ridge Secondary teacher shared his thoughts on the ongoing labour dispute, and how it has affected him outside of the picket line.
Vicki McLeod served up blueberry jam on crackers to three-yearold Katie Daykin. The jam is made by Purewal Blueberry Farms in Pitt Meadows and was given away as part of Maple Ridge’s 140th birthday bash, which ran Friday night and Saturday at Memorial Peace Park. See more, pages A5 and A9…
Story and photos by Troy Landreville tlandreville@mrtimes.com
It was mid-afternoon at Maple Ridge Secondary School. Normally, there would be a cacophony of noise as students spilled out of the building at the end of their school day. But it was Thursday, Sept. 11, and due to ongoing labour dispute between the B.C. Teachers Federation and the provincial government, the air was silent. About a half dozen teachers sat in lawn chairs outside the school, whiling away time with conversation or books as the dispute erased yet another school day. On Sept. 10, the B.C. Federation of Labour announced a financial commitment of $8 million in interest free loans to the B.C. Teachers’ Federation, to help teachers who are feeling the financial pinch. The labour dispute has taken a financial toll on many B.C. teachers including Dave Semper, a math teacher who has spent the past eight years at MRSS. “It’s been difficult, financially, on everybody,” Semper said. “There’s no masking that. I’m a little bit fortunate that my cash flow is a little bit better, though I’ve had to go in and see my mortgage company and ask them to defer for this month. Just for the sake of cash flow, I could barely make it, but then I’d have no money.” Semper is contemplating liquidating some of his investments to help make ends meet, preferably not out of his RRSPs, but if necessary, he’ll pull funds out if the strike drags on and he goes much longer without a pay cheque. For now, all teachers in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and the rest of B.C. can only wait and hope for a settlement they feel is fair. Sitting on a picket line, with negotiations in the hands of others, is frustrating for Semper. “That’s always the toughest part,” Semper said.
• Much more online at www.mrtimes.com, search “Semper”
Striking teachers sat in lawn chairs late last week, outside of Maple Ridge Secondary.
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Education
Foreign kids are in class
International students funding critical to district budget. by Christopher Sun csun@mrtimes.com
The ongoing teachers strike has kept B.C. kids at home, but special arrangements are allowing international students to attend classes. There are about 500 international students in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district – 90 of which are in elementary school – contributing $4.2 million in tuition fees this year, explained school board chair Mike Murray. Of this amount $1.6 million is revenue for the school district, making up 1.3 per cent of the district’s total budget, Murray explained. He added, while the percentage may seem small, it pays for 40 full-time educators, 25 of them being teachers. “We do have administrators providing what I would call preparatory experiences,” Murray said. “A little bit of English language, the basics
and some Canadian cultural introduc- next year, which may increase when tion stuff. This is not the curriculum a settlement is reached with teachers. they would normally be experienThat makes the international stucing.” dents fees even more critical, Murray This is a sensitive subject, espeadded. cially with the strike going Maple Ridge Teachers on, said Murray. But with Association president education cutbacks coming George Serra said teachers from the provincial level, are caught in a catch-22. He school districts provincesaid there is frustration that wide increasingly rely on international students are international paying stuable to attend some kind of dents to fund shortfalls. public schooling while local The district cannot afford students cannot, which is to lose these international unfair. students, which is why However teachers also Mike Murray principals and vice-prinunderstand the economic School board chair cipals are providing this reality districts face. interim programming out of “I understand where the Riverside Centre, Murray said. school district is coming from, but “These students are away from this shows there is a high level of home and we have obligations,” he underfunding of dollars in educaadded. tion,” Serra said. “International students are being “The kids don’t get credit for it. used to pay for the shortfall,” he said. Without this program we won’t have The province and B.C. Teachers the funds to help us fund 25 fullFederation were in talks all weekend. time-equivalent teaching staff.” Talks continued on Monday. The school district is already fore• More at www.mrtimes.com, search “Murray” casting a $2.5 million-budget shortfall
Sunday stabbing near Meadow Town Centre not random: Police. Story at www.mrtimes.com, search “stabbing” Ask us how to get $10,000 CASH OAC with your next PAY-OFF HIGH IT New or INTEREST CRED CARD DEBT! Used Car
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
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Development halted A vote-split down the middle of Pitt Meadows City council has put plans for the proposed North Lougheed Connector – a proposed route from Harris Road to Golden Ears Way – on hold. • More at www.mrtimes.com
CP Rail is negotiating with TransLink for continuation of West Coast Express service.
What about a seabus? Maple RIdge Councillor and mayoralty hopeful Michael Morden brought up the idea of seabus service at Monday morning’s council meeting, after it was suggested TransLink has no plans to expand West Coast Express service for at least seven more years. • More at www.mrtimes.com
Reunion collects food Maple Ridge Secondary’s class of 1994 is having its 20th reunion this coming Saturday and besides buying tickets for the event, attendees are also being encouraged to donate a door prize, with proceeds going to the local food bank. More on the MRSS class of ‘94 Facebook. • More at www.mrtimes.com Veterinarian and owner of Alouette Animal Hospital
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A3
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Municipal election
Two running for top spot Councillor
A long-time resident, who took part in the Olympic torch relay in 2010, is officially in the race. by Eric Zimmer ezimmer@mrtimes.com
He has been a resident of Pitt Meadows for more than 37 years. Now Michael Hayes wants to be in charge of it. Hayes has officially announced his candidacy for the position of mayor for the City of Pitt Meadows. “Citizens need to know I will be dedicated to working for you, your community and your future,” he announced late Friday. Hayes is aware sitting in the mayor’s chair isn’t always comfortable, and
said he recognizes that it’s ning for Mayor only to say “strong leadership, a pulse it is in the communities best on the community, as well interest to have a mayoral pride and vision” for his race,” Walters said. hometown that will keep Pitt Building the local economy Meadows moving forward. while balancing financial, He is the second environmental, person to declare and social responintentions to run sibilities can be a for mayor of Pitt bit of a juggling Meadows, going act, but Hayes said up against lawyer he is up to the and former counchallenge. cillor John Becker. “We have an Last month, curexcellent foundarent Mayor Deb tion to build on,” Walters announced Hayes said. “We she would not be are one of the fastMichael Hayes seeking re-election est growing marMayor hopeful this November. kets in the Lower While she Mainland.” defeated Becker last time Throughout the campaign, around, she is not taking and if he is elected, Hayes sides. said his emphasis will be on “At this time I have no five key issues: fair taxation, comment with regards to transportation, service delivMichael Hayes running for ery, growth and developMayor, or John Becker runment, and quality of life.
Maple Ridge
Mayor’s race down to three
Tyler Shymkiw runs for a councillor seat instead of the mayor’s chair.
ity and I will continue to campaign on these issues.” He described the decision to withdraw as “extremely difficult.” “I am not willing to be the reason canby Roxanne Hooper didates who either have a track record of rhooper@mrtimes.com obstructionism or who lack a deep and meaningful history with our community are And then there were three. elected,” Shymkiw said. An announcement was made late last “I entered the race to become the next week that one of the candidates in this mayor to help us realize a future fall’s municipal mayor’s race has where Maple Ridge would be bowed out. the best place in the world to Tyler Shymkiw said he raise our families. I envision this will seek a council seat this dream every time I’m walking November, instead of pursuing through downtown or talking the mayor’s chair in Maple Ridge. with you. It’s a dream that many “I am announcing today that of us share. Today I believe I can I no longer feel that it is in the make the greatest contribution best interests of our community to that vision as a councillor, to continue my run for Mayor and I hope you will give me that in the upcoming election. I am opportunity.” instead putting my name forward In addition to Shymkiw, three for council. Maple Ridge is at a other people have previously Tyler Shymkiw major crossroads,” he said. declared their intentions to run “It is becoming evident with Council hopeful for mayor of Maple Ridge. some of the people and groups The current mayor, Ernie organizing in our community that my candidacy is opening the door for a vote split that Daykin, announced his plans to seek reelection again. Existing Councillor Michael could allow an anti-business candidate to enter the race with the possibility of success; Morden is ramping up a mayoralty campaign this fall. And Graham Mowat has also this is not acceptable. As such, I feel that thrown his hat in the ring. I can better contribute to our community Nicole Read, a Silver Valley resident, has by seeking a seat on council. I believe that indicated plans to run for council - but she crime, homelessness, and the lack of comsaid she’s undecided if she’ll run for a counmercial and industrial development remain cillor’s position or the mayor’s chair. the three largest issues facing our commun-
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runs again A municipal politics veteran has thrown her hat in the re-election ring. by Eric Zimmer
ezimmer@mrtimes.com
Gwen O’ Connell will seek re-election to Pitt Meadows City Council this fall. After sitting on the fence about the decision throughout the spring and summer, O’Connell said it was a “frustration with trying to get some things moving in the community,” that tipped the scales for her. In an exclusive interview with the TIMES, O’Connell said she “doesn’t understand why we Gwen O’Connell have to have this split all the time,” and pointed to the latest decision on the Lougheed Connector as an example (see story online.) “I feel like after Doug (Bing) left, things started to dismantle a bit, and anything we put through was just kind of fluffy... even the budget, after being passed was brought back with people questioning it. That to me isn’t good work.” The decision to run again wasn’t made in haste though. “My husband and I have been talking about this for awhile, and I’ve spoken with my son and grand kids... about how we can make this work, and (in the end) everyone supported it.” O’Connell is also undaunted by the fouryear terms now in place. “I can do another four years,” she said. O’Connell believes she “brings a conscience to council” and has a real “feel for what’s going on in this community.” As for priorities if elected, O’Connell said number one is seeing the North Lougheed Connector come to fruition. In addition, she’d like to ensure treatment of farmland is the same all over the place, and certain areas aren’t scrutinized more than others. As a resident, O’Connell said she envisions a place where people can feel safe, and ideally, work close to home. She also believes in the tourism potential of Pitt Meadows. “When we host tournaments for example, I’d like to see more community involvement,” she said. “I feel like there’s real tourism potential we can build off such events.”
More at www.mrtimes.com, search “O’Connell”
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A4
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Maple Ridge’s 140th
Birthday bash held in park Hundreds came out for a fun evening event to mark City’s milestone. by Roxanne Hooper rhooper@mrtimes.com
SEPTEMBER 19TH SCOTIA BANK 225TH & LOUGHEED 11 am - 3 pm
www.mrtimes.com
A vibrant pink sky served as a picturesque backdrop to one of the community’s largest birthday parties on record. A few hundred people gathered on chairs, picnic Roxanne Hooper/TIMES More blankets, and benches in Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin was among the dignitaries at Photos Maple Ridge’s Memorial the 140th birthday bash Friday. See more pictures, page A9. Online Peace Park Friday for an before and helped make as the formal ceremonies evening of skits, speechthis the City it is today. broke up and dancing and es, and songs that regaled “As we heard from Mr. mingling commenced. spectators with some of McIver, the beauty of this But Daykin could not this community’s history, place is… what attracted leave the stage without a including a presentation those early settlers. And story about the cake. by none other than John really, what’s changed A City employee was McIver (impersonated by today…” Daykin said. at Save-On-Foods Friday actor Simon Challenger)– “My great grandparents to pick up the cakes and the man credited with givand others came here in started chatting with a ing Maple Ridge its name the late 1870s looking for gentleman waiting in line. all those years ago. a new life, looking to build When he learned of the Among the speeches, a life, looking for opporparty, he was disappointed Mayor Ernie Daykin was tunities. And 140 years he couldn’t attend but the last to take the stage, later, nothing has changed. bought the cake. and despite getting choked Different opportunities, but “Thank you Kevin for up with emotion a few still great opportunities.” treating us to the cake… times during his presentaAccording to the mayor, That’s just another great tion, he thanked all those Maple Ridge doesn’t have example of the folks who who organized and supa community party of any live here… Whether you’ve ported the 140th birthday significance without cake. lived here 60 years or 60 celebrations, all the people Friday’s celebration was days, this is really a great who came out to enjoy it, no exception, as cake was place to call home.” and every member of the • More at www.mrtimes.com handed out to everyone community who had come
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
A5
Terry Fox Foundation
Run organizer stepping down
Betty Levens has been volunteering for the annual run since 1997 and she will continue, but in a smaller role. by Christopher Sun
csun@mrtimes.com
www.mrtimes.com
Betty Levens may have been involved with the Maple Ridge Terry Fox run for 14 years, but she has never actually participated in it. “I have never walked or run in it,” Levens said. “I’m too busy, but I’m always here.” The longtime organizer of the annual run can’t remember when she went from being a volunteer who handled in the 1990s. She is also active in Rotary setup, registration and cleanup, to being and the Baden Powell Guild. in charge of the entire event. However, Now that Levens has retired from after this year’s run, she’s stepping down. organizing the run, she doesn’t plan to “I’m 79,” Levens said. “It’s run or walk in it next year. time for someone else to come “I’ll be here helping,” Levens in, someone with new ideas said. “We have at least 50 people and new thoughts. It’s good to volunteering and we are always have a change.” looking for new people to help out. The new person taking over I’ll still be part of this. It’s someis Ali Wakeling, who lost her thing I really enjoy doing.” More husband to a gastrointestinal About 430 people participated stromal tumor last year, a rare this year, raising Photos form of sarcoma. $14,000. Online Levens started volunteering This is down for the Terry Fox run in 1997, from 700 particiwhich is when her husband was diagpants and $20,000 raised nosed with a brain tumour. He died that last year. same year. Levens said her husband’s Volunteer Trudi passing along with following Terry Fox in Appleton thinks this 1980 through the media, impacted her. year’s teachers strike “We watched him every night on teleimpacted the numbers vision,” Levens said. “Every time he many local school host came on TV, I would call everyone (hustheir own Terry Fox band and kids) to come and watch.” Runs and other awareLevens has a history of community ness and fundraising involvement. She was a school board events in September, trustee for 10 years in the 1980s and sat as well. on Maple Ridge council for nine years • More at www.mrtimes.com
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Retired Terry Fox Run organizer Betty Levens (below) poses with a cut out of the man himself. New organizer Ali Wakeling (left) participated in the run. Rick Moyer/TIMES
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Tuesday, September 16, 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.
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Hard work to 140-year mark We tend to take for granted the names that appear on our street signs, even when they adorn entire neighbourhoods. But those names, in most cases, represent a strong and supportive history that built the community of communities that have become the Maple Ridge we see today. Names like Laity and Lougheed are more than just placards to mark a street or highway – they are road signs that have led our community from the past into the present, with a solid roadbed to take us into the future. The roads that those and so many other names built for us through the past 140 years was not always an easy one. Lougheed’s term as reeve (yesterday’s word for “mayor”) included the first two years of the First World War. Solomon Mussallem, his tenure as reeve punctuated by others with their respective visions for their community, saw us through the Great Depression and stood for his community into the Second World War. Some of these and others presented – by proxy – their views of the road that has taken Maple Ridge through the past 140 years at a special celebration this past weekend. Each offered a reminder – mostly for those who have not been around long enough to have actual memories – of the accomplishments of his or her era. It’s important to take home from Maple Ridge’s 140th birthday celebration a sense of our history, and to be mindful of the sights along the road that have brought us to where we are today. It’s not enough to eat a piece of cake, drink some pop (or whatever), and go merrily along our way. People – real people – worked hard to build during the past 140 years what we are able to take for granted today. It’s our job to take that road into the future, and continue to build for those who follow. – B.G.
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Jim Iker.
21 %
Christy Clark.
45 %
Peter Fassbender.
12 %
All of the above.
18 %
Who should be fired over the teachers strike?
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.
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Opinion
Dispute moved by half a world That’s the way it works in tiators, and things were looking this business: you go away on good for a quick settlement. vacation for just a couple of Premier Christy Clark – who weeks, and when you get back, actually started this whole mess the whole world has completely back in 2002 – was nowhere to changed. be seen, leaving the dirty work Take the teachers strike, for to her specially picked henchman instance. There are thousands of Fassbender. miles of difference now. And, did I say? Kids and parWhen I left, parents and kids ents were hopeful that teachers were hopeful that a settlement would be back in the classrooms was imminent. and school would get underway by Bob Groeneveld Teachers were willing to go into really soon. mediation – if only the governSee what I mean? ment would be reasonable about Everything is completely differjust what might be mediated – and there were ent now from what it was two weeks ago, when hints of binding arbitration floating about. I left for vacation. Government negotiators were willing to go into Vince Ready is ready to mediate, everyone mediation – if only the teachers’ union would be is bickering over binding arbitration, Iker and reasonable about just what might be mediated Fassbender publicly proclaim the need to take – and there were hints floating about that the their fight out of the media and into the backteachers could take their binding arbitration and room, where indeed, frantic negotiations are shove it. taking place, with hints that the public should Meanwhile, champion mediator Vince Ready be optimistic that something might actually hapannounced that he was standing by to step in at pen between now and… well… between now a moment’s notice and start mediating – as soon and sometime soon when we can all be hopeful as there was something to mediate. that kids will get back into the security of their Most folks without kids of school age cynically classrooms as quickly and smoothly as possible suggested that school wouldn’t get back in seswhere they can get started on the next phase of sion until at least October. learning benefiting from B.C.’s education system When I left my desk two weeks ago, Jim Iker which has been proven to be among the best in of the B.C. Teachers Federation and Education the world. Minister Peter Fassbender were both shouting And Premier Clark, ever mindful of the critlong and loud to anyone with ears to hear (and ical nature of the dispute and its importance to at each other) about not bargaining publicly British Columbia’s future, is heading to India. through the media, and getting down to business You see? The whole situation is changing comwith each other behind closed doors, to get those pletely: two weeks ago, Premier Clark (what is it kids back into the security of their classrooms as about Premier Clarks in this province, anyway?) quickly and smoothly as possible where they can was keeping her mouth shut about B.C.’s educaget started on the next phase of learning benetion turmoil right here in B.C., and soon she will fiting from B.C.’s education system, which has be keeping her mouth shut about B.C.’s educabeen proven to be among the best in the world. tion turmoil thousands upon thousands of miles Indeed, there were “intensive” bargaining sesaway, in India. sions being undertaken between the BCTF and Not the same thing at all. the government’s BCPSEA lackeys… er… negoCompletely different.
Odd Thoughts
editorial@mrtimes.com
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
A7
Neighbourhood cleanup
Unsightly, to say the least Dear Editor,
I love being in Maple Ridge! I believe it needs to be taken care of. My neighbourhood is falling apart and we are asking for help. Around my house, where I live with my best friend, my six-year-old son, and all of ours pets, there are six abandoned houses. Letters All have been to boarded up for the A Maple Ridge mother pleads for help cleaning up her the four years we have neighbourhood of abandon houses, druggies, and prostitutes. lived here. This area breeds Editor calls to the police, into. very unfriendly and they come and Enough is enough now. “choice” people. clear them out of what We have children in My family has witnessed we call “tent city” behind this area with two schools so many drug deals and these abandoned houses, within a five-minute walk. prostitution it is disgustbut within days/weeks It needs to stop NOW! ing. they always come back. Make the owners of the One morning, a lady was They broke into one of houses put fences up. asleep on the trunk of her the houses and started Tear them down! car with a needle still in a fire, which led to the Do something PLEASE! her arm. house burning down. We need to make our My child does not We’ve had so much stuff neighbourhood safe again deserve to see that. Ever! go missing from our yard, for our children. I’ve made numerous Allison Marshall, Maple Ridge and our vehicles broken
Animal welfare
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A concerned dog owner wrote to say that large breeds should always be muzzled [Bylaw needed to keep walkers safe, Aug. 21 Letters, TIMES]. My heart goes out to families of dogs that are attacked. However, as an owner of a dog-to-dog aggressive breed (pit bull-rottweiler cross) I would like to inform people that putting a muzzle on a dog actually creates more aggression. The letter-writer said she is fearful of walking her dogs. I can state that I am fearful, as well, of walking my dog, not because I fear that I cannot control my dog or that he will get hurt – he is never off leash outside the house. The issue is that everyone else out there is walking these small dogs off leash. Yes, they are nice, but if they run up
What you’re telling us on Facebook
•
Premier Christy Clark was in town last week for the proclamation of Maple Ridge as a City, but the celebrations were drowned out by protestors at an education rally. “I was embarrassed to say I’m from Maple Ridge after seeing that on the news last night. It was to celebrate 140 years of community of which my family are pioneers. Sadly no community history was featured. Instead, it was turned into a special interest self-serving rally...” – Tracy Orobko “Sad that such an important event for our town had to be second on importance list. There are so many different places and times to campaign for education but Maple Ridge will only have one day it ever changes to a City.” – Joleen Watson
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to me with my dog on leash (a dog on a leash is always more aggressive), there can be an issue, and it can get serious quickly. A dog attached to a leash tends to think he is protecting his master – that is normal of any breed. Muzzles make dogs aggressive; that is not the solution! Far from it, the solution is everyone needs to keep their dogs on leash. Big, small, nice, mean: all of them need to be leashed. If you let your dog run around the neighbourhood, willy nilly, you can’t go blaming someone else if it gets into trouble. I agree: it’s not the breed, it’s the owner, but it goes both ways.
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[Note: A fuller version of this letter and similar ones are online at www.mrtimes. com. Click on Opinion/Letters.]
Call For GRANT APPLICATIONS
Marijuana
Pot, like alcohol, should be regulated Dear Editor,
Ms Katnich recently commented about the Liberal and NDP take on the pot question. I think she’s missed the point, however. Few, if any of us, believe that pot smoke is good for you. Smoking cigarettes is not good for you, nor is spending too much time round a campfire for that matter. I’d prefer that people used cookies or brownies instead. I believe that many people suggest that pot smoking, like alcohol, and cigarette consumption, is a vice that we should be able to choose to partake in. Like cigarettes and alcohol, they should be regulated. That’s all.
Paul Gregory, Maple Ridge 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.
The Process: Deadline: Friday, October 10, 2014 4 PM
Get the application online at www.mrcf.ca Mail your grant application to: Maple Ridge Community Foundation PO Box , Maple Ridge, B.C. VX K or email to execassist@mrcf.ca Mark your envelope “MRCF Grant Application”
The Eligibility: Applicants must be a registered charity The Funds:
Provided by the Maple Ridge Community Foundation, a member of CFC - Community Foundations of Canada
All funds granted are raised by donations and fundraising activities. Thank you to all those community-minded individuals and businesses who support the Maple Ridge Community Foundation.
“We are Maple Ridge”
A8
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Opinion
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Downtown issues
Salvation Army under attack
L
ast week the Salvation Army came col and teamed bylaw officer Di with under attack again, and rightfully Chuck on the understanding that we were so. cleaning up our streets and handling our At last week’s Maple Ridge City problems, and with a broad level of supcouncil meeting, several citizens and port from the merchants in the communmerchants criticized the ity, some amazing results operation of the Salvation came about. Army’s homeless shelter A task force was formed that is called The Caring and a plan was developed. Place at 222nd Street and The task force included Lougheed Highway. judges, public defendThe complainants believe ers, and prosecutors who activities which are associhelped develop the path to ated to The Caring Place 90-day-abstinence-based, are destroying the safety residential treatment proand security of our downgrams. by Gordy Robson town. The team used the homeMeanwhile, our City less shelter as a honey pot. council is continuing to The task force dealt with have discussions about the homeless as people “The complainants the problem. (Maybe they who needed an advocate to believe activities should be like every other save their lives. which are associated community and take the At the time of the 2004 bicycle bandits off our GVRD homeless count, we to The Caring Place sidewalks.) were the only municipality are destroying the Also last week, our curin the GVRD to reduce the safety and security of rent RCMP Supt. Dave number of homeless, and Fleugel, correctly identified credited us with 42. our downtown.” that we are dealing with At the wrap-up of the people who are sick, and homeless count that year, the community has to step forward. when they announced their findings in It is probably not Supt. Fleugel’s fault Maple Ridge, Chuck and Di told them they that, with the constant turnover of police had missed one. chiefs, nobody told him what Insp. Fraser The most important part of that story MacRae did here just over a decade ago is that, at that point, the task force had a that worked. list of the 43 and knew every one of them, The RCMP committed to leaving senior and the task force was dealing with them officers in our community for at least five on a case-management basis. years. There was a concept the communThey knew when and where they were ity would bond with their chief and not born, and they knew their family, if any. feel like they were being occupied by fedThe Salvation Army’s homeless shelter, eral forces. which had a licence for 30 beds, applied With the recent unexpected transfer of for additional beds with cold wet weather Supt. Walsh and the promotion of thendesignation. Inspector Fleugel, that makes five police We already had more beds than we chiefs we have had in a little over a decneeded, so most people involved at that ade. But I digress. time felt the Salvation Army broke their When the Salvation Army opened its good neighbour agreement, and felt the homeless shelter, it was inundated with community was becoming a repository for mainly local people who were living in the problems from other communities. bush. The Salvation Army explained they There were well over 100, and a conwere serving all of God’s children, not just stantly transient force. The Inspector of those from Maple Ridge. the day – Insp. MacRae – broke protocol Just saying… and assigned a constable by the name of Gordy Robson’s column appears Tuesdays in print and/or Chuck Glover to deal with the problem. online versions of The TIMES. Reactions can be sent to The bylaw chief of the City broke protoeditorial@mrtimes.com
Just Saying
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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Tuesday, September 16, 2014
WE PAY CASH for Used Cars
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Showcasing some of this community’s people and happenings
Maple Ridge’s City communications officer Fred Armstrong gave an appreciative kiss on the check to museum director Val Patenaude. The two worked together to put the scripts together for the 140th Maple Ridge birthday bash. Roxanne Hooper/TIMES
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Sept. 16: Writers
• Golden Ears Writers presents author Mike Lascellein in The ACT lobby at 7 p.m. Free admission. Info: Katherine at citizen@shaw.ca
Sept. 16: Wrestler
Roxanne Hooper/TIMES
RCMP Sgt. Dave Smith (above), dressed in a Mountie uniform stylized to circa 1874, his horse Justice, and police dog Yukon were among those in attendance for Maple Ridge’s birthday bash Friday at Memorial Peace Park. They were joined by downtown business association’s Ineke Beokhorst (left) and The ACT’s communications manager Karen Pighin.
• Retired WWE superstar Mick Foley performs at The ACT at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $37.50. Info: 604-4762787 or www.theactmapleridge.org.
Emerald Pig Theatrical Society’s founder Sharon Malone (left) affixed a 140th birthday pin to her lapel.
Sept. 17: Sasquatch
• A Sasquatch presentation and conversation takes place at the Quality Inn, 21735 Lougheed Hwy. from 6 to 10 p.m. Suggested admission: $10.
Sept. 17: Gardening
Roxanne Hooper/TIMES
www.mrtimes.com
More Photos Online
Maple Ridge staffers Cheryl Ennis and Tracy Camire (above) helped organize the City’s birthday party Friday night at Memorial Peace Park, complete with cake and cupcakes for the masses. Meanwhile, Lynn Bradley (left) and RCMP Const. Oliver Broermann helped make the event possible. The Mountie was in period costume for his re-enactment of Billy Miner’s arrest. “We always get our man,” Broermann was heard saying.
Roxanne Hooper/TIMES
Vancouver siblings Lorna and Robert Seppala, great grandchildren of pioneer John McIver Sr. (played by Simon Challenger - centre), were joined for a “multi-generational photograph” with long-time Maple Ridge residents Bernice and Don Gehring. Bernice is the youngest granddaughter of John Sr. McIver named his farm Maple Ridge, which later inspired the City’s name.
What’s On
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• Maple Ridge Garden Club meets at 7:00 p.m. at Fraserview Community Centre. Info: 604-4674594.
Sept. 20: Recruitment
• Information for those interested in becoming a paid, on-call firefighter with Maple Ridge from 7 to 9 p.m. at Firehall No. 1, at 22708 Brown Ave.
Sept. 20: Advocacy Pub Night
• Ridge Meadows Youth & Justice Advocacy Association’s Pub Night, Silent Auction, and 20th Anniversary Celebration. starts at 6 p.m. at the Maple Ridge Equi-Sport Centre’s Ranch Pub. Info: Anna: connect@youthdiversion.ca
Sept. 20: GETIfest
• Golden Ears Transition Initiative holds a festival in Memorial Peace Park, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Info: Gerry at glpinel@shaw.ca
Sept. 20: Madeline Merlo
Roxanne Hooper/TIMES
MLA Doug Bing, MP Randy Kamp, and MLA Marc Dalton checked out the birthday cake prior to speeches.
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.
• Maple Ridge’s own rising country music star Madeline Merlo performs at London Drugs, 22709 Lougheed Hwy., from 2 to 3 p.m.
Judy Daykin (right), Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin’s wife, and their 18-month-old grandson Eli, enjoyed the birthday party.
Sept. 20: Boot drive
•Pitt Meadows fire department holds a boot drive for muscular dystrophy at various locations around town, such as MeadowTown Centre and Meadowvale Shopping Centre.
• Full list: www.mrtimes.com
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Legendary creatures
Ridge hotel hosting Sasquatch meeting People wanting to learn more about the Sasquatch can do so during a conference Wednesday at the Quality Inn.
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by Troy Landreville tlandreville@mrtimes.com
For Brian Bland, the truth is out there – about Sasquatches. The Maple Ridge resident is certain the creatures exist, and he and other believers are gathering tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 17) for what he describes as an “informal conference” at the Quality Inn at 21735 Lougheed Highway. The conference runs from Alexa Evans artwork 6 to 10 p.m. and is open ‘Akanneesha’ is a Sasquatch that to anyone wanting to learn author Thom Cantrall said he encountered in Washington State. about Sasquatches. “We’re just sharing stories and conversation about the Sasquatch,” Bland said. Guest speakers include authors Thom Cantrall (who penned Sasquatch – The Search for a New Man and Sasquatch, The Living Legend) and Arla Collette Williams (who wrote My Life With the Hairy People), and Dr. John Bindernage. Sasquatch “experiencers” Michael Beers along with Randy Brisson will also be in attendance. While he has yet to get a good look at one of the creatures, Bland said there are very good indications that they are present during his ventures into the woods. “I just found some baby tracks a couple of days ago and we’ve heard some good vocals lately,” Bland said. “And their writing is getting way more intricate.” Bland said Brisson has seen a couple dozen Sasquatches. “If they want you to see them, they will [make themselves visible], but it’s their environment and they control things there,” Bland said.
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Music vibrates through park
Kallie Rhodes, 15 months, was a little distracted by the camera as she and others listened to the three-member local band Electric Mountain during the final performance of the fourth annual Lunchtime Concert Series at Memorial Peace Park recently. The series is put on by the Maple Ridge Downtown Business Improvement Association.
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Tuesday, September 16, 2014
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Founder’s event
Charity cup raises coin
Skater selected The best short-track speed skaters in the country will be at the Olympic Oval in Calgary from Sept. 19 to 21, and Michelle MacKay of Pitt Meadows will be among them. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
An annual golf event in Pitt Meadows brought in crowds and cash.
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than $2 million for a variety of causes. This year, 26 different charities all benefited from proceeds raised through the tournament. “The tournament by Eric Zimmer went very smoothly,” ezimmer@mrtimes.com said Swan-e-set’s It was a great day tournament coordinMore to be on the golf ator, Helen Jung. Photos course at Swan“We had a full Online e-set Bay Resort field, 180 golfers, and Country Club in and 200 for dinner.” Jung Pitt Meadows this past added “Chef Chris Lee did Thursday. an amazing job.” And it was under the She noted more than clear blue skies and sunone hundred thousand shine that the annual dollars was raised at this Founder’s Cup charity golf year’s event. tournament took place. “I would personally like The event began in 1995 to thank everyone who as a way to assist local worked extremely hard to charities in the area, and make this event successto date, has raised more ful,” Jung said.
Golf for KidSport The fifth annual Wes Durksen “So All Kids Can Play!” Memorial charity golf tournament took place at the Pitt Meadows Golf Club this past Friday, in support of KidSport Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Albion underway The soccer season for the new Albion Football Club is officially underway, and games in a variety of leagues have taken place during the past two weeks. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Marauders fall The Pitt Meadows Marauders high school football team were in Kamloops this past weekend, where they lost against the Vernon Panthers, 26-7. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Almost 200 golfers teed off at Swan-e-set Bay Resort golf course on Thursday for the 19th annual Founder’s Cup.
Knights travel The Meadowridge School Knights football midget team travelled to Delta this weekend for a game on Saturday night. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Eric Zimmer/TIMES
Strike affect
Heroes banquet gets put on hold
Wrestling superstar Mick Foley will be in town at the ACT tonight.
Wrestler performs Retired WWE wrestling superstar Mick Foley performs his oneman, spoken-word show, Tales from Wrestling Past, tonight. “It’s not really a comedy show,” Foley quipped. “It’s more wrestling stories, that are funny.” Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $37.50, with the opportunity for a meetand-greet with Foley after the show. Call the ACT for details or visit theactmapleridge.org. • More online: www.mrtimes.com, click on “Sports”
Send your scores and game reports to sports@mrtimes.com
An annual celebration has been postponed twice now, as a result of the teachers strike. d
by Eric Zimmer
ezimmer@mrtimes.com
As the public school teachers enter their third week on strike, repercussions are being felt beyond the classroom. Gehrig Merritt sits on a committee that he explained is in the process of revamping the Home Town Hero executive. He’s also been involved with the planning process for an annual inductee banquet that was originally slated to take place in the spring. But the effects of the teachers’ strike were already being felt at that time as well. “We figured with the job action
and the fact not all recipients would be in town, we looked at a time in early fall that would work before the start of hockey season,” Merritt explained. “We booked a date of (this Thursday) Sept. 18, booked our facility of Maple Ridge Secondary School.” The plan was to have the school’s chef and staff cater the event. With the continuing job action, the chef is unable to get into the building and do anything, and therefore the whole site is now unavailable for use, Merritt explained. The banquet ultimately had to be cancelled, and the committee is now looking at a date sometime in November, possibly around Remembrance Day, such as the Monday before. “This is just another side-effect of this job action,” said Merritt.
But it’s not just the commitare also looking at “establishing tee and banquet organizers who an alumni association” within the are feeling the side effects of the heroes themselves. strike. With that in mind, Merritt menOne of the recipients of the tioned there will be a Hometown awards this year now lives in Heroes annual general meeting Ontario, and Merritt explained on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. that he had already booked a in the office of the food bank at flight and was #8-22726 Dewdney planning to be in “This is just another Trunk Rd. Maple Ridge this we’re doing side effect of this job is “What Thursday. inviting all interaction.” Now, Merritt ested Home Town said, that person Heroes in the alumni Gehrig Merritt has had to cancel association to attend and re-schedule that meeting and which will ultimately cost more. be part of this new process that In addition, hockey season we’re going to be entering into. is well underway in November Merritt also noted that and that commitment may comHometown Heroes is currently promise the ability of one of the accepting nominations for the inductees to actually attend the 2014 class. ceremony. For more information on the Merritt also noted that along AGM or to get involved and nomwith revamping the Hometown inate a Home Town Hero, email Heroes executive committee, they Gehrigmerritt@telus.net
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Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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