Tuesday, October 14, 2014 A Pitt Meadows youngster is making his mark in the acting business.
Page A3 • LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 20 PAGES
Beauty, dignity, and fine music Maple Ridge resident Rheanne Lechkobit’s father started the African Children’s Choir, not just as a choral group, but as a profound humanitarian statement. Her father, she said, wanted to dispel the “starving children with flies on them” image of Africa, and instead show the world “the beauty, dignity, and unlimited potential of the African child.” Rheanne is the operations director of Music for Life, the registered charity for the African Children’s Choir. The choir is performing at Maple Ridge Christian School on Friday, Oct. 17. See story on page A5.
Troy Landreville/TIMES
Election 2014
Candidates officially on campaign trail With nominations settled Friday afternoon, all positions available on Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge councils and school board are in contention on Nov. 15. Christopher Sun and Eric Zimmer
editorial@mrtimes.com
Five candidates are running for the mayoralty in Maple Ridge, joined by 26 candidates running for the six council seats up for grabs.
Incumbent Mayor Ernie Daykin is being challenged by current Councillor Mike Morden, along with Nicole Read, Graham Mowatt, and Gary Cleave, who is also running for a Maple Ridge seat on the school board. Incumbents Corisa Bell, Al Hogarth and Bob Masse are being joined in the race for a council seat by former Maple Ridge mayor Gordy Robson, Dean Barbour, Sara Beckett, Douglas Blamey, Kristina Brown, Kiersten Duncan, Ken Holland, Faye Isaac, Morgan Jensen, Bruce McWilliam, Chelsea Meadus, Don Mitchell, Mike
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Murray, Gwen O’ Connell, Tracy Miyashita, and Janis Elkerton, and challengers Scott Magri, Bill Dingwall, Mike Stark, and Andrew Thompson.
Pitt Meadows council
School board
A mix of new, veteran and returning candidates are vying for public seats in Pitt Meadows. With current Mayor Deb Walters bowing out, three new candidates are seeking the mayoralty: John Becker, Michael Hayes, and Gary Paller. In the running for six councillor seats in Pitt Meadows are incumbents Bruce Bell, Dave
There will be races in both Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows for all seats on the school board. In the 2011 elections, Pitt Meadows school trustees Eleanor Palis and Sarah Nelson were acclaimed, but this time, four people are running – Palis is seeking re-election, Marcela Boggio started but then dropped out of the 2011 race, and
Korleen Carreras and Allie Taylor are challenging for seats. Running for Maple Ridge’s five seats are incumbents Susan Carr, Ken Clarkson, Mike Murray, and Dave Rempel, joined by challengers Lisa Beare, Gary Cleave (also running for Maple Ridge mayor), Cherie Delainey, Nina Fowell, David Issac, Nancy Nagy, James Rowley, and Elizabeth Taylor. Short biographies of the candidates, contact information, and links to personal websites can be found by visiting either city’s website, and following their election links.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014
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Teen actor ‘discovered’ tossing pebbles
for community
Pitt Meadows Joey Awardnominee Connor Levins has appeared in more than 45 professional acting shoots – and he’s still in his midteens.
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Free Barbecue Community Living hosts its annual free barbecue tomorrow (Oct. 15) at the Greg Moore youth centre in Maple Ridge. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and goes until 2:30 p.m. All are welcome to come and take part. • More at www.mrtimes.com
TIMES files
A spa day is part of this week’s Homelessness Action Week slate of events.
Homelessness Action This week is Homelessness Action Week and a variety of things are taking place in the community to mark the annual awareness campaign. There will be a health fair, community spa day, and a food day, just to name a few of the events. • More at www.mrtimes.com
Please vote Stay tuned to the TIMES online and in print for up-to-date and continuing comprehensive coverage of this year’s municipal election campaign and results as they develop. • More at www.mrtimes.com
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by Troy Landreville tlandreville@mrtimes.com
A Joey Award could be in the cards for 15-year-old Pitt Meadows actor Connor Levins. Levins, who started his career when he was two years old, is nominated for his role as Zak in the Christmas movie Let It Snow on the Hallmark Channel and W Network in Canada. He is nominated in the category of “Young Actor age 1019 or younger in a Made for Television/Straight to Video Feature Leading Role” The other nominees are Dylan Everett for The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story, and Sean Michael Kyer for Hats Off To Christmas. Troy Landreville/TIMES Levins is hoping his name will Pitt Meadows actor Connor Levins held a photo of Henry Winkler, who he met when they worked together on the film The Most Wonderful be called at The Metro in New Time of the Year. The two remain friends. Westminster on Nov. 16 during The Joey Awards Red Carpet Gala Awards celebrating young Endgame, for which he was became what he is now,” Levins graduates, wants to be a fullCanadian performers. nominated for the 2012 Young recalled. time actor. He has an agent in But if it isn’t, he’s okay with Artist Award. He was literally discovered on B.C. and a manager in L.A. that. He had a supporting role in set. He was with his big sister Asked how much he’s evolved “It would be really cool if I Kayla, on set for a wardrobe as an actor, Levins answered, “A the Warner Brothers’ DVD horwon, but I wouldn’t be heartror film Trick ‘r’ call, to be one of the orphans. lot.” broken if I lost,” he said. “It’s Treat, starring “They were having a hard time “As a kid you just really cool to be nomin“The director and Anna Paquin, searching for someone to play do small little ated.” the flashback who looked just cute roles but producer were driving Brian Cox, and Levins is a veteran of the actDylan Baker. like the main character, like a once you start in and said, ‘That’s the ing biz. He’s been acting, in At nine years twin, and Connor was playing getting older, you some role or another, most of old, Levins in the parking lot with his dad, do the more serkid.’” his life. received his first throwing pebbles into a puddle, ious [roles],” he Karina Levins His appeal to the screens both nomination for and the director and produadded. big and small is simple. the Young Artist cer were driving in and said, Among Levin’s “I like meeting Award for “Best Performance ‘That’s the kid,’” recent roles: as Dylan in the all the famous in a TV Movie, Miniseries or his mom Karina mini-series Ring Of Fire; R.L. people, and the “It would be really Special” for The Most Wonderful shared. “That’s Stine’s The Haunting Hour food’s pretty good Time of Year. Levins starred in how Connor start- as Young Luca in The Golem cool if I won, but on set, and it’s the Hallmark Channel movie ed acting. He just Parts 1 and 2; and in Steven I wouldn’t be just fun to play kept going.” Spielberg’s Falling Skies, starring with actors Henry Winkler and a different role, Brooke Burns. To date, Levins as Julian in episode 204. heartbroken if I lost.” not be yourself, Levins and Winkler, the actor has appeared in He also co-starred as Sammy Connor Levins always,” Levins best known as “The Fonz” on more than 45 pro- in the film What Could Have said. the wildly popular Happy Days fessional shoots Been, starring Kelly McGillis. Levins’s big break came 13 TV series, became fast friends for commercials, television and Levins was a special guest years ago when he appeared in and still stay in touch through movies, including Supernatural, at the premiere screening in a roughly 10-second flashback email. Smallville, Desperate Hours: An Vancouver. scene playing Baby Kahuna “He’s a wonderful man,” Amber Alert, The Betrayed, The And he guest-starred as Jimmy in the film Superbabies: Baby Connor’s mom Carina said. “He Most Wonderful Time of Year, in an episode of the YTV sitcom Geniuses 2, in which his sister taught Connor a lot on set.” Hiccups, Kids Court, and Trick ‘r’ Mr. Young. Kayla also appeared. When he’s not, Levins plays Treat. Levins also appeared as “I was the flashback of the soccer for the select ‘A’ team, Levins is currently balancing Keaton Hart in the pilot episode main character, as how he of the Showcase Original Series Pitt Meadows Thrashers. acting and school and once he
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Police services
Drugs, stolen goods seized in search Police are seeing an increase in property crime downtown. by Eric Zimmer ezimmer@mrtimes.com
Drugs and stolen goods were found in a search of a downtown Maple Ridge
home last week. Ridge Meadows RCMP executed a search warrant at a home in the 11600 block of 224th Street on Wednesday afternoon. A number of people were on the property, but no arrests were made. Police said more investigation is required to determine if charges would be
approved by Crown. A “No Occupancy” sign has been posted on the house by the fire and bylaws departments. “Ridge Meadows RCMP are seeing an increase in property crime in the downtown area of Maple Ridge,” said Cpl. Alanna Dunlop, adding, “It’s common knowledge that many
School board
Trustees vote for additional pay
Whoever is elected to the school board will get a $300 boost in pay. by Christopher Sun
csun@mrtimes.com
New trustees elected into Maple RidgePitt Meadows school board will get a $300 bump in pay, courtesy of the current board. Current trustees voted five to two for a 1.5 per cent increase for trustees from $18,553 to $18,832 annually. The chair and vice chair earn an extra $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. The increase is based on the Vancouver Consumer Price Index of 1.30 per cent in 2012 and 0.20 per cent in 2013. The last trustee raise was in January 2012. Trustee Ken Clarkson said incremental increases are better than freezing pay and catching up later, which outrages taxpayers. He cited Langley school district, which voted for an 18 per cent pay raise earlier this year after a freeze since 2008.
“I believe we should vote to what is recommended by the CPI,” Clarkson said. “If you value a position, you need to set an appropriate value to that position.” Trustee Kathy Marshall noted that trustees here are lowest paid among seven school districts, including Abbotsford, Langley, Delta, Richmond, Burnaby, and Coquitlam, cited in a report by secretarytreasurer Flavia Coughlan. Coquitlam school district has a student population of about 31,000 and trustees there earn $36,675, while trustees in Langley with a student population of 19,000 earn $21,485. Delta has about 14,000 students, similar to Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, and trustees there receive $23,469 annually. Trustee Sarah Nelson didn’t support the increase for all trustees, but offered to support an amendment that the trustee pay stays the same, and the chair and vice chair get increases. Current chair Mike Murray disagreed: “None of us do this for the money and I believe in shared leadership.” The increase takes effect Dec. 1.
property crimes, especially theft from auto, are committed to finance drug habits.” She said police are working to identify dealers, and to reduce the availability of illegal drugs. “The Street Enforcement Unit is constantly compiling intelligence on drug dealers and locations used for the distribution of illegal drugs,” Dunlop said. She said police will apply for civil forfeiture in cases where rental properties are used for illegal purposes such as dealing drugs. “We ask that landlords be alive to any illegal activity taking place on these properties,” she said, “especially drug trafficking.” Police said they encourage reports and tips about drug dealing in the City. In the meantime, police said, people can do their part by removing items from vehicles and making sure all doors are locked – on vehicles and buildings. They also welcome reports of anyone acting suspiciously. Even if an officer is unable to attend, the information is analyzed and can be of assistance.
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
A5
African Children’s Choir
Voices raised for kids at home
Youthful voices of the African Children’s Choir entertain and offer hope to thousands of kids in Africa.
Voices will be ringing out at Maple Ridge Christian School for more than just entertainment.
ing audiences around the world, including concerts at the Pentagon and the United Nations. The concert is just part of the experience. The goal is to raise awareness of the need of destitute and orphaned children in by Troy Landreville Africa while raising funds for tlandreville@mrtimes.com choir programs. Music for Life, the choir’s The African Children’s Choir The African Children’s Choir delight registered charity, works in started with a single voice, from audiences with their talent and energy. Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South a child in Uganda. Sudan, South Africa, Nigeria, In 1977, choir founder Ray beauty, dignity, and unlimited and Ghana to improve the lives Barnett offered a boy a car ride, potential of the African child,” of thousands of children. from the boy’s decimated home Lechkobit said. “Before that, it Lechkobit, Music For Life operto the safety of another village. was pretty much the starving ations director, oversees finance, The child sang the whole way. children with flies on them.” administration, and field work Barnett lived in Vancouver The first choir – consisting internationally. She spent a few most of his life, and started of 31 orphaned and vulnermonths touring with the first Friends In The West to help perable children from the Kampala choir 30 years ago, and keeps secuted Christians in Russia and and Luwero areas of Uganda in touch with members of the Iron Block countries. – performed in Vancouver in inaugural choir. He travelled to Uganda, doing September, 1984. She worked for Music for Life humanitarian work for Friends in Since then, African Children’s before becoming a stay-at-home the West during former Ugandan Choirs have been entertainmom, raising a family president Idi Amin’s of four children. reign in the 1970s. Lechkobit returned “Idi Amin was perto Music for Life 14 secuting Christians, years ago. She said burning down churchthe work is very es, that type of thing,” rewarding. said Barnett’s daugh“We take these kids ter and Maple Ridge out of very desperate resident Rheanne situations,” she said. Lechkobit. “They stay with host When her dad heard families so they learn the boy sing that about business ideas day, 37 years ago, it or things they didn’t sparked an idea. even think were a “From there, he Celebrating its 30th year, the African Children’s Choir has performed potential for them to created this vision of do. And because we showing the world the around the world.
potential is and because they all educate them right to post-sechave scholarships, it really drives ondary, they can be whatever them.” they want to do.” A choir consisting of 18 Some choir alumni have gone Ugandan singers aged eight to 11 on to become doctors, lawyers, is scheduled to perform an 80and social workers. minute concert at Maple Ridge Choir members are the face of the millions of children of Africa, Christian School on Friday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. Lechkobit said, adding that The concert will include a Music for Life has a child sponjoint performance sorship program the MRCS which has farAfrican Children’s with Grade 2 choir. reaching benefits. Choir concert “By hosting the “Not every child choir, we are excitcan be in the choir, When: 7 p.m. Friday, ed to give our stubut we do have a Oct. 17 dents a cross-culcouple thousand Where: Maple Ridge tural experience,” kids in our child Christian School, Carolyn Pollard, sponsorship pro12140 203rd St. the MRCS intergram,” Lechkobit Tickets: Free – pick national student said. up at the school; coordinator said. “We tell our donations accepted for The concert is kids in the west African Children’s Choir open to the public that you can be programs. and tickets are free, anything you want but must be picked to be, you can up in advance at the MRCS do whatever you want to do,” office, 12140 204B St., from 8 Lechkobit said. “If you said that a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days. to these [African] kids, they Donations for the African wouldn’t even grasp what this is. Children’s Choirs will be acceptThey’re in a survival mode, so ed at the concert. what does that mean? Bringing • More online at www.mrtimes.com them into the choir program, Search ‘African’ they really get to see what the
TRAFFIC ALERT Harris Road Rail Crossing FULL CLOSURE Oct 28, 29 & 30
Detour Routes
The railroad crossing at Harris Road will be closed from 9:00am Tuesday, October 28 to 5:00pm Thursday, October 30 for repairs to the track surface. • Road and pedestrian detours will be in effect 24 hours a day during the repair period (Pedestrian overpass detour is wheelchair accessible) • West Coast Express trains will run at regularly scheduled times. See the pedestrian and vehicle detour map for alternate routes.
For more information, contact the City’s Engineering Department 604.465.2428 or visit pittmeadows.bc.ca
12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows • 604.465.5454 • pittmeadows.bc.ca
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Tuesday, October 14, 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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Our View
Don’t waste 9-1-1 time Many lives have been saved by a quick 9-1-1 call. This is roughly how it works: a number of dispatchers sit in a room, waiting for your emergency call, and as quickly as they figure out exactly what you need, they connect you with the best help for your immediate needs, whether it’s dispatching an ambulance to your medical emergency, calling out the police to stop an assault, sending out a fire alarm to the nearest fire station, or maybe connecting you to the Poison Control Centre. On top of that, they are trained to help talk you through steps you can take – perhaps some first aid, or advice on how to avoid the burglar ransacking your downstairs – while you’re waiting for emergency responders to come to your rescue. But here’s the thing: they don’t always have the luxury of waiting for your call. They can already be engaged in other people’s emergencies – or dealing with calls from people who bother them with minor problems, people who call in error, or worse still, hoax calls. Time wasted on an unnecessary 91-1 call is time that might be delaying emergency response to someone truly in need. A hoax can literally be deadly. Emergency responders will tell you that, when in doubt, by all means make the call. But be sensible. Sometimes callers accidentally hit their 9-1-1 speed dial, or their smart phones might “pocket dial” the number. If so, it is important that you do NOT hang up until you have spoken to the dispatcher – clearly and succinctly indicate that the call was accidental, or they will spend valuable time trying to locate you, on the chance that you are in danger. And remember, intentional hoax calls are taken seriously. The consequences of such calls are potentially fatal for someone waiting for the response you’re delaying, and can include serious criminal charges for you. – B.G.
This Week’s Question When do you start your Christmas shopping? ■ Your View Last week’s question, results… Are your home and family prepared to survive an outbreak of fire?
We have smoke detectors - I think
11 %
We test our smoke detectors annually
54 %
We test our smoke detectors monthly
3%
We have a full escape plan
20 %
We prefer to gamble with our lives
11 %
Vote online at: www.mrtimes.com
Opinion
Eighty per cent clean enough Some scary numbers have come of only 10 per cent dirt on the to us from the Provincial Health hands of those who work under Services Authority. his ministry’s auspices. We have been informed that “The BC health authorities “hand cleaning rates among B.C. have been working to remove health care staff have exceeded any barriers to health care staff the province’s target of 80 per cleaning their hands, including cent for the first time.” making sure there are enough Delving deeper, we learn that soap and sanitizer dispensers a 2013 survey of BC health care throughout hospitals, and with workers determined that “93 per clear signage. This work has cent of respondents said they clearly paid off, as the hand by Bob Groeneveld were aware of their facility’s cleaning rates have increased hand cleaning policy, as well as province-wide since these meashow to properly clean their hands.” ures were taken,” crowed Minister Lake. Wow. Does he mean to say there weren’t appropriOnly one in ten health care workers in the ate hand-washing facilities available prior to the province don’t know how to clean their hands 2013 study and the 80 per cent target for 2015? properly! In our hospitals? In other words, if you have reason to encounForgive me if I seem a little nonplussed, but I ter a health care worker in B.C., you have only a recall being taught personal hygiene in my first one-in-ten chance that you’ll get your health care years in elementary school – including how to needs conveyed through dirty hands. wash my hands. The teacher walked through Actually, according to the survey, it only the classroom first thing each morning, as we means that one in ten don’t even know how to showed her our sparkling clean palms and wash their hands. turned them over to show we had scrubbed We don’t really know how many are slackers under our nails, too. who know how to clean themselves, but don’t Granted, that was a long, long time ago. bother. And we were just kids. And I’d like to draw your attention back to Doctors (who rated a shocking 63 per cent the “target” – the Provincial Health Services cleanliness in the aforementioned study) and Authority actually appears quite pleased that you nurses are adults (except Doogie Howser), so it’s only have a one-in-ten chance of being served only 80 per cent important that they know how by dirty hands. They were hoping to crack the to wash their hands. 20 per cent mark – that’s one in five health care Dr. Douglas Cochrane, chair of the BC Patient workers not capable of cleaning their hands Safety Quality Council cares about the numbers. properly – by March 2015. “Proper hand cleaning is the single most effect“This is a milestone achievement,” commented ive way to prevent the spread of infections,” he Bruce Gamage of the Provincial Infection Control said, and then identifying breaking the 80 per Network of B.C., “and shows how committed cent cleanliness threshold as an “accomplisheveryone in the province is to hand cleaning: the ment” and “a testament to the dedication of all Ministry of Health, the health authorities, and health care workers in B.C.” health care staff.” If my hands had been 80 per cent clean in In fact, Minister of Health Terry Lake seems Grade One, I would straight away have been sent quite pleased with this grand accomplishment to the principal’s office.
Odd Thoughts
editorial@mrtimes.com
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Carbon emissions
Editor
Foreign affairs
Anti-ISIL support for allies critical
Dear Editor, Mr. Robson paints an inaccurate picture of our government’s response to the threat ISIL poses to global security [Canada’s foreign policy bombs, Oct. 7 Just Saying, TIMES]. In fact, ISIL has committed mass atrocities in Iraq and Syria and they have specifically threatened Canada and Canadians.
As the prime minister said, “It would be convenient to dismiss such statements as the mere rambling of lunatics, were it not for the fact that ISIL’s deeds have been fully in line with its words.” We have a responsibility to protect Canadians and to support our allies in the fight against ISIL. To this end, our government has
Foreign affairs
Fighting poor use of money
Dear Editor, The Harper government unilaterally decided to send fighter jets and 600 personnel to deal with ISIS. Have we not learned any lessons from our failed wars there? Fanatic religious groups like al Qaeda and ISIS cannot be cleaned out with fighter planes and military weapons. Each time a martyr is created, 100 more fanatics will rise and defend their ideology. Few Canadians realize that Canada is the 12th largest weapons exporters in the world. Just last February, Canada signed a deal with Saudi Arabia to sell them $10 billion worth of military hardware. The Harper government’s moral outrage seems reserved only for countries like Syria and Iraq, and is totally absent when it comes to its Saudi Arabian ally. I am a volunteer for several humanitarian organizations. We have to turn down hundreds of groups each year because of lack of funding. Can you imagine what a difference it would make if the billions of dollars that Canada spends on armaments were spent on medicines, food, schools, wells for clean water, and hospitals? Yes, there is a visceral response in all of us when we hear that innocent children and women are beheaded. But it is just as horrific that millions of children die a slow death every day because they do not have clean water, simple medication, and enough food to eat – not to speak of education and a chance to live a decent life. Malaria alone kills 3,000 children a day. Dysentery, a water-borne disease, kills 750,000 people each year. These figures are so huge and unbelievable that it is hard for us to visualize. But we do have the means and the cure for all of these diseases. Why are we not spending our efforts and our money on humanitarian help – be peacekeepers, as we used to be, instead of entering an un-winnable war? War is not a political play, and collateral damage means death of innocent civilians. Hearts and minds are won with kindness, not bombs. Maria Raynolds, Maple Ridge
What you’re telling us on Facebook
•
Something about the moon seems to have an effect on people. Here’s a bit of silliness we elicited by posting a picture of a moonrise over Maple Ridge. “Looks like the moon.”
– Jason Martin “I’m out in Harrison. Can I get HBO on a wire from my neighbour’s kerosene-powered satellite dish?” – Don Button “The sky is on HBO.”
– Fred Armstrong “If God really loved us, don’t you think he’d let us PVR the sky?” – Don Button
Share your views. Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MapleRidgePittMeadowsTimes
decided to join the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates in launching air strikes against ISIL. Mr. Robson might think that our Royal Canadian Air Force is somehow not up to this task, but I disagree. We are extremely proud of our pilots and all members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have time and again proven themselves more than capable. We are also expanding our humanitarian efforts in the region. On Oct. 6 our government announced a contribution of up to $5 million to help respond to and investigate sexual violence and other serious human rights abuses. This is in addition to the $28.9 million in humanitarian aid committed to earlier in 2014, which will provide emergency shelter and urgent health care for Syrian refugees and Iraqis impacted by the heinous crimes of ISIL. Canada is well-suited to support our allies in this fight against ISIL, and we will do our part. Randy Kamp, MP for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission
Appreciation
Keep saying
Dear Editor, Please keep Gordy Robson as a contributor. He has a great capacity to stir in the pyramid size bolus. I refer to the way this municipality is (mis)-managed. I would like to put it in plain English, but this is a family newspaper. Jan de Zeeuw. Maple Ridge [Editor: From now until the current election campaigns conclude on election day, Nov. 15, in order to be fair to all candidates seeking election or re-election, The TIMES will not publish regular contributions from our columnists whose names are on the municipal ballots.] Letters on this page have been edited for space. For longer versions, or more letters to the editor visit... www.mrtimes.com – Click on Opinion, or search the writers’ names.
LETTERS POLICY: Copyright in letters and other materials submitted voluntarily to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic, or other forms. Letters are also subject to editing for content and length. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership.
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City of Pitt Meadows ELECTION OFFICE
Canada one of dirtiest countries
16.0; China, 7.5; India, 1.6; Dear Editor, Letters Russia, 12.4. From this angle, Mr. Bulpitt referred to Canada’s it seems that we Canadians are CO2 emissions [Benefits outweigh to very high producers of CO2. emissions, Oct. 7 Letters, TIMES] in the We enjoy quite a decent stanTuesday’s paper. I find some problems dard of living, and lose quite a with his numbers, though, as he uses lot of credibility by claiming we only total emissions. must preserve our industry. If you look at some of those countries Maybe Prime Minister Stephen Harper using per capita numbers, the picture is not needs to address this, after all. quite so pleasant. For example, in tonnes per capita: USA produces 16.4; Canada, Paul Gregory, Maple Ridge
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
2014 Local Government Elections Election Officials The City of Pitt Meadows Election Office is accepting applications for temporary employment for Election Officials on General Voting Day, Saturday, November 15, 2014. This position will be responsible for: setting up the voting place (including voting booths and election staff tables and posting signs and notices); verifying elector’s names on the voters list and confirming address information; ensuring that all required forms are completed; explaining the voting and ballot procedures to voters; assisting voters as required; and assisting the Presiding Election Official with the packing of equipment and supplies and the closing of the voting place. On-call staff are also required. The Election Official must not be related to any candidate running for office in the election and must not be actively working for any election campaign or any candidate. Preference will be given to applicants with past knowledge and experience of the local government election process. Legal entitlement to work in British Columbia and Canada and attendance at a mandatory training session either on October 29 or 30 is required. This posting does not list all the duties of the position, nor does it fully detail the required skills, knowledge and abilities, licences and certificates required of candidates. Hours of Work: Rates of Pay: Closing Date: To Apply:
Approximately 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. or until duties are fulfilled $225.00 per full day at polling place or $75.00 per full day as on-call staff 4:30 p.m. on October 21, 2014 E-mail lkelly@pittmeadows.bc.ca detailing your qualifications for the position.
We want to thank all applicants, however only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Important election-related dates for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows:
Election 2014
www.mrtimes.com Watch for full local election information under our “Please Vote” tab at
www.@mrtimes.com
Oct. 20: School trustee bowling meet • School trustee Ken Clarkson and school board candidate hopefuls Lisa Beare, Cherie Delainey and Korleen Carreras are celebrating and launching their joint campaign at Rev’s Bowling Centre on Monday, Oct. 20. Free event. Register by emailing korleen@shaw. ca.
Nov. 01: Advance voting, Maple Ridge • Advance voting takes place at the Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre or the Fraserview Village small hall, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Nov. 03: All-candidates meeting • The Pitt Meadows Community Association hosts an all-candidates meeting in the gymnasium of the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and meeting begins at 7 p.m. Residents are encouraged to forward any questions they may have for any or all of the candidates to pmallcandidates2014@gmail.com.
Nov. 04: Mayors forum • Mayors-only forum will take place at The ACT (details to follow).
Nov. 05: Advance voting, Maple Ridge • Advance voting takes place at Maple Ridge City Hall, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Nov. 05: Advance voting, Pitt Meadows • Advance voting takes place at Pitt Meadows City Hall from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Nov. 06: Mayors and candidates, Pitt Meadows • A meeting will be held at the Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall (details to follow).
Nov. 07: Advance voting, Pitt Meadows • Advance voting takes place at Pitt Meadows City Hall from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Nov. 08: Advance voting, Pitt Meadows • Advance voting takes place at South Bonson Commmunity Centre from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nov. 08: Advance voting, Maple Ridge • Advance voting takes place at Planet Ice, the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre, and Maple Ridge Alliance Church, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 15: Voting day, Maple Ridge • General voting day takes place at Hammond Elementary, Laity View Elementary, Ridge Meadows Seniors Activiy Centre, Yennadon Elementary, Albion Elementary, Garibaldi Elementary, and Whonnock Elementary.
Nov. 15: Voting day, Pitt Meadows • General voting day takes place at Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre and Pitt Meadows City Hall.
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
&places
faces
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
WE PAY CASH for Used Cars
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
Showcasing some of this community’s people and happenings
Contributed by Iren
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Building a birdhouse Maple Ridge mother and son Fay Shayegan and Armin, seven, were building a birdhouse together during Rivers Day at Allco Fish Hatchery on Sept. 28.
Christopher Sun/TIMES
ool district
uished an Apple Disting school district as ict’s ws str do di ea e M th tt d Pi ize nada, recogn d Maple RidgeCa ize in gn n co ve re gi da ird 7 Apple Cana y grade 6/ ard, only the th ar, runs in ever 14-2016. The aw w in its ninth ye no , Program for 20 left to right: David m ra om og Fr pr . e program. Th d research skills an ng iti wr ry Payment, e student inquiry , ov logy to impr d, Steve Gray Ro no ar ch m Si te e g in an us Di , , classroom Michelle Chabot Kelly Beliveau, Vandergugten, Sarah Matlock. an Julie Hearn, d Kristie Colpitts,
son Saunders Four-year-old Gray Isabella and seven-year-old Maple the at t ou Saunders hung g the rin du t en rtm pa de Ridge fire open house.
Buckle up: Nine-year-old Alfie Buckles, nine-year-old Selina Buckles, and three-year-old Dannny Buckles found a sweet spot to hang out together during the open house in Maple Ridge.
Rick Moyer/TIMES
Rick Moyer/TIMES
Rick Moyer/
TIMES
annelled her Van Dop ch yn id Ja ge open ld o Ten-yeare Maple Rid er during th th fa r te gh firefi house.
Rick Moyer/TIMES
Maple Ridge firefighter Seb Baski and his daughter Krystyna enjoyed quality father-daughter time at the Maple Ridge firehall’s open house.
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.
Three-ye arMaple R old Monette Va idge fire rella got hall’s op Rick Moy en hous into the firefigh er e. ter spirit /TIMES at the
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014
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A four-month-old baby and a 100dedicated day each year, that would celeyear-old lady represented both ends of brate and recognize seniors, while giving the spectrum at a recent event in Maple them a chance to socialize in a friendly Ridge: the first of its kind in Canada. and welcoming atmosphere. That event was Silver Sunday: the Silver Sunday is the first day of brainchild of a London, UK, woman October, and in 2013, more than 150 named Christabel Flight, whose husband events were held across the UK to mark is a member of the British parliament. the occasion. And it’s Flight’s cousin, Maple Ridge’s Through a variety of free activities, Rosamond Norbury, who decided to bring Silver Sunday aims to offer older people the growing event across a chance to keep active in the pond. body and spirit, try new “Way more people “It was brilliant,” said things, meet new people came than we thought and overcome loneliness. Norbury of Sunday’s event. “I didn’t really want And in Maple Ridge, would.” to advertise it too much it was Greystone Manor Rosamond Norbury because I wasn’t sure how that hosted the afternoon it would go.” event. The London event now attracts “1,000 “I approached Shannon here at old ladies,” and cadets are trained in Greystone about them hosting the event, advance to dance at the event, related and she got the idea of what we were tryNorbury. ing to do right away,” said Norbury. “But I thought that might be a little “She showed me all the rooms and we much for the first go here.” found a brilliant one to hold it in.” The premise of Silver Sunday, explained About 50 seniors took part in the event, Norbury, relates to the fact that Flight she added. realized that British seniors weren’t get“Way more people came than we ting out and about as much as they could thought would.” be. Greystone provided the coffee and tea So Flight decided to craft something and it was the Haney Bakery that hooked similar to the idea of Mother’s Day: A up the event with happy-face cookies.
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
What’s On
Volunteers needed
• Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Community Services is looking www.mrtimes.com for drivers to support seniors: taking them to medical appointments, delivering grocerPost events 10 days in advance ies, and with the Meals on by email to: Wheels program. To help deeditorial@mrtimes.com liver groceries and take seniors to medical appointments, call Diana at 604-467-6911, ext. 232. To help with Meals on Grumpy grandmas Wheels, call Joan at 604-467-6911, ext. 218. • Grumpy Grandmas social group holds Info: www.comservice.bc.ca. weekly events including cards, games, coffee, meals out, potlucks, appy afternoons, local Oct. 15: Free BBQ events, and a monthly brunch meeting on the • Community Living hosts its annual free first Friday of every month. Call 604-760-5316 barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Greg or email grumpygrandmas@shaw.ca. Moore Youth Centre. Info: Susanne at 604466-4449 or email susanne.eddy@gov.bc.ca. Seniors group
• The Council of Senior Citizens Organizations (COSCO) is an advocacy group devoted to improving the quality of life for all seniors. Seniors’ organizations wishing to be affiliated or individuals who want to be members should contact Ernie Bayer at 604576-9734 or ecbayer@shaw.ca.
Oct. 16: George Canyon
• Award-winning Canadian country music star, George Canyon performs. The show features special guest Jordan McIntosh and takes place at the ACT at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: $37.50. Info: www.theactmapleridge.ca.
Dr. Jason C. Dinglasan Inc. • Dr. Keith C. Dinglasan Inc. Dr. Arshad B. Pirani Inc. • Dr. Eugene Sam
• New Patients & Emergencies Welcome • VEL scope Vx (helps find oral cancer) • Veneers & White Fillings • Orthodontics & Invisalign • Spadent Bleaching • TMJ Disorders & Jaw Pain • Sleep Apnea & Snoring • Saturdays & Evening Appointments Available
Oct. 16: Fundraiser
• Meadows Maze, located at 13672 Reichenbach Rd. in Pitt Meadows, hosts a fundraiser for Ridge Meadows Youth Diversion from 3:30 to 10 p.m. A portion of the day’s sales will be located to RMYD. Info: 604-467-5889 or email connect@youthdiversion.com.
Oct. 16: Children’s choir
• Maple Ridge Christian School (MRCS) hosts a performance by the African Children’s Choir and MRCS students at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and can be obtained at the school, located at 12140 203 St., between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Mon to Fri.
Oct. 17: Golden Harvest
• Golden Harvest, a tasting show that highlights local food and celebrates the talents of local chefs and culinary arts students takes place at the ACT from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets and info: Kim.GoldenHarvest@gmail.com.
Oct. 17: Fashion show
• Ridge Meadows Hospice Society hosts a fashion show at the Maple Ridge Legion. Tickets and more info can be found at www.
ridgemeadowshospicesociety.com or 604-4637722. Event includes a noon luncheon, before the 1 p.m. show.
Oct. 18: Art exhibit
•Maple Ridge Art Gallery will feature work by The Federation of Canadian Artists Fraser Valley Chapter. Opening reception from 2 to 4 p.m.
Oct. 19: Dance
• The ACT hosts Romulo Larrea Tango Trio at 7:30 p.m. Info: :www.theactmapleridge. org.
Oct. 19: Classical piano
• Russian pianists Sergei and Nikolai Saratovski play for the classical chamber music series of the Maple Ridge Music Society. Info: 604-467-3162.
Oct. 20: Return of the Salmon
• KEEPS, Metro Vancouver Parks, and BellIrving Hatchery hosts annual return of the salmon event. Event is free and will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kanaka Creek fish fence on 240th St. Info: 604-970-8404.
•Full list: www.mrtimes.com
Celebrating his third anniversary. HAL HILL, AT CHARTWELL SINCE 2011. It’s been three years since Hal decided to move out of his house and into one of our residences. See the whole story and discover why he chose to write the next chapter at Chartwell. CHARTWELL.COM
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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Follow
Vying for a majority
@mapleridgetimes on
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Current Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district Trustee Ken Clarkson (left), Lisa Beare, Korleen Carreras, and Cherie Delainey are running as a school board team, loosely calling themselves VOICE. With Carreras running for one of two Pitt Meadows trusteeships and the others hoping to fill three of five available positions in Maple Ridge, the group could constitute a majority on the seven-member school board, if all four win election on Nov. 15. See story online at www.mrtimes.com, and click on the “Please Vote” tab.
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Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
Grad rates above provincial average The percentage of students achieving graduation at local high schools has been rising.
The provincial average grad rate for both independent and public schools was 83.6 per cent in 2013, up from 79.2 in 2009. For Aboriginal, it was 59.4 per cent in 2013, up from 48.2 per cent in 2009; and for students with special needs, it was 58.7 per cent in 2013, up from 45.7 per cent in 2009. “This is really celebratory,” Derinzy said to the board, adding the district will look at increasing the graduation rate even more. “I fundamentally believe our graduation rate has improved significantly because we changed the model.” That change includes offering more individualized attention to students and putting value on other things than the traditional desk type of learning, such as offering nine trades and apprenticeship programs. The programs, which include car-
by Christopher Sun
csun@mrtimes.com
The school graduation rate in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district was 90.7 per cent in 2013, up 14 per cent from five years earlier. The figure was presented by acting superintendent Shannon Derinzy at a school board meeting last week, in a report about secondary education. Breaking it down, the Aboriginal graduation rate was 74.2 per cent in 2013, up from 59.3 per in 2009, and the graduation rate for students with special needs was 70.8 per cent last year, up from 53.2 per cent in 2009.
pentry, automotive, hair design and culinary arts, are offered in partnership with post-secondary schools Kwantlen Polytechnic University, BCIT, Vancouver Community College and Roofing Association. The report also listed the percentage of high school students making it to the next grade. In 2013, 91 per cent of students transitioned from Grade 9 to 10 and 87 per cent went from Grade 10 to 11. That’s up from 88 and 78 per cent in 2009, respectively. Derinzy said provincial exams play a role in that drop between grades. “Some kids are really brilliant exam writers, but that doesn’t play into all the kids’ strengths,” Derinzy said. “It’s something we want to explore as a high school system, what can we do with the Grade 10 and 11 exams to help our kids.”
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Development Information Meeting Notice! Project Address: 22305 and 22315-122nd Avenue Maple Ridge Purpose: To rezone the properties from RS-1 (One Family Urban Residential zone) to RM-2 (Medium Density Apartment zone) and permit construction of a 5 storey, 69 unit apartment building. Meeting Place: The Alouette Meeting Room Maple Ridge Library located at 22470 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge, BC Meeting Date: Thursday, October 22, 2014 Meeting Time: 6:45pm to 8:45pm Municipal application reference number: 2013-029-RZ
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Lester Wong’s story is one of strength, determination and the importance of having a goal. In 2009, he suffered devastating burns to 33% of his body as the result of a car accident. After months in the hospital, he finished his BCIT studies as an aircraft engineer, got his private pilot’s licence and was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award. His sister has started a crowdfunding campaign to fund his next goal: becoming a commercial pilot. Help his dream take flight at FundAid.ca. Firefighters are also raising money for the Burn Fund, which helped Lester and his family after his accident. You can donate to their campaigns on FundAid.ca
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Sports
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Recreation
A15
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Follow the bouncing ball Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary’s girls field hockey team (in blue) hosted the Maple Ridge Ramblers on a sunny Thursday afternoon, Oct. 9 at SRT.
Troy Landreville/TIMES
High school
Titans squads ready for some football Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary’s football season is ready to roll on three fronts. by Troy Landreville
tlandreville@mrtimes.com
Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary is a high school football hotbed. SRT is the only secondary school in School District 42 that houses football teams at three levels: Grade 8, and jr. and sr. varsity. That alone is something the Titans can hang their hats on, said Scott Tomlin, a teacher liaison and basketball coach who oversees all three of SRT’s football squads. “We’ve been fortunate that we have enough kids, where we can run all three,” Tomlin said, adding, “We’re not a big school and we wish we were bigger. We play teams that are big schools. We’re not doing great on the scoreboard, but as a program we’re doing incredible.” Tomlin has a theory about why football is so popular amongst SRT’s students. “The technical name in this school has kept some girls away,” he said. “In our estimation, this is a neighbourhood school, but because of the technical name, we’ve got proportionately more boys than girls. You’ve got to have something for these guys to do.” On top of that, football is a sport for athletes of all shapes and sizes. “There is a spot for every kid, every body type, and the coaches that we have brought in this year, are incredible,” Tomlin said. “They’re taking kids who have no football experience and getting them game-ready, really quickly, and confident. These guys have been coaching in the community for a long time and
Members of Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary’s junior and senior varsity football teams posed before practice on Thursday, Oct. 9.
Troy Landreville/TIMES
have come up, and done an incredible to “perform at our skill [level] as best as job bringing the kids up to speed.” we can, to know our assignments, and Players at SRT range from scholarship to play our game – to come out and play hopefuls to those who have never played and be competitive every game, really.” competitively before, The senior Titans finTomlin said. ished 0-4 last season and SRT sr. varsity Guiding the seniors are kicked off their 2014 AA football home game campaign with a 35-6 loss head coach Jeff Boyce, along with offensive Who: Titans vs. Rick Hansen to host Robert Batemen on coordinator and assistOct. 3. Hurricanes ant coach Cody Tupper, They played Oct. 10 on Where: Rotary Field at a 24-year-old alumnus of the road versus Abbotsford Samuel Robertson Technical the Terry Fox Secondary (results are not available Secondary, 10445 245th St. football program. due to holiday weekend When: Friday, Oct. 17. Boyce, who also coachearly press deadlines), Game time is 7:30 p.m. es SRT’S junior team, said before their home opener the most important thing this Friday, Oct. 17 versus for him is to give students Abbotsford’s Rick Hansen in the community a place where they can Hurricanes. Kickoff under the lights of play football. SRT is 7:30 p.m. “That’s why I’m here,” Boyce said. “We’d like to accomplish a few wins,” “We’re looking for the kids to have fun. said Titans offensive guard/defensive That’s the biggest part of it.” tackle Nikola Damjanovic, who has The goal this year, Tupper added, is played football at SRT since he was in
Grade 8. “Given that we’re in the toughest division [Eastern Conference] in the province with Mission, GW [Graham], Pitt Meadows, they’ve all been playing pretty well. If we can just keep up with them during games, and have great practices coming into the game, I think we can play well against them. Pulling out a win will be pretty hard, but everything’s attainable if you practise hard for it.” “I hope to see a win coming out of this season,” left tackle/defensive end Rueben Marin said. “I am definitely really excited about this season, being my last year of high school,” Marin added. At the Grade 8 level, Rick Pelwecki and Glen Cote have the coaching reins of a very promising squad. Just one of the standouts heading into the regular season has been running back Cade Cote. Among the key junior Titans are quarterback Daytin Vidovich and receiver Riley Farahbakhchian.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Fall bounty
Harvest highlights home An annual event at the ACT this Friday celebrates local talent and local taste. by Eric Zimmer ezimmer@mrtimes.com
It will be a tasty time at the ACT this Friday as an annual tasting event returns for another year. Golden Harvest, a tasting show that highlights the talents of local chefs and culinary arts students will
take place from 6 to 8 p.m. “The idea behind the event is to raise awareness of the agricultural offerings here,” said organizer Kim Lauzon. “It’s also to promote buying local and encouraging young farmers.” Lauzon added that there’s a wide variety of fresh, local flavours in the community, but many people don’t realize it. “But they are starting to figure it out,” she said. And it’s events like this
that help to showcase what people have in their backyards. This is Lauzon’s second year as organizer and there’s no doubt in her mind that all 250 tickets to the event will sell out. “Last year we had 11 food tables, this year we have 18,” she said. “We’re making the $30 tickets worth it.” For more information, email: Kim.goldenharvest@gmail.com or contact the ACT.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
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