Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times November 11 2014

Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Retired teacher Maynard Embree continues his life-long quest to educate, this time about men’s health by growing a Movember moustache.

Page A19 • LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 28 PAGES Remembrance

Day emotional for former peacekeeper Dean McPherson is showing his appreciation for fellow veterans by taking part in the Maple Ridge Remembrance Day services today.

Dean McPherson, 48, is a former Canadian military peacekeeper and member of Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Legion Branch 88. He’s taking part in the local legion’s Remembrance Day ceremony this morning (Tuesday, Nov. 11).

by Troy Landreville

Troy Landreville/TIMES

tlandreville@mrtimes.com

D

T

Lest We Forget November 11

operators were deployed.

He considers the club members to be His tours in the Middle East were much his second family. less stressful than the one in Croatia.

“Without them, life would be very hard.

“Not much happens,” he said. “You go We are all there, and support each other over there, you do your time, and you in time of need,” McPherson said. “We come home and you have a medal on ride to be free and let loose, our meetings your chest. But you’re still away from are there to tell stories or vent our View home, you’re away from your famanger, or laugh until our stomachs Photos with ily.” hurt – whatever anybody needs to do so that they are a bit better when we ow 48 and working for Federal are done.”

Corrections, McPherson joined the military right out of high ach year, McPherson takes part school at the age of 17. In doing so, in Maple Ridge Remembrance he followed the lead of his dad, Ross, Layar Day ceremonies, including this or who was with the military police morning’s event that starts with a online from 1963 to ’88. march at the legion at 12101 224th St., Husband to Stacey and dad to his son and ends at the Maple Ridge cenotaph at Dylan, 11, and daughters Stephanie, 24, Memorial Peace Park. and Jessie, 14, McPherson left the military Asked if Remembrance Day is emotional for civilian life in 2004 but says that he for him, McPherson answered, “very.” still misses the Armed Forces.

“Every veteran now who stands on McPherson is a member of Branch 88 parade is not there for themselves, they’re and presides over the Canadian Veteran there for somebody else,” he said.

• More at www.mrtimes.com, search “McPherson” Brotherhood motorcycle riding club.

N

www.mrtimes.com

ean McPherson saw the kind of evil man is capable of during his tour as a Canadian peacekeeper in Daruvar, Croatia in 2002.

What McPherson witnessed during his six-and-a-half months in the war-ravaged country is cemented in his memory.

“It wasn’t a nice place to be,” said McPherson, a radio operator during his years as a peacekeeper. “There were still bits of things going on. We were peacekeepers in the middle of Croatia and Bosnia. And the tour after mine, they found all the mass graves.”

War left the region broken.

“It’s hard to imagine what one human being can do to another human being, in an act of aggression,” McPherson said.

He saw neighbours who were once friends, and because of differing ethnicities, houses and families were destroyed; starving children who were dirty and had. That’s the best way I can put it. I lice infected; and soldiers and military did come home, and once they found the vehicles that were hit by landmines. mass graves, I was angry in a way of, “It’s hard to explain,” McPherson said. ‘why didn’t we stop this, why didn’t we “Everyone who has served outside of see it coming?’ even though it wasn’t right Canada, whether World near us’.”

War Two, Korea, peacehis was the last of “It’s hard to imagine keeping, or Afghanistan, McPherson’s three all have events and images tours peacekeeping what one human in their heads that will overseas. being can do to never leave, but we all In 1988 he travelled to another human deal with them in our own the Golan Heights in Israel ways to get by.” and in 1991 he returned being, in the act of At the time, there were to the Golan Heights, that aggression.” still small pockets of fighttime on the Syrian side.

Dean McPherson ing between the Croates “All the communications and Serbs, but it was very are in English over there, minimal, McPherson said. so I was attached to dif“It was mostly happening to the south ferent countries,” McPherson said. “So in of us, as we were trying to keep the 1988 I was with the Finnish army during peace in that region,” said McPherson their communications and in 1991 I was who added, “the United Nations mandate with the Austrian army.” that we were under was very strict, so Because communication had to be in we did the best we could with what we English over the radio, Canadian radio

E

Services are being held at Memorial Peace Park on 224th Street, Whonnock Lake Community Centre, and at the Pitt Meadows Spirit Square

MAPLE RIDGE CHRYSLER

For full coverage of the day’s events, visit www.mrtimes.com Online, all the time...

Remembering & Honouring Our Veterans

604.465.8931 11911 West St Maple Ridge

Take Time

To Remember

www.mrtimes.com

Maple Ridge 604.463.7277

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

$5,

600

+

Thank you for your donations in Cpl. Cirillo’s honour!

The day after Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot while standing on guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Glacier Media, which owns this newspaper, started a crowdfunding campaign for his son’s trust fund.

Thanks to donations from our readers, the campaign has almost reached $6,000. This outpouring of support is a testament to how deeply his death has touched us all.

To all who have donated, a heartfelt thank you.

To those who would like to contribute, the campaign will remain open until November 11.

You can make a donation at http://fundaid.fundrazr.com

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

UpFront

16. Does the City need another development like Osprey Village?

19. Would Pitt Meadows be able to support a post-secondary institution?

20. Does the regional airport have the potential to grow into a bigger operation, similar to something like Abbotsford?

N

N

N

N

N N

Y

N

Michael Hayes

Somerset 37+

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

N

N Y

N

N

Y

N

N N

Y

N

Gary Paller

North PM 16

N

N

N

N

D

Y

Y

N N

Y

N

Y

N

N N

D

Y

Bruce Bell

North PM 34 All

N

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

N N

Y

Y

N

N

N N

Y

N

Bill Dingwall

nds 25 6-8 Highlands

Y

Y

Y

D

Y

Y

N

N Y

N

N

Y

D

N D

D

Y

Janis Elkerton

North PM 30 50+

N

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

N Y

N

Y

N

N

N Y

Y

N

N

N

Y

N

D

Y

N

Y N

N

Y

N

N

Y Y

N

N

Each candidate for the Nov. 15 municipal election has been provided with 20 questions, along with the following instructions. Please read them carefully, before you start to fill this out: To help voters make their choices on election day, The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES is asking local candidates a series of questions on issues of importance.

Each question MUST be answered: yes (Y), no (N), or Don’t Know (D), except – of course – questions 1 to 3, which you will see are asking for other specific responses.

Any questions not answered as indicated will be left blank when we publish the results of this survey. In addition, candidates may expand on any or all of our questions with answers of up to 100 words per question.

However, due to space limitations, only one of the answers will be included in the TIMES print edition (all expanded answers will be published online at www.mrtimes.com).

You must indicate clearly which expanded answer you want to see published in print (and please indicate a second choice, in case we have space to print more than one).

We may edit responses for length and/or clarity.

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

N Y

N

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

N Y

N

N

Y

Y

N N

Y

N

More election coverage on pages A13 to A16 • school board questions coming Nov. 13

RIC THE P

E OF

Scott Magri

Central PM 40 3

Tracy Miyashita

Central PM 17 All

Dave Murray

Central PM 27 All

N

Gwen O’Connell

Central PM 38 All

N

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

N N

N

N

N

N

N

Y

Y

Andrena Raymond Central PM 38

N

N

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

Y Y

N

Y

Y

Y

N N

N

N

Mike Stark

Wildwood 30

Y

Y

Y

N

N

Y

Y

N Y

Y

Y

Y

N

N

Y

N

Andrew Thompson

set 17 45 Somerset

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

N

Y Y

D

N

Y

N

Y

N

Y

N N

N

Y

Pitt Meadows votes

Candidates divided on agricultural lands

Each candidate was given a chance to elaborate on one of the top 20 election questions in print (some chose not to participate).

The rest of their expanded answers, if provided, are online at www.mrtimes.com.

MAYORALTY CANDIDATES

John Becker

Question #4: Do you support removal of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), in favour of road and commercial development?

Answer: No. The only area on the table for discussion is the land south of the proposed con-

ES LATT O TW

FAT. E H T F NY O A T OU WITH

FOR

18. Is the City growing too fast?

15. Should the City offer tax breaks, incentives, or rebates to companies looking to set up shop here?

N Y

17. Is transit service at an adequate level?

14. Is there enough to do in town for seniors?

Y

12. Should the City encourage more, higher-density housing?

Y

11. Does Pitt Meadows have a crime problem?

13. Should legal, medical marijuana grow operations be allowed?

How the questions were presented to candidates

Pitt Meadows Councillor candidates

“Pitt Meadows”

10. Is there a lack of opportunity for good, family-supporting jobs in Pitt Meadows?

8. Are needs and concerns of the community heard at the regional, provincial, and federal levels?

N

9. With the population growing, is it actually possible to solve the traffic bottleneck at Harris Road and Lougheed Highway in the near future?

7. Does Pitt Meadows need another development like Meadowtown Centre?

N

6. Does Pitt Meadows need more sporting and community facilities?

Y

3. How many Pitt Meadows council meetings have you attended in the past year?

Y

2. How many years have you lived in Pitt Meadows?

N

Blanks indicate candidate did not respond with ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ or ‘Don’t Know’

1. What neighbourhood do you live in?

5. Do taxpayers get good value (services) for their tax dollars?

“PLEASE VOTE” and go to

604 467 7491

North PM 35 10

Y = Yes N = No D = Don’t Know

Mayoralty candidates

Find their full responses at www.mrtimes.com Click on

enquiries@businessstart.ca

Questions as presented to candidates:

Council candidates

Resources To Succeed.

John Becker

Questions: Pitt Meadows

Connecting Businesses With The

4. Do you support removal of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), in favour of road and commercial development?

20

A3

nector.

There needs to be better information and community dialogue before I could commit one way or another.

I would need to see a much higher return to the community than is currently proposed, and I do not support the City paying for the connector.

I would not support any other land being removed from the ALR.

Michael Hayes

Question #4: Do you support removal of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), in favour of road and commercial development?

Answer: Yes. But only if the Agricultural Land Commission and the agricultural advisory committee provide their approval, to provide tax relief on residential taxpayers, to help

ease the flow of traffic through our community, and to provide necessary employment opportunities.

COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Bruce Bell

Question #19: Would Pitt Meadows be able to support a post-secondary institution?

Answer: Yes. Pitt Meadows would be able to support a post-secondary educational institution.

In my view, a facility with an agricultural teaching and learning base to it would be perfect for our area.

This facility could be nicely situated on the Lougheed Highway between Harris and Park Roads, on the north side.

This would be close to future

B-line transit, as well as the communities of Maple Ridge, Mission, Langley, Surrey, and Port Coquitlam.

This 600 feet of land has already been removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Bill Dingwall

Question #7: Does Pitt Meadows need another development like Meadowtown Centre?

Answer: Don’t know.

This is really complex and a lot more information is required to be able to make informed decisions.

Only preliminary discussion documents have been completed and detailed planning with financial details and funding sources will be required (provincial, federally, developers) before decisions can be reached.

continued on page A17…

fitness for only

$2

.50 PER WEEK*

on a 1 year membership ($59 enrollment fee required)

Offer Available at Pitt Meadows Women’s Club Only

*When joining, you will be required to pay a $59 enrollment fee + applicable tax based on the purchase of a 1 year membership. Bi-weekly payments will commence based on your start date. No additional fees are required above the regular membership fee. Membership fees vary based on club and the selected membership option chosen. Offer valid at Pitt Meadows Women’s Club only. Please check goodlifefitness.com or with club for hours of operation. Other conditions apply, see club for details.

goodlifefitness.com

Meadowtown Centre Women’s Club 201-19800 Lougheed Hwy, 2nd floor Real Canadian Superstore

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A4

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Poppy shortage predicted

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Rick Moyer/TIMES

We will always remember.

The nation is stepping up in a larger-than-expected way this Remembrance Day to pay tribute to all the fallen soldiers and veterans who have served Canada, especially the two who lost their lives in eastern Canada late last month. Consequently, there’s been a higher number of poppy sales, which – it was predicted leading up to Nov. 11 – could result in a potential poppy shortage. But John Grant, 11 of Maple Ridge, ensured he picked out his poppy, catching legion tagger Penny Ferguson set up at one of the south entrance to Haney Place Mall.

Reaction

Rooster Rudy finds new roost Profiled in the TIMES on Nov. 4, a rooster that lived in the Pitt Meadows ‘burbs for more than two weeks is now back in its natural environment.

what to do,” said Marion Beck, who lives at the complex.

Beck said the rooster was first seen wandering the neighbourhood on Oct. 21.

Beck, who contacted the TIMES about the homeless rooster, received calls about Rudy from people offering suggestions on what to do with him, and who were concerned about his well being.

by Troy Landreville Pitt Meadows bylaw tlandreville@mrtimes.com enforcement officer Rudy the rooster now Lesley Elchuk visited the has a home. townhouse complex last Recently, Rudy set up Wednesday, Nov. 5, and shop at the Shoreline put some chicken feed Townhouse Complex in along with some bread on TIMES files the Osprey area of Pitt a plate, which she put into There’s a happy ending for Rudy, Meadows, where residents a dog crate. the homeless rooster, who is now adopted it as their own.

A couple of hours passed living on a Maple Ridge farm.

The bird remained before the rooster finally their for more than two entered the crate to get weeks before it was finally picked up and some food, and the door was quickly shut relocated to a farm in Maple Ridge. behind him.

The goal for Rudy’s de facto foster parRudy has since been transported to a ents was to find a permanent, safe home farm on Old Dewdney Trunk Road, where for the bird.

Beck said, “the farmer is apparently “Everyone felt bad but no one knew happy to have him.”

Resident and volunteer Kiersten Duncan, is community oriented and has a passion for local politics. Studying urban development and environmental science has strengthened Kiersten’s knowledge of sustainable development practices, which she looks forward to bringing to council along with her experience facilitating team-building and leadership training.

Authorized by Financial Agent Joan Duncan duncan.signs@aol.com

Authorized by Nicole Read, Financial Agent, 604-831-3592

On November 15th voice your choice for public education

✔ TRUSTEE FOR SCHOOL

In Pitt Meadows - Korleen Carreras In Maple Ridge - Lisa Beare, Ken Clarkson, Cherie Delainey

Korleen Carreras korleencarreras.ca

Lisa Beare lisabeare.ca

Ken Clarkson

Cherie Delainey

kenclarksonmapleridge.nationbuilder.com

cheriedelaineymapleridge.nationbuilder.com

Authorized by: Hendrik Butter - Hendrikbutter@gmail.com • Korleen Carreras 604-351-9586 Ken Clarkson 604-462-7626 thornberryken@gmail.com • Cherie Delainey cjdelainey@gmail.com

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

A5

FOR A BEAR OF A GOOD DEAL

Lifeguard Andres Fierro worked at the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre pool facility on Nov. 6. The plan is for some major repair work to be done on the leisure centre’s pool and hot tub in early 2015.

CALL TED

Special Finance Manager

Troy Landreville/TIMES

Maple Ridge Leisure Centre

Pool repairs coming soon The City of Maple Ridge has money set aside for a much-needed repair job on the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre’s pool and hot tub.

“We were measuring water loss overnight and recognized that the leisure pool and the hot tub were both leaking water, and that there were some signs of leakage,” McCormick said.

Underneath the hot tub, compromised pipes and some cracking were also found.

“So then we started looking at, this

by Troy Landreville system’s now 35 years old, and we asked questions about what’s the expected life tlandreville@mrtimes.com span of some of these pumps and filters,” The Maple Ridge Leisure Centre’s McCormick said. “Thirty five years is a indoor pool facility will undergo some good life for some of those things, so we much-needed surgery, sometime in the know that, if we’re going to start digging new year. up pool decks to fix leaky pipes, then we And, the City of Maple Ridge noted, should be tying this together and doing it’s not going to put a dent in taxpayers’ this project all in one. You don’t fix pockets. leaky pipes and not fix the According to a City press mechanical end of things.”

“We know that, if release, it has taken the The centre was revoluwe’re going to start “first step in a program to tionary when it opened in upgrade the key mechandigging up pool decks 1980. ical systems of the Maple It featured the first to fix leaky pipes, then leisure pool concept in Ridge Leisure Centre, and implement accessibility we should be tying Canada, offering a warm improvements.” water leisure pool, with this together and The project will be fundplay features including doing this project all ed using the City’s infrashallow water and moving structure reserves, so that water, along with the tradin one.” the estimated $5.5 million itional training pool tank.

Wendy McCormick budget will not impact Looking into the future, tax rates for Maple Ridge the work included mechresidents. anical systems that are out of sight to the The centre’s pool facility is in need of public, but critical to its operation. repairs after it was discovered that water The project will see replacement and was leaking under the pool decks. upgrades to the pool filter system, pool Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows director plumbing system, expansion of the mechof recreation Wendy McCormick noted anical room, a conversion of the chlorine that during a maintenance shutdown system to liquid chlorine and ultra-violet in September, 2013, leakage was found system, and the addition of wheelchair where connection pipes attached to the ramps. facility’s surge tank.

That design and scope of work will “At that time, we called in a mechancome back before Council early in 2015, ical engineer and we asked them to do an prior to the project being awarded. assessment for us,” McCormick said.

“Our intention is to get on this right It was discovered that two of the pools away,” McCormick said. were losing water.

• More at www.mrtimes.com, search “pool”

9 years experience on City Council and ready to work for you!

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for MAYOR Together, we can

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A6

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Animal welfare

Helping care for each other Tona the support dog needs help to keep doing what he does.

by Martha Perkins

Glacier Media

A Maple Ridge veterinarian and a plethora of other generous donors might give a rambunctious, 90pound golden Labrador/ retriever cross named Tona – and subsequently his human companion – a new lease on life.

Dr. Michael Orser, owner of Alouette Animal Hospital, is prepared to perform surgery on Tona, who otherwise faces a lifetime of crippling pain.

Martha Perkins/Glacier Media That surgery, however, Tona is more than a pet for Glenn Baker, who suffers from depression. comes with a hefty pricetag Tona has torn a ligament in his knee and now needs surgery, which Baker of $5,000, and even though cannot afford.

Orser is offering to perform ing the payoff would be so help. the procedure at a much great.”

In early summer, the 16reduced rate, Tona’s twoFive years ago, month-old dog tore a ligalegged friend Glenn Baker Vancouver’s Drug ment in one of his legs. can’t afford the rest.

Treatment Court gave Hundreds of dollars That’s where friends and Baker a second chance. of vet bills later, Baker complete strangers have was trying to help Tona’s come in. Through a crowd- Instead of going to jail, he recovery by restricting funding initiative hosted by could opt into a program that would help him break Tona’s playfulness and Glacier Media’s FundAid free of his addictions. enforcing a strict diet. division, Tona and Baker He’s been clean ever It helped but then, in are already more than halfsince, but the shadows late August, Tona tore the way to their $2,700 goal that lurk behind his every ligament again – this time – which will pay for the thought – the shadows he with more serious consesurgery as well as some of quences.

Tona’s needs during recov- tried to escape with drugs and alcohol – are still very If nothing is done, Orser ery. Baker is committed to much a presence in his life. said “it’s debilitating.… paying a regular monthly Enter Tona.

The ligament is a crucial amount, as well.

“He pulls me out of structure in the knee.”

Because Orser can’t perdepression Orser examined Tona form half a many times a after each injury and now surgery, the Find out how to give: day,” Baker recommends orthopedic campaign said, sitting surgery to rebuild the leg. is what’s under the “Tona will be able to called “All tree in a park walk without pain,” the vet Or Nothing.” near the supportive housexplained.

Donors pledge money but ing complex where he lives With Tona helping Baker that money does not come in Jericho Beach. “Tona is cope with depression, out of their bank account happy all of the time and Baker is now pursuing his until the entire $2,700 that happiness rubs off on next goal: to get a partgoal is reached. Then the me… I just look into his time job to give purpose to money will flow to the eyes and see magic and his days and provide for a Alouette Animal Hospital love and honesty.” better life for himself and to pay for the surgery.

Tona literally pulls Baker Tona.

“I didn’t bear Tona but out of his dark places.

To contribute to Tona’s he’s like my child,” said “When I take him out for crowdfunding campaign, Baker, whose eyes tear up go to FundAid.ca and every time he contemplates a walk, I’m not thinking about my past or all the search for “Help Tona Live a future without his belovthings I’ve lost.” a Pain-Free Life.” ed companion. “When I • More at www.mrtimes.com But now Tona needs got him, I wasn’t expect-

Maple Ridge Teachers’ Association Trustees Elections 2014 The teachers of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows support trustee candidates who are committed to:

•

Transparency: Modelling inclusive decision-making in open meetings, rather than the status quo behind closed doors.

•

Activism: Standing up for public education that goes far beyond writing letters that are consistently ignored.

•

Special Needs Supports: Understanding that inadequate funding is a political issue that does not benefit our children or the economy.

•

Research Based Decisions: Recognizing that lower class sizes produce tangible improvements in student performance and educational outcomes.

I know he will commit 100% of his

√ √ √

of the Hospital Foundation and

AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE

call: 604-463-8296 ext 104 bellringer@caringplace.ca www.caringplace.ca facebook.com/tscaringplace @tsacaringplace #howicare

Maple Ridge Supported Trustees:

did when he chaired the Board

MIKE MURRAY

Volunteer for The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign 2 Hour Shifts

“I’m voting for Mike because energy to doing a great job. He

Re-Elect

Bell Ringers Needed!

Beare, Lisa Clarkson, Ken Delainey, Cherie

I have no doubt he is doing the

Pitt Meadows Supported Trustee:

same on the Board of Education”

√

Ron Antelek

www.mikemurraytrustee.com 604-614-4604 or 604-467-3552 Authorized by N Murray, Financial Agent, murray3552@shaw.ca

Carreras, Korleen

The Time for Change is Now.

The Time for your Voice is Now.

Vote: November 15th Authorized by the Maple Ridge Teachers’ Association, a registered sponsor under LECFA, 604-467-2111.

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Downtown deterioration

Road to recovery has many gaps This is the fourth installment in a series about problems plaguing downtown Maple Ridge.

On Nov. 15 Re-elect

DAVID MURRAY for PITT

MEADOWS CITY COUNCIL

A Strong Voice for Working People, Youth, Seniors, Farmers, Small Business and Marginalized People in our Community.

604-442-6534

by Christopher Sun

tigerdave@shaw.ca

csun@mrtimes.com

The clock starts ticking once an addict makes a decision to get clean.

And that ticking can run out quickly for a mentally ill, homeless addict, which is why having all types of support readily available is extremely important, said Alouette Addiction Services executive director Annika Polegato.

“It’s a very small opportunity window and we miss it sometimes,” Polegato said. “It’s a three-month wait to see a methadone doctor.”

The road off the street and off drugs can be confusing, as detox, 30, 60- and 90-day treatment facilities, and first- and second-stage housing lexicons start getting thrown around loosely by professionals, – which can be confusing to those needing help and those unfamiliar with how it all works.

“It’s a huge learning curve,” Polegato admitted. “There are so many ways to sobriety.”

The general first step for a homeless addict to get clean and off the street in Maple Ridge is coming to that decision themselves – which isn’t easy when one also suffers a mental illness, as well.

Once the decision is made, addicts can visit Alouette Addictions, where staff will provide counselling and referral services on the spot, Polegato explained.

However, a person needs to be clean before starting treatment, and sometimes round-the-clock medical support is needed to detox.

It is currently a four- to five-day wait period to get into a detox facility and they are located outside the community – in Surrey and Abbotsford, she explained.

Once detox is completed, getting into a treatment centre is next.

Locally, Maple Ridge Treatment Centre has 60 beds, providing a 35day, intensive residential treatment program for men, aged 19 and older.

InnerVisions Recovery Society operates Hannah House locally, which has 21 beds and offers a 60-day treatment program for women only. Over in Abbotsford, Peardonville House

A7

Authorized by the official agent Sharon Murray

604-562-7166

Christopher Sun/TIMES

Alouette Addictions Services executive director Annika Polegato stood by the welcome sign near the entrance of the resource centre at #201-22477 Lougheed Hwy. has six beds and offers a 10-week program for women, who can bring young children in with them.

“The odd time, they will have a bed available in a few days, other times, it can be weeks,” Polegato said about treatment centres.

While these steps are difficult for a recovering addict, it’s actually easy compared to the step following treatment.

“Life hangs in the balance when they start second stage” she said.

“Getting sober is easy, staying sober is the hard part.”

Drugs

Being aware

Use of crystal meth is down but fentanyl is quickly taking its place as the drug of choice amongst addicts on the local street, say local RCMP. Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate, commonly prescribed as a painkiller. It can be absorbed through skin and a small amount of the drug in its pure form is deadly.

The most popular and readily available “drug” is alcohol, followed by marijuana, said Annika Polegato, executive director of Alouette Addictions Services.

• More at www.mrtimes.com

That next stage is transitioning back to society, where finding longterm housing and getting support is vital.

Quite often an addict has burned bridges with families and friends and those still around, may be addicts on the street.

Second-stage housing is needed for those who don’t have anywhere to turn to after treatment, and those beds are in desperate need.

Hannah House, for instance, provides a limited number of such beds to women and the Salvation Army provides about a dozen such beds for men and women for up to two years.

But it’s a variation of what is considered second-stage housing.

If no second-stage housing is available and a recovering person does not have a place to go, it’s back on the streets again, Polegato explained.

“You need an address to get welfare, to get a Care Card, to get a job,” she said. “There isn’t enough secondstage housing and people end up relapsing.”

Consequently, she said, the situation on the streets of downtown Maple Ridge will not likely get better until Fraser Health provides more needed resources – across the board – for drug detox, treatment, and recovery.

• Stay tuned to The TIMES for the next installment in this series soon

Honour, sacrifice, and solidarity – we are unanimous on all that matters - bravery, solidarity, democracy, and freedom

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A8

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Opinion Who we are The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES newspaper is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership.

We’re located at 22345 North Avenue, Maple Ridge, B.C. The TIMES has a CCAB audited circulation of 29,950.

Brian McCristall

bmccristall@mrtimes.com Publisher

Bob Groeneveld

bgroeneveld@mrtimes.com Editor

Roxanne Hooper

rhooper@mrtimes.com Assistant Editor Editorial Troy Landreville Christopher Sun Eric Zimmer Advertising Ralph De Adder Graeme Ross Anne Gordon Sheryl Jones Distribution Supervisor Wendy Bradley Administration Rebecca Nickerson

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Our View

You choose

This is not an editorial exhorting you to get out and vote. We’ve done that.

And we’ll probably take another stab at it before voting day.

It is also not an editorial telling you who to vote for. We don’t believe in endorsements – although for many newspapers it’s part of the election campaign process.

We think it’s arrogant of newspapers to try and use their clout (whatever they may have left) to support a candidate –- left, right, centre or in between.

Do readers really need a newspaper to tell them who to vote for? And after a newspaper endorses a candidate and/ or party, what responsibility does that newspaper have in continuing coverage of their “endorsed” candidate?

Plumping for one’s guy (or gal) seems to be taking advantage of a newspaper’s credibility. And, in our opinion, it also diminishes that same credibility. It would be reasonable for readers to ask just how a newspaper could benefit from such an endorsement.

Newspapers and journalists are facing increasing questions about their credibility and bias. It seems to us that a newspaper endorsing a candidate only amplifies those concerns.

Yes, newspapers are not clinical, scientific devices. They are staffed by human beings who, by their very natures, have biases. We try not to have those biases impact our decisions. And we clearly label opinion pieces when we do enter the fray.

We also try to make sure that as many voices and viewpoints as possible appear in these pages, and on our website.

We get heck from all sides in elections – and that, we believe, is a good thing.

We’re not going to tell you who to vote for, but we will say that it is almost always better to trust one’s own thinking than follow someone else’s.

At least then you have only yourself to blame if you’ve picked the wrong candidate.

– Glacier Media

This Week’s Question Will the increase in civic office terms from three years to four years be better or worse for our communities?

■ Your View Last week’s question, results…

Have you bought your Remembrance Day poppy?

The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES, a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at www.mrtimes.com.

The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry.

The council considers complaints from the public about conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and complainant. If talking with the editor or publisher of this newspaper does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2.

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Yes, of course.

58 %

Several – I keep losing them.

20 %

Not yet, but I will.

12 %

Wouldn’t have to if the government did its job. 7 % No, I disagree with the concept.

2%

Vote online at: www.mrtimes.com

Opinion

Memories maintain the peace I sometimes find myself a even if they continue to the end bit confused about what we’re of my days, to outnumber the supposed to remember on peace.

Remembrance Day. These are the things that I Personally, I like to reflect on think about as I listen to the the number of people whose lives sounding of the Last Post at were destroyed by war.

Remembrance Day ceremonies I think of the senseless waste of every year. dead young men lying on battleAnd every year, my thoughts fields, dreams never realized, are punctuated by an uncontrolfamilies that never were, children lable gasp as the Sergeant at deprived of parents, mothers Arms concludes the roll call with,

by Bob Groeneveld left to mourn sons, wives and “They do not answer, Sir!” sweethearts thrust into uncertain I can get teary just thinking futures of tears born of memories of dreams of about that, even as I write the sentence. families that never happened.

But I find it significant, nevertheless, that I Sometimes my mind wanders further, into noticed an obvious decline in attendance at fields of inventions that were never invented, Remembrance Day ceremonies over the years… great novels that were never written, heroic acts until Canada became involved in the first Persian that could have saved lives in civil disasters Gulf War. Attendance at cenotaphs suddenly instead of being used up on a battlefield, fightperked up. Suddenly, people seemed eager to ing enemy soldiers with unfulfilled dreams of remember again. families and unrealized great accomplishments of That’s sad. their own.

It’s sad not because more people are going I ponder the reality that some wars are necesout to honour those who risk everything to prosary… or rather, that some wars become necestect our way of life, or who sacrifice the secursary. ity of their personal home and hearth to stand But all wars are mistakes. in harm’s way on behalf of people around the They always come from errors in leadership. world who need Canada’s help.

The errors can arise from arrogance born of It’s sad because forgetfulness appears to be a religion or political stupidity. The errors are often symptom of peace. And forgetting how our peace built on a foundation of greed. was won inevitably leads back to the jolting But they are always a failure of diplomacy, of reminder of war. communication, of understanding, or simply of I know that our leaders faithfully attend decency.

Remembrance Day services, and that they And it’s those (usually) young men whose always have, even in times of peace. bodies litter the battlefields who are caught in But to me, their motives are suspect. the middle.

Forgive me my cynicism, but I believe they feel I was taught when I was little that, every year it’s a price they have to pay for their political when Remembrance Day rolls around, I should careers. think of the peace that was fought for.

I have no doubt that they are there to honour My country and I have lived in peace for most the sacrifices and the fallen. of my life so far – indeed, I can say for most But I doubt they are there to remember. of my life, without the “so far,” because I am Otherwise, they’d work harder to keep it all unlikely to live long enough for the years of war, from happening again. And again. And again.

Odd Thoughts

editorial@mrtimes.com

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Remembrance Day

Who will represent you?

Still remembered

I had first made the trip Dear Editor, Remembrance Day always in 1996 to visit both grave brings to mind the sacrifices sites, and told the girls before they went there what so many young men made an emotional for their countries.

Letters experience it Last year, my daughwould be… and ters Kaitlyn and Kristi to it was.

Galer made the effort, the The boys were while travelling through born and raised Europe, to visit the small Editor in Port Coquitlam village of Villanova in and there is a the northeast of Italy. small park dedicated to A small Canadian cemthem, visited regularly by etery is there, where their family and many school great uncle George Davis children. is buried. He was 21 years I’m sure the experience old when he was killed, my daughters had will and four months later, his carry through to their own brother Doug was killed. families, and hopefully will Doug was 20 years old. never be forgotten.

He is buried in Nijmegan, Netherlands.

Bob Galer, Pitt Meadows

Kaitlyn Galer (above) and her older sister Kristi are not much older than their great uncles George and Doug Davison when they were killed in battle during the Second World War. The girls visited George’s grave last year.

Remembrance Day

Making peace dangerous business

Dear Editor, I heard from Melanie today.

Mel was my fiance when we were six.

We lived in Germany back then. Our fathers worked together in the anti-war game. They wore neat uniforms with perfect creases and blue berets with big U.N. buttons and they fought to keep the peace.

We left Germany at different times because I was Canadian and she was American and our countries each had their own idea how long it took to make peace.

We stayed in touch, though, and we grew up. Our fathers worked together at different ends of the same countries while other countries fought over the changing landscapes in between.

They eventually got too old for soldiering and retired, and we discovered a different kind of peace – a peace where families ate at the same table all the time and daddies came home from work every night, and we

A9

got used to just being over here while the wars raged over there.

And then… our brothers came of age and joined the men with the neat uniforms and blue berets heading over there.

My brother joined the navy and went to “The Gulf” and we worried about him a lot but he came home soon enough with big tales and souvenirs, and he found himself a wife and a new job and settled down in a little town just across the river.

Mel’s brother joined the navy and went to Afghanistan. His plane was hit before it landed and he never came home to find a wife and get a job and tell big tales.

Mel calls every year on that day, and I joke about being six again when everything was right and we were engaged.

But Mel never got married… to anyone.

She doesn’t want to make boys to go off and make peace.

P. Charles Ransom, Maple Ridge

Election 2014

Who do you want working for you?

What do you care about in Pitt Meadows? Who is running to represent you? It could be your neighbour, a fellow community volunteer, or a friend.

Learn more about who is running in your local government election on November 15 by visiting our website at pittmeadows.bc.ca.You’ll find links to candidate websites and social media pages, where you can find out more about the people who want to represent you within your community.

Take a few moments to get to know your candidates and cast your vote.

Your vote counts!

Your local government elections are on November 15.

For information on who’s running in the election, dates, times and locations of all voting opportunities and voter eligibility requirements, visit our website at pittmeadows.bc.ca.

NOTICE OF A DEVELOPMENT VARIANCE PERMIT APPLICATION

Many choices made a little easier by TIMES

Dear Editor, Thank you for the coverage you have given candidates for the next election [Maple Ridge voters guide, Nov. 6, TIMES]. There are so many people to choose from.

The people of Maple Ridge need to think of the past ten years, with no progress in shopping choices, expensive bike lanes that are seldom used, costly hospital parking, and a drug and alcohol problem

What you’re telling us on Facebook

•

Maple Ridge mayoralty hopeful Mike Morden took off the gloves and lashed out verbally at his opponents during a recent election forum at The Caring Place. The story is in today’s paper, but garnered reader reactions as soon as it ran online:

“The thing that really hit me was that homelessness is not under civic responsibility and we are not on the province’s radar. We need to be the squeaky wheel to our provincial candidates.”

– Riley Haslinger “You also need council members to stand behind your mayor and vote, not like what Mike has done in the last four years.

The mayor can only do so much, not that I’m saying a change might be needed. Build more Alouette Addictions, it’s the best place here to help people.”

– Kimberly Plumridge “Maple Ridge needs change in so many ways…”

– Jay Campbell “Love Ernie’s comment at the end there. You can totally make great decisions in kind-hearted way! Being a mayor does not just consist of “getting things done”, it’s also about building relationships and community!”

– Nina Robinson

Share your views. Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MapleRidgePittMeadowsTimes

in the downtown core that gets worse by the year.

Think about it and get out and vote. You can vote for only one person if you wish, you do not have to vote for six councillors, and you do not have to vote for a mayor if there is no one you like.

The Times has lots of information, so you can see for yourself what the candidates are promising.

Just Vote.

Joan Carr, Maple Ridge

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 922 of the Local Government Act that an application for a Development Variance Permit is being processed described as follows: Applicant: City of Pitt Meadows Location: South side of the Lougheed Highway near the Pitt River Bridge, 240 m west of Kennedy Road Purpose: To accommodate an increase in sign area and sign height in order to replace an existing electronic message board, the following variances are required: Sign Bylaw No. 2248, 2005, Section 10 c) and 10 d), is varied as follows: a) 10 c) To increase the visible sign area for any single face of an electronic message board from 21.5 m² to 32.5 m² b) 10 d) To increase the overall height permitted from 7.5 m to 19.8 m.

Election 2014

The proposed variance will be considered by Council at a meeting to be held Tuesday November 18th, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Pitt Meadows City Hall, 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, B.C.

Dear Editor, Twenty-five signs in a row, row after row [Candidates mixing it up, Oct. 30, TIMES] does not inspire confidence, just greed!

Stick your signs in your own yard, and leave the few green spaces to commuters.

D. Weatherhead, Maple Ridge

Council may by resolution: a) authorize the issuance of the Development Variance Permit; or b) authorize the issuance of the Development Variance Permit with conditions; or c) refuse to authorize the issuance of the Development Variance Permit.

Signed off!

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.

A copy of the proposed Development Variance Permit and supporting material may be inspected at the Pitt Meadows City Hall, 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, B.C. at any time between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. on regular working days from the date of this notice to the date of the hearing.

Kate Zanon,A/Director of Operations & Development Services City of Pitt Meadows 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, B.C. V3Y 2B5

Dated the 7th day of November, 2014

12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows • 604.465.5454 • pittmeadows.bc.ca

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Maple Ridge votes

Morden throwing punches

Councillor-and-mayor-hopeful attacks Mayor Ernie Daykin’s record and questions other opponents at Caring Place forum last week.

by Christopher Sun csun@mrtimes.com

Maple Ridge mayoral candidate Mike Morden took his gloves off as he attacked his opponents at a forum last week, blaming the current mayor for being idle on social problems and calling out others on their lack of experience.

“I was very surprised by Mike Morden’s opening comments,” local resident Andrew Anderson said after the forum.

“Maybe Mike was expecting a different format, maybe he expected it would lead to some heated debate,” Anderson added.

About 125 people attended the forum at the Salvation Army Caring Place early last week, as incumbent Mayor Ernie Daykin, Councillor Morden, and hopefuls Gary Cleave, Graham Mowatt, and Nicole Read explained how they would deal with the lingering problems of homelessness, poverty, and addictions in the community.

Morden spoke first and laid his punches during his introduction.

“Under Ernie’s watch, poverty, crime and homelessness, up until 2013, has gone up,” Morden said.

“Four more years of Ernie means four more years of the same: rising crime, rising homelessness, rising poverty.”

He also criticized the others.

“Gary, Nicole and Graham have no experience in municipal politics,” Morden

said. “And it shows in the promises they make.”

While the other candidates were visibly surprised by the attack, none retaliated in the same spirit.

Later into the forum, Daykin defended his record.

“The homeless count is down from 112 last year to 84,” Daykin said, adding that “$130 million has been invested in downtown.”

The forum started off with four questions posed by the moderator with only a couple of candidates given time to answer. The session then progressed to questions from the audience, with answers limited to only two and then one of the candidates.

To deal with the homelessness and drug addiction problems in downtown Maple Ridge, Mowatt said as mayor, he would help the Salvation Army Caring Place relocate from its current location.

“I envision a new location for the Caring Place,” Mowatt said. “On farmland or an acreage where they can grow vegetables and not have distractions.”

Read said dealing with homelessness and addiction problems is a priority and she detailed her experience working on projects in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, and how she’s met personally with service providers, such as Alouette Addictions, and homeless addicts in the community.

At the end of the forum, Cleaves and Read agreed Daykin has an “enormous heart” and has “done a fine job,” but that it was time for someone with a “harder edge” to take over, but Daykin doesn’t see his nice guy approach as negative.

•More at www.mrtimes.com, search “Morden”

Maple Ridge Salvations Army’s Caring Place was packed last Monday evening as all five mayoral candidates took questions.

Christopher Sun/TIMES

Wise Choice, Fresh Voice for Councillor

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

&places

faces

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

WE PAY CASH for Used Cars

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

Showcasing some of this community’s people and happenings

Call

A11

604.343.2036

Bob Featherson was all smiles when entertainer Linda Jones sat down in his lap during her annual veteran tribute concert on Nov. 2 at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 88. She offers these local music and comedy shows in Maple Ridge every November, a week or so before Remembrance Day. Jones is a Maple Ridge resident, and performs about 20 such shows a year, singing all the oldies for her veteran friends.

Rick Moyer/TIMES

with

www.mrtimes.com

View

More Photos

Layar or online

Rick Moyer/TIMES

s r-treaters, and wa ed up for trick-o en . op es n m ai ag stu co ce e l on creativ Haney Place Mal credibly fun and twokids in some in Ridge (above), le ap M of n over run by cute so er ph ac ght), M (ri n ith vo and Je -old Olivia Sm including Leland left), three-year ffer p ga (to tle n lit so a er d ck Ni son (below), an hn year-old Misha Jo ka ni Da e. d ianna an tch a nam four-year-olds Br fore we could ca who flew off be e, m stu co es an in a Pl

Ridge Sign Design to the rescue. Last year, as many know, the Styrofoam “i” on The TIMES sign fell off, making for a fun and interactive community contest.

The “i” had since been replaced, but in the first heavy winds of this fall, we lost a few more letters.

Well, the Ridge Sign team was on hand Thursday with an entirely new sign to hang on the side of the newspaper offices at 22345 North Ave. No individual letters will be blowing away now.

Troy Landreville/TIMES

of its third year celebrating in s s, er go o th o G m rs d Golden Ea rting gran o p p ay, su d s es er n moth on Wed local grand ext meeting ge n id s R it g le in ap ld m of the M Africa, is ho louette Roo lls crafts A se e p th u o in gr Nov. 12 p.m. This up ting at 6:30 ow gearing Library, star st, and is n Fe I at ET re G o e m th e Se at Nov. 25. each year n o er n in d ising “gogos.” for a fundra .com, search es im rt .m w ww

Members of the Maple Ridge Garden Club really pulled it off, raising more than $6,500 from their Country Garden Tour held back in June. members (left) Arlene Mator, Margaret Spratt, and Gayle Lyons presented the money to fellow member Daryl Stone, past-president of the Lower Mainland Chapter of Sunshine - Dreams for Kids. The money goes directly to a dream for children in our area.

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.

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Courts

Lottery ticket lawsuit lost

A judge denied Franz Prokop’s claim that his ex-common-law wife’s son stole a $3.6 million winning ticket.

mother had done so.

By July 2008, it was likely that Dushop and his mom were well aware that she had purchased the ticket with her credit card and that Prokop had paid the credit card bill, said the judge.

Crawford said he found the

by Keith Fraser evidence “less satisfactory” Special to The TIMES as to whether Peter Dushop A former Maple Ridge councilever paid his mother for the lor has lost a lawsuit claiming ticket and had questions about that the son of his former comthe evidence surrounding the mon-law wife had stolen a winvalidation of the ticket on Aug. ning $3.6 million 6/49 lottery 28, 2007. ticket from him.

The ticket was put away in Franz Prokop claimed he pura safety deposit box because chased the ticket on Aug. 15, Angelika Dushop was concerned Franz Prokop 2007 while he was living with that Prokop would want a share Angelika Dushop, the mother of of the ticket if he found out that realtor Peter Dushop. she had purchased the ticket The realtor claimed that Peter Dushop and that he had paid the credit card bill, had access to the residence and had taken said the judge. the ticket from his desk and waited a year Prokop alleged that Peter Dushop before claiming the winnings. had stolen the ticket and the allegaIn his defence, Peter Dushop, a Port tion required him to prove that he was Moody realtor, denied the allegations and the proper owner of the ticket and that claimed that he bought the ticket.

Dushop had taken it, said Crawford.

In a ruling released last Wednesday, “The plaintiff has failed to establish both B.C. Supreme Court Justice Robert of these facts and accordingly the plainCrawford concluded that Peter Dushop tiff’s claim must fail,” said the judge. had picked the winning numbers, his “No evidence was led to show that Peter mom had bought the ticket with her Visa Dushop stole a lottery ticket owned by Mr. and Prokop had paid the Visa bill.

Prokop. Ms. Dushop’s unchallenged eviBut the judge said that he did not accept dence is that she disavowed any interest a “great deal” of the evidence put forward in the ticket, so I am obliged to conclude by the defence. that Peter Dushop is the ostensible owner “I was not impressed with the semantic of the ticket.” dance over the purchase of the lottery Prokop was in the news last year when ticket,” Crawford said in his reasons. he was shot by an unknown assailant.

The judge noted that when Peter Police described the suspect as an IndoDushop claimed the winnings nearly a Canadian man in his mid 50s, with a full year later, he told lottery officials that he beard, a turban and a round face.

– Keith Fraser is a reporter with the Vancouver Province had bought the ticket, when in fact his

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#8 – 22720 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge, BC

T C E EL

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For Maple Ridge Council

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Proven Leadership - Proven Results

I care about the future of Maple Ridge.

I am a former Chamber of Commerce President.

My actions speak for themselves.

With your Vote on November 15th, I am ready to start applying my experience to bring Maple Ridge to the next level.

Let me start the changes.

22441 Dewdney Trunk Rd. MAPLE RIDGE

Tel: 604.817.6656 Facebook.com/KenHollandforCouncil

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times

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Pitt Meadows

VOTERS GUIDE

Pitt Meadows votes

Transportation woes emerge in mayoral race Smart growth and development, as well as local job creation, are among issues that three mayor hopefuls say they would like to address, if they are elected on Nov. 15.

by Eric Zimmer ezimmer@mrtimes.com

T

he ability to safely and efficiently get around – and easily get through – Pitt Meadows, is a top priority for the three candidates vying for the mayor’s chair on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Michael Hayes, John Becker and Gary Paller all pointed to the need for more efficient traffic flow as a key issue facing the City.

“The movement of our residents, goods and services, and emergency services are unacceptably hindered, and the situation is getting worse,” Becker told the TIMES. “Council needs to make Pitt Meadows transportation a priority,” he added.

Becker also noted speeding and pedestrian safety is a concern in a lot of neighbourhoods as well.

He suggested that a combination of “education and enforcement” would be key to alleviating the issue.

Hayes said he would “aggressively lobby” all levels of government for improvements to the Lougheed Corridor, as well an alternate route over the CP rail line.

Working to bring a rapid bus line that would connect residents to the Evergreen Line SkyTrain is a key part of needed Troy Landreville/TIMES transportation planning, Hayes added.

Mayoralty candidates John Becker, Gary Paller, and Michael Hayes are all vying for the top job at Pitt Meadows City Hall.

With the election less than a week away, all three “We need to look at and cost out the say that working to solve transportation issues in the City will be a key focus of their efforts should they be elected. options,” Becker explained.

Paller said part of his transportation “We need to decide the issues of how But Paller also said the need to bring explained, and added he would commit plan is to approach the government at the and when we borrow, plan to pay off industry to the community should not to maintaining the feeling of safety and provincial and federal level for funding, debt, and put money away to repair and outweigh or trump a major part of what security Pitt Meadows residents enjoy. “because we’re broke and in debt.” makes Pitt Meadows what it is, and “I believe in smart growth and developBecker echoed the importance of getting replace infrastructure,” he added.

The delivery of top-qualshouldn’t be the sole focus of development that will contribute to a prosperous upper-level government ity services with “the least ment. future by maintaining our compact urban involved. financial impact to our “At the same time [we need to] protect environment.”

“We need to understand taxpayers,” and protection our existing farming community,” Paller Hayes said achieving this goal while that the kind of project In addition to today’s of infrastructure is what said. balancing financial, environmental, and we need cannot happen Voters Guide, check out the Hayes said he would like “We also need to bring in more momsocial sustainability is an important part without partnerships with 20 Questions and expanded to deliver, if elected. and-pop operations, and look at hiring of his platform. the provincial and federal answers on page A3 of Hayes and Paller agree locally.”

Transparency at City hall, or the pergovernment,” he said. this print edition. Plus, that smart growth and If that means bringing in training proceived lack thereof, was another issue Paying off the debt was there’s more online at www. sustainable development is grams for local workers, then that should that Becker would like to address, if another talking point for mrtimes.com, click “Please key to keeping the current be looked at, as well, said the mayoral elected.

Paller and Becker.

Vote” aimed at helping character of Pitt Meadows, hopeful.

“We need to inform and empower our “We need to shelf while planning for the “We really need to get our industrial residents and include them in decisions voters make educated unnecessary projects until community’s future. going,” Paller stressed. that affect their daily lives,” he said. the debt is paid,” said decisions come Nov. 15.

The pair also appreciate “To do that, we need some form of tax “We need to learn how to disagree and Paller. the important role both break, some form of forgiveness for hiring embrace diversity of opinion as the best “My past work experifarming and development play and will local and getting traffic off the road.” decision-making process.” ence has involved… budgeting; coming play in the future of Pitt Meadows.

Protecting the farming community Becker added that part of his plan, in on time and on budget,” he added.

“We need to offer incentives for busimeans limiting future expansion, said should he be elected mayor, is to form “I think this is the way City hall should nesses to come to Pitt Meadows and hire Hayes. a citizen’s committee on open governwork.” local people,” said Paller, who noted the “It’s important to protect and prement to come up with recommendations During 2015, the community need to to council on how to work better with determine its financial priorities and focus lack of commercial industry is an issue in serve the exceptional quality of life that the City. we have here in Pitt Meadows,” Hayes residents. on core expenditures, Becker insisted.

Stay tuned…

elect

John

BECKER

for MAYOR Together, we can

9 years experience on City Council and ready to work for you!

Vote for John for Mayor of Pitt Meadows on Saturday, November 15, 2014

Experience, Leadership, & Collaboration

w w w. j o h n b e c k e r. c a  604-562-5200  john@johnbecker.ca

Find John on: @ejohnbecker

JohnBeckerMayor

authorized by John Thomson, financial agent, jthomson@johnbecker.ca

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times

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Pitt Meadows

VOTERS GUIDE

Three familiar Pitt faces vying for mayor’s position John Becker

I am married with two grown children.

I have lived in the area for 35 years.

I was on Pitt Meadows City council 2002 to 2011.

This included responsibilities on committees at the Metro Vancouver level.

Prior to being elected, I sat on the Pitt Meadows economic advisory committee and agricultural advisory committee.

My City hall experience extends over a decade.

I know – and have worked with – all of the sitting councillors and almost all of the senior staff. I will have a very short learning curve taking on the job of mayor.

I have good working relationships with senior governments and TransLink officials that go back many years.

I also have more than 35 years of volunteerism in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. I have been awarded the Queen’s Jubilee medal for community volunteerism and was awarded businessperson of the year for Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge in 2012.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnbeckermayor Twitter: @JohnBeckerMayor Website: www.johnbecker.ca Phone: 604-562-5200

times School board

Gary Paller

As a long-time resident of Pitt Meadows and active community volunteer, I have built valuable relationships throughout the City and am regarded as a dependable and trustworthy leader.

I am a dedicated father to my three grown children and have more than 30 years management experience in planning and development.

As a retired business professional, I would be committed to the full-time effort that is required as mayor to protect our values and heritage, while strategically shaping our future.

I have the strength, knowledge, and leadership to make the tough decisions necessary to accommodate growth while providing a transparent and all-encompassing local government.

I have been actively participating as a community leader for more than 20 years and always place the best interests of Pitt Meadows first.

I look forward to being the next mayor of Pitt Meadows.

Facebook: facebook.com/MHayesMayor Twitter: @voteMHayes Website: www.mhayes.ca Phone: 604-880-5278 Email: Michael@mhayes.ca

Retired after 30 years in the movie industry, Gary Paller is ready to be a fulltime mayor.

Married in Calgary in 1971, Gary and his wife Debbie moved to Vancouver, where in the mid-1970s he joined the District of North Vancouver fire department. After 10 years as a professional firefighter, he used his experience to launch a career in special effects.

He spent more than three decades as a special effects engineer in the television and motion picture industry, quickly becoming an industry leader, providing special effects wizardry on hundreds of feature films and multi-million dollar projects.

The company operated in the black since inception. Gary retired in 2010; his last assignment was the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics.

The couple has lived in Pitt Meadows for 16 years.

Their son Rob and daughter Amanda are carrying on the family tradition, working in the special effects industry that Gary helped to create in Hollywood North.

Website: garypallerformayor.com Phone: 604-644-6080

Retired software analyst/construction, 57

Lawyer, mediator, facilitiator and former councillor, 59

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

Michael Hayes

Vote!

Retired firefighter and special effects technician, 64

It’s your right It’s your Responsibility

Mothers step up to help mould direction of local education Marcela Boggio

Korleen Carreras

Allie Taylor

I’m a graduated hotel administrator and designer. I worked as a manager for many years. I have two sons Nicky (15) and Ale (7), and they are my reason for taking this challenge.

I was an international competitive swimmer. This gave me the sense of achievement, commitment, and discipline that rules my life.

I’ve been an active volunteer for my kid’s schools and for the Boys and Girls Club of Burnaby.

I have met with current trustees Sarah Nelson and Eleanor Palis to learn more about our system.

But there is not much I can do without being part of the school board. With my values, my motivation as a mother, my experience on administration, and my discipline as an athlete I know I will create a positive impact on the school board.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/MarcelaBoggio-for-Maple-Ridge-Pitt-Meadows-SchoolTrustee/1539884219576525 Website: www.marcelaboggio.ca Phone: 778-828-8926

Korleen, her husband, and two children moved to Pitt Meadows more than six years ago and quickly became involved in the warm and welcoming community.

Korleen has always embraced leadership and forging community connections. In her early 20s she started a successful dance school business in Port Moody. She oversaw 25 staff members and contributed to the arts education of 450 children each year.

She has continued to stay active in the arts community as the president of the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Arts Council, as well as a member of the Pitt Meadows centennial committee.

Her most powerful motivation for running for school board are her two school-aged sons, Mateo (13) and Emilio (nine).

Korleen has spent many hours talking to parents in Pitt Meadows about the education system. Like many people she believes Pitt Meadows needs a more open and accountable school board that stands up for our children’s education.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/KorleenCarreras-for-Maple-Ridge-Pitt-Meadows-SchoolBoard/530203497125775 Twitter: @korleencarreras Website: www.korleencarreras.ca Phone: 604-351-9586

Hello! My name is Allie Taylor. I am a mother of two school-aged children.

I moved to Pitt Meadows in 2002. I fell in love with this dynamic community immediately upon my arrival, and I have always felt the sense of intimacy and small town pride that Pitt Meadows represents.

Through my children, I became very involved in various community sports groups, taking on leadership roles such as special events coordinator and treasurer. Although I am passionate about recreational activities, I am also passionate about education.

Education should be our number one priority.

I am running for school trustee because I believe that our kids are our future, and they should be given every opportunity to succeed.

I believe I can be the voice of the parents, teachers, and students. I am a stay-at-home mom and I know I can give 100 per cent of my dedication.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alejandra.m.taylor Phone: 604-460-988

Administration, 43

Admin, 40

Homemaker, 43

Eleanor Palis

Senior financial service representative and current school trustee, 50 I’ve enjoyed living in Pitt Meadows since 1987.

I’ve raised my four children, volunteered extensively, and am employed here in this wonderful community.

I’m an independent, incumbent candidate dedicated to our youth: six years (five elected vice chair) on the board of education have deepened my insight into education, its challenges in this province, and further enhanced my skills in solid decision-making based on data, stakeholder input, and best practice to benefit students and district as a whole.

Many previous years in various committee structures provide a comprehension of governance critical to this role.

I am proud to be part of a board(s) that supports the environmental school, inquiry-based learning, trades programs, and partnerships – to name a few.

I wish to continue our work with strategic and facilities review to meet evolving needs in our communities. I’ve recently championed youth financial literacy programs to students in our schools.

LinkedIn: Eleanor Palis Phone: 604-897-9714

“I am a trustworthy leader, genuinely committed to serving our community full-time as Mayor.”

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Thursday, November 6, 2014

times Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Pitt Meadows

VOTERS GUIDE

New and familiar faces join race for six Pitt Meadows council positions

Bruce Bell

Director for ministry health worker registry and current councillor, 60

Bill Dingwall

Janis Elkerton

Bruce Bell is seeking his third term on Pitt Meadows City council and he believes that taxes and transportation should be the primary focus for council in the next term.

Bruce currently works as the director of the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry.

Under the Ministry of Health, this registry is the first of its kind in Canada as it registers health care assistants who provide personal care for vulnerable patients, residents, and clients.

Under Bruce’s direction the registry also monitors the educational institutions in the province who train health care assistants to ensure that they are providing health care assistant training to the provincial curriculum standard.

Bruce and his wife Judy have lived in Pitt Meadows for 34 years, have raised two children in Pitt Meadows and are proud grandparents of three grandchildren, two of which live in Pitt Meadows.

Website: www.electbrucebell.com Phone: 604-465-8609

Human resource consultant and retired peace officer, 58

Commercial building owner/manager and current councillor, 58

Bill grew up in Saskatoon, and 37 years ago married Erna – his high-school sweetheart.

They have two children, Jackie and Riley and four grandchildren aged 2.5 to 10.

For 25 years, Bill and his extended family have been “proud” residents of Pitt Meadows (1984-’88 and ’94-present).

Bill has a bachelor’s degree (SFU), law degree, and a certified human resource professional certification.

He has enjoyed extensive careers in the public service (RCMP 35 years and the last nine at the executive level, achieving the rank of chief superintendent) and 2.5 years with B.C. sheriffs as a superintendent.

He was a constable in Ridge Meadows (mid ’80s) and returned as chief (1998-2002).

Volunteer activities include Cops for Cancer, co-chair of law enforcement torch run for Special Olympics supporting those with intellectual disabilities, mission relief renovation work in Alabama, Walk for Crossroads Hospice Society, referee-in-chief for Ridge Meadows Hockey, Rotary, coached hockey, and fastball.

Hobbies include “the kids/grandkids,” gardening, camping, golf, carpentry, and restoring a 1970 Challenger, originally owned in high school.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bill. dingwall.77 Twitter: @billdingwall • Website:billdingwall.ca LinkedIn: Bill Dingwall Email: billdingwall2014@gmail.com

Janis is university educated in nursing, management, and community development at UBC/BCIT. Her commitment to local government has earned her accolades for community service.

Janis has served on numerous municipal, regional, and provincial organizations.

She has been elected by her colleagues to executive positions on the Lower Mainland Municipal Association, the Municipal Insurance Association of BC, the LMMA Regional Crime Prevention and Drug Strategy Steering Committee, the Union of BC Municipalities and Metro Vancouver Labor Relations Committee.

Janis has also been the recipient of dedicated service and leadership awards from the Pitt Meadows fire department, MIABC, and LMMA. Janis is passionate about Pitt Meadows and politics.

She is committed to public involvement in decision making and building a complete community, focusing on attracting business opportunities that provide “family sustaining” jobs so citizens can live, work, and play in our City.

Website: www.janiselkerton.ca Phone: 604-465-5541

Dave Murray

Gwen O’Connell

Andrena Raymond

Parks service worker and current councillor, 57 I have served on Pitt Meadows City council for three years, where I have been a strong voice for working people, youth, seniors, farmers, small business, and marginalized people in our community.

I believe in fair taxes without cutting jobs or services.

I served on the executive of both Pitt Meadows soccer and Ridge Meadows minor baseball. I was also a high school and college basketball coach for 30 years – a lot of that in our own backyard helping coach both Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge mini-hoop programs.

I owned a local business in the area from 1989 to 1997 –Tiger Sports Collectibles.

I am the editor of the online newspaper called Pitt Meadows Today.

I have two adult children Ryan, 26, and Shannon-Lee, 24, who were born and raised in Pitt Meadows.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ pages/Re-elect-David-Murray-for-Pitt-MeadowsCity-Council-in-2014/566372973453152 Twitter: @DaveMurray4Pitt Phone: 604-442-6534

Seniors facility marketing manager and current councillor, 60 I have lived in Pitt Meadows with my husband Paul for 38 years.

We had two children. Our son and his wife live in Parkville with their three children. Our daughter (and her husband) had two children before she passed away in 2002.

I work at The Wesbrooke, the seniors residence in Pitt Meadows.

In 2013, I organized the largest single food drive for Pitt Meadows Friends in Need Food Bank. I’m a current board member of the Ridge Meadows Hospice Society, and member of the Pitt Meadows Foundation.

I have served on the park and Leisure commission for 15 years.

I am so proud to have been part of Pitt Meadows for all these years, from volunteering in the Harris Road Park, selling hotdogs, to standing tall at the cenotaph for Remembrance Day. I love the people and the City of Pitt Meadows.

Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/pages/Re-Elect-GwenOConnell/725650907524825 Website: www.gwenforpittmeadows.com Phone: 604-465-5607

Gardener, 50

I’ve lived in Pitt Meadows for 38 years.

I raised three girls, Ashley, Alley, and Ariel.

I did a lot of volunteering with my dad, who was a Knights of Columbus. He was my inspiration.

While working full time, I got my diploma in gardening.

I simply want to make Pitt Meadows a livable place for our future children.

Email: Dinadarling@hotmail.com Website: andrenaraymond.com Phone: 604-868-5637

Scott Magri

Rail car inspector and mechanic, 46 Born in Vancouver, my family moved to Field and Revelstoke before moving to Pitt Meadows, at six years old, in 1974.

I went to Pitt Meadows Elementary and had the best Grade 3 teacher; with her patience, she gave me a good start at my school work.

I wore glasses at the time, which encouraged bullying. My special place to get away was to sit under the Cottonwood trees at the Katzie Slough and fish.

It seems ironic now; that this connection with the slough is still in my heart.

After high school, I went to work at CP Rail and have been there for 28 years.

I am proud to have a 13-year-old daughter.

It’s my turn now to give back to the community, so two years ago I started the Katzie Slough Restoration Project (www.ksrp.ca), of which I am very proud.

Facebook: www.facebook. com/scottMagriForCouncil Website: KSRP.ca 604-460-4695

Tracy Miyashita

Project manager for Division of Family Practice and current councillor, 45 Tracy grew up in a farming town in Manitoba and moved to BC. for university (and warmer climate), where she earned a bachelor of general studies and a bachelor of leadership and management.

She has worked for non-profit, municipal and provincial government, First Nations, and small business.

She has always been involved in the community and has volunteered for Pitt Meadows Day, Canada Day, and currently sits on the community council for the Caring Place.

Tracy has also taught Red Cross first aid and CPR for the past 27 years.

Tracy values active living and has completed eight marathons, enjoys fishing, canning, spending time with family, and watching NFL. She is most proud of her 12-year-old son Simon, who attends Pitt Meadows Elementary.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ TracyMiyashitaforPittMeadows Twitter: @tracymiyashita Website: tracymiyashita.ca LinkedIn: Tracy Miyashita Phone: 604-537-4507 Email: tracymiyashita@gmail.com

Mike Stark

Andrew Thompson

My wife, Laura, our son Michael, and I moved to Pitt Meadows in 1985.

We chose this community for the quality of life it had to offer our family.

I have always been active in our community ie: coaching, steering/advisory committees, associations, volunteering, and attending the vast majority of council/ budget meetings for the past six years.

As president of SPMRA, I collaborated with all three levels of government and TransLink, successfully negotiating a partial solution for the traffic-related noise issues in the Wildwood area, which culminated in the construction of a new $817,000 sound wall.

I also worked tirelessly with the City and local residents to resolve the drainage issues in the area. In my spare-time, I spend many hours with my five grandsons, hiking, gardening, and teaching them the value of our natural environment, not just for them but for all future generations.

Website: www.mikestark.ca Email: mdstark2@gmail.com Phone: 604-465-4518

Andrew is a long-time resident of Pitt Meadows having lived and raised children here for the last 17 ½ years.

Along with his wife Sheryl, Andrew is a foster parent who has fostered for 22 years.

Andrew’s background is in retail management and sales, having worked several years throughout Canada before settling in Pitt Meadows.

Andrew and his wife are both active volunteers with Andrew volunteering as a scout leader, a director with the Pitt Meadows Community Foundation, as an active transportation advisory committee member, a food bank volunteer, and as a Pitt Meadows Centennial sponsor – amongst others.

Andrew believes in fiscal responsibility, responsible taxation, responsible growth, improved transportation and in being a leader who is not afraid to listen to people and stand up for what he feels is right.

Andrew is running as an independent candidate and not as part of a political slate.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ pages/Andrew-Thompson-For-Pitt-MeadowsCouncil/1430549150546138 Twitter: @andrew4council Website: www.andrewthompsonforcouncil.com Email: andrewthompsonforcouncil@gmail.com Phone: 604-970-4004

Retired regional communication manager/executive director, 66

Foster parent with background in retail management and sales, 51

Each candidate was also invited to offer expanded answers online to any or all of the 20 questions presented on page A3 of today’s edition. Find them at www.mrtimes.com, search “please vote”

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times

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Pitt Meadows

VOTERS GUIDE

Election 2014

Advance turnout strong

by Eric Zimmer and Christopher Sun editorial@mrtimes.com

V Eric Zimmer/TIMES

Pitt Meadows council and mayoral hopefuls shared their ideas with those at the Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall last week during an all-candidates meeting.

Pitt Meadows votes

Transportation and taxes dominate Each and every candidate running for office in Pitt Meadows attended a chamberof-commerce hosted allcandidates meeting last week.

by Eric Zimmer

ezimmer@mrtimes.com

S

mart economic development, transportation, and taxes were a common theme amongst Pitt Meadows mayoral and council candidates during an all-candidates meeting at the Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall Thursday night.

The meeting, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce Serving Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, began with all the council hopefuls being asked about their priorities for the City.

“We need to focus on economic development and creating jobs,” said Tracy Miyashita.

David Murray said “getting a lid on taxes” and bringing “familysustaining” jobs to the community remains of upmost importance.

‘We have got to improve on the negativity that continues in the City,” said Gwen O’Connell. “The negative remarks and disrespect on council have got to stop. We also need to get volunteers back working in our community.”

Getting control of the “tax issue” along with getting members of council working together for the “betterment of the people of this community” is a focus for mayoral hopeful Gary Paller.

“It’s about business growth,” said Andrena Raymond. “I would like to get started on the north side of Lougheed.”

Working together on council is at the forefront of Mike Stark’s mind, and fostering teamwork is also key for the two other mayoral hopefuls Michael Hayes and John

Becker.

“We need an exercise in teambuilding,” said Becker. “Continued negativity and personal attacks are unproductive.”

Team-building, smart growth, development, and transportation would be key focus areas for Hayes.

“We need to take advantage of our employment lands,” said Andrew Thompson.

The “four T’s” are the main focus for Bruce Bell: “Taxes, transportation, transparency, and teamwork.”

“We need to focus on economic development and focus on industrial growth in South Bonson to diversify our tax base,” said Janis Elkerton.

“I’m tired of high rollers, rolling into town and building on farmland because that’s all that’s left,” said Scott Magri. “If you can’t run this town with the tax money already coming in, there’s a serious problem.”

The three mayoralty hopefuls were asked about transportation and transit funding – specifically on whether they supported road tolling or a carbon tax.

“I spoke to a TransLink representative recently, who left me with two talking points,” said Becker.

“Carbon tax hits everybody and spreads the pain over more individuals; the road tolling provides more direct tax on the people taking advantage of regional transportation improvements, so it’s really a balance,” Becker added.

Hayes said he essentially supported both, but within reason, and with conditions.

“A carbon tax yes, but only if it’s used for all transportation networks: road, boat, pedestrian, and cycling. Tolling, yes. But something like a small toll on all bridges would create a regional fairness,” he explained.

“Yeah, I’d like to see West Vancouver and Whistler pay for a

times Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

toll for that road we put in for the Olympics, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon,” said Paller.

“The only people who seem to be tolled are the people out here in the east,” he quipped.

Business development, growth, and promotion were also hot topics of the evening.

“We need to get this industrial park going, and get the land available for professionals who have been trying to relocate to this area,” said O’Connell.

“The opening up of the business park in the south, I think, is going to be a key economic driver in the next few years,” said Becker.

“I would not allow big box stores to come to our community,” said Raymond.

The unique location of Pitt Meadows gives the City an economic competitive advantage, said Thompson. “Two major bridges, connecting us to thousands in the surrounding communities, and 20 minutes to downtown Vancouver via the Golden Ears Bridge,” he explained.

“I think we’re on the right path,” said Bill Dingwall. “We have a draft incentive policy, which I support. We have the right people, now we just need the right facilities and infrastructure.”

“Our economic team and the way we’re growing is working well,” said O’Connell. “Yes, we should be filling those small storefronts with mom-and-pop shops.”

“There’s only so much land we have and we should be using our agricultural land to grow food,” added Stark.

But it might not be a case of either/or, according to Hayes. “We need to look at the planning and development of some of our lands,

Vote!

and I think there’s definitely room for things like more offices space in our community,” he said.

The discussion repeatedly circled back to taxation.

“The way to decrease the taxes on our businesses is to increase the number of businesses that are paying business taxes,” said Becker.

The City cannot continue to just rest on residential taxes, added Dingwall.

“Residents are maxed out, and we need increased economic, as well as tourism development.”

The topic of rising homelessness was brought up, and Raymond agreed that it was a problem. But, she said the solution is complex.

“You’re dealing with people with drug problems, and abusive backgrounds for example,” Raymond said. “I’d like to talk to other cities to see how they’re dealing with it and what a good solution to the problem would be, and what type of success other communities have had.”

“There’s not one overall solution to this,” Stark concurred. “People have been talking about homelessness for 20 years. It’s a very complicated issue that really started to escalate when Riverview was shut down.”

Miyashita, who sits on the Caring Place community council, said homeless numbers have decreased.

“The homeless count is down to 84 from 100 back in 2011,” she noted. “But even if we have one homeless person, that’s a concern, and we need to work with our partners and come up with solutions for our community,” she said.

Dingwall agreed. “We need to stay on top of this, and we can’t do it alone.”

It’s your right It’s your Responsibility

oter turnout at the advance polls in Pitt Meadows increased almost a third, compared to the 2011 municipal election.

A total of 776 voters took advantage of the advance polling – which concluded in Pitt Meadows Sunday. That compares to 486 in 2011 who voted in advance.

This year also saw the number of advance polling dates double from two to four, something chief election officer Kelly Kenney said helped increase the votes cast.

“It definitely helped,” she insisted.

“After the last election, (where only 3,684 electors, or 29.8 per cent of the eligible 12,371 cast ballots,) council looked at initiatives that could help increase voter turnout,” Kenney explained.

It was decided adding more dates and a new location – the South Bonson Community Centre – could help.

It seemed to pay off.

The total number of eligible voters in Pitt Meadows has also increased from 12,371 to 12,557.

Voter turnout in Maple Ridge more than doubled this year, compared to the last election.

A total of 1,492 people casted ballots during the three advance polling days held at six different locations.

In 2011 only 624 people voted early, but there was only two advance polling days and one location.

While these numbers look positive, Maple Ridge chief election officer Ceri Marlo said it can’t be assumed this will translate to a larger turnout on Nov. 15.

“It’s really hard to tell if it means anything,” Marlo said. “It can be people who normally vote on Nov. 15, came out early.

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Council hopefuls hot on ALR …continued from page A3

Bill Dingwall (continued) The North Lougheed development contemplated potential retail/commercial, mixed employment, and education providing local jobs (new employees to those that want/need to work well into their senior years).

It would also provide important additional taxes and services (like Meadowtown).

The North Connector road is critically linked (as part of a strategic network of roadways in the LMD), providing congestion relief.

The Agricultural Land Commission saw fit to remove this land from the ALR, the Agricultural advisory committee supports the connector (to get Old Dewdney back for farming use), and discussions were moving forward with the province/Metro Vancouver on an interchange and improvements to the provincial highways, especially as a result of the two new bridges.

Janis Elkerton

Question #4: Do you support removal of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), in favour of road and commercial development?

Answer: No. New development always costs the taxpayers money.

The development cost charges we collect from the developer only recover a portion of the services needed to construct a project.

The proposed North Lougheed Corridor (NLC) area doesn’t have a business case analysis to support its construction.

In fact, the Transportation Master Plan states the City’s portion to construct the NLC, traffic calming on Old Dewdney Trunk Road and the interchange at Harris Road and Lougheed Highway is estimated at $18.9 million, not including engineering and land acquisition costs.

For municipal tax comparison, Meadowtown mall contributes $1.4 million yearly. The NLC is not a financially prudent project.

Scott Magri

Question #6: Does Pitt Meadows need more sporting and community facilities?

Answer: Yes, with sport association help funding, sponsors, as well as government grants. Facilities are adequate at this time.

Tracy Miyashita

Question #4: Do you support removal of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), in favour of road and commercial development?

Answer: Depends – if benefits to the community are significant and the land is not suitable for agriculture, I would support forwarding the application to the Agricultural Land Commission for their consideration.

LAWYERS

Question #5: Do taxpayers get good value (services) for their tax dollars?

Answer: Yes. With that said, we need to get our budget and finances in order without cutting services.

Our current budget is scheduled to see a 24-per-cent increase in taxes during the next five years.

This is not sustainable, nor do I believe is acceptable to the vast majority of taxpayers.

Andrew Thompson

Question #4: Do you support removal of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), in favour of road and commercial development?

Answer: Yes. Provided that the Agricultural Land Commission and our agricultural advisory committee is in agreement to removal of the land from the ALR. There would also have to be proper and complete studies done, have the support of a business case with developers, and require senior level government funding.

It has been identified in the Official Community Plan, creates needed jobs in our community, increases the tax base and improves transportation.

• More expanded answers at www.mrtimes.com

RV owners warned of thefts

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Police files

A rash of battery thefts has local Mounties issuing a warning to owners of various recreational vehicles.

Whether it’s a motorhome, fifth-wheel trailer, or boat, the batteries stored in these vehicles need to be safeguarded, said Ridge Meadows RCMP Cpl. Alanna Dunlop.

“Ridge Meadows RCMP have noted a number of RV batteries being reported stolen over the last month, many from recreational vehicles parked in the owner’s driveways,” she explained.

“Police have not been able to identify the suspects yet and/or determine the location and use of the stolen batteries,” she said.

But she advised owners to take the necessary precaution.

“When winterizing your boat, trailer, or motorhome, remove the battery and store it in a safe location,” Dunlop suggested.

“It’s always a good idea to remove the propane tanks, as well, as long as they

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A17

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can be stored safely and securely away from the unit. In these cases, an ounce of prevention can be the cure.”

Reflectors aid in visibility

In the meantime, Mounties are continuing their pedestrian safety awareness blitz.

Police, firefighters, ICBC, and City staff have been out in the community during the past few weeks attempting to bring more awareness to the concerning issue of pedestrian safety.

“So far, the groups have given out info and reflectors at the Pitt Meadows West Coast Express station, the MeadowTown shopping centre, and Westview Secondary School. It is hoped that by making pedestrians more cognizant of their surroundings, and increasing awareness of enhanced visibility, the roads and cross walks will be made safer,” Dunlop said.

• More at www.mrtimes.com, search “Mounties”

Ridge Meadows RCMP Detachment 11990 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC Main office 604.463.6251    

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A18

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

holidaygivinglovesholidaysaving This year, you can treat everyone on your list to a little something extra.

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*Subject to REDcard application approval, you will receive 5% off purchases paid for with your REDcard at Target stores in Canada, except on prescriptions and certain other pharmacist-dispensed items, purchases at Brunet affiliated pharmacies in Québec, Target gift cards and Target prepaid cards, and where otherwise prohibited by law. 5% discount applies to eligible purchases minus any other discounts and the value of any promotional Target gift cards received in the transaction. Other restrictions apply. See program rules at Guest Service or Target.ca/REDcard for details. The Target Debit Card cannot be used at some independent businesses in Target stores, such as prescription purchases at the Target Pharmacy. REDcard: Target Debit Card (issued by Target Canada Co.) and Target RBC MasterCard (issued by Royal Bank of Canada). ® MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated, used under license. ‡ Lion & Globe Design, Royal Bank and all other RBC marks are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada, used under license. ©2014 Target Brands, Inc. The Bullseye Design and Target are registered trademarks of Target Brands, Inc.

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

To prepare for Movember, retired Maple Ridge school teacher Maynard Embree shaved his face and then contemplated which style of moustache he is going to sport this month.

A19

vote Don MITCHELL for Councillor

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Men’s health

Former co-worker sparked efforts Retired school teacher Maynard Embree is calling on local men of all ages to join him in the Movember Movement.

by Troy Landreville

tlandreville@mrtimes.com

For soon-to-be mustachioed retired school teacher Maynard Embree, every little bit helps for prostate and testicular cancer research and awareness.

Like many men in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and across the globe, the 63-year-old is growing hair under his nose this month, for a greater good.

“It’s Movember time again,” Embree told the TIMES recently. “It started on Saturday [Nov. 1] and we’re beginning to see them; men growing mustaches. But why this annual facial follicle flourish? Why this sudden growth of moustaches and contemplation on different styles and shapes? Why this perceived need to punish those (like my wife) who prefer a smooth and soft face?”

The reason: The Canadian Movember campaign raised $33.9 million in 2013, and of those funds,

Troy Landreville/TIMES

Maple Ridge resident Maynard Embree’s moustache, which he is growing in support of Movember, was still in its infancy stage when he posed for this picture on Nov. 6.

90.5 per cent was committed to programs supporting prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health initiatives.

Embree’s initial donation was $30, one dollar for each day of the month.

He’s hoping others will match his contribution to the cause.

“That’s not bad,” he said. “If we had a lot of people making that same commitment of 30 bucks a month, that would add up.”

Through online donations, people can support an individual or a team.

Embree took up the Movember challenge four years ago at Westview Secondary, where for 20 years he

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taught computers, business education, and shop, did career counselling and oversaw work experience programs before retiring this past June.

The idea of joining the Movember Movement took flight when he was teaching a Planning 10 course at Westview.

“There was a personal health unit in it [the course],” he said. “I had been aware of the [Movember] program for several years… we’ve done a tremendous job in identifying cancers that women have, and this program for Movember came out, trying to promote a little bit more about men’s related cancers.”

A staff member at Westview was battling prostrate cancer and so initially, Embree challenged fellow male staff at the school to take part in Movember.

“Then we extended it also to interested students who wanted to get involved,” Embree said. “Usually, it tended to be our senior students but not always. We have kids coming in with peach fuzz who just wanted to be part of the program.”

Embree is not a particularly huge moustache enthusiast. He lets the hair grow above his upper lip for the month, and once Dec. 1 rolls around, it falls victim to a razor blade.

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continued on page A21…

A Salute to our countries

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A20

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

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Dance unites all ages

Ridge Meadows Seniors Society members and guests were treated to an afternoon of dance recently, when three different dance troupes stopped in to entertain. Those groups were Arthur Murray Dancers, Wilson Centre Seniors Line Dancers, and Peggy Peat Performers.

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

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…continued from page A19

His ’stache is just now starting to take shape.

“Right now, you just sort of let a mask [of facial hair] grow, so you can decide to style it, later,” he said. “You have to have something to work with.”

The reasons for participating in Movember vary, in Embree’s opinion.

“Some men are just waiting to accept the challenge.

There’s a bit of competition built in, and yet you have some degree of control over how the final product will be displayed,” he said.

“A quick internet search provides some magnificent examples, and the realization that some moustaches may require more than 30 days effort. “ The key factor is, he believes, is initiating important discussions about men’s physical and mental health issues, including male-specific cancers.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, prostate cancer accounts for about one-quarter (24 per cent) of all new cancer cases in men. And it is estimated that in 2014, 1,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer.

As well, 10 per cent of Canadian men experience major depression in the course of their lives.

“Men should be well informed and willing to discuss these issues with each other. Active surveillance is an important monitoring tool,” said Embree,

A21

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Oct. 31, Maple Ridge’s Maynard Embree shaved his facial hair for the last time – or at least for the money – as part of the Movember Movement. who stressed that men should have annual medical examinations.

Embree has been sponsored by the Westview WildCat Mo Bros team for the past three years.

To support him, people can visit: ca.movember. com/mospace/1424832.

Along with a number of individuals, Maple Ridge has four teams signed up for the cause: Maple Ridge Lip Duste, Maple Ridge Mos, Maple Ridge Firefighters, and Maple Ridge Physiotherapy and Pain Clinic.

About Movember

Movember started in Australia 11 years ago when Travis Garone and Luke Slattery came up with a challenge to re-introduce the moustache and link the month-long campaign to education on prostate cancer and men’s health.

They put out a local challenge and 30 men signed up for Movember 2003.

Last year four million men participated globally.

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Sports Tee time

Golfers look to advance A local golfer is one of seven others with a big chance.

Brad Ziemer Special to the TIMES

Maple Ridge golfer Justin Shin is one of seven B.C. pros who have a chance to replace the departed Adam Hadwin, Roger Sloan and Nick Taylor, whose fine play this year not only earned them their PGA Tour cards but inspired many of thisprovince’s young pros.

Shin, along with Devin Carrey of Surrey, Darren Wallace of Langley, Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, Seann Harlingten of West Vancouver, and Victoria’s Cory Renfrew will be looking to advance to the Q-school finals, scheduled for Dec. 11-16 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Surrey’s Ryan Williams has already earned his spot in the Q-school finals by virtue of finishing sixth on this year’s PGA Tour Canada money list.

The success of Hadwin, Sloan and Taylor certainly did not go unnoticed by their B.C. peers, who got to thinking, hey, if they can do it, then maybe so can I. “I have known all three of those guys for a really, really longtime,” said Wallace, a former University of Washington teammate of Taylor’s who won the Canadian Amateur as a 15-year-old back in 2004. “They are doing great things and I am really happy for them and I play with them quite a bit when they are around home. It’s not that big a jump for me to think that I could be there now or sometime in the future.”

“Seeing your buddies do well gives you a kick in the pants,” Carrey said.

-Brad Ziemer is a reporter with the Vancouver Sun

•More at www.mrtimes.com, search “Shin”

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Recreation

A23

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Home grown

Ridge sports heroes lauded Three new Home Town Heroes were officially inducted during a special dinner and celebration last week.

by Eric Zimmer

ezimmer@mrtimes.com

If he had the chance to do it all over again, Rick Funk “wouldn’t change a thing.”

The Maple Ridge former professional boxer and newly inducted Home Town Hero, made the revelation during an interview with emcee Barry Houlihan, during the annual Home Town Hero celebration dinner, held at Maple Ridge Secondary School on Wednesday night, in front of more than 80 people.

“We are inducting three new Home Town Heroes tonight,” said Mary Robson of the Meadowridge Sports Heroes Society (MSHS).

This brings the total number of those recognized as heroes to 39, since the program began in 1998.

The list of names includes nine Olympians who were raised in the community as well.

Along with Funk, current NHL player Victor Bartley, and former Team Canada rugby player Ron VandenBrink were recognized and inducted as well.

“A Home Town Hero is an individual who has come up through the network here in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows,” said Robson.

“They went to school here, they participated in the school’s sports teams, and then went on to compete in their chosen field on an international level,” she added.

Eric Zimmer/TIMES Originally slated to happen in Maple Rifge-raised boxer Rick Funk (above) and June, then September, the event was postponed until Wednesday rugby player Ron Vandenbrink (left) signed their because of the teacher’s strike. posters, and are the newest inductees into the As such, only VandenBrink Meadowridge Sports Society’s Hometown Hero and Funk were able to attend, as collection. The pair – along with current NHL Bartley was with his team, The player Victor Bartley, who was unable to attend the Nashville Predators, getting ready evening – bring the total number of Hometown for a game in Dallas against the Heroes to 39, since the program began.

Stars. make it. Then he went to the min“I’d like to thank the whole ors,” Houlihan continued.

Home Town Hero committee for “Then he got brought up. Then making this event happen,” said sent back down. Then brought MSHS’s Gehrig Merritt.

“Mary and Gordy (Robson) have up again. Now he’s in Nashville, making millions of dolbeen talking to me lars a year, doing what about hosting this for he loves and having the about 15 years,” said time of his life. And why Houlihan. shouldn’t he? He put in “But it didn’t really the time and effort to materialize until this reach the pinnacle of his year.” sport.”

The emcee, as well Both VandenBrink and as former CFL, NFL “What you get out of something Funk agreed that nothplayer, and radio is directly related to what you put ing comes easy when it and TV host, spoke into it,” said VandenBrink. comes to getting into the about the drive, deter“It’s all part of the journey.”

Barry Houlihan professional spotlight, mination and will to About 25 volunteers came but in the end, the payoff together to help make the evening succeed in each of Hometown Hero emcee is worth the effort. the three new Home happen, said Robson.

Funk now works as a boxing Town Heroes.

A live, as well as silent auction coach and relays this philosophy “(Victor) Bartley could have was held, and funds raised from to his students. played any sport he wanted, but the two combined totalled $580.

“I tell them, you’ve got to work he chose hockey,” said Houlihan.

This money is earmarked to go “He worked, he toiled, he didn’t hard, got to earn it,” he said. towards the development of the

Home Town Heroes website.

The program is set to continue next year, and at the end of Wednesday’s dinner, the 2014 Home Town Hero was announced: A Team Canada softball player, who’s making a name for herself in the states: Larissa Franklin.

Nominations for the 2015 Home Town Hero are open until June 30.

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Food drive

• The Maple Ridge Museum and Haney House are holding a food drive for Giving Tuesday. Bring in two or more canned goods and receive free admission to either. Food donations will be given to the Friends In Need food bank, along with a $100 contribution, from the Maple Ridge Historical Society.

Nov. 11: Weavers

• Whonnock Weavers and Spinners Guild meet at Whonnock Lake Centre, 27871 113th Ave., Maple Ridge, at 7:30 p.m. Besides spinners and weavers, they welcome felters, knitters, basket makers, and anyone interested in any other fibre arts. For more information, call Marie at 604-462-9059.

Nov. 12: Gogos

• The Golden Ears Gogos hold their monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Alouette Room of the Maple Ridge Library. The Gogos raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation which supports African grandmothers who care for children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic.

Nov. 12: Food for fines

• Lower your fines with food. Until Dec.10, pay your library fines at the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows libraries with non-perishable food for the food bank. One item equals $2 in fines and up to $30 worth of fines can be paid through food donations. Contact the library for more details.

What’s On

Royal City Youth Ballet Company Society proudly presents, gth ballet, the Nutcracker. for the 26th season, the full length

www.mrtimes.com Post events 10 days in advance by email to:

editorial@mrtimes.com Nov. 13: Naturalists

•Alouette Field Naturalists meeting takes place at the Seniors Centre, 12150 224th Street at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 15: Bazaar

• The Stave Falls Scottish Dancers hold their Christmas Bazaar at 10 a.m., at Golden Ears United Church.

Nov. 15: Final farmers

• Santa arrives early at the last Haney Farmers Market of the Season. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. undercover at Grow & Gather, 24565 Dewdney Trunk Rd. Info: www.haneyfarmersmarket.org.

Nov. 15: Artist

• Maple Ridge’s newest Artist in Residence, Robi Smith, opens her studio at 23740 Fern Crescent to the public, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to the free event. Info: http:// ferncrescent.wordpress.com or www.robismith.com.

Nov.15: Christmas

• Harry Hooge Elementary at 12280 230th St., holds its annual Christmas craft fair, from 10 a.m., to 4 p.m.

Admission is by donation.

Info: hhcraftfair@hotmail. com.

Nov. 16: Story show

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric Carle Favourites takes place at 2 p.m. at the ACT. Three Eric Carle stories are told on stage using light and puppets during the show. Info: www. theactmapleridge.org.

The longest running Nutcracker ballet performance in Canada!

Don’t miss your opportunity to see this unique show that delights audiences of all ages.

Nov. 17: Garden club

• Pitt Meadows Garden Club is inviting members and anyone interested in joining to the monthly meeting at 7 p.m., at the Pitt Meadows Community Hall. Special guest-speaker Natasha Etherington will present highlights of the Chelsea Flower show. $2 for non-members.

Nov. 18: Writers

• Golden Ears Writers hosts Literary Magazines, Writing Career Launchpad, with Susan Pieters and Jen Landels at 7 p.m. at the ACT.

Nov. 18: Meeting

• The Municipal Pension Retirees Association hosts a social at 10:30 a.m. at the Maple Ridge Library.

Refreshments included.

•Full list: www.mrtimes.com

Ch

r ild

en

o

y nl

Artistic Director, Camilla Fishwick-Kellogg Executive Producer, Trisha Sinosich-Arciaga

Abbotsford Arts Centre, Abbotsford Sat, Nov. 22 at 2:30 pm

The ACT Arts Centre & Theatre Maple Ridge Sun, Nov. 23 at 1& 4 pm

Tickets for both theatres through the ACT Box Office: 604-476-2787 www.theactmapleridge.org

For more information, and a full list of performances, please visit our website:

www.royalcityyouthballet.org

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

JOIN THE CELEBRATION

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A27

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

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