Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times January 6 2015 by Maple Ridge Times

Tuesday, January 6, 2015 A Maple Ridge couple welcomes the New Year’s baby…

Page A9

kins St, P ort

• LOCAL NEWS • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 16 PAGES

Super stor

No federal money for Iron Horse

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A few hundred people gathered at Alouette Lake on New Year’s Day to participate in the annual polar bear swim. The temperature outside was a brisk -2º C. See story and more photos on page A10.

by Christopher Sun csun@mrtimes.com

There will be no federal funding to keep Iron Horse Youth Safe House open because there is no money to fund it directly, said local MP Randy Kamp. Last week, social development minister Candice Bergen sent a letter denying a request to fund one-third of the cost to keep the safe house open for six months – so an alternative, long-term solution could be found. The rejection is based on the fact that Ottawa provides homelessness funding via two routes, to the province based on a certain criteria, and to Metro Vancouver – which then gets divvied up. Randy Kamp “There is no actual money MP from the minister to individually give,” Kamp said. “Funding goes to other entities and they make the decision.” Kamp acknowledged the important service the local youth shelter provides, but said that Alouette Housing Start Society – which runs the shelter – knew three years in advance that funding changes were coming. “Iron Horse did get $276,000 to take them through to Dec. 31,” Kamp said. “They have received a lot, almost $3 million over the years.”

Rick Moyer/TIMES

BC Assessments

Townhouses, condos drop in value

Strata properties in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows have slid in worth. by Matthew Claxton Glacier Media

BC Assessment’s newly-released numbers show that houses are getting more expensive while condos sink in value in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. On Jan. 2, the agency released its annual valuation of hundreds of thousands of residential properties across the province. A city-by-city breakdown shows that there were modest increases in value for houses in the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, while the value of condos and townhouses dipped slightly. In Maple Ridge, the typical home value was listed at $425,000 for a detached home, up from $408,000 for 2014. Meanwhile, a townhouse was around $345,000, down from $361,000 in 2014. And, a typical condo was assessed at

•More at www.mrtimes.com, search “Iron Horse”

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$192,000, down from $198,000 the year before. It was a similar story in Pitt Meadows, where single-family homes were valued at $546,000, up from $525,000 the year before, townhouses were down to $348,000 from $350,000, while condos slid from $198,000 to $193,000. Nearby communities like Abbotsford and Langley also saw similar changes. BC Assessment said most homes in the region are remaining stable, and the rate of change was between plus or minus five per cent for the typical home. In the Lower Mainland, Vancouver and its closest neighbours saw property values increase much faster than in communities farther out into Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. The price of a typical home is based on market trends and can be affected by many variables, noted Raj Sandhu, an acting assessor in the Fraser Valley region. The dropping condo values may be an effect of supply and demand, Sandhu said.

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“What we’ve seen is a large amount of supply in recent years, which may have led to that,” he said. Assessments are largely based on sales of a given home type in a given neighbourhood. Residents can look up their home’s valuation online at www.bcassessment.ca, and notices have also been sent out to homeowners. Property owners who worry their assessment does not reflect market value can contact the authority and appeal their notice. They can submit a notice of complaint to appeal their assessment if done before Feb. 2, and a Property Assessment Review Panel will look at their issue. Higher or lower-than-average increases or decreases in property value can affect how much property tax a landowner pays. If their property value is falling while the average is rising, they may see a slight reduction in taxes. However, if their property’s value is rising faster than average, it may cause a higher increase in taxes.

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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

UpFront Click for community

mrtimes.com

Murder has Pitt ties The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirmed last week that an SUV recovered in Pitt Meadows in November belonged to slain Theoren Poitra, a known gang affiliate who was killed in Richmond back on Oct. 2. • More at www.mrtimes.com

Helicopter student James Howard and his new wife Dee were married on Boxing Day.

Married on mountain A Boxing Day wedding at the back of Mount Robie Reid – behind Stave Lake (northeast of Maple Ridge) – brought together a woman from Ireland and a man from England. • More at www.mrtimes.com

More mailboxes hit Mail theft always increases during the holidays, and Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows were no exceptions. Mounties issued warnings to residents during the Christmas season, following break-ins to a number of community mailboxes. • More at www.mrtimes.com Discover the joys of flora and fauna in our rural areas. Liz welcomes questions at g.hancock@ uniserve.com

Year in Review: Pitt Meadows

City centennial wraps up

Community spirit was on full display this year, as the City came together to celebrate a major milestone.

by Liz Hancock

Pluses to stinky plant In large quantities, skunk cabbage can be deadly, but flora and fauna columnist Liz Hancock shares other insights into this plant used as a laxative by bears when they come out of hibernation. Check out this Maple Ridge environmentalist’s monthly River Talk column. • More at www.mrtimes.com

“It was wonderful to see how involved people were.” Erin Mark

Budget cuts still looming csun@mrtimes.com

ezimmer@mrtimes.com

River Talk

Year in Review: Education

by Christopher Sun

by Eric Zimmer Standing in the South Bonson Community Centre with the Premier, the MLAs and Pitt Meadows City council earlier this year, as 100 residents and community groups were acknowledged, is a moment that Erin Mark won’t soon forget. The recognition was part of the City’s centennial celebrations, of which Mark was the main coordinator. “The history and sense of community in the room was so inspirational to me and many others,” Mark said. She knew there was buzz building as the City approached the special birthday milestone, but couldn’t have imagined the level of response from the community. “I don’t think anyone predicted the level of interest we experienced from the residents of Pitt Meadows,” said Mark. “We saw attendance increase, in some cases triple, at most annual events and saw line-ups through the door for events such as the Heritage Tea.” The Pitt Meadows Day 2014 parade was also the “largest ever.” Though getting the word out about special events in a community can sometimes be a challenge, Mark credited the Centennial Committee for rising to the occasion and tackling the challenge head-on. Using a combination of print ads, social media, newsletters, emails, banners, electronic signs, and word of mouth, Mark said the majority of residents were made aware of what was happening when, surrounding the celebration schedule. Despite the efforts to ensure everyone knew what was going on, Mark said there were still some anxious moments. She recalled “waiting in Spirit Square right before

TIMES files

A re-enactment of the very first City council meeting was part of the year-long centennial celebrations in Pitt Meadows. the special Centennial Heritage Fair and Birthday Party, worrying about how many attendees would come.” However, her worries were soon alleviated, as she watched “hundreds of children from all the schools swarm the area in all directions,” right as the event began. “It was so amazing to feel that energy,” she recalled. “It was wonderful to see how involved people were in the centennial celebrations.” Now that the celebrations have all but wrapped up, and the calendar flips over to 2015, Mark said working on such a “historically significant” project in her hometown was a career highlight and the opportunity is something she is very grateful for. But Mark recognizes she could not have done it alone, and that the spirit of volunteering has always been a part of the community in Pitt Meadows. “One of the things that stood out for me during the centennial were the thousands of volunteers that over the last 100 years have made Pitt Meadows such a great place to call home,” she said. Notes of thanks and phone calls from residents and former residents acknowledging the various aspects of the Centennial have “meant so much to everyone who worked on the Centennial,” Mark added. And though the year my be finished, Mark’s work in the community is far from over. “I have expanded my volunteering and look forward to helping the Pitt Meadows Day Society put together another terrific Pitt Meadows Day in 2015,” she said.

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It was a turbulent year for the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district with the teachers’ strike, a new superintendent, and school board election. And while things have finally settled, this may only be the calm before a new storm, said board chair Mike Murray. Currently, the school district is forecasting cuts in the next budget unless extra funding is provided by the provincial government. More details will come out once budgeting starts in the new year, Murray said. “I’m hoping it is the case that we don’t have to cut, but based on the preliminary review, that’s realistic,” Murray said. “The budget will come out in April.” The school district is also embarking on a 10-year facilities plan, which will take a look at school population projections (which is expected to increase slightly), and structural condition of schools including recMike Murray ommendations School board chair if any need to be replaced. Once the plan is completed, the school board may need to approach the provincial government for even more money, Murray said. Potential budget cuts next year won’t affect students, parents, and teachers in this current school year, Murray added. And while the school year started three weeks late and there are a number of classrooms – notably in the high schools, with more than 30 students in a class – the school year was not extended and the reshuffling of students to bring class sizes down is done. “There was some moving around, but that’s pretty much it now,” Murray said. “The new superintendent will look at that in the upcoming school year to correct that.” • More at www.mrtimes.com

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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Year in Review: 140th birthday

New city signs slow to come Maple Ridge celebrated its 140th birthday by becoming a City, a status said to be key ‘going forward.’ by Christopher Sun csun@mrtime.scom

Business cards and stationery with the City moniker has rolled out, but changing the District of Maple Ridge sign outside City hall is taking a little longer. It was a double celebration in September with Maple Ridge celebrating its 140th birthday and becoming B.C.’s 50th city. While most district references are now gone, some still linger. “There are only a couple of signs left to change,” said City spokesperson Fred Armstrong. “As time goes on and when maintenance is required, it will be updated.” There was no special budget created for the celebration as funding for both the birthday and city designation came out of existing departmental budgets, Armstrong said. He estimates the costs at about $10,000 to $12,000. The two milestones were formally announced by Premier Christy Clark, when she visited Maple Ridge in September. However, her visit was met by striking teachers coincidentally holding a gathering at Memorial Peace Park. The protest drowned out Clark’s speech at times, but 10 days later, the strike was over. “All of the cabinet and the Premier had an opportunity to see what people were thinking of,” Armstrong said, adding Clark held an afternoon caucus meeting in Maple Ridge after her speech.

TIMES files

Former Maple Ridge mayor Ernie Daykin (right) cuts a birthday cake with the help of Emerald Pig Theatrical Society actor Simon Challenger, impersonating John McIver. The name Maple Ridge was inspired by all the maple trees growing on McIver’s farm. “Maybe that helped create flexibility on the government side to look at and resolve the issue.” While becoming a City doesn’t bring extra funding or more powers to City hall, the new designation changes perception and charts a new course in the future of Maple Ridge, said Armstrong. “It’s a coming of age for the community,” Armstrong said. “The City designation is a very important part of identifying what we want to create, going forward.”

Congratulations Finalists

Small Business of the Year Award Blenz Maple Ridge Countrywide Communications Maple Ridge Towing

Business of the Year Award Euro-Rite Cabinets Hopcott Premium Meats Meadowridge School

Business Leader of the Year Award Dr. Cobi Slater Fred Formosa Vicki McLeod

Non-Profit Organization Award Alouette Addiction Services Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Community Services Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living

Community Spirit Award Home-Based Business Award Family Education & Support Centre Amber Light Photography Keesha Rosario Pacific Star Electric Simplified Business Solutions Lorraine Bates & Tom Cameron Agricultural & Agri-Business Award Honeyland Canada Meadows Maze

Business Excellence Awards Gala Save The Date

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

AWARDS

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Year in Review: Maple Ridge election

New mayor starts fulfilling her election promises Maple Ridge residents voted for change, electing Nicole Read as mayor over incumbent Ernie Daykin in the November municipal election.

Horse Youth Safe House from closing, and she has had to acquaint herself with staff, each of the councillors, and City issues, as well as start implementing promises and commitments she made during her elect campaign. A mayor’s task force tackling homelessness is forthcoming, along with improving economic development in the City and lobbying the provincial by Christopher Sun government for a new school in Albion. csun@mrtimes.com “Nothing has changed since I’ve come in,” When Nicole Read was running to become Read said, in regards to her campaign promises. Maple Ridge’s mayor, she heard stories that City “There were a number of things I identified as staff needed to be reigned in as they were leading priorities, and I still intend to follow through council when it should be the other way around. with them.” One month into her new job and she has found Between balancing family and public work that is not the case. during the recent holiday season, Read has been “They have freely provided information that I working on filing her election expenses with Nicole Read have asked for, they have been willing to adjust Elections BC. Despite how financially expensive Maple Ridge Mayor and adapt, and they do really incredible things,” and tiring the mayor’s campaign was, she has Read said of City hall staff. no regrets in how she ran it. “My working relationship with [chief administration She won after all. officer] Jim Rule is great.” “My campaign was expensive,” Read said. “It was selfThis misconception of how City hall staff operates and funded and I wouldn’t change that at all. a lack of understanding of the work they do, has made “I did a number of things right. I knew social media the need for performance reviews and monthly updates was going to be very important and I knew that I needed on what’s going on at City hall even more important, to connect with people with my signs, [and] my engageRead said, acknowledging a campaign promise she made. ment with the public. I had quite a number of meetings “The public is not aware of the amount of work or with seniors and I stayed very focused.” nature of work they are doing,” Read said. “Having perRead has said she never held any animosity against formance reviews is really important to the public right former mayor Daykin, and that her decision to run was now. I will [also] be writing monthly updates on what based on a need for change in the community. I’m working on and the challenges we are facing, to be As for Daykin, his first month out of the public eye was more connected to the people.” spent with family and dressing up as Santa at various Read has had a busy schedule since she won the functions. mayoral race against incumbent mayor Ernie Daykin and “I’ve just kind of been relaxing,” he said. “I’ve been three others in the November municipal election. One catching up with friends and colleagues, spending more of her first acts as mayor was being one of only a few time with my wife, kids, and grand kids, it’s been good.” who voted against the 0.5-per-cent provincial sales tax Although retired, Daykin enjoys being busy and still increase referendum to fund transit expansion in Metro does work at Baptist Housing Society. He has no plans Vancouver. She cited TransLink’s governance and lack of for a return to public life at this time and there has been firm commitments of expanded bus service – such as a B- some new endeavours offered to him, which he was line to Maple Ridge – for her decision. She has also been mum on. He is in no rush to jump into something new. lobbying for provincial and federal funding to keep Iron “I really enjoyed my public life,” Daykin said. “It’s

been fulfilling… Whatever comes next has to provide that level of fulfillment. It’s going to be something I want to do passionately.” Voters also elected a new City council, returning incumbents Corisa Bell and Bob Masse, picking newbies Tyler Shymkiw and Kiersten Duncan, and bringing back former council members Gordy Robson and Craig Speirs.

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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

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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The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES, a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at www.mrtimes.com. The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and complainant. If talking with the editor or publisher of this newspaper does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2. For further information, go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.

Our View

Make safer resolutions

The new year is a good time for a few resolutions: exercise more, floss more, spend less, eat healthier… For 2015, the helpful and ambitious Mounties at the Coquitlam RCMP put together a list of five resolutions worthy of consideration for anyone in any community to add to their resolution lists. 1. Be a better driver. High-risk driving causes an average of 6,500 serious crashes each year in B.C. You are more than 23 times more likely to crash if you text while driving. If you can’t resist temptation, put your phone in the trunk to avoid distraction. Anything that takes your mind, eye, or hands off the road is a distraction and can potentially cause a crash. A yellow traffic light does not mean “speed up.” It means prepare to stop as long as it is safe to do so. Always leave a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. A “safe” distance depends on weather and road conditions, but the two-second rule works in good driving conditions. Speed is a frequently cited contributing factor in police-reported crashes. A lot of time, effort, and expertise goes into setting speed limits. Follow them. Failing to signal increases your chance of causing a crash. 2. Volunteer. This one speaks for itself: volunteering makes a better community all around. 3. Be a better neighbour. See something suspicious or bothersome in your neighbourhood? Let the police know, for your neighbours’ sake. 4. Be a better digital citizen. Learn how to protect yourself and your kids in digital environments like Facebook, Twitter, and others. 5. Be connected to your community. It’s an important way to help keep yourself, your neighbours, and the whole community safer. Make the new year a safer one.

This Week’s Question Now that it’s over, how will you remember 2014?? ■ Your View Last week’s question, results… What’s your favourite Christmas movie?

It’s A Wonderful Life.

22 %

Miracle on 34th Street.

10 %

Christmas Story.

14 %

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. 25 % How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

16 %

One of the Christmas Carol movies.

12 %

Anything sugar coated.

Vote online at: www.mrtimes.com

Opinion

Veterans left behind – happily Fantino is out. Fantino will also be in charge And there will be a great gnashof information technology securing of teeth and rending of garity and – this one cracks me up – ments by veterans throughout the foreign intelligence. Fantino has land… not. clearly demonstrated that there More likely, the sounds you’ll are few people more foreign to hear from veterans will be those intelligence than he is. of cheering and general merryForgive me if I sound a bit making. cynical, but I think Fantino’s Suffice it to say, with his old demotion from Veterans Affairs portfolio fat with instructions for Minister to Associate Minister how to reduce services, pensions, of Defence is even more cynical by Bob Groeneveld and anything else that could than I am. benefit those who put their lives Harper is preparing for a fedon the line for our country – and as tactlessly as eral election that will inevitably take place this possible – Julian Fantino was not the most popu- year – and sooner than many folks might be lar of Veterans Affairs Ministers Canada has ever expecting. seen. Remember Mike Duffy? He’s the nationally recConsequently, Prime Minister Stephen Harper ognized journalist-turned-senator who blew the has put Fantino on ice – almost literally. lid off Senate finance improprieties… by apparThe misfired cannon Harper aimed first at fedently getting directly involved. eral gun control legislation and then at Canada’s Former Senator Duffy’s trial starts this April, veterans is now pointed at the Arctic, where he and everything about his situation suggests that will bring his bull-in-a-china-shop expertise to there will be plenty of embarrassment to fill the bear on the delicate diplomacy that will be need- plates of a number of prominent Conservatives, ed to preserve Canada’s questionable sovereignty right up to the Prime Minister’s Office. in the North. With the trial expected to run through the In our new, globally warmed climate, pracsummer, and interminable testimony quite likely tically every country with so much as a square implicating the prime minister himself, Mr. foot of property within a ballistic missile’s throw Harper might want to dodge the dirt by calling of the Arctic Circle is slavering over natural an early election. resources which, when they seemed impossible Forget the “fixed election date” legislation that to extract anyway, were readily ceded to us opens the polls in the fall. Last time out, Harper by practically everyone. Our Arctic lands were called his election a full year ahead of his own originally a (useless) gift from Norway, whose “fixed” schedule. What’s a few months this time? explorers were the first to plant flags there. Expect an early Throne Speech to be passed Even lovable and cuddly Denmark, who helped easily, followed by a quick budget that Harper’s Canada with the scientific research that undermajority government could easily pass – but pins our sovereignty claim to the United Nations, won’t, because Opposition screaming will “force” is now using that same research package as the Harper to take it directly to the people of Canada basis for its own claim. in a late-March/early-April general election. Yes, Mr. Harper, that’s where we need Julian As for Mr. Fantino, he should tread lightly on Fantino’s kid-gloves approach to dealing with Canada’s thinning Arctic ice. As an albeit junior people who have views differing from those of defence minister, he is now in charge of people the Conservative government. who are still carrying their guns.

Odd Thoughts

editorial@mrtimes.com

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Carbon tax

Energy beneficiaries should pay

Dear Editor, Carbon tax is exploitation of a noble principle. to Shifting the tax burden the off of income and onto carbon hurts lower and middle income families while benefitting high income earners and corporations. Remember, fossil fuels are not just used in automobiles and home heating. Bringing food and goods to families is carbon intensive.

Letters

Editor

To add insult to injury, B.C.’s carbon tax has not only been used to lower taxes on high-income earners, it pays for Liberal-friendly companies to improve their energy efficiency – highly profitable companies that could afford energy-saving updates but choose not to, unless it’s on the taxpayers’ dime. If we are to force people to invest in energy-saving equipment, should those making the investment not be the ones reaping the benefit? Matt Ellis, Maple Ridge/Cottonwood

Charity

Watching strippers not best giving

Dear Editor, For the past 17 Christmases that I have lived in this community, I have felt compelled to write, but instead have gone the way of the scaredy cat, blaming my silence on the chronic busyness from which we all suffer. The annual Strip-a-thon at the Caddy Shack affects the wives, fiancées, girlfriends, mothers, and daughters of the men who choose to spend a Sunday afternoon in the Christmas season watching other women take their clothes off in the name of charity. I’ve yet to meet the wife who rejoices in her husband hanging out at the local strip bar, and whose marriage is stronger and more intimate because of it. I’ve yet to meet the teenage daughter who admires her Dad for taking off to watch other women parade naked in front of him. I’ve yet to meet the parents who hope that their little girl grows up to be a stripper. “Exotic dancer” just doesn’t rank on anyone’s list of worthy accomplishments or desirable career options. If anyone sacrifices, then it is undeniably the dancers. Each is beautiful, because every woman is beautiful, regardless of the size or shape of her body parts. But their dancing hurts

other women and the men who watch it. It damages marriages, families and other relationships. How we go about doing something is as important as what we end up doing. There are many in our community who give unselfishly of their time and money without expecting anything in return, least of all a strip show. To applaud the efforts of the Caddy Shack staff by questioning how many of us would give up a day’s wages to charity is no argument, because Maple Ridge is filled with people whose selfless giving goes far beyond a day’s wages. Take your average volunteer soccer coach and count how many hours he/she spends in all kinds

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Transportation

Transit referendum unfair

Dear Editor, I congratulate Maple Ridge Mayor Nicole Read for voting against the transit referendum question. There is nothing in the package for our distant part of Metro Vancouver. While TransLink replaced our free ferry, it gave us a toll bridge, and even if we choose to bypass that bridge, the next closest, the Port Mann, is now also tolled. This leads me back to what I have said since the Golden Ears bridge was built: either toll all crossings with a small toll or toll none of the crossings. I would be willing support a one per cent increase in the PST for transportation improvements, if it would resolve this blatantly unfair taxation we pay for living in Maple Ridge or Langley. Ian Strachan, Maple Ridge

What you’re telling us on Facebook Jan. 1, 2015 marked a new world •devoid of B.C.’s 22-year-old AirCare pro-

gram. A few readers shared their views...

“Yeah, the cash cow is gone, its about time! Oh wait now all those people are out of jobs. Oh well sucks to B you, eh!” – Greg Bonner “Sorry you’re out of work but glad to see it gone!” – Sandi Granberg “It was flawed from the start.” – Valerie Wilkes “Perhaps it marks a time where vehicular technologies are getting cleaner. One could hope anyways! Lol” – Becky Bee “Money grab.”

of weather, mentoring boys and girls, month after month. Dropping money on a table in the name of charity and then patting oneself on the back is not true charity. Here’s a challenge to the men who attended this year’s Strip-a-thon: next year donate the money they spent there directly to the Christmas Hamper Society, and then, instead of going to the strip-a-thon, take their wife, fiancée, girlfriend, mother, or daughter out for lunch and tell her how beautiful she is. That would be proof of the Christmas spirit, but it would take someone man enough to give of himself without expecting anything in return. Kelly Ablett, Maple Ridge

2015 Tuesday, January 6, 2014

– Juliana Vincent-Phillips

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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

1942-2014

Big crowd expected to pay respects Maple Ridge is in mourning, following Grasby’s Men’s Wear in Haney Place the passing of one of its well-known busiMall for several years. Other people nessmen, volunteers, and self-proclaimed recall Riding for his involvement locally political junkies. with Special Olympics, Ridge Meadows Lorne Riding, age 72, died in Ridge Association for Community Living, Haney Meadows Hospital on Dec. 28, Rotary, Fields for Kids, and/or after a battle with lung disease Canadian Power and Sail Squadron. that dated back to the late 1990s, Others will remember Riding his widow Judy explained to The on the political front, as the TIMES. Liberal candidate who ran against Born in 1942 in Saskatchewan, Reformer Grant McNally in 1997, or Riding was 18 when he moved to when Riding ran a few times for a Lorne Riding the West Coast – settling into life seat on Maple Ridge council. in Maple Ridge in the early 1970s. A celebration of life for Riding is set for He never left, most recently living in Saturday, Jan. 10, starting at 1 p.m. at the an apartment in downtown Haney that Maple Ridge Baptist Church. provided him easy access, with aid of his “It’s not just people who were close to scooter, to local shops and his favourite him, it’s people who appreciate him and haunts such as the Blenz coffeehouse. respect him,” that Judy expects to attend. • Much more at www.mrtimes.com, search “Riding” Some knew Riding as co-owner of

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Showcasing some of this community’s people and happenings

More Photos Online

When the Maple RidgePItt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society put out cry for help with new and used gifts for children and families in need within the community, students and staff from Meadowridge School stepped up in a big way. See story at www.mrtimes. com.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Call

604.343.2036

Meadowridge School’s Grade 6 students Sunny Yuan and Andries Gouws showed off a fire truck donated to the hamper society.

What’s On

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

editorial@mrtimes.com

l and Ved Vora, nts Samuel Rosentha Meadowridge stude d gently used lped deliver new an both in Grade 8, he mper Society. Ha as gifts to the Christm

Jan 7: Open mike

• Kanaka Creek Coffee, located at 24155 102nd Ave., hosts an open mike night from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The event features Irish inspired folkrock band, Shades of Green. Come to watch or come to perform. Phone 604-463-5727 for more information .

Meadowridge Scho ol teacher Cindy Ho ps worked with vario students who came us together to help the Christmas hamper society last month.

Grade 8 student Saniha Budhwani admired one of the toys donated by a classmate to the Christmas hamper society.

Grade 8 student Gabriela Nisipeanu sorted donations.

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.

Ridge Meadows Hospital

New Year’s baby has older Chihuahua brother The vital stats: Anyka Patricia Calin born 5:10 p.m. on Jan. 1, six lbs. five ounces, 10 fingers, 10 toes, and two tired but happy parents. by Roxanne Hooper rhooper@mrtimes.com Anyka Patricia Calin will never have a chance to meet her great grandmother, but the Maple Ridge newborn bears her Romanian ancestor’s name. Anyka was born on Jan. 1 at Ridge Meadows Hospital, the first child of Adrian and Adriana Calin, and the community’s first baby of the 2015. “She is our angel,” Adriana said from her hospital room in the second-floor maternity ward 24 hours after her daughter’s birth. Mom went into labour at about 7 a.m. on New Year’s Day, but it wasn’t until closer

Roxanne Hooper/TIMES

O after her birth, Anyka Calin was lapping up the love offered by her new parents Adrian and Adriana. to noon that contractions increased and she called her midwife and arranged to meet at the hospital. At 5:10 p.m. Anyka came screaming into the world, with the aid of a C-section, weighing all of six pounds five ounces (2.87 kgs) and measuring 51 cm in height. The couple joke that Anyka is their second child, noting their three-year-old “son” Puppy

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– a Chihuahua – is Anyka’s “big brother” weighing in at about half of Anyka’s size. While the Calin’s have no family in Canada, they have already had the chance to introduce Anyka to many of their friends. Adrian, 36, and Adriana, 32, knew each other and dated for a few months back in 2000, when they both first met in Romania. Adrian moved to Canada in 2006 and Adriana moved here in 2011. They reunited again a few years back, through Facebook, rekindling their romance. Three years ago, they were married. A dozen months ago now, they moved from Burnaby to Maple Ridge. They learned in May – a few days after Adrian’s grandmother passed away – that Adriana was pregnant, and settled into a larger home in Yennadon just a few weeks ahead of Anyka’s arrival. The first-time parents hope Anyka is the first of at least two children, hoping to bring her a younger brother in the not too distant future.

Jan 8: HUB cycling

• Join the HUB Maple Ridge -Pitt Meadows committee at their monthly meeting to discuss cycling issues in the community. The group meets upstairs in the Maple Ridge Library, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Jan 8: Seniors helping seniors

• Ridge Meadows Seniors Society hosts their next Seniors Helping Seniors meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Library Room at Ridge Meadows Seniors Centre.

Jan 10&11: Search and Rescue

• Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue along with the 1st Haney Scouts hold a tree chipping by donation event, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chipping takes place at the Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue building, 23598 105th Ave.

Jan 10: Harry Hooge

• Tree chipping will take place at Harry Hooge Elementary, 12280 230 St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A minimum $5 donation requested and proceeds go towards the building of a new playground.

Jan 10: Imaginners

• Halcyon Imagineers host a Moonlight Marquee from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Blenz Coffee, located at 22441 Dewdney Trunk Rd. The event is a benefit for the Friends in Need Food Bank. More information is available on the Halcyon Imagineers’ Facebook page.

Jan 17 : Open mike

• Blenz Coffeehouse at Meadowtown Centre in Pitt Meadows hosts an open mike night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission to the event is free and all ages are welcome.

• Full list: www.mrtimes.com, search “What’s On”

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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Polar bear swim

Splashing into 2015 at Alouette Lake Annual informal swim at Alouette Lake attracted almost 200 participants this year.

www.mrtimes.com

are way too many people down there [at English Bay]. The water here is also a lot colder.” This year the Vancouver event attracted more than 2,300 participants. The annual dip is now a tradition for Mihaichuk, who actually swims for a bit by Christopher Sun in the chilly water. He normally particicsun@mrtimes.com pates with friends, but this year none of When it’s minus two degrees Celsius his friends showed up, and his wife and outside, jumping into Alouette kids were too sick to participate. Lake is not something that would “It’s fun for them to watch,” he cross most people’s minds, even if said. “It’s a good family outing.” it is sunny out. With both the air and water However, Craig Mihaichuk and being so cold, an older man was almost 200 others, decided to do busy offering shots of whisky to More just that by attending the annual participants. Mihaichuk didn’t Photos polar bear swim at Alouette Lake. partake, but for those curious but Online This was Mihaichuk’s second scared to take the plunge, he rectime attending the local swim, ommends they bring a warm robe after spending years attending the one in as it’s freezing cold once they come out Vancouver’s English Bay. of the water. “I’ve been coming out to this one since “You’re more cold standing outside moving to Maple Ridge,” Mihaichuck once you’re out of the water than when said. “I have young kids now and there you’re actually in the water,” he added.

Photographs by Rick Moyer

More Photos Online

www.mrtimes.com

Ahmed Yousef (right) dove off the dock during the annual polar bear swim at Alouette Lake on Jan. 1. He was among a couple hundred who braved the elements during the lunch-time event. Each year the local outdoor club invites its members to go for a swim in Golden Ears Provincial Park. They are often joined by a larger number of local residents, some even dressed up as ninjas (left), wanting to also ring in the New Year in a ‘cool’ fashion.

Craig Mihaichuck has attended the annual Polar Bear Swim at Alouette Lake twice. The New Year’s Day dip attracted almost 200 participants, including families and friends, who were willing to submerge themselves in the lake and then emerge into the minus two degrees Celsius air.

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

A11

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Sue Rodgers, minister at Pitt Meadows United Church, hopes to be ordained in 2016.

Religion

Season special for minister

Pitt Meadows United Church’s minister reflected on what Christmas means to her. by Troy Landreville tlandreville@mrtimes.com

For Pitt Meadows United Church minister Sue Rodgers, each year, there’s a reason for the season. Christmas is special time of the year for Rodgers, in many ways. “It’s key, it’s absolutely key,” Rodgers said in mid-December, as Christmas Day approached. Leading up to Christmas, a congregation member dressed as a character from the nativity scene, and paid a visit to the church at 12109 Harris Rd. “We had an angel, we had Joseph, and we’re having Mary show up this Sunday,” Rodgers told the TIMES a week before Christmas. “They talk to the children and the community about it and in the sermon, I talk about, ‘How can we relate to this story?’ ‘What does it matter to us?’ I like to make our faith really relevant, so how can I do my life? What does this mean for my family? Where are my gifts important? What is the purpose? What is the meaning? I think we find all of that.” Commercialism aside, Rodgers said the “whole world is celebrating Christmas,” which she said is “a wonderful thing.” “For a moment, the world stops

in the midst of these dark times and She came back to the church after these times where there is a lot of her children were born. fear, and we remember, ‘Oh yeah, I Originally from Calgary, Rodgers love my neighbour,’ or ‘Oh yeah, I began working for the United care about my family,’ or ‘Oh yeah, Church there, before moving to B.C. I am important,’” Rodgers said. “I six years ago. think it’s a time when people can “I absolutely fell in love with draw close to God and remember them [the United Church],” Rodgers that we live in God’s said. “I was doing world and that God the business side of “For a moment, the cares about us and the church there, so loves us.” I wasn’t doing the world stops in the An ordination stuministry side. But, I midst of these dark dent, Rodgers is workabsolutely fell in love times and these ing towards completwith them. They’re ing her final semester so open, they’re so times where there is at Vancouver School welcoming… I just a lot of fear, and we of Theology. love what they’re “I’m doing my about.” remember, ‘Oh yeah, internship, right Rodgers was I love my neighbour,’ now,” Rodgers said. “I invited to work as a or ‘Oh yeah, I care don’t have a Reverend minister at the Pitt [title], yet, before my Meadows church for about my family,’ name.” her internship. or ‘Oh yeah, I am She hopes to earn “We’re all hoping important.’” that title by spring that when I get 2016. ordained, that I can Sue Rodgers “Then I hope to be settle down into… a ordained,” Rodgers call, which means I’ll explained. be the reverend, the The United Church has a variety of regular minister here, because I love designations, and the ordination is this community,” Rodgers said. the person who looks after word and She oversees the regular Sunday sacrament, she explained. services and helps organize other “I was a lay designated minister activities around the church, before, so I can still do services but depending on the season. for this, now, I wanted to go and “There is a lot of joy here, from learn theology,” she said. the moment you walk in the door on Rodgers was raised Lutheran but Sunday, you just feel this joy here,” drifted from the church in her teenRodgers added. “We’re a diverse aged years. group: all ages and stages.”

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A12

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

Year in Review: Pitt election

New mayor looks ahead

A Pitt Meadows lawyer and former councillor, who scored the city’s top job in November, targets taxation.

plans into action, and within days of being elected, Becker got down to business. “I began new relationship building by making appointments with Kim Grout, the new councillors, Nicole Read, Greg Moore, and others,” he said. by Eric Zimmer “Also, I began sending out thank-you ezimmer@mrtimes.com notes to our many volunteers and pubThe Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall will lishing my thank-you notices to the whole be the site of a “Taxation 101” town hall community.” meeting in February. He has also scheduled The meeting is the brainanother town hall meetchild of New Pitt Meadows ing for May 21, where the Mayor John Becker, who focus will be on transportawas elected this past fall. tion. Becker won his seat Nov. “Pitt Meadows transpor15, after defeating his two tation issues range from challengers Michael Hayes the neighbourhood level to and Gary Paller. the regional level,” he said. “With Pitt Meadows on The planning itself will track to raise tax revenue take time and money, approximately 25 per cent Becker recognized, but it over the next five years must be done. in the face of a residents’ “The failure to plan is a petition demanding fiscal guaranteed plan to fail,” he restraint, I’m calling for a remarked. budgeting model that tar“We need to inform and gets a freeze of City spendempower our residents and ing for just one year,” he include them in the deciTIMES files explained. sions that affect our daily The town hall is just one New Pitt Meadows Mayor John lives,” he said. Becker was elected Nov. 15. of a number of initiatives “We need to learn how Becker has put into action, to agree and disagree, and since being elected, and he’s got plans for embrace diversity of opinion as the best more. decision making process.” Becker ran his campaign on what he The new mayor has also set his sights believed were key issues: Taxation and on future business development in the spending, transportation, and transparCity. ency. “The opening up of the business park Now that he’s in the mayor’s chair, he in the south is going to be a key economknows the time has come to put those ic driver in the next few years,” he said.

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