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PAISLEY SET TO HEADLINE FESTIVAL The international country sensation here in August
THURSDAY, FEB. 7, 2013
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Taking skills on the road
BOUNDARIES PROPOSED TO GROW
Mission Fire/ Rescue Capt. Norm MacLeod is leaving for El Salvador next week as part of a contingent of first responders to help their South American counterparts improve their skills. SEE STORY PAGE 5.
The District of Mission is slated to become part of a new federal electoral area, the Mission-MatsquiFraser Canyon. Due to an increase in population, Mission will likely be removed from the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows riding. PAGE 3
Residents speak against proposed gravel mine Mission Record
The community of Steelhead should brace themselves for a gravel pit opening on Thomas Avenue and Cardinal Street unless a negotiated settlement can be reached with the property owner. That was the message coming from Mission council Monday as they dealt with Dean Hodgson’s plan to turn his 80-
acre property in Steelhead into a gravel mining operation. Hodgson’s name is on the application put forward by H&H Contracting to the province’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas in hopes of converting the property to the sand and gravel pit. This comes after two failed attempts by the property owner to convince council to let him build a subdivision on the same land.
Despite a packed house of Steelhead residents on hand to voice their opposition, Mayor Ted Adlem said he doesn’t believe it matters what recommendations the municipality makes. It’s his understanding that the gravel pit will get the green light. “The Ministry of Mines will approve the application,” said Adlem. “I have had several conversations with MLAs and those above in the
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last week with regard to that. I think you are dealing with a mine.” Adlem said he wasn’t trying to be negative, rather realistic. The mayor was addressing Mark Diamond, chairman of the Steelhead Community Association, as he presented council with his concerns over the proposed mine. Diamond told council the idea of placing a pit on the 80-acre property will have a devastating
affect by reducing property values and destroying the lifestyle Steelhead residents cherish. Diamond said the Thomas Avenue property was a regular meeting place for members of the community before Hodgson purchased the land, where picnics and barn dances were often hosted. It was also viable farm land where cattle, horses, pigs and chickens were raised, he said. Coun. Dave Hensman
said it would be unfortunate to see a mine on the site, but hopes there is time for both sides to come together and negotiate a workable solution to benefit everyone. “A compromise in our community is much better than this,” said Hensman. Council will voice its opposition to the mine, and Nundal said while they can’t stop the application process from being approved by the
Ministry of Mines, they can put weight restrictions on Thomas Road. He said that would stop the mine from proceeding unless Hodgson pays for a complete rebuild of the road. Diamond told council Thomas Road is ill-equipped to handle the kind of traffic that Hodgson is proposing for Thomas Avenue. When contacted by The Record, Hodgson declined comment.
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