Richmond News July 27 2023

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Two affordable housing projects get the green light

MARIA RANTANEN

Two housing projects on Railway Avenue, one with affordable housing for women and children, the other with seniors housing, have been given the green light by city council

These two development applications were unanimously supported at Monday’s city council meeting but the affordable housing proposal met with some opposition from nearby residents last week.

Two people coming forward at last week’s planning meeting to speak against the first one, a 25-unit, three-storey apartment building proposed for Steveston Highway and Railway Avenue, raised concerns about parking and safety for children

One resident from a nearby townhouse, Sherry Bailey, said she’d collected 100 signatures on a petition against the proposal in four days

Bailey raised concerns about parking and safety of the children moving into the threelevelapartmentaswellasfiresafetyconcerns

She also said a townhouse would be preferable over an apartment building

“This is a family-oriented neighbourhood we like to keep the vibe,” she said “There are no other apartments in the neighbourhood”

Brenda Rubuliak, who has lived in the neighbourhood for 43 years, told the planning committee she feels she’s getting “boxed in” in her own neighbourhood with the parking problems

She raised concerns that this proposed

apartment would add to these parking woes.

Furthermore, she questioned the type of housing being brought into the neighbourhood

“If it’s a recovery home for drug addicts and alcoholics, why is it being built across from a pub?” Rubuliak asked

Coun Carol Day, however, clarified that the proposed building is not a recovery home.

The 25-unit apartment is meant for longterm residents, according to Turning Point Housing Society, which will manage the building

Deirdre Whalen, president of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition, spoke to the committee in favour of the proposed housing project, saying the people who move in “will finally have a safe and affordable place to call

home and raise their children”

She noted there are 1,100 Richmond households on the BC Housing waitlist, indicating the need for affordable housing

“We know low-income housing allows families to thrive and become active members of the community,” Whalen said. “This housing will change these families’ lives forever”

One resident from a nearby townhouse, Heidi Peterson, questioned why there weren’t more family units only 10 of the units will be two-bedroom units, whereas 15 will be studio apartments

Kiwanis seniors housing approved

A 58-unit apartment being proposed down the road, north of Francis Road on Railway Avenue, also got the nod from city council

Half of the units are intended to be low-end rentals (LEMR units), and half will be market rentals The building will be run by the Kiwanis Senior Citizens Housing Society

It will, however, be built by a private company, SD Railway Homes.

Cindy Chan, president of the Kiwanis housing society, told the RichmondNews it is being built with no government assistance

While half the units will be designated “market rentals,” Chan said, in fact, they hope to keep these rents reasonable as well, although the rents haven’t been determined yet

The society also runs the Kiwanis Towers on Minoru Boulevard, and they see the urgent need for affordable rentals for seniors

“We see the need (grow) year after year,” Chan said.

A 25-unit apartment building for women and children is being proposed at Steveston Highway and Railway Avenue Maria Rantanen photo

Why ruin perfectly good park?

Dear Editor,

Re: “Bemused by city’s alcohol U-turn,” Letters, July 20

Letter writer Brigitte Moore has captured the feelings of a lot of Richmond residents in her letter very well

Allowing drinking of alcohol in any of Richmond’s parks should not be allowed Parks are there for everybody to enjoy

They are there for children to play, adults and older adults to walk around, jog, run and engage in other activities

Parks go a long way in fulfilling our social, physical and emotional needs The three parks where drinking will be allowed Garry Point, Aberdeen and King George play a very important role in their respective communities

Take, for example, the King George Park Before retiring from the board a couple of years ago, I was actively involved as president of East Richmond Community Association (ERCA).

The ERCA board has done a commendable job in making this park a gem of east Richmond

It is a hub of activity year-round Each section of the park, be it the playgrounds, the picnic area, the gazebo, Gathering Place, the water park is usually full of enthusiastic children, youth, adults, older adults at all times

There is no need to allow drinking of alcohol in any park and I urge city council to reconsider their decision.

Balwant Sanghera RICHMOND

Here’s hockey plan

Dear Editor,

Re: “Does the City of Richmond have an anti-hockey agenda?,” Letters, July 13.

I am writing in regard to the gentleman who wrote in last week because he was upset the South Arm hockey area (formerly lacrosse) had lines for pickleball courts on it

Although I play pickleball there, I totally understand his frustration and would like to offer a solution to the city

Not far from this area, to the east, is a derelict batting cage Living close to the park, I walk by it frequently and years ago I saw it used once.

It is now a total eyesore South Arm park is home to numerous baseball fields - none of which were used this year I propose the city turn the eyesore of a batting cage into a hockey arena. The kids from Whiteside Elementary would have access during recess and lunch and it is easily accessed from the parking lot for the public

The city says it does not want to use up any green space for sports, but with the area not being used for baseball, it is just lawn

Surely it is of greater use to play a game than walk by grass If this was done, the pickleball courts in the hockey court (which are presently just lines with portable nets) could be properly finished and address the lack of courts here in Richmond

Let’s enable the kids and adults to play the sports they love!

Deb Brodie RICHMOND

Barks, bikes don’t mix

Open letter to mayor and city council,

Is having people, dogs and bikes on a shared path a good idea?

Bark Park was reopened last fall with much fanfare Residents provided input for beautification

Bark Park can be a wonderful place to walk, relax, let dogs socialize and provide a scenic ride for bikes. My wife and I visit this park often and, fortunately, have met many wonderful people there

Through many conversations, I began to hear more and more stories of unsafe and dangerous incidents taking place involving bikes, dogs and people interactions

As I began to ask others what needs to be done, the consensusemergedthatasegregationofpeopleanddogsfrom bikes was very important to restore safety for all park users.

As a result, I drafted and began circulating a petition to communicate this need for safety improvements on behalf of park users

To date, this community petition has garnered more than 250 signatures and continues to grow

The primary goal is the physical segregation of people/ dogs from bikes There have been a number of incidents causing grave concern that without such measures, the risk of accidents, injuries, physical and verbal altercations, and the potential for escalation and violence will continue This petition with be presented in final to the Parks Committee meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

Jerome Dickey RICHMOND

Bushes on fire near Cambie Road

DAISY XIONG

dxiong@glaciermedia com

Richmond firefighters were called to put out what appeared to be a bush fire next to the overpass on Cambie Road at Knight Street on Friday afternoon

A firetruck was spraying water at the blackened bushes on the north side of Cambie Road when a Richmond News reporter approached the scene

Jennifer Torrance, a witness, saw smoke billowing up above warehouses in the area around 4:42 p m and saw the fire department arrive around 4:50 p m

“Some people moved their parked cars away from the fire,” said Torrance

The north side of Cambie Road at Knight Street was closed due to the incident. One lane southbound on Knight Street was also closed

Grant Wyenberg, Richmond Fire Rescue’s acting battalion chief, confirmed fire crews responded to a report of a grass fire in the area of Cambie Road and Knight Street and said the fire was “quickly contained” by initial responders.

“The area is being soaked down to prevent a reoccurrence,” said Wyenberg in a statement.

The cause is not known at this time and in-

Roof of building collapses

VALERIE LEUNG

vleung@richmond-news com

Richmond firefighters battled a building fire that sent plumes of smoke into north Richmond skies on Sunday evening.

The fire began from a motor home behind the property at 8651 Beckwith Rd , near River Rock Casino, and extended to a single-storey commercial building, according to City of Richmond spokesperson Clay Adams.

A bush fire took place near Cambie Road and Knight Street on Friday afternoon. Daisy Xiong photo

vestigation staff were expected to look into it this week, he added.

“The public is reminded that open fires are not permitted within Richmond and extra care should be taken when discarding smoker’s materials,” said Wyenberg.

“Richmond Fire Rescue encourages the public to report any open burning or the presence of smoke during these abnormally dry periods”

While Richmond Fire-Rescue was putting out the fire, the roof of the building collapsed and three firetrucks were used to knock the blaze out from above

“Due to a number of vehicles inside the location, it was deemed unsafe to enter so (Richmond Fire-Rescue) worked on a defensive fire attack to contain the blaze,” said Adams Smoke and fire were first spotted coming from the mo-

tor home on the property lot around 7:30 p m , according to passersby

A video posted on Reddit showed a clear view of the fire as Canada Line SkyTrain riders passed by the scene Firefighters with at least four trucks were on scene fighting the fire as smoke continued to billow into the sky late in the evening.

Paramedics and Richmond

RCMP were also on scene. Adams told the Richmond News cleanup operations were expected to continue on Monday and fire investigations will “undertake their usual review of the possible cause”

The News has reached out to Richmond Fire-Rescue, RCMP and BC Emergency Health Services for more information

A motor home fire broke out in north Richmond and spread to a nearby building. Valerie Leung photo

Man jumps from Canada Line

ALAN CAMPBELL

acampbell@richmond-news com

The Canada Line in Richmond was shut down temporarily last week, after a man jumped onto the guideway at Bridgeport Station

The Richmond News received photos of the dramatic incident, which took place at around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19

In the shots, the man can be seen sitting on a ledge just under the electrified guideway near Bridgeport Station, high above Great Canadian Way. Later a Metro Vancouver Transit Police officer is seen grabbing the man by his trousers, as the man is caught on top of a fence.

According to a Metro Vancouver Transit Police spokesperson, officers called out to the man who “appeared to

Rosewood Village could densify six-fold

MARIA RANTANEN mrantanen@richmond-news com

The number of homes in a BC Housing complex in Richmond could expand six-fold.

Rosewood Village at No 2 and Blundell roads currently has 138 townhouse units on 9 1 acres that BC Housing wants to redevelop with 800-plus units

Currently, there seems to be a lot of vandalism and criminality, Rolick said, with police onsite almost every day.

Rolick hopes, when redeveloped, it will provide housing for single mothers with children

A man was was arrested by transit police after he jumped onto the Canada Line guideway Galileo Cheng photo

be suffering from a mental health crisis”

“The man attempted to lower himself from the pillar using a drain pipe and fell approximately 30 feet onto a chain link fence below It is not clear if the man intended to jump, or he slipped and fell” with files from Galileo Cheng

Rosewood Village was built about 50 years ago, and long-term residents recount how they brought up their families there when there were two swimming pools and a community hall

The pools are now filled in and the community hall serves as an office

When she was raising her children in Rosewood Village, it felt like a community with a lot of single mothers raising their children there, said Arlene Rolick

“We hung around together and looked after each other,” she said

BC Housing started consulting with residents about a year ago, and city staff said they expect a development proposal to come before city council sometime over the next few months

Shailyn Cordick, who has one small child and is expecting another one, said she can see the need for low-income housing

She would rather see the complex redeveloped with only low-income housing

“Therearealreadysomany people waiting for housing,” she said

In fact, there are 1,100 Richmond families on the BC Housing waitlist

Shailyn Cordick lives in Rosewood Village and hopes, when densified, it will continue to house low-income people Vikki Hui photo

Julia Logan, Cordick’s mother, who’s lived in the complex for more than 25 years, said she’d like to see low-income people consulted on what they need as far as housing

“If you haven’t lived in low-income housing and survived in low-income housing, you don’t know it,” Logan said.

She’s worried that with so

much density, everyone will be “crammed in” together, compared to the spacious property the 138 townhouses are now located on.

BC Housing noted tenants will be allowed to stay in their current units if possible, adding it’s too early to give details on the rezoning process including the type of housing and how it will be managed

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Man claims he was detained by hotel security

MARIA RANTANEN mrantanen@richmond -news com

A Richmond resident is suing an airport hotel, amid claims he was illegally detained behind picket lines by security guards

Alton Hei Ching Cheung went along to the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, on Westminster Highway, on June 16 to show his support for the hotel’s striking workers

Cheung who is not a member of the workers’ union, Unite Here Local 40, nor does he work for the union entered the hotel and took pictures and video

In his civil claim, he explains he was there to see if the hotel was breaking labour laws during the strike by unionized workers.

According to his lawsuit, when questioned by staff why he was at the hotel, he said that he was visiting a friend who was a guest in the hotel

However, when staff wanted to check whom he was visiting and took him to the lobby, two security guards told him he was trespassing, at which time Cheung said he would

Two more deaths due to toxic drugs

MARIA RANTANEN mrantanen@richmond-news com

Another two people died in Richmond in June due to toxic drugs.

This follows a trend with two people having died every month so far this year in Richmond, bringing the total to 12 lives lost.

Of the deaths across the province, 81 per cent took place indoors 47 per cent in private residences, 34 per cent in other types of housing such as shelters and single-occupancy residences

Eighteen per cent died outside

Of the 16 overdoses and poisonings

since the province declared a public health emergency because of the number of people dying of toxic street drugs

The province is slowly expanding its prescription safe supply program

leave.

He claims the two security guards blocked the exit and then placed their arms around him to prevent him from leaving

Cheung claims the two security guards detained him for 20 minutes and, while he was detained, security guards, management and other staff were videotaping him, the small claims suit alleges Cheung claims he felt “afraid and threatened” while he was detained

According to the court documents, hotel staff called the police but told Cheung he could leave Cheung is suing for $35,000 in damages as well as interest and costs

The civil suit was filed in Richmond Small Claims Court

None of the allegations have been proved in court.

The suit was filed on July 24 and the defendant, Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, has not filed a response

Hotel workers have been without a contract since June 2020 and went on strike just over a month ago

The BC Coroners Service released its statistics for June last week showing a total of 184 people died of drug poisonings across B C , which equates to 6 1 people every day

Richmond Fire-Rescue responded to in May (latest available statistics), seven took place outdoors and nine were indoors

It has been more than seven years

The coroner noted there is “no indication that prescribed safer supply is contributing to unregulated drug deaths”

The coroners services also noted fentanyl was present in 84 per cent of drug toxicity deaths this year

Luxury home-building debacle ends up in court

VIKKI HUI Vhui@Richmond-News com

A Richmond home builder, who prefers verbal contracts with no paper trail, managed to win $1.4 million for two axed luxury properties in Richmond and West Vancouver

Yongfeng Enterprises was hired in 2015 by a couple to build a house on No. 2 Road in Richmond, just south of Steveston Highway, and also a house at 1360 Ottaburn Rd in West Vancouver.

The builder made only a verbal agreement for the Richmond property, but did have a written one for the West Vancouver home, both for Yu Na Song and Bo Wei

According to the contract, the West Vancouver house would cost around $1 2 million to build.

Yongfeng told the court the house was an investment property, according to the Weis, while the Weis claimed the property was initially meant to be their daughter’s home, but they sold it because they were “unhappy” with the construction.

Later in the year, Yongfeng which is owned by Feifei Ren and Shao Ming Wang was brought on to work on another house in Richmond, at 11266 No. 2 Rd., without a contract in place

According to Yongfeng’s owner, Wang, he met the Weis several times to negotiate a contract for the Richmond project and told them he did not want to start construction without a signed contract. The Richmond house would cost around $4 5 million to build

He started construction anyway after Wei, who was in China at the time, told him the contract was approved and he would sign it later when he returned to the country Wei also sent him a deposit for the project.

The Weis, however, had a different version of events

They told the court they never agreed to Yongfeng building the Richmond house and

said they wanted to assess the builder’s performance with the West Vancouver house before committing to the contract.

“They testified that their verbal agreement with (Yongfeng’s owner) for the Richmond house was that Yongfeng could begin the initial phases of construction, such as excavation, foundations and framing,” reads Justice Simon Coval’s decision at the B C Supreme Court.

“Mr Wei said he saw this as letting Yongfeng ‘temporarily do the job ’”

Payment disputes abound

The West Van house was put up for sale in late 2016 and the Weis refused to pay Yongfeng’s final invoice.

According to Yongfeng, the Weis also “consistently breached their payment obligations under the Richmond (contract) by paying too little, too late.”

“In their testimony, the Weis acknowledged paying less than Yongfeng’s demands, but Mr. Wei said this was because he felt Yongfeng was overcharging,” reads Coval’s decision

Despite receiving payment less than the outstanding amount, Yongfeng told the

court it kept working based on Wei’s reassurances “that he would pay in full once he had the money available.”

Yongfeng said the parties met in April 2017 to amend the agreement and restructure payment obligations to “help mend the relationship ”

Wei denied this ever happening, but his wife, Song, said she did remember going to Yongfeng’s office and the amended agreement being drawn up The parties did not sign the amended agreement

Around May 2017, the Weis decided to hire a quantity surveyor because they were dissatisfied with the cost and progress of the Richmond construction. Yongfeng testified it was agreeable to doing so

A quantity surveyor was hired without Yongfeng’s input, who valued the existing work at around $1.55 million, contrary to the $1 9 million the Weis had paid so far

When the parties disagreed over the valuation, they stopped talking to each other and Yongfeng stopped working on the Richmond house

The Weis got a lawyer in July 2017, claiming Yongfeng “abandoned the Richmond

construction in January and wrongfully requested payments. They ended up taking Yongfeng to court in October

Conflicting accounts with no paper trail

The two parties provided “fundamentally different” versions of events at trial and their credibility was a key consideration for Judge Coval

“There are no contemporaneous written communications about the key decisions and events in the parties’ business relationship,” wrote Coval.

He added Wei claimed he “did not have email and did not write letters ”

Wang, on the other hand, claimed he was “happy to communicate only verbally with clients who preferred it” and found resolving payment disputes with clients in person or over the phone “friendlier” than written correspondence

Homeowners ordered to pay Judge Coval ultimately sided with the contractor, finding the Weis “knowingly testified to a false version of events designed to avoid the legal effects of the contract they agreed to ”

Coval added it’s unlikely for the parties to agree to an informal and vague arrangement, and for Yongfeng to work on the Richmond house for almost a year while being underpaid if it didn’t believe it would get $4.5 million for building the entire house.

Coval agreed with the Weis that it was “highly unusual for experienced business people” like Yongfeng’s owners to take on a $4 5 million project based on “an unsigned contract and promise over the telephone” without a paper trail

However, he found it is exactly what happened based on the strength of the evidence

The Weis will have to pay Yongfeng $1.15 million for unpaid work and lost profits related to the Richmond house, and $240,000 for unpaid work and extras at the West Van house

A Google Streetview of 11266 No. 2 Rd. in Richmond at present time.

DAISY XIONG

dxiong@richmond-news com

Skiing even on a hot summer day without the hassle of going to the mountains? This will soon be possible at an indoor ski centre, set to open in Richmond next month.

First indoor ski centre in Lower Mainland about to open in Richmond City gets $4.1M federal funding for cycling network expansion

Infinity Ski, at 12100 Bridgeport Rd , is believed to be the first indoor ski centre in the Lower Mainland The 6,500-squarefoot facility has two indoor ski machines and an open space for physical training

“I fell in love with skiing two years ago and had been going skiing with my child But as a beginner and a parent, I found it very challenging to ski and watch my child on the slope to make sure we didn’t get hit,” said Gina Xu, founder of Infinity Ski

“I know indoor ski machines are popular in Europe. Skiers can focus on practicing and improving their skills on the machine, so it’s much safer for skiers, especially beginners”

When Xu went looking for an indoor ski training centre, she realized there weren’t any in Metro Vancouver, so she decided to open one herself

Each ski machine has a six-metre wide, nine-metre long slope with a large treadmill made of special material with water being sprayed on it – to mimic a real ski slope

The angle of the slope and the speed of the treadmill are adjustable. There is also a mirror in front of the slope for skiers to watch and get instant feedback on their posture, Xu explained She said she chose Richmond for the new ski centre because

of its proximity to the rest of the Lower Mainland, so ski enthusiasts can save hours on commuting time if they feel like skiing

“Especially in the current economic environment, people might need to spend more time working to cover inflation Compared to hours spent driving to the mountains, looking for parking and waiting for a lift, it can all be done in an hour,” said Xu

“And not to mention that, at our centre, skiers at different levels can ski whenever they want all year round. Once they mastertheirskills,theycanexperiencerealsnowataskiresort it’s a much more efficient way of doing it”

Richmond’s city centre is receiving more than $6.8 million to build new, protected bike lanes and multi-use pathways

A four-kilometre bike lane and multi-use pathway will be built with funding from the federal government, the City of Richmond and the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (SCBCTA)

The federal government is investing about $4 1 million the City of Richmond is putting in about $2.1 million, and the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority is adding another $610,000 to the project

The funding will also be used to improve crosswalks and lighting features for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and others using the roads

MemberofParliamentforSteveston-RichmondEastParm Bains said building a protected cycling system in Richmond is a “priority for the community”

“Enhancing active transportation infrastructure allows residents to access essential goods and services both safely and efficiently, encouraging less reliance on vehicular transit,” said Bains

SHARE YOUR VIEWS

How do we improve soil health and carbon capture in BC’s agricultural sector? What technology and supports are needed?

The Agriculture Committee is holding public meetings in November.

Register to speak by September 1. Provide written or video input by November 17.

For full details, visit bcleg.ca/AgCommittee or call 250-356-2933 or toll-free 1-877-428-8337.

Gina Xu is opening an indoor ski centre on Bridgeport Road so people can practice skiing all year round Daisy Xiong photo

Subaru enthusiasts meet to share info, roads trips

VALERIE LEUNG vleung@richmond-news com

Car clubs aren’t just for high-end cars, or muscle cars like Mustangs or vintage cars

The reliable Subaru has its own club where members take pride in their vehicles, get together for car meets or long rides and help each other out with breakdowns and maintenance, explained Richmond resident Elwin Wong, who’s president of the Vancouver Subaru Club (VSC)

A pink and white sticker on a Subaru identifies a club member, be it an Impreza, Legacy, WRX or STI owner

“(The club) … is hopefully a warm, welcoming place where people can get together, chat and give a helping hand to each other,” said Wong

“Whether someone breaks down and a member goes and helps them out wherever they are, or even car maintenance, hopefully as a community, all that is naturally incorporated into what the club means to drivers”

VSC, formerly known as the Impreza Club (or I-Club), started in 1998 as a forum for drivers to make friends with similar inter-

ests.

Wong, who joined as a member in 2004, said the club started a pre-summer barbecue tradition in 2006 where club members would get behind the wheel, cruise together along the highways and enjoy a day or week-

Grand Prix of Art showcased hundreds of local artists

VALERIE LEUNG

vleung@richmond-news com

Hundreds of people walked and cycled past painters racing against the clock at Saturday’s annual Grand Prix of Art in Steveston

Canvases, easels and brushes were out for 130 artists along the route stretching from London Farm to Garry Point Park for one of the largest outdoor painting events of the year.

Artists in the youth, adult open and masters categories were randomly assigned locations throughout Steveston Village and required to complete their work in three hours

Following the competition, the public voted for People’s Choice Award with Iryna Kharkiv taking this award.

The Grand Prix of Art also recognized several artists for their best selfie, best photo post and best reel that were posted on Instagram Check @grandprixofart on Instagram to view the posts

thing that goes on in a local car club, he added

From Friday car meets in Burnaby, to winter weekend car trips to Merritt and a huge annual summer car meet to fundraise money for Ronald McDonald House, Wong said he can’t explain the pride he has in the growth of the club.

“The club is now more diverse and not just performance-oriented or racer-performance group It’s about learning from each other and appreciating the cars.”

Wong said he has always been a car enthusiast and remembers “driving” as a child next to his dad with his stick-on plastic wheel He added it’s one of the fond memories that got him into cars

While car meets are largely fun and relaxing for car enthusiasts to gather and catch up, Wong said there is always the stigma of car groups being “loud and disruptive”

end outdoors at a local or provincial park.

However, that was short-lived when permits were required for provincial parks in 2010

Car nerds standing, talking and looking at cars for two or three hours is not the only

“There’s always good and bad in every group and you can’t police it all,” said Wong “But, unfortunately, there are people who do burnouts and disrupt the public space while at a car meet, which can ruin the hobby for the general car community”

Rocky looking for a home

ALAN CAMPBELL

acampbell@richmond-news com

He apparently loves people and craves affection Now Rocky, a one-year-old German shepherd mix, is looking for a place to call home

The adorable big pup came to the BC SPCA’s Richmond Animal Shelter just over a month ago as a stray. And he quickly won the hearts of shelter staff with his vocal expressions and lovable nature

He is, shelter staff say, on a “journey to learn basic manners” but he “quickly settles down and enjoys the simple pleasures in life Snuffle mats and toys are his absolute favourites, providing him with endless entertainment and mental stimulation These items keep him occupied and content, showcasing his intelligent and curious nature”

Rocky is still learning how to behave when meeting new people but is making progress and is eager to please his best friends.

However, it’s important to note that Rocky would not do well in a home with cats or small animals.

“His high prey drive makes it essential to ensure their safety On the other hand, with slow and proper introductions, Rocky could potentially do well with other dogs,” according to the shelter’s adoption page

“He thrives on socialization and enjoys the

company of his fellow canines, but a gradual approach is key to building trust and ensuring harmony”

If you think you could be Rocky’s new “parents,” go to the BC SPCA’s adoption page for more information on how to meet him

Elwin Wong, with his wife and daughter, is president of the Vancouver Subaru Club Elwin Wong photo

Rocky, a one-year-old German shepherd mix, is up for adoption.

One hundred thirty artists took part in the Grand Prix of Art in Steveston last weekend Valerie Leung photo

Steves to recreate Richmond’s first ‘superstore’ in his house

DAISY XIONG

Dxiong@GlacierMedia

ca

Delivery and pickup services have greatly increased the convenience of people’s lives today, but did you know a Richmond store had services like these more than 100 years ago?

Hong Wo was a two-storey general store in Steveston, founded and run by entrepreneur Ling Lam on the banks of the Fraser River close to the Britannia Heritage Shipyards

It served as a critical part of Richmondites’ everyday life when the “city” was still a small village with mostly farmland

Selling everything from Shanghai facial cream to Sunny Boy cereal and fresh fruit to fishing gear, the store was an essential part of the glory days of Steveston, where fishermen would stock up their boats with supplies

It was also a place where people met to have a conversation, right up until it closed in 1971, before being demolished in 1977

For those who were too young to visit the store, they may soon have a sense of how it looked, because retired city councillor Harold Steves is going to recreate it in his basement withsomeoftheoriginalitemsfromthestore.

“It was one of the earliest department stores in British Columbia historically, it’s probably the most significant store that Richmond has ever seen, and it lasted for about 80 years,”

said Steves

The first ‘superstore’ in Richmond

Steveston resident Kelvin Higo remembers the days when he spent his pocket money to get a bag of chips from Hong Wo in the 1960s.

“To me, they were the first superstore in Richmond, because they sold everything from food, meat, dairy products, to gumboots, fishing supplies, and they would provide all the supplies to the fish boats leaving for the fishing grounds,” said Higo, a frequent customer at the store.

“And they were very successful”

In 1895, Ling Lam, a man from China who worked in the canneries in Steveston and sold homemade bakery goods on the side, opened his store near the foot of Trites Road

He named the store Hong Wo Chinese for “Peace Together” or “Living in Harmony”

Steves said when the store opened, there were about 10,000 people living in Steveston and the population was evenly divided among Japanese, Chinese, Caucasians and First Nations People would drop by and have a chat while picking up what they needed.

The store offered pickup services to fishing boats fishermen would tie up their boats onthedock,markoffthelistforaweekortwo weeks’ supplies, and come back in an hour or two and everything would be in a box

“In the 1940s, I remember they had a black delivery truck that went up and down Steveston Highway and they had groceries in the back of the truck,” Steves recalled “When they came by, my mother would go out and buy the groceries right off the truck”

There was also an opium den on the upper floor before opium was outlawed in 1918

“There were little rooms with a bed in it and a door on it with a window so an attendant can watch to make sure the person was all right,” said Steves

Store demolished in fire practice

Lam, who was also a Chinese labour contractor for the canneries and owned 11 acres of farmland and a pickle factory, died in 1939

The store was then taken over by his son George and daughter Jessie, who operated it until 1971

Steves, a friend of Jessie, took some of the items to store in his house, before the city demolished the premises and surrounding buildings in 1977 in a fire practice

In his basement is a shelf full of cans and empty bottles, including milk, butter, pasta and tomato juice, and the shelf on the other side is stacked with imports from China

There are also boxes full of items such as children’s rubber shoes and a waterpipe

For decades, Steves has been advocating for a historical site to be built in Richmond, where replicas of historic landmarks, such as Hong Wo, could be put on display

But the idea wasn’t realized before Steves retired last year, so he plans to create his own museum in his house instead

Retired city councillor Harold Steves stored some of the original items from Hong Wo store before it was demolished in 1977 and plans to put them on display in his house Ling Lam (right) opened the store in 1895. Daisy Xiong photo (above)

Aretha’s Hide-a-(Will)-Bed

Introduction

Aretha Franklin was known as The Queen of Soul She had an immeasurable impact on American society and perhaps an equally immeasurable impact around the World Some of her songs, including Respect, A Natural Woman, ISayaLittlePrayer,areiconicandmanymoreareintheLibraryofCongress.

Ms. Franklin died 5 years ago, at age 76, from Pancreatic Cancer She is survived by four adult children, all sons. After her passing, no Will was found and by Michigan law, her Estate was to be divided equally among her four sons. The sons all agreed to appoint one of Ms. Franklin’s Nieces, Sabrina Owens, as the Administrator

Ms. Owens, months after Ms. Franklin died, searched her Aunt’s home, in West Bloomfield, Michigan, as any Administrator or Executor would She found two Testamentary documents. Both are handwritten (known, legally, as Holographic).

One was found in a locked cabinet. It was apparently made in 2010 and was notarized A second one was found in a notebook in a Couch (it is not clear whether it was a sofa or Hide-a-bed but one can speculate!). This one was made in 2014. It was signed by Ms. Franklin.

An Attorney had urged Ms. Franklin to prepare a Will or a Trust. She never did and it is not clear why

Suddenly, the four sons were divided

Various news sources, including the New York Times, wrote about the Hearing, conducted earlier this month, in which the Wills were placed before a Jury for determination which is valid

The Wills

Aside from some notes which apparently were dismissive of some of the men in Ms. Franklin’s life, the Wills contained detailed lists of assets. The 2010 handwritten Will described weekly and monthly allowances to the sons. There is a clause that requires two of the sons (named Kecalf and Edward) to enroll in business classes and gain a certificate or degree in order to collect anything from the Estate

That Will is 12 pages in length and is more detailed Ms. Franklin signed each page

The 2014 Will gave equal shares of Ms. Franklin’s music royalties to three of her sons (one of the sons is disabled and lives in a care facility He was excluded from that particular Asset of the Estate, which may be the most valuable asset, in the long term).

One of the sons, Kecalf, was bequeathed Ms. Franklin’s primary residence and her cars (which included a Mercedes, 2 Cadillacs and a Thunderbird convertible).

It is not clear whether the 2014 Will was properly signed Apparently, one of the pages was not initialed Instead, a smiley face was drawn.

Probate process and the Hearing

Ms. Owens resigned from her position because of the tension within the family Two sons, Kecalf and Edward, argued that the 2014 Will should govern because it is more recent and is an accurate expression of their Mother’s Wishes. Another son, Ted White, Jr., who played guitar in Ms. Franklin’s band, argued for the earlier Will, partly because it was properly done, signed and in greater detail

Thefourthson,Clarence,didnotparticipateinthehearingbuthis3siblings agreed that he would be supported from the Estate

The Hearing proceeded in Michigan, before the Jury

In 2018, the year of Ms. Franklins death, the Estate value apparently was $18 million. In 2021, the IRS was paid $8 million in taxes and the Estate agreed to set aside 40% of all music revenues in order to pay Federal taxes owing by the Estate

Assets such as Ms. Franklin’s real estate (several homes in Michigan), fur coats, jewelry, her companies and bank accounts totaled $4.1 million. However, the full value of the Estate cannot be estimated because, like Elvis Presley’s Estate, it will continue to earn money, from licensing, royalties and other sources related to Ms. Franklin’s music.

The Trial, concluded last week, went over two days. The jury held that the 2014 Will was the valid Will The Court, meanwhile, in pronouncing the Judgment, did allow Mr White, Jr to argue for the incorporation of some of the terms of the earlier Will (presumably because the more recent Will did not cover all of the items from the earlier Will). The news sources do not make that issue very clear The main concern, though, is answered in the validation of the 2014 Will

Conclusions

Though Ms. Franklin died at a relatively young age, her musical legacy will live on. By any measure, she is among the all-time top artists. The fate of her family is less clear The sons remain seemingly divided

This case is a strong example of the value of a clear, written Will, properly made A self-made Will was here held to be valid but it is a question what impact it had on Ms. Franklin’s family, not to mention the legal costs, in this case, of taking Ms. Franklin’s Wills to Court.

Visit our website (www.WillPowerLaw.com) or call us at (604)233-7001 to discuss your Wills, Estates and Seniors’ questions.

Vancouver

Which shopping mall is this?

ALAN CAMPBELL acampbell@richmondnews com

Several shopping malls, big and small, were erected in Richmond in the ‘80s and ‘90s

But canyouguesswhich one this is?

The shot was in the City of Richmond archives and was taken in 1989.

It is, of course, Richmond Centre

How many of you can guess which Richmond shopping centre this is, being built in 1989?

‘Seasoned’ thrift items on sale

ALAN CAMPBELL acampbell@richmond-news com

You never quite know what’s going to be on sale at the Richmond Hospital/Healthcare Auxiliary’s Thrift Shop in Steveston

On the weekend, staff at the Chatham Street store put on display an entertaining collection of salt and pepper shakers.

Among the designs were what appears to be gnomes, animals and possibly caterpillars

There was also a very nice little set of signed wooden carvings of First Nations design

Novelty salt and pepper shakers (left) and wooden carvings are on sale at a thrift store

Trivia time: So you think you know Richmond?

The Richmond News team loves a bit of trivia so we thought it would be fun to test our readers’ knowledge of their home town

The five questions are be-

low and the answers are on page 14, so don’t flip the page just yet Good luck!

1 What words are underneath the City of Richmond’s official coat of arms?

2 When did Richmond first officially become a “city”?

3. One of these was a first for Canada when it opened in Richmond in 1967?

A: Burger King; B: Tim Horton’s; C: McDonald’s or D: Wendy’s

4 This piece of public art (below) caused much controversy when it was erected in 2010 in Richmond But what or who was balancing on top of Lenin’s bust?

5 The TV show Once Upon A Time, filmed in Steveston Village, was a hit when it aired on ABC from 2011 to 2018 Mr Gold ran a pawn shop (now a tearoom) in the show,butwhatwasthename of his fairytale character?

Courtyard Gardens and Gilmore Gardens. Tasty meals are savoured in our dining rooms including local and seasonal fare with options to suit varying tastes and needs. We enjoy our outdoor spaces for strolls, fresh air with a book or friend, fun happy hours and more! It’s a good time to come and see what community retirement living is all about. Give us a call and come for a tour or join us for an upcoming event!

Blueberry Tea Friday August 18 at 2 pm. Come see our lovely community, enjoy refreshments and entertainment with local guitarist Greg Meloche.

RSVP 604 271 7222

All-Inclusive Independent Living

4088 Blundell Rd., Richmond, BC | (604) 271-7222

To learn more about the Verve difference and find a residence near you, visit verveseniorliving.com

Join us each Friday afternoon for live entertainment. Please call for details

Independent Living, Assisted Living and Long Term Care

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Beautiful family home in desirable Terra Nova; lovingly cared for by the current

Welcome to the Miramar by BOSA in White Rock Sub-penthouse 2 year young 1 bedroom 1 bath condo with expansive views of the mountains and city overlooking the courtyard below Immaculate like a show home perfect for first time Buyers downsizers or investors Comes with 2 side x side parking 1 locker, AC, engineered h/w floors, NEST thermostat, heated bathroom floor and Bosch appliances Amenities include exercise room, lounge, dance/yoga studio outdoor pool with hot tub on rooftop terrace Steps away from transit, retail, pharmacy, restaurants grocery store Enjoy the Sunday Farmers Market at your doorstep

in Rosario Gardens. This suite has been freshly painted, has white kitchen cabinetry, new laminate flooring, light fixtures and door handles. City view with partial mountain view 1 parking & 1 locker Amenities include: Bike Room, Recreation Room, Garden and Playground. Close to transit, shopping and recreation. Patti Martin 604-273-2828 / Zack Zhang 778-881-9926

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BEAUTIFUL 2 BEDROOMS $788,000 NEW LISTING

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“The Residences” by Bosa! Walking distance to Richmond Centre. A very well built & maintained quality residence in the sky SW corner 1086 sf 3-bdrm 2-bath. 88 sf balcony w/ garden view Efficient layout with master bdrm away from others Open kitchen. 1 parking & bike locker Rental & pet friendly Pictures taken while tenanted, now vacant & freshly painted. Complex has equipped gym, sauna & ping-pong room.

207-7291 MOFFATT ROAD

Beautifully renovated 955 sf 2-bdrm unit in popular & well managed “Dorchester Circle”. Quick access to gorgeous Minoru Park, transit, Richmond Centre & schools. Kitchen w/ eating area, maple cabinets & S/S appliances. W/B fireplace Laminated wood flooring + tiled kitchen & bath floors.

TOWER GREEN AT WEST IN OLYMPIC VILLAGE $649,900 NEW PRICE

Ctr all steps from your front door!

You’re going to lose access to local news on Facebook and Google.

Dear readers,

Your access to local, provincial and national news is going to be revoked on Google, Facebook and Instagram. And it’s not because of anything we’ve done.

Recently, Canada passed the Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18, which has led to a standoff between the government, Google and Meta the parent company behind Facebook and Instagram

Both Google and Meta have said they plan to cut ties with the news industry in Canada as a result.

This means Meta will block the posting and sharing of our news articles on Facebook and Instagram. Google will also remove links to our sites and articles in Google News, Discover and search results. They’ll also cancel significant content licensing agreements already in place with our parent company, Glacier Media

Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact not solely on us but, more importantly, on people like yourself who may use these platforms to discover what’s happening in your community and to get context to events happening in your own backyard.

We’re not planning on going anywhere, but here’s how you can help:

1 Sign up for our free daily newsletter by scanning the QR code (And encourage your family and friends to do the same )

2 Follow us on Twitter

3. Bookmark our website as the homepage on your devices.

4. Consider becoming a member if you aren’t already. Your support will help us continue to cover local stories, by locals.

5. If you own/operate a local business, consider supporting local by placing ads with 100% Canadian-owned media outlets, like us.

With your help, more people will be able to get their local news from a trusted source In today’s age of misinformation, that’s more important than ever.

Thank you. We appreciate you.

Sincerely,

The Richmond News team

Your Community

MARKETPLACE

REMEMBRANCES

obituAries

604-653-7851 classifieds.richmond-news.com

SCARDINA, Elizabeth “Liz” (nee Fulde)

It is wth heavy hearts we announce the passing of our wife, mom and grandy, Elzabeth (Lz) Scardina (nee Fulde) on July 20, 2023 wth her son Mchael by her sde

Lz was born in Rypin Poland on February 8, 1939 to Helene and Wilhem Fulde The family immgrated to Canada from Germany in 1949 where they setted in Rchmond in December of that year The famly worked hard to earn English and establsh a good ife for themselves They were very proud to become Canadian Citizens

Lz graduated from Richmond Senor Secondary in 1958 and went on to attend VVI to obtan her secretarial degree She started workng at Crown Zelerbach where she met her husband Richard in 1959 and they were married in 1960 Liz contnued to work while Richard went back to University They had three chidren, Capr, Mchae and Smone

Lz chershed her friendshps and loved to entertain Lz and Richard had many wonderful friends that they enoyed entertanng in their home Their Ethnic group held a specal place n her heart

After her chldren were grown, Liz started her business Elisabeth’s Lingerie in Blundell Centre in Rchmond untl the family moved to White Rock, BC

Lz enjoyed time spent in Palm Springs and at the cottage at Caine Lake wth many wonderful friends She loved her garden and her beloved dog Lola, but most of al she was a ovng wife, mom and grandy She enoyed spending time with her famly and especialy loved when the grandchidren came along She kept a beautifu home ful of ove

Lz is predeceased by her parents Heene and Wlhelm Fulde and her sister Christa Liz is survved by her husband of 62 years, Richard, her chidren Capri, Michael (Mchelle) and Simone as wel as her grandchldren Nicola, Ava, Keenan, Ethan, Lachan and Ty

Interment wl be held at 10:00 am Juy 31, 2023 at Sunnysde Graveyard 14850 28th Ave, Surrey, BC

A service and reception wl folow at 11:30 at Victory Memoria Park and Funeral Centre 14831 28th Ave, Surrey, BC

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC Heart and Stroke Foundaton in memory of Lz Scardna

TERANISHI, Tom Mutsuo

Tom Mutsuo Teranish passed away peacefuly on Monday, Juy 17, 2023, in Vancouver General Hospital The odest of seven children, he was born on September 9th, 1942 n the Japanese internment camp near Bralorne, B C Tom is survived by his sx brothers and ssters: Betty (Vern), Peggy (Ken), Bob (Margaret), Linda (Wes), Joyce (A), Dck (Darene), seven nieces and nephews, three great nephews, and his many good frends who were an extension of hs famiy

Tom graduated from Steveston Hgh Schoo, and after earning a Masters of Social Work at U B C, worked as a socal worker from 1968 to 1973 at Shaughnessy Hospital, then he transferred to Vancouver General Hospita, where he continued in his chosen professon, n addtion to supervising socal work students and future doctors Tom’s numerous health challenges dd not stop him from aiding a rch dversty of community organizations as a volunteer, such as the Nikkei Seniors Heath Care and Housing Socety, Lions Society, and the Association for the Equalty of Blnd Canadans, to name a few In recognition of hs service to the many charities he supported, Tom received the Queen Eizabeth II Diamond Jubiee meda in 2013, and n 2016, the “Courage to Come Back award ”

Tom led an active ife, partcipating in sports such as curlng, sailng, tennis and cross-country skinghs friends would say there wasn’t much he woudn’t try For Tom, the actvty that brought him the most joy was socialzing with hs famiy and frends His great smle, generosity, and friendly personalty wil be greatly mssed by all who knew and loved him n ieu of flowers, we kndly ask you to donate to the Kidney Foundation or the Heart and Stroke Foundaton, or the Canadian National Insttute for the Bind There wil be a celebraton of lfe for Tom at a later date

Fond memories linger every day, Remembrance keeps them near.

HOUSE, Heather Mae

August 17, 1938

June 23, 2023

Passed away in the comfort of her home with family after a long battle with dementia. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to William Harold Conley and Vera May (nee Sparks) Conley. Heather was committed to serving the communities she lived in, from sports to elder providers. As a proud member of Burlington Morning Rotary Club, she received the Senior Service Award for efforts to improve Elder Services in Washington State. Survived by her husband of 61 years Robert Sr. Son’s Robert Jr.(Nona), Michael (predeceased), Mark and her brother Ralph Conley.

She carried a big heart and was loved by all.

COMMUNITY

Announcements

RELIABLE CAT SITTER

UR AWAY; but your cat s ok thanks to Rosemary Newspaper, mai collecton, watering pants and maintanng securty for your home and your beloved cat 604-351-3831

LOST

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LEGAL

U-Haul Moving & Storage

Richmond

Clams a Landords Contractual Len against the following persons goods n storage at 4511 Shel Rd, Richmond, BC

Te: 604-270-8827

Aucton is subject to cancelation at anytime

Kevn FOConnor

Anne Macken

Jason Scott Koroluk

Ryan Jones

Beetg -Jea Meriien

Kevn F OConnor

Caro Ann Vorster

Ahern Scott

Quoc Pham

Yfeng Zhou

A sale wil take place onine at www ibid4storage com starting at 10:00AM on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, unti 10:00AM Friday, August 4, 2023

Wnners wl be contacted by emai at the end of the auction Room contents are personal/ household goods, unless noted otherwse Bds wl be for the entire contents of each ocker unit

GARAGE SALES

RICHMOND

GARAGE SALE

3340 Lamond Ave

Sat , July 29th 10-2

Piano, 100 electrcal socket breakers, tools, household and more!

YARD SALE LOADS of STUFF!

Saturday ony

Juy 29th • 10am - 3pm 7500 FRANCIS ROAD

RICHMOND On Front Lawn

Women’s +size Clothng, Jewelry, Household & MUCH MORE!

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HOME SERVICES

cleaning Maid it Bloom Summer, reguar, office, move out and same day cleanngs 604-833-7217

dryWall

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EMPLOYMENT

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

IMMEDIATE COMMERCIAL CLEANING OPPORTUNITIES

in Burnaby and more

Contact Sandra Lever 604 230 7826

GENERAL EMPLOYMENT

FARM LABOURERS

Brar Bros Farms

3585 184 St Surrey, BC

Required for weedng, pantng, harvesting & gradng vegetabes Ths ob nvoves hard work; bendng, fting, crouchng No experience required $16 75/hour, 45+ hr/wk, 6 days/wk

2 year term; Nov 2023 - June 2025

Fx: 604-576-8945 or email: TJ@brarbrosfarm com

RENTAL suites For rent

FARM LABOURERS

Brar Bros Farms

Required for weeding, panting, harvestng & gradng vegetabes Ths ob invoves hard work; bending, lfting, standng & crouchng $16 75/hour, 45+ hr/wk, 6 days/wk, Nov 2023 to June 2024

Fx: 604-576-8945, or ema : TJ@brarbrosfarm com

classifieds richmond-news com

- Hiring Skilled LabourersLandscape & Constructon Valid Drver’s Lcence

Please email resume to: admin@bluestonelandscape ca

BEAUTIFUL 1 br sute near South Arm Prk 1000 sq ft, prkg, share w/d N/p, n/s $1750 604-644-2650

RMD, West, spark ng newy reno’d priv 1 BR ste, 4 apps, Inste W/D, 3 pc w/bathtub, yard prkg N/P $1750 Aval Aug 1 604-833-2103

Wanted to rent

To advertise in the Classifieds call: 604-653-7851 toadvertisecall 604-653-7851

Mature Workng Woman, N/S, N/D, N/P Looking for 1 BR bsmt ste in Richmond/ Burnaby/ New West areas Pease ca • 604-385-5430