WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
YOUR SOURCE RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
French Daycare & Preschool
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER@THERICHMONDNEWS
Sales • Lease • Management Your Richmond Specialist
Daycare & Prescho
ol Since 2005
• Non-Profit Daycare & Preschool • The primary object ive of the preschool/da ycare is to prepare children for entrance into francop hone or french immersion school programs. • Looking for new 3-4 years old students • visit us at www.mous saillons.ca
www.interlinkrealty.ca email: info@interlinkrealty.ca 604.271.3888
Call: 604.488. 4235 E-mail: les_mouss aillons@csf.bc.ca École Des Navigate urs,8580 Kilgour Pla ce Richmond BC
SNAKES ALIVE!
Grace Lutz of Richmond, left, had a boa constrictor crawling all over her face while the two boys, above, seemed quite happy to have one slither all over them during the Exotic Reptile Show on Saturday at the Richmond Nature Park. Adults and children got up close to snakes, lizards and geckos at the event hosted by the West Coast Society for the Protection and Conservation of Reptiles. Photos by Gord Goble/Special to the News ! See more pictures in The Pulse on page 12 and online at Richmond-News.com
More pain with no gain for schools District eying job cuts as B.C. government’s demand plays part in expected $4 million budget shortfall Philip Raphael
Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news.com
In what is becoming somewhat of a right of spring, yet another round of job cuts and costs savings within the Richmond School District are lurking ominously around the corner. The district is looking at an estimated budget shortfall of $4 million, a quarter of which is being forced upon it by the Ministry of Education, as part of Richmond’s share of the $29 million in non-teaching, administrative cuts it requires from school districts across B.C. The rest of the reduction in funding is expected due to a projected decline in enrolment of around 500 students for this
coming school year — accounting for years that there is really no low-hanging fruit $2.5 million — and another $500,000 for anymore,” De Mello said. inflationary hikes for costs outside the “We’ve made painful cuts before and I’m district’s control, such sure whatever cuts we as a six per cent increase have to make again will We’ve been making cuts be painful. in BC Hydro rates, and higher MSP costs for “But those are things for so many years that that our district has employees. there really is no lowalways found a way to It all looks pretty bleak, but it’s not an hanging fruit anymore. try and deal with in a proactive manner.” unfamiliar position for - Mark De Mello With the projected the district to be in, number of fewer students, said Mark De Mello, De Mello said Richmond the district’s secretary treasurer. However, De Mello says it’s getting could need as many as 20 fewer teachers. Most of those positions, as in past hunts for increasingly harder to find required savings budget savings, comes through attrition with each year. retirements leading the way. “We’ve been making cuts for so many
SEAFOOD PLATTER
$17.95 p.p.
RACK OF LAMB CHOPS & LOBSTER Two tender grilled rack of lamb chops, 4 oz lobster tail, drawn butter, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables
(minimum 2)
Greek salad, homous, satziki, pita bread, ice shrimp cocktail, stuffed tiger prawns, kalamaria, sautéed seafood (prawns, halibut, salmon, scallops), mussels, roast potatoes, rice and seasonal vegetables. Offer valid 7 days a week with this coupon. Expires March 25,2015
604.276.8282 • 8140 LESLIE ROAD
Open for Lunch Monday-Saturday
Includes soup or salad to start Plus many more features to choose from
Please reserve now for Belly Dancing March 21th.
Dinner Everyday from 4:30pm
While that affects the number of jobs within the district, it should not impact the delivery of services, De Mello said. But 20 less teachers only covers about half of the $2.5 million in the ministry’s drop in funding. The remaining shortfall is spread out over administrative, operational and non-teaching costs. “It’s like you’ve got a $4 million block of concrete and we’re chipping away a little bit here and there, and hopefully what we end up with is a system that’s strong and stable and still doing a good job for our students,” De Mello said. Luckily, the anticipated loss of students this September is concentrated mainly in the see YUNG › page 4
FELICOS PLATTER
$17.95 p.p. (minimum 2)
$27.95
Greek salad, homous, satziki & pita bread, ice shrimp cocktail, kalamaria, chicken souvlakia, lamb souvlaki, stuffed tiger prawns, roast potatoes, rice and seasonal vegetables. Offer valid 7 days a week with this coupon. Expires March 25,2015
www.felicos.com • Full Menu On-Line
A2 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
SPRING BREAK SALE-A-BRATION! PREMIUM PRE-OWNED VEHICLES AT RICHPORT FORD 2014 Ford Edge SEL AWD
2011 Ford F150 XTR 4x4
n^vTg^XT\`, VTYX^ r\\V, appe^Z^`ce Pkg, 19,800 KaY
35,888
5.0L V8, rW``T`g B\^Z]Y, se`Y\ZY, 77,800 KaY
$
#t69187
#t61230
24,888
#t96144
2014 Ford Fusion SE
aWX\, a/C, m\\`Z\\V, all\_ WUeelY, 17,000 KaY
he^Xe] se^XY, synC, m\\`Z\\V, 21,500 KaY
31,888
23,888
$
#t06624
2013 Ford F150 XTR 4X4
3.5L Ec\B\\YX, rev se`Y\ZY, he^Xe] mTZZ\ZY, 34,750 KaY
33,888
$
#t85316
2010 Nissan Sentra aWX\, a/C, P\weZ GZ\Wp, Le^XUeZ, 61,500 KaY
he^Xe]/C\\le] Le^XUeZ, rev se`Y\ZY, m\\`Z\\V, 44,300 KaY
35,888
11,888
$
$
#t01795
2012 Ford Fusion SE
$ #C706054
2004 Volkswagon Passat GLX
all\_ WUeelY, synC, f\g L^apY, 68,000 KaY
15,888
n^vTg^XT\`, VTYX^ r\\V, he^Xe]/C\\le] Le^XUeZ, 62,500 KaY
2011 Ford F150 Lariat 4x4
n^vTg^XT\`, synC, m\\`Z\\V, V6, 32,150 KaY
39,500
2011 Lincoln MKX AWD
$ #C405091
2013 Ford Explorer Limited 4X4
2014 Ford Fusion SE AWD
n^vTg^XT\`, Le^XUeZ, m\\`Z\\V, se`Y\ZY, 18,000 KaY
Le^XUeZ, m\\`Z\\V, L\w KaY! 70,600 KaY
$ #C423011
26,888
2014 Ford Fiesta SE
16,888
27,888
$
#t07415
$ #C034127
$
#X00229
16,888
$
fWll_ L\^]e], n^vTg^XT\`, Le^XUeZ, 44,200 KaY
he^Xe] se^XY, aWX\, m\\`Z\\V, 40,400 KaY
$
#C223363
2011 Honda CRV EX-L 4WD
2013 Volkswagon GTI
he^Xe] Le^XUeZ se^XY, m\\`Z\\V, n^vTg^XT\`, 24,625 KaY
22,888
#t07915
3.0L V6, Le^XUeZ se^XY, m\\`Z\\V, 115,200 KaY
2014 Ford Focus Titanium
#C303680
26,888
$
2009 Ford Escape XLT 4WD
he^Xe] Le^XUeZ se^XY, all\_ WUeelY, n^vTg^XT\`, 34,400 KaY
$
28,888
re^Z dVd, rev se`Y\ZY, BlWeX\\XU, 15,700 KaY
$
2013 Ford Escape SE
#t26158
2014 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT
#C203886
9,995
$
27,888
$
#C294790
PZTceY ]\ `\X T`clW]eY X^xeY ^`] $399 d\cWae`X^XT\` fee. o` ^ppZ\ve] cZe]TX.
Richmond Automall
Smallwood Westminster Hwy
Steveston Hwy
No. 6 Rd
N
Richport Ford
Sidaway
Jacombs
13580 SMALLWOOD PLACE | Sales:604-273-7331 Service: 604-273-7729 | www.richportford.com
Massey Tunnel
hours: monday - thursday 8:30am - 9:00Pm • friday & saturday 9:00am - 6:00Pm • sunday 11:00am - 5:00Pm
NEWS
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
A3
Send story ideas or photo submissions to Richmond News editor Eve Edmonds at editor@richmond-news.com
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Crowd favours sign bylaw Graeme Wood
Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com
About 100 Richmond residents participated in a workshop on foreign language signs Thursday evening at the UBC Boathouse. The event — conducted in English and replete with markers, notepads and nametags — was part of what the City of Richmond is calling a public consultation process to determine if the community has interest in a sign bylaw that enforces either of the nation’s official languages — English or French — on publicly displayed signs. The majority appeared, through an informal show of hands, to favour the idea. “The goal isn’t to punish people, it’s to create social cohesiveness,” said participant Henry Yao, a youth worker, who campaigned independently for Richmond City Council last November. The city reported a similar majority is in favour of a bylaw, via responses on its online survey site, LetsTalkRichmond.ca. However, just as many seemed to agree there needs to be more public consultation on foreign language signs, as well as greater community integration and education for new immigrants. “What’s really lacking is we need more public input,” said
ENTERTAINMENT
One of the roundtables at the City of Richmond public consultation workshop last Thursday at the UBC Boathouse tackled the thorny issue of the amount of foreign language on signs. Photo by Graeme Wood/Richmond News Yao. One man stood up and called for politicians to take more leadership. “Set a vision. If we like it we’ll stay (in Richmond), if not we’ll leave,” he said, to many cheers. At the event, Mayor Malcolm Brodie stated he opposed a bylaw but favoured a public education campaign for businesses. Councillors Carol Day and Chak Au attended the event as observers. Problematic for Yao was how the workshop was facilitated. “At the end, the facilitator said, ‘It looks like no one changed their mind.’ Our table was very upset. It’s as though they wanted us to change our mind,” said Yao. Richmond resident Kerry Starchuk, who started a petition for a bylaw in 2013 to rekindle the debate, agreed.
see YAO › page 4
Actress captures TV award in L.A. Philip Raphael
Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news.com
Mamie Laverock with her award.
“It was no different than any of the forums I’ve been to: Dividing into groups and giving you information. It’s not effective. There was frustration in the room; I felt the tension…But, hopefully it’s the beginning of some healthy talk,” said Starchuk, whose research has proven the debate started back in 1996 with letters and memos from residents to City Hall. After a brief initial discussion between the dozen tables about what community harmony is, the audience was privy to several presentations. According to Cecilia Achiam, Richmond’s sign bylaw manager, only permanent, exterior signs are regulated for size and design under existing bylaws. Signs such as those for real estate sales, bus shelters and window advertisements are, presently, entirely unregulated.
Ten year-old Mamie Laverock’s suitcase came back from a quick, spring break trip to Los Angeles a little bit heavier after picking up an acting award. “I was completely surprised. I didn’t think they’d name me as the winner,” said Mamie, who was tied for first place — for best
performance in a TV series: recurring young actress 10 and under — with Peyton Kennedy, who appears in the TV show The Odd Squad, at the 36th Young Artists Awards. Mamie, a Grade 5 student at Anderson elementary, has a recurring role as Rosaleen Sullivan on the Hallmark Channel’s series When Calls the Heart, which is shot in and around Langley. Among the highlights of the awards night,
said Mamie, was being able to see all the other nominees in one place, and stroll the red carpet outside the Sportsmen Lodge in Studio City, CA. as the paparazzi flashed away. Nicole Rockmann, Mamie’s mother, said recognition from the award, which is akin to the Golden Globes for young actors, has opened more doors for her daughter. And a return trip to L.A. is in the cards to take up some offers for auditions.
Come in...we’ll make you one!
— Specials —
Available Monday to Friday until 11am
ABC RICHMOND 3580 NO. 3 ROAD | 604.276.9222 | ABCCOUNTRY.CA FIND US ON FACEBOOK
A4 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
Super Grocer & Pharmacy
Effective
WED
THR
FRI
March
18
19
20
PLEASE FILL
www.supergrocer.ca • 604-271-2722
Yao: Community ‘broken’
OPEN DAILY - 8:00 am to 9:00 pm club price sunpic
fresh • china grown
796ml
0.82kg • per pound
whole or crushed tomatoes club price emma
fresh • large pack
whole stewing chicken 2.18kg • per pound
fresh • medium pack
split wings
500ml
239
continental
shortbread rings
5.27kg • per pound
frozen • 26/30
black tiger prawns
899
454g pack
fresh • medium pack
pork lean ground
1
99
00
159
knorr • assorted
sidekicks pasta
139
131-163g pack
white swan
jumbo paper towels
8
99
6roll pack
4.39kg • per pound
849
18.72kg • per pound
1799
acetaminophen methocarbamol
40 caplets pack
100% canadian • medium pack organix • assorted
beef eye of round roast
499
11.00kg • per pound
chunks ahoy cookies
shampoo or conditioner
699
385ml pack
37
fresh • us grown
seedless long eggplant
fat free yogurt
3
69
fresh • us grown
469
organic milk
1.92kg • per pound fresh • us grown
green kale
pinjoy style liver spread
1
09
fresh • china grown
garlic 1-kg
pancit canton noodles
179
fresh • us grown
clementinas baby mandarins
jasmine white rice
1299
8kg pack
Achiam suggested there may be bylaw options to regulate “clutter,” or signage that’s unregulated, as was done recently in Surrey. Since 2012 there have been 50 non-English signs (nearly all Chinese) approved (4.5 per cent of all signs) under existing bylaw regulations. So far, in 2015, there have been more mixed-language signs approved (142) than from 2012-2014 (138). UBC geography professor Dr. Dan Hiebert told the workshop audience that Richmond is not just two
languages, but, hundreds. According to the 2011 national census, 51 per cent of Richmondites spoke a Chinese language while 10.5 per cent couldn’t speak English at all. He pointed out three examples of Englishspeaking cities, including Richmond Hill, Ont., imposing language requirements on signs. Hiebert said there are many Chinese diasporas around the world and that the “local trend” in Richmond is part of a “global process” of Chinese-oriented commercialization.
Yao, who speaks both languages, said signage is a condition of lack of harmony in Richmond. “I feel our community is very broken. There’s a sense of isolationism,” he said. Starchuk said the issue goes beyond business signs, adding her neighbourhood often has Chinese-only real estate signs erected on developments and her home is inundated with Chineseonly advertisements. Starchuk said every time she’s attended a public forum on immigrant integration it caters to the immigrant and not existing residents.
277 Yung: Education needs fair shake 49 2-lb pack
16oz pack golden lady • thai
177
1 kg pack
78g pack
buenas
87
per bunch
2l pack
napakasarap
87
red bell pepper
100gx8 pack dairyland • assorted
77
1.08kg • per pound
500g pack
400g pack
100% canadian • medium pack robaxacet • regular or extra strength
beef t-bone steaks
5/500 469
activia • assorted
‹ from page 3
taiwan cabbage
christie • oreo, chips ahoy, fudgeeo
2/5
99
chicken
balsamic vinegar
NEWS
fresh • us grown
small navel orange
1.08kg • per pound
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES • WHILE SUPPLIES LAST • SPECIAL OFFERS DOES NOT INCLUDE TOBACCO OR PRESCRIPTIONS PICTURES ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY • CLUB PRICES ARE VALID AT TIME OF PURCHASE • Large pack = 10kg+ Medium pack = 5kg+
‹ from page 1 secondary school population. If the enrolment decline included elementary schools, De Mello said there would likely be little or no requirement to reduce teacher numbers. To help counter the shortfall, De Mello said the district may draw an additional $250,000 from its international student program. It’s also hoping to expand on its energy cost savings, but local schools and administration buildings already use conservation measures.
The district has until mid-April to gather a game plan of cuts and submit it to the ministry by the end of June. School board chair Eric Yung said he takes issues with the government’s constant requirement for cuts when it is currently posting budget surpluses. “When everyone else is belt-tightening I can understand the economies are necessary,” he said. “But you have to ask yourself when does education get more resources?”
MARCH 19–22
FREE
PA N D O R A
B R AC E L E T T H E C H O I C E I S YO U R S !
W H E N YO U P U R C H A S E $ 1 2 5 O R M O R E O F PA N D O R A J E W E L L E RY
Experience at: Richmond Centre 604.270.7221 Some jewelry displayed patented (US Pat. No. 7,007,507) • © Pandora • PANDORA.NET
*Purchase between $125–$3,300 of PANDORA jewellery and qualify to receive a free PANDORA bracelet that fits your unique style. At participating authorized PANDORA retailers only. Prices before taxes. While supplies last, limit one per customer. Jewellery selection may vary by store. Not valid on prior purchases. Charms sold separately. See store for details.
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
NEWS
TRANSIT TAX PLEBISCITE
City council split on Yes/No Graeme Wood
Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com
While Vancouver City Council unanimously agreed to support the “Yes” vote in the now up-and-running transit tax mail-in plebiscite, Richmond councillors are less inclined to take a unified stand. Three on council — Carol Day, Derek Dang and Chak Au — confirmed they’ll be voting “No” in the transit tax plebiscite. All three have taken issue with TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s transportation authority. “I have no problem with the Mayors’ Council plans for development,” said Au. “And I totally agree we need to develop a better transportation system.” But Au “cannot help but cast doubt on the efficiencies and effectiveness of TransLink under (its leadership) to carry out the plan,” pointing to the failed Compass card system. Meanwhile, Day was pleased to learn a committee led by billionaire businessman Jimmy Pattison would oversee the tax funds. However, “at this time, with limited information, I personally, as a taxpayer, I would vote “No.” TransLink has not done a good enough job,” said Day, who likened the plebiscite to “blackmail.” A conflicted Dang said he would vote ‘No’ if the Mayors’ Council did not present a term limit on the tax or a mechanism to review it,
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
Spring
Love
into
The transit tax plebiscite voting has begun. which, to date, it has not. “It’s a qualified ‘Yes’ in the sense that I’d say no if there’s no term. There should be a term limit. …I don’t think they’ve warranted complete trust on the complete funds,” said Dang. Meanwhile, six council members will be voting “Yes” in the plebiscite. Coun. Harold Steves said he was conflicted because of TransLink’s performance, but would vote “Yes,” as would Coun. Linda McPhail. “The biggest issue for the public is TransLink’s reputation and that’s a big mountain to climb,” said McPhail. “But in the see McNULTY › page 5
Date Night Ready? q Awesome Nails q Bellissima Fashions q Blundell Blossoms q Blundell Liquor q Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut q Osaka Today q Q2 Barbers q Starbucks q Seafair Jewelers q Silk Cuts Hair Design
41 Stores for Everything Conveniently on the corner of Blundell & No. 2. Free parking.
A5
A6 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
WEDDINGS
Do your guests a favour MARCH 19–22
FREE
PA N D O R A
B R AC E L E T T H E C H O I C E I S YO U R S !
W H E N YO U P U R C H A S E $ 1 2 5 O R M O R E O F PA N D O R A J E W E L L E RY
If you’ve been to a wedding, you’ve likely carted home the “Thanks for coming and celebrating our special day” gift. You know, it’s usually the candied almonds or petrified slice of fruit cake that remains tucked away, uneaten, in the recess of your pantry. Well, that’s changing. Today’s bride and groom are more plugged into wedding guest gifts that are more likely to be eaten, or
remind guests not only of the big day when two people tied the knot, but the character of the new husband and wife. That’s what wedding planners, such as Laura Takasaki, are seeing. While edibles are still favourites, personalized items are the trend. “We’ve had gifts be bottles of hot sauce because the groom was the one who loved hot sauce on pretty much everything he ate,” said Takasaki, who for the past
12 MONTH PAYMENT PLAN NO INTEREST NO FEES
No Service Fees
unique style. At participating authorized PANDORA retailers only. Prices before taxes. While supplies last, limit one per customer. Jewellery selection may vary by store. Not valid on prior purchases. Charms sold separately. See store for details.
Steveston Village
#105-12231 1st Ave, Richmond BC (on Bayview beside Waves Coffee) 604.284.5212 • info@blissgifts.net • blissgifts.net
@BlissSteveston
Find us on
Facebook/BlissSteveston
Some jewelry displayed patented (US Pat. No. 7,007,507) • © Pandora • PANDORA.NET
on Vacation Packages or Cruises! Garden City Shopping Centre
Between Bell Mobile and Central Agency-Autoplan • #175-9040 Blundell Rd, Richmond
604-303-8782
12 years has run Richmondbased Imagine That Events with Sharon Liew. “Others we’ve had gave away candy bars that were wrapped in the same colours of the wedding party.” Wedding guest trinkets have their place in history. In the 16th century, wedding favours were a sign of extravagance and showed off the family’s wealth to the guests. However, edible favours are often economical and guests tend to appreciate them. After all, guests have to find a nook in their homes in which to house an engraved ice cream scooper or another small statuette. “We’re getting more and more clients who, instead of giving away something, will make a donation to a charity of their choice,” Takasaki said. “We’ve also had a bride and groom who gave a cheese plate made of slate and a cheese knife.” —Philip Raphael Richmond News
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
NEWS
A7
FEDERAL ELECTION
Retired accountant runs for Grits Graeme Wood
Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com
Liberal Lawrence Woo, a retired accountant and former chair of S.U.C.C.E.S.S, is expected to challenge incumbent MP Alice Wong in the newly formed Richmond Centre riding for the 42nd Canadian federal election this October. Born in Hong Kong, Woo moved to Metro Vancouver as a child and has spent the last 55 years living in Vancouver and Richmond. Now residing in Vancouver, Woo is the vice-president of a real estate management firm in Richmond, where he once raised his family. “I am concerned and also worried about how and where our country is going towards,” said Woo at a news conference, during which he was acclaimed (with no other nominees challenging him) as the Liberal Party of Canada’s candidate for Richmond Centre. Woo said his focus will be the economy and improving the standing of the middle class. “What worries me most is the state of our economy. If you dig deeper, you will know things are not alright, things are in bad shape.” Offering few specific points, Woo said Canada’s debt must stop growing, as it has done under the Conservative leadership, and that the country’s economy must diversify. Woo said the middle-class has been “victimized,” in all age brackets. He added that, as Minister of State for Seniors, Wong “owes the senior citizens of this country an explanation” for delaying pension benefits from age 65 to 67. Wong has not yet declared she will run in the election. When asked for his thoughts on what federal policies have affected Richmond over the last term, Woo repeated his position that the middle class is worse
Hong Kong-born Lawrence Woo was acclaimed (unchallenged) last week as the Liberal Party challenger to the Tories’ MP Alice Wong for the federal Richmond Centre seat, should Wong decide to run again. Photo by Graeme Wood/Richmond News
Bipolar Disorder www.pathwaysclubhouse.com
off and attacked the government’s immigration policies. “For ethnic groups to blend together we need a lot of tolerance and a harmonious atmosphere. The Conservatives are not promoting that as far as I can see. They’re promoting policy that is creating fragmentation,” said Woo, without offering any specifics on immigration policy. He said the government needs to do more to promote core values, such as “multiculturalism, fairness and compassion” amongst the immigrant community. Woo defended the Liberal Party of Canada’s stance on the controversial Bill C-51, which has given sweeping intelligence gathering powers to government authorities. Liberal leader Justin Trudeau maintains the bill is needed but simply needs better checks and balances. Bill C-51 is an important bill for the coming years, said Woo, but “if it’s not used properly, it could be a monster.” Woo was asked about the Liberal position on marijuana, which is to decriminalize the drug.
“By regulating it we can put it under the same category as liquor and tobacco,” said Woo, noting such action could help mitigate the underground drug trade. During his 18 minutes fielding media questions in English, Woo was asked to weigh in on his opinion regarding Wong’s decision to publicly eat shark fin soup. “It is an issue to be decided herself… But it is an environmental issue…I think we are all against things that are detrimental to the environment. But she did what she did and I don’t have any say over that,” he said. Following English questions, Woo fielded questions in Cantonese. Woo has two adult children and has done past community work for the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C and the Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown. No New Democrats or Greens have announced their candidacy in Richmond’s two ridings. In StevestonRichmond East, only former school trustee Kenny Chiu is announced as the Conservative candidate.
10% OFF ANY REFILL With Coupon. Expires March 31, 2015.
INK & TONER REFILL SAVE ON CARTRIDGE PLUS #138-8040 Garden City Road Richmond
Tel: 604-214-8211
CORRECTION NOTICE Please note the following correction to the Kia Canada Free Standing Insert (flyer) which ran in your local paper the week of March 9th, 16th or 23rd. It erroneously showed a Cash Purchase Price on the 2015 Rondo “LX AT”. We regret that the Cash Purchase Price shown does not apply to the “LX AT” model – it is applicable on the 2015 Rondo “LX MT”. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
McNulty: Voting with head ‹ from page 5 big picture we have to get more cars off the road I think this is the best of the worst scenario.” Coun. Ken Johnston, who operates a delivery service company, also favours the tax, stating the region is already “30 years behind in infrastructure and planning.” Coun. Bill McNulty panned TransLink as well and echoed concerns about the management of the funds — expected to be about $250 million per year — but ultimately he said he will vote “Yes.” “I’m voting rationally rather than emotionally. TransLink doesn’t deserve it
but the people of British Columbia do,” said McNulty. After initially criticizing TransLink early on, Coun. Alexa Loo has since come on board to support the “Yes” side. Meanwhile, the most recent Angus Reid poll indicates 61 per cent of the public will vote “No.” An informal survey of about 400 Richmond News readers showed 68 per cent saying “No.” According to Fairchild Radio director Seme Ho, 80 per cent of participants, mainly ethnic Chinese, at a public transit tax forum at Aberdeen Centre opposed the tax.
Offering: IV Sedation • Wisdom Teeth Extraction Dr. Ben Partovi, DDS Dr. Kara Ellis-Partovi, DDS Dr. Melissa Chui, DMD
www.westrichmondsmiles.com MONDAY - FRIDAY 10AM - 6PM
604-241-0707
#5-8671 NO. 1 ROAD (AT FRANCIS) SEAFAIR PLAZA
A8 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
OPINION
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
Send your story ideas or photo submissions to Richmond News editor Eve Edmonds at editor@richmond-news.com
EDITORIAL OPINION
Calling all auditors
I
n an apparent bid to become B.C.’s most ironic government agency, the Auditor General for Local Government has cost us all $5.2 million and produced exactly one audit — a far cry from the 18 a year they promised each year. We also learned this week the office is plagued by low morale, infighting and waste. The solution from the province? Audit the auditor. B.C.’s mayors fought the decision to create a new auditor kicking and screaming, many of them arguing that it was simply a political stunt to appear fiscally responsible. Perhaps more presciently, they
suggested the province should focus on getting its own house in order first. Our government has a history of clashing with its own auditors or shelving their advice. Yet another irony, both levels of government have balanced budget legislation, though only the municipalities are actually forced to balance their books. Until this is sorted out, we’d like to say Christy Clark has lost her privileges to accuse anyone else of financial incompetence. Yet, on Wednesday, her education minister took to the airwaves to announce the Vancouver School Board
would be getting its own provincially appointed auditor. In principle, auditing is something we are very much in support of. When done properly, an audit can be one of the sharpest tools in our policy toolbox. But this is not an example of that. Now that we’ve established there’s reason to question whether taxpayers are being well served by the auditor, we look forward to a referendum on whether we want to continue funding it. We also look forward to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation championing the no vote.
Politics as seen through moneyball
S
tay with me here, because we’re going to talk about how you can understand Canadian politics through repeated viewings of a Brad Pitt movie. On Saturday, New Brunswick Converative MP John Williamson answered a question about the Temporary Foreign Workers Program by saying, “It makes no sense to pay ‘whities’ to stay home while we bring in brown people to work in these jobs.” Whether you think this was more racist than stupid or more stupid than racist, let’s consider that Williamson is a fairly important Conservative figure — a former national director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a former head of communications for the Prime Minister’s office. This is seemingly terrible politics. Unless it isn’t. Because it might not matter at all for the success or failure of his party,
and that’s why we’re going to be talking about PainfulTruth Brad Pitt movies. I wasn’t that interested Matthew Claxton in Moneyball when it first came out, because I do not care one iota about baseball. But then I heard that it was largely about statistics and economics, and I was intrigued. (Make your nerd jokes now, it’s only going to get worse from here on in.) The film is based on a book by Michael Lewis, and had the subtitle The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. Both in the movie and in the book, there’s a mantra that comes up over and over, repeated in various ways. “He gets on base.” That’s all that Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A’s, cared about. He started picking up cheap, cheap players (because it was all he could afford) who were unwanted for a variety of reasons. In the movie, this is dramatized in a scene in which his scouts keep trying to suggest
various reasons why they don’t like his picks. This guy’s injured. That guy’s old, past his prime. This one’s overweight, that one throws weird. To all these complaints, there is just one answer. “He gets on base.” So that’s how you have to understand modern politics. Being a good legislator is a difficult skill. It requires knowledge, experience, personal diplomacy, the ability to work with others, and most importantly, wisdom. Getting elected is a difficult skill. It requires determination, some level of charisma, and a certain ruthlessness. It doesn’t matter how good a legislator you are, though, if you can’t get elected. And it matters very little how good you are if your party can’t win. So, does it matter if John Williamson said something really stupid? Not necessarily. Is he in a swing riding? Does he represent a large population of new Canadians? Is he
Our Commitment to You Published every Wednesday & Friday by the Richmond News, a member of the Glacier Media Group. 5731 No. 3 Road, Richmond, B.C. V6X 2C9 Phone: 604.270.8031 Fax: 604.270.2248 richmond-news.com
Pierre Pelletier Publisher ppelletier@richmond-news.com
Rob Akimow Director of advertising rakimow@richmond-news.com 604.249.3340
Eve Edmonds Editor editor@richmond-news.com 604.249.3343
already vulnerable for some other reason? If yes, then he could be in trouble, because this might impact his ability to get elected again. The party would look askance at him. If no… if his constituents are fine with this or if they accept his apology, then Williamson’s superiors are unlikely to do anything. The ranks of every party are packed with members who have said racist, sexist, homophobic, or just jaw-droppingly stupid things. Not to mention those who have been caught out in conflicts of interest, or who have billed ridiculous government expenses. And all the parties have members who are idealistic, dedicated legislators, who do not shoot off their mouths in idiotic ways. But there’s one question that’s uppermost in the minds of their party leaders, come election time: “Does he get on base?” Matthew Claxton is a reporter with the Langley Advance
The Richmond News is a member of the Glacier Media Group. The News respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at www.richmond-news.com. The Richmond News is also a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body. The council considers complaints from the public about conduct of member newspapers. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint, contact the council. Your written concern with documentation should be sent to 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. www.bcpresscouncil.org.
Reporters: Alan Campbell acampbell@richmond-news.com | Graeme Wood gwood@richmond-news.com | Philip Raphael praphael@richmond-news.com Sports: Mark Booth mbooth@richmond-news.com Integrated Media Consultants: Lori Kininmont lkininmont@richmond-news.com | Kevin Liminsang kliminsang@richmond-news.com | Lynnette Raymond lraymond@richmond-news.com Sales Administrator: Joyce Ang jang@richmond-news.com | Sales Assistant: Veera Irani virani@richmond-news.com
Advertising Sales: 604.270.8031 advertising@richmond-news.com | Delivery: 604.942.3081 distribution@richmond-news.com | Classified: 604.630.3300 classified@van.net
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
A9
r u OSPIRITUAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
LETTERS
CHINESE LANGUAGE SIGNS
Workshop was a good start COMMUNITY The Editor, Well, here we are two years later and FINALLY the City of Richmond decided to at least give the appearance that they are concerned and/or interested in listening to the people on the Chinese signage issue. They held a community workshop on March 12, however, the format (tables of nine) and the moderator allowed them to control the evening including the video presentation and speakers. Yes, each table discussed their views and then a short time was allowed to present a summary of these views. There was no time allowed for an
open discussion and not all tables got a chance to even give a summary. The bylaw information was helpful and the view of what three other cities are doing was interesting. What would have been helpful would have been a detailed presentation by Kerry Starchuk (who has spent years on this issue, speaking with all levels of government, compiling binders of information and pictures of these signs). Maybe the city should consider putting her on the payroll!? There was a lot of talk about harmony, being “inclusive” and
“welcoming” to our immigrants. However, what about all us longterm English speaking residents — we certainly no longer feel included nor welcome in our own city. Hopefully there will be more than a detailed report on the city web site? We would like to see a plan for action and then more importantly, to carry through with this action. It is time for the city to really listen and act on improving signage to include English along with the Chinese language. Sharon & John Nasadyk Richmond
Get your heads out of the sand The Editor, I recently attended the workshop on the signage issue in Richmond. Other cities in Canada, such as Richmond Hill and Markham in Ontario dealt with the signage issue back in 1990 by implementing a bylaw that requires the signage be half English
and/or French. Why did our city council not do the same? I know that our council always throws the Charter of Rights and Freedoms up as a roadblock to dealing with this issue. Has the Charter impeded on the issue being dealt with in other parts of our country? We need to come up with
a solution before issues escalate any further. The City of Richmond needs to have more townhall meetings and they need to start listening to the people of Richmond and we all need to start listening to each other. We need to re-establish the sense of community in Richmond.
Enough of the Delphi daycare The Editor, Having attended the March 12 workshop, I have the following comments and reflections: As I had predicted previously, the workshop was facilitated in classic “Delphi Technique” fashion, with the attendees divided up into groups of approximately eight people per table. One early observation made was the less-thansubtle presence of several parties who may be deemed “Richmond’s establishment,” ie. various politicians, community and business leaders etc. (who, by and large, often stack such meetings with support for the status quo). The person chairing the workshop began with making inferences that the Delphi Technique (ie. controlling and manipulating opposition) would not be used and attendees wouldn’t be preached to. But at the conclusion, it was clear after the meeting we were totally misled.
Note: I hope the entire meeting was recorded for future reference, given it was a textbook example of the Delphi Technique. Approximately 75 per cent of the “workshop” (90 minutes) was run like a combination of “adult daycare” meets “indoctrination session” with various experts submitting questionable statistics and more ad nauseum studies currently underway. Less than 15 minutes was allotted for open microphone and the flow of free speech by attendees. Let’s cut to the chase: Simply stated, when a physical war ends, the conquerors plant their nation’s flag and with it comes the peripherals such as a new culture to displace the existing ones. However, in a physical war, the citizens are at least given the opportunity to defend themselves and their collective best interests, as opposed to being sold-out in the backrooms by treasonous
politicians. The ill- informed often claim any expression of concern is “racist,” not realizing that over-used subjective term “racist” is attributed to Communist Leon Trotsky as a means to demonize and marginalize any agenda opposition until resistance is futile. However, hope springs eternal. The overwhelming majority of the average citizens who attended and spoke, expressed concern that the status quo was not acceptable. The general feeling resonating was that the signage issue is simply a symptom of a far bigger problem and of which the blame lies solely at the feet of government which is, at the eleventh hour, desperately trying to put the grassroots fire out with these amateurish, insulting and deflective efforts as we witnessed at the March 12 workshop. R. A. Hoegler Richmond
The frustration of many people in that room was palpable and it is up to our elected officials to make it better and take their collective heads out of the sand. Joanne Teraguchi Richmond
SOUTH ARM UNITED CHURCH 11051 No. 3 Rd., Richmond 604-277-4020 • sauc@telus.net www.southarmunitedchurch.ca
9280 No 2 Road
www.thetapestry.ca
A COMMUNITY WOVEN IN FAITH
CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
A MINISTRY ESTABLISHED FOR OVER 40 YEARS
Meeting Saturday Nights 6:30pm at Our Saviour Lutheran, 6340 No. 4 Road, Richmond
NEW TESTAMENT … CONTEMPORARY … RELEVANT ... MULTICULTURAL Email: gatewaycmrichmond@mail.com • Call Pastor Tim 604.370.2474
Steveston Buddhist Temple SERVICE
10:30am Sundays
MEDITATION BINGO 7:30pm Thursdays 10:30am Fridays
6:30pm Wed.
4360 Garry St. (604) 277-2323 www.steveston-temple.ca
Finale!
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY MELANIE DEKKER
Buy your tickets now APRIL 16, 2015 RIVER ROCK SHOW THEATRE 8811 RIVER ROAD, RICHMOND
A10
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
YVR
INSIDER
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
A MONTHLY LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW AND NEWSWORTHY AT YVR.
ISSUE NUMBER 30 MARCH 2015
THANK YOU! YVR was just named #1 Airport in North America by Skytrax World Airport Awards, the premier international airport award voted on by more than 13-million passengers worldwide. It’s the first time an airport has won any award category for six consecutive years. This wouldn’t be possible without the support we receive from our community, passengers, partners and the 24,000 people who work and volunteer at YVR.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS LOOKING FOR ENTHUSIASTIC AND PROFESSIONAL INDIVIDUALS TO JOIN THE YVR FLIGHT CREW AT COMMUNITY EVENTS THIS SUMMER. Our ambassadors will be travelling across B.C. promoting YVR and
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
engaging with the community
Email us at insider@yvr.ca or find us on Twitter @yvrairport
at events such as Steveston Salmon Festival, Celebration of Light, The Fair at the PNE and many more! Visit us at yvr.ca for more information.
A11
A12 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
THEPULSE
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
WE’VE GOT OUR FINGERS ON IT UP CLOSE WITH CRITTERS
Visitors to the Richmond Nature Park over the weekend got a chance to get up close and personal with a host of critters — from geckos to snakes — thanks to a visit by staff from the West Coast Society for the Protection and Conservation of Reptiles. Photos by Gord Goble/ Special to the News
GREAT DAY FOR A WALK With signs of spring starting to show, McDonald Beach Park provided a perfect stroll for those taking part Sunday in one of the Walk Richmond events which are designed to promote a healthy lifestyle. Photos by Gord Goble/Special to the News
Submit Your Pictures To editor@richmond-news.com with The Pulse in the subject line. For more photo galleries, visit richmond-news.com
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
DISCOVER
ChInA 42% OFF UP TO
12 Or 15 DaY ALL INCLUSIVE TRIP INCLUDES: ALL INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS & DOMESTIC TRANSPORTATION, A YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE, ALL MEALS, FIVE-STAR ACCOMMODATIONS, PLUS ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE
EXPERIENCE: THE FORBIDDEN CITY, THE GREAT WALL TERRA COTTA ARMY, THE MING TOMBS AND MORE!
FROM $1,749 STARTING
REG: $3,599
THIS DEAL IS AVAILABLE ONLINE EXCLUSIVELY AT:
.com/vancouver
A13
A14 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 Daniel Labelle Richmond
5660 Minoru blvd
NO 1 PRODUCT ADVISER • Honest, Professional and dedicated services to your need
CALL NOW!
604-518-7180 daniel@kiarichmond.com
BIZ BRIEFS Hansen to speak at 911 Awards Richmond’s own Man in Motion, Rick Hansen, has been announced as this year’s keynote speaker at the 13th Annual 911 Awards on April 29 at the River Rock Show Theatre. Hansen, who became famous for his epic, twoyear wheelchair around the globe Man In Motion World Tour, is now CEO of the Richmond-based Rick Hansen Foundation which aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities by removing barriers and finding cures for paralysis after spinal cord injury.
Helijet lands in ‘Hub City’ YVR-based Helijet opened its new, Nanaimo Harbour Heliport at the Cruise Ship Welcome Centre in the “Hub City” on Wednesday (March 18). Helijet’s new, scheduled 18-minute harbour-toharbour service between Nanaimo and Vancouver the carrier will use the carrier’s distinctive, 12-passenger, Sikorsky S76 helicopters that will provide seven return flights each weekday from Downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo.
BUSINESS
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
Send your story ideas or photo submissions to Richmond News editor Eve Edmonds at editor@richmond-news.com
Keeping an ‘eye’ on your valuables
Safety deposit box facility to use iris image matching technology to allow vault access Philip Raphael
Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news.com
A new Richmond business is hoping to prove that a person’s eyes are more than just a window to their soul — they can also be a secure, personalized key to access some of their most valued possessions. When International Private Vaults Inc. opens in May, it will be using an advanced biometric device to match the pattern of a client’s iris with one on record to allow access to their safety deposit box inside a custom made vault at its Park Road location. According to Bill Thomas, the company’s president and CEO, using an iris image is an extremely secure method. “It’s the one thing that thieves cannot steal. The iris is very unique to every person and doesn’t change over the course of a person’s life,” he said. In contrast, a person’s retina can change over time due to age and disease. “It’s (iris) more like a photo ID. We capture an image of the iris and its components — there are more than 250 data points on the iris. That’s more than on a fingerprint.” Each safety deposit box will be kept inside a custom-made vault with six-inch thick concrete and steel walls that is being made by the American Vault Corporation in Waco, Texas. Before the vault is installed, some modifications to the site had to be made. “The floor has to be reinforced because we’re talking about 100 tons, 350,000 pounds. The vault itself is about 250,000 pounds, and the contents another 100,000 pounds or so,” said Thomas, adding the site had to be studied by a structural engineer, who installed mini pilings to shore up the concrete flooring. So, how secure will it be? Motion sensors and heat detectors will also be used in and around the vault. “You’d need a lot of time and some very sophisticated tools to break into it,” Thomas said. “Our insurance company agent kinda smiles when he says these type of vaults don’t get broken into. “This is not like Ocean’s Eleven. There hasn’t been a vault like this breached in probably 30 years.”
Katherine Thomas, of International Private Vaults, displays one of the larger safety deposit boxes customers can choose at their Park Road facility — the first of its kind in Canada — when it opens in May. Photo by Philip Raphael/Richmond News An array of 20 video cameras will monitor the facility inside and out, plus guards — all unarmed due to Canadian laws — will be stationed inside the building to provide another layer of security. Clients can choose from a variety of box sizes, starting with three by five-inches, right up to a 10 by 10-inch box, which Thomas said is much sought after and in rare supply from traditional providers, such as banks. “The demand for the boxes actually exceeds the supply,” Thomas said. “Yes, banks have boxes. But a lot have waiting lists and if you could get one, it’s generally the smaller ones which you’d have to fold papers to get them in.” That’s one of the reasons why Thomas, a chartered accountant, decided to get into the business along with Katherine Thomas, a cofounder and vice president of IPV. And while doing their research, they decided Richmond was the place to locate. “The Asian population is attractive to us,” Katherine said, adding it’s often the high wealth population that require this type of service. “We also need a dense population and a
location that’s close to an international airport and hotels,” Thomas added. “A lot of people travelling overseas may need a short-term service that we can provide. “Some clients will tend to go back home for maybe two to three months out of the year, so this will be the place for them to store their goods, rather than at home.” The new service also allows clients to remain anonymous, if they choose. “Because we’re not a bank, we’re not obligated to provide any other information other than what we need to have a secure operation,” Thomas said. “The iris scan is all we need to be able to ensure you are the only person that is allowed into your box.” Plus, every customer is given explicit information of what cannot be stored inside their box. They include: food, explosives, weapons, drugs and child pornography. To help maintain that, sniffer dogs will be used on the premises. Costs start at $300 a year for the smallest boxes (three by five inches) and go up to $1,300 for the largest (10 by 10 inches).
LADIES SAMPLE SALE
Gorgeous Spring Collection of European Ladies Clothing SIzES 2 – 8 Now $40 & up, compared
to $160 & up
Too Good to be true. See why we are voted the Best in Vancouver
ARMADILLO BOUTIQUE • 7912 Granville St. Vancouver • 604-261-0840
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
A15
COMMUNITYForMATTERS the good of our community
THANK YOU NITE OF HOPE™ RICHMOND COMMITTEE!
R
ichmond Hospital Foundation wishes to thank the Nite of Hope™ Richmond Committee for its dedication and legacy of hope to inspire countless others to help end breast cancer.
Now in its 17th and final year, the Nite of Hope™ Richmond gala event, founded by Judi Miller Knapp in 1994, will help fund new equipment at the Richmond Hospital Breast Health Centre. Everyone in Richmond can be proud that Richmond Hospital is a part of one of the best screening mammography programs in the province with a
Nite of Hope™ Richmond Gala takes place on Thursday, April 16 at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond. This year’s event will feature CTV News anchor Mi-Jung Lee speaking
dedicated and highly skilled team providing a high standard of care, right here close to home. Last year the Nite of Hope™ Richmond gala event helped purchase a new, state-of-the-art breast ultrasound machine. Ultrasound plays an important role in identifying suspicious masses and tissue diagnoses. The new breast ultrasound machine offers better image quality and the ability to directly compare different tests such as mammography and ultrasound, resulting in a more accurate and earlier detection of breast cancer. This year proceeds from the 2015 Nite
about her own battle with breast cancer. Musical guest will be recording star Melanie Dekker. Returning as MC is CBC’s Fred Lee.
of Hope™ Gala will help to fund a new, second digital mammography unit to meet current and future demand due to Richmond’s growing and aging population. Since 1994, the Nite of Hope™ Richmond has raised more than $2.4 million in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – BC/Yukon Region and their vision of creating a future without breast cancer. On behalf of all the women here in our community and the friends and family members who love them—we thank you for your commitment and leadership to help save lives.
Join in the final hurrah and reserve your tickets online today at www.niteofhope.com/richmond If you would like more information about making a donation, please visit richmondhospitalfoundation.com or call us at 604.244.5252 BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
A16 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
SPORTS
Send story ideas or photo submissions to Richmond News editor Eve Edmonds at editor@richmond-news.com
B.C. BASKETBALL FINALS
Wildcats to build on semifinal experience Philip Raphael
Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news.com
How much does experience play in reaching a goal? The McMath Wildcats senior boys basketball team is hoping to find out next season after brushing off the disappointment of falling three points shy of a title game appearance in the B.C. Boys High School Basketball Finals last week at the Langley Events Centre. With about half of this year’s squad — which went into the provincials ranked third in Bik Chatha the 3A group — expected back, head coach Bik Chatha said things look good for another run at the tournament in 2016. Only this time, they will know better what to expect. “With a good number of Grade 11 players who were starters coming back next year, they’ve seen what it’s like to play on the
big court,” said Chatha, whose side lost 78-75 to Surrey’s Fleetwood secondary in the semifinals on Friday (March 13). “I don’t think that, if we make it back to the provincials, we’ll be overawed.” The Wildcats certainly didn’t seem to be out of their depth as the tournament started last Wednesday, beating Coquitlam’s Charles Best secondary 73-70 in the opening game, then following that up with a convincing 82-70 win over Abbotsford secondary a day later. But as the tournament wore on, Chatha said his players started to wear out as the physical demands seemed to catch up with the squad. By the time they entered the semifinal tilt against Fleetwood Park, the challenge proved to be pretty steep. Chatha said with standout forward/guard Anthony Dench still recovering from a bout of
The McMath Wildcats enjoyed early round success a the B.C. Boys Basketball Championships last week in Langley, winning games in the first two rounds before running into the tournament’s eventual champion, Surrey’s Fleetwood Park secondary, in the semifinals. Photo by Gord Goble/Special to the News pneumonia it left the Wildcats in need of some scoring punch that did manage to show some signs of life late in the semifinal game. “We were down by about 15 points with four minutes to go and went on a late rally, hitting a bunch of three-pointers,” Chatha said.
“But in the end it wasn’t enough.” Still, Chatha said he was proud of his side that managed to give Fleetwood — the tournament’s eventual champions, beating Vancouver’s Sir Charles Tupper 73-65 — a decent game. Now, it’s time for a well-
deserved rest over spring break and then begin plans for next year. “This season, our plan was to make the provincials and have a good shot at winning it,” Chatha said. “Next year, our realistic plan is to just make the tournament, roll the dice and see what happens.”
Eagles battle for bronze on the hardwood Philip Raphael
Staff Reporter praphael@richmond-news.com
Sam Tamana’s cellphone has been ringing quite a bit over the past few days. The calls have been for congratulations in leading his Richmond Christian boys’ basketball team to a third place finish last week at the provincial finals in Langley. And some messages have been from school alumni who are interested in getting onboard the school’s suddenly, extremely popular program on the hardwood that makes a leap from its current 1A division to 2A next season. “It’s been great,” said Tamana, who along with fellow Richmond Christian alumni Tim Subion coached their squad to a number one ranking prior to the provincials at the Langley Events Centre. “People
have been very excited about what we’ve been able to achieve. We’re mainly known as a volleyball school that is a regular at the provincials. Now, we’re getting some recognition for what we can do on the basketball court.” Tamana said he is very proud of his team’s performance throughout the tournament, especially after a heartbreaking, 68-58 semifinal loss to Kelowna Christian, the tournament’s eventual champion. “That was tough. We were pretty much tied all the way until the last five minutes of the game,” Tamana said, adding he was impressed by the bounce back his Eagles showed in the following bronze medal game against Langley’s Credo Christian, beating them 70-54. “We showed a good response to come back and play well in that game,” said
Richmond Christian’s boys senior basketball team capped their season with a third place finish at the provincial finals in Langley on Saturday. Photo submitted Tamana who will now be helping organize the basketball program’s first summer programs to keep interest high and sharpen his players’ abilities far ahead of next
season’s tip off. “Our team has had a special sparkle to it and it’s going to be great to see what we can become.” he said.
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
HEALTH
A17
Living life in the circle of debt
E
very story has a beginning and an end, but life is actually lived somewhere in the middle — and it’s best to keep our focus there. If we focus on the past, we can get depressed; if we focus on the future, we can get anxious. But if we focus on the present, we have our best chance of managing the challenges and opportunities we face in the moment — at least, this is what I’ve learned as someone living with a mental illness. For me, part of living in the present meant accepting the fact I needed financial help. I was born into a middle class family; I was well educated and highly functional. I did not want to receive government support out of pride. But my reality was such that I couldn’t pursue a career, and I struggled to maintain a full-time job on a permanent basis. When I finally accepted my situation, and let go of some of my attitudes and expectations, I came to realize that all members of society have a right to live with dignity and mobility. No one chooses to have a disability — including me. After I decided that it was okay to receive support, I faced another hurdle — poverty. What the government provides is a mere pittance of $900 a month. Just finding rent for $900 a month in Richmond is near impossible, never mind having to stretch that to pay for food, clothing and transportation, as well. I got a part-time job to alleviate the effects of poverty. Then I was informed that I was only allowed to keep a maximum of $5,000 in the bank. The rules didn’t change much even after I got married. To me, being able to save money is a basic human right. Another mental health survivor described the denial of that right as “legislated poverty.” Only 10 to 14 per cent of those dealing with a mental disability are employed; not
surprising MentalHealth as there is so little Jenny financial Cam incentive. What a mistake! Not only is work a huge contributor to sound mental
health — and that goes for anyone, not just those with a disability — but it is also a contributor to sound financial policy for both the individual and the government. The more we can work, save and stand on our own
two feet financially, the more we can contribute to the economy, and the more we can take care of ourselves come a rainy day. Many in the mental health circle live like scavengers and will go without necessities for privileges
like cigarettes. Not only is this an unconscionable cost to potential and human dignity, it is also a significant economic cost to society at large. It is time for change. It is time to allow survivors of mental illness some comfort
in hard times and the assurance we do not have to live thousands of dollars under the poverty line. Let me know what you think. Jenny Cam is a person with mental illness living in Richmond.
Why should Richmond vote YES? MORE CANADA LINE SERVICE With 20 more train cars providing 33% more service, you’ll have a less crowded and more comfortable commute.
NEW B-LINE RAPID BUS SERVICE More buses will save you time and reduce overcrowding on No. 1 Road, No. 3 Road, and Railway Avenue. New B-Line rapid bus routes will run from Richmond to Metrotown all day long.
ROAD & BRIDGE UPGRADES Road upgrades will ensure people, goods and services move more freely, efficiently and safely, while also addressing critical bottlenecks.
Together, these projects and many more meet the demands of an expected population growth of 1 million in the next 30 years, which would otherwise put unimaginable strain on an already overcrowded transportation network. Voting YES in the upcoming Transit and Transportation Referendum will reduce the costs of congestion by 33% and improve the quality of life for everyone. All for less than 35 cents a day per household. Vote YES for a faster commute, a stronger economy and a better environment.
Look for your ballot in the mail and vote YES. Check out the Plan at mayorscouncil.ca
A20 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM For making us
THE FASTEST GROWING AUTOMOTIVE BRAND IN CANADA Based on full-line brands, on 12 month, year over year rolling unit salesº
SPECIAL WORRY FREE LEASE OFFER†
NO CHARGE MAINTENANCE FOR THREE YEARS
BUY TO
WIN!
0
ON SELECT MODELS
$ + DOWN PAYMENT
ON SELECT NISSAN LEASES
1st Prize:
7777
to spend on your dream vacation!
2014 NISSAN TITAN SV CREW CAB 4X4 46,558 CASH $ DISCOUNT - 13,000 NOW $33,558 MSRP
$
2014 NISSAN MURANO 3.5 SL MSRP NCF DISCOUNT
42,598 -$7,000 $ 35,598
$
& GUARANTEED PROTECTION
AUTO SHOW BONUS
1st Lucky Draw of 2015*
$
0
$ SECURITY DEPOSIT
PLUS
2015 PathFinder.....$1,000 2015 Rouge .............$1,000 2015 Altima .............$1,000
2015 Juke...................$750 2015 Sentra...............$750 2015 Versa Note........$750
*Towards your NCF Lease or Finance
THREE YEARS NO-CHARGE OIL & FILTER INCLUDED
5.6 V8, All Power Options, Factory Bed Liner, A/C, Premium Sound System, Alloy Wheels
Only 1 Left
Or 0% Fin. . Up to 84 mo
13,000 OFF
$
THREE YEARS NO-CHARGE OIL & FILTER INCLUDED CVT, 3.5L, V6, All Wheel Drive, All Power Options, Bluetooth, Leather, Sun Roof, Bose Sound
Only 2 Left
Or 0% Fin. . Up to 72 mo
7,000 OFF
$
W O 3,500 OFF H S O T AU 3,500 OFFUS N O B
NOW
2015 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S
SPECIAL WORRY ORRY FREE LEASE EASE OFFER INCLU INC UDED
CVT, A/C, CD, ABS, All Power Options MSRP
NCF DISCOUNT AUTO SHOW BONUS
NOW
26,593 -$2,500 -$1,000 $ 23,093
SEMI-MONTHL LEASE≠ FROM SEMI-MONTHLY
$
2015 NISSAN ROGUE 2.5 S AWD A
Or 0% Fin.o. Up to 60 m
$
or
NCF DI DISCOUNT T AUT UTO SHOW W BONUS S
NOW
27,748 -$2,500 -$1,000 $ 24,248
NCF DISCOUNT AUTO SHOW BONUS
NOW
17,165 -$2,000 -$750 $ 14,415
. Or 0.9% Fmino. Up to 24
NOW
◆
WORRY FREE†
LEASE
0 DOWN AT 1.99
$
or
%
THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONL ONLY
129 WITH
$
APR FOR 60 MONTHS
60
$
◆
WORRY FREE†
LEASE
WEEKLY ON ROGUE S FWD
SPECIAL PECIAL WORRY ORRY FREE LEASE OFFER INCLUDED
Or 0% Fin.o. Up to 72 m
2,750 OFF
$
or
SEMI-MONTHLY LEASE≠ FROM
0 DOWN AT 0.90
$
THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONLY
%
APR FOR 60 MONTHS
39
$
84 WITH
$
◆
WORRY FREE†
WEEKLY ON VERSA NOTE 1.6 S
LEASE
SPECIAL WORRY FREE LEASE OFFER INCLUDED
CVT, CD, A/C, All Power Options,All Wheel Drive NCF DISCOUNT AUTO SHOW BONUS
59
SEMI-MONTHLY LEASE≠ FROM
$
2015 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8 S MSRP
APR FOR 60 MONTHS
$
$
CVT, AM/FM CD, ABS Brakes, TCS and VDC MSRP
THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONLY
128 WITH
$
S ECIA WORR SPECIAL ORRY FREE LEASE OFFER INCLUDED
$
2015 NISSAN VERSA NOTE 1.6 S
%
WEEKLY ON ALTIMA 2.5
CVT, A/C, CD, All Power Options, Keyless Entry Entry, Bluetooth MSRP
0 DOWN AT 0
$
20,265 -$1,500 -$750 $ 18,015
$
. Or 0% Fin o. m 2 7 to p U
2,250 OFF
$
or
SEMI-MONTHLY LEASE≠ FROM
0 DOWN AT 0.90
$
THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONLY
%
89 WITH
$
APR FOR 60 MONTHS
41
$
◆
WEEKLY on SENTRA 1.8 S
WORRY FREE†
LEASE
WWW.PANPACIFICNISSAN.COM
Pan Pacific Nissan Richmond www.panpacificnissan.com
13220 Smallwood Place • Richmond Auto Mall
(604) 273-1661 DL#8390
Model codes are as follows: 2014 Titan (3CCG74 AA00), 2014 Murano (L6RG14 AA00), 2015 Altima (T4RG15 AA00), 2015 Juke (N5AT15 AA00), 2015 Rogue (Y6BG15 AA00), 2015 Versa Note (B5RG15 AE00) . NCF Discount only applies if the vehicle is financed through Nissan Canada Finance at a standard rate of 5.99%. Cash deals and the special rate finance do not qualify for the NCF Discount. Cash discounts cannot be combined with special subvented finance or lease rates. “Three Years No-Charge Oil and Filter” is not included with any European models, any V8 Engine, 370Z, Titan or Nissan GTR. No-Charge All Wheel Drive is offered only on 2015 Juke, 2015 Rogue and 4x4 models. No-Charge All Wheel drive is only for cash transactions and cannot be combined with any special subvented finance or leases. Vehicle may not be in stock and subject to a dealer locate. All prices are plus a $549 processing fee and all taxes. 2015 Armada price is plus $2,000 government levy. *To qualify, participants must have purchased a new or used vehicle at Pan Pacific Nissan Richmond between January 20th to March 31st, 2015. Draw date: April 1st, 2015. ▲Lease payments of $64/$92/$61 on the must be made on a semi-monthly basis and cannot be made weekly. 2015 Altima (T4LG15-AA00) 120 equal payments of $128 plus taxes per month, 2015 Verse Note (B5RG55-AA00) 120 equal payments of $84 plus taxes per month, 2015 Sentra (C4LG55-AA00) 120 equal payments of $89 plus taxes per month. Weekly lease payments are for advertising purposes only. †Offer is administered by Nissan Canada Extended Services Inc. (NCESI) and applies to any new 2015 Rogue (each, an “Eligible Model”) leased and registered through Nissan Canada Financial Services Inc., on approved credit, between March 3 – March 31, 2015 from an authorized Nissan retailer in Canada. Eligible only on leases through NCF with subvented rates. Offer recipient will be entitled to receive a maximum of six (6) service visits (each, a “Service Visit”) for the Eligible Vehicle – where each Service Visit consists of one (1) oil change (using conventional 5W30 motor oil) and one (1) tire rotation service (each, an “Eligible Service”). All Eligible Services will be conducted in strict accordance with the Oil Change and Tire Rotation Plan outline in the Agreement Booklet for the Eligible Vehicle. The service period (“Service Period”) will commence on the lease transaction date (“Transaction Date”) and will expire on the earlier of: (i) the date on which the maximum number of Service Visits has been reached; (ii) 36 months from the Transaction Date; or (iii) when the Eligible Vehicle has reached 48,000 kilometers. All Eligible Services must be completed during the Service Period, otherwise they will be forfeited. The Offer may be upgraded to use premium oil at the recipient’s expense. The Eligible Services are not designed to meet all requirements and specifications necessary to maintain the Eligible Vehicle. To see the complete list of maintenance necessary, please refer to the Service Maintenance Guide. Any additional services required are not covered by the Offer and are the sole responsibility and cost of the recipient. Offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain offers NCESI reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Additional conditions and limitations apply. Ask your retailer for details. ´Representative semi-monthly lease offer based on any new 2015 Rogue S FWD CVT (Y6RG15 AA00)lease APR for a 60month term equals 120 semi-monthly payments of $138 with $0 down payment, and $0 security deposit. First semi-montthly payment, down payment and $0 security deposit are due at lease inception. Prices and payments include freight and fees. Lease based on a maximum of 20,000 km/year with excess charged at $0.10/km. This offer is only valid from March 3 - 31, 2015. ▲Models shown $45,248 Selling Price for a new 2015 Rogue SL AWD Premium (Y6DG15 BK00) AWD. *◆±#◆Freight and PDE charges.Offers have no cash alternative value. See your participating Nissan retailer for complete details. ©1998-2015 Nissan Canada Inc. and Nissan Financial Services Inc. a division of Nissan Canada Inc. Auto Show Bonus applies to only Nissan contract, does not qualify for cash purchase.