New Westminster Record December 8 2016

Page 1

NEWS 11

World’s saddest cat lives in NewWest TOP 5 THINGS TO DO 46

Kick off the Christmas season

CHRISTMAS

SPORTS 50

IN NEW WEST

Club makes soccer accessible THURSDAY DEC. 8, 2016

NewWestRecord.ca

LOCAL NEWS – LOCAL MATTERS

Y O U R

SEE PAGES 23-34

There’s more online at

H O M E T O W N

N E W S P A P E R

GIVING

Have a warm coat to share? By Theresa McManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

The B.C. SPCA Thrift Store is helping to make the cold weather more bearable for folks in need. For the past 22 years, Roni-Lyn Sanders has been organizing a coat drive every December.The thrift store’s owner collects coats each November and, with the help of volunteers, takes them to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and gives them out to those in need, including people living on the streets. “We start collecting the coats Nov. 1. We need warm winter coats. If people have waterproof coats, it’s great because they usually live outside,” she said. “Extra-large is really good – it’s usually a hit and it’s hard to find.Warm and waterproof is an added bonus. Obviously we aren’t going to be picky.” Before heading out to disperse the coats, Sanders and a team of volunteers sort them into sizes and colours and put them on racks, where people can browse and pick out a suitable coat.The Penske truck rental company supports the coat drive by helping to store and transport the donations. “Last year, it was the biggest ever,” Continued on page 10

SHARING THE WARMTH Roni-Lyn Sanders, owner of the B.C. SPCA Thrift Store, left, and coat drive volunteer Colleen Nicholson. They’re organizing a collection of warm winter coats to be distributed to people in need on the Downtown Eastside. Coats can be dropped off at the thrift store at 615 12th St. during business hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

BUDGET IN PROCESS

City eyeing 2.98 per cent tax increase By Theresa McManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

The City of New Westminster’s draft financial plan includes a 2.98 per cent tax hike in 2017. City staff recently pre-

sented an overview of the 2017 to 2021 draft financial plan to council. “We are still at the preliminary stage at the budget process, but we have actually moved the budget process up earlier this year.

We are hoping to get final approval in that February time frame,” said Mayor Jonathan Cote. “Although that (2.98 per cent) budget number isn’t set in stone and we are going to be working our way through

that process, it gives you a rough guide of what we are looking at given some of the demands that we are dealing with in this budget cycle.” Cote said the city has moved up its budget cycle

The Only Co-ed and Ladies Only Fitness in New West

10 DAYS Fast, Accurate & Efficient Service In House Optical Lab

for

FIRST TIME VISITORS ONLY. Must be 18 years or older.

in Located t New Wes Station in ra yt Sk

Lucy Ren

May time frame.We were one of the later municipalities. A lot of other municipalities, even December, January are approving their budget,” Cote said. “I think we have learned there are Continued on page 10

TAKING CARE OF ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS SPECIALIZING IN NEW WESTMINSTER

00

Tracey Davies REALTOR

WITH THIS AD

Licensed Optician • Contact Lens Fitter Progressive Glass Provider • Over 30 Years Experience Complimentary Services 706 Sixth Street, New Westminster info@newwestoptical.com

778-398-2626 www.newwestoptical.com

10

$

to better align with the city’s year-end budgets.The reports now being considered by council have typically come forward in February in past years. “In the past, usually our budget cycle ends in that

COMMITTED TO FITNESS, COMMITTED TO YOU!

#335 - 800 CARNARVON ST NEW WESTMINSTER

• www.dynamichealthandfitness.ca 604-521-TRIM • www.dynamichealthandfitness.ca 604-521-TRIM

2 Hou rs FREE Parkin g

Ask about our “ONE ON ONE PERSONAL TRAINING SPECIAL”

®

MASTER MEDALLION MEMBER

Sean Davies

REAL ESTATE ASSISTANT Call Tracey Davies for your confidential & complimentary market evaluation

604.761.4138 • www.traceydavies.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
New Westminster Record December 8 2016 by New West Record - Issuu