New Westminster Record July 6 2023

New West man found not criminally responsible in woman’s killing

Victim was worried about boyfriend’s mental state in days leading up to attack

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

Warning:This story contains disturbing details.

A man who bludgeoned his girlfriend to death with a hammer in their NewWestminster home two years ago has been found not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder.

Andywele Carlan Mullings was tried in B C Supreme Court in NewWestminster earlier this month for the second-degree murder of his intimate partner, Emily Appleyard, onTuesday, March 2, 2021.

Mullings admitted to causing Appleyard’s death by striking her in the head with a hammer several times.

Mullings was originally charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon, but the charges were upgraded after Appleyard died of her injuries

On June 23, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Martha Devlin found Mullings was in an “acutely psychotic state” at the time of the killing and lacked the capaci-

Continued on page 3

Up front

Police board plans ‘extensive’ budget process

Early indications suggest NewWestminster Police Department could seek 8% or more budget increase

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

The NewWestminster police board has mapped out a tentative schedule for consideration of its 2024 budget one that could propose a budget increase of more than eight per cent.

At its June 20 meeting, the police board received a staff report about the New Westminster Police Department’s 2024 operational budget.The Police Act requires municipal police boards to approve their budgets by Nov 30, 2024 Salary and benefits account for approximately 80 per cent of the New Westminster Police Department’s overall budget, said the report

“The (2023) budget saw an increase of 10 11 per cent or $2,643,244, reflecting ongoing challenges such as recruitment, cost escalations, and downloading of costs from other government entities,” said the report

The police department is currently estimating a budget increase of 8 48 per cent to 11.07 per cent in 2024, said the report Chief Const Dave Jansen told the board the budget figures “are really raw” at this time. He said the main objective of the budget is to align with the board’s goals and priorities and to ensure the city receives effective and adequate policing

“In light of this, our re-

port highlights several challenges that we anticipate for the upcoming fiscal year One of the significant concerns is a shortage of operational staff Although the department

currently has a budget for 114 sworn police officers, this number fails to accurately reflect the number of deployable members due to various factors such as police academy

recruits, mat/pat (maternity/paternity) leaves and long-term illness,” he said.

“Moreover, the recruiting challenges faced by police agencies across British Columbia and the country add to the difficulty of timely replacements ”

Jansen’s report also provided a proposed timeline to assist the board in building the police department’s 2024 budget

“It proposes six public meetings of the board, including two that are being proposed to include New Westminster city council,” he said “At four of these meetings, the public will have an opportunity to provide input to the board for your consideration

This is the most extensive

public process of budget preparation that the board has undertaken since I’ve been the chief constable.”

In addition to the initial discussion with the board at its June meeting on budget timelines and pressures, the chief recommended a process that includes one meeting in July (a presentation about the initial 2024 operating and capital budget), two meeting in September (including one with city council), a meeting in October and two meetings in November (including a meeting with council)

At the June 20 police board meeting, Jansen suggested additional meetings could be scheduled with council in November

Woman’skillerlackedcapacitytotellrightfromwrong,judgerules

Continued from page 1

ty to know that his actions were morally wrong

The hammer attack followed several days of increasingly visible mental deterioration by Mullings, according to Devlin’s judgment – a series of events that culminated in him being taken to Lions Gate Hospital on the morning of the attack

There, a nurse determined that Mullings needed “emergent care and rapid medical attention” and required assessment by a psychiatrist for “paranoid and unusual behaviour ”

But he left the hospital at 11:19 a m , before he could be admitted.

Mullings and Appleyard returned to their Princess Street downstairs suite an hour later He turned on her with the hammer just moments after they got home

TUESDAY, MARCH 2

Devlin’s judgment outlines in detail the events of the day of the attack

Between 4:54 a.m. and 5:10 a m that morning, Mullings took a series of photos of a piece of paper with writing on it He called his boss at 5:30 a.m. and texted him a photo of the “incomprehensible” notations.

For the next hour, there were a series of communications between Appleyard, Mullings, two of

Mullings’ aunts and his grandmother Appleyard said Mullings was behaving abnormally and not bathing, eating or sleeping. Mullings, meanwhile, said “Today them going to kill me” and claimed again that Appleyard had taken out insurance on him “to have him and his children killed ” Mullings left for work by 6:40 a m At 6:56 a m , Appleyard called 911 requesting a welfare check.

“In this call, Ms Appleyard is heard expressing her gentle concern that Mr Mullings might harm himself,” the judgment said Appleyard also contacted Mullings’ boss to let him know Mullings wasn’t

doing well and that she had called police

Early that morning, a NewWestminster Police Department officer called Mullings, who told him Appleyard “was involved in a conspiracy to smuggle children ”

The officer described Mullings as “rambling” and arranged for members of theWestVancouver Police Department to visit Mullings at his worksite on the North Shore.TwoWest Vancouver officers found him “not making sense and rambling,” but they concluded they didn’t have a basis to apprehend him under the Mental Health Act.

They did, however, convince him to go to hospi-

tal voluntarily. A recording of their drive with Mullings to Lions Gate Hospital reveals Mullings as distraught and crying, repeating that he was being “slow poisoned” by Appleyard, who was “part of a big plan and plot” and that “it’s gonna end real quick ”

While waiting at the hospital, Mullings communicated with a cousin over Instagram, text and video calls, repeating his claims about “slow poisoning.”

TUESDAY, MARCH 2: AFTER THE HOSPITAL

Following his preliminary assessment by a nurse at Lions Gate Hospital, Mullings walked out before he could be admitted.

Mullings initially called

his boss asking for a ride home, but the boss declined, so Mullings said he would contact Appleyard. She drove to the hospital, picked him up and took him back to his worksite to get his car

They both headed back to NewWestminster, arriving home at about 12:19 p m

At 12:19 p m , Appleyard texted one of Mullings’ aunts, saying: “He’s back home now and seems like himself again He has no memory of any of the things he said.Thank you so much ”

At 12:22 p.m., Mullings took a photo of Appleyard lying in blood on the kitchen floor and posted it to Facebook

COUNCILINCLUDED:TheNewWestminsterpoliceboardis proposingseveralmeetingsaboutthepolicedepartment’s2024 budget,includingthreemeetingswithcitycouncil

PHOTOTHERECORD

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, July 6 7:00 pm

Queen’s Park Concert Series

Queen’s Park Bandshell

Friday, July 7 5:30 pm Royal City Sound Park Takeover Moody Park

Sunday, July 9 2:00 pm

Queen’s Park Concert Series

Queen’s Park Bandshell

TELL US WHAT CITY PROJECTS YOU WANT PRIORITIZED IN 2024!

We know you’ve got ideas about how the City should be prioritizing projects like bike lanes, sports infrastructure, road repairs, train whistle cessation, climate-action retrofits, etc Our Budget 2024 Survey is your chance to weigh in on these and other priorities on the City’s to-do list! Plus: Share your preferences for how to allocate grant money, and how you want the City to balance the budget (e.g. increase taxes, increase user fees, add new fees, etc.)

Enter to win one of three $50 gift cards! Survey deadline is July 10 beheardnewwest.ca/budget2024

CITY-LED COMMUNITY CONSULTATION ON A REZONING APPLICATION (REZ00235)

Comment Period: July 4 – July 25, 2023

REZONING APPLICATION FOR 926 FIRST STREET

A Rezoning application has been received to allow construction of a duplex at 926 First Street, consistent with the Duplex, Triplex and Quadraplex: Interim Development Review Policy. The proposed side-by-side, ground-oriented residential units would have an overall Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of 0 61. Both of the proposed units would be family-friendly, containing four bedrooms. Secondary suites and/or a laneway house would not be permitted. Two off-street parking spaces are proposed at the rear of the site, accessed via the lane

The proposal would be to rezone the property from Single Detached Residential Districts (RS-1) to a Comprehensive Development (CD) District to facilitate the project Images of the proposed development are available on Be Heard New West. This is the opportunity for public comment on the proposal prior to the application being forwarded to Council for consideration.

HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

Complete the survey found on the project webpage at: beheardnewwest.ca/926-first-st

If you are unable to access the webpage, please contact the Planning division: Phone: 604-527-4532 Email: devfeedback@newwestcityca

Mail: Climate Action, Planning and Development Department – Planning Division 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster BC V3L 1H9

Send your comments by end of day on July 25, 2023.

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?

Fine detailed project information and complete the survey on the 926 First Street project webpage: beheardnewwest.ca/926-first-st

Monday, July 10 4:00 pm

Council Workshop Council Chamber, City Hall and online

Monday, July 10 6:00 pm

Council Meeting Council Chamber, City Hall and online

BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT WITH TWO A/C INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

Feeling the heat? There are two portable air conditioner incentive programs currently being offered by BC Hydro: free A/C units and installation for income-qualified households, and a $50 rebate for purchases of new energy-efficient portable units. New Westminster residents are eligible to apply to these and all other BC Hydro programs! Visit our website to find links to the A/C programs, as well as lots of other resources to help you manage the heat this summer: newwestcity.ca/extreme-heat

CITY-LED COMMUNITY CONSULTATION ON A REZONING APPLICATION (REZ00232)

Comment Period: July 4 – July 25, 2023

REZONING APPLICATION FOR 902 FIRST STREET

A Rezoning application has been received to allow construction of a duplex at 902 First Street, consistent with the Duplex, Triplex and Quadraplex: Interim Development Review Policy. The proposed side-by-side, ground-oriented residential units would have an overall Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of 0 60 Both of the proposed units would be family-friendly, containing three bedrooms. Secondary suites and/or a laneway house would not be permitted. Two off-street parking spaces are proposed at the rear of the site, accessed via the side street

The proposal would be to rezone the property from Single Detached Residential Districts (RS-1) to a Comprehensive Development (CD) District to facilitate the project Images of the revised design are available on Be Heard New West. This is the opportunity for public comment on the proposal prior to the application being forwarded to Council for consideration.

HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

Complete the survey found on the project webpage at: beheardnewwest.ca/902-first-st

If you are unable to access the webpage, please contact the Planning division: Phone: 604-527-4532

Email: devfeedback@newwestcityca

Mail: Climate Action, Planning and Development Department – Planning Division 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster BC V3L 1H9

Send your comments by end of day on July 25, 2023

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?

Fine detailed project information and complete the survey on the 902 First Street project webpage: beheardnewwest.ca/902-first-st

City fires up new $30-million Queensborough substation

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

The City of NewWestminster’s new electrical substation is now providing power to parts of Queensborough.

Since firing up the new $30-million Queensborough electrical substation on June 16, the NewWestminster Electrical Utility has been providing power toValueVillage and a section of commercial in that part of Queensborough –starting with a small area to ensure a smooth transition Until that night, all of Queensborough’s power had come from the city’s mainland

“Now we’ve got the substation right here in Queensborough, so it’s a lot better,” said Rod Car-

le, general manager of the NewWestminster Electrical Utility “The cable runs are a lot shorter – you should see a lot more efficiencies, etc from feeding everything on the island from the island ”

Carle said the facility will be providing power to all of Queensborough by the end of the summer

“We need to probably have everything in place before winter,” he told the Record

Carle said the new facility will free up some capacity on the mainland When the area around the 22nd Street SkyTrain station is developed, he said that area will likely get its power from the Queensborough substation

On June 20, the City of

NewWestminster held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new substation

Steve Faltas, acting senior manager of the New Westminster Electrical Utility, said discussions about the project date back to the summer of 2017 He said the “long journey” to

the completion of the electrical substation was made possible by the vision and leadership of city council and the utility commission, and was supported by the city’s ongoing partnership with BC Hydro

“Council deserves a lot of credit for their resounding support of this project

from the moment it was presented to them several years ago and all throughout the process,” he said.

“I’m not going to lie; at times, when presenting a new project to council, it’s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get But I can honestly say that that wasn’t the case with this project They were on board from the beginning.”

Mayor Patrick Johnstone said the project demonstrates local leadership on renewable energy and provides the kind of resiliency needed by a community that’s growing at the speed NewWestminster is growing.

“The substation will continue our utilities mis-

sion of safely and reliably providing renewable energy to the residents and business owners of New Westminster,” he said.

According to Johnstone, the project represents the largest single financial investment the city’s electric utility has made since its inception in 1891.

While it was a “technically and jurisdictionally” challenging site, he said the city’s team and the contractors working on the project brought it in under budget – despite a supply chain crisis, inflation and significant labour force challenges across construction industry

Johnstone told the Record the project came in more than $2 million under budget

UNDERBUDGET:MayorPatrickJohnstonesaysthenewQueensboroughelectricalsubstationcameinmorethan$2millionunder budget

PHOTOTHERESAMCMANUS

Should city council have input into the New West police department’s budget?

Do you support the idea of a city ethics commissioner?

MY VIEW KEITH BALDREY

Incumbency shields governing parties from bad press

Just how difficult a task opposition parties face in trying to win power was on display in four recent federal byelections and recent polling in B.C. and Ontario.

Despite many months of being bashed over the head again and again with such issues as foreign interference in politics, a crumbling health-care system and a rising cost of living, the federal Liberal party was able to hang on to two seats and nearly won a safe Conservative seat in those byelections.

And a poll by the Angus Reid Institute showed that although most voters in both B C and Ontario think their provincial government is performing miserably when it comes to handling the most pressing issues, both governments would easily be re-elected to a majority status if a vote were held today.

In fact, it’s rather astonishing when you consider that about eight in 10 B C voters give the BC NDP government a failing grade on three critical issues cost of living, health care, and housing yet almost half are willing to vote for the party.

The Reid poll put the BC NDP’s support among decided voters at 47 per cent, a huge 18-point lead over the BC United Party This, despite the NDP getting little credit when it comes to key issues

Of course, the 18-point gap in B.C. is likely largely attributable to the unfamiliarity with the new BC United “brand,” but that doesn’t explain the NDP’s gaudy level of support at a time when few people approve of the job the party is doing.

Also in the mix may be a genuine dislike of what people see from BC United and its leader Kevin Falcon right now.The

party is shifting right, and voters may be offside with that

Certainly, questions about leadership and right-wing drift abound at the federal level Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s personal popularity numbers are hovering around those for Prime Minister JustinTrudeau (both at around 36 per cent in the latest Reid poll) and he has a particular problem with women voters

The byelection results magnified a significant vulnerability facing the Conservatives The party lost badly inWinnipeg-South Centre, the kind of urban riding it needs to win (it held the riding when Stephen Harper was prime minister) if it hopes to gain power.

The Conservatives also nearly lost the semi-rural Ontario riding of Oxford, normally a party stronghold.

Byelections are supposed to be easy fodder for opposition parties, particularly when a government is getting dragged through shards of glass on a regular basis. That wasn’t the case last month (in fact, it was the Conservatives that lost ground, not the ruling Liberals).

For now, anyway, voters seem willing to give incumbent governments enormous latitude and a very long runway

If that mood continues (it appears to have taken hold at the beginning of the pandemic and has yet to disappear in many places) it all adds up to potentially bad news for most opposition parties.

Trying to make the case that they are a better fit for government than the incumbent can be a tough sell right now.

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.

Letters

Canada needs renewable energy

Editor:Oilcompanieshave hadyearstotransformtheir operationsandreducetheir emissionsbuthaven’t,and theiremissionscontinueto increase

Whyarewesubsidizingbillion-dollarcorporationswith publictaxdollars?

Idon’twantmytaxdollars subsidizingandfinancingfossilfuelcompanieswhilethey gougeusatthepumps,make windfallprofits,aggravate climatechangeandlobbyfor weakindustryregulations

Renewableenergypricesare morestableandpredictable thanoilandgasprices.Ifwe wantenergysecurity,reliabilityandaffordability,renewablesarethewayforward.

Onehundredpercentclean, reliableandaffordablerenewableelectricityinCanada isentirelypossible,offering aclimatesolutionthatwill benefitcommunities,create jobsandimproveairquality. That’ssomethingeveryone cansupport LeeSmith

How will my kids learn to be proud Canadians?

Editor:Afterfouryearsliving inCanada,Icannotletgothe factthatschoolsinthisdistrict didnotcelebrateCanada Day!Whiletheyspentawhole monthcelebratingaflagthat excludesthemajorityofthe

schoolpopulation,theydid notmentionthenationalflag thatrepresentsall IthasbeenawhilesinceI noticedthatkidsdonotknow thenationalanthemofCanada!AfterfouryearsinCanada, Icansaythatmychildrendo notknowthewords!How willkidslearntolovethis countryandbeproudtobe Canadians?Icanguarantee theyknowhowtosingthe anthemandareproudtobe fromourhomecountry. Please,schoolboard,tell me,asarecentimmigrant, willIhavetoteachthat,too? Forhowlongwillwelivein Canadainbubblesofdifferent nationalitiesandideologies? Whenwillwebecomeareal nationandbeproudtobe allCanadians?Underthe nationalflag? RenataFerreira

Columbia Square plan needs work

Editor:WhileIthinkmuch oftheredevelopmentof ColumbiaSquarecouldbea greatadditiontothearea,Iseriouslyquestiontheconcept ofatransit-freezone Iwouldguessthatthe currentplannedconstruction intheareawilladdatleast 3,500parkingspacesinthe immediatearea Theplanned 45-storeytoweratthetraffic circlewillrequiresomefancy footworktogetyourcaroutof yourparkinglot.Yes,sadly,if youbuyaplaceina45-storey tower,youwillgetatleastone parkingstall. Allthispotentialtrafficonto 10thStreetwillbeadisaster.

Wedon’tallridee-bikes Back tothedrawingboard.

JohnDitchburn

‘Authoritarian’ behaviour is disheartening

Editor:Iamanimmigrant. Havingmovedhereadecade ago,seekingadifferent environmentfromastatewith asocialistgovernment,Inow considerNewWestminster myhome.However,inrecent months,Ihaveobserved someconcerningbehavior fromMayorPatrickJohnstone duringcouncilmeetings, whichremindsmeofthe authoritarianleadershipstyle Ihopedtoleavebehind. Itisdishearteningtowitness alackofopenness,respect

andwillingnesstoengage inconstructivedialogue. Instead,Ihavenoticedatrend ofshuttingdownconversations,tauntingopposition andeventempertantrums, whicharenotconducivetoa healthydemocraticenvironment Istronglybelievethat leadersshouldprioritizerespect,open-mindednessand thewillingnesstoconsider diverseperspectives

Letusstrivetofostera culturewhereideasare welcomed,conversations areconductedinacourteousmanner,andrespectfor differingopinionsisupheld Itismysincerehopethatour leadersinNewWestminster, andindeedleaderseverywhere,embracetheseprinciplesandavoidauthoritarian tendencies.

JosephJoy

SAVING OUR STONES PRESERVATION PROJECT (ALL AGES)

Every summer, Museum staff welcome all to help clean and preserve the City’s grave markers at Fraser Cemetery using best practices. This is a unique way for the community to work together and show respect to those who came before them. Register online for free at newwestcity ca/register:

• Saturday, July 8, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (ID# 181850)

• Sunday, July 9, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (ID# 181851)

Want to hear about some of the historic individuals at the cemetery and learn the basics of caring for the grave markers? Join us for the free virtual information session on July 6, 7:00 – 8:00 pm (ID# 181854). This information session is open to everyone, regardless of whether you will be participating on-site

The City is currently considering the feasibility of bringing an e-bike share program to New West As part of the study, we want to hear from the community on their experiences with bike-sharing systems in other cities, their anticipated use of an e-bike share within New Westminster, and their thoughts on the initial program recommendations. Take our quick survey and share your experiences and thoughts! The survey is open until July 10: beheardnewwest ca/e-bike-share

CENTENNIAL TOTEM POLE RESTORATION AT QUEEN’S PARK

more at: newwestcity ca/rec

After 56 years, the 24-foot Centennial Totem Pole in Queen’s Park requires renewal. Artist Lloyd Wadhams Jr will perform the restoration work on his late father's creation at the former farm at Queen’s Park Learn

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 New Westminster Record team

Community

Fridays on Front is back with six themed summer block parties

NaveenaVijayan

nvijayan@newwestrecord ca

Here’s a plan to spruce up your Fridays this month and the next: block parties in downtown New West.

Starting Friday, July 7, Fridays on Front a weekly block party series on Front Street promises a lively start to almost every weekend till Aug 25

This year, the event packs in the excitement of six parties with six different themes While the first, on July 7, will see the kickoff, the following Fridays in July will have people gather to celebrate East Asia (July 14) and join in on a Bollywood bash (July 21)

Come August, three back-to-back Fridays will be themed “Throwing it Back,” “Pride” and “The Last Act.”

Adding to this summer festival presented by the Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Association (BIA), in partnership with

On Your Block festival returns to New West

TheresaMcManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

the City of NewWestminster, Evo Car Share and Port ofVancouver will be a range of live entertainment and music shows (with more than 22 artists performing this year), kids’ activities hosted by the non-profit Family Place and a full-blown artisan market by NewWest Craft.

At the fully-licensed party, you can grab a drink from Steel & Oak Brewery or Pacific BreezeWinery while browsing food trucks offering a range of cuisines some examples include SuperThai, NamiVietnamese,Tokyo Katsu-Sand, Fijian Fusion,Taste of Malaysia, Old Country Pierogi, Ay! Mamacita, Munchu Picchu and more.

The festival was launched in 2017 as a way to bring the crowds back to Front Street, as Kendra Johnston, the previous executive director of Downtown NewWest BIA, told the Record in a 2022 interview Excessive con-

struction work in the area back in the day, she said, had people avoiding it

The event did help Front Street see sizable crowds again as thousands showed up to the Friday parties.While the parties were a hit till 2019, they had to be paused for two years due to the pandemic before being resumed in 2022 this time to help Front Street bounce back to how it was before COVID

This year, the down-

town summer event continues its efforts to “bounce back” one Friday party at a time.

The Fridays on Front street parties will be held at the Front Street Mews between Sixth and McKenzie streets, on July 7, 14 and 21, Aug 11, 18 and 25, between 5 and 9 p.m.The location is a walking distance from Columbia and NewWestminster SkyTrain stations For more details, check out https:// downtownnewwest.ca/ Fridays-On-Front

The second annual On Your Block Multicultural Festival returns to New Westminster. It’s on Saturday, July 8 from 1 to 9 p m inTipperary Park, 315 Queens Ave

Efe Fruci, who founded the festival, said On Your Block:Where Everyone Belongs aims to be a fun, relaxing, welcoming, friendly community gathering

Live entertainment, more than 50 local vendors and small businesses, arts and crafts and live painting are just some of the things happening at this year’s festival

The entertainment lineup includes:Vince Ashton; DJ Oga Rossco; Sam Chimes; DJ Owabowa; DJ Andy; Rock ‘N’ Beau; Marcus De Lima; Ahsia; Enry Smith;The Sylvia Platters; Jennamae; Alite; Luc Lemans; Robert Billard &The Cold Calls; DJ Ice-B;Worst Kept Secret; Machinale of Social Medium Tamami Maitland, IanWijesinghe, Colin

Lovell; Shman, and Darrell Zimmerman are also scheduled to attend.

Fruci said the performers who will be taking to the stage are a mixture of folks who are coming from around the world, including France, the U S , Nigeria, the U.K. and Canada

Kids had so much fun showing off their moves at last year’s OnYour Block festival that organizers decided to hold a special kid’s dance party as part of this year’s event Kids will be invited on stage from 2:30 to 3 p.m. to join in on a dance party led by dance director Rock’N’Beau and to show off their moves

The goal of On the Block is to bring communities together in a safe space and to promote unity, collaboration, togetherness and community

OnYour Block Festival is organized by Odihi, a non-profit that provides access to education and creates career opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) girls and women

BLOCKPARTY:FridaysonFrontisbackwithsixthemedpartiesthis summer PHOTOCONTRIBUTED

This community event is proudly sponsored by:

WEEKEND

THURSDAY, JULY 6

NEW DRAG, WHO DIS?

NewWest’s Moodswing Coffee and Bar will transform into a performance stage once every month thanks to a new show called New Drag,Who Dis?, launched by drag performer miss juicEEE.The 19-plus event aims to offer a platform for new and emerging drag artists “As a QBIPOC, I hope to make a space for other 2SLGBTQIA+ and QBIPOC where they can feel seen, supported and uplifted regardless of experience ” miss juicEEE said in the event description.The first of the monthly performance series launches today.Tickets are priced between $10 and $15 online, and $20 at the door.

WHEN: 7 to 11 p.m.

WHERE: Moodswing Coffee and Bar, 655 Front St.

DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/ 2ahmse2e

FRIDAY, JULY 7

FRIDAYS ON FRONT

Dive into every weekend this summer with a wild party in NewWest’s downtown Six Fridays, starting July 7 and extending all summer to Aug. 25, will see a series of block parties each celebrating different themes including East Asia, Pride and Bollywood.The free, family-friendly event will include live entertainment and music, activities for kids, an artisan market by NewWest Craft, food trucks and food vendors, and alcoholic beverages courtesy of Steel & Oak Brewery and Pacific BreezeWinery

Don’t miss these weekend events

THURSDAY, JULY 6 TO SUNDAY, JULY 9

QUEEN’S PARK ARTS FESTIVAL

CELEBRATINGARTS:Queen’sParkArtsFestivalincludesliveconcerts,adanceworkshopandmore.

WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Front Street (600 block)

DETAILS: https://downtownnewwest. ca/Fridays-On-Front

SATURDAY,

JULY 8

ON YOUR BLOCK MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

Block your Saturday for the annual On Your Block Multicultural Festival that returns toTipperary Park this weekend.The event “where everyone belongs” will see live entertainment on three different stages main stage, market stage and beer garden stage and feature more than 50 local vendors, a host of food trucks, arts and crafts activities, live painting and

more The event is an extension of founder Efe Fruci’s not-for-profit initiative called Odihi that supports BIPOC girls and women; it aims to foster “unity, collaboration and togetherness.”

WHEN: 1 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Tipperary Park

DETAILS: https://www.onyourblock fest.com/

STORYTIME AND ORIGAMI

How can the simple art of making sushi teach a monumental lesson on intentions?

Let your kids (aged four years and above) find out all about it from the book reading of The Perfect Sushi by children’s book author and scientist Emily Satoko After

This year’s Queen’s Park Arts Festival lineup has a diverse mix of performances find out how New West choir QuaysideVoices creates the sound of drums and bass with just their voice; swing by the Royal City Swing performance before heading to a live concert by theVancouver-based roots band Headlong Hearts.The series also includes an interactive accordion act by Bellow and Sing, a Bollywood dance workshop by dancer Melinda Fernandes and a performance by a 25-member band, the Kara-Kata Afrobeat group

WHEN: 7 p.m. on July 6 and 7, 12 p.m. till evening on July 8 and 9

WHERE: Queen’s Park Bandshell

DETAILS: Check out the schedule on https://artscouncilnewwest. org/queensparkartsfestival/

the free storytime session that’ll expose the kids to Japanese culture, let your little ones also try their hand at origami at the workshop led by artistYuki Anthony all as part of the same event

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Kinder Books, 101-810 Quayside Dr

DETAILS: https://kinderbooks.ca/ Compiled by NaveenaVijayan

PHOTOARTSNEWWEST

Burnaby’sBestSeniorLivingCommunity

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Community

NaveenaVijayan nvijayan@newwestrecord.ca

People, plants and animals are all interconnected Indigenous artist James Groening a k a Blue Sky’s artworks convey that above all

With the use of bright colours, spiritual imagery and symbolism, the Cree artist from the Kahkewistahaw First Nation has brought out a series of works that blend traditional stories with contemporary mediums a mashup that defines the woodland style of art

A large collection of Groening’s woodland art will be on display at the Gallery at Queen’s Park this summer.

The opening reception of the Arts NewWest show onThursday, June 29, included an artist talk, a performance by Indigenous hoop dancer Eli Gosselin-Rattlesnake and by Juno-nominated Anishi-

naabe singer and songwriter Leonard Sumner at the Queen’s Park Bandshell

Groening called the event the “first annual native renaissance in the park,” in an Instagram post; and it celebrates the Burnaby-based artist’s new body of works.

Though Groening is now a professional artist, having shown his paintings in several spaces includingVancouver-based Massy Arts Gallery and Skwachàys Lodge Aboriginal Hotel and Gallery, his journey in art started only in September 2021 Prior to that, he worked with a mining equipment manufacturer, as he told The Record in an interview.

It was a specific painting called The Birth of Norval Morrisseau by Ojibway artist Mark Anthony Jacobson that got him hooked to the woodland style of art So much so that he ended up getting an appren-

ticeship with Jacobson through a grant from First Peoples’ Cultural Council Today, Groening continues to create work in this style, while also teaching others the basics of the technique.

For him, art is an avenue to explain the “traditions, cultures and realities” of his community.

Art, while helping him “revitalize his cultural identity,” is also a way of healing and growth, as per

the event press release.

“I hope to learn more and contribute to the art world both by creating and teaching those who want to learn,” he said in the release.

forward for our cultural heritage to heal and grow,” he added Groening’s works will be on display at the Gallery at Queen’s Park till July 30, Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Community

SD40 needs $80M for school sites

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

More than 16,000 new housing units will bring nearly 2,000 school-aged children to NewWestminster over the next 10 years and the district will need to buy four new school sites to keep up with that growth.

Those numbers are set out in the NewWestminster school district’s eligible school sites proposal.The district puts together the report every year to identify future needs for school sites so it can include them in its capital plan submission to the Ministry of Education and Child Care

The district works with the City of NewWestminster to set out projected growth in the city over 10 years and what type of housing it’s expected to be. The report shows that, between 2023 and 2032, the city expects 16,300 new housing units: 9,200 in highrise apartments; 3,000 in lowrise apartments; 3,900 in row homes; and 200 in single-detached homes.

That’s a significant jump from last year’s report, which foresaw 12,935 new housing units between 2022 and 2031

The projected number

of school-aged children that housing will bring remains similar The 2022 report projected the arrival of 1,963 school-aged children from new housing over 10 years This year’s foresees 1,956 schoolage children: 230 living in highrises; 270 in lowrise apartments; 1,326 in row houses; and 130 in single-detached homes

Those students will continue to drive up enrolment growth in the fast-growing district, and SD40 is spelling out the need for four new school sites at a total cost of $80 million.

Queensborough: The district will need $14 4 million to acquire more

land for an expansion of Queensborough Middle School, taking it from an existing capacity of 375 students to a future capacity of 1,125.That would accommodate grades 6 to 8 students, plus a secondary wing for grades 9 to 12 students

Fraser River zone elementary school: The district will need $24 million to acquire land for a 575-student elementary school in the downtown area (on top of the elementary school that’s already planned for the Fraser River Middle School site)

Fraser River zone middle school: The district will need $30 million to add another middle

school on the west side of the city, for 575 students

Glenbrook zone elementary school:The district will need $11 6 million for a 575-student elementary school in Sapperton

The eligible school sites proposal is just one part of the picture for future growth in School District 40.

It also has a new longrange facilities plan in the works. Long-range facilities plans are designed to set direction for the district’s future capital plans, taking into account current and future enrolment needs based on projections up to 15 years into the future

The district’s last longrange facilities plan was adopted in October 2021, and a new plan is coming this fall

Secretary-treasurer Bettina Ketcham said the district is updating its long-range plans every two years to keep up with trends in growth in NewWestminster and to make sure its capital plans are informed by the latest data

She pointed out that changing housing types are adding some complexity to growth projections

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SPACERACE:Newconstructionmeanscontinuingpopulation growthinNewWestminster andthatmeansanever-growing needforschoolspace SD40hasoutlinedaneedfor$80millionto buylandforschoolsites.

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If you have a cellular or honeycomb shade, Dust them with a feather duster, or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment For dust inside the cells, a blow dryer on the lowest, cool air setting will blow the dust-out Clean with a sponge and a mild detergent/warm water solution and blot dry Dry cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning are not recommended Extra care should be used when cleaning opaque/blackout fabrics, as the fabrics could become permanently creased

If you have a Solar shade, to keep them clean you would Lightly vacuum both sides of shade using a brush or upholstery attachment Softly brush with a mild detergent and warm water solution. Rinse thoroughly and allow the shade to dry completely before raising it Do not immerse them in water

A Yes you can do something - retain an experienced lawyer quickly! There appear to be a number of legal wrongs including fraud In British Columbia, estate law issues are handled by the Supreme Court It is very serious to commit fraud let alone interfere with the last wishes of the deceased In Western Law the Court is neutral thus someone has to make the effort to complain, and to gather then present the evidence proving the facts You need an experienced lawyer who understands estate law and the court rules

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Financial EXPERT

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27TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

ROTARY POT OF GOLD

Proceeds to support youth programs in our community

$625,000

Raised to date

MAYFAIR LAKES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2023

5460 NO. 7 RD, RICHMOND, BC

HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSORS

Journey Volkswagen at Coquitlam, Key West Ford, IMPACT Parkinson’s, New Westminster Rotary Clubs

CONTEST HOLE PRIZE SPONSORS

Inn at the Quay • Creative Embroidery • Kruger Products

• BC Lions • GULF & FRASER

FOOD HOLE SPONSORS

The Boathouse (New Westminster), Inn at the Quay, Kelly

OʼBryanʼ s Neighbourhood Restaurant (New Westminster), Me-N-Edʼ s Pizza (Burnaby) • Salvation Army

ONLINE AUCTION & DONORS

Following up on the incredible success of last year’s online auction we are again offering you (and many others) the opportunity to bid on attractive packages (golf, accommodation, dining, experiences) with our online auction that will run from June 28 to July 22. This enables our participants to get home much earlier on the day of the tournament, and review the offerings and bid at your leisure. You will be notified if you have been outbid, and you can place automatic bidding instructions.

TRAVEL

Inn at the Quay, Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites, Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites, Executive Suites Hotel & Resort Squamish, Sidney Pier Hotel, South Thompson Inn & Conference Centre &

4 HOLE-IN-ONE PRIZES

of up to $50,000 cash or cars.

HOLE SPONSORS

Basran Industries Ltd., Birds Nest Properties, Boathouse (New Westminster), Canadian Linen & Uniform Service, Carole Albertson, Columbia Integrated Health, Connect Hearing, Dependable Brake & Muffler, Engman & Gunther, Notaries Public, Frankie Gʼ s Boilerhouse Pub, Gerda Suess, GULF & FRASER, Hyack Tire (2012) Ltd., IMPACT Parkinsonʼ s, IMPARK: Part of REEF Parking Network, Inn at the Quay, Insureline Brokers, Journey Volkswagen of Coquitlam, Kastelein Stout Insurance Agencies Ltd., Kearney Funeral Services, Kelly OʼBryanʼ s Neighbourhood Restaurant, Key West Ford, Longevity Compounding Pharmacy, McDonald & Company, Me-N-Edʼ s Pizza, Minuteman Press (New Westminster), New Westminster Notary Public, New Westminster Record, Nurse Next Door, OK Tire-Coquitlam, Oxygen Yoga & Fitness, Prospera Credit Union, Rand & Fowler Insurance, Safeway (McBride Plaza), Sage Construction Ltd , Salvation Army (New Westminster), Starlight Casino, Supreme Upholstery Ltd , Susan Cowling DLC Homeline, The Paterson Family, The Pope Team at CIBC Wood Gundy, Vallee McLennan Real Estate Team, Vancity New Westminster Branch

Rivershore Golf Course, Walnut Beach Resort, Whistler Village Inn & Suites, Up North Adventures, Air North, Sky High Valley Ranch, Park’N Fly Airport Parking, Harrison Hot Springs Hotel, The Cove Lakeside Resort, Hansi Natzke, Gray Line Westcoast Sightseeing

SPORTS/RECREATION

Vancouver Canucks Alumni, Mayfair Lakes Gold & Country Club, Hastings Raceway, Dr John Dang, Dennis Magrega DINING/BREWERIES/WINE

Amarosa Pasta House, Angelina’s Restaurant, Cockney Kings, Craft Café, El Santo Restaurant, Dave Lodermeier, Kathy & Bob MacKerricher, Piva Modern Italian Restaurant, Kelly O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Restaurant, Romer’s Burger Bar, Patina Brewing Company, John Berry, Burnaby Palace Restaurant, NW Firefighters Charitable Society, Amarosa Pasta House, TK Elevator (Canada)

Registration Only

$250/golfer

Includes: golf, shared cart, lunch, buffet dinner, prizes contests & photos with BC Lions

Uproar Dance Team.

Limited, Rotary Club of New Westminster, Cindy Tang, Roy Prevost, Nick Jordan, Alana McAllister-Hoem, Rick Molstad, Brown’s Social House, Kearney’s Funeral Services, Tessa D’Amico Leong

HEALTH, WELLNESS, BEAUTY & HOME

Columbia Integrated Health, Essence Hair Studio, Kruger Products, Sage Natural Wellness, Vallee McLennan Real Estate, Oxygen Yoga & Fitness, Granville Island Hat Shop, Save on Foods, Purpose Independent Secondary, A Friend of Purpose, Vicky & Tim Tindle, Container World, Inn at the Quay, Thirst First Refreshments

RETAIL GIFT CARDS

Save On Foods, Safeway, Tanex Industries, Walt Weaver, Rick Molstad, Alana McAllister-Hoem, Key West Ford Sales, Marvel Plumbing, TK Elevator (Canada) Limited, Kathy & Bob MacKerricher

PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORT NEW WESTMINSTER ROTARY CLUBS, SALVATION ARMY AND PURPOSE SCHOOL

If you have any questions, please contact Rick Molstad at 604.831.1821 or molstad.rick@gmail.com and we would be pleased to answer your enquiries. Hoping to see you on July 11th. RICK MOLSTAD, CHAIRMAN, POT OF GOLD CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE

Media Sponsor Print Sponsor

McBride Plaza

Community Sponsor

Lunch Sponsor

Wine Sponsor

Golf Cart Sponsor

Community

Melt away the Monday blues with free concert series

Naveena Vijayan nvijayan@newwestrecord ca

Here’s a reason to get pumped about all Mondays this summer the free open-air concert series, Monday Music in the Park, is back in NewWest. The live show invites music lovers to sit back in the “natural grass amphitheatre” around the Centennial Lodge totem pole and listen to talented musicians perform live

The open-air concert series, produced and presented by Northern Electric, a NewWest-based record label, and the Columbia Strip, an underground arts and culture magazine, is in its third year

That’s a total of 25

free concert events since it was launched, noted Richard Chapman, founder of Northern Electric

Known for treating its audience to a heady mix of rhythm n’ blues, boogie-woogie, country music and more in its previous editions, the series promises to present a similar cocktail of genres this season.

“This year’s lineup is a diverse mix that ranges from rockabilly and oldschool country to folkier singer-songwriter sounds, rhythm n’ blues and some psychedelic jangle pop,” said Chapman, who used to be the entertainment manager at the nowburnt-down-and-demol-

ished Heritage Grill

Kick-starting the event series on Monday, July 3, was the Elderly Bros, a rhythm n’ blues band of veteran musicians Gord Kearney, Lorenzo Watters and Gerry “The Sax” Potter.

The Mondays that follow will see performances by the boogie-woogie artist Mike Van Eyes and his crew of rockers, rockabilly music by Dogwood & The Shakers, and country music by Kelly Haigh and guitarist Jimmy Roy

The end of July and start of August will feature artists such as Beau Wheeler, a queer non-binary composer known as “Vancouver’s punchiest indie singer,” New West’s

psychedelic jangle-pop band,The Top Boost, and the pop band from Surrey named No Fun

Check out the full list

on the Northern Electric website, and get ready to make your Monday feel like the new Friday

All the concerts are

scheduled on Mondays to Aug 14, between 6 and 8 p.m., at the Queen’s Park Centennial Lodge totem pole