Tri-City News October 13 2022

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AMANDATODD

Toddfamily speaksout10 yearsafterdeath

Norm,Caroland sondelivervictim impactstatements

JANISCLEUGH jcleugh@tricitynews.com

Theparentsandbrother ofthelateAmandaTodd toldacourtonTuesday afternoon(Oct.11)howher sextortionandsuicidecontinuestocausepain.

The15-year-oldstudent oftheCoquitlamAlternate BasicEducation(CABE) schooldiedadecadeagoon Monday(Oct.10)aftershe wascyberbulliedbyDutch citizenAydinCoban.

Hewasconvictedbya juryonfivecountsinAugust.

Coban,44,hadnoreactionwhiletheTodd familyreadouttheirvictim impactstatementsbefore JusticeMarthaDevlinatBC

SupremeCourt.

Andhescrolledlegal documentsonalaptopas CrownCounselscreened avideothatAmandaTodd createdjustfiveweeksbeforeshetookherlife.

Thatvideo,shownin courtincolourbutwithno music,wentviralaftershe died.

Herfather,Norm,wept ashespokeofAmanda.“It’s hardtoputintowordshowit feelstoloseachild,”hesaid attheNewWestminsterLaw Courts.

NormToddtalkedabout howhe’sbeenunable tomournwiththeinternationalspotlightonhis daughter’ssuddendeath.

Ithasbeen,hesaid,“the mostpainful,devastating lossofmyentirelife.”

CarolToddalsospoke abouttheimpact,sayingshe

AMANDATODD

Sentencinghearingbeginsforonlinesextortionist

wasn’tabletoreturntowork fornineyears,hasbeen diagnosedwithPTSDand seekscounselling.

Shereadalouda statementfromherson, Christopher,whowrote aboutthelossofhisonlysib lingandhowhewillnever beanuncletoherchildren.

Hadshenotdied, Amandawouldhavebeen25 yearsoldtoday,hesaid.

“Imisshermorethan wordscanexplain....It changedthecourseofmy life.I’mnotthesameper son.Ithaschangedme,” CarolreadforChristopher.

WithAmanda’sframed schoolphotoonthestand, CarolToddtalkedaboutthe deteriorationofherdaugh ter’smentalhealthasaresult ofCoban.

Sherefusedtogooutin thepublicforfearofbeing shamedbyherpeers.

Shewasforcedtomove schoolsintheTri-Cities,Pitt MeadowsandMapleRidge becausehefollowedherand befriendedstudentsather newschools.

And,witheachnew messagefromanaliasthat threatenedtoexposeimages orvideoofherinexplicit scenes,Amandawentintoa darkerhole.

Asaresultofherspiral andsuicide,Carolsaidshe wasneverbeabletoseeher daughterhavehersweet16 (shediedamonthbefore herbirthday);seehergether

driver’slicence;getherfirst job;andbecomeawoman.

“Iwillmissingbeinga grandmothertoherchildren,”Caroltoldthejudge.

Familycelebrationsnow aretingedwithgrief,Carol said;however,milestones aboutCobanareremembered:hisarrestonJan.13, 2014,intheNetherlands;his extraditiontoCanada;and thenine-weektrial.

“Thishasbecomemy horriblenewnormal,”she said,addingshehasbeen thesubjectofinternettrolls whohaveaccusedherof

beinga“badmom.”

CrownCounselLouise Kenworthytoldthecourt thatalthoughCobandidn’t killAmandaTodd,hiscyberbullying“affectedevery aspectofherlife.”

Cobanused22fake aliasesonsocialmedia platformstolure,extortand criminallyharassAmanda Todd;healsosenther,her friends,herrelativesand schoolofficialsmorethan 700messagesbetween2009 and2011.

“Heruinedherlife,”she said.“Itwasthedominate

causeofhersuicide.”

Kenworthyalsoaddressed thecourtaboutCoban’s background:Heiscurrently servinga10-year,243-day sentenceintheNetherlands for68similarconvictions involving33girls—someas youngasnineyearsold.

Inmessageswithseveral ofhisvictims,hetaunted themtokillthemselves.

WithhisarrestinJanuary 2014,Cobanisduetobeout inSeptember2023.

FollowingtheCanadian sentencing,aDutchcourt willarrangeahearingforhis

SNOWFLAKEDREAM

DoughnutLoveinCoquitlamiswhippingupits specialtySnowflakeDreamtreattohelpraisemoney andbuildawarenessfortheAmandaToddLegacy Society.

It’sthesecondyearthatownersClintandKathy HileshavebackedthePortCoquitlamnon-profitorganization,whichsupportscommunityprojectsand helpspeoplestrugglingwithmentalhealth,cyberbullyingandonlineexploitation.

Lastyear,theComoLakeAvenuebusinessbrought in$2,262withSnowflakeDream.

KathyHilestoldthe Tri-CityNews thatthedoughnutistoppedwithablackberrybuttercreamglazeand snowflakesprinkles—thecolourandsymbolofthe society,whichishostingitssignatureonlineauction untilOct.14.

Canadianconvictionstobe servedintheNetherlands, Kenworthysaid.

CROWN SUBMISSION

CrownCounselisseeking asentenceofadozenyears behindbars.

Kenworthyaskedthe judgetoimposeasentence of23yearsforthefivecounts thatCobanwasconvictedof; however,giventhe“totality principle,”sherequested thewholesentencetobe reducedto12years.

Thetotalityprincipleallowsforsimilarconvictions thatwillrunconsecutively —i.e.,oneafteranother— tobecombinedintoaglobal sentence.

Inthiscase,Kenworthy offeredthefollowing:

•10yearsforextortion,a

consecutivesentencetobe cuttosixyears

•threeyearsfordistributingchildpornography,a consecutivesentencetobe reducedtooneyear

•ajudicialstayforposses sionofchildpornography

•themaximum10years forchildluring,tobecutto fiveyears

•sixyearsforcriminal harassment,torunconcurrently(atthesametime)as theextortionsentence

Kenworthysubmittedthe proposed12yearsinjailrun consecutivelytoCoban’s currentsentenceinthe Netherlands.

Kenworthytoldthecourt thatCobanhadpursued Toddonlineformorethan twoyears,startingin2009

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram

CrownCounselcites2020SupremeCourtdecision

whenshewas12yearsold andlivinginPortCoquitlam.

Cobanusedhisfake aliasestocommunicatewith her,andhesentexplicitim agesandvideosofAmanda Toddtoherfriends,family andschooladministrators whenTodddidn’tcomply withhisdemandsformore sexshows.

Coban’spersistentharassmentofthegirlwas“morally repugnant,”“callous”and “devastating”forAmanda Todd,Kenworthysaid,not ingCobanis“unrepentant,”

isn’tinterestedinrehabilitationandisatahigh-riskto reoffend.

Kenworthyalsourgedthe courttoconsideralengthy sentencetoprotectchildren whoareonlineandcited Canadianlegalprecedents ofrecentsexcrimesagainst minors—specificallyR.vs Friesen,amajordecision bytheSupremeCourtof Canadain2020.

Kenworthyhighlighted theriseofonlinesexploitationsince2010,with StatisticsCanadareporting thatcasesinvolvingchildren hadjumped31percentbe-

NormTodd(right)arrivesat BCSupremeCourtinNew WestminsteronTuesday morning. MARIOBARTEL/TCN

tween2019–2021.

“Theneedfordeterrence isextremelyhigh,”theprosecutortoldJusticeDevlin.

Thesentencinghearing isscheduledforfourdaysat theNewWestminsterLaw Courts.

The Tri-CityNews will becoveringeachdayofthe hearing.Gototricitynews. comtoreadthedailyaccountsfiledfromthecourthouse.

HUMANRIGHTS

AttackspursTCprotest

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Morethanayearafter aCoquitlamstudentfirst protestedhumanrights violationsinhernative Afghanistan,ShayestaAzizi wasatTownCentrePark againlastSaturday(Oct.8)to raiselocalawarenessabout furtherproblemsinthe country.

Azizi,19,saidshewas motivatedtoactagainafter asuicidebomberblew himselfupinaKabuled ucationcentreonSept.30, killingmorethan30people —mostlyyounggirlsfrom Afghanistan’sHazaristan region.

Azizisaidsincethe Talibanseizedcontrolof thecountryonAug.15, 2021,womenandgirlshave enduredincreasingrestric tions,includingaccessto education.Buttheschool wheretheattackoccurred

continuedtoteachitsfemale students.

“It’sreally,youknow, upsettingtoseethatmyown peoplearesufferingfrom theirbasichumanrights,” Azizisaid.“Sowe’retryingto spurawarenessasmuchas wecan,startlocalandthen toreachourgoaltogetan internationalaudiencefor nationalleaders’attentionto takesomeaction.”

Azizi’sprotestattackeda handfulofsupporters,many ofthembearingsignscalling foranendtothegenocideof theHazaraethnicgroupas wellastheirfreedomtopursueaneducation.

It’sacausethathitsclose tohome.

Aziziwasbornin Afghanistan,butmovedto Pakistanwithheractivist motherwhenshewasayear oldasthefamilyfearedfor theirsafetyfromtheTaliban.

Thefamilymovedto CanadawhenAziziwas 12,settlingintheTri-Cities

whereshewasabletopursuehereducationwithout discriminationormisogony.

“Ihavemanycousins andmanyrelativesthatare notabletogotoschool,” Azizitoldthe Tri-CityNews “They’rejustsittingathome ordoinghouseworkandnot beingabletoreachtheirfull potential,reachtheirgoals, theirdreams.”

Aziziiscurrentlystudying rentalpropertymanagement attheUniversityofBritish Columbiaparttime,as wellastakinglegalstudies coursesatDouglasCollege. Shesaidthethoughtthat otheryoungwomenin Afghanistancan’thavethe sameopportunitiestroubles herdeeply.

“Seeingsuchathinglike thishappeningin2022is justreallyshocking,”Azizi said,addingworldleaders mustdomorethansimply notrecognizetheTalibanas Afghanistan’scurrentgovernment.

ShayestaAzizi,holdingasignattheright,leadsasmallprotestinTownCentrePark

WHAT’SNEW

ExtraYardTrimmingsCollectionforFall

TheSeasonalUnlimitedYardTrimmingscollectionprogram startsagainonMonday,Oct.17untilThursday,Nov.24for CoquitlamresidentswhoreceiveGarbageandGreenCart collectionfromtheCity.TheSeasonalUnlimitedYard Trimmingsprogramhelpswiththecollectionofleaves, pruningsandotherextrayardwastewhileyouworkonyour fallyardclean-up.Forprogramdetails,includingset-out guidelines,timesandotherimportantinformation,visit coquitlam.ca/yardtrimmings

HAVEYOURSAY

GetOutandVoteCoquitlam

GeneralelectiondayisthisSaturday,Oct.15.Eligible CoquitlamvoterscancasttheirballotforMayor,Councillors andSchoolTrusteesatanyoneofthe23votinglocations spreadthroughoutthecommunity.Allvotinglocationsoffer curbsidevotingandarealsowheelchairaccessible. Visitcoquitlam.ca/voteforinfoincludingcandidatebios, votinglocationsandvoterrequirements.

FITNESSANDFUN

TableTennisatDogwood

Areyouatabletennisenthusiast?We’vegotplayevery Saturdayfrom12:15–2:15p.m.atDogwoodPavilion (1655WinslowAve.).Regulardrop-inratesapply.Opento adults19+.Bringyourownracquetandball. Drop-indayof,orpre-registerbycalling604-927-4386or visitingcoquitlam.ca/registrationandsearching“Dogwood TableTennis”asthekeywordintheregistrationsystem.

NEIGHBOURHOODNEWS

Senior’sProgramGuideNowAvailable

Learnabouttheprograms,activitiesandservicesavailable tothe50+communityintheFallSenior’sProgramGuide. Hardcopiesoftheguideareavailableatthefrontdeskof DogwoodPavilion(1655WinslowAve.),GlenPinePavilion (1200GlenPineCrt.),andMaillardvilleCommunityCentre (1200CartierAve.).Copiesareavailablewhilesupplieslast. ToviewtheSenior’sProgramGuideonline,visit coquitlam.ca/programguide

LOOKINGOUTFORTHEENVIRONMENT

SalmonComeHome

Communitymembers,friendsoftheenvironmentandfamilies areinvitedtocelebratelocalsalmonspawninggroundswith ourfreeoutdoorcelebrationandself-guidedactivitieson Sunday,Oct.23attheHoyCreekHatcheryfrom11a.m.–3p.m.Visitthehatcheryfacility,seesalmonfry,asalmon dissectionandlearnaboutreturningspecies.Otheractivities includethepopularNylonZoo,artsandcrafts,facepainting, musicalentertainment,foodtrucks,andanexplorenature contest.Visitorscanalsochatwithmembersofcommunity stewardshipgroupsandCitystafffromenvironmentandparks departments.Visitcoquitlam.ca/salmoncomehomeforallthe eventdetails.

DIDYOUKNOW

RemembranceDayConcertwiththeVancouver

NavalVeteransBand

JointheVancouverNavalVeteransBandNov.9,from1–3p.m., atDogwoodPavilion(1655WinslowAve.)astheyperform favouritesongsfromthewaryears.Lightrefreshmentswillbe provided.Thiseventisopentoadults19+andhasafeeof$8 perperson.

Toregisteronline,gotocoquitlam.ca/registrationandclick RegisterforPrograms.Inthekeywordsearchbar,typethe

FLOODING

RaisingdikestosavesouthCoquitlam

Tuesdaywasthedeadline fortheCityofCoquitlam andKwikwetlemFirstNation (KFN)toapplyforupto $20millioninupgrades tothedikesinsouthern Coquitlam.

Thetwoagenciesare askingforthefullamount availabletomunicipalities andFirstNationsaspart oftheInvestinginCanada InfrastructureProgram’s GreenInfrastructureBC Adaptation,Resilience,and DisasterMitigation(ARDM) Program.

JonathanHelmus, Coquitlam’sutilitiesdirector,toldthe Tri-City News thatthecityreceived lettersofsupportfrom PortCoquitlamandMetro Vancouverforthejointbid.

MetroVancouveristhe dikingauthorityforthe systeminColonyFarm RegionalPark.

“Thisprojectwillhelp bothourcommunitiesplan forthefuture,improving resiliencyandprotectionre latedtoclimatechangeand anticipatedsea-levelrise, andalsoaddressesanissue oflong-standingconcernfor the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm FirstNation,” hesaid.

IfOK’d,thecashwould beusedtoraisefourkilometresofthedikeupbytwo metres—dependingonthe sections—alongtheFraser Riverandonthewestern

sideoftheCoquitlamRiver, fromtheMayfairIndustrial ParkandeasttotheForensic PsychiatricInstitute,Colony FarmRegionalPark,through KFN’sreserveandLougheed Highway.

TheCityofCoquitlam wouldcontribute$2.7milliontowardthefloodmitigationimprovementswhile KFNwouldberesponsible for$1millionoftheproject costs.

Preliminarydesigns,and hydrologicalandgeotechnicalstudieshavenotyetbeen

done,hesaid.

Helmussaidthearea issignificantlycultural, ecologicallysensitiveand busy:Lastyear,ColonyFarm RegionalParksawabout 430,000visitswithpeople takinginthesightsatthe communitygardens,aswell aswalkingtheextensivetrail network.

KFNCoun.JohnPeters toldthe Tri-CityNews during anareatourthathisrelatives helpedtodevelopthedikes in1914andin1949toprotecttheFirstNations’village.

Withoutthem,itstwo reservesinCoquitlamand PortCoquitlamwouldhave flooded,Peterssaid,citing recentexampleswithrain stormsin2019andonNov. 15,2021.

Peters,who’sresponsible forKFNemergencymanagement,housing,publicworks, communityandeducation, saidthenon-standarddike hasputtheNation’scemeteryatrisk;it’sbelievedthere are100bodiesatthesite neartheSheepPaddocks Trail,tothenorth.

Inaddition,theolder dikeisthreateningthe restorationworkatthe WilsonFarmhatcheryfor theJuvenileSalmonHabitat EnhancementProject. Fisheriesofficialsaretrying tobringbacktheKokanee Sockeyeandotherspeciesto theCoquitlamRiver.

PeterssaidKFN“appreciatesthecityreachingoutto us”forthegrantapplication.

“It’sasmallsteptoward reconciliation,”hesaid,adding,“WehaveElderswho knowthelandandthehistory,soweareworkingwith theirtraditionalknowledge.”

Atotalof$81.8millionis availablethroughthefederal andprovincialgovernment’s ARDMprogramtobuild, modifyorreinforceinfrastructure—includingnaturalinfrastructure—suchas dikesandseawalls.

Sportssupport

ACoquitlamsports groupthatrepresents morethan15arena sportsorganizationswith morethan3,700athletes isoutwithitslistofpreferredcandidatesrunninginthismonth’scivic election.

TheCoquitlamSports CentreUserAssociation (CSCUA)isbackingthe followingcontendersfor mayorandcouncil:

•MayorRichard

Stewart

•MattDjonlic

•Coun.CraigHodge

•Coun.SteveKim

•PaulLambert

•Coun.Trish Mandewo

•Coun.Dennis Marsden

•RobertMazzarolo

•Coun.TeriTowner

Associationrepresentativesendorsedthecandidatesafterinterviewing themabouthowthey plantodevelopsportsin thecity.

“Havingthefacilities inplacetosupportthe thegrowthinfamilies participatinginsportsis critical,”CSCUApresidentBrianKeenenstated inanewsrelease.

“Thesecandidates presentedtheclearestvisionforhowtheywould

advocateforthefacilities andprogramsthatare neededtosupportthe thousandsoflocalfamilieswhoparticipatein localarenasports.”

Theathleteswhoare representedbyCSCUA playatthePoirierSport andLeisureComplex, PlanetIceCoquitlamand thePoirierForum.

Thegeneralelection isonSaturday,Oct.15 from8a.m.to8p.m.Visit coquitlam.ca/electionfor votinglocations.

ELEXVIDEOS

Ifyou'restilldecidingwhotovotefor,go tothe Tri-CityNews' website(tricitynews. com>>News>>2022Civic Election)toreadthe candidateprofilesand seeourvideosfilmedby Tri-CitiesCommunity TVattheFountainhead StudiosinPort Coquitlamlastmonth.

Inaddition,executivedirectorGeoffScott andhisTCCTVcrew producedmoreindepth,30-minutelong interviewswithelection candidates.Therecordingsbythenon-profit mediaorganizationcan beviewedonitsYouTube channelviatricitiestv.

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

COQUITLAMRIVER

AriverrunsthroughPoCoHeritageMuseum

Newexhibitwill befeaturedforthe nextyear

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

Earlypioneersweren't kindtotheCoquitlam River,whichwindsitsway throughCoquitlamandPort Coquitlam.

Fromgravelminingto damconstruction,theriver hasbeentransformedover thedecadesandnolonger producessockeyesalmonin greatnumbersasitoncedid.

Yet,thereishope,ifpeoplecareenoughtomakea difference.

Atleastthat'sthesentimentbehindthenewestCarolHubbardMemorial NaturalHistoryExhibiton nowatthePoCoHeritage MuseumandArchives.

"Thefishiswhatwe werebuildingtheexhibit around,"explainedAlex Code,managerandcurator ofPoCoHeritageMuseum andArchives,locatedatThe OutletatLeighSquare(1502248McAllisterAve.).

"Mainlywewantedto showcasetheenvironmental historyoftheriver."

Above,AlexCode, managerandcuratorof PoCoHeritageMuseum andArchives,with JeffRuddandShelley LiveseyofMapleCreek Streamkeepersatthe newexhibitAFishyStory, whichlooksatthehistory andenvironmentalchallengesoftheCoquitlam River. DIANESTRANDBERG/ TCN Left,Coquitlamdam constructiontoprovide electricitytotheregion.

(Kwikwetlem)whichtranslatesto"Redfishupthe

river,"atermthatrecallsthe teamingmassoffishthat oncecalledtheriverhome.

Becauseofthedam,constructedin1905,fishcannotreturntoCoquitlam Laketospawnalthough the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm FirstNation areworkingonarestoration plan.

STORYBOARDS

Inthemuseum'syearlongeducationalexhibit, storyboards,handson games,artwork,displays andvideotellthestoryof environmentaldestruction ontheriverandeffortsby stewardshipgroupstorepair thedamage.

DelayedbytheCOVID-19 pandemic,thehands-on exhibitwasproducedin partnershipwithStreamof Dreams,theMapleCreek StreamKeepers,OurLady oftheAssumptionSchool, andtheArtFocusArtists Association.

ForJeffRuddandShelley LiveseyoftheMapleCreek Streamkeepers,theexhibitis astarkreminderoftheworst ofhumanexcessontheriver.

"Somebodyscrewedup," ishowLiveseydescribes thevaluesofthedaythat permittedgravelminingthat alteredthestructureofthe river.

Innewspaperheadlines fromthe1970stothe1990s, theriverwasdescribedas oneofthemostendangered.

Atonepoint,there wereevenplanstodiga canalfromthePittRiverto BurrardInlettomakePort Coquitlammoreofaport.

Thecityhadaburgeoningship-buildingindustry butitdidn'tlastmuchpast WWIandthecanalplanwas abandoned.

Now,thestreamkeepers saytheyhopetheexhibitinspiresotherstogetinvolved instewardshipactivitiesto helprebuildMapleCreek.

"Weneedmoreyoung peopletojointheseefforts," Liveseysaid.

Today,thelackofrain ishinderingsalmonfrom returningtolocalcreeksto spawn.

Ruddsaidtherearecurrentlychumsalmoninthe CoquitlamRiver,according torecentreports,butrainis neededtofillcreekssothey canspawnupstream.

"Weareprayingforrain," hesaid.

Membersofthepublic andschooltoursarewelcometovisittheexhibit.

Formoreinformationor toarrangeatour,contactthe PoComuseumatinfo@pocoheritage.org.

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

TheCoquitlamRiver isatributaryoftheFraser

Riverandtheriver'sname comesfrom kʷikʷəƛ̓əm

OBITUARY

Sholundrememberedas'adearfriend'

NellieSholundwas 97whenshepassed awayinNanaimoin September

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

AbelovedmemberofPort Moody’scommunitywho helpedcreatethecity’sfirst libraryanditsmuseumhas passedaway.

NellieSholunddiedin NanaimoonSept.22atthe ageof97.

Sholundandherhusband,Al,settledinPort Moodyin1956withtheir youngdaughters,Christine andPauline,aftermoving fromEnglandin1946.

Theyimmediatelybecameinvolvedwiththeir newenvirons.Thecouple formedPortMoody’smu seumandhistoricalsociety andworkedtohelprestore theoldrailwaystationthat wastobecomearepository forthecity’sartifactsofits past.

TheSholundsalsoput togetherPortMoody’sfirst libraryandlibraryboard whereNelliewasinstrumen talindevelopingthechildren’scollection.

Laterinlife,Nellie SholundwasontheexecutiveofthePortMoody SeniorsAssociationand servedontheadvisoryboard atKyleCentreforeightyears.

Fortheirefforts,Aland NellieSholundbecamethe city’sfirstrecipientsofits

FreedomoftheCityaward in1998.

RickMarusyk,Port Moody’smayoratthetime, saidtheSholundswere “shiningexamplesofcommunityvolunteerism.” JimMillar,whowasinvolvedwiththePortMoody

HeritageSocietyandStation Museumformanyyears, saidtheSholundsoperated asateam.

“Itwasalwaysthetwo ofthemtogether,”hesaid. “Theywerealwaysveryinvolvedwiththecity.”

PortMoodyMayorRob

Vagramovsaid,inastatement,NellieSholundwas “instrumentalinbuilding PortMoody’ssenseofcommunityandinclusionfor peopleofallages.Herlegacy willcontinuetobenefitPort Moodyresidentslonginto thefuture.”

Inasocialmediapost,the PortMoodyHeritageSociety saiditwas“saddenedto hearaboutthepassingof NellieSholund,anextraordinarycommunitymember andadearfriend.”

But,itadded,members werealsofeelingextremely thankfulforthecountless hoursofworktheSholunds contributedtoensurePort Moody’shistorywaspreservedsofuturegenerations couldlearnofitsformative stories,manyofwhichwere documentedinaseries ofarticleswrittenbyAl Sholund.

Nelliemovedto VancouverIslandin2018— twoyearsafterherhusband died.

LastTuesday(Oct.4),the cityloweredtheflagsatcity halltohalfstafffor24hours tohonourNellieSholund.

Accordingtoanews releasefromthecity,the Sholundfamilyhasdecided therewillbenomemorial service.

Police seektire slasher

PortMoodypolice (PMPD)areinvestigatingarecentstring oftire-slashingincidentsbelievedtobe connectedtoeach other.

Eightvehicleownersfiledreportstothe localdepartmentina spanof12hoursthat theirtiresweredamaged.

However,PMPD spokespersonConst. SamZachariassaid theremaybemore victimswhohaveyet tocomeforward.

Theincidents tookplaceinthe areaofViewStreet andHighviewPlace between9p.m.Oct.3 and9a.m.Oct.4.

Zachariassaid allthevehiclesinvolvedwereparked whentheirtireswere slashed.

Anyonewithmore informationonthese incidentsisencouragedtocallPMPD at604-461-3456and quotefile2022-5218.

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

Topic: Incentivestoreturntotheoffice?

WesleyAlanMacLeod

JamesRyan

Publicsafetybecomesanissue

Itisnotoftenthatcrime andpublicsafetysurfacesasatopofmind issuewiththepublic,but thatiswhatseemstohave happenedinrecentweeks.

Thefirstfewquestion periodsofthefalllegislaturesessionhadtheNDP backonitsheelsastheBC Liberalssensedavulner abilityontherulingside. Wehavenotseenthatdy namicveryoftensincethe NDPtookpowerin2017.

Takingatoughstance oncrimeisabetterfit fortheBCLiberals,who havecoinedtheirown petphrase(“catchand release”)todescribethe seeminglyrevolvingdoor ofchronicoffenderswho commitviolentcrimes andthenarereleased backintotheircommu nityrelativelyquickly.

TheNDPhasbristledat

thisapproach—Premier JohnHorganhasaccused theBCLiberalsofcoming upwith“bumpersticker slogans”andnothing elsetosolvetheproblem —butitseemstobeeffective.

Thisisallplayingout againstabackdropof random,violentassaults onstrangersinanumber ofurbanandsuburban areas.

Allofwhichbringsusto theseeminglycontradictoryviewsoftheproblem heldwithingovernment.

Ontheonehand,assistantdeputyattorney generalPeterJuk(heis responsiblefortheprosecutionservice)recently releasedaseven-page lettersuggestingproblems inthejusticesystemwere nowherenearasbadas recentaccountsandcriti-

cismswouldsuggest.

Overallcrimeratesare down,Jukargued,andrelyingonsimplisticslogans like“catchandrelease” domoreharmthangood becausethatapproach “tendstoundermine” basiclegalprinciples whenitcomestoarrests andbailprocedures.

Thatisallwelland good.Butthenthegovernmentcommissioned itsownreportfroma formerpolicechiefand universityprofessorandit cametoalmosttheoppositeassessment.

Theauthors,Doug LePardandAmanda Butler,concludedthereis aseriouslackofresources intheprosecutorialside ofthesystemandthereis notenoughconsultation withpolicewhenitcomes todealingwithrepeated

offendersandpeoplewith complexissues.

Whileoverallcrime ratesmaybelower,the authorsfoundthat“violent”crimeratesareup sharply,particularlyin VancouverandVictoria.

Igetthesensethe governmentisleaningtowardsLePardandButler’s takeonthings.Butthe proofofthatwillberevealedinnextspring’s budget.

Ifthereisnotmuchof aboostinresourcesfor prosecutionservices,it mayindicatethe“nostory here”viewofthingshas prevailed.

Butgiventhewhole issuehasgiventhegovernmentpause,I’llbeton somechangescoming.

KeithBaldreyischiefpoliticalreporterforGlobal BC.

PortMoodyalsoproblematic

TheEditor:

Re: Isittimetorename IndianArm?PortMoody thinksso (tricitynews.com Sept.30,2022)

Richforaplacenamed PortMoodytogetallsensitiveaboutthenameIndian Arm.

DoesshockedMayor Vagramovknowwho ColonelRichardClement Moodywasandtheunendingpainshecaused?

Duringhisfouryearsin thenewColonyofBritish Columbia,commanding theRoyalEngineerswho setupthelandsurveyand titlesystem,hedefiedorders

CoastSalishpaddlersnavigateIndianArmnearBelcarra.

andrefusedtorecognize “Indians”asBritishsubjects whocouldpre-emptand buyland.

ParliamentinLondon

toldhimrepeatedlytoabide bythelaw.

I’vereadtheiradmonitions,pluseveryotherdocumentavailableabouthis

treacheries.

Heinterpretedhisorders toallot10acrestoevery “Indian”family—i.e.dad, mom,andclosekin—as meaningwholetribesand nations.

Heboughtforhimself 1,200acresofwhat’snow ColonyFarm,while“giving”theKwikwetlempeople 42acresofcranberrybog.

Moodyisoneoftheworst peopleinB.C.historyfor harmingIndigenouspeople. Getreal,PortMoody,and focusonchangingtheone namethatreallymatters. BrendaGuildGillespie SaltspringIsland

Becarefultossing cigarettebutts

TheEditor:

I’verecently“adopted”astretchof BedwellBayRoadinPort Moody.

Ipickuplitterthat peoplethrowfromtheir carsontheirwaytoand fromSasamatLake/ WhitePineBeach.

I’vebeenhorrified bythenumberoffresh cigarettebuttsattheside oftheroadeveryweek duringthecurrentdry

spell.

Ifoundonetoday (Oct.9)thathadlefta littleblackburnmarkin thedrygrassithadfallen into.

Thereisabigsignjust beforemysectionthat indicatesthatthefirerisk ishigh.

Whatelseisnecessary togetpeopletostop doingthis?

CathyMorton PortMoody

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

ZoeRoyerispassionateaboutcommunity inclusiveness,theenvironment,andcarefully plannedrevitalization.Shewantstoensure communitymemberscontinuetoenjoya highqualityoflifeinathriving,liveable,and sustainablecity.ThismeansCouncilworkingin synchronicitywiththeschooldistrictandother levelsofgovernmenttocreateefficienciesand workcollaborativelyonopportunities.

Thethree-termcitycouncillor,librarytrustee, publishedauthor,artistandbusinessownerhas livedintheTri-Citiesforthepast18yearsandis runningforelectionthisfall.

“Beingofservicetothecommunityismy motivation,”saysRoyer,whodonatesalarge portionofhercouncilsalarytolocalnon-profits. Hermessageisverydifferentfromthatofother politicians,withanemphasisonlove.

“Loveforoneanother,forourcommunity,and theearthweliveon.LovefortheFirstPeoples thatcamebeforeus,andforthegenerations stilltocome.Loveunitesus,itneverdividesus. Itgivesusthestrengthandcouragetomakea difference,”Royersays.

“Peopleneedtobeheard.Andeverymember ofthiscommunityhastherighttofeelsafe, respectedandvalued.Tome,thismeans celebratingthediversityofourcitizens,meeting peoplewheretheyare,lookingforwaysto understand,andfindingsolutionstowork together.”

Inher11yearsofserviceascouncillorforthe cityofPortMoody,Royeralsoservedasalibrary trusteefor10yearsandrepresentedCouncilon MetroVancouver’sClimateActionCommittee.She hasbeenrecognizedforherthoughtfulleadership towardsreconciliationwithIndigenousPeoples,

CoquitlamSD43’sChildcareTaskForce,andat theregionallevelonclimateactionandrapid emergencymedicalresponse.

Forovertwodecades,Royerworkedinhealthcare. Andmanyofthoseyears,shemanageda dentalclinicinCoquitlamCityCentre,caring forthousandsoflocalfamiliesandhosting communityhealthoutreachprograms.

Royerhasenjoyedcloseworkingrelationships

withschooltrusteesandcitycouncillors throughouttheLowerMainlandforover adecade.Sherecognizesthebenefitsof harmoniousrelationshipsandwouldliketosee someoverlapandstrongerconnectionstobridge thedisconnectbetweengoverningbodies.

“Plansforlibraries,sportsfacilitiesandnew schoolsneedtobeinlockstepwithplansfor newneighbourhoods.Theinfrequencyof jointmeetingsoftenmakesthisimpossible. Eventsunknownbyoneorganizationmayhave unintendedconsequences,”Royersays.

“Rapidjointdecision-makingwouldhaveresolved sewagepollutionmuchsoonerforAnmoreGreen EstatesandEagleMountainSchool.Weexpect cityandschooldistrictproblemsthatoverlapto behandledinatimelymanner.However,schools continuallyfacechallengeswhenintersecting withcivicmatters.Tofix this,weneedtodo somethingdifferent,”Royersays.

It’snotsurprisingthatacrossB.C.today,there aremanypeopleservingastrusteesand councillorsconcurrently,andsuccessfully throughmultipleterms.Theyarehelpingto bridgethegapsbetweenmunicipalplanningand schools,bringingnewperspectivesandalevelof heightenedcollaborationonatimelybasis.

Ifelected,Royerhopestochampiontheformation ofaStudentSustainabilityAdvisoryCouncilasa jointinitiativebetweentheSchoolDistrictand CityCouncil.Students,supportedbythecity’s planningandenvironmentalstaff,wouldreview theCity’sclimate,transportation,affordable

housingandcapitalplans.Theywouldpresent theirfindingstoCouncilonaquarterlybasis, helpingtoshapecourageousnewpolicies.

“Ouryoutharetomorrow’sleaders,andsoon

“Becauseofitssize,Coquitlamhasaunique

RCMPissuewarning afterfraudattempt

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Amoneymuleissomeonerecruitedbyfraudsters asamiddlepersontotrans ferillegallyacquiredmoney, whethertheyknowordon’t knowthey’rebeingusedfor criminalactivity.

ALowerMainlandcompanynearlyfellvictimto suchascamandCoquitlam RCMParewarninglocal residentstobeawareofthe signs.

Unbeknownsttothem, thebusinesswascontacted byanout-of-provinceresi dent,claimingtheybought ahouseandweremoving toB.C.

Thecompanyreceiveda depositfromthefraudster aftertheyrequestedhome improvementsbeforethe homepossessiondate.

Afterward,thecompany wasaskedafavourtohelp theout-of-townerwithmov ingandstorage,andeven transferredmoremoneyto payfortheservices.

AccordingtoRCMP spokespersonCpl.Alexa Hodgins,thisiswhenthe businessbecamesuspicious andquestionedifthetransactionswerelegit.

Shesaidtheycontacted policeandinvestigatorsdeterminedtheserviceplaces werefake.

“Thebusinessownerdid therightthingwhenhecontactedthepolicetoreport thesuspicioustransactions,” saidHodginsinanewsrelease.

“Withtheincreasein fraudreportsinCanada,it isimportantthatCanadians remaindiligent,knowwhat scamslookslike,howto protectthemselvesandto alwaysreportthem.”

Hodginssaidnomoney waslostbythecompanywhencompletingthe fraudster’stransactions, notingitcouldhavebeen hardertoidentifythemifthe moneywasmoved.

TheCanadianAnti-fraud Centre(CAFC)saidmoney mulescamsarealsoconductedthroughprizeand romancefrauds.

Ifcompleted,thiscould ultimatelyleadtheperson orcompanyvictimizedby thescamtobetiedtoserious crimes.

CoquitlamRCMPliststhe followingmoneymulepreventiontips:

•Donotforwardmoney onbehalfofanunknown personorcompanyifyou receivefundsfromthem

•Completeaninternet searchonthecompanyor personthatyouarebeingrequestedtotransferfundsto

•Becautiouswhen askedtoconductunusual orquestionablefinancial transactionsonbehalfofa thirdparty

Anyonewithmoreinformationaboutamoneymule scam,scamsingeneral, fraudorcybercrimeisencouragedtocallCoquitlam RCMPat604-945-1550.

Ifyouencounterascam butarenotvictimized, Mountiesadviseyouto contacttheCanadianAntiFraudCentreat1-888-4958501orgoonlinetowww. antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

Darrell Penner

DiwaliFamilyDay

ATOUCHOFGLASS

PoCoglassartistgetscallforcauldronrepair

Originalprojecthad tobecraftedunder strictsecrecy

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

NaserNikiwas thrilledwhenhegotthecall thathiscompany,Studio G3GlassGraphicGroup Ltd.,wonthecontractto providetheglassforthe2010 OlympicsCauldron.

Theprojecttocreate morethan500texturedglass panelstoadornthefour steellegsandcauldronwas alabourofloveforthePort Coquitlamglassartist.

Butlastweekend,the beautifulsculpturetooka beatingwhenitwasdam agedbyacoupleofvandals.

Now,Nikifeelspressure toreplacetheglasspanels.

Hetellsthe Tri-CityNews he’salreadystartedthe work,andwantstomakethe repairsassoonaspossible.

“Iwassaddenedtoseeit,” saidNiki,aftervisitingJack PoolePlazatomaketem platesforsevennewglass panelsthatweredestroyed.

“Peoplewalkingaround thesitewanttoknowwhy thishappened.Theyseethe cauldronwiththeplywood —it’snotgoodlooking.We aretryingtogetitdoneas

soonaspossible.”

Aninvestigationinto thevandalismisunderway andtheVancouverPolice Department(VPD)hasreleasedavideoshowingone personsmashingseveral panelswhileanotherappearstobetakingavideo.

It’sthesenselessness oftheactthatbothers Nikimost.

“Idon’tknowwhythey didthis.Whytrytoshow offanddosuchathing?” hewondered.

StudioG3Glass,which doesawiderangeofcustom glasswork,includingsand blasting,castinganddecorativefeatures,istheperfect companyforthejob.

Nikihasalreadyordered theglass,whichwillbefired

inaspecialkiln,andhas samplepanelsleftoverfrom theoriginalproject.

Thememoriesofhelping tocreatetheVancouver OlympicCauldron12years agoarestillclearinhismind.

Itwasanimportant projectfortheIranianimmigrantwhostartedhis architecturalglasscompany whenhemovedtoCanada

morethan30yearsago.

“Iwassoexcitedtobe partofthisjourney,”recalled Nikiofthemassivejobdone underashorttimelinewith strictsecurity.

Nikispecializesinlargescaleabstractartwork,which isrecognizedforitsvibrant colours,one-of-a-kinddesigns,organicflowandhighglossfinish.

Atthetime,hiscompany waslocatedinCoquitlam —it’ssincemovedto1225 KingswayAve.inPort Coquitlam—andwinning thecontractwasacoupfor thesmallbusiness.

Thespeciallytextured glasswassupposetomimic afrostyicicle.

“Theywantustocome upwithanicy,icicle-type oflookand,obviously,I’ve beenworkingwithglassfor manyyears,soIcreateda fewtexturesandalsowepro videdthemock-upbase,the actualscale,”saidNiki.

“TheylikedthetextureI presented.”

Hehadateamofabout 10to15employeesworking atthestudioatthetimeand itwasacomplexprojectto createthetemplates,make andcuttheglassandinstall thepieces.

Foraddedsecrecy,the installationtookplaceunder atarp.

“Itwassupposedtobe anOlympicsurprise”Niki recalled.

Nowhe’sextremelyproud ofthework,believingitto behislegacytotheCityof Vancouver.

“Ialwayslookatit,Ialwaysenjoyit,”Nikisaid.

“Itremindsmeofabeautiful,excitingtime.” withfilesfrom VancouverIsAwesome

Timetocastyourvoteforcitycouncil,SD43board

Friday,Oct.14

FIREWEEK

It’sthe100thyearofFire PreventionWeek,Oct.9–15, andthisyear’sthemeis “FireWon’tWait.PlanYour Escape.”TheCityofPort Coquitlamhasanumber oftipstoeducateresidents aboutfiresafety.

MORE:portcoquitlam. ca/fire

CIRCUSTIME

GrabaseatwiththefamilytoseeCircoOsorioonits NorthAmericantour.The eventstakeplacedailyuntil Oct.17undertheBigTop onthenortheasternsideof CoquitlamCentremall(2929 BarnetHwy.,Coquitlam).

MORE:americancrowncircus.com

FOOTLOOSE

Coquitlam’sStage43 TheatricalSocietypresents FootloosetheMusical,a stageadaptationbyDean Pitchford.Theshowruns attheEvergreenCultural Centre(1205PinetreeWay, Coquitlam)untilOct.22.

TICKETS:evergreenculturalcentre.ca

SODACRACKERS

SodaCrackersheadlines theCrossroadsCoffeehouse show—abenefitforthe CrossroadsHospiceSociety —intheGatheringPlace (1100-2253LeighSq.,next toPortCoquitlamCityHall).

Doorsopenat7p.m.with openmicbeginningat7:30 p.m.SodaCrackersplaysat 8:50p.m.Admissionis$5at thedoor.

MORE:thecrossroadscoffeehouse.com

FILMNIGHT

ThePortMoodyFilm Societyrolls Onlythe Animals, aFrenchdrama thatfollowsthedisappearanceoftheglamorousand secretiveEvelyneDucat duringablizzard.Ticketsare $5atthedoorplusa$5societymembershipfortheyear. Themovieisscreenedat

7:30p.m.intheInletTheatre atPortMoodyCityHall(100 NewportDr.).

MORE:pmfilm.ca

NEWALBUM

Hearsinger–songwriter SteveBellinconcertat theComoLakeUnited Church(535MarmontSt., Coquitlam)ashelaunches hisnewalbumcalled Wouldn’tYouLovetoKnow, andperformshisclassics. Theshowstartsat7:30p.m. Ticketsat$25areavailable onlineoratthechurch receptionfromTuesdayto Thursdaymorning.

MORE:stevebell.com

THUNDERFROMOZ

ThunderFromDown

UnderwillperformatThe ShowTheatreattheHard RockCasinoVancouver (2080UnitedBlvd., Coquitlam)at8p.m.The event,calledGirls’Night Outback,isforadultsonly; theyalsohitthestageon Oct.15at8p.m.

MORE:hardrockcasinovancouver.com

Saturday,Oct.15

ELECTIONDAY

Tri-Cityresidentsheadto thepollstodaytocasttheir ballotsforthenextmunicipalcouncilsandboardof educationrepresentatives, whowillserveforfouryears. Thevoteisopenfrom8a.m. to8p.m.ReadtheTri-City News’VoteSmartguide, publishedonOct.6withthe newspaper,orgoonlineto seetheirbiographiesand videosrecordedbyTri-Cities CommunityTV.

MORE:coquitlam.ca/ election;portcoquitlam.ca/ election;portmoody.ca/ election;anmore.com/elections;belcarra.ca/elections

CULTUREDAYS

BepartofCultureDays, aCanadianartscelebration happeningfromSept.23to Oct.16.Bringthefamilyto PortMoodyCityHall(100 NewportDr.),where,start-

ingat9a.m.,youcancrafta birdforthecity’scommunity display:amajestictree.Stop bythelibrary(insidecity hall)topickupaninformationsheetandacoloured pieceofpaper.

MORE:portmoody. ca/604-469-4623

CHESSCLUB

DropintothePoirier branchoftheCoquitlam PublicLibrary(575Poirier St.,Coquitlam)foraround ofchess.Allagesarewelcomebetween2and3:30 p.m.Noregistrationisrequired.

MORE:coqlibrary.ca

ART4LIFEEXHIBIT

Tourthegalleriesat PoMoArts(2425St.Johns St.,PortMoody)toseethe artworkintheninthannual Art4Lifedisplay,whichruns untilOct.30.Thegroupexhibithighlightspiecesfrom artistsofallagesandabilities,andaimstopromote lifelongcreativity.

MORE:pomoarts.ca

Sunday,Oct.16

FARMERSFIELDS

Shopforlocalfarefrom MetroVancouverfarmersandvendorsatthe CoquitlamFarmersMarket, whichrunsfrom9a.m.to1 p.m.intheparkinglotnext toDogwoodPavilion(1655 WinslowAve.,Coquitlam)

MORE:makebakegrow.

com

SALMONSUNDAYS

Joinvolunteersany Sunday,rainorshine,atthe MossomCreekHatchery& EducationCentre(Mossom CreekDrive,PortMoody) tohelpoutwithoddjobs andlearnaboutwatershed stewardshipandfishculture. ThegateisopenonSundays from11a.m.to1:30p.m. Visitorsarewelcome.

MORE:mossomcreek.org

HAPPYDIWALI

Celebratetheholiday ofDiwali—afestivalof lightscelebratedbyHindus, JainsandSikhs—withthe CoquitlamHeritageSociety attheRoyalCanadian LegionHallBranch263 (1025RidgewayAve., Coquitlam)from1to4p.m. Thefreeeventincludes music,food,dancing, demonstrationsandcraft making.Noregistrationis required;familieswelcome.

MORE:coquitlamheritage.ca

FAMILYDAY

It’sFamilyDayatPdA —alsoknownasPlacedes Arts(1120BrunetteAve., Coquitlam).From1to3 p.m.,youcantourtheexhibitionsandbeinspiredto createyourownart.Allages arewelcome.Admissionis free;however,registrationis encouraged.

MORE:placedesarts.ca

Lastcallforpayphones

Threepublic

phonesinPoMoto beremoved MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

It’salmostlastcallforthe city’sthreeremainingpublic payphones.

Anoticepostedonone ofthebooths,infrontof theLougheedWonton RestaurantonSt.Johns Streetsaysitwillberemoved onorafterOct.10.

Aspokespersonfor Telus,whichoperatesthe payphones,saysitandtwo others—atPortMoody CityHallandEagleRidge Hospital—willdisappearby theendoftheyear.

“Thereareotherphones availableforpublicusein theeventofanemergency, inadditiontorobustcell phonecoverage,”saidsenior communicationsmanager ChelseyRajzer.

“Asaresult,weareconfidentthatremovingthese payphoneswillnotimpact thecommunity.”

Infact,Rajzeradded,the phonesgeneratedlessthan $5worthofcallseachinthe pasttwoyears.

Still,thephones’disappearancemarksthepassing ofanerawhentheyplayed animportantroleinthe communicationsnetwork thatkeptpeopleconnected, saidlocalhistorianandcu rator,MarkusFahrner.

“Communitieshavealwaysbeenmovingaround,” hesaid.

“Letterswereslowand

AphoneoutsideLougheedWontonRestaurantonSt. JohnsStreetisoneofthreepublicphonesthatwillbe removedfromthecity.

visitingwasnotalwaysan option.Thepayphone—to befoundinrestaurants,etc., andlaterstreetcorners— madeconnectingwithfamilyeasier.”

Fahrnersaidpayphones alsoplayedanimportant roleinkeepingthecommunitysafeastheyprovideda quickandconvenientway foranyonetomakeanemergencycall.

“Theyhelpedwithpersonalemergencies,”hesaid.

“Thefreeoptiontocall fireorpolicealsoallowed peopletoreportissuesin theircommunity.”

RajzersaidTelusconsults withvariousstakeholders beforeremovingpayphones.

“Wearethoughtfulabout removingpayphonesand oftenworkcloselywith localbusinesses,municipal

governmentsandthecommunitytoensurethereare alternateoptionswithina reasonabledistance.”

Sheaddedthecompany doesmakedecommissioned payphonesavailabletolocal organizationsormuseums withinthecommunityfor displaypurposes.

Aswell,adonationof $1,000ismadetotheTelus FriendlyFutureFoundation thathelpsfundhealth, educationandtechnology focusedcharitableprograms foryoungpeopleacross Canada.

Anyoneinterestedin seeingoneofthedecommissionedpayphonesshowcasedasapieceofhistory intheStationMuseumora communitycentrecansend anemailtotelustickets@ wimactel.com.

RCMP

Policelookingforsuspectinindecentact

Incidenttookplace atWestwood Plateaumall KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Updatedimagesofasuspectfromanindecentact caseinCoquitlamthispast

summerhavebeenreleased byMounties.

Thepublicisnowbeing askedtohelpidentifythe maninthephotosaspolicecontinuetoinvestigate theAug.19incidentina WestwoodPlateaushopping mall.

Inarelease,Coquitlam RCMPsaidthedetachment receivedareportthataman

exposedhisgenitalstoa womanwhileinaretailstore nearJohnsonStreetand ParkwayBoulevard.

SpokespersonCpl.Alexa Hodginssaidthebehaviour isdisturbingasofficerswere toldthestorewasbusyat thetimeandchildrenwere nearby.

Itisimportantforthe publictobeawareofthese

incidentsandtoreportindecentactivitiestopolice,she added.

Policeareaskingforstatements,dashcamorvideo footagefromwitnesses,specificallyfrombetween5:30 and6p.m.onAug.19.

Themalesuspectisdescribedas:

•White

•40to49yearsold

•5’9”

•Mediumtoheavybuild

•Baldwithbrownhair

•Lightbrownmoustache andbeard

Hewaslastseenwearing: •BlackNikechecksport shirt

•Darkcargoshorts

•Carryingbathmats

Anyonewithmoreinformationaboutthesuspect, hiswhereaboutsorvideo footageisencouragedto callCoquitlamRCMPat 604-945-1550andquotefile number2022-21670.

Amansuspectedofcommittinganindecentact isshowninasurveillance still.

JointheCoquitlamParksteamtocelebrate

TreeCanopyWalks

Oct.27|TownCentrePark|9–11a.m.

TreeGiveaways

Oct.16|CoquitlamFarmer’sMarket|9a.m.–1p.m. Oct.23|DouglasCollege|11a.m.–3p.m. Oct.26|InspirationGarden|2:30–6p.m.

coquitlam.ca/treespree Theseactivitieswillhappenrainorshine.

FallfuninCoquitlamParks!

Condosahotticket inTChousingsales

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Itappearsresidents lookedtocondosin CoquitlamandPortMoody lastmonthtopurchasea newhome.

TheRealEstateBoard ofGreaterVancouver’s (REBGV)latestreport showed244homeswere soldacrosstheTri-Citiesin September,including124 apartments.

That’sfromatotalof528 listingsacrosstheTri-Cities —319inCoquitlam,123in PortCoquitlamand86in PortMoody/Belcarra.

Andwhilehighriseswere thego-tospot,theregion’s overallsalesdecreasedby ninepercentcomparedto 267residencesthatweresold inAugust.

Therewerealso80per centmoredetachedhomes

soldinPortMoodyin Septembercomparedtothe REBGV’spreviousmonthly data.

TheTri-Cities’numbers alsonearlymatchedthose ofMetroVancouver’soverall stats.

TheREBGVsaidsalesin theregiontotalled1,687last month,a46percentdrop from3,149theSeptember beforeand10percentfrom 1,870inAugust.

AndrewLis,theboard’s directorofeconomicsand dataanalytics,attributed thelowersaleslevelstothe BankofCanadahikinginterestandmortgageratesin anefforttotampdownon inflation.

Thosehikeshavecontributedtothemarket’s compositebenchmarkprice reaching$1,155,300last month,up3.9percentfrom lastSeptemberbutdown2.1 percentfromAugust.

FireatWhitePineBeachspottedbyfilmcrew

Policelookingfor awomanspotted fleeingthearea

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

AsmallwildfireextinguishednearWhitePine BeachlastThursdaynight

(Oct.6)issuspectedtobe human-caused.

Asaresult,PortMoody police(PMPD)havedeemed theblaze“suspicious”and sincehavebegunaninvestigationintotheincident.

Thefirewasspottedat around7p.m.intheeveningnexttoastaircaseoff themainpathbehindthe concessionbyafilmcrew

workinginthearea,Port MoodyFireRescue(PMFR) deputychiefKirkHeaven toldthe Tri-CityNews.They happenedtohaveawater tankertrunkonhandand immediatelystartedhosing itdown.

“Itwasagreatfindby them,”saidHeaven.

PMFRrespondedwith24 firefightersandfiveappara-

tus,alongwithtwoofficials fromMetroVancouver. Heavensaidcrewsimmediatelyputupafireguard aroundtheburningareathat measuredabout20metres by30metres.

Firefightersthengotto workusingchainsawstocut hemlockandothertreesin theheavilywoodedareaso theycouldgettotherootof

thefire.

Heavensaidthefire rankedasatwoontheBC WildfireServicessix-step scale.

That’sconsidereda“lowvigoursurfacefire”withvisibleopenflamesbutaslow rateofspread.

But,headded,withthe currentdryconditionsthe firehadthepotentialto quicklyevolveintosomethingmuchmoresignificant.

“It’ssodryupthere,” hesaid.“Thisissorarefor October.”

Heavensaidoncetheinitialfirewasknockeddown, crewscutuptimberinthe surroundingareaandpulled updrymateriallikedead branches,leavesandpine needlestoensuretherewere nohiddenhotspots.

Thensprinklerswereset upforanotherthreehours tosaturatetheareawith waterpumpedfromnearby SasamatLake.

“Thankfullythisfire wasreportedpromptly andquicklycontainedby firecrews,”saidPMPD spokespersonConst.Sam Zachariasinanewsrelease.

“Giventhecurrentfire dangerrating,weareasking thepublictobeextravigilant andreportsuspiciousactivitytousimmediately.”

Zachariasaddedthereare

alsoreportsawomanwas seenfleeingthesceneofthe wildfire.Noimmediatedescriptionofthesuspectwas available.

PMPDofficersarehoping tospeakwiththewoman, aswellasanyoneelsewho maywitnessedsuspicious activity.

Heavensaidwithno appreciableraininthelongrangeweatherforecast,firefightersareonhighalert.

“Itistinderdry,”hesaid. “Peopleneedtobecareful withtheircigarettesoranythingthatcouldstartafire.”

Aswell,Coquitlamcrews wereabletocontainasmall wildfireonBurkeMountain earlylastThursdaymorningafteritgrewto20by20 metres.

Around8a.m.,local firefighterswerecalled toablazenearthePort CoquitlamandDistrict HuntingandFishingClub —locatedonaBCHydro right-of-way.

Nohomesornearby structureswereindanger, theCityofCoquitlamsaid, andnoevacuationalerts wereimplemented.

AnyonewithmoreinformationabouttheWhitePine Beachwildfireisencouraged tocallPMPDat604-4613456andquotefile-number 2022-5295.

FallFuninCoquitlamParks

SmallblazesparkedinPinecone-BurkeProvincialPark

Lightningbelieved tohavecaused latestfire

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Weatherissuspectedto havestartedthelatestwild-

fireintheTri-Citiesamida dryOctober.

AccordingtotheBC WildfireService,lightning isbelievedtohavecaused asmallblazeonBurke MountainearlyTuesday (Oct.11)inPinecone-Burke ProvincialPark.

Coquitlamfirefighters workedwithprovincialvol-

unteerstocontain,holdand extinguishtheflames.

Thecitysaidtherewasno risktopublicsafetyorany localresidentialproperties nearby.

Thefirewaslocatedona mountainslopeinthejust southofPritchettCreekin thenortheastsector.

“Hikersandmountain

bikersarerequestedto avoidthePinecone-Burke ProvincialParkarea,asfire responseisongoing,”the CityofCoquitlamsaidina socialmediapost.

TheBCWildfireService saidtheblazewaslessthan 0.01hectaresinsize.

Crewsarecontinuing toremindthepublicthe

Tri-Citiesisunderahigh-toextremefirerating,meaning eventhesmallestofheat sourcescanigniteablaze.

The14-hectarewildfirein MinnekhadaRegionalPark isclassifiedas“undercontrol”asfirefightersareworkingtodousehotspots.The Coquitlamsiteisstillclosed tothepublicatthistime.

It’soneoffourreportedly human-causedfiresinthe regionsinceOct.1dueto tinder-dryconditionsina drier-than-normalfallseason.

Aswell,crewsinPort Moodyrespondedto threesmallbrushfireson HeritageMountainoverthe Thanksgivinglongweekend.

Timbertherescuedogtostaronbeercan

programs

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Thevotesarein,anda starisborn.

Atwo-year-oldrescuedog

willsoonhaveitsfaceona canofYellowDogBrewing’s newestconcoctionafterraisingthemostfundsina“star search”contestco-hostedby theBCSPCA.

Timberwillbejoinedby threeotherpoochesona four-packoflimitededition Starbornbeer,thankstoher andherowners’effortsin thePortMoodybusiness’

“MakeMyPetaYellowDog BrewingStar”contest.

Heraward-winningsmile andoutreachwasableto bringin$8,621tosupport programsthatprotectand careformorethan118,000 animalsinneedacrossthe province.

Altogether,hundreds ofcontestantscollecteda grandtotalof$178,613for

theBCSPCA.

“Itwasaracetothetop eveninthelastmomentsof thecontestonFriday,”the non-profitexplainedonits website.

“Hugecongratulationsto thesefundraisers,andtoall ofyoufortheimpactyou’ve madeforanimals.Thecare andloveshownbythiscommunitymeanstheworldto

them.”

Thestarsearchtookplace fromSept.6to23.

Maisy,ablindanddeaf seniordogthatwasfound abandonedonHighway16 innorthwesternB.C.—also knownastheHighwayof Tears—raisedthesecond-mostfundsat$8,250.

Morkiecameinthirdafter raising$8,230,whileTundra

wontherandomdrawand willbethefinalfour-legged friendtobefeaturedon YellowDogBrewing’snew packofbeer.

Therandomdrawincludedallcontestantsthat raisedaminimumof$100at thecontest’sdeadline.

Formoreinformation, visitthecontest’spageon theBCSPCA’swebsite.

Timber,atwo-year-oldrescuedog,willbeoneoffourappearingonlabelsforYellowDogBrewinginPortMoodyto helpraisemoneyfortheBCSPCA. BCSPCAPHOTO

Aworkerinstallsoneoftwodigitalbillboardsapproved byPortMoodycouncilin2019.It’sconsideringarequest toerecttwomore.

PORTMOODY

Aremoredigital billboardscoming?

MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

Moredigitalbillboards couldbecomingtoPort Moody.

Butitwon’thappenuntil anewcounciliselectedand thepublichasanopportu nitytoheheard.

Tuesday(Oct.11),council votedtodeferananamendmenttoitscurrentsign bylawthatwouldenabletwo moredigitalbillboardsto beerectedalongtheBarnet Highway—onealongthe curvenearUnionStreet,and anotherjustwestofthein tersectionwithClarkeStreet.

Inareport,PortMoody’s generalmanagerofengineeringandoperationsJeff Moisaidthenewbillboards wouldbe“different”andnot aslargeastwoexistingbill boardserectedbyPattison

OutdoorAdvertisingLtd.in 2020nearthecity’soldlandfillsiteandatthecornerof BarnetandIocoRoad.

FINANCIALBENEFIT

Moisaidthecompany pitchingthenewstructures andthetermsofanyagreementofthecitycouldn’t bediscussedpubliclyfor competitivereasons.But,he added,theywouldbring“financialbenefittothecity.” Councilapprovedthe installationofthePattison billboardsin2019.Thecity receivedasigningbonusof $300,000foreachsignand anannual45percentcutof adrevenue,or$377,000— whicheverisgreater—for 25years.

Thecityisalsoableto use10percentoftheavailableadvertisingslotsfree ofchargetopromotecityor communityevents,notices andconstructionadvisories.

Planforrestoringpark

Recoveryfundwill helpre-greeniconic forestinpark

DIANESTRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

Photostakenatthescene ofa14-hectarewildfireat MinnekhadaRegionalPark showthedevastation.

Theoncegreenforest isnowfullofashesamidst tallconiferswithblackened trunks.

However,thatdesolate sceneneedn’tlastforlong.

Plansarealreadyinthe workstobringtheareaback tolifeonceMetroVancouver EmergencyServicesfullyex tinguishesthefirethatbegan Saturday,Oct.1.

AnemergencyrecoveryfundforMinnekhada RegionalParkin Coquitlamhasbeenestab lishedtoraisefundstoreplantthearea,andthepub licisencouragedtodonate.

LastWednesday,(Oct. 5),MetroVancouver RegionalParks Foundation(MVRP Foundation)announcedthe recoveryfundasawayto re-greentheiconicforeston HighKnoll.

Contributionscanbeas littleas$10andthepublic canalsosignupforanews lettertogetthelatestonthe recoveryeffort.

“Thepurposeofthe MinnekhadaRecoveryFund istoinvestinrestoringthis landscapebyreplanting trees,rebuildingtrails,and addingmorenativevege tationtohelpMinnekhada RegionalPark’secosys temrecover,”statedJanet Antonio,executivedirector ofthefoundation.

Inthecomingmonths, MetroVancouverRegional Parkswilldeveloparesto rationplanfortheaffected area.

Withthehelpofdonors,parkstaff,partners andvolunteers,theMVRP Foundationplanstowork “tirelessly”overthecoming yearsre-buildandre-plant, accordingtoAntonio.

Someoftheworkwillincludethefollowing:

•Replantingtreesand addingmorenativevegetationtohelptheecosystem recover

HikersonthedikesinPittMeadowswatchasahelicopterdropswaterontheHighKnollwildfireinMinnekhada RegionalPark.

•Restoringtrailaccess andfacilitiesforparkvisitors

•Monitoringandsupportingwildlife

•Creatingamoreclimate-resilientpark

Theeffortisalso inpartnershipwith theMinnekhadaPark Association,agroupofpark users.

Meanwhile,thefounda-

tionleadingtherecovery efforthasalonghistory.

Acharitydedicatedtothe protection,enhancement andrestorationoflocalregionalparks,thefoundation hasbeenaroundsince2000.

Itwaspreviously calledPacificParklands Foundation;however,arebrandwaslaunchedin September2022.

Annualeventservesasafiresafetyreminder

Smokealarms canhelpincrease chanceofsurvival

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Thisweek,Oct.9to15, marksthe100thanniversary ofFirePreventionWeek

—anannualeventthatencourageslocalresidentsto bepreparedifandwhena housefireoccurs.

InPortCoquitlam,local firefightersaretakingan extrasteptoensuresafetyfor all,includingthosewhomay nothaveaccesstoadditional sourcesthatcouldultimately savetheirlives.

PoCoFireandEmergency

Servicesareofferingfree smokealarmstothoseconsideredmostvulnerablein thecommunitytomarkthe centuryseasonofawareness.

Firepreventionofficers aresettoassessaqualified person’shometodetermine wherethealarm(s)willbe installedortotestanyexistingones.

Accordingtothecity,

smokealarminstallation increasesthechanceofsurvivingahomefireby50per cent.

“Today’shomesburn fasterthaneverandyoumay haveaslittleastwominutes (orevenlesstime)tosafely escapeahomefirefrom thetimethesmokealarm sounds,”saidaPoConews release.

“Theabilitytogetout ofahomeduringafiredependsonearlywarningfrom smokealarmsandadvance planning.”

TheTri-Citiesiscurrently underhigh-to-extremefire dangerratingsfromunseasonablywarmweatherfor themonthofOctober.

Threeknownsuspected human-causedwildfires

havebeenparkedacrossthe regionsinceOct.1dueto tinder-dryconditions.

Thisincludesthe14-hectareblazeinMinnekhada RegionalPark,whichisnow undercontrolbytheBC WildfireServicealongthe Coquitlam-PortCoquitlam border.

Constructionisunderway inyourarea.

Cityisofferingtipstohelpyoucreateanescapeplan

TheCityofPort Coquitlamisofferingthefollowingtipsforhomeowners lookingtoplantheirescape routeincaseofafire:

•Makesureyourplan meetstheneedsofallyour householdmembers,includingthosewithsensory orphysicaldisabilities

•Installsmokealarms insideeverysleepingroom, outsideeachseparatesleepingareaandoneverylevelof yourhome

•Interconnectsmoke alarmssowhenonesounds, theyallsound

•Knowatleasttwoways outofeveryroom,ifpossible

•Makesurealldoorsand windowsopeneasily

•Haveanoutsidemeeting placeasafedistancefrom yourhomewhereeveryone shouldmeet

•Practiseyourhomefire drillatleasttwiceayearwith everyoneinthehousehold, includingguests

•Practiseatleastonce duringthedayandatnight

•Checkyoursmoke alarmandchangebatteries whenrequired

Aswell,PoCofirefighters aresettoconductsafety drillselementaryschoolin ordertoconveythe“Fire Won’tWait.PlanYour Escape!”themetokidsand youthforFirePrevention Week.

Thosethatqualifyand areinterestedinreceiving afreesmokealarmareencouragedtoapplythrough theCityofPortCoquitlam’s website.

ColonyFarmRegionalParkCommunityGardensSociety200ColonyFarmRoad(ColonlyFarmPark)1year 5,8006,1006,400

GreaterVancouverWaterDistrict

ResonateChristianChurch

RoyalCanadianLegionBranchNo.263

SistersoftheImmaculateHeartofMarySociety

YMCAofGreaterVancouverPropertiesFoundation 555EmersonStreet

BurquitlamSeniorHousingSociety

CommunityLivingSociety

CommunityLivingSociety

KinsightCommunitySociety

KinsightCommunitySociety

SocieteDuFoyerMaillard

TalithaKoumSociety

NatureTrustofBritishColumbia

NatureTrustofBritishColumbia

23,10024,20025,400

1year 14,10014,80015,500

1year 51,20053,80056,500

2,9003,0003,200

81,10085,20089,500

1year 25,50026,80028,100

1year 2,9003,0003,200

2,9003,0003,200

1year 3,0003,2003,400

3,6003,8004,000

37,60039,50041,500

3,1003,3003,500

28,20029,60031,100

55,50058,30061,200

OneofthegoalsofPort Coquitlam’sannualFire PreventionWeekisto helppreventsceneslike thisfromoccurring.

ScaryStoryContest

Wateringrestrictions extendedtoOct.31

MetroVancouver currentlyinStage1 ofrestrictions

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

It’sdryoutthere—drier thannormal.

Asaresult,theregional authoritythatcoverstheTriCitiesisextendingcurrent wateringrestrictionstoOct. 31aspartofeffortstoconservedrinkingwaterduring thecurrentdrought.

MetroVancouversaidthis appliestoallresidentialand non-residentialproperties withinitsmembercommunities,whichincludes Coquitlam,PortCoquitlam, PortMoody,Anmoreand Belcarra.

Theregioniscurrentlyin Stage1ofwateringrestrictions.

Thismeanslocalhomeownersarelimitedtowateringtheirlawnstoonedaya weekbetween5and9a.m., andwhatdaythatisgets determinedbypropertytype

andaddress.

Thescheduleandrestrictionsareasfollows:

RESIDENTIAL

Even-numberedaddresses

•Saturdays—automatic wateringbetween5and7 a.m.,andmanualwatering between6and9a.m.

Odd-numberedaddresses

•Sundays—automatic wateringbetween5and7 a.m.,andmanualwatering between6and9a.m.

•Trees,shrubsandflowerscanbewateredwitha sprinkleranydaybetween 5and9a.m.,oranytimeby handorusingdripirrigation

NON-RESIDENTIAL

Even-numberedaddresses

•Mondays—automatic wateringbetween4and6 a.m.,andmanualwatering between6and9a.m.

Odd-numberedaddresses

•Tuesdays—automatic wateringbetween4and6 a.m.,andmanualwatering

between6and9a.m.

•Trees,shrubsandflowerscanbewateredwitha sprinkleranydaybetween 4and9a.m.,oranytimeby handorusingdripirrigation

“Weneedtoensureour currentdrinkingwatersupplyispreserveduntiltherain returns,”saidSavDhaliwal, chairofMetroVancouver’s boardofdirectors,inastatement.

“Weareincreasinglyseeingunexpectedweatherpatternsduetoclimatechange, andwecan’tmakeassumptionsaboutwhentherain willstartagain.”

AspokespersonforMetro VancouveralsotoldGlacier Mediareservoirwaterlevels arewithinnormalranges, andthattheextendedrestrictionsareaneffortto keepitthatway.

Anyfloutingthelawsmay besubjecttopenaltiesunder localmunicipalbylaws, MetroVancouverexplained. Formoreinformation, youcanvisittheregionalauthority’swebsite. withfilesfromStefan Labbé,GlacierMedia

ARTS&LIFE

MUSIC

ShariUlrichtoplaysecondInletmusicseriesshow

ShariUlrichremembers meetingBillSamplemany moonsago.

Theywereintheirlate teens/early20s,andthe Californianativeandher boyfriendhadtravelled fromtheU.S.toCanadaand stayedwiththemusician.

Thepairplayedtogether severaltimesasUlrich’s starrose:firstwiththePied PumkinandwithValdy,as amemberofhisHometown Band,thenasaJuno award-winningsoloartist andoneofthreewiththe bandsUHFandBTU.

Now,Samplehasinvited hislongtimefriendtoperforminPortMoodyaspart ofhisandDarleneCooper’s inauguralmusicseriesat theInletTheatre.Itwillbe thecouple’ssecondshow followingtheserieslaunch lastmonthwithPortMoody singerDianeLines.

ForUlrich,shesaidshe’s lookingforwardtotheperformanceonOct.28and treatingtheaudiencetoa “livingroom”concert.

She’llalsobeintroducing thecommunitytoafellow BowenIslandresident: CindyFairbank.

UlrichfirstmetFairbank whileFairbankwasrecord ingwithUlrich’sformer husband,DavidGraff,inher

homestudio.Thesession wasbeingengineered(with FairbankonaHammondB3 organ)byUlrichandGraff’s daughter,Julia,andherhusband.

“Sheissuchanincredible player,”Ulrichsaid,noting Fairbankalsoteachesmusic atthelocalelementary schoolandisworkingonher master’sdegree.

“Likeme,she’sallabout servingthesong.It’snot

aboutbeingflashy.”

PortMoodyisonlyone ofafewshowsUlrichplans thisfalltopromoteher 2019album BackToShore (nextmonth,shealsohas publicdatesinVancouver, SquamishandPenticton).

She’snotafanofflying, soshelikestobookgigsthat shecandriveto.

Andbeingbackonthe road,aftermorethantwo yearsofffromtheCovidpan-

demic,is“wonderfultoget backonthestage,”shesaid. “It’srichandrewarding,and especiallytobeontheother sideofaverylonghaul.”

Duringtheglobaloutbreakthatforcedlockdowns, Ulrichwashomealoneto processnearlyhalfacentury ofhardwork.“Ididn’trealizehowmuchIdiduntilI wasmadetostop,”shesaid.

Shedidn’tcompose duringthebreak;rather,

shepickeduphermemoir manuscriptandcontinued toplugawayathomeimprovements.

HerPortMoodyshowwill reflectonthedowntime,her journeybacktoperforming andacirclebacktosomeof her“forgotten”favourites.

Ulrichwillbeonthe piano,guitar,violinand mandolinwhileFairbank willplaypianoandthe accordion,andprovidehar-

monies.

“Iassumepeopleknow whoIam.There’slotstobe saidforhistoryandexperience,”Ulrichsaid.“Itryto makemyshowslikethey’re inmylivingroom.Ifeelthat myfirstjobistomakesure everybodyiscomfortable…. Peopleneedmusic.Itdoes somethingtothehuman spiritandit’sjustmagicalto me.I’minaweofit,soIlove tocreatethatexperience.”

SaidSample,“Shari Ulrichisatriplethreat—a greatsongwriter,anamazing singerplussheaccompanies herselfonawidevarietyof instruments:violin,guitar, mandolinandpiano.Weare veryexcitedtopresentherat theInletTheatreonOct.28.”

ForticketsfortheInlet TheatreMusicSeries,visit eventbrite.caorgotoportmoodymusic.com/seriesconcerts.

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

ThestoryofWolfgangAmadeusMozart'ssibling,MariaAnnaWalburgaIgnatiaMozart or"Nannerl,"andtheircompetitiverelationship,includingatthekeyboard,willbe

PHOTOGRAPHY

GotapictureofPoCo?

Ifyou’vesnappedan imageofPortCoquitlam showingthecity’sfloraand fauna,youmaybeableto seeitinthenextmunicipal calendar.

Thecityrecentlyextended itsdeadlineforentriesfor the2023calendarcalled “NaturallyPoCo."

Photostobewrappedon BChydroutilityboxesare alsobeingsought.

Staffarecallingfor close-uppicturesandlandscapesofPortCoquitlamin allfourseasons.

Toapply,sendyour high-resolutioncolourimagestoportcoquitlam.ca/ photosusingthiscriteria:

least2MB •includephotoname, location,yeartakenand photographer’sname(e.g., ScenicSunset-PittRiver2021-BobSmith.jpg)

Allsubmittedphotoscan beseeninthecity’sonline galleryinDecember;they maybeusedinthecity's marketingmaterials.

300dpiatasizeof13”wide by10”deeporafilesizeofat

Photocreditswillbeapplied.

Watercolourportraits

fromaward-winning painterupatcityhall

God’sPeopleareBeautiful is awatercolourseriesnowon showatPortCoquitlamCity Hall(2580ShaughnessySt.)until Jan.10,2023.Theportraits, including“WaterFun” (atleft), werepaintedbyCoquitlamartist CoralYeChen,agraduateof theJianghanUniversityfinearts schoolinWuhan,China,whohas livedintheU.S.,HongKong, SingaporeandCanada.Born intoafamilyofphotographers, Chenhasclinchedmanylocal andinternationalawardsforher skill:Herpainting“Observer” wasdisplayedinthe2022 FabrianoInAcquarellowatercolour festivalinItalywhile“Blessedare theMeek”wasnamedthewinner oftheInternationalWatercolor Society’sseventhInternational GoldenBrushContestthisyear. Besidespainting,Chenhasalso pennedandillustratedfivechildren’sbooksandsheteaches artclasses,includingthismonth nearCoquitlamRiverElementary School.UntilOct.16,Chen’spiece “Celebration”canbeviewed intheFederationofCanadian Artists’2022AnnualInternational RepresentationalExhibition, heldatFederationGallery(1241 CartwrightSt.,Vancouver)on GranvilleIsland.

FormorephotosfollowusonInstagram #tricitynews

MilestoneforPMAHA

‘Thelittle associationthat could’celebrates50 MARIOBARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

The50thanniversary seasonofPortMoody AmateurHockeyAssociation (PMAHA)isasmuchabout tenacityasitisaboutlongevity.

“Wearethelittleassociationthatcould,”says StephanieNaqvi,who’s headedthegroupforfour

yearsandservedonitsboard for10.

Withonly375players inagedivisionsranging fromU6toU18,PMAHA iseasilyovershadowedby neighbouringassociations likeCoquitlam,whichhas morethan1,200members, andBurnabyMinorHockey Association’s800players.

ThatcanpresentachallengeforPMAHA’sabilityto retainplayersastheyclimb competitivetiersandhaveto seekopportunitiesforelite playinleaguesandacademiesoutsidePortMoody, Naqvisaid.

Buttheassociation’ssmall sizealsomeanseverybody knowseverybodyandhasa directinvestmentinensuringkidsandtheirfamilies haveagoodexperience.

“Weneedtomakesure theproductwe’reofferingis special.”

Naqvisaidovertheyears, PMAHAhasmadesignificantstridestobeasinclusive aspossiblebyimplementing initiativestohelplowerthe costofequipmentthrough apartnershipwithThe HockeyShopinSurrey,

Searchlocalevents. FarmersMarkets

PortMoodyAmateurHockeyAssociationpresidentStephanieNaqviwatchesapracticeatthecity’srecreationcomplex. MARIOBARTEL/THETRI-CITYNEWS

Barzalsigns

KYLEBALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Coquitlam’sMathew

BarzalwillbeaNewYork Islanderformanymore

years.

The25-year-oldcentreman,whowasdrafted bytheIslandersinthe firstroundofthe2015 NHLdraft,signedan eight-yearcontractextensionwiththeteamlast Tuesday.It’sreportedly worthanaverageannual valueof$9.15million.

Barzaliscomingoff a59-pointseasonthat included15goalsand44 assists.Whilethenumberswerelowerthanhe attainedinhisprevious

fiveseasons,theywere stilltopsamongsthis teammates.

Barzal’sIslanders failedtoreachtheplayoffslastseason,butthe teamdidmakeittothe EasternConferencefinal twoyearsago.

Barzalplayedfor Canadaatthe2022 IIHFMen’sWorld Championshipin Finland,hissixthinternationalappearance,where theteamwonsilverafter losingtothehostsinthe final.

Inhisprocareer, Barzalhascompiled311 pointsin362regularseasongames.In2017–18, hewasnamedtheNHL’s toprookie.

MINORHOCKEY

Challengesofthepasttwoyearshavefortifiedtheleague

alongwithitsLearntoPlay andFirstShiftprograms foryoungplayerstryingto decideifhockeyistheright sportforthem,anddevelopmentcampsforgoalies. Aswell,olderplayersare encouragedtohelpmentor youngerplayers.

Theyoungerkids“think it’scoolwhentheolderkids areouttherewiththem,” Naqvisaid.

Thegoal,sheadded,isto makePMAHA’smembers

feelliketheirhockeyexperienceextendsbeyondtheice andrinkboards.

“We’rebuildingcommunitymembers,really,”Naqvi said,addingtheelement mostplayerscarrywith themwhentheirplaying daysareoverwillnotbethe goalsandassiststheyaccumulatedbuttheconnections andfriendshipstheymade alongtheway.

Naqvisaidtheimportanceofhockey’sholistic experiencewasespecially apparentwhenPMAHA—

andeveryothersportsassociation—hadtoshutdown forastretchandthenmodify itsproceduresbecauseofthe COVID-19pandemic.With thetiethatbindssuddenly severed,manykidsandfamilieswereatlooseends.

“Youdon’tknowwhat you’vegotuntilit’sgone,” Naqvisaid.

Ironically,thatrenewed senseofappreciationshould provideasoundfoundation fortheassociation’snext50 years.

Alreadyit’sbeingtested

withgrowingdiscussions acrossCanadaaboutthe seamierelementsof“hockey culture”sparkedbyrecent allegationsofsexualassault committedbyformermembersofCanada’snational juniorteamandconcerted effortsbyexecutivestocover incidentsup.

“Cultureisalwaysachallenge,”Naqvisaid,adding PMAHA’sdiminutivesize meansbadseedshavenowheretohide,abusesaren’t easilysweptaway.

“Itallowsustobein-

volved.”

WithPortMoodypoised togrowasnewdevelopmentscometothecityto takeadvantageofitstwo SkyTrainstations,Naqvi foreseesadaywhentwo icepadsattherecreation complexwon’tbeenough tomeetdemand—notonly fromPMAHAbutalsoother usergroupslikefigureskaters,old-timershockeyand thePanthersjuniorprogram.

Therehavebeenstrains already,afteroneicesurface hadtobeclosedforseveral

monthsin2019whileanew refrigerationplantwasinstalledandamaintenance issueatthemainrinkthis summerdelayedinstallation oftheiceforthecoming season.

Still,playersandparents aregladthey’rebackatit, withseveralspecialcommemorationsplannedfor themilestoneyearincluding 50brandedPMAHAmerchandise,dry-fitshirtsand helmetdecals,aswellas socialeventsforplayersand thecommunity.

Obituaries

NICK,FrankJohn

FrankJohnNickpassedawayonSaturday,October1, 2022attheageof91.HewasborninVancouver onJuly1,1931,movingtoPortCoquitlamin1934 wherehelivedtherestofhislife.Frankwillbe greatlymissedbyhiswifeCarolyn,daughterToni; sonsJohn(Lori),andDan;grand-daughtersJenna andJulia;brotherErnie(Karen);aswellasmany nieces,nephewsandfriends.

Franktreasuredhisfamilyandgreatlyenjoyedthe friendshipswiththosehemetthroughouthislife’s adventures.Greattimeswerespentwithfamily andthemanyfriendsFrankmadewhileplaying sports,exploringthegreatoutdoorsandworkingas a firefighterforthePortCoquitlamFireDepartment. FrankwaspredeceasedbyhisparentsSophieand John,brothersWalter,AlbertandJoseph.

AMasswillbeheldatOurLadyofAssumptionon Tuesday,October18that11:00AMwithareception following.Inlieuof flowers,donationsinFrank’s memorymaybemadetotheTerryFoxFoundation ortheBurkeMountainNaturalists.

Expressionsofsympathycanbemadeat www.burquitlamfuneralhome.ca

Obituaries

MERCER,JanisPatricia (neeOsadczuk)

February25,1946-October3,2022

Janisdiedfartoosoonandwillforeverbemissed byherfamilyandfriends.AproudUkrainian Canadianwithamemorablelaugh,shewasa much-lovedwife,mother,grandmother,sister, aunt,daughterandfriend.ShewasborninNew WestminsterandgrewupinBurnabyinahouse herfatherbuilt.Sheplayedaccordionandbaseball andshelovedspendingtimewithherbrother,her friends,herlargeextendedfamilyandherdog Tinker.Overthecourseofherlifeshesharedmany happystoriesaboutherearlyyears.

AftergraduatingfromBurnabyCentralin 1964Janis workedatEaton’s,theCompensation BoardandB.C. Tel.Whenherchildrenwereoldershereturnedto workatActiveSalesandenjoyedheryearsthere immensely.

JanisandDaveweremarriedonOctober1,1966, andcelebratedtheir56thweddinganniversaryjust twodaysbeforeherdeath.Togethertheymoved toCoquitlam,raisedtwochildren,startedandrana familybusiness,andtravelledextensively.Inmore recentyearstheywelcomedfourbeautiful grandchildren.DaveandJanisalwayssaidthat theyknewtheywouldneverwinthelottery becausetheyhadwonthejackpotmanytimes overwiththeirwonderfulfamily.Weallfeltthe samewayabouther.

Janiswaspredeceasedbyherparents,Stanand PatriciaOsadczuk.Sheissurvivedbyherhusband, DaveMercer;daughter,Adrienne Breen(Michael), son,JasonMercer (Carol);brother,StanOsadczuk (Margaret);andgrandchildrenHoldenandIsla MercerandLucasandEmilyBreen.Sheisalso mournedbyhernieceandnephews,herbrotherin-law,sisters-in-lawandextendedfamily.

AsperJanis’swishestherewillbenofuneral service.Inlieuof flowers,thefamilywelcomes supportforUkrainianrefugeesorfortheUnion GospelMission’smeals,shelter,clothingandstreet leveloutreachprograms.

COMMUNITY

annOuncements

FREEHEALINGWORKSHOP

WanteD

CASHforyourCLUTTER

RECORDS, EnglishBoneChina& Figurines,Collectibles, Tools,

VER&GOLDcoins,bars, jewelry,scrap,nuggets,sterling,999+BULLION,maple leafs,bulksilver,pre-1969 coins.CoincollectorBUYING

TIONS,old$&RoyalCanadianMintcoins.TODD250864-3521.

EMPLOYMENT

Drivers

CARRIERSNEEDED

ADVERTISINGPOLICIES

Itiswithdeepsadnessweannouncethesudden passingofGregWycherleyattheageof67.PredeceasedbyhisbrotherGaryandbrother-in-law DavidLowrey.SurvivedbyhissisterPatricia Lowrey,nephewsShawnandSteveLowrey,Jesse WycherleyandnieceNaomiWycherley.

GregwasborninVancouverandmovedtoPort Coquitlamin1958.Hewillbefondlyremembered forhissenseofhumourandhisbadjokes.Greg wasamemberoftheLionsClubandRoyal CanadianLegion,Branch133.

Thefamilywouldliketoexpresstheirsincere gratitudetoFraserHealth,RoyalCanadianLegion, Branch133andNewViewSociety.

Inlieuof flowers,donationsmaybemadeinGreg’s nametotheRoyalCanadianLegion,Branch133, PortCoquitlamortoNewViewSociety,2050Mary HillRd.,PortCoquitlam,V3C2Z8.

Duetospace restrictions,thereis nopuzzlethisissue.

Weapologizefor anyinconvenience thismaycause.

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RENTAL

aPPLiaNce rePairs

U-HaulMovingCenterPortMoody

ClaimsaLandlordsContractualLien againstthefollowingpersonsgoodsinstorageat 2500BarnetHwy.,PortMoody,BC. Tel:604-461-1717. Auctionissubjecttocancellationatanytime. CindyForsCoryCampbellCindyFors

Asalewilltakeplaceon www.ibid4storage.com ontheFriday,October21,2022,theauctionwillendat 11:00AM,unlessbiddingbattlebegins. Roomcontentsarepersonal/householdgoodsunless notedotherwise.Bidswillbeforentirecontentsof eachlockerorU-boxunit.

WAREHOUSELIENACT

Thefollowingvehicleswillbesold, aspertheWarehouseLienAct;

1.TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2015ChevroletSonic

VIN:1G1JC5SH0F4110259

RegisteredOwner:FraserJustinReid

DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$16,654.83.

2.TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2006JeepComander

VIN:1J8HG48N36C156653

RegisteredOwner:BrianBaker, DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$3,438.66

3.TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2010LexusRX350

VIN:2T2BK1BA0AC038071

RegisteredOwner:YooJai, DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$7,588.63.

4.TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2004Acura3.2TL

VIN:19UUA66224A804747

RegisteredOwner:BalJasdeepSingh,Debt AmountasofSep.27,2022is$18,680.58.

5.TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2019VolkswagenJetta

VIN:3VWN57BU2KM079684

RegisteredOwner:DavidSnyder, DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$3,872.54.

6.TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2015VolkswagenTguan

VIN:WVGJV7AX1FW532482

RegisteredOwner:AliNaderi, DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$31,168.21.

7.TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, H2003InfinitiFX35

VIN:JNRAS08W93X000520

RegisteredOwner:JenniferRiosCortez, DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$13,448.64.

8.

TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2006BMW325XI

VIN:WBAVD13596KV10039

RegisteredOwner:BlazeCouriersLTD., DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$9,704.15.

9.

TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2004HyundaiAccnt

VIN:KMHCG35C74U292270

RegisteredOwner:GargVikas, DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$4,196.75.

10.TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2004AudiA4

VIN:WAUAC48H64K015476

RegisteredOwner:MohammadZahirRamin, DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$10,873.01.

11.TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2001BMW325XI

VIN:WBAAV33401EE75254

RegisteredOwner:JamesScottBerger, DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$5,750.77.

12.TheFollowingvehiclewillbesold, 2006ChevroletUplander

VIN:1GNDV33L06D244038

RegisteredOwner:MarinoJefferyLionel, DebtAmountasofSep.27,2022is$4,734.84.

Ifyouhaveclaimtoasaidvehicle, pleaserespondinwritingbyOctober27,2022to: CoquitlamTowingLtd, 218CayerStreetCoquitlam,B.C,V3K5B1

GARDENVILLA

10106thAve. NewWestminster. SuitesAvailable. BeautifulAtriumwith Fountain.ByCollege, Shops&Transit/Skytrain. Petsnegotiable.Refreq’d. CALL 604-715-7764 baysideproperty.com

coNcrete

excavatiNg

SKYLINETOWERS

102-120AgnesSt, NewWestminster Hi-RiseApartmentwith RiverView&IndoorPool. 1BR&2BRAvailable Rentincludesheat&hot water.RemodeledBuilding andCommonarea.

Gatedunderground secureparkingavailable. Referencesrequired. CALL604-525-2122 baysideproperty.com

VILLAMARGARETA

320-9thSt,

draiNage

REDSEEDLESS