Radio Haney

Maple Ridge different

by default. p6 Council to decide on Harris Rd. pool. p13
Gardening

THE NEWS
www.mapleridgenews.com Friday, September 17, 2010 · Serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows · est. 1978 · 604-467-1122 · 50¢
The return
of the bud
bloomers.
p33

S tor y by Rober t Mangelsdor f

M
ornings for Dave Ius
are bitterly slow.
After overcoming the
crushing fatigue that attempts
to pin him to his bed, he walks
Seeking
cautiously from his bedroom
into the nearby kitchen in his
small one-bedroom apartment
in Maple Ridge, grasping at the
walls and counters to steady
liberation
himself.
His hands shake.
His legs shake.
His eyes struggle to focus on
his surroundings.
“Everything is methodically
planned out,” he says, sighing
as he carefully lowers himself
into a chair, then digs into a
yogurt container full of granola,
his fingers trembling as they
clumsily clutch the spoon.
I u s su f f e r s f r o m m u l t i p l e
sclerosis. Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
See MS, p3 Dave Ius is going to Cabo San Lucas for a new MS treatment not available in Canada.

Girl gang-raped at Pitt rave

16-year-old boy arrested
for distributing pictures
by M o n i s h a M a r t i n s
staff reporter
Photographs of a girl being
raped at a Pitt Meadows rave
Contributed
are spreading across on the In-
RCMP Sgt. Jennifer Hyland and Insp. Derren Lench speak ternet.
at a press conference about a rave in Pitt Meadows The 16-year-old was gang-
where a 16-year-old girl was gang-raped. Police want raped in field by five to seven
anyone who attended the rave to contact investigators men – some adults and other
so they can get a clear picture of what happened at the teens – at “Another Night in
event and afterwards. Bangkok,” a party held on a
farm at 12993 Harris Road, Fri-
day night.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested
Tuesday for distributing child
porn.
He allegedly took photographs
of the rape on his cell phone and
distributed them to friends, who
then posted them to Facebook.
Police have filed a report to
Crown for charges against him,
which have yet to be laid.
The gang-rape and distribu-
tion of graphic photographs has
shocked even seasoned investi-
gators.
“The very public discussion
about this victim and the tak-
ing and subsequent sharing
of photos depicting this rape
is disgusting, morally corrupt
and criminal,” said Sgt. Jennifer
Hyland, the officer in charge of
Ridge Meadows RCMP’s serious
crime unit.
Police knew the party was set
to take place and checked on the
event Friday night, but found
nothing amiss.
A previous party called “A
night in Bangkok” had been
hosted at a barn on the same
property two weeks before.
Police said the people who
live in the home had allowed
two young men to use the prop-
erty for a party, for which they
charged $10 in advance and $15
at the door.
The registered owners of the
property who own lots of farm-
land in Pitt Meadows said they
had no idea the party.
See Rape, p10
MR
NEWS Online
For video, visit
www.mapleridgenews.com

Index
Opinion 6
Radio Haney 6
Parenting 30
Acts of Faith 32
Home&gardening 33
Community Calendar 55
Scoreboard 61
‘Problem is plumbing, not electrical’
MS from front
While his mind has remained
sharp, his body has turned against
him. The disease triggers the
body’s auto-immune system, forc-
ing it to attack the body’s nervous
system, specifically the protective
covering that wraps around the
nerves of the central nervous sys-
tem, called the myelin sheath.
He is one of close to 75,000 Cana-
dians with the disease – one that
presently has no cure.
Though not considered fatal it-
self, the disease can cause chronic
pain, bowl and bladder failure,
muscle spasms and speech difficul-
ties.
“It isolates you,” says the divorced
father of three. “I have a lot of fam-
ily, so I’m one of the lucky ones, but
some people with this disease, they
aren’t so fortunate.”
Suicide is not uncommon for MS
sufferers as their symptoms wors-
en and they lose control of their
own body.
However, a new medical proce-
dure is providing hope for some
MS sufferers, like Ius, but whether
that hope is founded remains to be
seen.
Developed by Dr. Paolo Zamboni,
a professor of medicine at the Uni-
versity of Ferrara in Italy, the new
treatment, called “the liberation
procedure,” represents a radical
departure in how MS is under-
stood.
According to Zamboni’s theory,
the auto-immune response is trig-
gered by iron deposits in the brain.
Constricted veins in the neck, par-
ticularly the internal jugular and
azygos veins, prevent blood from
properly draining from the brain,
instead causing blood to pool,
which in turn leaves the deposits
of iron.
Zamboni dubbed the condition
“chronic cerebrospinal venous
insufficiency”, or CCSVI, and its
treatment, which was first per-
formed on his own wife, is rela-
tively simple. Similar to an angio-
plasty, the liberation procedure
involves inflating a small balloon
inside the constricted vein to clear
the blockage and allow for proper
drainage.
In Zamboni’s initial trial, which
was neither controlled, nor ran-
domized, 65 MS patients underwent
the procedure, with more than 70
per cent showing decreased MS
symptoms.
Zamboni’s theory has turned the
generally accepted understanding
of MS on its head, suggesting the
disease is a vascular condition and
not a neurological one.
“Basically, it’s a plumbing prob-
lem, instead of an electrical one,”
says Ius.
For many MS sufferers like Ius,
the procedure offers the potential
(Above) Steve Robinson, left, and Dave Ius both have MS and meet regularly to discuss it; (below) Robinson’s T-shirt.
to get his life back.
“I started crying,” Ius says of
when he first learned of the proce-
dure nearly a year ago. “I couldn’t
believe it. It fit so perfectly, and
made perfect sense.”
Ius was eight years old when he
first noticed his symptoms. It was
early summer, and he was play-
ing in the front yard of his family’s
home in North Vancouver. Sud-
denly, he couldn’t feel the ground
beneath his feet, and his world
started spinning and he fell to the
ground.
Ius called to his mother, who
chalked up the dizzy spell to a fe-
ver.
“Why would you ever think it was
anything else?” says Ius. “MS is the
furthest thing from your mind.”
As Ius grew older, the episodes
became more frequent, and more
frustrating.
A feeling like an electrical pulse
would shoot down his legs periodi-
cally. His fingers would go numb,
and he would experience a sensa-
tion like a large belt being pulled
tight around his midsection. He
began having trouble with depth
perception, and would suffer bouts
of vertigo.
As a competitive athlete, the ef-
fects became apparent whether he
was boxing, skiing, playing base-
ball or tennis.
“I’d be playing tennis, and I
would swing at the ball, but it was
two feet in front of me,” he says. “I
didn’t know what was happening
to me.”
By the time he was 17, his life was
falling apart.
Working as a joinery apprentice
in the shipyards of the North Shore,
he began accidently hitting himself
in the hands, and once fell down an
open stairwell. A skiing accident
shredded the ligaments in his left
knee. A motorcycle accident sent
Ius over the handle bars when he
couldn’t hold a turn. A car accident
left him in constant pain.
“Everyone around me was losing
confidence in me,” says Ius. “So
I tried to mask it, with booze and
drugs.”
It didn’t work.
His body was failing him and
he was powerless to do anything
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
about it. In the back of his mind,
Ius suspected it might be MS. His
sister Teresa had suffered from MS
for years.
“I was in denial,” he says.
But when, at the age of 26, Ius was
finally diagnosed with the progres-
sive form of the disease, all he felt
was relief.
“It was a huge relief to be diag-
nosed,” he says.
He finally had answer and under-
standing of what was happening to
his body.
“But there wasn’t anything they
could do for me.”
Thanks to the liberation proce-
dure, for the first time Ius says he
has hope for recovery, as well as
an understanding of the disease
itself.
But while the procedure is con-
ducted in private clinics in more
than 40 countries worldwide, and is
available through the public health
care system in Kuwait, it is current-
ly unavailable in Canada.
In order to undergo the proce-
dure, Ius is paying close to $15,000
to fly to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to
have it performed in a private clinic
next month. The surgery takes less
than an hour, after which he will
spend the next 10 days recuperat-
ing under observation before fly-
ing home.
He is one of a growing number of
MS sufferers who are leaving the
country to have the procedure.
Mark Semple president of Pass-
port Medical, a Maple Ridge-based
company with offices in Vancouver
that specializes in medical tour-
ism, estimates that more than 98
per cent of the company’s business
has come MS sufferers seeking the
liberation procedure, with more
than 200 customers flying to Costa
Rica for the treatment in the past
few months.
“By Christmas, I imagine we’ll
have had around 600,” says Sem-
ple.
He has personally witnessed 40
patients undergo the procedure,
and has seen the positive results
first hand.
“I’m not a snake oil salesman,”
says Semple. “I have to manage
people’s expectations somewhat,
because this is not a cure.”
Although the procedure corrects
the flow of blood draining from the
brain, it does nothing to remove
the iron deposits themselves.
“When someone who was bound
to a wheelchair gets up and walks,
you can’t tell me that it’s a placebo
effect,” says Semple. “I’ve seen
miracles.”
However, clinical trials in Canada
could still be years away.
While Zamboni’s initial find-
ings, published in the Journal for
Vascular Surgery last December,
concluded that the pilot study war-
ranted a subsequent randomized
control study, the Canadian Insti-
tute for Health Research decided
two weeks ago it was premature
to conduct such clinical testing in
Canada.
“There was unanimous
agreement from the
scientific experts that it is
premature to support pan-
Canadian clinical trials on
the proposed liberation
procedure.”
Dr. Alain Beaudet, CIHR president
“There was unanimous agree-
ment from the scientific experts
that it is premature to support
pan-Canadian clinical trials on the
proposed liberation procedure,”
said Dr. Alain Beaudet, CIHR pres-
ident.
“There is an overwhelming lack
of scientific evidence on the safety
and efficacy of the procedure, or
even that there is any link between
blocked veins and MS.”
In an effort to help provide that
evidence, the MS Society of Canada
and the United States have provid-
ed $2.4 million to fund preliminary
research into CCSVI so far.
See MS, p4
‘It almost sounds to good to be true’
MS from p3
One such study is be-
ing conducted at the
University of British
Columbia’s MS clinic
by neurologist Dr. Tony
Traboulsee, who is seek-
ing to develop a gold
standard for the process
of radiological scanning
to detect the blocked
veins, according to Su-
zette Jay, spokesperson
for the MS Society of
Canada’s B.C./Yukon
branch.
“MS is one of these ar-
eas where Canada can
be a world leader,” said
Jay.
“Canada has one of the
highest MS rates in the
world.”
Jay said she expects
preliminary reports of
the first round of re-
search to be available in
about six months.
For many frustrated
MS sufferers, that’s too
long.
“Everyone in the
world is doing it except
Canada,” says Ius. “The
medical community in
Canada has put up a
brick wall.”
Last month the prov-
ince of Saskatchewan,
which has the highest
per capita rate of MS
in Canada, promised to
fund clinical trials, pend-
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
Steve Robinson with the bike he rides on the dike.
ing research proposals. However, she noted, ers through the decision
Earlier this week, the there is an established of whether to leave the
province of Newfound- procedure to be followed country for surgery.
land and Labrador to research any new Should the procedure
agreed to fund research medical procedure or prove effective, there
to study MS sufferers technique, and that will could be a huge econom-
who opt to receive the take time. ic benefit.
treatment out-of-coun- “We understand that Many MS sufferers are
try. it’s not happening as fast on long-term disability
“We’re eager to take as some people would and require thousands
part in clinical trials to like, but [the research] of dollars of medications
test the idea. After all, is going as fast as it can,” every month, costing the
we want a cure, and we she said. government millions of
want it now,” said Jay. While the MS Society dollars.
“There are many people of Canada doesn’t en- However, there is far
on staff who have MS, dorse the treatment, it from consensus in the
or have loved ones with has set up a web page medical community as
MS.” to help walk MS suffer- to whether Zamboni’s
theory has merits.
The scientific journal
Annals of Neurology
warned in March of this
year there could be risks
involved with the libera-
tion procedure.
“At present, invasive
and potentially danger-
ous endovascular proce-
dures as therapy for pa-
tients with MS should be
discouraged until such
studies have been com-
pleted, analyzed, and
debated in the scientific
arena,” stated the policy
piece, penned by a group
leading North American
and European neurolo-
gists.
According to the MS
Society of Canada, com-
plications from the sur-
gery include possible
heart attack or stroke
from the dislodging of
blood clots, as well as
bleeding, bruising, and
infection.
The results of a Ger-
man study published
last month in Annals of
Neurology downplayed
the connection between
CCSVI and MS symp-
toms. Of the 56 MS pa-
tients in the study, all
but one had normal
cranial blood flow and
drainage.
“Our results challenge
the hypothesis that cere-
bral venous congestion
plays a significant role
in the pathogenesis [de-
velopment] of MS,” the
study stated.
For Ius, the contro-
versy underscores the
importance of moving to
clinical trials as soon as
possible.
“We need to find out,”
he says. “One way or an-
other, we need to know
if this works, or if we
shouldn’t be getting our
hopes up.”
Ius went on long-term
disability more than 10
years ago, and he hopes
that after the procedure
he might be able to re-
turn to work someday,
and get back into the
sports he grew up loving
to play.
The athletic streak
runs in his family. His
cousin Chris was an
Olympic boxer. His son
Matt played for the Ever-
ett Silvertips and Chilli-
wack Bruins of the West-
ern Hockey League.
“To play tennis again,”
he says. “That would be
amazing.”
Ius’s friends and fam-
ily held a fundraiser
last weekend to help
raise money for his pro-
cedure. More than 150
people came out for the
event, held at a friend’s
house in Maple Ridge,
helping to raise more
than $10,000.
Ius meets almost daily
with other local MS suf-
ferers at the Starbucks
at Westgate Mall in
Maple Ridge. There the
liberation procedure is
a near constant topic of
conversation.
Lance Bannister is
headed to Costa Rica
next month for the proce-
dure. He owns a graphic
design and marketing
firm in Vancouver, but
has had step back from
the business as his
symptoms worsened in
the past two years.
“I’m looking forward
to working again,” says
Bannister. “I have a
14-year-old son, and I
haven’t been able to be
in his life as much as
I would like in the last
year.”
Steve Robinson was
diagnosed with MS in
1980 and is currently
trying to raise the more
than $10,000 needed to
undergo the liberation
procedure in Costa Rica.
Robinson, who co-
founded the Alouette
Field Naturalists, now
gets around on a custom-
made tricycle which he
has fitted with a small
motor, so he can cruise
along the dikes in Pitt
Meadows.
“It almost sounds too
good to be true,” says
Ius of the procedure.
“But right now, it’s all
we have.”
Help Steve
Donations to help with
Steve Robinson’s procedure
can be made to account No.
6872 at Envision Financial
in Maple Ridge.
THE NEWS/opinion Published and printed by Black Press at 22328 – 119th Avenue, Maple Ridge, B.C., V2X 2Z3

News Views Ingrid Rice

Don’t hit send

A 16-year-old girl was gang-raped at a Pitt
Meadows rave on the weekend.
The act, committed by between five to seven
men, some teenagers, others adults, is vile and
depraved.
But it’s the events that took place during the
rape and those that followed it that make you
even more nauseous.
A 16-year-old boy photographed the rape,
then proceeded to distribute the pictures to
friends who posted them on Facebook.
They have been shared, police said, with stu-
dents as young as 12.
Although police have arrested the teen, the
photographs called “graphic, sexual and dis-
gusting” by police, continue to spread like
wildfire.
Investigators say they have reached as far as
Mission, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and oth-
er sleepy suburbs across Metro Vancouver.
As soon as copies of the photos get removed,
others repost them, along with comments
about the girl being a willing participant.
Police say the teens don’t seem to understand
that the act they are viewing is “rape.”
Why is that?
Has this electronic age of sexting and living
lives online for the world to see blurred what’s
right and wrong?
Anyone who has possession of these photo-
graphs right now needs to know they are child
pornography.
If you share them, you could be arrested and
charged.
Hit delete, not send.

– The News
Different by default, get my drift
L
ast week Maple the many thousands who live in the neigh- dents for Smart Shopping and the chamber
Tell us what you think @ www.mapleridgenews.com Ridge News bourhood will applaud the fact that they of commerce, though both were invited.
reporter Phil no longer have to travel to Pitt Meadows, That in my opinion is very odd indeed.
Melnychuck reported Surrey or Coquitlam to shop. Others will Conspiracy theorists sharpen your pencils.

THE NEWS
Serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows since 1978
Jim Coulter, publisher
publisher@mapleridgenews.com
Michael Hall, editor
editor@mapleridgenews.com
Carly Ferguson, advertising, creative services manager
admanager@mapleridgenews.com
Kathy Blore, circulation manager
circulation@mapleridgenews.com
Editorial
Reporters: Phil Melnychuk, Monisha Martins,
Robert Mangelsdorf
Photographer: Colleen Flanagan
Advertising
Sales representatives: Karen Derosia, Glenda Dressler, Rina Varley,
Michelle Baniulis
Ad control: Mel Onodi
Creative services: Kristine Pierlot, Cary Blackburn
Annette WaterBeek, Chris Hussey
Classified: Vicki Milne
22328 – 119th Avenue,
Maple Ridge, B.C.,
V2X 2Z3
Office: 604-467-1122
Fax: 604-463-4741
Delivery: 604-466-6397
Website: www.mapleridgenews.com
Email: newsroom@mapleridgenews.com
The News is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a
self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry.
The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of
member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints,
with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talk-
ing with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about
coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council.
Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C.
Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information,
phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.
a good first get-to-
gether at trying to get
views on what should
happen in Albion flats.
His story noted
Mayor Ernie Daykin
as saying 24 people at-
tended the first meet-
ing Sept. 7 and seven Radio Haney
the day after. Claus Andrup
Radio Haney feels
the meeting may have
been ‘good,’ but clearly there was nothing
good about the attendance numbers.
Some readers may recall the heady days
of the 2005 official community plan meet-
ings and how much airtime has been given
to the Albion flood plains by politicians,
district staff, commentators, letter writers,
the community, Smart!Centres and their
gang of supporters since. In the context
of all that has preceded the current area
planning meetings for the flats, 27 people is
disappointing. Seven is outright pitiful.
Those familiar with process like this in
our district will not be surprised. In time,
the public will claim that it was invited
or did not know, as they have done in the
past. The district, for its part, will say that
it did all in its power.
With a population approaching 80,000, I
am ever surprised by the low turnout for
many, not all, of these types of meetings.
In the event that Smart!Centres gets its
way – and I have no doubt it will – some of
bemoan the construction traffic, fol-
lowed thereafter by the complaints about
increased shopping traffic and general
congestion more familiarly associated west
of our burgeoning dormitory town.
Coquitlam centre “now available in Al-
bion” will be the cry, and the outcry.
The idea is to have an Albion plan by the
new year.
Mayor Daykin, predictably – and sensibly
– noted that his priority was to get good
public involvement from average people,
and not only the “build a mall group” and
“the don’t cut down a tree group.” Well,
Mr. Mayor, that is a priority shared by us
all, except, of course, the build-a-mall bri-
gade and the last tree standing stumpers
from Pitt Meadows to Maple Ridge. Not a
dike in sight, but I feel certain the Pitt Pol-
dergeists will soon be haunting the Albion
Area Plan.
Now then, Mr. Melnychuck’s report also
mentions the fact that all committees that
advise council were invited.
The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Agri-
cultural Association was also invited. I
wonder what they make of this hullabaloo
in the Albion?
As a past member of two advisory bodies,
I happen to know that they number many
persons. I wonder how many from all these
bodies were attendance? With a grand
total of seven at the second meeting, it is
safe to say not many.
Also absent from the meeting were Resi-
Mr. Melnychuck‘s report also states that
Leslie Sofarelli, with Residents for Smart
Shopping, which wants a mall in the area,
added she hasn’t heard if her group will
be invited to the brainstorming (charette)
process that takes place Oct. 20 and 21. I
have some advice for her. If you are not
invited, just show up.
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of
Commerce president Jeremy Bekar, an
astute and fine fellow, thinks just like me
(if I may so). He would like to see Euro-
pean-style community squares for public
events, with stores around the perimeter
and parking behind the stores. Fabric roofs
such as those used in Canada Place in
downtown Vancouver could offer protec-
tion from the elements. They may also
hide that mess of a 19th Century industrial
park in the Albion south of the Lougheed
from view.
Mr. Bekar brightly observes that the
Albion is not far from the downtown and
could create synergies with downtown.
He’d like Maple Ridge to be different from
other municipalities. In some ways, it
already is, if you get the drift of my net.
Claus Andrup is a former member at
large of the Maple Ridge Community
Heritage Commission, the Maple Ridge
Economic Advisory Commission, and
former President of the Maple Ridge
Historical Society. He has lived in Maple
Ridge since 1994.

Q uestion Should Premier Gordon Campbell resign over This week’s question:
CCAB audited circulation: (as of September 2009):
Wednesday - 30,221; Friday – 30,197.

of the the HST? Do you use company-issued mobile devices

week: Yes: 84% – No: 16% (99 votes) when not at work?
@ Online poll: cast your vote at www.mapleridgenews.com, or e-mail your vote and comments to editor@mapleridgenews.com
THE NEWS/letters
What about ban on Let football have Friday Nights
vegetable gardening? EDITOR, THE NEWS:
Re: Pitt football needs
more Friday Night Lights,
EDITOR, THE NEWS: (Letters, Sept. 15).
Re: Pitt medical growop bylaw in place (The News, Sept. To council and school board
10) members:
Back in July, I sent Pitt Meadows city council a letter, im- It has just come to my atten-
ploring members to re-consider their bylaw against medical tion that the soccer use of the
marijuana grows. In that letter, I told them that if they con- new Pitt Meadows secondary
tinued down the path of discrimination they were on, I would turf field is not actually used
exercise every financial and legal resource available to me to for any team games, instead
fight against their callous disregard for the Canadian Char- it is for ongoing training/
ter of Rights and Freedoms. clinic sessions for those elite
What they have done is shamefully unconstitutional and soccer players who can pay
will undoubtedly be overturned in due course at the expense $200 for the high-end, extra
of the taxpayers. practice and instruction.
The laws of Canada (MMAR section 34(1)) plainly state that I have been involved in
a “holder of a designated-person production licence is autho- youth sports for more than
rized, in accordance with the licence, to produce marijuana 35 years and understand the
for the medical purpose of the person who applied for the challenges involved in sched-
licence.” uling and distributing access
That means what they are doing is no more illegal than to limited resources.
growing tomatoes and cucumbers. I am very disappointed in
Would the residents of Pitt Meadows support a ban on ur- the choices made in this mat-
ban vegetable gardening? ter.
Furthermore, section 15(1) of the Canadian Charter of It would seem to me that
Rights and Freedoms states that all individuals are “equal money appears to have spo-
before and under the law and have the right to the equal pro- ken again.
tection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination.” The Pitt Meadows varsity
With a lawyer on council, it irks me to think that this was football team hosts four or
not discussed before the passing of this grossly unconstitu- five home games per season
tional and discriminatory bylaw. and want to play them on
Fortunately, the laws of Canada protect us from such tyr- Friday nights. Five dates per
anny. See you in court. year for one team to get the
CARL ANDERSON exposure they deserve dur-
KAMLOOPS
ing games – league games THE NEWS/files
– against opponents who do The Pitt senior football played its only Friday night game last week.
have preferred access to their

Time for premier to resign home fields.

I wonder how they view
the fact that Pitt cannot ac-
EDITOR, THE NEWS: cess their own field on Friday
In response to the premier’s so-called solution to the HST nights because some soccer
tax referendum next year, can’t people see that he’s just ty- players want it for practice.
ing to buy some time? The real issue, if I can remind our Rather pathetic, really.
populace out there, is that he lied to you to get re-elected. This particular group of
And, he should resign and get the hell out of office now. players is made up mostly
Let’s restore democracy in our province and not allow this of the initial junior varsity
crook to deceive us any longer. team who helped start this
JOHN MCKENZIE new program four years ago.
MAPLE RIDGE
They and their parents, with
guidance and leadership
from Pitt Meadows second-
ary and Rich Goulet, worked
very hard to put a program
together and to sustain it.
Many of these local young
pioneers will graduate this
year. They would love to
be able to experience that
which they worked so hard
to achieve, a Friday Nights
Lights experience for their
school and their community
and to build a legacy for play-
ers who come behind them.
This team and their par-
ents have so much more to
offer the school and this com-
munity than any group of
$200-a-head soccer players
ever will.
They can practice any-
where, anytime.
The Friday Nights Lights
experience is only available
at a certain time and on a
very few certain dates.
I implore you to change
your minds about this field
allocation for this year as
soon as possible to assist
in building that special leg-
acy for the community.
MARK NEWLOVE
PITT MEADOWS

chat@www.mapleridgenews.com Do we believe those with something to lose?

More than trees and lakes EDITOR, THE NEWS:
Re: Pesticide bans do
From: J, posted on www.mapleridgenews.com. nothing to protect public
Re: Municipalities look at building $5 million tourism centre (The News, (Letters, Sept. 8).
Sept. 15). I wonder if your read-
Until there is the infrastructure to attract visitors, a larger info centre is a ers remember the tobacco
waste of money. You may have the farms, but do they offer tours at con- industry telling us that
sistent times? You have bike trails, but do you have a bike rental company their product was safe to
available? Is there a company to offer bike tours? “Wilderness, wetlands and use. Even scientists (hired
by the industry) told us
farms” describes almost every municipality. Wildplay is a start, but you’ll that tobacco was safe.
need more actual tourism products, not just trees and lakes. Mr. Hepworth, president
of CropLife Canada, rep-
resents the pesticide in-
dustry, and so, of course,
he would like us to believe
that pesticides are safe.
The review of products
by Health Canada is large-
ly based on information
submitted by the produc-
ers of pesticides; would
they submit information to
Health Canada that would
prohibit there use?
Regulatory agencies ap-
proved DDT, Thalidomide,
VIOXX, DES, etc. And
then these products were
discovered to be unsafe
and they were withdrawn
from sale, sometimes after
disastrous effects. We are
in the process of discover-
ing the harmful effects of
cosmetic pesticides and
would like to prevent any
more disastrous effects.
Should we believe the
Canadian Cancer Society,
which has nothing to gain
from banning cosmetic
pesticides, or Mr. Hep-
worth, who represents an
industry with something
to lose?
SHEILA PRATT
MAPLE RIDGE

Emperor’s clothes
From: Christian Cowley, posted on www.mapleridgenews.com.
Re: Ridge the next South Bronx (Letters, Sept. 15).
Sometimes it takes an outsider to state the obvious before the locals will
Maple Ridge not affected by census data
accept the truth – the emperor’s clothes is an allegory that is oh so close to EDITOR, THE NEWS: Upon reading the quote census voluntary will make well advised to spend it’s
all of here in Maple Ridge. Re: Council offers take given by Coun. Linda King any substantive change for time trying to find ways to
on census (The News, Sept. that the change “could hin- Maple Ridge residents. improve our transit options,
15). der council’s ability to make What a perfect argument reduce road congestion, im-
I read in total amaze- informed decisions regard- in favor of changing the prove the commercial tax
Letters welcome ment the article explaining ing housing and land-use,” I census than to suggest that base, increase shopping
how council is upset with almost fell off my chair. the sorry state that we find opportunities, reduce the
Letters to the editor should be exclusive to The News
the change in the Canadian How could the disastrous ourselves in today is the re- costs of running this mu-
and address topics of interest to residents of Maple
census long form. It was hu- situation that we now have sult of data used from the nicipality, and especially
Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Include full name and address,
as well as daytime phone number for verification. Keep morous to think that census regarding these two is- census. reducing our ever escalat-
letters to 500 words or less. Letters may be edited for data had influenced any de- sues get any worse, let alone Instead of spending time ing taxes.
length and clarity. cision made by this or any the suggestion that by sim- discussing totally nonsensi- GRAHAM MOWATT
@ E-mail letters to editor@mapleridgenews.com. past council. ply making answering the cal issues, council would be MAPLE RIDGE
Still no answers about North Aloutte flooding
very long time.” “multi-jurisdictional.”
‘Flood situation Public works man- Murrell also has con-
has deteriorated’ ager Frank Quinn, cerns about soil being
though, explained that hauled on to nearby
by P hil Mel nyc hu k a partnership the dis- farms and how that will
staff reporter trict hoped to join with affect drainage of water
another agency for the around her property on
study fell through, re- the east side of 224th
It’s been 31 months quiring the district to Street.
since the North Alou- proceed on its own, de- She’s written the dis-
ette River flood task laying the study. trict about one farmer
force recommended a “The good news is bringing in soil and was
hydrology study that we’re nearing comple- told that a report from
would look at the ebbs tion of the first phase.” a hydrological engineer
and flows of the river The land north of was required, showing
and serve as a baseline 132nd Avenue is a flood that the soil won’t af-
for any strategy to man- THE NEWS/files plain and water regu- fect surrounding prop-
age it and ease the con- Dian Murrell (right) wants the Alouette River Flood Task larly swamps the roads erties. But to do that,
cerns of residents. during heavy rains. the owner’s consultant
Force to meet again.
They are still awaiting Murrell said the Alou- needs information from
for that study. Last year, residents the sandbar removal?” ette Valley Association the yet-to-be-completed
So Dian Murrell asked measured a sandbar be- Murrell asked council. recently met and wants hydrological study. The
Maple Ridge council neath the 224th Street The contract to do the the flood task force, district has said previ-
Tuesday what is is go- bridge and told the dis- study was awarded in formed in 2007, re-as- ously that all the rules
ing to do about it. trict there’s not enough 2007 and was to be done sembled for at least one are being followed on
The flood situation clearance between that in three stages, said meeting. that property.
in the area has dete- and the bridge. They Murrell. Quinn said the hydrol- Yet Murrell wonders
riorated rather than im- were told to wait until She pointed out the ogy study should go a why applying for a per-
proved, she added. the hydrology study district’s website says long way to solving the mit seems to excuse an
And although heavy was complete. the first two phases problems. applicant from penalties
rains have held off the “When will the hy- were supposed to be He said in a letter to for hauling soil without
last few seasons, people drology study be com- done by October. But Murrell that the district getting a permit.
who live around 224th plete enough to be of the varying deadlines also has plans to replace “They just don’t seem
Street and 132nd Av- use in resolving the is- are confusing. “That’s both the bridges at to have any answers as
enue get nervous with sues for the residents of one of our frustrations. 224th and 232nd streets to what’s going on down
the onset of winter. the floodplain, such as It’s been going on for a and notes the issues are there.”
 lected knives and swords.

Drug dealer guilty of rape He claimed the photo-

graph with the Hell’s
Angels was one with
childhood friends with
Justice believes victim over claims that sex was consensual whom he has no criminal
involvement.
An admitted drug deal- a notorious downtown ball gun, showed her a Five people – a drug
er accused of brutally Maple Ridge townhouse pellet gun and a photo- dealer and four addicts –
raping and threatening complex, known widely graph of himself posing testified on Reis’ behalf,
a woman with a sword as “The Ghetto.” with Hell’s Angels. telling the court the sex
was found guilty of the She ended up in Reis’ She described him as between him and the vic-
crimes Wednesday in basement suite and told “psychotic.” tim was consensual.
New Westminster Su- the court he proceeded In between the rapes, Justice Schultes, how-
preme Court. to cook powered cocaine he sometimes calmed ever, did not accept their
Justice Terry Schultes into crack in front of her. down and told her about testimony.
found the sex that took Then he turned on a his personal life. He even “Overall [Reis’] evi-
place between Victor Jo- pornographic video. She read to her from a book dence struck me as a fab-
seph Reis and the victim, told the court Reis then about pit bulls. rication,” Schultes said.
whose name is protected grabbed her by the wrist After raping her, he “I do not believe it, nor
by a publication ban, was and dragged her to his fell asleep but the victim do I find the witnesses
not consensual. bed, where he demanded said she was too scared called on his behalf be-
“I find [the victim’s] she take off her clothes. to leave. She finally left lievable.”
testimony was truthful She was then raped when a man she was ac- “This verdict was
and accept her evidence,” repeatedly, forced to per- quainted with knocked reached after a very
Schultes said. form oral sex as well as on Reis’ door. careful consideration of
Reis was charged with threatened with a small Reis, though, denied all the evidence,” Crown
sexual assault using a metal baseball bat and the sex was forced. prosecutor Winston Say-
threat or weapon and sword. He said he was a drug son said outside court.
unlawful confinement on She said Reis angled dealer who only dealt “It is a verdict that is just
Aug. 25, 2008, four days the blade of the sword crack to support his hab- and supported by the evi-
after the rape. against her neck as if he it. He told the court he dence.”
The court heard the was going to cut off her never struggled with her Sayson, however,
38-year-old victim was head. and told her she could would not allude to the
on a drug binge Aug. 22, He tied her hands with leave after they had sex. sentence he would be
2008 and met Reis after a TV or VCR cable and He said the child-sized seeking.
she purchased heroin also used it to tie her hair baseball bat was in his “This is a type of crime
from another dealer at in a pony tail. home because he plays that usually attracts a sig-
Northumberland Court, He also fired a paint baseball and that he col- nificant jail sentence.”

Photos of rape spreading like wildfire: police

Rape from front the police investigation. the rape and comments “Make no mistake, this
It was attended by hun- It has since been taken about victim being a will- girl was raped, likely
dreds of teens and young down. ing participant continue drugged and abused by
adults, was taking place Investigators contacted to spread via Facebook. numerous people. The
at the rental house. the victim as a result of Some of the photo- posting and viewing of
Police only found out the images and she was graphs have been shown the photos is continuing
about the rape when a examined by a nurse to students in Maple to victimize this young
high school student came specializing in sexual Ridge and Pitt Meadows girl and her family and
forward with images of assaults, who found in- who are as young as 13. needs to stop.”
the act in progress. juries described as “sig- “They are spreading Hyland said anyone
A Facebook page about nificant.” like wildfire,” said Hy- sharing the photographs
the party helped with But photographs of land. is distributing child
porn.
Investigators can iden-
tify some of the men in-
volved through the pho-
tographs, but are urging
other witnesses to the
rape to come forward
and “do the right thing.”
“Regardless of what
some believe they were
watching, this was a
rape,” said Hyland.
Police want anyone
who attended the rave to
contact investigators so
they can have a clear pic-
ture of what happened
at the event and after-
wards.
A man who lives in the
house on the property
where the party took
place said the house is
rented by five people
and one of them may
have given permission to
the men to host the rave
in the barn.
“We’ve had parties
there before and there
has never been any prob-
lems,” he said, adding he
did not attend the rave.
• Anyone with any in-
formation is asked to call
RCMP at 604-463-6251. To
remain anonymous call
CrimeStoppers at 1-800-
222-8477. CrimeStoppers
will pay a reward of up
to $2,000 for information
leading to an arrest and
conviction.
Council to decide on Harris Rd. pool
by R o b e r t M a n g e l s d o r f
staff reporter

There’s a hole at the

bottom of the pool, and
what to do with it will
be up to Pitt Meadows
Council to decide.
The aging Harris Road
outdoor swimming pool
is leaking more than
25,000 litres per day, ac-
cording to a Maple Ridge-
Pitt Meadows Parks and
Leisure Services Com-
mission report authored
by facilities operations
manager Mike Millward.
The pool normally
costs $22,000 to oper-
ate for its two-month
season, independent of
labour costs, and those
costs are sure to be high-
er because of the leak,
he said.
A temporary gas hot
water tank was brought
in to help heat the water,
while extra pool chemi-
cals were required to
treat the increased vol-
ume of water needed.
“The totals are not in
yet, but we know they
will be higher,” said Mill-
ward.
His report originally
called for the parks com-
mission to endorse the
permanent closure of
the pool. However, the
The Harris Road outdoor pool is leaking 25,000 litres of water a day.
commission decided
Thursday to instead
forward the report to
Pitt Meadows council as
information, leaving the
direction up to its mem-
bers.
One option could be to
attempt to fix the broken
piping under the pool.
“If that is the route
council wants to go then
we will look into that,”
said Millward.
He could not say how
much that option was
likely to cost.
Harris Road pool was
built in 1945, and under-
went renovations in the
1960s.
“It’s been around for a
long time, and its served
the community well,”
said Millward.
The pool has been leak-
ing heated chlorinated
water into the ground
for years, but the leak
has grown from 8,300
litres per day in 2008 to
more than 25,000 litres
now, and amount rough-
ly equal to 1.5 million
litres over the course of
the outdoor pool’s two-
month season.
Geotechnical work
performed in 2008 found
that the pool was struc-
turally safe, and there
was no danger of a sink-
hole forming.
The pool passed in-
spection earlier this
year, prior to being
THE NEWS/files
opened for the season
on July 1.
Parks and leisure ser-
vices proposed an indoor
aquatic centre replace
the aging outdoor pool
in its draft master plan,
which was presented to
both municipalities ear-
lier this summer, and to
be voted on this fall.
The preferred option
would include a shal-
low leisure pool with an
eight- to 10-lane, 25-me-
tre competition pool. The
plan suggests splitting
the municipal portion
of the cost for the $15-18
million project between
the City of Pitt Meadows
and the District of Maple
Ridge.
Pitt library project breaks ground
12,200 square foot
facility will open in
2011
by M o n i s h a M a r t i n s
staff reporter

Construction has be-

gun on a bigger and
brighter library for
the City of Pitt Mead-
ows.
The library will
move into the first of
three towers of So-
laris at Meadows Gate,
a development by RG
Properties at the cor-
ner of Harris and Ford
roads.
The books, comput-
ers and staff will occu-
py the second floor of
the new development,
next to city hall.
The relocation will
allow the library to
almost double in size,
to 12,200 square feet
from 7,500.
“The staff do such
a great job with what
they have now, but
they are going to be
able to do so much
more with a larger
space,” said Coun. Deb
Walters, who attended
a ground breaking
ceremony for the proj-
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
Pitt Meadows councillors Doug Bing, Deb Walters, Gwen O’Connell and Tracy Miyash-
ita look at a 3-D model of the Solaris at Meadows Gate development. The new library
will be occupy the second floor of the shortest building.
ect and got a tour of need to borrow stuff in which offer breathtak-
the Solaris towers on a hurry. ing panoramas of the
Tuesday. Council has approved Golden Ears Moun-
Once complete in a 10-year lease with tains, Mount Baker
2011, the library will RG Properties. and unobstructed
have a computer lab, The current library views out to Burnaby.
study area, children building will be used “The design is just
and teen areas, a for other municipal right for Pitt Mead-
space with seating needs. ows. It compliments
that allows patrons to The Solaris devel- our downtown nicely,”
take in the view from opment also has 150 she said. “It will be a
the corner of Harris underground parking nice synergy with the
and Ford Roads, and spaces, doubling the recreation centre, city
a multi-purpose meet- parking at the Pitt hall and the library.”
ing room. Meadows civic centre. Condos not bought
The new location will Walters was also during a pre-sale for
also have self-serve pleased with the al- the development are
check-out stations, most-complete 10-sto- expected to go on the
helpful for people who rey Solaris towers, market in October.
No free flights
for MP Kamp
by Phi l M elnyc h u k
staff reporter
Despite reports of MPs
taking free flights to for-
eign destinations, cour-
tesy of national
governments or
lobby groups,
Randy Kamp
hasn’t taken up
any of the of-
fers.
After first
being elected
in 2004, Kamp
(Pitt Meadows-
Maple Ridge-
Mission) had a Kamp
few invitations,
mainly when he was in
opposition until 2006, but
he’s never accepted any.
“No I haven’t gone any
of those,” he said Mon-
day.
Over the years, there’s
been one or two trips to
Israel and Taiwan that
some his colleagues have
gone on, but Kamp never
felt inclined. He said he’s
been too busy with his
job as parliamentary sec-
retary to the Minister of
Fisheries Gail Shea to go
on those trips.
He has had to do three
or four overseas trips on
behalf of Fisheries and
Oceans Canada, but ex-
penses for that were cov-
ered by the ministry.
“Those have all been
when I’ve been repre-
senting the minister.
Those are paid for by
Department of Fisheries
and Oceans.”
Kamp said he’s heard
of colleagues who went
to Israel and Taiwan.
“They’re not vacations,
that’s for sure.” MPs re-
turn with a good sense
of the region and coun-
try, “so there is
some benefit to
them.”
According to
a Sept. 8 report
by CBC News,
MPs received
almost $2 mil-
lion in free trav-
el and gifts from
national gov-
ernments and
lobby groups,
between 2005
and 2009. The report
said that in 2009, 54 MPs,
or nearly one in six, ac-
cepted sponsored trips,
with Israel and Taiwan
the most popular destina-
tions.
Kamp said he’d won-
der if it was appropriate
for cabinet ministers or
MP secretaries to accept
free trips. Being at the
cabinet table, they could
influence government
decisions.
“But for backbenchers,
I’m not sure that’s an is-
sue for them or not.”
Of those who took the
trips, he said he didn’t
see anything particu-
larly subversive going on
there.
Kamp said there’s also
the National Association
of Parliamentarians that
gets government money
to attend overseas confer-
ences from time to time.
 Firefighters try
to enter the top
floor of a house
at 20389 Walnut
Crescent after an
explosion set the
side of the house
on fire. Bob Gosse
and another near-
by neighbour put
out the fire with
garden hoses. No
one was home at
the time. The fire
is being treated as
suspicious.
Colleen Flanagan/
THE NEWS

Maple Ridge house fire ‘suspicious’

The blaze started her neighbour’s house. The Maple Ridge Fire
Old woman in with a loud boom Her husband and a Department called the
slippers seen around 10:30 a.m. in the neighbour from across blaze “a close call.”
20300-block of Walnut the street grabbed gar- The fire spread two
fleeing the scene Crescent. den hoses to douse the storeys and almost
A neighbour said the flames while she called reached the roof of the
Police are investigat- explosion was loud 911. house.
ing a suspicious fire enough to be heard The neighbour said It started in a pile of
that burned the side of streets away. “an elderly woman” wood.
a house in west Maple When she looked out- with a scarf on her Police are investigat-
Ridge early Wednes- side, she saw flames head, in slippers, was ing to determine what
day. surging up the side of seen leaving the scene. started the fire.
Smart!Centres holding Albion meeting
to be spelling out how information on the Al- consider them as it
Takes place Sunday to get involved,” Major bion area that will be prepares its plan. Any
at curling rink said. used in the consulta- questions that repeat-
Smart!Centres will tion, has yet to be post- edly arise will be ad-
by Phil Mel nyc hu k be reviewing the key ed on the website. dressed on the web-
staff reporter dates of the district A staff report from site.
consultation. “Every- August said seven stud- Brothers John and
thing will be as per how ies, dealing with such Steve Wynnyk also
The first community the district has laid out as issues as impacts on own several hectares
forum on the Albion already.” agriculture, drainage, in Albion flats.
flats takes place Sept. He didn’t want to say the environment and While they’ve start-
29, but Smart!Centres if there’s more or less transportation, were ed a housing project
is holding its own get- support for a mall in expected by Sept. 1. near their homes on
together 10 days before the area. Mayor and 240th Street, John said
that for anyone who council have also been they’re more interested
wants to see big box invited. in the 16 hectares they
stores along Lougheed The district has al-
“We need own in Albion.
Highway and 105th Av- ready had two meet- your help to “We own a consider-
enue. ings as part of a round able amount of land in
The public’s invited to of consultations this
communicate to that area and that’s the
the Golden Ears Win- fall, which will result in district staff and part that’s impossible
ter Club this Sunday an Albion plan by the for farming now.”
from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for new year.
the consultant John said the raising
a “family fun event,” The first public event that you too share of the elevation of land
where Smart!Centres of the consultation around their fields
representatives will takes place Wednes-
this vision.” has turned theirs into
discuss important day, Sept. 29 at the Arts a drainage basin that
dates for the municipal Smart!Centres
Centre Theatre, from 5 floods often. He says
consultation that takes p.m. to 9 p.m. their land is now 2.5
place this fall. That’s where people metres lower than sur-
“We need your help to can drop in and hear a Those will be posted rounding land, making
communicate to district presentation that will by the end of Friday on it difficult to farm.
staff and the consultant be given twice that eve- the district’s website “I’m in a basin now.
that you too share this ning. (www.mapleridge.ca) We have got the lowest
vision,” Smart!Centres Then on Oct. 21, from so people can thumb land in the Albion flats
says on its Albion shop- 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., also at through them prior to because of all the filling
ping website. the ACT, another open the public meetings. in the Albion flats.”
Dave Major, with house takes place to A Twitter account He favours removing
Smart!Centres, says review the brainstorm- also will be activated his land from the Agri-
the idea isn’t to replace ing or charette process Friday. cultural Land Reserve
the District of Maple that took place two The district will take and would like to see
Ridge’s process. days prior. online input and writ- commercial and resi-
“It’s basically going However, background ten submissions and dential development.
HST raises lots of questions
sion for the prov- The protracted
And Fight HST ince.” timeline could also
group still wants to The cost of a interfere with any
referendum, $30 of the party’s plans
recall local Liberal million for an for a new leader.
election-style vote, People on Maple
by Phi l M elnyc h u k can be covered by Ridge streets also
staff reporter the amount the had their doubts.
province will have “I’d like to see it
saved by imposing gone too,” said Uta
A year from now you the HST for the last Schwarzenau, in
can vote yes or no to the year, he pointed Aucelluzzo Schwarzenau sales.
Harmonized Sales Tax. out. “It doesn’t mat-
And if 51 per cent of the Even though lo- investment, ter to me, I could
people vote no, it’s gone, cal chamber president he said. care less,” said Kenny
Premier Gordon Camp- Jeremy Bekar supports Under the HST, busi- Erickson, from Maple
bell said Monday. the HST, if the majority nesses get full rebates Ridge.
But Maple Ridge votes to trash it, that’s for their HST costs. But taxes need to be
HST fighter Ron Sward fine with him. NDP MLA Michael paid to get things done,
doesn’t believe a word. “You know what, this Sather doesn’t know he added.
“He wasn’t going to sell is democracy, so that’s what the referendum He said he’d probably
B.C. Rail, either. what matters at the end means for Campbell’s not vote in the 2011 refer-
“He said [in the 2009 of the day.” future as Liberal leader endum.
B.C. election] he didn’t Bekar, who run’s and wonders why the Angie Aucelluzzo
have HST on the radar.” Mark’s Work Wearhouse referendum is scheduled didn’t sign the first anti-
So Sward, who collected in Maple Ridge, said the for a year from now. HST petition because
names for the Fight HST tax has had minimal ef- “The thing is, we could she didn’t think it would
campaign in Pitt Mead- fect on his business since do it this fall. We don’t make much difference
ows and Maple Ridge, implementation July 1. have to wait until next anyways.
isn’t waiting around and “The one thing it did ef- fall.” “It should be nice not to
is going to make the re- fect was work boots.” Sather said he’s con- pay the HST, because it’s
call of Liberal MLA Marc “The HST is actually a cerned that the Liberals a big chunk.”
Dalton the priority. good thing for B.C.” be- could fudge the wording She plans to vote No.
“They’re just delaying cause it will create high of the referendum ques- “I’d be surprised if they
and hoping the mood paying jobs and attract tion. actually follow through.”
will change, but they’re
not going to get a chance.
We’re going to do some
recall damage here,”
Sward said Tuesday.
The Maple Ridge
branch of Fight HST
wanted Dalton’s name
added to the top 24 Liber-
al MLAs that Fight HST
had targeted for recall.
Sward hasn’t heard yet
if the group, led by for-
mer premier Bill Vander
Zalm, would agree to
that, but points out the
local branch can recall
Dalton on its own.
Dalton, who won Maple
Ridge – Mission riding by
only 68 votes, is vulner-
able, said Sward.
“I think we can get
him.”
According to the Recall
and Initiative Act, a recall
petition has to be signed
by more than 40 per cent
of the voters who were on
the last voter’s list. But
those signatures all have
to be collected within 60
days. If the process is
successful, a by-election
takes place. Dalton has
said he’d run again if that
happened.
Sward, a realtor who’s
worked on previous
NDP campaigns, said
the HST has hurt the
real estate business. For
new homes over $525,000,
buyers have to pay the
12 per cent HST, while
for homes under that it’s
only two per cent.
The debate over the
tax, which combines
the five per cent federal
Goods and Services Tax
and the seven per cent
Provincial Sales Tax, will
catch the public’s atten-
tion over the next year,
says Dalton.
“It’s going to be water
cooler talk, because this
is a very important deci-
The News second in North America
The Maple Ridge-Pitt “Mixes local news fea- News collected three professional trade as-
Meadows News has tures with the essential awards in the Suburban sociation specifically
earned second place local news nuggets. Newspapers of America serving the suburban
in the 2010 Suburban Strong news coverage,” editorial contest. and community newspa-
Newspapers of America wrote the judges. The News came first in per industry in the U.S.
general excellence con- “The photography on its circulation class for and Canada. It has more
test. the front is artfully lit, best local election cover- than 2,000 members.
The News, which has colourful. Inside layout age, second for best edi- Earlier this year The
a circulation of more is strong.” torial page, third for best News earned a blue rib-
than 30,000, came sec- The News came third young people’s cover- bon award for general
ond in the second larg- in the SNA general ex- age, and also earned an excellence from the
est circulation category cellence competition in honourable mention for Canadian Community
(22,501-37,500) for non- 2009 and 2008. best sports writing. Newspaper Associa-
daily papers. Also last year, The SNA is a non-profit, tion.

Pitt going
green with
awards
The City of Pitt Mead-
ows announced a new
business awards pro-
gram promoting sustain-
ability on Thursday.
The “Going Green
Business Awards” will
reward local businesses
for implementing and
encouraging green prac-
tices within Pitt Mead-
ows.
“We have a lot of great
local businesses that are
doing some innovative
things to go green, and
to encourage their cus-
tomers to go green,” said
Laurie Darcus, city direc-
tor of corporate services.
“Whether they’ve im-
plemented a program to
reduce waste or educate
their staff or the pub-
lic about going green,
we want to recognize
them.”
The “Going Green
Business Awards” in-
cludes three categories:
Most Innovative Green
Solution; Most Integrat-
ed Green Solution; and
Most Awareness Raised
through Education/Ad-
vertising/Sharing.
An award will be pre-
sented to businesses
with less than 10 employ-
ees and those with 10 or
more employees in each
of the three categories.
Winners will receive a
“Green Star” Business
Ranking Award, a press
release profiling their
achievements, a fea-
tured article in the city’s
“City Talks” and “Green
Team” newsletters, and
a brief profile on the City
of Pitt Meadows website.
• Nomination forms
are available online at
www.pittmeadows.bc.ca
or copies can be picked
up at Pitt Meadows City
Hall, Pitt Meadows Eco-
nomic Development
Office, Pitt Meadows li-
brary and the Pitt Mead-
ows Family Recreation
Centre.
Forms can be emailed
to ldarcus@pittmead-
ows.bc.ca or dropped off
at Pitt Meadows City Hall.
The application deadline
is Oct.15 – 3 p.m.
B.C. deficit forecast improves
by Tom Fletcher
Black Press

VICTORIA – The B.C.

government is reduc-
ing its forecast defi-
cits for the next three
years, based mainly on
higher than expected
corporate income tax
revenues.
Plummeting corpo-
rate tax payments were
largely blamed for
B.C.’s sudden plunge
into deficit last year,
when a worldwide
credit crisis stalled Black Press
construction and in- Lumber sales to China are one bright spot in B.C.’s exports, which have partly recov-
vestment and triggered ered from a 37 per cent drop between 2008 and 2009.
job losses across the
country. A pre-election ing some very healthy where unemployment level it reached in Au-
deficit estimate of $495 revenues for us in remains high and the gust 2008.
million ballooned to these coming three housing market contin- Retail sales in B.C.
nearly $1.8 billion in years,” Hansen said. ues to struggle. have also recovered to
the summer of 2009. NDP finance critic Statistics Canada re- nearly the same level
Now Finance Minis- Bruce Ralston said ports that as of August, as 2008, and exports
ter Colin Hansen says Hansen is painting the number of em- have recovered some of
the deficit is expected a rosy picture that ployed people in B.C. the ground lost in the
to be $1.4 billion for downplays the latest has climbed back up to recession, partly due to
the 2010-11 fiscal year, signals from the U.S., 2.32 million, the same lumber sales to China.
a reduction of $335 mil-
lion from the previous
forecast. The deficit for
2011-12 is now project-
ed to be $810 million,
falling to $130 million
in 2012-13.
The finance minis-
try expects B.C.’s red
ink will end in 2013-14,
with a surplus of $80
million.
Hansen noted that
the forecast depends
on continued recovery
in the U.S. and world
economy. Presenting
the first-quarter fi-
nancial report, he said
B.C.’s employment, re-
tail and exports have
all show signs of im-
provement. He stopped
short of attributing the
improvement to the
harmonized sales tax
that reduced business
costs beginning last
July, pointing instead
to corporate tax cuts
instituted previously.
“We have very com-
petitive corporate tax
rates in British Colum-
bia, and those competi-
tive rates are generat-
Sport fishery on lower Fraser River ends Sept. 19
This will be the last big weekend
for sports anglers hoping to hook
a sockeye salmon in the Fraser
River.
Recreational angling for sockeye
on the lower Fraser ends Sunday
Sept. 19, even though there are
still millions more fish holding in
Georgia Strait that are yet to begin
swimming upstream.
The estimates of how many sock-
eye are still in salt water range
from six to 12 million, Fisheries and
Oceans Canada area director Barry
Rosenberger said Wednesday.
“We expect them to start moving
in at a faster pace,” he said.
Sockeye in past years sometimes
make a sudden mass dash into the
river after an extended wait off-
shore – something Rosenberger
said could soon happen.
The Pacific Salmon Commission
on Tuesday maintained its over-
all run size estimate of 34.5 million
sockeye returning to the Fraser.
Most commercial fishing had al-
ready been halted to protect weaker
stocks of coho salmon that are now
migrating upriver.
Rosenberger said the same logic
applies to recreational fishermen.
“We want them not to be catch-
ing too many coho,” he said, adding
there will be no extension of the
sport fishery.
Trollers have continued to fish
sockeye but that is expected to end
soon.
TLink moving headquarters
by J eff Nage l ing had left TransLink
Black Press with more office space
than it needed and the
new quarters allow for
TransLink will relo- a much more efficient
cate its headquarters configuration of staff.
from Metrotown in The deal came at what
Burnaby to a new build- Hardie describes as an
ing in New Westmin- opportune time in what
ster it will share with is currently a tenant-
the Transit Police in a friendly market.
move expected to save “We got a very good
a significant amount of deal,” he said.
money. The move will happen
The new four-storey in 2013, when Trans-
building is to be built Link’s lease for its cor-
on Columbia Street porate offices expires
across from New West- at the Metrotower II
minster’s Sapperton office tower in central
SkyTrain station, ad- Burnaby.
jacent to Royal Colum- Transit Police op-
bian Hospital. erations are spread
“We will actual save out at several differ-
$430,000 a year over ent buildings in New
what we’re paying Westminster – some of
now,” said TransLink them in need of seismic
spokesman Ken Har- upgrades – and Hardie
die, adding the savings said there was an ur-
from the move to new gent need to consoli-
quarters will be worth date them under one
$8 million over the life roof.
of the 20-year lease In all, the new
with developer Wes- 137,000-square-foot
group Properties. building will house 250
He said the recent ad- Transit Police staff – in-
ministrative downsiz- cluding uniformed of-
ficers and civilian staff
– as well as 230 Trans-
Link employees.
Hardie said 17 differ-
ent sites were consid-
ered.
“It was mandatory
that we locate next to
high-capacity transit
and where we could
reflect our own broad-
er regional goals, in-
cluding collaborative
land-use planning that
encourages location of
jobs, homes and servic-
es near existing transit
facilities.”
The building is part
of a cluster of four resi-
dential towers mixed
with office and retail
space in the Brewery
District redevelopment
Wesgroup is leading on
the site of the old Lab-
att brewery.
“We wanted to have
a sustainable project
from a jobs, residential
and retail perspective,”
Wesgroup president
Gino Nonni said, call-
ing it a prime example
of transit-oriented de-
velopment.
Living Proof at Baptist church
Women from all over read by millions around regardless of their age,
the world will gather the world, is known for race or denomination
together on Saturday her ability to apply bibli- from a host church in
to hear from author cal scripture to everyday their community.
and Bible teacher Beth life. Women from all over
Moore at LifeWay Wom- Acclaimed worship the world will join to-
en’s “Living Proof” Live leader Travis Cottrell gether to hear a special
Simulcast event at the and his Praise Team will message from Beth
Maple Ridge Baptist join Moore for the event, Moore.
Church. which will utilizing live The event takes place
Beth Moore, whose streaming video via the from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
books and studies in- Internet to bring her Call MRBC at
clude Breaking Free and teaching to life as she of- 604-467-9613 for ticket
Esther: It’s Tough Being fers insights that touch information. Seating is
a Woman, have been the hearts of all women, limited.
 Open
house
Justin
Mulligan, 8,
learns how to
curl with Bill
Gardner, who
has 65 years
of experience
in the sport,
during an
open house
at the Golden
Ears Winter
Club on
Sunday.
Colleen Flanagan/THE
NEWS
Tsawwassen treaty lands soar in value
that was then removed values will eventually understanding of what
Assessment from the Agricultural bring higher taxes. kind of project would be
surprises TFN chief, Land Reserve and is Baird said the Tsaw- viable.”
now earmarked for wassen have A s k e d
members higher-value industrial spent much of whether TFN
development, likely the first year plans could
by J eff Nagel port-related container setting up an ef- include a fu-
Black Press storage and warehous- fective structure ture casino,
ing. to govern them- Baird said
Baird noted the 724 selves. it’s not in the
The Tsawwassen First hectares of TFN lands They’ve also current land-
Nation’s land base is include the band’s for- made several use plan, al-
now valued at nearly a mer reserve lands, key decisions, though she
quarter of a billion dol- which also now hold including con- did not rule it
lars. more potential for de- vening the Tsaw- out over the
The estimate of $249 velopment because wassen Legis- Baird longer term.
million is the first valu- their use is no longer lature, setting “I think it’s
ation for the combined tightly restricted by the budgets, passing probably a
treaty lands since B.C.’s federal government via laws and establishing a potential project, but
historic first urban trea- the Indian Act. community plan. it hasn’t been highly
ty took effect in April Valuing land pre- and Work is well underway sought after by mem-
2009. post-treaty is something to ensure the land base bers of my community,”
That’s more than of an “apples and orang- generates income. she said. “We’re not
double the $120 million es” comparison, Baird Potential bidders are actively looking at that
estimate of the value of said, but predicts the being identified for the kind of development.”
land and cash conveyed value of TFN property 40-hectare first phase of There have also been
by the treaty prior to its will continue to climb. industrial land develop- exploratory talks with
passage. “It’s only going to get ment, dubbed the Tsaw- Vancouver-based Aq-
“I was surprised at higher over time as we wassen Gateway Logis- uilini Renewable En-
the high number,” Chief do things to improve the tics Park. ergy on the potential for
Kim Baird said. “You lands and do things to Baird said the TFN is a waste-to-energy incin-
don’t know the value add services and infra- also preparing to launch erator on TFN land.
of your lands until you structure,” she said. a commercial develop- The treaty gave the
actually have them ap- “It’s good to realize ment project that would band land, cash, a share
praised somehow.” what assets we really do likely include a major of the fishery and self-
The valuation was per- have and reconfirm we big box retail anchor on government powers to
formed by the B.C. As- do, in fact, own the land land along Highway 17. resolve the Tsawwas-
sessment Authority. base.” “We have a memoran- sen land claim to 10,000
She acknowledged Half of the 405 TFN dum of agreement with square kilometres of
part of the jump in land members have incomes a retail mall developer,” traditional territory in
value is because the below $30,000 a year and she said. what is now Metro Van-
treaty transferred 200 Baird noted some are “In the next month or couver and the southern
hectares of farmland concerned higher land so we’ll have a better Gulf Islands.
Camping with 17 Grade 9 students
I
am off this week else to do but talk to At 2 a.m., I’m re- heard the mice around
on a five-day canoe each other, they do, ally not interested in the campsite and are
trip with 17 Grade incessantly. what Cindy did with sure there are bears,
9 students. What they don’t Sammy in the moose or di-
If you have a mo- seem to realize is boathouse nosaurs just
ment, say a prayer for that talking in a tent this summer. outside the
me. affords you the same Even more, tent. None of
I’m not worried listening privacy as I’m pretty them will get
about the canoeing or putting your photos sure that out to investi-
the weather, although on Facebook, which is what Cindy gate initially,
I am always a little bit to say, not very much did with but they will
nervous about both. at all. Sammy is yell out, “Mr.
What I worry the I try to remind them being grossly Hookey, are
most about is what just before bedtime exaggerated you awake?”
I might hear and that I can hear every- and I’d like I don’t
whether I will get any thing they say so that to interrupt answer, of
sleep over a period of they will show some and have a
Parenting course, lead-
five days. reservation in their long conver- Graham Hookey ing to their
I’ve create this topics, but within a sation about discussions
problem somewhat couple of minutes the risks of of whether
by altering the world they are usually go- gossip. I have already been
of students during ing so rapidly and so This is not the time consumed. Eventu-
this trip. They are excitedly that they and so I make a note ally, a brave soul will
not allowed to bring not only ignore my to self to have a talk venture out with a
cell phones, iPods or warning, but wake any about gossip around flashlight to assure
any other entertain- other campers in a the campfire the next the others, loudly
ment devices. In fact, 20-kilometre radius. night. and with conviction,
the only electronics In the modern stu- The night will be that there is nothing
they are allowed is a dent vernacular, I am pierced, of course, outside and everyone
camera. often exposed to “tmi” by about a hundred can go to sleep. Sure,
Camped beside a – too much informa- shrieks from various fat chance.
lake, with nothing tion. students who have Usually, by about
3 a.m., an element of
quiet comes over the
camp, but by then
my shoulders and
hips are numb from
the rocks on which
I’m lying, and since
I generally wake up
very early anyway,
I’m too restless to fall
into that nice deep
sleep that actually lets
the brain get a little
reboot.
Ultimately, I am
not without a few
moments of sweet
revenge. Strange
how loud and clangy
the pots can be at
6:30 a.m. Strange how
every hike or canoe
trip has to start by
7:30 a.m., not noon.
Strange how there’s
no opportunity during
the day to catch up on
lost sleep.
I’m almost certain,
by the second or third
day, that I will have
them begging for
mercy and heading to
bed by 8 p.m.
There are some who
crash and burn by the
second day, but there
is some law of physics,
I think, that says that
the person with the
shrillest voice, needs
the least sleep and
each year, by the third
night, I have pulled
out my duct tape and
promised to use it on
anyone I hear after
midnight.
Of course, duct tape
is good to lay around
the campsite to cap-
ture bears as well, and
as I set some pieces
outside each tent, I
often hear a mysteri-
ous silence come over
the occupants.

Graham Hookey is an
educator and writer
(ghookey@yahoo.
com).
 persecuted because of fisted, demanding and comes first. “I am the LORD your

His blessing comes first righteousness; blessed

are you when people
insult you.
What a pleasant sur-
disparaging.
But Jesus opens the
door and
greets us with
The Beatitudes (these
sayings on blessing)
are the in-
troduction to
God, who brought you
out of Egypt, out of the
land of slavery,” before
it goes on to say, “You
prise. The desire to be “blessings Jesus’ Sermon shall have no other

“
Blessed are the mon on the Mount with who hunger and thirst
poor in spirit for these words and follows for righteousness; happy is one of the driv- to you.” It on the Mount, gods before me ... ”
theirs is the king- it up with eight more blessed are the merci- ing forces in our lives. turns many of which is the In the Sermon we
dom of heaven.” words of blessings: ful; blessed are the pure But you don’t have to our religious main body of first hear, “blessed
How is that for a way blessed are those who in heart; blessed are the be around for long to conceptions ethical teach- are the poor in spirit,”
to start a sermon? mourn; blessed are the peacemakers; blessed realize that blessing, upside down. ing in the New before we hear, “love
Jesus starts his Ser- meek; blessed are those are those who are peace, and joy are by no We suddenly Testament, your enemies and pray
means common experi- realize that the standard for those who perse-
ences. Jesus’ greeting, faith is not our for Christian cute you.”
“blessed are they,” feeble attempt living. There Why is this impor-
sounds awfully strange to please God, is an interest- tant?
in this world where but that we Acts of Faith ing parallel It teaches us how
people know so much are living in Gerard Booy between the Jesus is. He does
pain, suffering, and response to Sermon on the not come to us with
injustice, and where God’s grace. Mount and the demands. He first
people are becoming The world that Jesus Ten Commandments, offers grace. He gives
increasingly self-ab- invites us into is not which is the main body himself, then instructs
sorbed and unfulfilled. dull, legalistic, or mor- of ethical teaching in us on how to live in
Blessing is not what alistic. The atmosphere the Old Testament. his grace. He meets
we first expect of life. is not in the least Both these ethical us in our poverty, in
We rather expect that restrictive or burden- texts, the Ten Com- our sadness, where we
we will have to work some. It is not the kind mandments and the lack power, where we
hard and earn our of life where a heavy- Sermon on the Mount, hunger and thirst for
way, and that we will handed, demanding do not start with exhor- righteousness and he
encounter disappoint- God keeps us on a tations and obligations, offers healing, salva-
ments, losses, criticism short leash. The world laws and demands, tion, joy, hope, love and
and skepticism along of Jesus is spacious as one might expect. grace.
the way. We don’t and gracious. There is They both start with
expect much blessing. wholeness and pro- the announcement of Gerard Booy is pastor
We also suspect that found delight. We are grace. The Ten Com- at Haney Presbyterian
God might be tight- embraced. His blessing mandments start with, Church.
THE NEWS/home&gardening
The return of the bud bloomers
I
magine if you will
a plant with flow-
ers that don’t open,
at all, a stingy little
evergreen shrub that
produces an abundance
of brightly-coloured
buds from which the
pollen will never see
the light of day.
Such a beast exists
and is now available
at your local garden Gardening
centre, while quantities Mike Lascelle
last. And they won’t last
long.
These little freaks of nature are called
Bud Bloomers, a class of Calluna vulgaris,
or Scotch heather, which has been the
particular focus of German plant breeder
Kurt Kramer.
They have been readily available in Eu-
rope under the ‘Garden Girls’ brand (most
of these cultivars have women’s names such
as ‘Anette’, ‘Sandy’, ‘Melanie’ or ‘Alicia’) and
many are patented in the United States. But
they have only been marketed here for the Mike Lascelle photos
past few years, and in very limited quanti- (From left) ‘White bud bloomer Calluna ‘Veronique’ in a planter with Carex ‘Ice Dance’, Heuchera ‘Melting Fire’, gold violas and variegated ivy; the glow-
ties. ing flowers of red bud bloomer Calluna ‘Alexandra’; a purple bud bloomer coupled with Carex ‘Evergold.’
So why would you want a Bud Bloomer in
your garden – in a phrase, rain resistance. green black foliage of Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’ If you happen to read this article a little brick red in winter and deep mauve blooms;
Bud Bloomer heathers are in full, glorious or Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planis- late or can’t seem to find any bud bloomers, • ‘Kinlochruel’ (25cm x 40 cm) – large,
colour (with no fading) from late summer capus ‘Nigrescens’). Purple bud bloomers there are other cultivars of Calluna vulgaris pure white double flowers are followed by
to early winter, often lasting three to four pair well in containers with the gold tones with winter or spring appeal. They include bronze highlights in the cold weather;
months. The buds resist severe weather, the of Carex ‘Evergold’, Lysimachia ‘Goldilocks’ coloured new growth, winter bronzing or • ‘Red Fred’ (35cm x 45 cm) – absolutely
constant rains and will tolerate tempera- or Hedera helix ‘Goldheart’. a complete change of foliar colour in the brilliant red spring growth with lilac pink
tures as low as minus-10 C without incur- summer blooms;
ring damage or browning. • ‘Ruby Slinger’ (25cm x 45 cm) –the white
By way of comparison, consider how flowers are followed by bright yellow new
many times you would be deadheading your “Bud Bloomer heathers are in full, glorious colour (with no fading) from growth tips in spring;
winter pansies or violas during that same • ‘Flamingo’ (30cm x 50cm) – purple sum-
period of time. late summer to early winter, often lasting three to four months.” mer blooms and pinkish-red spring tips
Just think of the possibilities – weeks and make this a popular cultivar;
weeks of pristine colour in a season that • ‘Spring Torch’ (45cm x 60cm) – as the
normally gives us little more than falling name implies, vivid orange-yellow new
leaves and brown perennials, planters The crimson-red varieties such as ‘Al- cold temperatures. Speaking of which, most growth provides spring colour with pink
which are as colourful and attractive as the exandra’ almost seem to glow in the dark Scotch heathers are quite cold tolerant, blooms following;
day you planted them, months ago. and would make a great mass planting in being hardy to Zone 5 and even tolerating • ‘Hoyerhagen’ (25cm x 45cm) – the
If Bud Bloomers sound like a plant for you, the foreground of any island bed or mixed Zone 3 with some protection – all they re- golden foliage deepens to reddish-orange in
then I would be less concerned about find- border. ally need is an acid soil , good drainage and winter, while summer brings pale crimson
ing a particular cultivar, as many are only Two new pink cultivars from the Beauty as much sun as possible. Here are a few of flowers;
available as generic reds, purples, pinks Ladies series are ‘Salena’ and ‘Selly’, while the more winter worthy varieties, along • ‘Spring Cream’ (40cm x 50 cm) –the
or whites. Focus instead on your favourite the buds of ‘Veronique’, a pure white, each with their respective height and spread: pure white flowers are followed by creamy-
colours or tones, and don’t expect to have seem to be silhouetted by the contrasting • ‘Silver Queen’ (40cm x 55cm) – eye- yellow growth tips in spring.
a second chance at buying them – I’m not dark green foliage. catching silver foliage is accented with pale
kidding when I say they sell out fast. The return of the bud bloomers is indeed lavender flowers; Mike Lascelle is a local nursery
The white bud bloomers are particularly a fleeting late summer tradition, so if you • ‘Firefly’ (40cm x 60 cm) – features gold manager and gardening author
striking when contrasted against the ever- want to enjoy it, go looking for them now. foliage (with hints of terra cotta) that turns (hebe_acer@hotmail.com).
Don’t bother saving HST receipts
“Impossible” to
reimburse: Hansen
by Tom Fletcher
Black Press
VICTORIA – Don’t
bother gathering up
all the receipts that
show the harmonized
sales tax you paid on
haircuts and restau-
rant meals, in hopes of
getting reimbursed for
them a year from now.
That’s the advice
from Finance Minis-
ter Colin Hansen, who
Tom Fletcher/Black Press
says it would be all but
impossible to do what Finance Minister Colin Hansen says people will learn
former premier Bill more about the harmonized sales tax before a referen-
Vander Zalm’s anti- dum on Sept. 24, 2011.
HST petition calls on
the government to do. mands that the old July 1, 2010, and that
The petition’s pro- seven per cent provin- B.C. residents be reim-
posed “HST Extin- cial sales tax be rein- bursed “on a per capita
guishment Act” de- stated retroactive to basis” for any HST
they paid in excess of
the provincial tax.
Hansen said Tuesday
that his government
will undo the HST if
that is what the people
vote to do in a referen-
dum next September,
but he has no inten-
tion of trying to sort
through millions of
big and small transac-
tions.
“In my opinion, it
would not be responsi-
ble for any government
or any legislature to
commit to passing the
HST Extinguishment
Act as it is currently
drafted,” Hansen said
Tuesday.
The anti-HST petition
is now scheduled to go
to a province-wide ref-
erendum on Sept. 24,
2011, in the first use of
B.C.’s 15-year-old citi-
zen initiative legisla-
tion. Premier Gordon
Campbell announced
Monday that if the ref-
erendum produces a
simple majority of vot-
ers who want to scrap
the HST, that will be
done.
But it almost certain-
ly won’t be done the
way Vander Zalm is
demanding, after B.C.
residents have paid the
HST for 15 months.
Sorting through those
millions of transactions
subject to sales tax
would be “extremely
difficult,” Hansen said.
And then there are the
myriad input credits
given to businesses
under the HST, as well
as HST rebate cheques
that are now going out
quarterly to about one
million B.C. residents
at the low end of the
income scale.
NDP finance critic
Bruce Ralston, who
helped collect sig-
natures for Vander
Zalm’s petition, said he
doesn’t know how the
government will re-
fund the HST costs as
the petition demands.
Ralston suggested an
estimate of individual
HST costs could be
prepared for each of
a range of incomes,
and one-time refunds
paid to everyone in the
province.
Neither Hansen nor
Ralston would venture
a guess how much that
would cost, but both
agreed it would be on
top of repaying a $1.6
billion in transition
funds to the federal
government and rehir-
ing hundreds of B.C.
sales tax collectors
who were moved to
the federal payroll this
year under harmoniza-
tion.
The former provin-
cial tax and the new
HST apply equally to
many items, and ex-
emptions for basic gro-
ceries and other neces-
sities still apply. But a
range of services such
as hairdressing and
gym memberships es-
caped the old PST, and
items such as bicycles
and energy-efficient
windows had enjoyed
provincial exemptions
that were lost when
B.C. adopted the HST.
 Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS

Just be-cause
Tara LaBelle gives her dog Swift, a seven-year-old border collie, direction as he flies through a dog agility course
Sunday during Paws for a Cause at the Albion Fairgrounds. Paws for a Cause is a fundraising walk to raise money for
the B.C. SPCA.
 Community Calendar
C
ommunity Calendar lists
events in Maple Ridge and
Pitt Meadows. Notices are
free to local non-profit groups
courtesy of The News. Drop off
details to 22328 119 Ave., fax
to 604-463-4741 or e-mail
events@mapleridgenews.
com at least a week before the
event. Include a contact name
and number. (No submissions
by phone.) Listings appear as
space permits. For guaranteed
publication, ask our classified
department at 604-467-1122
about non-profit rates.
Saturday, Sept. 18
• Maple Ridge Japanese
Language Association is
hosting a story-telling session
from 11:30 a.m. to noon at the
Maple Ridge Public Library. For
more information, call Astrid
Stimpson at 604-945-7064.
• The Maple Ridge Public
Library celebrates Eid from
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eid
marks the end of Ramadan
on the Muslim calendar. This
celebration is a time for com-
ing together as a community,
and renewing friendships and
family ties. Learn about an-
other culture, see calligraphy
demonstrations, taste delicious
food and have a good time.
No registration necessary. For
more information, please call
the Maple Ridge Public Library
at 604-467-7417.
• The Maple Ridge Adopt
A Block Society will be
holding their annual TD Great
Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
at 10 a.m. at Maple Ridge
Park. Vests, bags, grabbers
and gloves will be provided, so
grab your family and come on
out. We will be meeting at the
picnic tables. If you have any
questions please call 604-463-
9699 or email adoptablock@
telus.net.
• The eleventh annual Art
in the Swamp will be held
from 10 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. at
25812 Dewdney Trunk Road,
in beautiful Webster’s Corners.
Artists include Amar from
Afar, Margaret Cook, Corrina
Cunningham, Cindi Hoflin,
Beverley Peacock, Scott Schell,
Claire Louise Stephen, and Rik
Watson. Ten per cent of sales
will be going towards the
Friends in Need Food Bank. For
more info, call 604-462-1399
or email rikwatson@shaw.ca.
• The popular cookbook
exchange returns to the
Haney Farmers’ Market. Bring
a book, take a book or make
a donation to the Friends of
the Library. It’s Fitness at the
Market with Parks and Leisure
demonstrating some of the
activities available to you. The
Yuen Family has a display of
Martial Arts. Memorial Peace
Park on 224th Street in down-
town Maple Ridge from 9 a.m.
to 2 p.m. www.haneyfarmers-
market.org
Sunday, Sept. 19
• The 30th Annual Terry
Fox Run for cancer research
will take place at the Ham-
mond Community Centre.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
and the run begins at 10 a.m.
Please come out and support
this great cause.
• The eleventh annual Art
in the Swamp will be held
from 10 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. at
25812 Dewdney Trunk Road,
in beautiful Webster’s Corners.
Artists include Amar from
Afar, Margaret Cook, Corrina
Cunningham, Cindi Hoflin,
Beverley Peacock, Scott Schell,
Claire Louise Stephen, and Rik
Watson. Ten per cent of sales
will be going towards the
Friends in Need Food Bank. For
more info, call 604-462-1399
or email rikwatson@shaw.ca.
• Celebrate the last day of
the Osprey Village Farmers’
Market by supporting the
Food Bank and dropping your
ideas and thoughts for the
market season of 2011 into
our suggestion box. Located
in Pitt Meadows at the south
end of Bonson Road. www.
haneyfarmersmarket.org
See Community Calendar, p56
 Community Calendar
Community Calendar from p55
• The Maple Ridge Community Church is celebrating its
25th anniversary with a special service at 6:30 p.m. at the Maple
Ridge Alliance Church located at Dewdney Trunk Road and 203rd
Avenue. A dessert evening will follow at Maple Ridge Community
Church. Anyone who attended Maple Ridge Community Church
over the past 25 years is welcome to attend. For more information
contact the office at 604-465-4211.

Monday, Sept. 20
• The Valley Women’s Network Ridge Meadows Chapter
meets at the Maple Ridge Library (Fraser Room) from 6 to m8:30
p.m. Speaker Sue Clement will be talking about referral network-
ing. Build your business connections and network, while enjoying
a fully catered dinner. For more information or to reserve contact
vwnridgemeadows@telus.net or call 604-764-8877. Members $20,
Non-members $23, Reservations required.
• The Pitt Meadows Garden Club is holding its monthly
meeting at 7 p.m. Pitt Meadows Community Hall adjacent to
Community Church (corner Harris and Ford Road). Guest speaker
will be Wes Hawley, Arborist. Bring all your tree-related questions
about Fall and Spring pruning of trees and shrubs. Everyone
welcome.

Tuesday, Sept. 21
• The Municipal Pension Retirees Association meets at
10:30 a.m. Call Fern at 604-463-8669 for more information, or
visit olafer@shaw.ca
• Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services is
holding its annual general meeting at 3:30 p.m. at the Rainbow
Club, 11907 – 228th Street, Maple Ridge. All interested parties are
invited to attend.

Friday, Sept. 24
• The HOMINUM Fraser Valley Chapter is a support and
discussion group to help gay, bi-sexual and questioning men with
the challenges of being married, separated or single. Its next
meeting is at 7:30 p.m. For information and location, please call
Art at 604-462-9813 or Don at 604-329-9760.

Saturday, Sept. 25
• Discover what Downtown Maple Ridge has to offer at
the last Downtown Maple Ridge Summer Market for 2010 from 9
a.m. to 2 p.m. in Memorial Peace Park on 224th Street next to the
Haney Farmers’ Market. Enjoy entertainment, kids’ activities and
local vendors in a fun street market atmosphere. Call the DMRBIA
at 604-467-2420 or visit downtownmapleridge.ca for more infor-
mation, or if you’d like to be a vendor.
• Every year the Haney Farmers’ Market dedicates a market
day to the Friends in Need Food Bank and this year is no excep-
tion. Come by their booth and make a donation for the coming
winter. Jeff Huggins performs. Memorial Peace Park on 224th
Street in downtown Maple Ridge. www.haneyfarmersmarket.org

Ongoing
• Happy Wanderers singles walking group for people aged 45
and up meets every Saturday at 9:15 a.m. at the Pitt Meadows
Heritage Hall, Harris Road and Lougheed Highway. Walks take
place in various areas on both sides of the Fraser River. For more
information call 604-463-8874.

THE NEWS/sports
Chantelle Biagioni dives for a save during practice under the watchful eye of sister Charmaine Biagioni during UFV soccer practice.
Pitt sister act backstops UFV Cascades
Chantelle and Charmaine
Biagioni compete for the
starting goal keeper job
by D a n K i nv i g
black press
When Pitt Meadows’ Chantelle
Biagioni watches her sister Char-
maine make a nice save during a
University of the Fraser Valley
women’s soccer practice, there’s
a fascinating moment of inner
conflict.
On one hand, Chantelle feels a
swell of pride – Charmaine is her
younger sister, after all.
There’s also a less joyous emo-
tion present, one that’s linked to
Chantelle’s competitive instinct.
Rob Giesbrecht, the new wom-
en’s soccer coach at UFV, says
he’ll pick his starting keeper on
a week-to-week basis based on
how they perform in training.
Chantelle, age 20, came into the
season the Cascades’ No. 1 goal-
keeper, and now she’s got her
18-year-old frosh sister breath-
ing down her neck.
“It’s frustrating at times,” Ch-
antelle admitted with a wry
chuckle. “She (Charmaine) is
a talented goalkeeper. When I
see her doing well, I’m proud of
her. But at the same time, I don’t
want her to catch me.”
Having siblings playing the
same specialized position is a
unique dynamic for the Cas-
cades. It’s also a new situation
for the Biagionis, who comprise
two-thirds of UFV’s goaltending
depth chart along with fourth-
year keeper Michela Fiordo.
Because of their two-year age
difference, this is the first time
they’ve had the opportunity to
play on the same team.
“I find we’re the same in a lot
of ways,” Charmaine said, com-
paring her skills to her older sis-
ter’s. “But she’s definitely more
vocal and aggressive, because
she’s more experienced. Watch-
ing her makes me want to be
more like her. I hope to play like
she does.”
The Biagioni sisters are going
to end up spending a lot of time
together this year. They both live
at the family home in Pitt Mead-
ows and drive out to UFV for
classes and soccer practice. They
work for the same house-clean-
ing company in Maple Ridge. You
have to wonder if they’ll tire of
each other at some point.
“We haven’t yet . . .” Chantelle
begins.
“. . . but it’s still early,” Char-
maine finishes with a chuckle.
Chantelle, a third-year keeper,
is coming off a banner 2009 cam-
paign. She was the backbone of
a stingy UFV squad that allowed
just 16 goals in 14 games last
season, and posted six shutouts
along the way.
The elder Biagioni’s perfor-
mance was even more impres-
sive in light of her recovery from
a devastating injury she suffered
last spring.
On March 23 – five days before
her 19th birthday – she shattered
her heel while participating in
“When I see her doing well,
I’m proud of her. But at the
same time, I don’t want her
to catch me.”
Chantelle Biagioni
indoor rock climbing.
The injury was supposed to
keep her sidelined for nine
months to a year, but there she
was in September, tending goal
for the Cascades.
“I’m really stubborn,” Chantelle
said. “I went off crutches at three
Section coordinator:
Robert Mangelsdorf
604-467-1122 ext. 216
newsroom@mapleridgenews.com
John Van Putten/BLACK PRESS
months, and it was supposed to
take me six to nine.
“It was a challenge for me to
overcome.”
The next challenge for the
Cascades is making the Canada
West playoffs, a feat the program
has yet to accomplish in four
previous seasons. Giesbrecht, an
Abbotsford native who took the
helm at UFV after Colin Miller
joined the Vancouver Whitecaps
coaching staff, is hopeful his
team can build on an encourag-
ing 5-5-4 campaign.
“Any time you’re part of a
building phase of a program and
there’s teams out ahead of you
that you’re trying to catch, you
have to keep instilling that belief
that they can do it,” Giesbrecht
said. “That’s been a bit of our
challenge, and it’s something
we thrive on – just continuing
to encourage the girls and give
them confidence that they can
compete against the best teams.
They’re very capable of that.”

Slap shot
Markus Hourigan of the Ridge Meadows Rustlers tries to block a slapshot by a Chilliwack player during a peewee A3
exhibition hockey game at Planet Ice Sunday afternoon. Ridge Meadows beat Chilliwack 4-3.
Martial arts
school vies for
sports grant
A Maple Ridge martial arts
school is hoping to earn the Dis-
trict of Maple Ridge a $10,000
sports grant.
Tae Geuk Tae Kwon Do is cel-
ebrating its grand opening Sept.
18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is en-
couraging the public to come by
and donate non-perishable food
items for the food bank. The mar-
tial arts school is taking part in a
program organized by a national
community sports organization
called, True Sport. The group
promotes community sports that
are healthy, fair, inclusive, and
fun, while fighting against cheat-
Sports
ing, bullying, aggressive parental
behaviour, and win-at-all-costs
thinking.
True Sport is holding a contest
for sports organizations to give
back to their communities, and
the organization that wins, wins a
$10,000, or $5,000, sports grant for
the community where they are
located.
Cameron Tsoi-A-Sue, an in-
structor at the school, said he is
hoping the community comes out
on Saturday
“This would be great for Maple
Ridge if we could win this,” he
said.
Tae Geuk Tae Kwon Do is the
home to local Olympian Ivett Gon-
da, who competed in the 2004 and
2008 Summer Olympics.
Gonda will be on hand for a meet
and greet at the event. There also
be demonstrations and sparring.
“There’s going to be board and
brick-breaking too,” said Tsoi-A-
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
Sue. Tae Guk Tae Kwon Do is lo-
cated at 20120 115A Avenue, Maple
Ridge. For more information, visit
www.taekwon.ca
Officials needed
With hoops season just a cou-
ple of months away, the Fraser
Valley Basketball Officials Asso-
ciation (FVBOA) is searching for
new members.
The FVBOA officiates all bas-
ketball games played between
Langley and Hope, and from
Maple Ridge to Agassiz on the
north side of the Fraser River.
The association is running edu-
cation and training meetings at
7 p.m. on Monday evenings at
Abbotsford Collegiate, begin-
ning Oct. 4 and running through
the end of November. For more
information, contact Paul Nivins
at pnivins@shaw.ca, or call 604-
613-6391.
THE NEWS/scoreboard
Football
Valley Community Football League
Regular season standings

Atom
Team W L T % STK PF PA PTS
Abbotsford 3 0 0 1.000 Won 3 132 6 6
MR Blue 2 0 0 1.000 Won 2 48 24 4
Mission 2 0 0 1.000 Won 2 58 24 4
MR Gold 1 1 0 .500 Lost 1 46 30 2
Chilliwack Red 1 2 0 .333 Won 1 62 94 2
Chilliwack Blue 0 3 0 .000 Lost 3 24 85 0
North Langley 0 3 0 .000 Lost 3 18 125 0
Bantam
Team W L T % STK PF PA PTS
Chilliwack 2 0 0 1.000 Won 2 52 19 4
Mission-Abby 1 0 1 .750 Lost 1 46 0 3
Meadow Ridge 0 1 1 .250 Lost 2 13 21 1
North Langley 0 2 0 .000 Lost 2 6 77 0
Junior bantam
Team W L T % STK PF PA PTS
Chilliwack Red 2 0 0 1.000 Won 2 71 24 4
Abbotsford 1 0 1 .750 Won 1 74 36 3
Chilliwack Blue 1 0 1 .750 Won 1 84 48 3
North Langley 1 1 0 .500 Lost 1 48 59 2
Meadow Ridge 0 2 0 .000 Lost 2 12 84 0
Mission 0 2 0 .000 Lost 2 46 84 0
Peewee
Team W L T % STK PF PA PTS
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS Chilliwack Blue 2 0 0 1.000 Won 2 77 31 4
Soaring and pouring Meadow Ridge
Chilliwack Red
1
1
0
1
1 .750 Lost 1 45 13
0 .500 Won 1 20 32
3
2
Elisabeth Harmer of Port Moody rides Whisper in the rain as she competes in the Maple Ridge Equestrian Centre’s September Classic Hunter North Langley 1 1 0 .500 Lost 1 12 26 2
Jumper Show Sunday afternoon. Abbotsford 0 1 1 .250 Lost 2 32 47 1
Mission 0 2 0 .000 Lost 2 18 55 0
Midget
Hockey Team W L T % STK PF PA PTS
Pacific International Junior Hockey League PIJHL scoring leaders Curtis Rocchetti Steelers 3 1 3 4 Langley 2 0 0 1.000 Won 2 88 0 4
John Proctor Ice Hawks 3 3 0 3 Nanaimo 2 0 0 1.000 Won 2 32 3 4
Harold Brittain Conference Players Team GP G A PTS Sam Chichak Sockeyes 2 2 1 3 Cowichan 2 0 0 1.000 Won 2 44 8 4
Team GP W L T OTL PTS GF GA Michael Nardi Devils 3 3 5 8 Dustin Cervo Flames 3 2 1 3 Coquitlam 1 0 0 1.000 Won 1 7 0 2
Aldergrove Kodiaks 3 2 1 0 0 4 13 12 Jake Roder Sockeyes 2 4 2 6 Marko Gordic Steelers 3 2 1 3 North Delta 1 0 0 1.000 Won 1 14 0 2
Abbotsford Pilots 1 1 0 0 0 2 5 4 Christopher Busto Devils 3 3 3 6 Shane Harle Flames 3 2 1 3 Cloverdale 1 1 0 .500 Won 1 27 29 2
Port Moody Black Panthers 2 1 1 0 0 2 6 11 Liam Harding Ice Hawks 3 3 3 6 CJ Legassic Flames 3 2 1 3 Mission 1 1 0 .500 Lost 1 17 36 2
Ridge Meadows Flames 3 1 2 0 0 2 10 9 Sebastien Pare Sockeyes 2 2 3 5 Ryan Veillet Kodiaks 3 2 1 3 White Rock 1 1 0 .500 Won 1 35 24 2
Mission Icebreakers 2 0 2 0 0 0 5 12 Cody Smith Ice Hawks 2 1 4 5 Stefan Burzan Ice Hawks 2 1 2 3 Meadow Ridge 1 1 0 .500 Lost 1 38 7 2
Colton Precourt Kodiaks 3 1 4 5 Brent Fletcher Flames 3 1 2 3 Victoria 1 1 0 .500 Won 1 36 16 2
Tom Shaw Conference Kentaro Tanaka Steelers 3 1 4 5 Danny Brandys Flames 3 0 3 3 Richmond White 1 1 0 .500 Lost 1 39 21 2
Team GP W L T OTL PTS GF GA Mitchell Smith Sockeyes 2 0 5 5 Mico Dragutinovic Black Panthers 2 2 0 2 Richmond Black 1 1 0 .500 Won 1 38 24 2
North Delta Devils 3 3 0 0 0 6 11 6 Eli Wiebe Sockeyes 2 0 5 5 Rudi Thorsteinson Sockeyes 2 2 0 2 Chilliwack 1 1 0 .500 Lost 1 51 33 2
Richmond Sockeyes 2 2 0 0 0 4 14 2 Thomas Hardy Kodiaks 3 3 1 4 Mike Phillipson Kodiaks 3 2 0 2 Westside 0 2 0 .000 Lost 2 6 65 0
Delta Ice Hawks 3 1 1 0 1 3 9 10 Robert Wilkinson Steelers 3 3 1 4 Chad Veillet Kodiaks 3 2 0 2 Burnaby 0 2 0 .000 Lost 2 0 66 0
Grandview Steelers 3 1 2 0 0 2 10 10 Jeremy Hamaguchi Sockeyes 2 2 2 4 Richard Moul Black Panthers 1 1 1 2 North Surrey 0 2 0 .000 Lost 2 6 70 0
Squamish Wolf Pack 2 0 2 0 0 0 2 9 Julius Ho Devils 3 2 2 4 Bradley Parker Pilots 1 1 1 2 Vancouver 0 2 0 .000 Lost 2 8 84 0