Along the Fraser Why mess with Fisheries Act? p6
Neighbour near shelter just fed up. p4
THE NEWS
Dogs A pit bull’s bite is worse than a chihuahua’s. p7
www.mapleridgenews.com Friday, August 10, 2012 · Serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows · est. 1978 · 604-467-1122 · 50¢
Liberals look at online voting MLA Michael Sather worried about security by R o b e r t M a n g e l s d o r f staff reporter
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
Josine Eikelenboom, with grandson Alan, 8, at their home on 124th Avenue, east of 232nd Street.
B.C.’s Liberal government is looking at the possibility of using Internet voting in future provincial elections, it was announced Thursday. Justice Minister and Attorney General Shirley Bond has requested the province’s chief electoral officer appoint an independent panel to review best practices for Internet voting for use in both provincial and municipal elections, and identify any barriers. “Our province is widely recognized as being technologically progressive and a leader in open government initiatives,” Bond said Thursday. See Online, p12
Resident fears for Coho Creek She protected her part of creek but worries about portion near proposed pit by R o b e r t M a n g e l s d o r f staff reporter Josine Eikelenboom has lived on 124th Street in rural Maple Ridge for more than 30 years and shudders at the thought of dump trucks rolling down her street should a proposed gravel pit be approved next door to her
farm, Westacres. But what concerns her most is the fate of Coho Creek, which runs through both properties. Close to 10 years ago, Eikelenboom placed the creek under the protection of The Land Conservancy of B.C., preventing any future development within 30 metres of the water course on her property. However, while the portion of the creek on her property is protected, the portion next door is not. While the gravel pit itself will be located 100 metres away from
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Coho Creek, a driveway across the creek would have to be upgraded, which “would include loss of riparian habitat.” However, the creek would be restored to its original condition. According to Eikelenboom, the creek is home to small coho and other fish, along with ducks and birds. “Over the more than 30 years that we have lived here, we have done everything to respect the land,” she said. “A gravel pit so close will do serious damage to my land and its streams.”
The 15-hectare property located in between 236th Street and 124th Avenue is co-owned by Donada Industries, Rae Glenn Industrial Dev. and Earl Bremner. David Laird of Damax Consultants, which is developing the site, said earlier the property would be restored to farm use after 400,000 cu. metres of gravel are removed, with mining expected to take two to three years. As part of the remediation work, top soil would be brought in to make the area suitable for future agricultural uses. See Creek, p10
Index Opinion Along the Fraser Eldercare Faith Home&gardening Sports Classifieds
Farm worker injured. See story, p3
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