Tuesday March 12, 2013 (Vol. 38 No. 21)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
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S O U T H
Skill saw: Ocean Park resident Ken Ross is receiving recognition from peers and judges for his onscreen feats – including making a wooden bicycle – as one of the top-six contestants in HGTV’s reality competition, Canada’s Handyman Challenge. › see page 11
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Mayor lashes out at public-consultation process where ‘city gets its notice from the newspapers’
More coal trains unacceptable: mayor Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
White Rock’s mayor is asking for council support to voice “strong concerns” regarding a proposal by Fraser Surrey Docks to build a coal-transfer facility. In a motion that was to be considered at city hall last night – after Peace Arch News press deadline – Mayor Wayne Baldwin names a number of issues he wants to address with
Fraser Surrey Docks and Port Metro Vancouver, including “the total lack of public consultation to the point where the city has to get its notice from the newspapers.” Fraser Surrey Docks has applied to build a terminal that would bring in thermal coal from Wyoming via the BNSF railway that runs through White Rock, South Surrey and Delta. Along with a proposal to expand Neptune Terminals in North Vancouver, it is to be
decided by Port Metro Vancouver managers, with no formal public meetings or approvals by other agencies. In his motion, Baldwin describes the potential increase in rail traffic through the community as “unacceptable.” Other concerns he wants to highlight are the impact of coal dust on the environment and local residences; the impact of the additional noise on the community and along
the waterfront; and “the apparent lack of any kind of an environmental assessment by any level of senior government.” Port Metro Vancouver planning director Jim Crandles has said civic zoning doesn’t apply. Both applications were, however, referred to the cities of Surrey and North Vancouver for comment; Delta and New Westminster were also notified, as were nearby residents. › see page 2
Crescent Beach death
Inquest held over police shooting An inquest into the death of a 23-year-old who was shot two years ago by police responding to a domestic disturbance in Crescent Beach will be held in July, B.C. Coroners Service announced last week. Brendon Samuel Beddow, a Surrey resident, died March 23, 2011, after police were dispatched to the 3000-block of McBride Avenue. A witness told Peace Arch News at the time that he heard police say, ‘Drop it!’ and saw a young man with a gun in his hand. The man was swearing at police and then fired his gun, the witness said. Police fired back. A Vancouver Police Department investigation into the fatal shooting cleared the officers involved of criminal wrongdoing. The review “concluded that there were no reasonable grounds to believe a criminal offence was committed by any member of the RCMP in relation to this incident.” In the July inquest, coroner Margaret Janzen and a jury will hear evidence to determine the facts surrounding Beddow’s death. They cannot, by law, make any findings of legal responsibility, but may make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances in the future. The inquest is set for July 15-19 in Burnaby. – Tracy Holmes
Tracy Holmes photo
Dannie Caron jots down licence-plate numbers of motorists traveling through the school zone on 184 Street Friday. She says many ignore the limit.
Offers to pay rejected by district
Parents cross over lack of school guard Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
Parents at East Kensington Elementary say their efforts to improve the safety of students and others who cross 184 Street to get to school are hitting roadblock after roadblock. For at least five years they’ve asked for help – including for a crossing guard to be assigned to the 2795 184 St. school – but say that every year, the request has been brushed aside.
Tony Hazelden would like to let all his clients know that he is presently relocating to a new salon in the South Surrey area where he will take care of all your hair colour needs. You can reach Tony on Facebook or by email at tonyhaircolour@gmail.com
“Since I’ve been here, this has been an issue,” Jacquie McLean, president of the small school’s Parent Advisory Council, said last week. “Every group of parents that has come through has tried to pursue this. We get the run-around.” The latest effort includes an offer for parents at the 50-student school to fundraise for the cost of a crossing guard – an offer that they say was turned down flat.
But school district spokesman Doug Strachan told Peace Arch News the solution is not necessarily that simple. “There are safety considerations, and other traffic considerations and so forth,” Strachan said. “It’s not necessarily as straight-forward as just saying let’s get a crossing guard out there and that’s it, it’s done, it’s safe now.” › see page 4
What’s your New Year’s resolution? How about eating more fruits and veggies?
See page 32 For more information, please visit www.kinsfarmmarket.com/greenfighters