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VOL. 25 NO. 48
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013
March against police brutality By MARGARET SPEIRS THE POLICE need to be accountable for their actions. That’s the message behind the International Day Against Police Brutality event here March 15, organized by the wife of a local man who’s allegedly the victim of a police assault last year. “I’m for the police but I am not for police brutality. I am not for excessive force and the lack of accountability [within the police.] We just need the police to do their job,” said Heather Prisk-Wright, wife of Robert Wright, who suffered a brain injury while in police custody after being picked up for drunk driving April 21, 2012. He was taken to hospital here three times before being sent to hospital in New Westminster and now requires full-time care. She has organized a march that starts from the Terrace RCMP detachment and goes down to the courthouse where there will be speakers. Prisk says a sheriff asked her what the courthouse had to do with police brutality and she replied it’s a factor in how provincial prosecutors dealt with her husband’s case. A government lawyer
decided that no police officers would be charged in connection with her husband’s case. “They are related. It’s about accountability,” said Prisk-Wright. She’s been told that Union of BC Indian Chiefs grand chief Stewart Phillip will be here to speak and possibly a BC Civil Liberties Association member will be here, too. “Anyone who would like to be a speaker can contact me,” she said. Her husband won’t likely be part of the march as it’s too much of a walk for him, she said.
For more, turn to “Officer won’t face an assault charge” on page A18 “[It’s also about] how much happens and nobody even gets a slap on the wrist, so for me it’s about raising awareness in the community,” said Prisk-Wright. “The mainstream who do not come into contact with the RCMP don’t really understand how prevalent it is,” she said, referring to police brutality. The International Day Against Police Brutality is on March 15 each year.
ROD LINK PHOTO
heather prisk-wright has organized a march against police brutality for this Friday. Her husband Robert Wright suffered a brain injury while in police custody last year.
Thornhill cellphone tower decision delayed By ANNA KILLEN The lack of reliable cellphone service has been a thorn in the side of Thornhill residents for years, cumulating in a 1,000-plus-signature-strong petition residents sent to Telus last year imploring the company to put up a cellphone tower in the neighbourhood. And area residents are close to getting their wish. Telus, represented by the company Standard Land, is currently consulting with the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine in order to erect a $300,000 75-metre cell
phone tower on Haaland Ave., in an area zoned light industrial and on property owned by Bear Creek Contracting. “We heard from residents that they wanted better wireless coverage, and this tower will bring wireless to the community of Thornhill and about six kilometres of Highway 16. We’re currently in consultation with the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine and the public, and anticipate the site will be onair this year or in early 2014,” said Liz Sauve of Telus media relations. “As part of the consultation process, we posted ads in the news-
paper and also sent information packages directly to all homes and businesses within the direct area of the proposed tower site. Given the routine nature of putting up the site, and the public’s overwhelming support, public meetings were not needed,” she said. But not all residents are in favour. Those who live in the residential area directly near the site are concerned about decreasing property value, health hazards, and what they say is an abundance of other non-residential sites in the area that could be used instead. “There are much more suitable
sites for a cell tower than outside the front of my property,” said Thornhill resident Jodi Belanger in a letter to the regional district. Hers was one of two letters submitted to the planning committee from residents opposed to the tower. “I would like to know who will be responsible for recouping the value of my home as its value will be greatly depreciated once a cell tower is constructed? Also, who is going to take responsibility for my health and the health of my family once we will be subjected to ongoing radiation 24/7?” Her letter of opposition was submitted to
the district as part of the planning committee’s discussions on whether or not it will provide a variance development permit for the site. Because the proposed tower is 64 metres higher than the 11 metre height currently allowed in the area, the board needs to sign off on a variance development permit to allow the taller structure. But before the district signs off on the variance permit, the district has asked Telus to provide it with more information as to why that particular site was chosen and what other sites were considered.
Cont’d Page A15
Birthday girl
New idea
Provincial posse
Former longtime resident celebrates 99 years with family and friends \COMMUNITY A19
Media mogul says he’ll build own pipeline to refinery if necessary \NEWS A4
Caledonia Kermodes are in Langley at provincials this week after a big win \SPORTS A31