Thursday June 20, 2013 (Vol. 38 No. 50)
V O I C E
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Aspiring ambassador: White Rock teen Paige Glazier will vie for one of three B.C. Ambassador spots this summer. The avid volunteer will be tested on provincial knowledge and public speaking, among other skills, at the Aug. 13 gala in Merritt. › see page C1
Third-party suppliers the largest portion of $655 million spent last year
Surrey’s annual costs rise $56 million Kevin Diakiw Black Press
It cost $56 million more to run the city last year compared to 2011, according to financial figures released this week. Surrey’s 2012 Statement of Financial Information details how much money was received and how much was spent. The city spent $655 million in 2012, and of that, $506 million went to suppliers and
$153 million went to staff costs, which was a $3-million increase from the year prior. The big jump came by way of increases to third-party suppliers, which jumped by $53 million from 2011’s $453 million. City staff say that’s mostly due to a “very aggressive capital program” that includes the construction of a new city hall and initiatives in the “Build Surrey” program. Last year, Surrey council rang up $798,217, a
marginal drop from the $799,433 in the year prior. But a shift in spending priorities is evident as council spent 10 per cent less on civic trips ($114,990) but 40 per cent more on cellphones, faxes and Internet service ($35,896). The biggest spender on council was Coun. Marvin Hunt, who rang up $31,457. That was an increase of $11,958 from the year prior and is mostly due to civic trips. They included the World e-Government Organi-
zation in Barcelona, Spain ($5,444;) the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Conference in Saskatoon, Sask. ($2,886); the World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Toronto, Ont. ($2,582); and the FCM Board Meeting, also in Toronto ($2,292). Closer to home, Hunt went to $1,522 worth of local events and, like all councillors, had car expenses. › see page A4
Civic pay to be donated
Hunt back to doing both jobs Kevin Diakiw Black Press
Shop talk
Sarah Massah photo
The historic White Rock Mufflers building on Marine Drive – still bearing the Santa Barbara logo it received while being used as a location for the TV series Psych – is prepared for demolition following the removal of asbestos. Final demolition permit for the 1940s-era building is expected within the next two weeks, making way for a combined residential and commercial development.
Warning issued after offender’s release The B.C. Corrections Branch issued a warning this week that a high-risk sex offender is now living in Surrey. Raymond Caissie, 42, was just released from jail into an unspecified neighbourhood of Surrey after serving a 22-year sentence for a violent sex assault. He is considered by B.C. Corrections as a high-risk offender, resulting in a comRaymond Caissie munity warning with his release. ‘high risk’ News of the release into Surrey out-
raged Mayor Dianne Watts. “The safety of the public has to come first and foremost,” Watts said, noting if Caissie is deemed high risk after serving 22 years, he shouldn’t be released. “Why has he been released? It makes no sense.” Caissie is Caucasian, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He is five-foot-11 and weighs 165 pounds. He has a criminal history including two counts of sexual assault with a weapon;
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two counts of forcible confinement and robbery; break, enter and theft; theft over $1,000; and possession of stolen property. He is currently on bail supervision. He is subject to close monitoring by police and has several conditions, including staying in B.C. He is not to possess a knife (except for eating) and cannot be in possession of a weapon or tools for restraint, including duct tape or wire. He is also not to consume drugs.
Without an option handy, Coun. Marvin Hunt plans to do double-duty for another six months to avoid a municipal byelection – resolving to donate his council pay to two charities. Hunt had told Black Press in March – prior to winning the Surre y-Panorama riding for the BC Liberals – that he would avoid triggering a civic Marvin Hunt byelection by doing both jobs MLA/councillor until January. However, soon after the May 14 election, Premier Christy Clark asked all incumbent councillors to obtain unpaid leaves of absence. That would require the support of council and, as Peace Arch News reported May 28, a majority of Surrey councillors indicated they would oppose a leave of absence. A June 13 memo from city staff indicates a byelection would cost about $635,000 and would deplete the Election Reserve. That would leave the 2014 general election unfunded, leaving the city scrambling to find $1.2 million for it. › see page A4
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