Thursday September 12, 2013 (Vol. 38 No. 74)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
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
Eagle season: The Surrey Eagles began defence of their BC Hockey League title last weekend in Chilliwack, but will play in front of home fans for the first time Friday, when they host the Langley Rivermen. i see page 48
‘No conspiracy’ says mayor of Lawrence’s plan to rescind decision to move council chambers
Councillors lash out at city hall rethink Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
White Rock council has reconsidered its decision earlier this summer to move council chambers out of city hall. But Monday’s 4-3 vote that was prompted by a surprise motion has some councillors questioning the legality of the rethink – despite assurances from city staff that no rules have been broken.
“We were discussing a lease of community property when we hadn’t even issued an RFP (request for proposals), and we had nothing on paper in front of us,” Coun. Larry Robinson told Peace Arch News Tuesday. “I couldn’t even believe we were voting on it. It was wrong, it was just wrong.” Coun. Helen Fathers was highly critical of the process that led to Monday’s vote, and told PAN that she and Robinson have called
for a special council meeting to be held to get to the bottom of what transpired. A special council meeting is a step available under the Community Charter, and one the city’s mayor said is typically reserved for when an issue requires urgent action; criteria he doesn’t feel has been met in this case. “It smacks more to me of being some kind of inquiry of the events that took place, and I don’t think that’s particularly necessary to
occupy council’s time with,” Mayor Wayne Baldwin said Wednesday. The motion in question was brought forward by Coun. Bill Lawrence, who called to rescind a July 15 decision to move council chambers into a city-owned building at 1174 Fir St. and direct staff to invite expressions of interest for shared use of the space. Lawrence supported the decision in July i see page 4
Like ‘Russian roulette’
Differing reactions to pot talk at border Alex Browne Staff Reporter
How consistent is screening of Canadians crossing the U.S. border into Washington State? Although a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) statement indicates federal marijuana enforcement is being emphasized across the board – in the wake of state ballot initiatives in Washington and Colorado that legalize possession of small amounts of pot – the recent experience of White Rock resident Jessica Goldstein and her passengers suggests some Canadians are being hassled more than others, particularly when admitting past use of controlled substances. While Goldstein was found “inadmissible” to the U.S. on Aug. 31 for admitting marijuana use, her passenger who made a similar admission was not. When the passenger sought to be admitted later the same day, she found the attitude from another CBP member a complete contrast to the “cold” and “bullying” treatment she, Goldstein and another companion had received. i see page 10
Sarah Massah photos
Not forgotten A member of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and a Canadian Mountie (above) await the call to march to the Peace Arch Wednesday morning. The annual 9-11 Memorial Ride and Ceremony honours the ‘fallen heroes’ of Sept. 11, 2001 – when hundreds of emergency responders were killed in terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Two New Westminster firefighters (left) watch as the procession of motorcycles and emergency vehicles weaves through the Douglas border crossing.
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