Tuesday May 20 , 2014 (Vol. 39 9 No. 40)
V O I C E
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Weathering the storm: The Earl Marriott Mariners’ reign as kings of the Fraser Valley senior boys rugby scene is over after a loss in Abbotsford, but they’ll look to right the ship at the upcoming provincials. i see page 13
White Rock workers say they would have removed picket line for the day if they’d known of plans
Civic impasse strikes cancer fundraiser Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
Mary Copping relay organizer
A return to the bargaining table Thursday by the City of White Rock and its unionized workers did not move the two sides any closer to resolution. And now, impact of the ongoing job action is spreading beyond city services. It has prompted organizers of the upcoming White Rock/South Surrey Relay for Life – the Canadian Cancer Society’s signature event – to make
quick changes to the scope and location of a pre-event fundraiser. “We had a panicked meeting… because it does impact us,” event cochair Mary Copping told Peace Arch News last week. “We’re going to need more help from people getting it going.” The Relay for Life is an annual 12-hour overnight event of the Canadian Cancer Society at White Rock’s Centennial Park. This year, it’s set for June 13. Copping said she and fellow orga-
nizers held an emergency meeting last week after unionized city workers ramped up job action that resulted in the closure of city facilities, including Centennial Arena – the same site they had booked for a garage sale for relay participants on May 24. Rather than risk having to cancel the sale altogether, the group decided to shift its location to outside the society’s 15240 Thrift Ave. office. Union president Mike Guraliuk told
PAN Friday that impacting such events is not part of the CUPE local’s strategy or intent. The dispute is with the city, not the cancer society, he said. “We did not know,” Guraliuk said of the arena sale. “We would’ve said, ‘picket lines down for the day.’” The venue change means a muchreduced sale, Copping said, citing a drop to about 12 tables from the 40 that had been planned for the arena. i see page 4
Raid in Ocean Park
Teens escape armed invasion
Tracy Holmes photos
Boarder Andy Anderson (left) ollies over Kevin Harris and Const. Troy Derrick.
Police are looking for two or three attackers after an armed home invasion in Ocean Park Wednesday. Surrey RCMP and officers with the Emergency Response Team raced to the 2400-block of 124 Street just after 5 p.m., following a report of armed and masked invaders. Police do not believe the attack was random. “Rarely do we see innocent, lawabiding citizens having their home targeted,” said Cpl. Bert Paquet. “There’s some elements relating to the residents of that location that made us believe that this was targeted directly to the occupants and not a random incident for sure.” According to police, the assailants entered through a basement door at the rear of the house. The occupants – an 18-year-old man and his 16-year-old girlfriend – escaped out the front door unharmed. Description of the suspects is minimal: male, medium height and build, wearing hoods and masks and carrying guns. By the time police arrived, they were gone. – Tracy Holmes
Boarders share pavement with scooter riders Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
The upper parking lot of Semiahmoo Shopping Centre doubled as a stage for some of the world’s top skateboarders last week, at an event aimed to bridge the gap between youth and seniors. In addition to demonstrations by skateboarders from Brazil, China and more – and one that saw White Rock skateboarder Andy Anderson ollie over a police car – Wednesday’s five-hour event featured road-safety tips for people who use skateboards or motorized scooters, and a strawberry tea. Scooters & Skaters was organized by South Surrey RCMP for Police Week. i see page 2
Special Re-Grand Opening after Renovations
Generations join forces
BORDER GOLD
50% off S Spend d $15 for f $30 worth indian food
Conditions: Valid for Dine-In Only. Valid Only from Sunday-Thursday. Cannot combine with any other offer. Valid 1 per visit/Table. Expires June 5 th 2014.
CORP.
www.currysensation.ca
604-538-7333
105-2828 152nd Street, Surrey