Thursday September 4, 2014 (Vol. 39 No. 71)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
By the book: A room at the Langley Hospice has some Narnia-inspired flair after some redecorating by South Surrey’s Tessa Nickel and her Kwantlen Polytechnic University classmates. i 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
No start in sight
School delays Jeff Nagel & Sheila Reynolds Black Press
Pickets were brandished instead of pencils at public schools this week, as classes were cancelled amid the ongoing B.C. teachers’ dispute. Veteran mediator Vince Ready walked away from the exploratory negotiations Saturday, saying the two sides were at “an impasse” and simply too far apart – particularly on wages and benefits – for mediation to be productive. And B.C. Premier Christy Clark said there was “no magic wand” that would solve the impasse, while calling on teachers to suspend the strike to allow classes while negotiations continued. But as of Tuesday morning – which was to be the first day of class for Surrey School District’s 72,000 students – teachers were back walking picket lines outside all local schools, and parents were making alternate plans for their children. It was business as usual for educators at private schools, however, where the return to classrooms was right on schedule. Two in South Surrey – White i see page 5
Evan Seal, Alex Browne & Nick Greenizan photos
Tuesday saw a rally at Education Minister Peter Fassbender’s office, but normal opening-day operations at Star of the Sea School and WRCA.
South Surrey woman says she was roughed up by officers responding to a noise complaint
Resident complains of police reaction Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
A South Surrey woman is alleging police brutality following an incident Monday evening that left her bruised, swollen and “really shaken up.” “I was so scared… I called 911 on the police,” said Katherine Olsen. “They were just unbelievable.” According to Olsen, five officers in four police Tracy Holmes photo cars showed up at her home around 10 p.m. Sept. Katherine Olsen says security 1, advising her they had received a noise complaint concerning music. video will vindicate her.
She said she was in her backyard with tenant Robert Jennings and a friend when police came through the gate. Olsen said Jennings immediately turned the music down, but police handcuffed him anyway. Jennings was arrested for obstruction because he failed to identify himself to police, and was being cited for a noise-violation bylaw, Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet said. As well, officers also “noticed the smell of burned marijuana.” Olsen said when she asked the officers why she was being arrested, she was told it was for
The Cocktail Party of the Year! Thursday, October 23, 2014 • 7 - 10 pm HAZELMERE GOLF COURSE, 18150 8TH AVENUE, SURREY
Buy Tickets Now online at
www.peninsulafoundation.ca
marijuana. She said she has a licence for medical marijuana but insists that no one was smoking the drug on the evening in question. She had consumed two alcoholic drinks, she said. “I did nothing. I was not belligerent, I never swore at them, I did nothing to them. They had no right to do what they did to me.” Concerned she was next, Olsen said she tried to go inside to call 911. She said she was arrested and put in the back of a police car after asking the officers to leave. i see page 4
South Surrey & White Rock Artists’ Open House
Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28 Map and info at www.peninsulaarttour.com Special thanks
21 A R T I S T S - 1 2 LO C AT I O N S to our sponsor
CIBC Wood Gundy