Spo Cyclist gunning for Sports: natio national championships. 25
Municipal: Pitt redefining economic development. 3
School: Fees now to upgrade. 5
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MLA accepted BCTF cheque Marc Dalton eventually returned all the money By Neil Corbett ncorbett@mapleridgenews.com
The Maple Ridge Teachers Association is criticizing Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton for accepting a$1,800 cheque, one of more than 40,000 issued to Dalton B.C. teachers as a “signing bonus” after September’s collective agreement. MRTA president George Serra explained it was not really a signing bonus. In fact, the union accepted $105 million, and in exchange agreed it will not file any retroactive grievances if the BCTF wins its pending court case against the government. The union has already won two judgements against the government, which unilaterally stripped class size and composition language out of the collective agreement with teachers in 2002. Another judgement is expected this spring. If the union is successful in the courts, class size language from 2002 would be restored. However, in accepting the $105 million, the union agreed it will not seek further damages for the past 12 years of working in classroom conditions outside of the collective agreement. “That money is for our members, as a remedy to an issue we are fighting his [Dalton’s] government over in the Supreme Court,” said Serra. See MLA, 8
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Phil Brain, owner of Town Square Cobbler and Phil’s Engraving in Haney Place Mall, hopes a new tenant can be found quickly for the Target location, which is expected to close in the spring or early summer.
Sale of downtown mall? Tenants asked to confirm terms of leases B y P h i l M e l nychuk pmelnychuk@mapleridgenews.com
Haney Place Mall could be changing hands, based on letters tenants have received in recent weeks. Store owners have been asked to sign letters confirming the terms and conditions of their leases, one of the steps in what can be lengthy real estate transactions.
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This on the heels of the announcement of Target closing its Canadian stores, including the one in downtown Maple Ridge. Blue Line Sports owner Cheryl Sahota hasn’t been told that Narland Properties, of Vancouver, the current owner, has sold the mall or when a transaction may take place. Her store has been there for 21 years and she wasn’t pessimistic about any possible change. “New money, you never know, maybe we’ll get something new.” The mall’s recently been through
a major renovation. Still, she said there’s always room for improvement. “Maybe bigger tenants, more shopping, so people will shop local. Keeping them home instead of sending them away would be good.” She got her letter a few days after the Jan. 15 announcement of Target closing its 133 stores in Canada. The departure of one of the mall’s anchor tenants, after an $11-million renovation and expansion to the old Zeller’s store, is a concern.
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“That’s a huge concern, not only for the mall but for the community because we need shopping, right. We’re trying to keep people downtown, promote downtown, so you want to have shopping.” There are lots of seniors in the area, she added. She’s happy in the mall and is negotiating a new lease. She had heard that if the mall sold to new owners, Narland would continue to manage it. Narland wouldn’t comment on the possible sale. See Mall, 3
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