LocaL coupLe on Love it or List it
page
3
Be aware of icBc deBt coLLectors
page
6
couLd property tax Be transit’s pLan B?
page
15
friday
February 13 2015 www.burnabynewsleader.com
the ‘glue’ at Burnaby winter club calls it a day. See Page a5
Throne speech rings hollow: MLA Mario bartel
photo@burnabynewsleader.com
MarIO barTeL/NeWSLeaDer
alexandra Lezo is mustering neighbourhood support to help her keep her pet pygmy goats, andy and toggy. she was informed by the city of Burnaby that the goats that live in her backyard are in contravention of the city’s zoning bylaws.
Goat eviction no kidding matter Mario bartel
photo@burnabynewsleader.com
Andy and Toggy have pretty much anything a couple of half brothers could want. A roof over their heads, a wooded babbling brook next door to lull them to sleep at night, a shaded deck to get out of the sun or enjoy a little “me” time, a big rock to watch the world go by, an endless trough for meals. The only problem is, they’re pygmy goats and they’re not allowed to live in Alexandra Lezo’s backyard.
Lezo acquired the two-foot-tall Clayton Hall, the city’s manager neutered goats as kids from a hobby of licencing and regulatory bylaws, farmer in Mission 11 months ago. said while goats aren’t prohibited “I’ve always loved them,” said under animal control bylaws, they Lezo of her clovencan only be kept on hoofed companions. properties zoned for “They’re fun to play agricultural use. alexandra Lezo with. They wait for Hall said there’s no difference beyou to come home.” tween keeping two goats and when someone But last week complained about two dogs. Lezo was issued a the goats, the city notice from the City issued Lezo a of Burnaby saying her property formal letter giving her until March isn’t zoned to permit the keeping of 3 to relocate them. goats. She has less than 30 days to “They’ve got a compliance find them a new home. deadline to remove the goats,” said
CHOICequotes
Free Home Evaluation Call KABANI today 778-773-4646
RE/MAX Central
Since 1985 #1 - 5050 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4C2
AL KABANI
778-773-4646 alkabani@remax.net
1-866-433-2211
www.alkabanirealty.com
Hall. “We need to make sure those goats don’t remain at the property.” Lezo said she read the city’s animal bylaws and when she didn’t see goats on the prohibited list, she thought she was good to go. She enclosed the property around her house at the end of a street next to John Matthews Creek, built the goats a barn where they sleep at night, a resting area under her back deck. She also advised her neighbours of her new friends.
This week’s feature::
Ecodiesel... the best of both worlds!
drivewaycanada.ca da.c ca
please see GOaTS, a3
A $230-million tax break for top wage earners in British Columbia will make it harder for Burnaby to get a new hospital, and for middle class people to make ends meet, said Kathy Corrigan, the MLA for Burnaby Deer Lake. The tax break comes from the end of a two-year temporary tax on incomes over $150,000 implemented by the BC Liberals in 2013. Its termination was part of the government’s plan for the coming year as outlined in its speech from the throne delivered in the Legislature on Tuesday by Lt. Gov. Judith Guichon. “That’s revenue that could help replace schools, or Burnaby Hospital,” said Corrigan. It also means average people won’t be getting a break on fees like ICBC premiums, ferry fares and even campsite reservations, said Corrigan. “The average person in Burnaby is getting squeezed,” she said. Overall, the speech presented a cautious preview of the coming year. please see THrONe, a9