Tuesday February 17, 2015 (Vol. 40 No. 14)
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
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Breaking barriers: Two Semiahmoo Secondary students are reflecting on their experience – and looking to the future – after establishing and implementing a free two-month ESL program in their community. i see page 9
Transit-tax campaign won’t be easy, mayor says
Surrey earmarks up to $300,000 for ‘yes’ Kevin Diakiw Black Press
Surrey is spending between $200,000 and $300,000 on its ‘yes’ campaign for a proposed new transit tax this spring. The ‘yes’ campaign launched at Surrey City Hall last week, with the mayor expressing the need for a 0.5-per-cent increase in the seven-per-cent provincial sales tax to pay for improved transit and transportation infrastructure throughout the region. Some of the work planned for Surrey
includes a light rail system, more buses and a new Pattullo Bridge. Metro Vancouver mayors are leading the charge on the ‘yes’ side, with newly elected Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner calling securing a ‘yes’ vote her first order of business. Hepner said Thursday the city is earmarking between $200,000 and $300,000 for expenses for its ‘yes’ campaign. Hepner believes costs will be closer to $200,000. That’s equivalent to the annual property taxes on 115 homes worth $650,000 in Surrey.
Regionally, Hepner said, the Mayors’ Council will spend “a few million” dollars on the ‘yes’ campaign. In Surrey, the city will be using its own staff and printing department, and will be making heavy use of social media to keep costs low, she said. Surrey will also be paying for consultants and some advertising. Hepner acknowledges the ‘yes’ campaign has some challenging work ahead. “We certainly do, it’s not going to be an easy ‘yes,’” Hepner said.
She noted the challenge will be keeping people focused on the transit plan, rather than the inner workings of TransLink. “It’s not unlike a political campaign, except it’s more important to the region,” Hepner told Black Press. Ballots will start going out by mail to Metro Vancouver homes on March 16. Voters have until May 29 to mail back their response. To participate, residents must be registered to vote in B.C. To register or update your voter registration, call 1-800-661-8683.
Homeless support
Steps in the right direction Nick Greenizan & Evan Seal Staff Reporters
A few hours in the rain can go an awfully long way. That is the message that will be sent this Saturday, when teams of walkers will gather in cities across Canada – 82 in all, including White Rock, Surrey and Cloverdale – for the Coldest Night of the Year walk, which raises money to combat homelessness. White Rock’s event, hosted by Sources Community Services, has always been one of the organization’s most important fundraisers. And this year, the event holds even more significance, since Sources’ Newton-based homelessness-prevention services lost about $200,000 in annual government funding last month. Now, the community organization is aiming to cover the lost funds itself, through fundraisers and pledge drives like Coldest Night. This weekend, participants will walk a two-, five- or 10-km route, with teams raising money through pledges. Since 2011, the Coldest Night of the Year has raised $4.9 million across Canada. i see page 2
Evan Seal photo photo
Jim Heuving (left), executive pastor at Pacific Community Church in Cloverdale, along with church volunteers, prepare a meal for the needy. The church – along with dozens of other organizations, including Sources in White Rock – will be holding a Coldest Night of The Year walk on Feb. 21.
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