Wednesday April 8, 2015 (Vol. 40 No. 28)
V O I C E
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W H I T E
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S O U T H
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
Under the dome: A South Surrey gardener’s innovative biodome is being pitched as the key to addressing food-shortage issues around the globe. i see page 11
8,000 names on petition calling for ban in White Rock after raccoon injuries reported
Leg-hold traps unacceptable: mayor Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
White Rock’s mayor says he would back enacting a ban on leg-hold traps in his city. “Besides being a cruel form of entrapment, the likelihood of a domestic animal or even a child getting caught by one is just too great,” Baldwin told Peace Arch News by email Monday. “In my opinion, their use is totally unacceptable.” The issue arose last month, after a resident reported that a mother raccoon had twice
been seriously mangled by leg-hold traps, and others responded with similar sightings. The news prompted the Vancouver-based Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals to offer a $1,000 reward for information leading to the person responsible; as well, APFA launched an online petition calling on the City of White Rock to implement a ban on leg-hold traps. The equipment is legal in B.C., regulated by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Resource Operations. According to information online,
rules include that they cannot be placed within 200 metres of a private home; that trappers must possess a licence or permit; and that, when used on public land, the traps must be checked at least once every 72 hours. It is illegal to trap raccoons with leg-hold traps. The petition for White Rock to crack down on their use has attracted both local and worldwide interest. As of this week, it bears more than 8,000 names, including from as far away as Spain, Germany and South
Africa. APFA spokesman Adrian Nelson said it’s hoped the support will be enough to convince White Rock officials to take action. “We’re hoping as soon as we can get in front of council, we’ll present it,” Nelson said Thursday. “Show that there’s enough support locally and around the world for this.” Baldwin said he expects a staff report on the issue “in due course.” Council’s next regular meeting is set for Monday (April 13). i see page 4
Melissa Smalley photos
Mayor Wayne Baldwin (far right) faced an evening of criticism from angry residents and one business owner (John Carroll, far left) last Wednesday at White Rock Community Centre.
Civic officials explain decision to put onus of solid-waste collection on stratas, businesses
City of White Rock gets an earful over trash plans Staff Reporter
Tempers flared last Wednesday evening as more than 200 residents packed White Rock Community Centre to discuss the contentious issue of garbage collection. The city-hosted meeting, moderated by White Rock Coun. Bill Lawrence, was intended to provide information for residents of multifamily units about the privatization of solid-waste collection, but quickly turned into a forum for angry attendees to vent frus-
trations at the city regarding the change. Speaking to the lively crowd, Mayor Wayne Baldwin immediately acknowledged the city’s shortcomings communicating the changes to service, set to take place July 1. “We did not do a great job of communicating this,” Baldwin said, garnering applause from the crowd. “It could have been a lot better, and we would like to rectify this situation.” Baldwin outlined some of the
reasons behind the termination of solid-waste pickup for multifamily residences – including current high costs, addressing the issue of organics collection and the need to move to user fees and align with the “best practices” of other municipalities. He then turned the floor over to the city’s director of municipal operations, Greg St. Louis, who presented a slideshow (available at www.whiterockcity.ca) detailing the background of the city’s solidwaste plan and the next steps in
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implementing it. When the meeting was opened up for public questions and comments, residents expressed their discontent with the city and its plan. Criticism ranged from the timing of the decision – made in-camera just weeks after the municipal election – to the feeling of “abandonment” on the part of strata residents. Warren Manuel, who lives in a 10-unit condo building, pointed out inequality between how the
LUNCH SPECIAL
city is treating multifamily dwellers and single-family residences. “I don’t mind paying more taxes if I’m getting the kind of service that I want,” Manuel said. “But I don’t like the idea of single-family getting a pass and all the condo people getting their garbage cut off. That is not right. And I am not voting for any of you guys again.” Adding a voice from the business community was restaurateur John Carroll, owner of Charlie Don’t Surf on Marine Drive. i see page 4
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