Wednesday April 15, 2015 (Vol. 40 No. o. 30) 30) 30
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
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Cup clash: Earl Marriott Mariners exacted a bit of revenge on their crosstown rugby rivals from Semiahmoo, reclaiming the Sandcastle Cup. i see page 19
5 shootings reported in 4 days
I’ve had enough of this: Hepner Kevin Diakiw Black Press
Evan Seal photo
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner speaks out after a series of shootings in her city since early March, saying she has every confidence in police.
Surrey’s mayor said she is appalled at the recent string of shootings in the city and has let the RCMP know arrests are a top priority. “It is my worst nightmare,” Hepner told Black Press Monday. “It’s brazen, it’s in the community, we assume it’s targeted, (but) it frightens me. “I want to see it stopped. I have had enough of this,” Hepner said. Her comments come after a weekend of gunfire in the city’s streets, bringing the total to 16 shootings in just over a month – an average of a shooting every second day. “Unbelievable,” Hepner said of that statistic. “Isn’t that just beyond comprehension?” The latest shooting happened Monday night at an unconfirmed location in Newton, and there was another report of shots fired near 70 Avenue and 149 Street. There was no word on whether anyone was injured at Peace Arch News’ press deadline Tuesday. i see page 2
Mayor alleges intimidation as council votes publicly to cease multifamily/business trash pickup
White Rock elected officials ‘threatened, harassed’ Staff Reporter
At a meeting where White Rock city council was tasked with publicly addressing the contentious issue of changes to solid-waste pickup, claims of bullying and intimidation on the part of protesters were made by the mayor. In the end, council voted Friday to move forward with the privatization of solid-waste pickup for commercial and multifamily units.
BORDER GOLD CORP.
Before the meeting got underway, Mayor Wayne Baldwin addressed the council chambers’ standingroom-only crowd about what he called “unacceptable” incidents taking place throughout the city. “Some members of our community seem to have lost their perspective and have moved from respectful democratic debate, which is the basis of our political system…,” Baldwin started, before being drowned out by outcries from the crowd.
The mayor threatened to adjourn the meeting if interruptions continued, then resumed. “Recently, one councillor has been subjected to a movement to boycott his businesses, which includes posting flyers throughout the community and threats made to his employees. Another councillor, with a young family, has been harassed over the telephone and threatened unless he changes his vote. A third councillor felt suf-
ficiently intimidated by protesters that a request was made for police presence at council chambers. “In a city where we celebrate our volunteers and our community spirit thrives, this is particularly disappointing.” (Baldwin later confirmed to Peace Arch News that plain-clothes officers were in attendance, and at the previous Tuesday’s special council meeting as well). After the mayor read from his
LUNCH SPECIAL
prepared statement, the city’s director of engineering and municipal operations, Greg St. Louis, presented council with a number of options, including rescinding its earlier decision – made in-camera on Dec. 15 – to eliminate multifamily solid-waste pickup. However, city staff recommended council proceed with its initial plan – effective July 1 – and suggested three methods to aid residents. i see page 4
2 Lunch Entrees $
19.95
Up to maximum $13.95 per lunch. Please present this coupon when ordering. Expires April 30, 2015.
Melissa Smalley
SAVE UP TO $8.00!
#118 - 1959 - 152 Street • 604.536.8244 OPEN AT 11 AM • FULLY LICENSED • PLENTY OF FREE PARKING