Wednesday October 14, 2015 (Vol. 40 No. 82)
V O I C E
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Surrey-Newton spotlight: Crime and public safety are two issues that are top of mind in the riding of Surrey-Newton, as voters get set to cast their ballots for one of four candidates in Monday’s federal election. i see page 19
Oily substance found in South Surrey pond suspected to be dumped paint
Bill for ducks’ cleanup to top $7,000 Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
More than a dozen oily mallards are undergoing care in Burnaby after being rescued from a polluted South Surrey pond last week. Janelle VanderBeek, care co-ordinator at the Wildlife Rescue Association, said 15 of the ducks are being treated and cleaned – including five confirmed males and five confirmed females, some with chemical burns – and three more are the focus of an ongoing rescue effort. “These animals won’t survive without care and without being cleaned,” VanderBeek told Peace Arch News Friday. The association was alerted to contamination at the pond – located on property in the 18800block of 8 Avenue – the previous Tuesday by officials at Hazelmere RV Park and Campground who had reported a sheen on the water that had been there for four or five days. A WRA volunteer sent that day to scope out the extent of the problem saw two ducks that had been impacted by the pollution, but was unable to catch them, VanderBeek said. Wednesday, two volunteers dispatched to the scene caught three affected ducks and it was estimated at that time that five more of the 18 known to call the area home were also affected. i see page 4
Paul Steeves (Wildlife Rescue Association) photo
One of 15 rescued mallards is carefully cleaned Friday of an oily substance that was dumped last week in the South Surrey pond it calls home.
Woman’s arm was yanked after her wheelchair was knocked by assailant
Purse-snatch victim, 88, wants to warn others Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
A South Surrey senior who was the victim of a snatch-and-grab two weeks ago said the experience has left her feeling vulnerable while out and about in the community. But the 88-year-old, who was in a wheelchair at the time she was victimized, said she has learned from the theft, and is taking steps to reduce the risk of being targeted again – steps she hopes other seniors will consider, for their own sake.
“I’m very concerned for other people,” she before grabbing her purse and fleeing. said. “There was a lady at the bank machine “I got inside that shop… and just as I just before me and she was very, very frail. was wondering why the door hadn’t closed Someone like that, it’s behind me, I was pushed going to be far more dif- ❝There was a lady at the bank forward,” she said. machine (who) was very, very She is confident the culprit ficult if she is attacked.” The senior, who asked frail. It’s going to be far more had seen her use a nearby not to be identified, said difficult if she is attacked.❞ ATM just prior and had folshe had just entered an artlowed her to the store. supply store in uptown White Rock around “I knew that there was something, some1 p.m. Sept. 28 when the thief struck from one in blue jeans (behind me),” she said. “I behind, knocking into her power wheelchair managed to get just a look at this fellow as he
ran with my purse under his arm.” White Rock RCMP Sgt. Joel Glen said police have not arrested anyone in connection with the incident, but are investigating a possible connection between it and the arrest of a 43-year-old man the following day on an unrelated matter. The senior was treated in hospital for injuries to her left arm, which remains sore. Her purse strap had been wrapped around her shoulder, wrist and elbow when the thief struck. i see page 4