Wednesday March 2, 2016 (Vol. 41 No. 17)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
Heavy medal haul: Young athletes from across Surrey, White Rock and Cloverdale have plenty to cheer about this week, after returning home from the Penticton-hosted BC Winter Games with a slew of medals. i see page 25
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
Certain language – not criticism – considered inappropriate by White Rock mayor
Free Appeteaser wit
h the purchase of any
entrée
Nando’s Whit erock 101-3010 15 2 St, South Su rrey BC (604)-542-57 90
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Politicians enact plan to curb ‘abuse’ Melissa Smalley Staff Reporter
White Rock city council this week unanimously passed amendments to a bylaw aimed at curbing “abusive” and “disrespectful” behaviour from residents. Changes to the Council and Committee Procedure Bylaw were first brought to the governance and legislation committee in January, when coun-
cil members noted their “increasing concern” at the lack of decorum during public meetings. Policy changes were also passed that evening to address the content and volume of correspondence received by the city, described by one member of council as “venomous.” Mayor Wayne Baldwin told Peace Arch News Monday that the changes are meant to address “unacceptable
language” used by some residents in submissions to the city and discussions at public hearings. He again pointed to a feedback form received by the city regarding a seven-storey proposal for Thrift Avenue, which the city rejected Feb. 15. Baldwin clarified that it was not the criticism of him in the letter – which referred to the mayor as a “disgrace” and called for his resigna-
tion – rather it was the language used, specifically the suggestion “mayor and coalition kissing ass with developers,” that is inappropriate. “You can call me whatever you want,” Baldwin said. “But when you start using language like that submitted in a public document, that is wrong and it shouldn’t be allowed.” i see page 4
Wayne Baldwin
Coffee society contest
Essayist wins shop, but location leased Alex Browne Staff Reporter
Melissa Smalley photos
White Rock’s Korki the Clown hands a balloon sword to Liam Agnew, while his little sister Emma looks on. Below: the Crescent Beach Pipe Band.
Festival launches with limerick contest
A month of Irish smiles The City of White Rock kicked off its monthlong Irish Festival last weekend with an afternoon launch party on the waterfront. Sunday’s event featured the Crescent Beach Pipe Band, which led a march to the pier, where Mayor Wayne Baldwin officially opened the festivities, which take place throughout the month of March. The festival – now in its fourth year – fea-
tures more than two dozen Irish-themed events including music, poetry, workshops, dancing, food and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at various locations throughout the city. The city is also hosting a limerick contest to celebrate the launch of the festival. To download an entry form and for a full festival schedule, visit www.whiterockcity.ca – Melissa Smalley
Nando’s Whiterock 101-3010 152 St, South Surrey BC (604)-542-5790 any entrée Free Appeteaser with the purchase of
Cannot be combined with any other offer. One coupon per purchase. Not valid on wings or appeteaser platter. Valid at Nando’s Whiterock only until March 31, 2016.
The Small Ritual Coffee Society – which won local and national media attention last year with an essay contest offering its White Rock coffee shop as the prize – has vacated its Johnston Road premises. But according to Small Ritual manager Rydé Harding, the society has chosen a winner and is arranging to deliver equipment and help him plan a new coffee shop in another – as yet unspecified – location. Harding told Peace Arch News in an email Tuesday that Dan Whillans is the winner of the contest and will be formally announced on the society’s website (smallritualcoffee.org) today (Wednesday). Complicating the contest was the sale of the building leased by the coffee shop, concluded after the contest was announced last August. On Feb. 22 – a week following the announcement of 10 finalists – a ‘for lease’ poster appeared in the window prompting speculation that the new property owner did not plan to honour the terms of the contest, which had offered the business to the essay winner, complete with an estimated $100,000 in equipment and improvements. i see page 4