3
Differing opinions on where to put building
Cool-sounding bug
Audouin’s Night-stalking Tiger Beetle endangered
6
International Bog Day
Annual event is set for Sunday
18-19
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35-year-old Navi Sekhon shines in outdoor hoop event
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Battle at beach
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Seabrook brings Stanley Cup to Tsawwassen PHOTOS BY
ROB SHAER
Brent Seabrook was mobbed last Friday as he brought the Stanley Cup to the South Delta Recreation Centre. The Tsawwassen native, a star defenceman with the cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks, posed for photos with minor hockey and lacrosse players before a public event later in the afternoon.
Four now contesting by-election
Ian Paton gets endorsement from Mayor Lois Jackson’s slate as he looks to add farm voice to Delta council BY
SANDOR GYARMATI
sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com
A fourth candidate has entered the upcoming municipal by-election. Longtime farmer Ian Paton announced this week he intends to run for the seat left vacant following the death of George Hawksworth this spring. “My dad (Ian Paton Sr.) was a really community-minded person and we’ve been in the community a long time, so thought this would be the right time to step into some pretty big shoes of George Hawksworth and maybe add something to our community,” said Paton. The UBC graduate spent a short time teaching before moving on to a full-time career in auctioneering, in addition to farming as the owner-operator of Paton Holsteins Dairy Farm Ltd.
“About 10 years ago I sold my dairy heard, but I’m still a farmer, of course. But it gives me more time to be able to focus on council issues, so I thought this is as a good a time as any to take a run at it and try to add something positive,” he said.
Paton said while Mayor Lois Jackson and the rest of council have done a good job fighting for the interests of farmers in Delta, local government needs someone from the farming community, which hasn’t had a voice at the civic political level for almost a quarter of a century. Active in various community fundraising endeavours over the years, Paton, a Ladner resident,
said he knew Hawksworth, always respecting his ideas and the way he carried himself at council. Coun. Scott Hamilton said he’s pleased Paton has decided to run for the council seat. Hamilton ran in the last election on a slate with Jackson and Robert Campbell and said all three will support Paton. “He’s exactly the right person for this Delta council,” said Hamilton. Also running for the seat are Sylvia Bishop, Sandeep Pandher and Kathleen Higgins. The by-election will be held Sept. 18. Delta uses the provincial voters list to determine who is eligible to vote. Those needing to register may do so in person at municipal hall, by mail or in person at a voting place on voting day. For more information visit Delta’s website at www.corp.delta. bc.ca.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Ian Paton says it’s time farmers had a voice at the Delta council table.