Tuesday, December 7, 2010 A village treelighting celebration encompassed the community Sunday night.
Page A6
ary Annivers 1985-2010
• YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL SPORTS, NEWS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT! • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 32 PAGES
Provincial politics
Sather elated James is gone? NDP leader’s style was cited as one of the reasons 13 MLAs wanted her to resign.
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Michael Sather was not happy with Carole James leadership, and his opposition to her leadership along with that of 12 of his colleagues seems to have precipitated her departure as leader of the provincial New Democratic Party. Sather said he supported a statement by Vancouver MLA Jenny Kwan last week that said there was a “clear lack of direction under the leadership of Carole James.” Kwan said many people were “shocked” at how decisions were being made, and that issues were coming out in the press without caucus knowing about them. James announced her resignation on Monday. “I have always believed in putting the common good ahead of personal gain,” James said, adding the choice had come down to resigning as leader, or forcing 13 dissident MLAs – including Sather – out of her caucus. “The NDP cannot present itself as a government in waiting with all of this infighting,” she added, saying the dissidents were not willing to give in. James’ announcement came the day after a high-stakes showdown with 13 dissident MLAs was cancelled, a move couched as an opportunity to give both sides more time. James served as leader of the B.C. NDP for seven years. Sather was not available for comment by the TIMES’ press deadline.
– with files from PostMedia Network Inc.
MORE PHOTOS ONLINE WWW.MRTIMES.COM
Mitch Thompson/TIMES
Entertainment in the Memorial Peace Park bandstand helped kick off the Christmas festivities in Maple Ridge on Saturday night. In addition to the Christmas in the Park festivities starting at 4 p.m., thousands were drawn downtown for the traditional Santa Claus Parade that wove through the core.
Seasonal festivities
Santatouchesdown The annual Santa Claus Parade drew a record number of floats this year. by Teija Beck
editorial@mrtimes.com
Good weather and a new live-action nativity scene helped bring thousands of people out to the annual Christmas in the Park and Santa Claus Parade Saturday night. “Overall it went very well, we’re very happy with it,” said Dianne Enns, who has been the parks and publicity chairperson of the Christmas
Festival Society for the past at 4 p.m., was enjoyed by three years. roughly 600 children. “The dry weather brings out a “By the time the parade had lot of people.” started [at 6 p.m.], we were The Maple Ridge Christmas pretty much out of crafts,” Enns Festival is put on in Memorial said. Peace Park by the Christmas This year’s subsequent Santa Festival Society, a non-profit Claus Parade had 57 floats in it, the most ever. dedicated to Last year, the organizing this “The dry weather parade had 55 yearly event. brings out a lot of floats, whereas The usual comtypical enrolplimentary hot people.” ment in previchocolate and Dianne Ennes ous years was popcorn were around 40 floats. popular with Enns has been pleased by visitors, with about 1,500 bags the increase in floats in the last given out, Enns said. couple of years, and noted the Food wasn’t the only popular parade ran smoothly, with only attraction at the festival – the a few minor stalls. kids’ craft area, which opened
New this year to the festival was a nativity scene featuring actors and four live animals. The Burnette Fellowship organized this exciting new addition, and it was a hit with visitors of all ages, Enns said. Enns estimated about 10,000 people came out to watch the parade and 2,000 people participated in the activities inside the park, similar attendance to last year’s festival. MCs Peter Tam and Nigel Tucker helped introduce musical acts, which included local choirs singing Christmas favourites, and helped judge the floats. The winning floats were being decided Monday night.
Don’t miss important information from City of Pitt Meadows on Page A11
CHRISTMAS DREAMS COME TRUE!
Online, all the time...
Your BEST Mortgage is One Call Away
604-466-1976
Donna Telep
See pages 16 & 17
www.mrtimes.com
www.sevillemortgage.ca 22718 Lougheed Hwy. Maple Ridge Fax: 604-466-5348 • Email: donna@sevillemortgage.ca