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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2011
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A literal house party
◗ POLITICS
MP Julian won’t run for leader BY JENNIFER MOREAU REPORTER jmoreau@royalcityrecord.com
BY NIKI HOPE REPORTER
nhope@royalcityrecord.com
After a lot of speculation, local MP Peter Julian has announced he will not go after the provincial NDP leadership post. About a month ago, NDP leader Carole James stepped aside, and Julian was approached by “a significant number of activists, including those in provincial caucus and the labour and environmental movements” to consider running for the position. “At the time, I committed to leaving the door open for a few weeks in order to consult as widely as possible. Though there are a vast number of British Columbians that I could still speak with, I am satisfied that I have spoken with enough individuals in our movement to make a decision,” Julian said in a media statement. “I will not be a candidate for the leadership of the B.C. NDP at the April 17 leadership vote.” Julian said that while he was tempted to consider putting his name forward, he is expecting a number of candidates from the New Democrats’ provincial caucus. “Each of them possesses not only the qualifications to manage the challenges facing British Columbians but also the skills and abilities needed to fulfill the role as a successful Premier of British Columbia,” he said. Over the weeks, Julian was hearing from people on the issue, some urging him to run provincially, others wanting him to hold onto his federal post as MP for Burnaby-New Westminster. “There is important work that needs to be done in Ottawa in ◗Julian Page 10
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This old house: Former and present occupants of a 100-year-old house on Fifth Street gathered
Saturday to share memories and celebrate the home’s centennial birthday.
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Queen’s Park homeowners Allyson and Marvin Lemke recently held a house party on New Year’s Day – literally. The couple held a 100th birthday party for their house and invited members of the Blair family, former longtime owners of the character house, to join in the festivities. “One day this summer, Jim Blair, the son, knocked on the door and asked if he could see the house, and that’s what tweaked me to the idea of having a birthday party,” Allyson said. Blair had grown up in the house that Allyson believes the family owned for about 50 years. “He told me he passed by it many times,” she said, adding that he lives in Vancouver now. The Blair family sold the house, located in the 500-block of Fifth Street, in 1981, Allyson said. Two generations of Blairs lived in the home, and some of them were expected to return for the party, Allyson said. The home was built in 1911, and the original owners were the Rennies. The house has been featured on the city’s popular Heritage Home tour, where tour goers can stroll through some of the city’s finest character homes. The Fifth Street home had been well kept through the years, Allyson said. “It had the original wood – unpainted,” she said. “The people who lived here took really good care of it. “It’s terrific. We are really happy with the house. It’s a real gem,” she said. At Saturday’s party, Allyson planned to serve a cake, but she was also hoping to eat up a few of Blair family stories about the house and their time there. “We want them to tell us their memories,” she said.
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