Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times March 3 2015

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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

• LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 16 PAGES

Seventh annual lantern festivaldraws large crowd to

Haney Place Mall Friday.

Page A8

A Maple Ridge motherand sister are pleasedwith new regulationsannounced late lastweek for party buses.by Cole Wagnerand Lindsay KinesSpecial to The TIMES

The Raymond family’sfight to enforce stricterregulations on B.C.’s partybus industry has been along battle - but Thursdayafternoon, standingalongside TransportationMinister Todd Stone, they

felt they had finally madea breakthrough.

Stone announced that theprovince would be intro-ducing a host of new regu-lations designed to crackdown on the party bus andstretch limo industry.

Danielle and JulieRaymond, sister and moth-er to Shannon Raymond– a Maple Ridge teen whodied from an ecstasy over-dose after a night on aparty bus – applauded thechanges.

“This was a very longjourney,” Danielle said.

“It was a frustratingjourney. It was an emo-tional journey. I wish thatI didn’t have to make it.

I wish that my sister washere.”

Party buses became a hottopic in Maple Ridge afterShannon’s death in 2008.

Doug Bing, local MLA,was on hand for theannouncement Thursday.

“These changes willenable government to bet-ter regulate the industry,”said Bing. “Drinking alco-hol on a party bus, limoor any other vehicle isalready illegal, but this willrequire operators to adhereto stricter rules.”

Last fall, a resolu-tion was presented byMaple Ridge City council-lors to the Union of BCMunicipalities, which also

called for more oversighton party buses.

The motion was then

forwarded to the provincialgovernment for considera-tion.

Under the new rules,operators of party buses orvehicles with “perimeterseating and 12 or morepassengers” will be forcedto obtain a special license.

To get the licence, oper-ators must submit to a“fitness review” by thePassenger TransportationBoard.

The buses will also haveto have unique plates, withthe aim of being easilyidentifiable to police.

Stone said that compan-ies and operators who failto comply with the newregulations will face stifffines, suspensions, or theloss of their licence.– with files from Victoria Times Colonist

Party buses

Long fight for Raymond family pays off

Steve Bosch/Vancouver Sun

Danielle, left, and Julie Raymond hold a photo of Shannon Raymond.Shannon died of an ecstasy overdose after a night on a party bus in 2008.

Fundraiser

Drag showback againQueens entertainedpacked house Saturday.

Everyone who attendedleft with sore cheeks fromlaughing so much, said theorganizer of Maple Ridge’sfirst large-scale drag showfundraiser.

While figures were still ten-tative, it’s believed Saturday’scharity event raisedabout $5,000 for AlouetteAddictions Services, saidexecutive director AnnikaPolegato.

“How do you put intowords what Saturday nightwas like? It was fabulous,fun, and different,” she said.

“It was edgy and exciting…one thing I can say for certainis that we will be doing thisagain. We are beyond thrilledwith the way the eveningturned out.”

• See more photos on today’sFaces & Places page A9

Roxanne Hooper/TIMES

Della, known out of costume as Jason Lomax, and a handful of other drag queens entertained a packed house at Hammond Community Centre during an Alouette Addictions fundraiser.

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A2 Tuesday, March 3, 2015 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

MAPLE RIDGESuite 200 - 11830 223rd StreetMaple Ridge, BC V2X 5Y1

www.sands-trustee.com | 604-463-9599

DON’T LETYOUR DEBTEAT YOU ALIVE!Turn the tide with a Consumer Proposal.We can cut your debt by up to 80%.

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Citizen of the Year 2015Event - April , Deadline for Nominations

- March ,

“We ARE Maple Ridge”Do you know someone

who has made a differencein the community?

If so, please nominatethem for

Maple Ridge

Citizen of the YearThe purpose of this award is to recognize and honour a dedicated individualwho has made outstanding volunteer contributions to enhance the qualityof life in Maple Ridge or to enhance the image of Maple Ridge in the largercommunity.Those contributions can be broad based, and may be in the areasof art, culture, athletics, social service or business. Nominators should providea recent photograph, a supporting biography, resume, curriculum vitae, orreasons why the nominee should be chosen. Other letters of support will bewelcome and can be attached to nomination form.

Nomination forms available on our website: www.mrcf.ca

Applications can be emailed to:

[email protected] or Mailed to: PO Box ,Maple Ridge, BCVX Kor For information to nominate or get tickets contact

Jacquie Montgomery ..

Maple RidgeCOMMUNITYFOUNDATION

MARCH

2015

Visit www.theactmapleridge.org for schedules. | Register at recreg4u.ca or 604-465-2470.

This month at The ACTOf Clay, Wattles and ClothMarch 7 - April 25, 2015Mixed media artist, Melanie Thompson; ceramic artist,ClaireOlivier; and fibre artist, Kaija Rautiainen share the spotlightas they bring together a collection of their work imbued withboth natural and formal elements.Opening ReceptionSaturday, March 7, 2015 - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Charlotte Diamond & the KC Kids ChoirThursday, March 12 - 7:00 p.m.Come out for a fun family concert of great music withbeloved children’s performer and recording artist CharlotteDiamond.

Brent ButtFriday, March 13 - 7:30 p.m.From small town Saskatchewan to the big screen, BRENTBUTT is one of Canada’s funniest and most successfulcomedians.

Arts Club ON TOUR: The ForeignerSaturday, March 14 - 8:00 p.m.All Charlie wanted was a little peace and quiet. So whenhe arrives at a fishing lodge in Georgia, it seems harmlessenough to masquerade as a foreigner who can’t speakEnglish. He soon realizes, however, that people will saythe most extraordinary things when they think no one canunderstand them!

Agatha Christie’s The MousetrapMarch 17 - 20 - 8:00 p.m.;March 21 - 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.Royal Canadian Theatre Company presents probably themost famous stage play in the history of theatre still runningin London, England after a record-breaking 62 years.

St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Jam with Nigel TuckerTuesday, March 24 - 7:00 p.m.Free Event - Hosted by Celtic Jam session presenter NigelTucker, the evening will feature Nigel’s Irish band “TheNavvies” with special guests “The Mission Pipe Band” for ahighly entertaining evening.

GEMS: Golden Ears Movie Series - The Grand SeductionMonday, March 30 - 7:30 p.m.In an attempt to secure a plastics manufacturing contract,residents of a struggling Newfoundland fishing villageconspire to charm Dr. Lewis into becoming a permanentresident. Rated PG

Classical Coffee Concert with Sarah HagenWednesday, April 1 - 10:00 a.m.An up close and personal music experience with sharedstories, musical insights, coffee and treats. With specialguest Violinist Nicholas Wright.

Friday Night DanceCheck out our website for the Friday Night Dance Schedule,now at South Bonson Community Centre as well!

School evacuatedA report of a potential gas leak around

203rd Street forced nearby Maple RidgeChristian school to close for the day onThursday.

That was one of three potential gasleak reports, and a car crash that keptMaple Ridge firefighters busy last week.

• More at www.mrtimes.com

UpFrontMaple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Tuesday, March 3, 2015 A3

mrtimes.com

Clickfor community

New ‘fun’ group startsA new, two-hour weekly program kicks

off this week, focusing on fun activitiesfor people who might be impacted by dif-ferent forms of dementia.

The first event is being heldWednesday, March 4, 1 to 3 p.m. at theCEED Centre Society. Info: www.ceed-centre.com.


Speeders’ car parkedClocked doing 50 to 60 kilometres over

the speed limit through downtown MapleRidge early Saturday morning, a 24-year-old Abbotsford man – sporting a SaudiArabian driver’s licence – lost his car forseven days and was ordered to pay a$368 fine for excessive speeding.

An officer was westbound onLougheed Highway, near the HaneyBypass, about 1:40 a.m. when he saw atruck speed past, heading east. When heturned around to follow the truck, a smallbrown car drove past at an even higherspeed, prompting the officer to refocusattention.


Big-bill birds huntingBeing out enjoying this breathtakingly

nice weather of late, TIMES columnistLiz Hancock encourages walkers to keeptheir eyes peeled for the “charming”kingfisher.


Discover the joys of floraand fauna in our ruralareas. Liz welcomes

questions [email protected]

River TalkRiver Talkby Liz Hancock

For the recordOne of staff

from Feathers HairStyling Salon wasincorrectly identifiedas the owner in lastTuesday’s edition ofThe TIMES.

The staff memberin the picture is Zina

Johannson, while the business is ownedby Natasha Wiens. Their company wasa winner in the 15th annual Readers’Choice Awards.

In a letter to the educationminister, school board chairMike Murray outlines aseries of concerns with thisyear’s provincial budget andrequests more dialogue.by Eric [email protected]

The provincial governmentmay be heralding the release of abalanced budget, but the cost topublic education is being felt byMaple Ridge-Pitt Meadows SchoolDistrict 42.

In a letter to education ministerPeter Fassbender – in which he

also requests a meeting – schoolboard chair Mike Murray alludesto a letter that was sent tothe ministry last June alreadyexpressing budget con-cerns. Murray says thefurther required adminis-trative savings identifiedin the recently releasedprovincial budget trans-late to an estimated $1.3million reduction overthe next two years in theschool district.

“We have turned overevery possible rock togenerate efficiencies,” Murraysaid. “We are now cutting intovital areas that should not betouched.”

During the district’s review ofthe impacts the budget reduction

would have, “parents expressedconcern about the cuts we havehad to make, about the delaysin having students assessed for

special needs, about thedistrict’s growing relianceon PAC groups to raisefunding for basic supplies,and about the introductionof school bussing fees,”Murray said. “For the2015-16 school year, thereis a possibility we mayhave to eliminate schoolbussing altogether.”

The required $1.3 mil-lion reduction comes on the heelsof the $8 million in service levelcuts that have taken place in theschool district over the last twoyears.•See full story + letter at www.mrtimes.com

Education

Board reiterates budget woes

Provincial policy

Budgethas RidgeflavourMaple Ridge Citycouncillors are behinda major talking pointin the recent provincialgovernment’s budget.by Cole [email protected]

The recent provincialbudget released by theBC Liberals has a distinctMaple Ridge flavour.

That’s because the ideafor one of the most talkedabout parts of the budget– the elimination of claw-backs on child support forthose on income or dis-ability assistance – camestraight from the brains ofMaple Ridge councillorsand the Social PlanningAdvisory Committee(SPAC).

Former Councillor CherylAshlie and Coun. BobMasseworkedtogetherwith theSPAC todevelopthe resolu-tion.

Then,last fall, adelegationfrom Maple Ridge present-ed the resolution to end theclawbacks to the Union ofBC Municipalities (UBCM).

UBCM accepts resolutionsfrom all municipalities inB.C., which are then votedon, and submitted to theprovincial government forconsideration, said ShawnMatthewson, social plan-ning coordinator with theCity of Maple Ridge.

Last month, FinanceMinister Mike de Jongannounced – as part of the2015 budget – the govern-ment would end the claw-backs on child support.

In addition to the claw-back resolution, MapleRidge submitted three otherresolutions to the UBCM;two regarding increasingaccess to public healthservices, and the other rec-ommending stricter regula-tions on party buses (seestory page A1).

Maple Ridge MayorNicole Read said success ofthe resolution points to theeffect municipal govern-ments can have on provin-cial and federal policy.


Nicole ReadMaple Ridge mayor

Mike MurraySchool board chair

A proposed medical marijuanafacility in east Maple Ridge isdrawing the ire of residents.by Cole [email protected]

Dan Sutton is ready to listen tohis new neighbours.

The managing director ofTantalus Labs, the companyconstructing an industrial-sizedmedical marijuana grow-op inWhonnock, is anxious to hearfeedback and concerns of arearesidents.

The Vancouver entrepreneurhas planned a public consultationfor later this March. He wants togive residents of Maple Ridge achance to learn about Tantalusand the development at 272 Streetand Bell Avenue, including nearbyresidents who went public withtheir disapproval last week.

The site will soon play host toa 40,000-square-foot greenhouse,which is designed to grow enoughpot to help meet the needs of40,000 medical marijuana users inCanada.

But some residents inWhonnock think the site is ill-suited for a grow-op.

“[A] large-scale marijuana facil-ity does not belong here,” SylvieJensen told Vancouver media lastweek. “This is a residential area,we have schools, we have a com-munity centre, we have churchesand kids.”

Sutton, meanwhile, touted theinnovative nature of his facility.

“As far as we know, this wouldbe the first solar greenhousegrow-op of its kind in Canada,”Sutton told The TIMES, adding thatTantalus Labs will work to limitthe environmental impact of theindustrial size grow-op.

“The Tantalus Labs facility util-izes innovation technology toneutralize odour in all exhaustairflow,” he said.

“To our knowledge, this is thefirst implementation of such tech-nology in a greenhouse, ever.”

Sutton also added that an on-site well has been dug to a depthof 600 feet, 420 feet deeper thanthe average residential well,in order to protect local watersources from cross-contamination.

Meanwhile last Tuesday, amidstthe growing controversy sur-rounding Tantalus, Maple RidgeCity council backed off a proposedchange to a bylaw regulating thegrow-op industry in Maple Ridge.

At a committee of the wholemeeting on Feb. 16, City staff pre-sented an amendment that wouldeliminate the requirement for atleast a kilometre in between eachlegal grow-ops in Maple Ridge.

Though the amendment wasforwarded to the regular councilmeeting last week, council thendeferred the motion back to stafffor more information on otheroptions available.

Councillor Kiersten Duncansaid the amendment was moreabout simplifying the applicationprocess so that the public had allthe details on possible grow-ops,rather than opening up MapleRidge to a boom of marijuanadevelopment.

In the meantime, Sutton isinviting those interested in learn-ing more about the Whonnockdevelopment to Tantalus’ publicconsultation. The date for theopen house will be announcedshortly, he promised.

Cannabis

Cole Wagner/TIMES

A 40,000-square-foot greenhouse is under construction on Bell Avenue at 272nd Street inWhonnock. The facility will be home to Tantalus Labs, a medical marijuana growing operation.

Whonnock pot farm taking shape


The most expensive campaign runby a Pitt Meadows council candidatewas funded in large part throughunion contributions.

by Cole [email protected]

Electoral finance reports released latelast month revealed PittMeadows Councillor DaveMurray outspent his com-petition in the 2014 muni-cipal election by morethan $4,000.

Murray spent $14,483on the 2014 campaign,more than double the nextclosest elected candidate,Coun. Bruce Bell.

Andrew Thompson, whomissed a spot on coun-cil by about 200 votes,spent $10,149 on his cam-paign, the next closest toMurray’s expenses.

For Murray, the decisionto spend was motivated bythe strength of the competition.

“I knew the that the level of people Iwas running against was fantastic,” hesaid.

Expensive campaigns are beginning tobecome a staple for Murray, who said heran an even more expensive campaign in2011 – the first time he ran for council– totalling around $16,000.

Looking back on his campaign, how-ever, Murray said the most effectivecampaigning methods weren’t always the

most expensive.“We tried a lot of new things,” he said.

“But there is nothing more effective thanknocking on doors and meeting people.”

In 2011, Murray finished sixth in thevoting results, less than 50 votes ahead ofGay Conn for the final spot on council.

Last year’s election yielded the samestory for Murray, who once again finishedsixth, albeit with a larger lead comparedto the seventh place candidate.

Part of why Murray is able to spendmore during the electoralperiod is due to his fund-raising efforts.

In 2014, CUPE, a largepublic sector union,contributed more than$12,000 to Murray’s cam-paign.

Murray is a memberof CUPE, which guaran-tees a level of fundingfor its members, shouldthey choose to run, heexplained.

But while he appreciat-ed the large contribution,Murray said he wanted toavoid looking like “a one-trick pony.”

To that end, he also accepted a $1,000contribution from Onni, a major develop-er in the Metro Vancouver area.

“I actually sat down with them and hada great conversation... I like some of theirideas on smart development,” he said.

As for whether big contributions wouldinfluence his decision making on council,Murray offered citizens some reassurance.

“I’m still going to vote with my con-science. The people of Pitt Meadows, Ithink, know that,” he said.

Municipal election

Murray leads spending

Campaign costs• Pitt Meadows councillors:Bruce Bell: $6,840Bill Dingwall: $7,074Janis Elkerton: $4,769Tracy Miyashita: $3,650Dave Murray: $14,483Mike Stark: $3,943––––––––––––––Andrew Thompson: $10,149Andreana Raymond: $6,167Scott Magri: $4,009Gwen O’Connell: $1,034

Pitt Meadows - KatzieFirst Nation Social

12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows • 604.465.5454 • pittmeadows.bc.ca

Residents are invited to a Pitt Meadows – Katzie First Nationcommunity-to-community social onWednesday, March 4 from6:00pm – 8:00pm. Join us at South Bonson Community Centre fora chance to mingle, get to know our neighbors and be part of acommunity art project. Pitt Meadows artist in residence RebeccaFisher will be on site doing textile arts demonstrations andinviting all attendees to contribute to the community‘reading yurt project’. Light refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, March 46pm-8pm

South Bonson Community Centre10932 Barnston View Road, Pitt Meadows

For more information, call 604.465.2410

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Tuesday, March 3, 2015 A5

Firefighters gave the all clearThursday evening after the smokemachines from the rock bandChilliwack tripped a fire alarm.

by Cole [email protected]

Rock stars sometimes talk about burn-ing the house down.

Usually, they mean it figuratively.On Thursday evening, Maple Ridge

firefighters were called to The ACT afterthe visiting rock band called Chilliwacktripped a series of alarms.

A smoke machine used by the bandin their performance tripped a sensor inthe building, which forced the evacua-tion, said Karen Pighin, communicationsmanager with The ACT.

Despite the alarm, Pighin added thatneither concert-goer nor performerwere in danger. However, the incidentdelayed the performance of the Canadianclassic rock band.

Chilliwack took the stage about 30minutes later than scheduled.

The ACT

Special effects delay concert

Troy Landreville/TIMES

A haze machine tripped alarm sensors in The ACT, causing a delay in the performance by Chilliwack.

An incident involving a teenaged girlearlier this week has many members ofthe community on high alert – but policeare saying the warning is a “little over-board.”

According to a watchdog Facebookpage, Protecting our Communities!,there was an attempted abduction ona 15-year-old-girl in the area of 232ndStreet and 128th Avenue, near YennadonElementary.

The post read, “She was approachedby 3 men in a black car with a spoileron the back. One man jumped out andsaid ‘we’re going to shank you’ [and]

the girl ran. She ran into some construc-tion workers, this scared the men in thecar off. The man who approached heris described as mid 20’s with [a] JustinBieber style haircut and his hair wasblack.”

Ridge Meadows RCMP confirmed anincident was reported Feb. 24 about aninteraction between a girl and a driver.

But Ridge Meadows RCMP say thatwhile “no overt criminal action tookplace,” RCMP cruisers patrolled the areaand could not locate the vehicle or sus-pects involved.

• More at www.mrtimes.com, search “Yennadon”

Police files

Abduction warning ‘overboard’

DEVELOPMENTINFORMATION MEETING

A Development Information Meeting will be held on:Thursday Mar 12, 2015

from 5:00pm to 7:00pmat the library in Yennadon Elementary School

at 23347 128 Ave.Maple Ridge

Please join us. Your thoughts are important to us.If you are unable to attend the meeting and would likeinformation regarding this proposal, please contact:

David Laird of Aplin & Martin Consultants Ltd. at (604)224-6827 or

Planning Depar tmentCity of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place Maple Ridge, BC

(604)463-5221

You are invited to attend aDevelopment Information Meetingwhere representatives fromThe Developers will presentdetails on an Official CommunityPlan Amendment and RezoningApplication2014-054-RZ

The purpose of the applicationis to develop 23627 and 23598Dogwood Avenue into approximately14 single family lots (RS-2 - 1200sm).The intention of the meeting is toseek input from the area residentson the proposed amendments andaddress any questions which may arise.

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Simplified Business Solutions2014 Home-Based Business of the Year

Maple Ridge Towing2014 Small Business of the Year

Meadowridge School2014 Business of the Year

Vicki McLeod2014 Business Leader of the Year

Thank you to our Generous Sponsors!

OpinionA6 Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Our View

Pain beyondimagination

Arthritis is a nasty disorder.Just the thought of it brings to mind

pictures of old people with grey hairand wrinkled faces, bent and shufflingslowly, with crippled, twisted handsbarely able to hold on to the canes andwalkers that are needed to allow anymobility at all.

But it’s worse than that.Imagine those same old people trying

to butter a slice of bread.Imagine them trying to sleep through

a painful night, trying to find a way oflaying abed that eases the excruciatingpain, even if just a little bit, and experi-encing worse pain every time they tryto shift positions.

But it’s still worse than that.Read the labels on some of the medi-

cations that those old people with arth-ritis resort to because the pain of justgetting through an ordinary day is sounbearable.

Check out the side-effects on some ofthe “most effective” medications, whichinclude significantly increased risks ofheart disease and the potential for sud-den death.

Imagine being one of those elderlyarthritis sufferers who feel that escapingthe pain is worth taking such tremen-dous risks.

But it’s still worse than that.Because arthritis isn’t just about old

people with grey hair and wrinkledfaces. It’s also middle aged men andwomen who are disabled and unableto work anymore long before normalretirement age.

It’s young men and women disabledeven before being able to establish acareer.

But it’s still worse than that.Imagine all of the above – but now

imagine that we’re talking about a childof 14… of 10… of six… of two.

March is Childhood Arthritis Month.Imagine a childhood disease so ter-

rible that a whole month is set aside tomake us all aware of it.

– B.G.

It happens to me once or twiceevery time around this time ofyear: I really can’t think of any-thing to write about.

Actually, to be more truthful, Ijust don’t feel like writing aboutanything.

Heck, I can be even more truth-ful than that: I don’t really feellike doing anything at all.

Actually, that’s not true, either.There is something that I’d love

to be doing right now.There’s blue sky outside of my

office window.And there are just enough billowy white clouds

around the edges, towards Vancouver, to makeme wish I could lie out in the backyard in oneof those “zero gravity” chairs that Donna and Ibought a few years back, and count them.

There’s one out there, hanging off towardsthe west, that kinda looks like a giant freshlyhatched chick, with a (relatively) tiny, crookedfeatherless wing sticking up and out of one sideand a much-too-big-for-its-size head floppingforward because it’s still simply too heavy tolift after the horribly tiring struggle of breakingthrough its shell to the freedom of the outsideworld.

Oh, wait!The head has now floated away from the body

and has become a turkey with its butt stuck highin the air, while the chick’s body has morphedinto a dancing rooster, reminiscent of FoghornLeghorn.

The two are facing each other, and I swear Ican actually hear Foghorn instructing the turkey:“Now, boy! I say, boy! Boy, I say! I say! I say,boy, ya gotta hear what I’m sayin’, boy… listento me, boy…”

And I look again, and they’ve both evaporatedinto just a few still-diminishing wisps.

Meanwhile, further to the south, a giant anvilhas magically transformed itself into the starshipEnterprise, complete with two albeit off-kilter

nacelles and a command module,tilted towards the heavens tobegin a new journey to explorethe vast reaches of space and to“boldly go where no man hasgone before.”

(This cloud has taken on theshape more like the original ser-ies Enterprise, before Star TrekNext Generation ventured insteadto where “no one” has gonebefore.)

Or perhaps it is armed withthe Genesis Device, in hopes

of restoring Spock – whose alter ego LeonardNemoy left us a few days ago for an explorationthat every one of us will eventually undertake…because the needs of the one outweigh the needsof the many.

Now, of course, parts of the Enterprise havefaded, its nacelles trimmed and its lower decksshifted into fins, leaving the craft lookingmore like Flash Gordon’s rocket, headed off tothe planet Mongo to do battle with Ming theMerciless.

And there’s a killer whale rising out of thehorizon about where the chick/turkey/FoghornLeghorn faded into oblivion just a few momentsago.

No, wait!It’s a submarine – one of those short, fat ones

that are usually called “submersibles” and areused by modern-day explorers with daring toequal their brains, to descend to the deepestdepths of the ocean, to the Marianas Trench orthe North Atlantic Rift or the thermal vents offVancouver Island, where dwell strange creaturesand even stranger geological anomalies.

In the time it took me to write that, it hasbecome a shark – definitely a shark. Perhaps agreat white, but I think more like a whale shark:huge but harmless.

Lucky for me, blue skies, white clouds, and awarm March day are just enough to overcome alimited desire to write.

Opinion

Odd Thoughtsby Bob Groeneveld

Clouds dissipate limited desire

Opinion

Music awards.

Movie awards.

Television awards.

People’s Choice awards.

Ones with the best dressed performers.

This Week’s QuestionWould you be comfortable with a fully legal-ized medicinal marijuana grow op in yourneighbourhood?

■ Your ViewLast week’s question, results…

It’s awards season! Which ones matter most toyou?

Vote online at: www.mrtimes.com

20 %

40 %

12 %

28 %

0 %

Who we are

EditorialTroy Landreville

Eric Zimmer

AdvertisingRalph De Adder

Graeme RossAnne GordonSheryl Jones

Distribution SupervisorWendy Bradley

AdministrationRebecca Nickerson

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Tuesday, March 3, 2015 [email protected]

LETTERS POLICY: Copyright in letters and other materials submitted voluntarily to the Publisher and accepted for publication remainswith the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic, or other forms. Letters are also subjectto editing for content and length. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows TIMES is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership.

Letters on this page havebeen edited for space. Forlonger versions, or moreletters to the editor visit...www.mrtimes.com– Click on Opinion, orsearch the writers’ names.

Dear Editor,Re: Consequences in

changing jobs, Feb. 24Letters, TIMES.

It has been my privilegeto serve as the MLA forMaple Ridge and Mission.I have worked very hardfor both communities andwill continue to do so.

It is not unusual for

elected officials to seekoffice at another level ofgovernment. In the 2013provincial election, 14mayors and councillorswere elected as MLAs,including Dr. DougBing, now MLA for PittMeadows-Maple Ridge.

Sitting NDP MLAs JennyKwan and Mable Elmore

are contesting nominationsfor federal seats. FormerMLA for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge MichaelSather ran for mayor ofMaple Ridge during histime in the provinciallegislature.

The Clerk of the Housein Victoria informed methat by-elections arebudgeted for every yearfor a variety of reasons,including when MLAs seekfederal office.

I must admit I was quitesurprised when MP RandyKamp announced hewould not be seeking re-election. I supported himand actually signed hisnomination papers.

It has always been aconsideration of mine tostep forward federallywhenever the time camethat Randy retired. Thattime has come sooner thanI thought.

If nominated andelected as a Member ofParliament, my six yearsas a twice-elected MLAwill provide me with awealth of experience tobetter represent bothPitt Meadows and MapleRidge, as well as the prov-ince of B.C. I am deeplyconnected to both cities,having lived in both andtaught in School District42 for many years.

My decision to sit as anIndependent MLA duringthe federal nominationwas made in discussionswith the premier andother BC Liberals. Giventhat BC Liberals includefederal Conservativesand federal Liberals, weagreed I would sit as anIndependent MLA duringthe nomination process.

I remain supportive ofPremier Christy Clark andthe BC Liberals, and willvote with the governmentin the legislature.

As for my MLA duties,I am fully committed torepresenting my MapleRidge and Mission con-stituents in Victoria. Iattend the daily QuestionPeriod. I am taking part inthe debate on the recentlytabled provincial budget. Iam representing concernsand issues in the riding tocabinet ministers and min-istry representatives.

Furthermore, my officein Maple Ridge and myoffice in Mission, whichI share with MLA SimonGibson, remain staffed tohelp me meet the needs ofresidents.

Marc Dalton,Maple Ridge-Mission MLA

Federal nomination

MLA promises to keep working hard

Maple Ridge

Loans serious businessDear Editor,

Councillor Tyler Shymkiw’s commentson the report from Maple Ridge City staffregarding the payday loan industry paintan inaccurate picture of the payday loanindustry, its customers, and the importance of short-termsmall-sum credit [Council takes aim to shut down loancentres, Feb. 18 Letters, TIMES].

The payday loan industry is legal and heavily regulat-ed in B.C. and six other provinces. Lenders are licensedand comply fully with all the laws in all provinces inwhich they operate. We are an accredited member of theBetter Business Bureau

Stan Keyes, Canadian Payday Loan Association

LettersLetterstothe

Editor

• Albion neighbours are calling for the City tomake traffic flow changes through what theycall a ‘deadly’ intersection at Jackson Road and104th Avenue, following another serious crashlast week.

“It needs lights and for a cop to sit there to enforce it.”– Amanda Dawn

“I live on 102nd Avenue, by Albion Pizza. We need speedbumps, stop signs, or round-abouts because it’s ridiculoushow fast people are driving. At 243 and 102 it is a deathzone if you’re turning left towards Jackson. I’d love thecops to trap more speeders, because when the kids walkto school in the morning, the idiots are out and the road isso damn scary. More caution is needed.” – Jennifer Howe

“People drive like idiots around here! Cars doing 100down our lane and faster down 102! Speed bumps are theleast of your worries if I catch you!” – Toby McEachern

“I drive by this intersection every day – two times – andhave never crashed my car. Some people should neverhave a driver’s licence, is what it amounts to.”

– Boomer Melba

“I drive that intersection several times a month. It’s one ofthe worst in Maple Ridge, especially if you’re heading easton 104.” – Blake Whitelaw

“When I moved to Maple Ridge in 2010, I was the slowestcar on the road, because I was doing the speed limit. So Iupped my speed to 20km/h above the speed limit to stopfrustrating the other drivers, and now I’m still the slowestcar on the road. And therein lies the problem.”

– Deon van der Heever

“Maybe put two sets of speed bumps in. Maybe that wouldslow them down? Or 3?… People need to get commonsense and slow the … down.” – Greg Bonner

“This intersection was a bad idea right from the beginningand we are surprised it took this long before an accidenthappened. The intersection was slapped in and doesn’tline up properly at all, creating blind spots everywhere,not to mention the absence of any crosswalk… The newintersection above this one at 104th and Robertson is evenworse, turning a street that rarely saw 10 cars a day intoa new super highway. There’s a new park with no signageand the promised speed bumps and four-way stop seemsto have gotten lost in a battle between the developer andCity as to who should pay for the much needed items.This will be the first spring/summer with the new park andstreet and unfortunately, I don’t think this will be the lastnews story to happen here unless changes are made.”

– Darrin Schmitz

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Mayors in Maple Ridge and PittMeadows aim to add regular citizensto open government committees.by Cole [email protected]

City councillors in both Maple Ridgeand Pitt Meadows are looking for engagedcitizens to help jump-start a conversationon making municipal government moreaccessible and transparent.

Though the two committees areindependent of each other, City coun-cillors in both Maple Ridge and PittMeadows recently created task forces on

open government.According to Pitt Meadows mayor John

Becker, the Pitt Meadows task force wascreated to meet “a strong demand fromour residents for more open government.”

But Becker refrained from specificallyoutlining specific goals for the committee.

“Instead of telling people what wemean by open government we will askour residents to work with us to givethem what they want,” Becker said.

The task force in Maple Ridge recentlyrecommended all council meetings shouldbe available via livestream.

To get involved with the task forces,email [email protected](Pitt Meadows) or visit www.mapleridge.ca (Maple Ridge).

Municipal task forces

Engaged residents asked to help

Eyesglowingbright atlanternfestivalThe annualmulticultural-themedMaple Ridge LanternFestival broughthundreds out for anafternoon of fun atHaney Place Mallon Friday. Amongthose in attendancewas three-year-oldAbbigale Pappas ofMaple Ridge.

Rick Moyer/TIMES

Photos byRick Moyer

www.mrtim

es.co

m

MorePhotosOnline

The City of Pitt Meadows PublicWorksDepartment will be flushing water mainsthroughout the municipality for approximatelytwelve weeks beginning March 2, 2015. Duringthis time there may be a temporary drop in waterpressure or a noticeable discolouration in tapwater.To correct problems with milky water, openthe cold tap slightly to bleed air from the waterlines. If you experience problems with dirty water,turn on an outside tap and let it run until the water clears.The Citythanks residents for their patience during this routine maintenance ofthe water mains. If there are any questions or concernsplease call 604-465-2434.

PublicWorks Department11333 Harris Road

Pitt Meadows, BC,V3Y 2M5

WATER MAIN FLUSHING

12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows • 604.465.5454 • pittmeadows.bc.ca

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Aaron Blake, 13, and his six-year-old sisterSavanna, as well as nine-year-old Axel Statton(immediate left) – all of Maple Ridge – attendeda special craft event day on Valentine’s Day atAmsterdam Greenhouses & Garden Centre.Rick Moyer/TIMES

Surrey drag queen Robin Loveless sat in Tom Manion’s lap for part of herrendition of Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like A Woman. Robin was one of

several performers in a Drag Show fundraiser held at Hammond CommunityCentre on Saturday to aid Alouette Addictions Services. Manion is a board

member with the organization.

Roxanne Hooper/TIMES

How can you share?Do you have a local photo of someone or some place you’d like to share with the rest of Maple Ridge andPitt Meadows? Email it to us as a high-resolution .JPEG to [email protected]. Please include a briefdescription – including everyone’s first and last name. Put “faces & places” in the subject line of your email.

Edna Hayward has belonged to the Royal Canadian Legion ladies

auxiliary for 60 years. She was recuperating in Ridge Meadows Hospital

recently, when her friends went to visit her on Valentine’s Day and

present her with her 60-year service pin. Her friends included Rose

Schrul (left), Tannis McKinnon, Ann Fogg, LA President Joan Hannah,

Diana McBean, and Verna Hayward.

Bully battlers at Lordco Auto Parts took Pink Shirt Day to heart in a big way. The Dewdney

Trunk office’s effort was part of a company-wide event to spread awareness and bring

attention to the anti-bullying campaign. Back row: Rick Sayers (left), Jeanette Abrams,

Christina Adams, Nicole Henkels, Lisa Edmundson, Ruth Steele, Colleen Ewan, Nick Field,

John Serka, Sarah Durant Middle row: Juanita Feser (left), Aili Tuchscherer, Shannon Lester,

Lindsay Murrin, Doug Coates, Janine Szabados, Leslie Ritchie, Yvonne McDonald, Lyn Ravenor,

Kristy Caldwell, Nikki Booth, Candace Gottschalk Front row: Jolene Senyk (left) , Debbie

Severn, Brittany Demas, Amy Douglas, Kim Mazur, Betty Jackson, and Rosemarie Papp.

Haney Farmers Market

Society has elected a

new board of directors

featuring ( first row

left to right) Candace

Gordon, Linda King,

Sandra Ramsay, and

Jennifer Zickerman, as

well as (second row)

Al Kozak, Alex Pope,

and Renata Triveri,

and (missing from

the photo) BerniceGehring.

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

Showcasing someof this community’speople and happenings&facesplaces

www.m

rtim

es.com

MorePhotosOnline

Chin up girlfriend! Way up.Drag queen Miz Adrien,of Surrey, offered a fewtips to Maple Ridge MayorNicole Read on posing forthe paparazzi, includingextending the chin to thesky. The same tip didn’t workfor Pitt Meadows MayorJohn Becker (left) duringthe charity drag show forAlouette Addictions Saturday.Roxanne Hooper/TIMES

Drag Show coordinator CoryCassel and Alouette Addictionsexecutive director AnnikaPolegato at Saturday’s event.

WE PAY CASHfor Used Cars Call 604.343.2036


Albion Elementary students aretaking an active role in makinga difference, close to home aswell as abroad.by Troy [email protected]

Students with Albion Elementary’sGrade 6 and 7 leadership club aremaking a positive difference, bothlocally and around the globe.

Under the guidance of teacherBarry Henderson, the 40-memberclub has been working tirelessly onfundraising activities that are havinga positive impact on those outside ofthe school’s walls.

At an assembly early Mondaymorning, the club handed outcheques to the Friends In Need FoodBank and Albion’s Parent AdvisoryCouncil (PAC).

The fundraising efforts startedwith a “We Scare Hunger” drivethat saw 30 students visit homes intheir neighbourhood on Halloweennight and, in lieu of candy, collectednon-perishable food items (food thatdoes not decay) for Friends In Need.

In just a few hours, the studentscollected roughly 1,000 pounds offood.

This was followed by a youngentrepreneur fair involving twoclasses that donated 20 per centof their profits – about $450– to Friends In Need and Free theChildren – an organization thatworks with communities in Africa,Asia, and Latin America to developeducation and skills.

After that was yet another fooddrive just before Christmas that gen-erated 2,500 pounds of non-perish-able food for the local food bank.

Albion students were urged tobring non-perishables to school forthe cause.

The most successful project to datewas a “We Bake For Change” fund-raiser in which the students bakedgoodies and brought them to schoolto sell for the cause.

The bake sale generated $640 forFree the Children.

“We thought that was pretty amaz-ing,” Henderson said.

Recently, club took part in acandy-gram event for Valentine’s,raising $170 for Free the Children.

“We became little Cupid elves andmanufactured candy-grams wherekids purchased a candy-gram for50 cents and sent it to a friend, andwe made about 600 candy-grams,”Henderson said.

The genesis of these initiatives wasa “We Day” event put on by FreeThe Children on Oct. 22 at RogersArena in Vancouver. A group of 20Albion students attended. Motivatedby the experience, they came toHenderson with ideas about how toraise funds for various causes.

“They used that as a launch-ing pad, just for them to see whatthey are capable of, as students,”Henderson said, “They were in anevent with 16,000 other motivatedkids and that energy, and they wentfor it.”

This is the third year of the leader-ship club’s existence and Hendersonsaid it continues to grow.

The students have relished theexperience.

“It’s not only [helping] locally,it’s globally, too,” Grade 7 MeghanJones said.

“We’re raising money for thosewho don’t have a voice.”

“We’re raising money for Free theChildren in Kenya so we’re making adifference in the world,” said Grade6 Jane Stafford.

“We’re giving back to people andhelping them out,” Grade 7 AidenMcDonald added.

More fundraising is in the works,including a coin drive.

The club usually meets once aweek to brainstorm on ideas on howto raise funds.

Generosity

Club growing leaders in fundraisingAlbionElementary’sleadershipclub, madeup of Grade6 and 7students,continuesto be bigcontributor tothe FriendsIn Need FoodBank.

Troy LandrevilleTIMES

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community’s top headlines

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Stringing of the transmission line (conductors) along thenew transmission towers for the Interior to LowerMainland Transmission Project has begun.

Helicopters are required for this work. The contractor hasobtained the necessary permits and permissions and is incompliance with Transport Canada requirements.

Conductor ends will need to be joined with the use of animplosive connector, which is a metallic sleeve with a smallcharge in it. Using safe and controlled methods, the sleeveis detonated which compresses (welds) the conductor endstogether. This split-second process will create a flash withsmoke and a bang similar to fireworks.

Traffic control measures will be in place as needed.Work hours will conform to municipal bylaws.

The new 247 kilometre, 500 kilovolt transmission linebetween Merritt and Coquitlam will expand the capacity of the system that brings power to businesses and homes in the Lower Mainland andVancouver Island.

For more information please visit bchydro.com/ilm or contact BC Hydro at [email protected] or at 604 623 4472,toll-free 1 866 647 3334.

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Tom Walker and Gale Yip received aHeritage Award for their stewardshipof a downtown Maple Ridge icon.by Cole [email protected]

For Gale Yip, the con-struction of the MapleRidge bandstand seems likeit was yesterday.

She recalled her son, nomore than a 10-year-old atthe time, holding the mouldfor one of the supportingpillars while liquid concretepooled around his feet.

“He was so concentrated,he almost didn’t noticeuntil it was too late,”laughed Yip as she reflectedon the bandstand’s 23 yearhistory in Maple Ridge.

Yip, along with TomWalker and a host of Maple RidgeConcert Band members, was a major partof the reason the bandstand was con-structed in 1992.

Twenty-three short years later, Yip andWalker still find themselves tied to thestructure – in part because they are stillmembers of the Maple Ridge ConcertBand – but also because the bandstandcontinues to be a “community focalpoint,” Walker said.

Last month, Walker and Yip accepteda 2015 Maple Ridge Heritage Award onbehalf of the Maple Ridge Concert Band,for “stewardship of a cultural asset.”

That “cultural asset” being the band-stand that Walker himself designed basedon his memories of playing European

bandstands with the Kitsilano Boys Bandin the late 1960s.

“I like that they called it a culturalasset, because that’s what it is,” Walkersaid.

Far from resting on their laurels how-ever, Yip and Walker are in the midst of

another fundraising cam-paign to – after 23 years– “finish” construction onthe bandstand.

“We literally ran outof money when we werebuilding it, so there was acouple things that didn’tget done,” said Walker.

Last year, the MRCBfundraised enough tocover the costs of decora-tive iron work around thestructure, something thathad been dropped out ofthe original plans oncemoney got tight, saidWalker.

But the bulk of the$60,000 goal would go towards a roofrefurbishment said Yip.

The roof of the bandstand is made ofcopper, which normally turns a distinct-ive green colour as the metal oxidizes.

But the Maple Ridge bandstand has aflat black roof, due to a mix-up with thecoating of the copper during construction,said Yip.

For Walker, the bandstand’s real appealis its ability to connect with the commun-ity – something that was apparent fromday one of the bandstand project.

“It was a real community effort [toconstruct the bandstand],” said Walker.“We had random people showing up withshovels.”

• More at www.mrtimes.com, search “bandstand”

Community heritage

Bandstand builders awarded

TIMES files

Gale Yip, along with Tom Walkeraccepted a 2015 Maple RidgeHeritage Award last month.

There are all kinds of tax relief measures available to help Canadian families, suchas the Children’s Arts Tax Credit, the Family Caregiver Tax Credit, the doublingof the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, and the proposed Family Tax Cut*. Plus,when you file online and sign up for direct deposit, you get your refund faster.Learn more at Canada.ca/TaxSavings.

Get tax savings working for you.

Tax savings |

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“It takes a community to raise a business.Heartfelt thanks to friends, colleagues andclients in the communities of Maple Ridgeand Pitt Meadows for honouring me with the

Business Leader ofthe Year Award.

At Main Street we have the privilege of doingwhat we love, for people we love in a

place we love. How can it get better than that?

A special thank you to the Board andstaff of the Chamber of Commerce ServingMaple Ridge and Pitt Meadows for theirefforts on behalf of local small business.”

Vicki McLeod is a business and personalcoach, consultant, trainer and writer.She is the host of Everyday Happiness:The Pajama Podcasts and can be foundonline at mainstreetcommunications.ca

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March 3: Support• Parkinson’s Society B.C.hosts a Maple Ridge and PittMeadows caregivers supportgroup for family, friends,and caregivers of people liv-ing with Parkinson’s diseasefrom 10 a.m. to noon. Forinformation, call or email:Julie, 604-459-9071 [email protected], or Joanneat 604-462-9735 or [email protected].

March 3: Holy Wow• The local Holy Wow Poetsis recognizing black historymonth by featuring DudleyChristian at 7 p.m., at TheACT, 11944 Haney Pl. Openmic at 7:30 p.m.

March 4: History• The Maple Ridge FamilyHistory Group meets at theMaple Ridge Library in theGreenside room at 7 p.m.

March 5: AGM• Kanaka Education andEnvironmental PartnershipSociety annual generalmeeting will take placeat 7 p.m. in the AlouetteRoom of Maple RidgeLibrary. Everyone is wel-come.

March 6: Prayer day• The annual World Day ofPrayer will be jointly hostedby Pitt Meadows UnitedChurch, and St. ColumbaAnglican Church at theirchurch, located on the cornerof Harris and Ford Road inPitt Meadows at 1 p.m.

March 8: Naturalists• Alouette Field Naturalistsmeet at Campbell ValleyPark. Info: Michael at 604-467-9863.

March 8: Jam session• Army and Navy Air ForceUnit 379, located at 22329North Ave., holds a rock andblues jam session, hosted byRocking Randall, from 2 to 6p.m. Info: ANA Vets379.com.

March 9: Magician• Award-winning magi-cian Matthew Johnson per-forms at the Pitt MeadowsLibrary from 2 to 2:45 p.m.Admission on first-come,first-serve basis.

March 10: Weavers• Whonnock Weavers and

Spinners hold a Spin In,in the lobby of the ACT at7:30 p.m. Visitors, guests, orthose interested in becom-ing new members are allwelcome. Info: Marie at 604-462-9059.

March 10: Meeting• Municipal Pension Retirees

Association holds a meetingat the Maple Ridge Library at10:30 a.m. For info, call Fernat: 604-463-8669.

March 11: Support• Maple Ridge and Pitt

Meadows Parkinson’sSupport Group holds a meet-ing from 2 to 4 p.m. atRidge Meadows SeniorCentre. This meetingis open to all personswith Parkinson’s, theircaregivers, families, andfriends. For more infor-mation please contact:Peta at 604 -463-1332, [email protected], or con-tact Edith, at [email protected].

Mar 12: HUB cycling• Join the HUB Maple Ridge-

Pitt Meadows committee attheir monthly meeting at the

Maple Ridge Library in theAlouette Room, from 6:45 to8:45 p.m., to discuss cyclingissues in the community.

March 12: Naturalists• Alouette Field Naturalistsmeet at Maple Ridge SeniorCentre. Info: Alison at 604-463-3902.

March 12: Information• The Ministry of Childrenand Family Developmentinvites those interested inbecoming foster parents toan information session onMarch 12, from 6:30 to 8:30p.m. at #200 -906 RoderickAve. Coquitlam. For furtherinformation on the session,contact the North Fraser

Recruitment team, at 604-764-8098.

March 14: Theatre• Xtreme Theatre presentsMy Son Pinocchio Jr. atThe ACT. Showtime is 7p.m., and admission is $14.The family-friendly show isperformed by local home-schooled students, ages fiveto 14. For more information,visit www.xtremetheatre.ca.

March 15: Naturalists• Alouette Field Naturalistsmeet at Jerry Sulina Park.Info: Duanne at 604-463-8743.

March 20: Charity• Golden Ears Cheesecrafters

holds a wine and tapasspring fling firefighter char-ity night from 7 to 10 p.m.Hosted by BC Firefighters,Sperling Vineyards, andGolden Ears Cheesecrafters.Tapas prepared and servedby Maple Ridge andVancouver Firefighters.Limited advance tickets are$75. Call 604-467-0004 toreserve.

March 21: Market• There will be a springvendor’s market at ColleenFindlay Place, 11601 LaitySt., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.All ages are welcome andthere will be more than 20tables all featuring a variety

of crafts. Admission is bydonation, and the event is afundraiser for the DiscoveryChurch youth and food bank.

March 24: Weavers• Whonnock Weavers and

Spinners holds a meeting atthe Whonnock Lake Centreat 7:30 p.m. Visitors, guests,or those interested in becom-ing new members are all wel-come. For more information,call Marie at 604-462-9059.

April 1: History• The Maple Ridge FamilyHistory Group meets at theMaple Ridge Library in theGreenside room at 7 p.m.

•Full list: www.mrtimes.com

What’s Onwww.mrtimes.com

Post events by email to:[email protected]

Look for your ballot in the mail and vote YES.Check out the Plan at mayorscouncil.ca

MORE WEST COAST EXPRESS SERVICEAn additional 10 new train cars and 1 new locomotive will

offer more service during peak morning and evening hours,

and 3,000 more seats per day.

NEW B-LINE RAPID BUS SERVICENew bus routes will connect growing communities to the West Coast

Express, while new B-Line rapid bus routes will connect Maple Ridge and

Pitt Meadows to Coquitlam and Langley with fast and frequent service.

ROAD UPGRADESRoad upgrades will ensure commuters, goods and

services can move more freely, efficiently and safely,

while also addressing critical bottlenecks.

Why shouldMaple Ridge &Mission vote YES?

Together, these projects and many more meet the demands of an expected population

growth of 1 million in the next 30 years, which would otherwise put unimaginable strain

on an already overcrowded transportation network.

Voting YES in the upcoming Transit and Transportation Referendum will reduce the

costs of congestion by 33% and improve the quality of life for everyone. All for less than

35 cents a day per household. Vote YES for a faster commute, a stronger economy and

a better environment.

SportsMaple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Tuesday, March 3, 2015 A13

Recreation

Pitt Meadows Secondary’ssenior boys basketballteam’s season endedThursday with a tight lossto Port Moody’s HeritageWoods Kodiaks.by Troy [email protected]

It can be categorized asa “missed it by that much”season for the Pitt MeadowsMarauders senior boys basket-ball team, and their veteranhead coach Rich Goulet.

A 70-69 loss to Port Moody’sHeritage Woods Kodiaks in theFraser Valley Quad A playoffsended the Marauders’ cam-paign.

Thursday’s loss to theKodiaks at Port Coquitlam’sTerry Fox Secondary dashedthe Marauders’ hopes of play-ing in the prestigious B.C.championship tournament atthe Langley Events Centre.

One of Pitt Meadows’ bright

spots was 6’5” senior forwardGraham Smith, who is headedto Simon Fraser Universitynext fall to play NCAA Div. 2basketball with the Clan.

As of early February, Smith– a four-time Basketball B.C.select, who this past summerled the provincial team in scor-ing, rebounding, and assistsat the national championships– averaged 27 points and 17rebounds per game with the

Marauders.Smith’s efforts – and that of

his teammates – wasn’t quiteenough to push the Maraudersinto Saturday’s games, whereteams played for the top sixspots in the Valley and assuch, qualified for theprovincialchampion-ships.

TheMarauderslost 80-77 toFraser Valleyfinalist LordTweedsmuiron Feb. 20 andbeat Centennial62-49 on Feb.23 before theirseason-endingloss to HeritageWoods.

On Saturday,Goulet sat at thesidecourt, leaningback on a folding chair, his leftarm slung over an empty chairbeside him, as he watched theWalnut Grove Gators eke pastHeritage Woods 79-72 at theLEC in the match-up deciding

fifth and sixth in the FraserValley.

“It was a very different PittMeadows season,” Goulet toldthe TIMES.

“Basically we beat everybodythat was ranked

below us allyear and had ahard time withthe [teams]that wereranked aboveus.”

Goulet saidthe Marauders“haven’tchangedmuch sinceGrade 10.”

“Basicallywe wereall Grade12s,” hesaid. “We’repretty small,

defence was an issuebecause of size, so we cameup just short.”

Referring to Smith, Gouletsaid, “Graham played well inall the games and continued todo very well.”

High school basketball

Marauders fall short in provincials bid

TIMES files

Coach Rich Goulet and the Pitt MeadowsMarauders will have to try again nextyear in their efforts to earn a spot inthe B.C. Quad A championships from theFraser Valley tournament.

Steve Bosch/The Province

Graduating senior Graham Smith had

an outstanding season with the Pitt

Meadows Marauders.

Pro wrestling

‘Disco Fury’grants wishby Troy [email protected]

Friday night in Cloverdale, a MapleRidge senior realized his lifelong dreamof becoming a pro wrestling manager.

Seventy-one-year-old Cecil Funk wasin Maple Ridge grappler Nathan “DiscoFury” Burke’s corner during his matchagainst Don Ciever, part of an All-StarWrestling show held Friday night at theCloverdale Fairgrounds.

Managing a wrestler, even just forone night, was a goal realized for Cecil,who was recently diagnosed with lungcancer. The news ofCecil having cancerhit his family andfriends hard, notedCecil’s daughterKim.

“My brother Bryonand I thought itwould be amazingto try and make hisdream come true– he has alwayswanted to be a man-ager for a wrestler,”Kim said.

The family hasknown Burke foryears and one phonecall later, “DiscoFury” made it hap-pen.

With 10 of his sup-porters sitting ring-side, not only didCecil escort Burketo the ring, he alsogot involved in thematch.

“He [Burke] pushed his opponent outof the ring,” Cecil said, “and I grabbedhis opponent and wrapped my armsaround him so he could give him anextra couple of punches.”

It was an emotional night for Cecil:“I ended up crying. I had fun… lots offun.”

Cecil’s love of pro wrestling datesback decades. The 31st edition ofthe World Wrestling Entertainment’sWrestlemania extravaganza is sched-uled for March 29 in Santa Clara, Calif.,and Cecil said he has the first threedozen them “on tape.”

Seeing Cecil live his dream was atouching moment for his family mem-bers, including Kim.

“I cried,” she said. “My daughter wasthere, she was so excited, my mother-in-law and father-in-law were there,and they don’t even like wrestling.”

Disco Fury pinned his opponent DonCiever after one of his signature moves,the “pedigree.”

“I enjoyed it, I really did,” Burkesaid. “It’s humbling to see how thelittle things in life can make such a dif-ference.”

The match was the first on the card,so Cecil could watch the rest of theshow with his supporters.

“This makes my world go round,helping other people,” Burke said.

“I sometimes take it for granted tostep into the ring. For someone elseto walk in my shoes, it’s humbling forme.”

Maple Ridgesenior Cecil Funk(background) gotinvolved in theaction during DiscoFury’s match againstDon Ciever, partof Friday’s All-StarWrestling card atthe CloverdaleFairgrounds.

RapidssilenceThunderMaple Ridge’s West CoastFootball Club’s Thunder (inwhite) men’s soccer teamwrapped up its seasonby hosting Chilliwack’sNextLevel Rapids atHammond Park on Sunday.The Rapids blanked theThunder 1-0. West Coastfinished its winter campaignwith six wins, six losses, andsix ties. More photos onlineat www.mrtimes.com.

Rick Moyer/TIMES

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TimesA14 Tuesday, March 3, 2015

CHARLTON Geraldine (Geri)September 30, 1947 –

February 17, 2015Charlton (Thompson) Geraldine Lynne,born September 30, 1947, passedaway February 17, 2015.The youngest of five children, Geriwas born in Wadena, Saskatchewan.Predeceased by her parents Howardand Erva Thompson and sister Marlene.Survived by her husband Don and

three sisters, Doreen, Hazel, and Darlene, and theirfamilies; sons Rick and Troy & their families; stepchildrenPeggy, Don Jr., Charlie, and their families; 10grandchildren and one great grandson.A celebration of life will be held at Henderson’sLangley Funeral Home, 20786 Fraser Hwy, Langley,B.C. onMarch 7 at 2 p.m.

LAITY, Margaret Elizabeth (Johnston)June 5, 1919 - February 24, 2015

With great sorrow we announce the passing of ourdear Mum and Grandma at Ridge MeadowsHospital.Predeceased by her husband Leonard in 1998,brother Herbert Johnston in 2000 and nephewFred Johnston in 1989. Survived by her lovingdaughters Ann (Jim) Taylor, Marlene (Graeme) Taitand son Don (Heather) Laity; six grandchildren LeighAnne (Barry) Erl, Chris Tait and Ken (Tania), Doug(Kaitlyn), Andrew and Jeff Laity; eight greatgrandchildren Brayden, Keegan, Ashlyn, Mitchell,Bradley and Grant Laity and Hanna and Gita Erl.She also leaves behind many friends, nieces,nephews and childhood friends Edna and Ewarta.Mum was a Past Worthy Matron of the MizpahChapter #36, Order of the Eastern Star.Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 5,2015 at 2:00 pm at Maple Ridge Funeral Chapel,11969 216th St., Maple Ridge. Interment to follow.In lieu of flowers, donations to Canadian CancerSociety would be appreciated. Special thanks tothe doctors and staff on 2 West, Ridge MeadowsHospital.

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Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Times March 3 2015