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• LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 22 PAGES

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Politics

Dalton vyingto be newMPA local MLA takes a run at federal politics,but failing that he’ll return to caucus.by Cole [email protected]

Even though the federal election is still eightmonths off, the race for the local MP’s seat isheating up.

As of last week, there is another familiar facein contention for the position of Member ofParliament for the Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission riding.

Marc Dalton, the current MLA for MapleRidge and Mission, announced Thursday hewill resign from the provincial Liberal party andpursue a soon-to-be-vacant spot with the federalConservative party.

The announcement comes onthe heels of news that long-serv-ing local Conservative MP RandyKamp had decided not to seekre-election this fall, saying he’sretiring and citing health con-cerns as part of the reason.

Dalton joins the race for theConservative nod against MikeMurray, Kamp’s executive assist-ant.

Meanwhile, only one candidatefrom the NDP has announcedhis intention to seek that party’s

nomination: Jack Emberly, a local author andenvironmentalist.

As of press time, calls to the local riding associa-tion of the Liberal Party were not returned.

The nomination process for all three major par-ties will continue to be open for the next fewmonths, ahead of the federal election planned forOctober.

In the meantime, Dalton said he will retain hisseat in the B.C. Legislature until further notice,but will do so as an independent rather than amember of the Liberal party.

“There will be those who may try and suggestI’m running away from the BC Liberals. Nothingcould be further from the truth,” Dalton said.

His decision to sit as an independent during thenomination process, he said, was “because of therespect I have for the premier and my colleagues.”

Should he fail to secure the Conservative nom-ination, Dalton said he will return to the caucus.

According to figures from Elections B.C., threeby-elections conducted during the last three yearscost taxpayers $482,000, $502,000, and $467,000respectively.

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

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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

• LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT • mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 22 PAGES

A Maple Ridge father fears for bikersafety after discovering booby traps

on a cycling trail in Thornhill.

Page A4

Rick Moyer/TIMES

Marching in memoryMany people take for granted the loved ones who they have around them. But agroup of about 60 women and men – including a few children – came together atMemorial Peace Park on Valentine’s Day afternoon to take part in a march throughthe streets of Haney. It was a chance to publicly remember the loved ones they havelost. It was part of the annual Memorial March for Missing and Murdered Women,but the first of its kind in Maple Ridge. Among the participants was four-year-oldWilliam Read, (above) who attended with his mother, Maple Ridge Mayor NicoleRead. They were there to remember Nicole’s aunt, Constance Graham, who wasmurdered 10 years ago. Graham was killed by her son, (Read’s cousin), who Readdescribes as addicted and suspected of seeking money for drugs. Read would like tosee the local walk continued and expanded next year, and vowed her support.

Marc DaltonMLA

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A2 Tuesday, February 17, 2015 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times

In part because she retired as the bossof Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadowsschool district, Jan Unwin receivedone of the highest wages of all schooladministrators in the region.by Roxanne [email protected]

In a report released last week, the formersuperintendent of schools for Maple Ridgeand Pitt Meadows has been ranked amongthe highest paid school officials in the LowerMainland.

For the seventh year in a row, theVancouver Sun is looking into annual salar-ies of the highest-paid employees at B.C.’suniversities and colleges, and in doingso found four of the top five work at theUniversity of B.C.

In the top five, annual salaries for the2013-14 fiscal year ranged from $448,346to $536,196, according to the newspaper’sexclusive and searchable database of salar-ies that compiles information for 25 univer-sities and colleges across B.C. and a pool of13,226 post-secondary employees.

The same report also delved into top salar-ies in the public domain of education, exam-ining compensation within 14 districts andfor more than 8,000 employees in the LowerMainland.

While the former Richmond school dis-trict’s departing head of instruction, KathyChampion, led the pack on the public-sec-tor school salary front (earning$359,237 during the last fiscalyear), Jan Unwin took secondplace.

The now retired Maple Ridgeand Pitt Meadows school super-intendent earned $257,123 lastyear – significantly more than theprevious year that saw her earn$173,404, according to this Sunreport.

Her earnings were first reportedby The TIMES last October, whenthe local school district released itsfinancial report.

As indicated at that time, thejump in financial compensation came as aresult of a clause in Unwin’s contract whereshe was entitled to a one-time $78,000retirement allowance, plus another $5,000for unused vacation time.

This brought Unwin’s earnings for 2013-14

to almost $100,000 more than the next high-est-paid administrator in the local schooldistrict.

But it was learned last week that it alsovaulted Unwin near the top of the paygrade, when compared to all the otherschool districts in the Lower Mainland.

Local school district spokesperson IrenaPochop said her district no longeroffers retirement allowances tosenior staff, but Unwin’s allow-ance was grandfathered in.

Unwin was at the helm of theMaple Ridge-Pitt Meadows schooldistrict for five years. She origin-ally started as a teacher, counsel-lor, and helping teacher in theMission school district.

She was then appointed princi-pal of Maple Ridge Elementary,followed by principal duties atThomas Haney Secondary, beforemoving up the ranks locally tofirst assistant superintendent, then

deputy superintendent, and finally boss.She moved on about a year ago, when she

was offered the posting as superintendent ofgraduation and student transitions with theprovince.

- with files from Chad Skelton, Vancouver Sun

UpFrontMaple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Tuesday, February 17, 2015 A3

mrtimes.com

Clickfor community

Special meeting calledMaple Ridge coun-

cil will host a publicmeeting today, Feb.17, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.,to start discussing itsbroad goals for theremainder of its four-year term.

Strategic planningis a process that willcontinue well intoMarch and April, explained CouncillorTyler Shymkiw. But, council wanted toget started on discussions as early aspossible.

• More at www.mrtimes.com

Registrations downOn Feb. 21, Maple Ridge residents

will take the adage to heart as they takepart in “The Coldest Night of the Year,”an annual five or 10 km walk to benefitthe homeless, and the hungry. But thusfar, the numbers of registrations for theannual walk are way down.

The walk is set to take place Feb. 21 at4 p.m., starting from the Caring Place. Formore information or to register, peoplecan call 604-463-8296.


Chef Dez is a foodcolumnist and

culinary instructorin the Fraser

Valley.Visit him at www.

chefdez.com.Send questionsto dez@chefdez.

com

On Cookingby Chef Dez

Parsley pesto a faveInstead of passing by it in the produce

store, or writing it off as simple garnish,TIMES columnist Chef Dez is askingyou to give parsley a second look. In hiscolumn today, offers some great ideas,including pesto.


Chamber gala sells outWhat better way to wrap up chamber

week than to hold a sold-out businessexcellence awards night?

At least that was the thinking ofAndrea Madden, executive director for

the Chamber ofCommerce ServingMaple Ridge and PittMeadows, when shemoved the date of thechamber’s premiereevent to coincidewith the nationallyproclaimed chamberweek.

“I thought, ‘whatbetter way is there to end the week thanwith a bang,” Madden said, noting 195people are expected at Saturday night’sgala to honour excellence in local busi-ness at Meadow Gardens Golf Club.


Schools

Retired super ranked second highest paid

Jan UnwinFormer superintendent

A driver is grateful to be aliveafter an accident Friday.

by Roxanne [email protected]

Another potentially tragic crashalong the Lougheed Highway ineast Maple Ridge this weekendspawned a petition to have con-crete barricade installed.

During the past month, therehave been some fatal and near-fatal crashes along the LougheedHighway east of town. And fol-lowing on the heels of MayorNicole Read’s comments thatshe wants the province to lookinto upgrades for the sake ofsafety, another – more grassroots– effort has emerged.

Following a crash in the 26500block of Lougheed HighwayFriday evening, a TIMES facebookfollower has launched an onlinepetition that as of Monday after-noon had 81 supporters.

“Lives are being tragicallylost…” said Dawn Canavan ofMaple Ridge, “…due to the trafficheading in both directions with-out barriers. Contributing factorsinclude poor lighting, speed oftraffic, weather conditions, and[the] slope of pavement alongthis highway.”

She said the curves andreduced visibility on this sectionof four-lane highway add to thedanger, comparing it to whatshe called “death mile” along asection of the Lougheed in PittMeaodws before barriers wereinstalled there years ago.

“The barrier needs to go inimmediately; this loss of lifeis insane,” Canavan said. “Letcement barriers save our citizens,please share, as your kindnesscounts.”

Given the recent history of tra-gic crashes along the LougheedHighway in east Maple Ridge,Darnell Bramley is classifyinghimself as extremely fortunate.

He told The TIMES that he waseastbound towards Mission onFriday, when he hit a puddlein the 26500 block of LougheedHighway.

It caused him to slide off thesouth side of the road and careendown a 20-foot muddy embank-

ment, he told TIMES photographerRick Moyer on scene.

The 47-year-old Mission manknew he’d landed near the traintracks, and said he quicklyscrambled out the passenger’sside of the car – which had cometo rest on its side at the base ofthe hill.

It turns out the vehicle cameto rest at least 50 feet away fromthe tracks, so CP Rail was able tomaintain train traffic through thearea as police, firefighters, andparamedics worked.

Bramley was driving a 2012Infiniti all-wheel drive when thecrash occurred just before 6 p.m.Friday, Feb. 13.

While police are still investigat-ing the cause of the crash, RidgeMeadows RCMP Staff Sgt. DeanScott said “weather and speedare probably factors.”

Bramley, who said he’s driventhat strip of highway hundredsof times through the years,expressed gratitude to the firstresponders on the scene for alltheir help.

He was checked out on sceneby paramedics, and given theall-clear.

• The petition is online at https://www.change.org/p/maple-ridge-city-council-install-cement-barriers-along-lougheed-highway-from-240th-eastwards-to-safe-

zone

Lougheed

Crash prompts highway online petition

www.m

rtim

es.com

MorePhotosOnline

A Mission manand his carwent downa 20-footembankmentoff theLougheedHighway inWhonnockFriday night,but he wasnot seriouslyinjured.

Rick Moyer/TIMES

Tyler Shymkiwcouncillor

Andrea Maddenexecutive director


There are no details as to who setup hazards in vulnerable spots alonga Thornhill path earlier this month.by Cole [email protected]

When the weather clears for a few daysin winter and the sun peaks out frombehind the cloud cover for a couple fleet-ing hours, Dean Wilkes wastes no time.

He packs up his bike (and sometimestwo more for his daughters, Norah andDanika) and hits the nature trails aroundthe Thornhill area of MapleRidge.

Wilkes is at home alongthe Bear Ridge trail – heknows the bends, where toavoid the outcropping ofrocks or trees, and whereto slow down to share thetrail with those who havemore pedestrian inclinations.

On Jan. 25, when the sun came out,Wilkes returned to his familiar route.

But when he got to Bear Ridge, what hesaw wasn’t familiar in the least.

Somehow, a number of large logs hadbeen dragged across the trails.

Sticks and other debris had been scat-tered on blind corners along the trail in atleast four other spots.

The trails, according to Wilkes, hadbeen booby-trapped.

“The placing of these logs was extreme-ly deliberate,” Wilkes said. “If you camearound a corner quickly and hit one ofthese logs, it would be a nasty, nasty fall.”

But while the placement of the logswas suspicious enough for local police toopen a file, several details about the trapsremains muddy.

Most pressing, who would have donethis, and why?

“To me, I’m thinking whoever didthis, they’re a little off their rocker,” saidWilkes, who added that the trail itself wasbeginner level; somewhere young teens orchildren might learn to ride.

Wilkes’ discovery of the booby-trappedtrail comes on the heels of the falloutfrom another booby-trapping incident on amountain bike trail in North Vancouver.

In that case, a 64-year-old woman wascharged after setting anumber of traps on trailsat Mount Fromme. Thewoman’s husband latertold reporters that she wassimply trying to find away to force riders to slowdown along the path.

But Wilkes says he hasnever seen a confrontation along the trailsbetween bikers and pedestrians.

Parks and Leisure staff formally inspectsall of the Maple Ridge trails twice peryear, said Geoff Mallory, manager of parksand open spaces with the City of MapleRidge.

They haven’t ever seen bicycle booby-traps along more than 200 km worth oftrails in the City, said Mallory.

Wilkes plans to stay vigilant after thedisturbing discovery two weeks ago.

“My biggest concern is people’s safety,”he said. “I’m not out to get someonecharged, I just don’t want this to happenagain.”

Trails

Bikers bewildered by traps

Cole Wagner/TIMES

Dean Wilkes, here beside daughters Norah, 10, and Danika, 8, discovered traps and obstacles along a beginnermountain biking trail in Thornhill late last month.

“The placing of theselogs was extremelydeliberate.”Dean Wilkes

www.sd42.ca

22225 Brown Avenue, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 8N6 Tel. 604.463.4200

An innovative way of learning

CYBERSCHOOLStudents in theMaple Ridge - Pitt Meadows School DistrictCyberSchool Program divide their time between in-classstudy and online learning from home.

Join us for an information meeting on February 18th to learnabout this exciting learning option!

Registration begins8 am Monday, February 23, 2015

@ Alouette Elementary

INFORMATION MEETING6 pm February 18, 2015

Alouette Elementary School22155 Isaac Crescent, Maple Ridgehttp://schools.sd42.ca/cyberschool/

Willowbrook Chrysler, Canada’s fastest growing Chrysler dealer is pleased to announce the addition of SalesManager Len Haughian to their winning sales team.

Len has been in the auto business for over 30 years, a large part of it selling the Chrysler brand. He has workedclosely with Steve for half of that time and is looking forward to the new opportunities at Willowbrook Chrysler’sLangley Bypass dealership.

Steve said “It’s great to have Len here to help us provide the level of customer service that continues to attractmore and more car buyers and make us Canada’s fastest growing Chrysler dealer! If you haven’t come to see usyet drop by our newly renovated Langley Bypass showroom and see how well we take care of you!

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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

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Tuesday, February 17, 2015 A5

Although she was told shewould never walk, MarieCusson delights in provingthe doctors wrong.

by Kevin GriffinSpecial to the TIMES

If you saw Marie Cussonsitting in a chair, you mightwonder why she is alwayssquirming.

She keeps moving aroundbecause she’s trying to find aposition that is free from pain.

“I can never sit still becauseI’m always trying to find away to get comfy,” the MapleRidge teen explained.

When she stands for toolong, she feels it in her back.

“Sometimes, if I’m [having]a really bad pain day, I’ll havesharp stabbing pains or it willbe a throbbing pain,” Cussonelaborated.

The idea anyone, let alonesomeone who is just 14 yearsold, has to live with constantpain seems completely unfair.

Yet Cusson, with the helpof Variety – The Children’sCharity, hasn’t let physicalchallenges keep her down.

Cusson learned how to dealwith pain and she’s managedto do it with a chipper, upbeatattitude.

As well, she not only singswith a choir, but has learned

how to adapt contemporarydance steps to suit the way herbody moves.

Not bad for someone whowas never supposed to walk.

Cusson’s challenges startedshortly after birth.

She developed a blood infec-tion that initially targeted herright hip and spread to herleft. Officially, she had bilat-eral hip dysplasia – her hipjoints and sockets no longerfunctioned like they weremeant to.

As well, shedevelopedscoliosis – anabnormal curvein her upperspine.

So far,Cusson has hadseven surgeries,including a complex one lastSeptember, that gave her anall-new titanium ball and sock-et on her left leg as well as arod halfway into her femur.

Cusson faces at least onemore complex operation.

through the years, Varietyhas paid for back braces,splints, walking braces, walk-ers, and wheelchairs forCusson.

Variety has also helped herwith special orthopedic shoelifts made from high-densityfoam.

For the Cusson family, thehelp from Variety has made ahuge difference, said Cusson’s

mom Melanie.“For me as a single mom,

it’s been a saving grace,” shesaid at home in Maple Ridge.

“If it wasn’t for Variety Club,my daughter wouldn’t be ableto walk and sing and dancelike she’s been able to do. Ijust wouldn’t be able to affordanything.”

As well, Variety has coveredthe cost of speech therapyfor Cusson’s younger brotherThomas, 11.

“Just becauseyou have a dis-ability doesn’tmean you haveto be heldback,” Cussonsaid.

“I’ve seenpeople judgeme from afar.

I’m like: ‘Stare at them back.Show them that you’re proudof your disability and who youare’.”

The 49th Variety Show ofHearts Telethon ran for 23hours on Global BC this pastweekend.

It raised almost $5.9 millionfor sick and special needs chil-dren from throughout B.C.

Since its inception inOctober 1966, the telethon hasraised more than $170 millionto provide support for chil-dren in B.C. who have specialneeds. Last year, the telethonraised $6.7 million.

– Kevin Griffin is with the Vancouver Sun

Variety

Teen defying the odds

Ric Ernst/Vancouver Sun

Marie Cusson has maintained a positive attitude while living with constant pain. Cusson is one ofthe children who benefitted from the Variety’s Show of Hearts Telethon held this past weekend.

“Just because youhave a disabilitydoesn’t mean youhave to be held back.”Marie Cusson

MMAAPPLLEE RRIIDDGGEEFFEESSTTIIVVAALL OOFF LLIIGGHHTT SSOOCCIIEETTYY

Invites everyone tothe 7th annual Festival of Light.Join us to celebrate the Arts, Culture and

Diversity in our community.

Friday, February 27, 20154:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Haney Place Mall

A FREE fun event for all ages with lantern making workshops& live entertainment (4 – 8 pm),

poetry & lantern making contest and much more!

7:30 pm Lantern ParadeFor information – contact [email protected]

or: mrlanternfestival

OpinionA6 Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Our View

Put TransLinkin waste bin

Regardless of what each side may tryto tell you, voting Yes in the upcomingtransit referendum won’t instantly fixall of our transportation problems.

Meanwhile, the No side is framingthe argument to have us believe a Yesvote can’t truly fix transit, because it isactually TransLink that is broken.

So Yes may result in a partial andvery expensive transit fix without get-ting to root cause of our problems,while the No vote will only assure ourtransit problems will continue, withoutforcing any change to TransLink.

And yet both transit and TransLinkhave to be fixed… or do they?

Sometimes, when something is bro-ken badly enough, you should justthrow it away. The transit system needsa lot of expensive work done… butTransLink belongs in a dumpster.

How did we, as voters, allow ourgovernments to create two-tiered trans-portation in B.C.? Why is the LowerMainland a second-class region?

For most of B.C.’s existence, trans-portation has been a provincial respon-sibility. It worked especially well in the1950s and 1960s when Premier W.A.C.Bennett and Highways Minister “Flying”Phil Gaglardi built a lasting legacy withthen-world-class transportation.

Now transportation is a province-wide responsibility outside the LowerMainland, and we’re on our own.

We’re worse than on our own, in fact– we have TransLink, a body createdby the provincial government to bufferitself from our transportation problems.

TransLink operates like our schoolboards: the provincial government ham-strings its budget, claims credit when itworks, and the rest of the time… well…“It’s not our fault, TransLink did it.”

It’s long past time to dissolveTransLink into the B.C. ministry incharge of transportation, with a minis-ter answerable to cabinet instead of toresponsibility-deflecting mayors.

– B.G.

You’re entitled to your opin-ion… but you’re also entitled tokeep it to yourself unless you’veactually thought about it, and it’snot just a regurgitation of some-one else’s ignorant ramblingsor, worse still, your gullibilityfocused through the lens of ahuckster’s scam-artistry.

And if you persist in spoutingyour nonsense, it is not incum-bent upon me or anyone else toblindly accept your unfoundedviews as a rational alternative toreality.

We certainly shouldn’t be forced to eagerlyaccept risk to ourselves or to our children – orto our neighbours, or even strangers in far-offlands, for that matter – because you lack theability to employ rational thought.

Anti-vaxxers and climate change deniers jumpto mind immediately, because their failing graspon reality has visible and serious consequencesfor everyone outside their own sphere of ignor-ance.

But there are others, like the anti-evolutioncreationists, for instance, whose chief creation isa slow but inexorable erosion of science educa-tion principles leading to graduation of more andmore ill-informed young people.

This group’s product is less obviously felt on ashort term than anti-vaxxers’ measles outbreaksand the climate deniers’ storms and speciesdestruction.

The heart of the problem lies in the media-propagated myth that “there are two sides toevery story,” coupled with the generally helddelusion that “both” sides deserve equal oppor-tunity to be heard.

First, there aren’t two sides to every story.Some stories may have two sides, but most

stories have as many sides as there are peopletelling the story. Everyone’s version will be alittle different. Even people who agree on a basicpremise will disagree on details.

That’s why every religion haseventually broken up into sectsthat offer very different viewsstarting from a single concept orthe teachings of one enlightenedindividual.

And nearly all adherents, atone point or another in theirdivergence, have been willing tokill each other to promote theirown “side of the story.”

Muslims, for instance, comein various shapes and sizes,including Sunni, Shia, Sufi, andAhmadiyya, while Christians,

who have been around longer and have hadgreater opportunity to violently disagree witheach other, present as various Orthodox andCatholic varieties and a host of Protestantsects, from Lutheran to Baptist to Calvinistto Presbyterian to Methodist to Anglican toEvangelical to… well, you get the idea.

The other part of the “two sides to every story”myth is even further off the mark than the lim-itation to just two sides. All sides of the story donot necessarily carry equal weight, and shouldn’tnecessarily be presented as being equal to allother sides.

Take the climate change story, for instance:the deniers’ side is based on misinterpretation ofdata, and on trumped-up charges levelled by ahandful of “scientists” with dubious credentialsagainst tens of thousands of bona fide climatescientists. Ice sheets are melting, spring comesearlier, species are disappearing with their nichesin the biosphere, but the deniers fall for fakedarguments created out of economic greed.

Anti-vaxxers base their arguments on a delib-erately concocted study and play on coincidenceand “gut feelings.” They have convinced eventhose who disagree with them that they shouldbe allowed to opt out of vaccinating innocentchildren because they are, after all, “entitled totheir opinion.”

And that myth can kill people.

Opinion

Odd Thoughtsby Bob Groeneveld

Disagree… but think about it

Opinion

Dinner out.

Flowers and chocolates.

None of your business :).

Alone by choice.

Missing someone.

This Week’s QuestionThe Red Maple Leaf has been Canada’s flagfor 50 years… how do you like it?

■ Your ViewLast week’s question, results…

How are you expecting to celebrate Valentine’sDay?

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The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES, a divisionof LMP Publication Limited Partnership, respects yourprivacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal

information in accordance with our Privacy Statementwhich is available at www.mrtimes.com.

The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES is a memberof the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory

body governing the province’s newspaper industry.The council considers complaints from the public about

conduct of member newspapers. Directors overseethe mediation of complaints, with input from both thenewspaper and complainant. If talking with the editoror publisher of this newspaper does not resolve your

complaint about coverage or story treatment, you maycontact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern,

with documentation, should be sent to B.C. PressCouncil, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2.For further information, go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.

The Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMESnewspaper is a division of LMP Publication

Limited Partnership.

We’re located at 22345 North Avenue,Maple Ridge, B.C. The TIMES has aCCAB audited circulation of 29,950.

Bob [email protected]

Editor

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Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Tuesday, February 17, 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.

• Marc Dalton is leaving the BC Liberalsfor a shot at federal politics, and specif-ically retiring MP Randy Kamp’s seat. Afew readers reacted to the story:

“Nobody cares.” – Claude Morrissette

“Who cares?” – Keith Jones

“Double dipping as a pig at the trough.”– Alvin Cohen

What you’re telling uson Facebook

Share your views.Like us on Facebook at:

www.facebook.com/MapleRidgePittMeadowsTimes

Dear Editor,I just happened to look at the

Facebook of Blake Richards, MPin the ultra-conservative Albertariding of Canmore-Banff-Airdrie-Cochrane, where my son and hisfamily live.

He just announced $250,000of federal funding for ATV/dirt-bike trails.

Your taxpayer money!Randy Kamp, our MP, got nothing to

keep the Iron Horse Youth Centre, a shel-ter for youths at risk, running.

Some people may think the cost of run-ning only five beds for youthsat risk is too high. If each youngperson only stays for a week,that gives over 250 youngstersshelter and may prevent themfrom becoming young offenders.

A future prison bill would beastronomically more expensive.

They also have food banks inBlake Richards’s riding.

But those are the priorities of theConservative government.

Maria Raynolds, Maple Ridge

Federal funding

Dirt bikes beat homeless kidsLettersLetters

tothe

Editor

Response

Oil products usefulDear Editor,

Dana Lacroix’s point was understoodthe first time [Demand government cor-rects past errors, Feb. 5 Letters, TIMES],and is valid. But she does not address themany useful, important, life-saving prod-ucts made from petroleum used the worldover. They cannot be made from solar,wind, or electricity, those power sourcescan only assist in their construction.

Cherryl Katnich, Maple Ridge

Letters on this page have been edited for space.For longer versions, or more letters to the editorvisit... www.mrtimes.com– Click on Opinion, or search the writers’ names.

Dear Editor,One would not expect

TransLink to build abridge connecting NewWestminster to Coquitlamvia Braid Street (BraidStreet Bridge), becausethat is a “municipal”problem which must beaddressed by the munici-palities concerned.

But we have TransLink

proposing to build a bridgeconnecting Surrey to NewWestminster – becausethat bridge is necessary fordecongesting traffic on aprovincial route.

Why must the citizens ofMetro Vancouver pay for abridge which is essentiallyfor provincial usage aspart of the provincial high-way system?

TransLink should notbe in the bridge-buildingbusiness, especially wherethe bridge is a provincialresponsibility. It should beremoved from TransLink’swish-list by the Mayors’Council.

I have concerns aboutthe independent auditorand transparency com-mission. How will theseoffices be created? Willthey be appointed? If so,by whom? Who will beresponsible for their con-tracts and remuneration,etc.?

Since payments byTransLink will create aconflict of interest and theMayors’ Council does nothave the resources to meetthat kind of obligation,who will do it? What canthese offices actually do tocorrect the inefficienciesand wasteful spending oftaxpayers’ money?

Of course, they will beable to expose and verifywhat is already suspected.But that will be after thefact.

What can they really do?Is it just another bureau-

cratic agency to feed offthe taxpayer?

Of course these concernswill be addressed whenthe Mayors’ Council suc-ceed in their efforts tosecure a yes vote, but bythen it would be too lateto change what has hap-pened.

Again, it will be after thefact.

Edward Lall, Pitt Meadows

TransLink

Leave bridge-building to province

Whonnock

Park revision unnecessaryDear Editor,

Whonnock Lake residents speak loud and clear: do notcut one tree down in the park.

The upgrade revision is somewhat of a victory, butreally a smokescreen to appease locals. Their plan is stillgoing through at a cost of $1.4 million to unnecessarilyrip up the whole park and change it forever.

The revision plans are out of an inner city comic strip.In most parks throughout world now, they are encour-aging less footprint, and also parking outside the parkboundaries, letting people walk in and enjoy the naturalsettings.

Whonnock Lake has huge cedar trees and quiet,shaded areas, and a great little hall that is alwaysbooked because of the natural beauty of the place. Thisis all to be gone with no mention that not one nickel willbe spent for local Whonnock school children who visitthe park or locals who daily walk through.

This upgrade is about filling the pockets of MapleRidge park and planning employees, and appeasing thecity mentality so somebody doesn’t get their high heelswet on their one-time visit to the park.

Do we really need another purple Barney playground,and to dig up the whole place and install huge drainageponds? Can’t people just go to the other many areas thatalready have plastic play equipment?

The upgrade plans are not environmentally friendlyenough.

This shaded park and its wonderful cedar trees are anatural wonder for all of us. Let’s keep it spectacular.

Save Whonnock Lake Park.Mark Renshaw, Maple Ridge

HAVE QUESTIONSABOUTPROPERTYTAXES?

Join us at our Pitt MeadowsTaxation 101Workshop

The City is offering this workshop to answer questions you may haveabout your tax bill.

How do I decipher my tax notice?How is my tax rate decided?Where does my money go?

Who else does the City collect revenue for?What does the City have to spend money on – what is optional?

How does City Council decide what to spend on and how much to spend?

• Mayor’sWelcome• Property Tax Assessment explained from a BCAssessment expert• Tax Calculation Process• Business and Strategic Planning Process• Summary of the Budget Components• 2015Taxes – where we are at and where we are going• Beyond the budget (what drives costs and how can we keep them in check)• Suggestions on how you can get more involved• Council/Mayor wrap-up (Q and A)

Let’s talk taxes - everyone is welcome!RVSP to [email protected] or 604-465-5454

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

Thursday, February 197pm – 9pmHeritage Hall

12460 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows

MIKEMURRAYfor Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge

I'm Mike Murray, and I want to be yourConservative candidate forPitt Meadows-Maple Ridge

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Members of theConservative Party ofCanada are eligible to votein a nomination meeting.

Join up atwww.mikemurray.orgcall me at 604.379.0325or call my campaign line at604.617.3114.


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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.

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows

Showcasing someof this community’speople and happenings

Post events 10 days in advanceby email to:

[email protected]

What’s Onwww.mrtimes.com

Monica Fix photos

TIMES photographer Rick Moyer, who in his other life is a singer

and DJ, recently entertained seniors at Willow Manor Care Centre

on 224th Street in Maple Ridge.

Rick Moyer/TIMESRobi Smith (above), artist in residence at theMaple Ridge Park art studio, held a Valentine’smaking craft day recently where kids – like six-year-old Berlin Rucker (top) of Coquitlam – cameto make keepsakes for their parents.

Feb 17 to 21: Footloose• Garibaldi Interdisciplinary Arts

Academy presents Footloose – TheMusical from Feb. 17 to the 21.Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. Adults: $17,students, and seniors $15. Ticketsavailable at Little Cricket Gallery,22347 Lougheed Hwy. or at thedoor, depending on availability.

Until Mar. 7: Theatre• Hitchcock meets slap-stick in

an adaption of Alfred Hitchcock’snovel, The 39 Steps by MapleRidge’s Theatre in the Country. Fouractors tell the tale, as they performas 120 different characters. Info:www.theatreinthecountry.com.

Feb 18: Garden Club• Maple Ridge Garden Club meets

at 7 p.m. at Fraserview CommunityCentre. Speaker is Mike Lascellefrom Amsterdam Greenhouses.Drop-in is $3, or join the club for$20 a year. Everyone welcome. Info:604-467-4594.

Feb 18: Drug forum• Alouette Addictions Services pres-

ents: Parent’s Night: Your Kids andDrugs. A forum. Real life perspec-tives on drugs and alcohol use fromteens and professionals. Find outabout current trends, what drugsare out there, what to do about it,and how to recognize signs of use.6 p.m. at Pitt Meadows Secondary.Refreshments. Info: 604 467-5179.

Feb 18: Writer• Join Chris Czajkowski at the

Maple Ridge Library on Wednesday,Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. as she presentsher new book, which chronicles herpath from English villager to wilder-ness dweller.

Feb 19: Movie• Cinema Politca presents TheInmates Are Running the Asylum:Stories of the MPA. The film is adocumentary about the group thattransformed Canada’s PsychiatricLandscape in the 1970s. Showtime:7 p.m., at Maple Ridge City hall, inthe council chambers. Free admis-sion.

• Full list: www.mrtimes.com, search “What’s On”

Karli Banns (left) andthe Menchies mascotgive thumbs up to thenew frozen yogurt storein Westgate ShoppingCentre recently. The shopwas opened by Bannsand her mother, DaljitKooner. A grand openingwas spread out over twodays, Sunday, Feb. 8 andMonday, Feb. 9.

Graeme Ross/TIMES

Stephanie Wagnerand Amelia Norrie

from the Caring Place

,joined Lynne Bradleywith the Downtown

Maple Ridge Business

Association, to load out

more than 650 articlesof clothing gathered

during the third annualTurn Down the Heat

campaign.

• See story at www.mrtimes.com, search “Bradley”

&facesplaces

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A10 Tuesday, February 17, 2015 Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Tuesday, February 17, 2015 A11

Benefits of joining your local ChamberThe Chamber of Commerce Serving Maple Ridge &Pitt Meadows offers a wide variety of business resources,support and benefits programs to the businesscommunity. The Chamber is an advocate and voiceof business, a connector of services for members, anorganizer of various business to business promotionsand events.

10 Reasons to Join the Chamber of Commerce• Business to Business exclusive

promotions• Health, dental and disability

benefits package.• Business after Business

Networking• Networking through events,

luncheons & tradeshows

• Advertising via our Chambernewsletter and website

• Discounted rates on merchantservices such as fuel, payroll, etc

• Sponsorship opportunities• Business consulting and support• Access to Chamber boardroom• Referral service for your business

Terry BeckerExecutive Director

Join the Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce todayas we continue to grow the local economy, support local business andprovide your business with resources to succeed!

Call the Chamber today at 604-463-3366 for further information!

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An emergency shelter for teens inMaple Ridge will remains open days,despite closer of overnight beds.by Cole [email protected]

The battle to keep the Iron Horse YouthShelter running in some capacity is farfrom over.

That was the message community mem-bers and supporters of the youth shelterreceived at a recentluncheon hosted bythe Alouette HomeStart Society.

The society runsthe Maple Ridgeyouth shelter,which was forcedto shut down itsovernight oper-ations at the endof January afterchanges to federal funding programs lastyear forced the shelter to search for othersources of revenue.

An appeal to members of the commun-ity helped the shelter stay open throughthe month of January, but when a bid forfederal funding fell through, it was thefinal nail in the coffin, said executive dir-ector Stephanie Ediger.

The shelter will no longer offer over-night emergency beds to teens, but it willremain open and staffed during the day,Ediger explained.

“The important part of the message waswhile the shelter is closed, the Iron Horse

facility is still open for business,” she said.Essential amenities, such as a shower,

food, clothing and laundry are available,as well as counselling and referrals toother support services, Ediger elaborated.

Iron Horse will need to raise about$10,000 per month in order to providethose services, she said, noting fundrais-ing is ongoing.

The point of the recent luncheon wasalso “to strategically inspire ongoingcommitment from the community,” saidEdiger.

Members of the community havealready con-tributed morethan $15,000towards keep-ing Iron Horseoperationalsince it wasannounced thatthe shelter’sfunding wasbeing cut.

Two chequepresentations were made at the luncheon.

Baj Dhahan and Gurtek Shoker, localTim Horton’s franchise owners, provideda second installment of their $12,500donation, while the Real Estate Board ofGreater Vancouver contributed $4,200.

About 30 people attended the luncheon,according to Ediger, including repre-sentatives from the RCMP, Meadow RidgeRotary, and MLA Marc Dalton.

“We did not invite public figures,” saidEdiger. “Unless they were already donors,or individuals or members of groups whohad been asking how they could help withIron Horse.”

Youth facility

Still open for business

“The important part ofthe message was, whilethe shelter is closed, theIron Horse facility is stillopen for business.”Stephanie Ediger

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ON BEHALF OF

JudithBergthorson’sFAMILY AND DEAR FRIENDS(many of whom were majorly involved with

organizing and performing at the “awesome” February 8th memorial) I would like to

appreciate all those who attended, sent their regards, offered donations and performed

at this honoring of the contribution Judith made to each of our lives and to the community

around us. It is my responsibility to carry on the vision and concrete actions Judith brought

to the Bergthorson Academy of Musical Arts. It is your challenge to keep the joy of

music alive and well in your hearts, your family and to have the courage and generosity

exemplified by Judith’s life to share your love for live music wherever possible.

THANK YOU ALL! ROBERT HORNSEY


Atlantic ballerinas will grace the localstage, as part of a varied month ofprogramming coming up at The ACT.by Cole [email protected]

Maple Ridge’s ballet aficionados willhave their appetite for high art satisfiedthis month as the Atlantic Ballet Theatreof Canada returns to The ACT.

Atlantic Ballet, based out of easternCanada, will return to The ACT for thefirst time in six years on Feb. 22 withtheir production Piaf.

From budding ballerinas to general artfans, there is a desire for classical balletshows in Maple Ridge, said Karen Pighin,communications manager at The ACT.

Especially, she added, when the showscome at “an extremely reasonable price.”

The ballet tells the story of Edith Piaf, aFrench singer born in 1915.

Piaf, choreographed by IgorDobrovolskiy, incorporates music fromPiaf’s career, which gives the production“a wide appeal,” said Pighin.

Dobrovolskiy will be hosting a questionand answer period in the lobby of TheACT before the show opens.

For Lindy Sisson, executive and artisticdirector for The ACT, booking the showwas an exercise in knowing your audi-ence.

“With Atlantic Ballet Theatre ofCanada, I was looking for a classical bal-let. I also knew that our audiences likedstory-focused ballets,” Sisson said.

Piaf comes towards the end of a busyand varied February at The ACT, whichkicked off the month with a performance

from children’s entertainers Bobs andLoLo on Family Day.

Later in the month, The ACT will hostALT-Fest, a celebration of alternativedance, music, and art spread over threedays in support of the Friends in NeedFood Bank.

It’s all a part of an effort to find art thatspeaks to everyone in the community,said Pighin.

Tickets are available through The ACTat 604-476-2787, or visit www.theactmap-leridge.org.

On stage

Satiating ballet appetites

Olga Petiteau (seen here), originally from Paris, willdance the lead in Piaf.

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An event to raise funds towardsa Maple Ridge family was ahuge success.by Troy [email protected]

Judging by comments from theorganizer and the family it benefited,the Sparkle For Nicolas fundraisertruly sparkled.

Proceeds from the Jan. 24 event atTownhall Public House on LougheedHighway went to two-year-oldNicolas Schwuchow and his familythat includes dad Rolf, mom Petra,and four-year-old big sister “Izzy.”

Nicolas has Spinal MuscularAtrophy (SMA) Type 1, a terminaland degenerative disease that causesweakness and wasting of the volun-tary muscles in infants and children.SMA, a disease that affects one in6,000 people, eventually impactsevery muscle in the body, hinder-ing the ability to walk, stand, sit,eat, breathe, and swallow. The mindalways remains unaffected and chil-dren with SMA are bright, sensitive,and playful in spite of their failingbodies.

Through the “A Boy NamedNicolas” campaign, funds are beingraised to assist the family with pro-viding Nicolas the opportunity to livea normal life.

This includes an above groundpool for water therapy and majormodifications to the 45-year-oldhouse that the family has lived in forthe past six years.

In the most recent fundraiser, pro-filed in The TIMES [‘Sparkling’ fund-raiser for toddler, Jan. 22], Sparklefor Nicolas organizer Janet Rutledgesold items from Stella Dot, a directsales accessories brand with a focus

on women’s jewelry and accessories.“The Sparkle for Nicolas event was

really great,” said Rutledge, who hasbeen friends with Petra for 14 years.“The venue was fantastic and I wasgrateful to partner with Kylee Turner,general manager at the TownhallPub.”

From the fundraiser, Rutledge pre-sented Rolf and Petra with a chequefor $1,000 on Feb. 9.

This donation consisted of her fullsales commission and full “coaching”commissions donated by Rutledge’supline director, Leah Leipert of PittMeadows.

“I was able to offer award-winningStella & Dot accessories for purchasewhile simultaneously giving backto the family,” Rutledge noted. “Itwas a win-win: I wanted to come up

with another way to help the familythrough my business and providedthem with more than $800 worth ofproduct to use as they wish; likely assilent auction items in upcoming pubnight fundraisers.”

Rolf relayed his heartfelt apprecia-tion from the family.

“Thank you once again to Janetfor the time and energy you pouredinto making this event successful,not only in total dollars donated, butin helping share the campaign for ABoy Named Nicolas…,” Rolf said.

When she came by to give thecheque, Rutledge said she lovesspending time with the family.

“Nicolas was true to his normalself – full of smiles and song. I askedhim if his smiles were all for me andI told him that it made me feel reallyspecial,” Rutledge said.

“He said ‘Yes,’ but then told methat he was special too, which mightjust be the understatement of theyear. This wonderful little boy hasenriched so many lives and broughtpeople closer together.”

Rutledge wished she could haveadded more zeroes to the cheque shepresented to the family.

“As the campaign continues, so dotheir hopes that they will be able torealize the extreme makeover neededto improve Nicolas’s quality of life,”Rutledge said.

“I hope that everyone in the com-munity who reads about or has theopportunity to meet A Boy NamedNicolas will continue to support anddonate to this family. They deserveevery good thing that could possiblycome their way.”

People can follow Nicolas onhis Facebook page: www.face-book. com/pages/A-Boy-Named-Nicolas/606296976126778 as wellon his website at www.aboynam-ednicolas.ca.

Maple Ridge toddler Nicolas Schwuchow andhis parents Rolf and Petra were the happyrecipients of a $1,000 cheque from close familyfriend Janet Rutledge on Feb. 9.

Nicolas fundraiser

Sparkle efforts pay dividends

Grant

Arts councilgets grant

The Maple Ride and PittMeadows Arts Council hasbeen awarded a grant of$20,151 from the B.C. ArtsCouncil.

The funding will supportits operating activities forthe 2015-16 year.

“Provincial funding sup-porting B.C.’s many com-munity arts councils is soimportant to ensuring astrong presence for the artsin our society” said LindySisson, executive and art-istic director of the MapleRidge Pitt Meadows ArtsCouncil.

“Our annual BCAC grantforms part of the publicsupport which allows us todeliver programs and pro-jects that engage with thecommunity in meaningfulways.”

The funding comes from$24 million that the BCArts Council has receivedfrom the provincial govern-ment to support artists,arts activities and culturein 2014/15.

• More at www.mrtimes.com,search “arts council”

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As cats enter their senior years,there are a number of diseaseconditions that pet ownersshould be aware of as they can

silently sneak up on your cat and evencause death.

1. Chronic kidney dis-ease – One of the mostcommon diseases in oldercats.

They often exhibitincreased thirst and urina-tion, weight loss, badbreath, lethargy, and hid-ing behaviour.

If caught early, thereare treatments and specialdiets that can help to delaythe progression of kidneyfailure.

The key is to have bloodtests done in the earlystages to determine if kid-ney problems are a con-cern.

2. Hyperthyroidism – It is a very com-mon senior cat condition, where theyoften also show increased thirst and urin-ation; however, they also eat more thannormal yet lose weight and may vomitfrequently.

Elevated heart rate and sometimesblood pressure may also be seen.

Hyperthyroid cats can be well managedwith either medication, special low iodinediets, or radioactive iodine treatments.

3. Diabetes – Many older cats candevelop diabetes – where the body doesnot produce enough insulin.

It is often associated with cats that havea history of obesity.

They may show increased drinking andurinating, muscle wastingover the back, occasionallyvomiting, and sometimesan acetone odour to theirbreath. Some cats showa drop in the back legs,or hock joints, when theywalk.

Treatment can be verysuccessful with insulininjections – usually twicea day – as well as spe-cial diets that are lowerin carbohydrates, higherin protein, and higher infibre.

4. Heart disease – Catscan develop heart disease

like dogs do, however, it can be harder todiagnose.

They may or may not have a heart mur-mur, but often have an increased heartrate, difficulty breathing, sudden onset ofpainful hind legs; paralysis, and cold hindlegs may also be seen.

It can be diagnosed by X-rays and ultra-sound of the heart, and there are medica-tions that will help the cat to live with it.The long-term prognosis, however, in catswith heart disease is generally poor.

5. Cancer – Depending on the locationof the cancer in the body, treatment mayor may not be successful.

Often cancer in the abdomen willinvolve growths in the intestine or otherorgans.

Cats often show signs of weight loss,anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, weak-ness, and lethargic.

They may also have a distended belly.Treatment will involve determining the

extent and type of tumor present andthen considering medications to reduceits size and slow the growth.

Some cats can live with some forms ofcancer quite comfortably for a long timeand others are more aggressive and hardto cure.

If you have a senior cat in the house,be on the lookout for any of these symp-toms that are seen in this list of top fiveconditions we see in cats regularly.

Feline friends

Sickness can creep up on senior cats, just like humans

Pet Pauseby Dr. Michael Orser

Veterinarian and owner ofAlouette Animal Hospital

[email protected]

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This is BENSLEY. He’s a quiet, sweet, loving boy.Bensley is always overlooked because he is blackand undemanding. If you take the time to reachout to him he will shower you with love. He’s oneof those cats who will sit with you forehead toforehead, and make all your troubles go away.Bensley is still fairly young has many years of loveand affection to give to the right person. He willneed a fairly quiet home. Bensley is gentle, polite,and is happy to give you space if you need it.He’s the type of cat who can manage on his ownand won’t trip you when you walk in the houseat the end of the day asking for attention. Thereis nothing better than ending a tough day withBensley by your side. Come meet this incrediblyunderstanding cat.

LAYSA is approximately 8 years old and she isa torbie. Laysa’s owner became very ill and wasunable to care for her. Laysa ended up in theshelter system and eventually with us. We weretold she was not adoptable because she wasaggressive and bit people. It’s hard to see thatside of Laysa. The worst she’s done with us ispaw us gently to give her a treat. Laysa is friendlyand vocal and loves to be the centre of attention.Her endearing face is hard to ignore. Laysa willfollow you around her pen just in case some tastymorsel drops out of your pocket. This girl willmake a wonderful companion for someone. Shelost her beloved person and her home. Now shepatiently waits for another.

PEPPERMINT has been with us for years. She isa friendly and very pretty cat. Peppermint is nota cuddler. She enjoys her pets, but she’s not thetype who will plant herself on your lap makingit impossible to move. Peppermint is a veryindependent cat, and will do best in a home withno small children, as she is not used to them.We were also told by a previous adopter thatPeppermint did not get along with the other catsin the house. Oddly enough Peppermint sharesher pen with several other cats and seems tohave no issues with them. Peppermint is atleast 10 years old and it’s about time someonetakes this girl into their life. Although she seemscomfortable at the shelter this is not the placeto call home.

Rachel and Olivia are sisters who were trappedas ferals kittens. They went into foster care to besocialized, but they are both still a bit shy. Theyare the type of cats who will come out of theirhiding spot in the evening when you are sittingand watching TV, and slowly make their way ontoyour lap. They are beautiful cats. Their midnightblack fur is silky soft, and their eyes sparklelike emeralds. There is definitely a strong bondbetween these two girls and they will need to gotogether. They will need a quiet home with nosmall children or dogs. A home they can relax in.We think in the right home it’s just a matter of timebefore they turn into the loveable girls we knowthey are. The minute you touch them they meltinto your hand.

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Send your scoresand game reports [email protected]

QB going to GuelphThe tradition of bright lights

and a full crowd on Friday nightare two reasons outgoing NotreDame quarterback and MapleRidge resident Theodore Landerscommitted to the University ofGuelph Gryphons.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,

click on “Sports”

‘Veteran’ only 10Veteran Sun Runner Kaela

Brandson has been running NorthAmerica’s largest 10-kilometrerace for half her life.

Of course, the Maple Ridgeresident is only 10. It will be theGrade 5 student’s fifth consecu-tive Sun Run this spring, and she’sgearing up to shave 10 minutesoff her time from last year.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,


Bartley on bluelineMaple Ridge defenceman Victor

Bartley is getting a decent amoun-bt of ice time with the NashvillePredators, who hold the NationalHockey League’s best record at38-12-6.

In his 28th game of the season,Bartley, who played his minorhockey locally, picked up his ninthassist of the season in the Preds’3-1 win over the visiting NewJersey Devils on Saturday night.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,


SportsMaple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Tuesday, February 17, 2015 A17

Recreation

Troy Landreville/TIMES

The Vancouver Stealth had theirhands full keeping CalgaryRoughnecks star Curtis Dickson incheck at the Langley Events Centreon Saturday.

Despite a strong finish thatsaw them post a 6-3-0-1record in the new year, MapleRidge’s junior Bs will miss thepost-season dance.by Troy [email protected]

In the end, it boiled down toconsistency, or lack thereof,and the Ridge Meadows Flames’inability to keep up with the restof the conference’s teams.

The junior B Flames will missthe playoffs after finishing last inthe Pacific Junior Hockey League’sHarold Brittain Conference with a16-25-0-3 regular season record.

The improvement of the MissionCity Outlaws, and the shifting ofthe lowly Port Moody Panthers tothe Tom Shaw Conference, equat-ed into Ridge Meadows missingthe playoffs.

With a 21-20-1-2 mark, theOutlaws made an 18-point jumpfrom last season and subsequent-ly placed third in the conference,with the Abbotsford Pilots (21-21-0-2) taking the final playoff berth.

As for the Flames, inconsis-tency, especially in the final twomonths of 2014, ultimately sealedtheir fate.

“It was November,” Flameshead coach and general man-ager Jamie Fiset said, regardinga month in which his team lostsix of eight games. “The monthof November was a really toughstretch for us. There was someinconsistency, there. We had areally strong start to the season,and a strong finish, but it was thatmiddle stretch.”

Ridge Meadows showed signs oflife in the new year but by then, itwas too late. The Flames carrieda five-game losing skid into 2015and after a 7-2 loss on Jan. 2 tothe Langley Knights, held a dismal10-22 record.

Since that time, they went 6-3-0-2, and posted two wins and anovertime loss in February.

“The last three weeks, I wasreally happy with the way theguys played,” Fiset said. “Theywere playing for each other andplaying for the team and notplaying to advance their careers.Everybody was buying into sup-porting each other and we gotgoals from everybody.”

And, if you compare the Flamesto last year’s squad that made theplayoffs with a 17-22-2-3 mark,they only had one fewer regula-tion win.

But all this is little consolationfor the Flames and Fiset, who hadhigh hopes for his team coming

into the season.“We were real happy to fin-

ish third [in the Harold BritainConference standings last year],but this year we’re going to fin-ish first,” Fiset said during theFlames’ training camp at PlanetIce in August [Flames look tokeep fire hot, Aug. 19, MapleRidge-Pitt Meadows TIMES].

The Flames’ struggles this sea-son wasn’t for a lack of effort,Fiset said: “I thought our effort forthe most part was there; a couplegames during the year, we werea little flat. It camedown to gainingmomentum and notbeing able to holdonto it. We’d win acouple of games andthen lose the nextfour.”

That said, particu-larly in 2015, Fisetliked the make-up ofhis team.

“The wins and loss-es, you’ll forget about,but you’ll never forgetyour teammates,” hesaid. “I really liked thegroup we had, especiallythe team we had afterChristmas.”

Flames 7, Mission CityOutlaws 3

The Flames finished their regu-lar season on a winning note, bytrouncing Mission City 7-3 Fridayat Planet Ice.

In a wild third period that sawthe Flames outgun the Outlawsby a 6-2 count, Ridge Meadowsscored three times in the openingfour minutes of the frame to turna 1-1 tie in a 4-1 lead.

Jordan Rendle scored 58 sec-

onds into the final stanza andagain at 1:56, followed by a short-handed goal from Boston Colley atthe 3:52 mark as Ridge Meadowsseized control.

David McGowan scored forMission City at 6:32 to narrowthe visitors’ deficit to 4-2, but theFlames turned up the heat afterthat with three unanswered goals.

Rendle completed his hat trickwith 10 minutes and change to goin regulation, followed by back-to-back power play goals from

Cameron Alder andBen Chipman as theFlames moved ahead7-2.

The Outlaws’Brody Dyck scoredthe final goal of thegame with 4:03 togo in regulationtime.

After a scorelessfirst period, theFlames’ NicholasMaydaniuk openedthe scoring at the8:58 mark of thesecond period.

HaydenMowbray tied the

game for the Outlaws with apower play marker, scored 12:29into the middle stanza.

ICE CHIPS: Fiset plans to beback with the Flames next season,and, like every off-season, he’llhave some re-tooling to do.

“We’re definitely looking forsome pieces to fill in,” he said.“We’ll see what happens. It’s notgoing to be a complete rebuild,but more a matter of being patientand making the right decisions.”

• See more at www.mrtimes.com,search for “Flames”

Ridge Meadows Flames

Flame out: Junior hockey season ends


Ridge Meadows Flames forward Bradley Crompton landed a left-handed gloved punch to the face of Mission City Outlaws defenceman (andMaple Ridge native) Jacob Gushue in Pacific Junior Hockey League action Friday at Planet Ice. The Flames defeated the Outlaws 7-3 to close outtheir season.


Ridge Meadows Flames forward Jonathin Weloy looked to get past Mission City Outlawsdefenceman Erick Miller in PJHL action Friday at Planet Ice. Weloy finished with a pair ofassists in a 7-3 win for the home team.

Dickson nets twoCurtis Dickson – who earned

Western Lacrosse AssociationMVP honours in 2013 as amember of the Maple RidgeBurrards – scored twice andadded two assists for the CalgaryRoughnecks in their 13-9 lossto the Vancouver Stealth atthe Langley Events Centre onSaturday.

Congratulations to ShannonMcKenna, one of the TIMES’Facebook followers, who wona pair of tickets to Saturday’sNational Lacrosse League game.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,



Flames head coach Jamie Fiset

watched the action unfold

Friday at Planet Ice.

www.m

rtim

es.com

MorePhotosOnline

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604.467.5179 • www.alouetteaddictions.org


Badly made knock-offsare a growing problemfor sellers in high-endindustry.by Barbara YaffeSpecial to The TIMES

A Maple Ridge motherwants to warn others aboutthe risk involved in buyingbargain prom dresses onthe Internet.

Krista Kong, over-whelmed by the assort-ment of costs associatedwith her daughter Kayla’supcoming graduation cele-brations, tried to econo-mize.

She purchased a mintgreen one-shoulder LaFemme dress online, for$155 US.

After a $40 customscharge and currency con-version, the final bill was$208.

The La Femme gown atAfter Five, the Oakridgemall formal wear retailerwhere Kong and her teen-age daughter initially triedon the dress, sported a$530 pricetag.

When Kong came uponwhat looked like the samedress on the Lovingdresses.com website, she recounts:“I knew it was a knockoffbut I thought to myself, I’lltake a chance, it soundedlike such a good deal.”

Kong reports the dressshe purchased was a dis-appointment.

It “looked cheap,”adorned with plain whitelace, nothing remotely likethe jewelled lace featuredon the dress in the websitephoto.

“Kayla was crestfallen,very upset. She said to me,‘mom you aren’t going tomake me wear that dress,are you?’”

Kong returned to AfterFive to purchase the ori-ginal dress.

She now is working witha seamstress at the store todocument the inadequacyof her online purchase ina bid to get a refund fromher credit card company.

Lovingdresses.comturned down her refundrequest.

The online retailerdescribes itself as “a globalleading online retailer”established in 2010, pro-viding access to “verifiedmanufacturers in China.

“Whether you are awholesaler looking toincrease revenues, a retail-er who refuses to pay thehigh prices in your coun-try, or a shopper lookingfor the latest style dress,we provides (sic) whole-sale prices and first-rated(sic) service.”

Proms in the LowerMainland start taking placein May, with dress buyingdecisions being made now.

“With the weakeningCanadian dollar and an

increase in prom dressprices, many young shop-pers have started search-ing the Internet for betterdeals,” said After Five co-owner Brad Chenkis.

The problem of poor-quality counterfeit dresseshas been around for sev-eral years, he said. But thisyear “we’re hearing manymore stories about badproducts.”

The websites, he asserts,are fronts for factories inChina that produce copiesfrom no more than a photoimage.

“They quickly make it intheir factory and ship it to

our young consumer, witha cheaper fabric, bad fit,and usually in a state thatno seamstress can repair.”

The dresses are indeeda bargain, but the adageone gets what they pay forseems to apply.

The online buyersare disappointed whenthe dresses arrive, saidChenkis, because the web-sites feature the originalmanufacturers’ genuineimages, and of coursetheir product is somethingentirely different.– Barbara Yaffe is with the Vancouver Sun

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

Prom dresses

Online apparel deals not worth it

Steve Bosch/Vancouver Sun

Brad Chenkis, owner of the After Five dress shop in the Oakridge ShoppingCentre, displays the real thing and a fake prom dress.

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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$549/ea.

ElanOrganic Tri Color Quinoa426g .................................................................................. Special

$599/ea.InternationalGourmet Sliced Mushroom284ml .................................................................................Special

$129/ea.

maple ridge pitt meadows times february 17 2015

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