maple ridge pitt meadows times july 31 2014

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Thursday, July 31, 2014

• mrtimes.com • 604-463-2281 • 28 PAGES WITH REW •

TIMES reporter EricZimmer tackledGolden Ears thisweekend, and

won…

Page A15

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A surreal scene unfolds forneighbours who live along240th Street: their homessurrounded by police tape.

by Troy [email protected]

Residents of a relativelynew subdivision in theAlbion area woke upearly Wednesday mor-ning with their neigh-bourhood surroundedby police tape.

At approximately10:15 p.m. Tuesday,a man was shot andkilled outside a homeat the 10300 block of240th Street.

Trevor Koehler, 33,of Maple Ridge was foundwith multiple gunshots. Hewas rushed to hospital andpronounced dead.

Koehler was shotin his backyard as hearrived home, accord-ing to Sgt. AdamMacIntosh of theIntegrated HomicideInvestigation Team(IHIT), which hastaken over the case.

RCMP cruisersblocked off a section of240th Street to traffic,and a police car wasparked in an alleywaybehind the home where theshooting took place.

Investigators are looking for alight coloured, possibly white orcream compact import car, pos-sibly a Honda, Toyota, or Acura.

Koehler had no criminal recordand was not known to police.

This does not appear to be gangrelated and the motive is yet tobe confirmed, MacIntosh noted.

“At this early stage of theinvestigation we can say Trevorwas the victim of a targetedattack and this was not a randomoccurrence,” MacIntosh said.

“We’re trying to determine the

exact motive as to why he wastargeted in the manner that hewas,” noted MacIntosh during apress conference at the scene lateWednesday morning.

As part of the investigation,IHIT’s job is to speak to anypotential witnesses as to whatled up to the point at whereshots were fired, MacIntosh said.

The task ahead for IHIT is tofind out as much as they can

about the victim and determinewhy someone would want toshot him.

“Somewhere, someone decidedthey wanted to kill this man,we have to find out why,”MacIntosh said.

He added that “IHIT continuesto work with the Ridge MeadowsRCMP to determine why thisshooting occurred and who isresponsible.”

Chantelle Beveridge took herdog for a walk along 240A Street,just behind the crime scene earlyWednesday morning.

“I think it’s really shocking,”said Beveridge, who now residesin Victoria and was visiting herparents – who live only a hand-ful of homes south of the crimescene. “The last thing I’d thinkI’d wake up [to] in the morningis that someone has been shot inthe neighbourhood.”

Beveridge said she slept rightthrough the night and didn’t heara thing.

“My mother was saying thatshe heard sirens at night, but shedidn’t know what was going on,”Beverridge noted.

Her parents didn’t know verymuch about who lives in thehome, she said.

“All they know is, it is a prettygood neighbourhood, and thatthere’s lots of families that livehere,” Beveridge added.

Children play road hockey onthe street and people walk theirdogs through the neighbourhood,she noted.

Asked if this was an isolatedincident, Beveridge said, “I thinkthis has got to be a one-off.I can’t see really this being atroubled neighbourhood, at all.The people here are pretty nice,and kind, and everyone usuallyknows everybody. The fact thatsomeone got shot is really… Iwould have never thought that.”

Anyone with informationregarding this murder or whomay have been in the area isbeing asked to contact the IHITtipline by calling 1-877-551-IHIT(4448) or by email at [email protected]. To remainanonymous, people can callCrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477or leave a tip at Solvecrime.ca.

Investigation

Murder rocks Albion

Troy Landreville/TIMES

Surrounded by police tape, a neighbour watered his lawn Wednesday morning, near a homewhere a person was allegedly shot the night before. In the meantime, Sgt. Adam MacIntosh(left) of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) spoke to media during a pressconference near the home where a man was shot and killed late Tuesday evening.

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Happily, Fiat’s smallestcar continues to age well

Fiat500C

today’sdriveYour journey starts here.

2014

was outfitted, gives you lashings ofextra chrome on the outside andpretty little 15” alloys to fill thewheel-wells. Priced the same asa well-equipped compact car,it still gives an upscale exteriorimpression.

Environment:Inside the 500c’s diminutive cabin,a tall roof-line and upright seatingposition impart an airy feeling, eventhough this is a very narrow car. Thedash is dominated by a slick body-coloured panel that apes the 1950s versionwith its all-metal interior. Trust me; this one’squite a bit safer.

The driver gets a slightly complicated instrument clusterwith a twin ring of tachometer and speedometer, with thespeed chasing the revs clockwise around the circumference.As with most retro touches, this looks great at the expenseof some functionality.

Less impressive is the very plain-jane audio system, with itsknobless design – Fiat might have done well here to go foran old-school look, and it’s far easier to use the steering-wheel-mounted audio controls rather than try to push thenecessary buttons without looking. However, optioningthe 6-speaker Beats audio does give the little Fiat quiteconsiderable sonic punch.

Rear seats and cargo area? Both are pretty tiny, so youbetter be good at either Tetris or friends with contortionists.

Performance:With a 1.4L four-cylinder cranking out 101hp, the 500cwas never going to be a rocketship. That’s not the point,and if you’re looking for a few more Italian stallions underthe hood, best to wander over to the part of the showroomwhere the Abarth models are parked.

Instead, the normal 500c provides acceleration that’sperfectly acceptable, and its little motor does love to rev.If you’ve the skill, the 5-speed manual makes the most ofthe power, though it’s nowhere near as precise a gearbox asyou’d find in something like a Mazda 2.

Given that the 500c is set up for top-down stop-and-go,there’s no shame in opting for the automatic option, a 6-speedgearbox. The manual is a little more fun – and a little moreEuropean – but the 500 should do just fine with the auto.

With just enough snippiness to keep up with city traffic, the

500c feels light on its feet, and canwriggle through tight spaces with ease.The turning circle is very good, at just9.3m, meaning it can whip aroundin a hurry too. Take note, the more-powerful Abarth version doesn’thave this same level of flexibilitythanks to larger tires.

Without wishing to cause offence,the 500c drives a bit like a weeble

– it wobbles but it doesn’t fall down.Cornering is a little bit tippy, but

not really alarming as you’ve only got101hp on tap, and the only real detriment

to highway driving is some fairly highroad noise. Then again, this is a subcompact

convertible, so what did you expect?

With the top fully down, the 500c has (as previouslymentioned) some pretty woeful rear visibility, but becauseit’s so small it’s not really a demerit. Also, not being a veryostentatious car, it seems like other drivers don’t mind youcutting in, and getting across Vancouver in congestion wasactually a fairly relaxing experience.

Features:Navigation is available on the 500c, but only as a plug-inTom-Tom unit that’s so much of an afterthought, it can beeasily lifted right out and stolen. It also blocks forwardvisibility, so maybe give it a miss.

Lounge versions of the 500c come with Bluetooth asstandard, as well as heated seats up front, and foglamps.The leather interior was very good for such a small car, andlooked sharp in Marrone Brown.

Fuel economy ratings are excellent at 6.7L/100kms city and5.2L/100kms highway. However, please note that these arefigures provided under the old testing methods, and real-world fuel economy in mixed usage is much closer to about1L/100kms worse for each.

Green Light:Chirrupy driving demeanour; low entry level cost; still-fresh styling

Stop Sign:Modest power; limited space; pronounced body roll; poorrear visibility

The Checkered Flag:Sunny as Sardinia, both inside and out.

In Italy’s epicentre of style, Milan, you’ll almostnever see a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. If owningone was cost-prohibitive before, these days thecarabineri have a habit of pulling over everysupercar they see to check to see if you’ve beenpaying your taxes – and most of the time, theirdrivers haven’t.

Instead what you get is a stream of diminutivelittle hatchbacks, many of which are fitted with tow-hitches.

Point is; wheeled style isn’t something the Italiansconsume in huge, conspicuous packages. La Dolce Vita ismore about buzzy Vespas and street side cafes – less gold-leaf gilt, and more everyday chic.

Fiat absolutely nails this ethos with their 500c citycar, an urban runabout that’s sized right for Europe’scrowded streets. But now that it’s been on the market fora while, does the tiny Italian drop-top still appeal, or hassomething been lost in translation?

Design:Happily, Fiat’s smallest car continues to age well. The car’shappy little face still beams and its short little wheelbasegives it the air of a bouncing pug.

While nearly every other manufacturer continues to worktowards an ultimate goal of building the entire car out ofmesh grille, the 500c has hardly any grille at all. A brightred Fiat badge makes for a button nose, bright chromework creates a pair of whiskers, and the car’s face appearsto be beaming, rather than scowling. Next to the Fiat,everybody else just feels like they’re trying too hard – it’snot aggressive, it just wants to andiamo!

Stepping up to the folding roof version of the 500 is a $4,600premium over the basic car. For this outlay you get not quitea real convertible; the middle section of the roof slides away,and can also be set to a midpoint to create an enormoussunroof, but the sides of the car stay where they are.

So, your open-air motoring experience is somewhatrestricted, but if you roll down the windows, it’s hardlynoticeable. Naturally, when compared to the standard car,lowering the top does mess with your rearward visibilitysomewhat.

Optioning up for the Lounge model, as this week’s tester

BY BRENDAN [email protected] • Tweet: @brendan_mcaleer

UpFrontMaple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, July 31, 2014 A3

mrtimes.com

Clickfor community

Swirly hearing setA former teacher and convicted

sex offender, Christopher Paul Neil(a.k.a. Swirly Face) goes before a judgein October. Ten days have been setaside for a preliminary hearing in PortCoquitlam provincial court to determineif there’s enough evidence to take theformer Maple Ridge resident to trial.

• More at www.mrtimes.com

SUV flips in Pitt crashPolice are still investigating the cause

of an accident on Hammond Road in PittMeadows Monday night where a SUVflipped over on its roof after collidingwith a parked RV. The lone male driverwas able to climb free before emergencycrews arrived. He was taken to hospital.


Festival moves to townThe BC Renaissance Festival, which has

been held in Langley for the past eightyears, is now moving to Maple Ridge– specifically to the Albion Fairgrounds.

With a change of location also comes achange of date for the annual swashbuck-ling event. It will be held Aug. 15 to 17.


Eric Zimmer/TIMES

It took crews a few hours to clean up acrash scene on Hammond Road Tuesday.

Chef Dez is a foodcolumnist and culinary

instructor in theFraser Valley.

Visit him at www.chefdez.com.

Send questions [email protected]

or to P.O. Box2674, Abbotsford,

B.C. V2T 6R4

On Cookingby Chef Dez

Melons ideal in heatA favourite food to help fight summer

heat is chilled slices of melon, and TIMEScontributor Chef Dez chats about thismuch loved food in his latest column.


This month’s topic: Technology

HOTButtonIssuesfor school

board trustees

Municipal elections 2014

Q.

“…we would be amissto not be includingthe importance of

technology in and tothe world around us. If

leaders in education arenot providing studentswith the tools neededto succeed in a highly

technological world, thereis a risk of falling short.”

The question was put to each of the school boardtrustees serving Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. A

majority have chosen not to respond.• • •

These are excerpts from their answers. Fullanswers at www.mrtimes.com, search “technology”

“In today’s world,technology is a criticaltool for learning andcommunicating. Theschool district hasacknowledged thatstrategically in itsRoadmap to Excellenceand in its currentdelivery of publiceducation.”

Eleanor PalisSchool board trustee

Mike MurraySchool board chair

“Yes, we should and wedo place a high level ofimportance on the use

of technology. But it willalways be subordinate tothe importance we placeon quality teachers andsupport staff… Yes, we

should invest importanceon technology but

never in place of a realemotional being.” Ken Clarkson

School board trustee

How much importanceshould the schooldistrict place on the useof technology in theclassroom?

A used boat recently given to RidgeMeadows RCMP equals a whole newvantage point for officers.

by Christopher [email protected]

Ridge Meadows RCMP’s new ride is mak-ing waves as police set their sights on keep-ing the local rivers and lakes safe.

The newly acquired used boat, a 17-foot,90-horsepower, rigid-inflat-able Zodiac, was recentlygiven to local Mounties fromthe Fraser Lake RCMP – freeof charge.

Cpl. Steph Hamel said therehas been a need for such aboat for years as the num-ber of recreational boaters has increased.Regular policing of the lakes and rivers hasbeen inadequate due to this limitation dueas there was never have never been enoughmoney in the budget to purchase a boat, he

added.Hamel estimates the boat they received

would normally cost $25,000, not includingequipment.

“For the last three years we have beenwriting a business case to get one, but everyyear it was turned down, turned down,turned down,” Hamel said.

“When the Fraser Lake boat became avail-able, we got it.”

Prior to this acquisition, the local Mountieshad to borrow Mission RCMP’s boat – whenit was not being used – or ask the Ridge

Meadows Search and Rescueteam for assistance in helpingstranded boaters or searchingfor missing persons.

Ridge Meadows RCMPhave always been respon-sible for patroling part of theFraser River, Pitt River, Pitt

Lake, and Alouette Lake. But it’s been yearssince local police force had its own boat.

Last weekend, their new boat wasdeployed for its third and fourth time inMaple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

continued on page A11…

TIMES exclusive

FloatingMounties keepwatchful eye on waters

Christopher Sun/TIMES

RCMP Cpl. Steph Hamel and Const. Shannon Stenbeck, aboard a 90-horsepower Zodiac, toured Pitt River and Pitt Lakelast Sunday. Heading into the holiday long weekend, they plan to be out patrolling again in the new police boat.

“When the FraserLake boat becameavailable, we got it.”Steph Hamel

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Police files

Man arrestedin car attackA 41-year-old Maple Ridge resident wastaken into custody this weekend afterdamaging a car in Haney.

A potentially “unstable” man was arrestedand kept behind bars overnight, after alleged-ly jumping up and down on the roof of ahigh-performance car in Maple Ridge thisweekend.

Mounties, responding to complaints,arrived in the224th Streetand NorthAvenue areaof Haney atabout 3 p.m.on Sundayto find aman “sittingon the roofof a SaleenMustang,”explained

Ridge Meadows RCMP Sgt. Jennifer Hyland.Talking with witnesses, police soon learned

that the man had been jumping up and down“without provocation” just moments before,and fled when officers arrived.

“The suspect is very well known to RidgeMeadows RCMP, and is a person who exhib-its unstable mental health,” Hyland said.

Police quickly located and arrested thesuspect, a 41-year-old Maple Ridge man whonow faces charges in connection with damag-ing the vehicle.

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

Firefighter Josh Wire(left) was among 32career and paid-oncall Maple Ridgefirefighters whoturned out Saturdayto help wash cars forcharity at the MapleRidge Baptist Church.

Rick Moyer/TIMES

by Roxanne [email protected]

From a numbers perspective, thisweekend’s firefighter car wash atthe Maple Ridge Baptist Churchwas a howling success.

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. By the numbers, that equatesto six hours.

There were 32 career and paid-oncall members of the Maple Ridgefire department who donated theirtime to raise money for the burnunits at Vancouver General Hospitaland BC Children’s Hospital. It’s afun summer event they’ve beenhosting for 15 years now.

More numbers: 291 vehicles were

washed, slightly more than 2013with 276 cars. Simultaneously, how-ever, donation numbers are downslightly, from $4,940 to $4,168.

Regardless of the numbers,however, assistant fire chief TimoJuurakko said it was a resound-ing success that will attempt to beduplicated or bettered next summer.

“It’s another $4,000 they didn’thave before,” he said.

In the meantime, Maple Ridgefirefighters are now turning theirattentions to other charity endeav-ours, including a fundraising din-ner they’ll make up for the winnerof a hospital foundation raffle and– believe it or not – their giant fundand food raising drive at Christmas.

Charity work

Outreach: by the numbers

MorePhotosOnlinewww.mrtimes.com

Damage to a car roof landed a MapleRidge man jail time this weekend.

HOUSING MATTERS

To apply or learn more, visitwww.bchousing.org/HAFIYou can also contact BC Housing:Phone: 604-433-2218Toll-free: 1-800-257-7756

Are you a low-income senior or a personwith a disability who wants to live safelyand independently in the comfort ofyour home?

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When Lorie andWalter bought theirhome in Port Alberni 13years agothey slowly began renovating theunfinished basement to accommodateWalter’s changing needs as hismuscular dystrophy advanced.

“The basement was a black hole whenwemoved in,” recalledWalter. “After12years of skimping and saving, wemade the downstairs completelywheelchair accessible, except forthe bathroom. It was way too small.I could only stand for about a minuteand a half without collapsing inthe shower stall and I could nolonger pull myself out of the tub inthe upstairs’bathroom, even withLorie’s help.”

Through funding from BC Housing’sHome Adaptations for Independence(HAFI) program,Walter and Loriewere able to work with a contractorto transform the space. A wall wasremoved to make room for a wheel-in shower with benches, grab barswere installed, and the vanity andfixtures were relocated.

I just slide into the shower now,” saidWalter. “I feel safer and no longerdread trying to wash myself. Whatwas previously a dangerous chore forme is now a welcome treat.”

Walter and Lorie hope to spend therest of their lives in their home.

The HAFI program provides financialassistance to help eligible low-incomeseniors and people with disabilitiesadapt their homes so they cancontinue to live independently.

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A routine, early morning walk withhis dog ended in tragedy for a PittMeadows man and his family.by Eric [email protected]

At 6:40 a.m., on Wednesday morning,Pitt Meadows resident Greg Wyatt tookhis Yorkshire terrier Tucker for a walk.

He couldn’t imagine what would unfoldbefore he returned to his Shoreline Stratahome, located on Fraser Way in PittMeadows.

As Tucker and Wyattmade their way down theirdriveway back to the housearound 7 a.m., a pitbullbeing walked by anotherresident in a neighbour-ing complex, broke freeof his owner’s hold, rantowards Tucker with theleash still around his neck,and attacked the smalldog, killing him, Wyattrecounted.

The entire attack took less than a min-ute, said Wyatt.

“Tucker’s neck was broken and histongue was hanging out, but the dog wasstill shaking him,” Wyatt told the TIMES.

“I was punching and kicking the pitbullto try and make him stop, but he didn’teven flinch.”

Eventually, the pitbull stopped shakingthe eight-pound Tucker, dropped him,then backed away.

It was only then, he said, that thepitbull’s owner intervened, took the dogaway, and carried on with their walk.

For Wyatt the tragedy of losing hisbeloved pet is compounded by the factthat he believes the whole event wasavoidable.

Wyatt and his wife Judy live in a strataresidence, and noted that a year and ahalf ago, a neighbour told them her dogwas attacked by the same pitbull.

“We had warned the strata that some-thing like this could happen, but no oneseemed to want to address the issue,” saidWyatt, who claimed to have sounded thealarm in his family-oriented neighbour-hood, fearing a baby or young child couldbe next.

“It’s so sad,” he said. “What if that hadbeen someone’s child?”

Some of Wyatt’s neigh-bours witnessed theattack, and since then theSPCA, the RCMP, and theStrata company have beeninformed.

Mounties and the City areinvestigating. In the mean-time, Wyatt said he con-sidering civil action againstthe strata.

An event like this shouldbe cause for the strata to seriously ques-tion its policies on what kind dogs resi-dents are allowed to own, he said.

“This dog has caused trauma andit’s really gotten out of hand,” Wyattexplained.

At the moment, however, all his family’sfocus is on mourning the loss of seven-year-old Tucker.

“All I know is I have a dead little dogwho was the sweetest dog ever,” he said.

His wife said she was “heartbroken” bythe loss. “These little ones are part of yourfamily.”

Dog death

Pitbull attacks, kills dog

Greg Wyatt photo

Tucker was killed after beingattcked by a pitbull on Wednesday.


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A local couple enlists the charitablework of George Klassen and ProjectWellness to create positive change ina parent’s name.by Ronda [email protected]

George Klassen is an unassuming guy,going about his work of making a differ-ence for widows, children, and orphansin Malawi, Africa without making a fussabout it.

It surprised Wes Robinson when heread about the projects Klassen has beeninvolved in through Project Wellness (adivision of the Amazon Evangelism soci-ety) in The TIMES because Robinson rec-ognized Klassen’s name from the churchthey both attend.

Until reading the articles, Robinson wasunaware of the work Klassen, a fellowMaple Ridge resident, wasdoing.

“He does some reallygreat work for the familiesin Malawi,” said Robinson,who with his wife Lori, askedKlassen how he could helpcontinue the efforts.

Project Wellness has drilled26 wells in the small, land-locked country of Malawi insouthern Africa.

Klassen also ensures food fororphans in the organization’stwo orphan care centres,has started to build a third orphan carecentre, and generally attends to the basicneeds so often absent in the lives of wid-

ows, orphans and children in theregion.

“We have grown so much,”Klassen said. “We have 26 wellsand I’m going to drill [numbers]27 and 28 in October.”

Robinson sees the benefit ofKlassen’s work.

“George is thinking long-termand sustainably,” Robinsonnoted. “It changes the life par-ticularly of women and chil-

dren.”According to Robinson, it can take

women and children in Malawi half a day

to collect water. With a well deliveringclean, safe water, that time can now bespent in other ways.

“It enables children to go to school,”Robinson said. “It provides them withother time in their day.”

About a year and a half ago, Robinson’smother, Grace Robinson, passed away.She ran Skylark Christian Books in MapleRidge for about 15 years from 1975.

“My mom was born in NewWestminster, but lived in Maple Ridgeher entire life, from 1929 on,” Robinsoncommented.

Robinson and his brothers challenged

their kids and grandkids to set individualgoals to do something to help someonein memory of their mother, grandmother,and great-grandmother.

“She always had a natural desire tohelp others,” Robinson said of his mom.“Especially women and children.”

Recognizing how the work Klassendoes helps women and children first andforemost, funding the drilling of a well inhis mother’s name was a natural fit.

“It’s already long done,” Klassen saidof the well in Grace Robinson’s name.“About a month and a half ago.”

As an entrepreneur, Robinson appreci-ates Klassen’s spirit to “just get the jobdone.”

“Lori and I want to see things that areaccomplished, that are making a good useof our money and donations and Georgeis providing that,” Robinson said. “Hechallenges us all.”

Klassen’s next trip to Malawi is set forearly October when the new orphan carecentre to accommodate approximately400 children, will be completed.

Learn more about Project Wellness andhow to get involved at www.projectwell-ness.ca.

International aid

Well a meaningful memorial to bookstore ownerThis well inMalawi, Africawas fundedin honourof GraceRobinson andwas the 26thwell drilledby ProjectWellness.George Klassen photos

Grace RobinsonIn memorial

When SkyTrain passengersgot stuck in the middle of someof the busiest times of the day,twice in two weeks, it revealeda lot about how our region isgoverned.

First, there was TransLink’srather petulant apology, whichmanaged to wag an accusing fin-ger at the riders who had priedopen the doors of their trainsand walked down the tracks.“Bad!” said TransLink officials.“That damaged the train! And itwas dangerous!”

Well, let’s lock the TransLink executives in asmall room, with no washrooms, inadequate airconditioning, and no idea when they’ll ever getout, or if any help is coming. Let’s see how longit takes them to start kicking down the doors.

Of course, TransLink is now getting a verbalkicking from the mayors (who don’t have controlover day-to-day operations) and from provincialpoliticians (who don’t directly control it either).Notice a pattern?

TransLink was ostensibly created to give themost densely populated part of B.C. a singleagency that would oversee major roads, buses,trolleys, and SkyTrain.

In practice, it has evolved through a variety ofsystems of control, all of which have only onething in common: they allow the province towash its hands of the situation.

Right now the local mayors, who still havesome control over TransLink’s budget and plan-ning, are trying to put together a budget that willallow for the massive growth south of the Fraserand in other suburban regions, while being toldthat the province will essentially not kick in anycash.

How about other “regional” authorities?Fraser Health has recently been the subject of

a fairly scathing report suggesting it is fallingdown on the job, is underperforming comparedto pretty much every other health region in B.C.,

and needs to shape up.This comes as little surprise to

most residents. While our healthcare providers are still workinghard, doctors and nurses can onlydo so much. They need more hos-pital beds, expanded wards, newequipment, better systems to slashwait times.

We do get improvements, indribs and drabs, and almostalways too late.

Yet again, it’s Fraser Health thatgets the brunt of the hatred, not

the province. Yet again, a regional authority isadministering a provincial responsibility, and notdoing a terribly good job of it.

How about education?Well, here we have a system of school boards

that goes back to the start of the province. Andof course, municipal governments have to planneighbourhoods. And between the two of them,they make informed guesses about how manymore students are coming… and then they haveto wait until existing schools are groaning undermassive overcapacity before the province willgrudgingly loosen the purse strings and toss outsome funds for new construction. Hope you likeportables, kids! Don’t worry, the lack of air con-ditioning will help you and your teachers sweatoff a couple of pounds come next June!

All of these local and regional systems arechildren of the province. Victoria’s control of themoney remains nearly complete.

Here in the suburbs, Maple Ridge and thesouth of the Fraser, we’re seeing massivegrowth. People are moving here in droves. Andour hospitals date back decades, our bus ser-vice is stalled, and we haven’t seen extendedSkyTrain service since the 1990s.

We don’t need another reorganization ofTransLink or consultation with local school dis-tricts. We need Victoria to take responsibility forthe future of B.C. Because the outer suburbs arethe future of B.C.

Opinion

A8 Thursday, July 31, 2014

Our View

Enjoy the heat,avoid the risk

Lots of folks find the best way tocelebrate a long weekend is to get awayand enjoy some vacation time.

After all, it’s summer, and what bet-ter time is there to enjoy some of thegreat sights and activities that natureprovides us throughout the province.

The first rule of enjoying any vaca-tion spot is to make sure you get theresafely. Drive carefully, and plan yourholiday trip so you’re not rushing to getaway at the last minute. Speed kills onthe highways, especially when it is com-bined with distractions caused by stress.

Make sure your vehicle is in goodcondition: brakes are in good order, tiresproperly inflated, no mechanical defectsto leave your trip to unfortunate chance.

It’s hot out there. Take that intoaccount when you’re setting up foryour road trip. Make sure youre familyis equipped with plenty of fluids, packup the sunscreen to block those intenseUV rays, and treat your vehicle withrespect. It can become your enemy inthe hot sun.

The danger of hot, closed cars hasbeen mentioned a lot this year – butthat’s because, time and again, somepeople have failed to get the message.

The temperature in a parked car,even in the shade with the windowspartly open, can rapidly reach a levelthat will seriously harm or even killyour pet or child. When temperaturesreach 27ºC outside, the inside of yourcar can reach 36ºC, at which it cancause serious sickness in pets and chil-dren in less than 30 minutes.

And it doesn’t stop there.Temperatures can easily go higher still,shortening the time it takes to createa dangerous living environment. Heatstroke can occur when body temper-atures exceed 40ºC.

Get out this weekend and enjoy itfully. But if you see a pet in distress, orhesitate – call 9-1-1. You may save a life.

– B.G.

Victoria drops ball on region

OpinionWho we are

EditorialTroy Landreville

Eric Zimmer

AdvertisingRalph De Adder

Graeme RossAnne GordonSheryl Jones

Distribution SupervisorWendy Bradley

AdministrationRebecca Nickerson

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Publisher

Water should be free.

I follow all the restrictions.

I only water my garden.

My well is my own!

My well is already very low.

My grow op is my first priority.

This Week’s QuestionWhat are your plans for the BC Day longweekend?

■ Your ViewLast week’s question, results…

What are you doing to conserve water this sum-mer?

Vote online at: www.mrtimes.com

12 %

42 %

27 %

6 %

0 %

13%

Painful Truthby Matthew Claxton

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, July 31, 2014 [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.

• Beware: There be bears out t’ere.Conservation officers are pleadingwith locals to be diligent: pick up rip-ened fruit and keep garbage lockedup until collection day. Readersshared their thoughts.

“Quite a bit of money in fines could becollected on our street as many peoplekeep their garbage cans in front of theirhouse. We have also had a bear hangingaround the last few months eating thegarbage. No visits from the conservationofficer, though we have made a few calls.Hopefully the bear has moved away tothe blueberry fields for the summer.”

– Kathryn Rankin

What you’re telling uson Facebook

Share your views.Like us on Facebook at:

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Engineering

Rethink traffic flowDear Editor,

This is something for Gordy Robson totalk about: Maple Ridge traffic lights.

I did some traveling around Canadaafter moving here from Europe, and thismust be about the most hopeless situationaround. There is no hope to get throughthis city and hit one green light.

The mayor and his crew must own thecompany that sells traffic lights, or have90 per cent share in brakeshoes.

I know this is not an easy thing to solve,but at least have a green zone when youdrive 50 kilometres per hour, and get rightthrough town, or have Lougheed Highwayand Dewney Trunk Road one way each,then there is only a light needed for pedes-trians to cross.

Looks like what they did in Missionseems to work very well. Just saying.

John Claassen, Maple Ridge

Dear Editor,I am struck with the notion that, after

four years of planning, council is notready to move forward [Plans afoot forbusiness, June 10, TIMES].

This commercial strategy shouldhave been ready a decade ago. Weshould have a commercial tax basein place by now, relieving the ever-increasing burden on the residentialtaxpayer.

Instead, council warns us we canlook forward to several more years of taxincreases.

Clearly, Maple Ridge is Mayberry, andwill continue to be a bedroom communityof commuters with high residential taxes,because we have very little in the way ofcommercial tax base to balance the needsof a growing community.

Smaller progressive communities likePitt Meadows had a commercial tax ratio

of 13.3 per cent, while residential ownerspaid 86.6 per cent. Mission’s tax ratio was75.7 per cent residential and 22.7 per centcommercial, with farming contributing 1.6

per cent.Maple Ridge’s tax ratio was 93

per cent residential and seven percent commercial.

To be fair, all of these numbersare before the last municipal elec-tions, with commercial growth hap-pening in the other communities.

But not Maple Ridge!I fail to understand how this and past

councils continue to promise, and fail todeliver, every time.

No wonder we have so much apathyand the very poor turn-out at our elec-tions. Is this the year we have major chan-ges? Or will we continue down the sameroad, expecting a different result?

Jim Bulpit, Maple Ridge

Business growth

RenameMaple Ridge toMayberry

LettersLetterstothe

Editor

Dear Editor,I regret to inform Ms. Ashwell [Students

pushed two steps back, July 18 Letters,TIMES] that she has been sadly misin-formed – perhaps by someone with aLiberal axe to grind.

Allow me to address some of the mis-conceptions stated in her letter:

“Business means passing studentsregardless of their grades...” Teachers hadnothing whatsoever to do with this deci-sion. It was the directive from the districtoffice for students in Grades 8 and 9.

Teachers were the ones who markedthat third term work. It was not a BCTF oran MRTA decision, it only affected Grades8 and 9, and there was a provision that ifany corrections needed to be made, theywould be done on a student-by-studentbasis at the end of the strike.

“…Thoroughly planned decision to can-cel summer school…” The LRB ruled thatsummer school was to run for studentswho had failed a course and who wouldnot be able to re-take it at their school thefollowing year. It was the LRB ruling, andit was the district that determined thatSD42 would not run summer school – notthe teachers.

Secondary students in this districtmissed three actual instructional days dueto the rotating strikes. After June 17, therewere no further scheduled classes.

Three missed days would be highlyunlikely to affect anyone’s admission touniversity; admissions offices are well

aware of the B.C. labour dispute.If, as Ms. Ashwell suggests, graduates

“slacked off” in the final months of school– strike or no strike – that could (andshould) affect their conditional acceptanceat university.

Slacking off for the “last months ofschool” is not a “little mistake.” I hopesuch students develop a better work ethicbefore hitting post secondary.

Again, I am not at all sure how teacherswould be to blame for this.

None of this information is cloaked insecrecy. One may contact either the MRTAor the District 42 office for confirmation ofwhat transpired, in terms of LRB rulings,grades, and reports.

My information is first hand.I do not know how many degrees of

separation existed between Ms. Ashwelland the truth. Ironically, the misinforma-tion in this letter paints an inaccurate por-trait of the roles played by both sides.

If Ms. Ashwell ever sat in a crowdedclassroom, was unable to take a coursebecause her school could not offer itbecause enrolment didn’t meet quota, ifshe, or any of her friends required learn-ing support, then perhaps she can appreci-ate why her teachers are out there fightingto have education funding returned to herschool that was illegally taken away.

Shelley Evans, Maple Ridge[Note: A fuller version of this letter is

online at www.mrtimes.com. Click onOpinion/Letters, or search “Evans”.]

Education

Teacher refutes ‘axe grinder’

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LIVE MUSIC by THE GREAZY LIZARDS!Fun for everyone!

Bring your chairs and picnic blanket to enjoy the full day of festivities!Visit ospreyvillage.com to book a vendor table

FUN & FESTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES!LOCAL VENDORS KIDS GAMES BBQ


Funding generously provided by: Info on events & grants at:

pittmeadows.bc.cafacebook.com/pittmeadows

@citypittmeadows604.465.5454

SCAN THISAD WITH

In August, Council takes a summerrecess.There will be a Council inCommittee meeting on August 26 at3pm.The regular meeting schedulebegins again on September 2.

Check the Council MeetingCalendar online atpittmeadows.bc.ca > City Hall > CouncilAgendas and Minutes, and click on thelink in the top right corner.

City TalksAugust 2014

Summer Serenade in Spirit SquareMusic is back in Spirit Square this summer with thereturn of the Summer Serenade series onWednesdayevenings with the Bruce James Orchestra.

The Bruce James Orchestra perform onWednesdayevenings from 7-9pm at Spirit Square throughout thesummer. Bring a blanket or sit on the grass in theSquare and enjoy some great music!

TransportationCommunityBuilding &Engagement

EconomicDevelopment &Land Use

2014 Road Works.Road work will be starting the week ofJuly 14 and continuing until September15, 2014. Projects will include paving of194B Street north of Park Road, paving116BAvenue from Bonson Road to197B Street, sidewalk installation onBonson Road from Hammond Road to116BAvenue (east side) and sidewalkinstallation adjacent to Davie Jones Schoolon 194B Street.Watch for traffic warningsigns and traffic control personnel.

Public Works& Safety

Support Local Business.

Visit thinkpittmeadows.ca forweekly local business features!Youwill meet inspiring Pitt Meadowsentrepreneurs, and learn more aboutwhat is available in our community. Ifyou are a local business interested inbeing our Business of The Week,visit the Pitt Meadows EconomicDevelopment Corporation website atthinkpittmeadows.ca and fill out theonline form.We want to hear from you!

Bring Hot Summer Nights to yourneighbourhood!

The Pitt Meadows Fire & Rescue Service is onceagain hosting its Hot Summer Nights program.Ata Hot Summer Nights event, local firefighters willvisit your neighbourhood and people will be ableto meet the crew, check out the fire trucks andequipment, get wet with the giant sprinkler, havefun and learn about fire safety.To book a HotSummer Nights event in your neighbourhood,call 604.465.2401 or visit the Fire & RescueService website at pittmeadowsfire.com.

Council This MonthThe City will soon begin business planning for the following year.The business planning process supports the annual budget process and plans.While the Financial Plan provides details about theprojected revenues and expenditures for the organization as a whole (as well as other related information), business plans providethe details of the services provided, the results to be achieved, and the specific financial needs of each City department.

Business plans and financial plans for the current year are available on our website at pittmeadows.bc.ca.Watch for opportunitiesfor public input over the coming months.

Go Green

What’sOn Aug 20 - Pitt Meadows Library Book Club

thirdWednesday of the month from 7 to 8:30 pm. Drop inand join a discussion about the monthly book choice.Info: 604-465-4113.

Aug 13 & 27 - Games Night at Pitt Meadows Libraryevery second and fourthWednesday of the month, a variety ofboard games are set up and light refreshments served.Participants can bring their own board games.Visit fvrl.bc.ca.

Great Canadian Shoreline CleanupThe Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a great way for volunteers tocleanup waterways near their homes and neighbourhoods.This year’s fallCleanups will be held September 20-28, 2014.If you would like to help clean up our shorelines in Pitt Meadows,please email greenteam@ pittmeadows.bc.ca orvisit shorelinecleanup.ca.

Summer is wildfire season.

Drier weather means a higher risk of fires. Remember tofollow these fire safety rules during hot weather:

• Never throw cigarette butts on the ground.• Keep loose, dry debris and brush away from your home.• Be careful when running machinery and vehicles in areasof dry grass.• Keep a fully charged fire extinguisher on hand and keep awater hose handy.

Open fires are banned in Pitt Meadows, so bonfires, pitfires or outdoor fireplaces are not permitted at any time.

To report a wildfire, dial 9-1-1 or call the wildfirehotline at 1-800-663-5555 (*5555 on a cell phone).

MEADOW VALE SHOPPING CENTRE, 19174 Lougheed Hwy. 604.465.5507

Johnston MeierINSURANCE AGENCIES GROUP

Serving the needs of Pitt Meadows for over 20 years.

Mon-Wed 9-5:30Thursday 9-6

Friday 9-7Saturday 9-5

Have a Safe

BC DayLong Weekend!

from the staff atJohnston Meier

Mon-WedThursdayFridaySaturday

9-5:309-6:009-7:009-5:00

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, July 31, 2014 A11B.C. Day

…continued from page A3On Saturday, Hamel and two

other officers patrolled AlouetteLake, then on Sunday he hit atPitt River and Lake with Const.Shannon Stenbeck.

Besides busting boaters forpublic drinking, operating aboat while under the influence,failure to produce a boat licenceand registration, and not hav-ing proper safety equipment onboard – all of which can net analmost $300 ticket each – Hamelhas conducted drugs busts fromthe boat, as well.

“Last year I was Sea-dooinghere [Pitt River in his free time]and went up one of the channelsand saw this [floating home] inthe middle of nowhere and aperson, who saw me, gave me adirty look,” Hamel explained. “SoI came back when I was workingand there was a grow-op.”

On Sunday afternoon, afterissuing tickets and warn-ings to a few boaters,Hamel went back to seeif the floating island wasstill there.

It was, but it had sinceexpanded in the pastyear.

Former military man,Shadow Villeneuve, hasmade it his home for nineyears. While what he has createdis impressive – floating platformsthat are all connected hold-ing up a number of structuressuch as a two-storey home witha solar panel, a chicken coup,makeshift greenhouse and a gar-

den with strawberries and blue-berries growing – it was the eightmarijuana plants outside thatcaught the attention of Hameland Stenbeck.

“This is why we needed aboat,” Hamel said, after seizingthe eight plants. While it is ques-tionable if Villeneuve is legallyallowed to live there, Hamel and

Stenbeck departed afterthe plants were destroyedand went back to policingthe waters.

During one of theirother stops Sunday, theMounties seized bags ofliquor from three of fiveboats that were filled withabout 25 partiers.

Then, as the day wasdrawing to an end, Hamel wasdocking his boat when calledback to duty.

Three people on a boat about100 feet away call for help.They’d run out of fuel. They alsohad no oars or paddles, which

Hamel explained, was illegal.“They could get a ticket for

that,” Hamel said, before giv-ing them a warning and towingthem into shore.

Hamel and Stenbeck couldhave easily issued a dozen moretickets at about $300 a pop, butonly one was issued, that beingto a boater who had eight otherviolations. The rest of the peoplethey encountered on the waterreceived warnings for havingone or two infractions.

“We’re not there to ruinpeople’s day,” Hamel added.“It’s about safety.”

Officers seize eight pot plants from a ‘floating island’

Shadow Villeneuve(above) clipped hisoutdoor marijuanaplants before givingthem to the RCMPduring a surprise visitby the boat patrolon Sunday. In themeantime, Cpl. StephHamel (left) andother Ridge MeadowsRCMP officers issuednumerous warning onthe Alouette and PittLakes last weekend.Christopher Sun/TIMES

www.m

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es.com

MorePhotosOnline

Christopher Sun/TIMES

Ridge Meadows RCMP officers rode alongin a 17-foot, Zodiac, was recently given tothe local detachment from the Fraser LakeRCMP – free of charge.


HELP BUSTCRIME…Ridge Meadows RCMP islooking for the followingpeople. If you see anyof them, do not attemptto apprehend them.Please contact the RCMPimmediately by calling 604-463-6251 or CrimeStoppersat 1-800-222-8477. Thewarrants attached to theseindividuals were still outstandingas of 10 a.m. Wednesday. Remember: all of thelisted people are presumed innocent until provenguilty in court.

BRYCE,Damien Kane

Age: 26Wanted in

connection withFile #2014-9203Wanted for theft.

O’REILLY,James PatrickAge: 25Wanted inconnection withFile #2014-243Wanted for failingto appear.

KEIZER,Victoria Evelyn

Age: 37Wanted in

connection withFile #2014-15489

Wanted for robbery.

EVELINE,Joshua TylerAge: 26Wanted inconnection withFile #2014-10384Wanted for theft.

Spirit of the Coast Canoe Journey

Wildlife reinforce goal

Chris Cooper/ www.spiritdancercanoejourneys.ca

Sea lions were spotted off Eden Island about half way into the journey.

Purpose of trip resonates with animal sightings.When a grizzly bear swaggered by their camp in

Burnett Bay, when they spotted sea lions off Eden Island,when they watched a black bear swimming across thechannel – only a few feet away – in Echo Bay, when agrey whale spouted off in a nearby bay off Vancouver

Island, when they caught a few glimpses ofresident wolves keeping their distance butwatching them intently near Burnett Bay, orduring any one of the daily visits from baldeagles who seem to supervise the trip fromoverhead – all these sightings reinforce forSpirit of the Coast Canoe Journey paddlerswhy their 1,300-kilometre quest to Alaska isworth it.

Poor weather conditions, the temporarydeparture of their skipper, a broken wrist, the loss oftheir support boat, the passing of a team member’s uncle– these and other hiccups on the journey are momentar-ily forgotten when members of the team caught a breath-taking view of such wildlife.

“We’ve had some great challenges, and some harrow-ing tales,” said Pitt Meadows adventurer Chris Cooper,but it’s all been worthwhile if it can bring attention toand education about the irreplaceable coastline.

• Much more online at www.mrtimes.com, search “canoe”

www.m

rtim

es.com

MorePhotosOnline

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Church Service10am - 11:45amSunday MorningsPastor: Trevor Stearns604.306.3044

Join us every MONDAY forDinner, Dessert & Coffee 6:00 - 7:00

Group meeting 7:00 - 8:00Share Groups 8:00 - 9:00

“Come and experience a safe place to find freedom from life’s hurts,hang-ups and habits.”

• Celebration Station for kids 5-13 years• Childcare provided for kids under 5 years

Maple Ridge Baptist Church22155 Loughheed Highway

For more info604-377-3575

www.celebraterecovery.ca

Welcome to

ST. JOHN’SEst. 1859

(River Rd. & Laity St.)

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Church School & Nursery10:30 a.m.

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12007 Harris Road Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B5Phone: 604.465.5454 Fax: 604.465.2404 TheNatural Place

Traffic Advisory : Harris & Ford RoadsWeek of August 4-8, 2014

For more informationContact the City’s Engineering Department

604.465.2428

Upgrades to the city sewer system will require delays to traffic on Harris Road atFord Road the week of August 4. Traffic will be reduced to one lane each way duringthis period, and motorists are encouraged to plan their trips around the anticipateddelays. The sewer upgrade project will continue along Ford Road and 193 Streetaffecting local traffic, with completion planned for September 5.

ContractorEquipment

Area

Residents should notethat the contractor willbe using the vacant lotimmediately south of theSolaris development as astorage area for materialsand equipment.

The contractor willendeavor to minimizedisturbances to arearesidents. Residentswill be notified ahead oftime by the contractorwhen the work is to startin their area. Watch forsigns and contractor’straffic control personnel.Thank you for yourpatience as we work toprotect the integrity ofour infrastructure.119


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TIMES files

Tractor rides are a popular part of the day when Haney Farmer’s Market mkes its annual visit to Brookfield Farm.

Now that we’re in the throesof farming season, I decide todedicate this week’s column totell you what’s going on at a

summertime staple of our community: theHaney Farmers Market

This Saturday, thanks to the newrelaxed B.C. liquor laws, the market willfeature alcohol sales for the first time.

Dragon Mist Vodka, a product fromHeadspring Distillery, a craft distillery inSurrey will be on site and offering sam-pled of their products.

“I’m excited,” said Eileen Dwillies, themarket’s executive director.

“Dragon Mist has applied to come to allof our markets throughout the season andwill be located at the top of the market-place. We are looking forward to tastingtheir product.”

Dwillies also noted the market is plan-ning to have a brewery as well as a win-ery featured at the marketplace in thenear future.

She added that though the laws mayhave relaxed, strict regulations surround-ing the sale of alcohol remain.

“There’s a strict liquor directive, andeverything is on their heads, not ours,”she said. “We require insurance, and theymust have a qualified person running thebooth.”

In addition, people should not get thewrong idea about free drinking in public.

“Each person is only allowed one 10-mlsample,” she said.

If someone wants more than that, theyare welcome to buy a bottle.

For wine, the sample size increases to20 ml, and beer is 30 ml.

Market’s farm visit a tradition

On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Haneyfarmer’s market will be held onlocation at Brookfield farm.

The visit is an annual one and a trad-ition that began back in 2009, when dif-ferent ideas for interesting market eventswere being discussed, explained the mar-ket’s executive director, Eileen Dwillies.

The market’s regular operating hours of9 a.m. to 2 p.m. will still be in effect, andthe same vendors will be featured.

However, there will be a wide varietyof extras as well.

Visitors can enjoy wagon rides downto the barn to visit the chickens, ducks,sheep donkey, and cows.

The Golden Ears 4-H club will be host-ing a petting zoo and showing off theirprize-winning animals.

In addition, there will be a fish pond,spin painting, face painting and a host ofother activities and attractions for peopleof ages.

Entertainment will be provided cour-tesy of Brian Ford at 10 a.m., and PaulSurridge at noon.

Langley’s Seasonal 56 restaurant willalso be on site offering things like smok-ies and sandwiches.

“People tell me it’s their favour-ite Saturday of the year,” commentedDwillies.

Brookfield Farm is located at 20981123rd Ave., Maple Ridge.

Dwillies added that they were “over-flowing” with non-GMO corn, vegetablesand fruit this year, all available at themarket.

See you there!

Business happenings

Vodka enters vendor lineup

Down to BusinessDown to Businessby Eric Zimmer


Aug. 2: Farmers Market• Haney Farmers Market runs again thisSaturday, where people can gorge themselveson all the summer fruits and vegetablesbetween 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in MemorialPeace Park. One of the highlightsof this weekend’s event is theGourmet Grannies annualfundraiser breakfast. They’llbe serving up pancakes andblueberry syrup from 10 a.m.to noon. Info: www.haney-farmersmarket.org.

Aug. 5: Puppeteer• Maple Ridge Library ishosting master storytell-er and puppeteer ElspethBowers in the bandstandat Memorial Peace Parkstarting at 10:15 a.m.Info: 604-467-7417.

Aug. 6: Lego• Pitt Meadows Libraryis holding the Great Lego Challenge, from 2to 2:45 p.m. Organizers ask if people thinkthey know how to build with LEGO, and ifso, invite them to take the challenge. “Canyou spell your name with LEGO or build aLEGO boat that floats?” Info: 604-465-4113.

August 8: Dancing• Friday Night Dance with Robyn Picardtakes place from 7 to 10 p.m. at The ACT,11944 Haney Pl., Maple Ridge. There will bea beginners drop-in lesson from 7 to 8 p.m.and a practice dance from 8 to 10 p.m. Thelesson and dance are $13, and the dance is$10. These dances are intended as practicedances for all levels of dancers and wanna-bedancers, with guidance and answers to ques-tions to anyone who wishes it. Info: www.ilovetodance.ca or www.theactmapleridge.org.

August 9: Eid Festival• Maple Ridge Library is hosting the fifth

annual Eid Festival, marking the end ofRamadan on the Muslim calendar. It’s a timefor coming together as a community andrenewing friendship and family ties, and achance to learn about another culture from

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fraser Room.Info: 604-467-7417.

August 9: Osprey Village• The third annual OspreyDays will be at the WaterfrontCommons Park in OspreyVillage this year. Organized bythe Pitt Meadows CommunityAssociation and Osprey Village

businesses, OspreyDays is a family musicfestival, with all dayoutdoor live music withlocal band the GreazyLizards, local vend-ors and artisans, Dillythe Clown, Children’sTumble Bus, children’sgames and activities

sponsored by Church on The Rock, andan outdoor barbecue hosted by StompingGrounds Café & Bistro. The event and beergarden will be taking place between 11 a.m.and 6 p.m. Info: www.OspreyVillage.com.

Aug. 9: Market goes to the farm• Haney Farmers Market once again moves toBrookfield Farm, 20981 123rd Ave. in MapleRidge for an annual visit to a working farm.In addition to featuring vendors with seasonalfruits and vegetables, as well as other food,the day includes wagon rides to the barnto visit chickens, ducks, sheep, cows, andeven a donkey. Golden Ears 4-H Club will behosting a petting zoo and showing off theirprize-winning animals. There will also be afish pond, spin painting, facepainting, andlive entertainment from Brian Ford at 10 a.m.and Paul Surridge at noon. The market runs9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: www.haneyfarmers-market.org.• Full listings: www.mrtimes.com, search “What’s On”

Post events by email to:[email protected]

What’s Onwww.mrtimes.com

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On Deck

Send your scoresand game reports [email protected]

Fishing heats upThis week, TIMES columnist

and fishing enthusuisiast JeffWeltz discusses why the next twoweeks is his favourite time of theyear for fly fishing.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,

click on “Sports”

Burrards win, playThe Maple Ridge Burrards

scored a satisfying victory overLangley on Wednesday night.They’ll be in action again tonightwhen they visit New Westminster• More online: www.mrtimes.com,


Two gold for teenThirteen-year-old Dynamo

Throws Club member won twogolds at the North AmericanIndigenous games this past week-end.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,


SportsMaple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times Thursday, July 31, 2014 A15

Recreation Reach The TIMES' sports desk: Phone: 604-463-2281 or email: [email protected]

Boxers competeTwo undefeated Maple Ridge

pugilists will compete in Langleyon Friday in a prestgious amateurboxing event.• More online: www.mrtimes.com,


Troy Landreville/TIMES

Burrards’ Andrew Murphy was inaction in the game against Langley.

On the FlyOn the Flyby Jeff Weltz

A fly fishing instructor and outdoor writer,Jeff has fished the area since the early 1970s.Contact him at [email protected]

Get outdoors

Ears a major highlight of summerTIMES reporter Eric Zimmeroffers a first-hand account ofhis excursion up Golden Ears.by Eric [email protected]

It’s no secret that Maple Ridgeand Pitt Meadows are ripewith outdoor recreationalopportunities, and being a

relative newcomer to the com-munity, this fact is not lost on me.

Growing up in B.C.’s southerninterior, getting out and playing inthe mountains was a staple of myupbringing.

Although I’ve lived throughoutthe Lower Mainland since 2012,it was just this past June that Imade the move to Pitt Meadows.

And this past Saturday, I hadthe opportunity to cross a sum-mer to-do item off my bucket listwhen I made my up that iconicsymbol of this community: TheGolden Ears.

The area encompassing GoldenEars, Edge Peak and BlanshardPeak (Blanshard’s Needle) wasoriginally called The GoldenEyries, but the similarity of the1,716 m (5,630 ft) peak with thedouble summit to ears led peopleto believe the mountain had thename Golden Ears.

The name stuck.In the early 20th century,

the government of the dayrenamed the entire area to MountBlanshard, and gave Edge Peak itsname.

They also namedthe southernmost

summit Blanshard Peak, and con-ferred the official name GoldenEars to the 1,716 m (5,630 ft)peak with the twin summit.

And as I awoke to the 6 a.m.call of my alarm clock, it was thesummit that was on my mind.

My friend from Coquitlam, whowas my hiking partner, arrived atmy place about half-an-hour afterI woke up, and we did some finalpreparations before making ourway out tothe startingpoint of the24-km roundtrip: The endof the road atthe day usearea and thebeginningof the WestCanyon Trail.

We began ourtrek shortly after 7:30 a.m., Ourgoal was to get as far as we couldbefore the heat of the day couldtake its toll on us.

The first part of the hike tookus up a fairly gentle slope on awell-beaten path.

In just a little more than twohours, we arrived at Alder Flats, apopular rest stop, and a campingarea for overnighters.

However, we were just gettingstarted, and felt motivated tocarry on.

It’s not long after Alder Flatsthat the trail gets a little more ver-tical and a little more technical.

Proper ability, equipment, andknow-how is always key to a safejourney, and the Golden Ears isno exception.

As we wound our way upthrough the trail, viewpointswould pop out here and there,giving us a nice teaser of how farwe had come and what lay aheadof us.

Throughout the hike, wecaught glimpses of the sum-mit – it was covered incloud.

“Oh well,” we thought.“View or no view, a sum-mit is still a summit.”

We pushed on, and

eventually got to the basin belowthe summit.

It was here the clouds lifted andwe caught our first view of thesummit.

“Wow,” was all I could say.It was also here that we

encountered snow. And moreclouds.

Truth be told, the situationlooked a lot colder than it was.

Both us were hiking in T-shirtsand shorts,and thecooler tem-peratures andslight breezewas more ofa blessingthan a curse.

It was stillimportant towatch ourstep though

as there were some slippery sec-tions.

We made our way up the snowfield and arrived at the final ridgebefore the summit.

A nice mix of scrambling andlight hiking was the final sectionuntil at 12:29 p.m., my friend sim-ply said, “oh, we’re here.”

Indeed we were.We had made it to the top.And we couldn’t see a thing.We were in thick cloud cover,

with only little glimpses of whatmight be lying below us.

However, the cloud coverwasn’t stationary and littlepatches of clear would appear,which would be followed byus rushing to take a picturebefore the view was coveredagain.

After about 15 minutes orso, we thought about startingthe trek down the mountain.

Then theclouds cleared

completely.Never before have I been able

to see Pitt Lake, Maple Ridge, andMount Baker all at the same time

And that moment will remain asa major highlight of my summer.

The cameras came back outand we started madly snapping asmuch as we could.

As we left the summit, andstarted down a feeling of accom-plishment and adrenaline cameover me.

It’s a familiar feeling each timeI reach the top of a mountain, butone that never gets old.

A couple hours or so later wewere back at Alder Flats andthough the hike can be done inone long day, we made camp forthe night. It’s summer after all,and there was no need to hurry.

I was tired as I fell asleep,but the smile etched on my facewasn’t going away.

The next day we casuallystrolled back to the car and madeour way home – but not before aquick dip in Alouette Lake.

With the B.C. Day weekendupon us and sunshine in the fore-cast what better time to get outand explore what we are blessedwith here in our own backyard?

No matter what your flavour, beit hiking, biking, boating or other-wise, why not take some time thisweekend to enjoy all the naturalamenities this province offers us?

I promise you won’t regret it.

From the basinbelow the summit,reporter Eric Zimmergot his first glimpseof the summit, andall he could say was“Wow!”w

ww.m

rtim

es.com

MorePhotosOnline


This week’s Times Travellers feature is brought to you by :

Patty Rippel and her mother, Sonja Carlson, both of Maple Ridge, visited Sedona, Ariz. They had a picturetaken of them holding up The TIMES in front of the red rock mountain range, and specifically Sisters Peak.

timesTravellers• Email a photo of you holding The TIMES to:

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