surrey now december 16 2014

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014YOUR SOURCE FOR NEWS, SPORTS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT THENOWNEWSPAPER.COM

S U R R E Y - N O R T H D E L T A E D I T I O N

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Shoppers’ habitstracked with newreceipt-scanning techShopping mall goes digital

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Higher PST maypay for transit planin Metro VancouverSome love the idea, some loathe it

AMY REID, 3

“The Waltz of the Snowflakes” is danced during Royal City Youth Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker at Surrey Arts Centre on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 14). The local company’sannual production of the holiday-month favourite was performed five times at the Bear Creek Park venue from Friday to Sunday. See more of Gord Goble’s photographs of theshow at Thenownewspaper.com. (Photo: GORD GOBLE)

‘Snowflakes’ at Surrey Arts Centre

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A section about interesting people, events and issues in our community.

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Half-per cent ProvincialSales Tax hike proposalto fund transit drawssupport and opposition

Amy ReidNow staffTwitter @amyreid87

METRO VANCOUVER — The Mayors’Council decided on a question for thetransit referendum Thursday, and areproposing a half-per cent PST increase topay for the region’s transportation plans.

The ballot question, which can only beanswered with yes or no, is the following:

Do you support a one-half percentage point(0.5%) increase to the Provincial Sales Taxin Metro Vancouver, dedicated to the Mayors’Transportation and Transit Plan, withindependent audit and public reporting?

The proposed revenue source is aregional 0.5 per cent increase to the existingseven per cent provincial sales tax, whichmayors say will provide the $250 millionannually needed to fund the plan.

All told, the transportation plan wouldcost $7.5 billion.

Among a variety of other projects, theplan includes Light Rapid Transit (LRT)for Surrey, a promise made by MayorLinda Hepner during the civic election inNovember. She has committed to havingoperational LRT in the city by 2018.

In her inaugural address on Dec. 8Hepner stated promoting a “yes” vote inthe referendum would be her first orderof business, which she said she plans to dothrough an engagement strategy.

After the Mayors’ Council’sannouncement Thursday, Hepner saidmany around the table were concernedabout TransLink’s governance model.

She acknowledged critics’ concerns aboutTransLink spending, adding they are “prettydarn solid reasons,” but added, “I had toremove myself from that thinking becausethe plan was where I wanted to put myfocus.”

She noted that, if passed, all the taxescollected would go directly to the itemsidentified on the ballot, and there wouldbe annual reporting out of “every pennycollected and every penny spent.” Sheadded, “to me, there was a reassurancethere.”

Hepner said the PST hike would translateto a $125 bill for the average family.

A vehicle levy would cost $175 to raisethe same amount of money, she said, whichwould mean multiple bills for families withmore than one vehicle.

“To me it was spread out across theregion, which was fair, because those ofus who have to drive weren’t necessarilysingled out, it’s those of us who spend.If you spend more, you pay more, if you

spend less, you pay less.”Hepner emphasized that there’s more

in the plan for Surrey than LRT, includingreplacement of the aging Pattullo Bridge,increased bus service, as well as longerSkyTrain hours.

She said the infrastructure would movesouth of the Fraser from having 30 per centof the transit service to close to 60 per cent.

“But most important is we get the lightrail,” she emphasized.

“That connectivity is so critical toconnecting communities… I’m convincedthat the economic development that willhappen around the at-grade is really goingto turn us into a powerhouse.”

A group has formed to support theMayors’ Council’s transportation plans.

Called the Better Transit andTransportation Coalition, the groupincludes the Vancouver Board of Trade,David Suzuki Foundation, Unifor Local111, BC Chamber of Commerce as well asthe Downtown Surrey BIA.

The group includes representatives froma wide variety of industries, includinghealth, environment, business, educationand more. It grew out of the Movingin a Livable Region initiative, aimed atengaging and educating citizens abouttransportation issues.

The coalition plans to develop a publicengagement strategy to encourage a “yes”vote for the referendum, and Hepner saidshe plans to work with the group.

Executive director of the DowntownSurrey BIA Elizabeth Model, part of the

coalition, said the mayors’ plan is designedfor future generations, with a clear focuson increased goods movement.

“It contains plans for managingcongestion more effectively over the next30 years. It starts with a specific 10-yearplan that will begin next year if the publicapproves it in the regional referendum,”she noted, adding, “The real enemy here istraffic congestion.”

Model said she fully supports themayors’ PST hike proposal.

“It’s equitable for everybody,” she saidThursday following the meeting.

“It’s a step in the right direction. I thinkeverybody looked at the plan overall andat different methods and this was the mostreasonable for everybody.”

Model is optimistic that the referendumwill yield a “yes” vote.

“We have to do it now. Not only for usbut for the future generations, and all thegrowth we are experiencing, particularlysouth of the Fraser,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Canadian TaxpayersFederation has spoken out againstthe PST-hike proposal through its NoTransLink Tax campaign.

He noted TransLink already takes avariety of taxes, including 17 cents per litreon gas, five cents per litre of the federalgovernment’s gas tax, property taxes, a21 per cent parking tax and a levy on BCHydro bills.

“TransLink burns through money, andtaxpayers cannot give these pyromaniacsany more matches,” said CTF’s B.C.director Jordan Bateman.

The No Translink Tax campaign isalso calling on the cabinet to remove the“170-word preamble” from the officialvoting ballot. Bateman sees it as a wayto influence the vote, which he said isdamaging to democracy.

The campaign against the PST hike alsocalls on Premier Christy Clark to bringin rules forbidding TransLink to taxpayermoney to fund a “yes” vote.

With files from The Province

Higher PST may pay for transit plan

Increased bus service in Surrey is a big part of the transportation plan for Surrey, saysMayor Linda Hepner. (File photo)

Transit referendum

MP Sandhusays feds leaveSurrey in cold

Tom ZytarukNow staffTwitter @tomzytaruk

OTTAWA — Surrey MP JasbirSandhu says Surrey is getting shortshrift from the federal governmentin the 2014 budget.

Bill C-43, the BudgetImplementation Act, passed thirdreading in the House of Commonsthis afternoon (Wednesday, Dec.10).

Sandhu, NDP MP for SurreyNorth, said it doesn’t include anyfederal cash for Surrey for transitimprovements, replacement orupgrading of the Pattullo Bridge,community based crime preventionprograms, or for additionalpolicing.

“As one ofthe fastest-growingcities inCanada, andthe fastest-growingcity inmetropolitanVancouver,there is aclear need for

infrastructure funding to supportthis growth,” Sandhu said. “Theapproach of the Conservativegovernment is very problematic. Iam not surprised in the least thatthe budget is out of touch with theneeds of everyday Canadians.”

Sandhu told the Houseof Commons that the billhas addressed none of hisconstituents’ issues and accused theConservatives across the floor ofliving in a “bubble.”

“Surrey’s challenges range froma lack of affordable housing, aginginfrastructure, inadequate publictransit and serious issues aroundcrime and poverty,” he told theHouse, noting the city is growingby as many as 13,000 new residentsannually. “Federal funding andsupport is sorely needed to makeinroads to address these challengesin my city.

“It disappoints me greatly.”[email protected]

TransLink burnsthrough money, andtaxpayers cannot givethese pyromaniacsany more matches.

Jasbir Sandhu

THe NeWsPaPer.cOm Tuesday, december 16, 2014 a03

Adrian MacNairNow staffTwitter @adrianmacnair

SURREY — During the throes of Surrey’srush hour, when the streets are congestedand the traffic lights seem to conspireagainst you, it can feel like there’s little orderto the chaos.

But there are, in fact, people watchingover you, trying to help you get to yourdestination just a little faster, and in a morerelaxed state of mind.

Surrey’s traffic management centre atthe newly minted City Hall, which becameoperational in September, has eightmunicipal employees working in three-hourshifts from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to keeptraffic moving.

Using a highly sophisticated computersystem, employees make use of nearly 200cameras at signal-controlled intersectionsto change traffic flow, literally at the flickof a switch. By the end of December, thecity will have all 250 cameras operational tocomplete a $2.7-million traffic managementstrategy, explained Surrey’s transportationmanager, Jamie Boan.

While staff are still in the process ofanalyzing traffic patterns, there are someintersections that are almost beyond help.

King George Boulevard and 88th Avenue isSurrey’s most congested intersection, listedon ICBC’s top 10 worst for car crashes in theLower Mainland, at 180 accidents in 2013.

“There are infrastructure changes that wehave made and will continue to make. Wetweak the timing where we can. But becauseit is so congested there’s not actually a lotyou can do for that particular intersection,”said Boan.

Instead, city staff are focusing their effortsin other locations where there’s potentialto generate efficiencies. The trickle downtheory to finding those efficiencies is thatit will reduce strain on the other problemintersections, such as Surrey’s 128thStreet or 72nd Avenue along King GeorgeBoulevard, responsible for 170 and 160accidents in 2013, respectively.

Boan said there are two approaches toeffecting positive change in the flow ofvehicles.

First, the traffic management centre willbe setting up timing plans for light signalsbased on the normal traffic flow observedduring those times.

The second way is to react to real-timeevents, such as construction or a collision,by redirecting drivers along another route.

“We can then go in and adjust those signal

timings on a specific basis,” he said.Simple things, such as adding 10 seconds

to a left turn signal, could allow a bottleneckto ease up and get drivers around a problemarea.

Another technique is coordinatingtraffic to get through more green lightssequentially, reducing idling and wait timesat intersections.

There are 24 segments of Surrey’sarterial roads that have that a “green wavecoordination” in place and Boan said thatwill expand continually over time.

“So that does help a lot, especially whenyou’ve got peak directional flow, becausethat green wave works really well in onedirection, not so well in the other direction,”he said.

One “exciting initiative” currently beingtested is called adaptive signal control,which has been installed on 72nd Avenuebetween King George Boulevard and ScottRoad. The city placed a computer at eachintersection, allowing the computers tocommunicate with one another based onthe traffic flow it observes. The signals arechanged in real time to adjust to real-timepatterns, optimizing the flow.

“So it effectively creates a co-ordinationalong that route while minimizing delays forall of the other legs as well,” he said.

Construction is another big challenge forSurrey. Boan said the city’s been workingon traffic management plans and doinginspections to ensure developers or roadcrews are only impacting routes duringcertain hours and not impeding trafficduring peak hours.

“We’re still evolving in terms of theprocess with the development andconstruction industry on that but the idea isto try and improve that situation.”

[email protected]

Surrey’s $2.7M traffic plan looks to get you there quicker

ENGAGE

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SURREY — Scanning areceipt used to mean takinga closer look at a shoppingbill to see if there was amistake.

But new receipt-scanningtechnology, which debutedthis month at GuildfordTown Centre (GTC) mall, ischanging that definition byallowing shoppers to takephotos of their bills with asmartphone to earn rewards.

As part of a recentpromotion, GTC shoppersregistered receipts using a freesoftware platform developedin Vancouver to earn up to2,500 loyalty points and thechance to win a $2,500 giftcard from the mall.

Meanwhile, the receipt-scanning technology givesthe mall the ability tomonitor foot traffic andspending habits in real time– something GTC previouslycouldn’t do without access toretailers’ computer systems.

“What we’re looking for isbeing able to track data andfind out what the behavioursare,” said Rosavel Scott,GTC’s marketing director.

“It helps us to customizeour programs better, togear it towards what they’retruly interested in, and itallows us the opportunityto reach out to them.For example, from timeto time, we’ll surpriseand delight some of ourmembers with a free $20gift card just for being amember.”

The scanners are partof a second phase of aloyalty rewards programGTC launched in August of2013, when the mall had agrand re-opening followingextensive renovations.

Both the initial phaseand the receipt scannersuse a platform developedby Vancouver-based 3 TierLogic.

Users earn rewardswhen using the platformto access Twitter, Facebookor Instagram to share their

experiences about the mall.“What we wanted this

platform to do is enablebrands to engage throughall three channels (Twitter,Facebook, Instagram) all onone dashboard,” said RobCraig, CEO of 3 Tier Logic.

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culled from social mediaaccounts, he added.

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platform that identifies whothe fashionistas are, howmany friends, how manyfollowers they have, howmany times they’ve postedabout the shopping centre,

how many times they’vetweeted.”

The receipt-scanningpromo ended Saturday(Dec. 13), but Rosavel saidGTC would evaluate theprogram in the comingweeks to determine whetherthe mall should use thenew technology for futurepromotions.

[email protected]

Shoppers’ habits tracked with new receipt-scanning technology

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Tyler OrtonBusiness in VancouverTwitter @reporton

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SOUTH SURREY— Local dentists havecreated some gingerbreadhouses that should appeal toany sweet tooth.

As part of a yearly contest,15 of the well-iced housesare on display at the SouthSurrey Smiles ortho office,at #101-2626 Croydon Dr.

“There are some amazingcreations, and some of themlook like hours have beenspent making them,” saidDeanne Millington, officemanager and marketingdirector. “Our referringdentists in the area havedone them, and whoeverwins the contest, we’ll sendtheir whole team to dinnerat Cactus Club as the prize.”

Anyone who visits theoffice can vote on theirfavourite gingerbreadhouse. The contestwinner will be announcedThursday, Dec. 19.

The Now

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SURREY — A program aimed at assistingpeople over the age of 55 find employmentwill soon begin at the ProgressiveIntercultural CommunityServices Society (PICS) in Surrey.

PICS program director SatbirCheema said there a numberof seniors who may be facinglife-changing decisions afterlosing their job and they canhelp. Some of those seniors mayhave extensive experience inone industry, upwards of 30 or40 years, but lost their job forreasons beyond their control.

“Say somebody has worked in a mill, forexample. They did very well. But what ifthat mill shuts down? There’s a skills gapstaring at them and their expectations,” saidCheema.

Those workers might be used to earning$40 an hour and to find themselves startingback at the bottom of the ladder in anew field close to minimum wage can be

daunting, he added.Cheema, who turned 55 this year, said

seniors bring a wealth of life experienceand work ethic that can be a benefit to anycompany. Some may have worked six or

seven different jobs throughouttheir lifetime, which can be aninvaluable resource.

PICS aims to help seniorsby improving their skills tofit the modern job market.Cheema said seniors canbe disadvantaged becauseemployers may believe it willtake longer to train them.

The program, named JobsOptions BC: Urban Older

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PICS is located in Surrey at #205-1272580th Ave. For more information call K. C.Chau at 604-596-7722 ext. 117 or emailto [email protected].

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The Editor,An open letter to Surrey’s mayor and

council:A few days ago, I received information

that the application 14-0225 to extendurbanization into an area without anNCP has been fast-tracked and wasexpected to go for a first and secondreading last night (Dec. 15).

This is quite a surprise. There must besome urgency behind the application,but it is not clear from the applicationwhy this particular development– without an NCP – is so necessary forthe community.

Communities do need much servicefrom the city, that’s for sure. Thereare many issues you have to deal withand many projects that are necessaryfor a happy, healthy, well-functioningcommunity. If this were an applicationfor a hospital expansion, or for a road

widening project, or for a new school,or an expansion for a firehouse, or evena bathroom for a playground (there arenone anywhere near here), or perhapseven a playground (there are none nearhere either), or to save a 100-year-oldforest from destruction, or to protect thepower lines from damage from furtherwind storms, then I could understandthe urgency.

Of course those issues might be thefocus of public opposition, that’s true.Maybe applications like those need to becarefully guided through council so thatthey’re built properly and don’t infringeon neighbours’ perceptions of theirneighborhood.

By the way, my power’s out forthe third time in about 30 days. I’mbeginning to suspect that somethingabout the rampant development I’mseeing around here is not proceeding

cautiously enough.I lived in India for two years and the

power went out constantly. We wereused to it. When I moved to Canada, Iwas so excited to be able to work on myresearch without losing power. Now Isee that I was perhaps premature in myexpectations.

In short, I think perhaps you couldfocus your energies on buildingcommunities instead of fast-trackingapplications that only increase pressureon areas that residents perceive to bemismanaged already.

And the lack of NCP in this area ismost confusing to me, as a newcomer toSurrey.

It might be best to follow protocolunless the need for the service the cityprovides is more easily justified.

Alisa P. Ramakrishnan, Surrey

It’s in ournature to givemore thanreceive

Address: The Surrey Now, #201 7889 132nd St., Surrey, B.C. V3W 4N2 Publisher: Gary Hollick

DEBATEOur view

Publisher: Gary Hollick Editor: Beau SimpsonEntertainment Editor: Tom Zillich Sports Editor: Michael BoothReporters/photographers: Tom Zytaruk, Amy Reid, Christopher Poon, Adrian MacNair

The NOW newspaper is a division of LMP Publication LimitedPartnership. You can reach us by phone at 604-572-0064,by email at [email protected] or by mail atSuite 201-7889 132 Street, Surrey, B.C., V3W 4N2

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The Surrey Now Newspaper, a divisionof LMP Publication Limited Partnership,respects your privacy. We collect, use anddisclose your personal information in accordancewith our Privacy Statement which is availableat thenownewspaper.com.

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Beau SimpsonEditor

Your view

Having trouble getting into the Christmasspirit? Consider helping a local charity orvolunteering, and know there’s something

in it for you: happiness.Psychologists have long cited the benefits

of generosity, including reduced stress and animproved sense of well-being, happiness, socialconnection and purpose in life. That’s not tomention the concrete aid you’re offering anotherorganization or fellow human being.

If you need convincing, Burnaby SFUpsychology professor Lara Aknin says people feelbetter about themselves when they spend moneyon others.

According to Aknin, who recently spoke inSurrey on this subject, there’s a growing bodyof research that shows people are not inherentlyselfish, and that when we help others, we increaseour own happiness. This innate drive to give startsearly. Aknin’s research team found children asyoung as two were happier giving away treats thanthey were receiving them.

This Christmas, give yourself the gift ofhappiness and consider lending a hand to thenumber of local organizations we’ve featured inour paper, be it Surrey Christmas Bureau or SurreyFood Bank. Behind the organizations are realfamilies, local moms and newborn babies that allneed help.

Or perhaps you have a charity or cause that’sclose to your heart. Just remember the realmeaning of Christmas isn’t about material things,overcrowded malls and last-minute purchases.The things that count, that really matter, are thenonmaterial – the gestures from one human beingto another that say you are not alone.

So reach out to that isolated senior in yourbuilding, drop an unwrapped gift off at theChristmas Bureau toy room, or send a cheque tothe pregnancy outreach program in a loved one’sname.

Just remember: when you help others, you’rehelping yourself, too.

Glacier Media

Council’s urgency without NCP is confusing


Join the debate on Facebook and Twitter by searching for The Now Newspaper or by emailing [email protected]

DEBATE

If a majority of Metro Vancouver votersendorse TransLink’s proposed half-point increase in the sales tax to fund

transportation projects, the ramificationscould go well beyond the region and thespecific issue being voted on.

A successful “yes” vote will have meantpeople actually voted for a tax increase,which has been an unheard of propositionfor a decade now. Governments of allstripes have tried to outpace each other incutting taxes, not raising them, the theorybeing, “give the people what they want.”

But if people actually support a taxincrease because they equate it with clearlyoutlined service improvements, it mayembolden governments to at least revisitsome tax policies. Revenue streams ofvarious sorts have been drying up for years,and money has to come from somewhere ifgovernment services are to be maintainedor expanded.

Of course, getting that majority “yes” voteto materialize is going to take some doing.

Even though it can be argued that MetroVancouver mayors opted for the cheapest,if not most timid, option to raise money forprojects, the idea of even a tiny tax increase isgoing to rankle many.

Voters have long seemed cranky when itcomes to tax hikes. They feel they already payenough in taxes (and user fees) and don’t getenough of a return on what they pay rightnow.

When taxes are imposed on people inthe way property taxes or income taxes are,voters can take out their resentment in anelection and penalize the politicians who

imposed those taxes, should they choose todo so.

But in this case people are being askedbeforehand to accept a tax hike, and that is aconsiderably different situation.

The reasons to vote “yes” will no doubtstrike many as sound and sensible butthat can matter little in a referendum.And it has been clear for some time thatwhile many, many people want more andbetter transportation options, they see noinconsistency in their view that someoneother than themselves should pay for them.

Potentially even more problematicfor the “yes” side is that this referendummay actually become, for many people, areferendum on TransLink itself.

The organization is every transit useror stuck-in-traffic motorist’s favouringwhipping boy, and even the mayors who runit aren’t exactly keen fans of the companyeither.

Leading the “no” side will be the CanadianTaxpayers Federation, which tends to paintalmost all public spending and taxationas questionable and don’t really providealternatives to what they are criticizing(other than simplistically saying, “Stopspending or stop taxing).”

Nevertheless, the organization is goodat getting its message out through effective

media campaigns, and already it has dubbedits referendum campaign the “No TransLinkTax Campaign.”

Funding transit through referendums isfairly common in many cities in the UnitedStates, but it’s a new concept here. Thesuccessful referendums in the U.S. (whichhave resulted in funding hikes) usuallyoccur after lengthy campaigns – sometimeslasting more than a year – to shape publicopinion accordingly.

But in TransLink’s case, the “yes” side willonly have several months to make their salespitch.

A broad-based coalition is formingto support the “yes” side and it includespoliticians of all stripes as well as businessleaders and several key unions. But it’sunclear whether they can convince thepeople they purport to represent to actuallymail in a ballot marked “yes.”

More than 20 years ago, we saw anotherbroad coalition of strange politicalbedfellows band together to ensure the“yes” side won in a referendum. That wouldbe the Charlottetown Accord, a proposedchange to the Canadian constitution, whichwent down to defeat despite the fact the“establishment” insisted it was a worthyendeavour.

We may be about to witness the samething again, with a situation where the“leaders” insist they know best, while asuspicious public feels otherwise.

But if the “yes” side beats the odds andactually pulls off a victory, perhaps the daysof tax revolts may finally be nearing an endand governments will stop being leery abouteven talking about tax hikes.

It’s a long shot, I know, but a majorityvote for a tax increase – no matter how small– may well prove to be groundbreaking.

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter forGlobal BC. [email protected]

Transit ‘yes’ vote would be groundbreaking

InTheHouse

Keith Baldrey

Referendum

Voters have long seemedcranky when it comes totax hikes. They feel theyalready pay enough intaxes (and user fees)and don’t get enough ofa return on what theypay right now.

Politics arefoundedon religiousworld view

Letters

The Editor,Re: “Please keep your religion out of

my politics,” the Now, Dec. 11.After reading Adrian MacNair’s

column, I couldn’t help but wonderif he knew that he was contradictinghimself.

By stating religion has no place inpolitics, he is imposing his religionof atheism on the rest of us and ourgovernment. MacNair may not thinkthat atheism is a religion but by thedefinition of religion, it is.

I wonder if he would write the samescathing article if a First Nations chiefwas to come and do a ceremonial danceor chant to bless the council. Would youmake the same remarks about havingto learn First Nations history in publicschool as well?

If you take some time to study thehistory of various nations of the world– and the politics within them – youwould find that they are founded on areligious world view.

The religious world views which havebeen the most successful at developinga healthy and thriving nation are thosethat give a clear definition of right andwrong. Where you start to see massfailures in these societies is when theybegin to stray from these world views.

By the way – while learning the Lord’sPrayer in public school, did you happento learn the Golden Rule?

Jonathan Neufeld, Surrey


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DEBATE

The Editor,Re: “Please keep your religion out of my

politics,” the Now, Dec. 11.Would you accept a commonly-held

belief that there is a neutral, objective“middle” position that accepts onlyscientifically proven facts and eschews anyreligious viewpoint, which should guide ourCanadian society, including lawmaking?

According to this view, any of us whohold religious or spiritual views aresomewhere outside the centre, towards thefringe of society. The stronger our views, themore “radical” we are, “fringe elements” in

a well-balanced and ordered scientificallynon-religious society.

This is a fallacy. There is no such centristposition. There are only competing worldviews, of which the atheist’s is one.

Atheism admits no absolute principlesso how can you, of all people, tell us whatshould or should not be happening in ourpolitics?

You are asking me to accept your positionof “non-God” and live my life, including mypolitics, as if God did not exist.

Don’t try to consign my beliefs to myprivate life, not to intrude on anything

public, since you clearly aren’t followingthat rule either.

I can only make moral judgments,including legal ones, decisions aboutfinances, what the public deserves andneeds, and any other political decision basedon my beliefs, as would you. We cannot existor decide otherwise.

So whose beliefs should rule? Themajority? Or some elite who knows what isbest for us all?

Best regards towards a good debate.

Mel Hoskyn, Surrey

No praying, pleaseThe Editor,

Re: “Please keep your religion out of mypolitics,” the Now, Dec. 11.

Adrian MacNair deserves praise forwriting that politics should be not be mixedwith ancient fairy tales. Perhaps Surreycouncil members could explain what theyhoped to accomplish by praying at theirswearing-in ceremony. Do they really think“God” saw to their re-election?

Jim McMurtry, Surrey

Don’t try to consign my beliefs to my private lifeLetters


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Amy ReidNow staffTwitter @amyreid87

SURREY — Surrey council considered abudget Monday (Dec. 15) that will see theaverage Surrey tax bill rise by $162 – somethingnot sitting well with a watchdog organization.

Last year, the average tax bill for a single-family home, assessed at $648,000, was $1,593.With the proposed increases, that would rise to$1,755 in 2015.

The city plans to add three bylaw officers in2015, as well as 100 police officers – a promiseby Surrey First on the campaign trail. Theaddition would bring the total number ofofficers at the Surrey detachment to 803.

The new officers will cost $3.9 million in2015, with an annual impact of $14.5 millionafter that. When it comes to fire services, thecity is looking at a $3.7 million increase in2015, due to a new contract signed this fall.

A 2.9 per cent property tax increase is againplanned, meaning an increase of $46.20 peryear for the average single-family home.

As well, a one per cent road and traffic levy isproposed, an increase of $15.56 to the averagesingle-family home.

And new this year is a proposed $100“cultural and recreational parcel tax.”

The tax bill will rise further for those witha secondary suite. Previously set at $410, thecity is proposing to raise it to $526, a move saidto bring it in line with taxes paid for a one-bedroom condo.

The city is also planning a 3.9 per cent feeincrease across the board, which would includethings like rec centre admission costs.

Coun. Tom Gill, chair of the city’s financecommittee, said this year’s budget was difficult.He said the costs associated with the numberof officers was “excessively higher” thanexpected when setting last year’s five-year plan.

“By no means did I ever expect the policingnumbers, even though I knew that there was a(crime) report ongoing, did I ever comprehendthat the number would be that high.”

The city was faced with a choice, Gillexplained. Balance the books by cutting backon capital projects, or add the new cultural tax

and raise secondary suite fees to help cover theinfrastructure the city had on the books.

“One of my biggest concerns when I gotinto council was to make sure we had a veryrobust capital program,” Gill noted.“Policingis just one of many elements that needs to beaddressed, but certainly keeping our kids busyand doing constructive activities is probablythe most important piece to me.”

He said it’s crucial to Surrey’s future tohave “high caliber” facilities, such as thepools currently underway in Grandview andGuildford, noting they will bring national andinternational sport tourism opportunities tothe city.

“So I was very challenged. We could haveeasily said we can balance the budget with the100 officers, and I could have easily suggestedthere was no money for the capital projects,” hesaid.“But these investments are necessary.”

Gill said he has heard loud and clear fromneighbourhoods, such as Cloverdale, that theprojects are highly desired, including a new icerink in Cloverdale and a rec centre in Clayton.

Major capital projects in the budget includethe Grandview pool ($55 million), a Guildford

rec centre pool ($46.7 milion), Newton fitnessexpansion ($8 million) and a new works yard(66.5 million).

As well, there are a slew of capitalinvestments planned for the next five years.They total $205 million, including a Claytonrec centre, a longboard facility, City Centreart space, expansion of Surrey Museum,district energy system, ice in Cloverdale andreplacement of the North Surrey rec centre.

Gill described 2015 as a “unique” budgetyear.

“I hope I don’t have to replicate it in futureyears and I’m optimistic that I don’t have to dothat,” he said, noting the city will return to itsregular increases – 2.9 per cent to property taxand the one per cent road and traffic levy - forthe remaining four years of the budget.

He’s not expecting to increase the culturallevy in future years and says secondary suitefees will likely face similar property tax raisesthat one-bedroom condos do.

Surrey has long boasted about having thelowest taxes in the region.

Gill said he’s been told by some communitymembers that it’s not always something to be

proud of, as investments aren’t always able tobe made as a result.“And I can appreciate that,”he noted.

When it comes to utilities, water chargesare set to rise by $9.68 a year ($48.40 per yearfor an average business), sewer rates by $12a year ($60 a year for an average business)and the drainage parcel tax by $12 ($58 forcommercial).

Jordan Bateman, B.C. director of theCanadian Taxpayers Federation, said he hasconcerns with Surrey increasing the secondarysuite fees.

“Housing affordability is such an importantissue, not just in Surrey but in the entireregion. People move to Surrey because it’saffordable. I always like to joke around withmy millennial friends that there’s only threeways young people can afford housing – eitherwealthy parents, a drug operation or a suite.So you don’t want to do anything that makessuites more expensive,” he said, adding thesecondary suite fee increase will likely result inhigher rent costs.

“(Secondary suites are) so important tothe rental pool and they’re vital towardsaffordability for middle-class families trying toget into the housing market,” he said.

Bateman also took issue with the city’sproposed cultural tax, calling it “inelegant andridiculous.”

“It’s essentially a hammer, it doesn’t matterhow many times you use the facilities, itdoesn’t matter what your income is or whatyour home is worth, it’s just a flat tax. Thatalways hurts lower-income, middle-incomepeople harder than the higher-income.”

Bateman said he’s surprised to see how quickafter an election Surrey is coming forward witha budget.“Most councils are weeks, maybemonths away from actually having their firstbudget bylaw reading,” he noted.

Surrey council was to hold a budget meetingon Monday afternoon (Dec. 15) in councilchambers, where the public could providefeedback. Comments will be considered up toand including Dec. 22.

Visit Thenownewspaper.com for the [email protected]

Tax bills set to rise by $162 per householdCity of Surrey

For breaking news and the latest developments on these stories, visit us online at thenownewspaper.com

INFORM

Construction continues on the new Grandview pool, a project that will cost Surreytaxpayers approximately $55 million. (Photo: GORD GOBLE)


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Mayor Lois Jackson saysregional force wouldbe expensive withoutlowering local crime rates


DELTA — Mayor Lois Jackson said shehas advised Attorney General SuzanneAnton that Delta will not be participatingin any proposed changes to the Police Actthat include forcing the municipality into aregional policing model.

Taking a few moments during the Dec. 8council meeting, Jackson said she and herstaff met with Anton in Victoria recentlyto discuss the amendment tabled in thelegislature on Oct. 23. The changes arebased on the recommendations of the 2012Missing Women Inquiry by Wally Oppal,which urged Metro Vancouver cities to joinand help fund regional policing units.

“Delta does not support the proposedchanges because they included possiblemandatory participation of our police forcein an integrated regional policing unit, suchas the Integrated Homicide InvestigationTeam,” said Jackson flatly.

The mayor added there are significantcosts associated with Delta joining IHIT,estimated to be between $800,000 and$1 million annually.

She also expressed concerns regarding theprovince’s authority to expand and imposeintegrated policing teams such as IHIT ontoMetro Vancouver municipalities and passon the costs for these specialized policingservices.

“From Delta’s perspective we do notsupport mandatory participation in IHIT,nor any other type of levy for that service,”she said.

Jackson laid out key concerns with theregional plan, including an increase inpublic safety costs, allocation of a lowernumber of sworn officers to the community,

and a regionalized police model that wouldnot reduce overall crime rates.

“Given the current success of Delta’scommunity-based policing, with ourno-call-too-small model, consistently lowand decreasing crime rates, and Delta’shigh ranking as a safe community, we wantto continue moving forward with ourcommunity-based policing model,” she said.

Jackson and Delta Police Chief JimCessford first announced their oppositionto regional policing in January, 2013, byholding a press conference to tout their“no-call-too-small” style of policing. At thetime, Cessford attributed the capture ofLaura Szendrei’s murderer to their attentiveresponsiveness within the community.

Notably, Surrey mayoral candidateBarinder Rasode proposed a similar modelof policing during her run for office lastmonth, consulting with Cessford for hercrime strategy.

Jackson said she advised Anton thatDelta is still committed to cooperating andcollaborating with regional police agenciesto solve crimes and provide assistance asneeded.

She said Anton was receptive to themeeting and assured Jackson that themunicipality would not be legislated intoregional participation in IHIT.

There are six Lower Mainland municipalpolice forces that could be affected bychanges to the Police Act, includingVancouver, West Vancouver, Port Moody,New Westminster, Delta and Abbotsford.All other cities have RCMP detachments,including Surrey and White Rock.

[email protected]

Delta formally refuses tojoin regional police force

Policing

Lois Jackson Jim Cessford


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Kristi AlexandraNow contributorTwitter @kristialexandra

SURREY — Teachers across B.C. should have received acollective $105 million in the mail last week as cheques weredelivered to teachers’ homes.

The money, labelled by some media as a “strike bonus,”comes from a grievance fund negotiated by the BritishColumbia Teachers’ Federation with the provincialgovernment.

“Yes, it’s part of the collective bargaining and a part of thestrike, but it’s not a strike bonus,” said Richard Overgaard,media relations spokesperson for BCTF.

“It’s a pay-out related to the outstanding grievancesaround the court case.”

B.C. teachers’ $105 million ‘not a strike bonus,’ says BCTFEducation

The $105 million came as a lump sum from the provincialgovernment and BCTF is allocating the funds to teachersindividually based on days worked in 2013.

A full-time teacher would receive the maximum $2,800,while teachers who worked part-time or were TTOCs(teachers on call) would get less.

Of 41,000 teachers in the province, Surrey – the largestschool district – is home to over 5,000.

“I think, for some members, they lost a lot of money

in the strike so they would have liked to see more comeback,” said Jennifer Wadge, president of the Surrey TeachersAssociation, noting that the largest pay-outs, after tax, willbe just shy of $1,900. “But it was a very difficult bargain,I think there is a feeling of ‘at least we got something.’ Forthe average full-time teacher, they lost five weeks of wages.That’s pretty significant.”

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Tom ZytarukNow staffTwitter @tomzytaruk

SURREY — A shocked communityis preparing to say goodbye to abeloved little girl found dead in thetrunk of a car in South Surrey lastweek.

Charged with her second-degreemurder is her mother, Lisa Batstone,41, who appeared in Surrey provincialcourt on Friday. Looking lost andcrying as she made her first courtappearance. Batsone didn’t speak asshe briefly appeared before JudgeDonald Gardner last Thursday, beforebeing led back to cells by a sherrif.

Her lawyer, Craig Sicotte, hasrequested she undergo a psychiatricassessment. She is being detained until

her next court appearance on Dec. 18.She was arrested Wednesday after

the body of eight-year-old TeaganBatstone was found inside a car thathad rolled part way into a ditch in the13900-block of 35A Avenue in SouthSurrey on Wednesday afternoon.

Police have yet to release a motive inthe murder, nor have they confirmedthe cause of death. An autopsy wasscheduled for last week.

According to Batstone’s Facebookpostings she was a single mother andTeagan was her only child. Policeconfirmed that information.

“The accused does not have anyother children,” said Sgt. JenniferPound, of the Integrated HomicideInvestigation Team.

The father of the victim, Gabe

Batstone, who lives in Ottawa andhad just returned from visiting hisdaughter recently, took to the socialmedia network Twitter to express hisgrief: “Thanks for the condolences.I am unable to talk without sobbingbut tomorrow I hope to share greatmemories of my love Teagan ErinBatstone.”

He also shared a video of photo stillsof he and his daughter on the websitefathers empowering daughters.

The Batstones were reportedlymembers of the White Rock BaptistChurch for the past six years. Thecongregation is still reeling from thenews. A memorial service for Teaganwill be held at the church tomorrow,Dec. 17, starting at 7 p.m.

with file from Adrian MacNair

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Christmas Day: Thu. Dec. 25th – Mass 8:30 am

New Year’s Day: Thu. Jan. 1st, 2015 – Mass 8:30 am

United Church of CanadaChristmas Eve Worship ServicesBethany-Newton United ChurchDecember 21 ~ 10:30am Christmas CantataDecember 24 ~ 7pm Family Service14853 – 120th Street, Delta • bnuc.ca

Cloverdale United Church4:30 Family Service with candles9:30 Carols, Candles and Communion17575 – 58A Avenue, Surrey • cloverdaleunitedchurch.ca

Hazelmere United Church8pm Carols & CandlesCorner of 16th Ave. and 184th St.

Where Faith Meets the Real World

Congratulations to the Winners of our 2011 Cash Raffle1st prize - $30,000.00 Jenny Nowak Ticket #059961 / 2nd prize - $5,000.00 Helene Foret Ticket #033302

3rd prize - $2,000.00 Irene Scibor Ticket #073314

St. Matthew’s Parish16079 - 88 Avenue, Surrey, BC

Christmas Holiday Mass ScheduleNO Morning MassSaturday, 6:00 pm Children's Mass & Pageant24 December 9:00 pm Christmas Eve MassChristmas Eve 12:00 pm Midnight Mass in English

11:30 pm Vietnamese @ Holy Cross Gym

Saturday, 9:00 am Morning Mass31 December 5:30 pm Anticipated MassNewYear's Eve

Regular Sunday MassSunday, 8:30 am25 December 10:30 amChristmas Day 5:00 pm (Vietnamese)

7:30 pm

Regular Sunday MassSunday, 8:30 am1 January 2012 10:30 amNewYear's Day 5:00 pm Vietnamese

7:30 pm Vietnamese

Wednesday 4:00 pm In Vietnamese

24 December 6:00 pm Children’s Mass & Pageant

No Morning Mass 9:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass

Christmas Eve 12:00 pm Midnight Mass in English

Thursday 8:30 am

25 December 10:30 am

Christmas Day 5:00 pm (Vietnamese)

Wednesday

31 December

No Morning Mass

New Years Eve 5:30 pm Anticipated Mass

Thursday 8:30 am

1 January 2015 10:30 am

New Year’s Day 5:00 pm Vietnamese

Congratulation to the Winners of 2014 Cash Raffle2nd prize - $5000 Ticket #110657 Sameem Abdlahad

3rd prize - $1,000 Ticket#081304 Dante Villajuan 4th prize - $1,000 Ticket #050459 Imelda Manangan

No 7:30 pm Mass

1st prize - $20,000 Ticket #049015 Blandin Luzuka

7:30 pm English

We invite you to join us for ourChristmas Eve Candlelight ServiceOnWednesday December 24thAt 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.Sunshine Hills Church6749 120th StreetDelta, BCV4E 2A7Phone: 604-594-0810

Please Recycle a message from


2014 SurreyBoardof Trade

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A section that focuses on sports and recreation in the community. Email story ideas to [email protected]

PLAY

GUILDFORD – After finishing inthird place at last season’s girls’ Double Aprovincial volleyball championships, thePacific Academy Breakers followed that upin November by winning their second B.C.title in four years.

The icing on the cake for the Breakers wasthey didn’t lose a single match in the league,Fraser Valley championships and provincialchampionships this season.

In the two years the team didn’t bringhome the B.C. banner, they still came homewith medals, earning bronze last year andsilver the year before that.

“I’m very proud of all of that. It’s not easyto be top three in the province in any giventime,” said head coach Stacey Stang on theteam’s consistent podium finishes.

Stang said the success comes from a long-term program, which was implementedwhen she started coaching the senior girls’volleyball team 16 years ago.

When she first took control of the team,the former Trinity Western outside hittersaid she had to teach the team the basics ofvolleyball. It was then, when Stang and someof her fellow co-workers who also playedvolleyball with the Spartans decided to puttogether a club team within the school.

Force Volleyball Club was developedto allow the volleyball players at PacificAcademy to play the sport year round – fourmonths with the school team, four monthsplaying club and playing beach volleyball inthe summer.

“It’s creating a bit of a volleyball culturehere and a volleyball fever that’s spreading,and we’re just drawing more and more kidsinto the program because of it,” she added.“It’s nice to see the ripple effect.”

The club team draws players as young asseven years old in the little diggers program.

“What’s neat is all of the years ofinvesting, we’re starting to see the fruitcontinuously and consistently and it feels …like we’re building a dynasty,” said the coach.

Stang, who is also the director of ForceVolleyball Club, said the quality of theathletes allow her to be more creative whenit comes to making line ups because shetrusts all of her players and said all of themplay a role on the court.

“If anything, it was a gift to create any mixof a line up and have players who can play

multiple positions,” she said.However, she gives a lot of credit to the

coaches who developed the girls to the pointwhere she doesn’t have to teach the girls thebasics of volleyball, but just “sharpens” theirskills.

What may be even more impressive aboutthe team is that most of them will returnnext season as only three of the 10 playersare graduating in June.

Shay Reimer, who committed to theUniversity of New Orleans, said she has

been dreaming of this moment for severalyears.

“It was the best possible way to end mylast season of high school,” said the libero.“I’ve gone to this school my entire life. InGrade 5, I remember watching one of thesenior girls’ games, and I pictured myself asone of those girls.”

Jessica Bailey, who committed to TrinityWestern, said she feels blessed to have thetalent to play at such a high level.

[email protected]

High school volleyball

Breakers become a volleyball dynastyKyle BenningNow contributorTwitter @kbbenning

The Pacific Academy Breakers girls’ volleyball team pose with their banner as the Fraser Valley champions of 2014/2015. (Photo submitted)


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ENGAGE

Higher PST maypay for transit planin Metro VancouverSome love the idea, some loathe it

AMY REID, 3

“The Waltz of the Snowflakes” is danced during Royal City Youth Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker at Surrey Arts Centre on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 14). The local company’sannual production of the holiday-month favourite was performed five times at the Bear Creek Park venue from Friday to Sunday. See more of Gord Goble’s photographs of theshow at Thenownewspaper.com. (Photo: GORD GOBLE)

‘Snowflakes’ at Surrey Arts Centre

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Join the debate on Facebook and Twitter by searching for The Now Newspaper or by emailing [email protected]

DEBATE

If a majority of Metro Vancouver votersendorse TransLink’s proposed half-point increase in the sales tax to fund

transportation projects, the ramificationscould go well beyond the region and thespecific issue being voted on.

A successful “yes” vote will have meantpeople actually voted for a tax increase,which has been an unheard of propositionfor a decade now. Governments of all stripeshave tried to outpace each other in cuttingtaxes, not raising them, the theory being,“give the people what they want.”

But if people actually support a taxincrease because they equate it with clearlyoutlined service improvements, it mayembolden governments to at least revisitsome tax policies. Revenue streams ofvarious sorts have been drying up for years,and money has to come from somewhere ifgovernment services are to be maintained orexpanded.

Of course, getting that majority “yes” voteto materialize is going to take some doing.

Even though it can be argued that MetroVancouver mayors opted for the cheapest,if not most timid, option to raise money forprojects, the idea of even a tiny tax increase isgoing to rankle many.

Voters have long seemed cranky when itcomes to tax hikes. They feel they already payenough in taxes (and user fees) and don’t getenough of a return on what they pay rightnow.

When taxes are imposed on people in theway property taxes or income taxes are, voterscan take out their resentment in an electionand penalize the politicians who imposedthose taxes, should they choose to do so.

But in this case people are being askedbeforehand to accept a tax hike, and that is aconsiderably different situation.

The reasons to vote “yes” will no doubtstrike many as sound and sensible butthat can matter little in a referendum.And it has been clear for some time thatwhile many, many people want more andbetter transportation options, they see noinconsistency in their view that someoneother than themselves should pay for them.

Potentially even more problematicfor the “yes” side is that this referendummay actually become, for many people, areferendum on TransLink itself.

The organization is every transit useror stuck-in-traffic motorist’s favouringwhipping boy, and even the mayors who runit aren’t exactly keen fans of the companyeither.

Leading the “no” side will be the Canadian

Taxpayers Federation, which tends to paintalmost all public spending and taxationas questionable and don’t really providealternatives to what they are criticizing (otherthan simplistically saying,“Stop spending orstop taxing).”

Nevertheless, the organization is goodat getting its message out through effectivemedia campaigns, and already it has dubbedits referendum campaign the “No TransLinkTax Campaign.”

Funding transit through referendums isfairly common in many cities in the UnitedStates, but it’s a new concept here. Thesuccessful referendums in the U.S. (whichhave resulted in funding hikes) usually occurafter lengthy campaigns – sometimes lastingmore than a year – to shape public opinionaccordingly.

But in TransLink’s case, the “yes” side willonly have several months to make their salespitch.

A broad-based coalition is formingto support the “yes” side and it includespoliticians of all stripes as well as businessleaders and several key unions. But it’sunclear whether they can convince the peoplethey purport to represent to actually mail in aballot marked “yes.”

More than 20 years ago, we saw anotherbroad coalition of strange politicalbedfellows band together to ensure the “yes”side won in a referendum. That would be theCharlottetown Accord, a proposed change tothe Canadian constitution, which went downto defeat despite the fact the “establishment”insisted it was a worthy endeavour.

We may be about to witness the same thingagain, with a situation where the “leaders”insist they know best, while a suspiciouspublic feels otherwise.

But if the “yes” side beats the odds andactually pulls off a victory, perhaps the daysof tax revolts may finally be nearing an endand governments will stop being leery abouteven talking about tax hikes.

It’s a long shot, I know, but a majorityvote for a tax increase – no matter how small– may well prove to be groundbreaking.

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter forGlobal BC. [email protected]

‘Yes’ vote on transit taxwould be groundbreaking

InTheHouse

Keith Baldrey

Referendum

Voters have long seemedcranky when it comes totax hikes. They feel theyalready pay enough intaxes (and user fees)and don’t get enough ofa return on what theypay right now.

Politics are foundedon religious world view

Letters

The Editor,Re: “Please keep your religion out of my

politics,” the Now, Dec. 11.After reading Adrian MacNair’s column,

I couldn’t help but wonder if he knew thathe was contradicting himself.

By stating religion has no place inpolitics, he is imposing his religionof atheism on the rest of us and ourgovernment. MacNair may not think thatatheism is a religion but by the definitionof religion, it is.

I wonder if he would write the samescathing article if a First Nations chiefwas to come and do a ceremonial danceor chant to bless the council. Would youmake the same remarks about havingto learn First Nations history in publicschool as well? If you take some time tostudy the history of various nations of theworld – and the politics within them – youwould find that they are founded on areligious world view.

The religious world views which havebeen the most successful at developing ahealthy and thriving nation are those thatgive a clear definition of right and wrong.Where you start to see mass failures inthese societies is when they begin to strayfrom these world views.

By the way – while learning the Lord’sPrayer in public school, did you happen tolearn the Golden Rule?

Jonathan Neufeld, Surrey

To pray is humanThe Editor,

Re: “Please keep your religion out of mypolitics,” the Now, Dec. 11.

We elected human beings, not robots.We shouldn’t be asking anyone to

separate themselves from their faith. I seethis as simply being human.

To ask for guidance – in this casethrough Christian prayer – is a good thing.Sorry you had to be respectful for 30 to 60seconds while people were expressing theirfaith.

You probably won’t hear another prayerfor the next four years, so don’t worry. Butif some tragedies were to strike the cityand the mayor or councillors offer prayersor comfort citizens by telling them to leanon God, they are doing nothing wrong.

There is no separation between religionand society, or someone’s personal faithand themselves. We have a constitution,both written and unwritten, and it’s beingfollowed. We haven’t given up democraticelections and assigned legislative powerover to the Pope or leaders of any church,so please stop promoting division.

D. MacMillan, Surrey

Pastor Randy Emerson of Cloverdale Christian Church prays with councillors, fromleft, Dave Woods, Mary Martin, Bruce Hayne, Judy Villeneuve, Mayor Linda Hepnerand Tom Gill after being sworn in Monday night at city hall. (Photo: AMY REID)

From Facebook

❚ No. Keep religion out ofpolitics! Zara Elizabeth

❚ Separation of Church and Statehas never been more muddled thanit is now, at all levels of government.It’s a shame. Sunny Grewal

❚ Politics and religion should bekept separate. A person’s religiousaffiliation or lack of is personal &no one else’s business. Politics iseveryone’s business. Irene Owens

Join the discussionby following the Now

THe NeWsPaPer.cOm Tuesday, december 16, 2014 as09

SOUTH SURREY — A 15-year-oldboy died Saturday morning after anovernight assault in Surrey.

Shortly after 2:30 a.m. Saturday,Surrey RCMP received a report thattwo boys, aged 14 and 15, had fled toa home in the 15600-block of 18thAvenue after being assaulted by agroup of four or five people.

The 15-year-old, later identifiedas Dario Bartoli, was transported byambulance to Peace Arch Hospital, incritical condition. His parents werenotified, and Surrey RCMP victimservices made contact with the family,according to a release from SurreyRCMP.

The teen, a student at Earl MarriottSecondary, died of his injuries shortlyafter 10 a.m., the release said, andas a result, the Integrated HomicideInvestigation Team will take over thecase.

In Surrey on Saturday, investigatorscordoned off a wooded section on thesouthwest side of Bakerview Park at

154th Street and 18th Avenue. Policeevidence markers were set up onseveral beer bottles on the ground inthe park. Nearby children played at aplayground.

The house where the injured teensfled is about three blocks east of thecordoned-off section of BakerviewPark.

“Surrey detachment will be activelyinvolved with IHIT in determiningwho the suspect group is,” said therelease from Surrey RCMP Insp.Bruce Stuart.

“Although a motive at this time isunclear, our priority is to speak withwitnesses to determine what led tothis homicide.”

Few details were immediatelyavailable. On Saturday evening IHITspokeswoman Staff Sgt. JenniferPound said weapons may have beeninvolved in the killing but that has yetto be confirmed.

Pound said IHIT is still seekingwitnesses to learn more about thenature of the attack.

South Surrey teen dead, witnesses sought

INFORMCrime

Dan FumanoThe ProvinceTwitter @fumano Dario Bartoli, 15, a student at

Earl Marriott Secondary, diedafter an attack early Saturdaymorning (Dec. 13).

as12 Tuesday, december 16, 2014 THe NeWsPaPer.cOm

Marvin HuntMarvin HuntMLA for Surrey-Panorama

[email protected]

#120 5455 152 StSurrey, BC V3S 5A5604-574-5662604-574-5691Fax:

Phone:

Office:

Thursday, December 18th from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Bring a non-parishablefood donation to support the

Surrey Food Bank /Nightshift Ministry

Almost 25% of Lower Mainlandchildren live in Surrey.Help them succeed for life.

Please give.www.uwlm.ca

hope For every

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We’re here.

Hope through education, supportand solutions.

1.800.321.1433 www.arthritis.ca

INFORM

Kristi AlexandraNow contributorTwitter @kristialexandra

SURREY — Teachers across B.C. shouldhave received a collective $105 million inthe mail last week as cheques were deliveredto teachers’ homes.

The money, labelled by some media asa “strike bonus,” comes from a grievancefund negotiated by the British ColumbiaTeachers’ Federation with the provincialgovernment.

“Yes, it’s part of the collective bargainingand a part of the strike, but it’s not a strikebonus,” said Richard Overgaard, mediarelations spokesperson for BCTF.

“It’s a pay-out related to the outstandinggrievances around the court case.”

The $105 million came as a lump sumfrom the provincial government andBCTF is allocating the funds to teachersindividually based on days worked in 2013.

A full-time teacher would receive themaximum $2,800, while teachers whoworked part-time or were TTOCs (teacherson call) would get less.

Of 41,000 teachers in the province,Surrey – the largest school district – ishome to over 5,000.

“I think, for some members, they lost alot of money in the strike, so they wouldhave liked to see more come back,” saidJennifer Wadge, president of the SurreyTeachers Association, noting that thelargest pay-outs, after tax, will be just shy of$1,900. “But it was a very difficult bargain,I think there is a feeling of, ‘at least wegot something.’ For the average full-timeteacher, they lost five weeks of wages. That’spretty significant.”

[email protected]

B.C. teachers’ $105 million‘not a strike bonus,’ BCTF says

Education

I think, for some members,they lost a lot of money inthe strike, so they wouldhave liked to see morecome back.… I think thereis a feeling of, ‘at least wegot something.’

THe NeWsPaPer.cOm Tuesday, december 16, 2014 as13

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