Editor-Dave Chesney
September 8, 2010
If you live in or around White Rock for the past number of months at public events you have probably seen the White Rock fire fighters information tent. The fire fighters leave Halifax harbour today Wednesday September 8).
Over the next 14 days and nights a group of 10 fire fighters will cycle in relay from coast to coast. Now just stop to think about that for a moment. Halifax to Vancouver in just 14 days. I have made that drive and it can easily take 6 days in a car. I suppose given I have made that drive I can get a sense of the monumental task these fire fighters have taken on.
This past long weekend I drove with a friend out to Calgary for a wedding. I often found myself imagining during that drive what it would be like to cycle just through the Rockies.
The whole idea for the ride was hatched a couple of years ago when a couple fire fighters were sitting around the hall on an overnight shift. With the exception of a couple of the riders, none of the other fire fighters had ever ridden any long distance. Since the concept of the ride was hatched, the riders partaking in the SHORE2SHORE ride have trained extensively, made huge personal sacrifices and spent thousands of dollars out of their own pocket to purchase cycles with the help of the local cycle shop O’HAGANS PENINSULA CYCLES. In addition to financial considerations DAMIAN from PENINSULA CYCLES will also join in the ride.
TERRY FOX started the trend in Canada of coast to coast journeys to raise awareness and funds in 1980. STEVE FONYO who has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately did his cross Canada run in 1984/85. RICK HANSEN did his part when he completed his trip around the world in a wheel chair by crossing Canada.
Since then it seems like there is someone or some group that is crossing Canada to raise funds and awareness for personal reasons. In the case of the White Rock fire fighters two of their members have family members that have benefited by the generosity of VARIETY. The decision on who to raise funds for once the ride was set was an easy decision.
Our White Rock fire fighters this past year staged a very public information campaign when it appeared the Mayor and Council due to financial constraints were considering thoughts of merging the White Rock Fire Department with Surrey.
When I ran for a seat on White Rock Council in 2005 and again in 2008 the fire fighters were front and centre in having the candidates identified who would and who would not support White Rock the fire department maintaining autonomy. I went on record in both elections as stating any change in the fire services for White Rock was a matter for a referendum. I feel the same way today. Something as profound as a change like that to our emergency services should be a decision made by the electorate, not the elected.
I go for a ride now and then on my mountain bike. Give the topography of White Rock one normally encounters a hill at some point on a ride. Now I wouldn’t for a moment try to spin the fact I am a health nut, but I do try to get my share of exercise through walking. A simple ride up Marine Drive to Crescent Beach reminds me constantly my mind may be writing schedules my body can’t cash.
I am in awe of what our fire fighters have set out to accomplish. I look forward to their triumphant return to White Rock on September 22. Keep reading THE SUN to keep up on how the ride is going. We will also be your source for all the information on the “Welcome Home” ceremonies.
In the meantime if you feel compelled to make a donation you can simply
WRFF – WE SALUTE YOU!
August 30, 2010
We are now half way into our second week of boiling our drinking water in White Rock. A sight inconvenience for most, perhaps a tad more dire for the restaurants in White Rock who are loading in ice cubes and buying drinking water at an alarming rate.
Funny how something that we all take/took for granted for so long can cause some people to enter into a state of hysteria.
Like the majority of White Rock residents I heard about the boil water advisory on the late news on Friday evening (11 p.m.) I immediately went to EPCOR’S and The City of White Rock’s web site. Neither had any information posted. My day began the next morning around 5 a.m. as I tried to cobble together any information on the situation for the pages of The White Rock Sun. EPCOR and The City of White Rock still did not have any information on their site. It was not until somewhere between 7 & 8 a.m., that I noticed both the sites had been updated with information on the water problem.
To some this may seem strange. Not to me. As an internet pioneer I long ago stopped setting my hair on fire when confronted with an entire sector of our society in charge of matters like this do not put as high a level of importance on the internet as I do. Hell I started a paper because I believed it was the wave of the future.
By mid Saturday morning the downtown news media was in a flap. Camera crews and reporters were dispatched to the far reaches of Semiahmoo Bay. Then the monkey see monkey do syndrome kicked in. By Sunday evening the local media had fanned the flames of a minor news story into a full blown national disaster. All of the national newscasts Sunday evening carried the WHITE ROCK DISASTER? story at the top of their newscasts.
Like most of you I started to receive the emails and phone calls to see if I was alright. Did we have another Walkerton on our hands?
STOP RIGHT THERE!
Unlike the water from the taps - the information from EPCOR was now flowing just fine. Media updates were being provided and the water provider for White Rock had kicked into gear to identify and rectify the problem as quickly as possible.
Could they and the City of White Rock done better. You bet they could have. But as the old saying goes, “Hindsight is 20/20.” Thank goodness we got a warning that turned out to be not of the serious nature. I believe all parties involved including Fraser Health are heaving a huge sigh of relief, as they should be. Quite possibly we dodged a serious bullet here.
As we move forward I hope cooler heads prevail on a number of fronts. The three White Rock Councillors MCLEAN, MEYERS and SINCLAIR that ran to the media to express their concerns should be taken out back behind the proverbial woodshed in my humble opinion. I applaud their concerns if they are well intended. I castigate them if this is just political grandstanding at its worst. A behind closed door meeting of Council quite possibly may be warranted to answer questions the Councillors have. But broadcasting it from the top of the highest hill is reactionary at the very least.
The tribal drums in White Rock are pounding out loud and clear “CHLORINATE THE WATER!!!” Here too I hope all the stakeholders are able to step back and in the light of aftermath seriously weigh out our options as we move on.
The water system in White Rock dates back nearly a hundred years. We are one of the last cities/municipalities in the Lower Mainland that has a private water system.
Within the past year EPCOR circulated a questionairre with everyone’s water bills asking how residents felt about adding chlorine to the White Rock water. I do not have the exact numbers but far and away they heard loud and clear there was no appetite to alter our beautiful natural water.
Has this recent situation changed the minds and swayed public opinion in White Rock? It is too early to tell at this point so lets just all sit back, take a big deep breath and seriously examine all the possibilities as we move forward. It has not yet been determined beyond a shadow of a doubt what caused the problem. Was it human error? A breakdown in the water system. Who knows. Certainly not any of the “let’s set our hair on fire gang.”
At the end of the day I tip my hat to EPCOR for erring on the safe side. As I said, “Could they have done better?” Probably. They’re human. I will continue to think they did their very best until proven differently.
To the City of White Rock. Let’s get a first alert system in place as soon as possible. Enter all the phone numbers and email addresses you can lay your hands on and develop a data base that is used ONLY in the case of an emergency. The future of our drinking water is just one element we should be concerned about. The other being the trainloads of hazardous material that is dragged by our front doors on a daily basis causes me more concern. If there were to be a toxic spill in the area the first notice we would receive at this point in time, is the sucking of the air out of our lungs as the hazardous cloud drifted up the hillside.
I hope there will be a full accounting of the situation once the problem is identified and solved. A town hall meeting is in order. After all this Council promised when elected two years ago they would ensure a more open and transparent governance of White Rock was about to unfold. Well since then I have not seen the promised Town Hall meetings. What I have seen is an unprecedented damn “In Camera” meetings.
We’re waiting.
August 23, 2010
While conducting an interview with Councillor bon vivant HELEN FATHERS I asked her how she would describe White Rock. I thought it was a fairly easy question until I noticed her hesitation.
It is not as easy as you might think.
Here is how I would describe White Rock;
White Rock is a beautiful little town on the outskirts of Vancouver. Unlike most of the other urban sprawl stretching out from Vancouver, you have to be coming to White Rock to get here. It really is not on the road to anywhere. I think Ladner and Steveston have a similar feel due to their geographical locale. Though neither possesses quite as breathtaking scenery.
In the early morning hours I still hear the odd crab fisherman taking his traps out to the end of the pier. The clickety clack clickety clack of the little cart that carries the many traps perched precariously is a sound of White Rock I remember from my childhood.
The early morning smell of a still smouldering beach campfire takes me back to the days of a “mickey” of Canadian Club shoved down your cowboy boot standing around a campfire at 1,000 steps.
The roar of an outlaw motorcycle strangely enough gets the synapses going. Back in the 70’s White Rock was home to one of the very few motorcycle gangs in the Lower Mainland. The Gypsy Wheelers later morphed into the Satan’s Angels and then into one of the first chapters of the Hells Angels in Western Canada. The “gang” was a major part of the fiber of White Rock for years. I remember back in the 90’s while living in Vancouver I was reading the morning Province newspaper one morning when I saw some headline to the effect; MLA attends Funeral with Hells Angels - White Rock. As my White Rock radar was always on high, I read the story with interest. Our then and still MLA Gordon Hogg had attending a funeral for a gentleman who had been associated with some of the member of the Hells Angels. His name was MERVYN MAYES and was an original Gypsy Wheeler. Hogg when confronted by the media outside the church, very succinctly told the reporters he was here to attend the funeral of a friend he had played Little League baseball with, gone to school with and attended Scouts as a child. He then told the media to look somewhere else. for a story, he was here to honour a friend’s memory. Plain and simple a bond between two young men over rode political correctness. It probably wouldn't have happened elsewhere.
The White Rock Wave, which I have spoken before about, is one of my favourite descriptions of White Rock. We all do it. When crossing a street and a car stops to let us cross we all invariably in a variety of different ways acknowledge the drive. Usually with a polite little wave – the White Rock Wave.
Breakfast at the Five Corners Diner or the Roadhouse Grill. Comfort food and comfortable homey welcoming atmosphere. It doesn’t get much better.
Lunch at Sugar & Spice uptown. A true haven for the seniors in our community. The owner of this lovely little soup and sandwich shop Helen, dotes and fawns on her customers. It truly is something to see. Most are greeted by their name.
The Whaling Wall on Johnston road is always a source of pride to take visitors to see and nonchalantly say “Oh yes, the whaling wall it is quite beautiful isn’t it” like everyone has one in their city. Painted in the 70’s thank goodness the location that was chosen was not in direct sunlight. Though it might be time for us to get a fund going to have the artist WYLAND jump on a plane and come back and touch it up a bit.
And finally in my description of WHITE ROCK I would have to say, the people. As I walk quite a bit to get around town, I meet a myriad of people that are more than willing to sit and talk about the past, the present or the future and maybe solve a few of the world problems while we are at it. Just go for a walk along the pier or the promenade early one morning. If you look someone in the eye you will usually be greeted with a friendly good morning. I call them “dawnbreakers.” The same person in the middle of the day in the same locale might just walk by in silence.
Finally our weekend water advisory also exposed the underbelly some of us are fortunate enough to call home. People were forwarding email alerts, I would bet you also got a phone call or two from friends and family that live outside the area expressing concern for your well being, it was the talk of the Farmer's Market on Sunday and a handmade sign was taped to the front door of the Buy Low warning residents that may not have heard there was a water advisory in place. People taking care of each other. It is called community and I cherish it.
So there you go. My White Rock. What makes up YOUR White Rock?
David Chesney
Editor/Publisher
White Rock Sun
August 16, 2010
This Little Sign Says a Lot About White Rock.
The little homemade sign has been hanging in THE BREAD BOX on Johnston road for about 6 weeks. If you are not a regular patron of the BREAD BOX just up from 5 Corners you may have a little trouble understanding the meaning of the sign.
You see the regulars that shop for the best deals on vegetables, fruits, sliced meats and farm fresh eggs take ownership of The Bread Box. The staff very quickly become like members of your extended family. Andrew the owner of the business somewhat takes a backseat to Mary the Madam of the Market. And Beata and newcomer Toni all have their own distinct personalities that enrich your shopping experience.
Shoppers at THE BREAD BOX will patiently stand in line, sometimes for up to a half an hour. Imagine that ever happening at a Big Box store. While in line the customers of the BREAD BOX socialize, get caught up on the local news, watch the ever present music DVDS that are running in the store on the TV, or simply just take the time to unwind and let life slide by at a manageable pace.
A few months back THE BREAD BOX was in need of a new refrigerator. Any other store would just gone out and bought the fridge. But not the folks at THE BREAD BOX. You see not only did “they” need a fridge, but “we” needed a fridge.
Nearly 6 weeks back a jar appeared near the cash register with the little sign you see above this article. People would toss in a loonie or a twoonie, no one from the store staff ever said anything other than thank you very much.
Well lo and behold if someone didn’t smash out the door window in the early morning hours one night and grab the jar and make off with $60 or $70. It was more than just the loss of the money jug. Andrews insurance would go up, he would have to pay a deductible, on and on. But jug #2 magically appeared a couple of days later. Well lo and behold if someone didn’t grab that one too. This time during store hours in the confusion of the crowd or whatever, someone slipped the jug under their coat or in their bag and made off with the second jug. So now we are on to jug#3.
I have to feel sorry for whoever took the money. I can only assume they have some trouble in their lives that have dictated this ill begotten behaviour. If they were in trouble financially and needed a litle food I am confident Andrew and Mary would have ensured they didn't go hungry. Sadly it was probably not food the money was spent on.
The poor souls. They have never had Mary lean across the counter and give you a big hug,seen that beautiful big smile of Beata that lights up the room or Andrews dry sense of humour as he kids with the regulars. Toni is the quiet one, but we're sure she will loosen up she's new. When Beata started work at The Bread Box she was shy & quiet. Of course next to Mary a stan up comedian would seem shy and quiet.
So don’t worry about “us” and "our" fridge. We’ll get it. We’re in no big hurry. If we were, we wouldn’t be shopping at The Bread Box.
July 20, 2010
Street Of Dreams?
Sometimes Even If You Build It They Don't Come
Under gorgeous sunny skies the 31st annual TOUR DE WHITE ROCK went off seamlessly. Oh I can imagine there had to be some hair pulling and teeth gnashing in the background. Anytime you stage an undertaking as large as a three day event there are always problems. If no one notices the organizers have done their job.
I have been critical in the past of the marketing and promotion of the event, and that will continue again this year. With a slight twist. I will offer up to the organizers some very basic "marketing 101" ideas that they may or may not choose to implement. I fully understand over the years I have rubbed some people the wrong way. (some?)
For the past 3 decades I have been gainfully employed to market and publicize events. Try to put yourself in my shoes. Take your profession, and then imagine having to sit by year after year and watch someone totally inept trying to do your job. It is frustrating, but I am taking the high road and going to keep it as positive as possible. I will not digress into name calling and finger pointing. I don't and this town certainly does not need any more negative energy.
So let us begin.
Step #1
Publicize the race sooner. The posters promoting the event went up around town just 7 days in advance. This is too short a period of time for people to plan their busy summer schedule. Three weeks minimum. Also design a poster that is eye catching. This year's poster just faded into whatever surface is was attached to. TOO MUCH INFORMATION! Simply hammer home TOUR DE WHITE ROCK, the dates and then direct people to your website for further information. Period. Make the poster so beautiful that people will actually want to take them down carefully and frame them. Sell them in a merchandising booth on the waterfront. More on the merchandise a little later
Step #2
It might seem like a small thing, but print on both sides of the banner that you hang up over Johnston Road to promote the event. It cost a fraction more to do both sides.
Step #3
Take a cue from the TOUR DE DELTA when it comes to bus board advertising
 Tour De Delta
 Tour De White Rock
The TOUR DE DELTA is very effective in that the event is giant, large and grabs your attention. If you live in the White Rock/South Surrey area you can't tell me you did not notice the TOUR DE DELTA bus boards. Conversely yesterday afternoon when I was up at the bus exchange waiting for the community shuttle buses to come in and out to take these pictures, a bus driver came over and asked me what I was doing. I explained I was taking pictures of the two different bus boards on the buses. He replied "Were there any for the TOUR DE WHITE ROCK?" I pointed to HIS bus just down from us and said "There Is One Right There." It might be worthwhile to get a better bang for our buck to join forces with the TOUR DE DELTA and share the cost of bus boards. More bang for your buck. I am not sure how many bus boards White Rock purchased, but in the half hour or so that I stood up at the exchange I saw 6 TOUR DE DELTA and just 1 TOUR DE WHITE ROCK.
Step #4
 Getting free publicity is always a challenge. I can understand the TOUR DE WHITE ROCK does not have a big war chest to go out and buy expensive television advertising, but if worked properly we could very easily see the media coverage expanded on.
Case in point on Sunday morning I was watching the morning news on GLOBAL with "Double J" Jay Janower in the first hour 8-9 and he did not make any mention of the TOUR DE WHITE ROCK. In the second hour 9-10 following a far too long story on weiner dog races, just as he went to the commercial break he blurted out "In the TOUR DE WHITE ROCK last night (Saturday) so and so won." It sounded like the TOUR DE WHITE ROCK was over. Now I know from years of working with the media it is a challenge to get them to buy into what you are trying to promote. It can be done.
Here is another free idea. Each Sunday morning Global TV does a small town BC. A feature they run all morning long on a small town, they tell you a bit about the city, show some pictures etc. etc. Get out in front of it now and make sure next year White Rock is the "small town" on the TOUR DE WHITE ROCK weekend. Tons of free publicity. CHRISTIE GORDON the weather person on Global on the weekend grew up in Crescent Beach. She is well aware of the TOUR DE WHITE ROCK.
Step #5
Merchandise aka FREE ADVERTISING
 the 2010 version
 last year's model
Each year the TOUR DE WHITE ROCK creates t-shirts for their volunteers to wear the day of the race. Great idea. Emblazon VOLUNTEER big across the back. Then take the ordinary shirts and get the local merchants to wear them in the weeks leading up to the event. Put them for sale in the gift shops around town. Have you ever tried to buy a White Rock souvenir t-shirt period. Most of the crap that is sold around town says BC, GASTOWN or whatever. The sale of the t-shirts easily will cover the cost. It becomes a wash and all that promotion is FREE OF CHARGE.
In closing I hope my critique and proposals are taken in the proper light. I do it because I LOVE WHITE ROCK. I make sure every year I invite a friend from somewhere to come to White Rock and enjoy THE RACE with me. In the past I have had TOUR DE WHITE ROCK parties. Some years you can hear the noise coming from all kinds of deck parties. This year nothing. Along Victoria Drive where I live near the pier, in the past dozens of people came out to their back gates and set up lawn chairs and cheered on the riders. One lady is all I saw this year. Sad but true.
The only way we are going to turn this event around is if we all pull together. I am prepared to do my part. I could go on and on, but to be quite frank this is what I do for a living and I have to get out there and service the people that pay me to promote and publicize their careers and events.
Thank You
David Chesney
Editor/Publisher
White Rock Sun
July 14, 2010
Dear Dave,
Native Americans believe eagles are messengers and guides to the other side. Now so do you as I. Thank you for sharing an extremely personal time in your life. Laurie must have been an exceptional person. I hope you're doing okay.
Here is a shot from the snows of Dec 2008. When you read the book you'll understand the significance of this picture.
with respect
Jeff
"The Circle of Healing"
by Jeff Guidry
Jeff Guidry with Freedom
Every day at Sarvey Wildlife Center we witness first hand the incredible battle for life that our animal brothers and sisters go through. This is a story of one Bald Eagle's magnificent spirit and sheer will to live.
It was mid-summer when a call came in reporting a fledgling Bald Eagle had fallen out of a nest on a Seattle golf course. Our very own Crazy Bob went to the rescue and transported her to the Center. She arrived with two broken wings. When asked to take her to the vet, I jump at the chance.
When I load this hurt and terrified baby into the car, she neither whimpers nor fights; she can't even stand. This is not a good sign; she is obviously in very bad shape. As I drive to Sno-Wood Veterinary Hospital, I constantly look back to check on my very special passenger. She stares at me with big beautiful brown eyes, her mouth slightly agape. I drive a little faster—this Bald Eagle must live!
She is operated on and has both wings pinned; they are now immobile. Back at Sarvey we lay her in the bottom half of a huge carrier filled with shredded newspaper for support.
The fight for her life begins.
Twice a day a tube is pushed down her throat so that food and medicine can be pumped into her. A week goes by with no change; she still cannot stand up. At three weeks, there's a slight change, but it's for the worse. I'm getting scared for this young Bald Eagle.
Working at the Center, you begin to recognize a look, a look that indicates death is winning. This bruised and broken Bald Eagle was losing the battle but not her dignity. The struggle for her life was not over.
Every chance I get I talk softly to her, telling her to hold on, to fight, to live. Why I felt such a connection to this particular eagle, I do not know.
Four weeks go by and she is still on her belly. There is nothing so heartbreaking as seeing the life force of this majestic bird slowly slip away.
At five weeks we are approaching the end.
Sarvey Wildlife Center believes in giving every soul that comes in a chance to live; but when it is painfully clear that death is the only way out, the decision is made to let that particular spirit continue on its journey. We were at this juncture; this beautiful baby eagle was given one week to see if she could, or would, stand up. This was a crushing blow. Every day that next week I checked to see if she was up. The answer was always the same... "No."
On the following Thursday I could barely face going to the Center. As I walked in not a word was spoken but everyone wore a huge grin. I raced back to the young Bald Eagle's cage, and there she stood in all her glory!
She was standing! She had won. This girl had cheated death by a mere 24 hours. She was going to make it. She was going to get her second chance.
After another week the pins in her wings were removed. Her right wing was perfect, but her left was not. She couldn't fully extend it. We tried physical therapy and hoped a little time was all she needed, but there was no significant progress. Her wing was too badly damaged. She would never fly, never soar the skies with her people. At least her life was saved, but for what? Was she doomed to live her life in a cage? Not exactly, for this was a special soul.
Bald Eagles normally want nothing to do with humans and will go to great lengths to get away from them. This girl liked people; she wanted to see what you were doing, to follow where you were going, and to see whom you were going with. She was very curious.
About this time our director suggested that I try to glove train her. She had the right temperament; maybe she could do educational programs. Wouldn't that be something? Very few eagles are able or willing to be handled, much less remain calm in front of large crowds. The work began.
I started getting her used to the glove, a little at a time. At first she was thinking, "OK, I'll step on your hand but only with one foot." Then, "OK, I'll use both feet but only for a second." Later, "Yeah you can take me part way out of my cage, then I'll jump right back in." And finally, "OK, I'll let you walk around with me on your arm. Hey, this is fun!"
At this point, every day a volunteer would take this Bald Eagle out for a cruise around the clinic. It was time for her final test—jesses, the leather straps that attach to the ankles of birds-of-prey to give control to the handler and to protect the bird from injury or escape. I put the jesses on her—a piece of cake. It was as if she were born with them on. This was certainly a very mellow Bald Eagle.
Now it was almost time for her first program, but she needed a name. None that we could come up with seemed right, and then Paula, a volunteer, said, "Hey, what about Freedom?" That was it; that was her spirit and her spirit was why grandfather sent her to us. She was ready.
Freedom is now four years old and one of Sarvey Wildlife Center's premier ambassadors. She clearly enjoys our programs and really knows how to turn on the charm. She is a star. Freedom has been on national television, on the front page of major newspapers, and is known across the country.
She is also one of the great loves of my life. She will touch her beak to the tip of my nose and stare into my eyes. At that moment our spirits are one.
I am the luckiest person on Earth.Thank you, Freedom.
(editor's note)...Jeff said, "Why I felt such a connection to this particular eagle, I do not know."
Now we all know why:
Freedom is alive because Jeff fought for her life, and there is no doubt that Freedom sensed his love and commitment. Jeff gave Freedom the support she needed to want to live.
When Jeff was later diagnosed with a serious illness requiring chemotherapy, he found himself turning to Freedom for support. Two or three times a week, whenever he felt well enough, he would drive from Bothell to Arlington to walk with Freedom around the grounds. Now it was Freedom's turn to give Jeff a reason to fight for his life.
Only a short time ago Jeff was informed there was no trace of the disease left in his body. He immediately left for the Center.
When he took Freedom out of her flight, she did something she had never done before: She extended her wings and wrapped them around him.
The circle of healing was now complete.
July 1, 2010 Canada Day
Tuesday afternoon under a brilliant blue sky I White Rock to take a friend up on a dinner invitation at her trailer in Birch Bay. She had been asking me for a couple of years, but going near the border on a weekend when she is usually at her trailer, did not appeal to me. Last week she mentioned she was taking the week off and why didn’t I come down for dinner on Tuesday? Why not indeed? Surely I should be able to just breeze across the border in the late afternoon. Mistake #1. Seems the kids got out of school and everyone was hitting the highway to beat the rush. I don’t do lineups very well. Take a big deep breath.
As a 30 year resident of White Rock many of you fellow old times will remember there was a time when you could and would pop across the border with the greatest of ease to pick up cheap groceries (read beer) get some gas and be back home all within a half hour or so. Then came September 11, 2001. 9/11 changed our lives and our freedom of movement across the invisible 49th parallel.
As it had been a couple of years since I drove into the States I forgot that all travelers entering the United States now needed a passport in their possession. This dawned on me as I was being waved up to the customs booth. The border patrol officer asked me the usual questions, “Where do you live, where were you born etc. Then the bombshell dropped. “Could I see some ID please?” As I handed him my driver’s license he looked at me incredulously. “Do you not have a passport?” I explained I did in fact have a passport but given that it had been a couple of years since I drove into America I simply forgot it. He took my driver’s license gave me a lovely orange sticker for my window and told me to pull around and go inside to get my drivers license back. Back exactly, that was where I thought I was going, Back To Canada.
I parked my car and mistakenly thought I would just walk in get my license and be on my way home. As I entered the building I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw a lineup that resembled something at Disneyland. Thinking I was just going to be a minute I had left my digital camera on the seat of my car with the door unlocked. As I turned around to go out and lock the car I was informed once in I could not leave the building, I explained my situation to no avail. I was somewhat relieved to see more cameras than NBC television on all corners of the building. I figured well if someone grabs the camera it will be on video. I took my place in line. As I glanced around the room I saw there were two signs they wanted you to make no mistake about. No cell phones or PDA’s and we do not have a public washroom. No problem I don’t need either one of them right now. Two hours later as the line snaked around the stanchions I was beginning to wonder if the no washroom was going to be a problem.
When I reached the front of the line I was summoned to the counter by an officer. He took my fancy little orange sticker I was given at the booth outside. He began to run a series of questions, mostly centering on why I did not have my passport in my possession. When I explained that I had already told the officer outside that it was an honest mistake on my part, if he would be so kind as to give me my driver’s license back I would return to the, true north strong and free. Nope, not going to happen. The border officer continued to hammer away on why I did not have my passport. Once again I attempted to explain my predicament. I punctuated the explanation that as a long time resident of White Rock I considered Blaine, Birch Bay and Bellingham to be my neighbours. Wrong thing to say. He immediately launched into how I should consider America a foreign country just like Mexico, which I had explained to him, is where I always use my passport. After his stern lecture I made my second big mistake. I asked him if it was necessary for our American neighbours to show a passport to enter Canada. This turned a tense situation up a level or two. I should have shut up right then and their, but again thinking I was going home I said “I am not in the habit of asking my neighbours to show three pieces of ID when they come to visit.” Big Mistake #3. I know better. As previously mentioned being a frequent border crossing until the last decade, I know a little bit of honey, a few well placed YES SIR - NO SIR’S go a long ways.
I found myself now sitting in the middle of the room where I was directed to sit while the officer decided what he was going to do with me. Vanishing Point was playing out in my mind. How could I have been so stupid? After a series of questions that were hollered out to me over the crowd, I was summoned back up to the counter. I now figured there were two places I might be going. Home and god forbid a backroom. The officer sat solemnly staring at my drivers license, then slid it back across the counter and told me he had flagged me and I would NEVER be allowed to enter the United States of America without a passport. Have good day. I couldn’t believe my good fortune, or so I thought at the time.
I arrived hours later for dinner, had a lovely all be it short visit. Around 10 o’clock I excused myself and said I had to get back home. As I drove from Birch Bay towards the truck crossing I had a feeling of calm and a sense of security that I was going to be welcomed home and waved right on throughBig Mistake #4. When I pulled up to the Canadian Customs booth, the young lady asked me where I had been, where I lived and could she please see my passport? Passport? I don’t have one with me. She then began to question me when and how I got into the United States without a passport. I told I really did not have the answer to that but a quick call across the road my shed some light on it. Frustrated she then asked me “What hospital were you born in?” I explained to her I did not know in that I was adopted at birth, could have been Kamloops or Vancouver. Puzzled as to what to do with me she leaned a little out of the booth and held up my drivers license like a first place prize at sports day and with great seriousness said “Who is the Prime Minister of Canada?” Are you kidding me, this is the last line of defense we use to ensure terrorists don’t enter the country? I blurted out STEPHEN HARPER. She handed me back my license and said “Have a nice evening.”
As I drove the final leg north I thought well did you learn anything today Dave? Yup!
Next time take a passport when going to America and always remember - THERE ARE NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS not for me, not for you.
Not very neighbourly if you ask me.
June 21, 2010
 Scared? Who Me?
Will the HST be the downfall of the Liberals? More importantly to White Rock and South Surrey residents will it signify the end of GORDON HOGG’S tenure as our MLA?
I think there are more sinister movements a hand that will decide the future of GORDON HOGG and this area.
Follow the bouncing ball, here is my armchair quarterback take on things.
HOGG fell out of favour with Premier Campbell a couple o years ago when he had the Mines Ministry under his belt. HOGG and CAMPBELL were rumoured to have crossed swords. Before you could say bye bye HOGG landed in the back bench of the Legislature.
Now comes talk the HST proponents may start recall proceedings in November if the government does not repeal the HST.
HOGG in an interview with his buddies over at the local fish wrap pontificated how happy he was the electorate had spoken in such large numbers here in South Surrey and White Rock against the HST and inevitably against the Liberals. Huh?
Here is where the water gets murky. I have heard KEVIN FALCON recently moved into the Ocean Park area, which would entitle him to run in the riding HOGG presently holds. This would free up FALCON’S riding over in Cloverdale for, oh let’s see, maybe Surrey Mayor DIANE WATTS. Or anyone else they may want to parachute into Victoria. Cloverdale after all the blacktop FALCON laid down is a lock for anyone on the Liberal ticket.
So what happens to HOGG? Well having served two terms in Victoria and being over the age of 55 he is fully pensioned with a gold plated pension the likes a common man would never see in 40 years of service, let alone 8.
HOGG has been rumoured to be putting together a kabal of former Councillors and city staff and plans, if you can believe the tribal drum, are afoot for a run at a complete takeover of White Rock City hall in the next civic election.
Could there be any truth to this conjecture and collection of rumours? Only time will tell and we won’t have long to wait. The civic election is in November 2011.
June 21, 2010
The images of four RCMP officers tasering ROBERT DZIENSKI Polish immigrant and first time visitor to Vancouver will forever be etched in our minds. The citizen shot video footage has been run adnauseum. Thank goodness for that.
If you remember back to 2007 when this tragic incident unfolded on the arrival level of Vancouver International Airport, the young man who shot the footage had to fight to get the video returned to his possession from the RCMP.
Commissioner THOMAS BRAIDWOOD described the actions of the four RCMP members as "shamerful conduct." I don't think anyone other than a blind loyal booster of the RCMP would describe it any other way. If the four officers who respnded to the call of a disturbance by Mr. DZIENSKI at the airport were unable to resolve the situation without the use of any kind of a weapon clearly indicates there is a problem with the training of our police forces. This "pump four shots into him and proceed with caution" is a clear indication a good number of our peace officers are inept at executing their job. Their job is to keep the peace. Perdiod.
Officers MILLINGTON and ROBINSON along with Constables BENTLEY and RUNDEL I hope are truly remoreseful for their actions. MILLINGTON has been suspended for providing the force with false information in another matter, while the other three members are on medical leave. Whether or not they are sufereing medically or this is just a ploy to keep them out of reach of the media is a debate left for another day.
BRAIDWOOD was also very critical of how he believes there is a "conflict of interest" when the RCMP investigates a Mountie related death. Our Attorney General has promised a new means of investigating police officer related incidents will be set up this year.
Fully one third of this country's RCMP are based in British Columbia. Their contract is due for renewal next year. Coincidentally there has been talk this week of the RCMP forming a union. Perhaps in advance of any new deal the government may be looking at making with them for future services.
Finally a Special Prosecutor has been appointed to review the BRAIDWOOD inquiry to see if charges are warranted against any or all of the RCMP officer caught on tape beating down ROBERT DZIENSKI three years ago.
Don't hold your breath. I personally don't believe there will be any charges laid. There will be a lot of paper shuffling, further inquiries and a boatload of recommendations. The mother of ROBERT DZIENSKI earlier this year negotiated a private compensation deal with the RCMp for the loss of her son. At the end of the day that will be it. Sadly.
June 04, 2010
It was June 04, 2007 that I threw the switch and launched The White Rock Sun. What a wonderful journey it has been.
Regular readers will be well aware during that time period my best friend, life partner and wife Laurie was diagnosed with lung cancer. To say I put everything on hold would be an understatement. The medical experts guesstimated she would live 3-6 months. We fooled them all and milked two wonderful years which came to a close this October.
For the past 6 months since Laurie’s passing I have been somewhat in a fog. I am fortunate enough to have a strong support group around me, but her death still blew my world apart. It is called life. It goes on within and without you.
On to a happier note.
My 3 decades of gainful employment in the media industry, newspaper, radio and media marketing provided me with an early insight into the future of newspapers. Do I predict the total demise of newspapers? Absolutely not. What I did predict and continue to predict is the newspaper industry must reinvent itself and make some form of connection with their readers.
To that extent the survey numbers continue to highlight the only level of newspapers that are holding steady or showing a slight growth are the “community newspapers.”
The trend to the 300 channel universe and on demand news day and night has greatly impacted how the news is delivered daily. Daily newspapers like THE PROVINCE and VANCOUVER SUN are in a desperate tailspin to remain vital. Over the years they have slowly and systematically reduced their staff in an effort to maintain their profit margins. If you can’t increase the money coming in the front door you have to limit the money going out the back door in wages. Subsequently some of the truly brilliant columnists at the two local newspapers were washed out on the streets. Locally some have landed on their feet at the news portal THE TYEE. The online only news service presents what one would have to call unfiltered news. Its validity is constantly debated by its detractors, but the existence of portals like THE TYEE, ALTERNET and THE WHITE ROCK SUN throw a wrench into the control and spin of the content we receive as news.
The three levels of Government Federal, Provincial and Civic are for the most part the #1 advertisers at all levels of media. If you don’t believe me next time you are reading THE SURREY NOW count the number of pages of advertising paid for by the City of Surrey. In White Rock the city on a weekly basis purchases either a half page or a full page of advertising. This is not a public service provided by the newspaper. No the city is the biggest advertiser. Put yourself in the place of the Publisher or Editor. Now ask yourself would you be running very many stories that were critical of your #1 advertiser? I think not. It is rather Orwellian but I didn't make the rules. You should understand them though.
I find a new sense of renewal and commitment to the development and success of The White Rock Sun. I thank each and every one of you that read THE SUN on a regular basis.
I thank PD TAYLOR, MARILENA FLUCKIGER, DOUG E LACHANCE, LEIGH MORROW, DON PITCAIRN, and EVE LEES that contribute articles on a regular basis.
I thank the community activists like PAT PETRALA, TONY INTAS, JEAN KROMM, PHIL LEGOOD, LISA NOLAN, DAVID DICKINSON, BARB COOPER, COLLEEN PEPPER for providing information for the readers of THE SUN on a regular basis. As well as the multitude of you that take a moment now and then to point us in the right direction of an interesting story about our home(s).
Then there is my IT support. Headed up by KEITH “Lefty” MONTGOMERY, with more than able assistance supplied by JON ROWTHORN and RA MCGUIRE that kick my ass on a regular basis driving me deeper into the cyber world.
The sun will soon return our personal solar panels will be topped up. Then just watch us grow.
Thank you for reading & writing.
David Chesney
Editor/Publisher
White Rock Sun
May 13, 2010
There is a line of thought that loud exhaust pipes on motorcycles – save lives. I suppose in theory that line of thinking holds some weight. A motorcycle that sounds like the very fissures of hell just opened, is hard to ignore. Therein lies the rub and the downside of loud pipes on motorcycles that roam and roar the hillsides of White Rock unfettered.
One has to wonder why White Rock's anto noise by-law is not enforced by the local chapter of the RCMP. Our East Beach is actually posted as being a QUIET ZONE with the signs along Marine Drive stating any violation could result in a massive fine. The local detachment of the RCMP was unable to supply to me last year and the year before how many tickets had actually been issued for this blatant violation of our city bylaw. In today’s computer age I have a difficult time understanding why this information is not a click of a computer mouse away.
I recently appeared before White Rock council and posed the question of why nothing is being done about this annual pollution in our quaint seaside town. Make no mistake IT IS POLLUTION. Noise pollution may not have long term effects like other forms of pollution to the environment, but it is still pollution.
Before anyone wants to get a rope I must confess once again I love the low throated rumble of a big motorcycle. I am not being anally retentive about this matter. I am singling out the small sector of the biking community that flagrantly violate noise by laws that are prevalent in every community in British Columbia.
The geography of White Rock’s hilly terrain affords some bikers to crack throttles their wide open in order to climb the hilly streets that criss cross the grid of roads locally.
This past Mother’s Day weekend brought droves of visitors to White Rock for the annual Mother’s Day brunches and a stroll along our waterfront promenade and pier. When I didn’t live in White Rock I too was one of those weekend interlopers that arrived to sample the fare of our beautiful city. I understand the attraction. What I don’t understand is why a simple concerted effort by the local RCMP cannot be executed to send a clear message, this type of activity that infringes on residents and locals alike, is being tolerated.
The two weeks ago when I spoke to city council when I turned to return to my seat I noticed a bevy of head nodding of approval from the others in the public gallery.
I was assured by Mayor Ferguson our city manager Peggy Clark would contact the local RCMP office to see if there was anything standing in their way from enforcing the existing by-law.
I will wait patiently and hopefully when the answer comes I will be able to hear it!
MAY 18, 2010
Reply from White Rock City Manager PEGGY CLARK:
The RCMP S/Sgt has advised us that they are actively continuing to check the pipes of motorcycles to ensure that they are legal. In addition speed checks are being done for both cars and motorcycles on all streets, but particularly Marine Drive. The Sgt. visits all motorcycle shops in the area and advises them to let their customers know that those with illegal motorcycle pipes will be fined in White Rock.
Last year the RCMP advised that they stopped over 400 motorcycles during the summer and only 2 had illegal pipes. The problem is motorcycles make noise and it is the accumulation of them going by (particularly on a sunny day) that is noisy not an individual one.
The RCMP have also said their efforts will be maintained trying to alleviate this problem as much as is legally possible.
April 30, 2010
Monday evening White Rock Council reviewed the success/failure of the recent free parking program instituted on the waterfront at the behest of the waterfront merchants.
Council was dismayed to hear that from the 82 questionnaires circulated to the business owners to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the program, the city only received 10 replies. To add further insult to injury of the 10 returned only 5 actually took the time to itemize the impact directly felt by their business as a result of the free parking Monday-Thursday for two months.
Council subsequently passed a motion to suspend the free parking for 2010. The disdain for the lack of feedback was very obvious in Council chambers. Councillor Lynne Sinclair wondered how the merchants could fill the council chambers last year pleading poverty and undue hardships brought on by the pay parking, yet when it came time to participate and provide feedback, the response was minimal.
Mayor Ferguson who has affected the mantle of the champion of the business community urged Council to not throw the proverbial “baby out with the bath water.” A subsequent motion was added to explore if and how the Economic Development Committee may be enlisted to help build a healthier business community.
This all comes on the eve of a $1.00 per hour increase in the parking rates on the waterfront. The $2.00 per hour charge will jump to $3.00 per hour commencing this Saturday May 1. I can guarantee you this will come as quite a surprise to a large number of business owners along our waterfront. It is only this week I have heard some grumblings from the business owners. Does the saying “a day late and a dollar short” spring to mind?
The merchants have circulated a petition to present to City Hall to protest the suspension of the "free parking" for 2010. The point the business owners hope to make is, they were informed the $1.00 increase in pay parking was being instituted to offset the loss to the city's coffers during the "free parking" time frame.
It has been well documented and debated ad nausea about the negative impact the massive big box stores and shopping districts springing up in South Surrey have had on our retail base in White Rock proper. Yesterday I saw one of our community shuttle buses totally wrapped in an advert paid for BEST BUY – Now Open in South Surrey!
If the suspension of the free parking, the increase in the price of parking during our peak months, and the onslaught of competing retail to the north wasn’t enough this morning while listening to the radio I heard an advertisement on the radio urging all the shoppers in the Valley to COME ON DOWN TO BIRCH BAY – Because we don’t have any HST! Well that didn’t take long. Someone is thinking.
Mayor Ferguson is planning on convening a consortium of local business people in the very near future to open up the dialogue with hope some solutions can be found to save the dwindling retailers in White Rock. I wish her and her committee luck. There is no simple solution to the problem in White Rock.
At Monday’s Council meeting Councillor Mary Wade Anderson lamented how she had been down to the beach on numerous occasions during the “free parking” period to see first hand its effectiveness. Anderson stated she was shocked at the number of businesses that were closed in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week.
Seldom open ice cream shops, junk t-shirts merchants who have very little actual White Rock souvenirs, a grocery store that sets its operating hours seemingly with a Ouija board, and over priced restaurants serving pedestrian food is not a landscape that encourages shoppers to return on days that are not sunny.
Are we our brother’s keepers? I think not. I do believe city hall has an obligation to promote White Rock as a year round destination. But I don’t believe it is the job of our elected officials to actually ensure the businesses are successful. If anyone disagrees with me, talk to the owners of Cielo’s, Giraffe and the Ocean Beach Hotel that just spent tens of thousands dollars on a major re-fit and Cosmos Greek restaurant. These businesses seem to be doing just fine year round. Oh I am sure they would like to be doing better business wise, who wouldn’t? But instead of sitting around bitching about the pay parking and blaming everyone else for their economic situation, they have rolled up their sleeves and are hard at work building their business. They are leaning into it.
Interesting concept isn’t it?
April 19, 2010
Mayor DIANE WATTS over the weekend inadvertently garnered even more support than usual when she took a tough stand against the organizers of the Vaisakhi parade in the Newton area of Surrey. Watts was assured ahead of time there would be no floats carrying images of martyrs or terrorists, depending on how you look at the actions of some Sikh extremists.
WATTS is by no stretch of the imagination a shrinking violet. She is a very hands on as she navigates British Columbia’s second largest city into the future. In the past couple of years she has rebranded Surrey as the place where “The Future Lives”, opened a beautiful Spirit Square in Holland Park bringing new enthusiasim for the development of Whalley. WATTS also ponied up millions of dollars for Surrey to become a host city for the 2010 Olympics. Tens of thousands of people jammed Holland Park nightly to enjoy the outstanding lineup of talent that performed nightly.
Not a week goes by that WATTS is not in the news. She has a battery of media/press people employed to guarantees Surrey gets out the “good stories” to offset the perception Surrey is some kind of gang banger headquarters.
I grew up in Surrey. Yes I have heard all the “Surrey Jokes” some of them are actually quite creative. Given the massive physical size of Surrey, growing up there in the 50’s and 60’s and I suppose to some extent even today, residents would identify where they lived in Surrey. Given its size if you said you lived in Surrey the next question would be, “Well where in Surrey.” Thus dozens of locales such as Fleetwood, Green Timbers, Whalley, Crescent Beach, Cloverdale, Newton, Port Mann or where I grew up first North Surrey then more specifically Guildford.
I Love Surrey, and I did before the local fish wrap tried to brand themselves with that catchy phrase. I have many fond memories of Surrey and I may have tossed out the odd Surrey joke, but I would quickly rise to its defense when I heard some urban yuppie from downtown mocking my “hometown.”
There are many that believe PREMIER GORDON CAMPBELL will not run for a third term in the next Provincial election. The tribal drums keep beating WATTS will become the next leader of the Provincial Liberal Party which will invariably lead her to becoming our next Premier.
I’m not sure I will be able to support the Liberal party if for no other reason than their about turn on gambling, but I can tell you one thing. I will support Mayor DIANE WATTS.
She gives it to you straight. I like that in a person. I love it in a politician.
April 13, 2010
HIGHWAY TO HELL
Well it has now been 6 weeks since the Provincial Liberals announced the creation of a new Bus Lane along Highway 99. Regular readers of THE SUN will know my stance on the matter.
Based on the limited knowledge I have which was contained in the Press Release that announced the infusion of $13 Million Dollars Into The Local Economy, I have yet to receive a clear answer to my question of “Bus Lane? Great idea but why in the chosen locale?”
First a quick recap The announcement heralded construction of a bus lane along Highway 99 heading north between the King George Highway and Highway 91 the East/West connector to the Alex Fraser Bridge. If you use the bus service into Vancouver on a regular basis you too must be scratching your head. This section of Highway 99 NEVER incurs traffic backup, with the exception of when there is a major accident along that stretch of the highway. Hardly worth the expense.
I have written letters to our MP Russ Hiebert (ignored), MLA Gordon Hogg (looking into it), White Rock Mayor Catherine Ferguson(waiting for information) and finally when no response was forthright from Hogg or Hiebert I went straight to the Ministry of Transportation in Victoria. Here is the nearest thing I have received to date of an explanation:
King George Highway to Highway 91 - 6.2 km-long,
4-metre wide shoulder northbound from the Highway 99A interchange
on-ramp merge onto Highway 99 to the north west end of the Highway 91
interchange on-ramp merge to Highway 99.
o Status: Tender in August 2010.
o Completion: March 30, 2011
o Benefits:
- Addresses the final key congestion point along the corridor, as south
of Fraser buses servicing the King George Park and Ride are impeded by
traffic along Highway 99 entering from a congested King George Highway.
Traffic along this corridor experiences speeds of less than 60 km/hour
in the AM peak hour.
Jeff Knight
Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
In the email I received from Jeff Knight it clearly identified plans are in place to put a bus lane from the north end of the George Massey Tunnel to connect with the newly created bus lane that leads to the Canada Line. There are also plans to extend the Southbound bus lane from the Oak Street Bridge area to the existing bus and HOV lane heading south on Highway 99.
Back to the new extension heading north. Once completed this would leave an entire section of HWY 99 heading north without a bus lane in the congested area north of Highway 10 between the #10 overpass and the existing bus lane near the “dump curve” on HWY 99.
Call me crazy but the rationale of this infusion of $13 million dollars for a bus lane going “nowhere” is beyond me.
All this at a time when the Provincial Government is pleading poverty and cutting important community services. This past year alone White Rock lost its valuable “Home Share” program which operated under a $160,000.00 annual budget. Home Share allowed seniors that may be experiencing difficulties getting out to perform the simplest tasks like a doctor’s visit, grocery shopping, a hair appointment or something as simple as a visit with a neighbour. The program aided seniors that may be living in a situation where one of the partners is confined to the home due to sickness or old age and is unable to be left alone. Home Share provided a vital link for seniors in our community. Just try to imagine yourself in the position.
Shame on the Provincial Liberals.
I will be happy to apologize if and when anyone can give me a rational answer to the bus lane expansion along the identified stretch of Highway 99.
Even after 6 weeks I am still waiting patiently.
D. Chesney/Editor - Publisher
*DONNA PASSMORE a true community activist takes me to task, sort of, on any kind of bus lane expansion along the HWY 99 corridor
FROM DONNA PASSMORE
I'm blind copying some of our transportation academics and CAW 111 folks. And I'm blind copying some of our wildlife and fisheries friends.
>
> As you may have read in my email last week, in its 2010 Budget, the BC Government announced expansion of Highway 99 from South Surrey to Highway 17 to include a fast bus lane in either direction.
>
> My initial reaction was alarm because it is farmland the full length of that corridor, and critical wildlife habitat. HOWEVER, This morning I took a much closer look and there appears to be set back for most of the route. (wide grassy areas that are outside the farm/wildlife fences, that almost appear to have anticipated this move). In short, the government will be able to defend itself against allegations of taking a run at farmland for most of the route...
>
> There are still very disturbing aspects of this proposal:
>
> 1. Shortly after announcing Gateway, Falcon announced (with Val Roddick's enthusiastic support), plans to double the tunnel next. As someone who has taken the bus from South Surrey for the last 15 years, I don't believe a fast bus lane is needed (especially given that the frequency of buses doesn't support it).
>
> What happened with the HOV lane along Highway 99 (from Richmond to Vancouver) is they reduced the # of passengers from 3 to 2, so it is almost as full as the other lanes now. I think that is what they are planning with the Fast Bus Lane. They'll create it, using public transit to appease the public, and then they'll just open it up to a regular HOV lane. As volume will quickly increase to fill the highway, they'll be able to use the same rationale that they did with Highway #1 and justify twinning the tunnell.
>
> 2. The expansion of the Highway will result in increased traffic (and will suck millions of $ out of the public purse that SHOULD be used to actually buy more buses and hire/train more drivers - putting more buses on the road would do more to increase efficient movement than just building more laneway...). I need to talk to Jim Houlahan about this and make sure we're all on the same page. This is another Gordon Campbell sleight-of-hand that puts money into the big engineering companies and deprives us of truly sustainable transportation.
>
> 3. There is still the issue of wildlife habitat. This is critical Boundary Bay corridor and we are looking at losses of easily 200 acres of habitat that will be lost. I know that the grassy verges alongside the highway aren't the best habitat, but we are losing so much already along this corridor that I believe every inch of habitat we lose will force that wildlife onto the farmland, and will therefore increase competition for whatever the adjacent land can produce. Additionally, it will take the traffic closer to the actual ALR and increase the area of agricultural/wildlife habitat exposed to diesel and other particulate. As well, the road widening will have to include several bridge/overpasses over important fish-bearing waterways (Serpentine and Nicomekl).
>
> Given all of that, I can't believe that these arrogant jerks would yet again announce a transportation project without bothering with an environmental assessment process.
>
> Your thoughts???
David, I've worked on sustainability and transportation issues for 25 years. I've read the studies, gone to the conferences. I'm sure your gut instincts are very good on some things, but on this the science is solid.
The Sightline Institute has established that for every new 1 kilometre of new lane produces 50 tonnes of new greenhouse gases - and that ain't from buses.
I've got a lot of farmland stuff to get to, but if you want to explore it online there are lots of sources. Victoria - Todd Litman's organization, I think it's the Victoria Transportation Institute, the Sightline Institute - check with Bill Rees (UBC School of Community & Regional Planning - he and I were on the Clouds of Change Task Force 20 years ago, or Larry Frank, who holds the Bombardier Chair in Sustainable Transportation at UBC. or Gordon Price, Chair of SFU's Cities Program, or Dr. Mark Roseland (Mark was a brilliant young grad student hired by the Clouds of Change Task Force, now he runs SFU's Sustainable Communities Program). In short, there are loads of places to go for information...
cheers!
April 02, 2010
Well well well. Call up The Irish Rovers and have them drop by to sing a chorus or two of “Wasn’t That A Party.” Wednesday evening’s election of a new board of directors for the White Rock BIA may have been a shocker to some, but having spent the last 3-4 weeks canvassing on behalf of Democracy First it came as no real surprise to me.
The court ordered election set forth by the Supreme Court of British Columbia was designed to clear the air and allow one group to guide the future operation of the White Rock BIA. If in fact there will be a BIA. It was the hope of the judge the election would unite the business community, allowing it to prosper in these tough difficult times. We are not there right now.
Instead the election clearly has driven a stake through the business community. Commercial property owners and business owners themselves have felt forced to side with one party or the other. Given the fact the vote like any other vote in Canada was secretive the business owners I talked to who emphatically stated they would be there to vote, stayed away in droves. Fear of retribution and a loss of business were threats dished out to the local business owners.
The proxy votes had to be counted with the court appointed parliamentarian on Monday evening. The count put our side Democracy First just slightly ahead. One look around the room on Wednesday and I knew it was going to be even closer than I had predicted.
In the end as you have already read here in the electronic pages of Canada’s First Internet Newspaper only one of our candidates Alec MacKenzie was elected to the new board. The new/old board is made up of a mixture of past directors and a couple of new reps who share their vision.
The whole reason this debacle took place was the plain and simple fact the old directors of the BIA refused to open their accounting books when requested by a member who felt there were some shortcomings in their reporting of expenditures. That problem still remains. With the election of Alex Mackenzie (Democracy First) to the Board of Directors those tough questions will now be answered. Trust me.
In the meantime there will be a special White Rock Council meeting on Tuesday evening, scheduled to try to ram through a first, second and third reading of the budget put forth by the old BIA. Presently the BIA sits in limbo until the city funds the operation of the BIA. Their 5 year mandate ended at the end of March. Until such time as the business community through a vote with the city occurs there is no BIA money forthcoming.
It has been rumoured the City of White Rock is planning on conducting a “negative vote” with the commercial property owners and business owners. If you are not aware of what a negative vote is, remember back a couple of years ago when Shaw Cable attempted to raise their rates through the same type of vote. What it means is if you don’t come to them and say I don’t want it – you get it. The uproar over that proposal is still ringing in the ears in the ivory towers.
Wednesday evenings vote at the Star of The Sea accounted for 176 votes cast. This is out of a possible 540 votes available, which is the combined number of commercial property owners and business owners. Roughly 33%. Not a majority by anyone’s stretch of the imagination.
If you are a commercial property owner or a business owner reading this, I encourage you to send an email to the Mayor and Council through the link below. Tell them at the very least THEY MUST conduct a positive vote, which would mean a notice sent to each commercial property owner and each business owner with a clear reply form that says YES or NO to the continuation of the BIA.
White Rock Mayor and Council (CLICK HERE)
*Note - click on each individual Councillor's email. The other link under each name does not go directly to the Councillors. It is first filtered by staff at City Hall.
On the Democracy First front is it over now? Not really and it won’t be until ALL the questions are satisfactorily answered. The inability of the old BIA to account to date of tens of thousands of dollars spent is one of the points. Another point that is going to cause some big headaches for City Hall is why certain commercial property owners in White Rock had their BIA levy capped while other business owners paid thousands of dollars more annually? Lawyers have already been contacted from what I can tell through conversations with some of these commercial property owners.
Democracy First will not rest until the stink is blown away by the crisp clear ocean air that blesses “this place we call home.” It never was about control for the BIA that Democracy First was after. It was the truth. Sadly even after all this we are not there yet.
Editor David Chesney
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