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Where You Can Vacation...and be home the same day

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe of the Week

Tortilla Soup

It's a readers favourite.

With the chilly weather just around the corner, let's head south.

(click here for the recipe)

 

Yell It Like It Is

Friday October 02, 2026

REPORTING FROM THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

I have had the pleasure of running in no less than six election campaigns in White Rock.  Three in which I was successfully elected to serve our community in the council chambers.

Knowing this many people in the community are interested in how this election is going?

1.  This is the nastiest election local election I have ever seen.

2. The Provincial government completely threw everything into chaos by dropping an election right on top of the already in process civic election.

Provincial and Federal elections can be called at any time.  Civic/local elections are the ON LY elections that have their dates carved in stone.  We knew the end of our 4 year term would be decided by an election on October 17.  We have known that for the past 4 years.

Readers of THE WHITE ROCK SUN and political armchair quarterbacks are well aware of my tribulations and successes over the years.

I have been attacked with an ABC sticker campaign in 2022 (some of those ABC stickers still exist in our community).  They had zero effect to the best of my knowledge.

Fast forward to our current election cycle.  The big difference for me is, as opposed to running as an independent as I have in the past, this election I joined a group now known as TOGETHER FOR WHITE ROCK.

It has been a very different experience.  Joyous when we come together and all pull together, frustrating as hell when it takes days to make a simple decision.  To the unitiated we are not a slate.  We are a team that shares a somewhat common vision for the future of White Rock.  Three of our team members combined bring over 20 years of council experience to the game.  We have worked alongside each other and have had our battles but at the end of the day we are able to put our jackets on at the end of the council meetings and respectfully walk out into the night.

Over the years when people find out I am on council they shake their heads and say “Oh hell I could never do that you must have a thick skin from all the criticism?”  I do have a thick skin, one that rivals a Texas armadillo.  You have to understand I worked in the Music/Media industry for over three decades.  You want to know about two faced back-stabbers, well how long do you have and would you like to see my scars?

Now over to nasty.  

I can well imagine many reading this editorial will wonder how far I will go into the nastiness.  Not far at all for two reasons.  

 

1. I won’t give it any fuel.

2. There is a very strong possibility I will be launching legal action against some of the purveyors for their actions.  At the advice of my lawyer I will not go into details here.  Believe me though, after October 17 all will be exposed.

Unfortunately when the story is told most considering service to our community will say  “ Yes, and for that very reason I will never stand for office.”

We’ll talk soon, in the meantime I look forward to talking to you on the street or at our upcoming community TOWN HALL meeting (see below).

Thank you for your continued support.  

I care, we care and TOGETHER we can do wonderful things over the next 4 years.

David Chesney

Editor/Publisher

Third term White Rock city councillor

 

 

 

 

 

Local News

October 03, 3036

Our Veterans, our patrons with mobility issues, and the children across from our Legion need this to happen NOW!

PLEASE sign this when you are at Legion Branch 008 - White Rock, and share this post on your own Facebook pages!

We need your help to make this happen!

 

Who The Heck Is Todd Van Vliet?

Find Out Today

 

October 02, 2026

White Rock Fire Rescue Encourages Residents to “Charge into Fire Safety” for Fire Prevention Week

Every superhero needs a mission, and this Fire Prevention Week (FPW), October 4-10, 2026, White Rock Fire Rescue, in partnership with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA), is encouraging residents to "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower."

Many devices used in our daily lives run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, including phones, tablets, laptops, tools, toys, e-bikes, and scooters. When damaged or improperly used, these batteries can overheat, ignite, or even explode.

White Rock Fire Rescue and the NFPA are encouraging residents to follow these simple steps to reduce fire risk and safely charge lithium-ion battery-powered devices:

  • Charge devices safely: Keep devices on a hard, flat surface when charging and use the manufacturer's approved charger.

  • Keep exits clear: Charge larger devices such as e-bikes and scooters outside when possible and never block your way out of the home.

  • Know the warning signs: Stop using a device if it becomes unusually hot, swells, smokes, or produces a strange odour.

  • Unplug when fully charged: Avoid leaving devices plugged in longer than necessary, as excess charging can generate additional heat. 

"Simple charging habits can go a long way in preventing fires involving lithium-ion batteries," said Fire Chief Brad Davie. "Charging devices on a hard, flat surface, keeping exits clear, and paying attention to warning signs can help reduce fire risk and ensure residents can get out safely if an emergency occurs."

"Fire Prevention Week is an important opportunity for White Rock residents to come together and reflect on the risks in their homes," said Mayor Megan Knight. "I encourage everyone to practice safe charging habits and take simple steps to help keep their loved ones, homes and community safe." 

To report a fire in White Rock, call 9-1-1 and ask for fire response. For non-emergency concerns, visit www.whiterockcity.ca/fire , call 604-541-2121 or email fire@whiterockcity.ca.   

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and lithium-ion battery safety, visit www.nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week

 

Vancouver Rock & Roll History Now Available in South Surrey

For those not able to get to Neptoon Records in Vancouver to pick up a copy of the History of Vancouver Rock & Roll Vol. 5, a limited number of vinyl copies are available at the following locations (call first to check availability):

Redrum Records in South Surrey on Johnston Road in the 1900 blcok next to Boston Pizza.

 

October 01, 2026

Huge Police Response Uptown

Mid afternoon a fleet of Surrey Police and RCMP vehicles roared up and down Johnston Road stopping in the 1500 block in front of the Playhouse parking lot. The police were responding to a call a man had been threatening people with a knife in the SAVE ON parking lot. Police detained one man for questioning and later released the individual.

 

Where Is The Truth?

Semiahmoo First Nations chief HARLEY CHAPPELL welcomed and addressed many supporters to the Truth and Reconciliation walk along the waterfront. CHAPPELL noted yesterday's walk was the 6th annual walk and in his words very little progress has been made in improving condition of the Semiahmoo First Nations. His concern was his forefathers and the current members of the band have moved the proverbial needle very little. CHAPPELL fears the next generation may be making the same speech as him in the coming years.

Following the speeches in the parking lot on Marine Drive the organizers and supporters walked the promenade to Semiahmoo park for a more light hearted afternoon gathering.

 

City of White Rock

The City offers three ways to vote:

  1. Advanced voting: Vote from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 7, 8 and 13 at Centennial Arena (14600 North Bluff Rd.). Parking fees will not be enforced for voters.

  2. General voting day: Vote from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 17 at:

    • White Rock Community Centre (15154 Russell Avenue) 

    • Centennial Arena (14600 North Bluff Road), and 

    • Kent Street Activity Centre (1475 Kent Street).

    By mail: Mail ballot voting is available to all residents and non-resident property electors. Requests will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Oct. 15 and can be made online or by calling 604-541-2287. Once you request a mail ballot, you cannot vote by another method.

    Mail-in ballots for the October 17th Municipal Election will be available after 1:00 PM on Thursday, October 1st.  You can have the ballots mailed to you or you can pick them up at City Hall.  

 

Third High Risk Offender Released This Month In Surrey

Leonard Michael Ramstead, a 58-year-old high-risk offender previously convicted of sexual offences involving children, has been released and will be residing in Surrey. Surrey Police Service is advising the public that Ramstead is believed to continue to pose a risk for violent sexual offences against children.

Ramstead was convicted of sexual interference involving a person under 16 in 2019 and sexual interference involving a person under 14 in 2021. In April 2024, Surrey RCMP issued a public interest notification after Ramstead received statutory release ahead of the completion of his sentence.

Leonard Michael Ramstead is 58 years old, 5’7” tall and approximately 235 lbs. He has brown hair, blue eyes and normally has a beard.

Leonard Michael Ramstead will be subject to electronic monitoring. 

Investigators from the Surrey Police Service Major Crime Unit will continue to monitor him.

 

September 29, 2026

KNIGHT OUT

Update to City of White Rock Municipal Mayoral Campaign and Ballot

The City of White Rock has received formal approval from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs of the withdrawal of Megan Knight as a candidate for the Office of Mayor in the 2026 municipal election. As a result, only two mayoral candidates will now appear on the ballot for the October 17 election.

For more information please visit: www.whiterockcity.ca/election. 

The City of White Rock's next General Local Election will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Eligible voters will vote for:

  • One (1) Mayor

  • Six (6) Councillors and,

  • One (1) School Trustee.

The Mayor, Councillors, and School Trustee will serve a four-year term from 2026 to 2030.

 

 

Former Surrey police chief NORM LIPINSKI challenges termination

In a B.C. Supreme Court petition filed on Monday, former SPS police chief Norm Lipinksi is seeking to have his dismissal reversed, arguing the termination was unlawful and that the contractual terms he was fired under are "void and of no effect."

He further argues that he was denied procedural fairness, and that the Surrey Police Board failed to follow its own legally-defined processes and governance framework.

Following consultation with the City of Surrey and the Province the city of Surrey replaced 5 members of the police board.

Lipinski's termination was "motivated by extraneous political considerations, disconnected from Chief Lipinski's conduct or competence," the document alleges. 

"The purported action of the board or members of the board are unlawful and fundamentally undermine the independence of the Chief Constable and the nature of the important public office held by the Chief Constable," it adds.

In the wake of Lipinski's termination two Surrey Police Board members, including then-chair Semiahmoo First Nations chief Harley Chappell, resigned.

Chappell informed the media following the decision he did not attend the meeting where LIPINSKI was fired. CHAPPELL maintains he was informed the meeting had nothing of any significance on the agenda.

The petition also claims that Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, who was elected in 2022 on campaign pledges to reverse the contentious Surrey police transition, "continually undermined [Lipinski] and sought to have him removed from office."

Lipinski was hired as the Surrey Police Service's (SPS) first-ever chief in 2020, and had his contract extended for three years in October 2025. 

 WATCH | Calls for probe into SPS chief's dismissal

 

Good afternoon, candidates

Just a friendly reminder that any complaints regarding election signage should be directed to elections@whiterockcity.ca / 604-541-2127, to the Bylaw Services general email (bylaw@whiterockcity.ca), or by phone at 
604-541-2146. As our Bylaw Officers work varying shifts, submitting complaints through the main email address or phone number will help ensure they are received promptly and addressed in a timely manner.

Thank you.

DEBBIE JOHNSTONE

Deputy Corporate Officer, City of White Rock

 

September 28, 2026

Walk On

The 7th Annual Walk for Veterans took place yesterday in glorious sunshine in Memorial Park on the waterfront. Walkers and supporters alike were on hand for the procession along the 2 km promenade along the beach., Our walk was the inspiration for now 31 walks all across Canada.

Walk founder Marc Burchell, was on hand to officiate the ceremony.

White Rock council members SUSAN BAINS/ANTHONY MANNING/DAVID CHESNEY/CHRSTOPHER TREVELYAN were joined by MP ERNIE KLASSEN in wishing the organizers and walkers all the best.

If you would like more information or if you care to donate to this worthwhile cause (click here)

 

Surrey All-Candidates Event – 2026 Mayor Candidates / Event Overview

The future of Surrey starts with leadership. Join the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade and the South Asian Business Association for a mayoral candidates discussion featuring those seeking to become the next Mayor of Surrey in the upcoming municipal election.

This non-partisan event offers residents, business leaders, and community stakeholders the chance to hear directly from mayoral candidates as they share their vision, priorities, and plans for the future of our region. Through moderated discussion, candidates will address the issues that matter most – from economic development and public safety to transportation, housing, infrastructure, and community growth.

Whether you are a voter, business owner, or engaged community member, this is your opportunity to become informed and hear how each candidate plans to lead Surrey into the future as the largest city in the province.

Date Wednesday, October 7, 2026 
Time 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm 
Location Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel (15269 104 Avenue, Surrey) 
Format Registration: 5:30 PM, Program: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 
Tickets Free. Pre-registration is required. 

 

September 26, 2026

Candidates:

We are writing to let you know that we received Megan Knight’s withdrawal today as a candidate for Mayor in the upcoming election.

We are working through the necessary next steps with the Ministry to obtain approval for the removal of the name from the ballot, as Ministerial authorization is required to amend the ballot.

We will provide further details when available.

Thank you.

DEBBIE JOHNSTONE

Deputy Corporate Officer, City of White Rock

Three days after participating in the current mayoral candidates meeting in White Rock, sitting city mayor MEGAN KNIGHT has announced she is jumping to Provincial politics.

KNIGHT a long time Conservative booster on the peninsula will be running in the Cloverdale/Surrey riding recently vacated by MARK CHAPMAN who has moved over to the OneBC party giving up his Conservative nomination.

Knight sought the nomination for the Conservative White Rock/South Surrey riding, a seat ultimately won by now-Conservative MLA Trevor Halford.

 

September 24, 2026

Interesting

The exact breakdown of similar or overlapping business categories in White Rock comes down to how local business licenses and BIA categories are structured:

Out of the 366 total operating businesses in White Rock:

Food Services & Dining Overall: Restaurants, cafes, and food services make up roughly 80 to 85 establishments (about 22–23% of all local commercial businesses).

Pizza Places: There are 8 to 10 dedicated pizzerias operating strictly within White Rock municipal boundaries (e.g., Emilio Finatti, Freshslice, Pizza Cucina, Beach Break, Damiano's, Uptown Pizza, Vegan Pizza House, Pavlos).

Coffee Shops & Cafes: There are 12 to 15 cafes, coffee houses, and bakeries (e.g., Laura’s Coffee Corner, Five Corners Cafe, Whitbys, Caffe Artigiano, Islands Café, Pelican Rouge, Verandah, Java Express).

Similar Cuisine / Specific Niches: Fast-casual options, sushi/Asian eateries, and specialty takeout spots account for another 25 to 30 overlap points across the Waterfront and Uptown strips.

When combining pizza parlors, coffee houses, and fast-casual eateries, roughly 25% to 30% of all businesses in White Rock represent direct category duplications in food and beverage services. The remainder of White Rock's 366 businesses are heavily dominated by retail stores (1,020 jobs sector-wide), personal services (hair salons, spas), professional services (980 jobs sector-wide), and health/wellness clinics

 

 

With 10 advanced voting locations across Surrey, you can vote when it’s convenient for you. Check out an advanced poll near you on Oct 7, 10, 14, and 15. It’s quick and easy!

(click here for a location near you)

 

City of White Rock

The City offers three ways to vote:

  1. Advanced voting: Vote from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 7, 8 and 13 at Centennial Arena (14600 North Bluff Rd.). Parking fees will not be enforced for voters.

  2. General voting day: Vote from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 17 at:

    • White Rock Community Centre (15154 Russell Avenue) 

    • Centennial Arena (14600 North Bluff Road), and 

    • Kent Street Activity Centre (1475 Kent Street).

    By mail: Mail ballot voting is available to all residents and non-resident property electors. Requests will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Oct. 15 and can be made online or by calling 604-541-2287. Once you request a mail ballot, you cannot vote by another method.

 

 

 

Thought for the Day

 

 

 

Will Dueling Elections Confuse Municipal Voters? 

Some fear the province’s snap election will decrease turnout to local races with historically low participation.


 

Night Owl

(check out all the great live music around town)

 

Welcome to October and get ready to kick the month off with OCTOBERFEST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that the White Rock & South Surrey Culture Crawl is offering a FREE shuttle dedicated to both cities?

Here’s how you can participate in the weekend festivities stress-free!

White Rock Route (Not accessible)

October 3 & 4, 10am – 4pm

?Uptown White Rock – Johnston Rd & Thrift Ave

?White Rock Museum & Archives – 14970 Marine Dr

?Kent Street Activity Centre – 1475 Kent St

? South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre – 14601 20 Ave

**You can switch routes at the South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre

Surrey Route (Accessible)

October 3 & 4, 10pm – 4pm

?South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre – 14601 20 Ave

?Crescent Park – 2538 132 St

?Crescent Beach Gallery – 12160 Beecher St

?Historic Stewart Farm & Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House – 13723 Crescent Rd

Visit https://www.whiterockcity.ca/.../White-Rock-South-Surrey... to see the complete shuttle schedule, activities list, locations, and more!

Have you always dreamed of writing a book?

Maybe it’s a memoir. Your family stories. A novel. A children’s book. Or the wisdom and expertise you’ve gathered through a lifetime of living and working.

I’m looking for writers and storytellers right here in White Rock + Surrey.

Through The Art of Storytelling, we’re growing opportunities to gather, write and bring our stories into the world, from immersive workshops to ongoing Writers Circles and author development.

Right now, there may also be room for a small number of local writers to join our six-month Writers Circle beginning October 14, gathering online and, with enough local interest, in community here too.

Whether you’re ready now or simply thinking, “One day, I’m going to write that book,” I’d love to hear from you.

Tell me a little about the story stirring within you and whether you’re interested now or in the future:

 

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