Abbotsford Times November 12 2013 by Abbotsford Times

INSIDE: Driver faces charges in fatal involving young father

Pg. 5

T U E S D A Y

November 12, 2013

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E N T E R T A I N M E N T  abbotsfordtimes.com

Pepper spray incident a repeat offence Lack of information coming from school after multiple incidents riles parents of Abbotsford Senior students ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com

group of Abbotsford Senior Secondary parents are upset they weren’t informed that there have been multiple pepper spray attacks

REMEMBRANCE DAY

at the high school, following the latest incident on Thursday. A 17-year-old student is facing a charge of mischief after he allegedly deployed a can of pepper spray in the school’s crowded main foyer as the school broke for lunch.

One youth was taken to hospital and a number of students had to be treated by paramedics on scene. The Abbotsford School District sent a letter home to parents on Thursday afternoon saying all the students affected will fully recov-

er. But the letter did not mention any previous incidents. However, a number of parents say this isn’t the first time someone has deployed the noxious and potentially dangerous substance at the school. But parents were never informed. Parent Barbara Wade stressed she is a proud Abby Panther parent and has nothing but good to say about staff and principal at

the school. But she’s upset she was only officially informed about the pepper spray attacks after it became a major incident. She has two children at the school and her kids have come home reporting pepper spray in the halls on two or three other occasions. see PEPPER, page A4

– HONOURING AT ABERDEEN

scan for video

Winter Games nearing Torch lighting ceremony will mark 100 days CHRISTINA TOTH CToth@abbotsfordtimes.com

– JEAN KONDA-WITTE/TIMES

A student at Aberdeen Elementary School in Abbotsford enters the gym, past the colour guard of Abbotsford and Aldergrove Royal Canadian Legion members, during a Remembrance Day ceremony involving the entire student body on Friday morning. For more photos, see our photo gallery on page A9.

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et into the spirit of the 2014 BC Winter Games this Saturday as Mission hosts a torch lighting ceremony to mark 100 days until the start of the amateur sporting event, on from Feb. 20 to 23. Starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, folks are invited to the Mission Leisure Centre for complimentary hot dogs and drinks before the start of the official hour-long program at 2:30 p.m. in the north arena. Leq’a:mel First Nations Youth Dancers will welcome the audience, and Abbotsford’s Emily Harder will sing. The Games’ president Brian Antonson, VP Pam Alexis and the 14 directors will be introduced.

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THE TIMES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 ❘

Upfront

Schmidts make public appeal

What’s Layared in today’s paper Page 1 –

A pepper spray incident at Abby Senior sent at least one student to hospital. See video of the incident.

Page 3 –

It’s been more than a month since Erica Schmidt walked away from her Abbotsford home. See more coverage on the disappearance.

Page 9 –

Aberdeen Elementary celebrated Remembrance Day on Friday. See more photos.

Page 10 –

The Bridge Street Boxing & Fitness Gym opened in Mission last month. See more photos. Fo l l o w the entire Abbotsford/ M i s s i o n Times editorial staff on Twitter: @terryAfarrell @rochellebaker1 @ChrisToth7

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– SUBMITTED

Erica Grace Schmidt has not been seen or heard from since Oct. 5.

– ROCHELLE BAKER/TIMES

Henry Schmidt tears up during a press conference regarding his missing wife on Thursday at the family’s Abbotsford home. Behind him is a print of Rembrandt’s painting The Return of the Prodigal Son. For more coverage on the Schmidt disappearance, download the Layar app to your smartphone or tablet and scan the logo on the left.

The last solid sighting of his mother the support the family had already was in downtown Abbotsford the after- received. noon she went missing. As many as 1,500 people had joined A surveillance video shows Schmidt, the Help Find Erica Facebook site and who has auburn hair, walking north- meals had been dropped off at the bound in the 2400 block of McCallum home, he said. Road, near Jubilee Park at 3:15 p.m. But Henry asked that if anyone had In the video, Schmidt is wearing a any more information, particularly light blue jacket, a long around seeing Erica dark skirt, flat shoes downtown on Oct. 5, and is carrying a large “Mom, if you’re listening, to call police. if you’re out there please black purse. “We really want to Daughter Sophia come home. We miss you celebrate Christmas as Prachnau tearfully and really love you.” a family,” he said. pleaded with her mothAlthough Abbotsford er to come home. – Sophia Prachnau, daughter Police has received sev“Mom, if you’re liseral reported sightings tening, if you’re out of Schmidt in a variety there please come home. We miss you of other communities to date, no leads and really love you,” she said. have panned out. Sophia said her mother’s three grandSchmidt left her home without any children also need to hear from their belongings, a vehicle or a cell phone. grandmother. She is 140 pounds with short hair “They all miss their grandma and and blue eyes. want their grandma back.” Anyone with information about Erica Erica’s husband, Henry Schmidt said Schmidt should call APD at 604-859his wife had gone missing for a period 5225. of hours once before but had been located near Cascade Falls in Deroche. • Editor’s note: Due to the RememThe regional park was one of the first brance Day holiday, the Nov. 12 ediareas the police and Central Fraser Val- tion of the Abbotsford-Mission Times ley Search and Rescue concentrated went to print Friday, Nov. 8. Check our on, said Henry. website at www.abbotsfordtimes.com He also thanked the public for for any pertinent updates to this story.

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ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com s rain streamed down the living room windows, Erica Schmidt’s family made a tearful public appeal for more information on the whereabouts of the beloved Abbotsford mother, wife and grandmother who disappeared from home a month ago. Above and behind the Schmidt family, hanging above the hearth, was a picture of The Return of the Prodigal Son. Describing her mother a woman of faith, Amy Schmidt said Erica’s family was grateful for the overwhelming support from the Abbotsford Police, search and rescue, friends and family but particularly the wave of support from members of the community. “We’re thankful for the prayers that people have been sending our way,” said Amy. “We’re believing that those prayers work.” Pointing to the painting behind her, she continued. “Our mom, at this point, is a kind of a prodigal but we believe she is coming home. We just ask that if you have any clues, to please let us know.” Michael Schmidt said his mother walked out the door of the family home on Timberlane Drive in east Abbotsford on Oct. 5. “She was not feeling well. She was struggling with depression, so we are very concerned with her safety,” he said.

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razen thieves cracked open a cash machine in an Abbotsford restaurant on Nov. 4. Abbotsford Police got a report of an alarm at a restaurant in the 33800 block of Essendene Avenue at 7:15 a.m., said Const. Paul Walker. Officers arrived to find the damaged ATM missing cash, along with other damage to Paliotti’s Italian restaurant and some of its furnishings. The thieves slipped into the business by removing a glass panel from a frame at the entrance of the restaurant. The suspects also made off with computer equipment. Including the stolen money and damages, the restaurant lost around $10,000, said Walker. Witnesses saw a white panel van parked outside of the business and sparks inside the restaurant close to the ATM. “They thought it was someone doing maintenance,” said Walker. T h e ro b b e r y re q u i re d some measure of planning, specialized equipment and the thieves were bold to risk the crime during daylight, said Walker. “It was pretty daring at that time of morning,” he said. Police are reminding citizens to report suspicious activity around homes and businesses immediately. Anyone with information about the ATM theft should call Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225 or text abbypd (222973) or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477.

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A4 ❘ NEWS ❘ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 THE TIMES

Countdown to BC Games nearing double digits GAMES, from page A1 The Mission Skating Club will also transform the arena into a winter wonderland, complete with a snow queen, igloos and more with a routine the club members have been practising since July, said the Games entertainment director, Bronwen Sutherland. “There will be all ages, beautiful props, beautiful choreography – it’s lovely, it really is,” she said. Mission’s former Olympic speed skater Eden Donatelli Green (silver, 500m, and bronze, 3000m relay, at 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary) will bring the torch onto the ice to light a larger flame. Mission MLAs Marc Dalton and Simon Gibson are expected to there as well. The six-foot torch will next be seen at the official opening ceremonies of the Games on Feb. 20, held

at the Mission Raceway, said Cal Crawford, director of ceremonies. A larger 12-foot LED torch is now in the main foyer of the leisure centre, which will also be lit on Nov. 16 to stay on till the end of the Games, said Crawford. The BC Winter Games will host 18 sports including: hockey, skating, skiing, curling and biathlon, plus non-winter contests in diving, karate, badminton, archer y, gymnastics, Special Olympics basketball, wheelchair basketball and more. It will draw up to 1,400 young competitors from around B.C., ranging in age from nine to 26 years. They will be housed in temporary dorms at schools around the district. Antonson encourages residents of Mission and neighbouring cities to come to the torch lighting event and consider signing on as a volunteer. The goal is to have from 2,200 to

2,500 committed volunteers before energizing,” said the enthusiastic the Games start, and the team is Antonson. about halfway there, he said. With few glitches so far, the big“We want to generate more vol- gest question was whether to buy unteers. As of November 1, we had or lease a $70,000 temporary struc940 volunteers and it’s been going ture. up daily, by 15, 20 people. We’re Mission opted for a lease, and really pleased,” Antonson said last the 30 x 40 metre building will be week. set up at the MisPast host commusion Raceway, the nities have found “We want to generate site of the opening the Games boosted more volunteers.” and closing certheir “community emonies, and an – Brian Antonson, Games president events and mustercapacity,” with the legacy of volunteers, ing venue for the he said. athletes. Having an experienced pool of Games’ officials are also welcomvolunteers from the Winter Games ing sponsorships. should also benefit Abbotsford, Any monies or donations inwhich will host the BC Summer kind would replace the governGames in 2016, he added. ment money in the budget, and Along with vice-president Pam divert monies to a legacy fund, said Alexis, and a team of volunteer Antonson. directors and managers, he is overFor instance, if a company donatseeing the Games budget of nearly ed $30,000 of services in-kind, that $600,000. amount would be diverted to the “It’s a lot busier than any of us legacy fund, half of which will go thought it would be, but it’s all very to the host community, and half

back to the government for the next Games, said Antonson. Of the legacy fund, 25 per cent will go the arts, and 75 per cent will be designated for sports. The community of Vernon, which hosted the 2012 BC Winter Games, also had a budget of $600K – they received almost $250,000 in donations, and ended with a legacy fund of $120K, he said. To help build excitement in the community, Games organizers have also asked Candlelight Parade participants to incorporate the theme of the Winter Games into the annual event, held this year on Dec. 6. “We hope everybody gets on board and does that,” said Crawford, who along with the other Games directors, will march in the parade. The Mission Leisure Centre is at 7650 Grand St., Mission. To volunteer, or to see more about the Games, go to www. bcgames.org.

Parent arrived at school to see ‘pandemonium’ in the hallways PEPPER, from page A1 Wa d e r e c e i v e d a t e x t message from 16-year-old daughter Grace on Thursday saying pepper spray had been deployed again and she was having difficulty breathing. Rushing to the school and into the main entrance, Wade saw numerous people hacking and coughing and a number of students outside being attended to by paramedics. “It was pandemonium,” said Wade. One of her daughters opted to stay at school as she had been in another area of the building and hadn’t been affected. But Wade rushed Grace, who’d been in the blast zone, home to shed her clothes and get into a shower. Grace said she and a friend had spilled into the foyer following the lunch bell along with other students when she was engulfed in the pepper spray. “I started choking and couldn’t breathe in or out so I started to freak out,” she said. Both she and her friend fell to the floor and starting screaming for help. “By this time everybody was freaking out and screaming and running outside.” Someone brought Grace and her friend water and helped them outside, where she saw other students coughing badly, some with tears streaming down their faces while others were throwing up into waste cans. “It’s happened three or four times before. They put it in the stairwells. I was affected before but not this bad,” said Grace. Wade described the situation as ridiculous. “Parents should have been

notified each time the halls were pepper sprayed, minor incidents or not. I want to know they are looking into it and what steps they are taking.” Wade is relieved a student has been arrested but is still concerned that others might be involved and the situation may still escalate. Dave Stephen, spokesman for School District 34, said Abby Senior administration confirms there was a previous, more minor incident in early October.

No one had reported seeing anyone or any ill effects, so police and paramedics weren’t called. Staff did try to patrol the areas affected and didn’t note any further activity, he said. “They patrolled the stairwells and felt they had it contained at that point,” said Stephen. After that incident, staff heard word of other incidents around the school but no one had come forward to report being impacted, he said. The school is fairly con-

fident that the individual a r re s t e d T h u r s d a y w a s responsible for the previous incidents, he said. “In the meantime, the administration is calling the parents of children affected to assure them that this situation is being dealt with,” said Stephen. The student who let off the spray may have considered it a prank, akin to pulling a fire alarm, but the district wasn’t seeing it that way. “We’re taking the incident really seriously.”

The student will be suspended and face a board of education review, he said. Abbotsford Police aren’t ruling out more serious charges, such as assault offences, if more information comes to light during the investigation. Another parent who didn’t want to be identified said she’s extremely worried about the situation for other students and her own child’s safety. Her child, who is extremely asthmatic, had to be rushed

to the emergency room following one of the earlier incidents. Her child wasn’t in the part of the school affected by the pepper spray in Thursday’s incident, but she rushed to pick the youth up and home to safety. Thankful the school has a suspect, she hopes the incidents will cease. “I will be praying that this stops and whoever did this will realize the danger of this. “It’s not a joke, it’s my son’s life.”

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THE TIMES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 ❘

Driver facing multiple charges for fatal collision involving young father The alleged drunk driver in a crash that killed a young Abbotsford father in 2012 has been charged. Matthew Hamon, 23, is facing a total of nine criminal offences including impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and causing an accident resulting in death in connection to a fatal crash on Sept. 23, 2012. Brian Patchett, 22, was killed when the car he was

winner, left behind his wife Liz Squires and a son and daughter both under the age of five at the time of the crash. A trust fund was set up for Patchett’s children, Kieran and Savannah, following his death. Hamon is also charged with two counts each of impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing bodily harm and causing an accident causing bodily harm. His next appearance in Abbotsford provincial court is Dec. 19.

he National Energy Board has swapped its face-to-face information meetings on its hearing process for an electronic format to reach more people along the proposed Trans Mountain Pipeline extension route. Several information meetings were planned to take place in B.C., (including one last week in Abbotsford) but were cancelled for the new format. “Our typical practice is to host information sessions in the communities affected. We started to host some faceto-face meetings, but we just weren’t convinced we were reaching as many people as we could,” NEB communications officer Sarah Kiley said. “This way we can reach a lot more people hopefully.” Since Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Pipeline extends more than 1,150 kilometres from Edmonton to Burnaby, it is proving to be logistically difficult to plan enough meetings to accommodate individuals along the route. Instead, NEB plans to host four to five information sessions in the coming weeks through a web conferencing software program, said Kiley. At these sessions, NEB staff will pro-

vide information on the NEB hearing process, how to apply to participate, and participant funding. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions. Although the sessions will be offered online, if you do not have a computer, you can dial a toll free number and listen to the presentation on the telephone. The dates are Nov. 14, 15, 20, 21, 27 and 28, at different times. To sign up for an information session, go to www.eply.com/NEBinfosession and choose the date and time that works for you. More sessions will be scheduled if there is sufficient demand. The same information will be presented at each session. Additionally, the NEB will host telephone conferences that the public will be able to join. Those interested in taking part in these Internet or telephone exchanges are invited to subscribe for email notices on conferences and other notices in relation to the pipeline proposal. Information on the NEB’s hearing processes are also available at its website, “but sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone,” said Kiley. To register for email notices, or for other information on the NEB, go to

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– FILE PHOTO

Brian Patchett left behind a wife and two children.

www.neb–one.gc.ca. At the bottom of the far right column, click on Trans Mountain Pipeline. People can contact process advisor Reny Chakkalakal toll free at 1-800-8991265, or by email to transmountainpipeline.hearing@neb-one.gc.ca. Kinder Morgan plans to twin its Trans Mountain Pipeline to increase the capacity of its oil transport system from its current 300,000 barrels a day to 890,000 bpd. The company plans to follow its existing route as closely as possible. The pipeline traverses the Fraser Valley into Abbotsford, where the company has an oil storage facility on Sumas Mountain, before continuing to its Burnaby terminal. See details at www. transmountain.com Note that the information sessions are not the NEB application hearing on the project – that will occur only after the applicant has sent filed a formal application with the national energy regulatory board. To date, Kinder Morgan has filed a project description, but has not yet filed an application to NEB for its proposed expansion project. Trans Mountain plans to file an application with NEB before the end of 2013.

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A6 ❘ OPINION ❘ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 THE TIMES

Opinion

◗ Our view

WHO WE ARE

Remember our veterans every day of the year

The Abbotsford/Mission Times is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership. We’re published Tuesdays and Thursdays from 30887 Peardonville Rd., Abbotsford, B.C.

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READ MORE ON PAGE 3

◗ Opinion

Homophobic Card makes choice difficult

decade ago, I’d have been waiting on pins and needles for the debut of the Ender’s Game movie. Quality? Actors? 3-D? None of that would have factored into my decision; I’d have been there on opening day if it was done with popsicle stick puppets. Now I’m not so sure I’ll see it at all. Ender’s Game, the book, has been huge in science fiction fandom since its publication as a novel in 1985. It won both the Hugo Award (voted on by SF fans) and the Nebula (chosen by science fiction and fantasy writers). It’s sequel, Speaker for the Dead, repeated that rare feat, and both books were loved by fans and critics alike. Then Ender’s Game author Orson Scott Card decided he’d like to start telling everyone what he thought about gay marriage, gay rights, and gay people in general. Starting around 2008, he began writing op-eds and essays that were filled with angry rants. Governments could not redefine marriage to include same-sex couples, he said. “But homosexual ‘marriage’ is an act of intolerance,” Card has written. “It is an attempt to eliminate any special preference for marriage in society – to erase the protected status of marriage in the constant balancing act between civilization and indi-

MATTHEW CLAXTON

The Painful Truth vidual reproduction.” He’s also thrown out the usual homophobic nonsense – all while claiming he has gay friends, of course, and that he’s not at all bigoted – that homosexuality is a choice, that kids are pressured into being gay, or that being the victim of a pedophile causes homosexuality. As with many Americans, he failed to notice that Canada had legalized gay marriage years earlier and has not yet collapsed. In 2009, Card joined the National Organization for Marriage and sat on the board until just a few months ago. That took things beyond voicing an opinion, however much I disagreed with it. The NOM lobbied actively against gay marriage, and against civil unions and adoption of children by gay couples. There are portions of science fiction fandom that agree with Card, of course. It’s a big community. But a lot of us vehemently oppose what he stands for and what he’s lobbied for. So what are we to do? The debate has been raging, with at least one formal attempt

to organize a boycott of the movie, and a lot of folks online are flat out saying they won’t see it, no matter what. There has even been an argument that Card has already been paid and won’t benefit from our tickets. The producers and studio have been scrambling to distance themselves from Card. Some folks are saying, on message boards and comment threads across SF fandom, that they can separate a creator and his work. I can’t. I haven’t seen The Pianist, directed by Roman ‘Child Rapist’ Polanski, and I won’t until he grovellingly apologizes to his victim and drags himself back to the U.S. and throws himself on the mercy of the justice system. I’ve got serious reservations about seeing anything made by or starring Mel Gibson, given his racist rants. Whether I see Ender’s Game or not, Card has left me feeling hollow. My battered paperbacks of Ender’s Game and Speaker for the Dead were once old friends that I returned to time and again. Now I let them sit on my bookshelf, afraid to let what I know about the author poison the works I once loved. ■ Matthew Claxton is a reporter at the Langley Advance.

emembrance Day comes once a year but the veterans we honour on that day are with us all year round – and are just as deserving of honour every other day of the year. We recently saw the passing of the last of the veterans of the First World War, and we are now witnessing dramatic thinning of the ranks of Second World War veterans. Like those of us lucky enough to have lived through a relatively fortunate and peaceful time, soldiers who have survived wartime or peace-keeping service must also eventually grow old and come to the end of their earthly term. It seems we somehow find a way to replenish our stock of veterans by the time the previous generation recedes into history. Meanwhile, the Remembrance Day honours that this country bestows on those who risk their lives in service of country dwindle and fade by the time Nov. 12 rolls around, and remain out-of-mind until the next Nov. 11 is just a few days away. Indeed, the Remembrance Day “season” is now so short that it has become almost entirely occluded by the Christmas season. That’s especially ironic when we consider the limited goodwill and appreciation that we bestow on those who earned it at such a dear price – the willingness to sacrifice their very lives for the greater good of all. Our chintzy government – after making the decision to send them into harm’s way – has replaced barely adequate pensions with even less adequate pay-outs. Report after report outlines poor housing and other amenities that seniors and veterans are forced to endure. These people – our veterans who have risked all for us and our affluent way of life – deserve more than a few honourable words one day a year. Lest we forget.

■ To comment on this editorial, email us at letters@abbotsfordtimes.com.

Last week’s question:

What was the most important motion passed (or defeated) at last weekend’s Conservative convention? a.] Churches’ right to refuse facility rentals to those holding views which are contrary to said church’s beliefs.

8% b.] The condemnation of sex-selective abortion. (passed)

62% c.] The labeling of gun ownership as a “right.” (defeated)

30%

◗ Your view This week’s question:

How should the authorities handle last week’s pepper spray incident at Abbotsford Senior? a.] The accused should be charged with assault – it’s nore serious than a mischief charge. b.] The accused will have learned his lesson by being formally charged. c.] Parents are making too big of a fuss over such a minor incident.

VOTE NOW: www.abbotsfordtimes.com

LETTERS

THE TIMES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 ❘

❘ A7

Blame Liberals for Senate scandal Editor, the Times:

I have read the letter by Robert T. Rock with respect to the scandal in the Senate. Contrary to his conclusion, I agree with most reports suggesting that the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, has not been entirely straightforward in his dealings with this matter. However, in making that statement I believe it is necessary for us to remember these two persons are simply following in the steps of many Liberal senators in the past, one of which was in essence fired but was given a lifetime indexed pension of about $48,000 annually. In that case the person involved – a Liberal senator – had showed up for work only four times over several years while retaining his stipend. Further, the payments to this previous senator came out of the public purse whereas the claimed payment for Mike Duffy’s legal fees came out of the Conservative Party, not the public purse. The fact that Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin clearly attempted to defraud the public purse certainly disqualifies them as “respected individuals.” The Liberal Party and New Democratic Party have and will attempt to bolster their support without any regard for the errors they have made in the past. I stand behind Harper, as despite his failures he has proven to be generally straightforward and honourable. The only comparison I can make to previous prime ministers is the government of the Right Honourable John Diefenbaker. My sincere hope is that the public will not be swayed by the misleading media reports, which are generally biased toward the Liberal Party. There is one thing Canada cannot possibly endure is another federal government led by the Liberal Party. Frank Wirrell Abbotsford

Scary facts about flu shots Editor, the Times:

studies. The non-governmental research studies have been cited by many medical journals to contain ‘poor methodological quality’ and having ‘over-optimistic conclusions.’ The British Medical Journal stated “Studies partly or completely sponsored by industry, however, were published in more prestigious journals and are probably cited more, although their methodological quality and size were similar (poor).” Summary: Pharmaceutical companies presenting bad research to sell their product ($25 billion annual market shared by five Pharma companies). Would you allow your son to take an improperly researched and untested vaccine? Fact: Many influenza vaccines contain Polysorbate 80. Toxicologically speaking, Polysorbate 80 causes infertility, reproductive changes in both sexes, cancer and is a mutinagenic. As a hospital employee, I can assure you that most influenza warning labels state that the ‘manufacturer cannot guarantee your fertility will not be compromised.’ Would you allow your daughter to take this injection if there was a risk of infertility, cancer or gene mutations? Fact: Healthcare workers are being denied informed consent as outlined in the Health Care Consent Act. We as healthcare workers rely on evidence, data, research and facts to do our increasingly difficult jobs effectively. Our health authorities are attempting to mandatorily enforce untested and improperly researched influenza vaccinations upon their employees under the threat of suspension and/or termination for exercising their human right to informed consent to medical risk taking. There are many more facts that I could not include and I encourage everyone to find out the facts for themselves prior to taking any injection or vaccine. Scott Bolton Vancouver

Mistreated by Mission council Editor, the Times:

At the Oct. 21 Mission

council meeting, I made my pitch for seven improvements. The improvements were, notably, 1) To convene an animal relation advisory committee 2) Review plan to incorporate dogs and cats into a new shelter 3) Establish an $85,000 cat control budget 4) Adopt a no-tethering bylaw 5) Adopt a basic care and handling bylaw 6) Breeder permit bylaw 7) To rescind restriction on guardianship and permit to adopt as many pets they can afford, contributing to reducing unwanted cats. Unprovoked and unjustified, Coun. [Jenny] Stevens went on the most uninformed and insulting rant I have ever encountered. She was totally misinformed but didn’t let truth or facts detour her. I expected a respectful discussion on the merits of the proposals. Some decided to use personal attacks or innuendo instead, epitomized by Mayor Adlem’s famous quote in these situations, “don’t make me angry.” I also learned that because councillors Jewell and Hensman did not have any stray cats, claims of up to 3,000 stray, feral and unwanted cats in Mission must be wrong. A one-time $8,000 from contingency, merely places a Band-Aid on the annual funding dilemma. I have no relationship with the Fraser Valley Humane Society beyond making donations, being a taxpayer and obviously an informed animal advocate. Council is misguided to believe dog control is a district responsibility, paying $300,000 and purchasing a $600,000 shelter. Yet, give FVHS $25,000 fee [for services] and any cost above is the responsibility of volunteers. This onerous pressure on volunteers causes burn-out and high turnover, fear of debts and ongoing fundraising. I had a disconcerting evening that I wanted to share with others who have lost confidence in their council’s leadership. View my delegation on Mission web.cast Oct. 21, 2013 for an appreciation of how Mission council seeks to disenfranchise residents and fail animals needs. George F. Evens Mission

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Re: Flu shots should be manditory for healthcare workers (Our view, Oct. 29). As opposed to ‘opinion’, let us focus on facts. Fact: Research is inconclusive of efficacy, safety and long-term side effects of influenza vaccinations. There remains a large discrepancy in research between non-governmental research studies (i.e. pharmaceutical companysponsored research) and governmental research

TO INCLUDE YOUR LETTER, use our online form at www.abbotsfordtimes.com or contact us by email at letters@abbotsfordtimes.com. Letters must include first/last names, hometown and be fewer than 300 words. Publication of a letter may provoke responses - the best ones always do. Publication of a letter does not entitle the author to a rebuttal of said responses.

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A8 ❘ COMMUNITY ❘ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 THE TIMES

SUBMITTED TO THE TIMES

C Hydro is advising Abbotsford residents that crews will be replacing power poles in Abbotsford over the next several months. The work is part of BC Hydro’s ongoing maintenance program that will see the replacement of more than 10,000 utility poles this year throughout the province. BC Hydro maintains 900,000 wooden poles as part of its electricity distribution system that delivers power to homes and businesses throughout the province. More than 20 per cent of BC Hydro’s wooden poles have been in service for more than 40 years.

In total, BC Hydro’s system includes 56,000 kilometres of distribution lines. Over time, wooden poles weaken due to adverse weather, insects and wildlife. BC Hydro regularly inspects the old poles and puts in new poles for safety and to strengthen the reliability of the electricity system. Po l e re p l a c e m e n t m a y require BC Hydro or its contractors to disconnect power. Crews take special care to avoid any unnecessary impacts to customers. However, if outages need to be scheduled for safety reasons, BC Hydro or its contractors will let customers know in person, or by mail or phone.

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– SUBMITTED/FOR THE TIMES

BC Hydro crews secure a new wooden pole behind the old pole. With the primary wires attached to the new pole, the boom truck has a firm grasp on the old pole, which will soon be removed.

Dress up a Tree of Hope

ocal businesses have the opportunity once again to market their companies and support the Abbotsford Hospice Society in its efforts to open the community’s first hospice. The Trees of Hope was introduced in 2009 in support of AHS, in which decorated trees are displayed in the common area of Sevenoaks Shopping Centre during the Christmas season. If all the trees are sold out this year, the program will have raised more than $50,000 for the Holmberg House building fund, said Marion Keys, AHS donor relations and development manager. Holmberg House will be

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Power poles being replaced

THE TIMES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 ❘

NEWS

❘ A9

Evidence tossed in gun charge against Bacon associate Judge rules search violated rights of accused KEITH FRASER The Province

n a s s o c i a t e o f n ow deceased gangster Jonathan Bacon who was charged with possessing a loaded handgun has had the evidence thrown out by a judge. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Brian Joyce found that the rights of Godwin Cheng were violated during the execution of a search warrant at his Abbotsford home in 2005 and that the evidence seized should be excluded. During the search of 35684 Hawksview Place, police had seized a loaded Glock semiautomatic handgun and ammunition, marijuana, cocaine, brass knuckles and a stolen police bicycle.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

–

– JEAN KONDA-WITTE/TIMES

The entire student body at Aberdeen Elementary School in west Abbotsford participated in Remembrance Day ceremonies at the school Friday morning. A colour party, made up of veterans from the Royal Canadian Legions in Abbotsford and Aldergrove were special guests. Youngsters presented veterans with hand written notes of thanks, right, while others lined up to bring in wreaths their class had adorned with poppies, lower right. For more photos from the event, download the Layar app to your smartphone or tablet and scan the logo on this page.

At trial, Cheng asserted that the information to obtain (ITO) the search warrant did not contain sufficient reliable evidence upon which the warrant could be granted. The Crown argued that the ITO contained a body of information supporting the inference that Cheng was a drug trafficker, that he lived at the residence and that items related to drug trafficking would be found at the home. But in a ruling released Thursday, Joyce said there was no evidence to suggest there were transfers of drugs between various vehicles and the home during the investigation. He noted that the case involved serious allegations, including possession of con-

COLOUR GUARD

trolled substances and possession of a loaded restricted firearm. “The presence of handguns in our community and their association with the illegal drug trade has been the cause of many unfortunate incidents in which people have been injured and killed,” he said in his reasons for judgment. “However, the fact that a loaded handgun was found in Mr. Cheng’s residence cannot be viewed as a trump card that must result in admission of evidence.” To allow the seriousness of the charges and the importance of the evidence to overwhelm the court’s Charter of Rights analysis would be to declare that “the ends justifies the means,” added the

judge. Court heard that Cheng and Bacon were associates and that part of the grounds for the search of Cheng’s home included an investigation into Bacon’s suspected drug activity. Cheng was seen picking up Bacon in front of another Abbotsford home, located on Winfield Drive, and the two men were later stopped and arrested. Inside the vehicle were small quantities of crack cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy, in addition to $10,000 in cash. A search of the Winfield home located 48 half-pound bags of dried marijuana bud, two 9-mm machine guns and ammunition, an RCMP uniform, body armour, two handguns, a silencer and photos of Cheng with Bacon

and other known criminals. Charges related to the search of the vehicle and the Winfield home against Cheng, Bacon and a third accused were dismissed by an Abbotsford judge in 2008 after it was found the

searches were not properly conducted. The federal Crown appealed that ruling and a new trial was ordered. Bacon was shot to death during a gangland slaying in Kelowna in August 2011.

A10 ❘ SPORTS ❘ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 THE TIMES

Sports

Phone: 604-854-5244 • E-mail: sports@abbotsfordtimes.com • Fax: 604-854-5541

Mission boxers have another outlet

Bridge Street Boxing Gym up and running TERRY FARRELL TFarrell@abbotsfordtimes.com

iddle-aged folk (and older) may remember a Victor Kiam commercial for Remington razors from the 1970s, where the business mogul states, “I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company”. Matt Brown’s love of boxing has steered him into a similar situation. Brown, who grew up around the sport, has been watching his sons do the same. He has coached 19-year-old Jessy and 15-year-old Cody to national titles and now has

turned the family interest into a that was needed to see how popular boxing is becoming with females. family business. “Absolutely,” said Matt opened the Brown. “Now that Bridge Street Boxing the Olympics are & Athletic Gym last “It’s good for their accepting women month, in Mission. schooling, it’s good for boxers, that has “This was a pribeen great for vate gym before, and their discipline. They attendance [at I was with Mission aren’t out on the street training sessions]. City Boxing Club, but hanging around and getMore and more this chance came ting in trouble. They are girls are getting up so I decided to at the gym, training and into it, which is branch out on my really exciting. We own,” said Brown, getting in shape. ” amid a packed house – Matt Brown on youth and boxing have some pretty good female boxfor his Tuesday night ers coming out of training session. “It’s B.C.” just a great situation There were also a lot of young for training with my sons.” athletes at the gym for the session. Now a co-ed sport Minors accounted for at least half Boxing is no longer a “guys only” of the 20 or so who were on hand gig. A look around the facility during for the training session during the Tuesday’s training session was all Times interview.

– TERRY FARRELL/TIMES

Young clients work out during a training session at the Bridge Street Boxing & Fitness Gym. The facility opened in Mission last month. “One thing I must say, this kind of activity, it’s good for their schooling, it’s good for their discipline,” said Brown. “They aren’t out on the street hanging around and getting in trouble. They are at the gym, training and getting in shape. And if they go the competitive route, they get to travel a lot, too.” Boxing is becoming a lot more than solely a competitive sport. A lot of people have picked up the training aspect for its health benefits, with no intention of ever getting into the ring to fight. “Absolutely – there’s nothing better than a good boxing workout to get the heart going and get in shape, that’s for sure,” said Brown. “We have ‘boxercising’ type of workouts, or if you want to just spar or be a recreational boxer, that’s fine. And if you want to compete and go to provincials, nationals, whatever, we can get you there.” And it’s not just boxing. The gym will also accommodate mixed martial arts enthusiasts, weight training, and even hot yoga. “We have other trainers available – we have an ex-Olympian wrestler coming in, who will be giving a class; we also have a couple of guys who are interested in doing classes in jiu-jitsu,” said Brown. “And the hot yoga, that’s actually really good for the boxers, too. “So things are starting to come together really good.”

Cody getting ready

– STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/TIMES

A boxer works a double end bag during a training session at the Bridge Street Boxing & Fitness Gym. For more photos from the gym, download the Layar app to your smartphone or tablet and scan the logo to the left.

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Brown’s sons are well known, not only in the local boxing community, but also throughout the country. They have five national championships between them, and Cody is

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going for his third straight national crown later this month in Quebec. At only 15 years old, Cody has already strung together an impressive amateur record. He has been in the ring 54 times and is riding a streak of 27 straight victories. “We have a hard time getting him fights now,” said Matt. “We have to quite often go to Seattle to match him up now and even then it’s hard. “Being undefeated in 27 fights is pretty much unheard of. That’s pretty darn good.” Going to nationals for a fourth time at the age of 15 is pretty much unheard of, as well. “He was the youngest guy ever to compete at the nationals, at 12 years old. He had a silver medal there, fighting against guys who are three years older than him. That’s pretty amazing.” Cody has had six fights already this year, so he will be going into the national competition in Quebec City in fine form. When he’s not training, he’s helping dad out at the gym, all part and parcel with a family business. Matt says that having Cody on hand helps take some of the intimidation of the sport away for his younger clientele. “Just the way the boys can relate to each other, when they get in there and help, showing them different moves and stuff, they seem to pick it up a little quicker, and maybe get a little more enjoyment out of it,” said Matt. For more info on the gym, visit the website at www.bridgestathleticgym.com/

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Phone: 604-853-8779 to book an appointment

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THE TIMES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 ❘ Free English classes

Free English classes are offered to adult immigrants in Abbotsford and Mission. Continuous intake September to June. Apply with Abbotsford Community Services, 2420 Montrose Ave, Abbotsford, or call 604-8597681, ext. 216.

Community events

The Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism offers new classes in Taoist Tai Chi with qualified volunteer instructors. A fun way to improve your health. For locations and start dates, call 604-226-0215.

to meet at 7 p.m., Terry Fox Elementary. Call Corry at 604-859-4859 for more.

Naturalists meet

Nov. 13, Abbotsford-Mission Nature Club member and wildlife biologist Ken Summers speaks on New Zealand nature, 7:30 p.m. at Abbotsford Middle School, 33231 Bevan Ave., Abbotsford. Public welcome, it’s free. Call Kathy at 604854-3203.

Women nominees wanted

Mission Business & Professional Women seek nominees for their annual Myrtle Evertt Woman of the Year Awards, coming in May. See details, forms at bpwmission.ca.

Dutch in touch

Nov. 12, Keep in Touch with the Dutch meet 10 a.m. to noon at Intercity Café, 180-2655 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford. Drop in.

• Free hearing test included

Women connect

Abby/Mission newcomers

Nov. 12, Abbotsford/Mission Newcomers invite women

Nov. 13, Abbotsford Women’s Connection breakfast at 9:30 a.m., Garden Park Tower, 2825 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford. Shopping, talking. Cost $11. RSVP to 604744-5159, 604-852-8240 or abbyconnectreservations@

• Free 60 day trial • Free quarterly service for life • Free home service for seniors

gmail.com for details.

Reading buddies wanted

High school students and adults needed for the Reading Buddy program to help children in grades 1 – 4 with reading. Apply at Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, or the Abbotsford library, 33355 Bevan Ave., Abbotsford.

Teen support

Alateen meets Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m. at Home Society, 31581 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford. Alateen, a part of Al-Anon Family Groups, is for young people whose lives are affected by someone else’s drinking, (parent, sibling or friend). Call 604855-1942 or 604-826-5100 for more information.

39th Annual Chilliwack

RAFT MARKET November 15,16,17 Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-6pm Sun 10am-4pm Heritage Park On Luckakuck Way off Hwy 1 @ Lickman Rd., Chilliwack (Exit 116)

• Hundreds of ﬁne quality one of a kind items, featuring skilled artisans from all over BC.

Audeo from Phonak

* Easy & comfortable ﬁt * No echo or whistling * Invisible behind ear * Adjusts automatically * Focuses on speech

We have a large selection of newest makes and models to ﬁt any ear and any budget.

Prices start from

899

Payment plans available

For appointment call

(604) 855-3702

Hearing Care Centre Unit 101-33774 Marshall Rd., Abbotsford Registered in College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC

YOU AND THE LAW

BRAIN INJURIES AND THEIR EFFECTS “Mental Illness often a Byproduct of Concussions” declared an attention-grabbing newspaper headline recently. The effort to draw attention to the often misunderstood subject of brain injuries (of which concussions are a common type) is justified. “Concussion” or even “mild concussion” sounds harmless and, too often, is incorrectly viewed lightly, like a sprain or minor fracture. It’s true that in most cases, a single, first incident of minor concussion – if promptly and properly treated and if given enough time to heal – will heal if there’s no repeat incident. The good news is that some 85% to 95% of people suffering from one uncomplicated mild concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), the medical term which describes more accurately what’s involved, recover within six months. But sadly, in a significant minority of cases, even the first, single incident of a mild concussion or MTBI can have severe and long-lasting or even permanent effects. For these 5% to 15% of victims, the positive statistics are irrelevant – though their physical brain injury was “mild,” its adverse consequences can be severe and disabling. Thenthereisalsothecumulativeeffectofrepeated concussions to consider, which substantially increases the risk of serious adverse consequences. Hockey players, football players and boxers all face the increased risks associated with repeat “hits” potentially causing concussions. It’s not sports players who are hurt the most, however. Car crashes are by far the single most common cause of brain injuries. They account for one half of brain injuries. The rest are caused by all other causes – work-related injuries, falls, illnesses, sports injuries, assaults or fire arms – combined. So what are some of the serious potential effects of mild concussion or MTBI? Depression, a form of mood disorder, often follows a brain injury and can be long-lasting. It

can lead to reduced motivation, anxiety, sleeping difficulties and avoidance problems. Because there’s a stigma attached to any mental illness, victims are often reluctant to talk about these issues and their feelings. Concussions may also result in negative personality changes. Victims may become temperamental, irritable, impulsive and irrational, and may exhibit hurtful behaviour, making them difficult to live with.To friends and loved ones, they may seem like a different person. Concussion victims can also develop persistent cognitive difficulties, such as memory and learning problems, inability to function under stress, speech or written communication difficulties, and problems with executive functions like punctuality, organization,focussingtheirattentionandplanning. Other neurological conditions may develop too. After an incident of brain injury, the potential for later multiple injuries increases greatly. U.S. figures suggest the risk of a second injury is two to three times greater than average, and after that the potential for a third injury increases to eight times the normal average. Thebottomlineisthat,insomecases,thecognitive, emotional, behavioural and social effects of a mild concussion or MTBI can severely disable and impact the victim’s life. Rehabilitation and treatment may be needed for many years and require many different specialists, and it can be expensive. It’s important for car crash victims suffering concussion to seek experienced medical and legal assistance.Your lawyer will assess the merits of your case, assemble the evidence, arrange for expert witnesses, prepare your case for trial (if necessary), and obtain appropriate compensation in court or by negotiation of a fair settlement. Written by Janice Mucalov, LL.B with contribution by STANLEY COPE. This column provides information only and must not be relied on for legal advice. Please contact STANLEY COPE for legal advice concerning your particular case. Lawyer Janice Mucalov writes about legal affairs. “You and the Law” is a registered trademark. Copyright by Janice Mucalov.

Admission $3 • Children 10 & under FREE Information 604-769-2787 www.chilliwackartscouncil.com

PERSONAL INJURY LAW

Call Stan Cope for your FREE consultation

604.855.2089