Progress
The Chilliwack
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Horses through time in Chilliwack Museum show.
Warrant issued for murder suspect.
Huskers stay winless after losing to Victoria.
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Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R • F O U N D E D I N 1 8 9 1 • W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M • W E D N E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 3 , 2 0 1 4
Walas team in the ‘research’ stage
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LITTLE LLAMA LOVE
Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Some residents may be curious about what’s happening since Walas Concepts was contracted a few months ago to help kickstart redevelopment in the downtown core. They’re in the research phase now, actively meeting with people, and asking anyone with an idea of how to liven up Chilliwack’s downtown to contact them directly. Barb Kemp, longtime retailer and former Downtown Chilliwack BIA president, has just been hired to join the Walas team. Central to their philosophy is the idea that “cities are about people,” explained Gerben van Straaten, Walas CEO, in a news release Monday. They will be operating out of a downtown office within a couple of weeks. They plan to be the catalysts to “initiate conversations” about new and potentially better uses of the downtown core, like re-purposing under-used or boarded-up buildings. Once they set up their office, the Walas team will be working closely with downtown residents, property owners, business people and new entrepreneurs. “At this moment, the project is in the research stage, with Walas Concepts getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of the community, and working together with local residents to initiate that change,” said van Straaten. It’s Kemp’s boundless enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of downtown that make her “a welcome addition,” to the Walas team, he said. Continued: WALAS/ p7
Retail 85¢ Box $1.00
Sarah Smith kisses her llama, Harlley, at the Chilliwack Fair on Saturday during a 4-H competition. More fair photos on page 28. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Ramping up the pressure for a deal Related story on page 5: ‘Five Corners rally saw more support for teachers’ Katie Bartel The Progress With less than a month to go before school is supposed to start, teachers in Chilliwack have once again ramped up protesting efforts. Tuesday morning, a group of about 30 teachers made their presence known outside the office of Chilliwack MLA John Martin. Two more protests are scheduled for Aug. 19 outside Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness’ office and another
on Aug. 26 at Cottonwood Mall. Chilliwack Teachers’ Association will also have a booth set up for the last two nights of Party in the Park on Aug. 15 and 22. “We want to put pressure on our local MLAs; they have the ability to move this forward,” said Chilliwack secondary school teacher Rob Bogunovic. Strategically, the Chilliwack Teachers’ Union chose to demonstrate outside Martin’s office from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., during high commuter time. The first rain of the month did
not deter them. “Teachers are still very keen and dedicated to this movement,” said CTA president Clint Johnston. “There’s a lot of uncertainty and this is our interface with the public.” Sardis secondar y teacher Cecelia Griffiths stood on the front lines with ‘Standing up for BC Students’ emblazoned on her T-shirt. She also wore buttons with the slogans ‘Proud to be a Teacher’ and ‘Teachers Want a Fair Deal’. Griffiths has been a teacher for
35 years, specializing in special needs. “I work with the kids who have the most severe disabilities in the building,” she said. “What I’ve seen in my 35 years, the level of service we provide now isn’t even triage anymore. Special needs students are not getting the supports they need.” Grade 6 teacher Leora Polsam hopes a fair deal will be achieved, but “our hopes have been dashed so many times,” she’s losing faith. Continued: STRIKE/ p4
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