THE
NEWSPAPER.COM
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2013
NEWS
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People
Stretching it out at Southridge
An hour of yoga followed two hours of indoor cycling during a Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser at Southridge school on Jan. 19. Money raised at the event will support volunteers doing this year’s
‘Now’ bids fond farewell to publisher
Ride2Survive, a 400-kilometre, single-day cycling adventure that rolls from Kelowna to Delta each June. The event is considered the largest indoor cycling fundraiser of its kind in B.C. (Photo: GORD GOBLE)
Casino rejected
Mayor fires back, Coleman backtracks Christopher Poon
Now staff Twitter @questionchris
Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts has penned an open letter to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s President and CEO, Michael Graydon in response to “inflammatory” comments he made about council’s decision to turn down the South Surrey casino. Graydon publicly questioned Watts’ decision, indicating that he had been under the assumption she was in favour of the project prior to the public hearing process. To that, Watts took exception. “The statement...implies that I acted irresponsibly. The only thing that transpired was public consultation,” wrote Watts. “Mr. Graydon’s comments show a complete disregard for the public process.” Watts’ statement comes on the heels of comments made by gaming minister Rich Coleman, who questioned Surrey council’s decision, telling The Province that he didn’t have any confidence in council’s decision-making and that they wouldn’t waste anymore “time and money” looking at opportunities in Surrey. Coleman’s comments drew much criticism
Rich Coleman
Dianne Watts
from members of the public in various newspapers’ letters pages and online comments and Thursday, Coleman released a statement regarding council’s decision. “I want to express my appreciation for the time and thoughtfulness Surrey City Council and the community as a whole took to examine the merits of the entertainment and gaming complex proposal and to be clear that I respect the final decision,” said Coleman in his statement. “Surrey Council exercised its responsibility on behalf of residents by conducting a thorough, open process that led to an independent decision. I can tell you from experience that these types of decisions are complicated and are not reached easily.”
Surrey
Rasode insists no rift exists ‹ from page 1
As for comments in other media where she was quoted as saying council needed to go back and reassess their vision as a group, Rasode said the comment was made in terms of vision for the property of the proposed casino only. “That property is still going to be developed and I just don’t want it to end up being a strip mall or a lower-model shop,” said Rasode. “So I think there’s a conversation to be had (about the site’s future).” Rasode added that the press release issued by the four in favour of the casino was simply sent out as a way to inform the public of their reasons for voting for the project. “We are being asked why this has been turned down and at the same time we are also being asked why we supported it, so I think on significant applications like this that would have such an impact on the city, we do need to be doing a better job on letting the public know why we voted the way we did,” she said. “People elect us, so I thought these were really important things for people to know why we did.”
cpoon@thenownewspaper.com
After a successful two-year run at the helm of the Now, publisher Marlyn Graziano is moving on. Graziano first started at the Now as a freelance reporter in 1989. She went on to work as a reporter and editor at the South Delta Today and the Richmond News before returning to the Now as news editor and editor. In 2000, she was named editorial director for the Lower Mainland Publishing Group and in January 2011 she returned to the Now as publisher. Over the past two years, Graziano has become involved with a number of local organizations and business groups and has assisted with promoting many events throughout Surrey, White Rock and North Delta. She was host chair for the Surrey 2012 BC Summer Games; sits on the board of directors of the Surrey Board of Trade, the Surrey Christmas Bureau and Kinsmen Lodge; and is a member of the Semiahmoo Rotary Club. . Graziano will take up her new position as Director, External and Government Affairs at Kwantlen Polytechnic University on Feb. 4.
The Now
Marlyn Graziano