Painful injury?
The Cloverdale 130 2010!
We can help. CLOVERDALE
Physiotherapy & SPORTS CLINIC
Your Weekly Clover Valley Newspaper
604.574.4342
March 1, 2012 Y www.CloverdaleReporter.com Y 604-575-2405
cloverdalephysio.ca
‘This is a war on graffiti’ Chamber offers reward offered for nabbing culprits
By Jennifer Lang It’s a sunny winter morning in the fastgrowing residential enclave of Clayton, where Bill Reid is outlining the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce’s newest initiative. For the past six weeks, the chamber has been waging an anti-graffiti campaign in the Hillcrest and Clayton neighbourhoods, in concert with the Clayton Crossing and Hillcrest shopping centres. Reid, executive director of the chamber, estimates about $4,000 has been spent erasing graffiti in the area. The aim is to remove graffiti as soon as it’s reported, returning as necessary to deter vandals from striking again. It’s an expansion of an existing initiative in downtown Cloverdale, where the chamber and the Cloverdale Business Improvement Association have long aimed for a zero-tolerance policy against graffiti. “You have to be on top of it all the time,” says Reid. After a building has been tagged, the graffiti is erased, removed or painted over. It’s only been two days since the latest clean up, when the handiwork of vandals was removed from 22 separate locations and already new tags have sprung up to replace what’s been erased. He’s about to point out a recent victory –
a large, white storage container located in a shady corner of the Clayton Crossing mall parking lot, when he interrupts himself. “Oh, they got it!” he spits. “Look at that. Since last night,” he trails off dejectedly. The container – which had just been painted to conceal graffiti – is covered in giant orange bubble letters written in an unsteady hand. “The trouble is, most of it looks like garbage,” Reid says, pulling ahead to continue the tour. At best, graffiti is regarded as a form of artistic expression, reflecting the modern urban experience. At worst, graffiti contributes to an atmosphere of neglect and decay, providing a breeding ground for property crime. “It creates a feeling that the community doesn’t care,” Reid says. “Once that happens, people start putting litter on every corner, and people start putting old fridges out and stuff.” That’s why the chamber is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who catches someone in the act. He admits graffiti can be a beautiful, if misunderstood art form. Sadly, the examples – known as tags – along Reid’s route demonstrate nothing of that kind of promise. See SENDING / Page 3
JENNIFER LANG PHOTO
Bill Reid, executive director of the Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce, inspects the graffiti damage on a mural at a Fraser Highway business.
Vote for a new comic hero
By Jennifer Lang Jasper Jubenvill, our resident comic creator, is once again turning to Reporter readers to decide who will star in his next series. The 11-year-old artist – a fan of the classic style of serial comic books like Dick Tracy – is wrapping up his latest series, featured on The Reporter’s Facebook page each week. In 21 installments and counting,
Jubenvill has kept fans on their toes with the dramatic and exciting adventures of Al Lando vs. The Ghost. Now he’s asking fans to help him chose between “three great heroes” who each seem to offer plenty of material. Rick Rasen is a 1930s detective. Jhon Boon is a reporter who has a time machine, and Phantom is a superhero who can trick criminals
MacMILLAN MACKAY TUCKER
&
“Your Cloverdale Law Firm” Our goal is to provide you with top quality service in a comfortable, friendly environment.
&
ICBC CLAIMS
GENERAL PRACTICE
• Free Consultation and Percentage Fees for ICBC Claims • Corporate and Commercial
• Civil Litigation • Family and Divorces • Real Estate • Wills and Estates
5690 - 176A Street, Surrey www.mactuc.com 604-574-7431
with mind-bending illusions. So far, Phantom is leading the pack. To vote, please visit our Facebook page at http://ow.ly/9kbGQ. To view the entire series, click on photos, and select the album called The Comic Strip Kid. All of Jasper’s comics for The Reporter are archived there, starting with his first series, Clay Boy. Or cast your vote by email to edi-
CLOVA Present this ad and receive a
This is Al Lando vs. The Ghost, #20, by Jasper Jubenvill, 11.
tor@cloverdalereporter.com. We’ll be sure to announce the winner soon. And don’t forget to like our Face-
C I N E MA NOW PLAYI NG
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fri, Mar 2 - Thurs, Mar 8 E E D . S FR IUM L ’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7:00 MED
R EUSS THE ORAX
POPCORN
book. That way, you’ll always know when Jasper’s latest comic has been posted.
PM
WEEKEND MATINEE Sat, Mar 9 & 10 only
DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX ... 1:30PM
www.theclova.com NOT N VALID ON TUESDAYS •
5732 - 176 Street
Call 778-373-0299 today ayy for fo details about our all-inclusivee rrates atees oorr to book your personal tour. ouur.
17528 59th Avenue, Cloverdale, lee, BC BC www.bethshangardens.org
RRetirement Residence
Owned and operated by the Cloverdale d l Senior S i Citi Citizens HHousing i SSociety it