B.C. Views Target student aid where it’s needed. p6
It’s back: Mayors want vehicle levy. p4
THE NEWS
First responders Firefighters to the rescue. p3
www.mapleridgenews.com Wednesday, March 21, 2012 · Serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows · est. 1978 · 604-467-1122 · 50¢
Homeless causing havoc?
No raise this year for MR councillors
by R o b e r t M a n g e l s d o r f staff reporter
But still trying to figure out a way to set their salaries
Mike Homen’s neighbourhood is under siege and he wants the District of Maple Ridge and the RCMP to do something about it. Homen lives on Cliff Avenue, near the corner of Lougheed Highway and the Haney Bypass in downtown Maple Ridge. There, in a vacant lot and on a run-down property at the end of the block, a homeless encampment has taken root, and is wreaking havoc on his neighbourhood. Homen frequently sees open drug use, and has lost count of all the things he’s had stolen. “Bicycles, minibikes, copper welding cables, you name it, they’ll take it,” he said.
by M o n i s h a M a r t i n s staff reporter
COLLEEN FLANAGAN/THE NEWS
Mike Homen, who lives on Cliff Avenue, is fed up with the nearby homeless camps and dumped garbage.
See Homeless, p14
Becker outspends them all Pitt Meadows councillor spent $29,812 in November bid for mayor by R o b e r t M a n g e l s d o r f staff reporter
Junior 18 years or under .............................. $375 Intermediate 19 to 24 years ...................... $700
SALE
ANNUAL PASSES
Pitt Meadows mayoral candidate John Becker spent close to $30,000 in his bid to get elected mayor of Pitt Meadows, vastly outspending not only his local rivals, but all municipal candidates in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. All candidates who ran in the No-
21770 Ladner Rd, follow us on twitter @GoldenEagleGolf
vember 2011 municipal elections were required to file their campaign financing disclosure statements by Monday. Pitt Meadows Mayor Deb Walters spent $20,347 on her campaign, which ultimately proved successful. Gary Paller’s failed mayoral bid, meanwhile, cost $5,206. In Maple Ridge, Mayor Ernie Daykin spent just more than $11,200 on his re-election campaign. While Becker’s campaign was largely self-financed, Walters accepted $20,385 in donations from
6 month payment plan $130.67 includes taxes
Senior ........................................................$1550 6 month payment plan $289.33 includes taxes
Full Play .................................................$2200 6 month payment plan $410.67 includes taxes Valid 365 days from purchase. No monthly dues or F & B minimums
Pitt Meadows•Call Lorae 604-460-1111 ext. 303
www.goldeneaglegolfclub.com
individuals and corporations. However, that money will have absolutely no influence on how she will do her job as mayor, Walters insists. Although she wouldn’t mention names, Walters said she turned Becker down some donations from donors who were asking her for political favours. “I made people [who donated] absolutely no promises, and I
told them their donations would have no influence,” she said. Walters said she hesitated to accept any donations at first. “In the past I’d always paid for my [council] campaigns myself,” she said. “But running for mayor, you have to step it up a notch.” Walters said she had a feeling Becker would be spending a lot of money on his campaign, and she would have to do her best to match it. See Election, p9
Maple Ridge council won’t be getting a pay raise this year. Councillors supported a resolution, which will be voted on next week, to keep their salaries the same for 2012 but remain conflicted about crafting a policy to determine what they should get paid. However, they will write a letter to B.C. Premier Christy Clark suggesting that civic politicians salaries come under the purview of the municipal auditor general. Council will tackle the Dueck whole issue again, once the premier responds. Coun. Judy Dueck kicked off the debate Monday by suggesting the whole debate be delayed for three years – until a new council is voted in. “The discussion about the next council looking at remuneration ... we are at that point now,” said Dueck. Maple Ridge’s current policy for setting council pay is to compare councillors’ pay in 10 Lower Mainland cities and pay at the 65 percentile mark of the salary level. That means, Maple Ridge council salaries would be higher than 65 per cent of those 10 cities and lower than 35 per cent. That policy had councillors due for a 13-per-cent hike over three years and the mayor getting a nine-percent hike over that time, in addition to annual cost-of-living increases. See Salaries, p9
Index Opinion Tom Fletcher Looking Back Arts&life Sports Community Calendar Classifieds
6 6 21 23 27 30 44
NATHAN ISHERWOOD 604-250-8375
STEVE D’SOUZA 604-837-3185
CLIENTFIRSTMORTGAGES.COM
ORIGIN HOME FINANCIAL PARTNERS