B.C. Views Environmentalism for dummies. p6
Pitt asked to allow backyard hens. p5
THE NEWS
Sports Rambler 3rd at wrestling nationals. p29
www.mapleridgenews.com Wednesday, April 18, 2012 · Serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows · est. 1978 · 604-467-1122 · 50¢
Aquilini polder plans won’t go ahead by M o n i s h a M a r t i n s staff reporter A proposal by the Aquilini Group to build a subdivision on land it owns in northeast Pitt Meadows, at the edge of a protected nature reserve, is dead – for now. Development manager Riaan de Beer said the project will not proceed in its current format. Pitched to city council last week as a green, sustainable project, the 59-hectare (146-acre) property is located on a hill near the Malcolm Knapp UBC Research Forest, above the Codd Island Wetlands, a nesting and roosting area for many bird species, including the red-listed Greater Sandhill Crane. Aquilini Development and Construction Inc. proposed to build 148 houses on the site, a significant increase from the 55 homes allowed under current zoning. See Polder, p5
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
Polly wants to get cracked Reg Bakker watches as Mathew Bueschkens tosses a stuffed parrot while Hay-Seed the Clown swings at the ball Sunday at Albion Sports Complex during the annual softball game with the Pirates, a local team of physically and mentally challenged children. They played a Sunshine Foundation Dreams for Kids allstar team featuring Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin and members of the local police and fire departments. See slideshow @ mapleridgenews.com.
Gordon the Good S tor y by Phil Melnychuk
C
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
Candace Gordon, Maple Ridge Citizen of the Year, is currently managing the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Community Kitchens program.
NEW
1
TM
Index
Buddyy Burgers g
$ 75*
$ 25* $ 45* $ 95*
2
Little Buddy Little Buddy Burger Burger™ with Cheese™
2
Buddy Burger™
andace Gordon has an issue with one part of the glowing account of her volunteer efforts, extolled in last week’s Citizen of the Year event. She’s not too thrilled about being called a “gentle pit bull” guarding the social conscience the community. She does, however, acknowledge she’s dogged in her pursuit of getting things done. Just look back at what she’s done over the past few decades for Maple Ridge, such as the early days in getting the recycling society rolling, to the point where the trucks now show up at every driveway to haul away reusable trash. “I have to say that the work I did with the Ridge
2
Buddy Burger with Cheese™
3 LOCATIONS 20468 Lougheed Hwy. • Haney Place Mall • 22805 Lougheed Hwy.
Opinion Tom Fletcher Looking Back Arts&life Community Calendar Sports Classifieds
Meadows Recycling Society, it was a wonderful experience.” Gordon and a few other local eco-freaks who wanted to make a difference, started recycling in the 1970s, but it was Gordon who shepherded the paperwork through in 1981 that actually created the legal entity that still exists. The society is now celebrating its 40th year. “It’s always been really important to me to make a difference,” she says. That was also the beginning of the supported work program at the depot for those with developmental disabilities, a program which continues today and one that proves that it’s possible to hire those with disabilities, she pointed out. See Gordon, p4
westcoastautogroup.com 6 6 17 23 26 29 32
WEST COAST WEST COAST WEST COAST
TOYOTA 19950 Lougheed Hwy., Pitt Meadows TOLL FREE
1-866-910-1579
See our ads on page 18 -19
WEST T COAST
FORD LINCOLN 20000 Lougheed, Pitt Meadows TOLL FREE
1-866-334-2119
20370 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge TOLL FREE
1-866-772-1929
19625 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge TOLL FREE
1-866-208-8820
located at the north end of the new golden ears bridge E