Round two for Surrey at a Provincial Cup page 32
Countdown to 2012 B.C. egins Summer Games b begins page 29
Thursday April 19, 2012 Serving Surrey rey and North Delta www.surreyleader.com
Transit upgrades frozen New routes on hold include rapid buses on Port Mann, King George by Jeff Nagel TRANSLINK HAS slammed the brakes on its transit expansion plan after
Metro Vancouver mayors voted to withdraw their commitment to raise property taxes over the next two years in the absence of a new transportation funding source. The decision announced by TransLink CEO Ian Jarvis Tuesday freezes plans for Highway 1 express buses over the new Port Mann Bridge in dedicated lanes starting this December, linking Langley, Surrey and Lougheed Centre in Burnaby. Also on hold is a new King George Boulevard B-Line express bus route in Surrey, general bus service increases across the region and upgrades to some Expo Line SkyTrain stations. “We’re going to put those on hold until we have an understanding of how we are going to pay for those improvements,” Jarvis said, adding it is not sufficient to assume a provincial audit will turn up enough efficiencies to Ian Jarvis finance the upgrades. “To simply rely on the prospect of potential cost savings in the future is not fiscally sound.” Two projects will still proceed. Construction of the Evergreen Line to Coquitlam will continue because TransLink’s share of that project is fully funded by the two cent per litre gas tax increase that took effect April 1.
“We’re going to put those on hold until we have an understanding of how we are going to pay for those improvements.”
LEADER FILE PHOTO
In response to Metro Vancouver mayors withdrawing a property tax hike as a transit funding measure, TrasnLink has halted plans to expand bus service south of the Fraser.
See TRANSLINK / Page 3
‘Everyone loved him’
José Hector Luna Morales was shot to death at a Surrey house in the summer of 2010.
Family of murdered Surrey man – José Hector Luna Morales – travels from El Salvador for trial by Sheila Reynolds JOSÉ HECTOR Luna Morales was a kind, friendly and responsible young man, says his family. So it came as a great shock to them when he was found shot to death at a Surrey house in the summer of 2010. Several of Morales’ family members were at New Westminster Supreme Court this week for the start of the second-degree murder trial of Lester Olivia Buezo
Oseguera, who is accused of killing Morales. Morales’ mom Vilma Luna Morales and sister Jacqueline Luna Morales travelled to Canada from El Salvador for the court proceedings, hoping to get some answers to help them comprehend what happened the night their loved one was killed. “They understand it is a hard process,” said Gloria Hernandez on behalf Vilma and Jacqueline, who speak Spanish.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
See TRIAL / Page 4
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Spring Bazaar Saturday, April 21st 11am-2pm UPSTAIRS HALL • RAFFLES • FOOD HAMPERS • CAKE WALK • HOME BAKING • DOOR PRIZES • LUNCH $6 Open to the public! Come and Bring a Friend
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