Tuesday April 3, 2012 (Vol. l. 37 No. 27)
V O I C E
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W H I T E
R O C K
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S O U T H
S U R R E Y
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Grinding to a halt: The popular Baristas Skills Link Program, which provided job skillss for disadvantaged Lower Mainland d youth, is set to be cancelled due to federal budget cuts. see page 11
Coaches vindicated
Swimmer sets record
Baseball apology
Caldwell makes Olympics
Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
The White Rock South Surrey Baseball Association has publicly apologized to two volunteer coaches for allegations that were “from the outset, both unfounded and without any merit.” The statement, which appeared as an advertisement in Thursday’s Peace Arch News, stems from sanctions issued against John Hogg and Graham Edwards in January 2011, in connection with events relating to a 2010 all-star team of 12-year-olds. Hogg said Friday that it marks the end of a “difficult and chal❝The association lenging” process that recognizes that has led to changes believes will ultithe treatment of he mately strengthen the Mr. Hogg and Mr. association. “While saddened Edwards was that it had to occur an injustice to this way… I think that them and to their they’re stronger as families.❞ a result, and will be stronger moving forward,” Hogg told Peace Arch News. “While it’s been painful for a lot of people, I think, inevitably, it has been positive.” Hogg and Edwards launched a civil suit last April, after an unsuccessful appeal of the sanctions, which had banned them from volunteering for two years. The punishment was levied, the association said in a June statement of defense, in connection with alleged breaches of Little see page 4
Nick Greenizan Staff Reporter
Surrey swimmer Hilary Caldwell is headed to the Olympics. Caldwell, a South Surrey native and Pacific Sea Wolves Swim Club member who now lives and trains in Victoria, punched her ticket to the Summer Games in London after placing second in the women’s 200-metre backstroke last weekend at national team trials in Hilary Caldwell Montreal. Caldwell finished in a time of two minutes and 9.1 seconds – which not only met the Olympic standard but also set a B.C. senior provincial record in the process. Caldwell finished second to Ontarian Sinead Russell, and will now be one of 31 swimmers heading to the 2012 Games. “I knew it was going to be a really competitive final,” said Caldwell in a Swimming Canada release. “When you’re in the final at an Olympic trials there is a lot of stress, and to be able to perform like that was what I needed.”
Dan Ferguson photo
United nations
Victor Bisaillon carries a version of the American flag at the Semiahmoo First Nation powwow at Earl Marriott Secondary Sunday. Bisaillon, a member of Soowahlie First Nation in Cultus Lake, was among the dancers who took part in the annual tradition.
Kevin Falcon says journalists ‘ran with scissors’ after he said he hasn’t decided whether to run in 2013
Noncommital finance minister mocks media Alex Browne Staff Reporter
Kevin Falcon
Has BC Liberal MLA Kevin Falcon changed his tune on running for re-election in 2013? Not according to him. B.C.’s finance minister – and Surrey-Cloverdale MLA – told Peace Arch News last week that the media has overreacted to comments he made to reporters when discussing the soul-searching process he says he always goes through before making the final decision to run in any election.
Falcon caused a stir in a media scrum Wednesday when he said that he had not made a final decision on running again, and that it would be subject to discussion with his family. “I’m a little bit amused by the fevered discussion in the media,” Falcon said the next day. “I said the same thing I say every time. I generally don’t make the decision 14 months ahead of the election.” B.C.’s next fixed election date is May 14, 2013. Reached by phone Thursday, fellow local BC Liberal MLAs Gordon Hogg (Surrey-White Rock) and Stepha-
d in the Watch for the Crosswor ! Thursday April 5 Edition
nie Cadieux (Surrey-Panorama) did not equivocate on their plans – both said they would run again in 2013. Discussing the fallout from his comments, Falcon said he thinks the media is “hypersensitive” because of the resignation at the start of the week of BC Liberal MLA John van Dongen, who immediately joined the BC Conservatives, leading to speculation that Premier Christy Clark’s BC Liberal party is splintering. “They (the media) ran with scissors on this,” said Falcon, adding he was still chuckling over House see page 2
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