Thursday April 26, 2012 (Vol. 37 No. 34) 4))
V O I C E
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W H I T E
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Back in business: A win was more than just a win for the Bayside Sharks Saturday, as the men’s rugby team not only assured themselves of a first-place finish, but also qualified to return to the premier league in the fall. see page A46
Hockey tragedy leaves Richard Morrison unable to walk again
Friends rally for paralyzed man’s family Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
Contributed photo
Richard Morrison and family.
A White Rock man known for his positive outlook and enthusiasm for hockey suffered devastating injuries Saturday in what friends are describing as “a freak accident.” Richard Morrison, 47, has been on life support at Vancouver General Hospital since breaking his neck playing drop-in hockey April 21 at Burnaby 8 Rinks.
“As far as I know, he was going in for a goal and then he tripped over a goalie pad and went headfirst into the boards behind the net,” Morrison’s wife, Sheila, said Wednesday. “He went headfirst and he just compressed his spine, and he broke his neck in two places.” As of Wednesday, Morrison remained on a respirator, unable to breathe on his own. While that is expected to improve, the damage to his vertebrae is such that the father of
two will never walk again. Word of the tragedy has spread quickly since Saturday, as have efforts to help. Brent Silzer, a local real estate agent who has known Morrison for about 20 years and was best man at his wedding in 2005, said more than $6,000 was raised in just two days this week, and donations continue to pour in for the family. see page A4
Mayor welcomes change
White Rock to slash pay for position
Bark-a lounger Sakura, a fiveyear-old Labrador retriever, rests comfortably in the lap of owner Rae Pelat, while watching a soccer game at South Surrey Athletic Park last week.
Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
Boaz Joseph photo
Impassioned presentation by controversial canine advocate spurs council
Surrey to ban tethering of dogs Kevin Diakiw Black Press
A White Rock woman who is currently before the courts for allegedly stealing dogs addressed Surrey council Monday afternoon, asking for a ban on the chaining and tethering of canines. The presentation by Janet Olson, representing the Campaign to Ban the Confinement of Resident Dogs, was accompanied by disturbing images of dogs in distress. “In 2008, a St. Bernard who became hopelessly entangled in her tether tried to chew off her own leg in an attempt to free herself,” Olson told council.
“Many chained dogs have hung agreement with what you are prothemselves as they’ve jumped over posing,” said Mayor Dianne Watts, their doghouses and fences, such as adding she was behind the group these dogs did. And this last picture “150 per cent.” is a dog who strangled to death in Coun. Mary Martin called the Surrey, after hours of trying to free presentation “heartbreaking,” and himself from his tangled tether.” asked Olson how many dogs in SurClearly troubled by the issue, rey were living in such conditions councillors didn’t hesitate to voice – a number Olson estimated at a support. few hundred. Janet Olson Surrey will draft its own bylaw on Council supported Coun. Barb the issue, and invite Olson to pro- council support Steele’s call for an emergency motion vide input, the politicians decided. to go before the Lower Mainland “I don’t think that there’s one person Local Government Association. around this council table that has any dis see page A5
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The City of White Rock is looking for a new, full-time director of engineering and municipal operations. But applicants would be wise not to expect the job’s remuneration to be anywhere near what it has been over the past two years. “It’d be about half what it is now, probably in the $130,000 range, something in that order,” Mayor Wayne Baldwin said this week. Wayne Baldwin The position is currently held by Rob Thompson, who was hired on a two-year contract that expires June 29. Baldwin told Peace Arch News Tuesday that while Thompson has done “good service” for White Rock, the end Rob Thompson of his contract is an opportunity for the city to bring someone on board who is both qualified for the job’s requirements and paid appropriately. Thompson declined to comment. The mayor confirmed the quest is part of efforts to get the city’s finances in order. see page A4
EXPANDING TO OUR NEW LOCATION AT 32ND AND CROYDON DRIVE, OPENING MAY 22, 2012