Surrey teams at the top of VMSL page 40
Broadway benefit for food bank page 47
Thursday September 20, 2012
Serving Surrey and North Delta
Registration strong for Port Mann Tolling system off to ‘terrific’ start as 30,000 sign up in two days by Jeff Nagel NEARLY 30,000 people registered to use the new tolled Port Mann Bridge
in just the first two days of sign-ups, surprising project officials. The early surge already puts the electronic tolling system 10 per cent of the way to its target of 300,000 registered users by the end of February. “We’re very pleased that we’ve had the response we have had so far,” Port Mann/Highway 1 Project Communications Director Max Logan said. “It’s a terrific start for us.” The province wants regular bridge users to sign up and get the TReO windshield decal that is automatically and efficiently detected without the more costly use of licence plate cameras and manual image checks that will be used to invoice non-registered vehicles. Officials also think the more drivers who register and use the system, the more will embrace the tolled Port Mann Max Logan and not clog other routes to reach an untolled bridge. As an incentive, half-price tolls – $1.50 for regular cars instead of $3 – apply for a full year for those who register before March 1, when the three-month discount period for all expires and non-registered users start paying full price. A further incentive gives 20 free crossings to those who sign up before Nov. 30. Logan expects many more users to register as those two deadlines near.
“We’re very pleased that we’ve had the response we have had so far.”
EVAN SEAL / THE LEADER
The TReO system for bridge toll registration opened Sept. 17 at www.treo.ca.
See BRIDGE TOLLS / Page 5
A trio of treasures Surrey chooses its Civic Treasures for 2012
by Sheila Reynolds THERE’S A quote from Aristotle that inspires Surrey’s Ed Griffin: “Art releases unconscious tensions and purges the soul.” It’s these words that have helped him, over many years, to champion the the art of writing – whether it be by founding the Surrey International Writers Conference nearly 20 years ago, penning his own books, or teaching prison inmates his craft. For his passion and dedication, Griffin has
been chosen as one of three Surrey Civic Treasures for 2012. Among the other honourees are First Nations elder and ambassador June Laitar and Gladys Andreas, who’s been key in preserving Ukrainian culture in B.C. Laitar is a founding member of Surrey’s Kekinow Native Housing, Kla-How-Eya Aboriginal Centre, and the Surrey Aboriginal Cultural Society, a centre for the resurgence of aboriginal culture, language, and teachings that also provides a wide range of cultural and social services. See RECEPTION / Page 9
The City of Surrey is honouring (from left) Ed Griffin, Gladys Andreas and June Laitar for their work in improving Surrey’s culture.
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