Tuesday
November 27, 2012 (Vol. 37 No. 95)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
Winning goals: Devon Toews and Michael Stenerson took turns scoring big goals on the weekend, helping lift the Surrey Eagles to a pair of overtime wins in Prince George. › see page 35
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Council members ‘have to keep an open mind’ as city gathers information, mayor says
Casino decision on hold till new year Dan Ferguson, Tracy Holmes & Alex Browne Staff Reporters
Incomplete information is being cited for the postponement this week of a scheduled hearing concerning the gaming licence for a proposed casino in South Surrey. Surrey council was to discuss the issue at a land-use meeting Monday afternoon. A delay until Dec. 10 was announced Friday, meaning the earliest that a public hearing on
the matter could be held is Jan. 14, the date of the next regular council meeting. “There’s a number of things we have not received yet,” Mayor Dianne Watts told Peace Arch News Monday. “It’s important to make sure that we have all of the information.” Staff have told city council that more time is needed to review and analyze letters from residents and other members of the public, “receive and consider comments from the
City of White Rock and the Township of Langley... and to consider the comments that have been received from the Semiahmoo First Nation.” As well, they need to review a socio-economic impact study by the B.C. Lottery Corporation, and a finalized traffic-impact study. Watts said of those who have contacted her in regards to the casino, she is hearing “some for and some against” the project. But she
has yet to make up her own mind, she said. “Going into public hearing, we have to be open to listening to all information,” she said. And while Gateway and BCLC say the complex – eyed as part of a $100-million project proposed for 18 acres of a 25-acre site at 10 Avenue and 168 Street – would produce $6 million annually for the city, Watts said those funds are not the deciding factor. › see page 4
EMS crowding
Teachers warn over schedule Dan Ferguson Black Press
Dan Ferguson photo
Families leave Rosemary Heights Elementary Thursday, walking past a woman held in the back seat of a cruiser, as police search a rental van.
Elementary schools locked down as police helicopter circles
Break-in turns into Code Red for students Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
A Code Red alert put two South Surrey elementary schools into lockdown Thursday afternoon, after police were called to an interrupted break-and-enter in the Morgan Creek area. School district spokesman Doug Strachan confirmed shortly before students were to be let out for the day that a police request prompted the alert at Rosemary Heights and Morgan elementaries around 2 p.m., “because of something they’re investigating in the neighbourhood.”
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Students were told to sit under their desks and keep clear of classroom windows, after patrol cars and an RCMP helicopter were tasked to the area when a resident reported arriving home to find three unknown individuals leaving his house. The homeowner and a neighbour attempted to chase down the trio, but were unsuccessful. A police spokesperson told Peace Arch News that officers looking for the three individuals set up a perimeter in the area and brought in a dog team to help with the search.
A rented cube van believed to be associated with the crime was stopped by police one block east of Rosemary Heights Elementary – at 36 Avenue and 156 Street – containing what appeared to be stolen property; a woman could be seen in the back of a police car as children walked past on their way home. The dog team located a second suspect near 160 Street and 40 Avenue. Strachan emphasized the incident posed no threat to the schools’ students or staff. › see page 4
The year-old flex schedule at Earl Marriott Secondary has failed to fix overcrowding problems at the South Surrey school, teachers say. And the situation, notes a letter to the school’s Parent Advisory Council, could put students at risk. “With over 500 extra students, many staff at Earl Marriott Secondary believe the safety of students may be compromised in the event of a real emergency,” writes Mark Figueira, who sent the letter last month on behalf of a staff committee. But while school officials agree there are challenges, they disagree with the suggestion the situation is endangering students. Principal Peter Johnston said the situation would be even worse without the flex schedule. It was implemented at EMS last year, when the school day was extended to five blocks from four. Junior grades attend in the first four blocks – from 8 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. – and most seniors in the final four, from 9:24 a.m. to 3:34 p.m. According to Figueira’s letter, there are several problems associated with trying to educate 1,950 students in a space designed for 1,500 that have not been addressed by the new schedule. › see page 4
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