The Chilliwack
Progress Tuesday
5
3
25
Cats
Mission
Sharing
Not the musical, the calendar.
Efforts underway to help Ruth & Naomi’s.
Community effort for Christmas sharing.
News
News
Life
Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R • F O U N D E D I N 1 8 9 1 • W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M • T U E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 4 , 2 0 1 2
Input critical to shaping city’s future: Lum
■ C HAMPIONSHIP T RY
Official Community Plan under review Jennifer Feinberg The Progress
Hey, Chilliwack, can we talk? The year-long conversation about how the city should grow over the next few decades is starting to happen — albeit slowly. The Official Community Plan review process initiated by City of Chilliwack has been underway for about a month, with participation from the public starting to trickle in. Councillor Jason Lum has attended some of the OCP events so far, and he’s encouraged to see numbers on the rise. “We would definitely like to see more participation.” Lum said it’s important for the community to realize that this is their chance to shape the new OCP, arguably the city’s most important planning document, with their feedback. “Now is the time to be proactive, and offer input to the city about priorities, which is more productive than being reactive down the line,” he said. Residents can attend community meetings slated for three rural areas this week: Yarrow Community Hall (Dec. 3), Greendale Fire Hall (Dec. 5) and Rosedale Community School (Dec. 6). Getting ample feedback during this process is “critical” for city planners and council alike, Lum pointed out. “Finding out what people think is important,” he said. “It’s illuminating. Plus there are many creative ways to participate.” Continued: OCP/ p4
The
The G.W. Graham Grizzlies raise their helmets and thank their fans after the Grade 8 Provincial Championship game at BC Place Stadium Saturday morning. The home team lost 26-28 to the Notre Dame Jugglers. See story, page 31. And for an online slideshow, go to theprogress.com. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
BC Conservatives to name Chilliwack candidate soon Robert Freeman The Progress
BC Conservatives say they’ll announce a provincial election candidate for the Chilliwack riding in early January. Kristy Fredericks, the party’s communications director, would not name the candidate Monday, but said he is a “pretty wellknown” male in the riding. Three BC Conservative candidates were announced Monday in Kelowna-Mission, Westside
Kelowna and Peace River South. Fredericks said the party expects to have candidates in all the interior ridings, some of the north and a “good portion” of the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland in the next six to eight weeks. “Good nominees are coming forward,” she said, and the party expects to have candidates in all 85 ridings except Delta South, which is held by Vicki Huntington, an independent MLA with strong conservative credentials. The Chilliwack riding has been
Town Butcher “where quality meets community”
46298 YALE ROAD, CHILLIWACK (CORNER OF WILLIAMS & YALE)
www.thetownbutcher.com
$1.25
MON-SAT, 10 - 6 & SUNDAYS 1 - 5 • (Sun, Dec 23: 10-5, Xmas Eve: 9am-3pm) 12/12T TB4
a hotbed of political activity since long-time BC Liberal MLA John Les announced his decision in August to leave politics. John Martin, who ran for the BC Conservatives in the ChilliwackHope byelection last April to replace BC Liberal MLA Barry Penner, has jumped to the BC Liberals and is now that party’s acclaimed candidate in Chilliwack. Laurie Throness, the BC Liberal candidate in the April byelection, is again the party’s acclaimed candidate in Chilliwack-Hope.
Book Your Local JD Farms Turkey & Gelderman Farms Ham • Beautiful custom cuts for the holidays • Party platters • Homemade Sausages • Homemade Appies • Gift Baskets
NDP MLA Gwen O’Mahony currently holds the ChilliwackHope riding. She won the byelection followed by Throness and Martin in third place. Dennis Adamson, Yale area director at the Fraser Valley Regional District, is so far the only announced candidate for the NDP nomination in Chilliwack. At least two more potential candidates are eyeing the NDP nomination, now set for January 19. rfreeman@theprogress.com twitter.com/paperboy2