IS THERE A TRAFFIC STORM BREWING?
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LIVING IN THE AGE OF MOCKERY
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COUNCIL SAYS NO TO JUMBOTRON
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FRIDAY
DECEMBER 7 2012 www.newwestnewsleader.com
Local photographer gets noticed in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. See Page A3
Honour House gets rezoning Neighbours worried what change could mean for quiet neighbourhood Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
ARTHUR SIMPKINS.COM/CONTRIBUTED
A rainbow delighted many in New Westminster on Tuesday, particularly when it turned into a double band later in the day.
‘Missed opportunity’ for board: Cook New chair Ewen accuses Cook of ‘cheap politics’ Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
The New Westminster school board missed “a perfect opportunity” to come together when it appointed two trustees—who are also teachers—to the lead positions, says a trustee. With chair James Janzen stepping
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down, long-time trustee Michael Ewen, a Surrey teacher who had been the vice chair, was acclaimed to take over for 2013. Jonina Campbell, a teacher in Richmond first elected to the board last November, was chosen to be vice chair by secret ballot, beating out second-term trustee Casey Cook. Ewen, Campbell, Janzen and David Phelan, a teacher in Coquitlam, were endorsed by the
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New Westminster and District Labour Council while Cook, Lisa Graham and MaryAnn Mortensen, ran under the Voice New Westminster banner. “They have the majority, and I understand that,” said Cook. “It’s not a mystery they would get the chair. I thought the times and the circumstances and the need for working together called for joint decision making and joint access to
decision making so I let my name stand for vice chair. I thought it was a perfect opportunity for us to come together. However it’s very clear it’s about power and it’s about control, and not about capitalizing on joint opportunities on decision making.” Cook said the board’s chair and vice chair liaise with senior district staff to set priorities and agendas for board meetings. Please see CAMPBELL, A5
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Honour House has received a change to its zoning from New Westminster city council despite concerns raised by next door neighbours. The rezoning changes the property at 509 St. George St. from single detached home to comprehensive development, to make the existing legally non-conforming use of the site conform. Honour House, opened last year, provides a place for military, veterans and first responders and their families to stay while receiving medical treatment in the area. It was previously used as an adult mental health facility. A report to council said the change will remove the restrictions placed on the operations for its lawful nonconforming status and allow alterations without the need for the Honour House Society to be required to request grandfathered status every time. See NEIGHBOURS, A4