Former victim now bully prooFing
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smart meter deniers’ last stand
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want a Fitness challenge?
wednesday
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can you read and follow a recipe? saddle up—you might be ready to get something brewing. See Page a8
January 23 2013 www.newwestnewsleader.com
Council eyes 1.9% tax increase Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
MarIO BarTEL/nEWSLEaDEr
employees and supporters of the paramount make their own point across sixth avenue from a protest against the club organized by students from coquitlam.
Strip club owner was ‘blindsided’ Says student protesters should consider both sides of the debate Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
The owner of the Paramount Gentlemen’s Club in New Westminster says he was “blindsided” by a petition initiated by Coquitlam high school students to have his establishment closed down. Steven Mountford is upset Social Justice 12 classes at Dr. Charles Best secondary did not contact him
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to get the other side of the story. During the women’s studies portion of the course, teacher Ken Ipe said the 60 students studied “the negative effects of stripping, prostitution and pornography.” As part of their final project the students chose a course of action they hope will result in New Westminster council closing the strip club down, but city officials say that’s not possible. The students gathered Saturday afternoon on the southwest corner of Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street to collect signatures for a petition. The first Mountford heard about the
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petition was when the media came calling Thursday. “I believe in everyone’s freedom of speech and right to protest, first and foremost. But to date no one from the school has contacted me to open a dialogue,” said Mountford. “I find it kind of appalling if you’re in an education system and you don’t [present the other side]. It doesn’t make sense to me.” The Paramount has 15 to 30 dancers working the main stage, VIP rooms and private rooms. Mountford said he has owned the establishment, which does not serve
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liquor, for 10 years and it has been open for nearly 20. “We serve juice, we’re one block from the police station. In 10 years we’ve never had a problem here,” said Mountford. “I’m a little disturbed someone’s coming from Coquitlam to bother an establishment that has been here for 20 years.” Mountford said the students are going after regular people who have mortgages, car payments and child care costs to meet, and they’re all concerned for their jobs. please see TOuGh, a4
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New Westminster is proposing a property tax increase of under two per cent for 2013. In a report to council Monday, city finance director Gary Holowatiuk said the proposed budget would not require an increase, except council has asked that money be set aside for future civic projects such as renovating or replacing the Canada Games Pool and the Massey Theatre. In addition, there will be initial staff costs for the new Anvil Centre in 2013. For the first time, the city’s operating budget is targeted to hit nine figures this year, at $100.7 million compared to $98.3 million the year before. That’s what will be required to provide ongoing municipal services including police, fire, parks, recreation, culture, engineering and libraries. Of the $2.4 million difference between 2012 and 2013, $1.3 million will go to an increase in amortization, and the remaining $1.1 million is for increases in salaries, benefits, training, contracted services, supplies, materials, and debt servicing costs which includes the expanded Queensborough Community Centre. please see PIEr, a3