Health Care Who do you trust, chemist or cow? p6
Most cyber-bullying intended as joke. p3
THE NEws
Sports Minor hockey ousts its president. p33
www.mapleridgenews.com Friday, February 22, 2013 · serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows · est. 1978 · 604-467-1122 · 50¢
speirs lobbies for medical pot Former councillor wants to retain dispensaries, legal grows by M oni sha M ar t in s staff reporter
A former councillor for the District of Maple Ridge is throwing his support behind a local medical cannabis dispensary by voicing concern about changes proposed by Health Canada. “The fear is that given the federal government’s prejudice against anything that might hint of legalization, they will make it more difficult and a lot more expensive for sick people to access the medicine that works for them,” said Craig Speirs. “It isn’t in anyone’s best interest to make criminals of sick people or those who are growing and dispensing their medicine.” The federal government is poised to Colleen Flanagan/the news eliminate licensed medical marijuana grow ops in homes that have long been criticized for safety concerns and conTAGGS founder Michael Joinson (left) and former Maple Ridge councillor and federal NDP candidate Craig Speirs are encouraging others to comment on the nections to the illegal drug trade. changes proposed by Health Canada regarding medical marijuana before the deadline, Feb. 28. see Marijuana, p8
Speak up
Out with the old, in with the new S tor y by Phil Melnychuk
Y Colleen Flanagan/the news
Grant and Erin Balfour are looking for a new location for their bakery.
ou’ll still be able to get those happy face cookies, the ones with the shiny icing that change colour with the seasons – red for Valentine’s Day, orange at Halloween, and blue with player numbers for the Canucks’ faithful. Those happy face cookies are almost legendary, says Haney Bakery owner Grant Balfour. He even ships them to Mexico, Texas and Greece. But he’s not sporting such a smile
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these days. Come April, his customers will have to go to another spot in the mall or a new downtown location as Balfour, after 26 years, received notice that he has to be out of his current spot in Haney Place Mall by March 31. “Six weeks to find somewhere, to have it wired, plumbed,” flooring installed and drywalled. “It’s just mind boggling,” he says. Balfour has leased space at the east end of the mall since 1987, most recently on a yearly basis. Last year, he tried to renew for an-
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other year, but only got a monthto-month lease. Then Friday he got a letter from mall owner Narland that he has to vacate his space and do so within six weeks. “We haven’t done anything, I think, to deserve that.” The bakery has been a loyal tenant, he added, always paying its rent, and drawing people to that part of the mall. Balfour and his staff of eight, some who’ve been with him for 20 years, make cream puffs and cinnamon buns, Scotch pies, Cor-
nish pasties and homemade bread. They’ve seen stores like Safeway and others come and go. Now, with renovations and the opening of Thrifty Foods and more changes as Target readies to arrive, the mall is starting to thrive, and he’s been told he has to move. Balfour doesn’t want to guess why, although he says Narland offered him another spot in the mall Wednesday. Any relocation requires moving equipment, including a large oven that he doubts would survive a move. see Bakery, p13
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