8 -- Friday, February 22, 2013 -- THE NEWS - www.mapleridgenews.com
Tax Exemption Notice Proposed Tax Exemption Notice for 11406 & 11414 205 Street MAPLE RIDGE HERITAGE DESIGNATION AND REVITALIZATION AND TAX EXEMPTION AGREEMENT BYLAW 6962-2012 Notice is given under Section 227 of the Community Charter that the Council of the District of Maple Ridge intends to consider a bylaw to exempt the following properties from property taxation for a term of 5 years.
LEGAL: Lots 649 & 650, District Lot 279, Plan 2180 LOCATION: 11406 & 11414 205 Street OWNERS: Leanne Koehn and James Rowley PURPOSE: To exempt the above-noted properties from taxation under Section 225 of the Community Charter. The proposed tax exemption would be for a 5 year period. REASON: The proposed tax exemption is being considered in connection with a Heritage Revitalization Agreement and a Municipal Heritage Designation that will protect the heritage character of the buildings known as the Whitehead Residence, and the lands on which they are located, in perpetuity. The Whitehead Residence and associated lands have been identified by the District as a site containing significant heritage value to the community. ESTIMATE: The amount of taxes that would be imposed on the properties if they were not exempt is estimated to be: $4,081 for the year in which the proposed exemption is to take effect, $4,224 in 2014 and $4,372 in 2015. For further information, please contact Adrian Kopystynski, Planning Department at akopystynski@mapleridge.ca or 604 467 7330. 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9 Tel: 604-463-5221 • Fax: 604-467-7329
www.mapleridge.ca
Love theatre? Check out The ACT for amazing performances. theactmapleridge.org
Marijuana from front
By March 31, 2014, all current licences to possess or produce marijuana will expire and a new system of federally regulated commercial producers who supply authorized users with prescriptions from doctors will take its place. Speirs has kept an eye on TAGGS Dispensary since it first opened downtown Maple Ridge in 2009. “I haven’t heard one complaint about it,” he said. Three years later, the dispensary has attracted 1,090 members, but operates in a legal grey area since cannabis compassion clubs are not licensed by Health Canada. Under the proposed changes, such clubs are expected to be licensed. However, details about whether they will be allowed to dispense marijuana are scant. As a steady stream of patients walked in and out of the dispensary on Thursday, Speirs hoped Health Canada won’t meddle with a model
that he believes is clearly working. The patients at TAGGS ranged in age from their early 20s to late 60s and were purchasing a variety of strains of marijuana, both in edible and plant forms. “The dispensary model has eased the suffering of many desperately ill people,” said Speirs, who ran federally for the New Democrats during the last election. “It’s a model that is working and it would be a mistake to dismantle the present system and ignore the collective knowledge the dispensary system has gathered. It needs to be embraced by local government and the federal government. It needs to be normalized.” He also believes that phasing out personal production licenses will only push growers underground. “Medical grow ops will continue to be popular because of simple economics and the patients need to have control of the quality and providence of their medicine,” said Speirs, noting the growing, processing and
Divorce e It often means more than just the end of a marriage.
Open HOuse every saturday in February 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Competitive Prices 15% Senior Discount
Dataccount Services Inc.
Year Round Accounting & Bookkeeping Service
Monthly, Quarterly or Annual Financial Statements Payroll, & HST
#200-11830 223rd St. Maple Ridge, BC
BUDGETAX 604-463-7125 Unit 102 22325 McIntosh Ave., Maple Ridge
Income Tax Services
And now they’re ready for the next step. They took their first whirl around the dance floor in 1948 and have been kicking up their heels ever since. When they started looking for retirement living options, they were pleased to find out that Chartwell Retirement Residences offers active lifestyle programs like their signature Rhythm n’ Moves class. And while they are enjoying a busy lifestyle today, they appreciate the peace of mind in knowing that Chartwell offers flexibility and choice to help with changing care needs in the future. Until that time, they’ll continue to follow where the music leads in their new home.
SUITES AVAILABLE! BEST PRICES AROUND! #208 - $1899 • #214 - $1999 #216 - $1999 • #406 - $1999 Call us today for details!
Over whelmed? Let us relieve the stress....
Jeff Thorsteinsson Thorsteinsson & Co. Barristers & Solicitors 300-906 Roderick Ave., Coquitlam, BC
invested money in growing their own medicine and now they want to take that away from them,” he said. Joinson points to a dispensary customer who acquired a production license last year and has spent $33,000 to create a safe growing room. The room was inspected by the municipality, which made sure wiring and construction were up to code. “Under the new rules, he’s going to lose everything,” said Joinson. “That’s just crazy.” Ideally, Joinson wants non-profit compassion clubs to be endorsed by Health Canada and finally move out of legal limbo. Joinson and Speirs intend to express their concerns to local Conservative member of parliament Randy Kamp during a meeting set to take place next week. Both are encouraging others to comment on the proposed changes before the deadline of Feb. 28. “We can’t continue to fight for medical marijuana through the courts,” said Speirs.
It must be tax time!
Before you make any decisions, ensure that you understand your rights and obligations. Divorce, mediation, property division, maintenance, custody y and access.
604-527-1001
dispensing of medical marijuana will create more jobs. “The underground cannabis industry in B.C. presently employs over 200,000 people – none of whom pay taxes.” For TAGGS, the uncertainty surrounding the proposed changes is stressful – not just for those who run the dispensary, but also patients. “I’m afraid for our members,” said Kim Baird, who manages TAGGS. “They rely on us.” The new system – which also ends government production of medical pot – is expected to come at a sharply higher cost for the nearly 26,000 users authorized to possess medical marijuana. The price of medical marijuana from Health Canada should rise to $8.80 cents a gram; it currently ranges from $1.80 to $5 a gram. TAGGS founder Michael Joinson knows the current rules are not working, but has many concerns about the new ones being proposed. “We have people who’ve
BY ND ER MA OV DE LD AR HE PUL PO
Liz and Frank never missed a beat...
‘Start healing’
12275 224th St Maple Ridge Call us today to arrange our personal visit.
604-466-8602
purchase
1 PAIR of GLASSES and get
Sunglasses PRESCRIPTION
50
%
off
*1st pair regular priced product, must be same prescription and lens style in both. Promotion ends February 28
Dr. Schnarr • Dr. Trotter • Dr. Gill • Dr. Bains
22320 Brown Ave., Maple Ridge, BC
chartwell.com www.eyedoctorsmapleridge.ca
604.463.7127