The Chilliwack 18
Progress Thursday
30
Community
22
Scene
Garden
Up Lifting
Harrison
Water
Legion members get gift of a lift.
Rock Moran returns for Harrison Fest.
Don’t let the heat stress your plants.
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 H U R S D AY, J U LY 4 , 2 0 1 3
Former mayors unite for better flood protection
Surrey duo arrested in Canada Day bomb plot
■ D ECKED O UT I N C ANADA ’ S C OLOURS
Jeff Nagel Black Press
Jennifer Feinberg The Progress
Spend the millions now to prevent billions of dollars in flood losses. That was the message delivered by former mayors of Chilliwack, Abbotsford and the District of Kent Wednesday as they warned residents that this part of the Fraser River is particularly vulnerable to flooding. “Not enough” is being done they said, by all levels of government, to protect property, utilities and infrastructure from sudden, massive flooding, like that seen recently in Calgary and High River. Catastrophic flooding in Alberta was the catalyst that prompted the retired mayors to meet over coffee at Jimmy’s in Chilliwack. They called for a coordinated, and multi-stakeholder approach to flood prevention. “Every year we kind of get lucky,” said John Les, former Chilliwack Mayor, as well as a former MLA and cabinet minister. “But one of these years, a storm is going to just keep on coming.” Les was B.C. Solicitor General the last time Chilliwack had a serious flood scare in 2007. The computer modelling indicated a serious problem was on its way. The water was rising and only a big rainstorm abruptly changing directions, and heading north, saved the area from flooding, he said. But Chilliwack could end up with 26 feet of water again, like it saw during the flood of 1894. “No one is saying that can’t happen again,” Les added. The Calgary situation brought all the local challenges to light again. Some might suggest the meeting was motivated by support for gravel removal from the Fraser, where no gravel has been removed since 2010. Is it still all about gravel? “That is only part of it,” replied Les. What is needed is better threat assessment studies, more dike upgrades, and more efforts to protect the bridges, highways, power lines, railway lines, and pipelines that crisscross the region. Former Abbotsford Mayor George Ferguson said he remembered the devastation of the Flood of 1948, when it took three months just to get the power going again. “Today if we don’t have power, we’re dead,” he said, adding the pumps wouldn’t work to pull the water away.
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Madison Boivin, 3, waves to children’s performer Rosie Ribbonstar while sitting with friend Sydney Viktora, 2, and behind them mom Angela Brace and 20-month-old sister Melodie Boivin during the Canada Day celebrations at The Landing on Monday. For more photos, see page 23.. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
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Two Surrey residents accused of planting pressure cooker bombs outside the B.C. legislature on Canada Day are described by police as “Al-Qaeda-inspired” but “self-radicalized.” B.C. RCMP arrested John Stewart Nuttall and Amanda Marie Korody in Abbotsford at 2 p.m. Monday afternoon after a five-month investigation that began in February. The alleged homegrown terror plot is similar to that of the Boston Marathon bombers, who used pressure cooker bombs to send shrapnel through the crowd near the race’s finish line on April 15. RCMP seized three explosive devices made from pressure cookers that contained nails, bolts, nuts and washers that were placed on the legislative assembly grounds. Nuttall, 38 and Korody, 29, are charged with making or possessing an explosive device, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and knowingly facilitating terrorist activity. “These individuals were inspired by Al-Qaeda ideology,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner James Malizia said. “Our investigation has determined this was a domestic threat without international linkages.” Continued: TERROR/ p4
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