Tuesday August 13, 2013 (Vol. 38 No. 65)
V O I C E
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Royal recipient: Tatyana Smetheram has been named Miss White Rock. The 16-year-old Earl Marriott Secondary student will lead the White Rock Ambassadors as they volunteer in their community for the next year. › see page 15
Undefeated All-Stars miss berth at World Series, while Renegades ’97 take softball crown
Agony, thrill for top teams at nationals Nick Greenizan Staff Reporter
The championship run is over for White Rock’s boys of summer, but the city’s girls are just getting started. The White Rock All-Stars’ baseball season came to an abrupt end Sunday in Nova Scotia, one game shy of the Little League World Series, after a 5-1 loss to Ontario in the Canadian Little League Championships final. Meanwhile, just a few hundred kilometres
away in Prince Edward Island, the White Rock Renegades ’97 were victorious in their national fastpitch final, claiming a Canadian U16 title after a 3-1 win over Calgary Kaizen. The Renegades ’97 are the first of a handful of local teams taking aim at a national crown this month – the Canadian U18 championships, as well as the national U14 jamboree, are both set to hit the field in coming days. “I said a few weeks ago that our teams have a shot to win in all (the national champion-
ships),” said White Rock Renegades president Greg Timm. “This is a good start.” While the Peninsula natives were celebrating in O’Leary, P.E.I. Sunday, the mood was more sombre further east in Glace Bay, N.S, as the White Rock All-Stars packed up their baseball gear and headed for home, rather than for a trip south to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. Until that point, White Rock had gone 7-0 in the tournament and were undefeated at
provincials and district championships, too. “It’s very disappointing, and the boys were pretty emotional after – we all know how close we came (to advancing),” said White Rock coach Jeff Crossley. “But at the end of the day, it was a great run and we’re really proud of the kids. It’ll probably take them a little longer to reflect on this experience, but they’ll bounce back.” For more on both the All-Stars and the Renegades, see page 25.
Stepping in considered
Other cities on board
Coal-train crusaders pick up steam
Mayor ponders sea fest Alex Browne Staff Reporter
White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin says the city is prepared to open a dialogue with the Community of Lights Events Society on becoming a partner in the Spirit of the Sea Festival, if only on a temporary basis. In an email to Peace Arch News late Friday, Baldwin said “it would seem that the festival is in need of a boost, and it may be time for the city to become a partner – at least as an interim step.” “We will discuss this with the society, and if there is a mutual appetite to engage in a partnership, our council can consider funding for the city’s participation as a new initiative for next year when we examine the 2014 budget in the fall.” Society president Matt Todd said after the August long-weekend event he received community criticism focusing on a scaled-down festival and a truncated parade that some say disappointed residents and out-of-town guests. Some also expressed concern to to PAN that the festival reflected poorly on the city. › see page 2
Grandview Corners Unit 30, 2438 160th Avenue
604-385-4800 First Come First Served
Alex Browne Staff Reporter
Arms race
Boaz Joseph photo
Swimmers cut through the water Sunday during the first leg of the Crescent Beach Triathlon. The event – also featuring bike and run portions – had been dormant since 2007 and returned this year as an unsanctioned “exercise.” Organizers hope to stage an official race in 2014.
Communities and Coal is gaining momentum in its opposition to the proposed Direct Coal Transfer Facility at Fraser Surrey Docks. That’s the word from Ocean Park resident Paula Williams, co-organizer of the grassroots network of South Surrey residents, who said it managed to gain 7,600 signatures for its petition in its first 18 days of canvassing. ❝We’ve had “It’s picking up,” she said. some negative “People are feedback, calling waking up. I people from South don’t think Surrey NIMBYs… they realized We don’t want it before what for anyone.❞ this was all about.” Paula Williams The group’s campaign about perceived health and quality-of-life impacts from thermal-coal dust from trains coming from the U.S. – set to double if the new transfer facility is approved by Port Metro Vancouver – started with a town-hall meeting in Ocean Park six weeks ago. › see page 2
GRAND OPENING!
See page 4
FREE HAIRCUTS THIS SATURDAY FROM 9:30-6 Donations Welcome to Support
Local Produce Season has arrived at Kin’s!