No parole for killer driver
Local players among Young Stars
page 5
page 16
Tuesday September 3, 2013
Serving Surrey and North Delta www.surreyleader.com
Need Surrey school info? There’s an app for that SchoolLink aims for better communication with parents
The return of
RIVERVIEW?
by Sheila Reynolds NEED TO know if your school is closed due to snow or a power outage? Did you miss photo day? Wonder why the local school is locked down? Or if there’s a reunion coming up? A new free Surrey School District app will allow anyone with a mobile device to keep up-to-date on the latest school news. Called SchoolDoug Strachan Link, the app includes access to general school district announcements and features, but also allows the user to select which individual schools they wish to follow and receive regular and urgent information from. See SCHOOLLINK / Page 3
BLACK PRESS FILE PHOTO
Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam was closed in 2012 with the goal of keeping people in their own communities for mental health care. Now there is a call to reopen the psychiatric facility to help the many people currently falling through the cracks.
Union of B.C. Municipalities: Cities target gaps in care for mentally ill by Jeff Nagel SEVERAL METRO Vancouver cities are criticizing the provincial
government for mishandling care of the mentally ill and some are going so far as to suggest reopening the closed Riverview psychiatric hospital. The issue is being pushed onto the provincial stage at the Sept. 16-20 Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, where multiple resolutions will target inadequate psychiatric care and the knock-on effects for policing and other services. Maple Ridge council is behind the suggested reinstatement of Riverview Hospital, in Coquitlam, as a “modern centre of excellence” for mental health care and support since it has the
Delta Mayor Lois Jackson
necessary infrastructure and a long history. Its resolution argues inadequate treatment and housing for those with mental illness that followed the provincial policy shift from institutional to community care has led to “unacceptably poor outcomes” for B.C.’s neediest citizens and severe financial and social burdens for local cities. Delta Mayor Lois Jackson supports the concept, provided it’s a fully modern incarnation of Riverview and checks and balances are in place to protect patients. It’s time the issue gets a serious airing, she said. “There’s no place to house people to help them get well and get them back to a productive place in society,” Jackson said.
See RIVERVIEW / Page 14
Editorial 6 Letters 7 Sports 16 Classifieds 20
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Soon the
Sniggles will be arriving! An interactive hunt... Great fun for all ages. Watch for our new midweek Play, Sniggle and Eat package!
SEPTEMBER SAVINGS! It’s back…
5 years and under, Midweek Monday through Friday, 10am to 2pm
$5 ADMISSION includes admission and a $ OR Play ’n Eat only 10 kids meal of the month! $5.00
GENERAL ADMISSION Every evening from 7 to 9pm