Tuesday
December 10, 2013 (Vol. 38 No. 99)
V O I C E
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W H I T E
R O C K
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S O U T H
S U R R E Y
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Riparian repairs: Volunteers from conservation organization nization A Rocha got more than their handss dirty at Semiahmoo Stables last month in order to preserve and protect Sam Hill Creek k and the surrounding area. i see ee page 13
Surrey councillor says White Rock mayor – not Surrey mayor – brought up idea of rail realignment
Tracks to remain for ‘foreseeable future’ Alex Browne Staff Reporter
Supporters of moving the BNSF tracks from White Rock and South Surrey’s waterfront should not expect it to happen any time soon. That’s the message from both Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and Coun. Mary Martin – while White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin acknowledges there is Coun. Mary Martin no specific proposal before either the
federal or provincial government. In an emailed response to a letter from Morgan Creek resident Anthony Rose (who also addressed concerns about the effects of a realignment on his neighbourhood in a letter to Peace Arch News published Dec. 5), Martin said realignment “will not happen in the near future, nor in the foreseeable future. “Mayor Watts’ only concerns are for the safety of the rail shipments, in par-
ticular the crossing at Crescent Beach. It was Mayor Baldwin who brought up the idea of the realignment.” Both mayors told PAN last month that Watts approached Baldwin in August to discuss the matter. Watts spoke at a Nov. 26 City of Surrey community forum, where she presented four options for relocating the BNSF route in other areas of her city, however Monday she said the forum was “about
Family asks city for a sign
beginning the conversation.” Moving the line, Watts said, “would be a lengthy process, without a doubt.” While information on realignment is being gathered in an overall study of railsafety issues, the primary focus is ensuring the current route is safe, she said. “The realignment conversation is secondary to the conversation around safety issues,” Watts said. i see page 2
Multiple heart surgeries
Patient’s ‘spirit is amazing’
A sound argument Kevin Diakiw Black Press
Fighting for his four-year-old granddaughter, Richard Landale wants something very simple from the City of Surrey – a small sign alerting traffic that there’s deaf kids at play. Landale appeared before the transportation committee last week – his second visit to the group over the issue – to put forward the argument that his granddaughter will be safer with a sign on the street in both directions. Kate Bishop lost her hearing when she was a year old (see sidebar). Landale is afraid that as she grows, she won’t hear traffic coming near their home in the 1200-block of 161A Street. Kate’s mom was unable to argue the case to the city’s transportation committee Dec. 2, but Landale is happy to pick up the fight. He told the committee there are hundreds of signs throughout Surrey warning drivers of potential hazards, including children at play, school zones, cyclists, etc. – “even deer crossing.” Surely, he argued, a deaf child deserves the same effort to create a safe environment. City staff noted several other nearby cities examined the issue of signs for the deaf and ruled it out, primarily because the signs don’t change the behaviour of drivers. One city that had them is now taking them down, staff said. Kate’s mother, Alexandria, said the family would happily pay for signage and alert the city when it’s no longer needed. The transportation committee referred the issue to engineering staff for more study. Landale was content with the consideration. “I’ve had a quality hearing,” Landale said after the meeting. “When I get a final ‘no’, I’m going to make it personal.”
Sarah Massah
F
Staff Reporter
Evan Seal photo
Kate Bishop, 4, was born with a heart defect and is also dealing with progressive hearing loss. Home of:
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ocused on the cartoon playing on the iPad propped up on the kitchen counter, four-year-old Kate Bishop giggles and squeals as the characters jump around on screen. The sound is turned down, but Kate doesn’t mind. To someone who had just met the carefree South Surrey toddler, it would be hard to believe that in her short life she has endured three open-heart surgeries – with two more expected in the future – after being born with a rare defect called truncus arteriosus. “We went into survival mode,” Kate’s mother, Alexandria, recalled of finding out about the cardiovascular anomaly. “We went numb and just dealt with the situation.” Kate’s first open-heart surgery was scheduled when she was just six weeks old. Instead of having a separate pulmonary artery and aorta, each with their own three-leafed valves, Kate only had one great blood vessel – or trunk – leaving the heart, which then branches into blood vessels that go to the lungs and body. Doctors created a connection between the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteries using a valved conduit. i see page 2
The Freshest Holiday Treat! Korean Mandarins are now available!
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