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HEALTH FAIR
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42 Friday, January 10, 2014
SERVING MISSION SINCE 1908
Councillor alleges conflict of interest Tilbury cites colleague’s lease of downtown building Carol Aun MISSION RECORD
Mission is lifting its ban on barge loading along the Fraser River.
During Monday night’s council meeting, Coun. Nelson Tilbury said Coun. Dave Hensman appeared to have had a conflict of interest because he had “acquired an interest” in a former pool hall located on the southeast corner of First Avenue and Welton Street. The property is located at 33212 First Avenue, which is about block away from the former Buy Low building, recently purchased by the city. “This location is at ground zero for the centre thrust of the revitalization for the city,” said Tilbury. “All of us have been working for a long time on this process with a very keen interest in this intersection. The purchase of the old Buy Low building was made behind closed doors and only a few had any knowledge of the location of the thrust.” Tilbury said that Hensman had such knowledge. “Proper investigation and clarification is required here,” said Tilbury, noting the Community Charter states that if a council member had a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a matter, then the member must not vote or be a part of any discussion related to it. Tilbury told The Record he brought the issue CONTINUED ON 2
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Barge loading ban to be lifted Additional river traffic would reduce truck traffic Carol Aun MISSION RECORD
Mission council is taking steps to increase traffic on the Fraser River by amending its industrial general zone to include barge loading as a permitted use. The move will take trucks off the roads, create more good paying jobs, and conform the existing properties that have barge loading facilities, said Mayor Ted Adlem, who directed staff to look into the issue last summer. Mission banned barge loading along its waterfront
in 2007, but five properties along the Fraser River were grandfathered. Two of those properties are located in the old industrial area of town and three are in Silverdale, but not all are operational. Currently, sawdust, coal and aggregate are being loaded onto barges from Mission. “Towing with a tug boat is more environmentally friendly than running hundreds of trucks on the road,” said Adlem. “It has been difficult for them to get financing when you’re dealing with (legal
non-conforming) properties,” said Coun. Larry Nundal. Coun. Nelson Tilbury agreed these property owners have been treated “poorly” and he would like to welcome back the ones who have left to invest in other communities. When the new zoning is in place, any one with property from Hatzic to Silverdale along the river can apply, and council will look at each application individually. The proponent would still need environmental approvals from federal and provincial
governments and go through a public hearing. Ernie Catherwood, owner of Catherwood Towing in Hatzic, said reversing the barge loading ban is a positive move for business and he would be interested in seeking the new zoning. In the last two weeks, Catherwood has had calls from people interested in transporting rocks and scrap iron along the river to other communities. The problem, said Catherwood is “the north side CONTINUED ON 2
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