Thursday March 13, 2014 (Vol. 39 No. 21)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Through his lens: South Surrey photographer Brian Giebelhaus documents life-changing operations performed on dozens of patients in Cambodia. i see page 11
Gateway Casinos plans to proceed with Newton venture as planned
Surrey wants to yank slot machines Kevin Diakiw Black Press
Surrey is moving to pull the plugs on Newton slot machines, after the company running them missed a deadline for construction work. Mayor Dianne Watts told her colleagues at council on Monday that the city will call the BC Lottery Corporation and request they pull the 150 one-armed bandits at the
Newton Square Country Bingo Hall, at 7093 King George Blvd. However, a Gateway Casinos and Entertainment spokesperson said the next day that the gaming firm is planning to proceed with development as planned. The challenge, Tanya Gabara said, is getting the necessary permits from the city. The mayor had said Gateway’s deadline was missed under its Project Development
Agreement (PDA), breaching its conditions to have slots at the bingo hall. The PDA states that “Gateway will obtain a building permit by May 1, 2013 and thereafter proceed with construction in a timely manner through to completion of a redevelopment of the existing Newton Bingo Hall site,” according to a 2012 corporate report to council. Two building permits and two demolition permits have been issued, city sources
say. The demolition on two buildings has been partially done, but construction hasn’t occurred at the site. It’s on that fact that Surrey is hinging its argument of a breach and demanding the slot machines be removed. Asked if Watts is willing to go court if BCLC refuses, the mayor said she would wait for the lottery corporation’s response. i see page 5
Silence greets motion
Watts ‘focuses on present’
‘Reluctant’ crackdown on medical marijuana
Mayoral bid floated by Hepner
Tracy Holmes
Kevin Diakiw
Staff Reporter
Black Press
White Rock council has finalized amendments that prohibit medical-marijuana operations in the city. Following a brief discussion Monday night, council unanimously supported (with Coun. Larry Robinson absent) giving third and final readings to changes proposed for omnibus Bylaw 2000. But the decision appeared to be a reluctant one. Mayor Wayne Baldwin’s call for a motion on the amendments was initially met with silence. Then, the recommendation was quietly moved by Coun. Bill Lawrence. When there was no response to Baldwin’s call for a seconder on the motion, the mayor himself answered that call. Similar silence – and awkward glances – followed Baldwin’s call for shows of support and opposition. With no opposition expressed, the motion was deemed to receive unanimous support. Coun. Helen Fathers attributed the silence to the controversial nature of the topic and the general lack of understanding around it. i see page 5
At least one Surrey councillor is gauging what support she has in a potential run for the mayor’s chair should it become vacant, Black Press has learned. Coun. Linda Hepner has been making the rounds asking community members if she could have their support in a mayoral run in this November’s civic election. The request is con- Dianne Watts mayor tingent on Mayor Dianne Watts – Hepner’s Surrey First running mate – not running this year. Other councillors are also considering the possibility should Watts’ seat become vacant. Watts has said previously she would not serve more than three terms as mayor and proposed imposing term limits of nine years. This is her third term as mayor. She was first elected in 2005. When asked Tuesday if she would be running for mayor this year, Watts said she’s focusing on the present. i see page 4
Page turner
Tracy Holmes photo
Rotarian Virginia Lange (right) organizes books that were up for grabs at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre last week, during the Rotary Club of White Rock’s 32nd annual sale. Proceeds – just over $36,000 – will boost efforts for an elevator at Sources food bank.
Hate CPAP? Change forced air into natural air with an oral appliance
WE CAN HELP!
Dr. Michael Layton is your local dental sleep medicine provider in partnership with *extended medical plans
1-855-43-SNORE #210, 15321 - 16th Avenue Surrey • 778.736.0116
VISIT US ON THE WEB: REAL ESTATE • STRATA MANAGEMENT www.hughmckinnon.com COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT HOUSE RENTALS 604-531-1909