B.C. Views New Democrat’s survival on line. p6
Driver found 23 GE Bridge toll errors. p3
THE NEWS
Arts&life Sketching an Element of music. p15
www.mapleridgenews.com Wednesday, March 26, 2014 · Serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows · est. 1978 · 604-467-1122 · Delivery: 604-466-6397
Maple Ridge votes to become city Only three opposed in approval process by Phil M elnyc h u k staff reporter
Maple Ridge is on its way to moving from a district to a city after only three voters objected to the idea. The question was put to voters through the alternative approval process, in which a proposal can be defeated if more than 10 per cent object. In Maple Ridge, 5,375 votes would have been required to defeat the idea. But after the March 17 deadline passed and all the response forms were counted, only three were opposed. “I think there’s an assumption that we already are [a city],” Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin said Monday. People now call municipal hall, city hall, he added. “It’s a good move. It’s part of progression of the community, growing, evolving, changing.”
See City, p14 Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin supports the move and says residents will be able to call municipal hall, city hall, if they don’t already do so.
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
Preschool case to tribunal Mom claims son denied enrolment because of physical, mental disabilities by M o n i s h a M a r t i n s staff reporter
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
Jesse Weiser, 3, gets a kiss from his mother, Tanja.
The mother of a diabetic toddler who was turned away from a Maple Ridge preschool because of his emergency pack of peanut butter will continue her fight at the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.
Serving Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows for over 50 Years! 11926 227th Street, Maple Ridge FLOOR & WINDOW COVERINGS
604-467-7221
www.jrfloorsandwindows.ca
In a ruling Thursday, the tribunal rejected Montessori Corner Preschool’s request to dismiss Tanja Weiser’s complaint, allowing it to proceed to a hearing. Weiser filed a complaint on behalf of her three-year-old son, Jesse, after Montessori Corner refused to admit him “to prevent the introduction of hazardous nut allergens into an environment attended by allergic children.” However, Weiser believes the school denied her son enrolment on the basis of his physical and mental disabilities.
Index Opinion Letters District Industry Arts&life Sports Classifieds
Jesse has mild autism and Type 1 or juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. When told about Montessori Corner’s “nut-free” policy, Weiser advised the school that the peanut butter could be replaced with another protein – pudding, yoghurt or pepperoni stick. But when the Weisers called the preschool back to confirm Jesse’s placement, they were told the class was full, but he could be
placed on a waiting list. “His life does not depend on peanut butter,” said Weiser. “But they weren’t willing to work with us or discuss alternatives. I would have had no problem adhering to their no-nut policy.” Weiser claims when her mother called Montessori Corner the next day to inquire about a space, there was an opening. That’s the reason why Weiser believes the preschool rejected her son because of his special needs. See Preschool, p5
westcoastautogroup.com 6 7 8 11 15 17 19
LOCATED AT THE NORTH END OF THE GOLDEN EARS BRIDGE
WEST COAST
TOYOTA
19950 Lougheed Hwy., Pitt Meadows Toll Free
1-866-910-1579
WEST COAST
WEST COAST
20000 Lougheed, Pitt Meadows Toll Free
20370 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge Toll Free
1-866-334-2119
FORD LINCOLN 1-866-772-1929
WEST COAST
NISSAN
19625 Lougheed Hwy., Pitt Meadows Toll Free
1-866-208-8820
WEST COAST
KIA
19950 Lougheed Hwy., Pitt Meadows Toll Free
1-866-334-8581