WHAT IMPACT WILL WALMART #2 HAVE?
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IT’S GOOD WE’RE ALL GETTING DENSE
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AUTO THEFTS DOWN 86% IN NEW WEST
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FRIDAY
APRIL 4 2014 www.newwestnewsleader.com
Former NDP candidate Steve McClurg has passed away. See Page A5
Hume Park faces axe again Mario Bartel
photo@newwestnewsleader.com
MARIO BARTEL/NEWSLEADER
Kara-Leigh Bloch, of the Senior Services Society in New Westminster, checks out one of the apartments it has available as temporary housing for seniors going through crisis. Bloch says the society maintains 20 such apartments around Metro Vancouver but the program is in peril because the United Way is not renewing its contract to provide $300,000 in funding for it.
Seniors’ shelter program loses funding Part of United Way cutbacks across region Mario Bartel
photo@newwestnewsleader.com
United Way has cut funding to a program that helps seniors in a crisis find a place to live. It means some of them will be out on the street, according to a local agency that delivered the service. The United Way funding paid for a temporary shelter program. The program costs about $300,000 a year, said Kara-Leigh
Bloch, executive director of Senior Bloch said the society had hoped Services Society. to expand to 30 apartments this It provides year. But with emergency their contract accommodation with United Way to seniors who terminated as of Leo might otherwise be I had a lot of people help me March 1, 2015, that homeless. It began as out. I was so distressed. Now won’t happen. a pilot project seven I’m taking care of myself. That means years ago with one seniors with mental apartment. health issues, The society now rents 20 units financial hardship or going through in various BC Housing buildings a crisis could end up homeless, said in Burnaby, New West and other Bloch. Metro Vancouver communities. “The sad reality is there’s pretty
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prevalent groups of homeless that are aging every day,” said Bloch. In fact, there’s such a need, she said, her society had to turn away more than 263 seniors in need of temporary shelter last year. One senior who did get help was Leo (he asked his last name not be used). Leo was 83 when a dispute with his wife of 48 years landed him in hospital with burns to his ankle from scalding water. Please see ‘IT ISN’T REALISTIC’, A4
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The New Westminster school district’s budget woes could be the death blow for Hume Park elementary. District superintendent John Gaiptman recommended to the school board at its meeting Tuesday that it consider shutting the regular education programs at the school on July 1. Gaiptman said with only 23 students enrolled at the school this year, and fewer forecast for next year, there are educational as well as financial reasons to close the school. The small student body means the school’s two teachers are teaching six grades. Gaiptman said a letter was sent home to parents advising them of his intentions prior to the meeting and two of them attended to speak. “We have excellent schools in New West, and parents want to keep their schools open,” said Gaiptman. “The question is whether or not it still remains viable with the numbers.” Please see HUME, A3