Thursday June 26, 2014 (Vol. 39 No. 51)
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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Far reach of Rotary: Two South Surrey Rotarians embarked d on a trip to Cambodia to visit an orphanage that their club had provided ed d financial aid for. The trip gave insight into what more could be done. i see page 11
Custom bowling equipment not replaceable, loved ones say
Thief strikes Special Olympian’s dreams Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
Tracy Holmes photo
Keirra Stoneham, set for the national stage.
Keirra Stoneham isn’t fazed when it comes to being the centre of attention. It’s no surprise, given how often the Special Olympian has brought in bowling trophies to show her friends and support circle at Semiahmoo House Society. “She’s very, very proud of her trophies,” said Tiffanny Thomson, a support worker
at Semiahmoo House, which provides programs and support for adults with developmental disabilities. “Everybody supports her.” But as the 26-year-old looks forward to competing in 10-pin bowling for Team B.C. at next month’s Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games (July 8-12) – she qualified by earning gold at last year’s provincials – her game took a hit: someone stole her
customized gear. Leslie Stoneham said the theft of her daughter’s bowling balls, tote bag and shoes hasn’t sunk in yet for Keirra – but she’s sure it soon will. “I think it’s going to hit her when we pack up the gear (for the Games),” said Leslie. “She’s going to say, ‘it’s not mine’.” Keirra has been bowling for about 12 years. i see page 4
Surrey First shakeup
Victim bound in closet
Hepner takes helm
Late-night invitation ends with assault
Kevin Diakiw
Tracy Holmes
Black Press
Linda Hepner sits in a sofa chair in the living room of her comfortable South Surrey home and tells Black Press in an interview what many have suspected for some time. She would announce publicly this week that she’s Surrey First’s choice as a mayor heading into this November’s civic election. The only other contender for the job within the ranks of Surrey First was Coun. Bruce Hayne, who stepped aside and said he was backing Hepner. Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts – who formed Surrey First in 2007 as a coalition of independents – announced in April that she would not seek re-election this fall. Hepner sat down with Black Press on June 2, with the provision the paper not go public with the news until she was ready. Dressed in a black pantsuit, she cups her mug of coffee, and wears an easy smile. She says she’s ready for the battle for the mayor’s chair. (Coun. Barinder Rasode, who quit Surrey First in April, breaking
Staff Reporter
Evan Seal photo
Coun. Linda Hepner will lead Surrey First into the fall election, taking over from retiring leader Dianne Watts. their 2011 sweep, told Black Press at that time that she would be running for mayor as well.) Describing herself as an “experienced senior,” the Fredericton-born woman arrived in Surrey in 1985, when she promptly started work with the city. Beginning as executive
assistant to city manager Mike Jones, Hepner rose through the ranks and became manager of economic development, film and special events. In 2005, she took a leave of absence to run for city council and won a seat, which she’s kept. She says as mayor, she would bring “experience, steadfastness,
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team building and courage” to the table. “It takes a lot of courage to follow in the footsteps of Dianne Watts,” Hepner says of the popular mayor. Hepner says that under Watts’ leadership, the city has taken some “enormous strides.” i see page 5
Two people are facing multiple charges – and police are searching for a third – following an earlymorning assault and robbery in Rosemary Heights Sunday. Cpl. Bert Paquet said police were alerted to the “targeted and isolated” crime just before 3 a.m. June 22, when a resident in the area of 36 Avenue and 152 Street reported seeing three people leaving a residence with their arms full of items. “They took a cab, they fled from the cab – all three – in the area of King George Boulevard and Colebrook Road,” Paquet said. A police dog team sniffed out two of three suspects, one of whom was found in a ditch. The third suspect was not located. Paquet said police identified a victim – who had been assaulted, threatened with a knife, tied up, left in his closet and robbed – after the 36-year-old man asked a neighbour for help. According to the police report, the incident occurred after a woman who was invited over by the victim showed up with two men. i see page 4
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