National teams clash at Softball City page 11
Cloverdale murder suspect nabbed page 5
Tuesday July 8, 2014
Serving Surrey and North Delta www.surreyleader.com
Summer school a no-go
Aggressive ‘Build Surrey’ program accounts for much of $100-million increase
Cost to run Surrey soars in 2013
Small group gets courses in Surrey; Delta cancelled by Sheila Reynolds
by Kevin Diakiw
IT COST $100 MILLION more to run the City of Surrey last
year, compared to 2012, according to recently released financial figures. The 2013 Statement of Financial Informations details how much money was received by the city and where it was spent. In total, Surrey spent $760 million last year, a 16-per-cent jump from the year prior, which totalled $555 million. Of those total expenses, $601-million went to third party suppliers, a jump of almost $100 million from the year prior. (That year represented a $50-million increase from 2011). The increase in third-party suppliers is mostly due to an extremely aggressive “Build Surrey” program that includes a $100 million city hall, recreation centres, pools, etc. The city also spent $161 million in staff salaries, expenses and benefits, up $8 million from 2012. Staff costs increased as part of a collective agreement, recently reached with CUPE members, which included a sizeMurray able retroactive payment. Dinwoodie The big earners with the city were former city manager Murray Dinwoodie who, with salary, benefits and expenses, earned $395,412 in 2013. He was followed at a distant second by General Manager of Finance Vivienne Wilke at $259,188, then Manager of Parks Laurie Cavan ($253,096), former General Manager of Engineering Vincent LaLonde ($249,477), Fire Chief Len Garis ($238,823) and General Manager of Planning and Development Jean LaMontagne ($235,001). Last year, city council members cost the city $805,000, a marginal increase from the year prior ($798,000). About $650,000 of that was salaries (generally $66,000 each for councillors and $122,000 annually for the mayor). In See COUNCIL / Page 4
Editorial 6 Letters 7 The Great Escape’s PASSPORT TO SUMMER GIVEAWAYS 604-530-1400 20645 LANGLEY BYPASS
WWW.THEGE.CA
COLLECT STAMPS ALL SUMMER LONG FOR A CHANCE TO WIN:
BOAZ JOSEPH / THE LEADER
Taking a bite out of night market Phoenix Cowie, 7, (bottom) and her twin sister Siryn eat corn on the cob Saturday at the opening of the Surrey Night Market. The event runs every Friday and Saturday until Aug. 30 on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. For more photos, see page 9.
Life 9 Sports 10 Classifieds 12
SUMMER SAVINGS
Bring this coupon in and SAVE $4 ON GENERAL ADMISSION SAVE $2 ON TODDLERS 3 yrs & under
THIS COUPON IS REQUIRED Valid for up to a total of four people. Expires July 30, 2014 Not combinable with any other special offers or coupons. Coupon code #072014-F
• $1000 travel voucher! • 2 concert tickets to Katie Perry! • iPad! Not combinable with any other coupons or special offers. Draw to be held on September 2nd, 2014
SURREY WILL OFFER summer school during the ongoing labour dispute between government and teachers, but only to about 50 students who fit the “extremely narrow definition” of what the Labour Relations Board (LRB) has deemed “essential.” In a letter to parents Thursday, Surrey Supt. Jordan Tinney said the district had delayed its decision on summer school “in order to consider all relevant information.” Surrey normally offers an array of summer programs in July and August for all ages and learning needs, including accelerated, remedial and trades and technical courses. This year, 11,000 students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 were registered. On June 27, following a request from the provincial government, the LRB ruled that only some aspects of summer school are considered an essential service. The definition was narrowed to students in Grades 10-12 who have failed a course and who have “no choice but to repeat the course” in 2014 summer school and who cannot take the course during the following school year. For Surrey, that left fewer than 50 students of the thousands who had registered. Tinney said the district has contacted the eligible students
See STUDENTS / Page 4
Save time, save money.
SUMMER FUN DAYS AT THE GREAT ESCAPE MON: FREE GE Silicone Bracelet when you buy our Ice Cream specialty of the day! TUES: TOONIE TATTOO DAY! Glitter Tattoos only $2 each - 10am to Noon WED: FREE! Face painting 10am to Noon 604-530-1400 THURS: FREE! $5 game card when you buy any large pizza WWW.THEGE.CA FRI/ SAT & SUN: FREE! Glow necklace & bracelet when you buy 3D Glow in the Dark 20645 LANGLEY BYPASS mini golf. 7-9:30mpm Thursday Pizza purchase not valid with group or party bookings. Valid July 1st to August 31st subject to availability, while supplies last and valid in conjunction with a party or group rate. Not combinable with any other special offers or coupons