Progress
The Chilliwack
Wednesday
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News
Sports
Harrison Fest
Blood
Soccer
Folk poet David Francey on the beach.
Penny Lett blood drive underway.
Three girls’ teams win provincials.
Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R • F O U N D E D I N 1 8 9 1 • W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M • W E D N E S D AY, J U LY 9 , 2 0 1 4
Schools may feel the pinch
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Katie Bartel The Progress If strike action continues come September, it’s not just teachers who will suffer salary depletion. Individual schools could also feel the pinch. Chilliwack school district brings in over $1 million a year with its international program; the majority of which is distributed to the individual schools housing those students. If the strike continues, there are concerns international students will pull out of the school district – which would be a financial hit for individual schools. “The bulk of the international funding goes to the schools with the international students,” said Gerry Slykhuis, secretary treasurer of the Chilliwack school district. “It provides quite a bit of extra revenue to the schools that have them. It would be a concern [for those schools] because it augments a lot of programs within the schools.” Slykhuis couldn’t provide exact numbers on how many international students the school district gets on average a year. The school district’s international coordinator is currently away on holidays. However, a year’s tuition is $11,500. Some students are full year, while others are partial. Because of the teacher strike, schools were closed for a total of 13 days. Students in grades 9 and younger did not have final exams or report cards. That means, for some international students, they did not receive the full Canadian education experience. The Chilliwack school district, at this time, will not be reimbursing international parents for strike days. Continued: STRIKE/ p7
Athlete Kim Davies carries the Special Olympics torch Saturday during the 2.6 km Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg, while leading a group of 50 runners to the finish line at Pacific Region Training Centre. The ‘Flame of Hope’ was used to light the cauldron at the Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games opening ceremony on July 8 in Vancouver. The torch run has raised more than $3 million for Special Olympics B.C since 1990. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Waddington makes bid for city council Jennifer Feinberg The Progress Sam Waddington is the first one out of the gate in Chilliwack to declare his intention to seek a seat on city council this fall. The 24-year-old owner of Mt. Waddington’s Outdoors store says he’s eager to concentrate on the various challenges facing Chilliwack. “I’m invested in Chilliwack in every way,” he said. “I grew up here, I went to school here and I have a business here.” He headed out after graduation, travelled internationally and then
came back to settle down. “I have put down roots here. I’ve also put my trust in this city as the place where I most want to to live, and work and play,” he said. He’s been watching the decision-making processes in Chilliwack with interest. “I love what we have here in Chilliwack, and with that love comes responsibility. I want to ensure I do my part to continue to make it an even better place, and especially to make sure the things that people love about our community are not lost in that growth. I will do my best to provide a steady hand at the helm as we grow.”
But why declare his intention this early in the election race? He felt he either had to increase his participation in local politics or step back. “I don’t believe this city is on the wrong track, but it could take a better one,” he said. “There’s always room for improvement.” Declaring this early will also give potential voters an opportunity to seek him out and tell him their concerns and priorities. “It gives the community a chance to give me some feedback in the coming months about what types of issues matter to them,” he said.
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His top issues include downtown revitalization, transit, and solidifying Chilliwack’s position in the region. “I would also love to see Chilliwack city hall move downtown. I think that would make a definitive statement about revitalization.” He’s been thinking about running for council for a while. “The past two years I’ve been getting more involved in my community,” Waddington tells The Progress. He’s been attending council Continued: WADDINGTON/ p7
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