WHAT IF WE BANNED HEAVY TRUCKS?
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SUMMERTIME AND DRINKING IS EASY
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CULTURAL CRAWL RETURNS
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WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 6 2014 www.newwestnewsleader.com
Rich Hope and his band are just part of the stellar lineup in this year’s Uptown Live on Sunday. See Page A7
City’s homeless drops 20 per cent 26 fewer in New West compared to three years ago Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
GRANT GRANGER/NEWSLEADER
Localo Living owner Ana Matovinovic is so optimistic about Front Street and Downtown New Westminster’s future she’s building an espresso bar next to her antique store despite all the construction going on and on the way that is having an effect on the area’s businesses.
Keeping the faith in Downtown Business owners forge ahead hoping for payoff in long run Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
Step outside of Ana Matovinovic’s shop on Front Street and there’s construction and deconstruction either going on or being planned. So it’s fitting it’s the same inside. Matovinovic is building an espresso bar to go with her Localo Living ‘eclectic decor’ boutique. She’s made the bold move even
though construction in Downtown store, and she expects customers will New Westminster is wreaking flood in, too, after the city beautifies havoc with many of the area’s the street. businesses. She’s expanding while “I believe in what Front Street is others have left or going to become. are contemplating It will take a leaving. few months to David Sarraf Why? anywhere near I’ve never had so many She sees a payoff two years with spaces empty on Columbia in the future. Street. It’s OK, I’ll survive it. the construction Matovinovic can’t down here. I see wait for the city the change that’s to take down the west half of the happening now, and that’s because Front Street Parkade. of new residents that are coming When this happens next year, to New West,” says Matovinovic. natural light will flood into her “They’re going to be demanding
CHOICEquotes
more services down here, different types of stores and coffee shops. It’s just the start of good things to come.” Matovinovic admits her faith is more based on intuition than anything. “I have to be honest with you, I am worried a little bit. It’s in the back of my mind,” she says. “That is the key thing, the patience. I’m not one that has a lot of patience. It’s definitely teaching me to be patient, and to trust my sixth sense as well.” ALL OF AUGUST:
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Please see KEEPING THE FAITH, A4
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New Westminster’s homelessness has dropped 20 per cent in the last three years, according to the latest count. But there is a fear funding cuts have already turned that trend around. The 2014 homeless count in Metro Vancouver conducted March 11-12 and released Thursday revealed there were 106 homeless people in New West that night. That’s 26 less than 2011, the last time the count was made. It was the first decrease the city has seen since the counts began in 2002. Back then, 74 were found. That increased to 97 in 2005, 124 in 2008 and 132 in 2011. The 20 per cent decrease reflects a collaborative effort by various community service providers and the city, said New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society co-chair Lorrie Wasyliw. Previously many of the organizations worked independently.
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Please see CUTS TO EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS, A3