Sports: Meadow Ridge Knights shine in weekend games. 24
Community: Passing the Terry Fox torch. 3
Arts &life: Country singer returns. 33 We d n es d ay, S e p te m b e r 10, 2014 · ma pler id g en ews.com · est. 1978 · (office) 604-467-1122 · (de li ve r y) 6 0 4 - 4 6 6 - 6 3 9 7
Teachers hit hard by strike Some have taken to consigning their clothes By Phil M elnyc h u k a n d Ne il Co r b e t t newsroom@mapleridgenews.com
The depths of the desperation some teachers have reached are on display on the racks of a woman’s clothing consignment store in downtown Maple Ridge. In the last few weeks, at least four teachers have brought in items to Crazy About Clothes, so they can be sold on consignment and teachers can raise some badly needed cash. “Someone brought in a beautiful piece of jewelry that was a gift, and she brought it in,” said store owner Nancy McConnell. “Some teachers are consigning their clothes to me because they need the money.” McConnell has owned the store for three and a half years, and this August was her worst month since. See Strike, 9
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
Pam McCall at Crazy About Clothes organizes sweaters at the store, where some striking teachers have brought items for consignment to make some money.
Downtown still not so vibrant Members of council call for more action By Nei l Corbe tt ncorbett@mapleridgenews.com
Members of council expressed impatience with the pace of improvement in downtown Maple Ridge on Monday, as city hall staff presented council with a Vibrant Downtown report. Most of the hour-long discussion centered on the many drug addicted
and mentally ill people who frequent the area. “We’ve got to stop coping, and we’ve got to solve,” said Coun. Mike Morden. He added that it’s time for an action plan, rather than more study – as city hall staff recommended in the report. “We don’t need more study. Put together a proper plan, and act on it,” he said. “I want to see us take a much more proactive approach on it.” The report called for a social impact assessment study, as one of its
GJ’s TREE SERVICES
four recommendations. Morden noted that 30 people were recently moved from a camp on Ministry of Transportation lands, “with no plans for where they will go.” “It’s not good enough to have the RCMP chasing them around,” he said. Councillors questioned Ridge Meadows RCMP Supt. Dave Fleugel about enforcement in the downtown. Coun. Corisa Bell asked how many hours local police dedicate to
• Hazard Tree Removals • Re-Topping & Falling • Pruning & Trimming • Thinning & Shaping • Stump & Root Grinding
604-945-2999
gjstreeservices@gmail.com
Fully Insured/WCB Free Written Estimates
gjstreeservice.com
“the issues downtown. “Where is downtown on the list of priorities,” she asked, adding people in the area report police saying their complaints are not a priority. “The whole community is sensitive to the issues in the downtown,” Bell said. “Taxpaying citizens feel neglected.” Coun. Bob Masse questioned how proactive the downtown foot patrols can be, noting that he has seen patrols walk past a group of people trespassing on private property. See Downtown, 20
THE NEWS/files
An undeveloped lot along the Haney Bypass has been a source of frustration.
AC TREE C
RE
Call Bob - Your Certified Arborist FREE ESTIMATES - FULLY INSURED
BOB FITZ-JAMES…604-467-0333