Traffic: Vertical debate on Ridge transportation plan. 3
Health: ’Medics, firefighters deliver. 8
Sports: Flames win first two. 33
We d n es d ay, S e p te m b e r 17, 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
2nd Pitt candidate for mayor Michael Hayes joins John Becker By M o ni s ha M ar tin s mmartins@mapleridgenews.com
Long-time community volunteer Michael Hayes wants to be Pitt Meadows’ next mayor. The president of Pitt Meadows Community Foundation announced his in- Hayes tentions to run Monday, becoming the second candidate to vie for the seat. Current Mayor Deb Walters will not be seeking re-election. Former city councillor John Becker will be on the ballot seeking the mayor’s spot for the second time, having lost to Walters in the last election. See Mayor, 3
Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS
140 years
James Rowley (left) as former Maple Ridge mayor Nelson Lougheed and Michael Stusiak as train robber Billy Miner during a historical presentation by the Emerald Pig Theatrical Society during the city’s 140th birthday celebration in Memorial Peace Park on Friday. See more, 14
Monday target for opening schools ‘Excellent news’ of tentative teachers deal By Nei l Corbe tt ncorbett@mapleridgenews.com
School could be back in session as soon as Monday in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows after the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and province reached a tentative agreement in the early hours of Tuesday. Neither side was releasing many details about the six-year agree-
ment, which teachers will vote to ratify tomorrow (Thursday). The announcement of a deal was tweeted by the BCTF at 3:50 a.m. on Tuesday, at the end of a 16hour bargaining session. Maple Ridge Teachers’ Association president George Serra was hopeful when talks over the weekend did not result in veteran mediator Vince Ready “checking out,” as he did earlier when the sides were still too far apart. Serra had his last contact with a member of the BCTF negotiating
team at about midnight, and said it was looking like a deal was in the offing. Teachers are relieved an agreement has been reached. “There’s definitely a buzz and an excitement,” said Serra. The school board is hopeful teachers approved the deal. “It’s great to see it come to a positive conclusion,” said board chair Mike Murray. “It has been an ordeal, for sure.” Murray said School District No. 42 schools will open as soon as
WITH WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT
glass 22826 Dewdney Trunk Rd, Maple Ridge 604-466-4225
FREE
possible, and he is optimistic that will be Monday. He noted that teachers’ normal year-end preparations for the following year were interrupted by the June strike, so there is a lot of work to be done before school starts. “Hopefully, things can happen as quickly as possible, and we can get kids back in classrooms.” Premier Christy Clark spoke in general terms about the deal Tuesday afternoon. See Settlement, 11
Steve & Gloria
HAMILTON
THE NEWS/files
Teachers rallied for a negotiated settlement last week at the ACT in Maple Ridge.
W NE
ICE PR
$
339,800
www.gloriahamilton.ca
604.467.8881
• Wipers • Interior clean • Rental car WHEN YOU MENTION THIS AD. Each ach office independently owned & operated
VILLAGIO. Cul-de-sac off Harris Rd. END UNIT has dbl garage off lane plus street parking. Nine foot ceilings on main flr. & vaulted ceiling in master. 3 bdrms & 2 1/2 bathrooms. Near shopping, rec. centre, bus, WCE & school.