Mission City Record, December 12, 2014

Page 1

EDUCATION CHALLENGES

CHRISTMAS PARADE

COUNCIL CHANGES

Trustees take oath

Annual downtown event

Committees restored

PAGE 16

PAGE 18

2012

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Friday, December 12, 2014

SERVING MISSION SINCE 1908

Downtown plans put on hold Carol Aun MISSION RECORD

Plans developed by the previous council to revitalize downtown are on the shelf. At their first council meet-

ing on Dec. 1, Mission’s newly elected politicians also unanimously voted to abandon a $6-million project to move Highway 7 off of First Avenue, and to postpone development of

the Welton Plaza until options exploring the acquisition of the post office building at the corner of First Avenue and Welton Street are considered. Both are considered as crit-

ical moves to revitalize downtown by the Mission Downtown Business Association First Avenue is “getting dangerous,” said DBA president Carlo Billinger, noting during

a one-day traffic count last year, 162 delivery trucks and 481 trucks carrying gravel and logs were recorded from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CONTINUED ON 4

Shelves are empty at Christmas Bureau Now is the most critical time to give Carol Aun MISSION RECORD

The shelves at the Mission Food Bank are mostly empty and the boxes used to build hampers at the Christmas Bureau are unusually light this time of year. “In general, donations are way down,” said Christmas Bureau co-ordinator Phil Hope. “There are lots of people donating, but compared to previous years, we’re down 40 to 50 per cent (for cash donations).” Last month a goal of $130,000 was set, but only $30,000 has been collected so far. The Christmas Bureau still needs another $100,000 to help families in the community this year, Hope explained. “Now is the most critical time to give. Our shelves are empty.” Hampers are being built this week and volunteers will begin distributing the boxes the week before Christmas. But with donations at an all-time low, Hope isn’t sure what some the hampers will be filled with.

About 800 hampers will need to be built this year. Hampers usually contain cereal, canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned fish, pasta, pasta sauce and a gift certificate to a local grocery store. Sometimes there are treats included if they are available. “There’s enough there for a nice Christmas dinner,” said Hope, explaining hampers are built depending on the size of the family needing it. Children also receive gifts from the Christmas Bureau as volunteers try to match a child with a toy on their wish list. “Sometimes adults receive gifts too if they are available,” said Hope. “Gifts for teens are still in high demand.” A present for a teenager may be a gift certificate to a clothing store or movie theatre, make up, or body fragrance. To make a donation to the Christmas Bureau, visit Mission Community Services at 33179 Second Ave., or the Christmas CONTINUED ON 4

Mission Christmas Bureau co-ordinator Phil Hope stands in front of the empty hampers at the Christmas Bureau office. Donations so far have been low and only 23 per cent of this year’s $130,000 goal has been reached. CAROL AUN PHOTO

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