FRIDAY
BRANDT AND BRODY
APRIL 24, 2015
Country stars coming to Abbotsford A7
your life
A B B O T S F O R D
your community.
twitter.com/abbynews facebook.com/myabbynews
abbynews.com m
Online all the time. In print Wednesday & Friday.
BIG RIG DILEMMA
Parking heavy haulers poses complex challenges, including land use issues, bylaw infractions and public controversy Alex BUTLER Abbotsford News
T
rucks are an essential component of the economy. From gravel and groceries, to stereos and steel beams, virtually every item on a store shelf or construction site arrived there by truck. Heavy haulers also carry some hefty issues – with one of the most complex occurring when the wheels stop turning. Parking those big rigs can create
challenges for operators, neighbours and municipalities. Trucks – whether based in Abbotsford or just passing through – need room to rest, and this is a region where space is increasingly regulated and in ever-short supply. In Abbotsford, there were more than 5,000 registered big rigs in 2013, up from about 4,000 in 2009. Where those trucks and their trailers park creates a multitude of issues – requiring the efforts of many parties to address.
Trucks continue to be parked illegally on agricultural land, creating environmental contamination concerns and animosity among those who respect city regulations and expect them to be enforced. While truckers are looking for convenient, affordable and secure parking, the concept of allowing trucks to park on residential property repeatedly meets with stiff opposition from neighbourhoods, while street parking of semi-trailer units in Continued on A4
UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL A15 20th annual cultural event coming to Clarke Theatre in Mission on May 2
IMMIGRATION SCAM A7 Man out nearly $2,000 after being taken in by bogus government agency
BUDGET SHORTFALL A7 School district will use cuts and surplus to deal with $3.6-million deficit
Q
Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A9
Q
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A33
Q Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 Q
Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . .A42
85¢
TRUST YOUR VEHICLE SERVICE TO THE EXPERTS. We offer competitive rates and often better than multi-national or independent shops
HIGHWAY #1 EXIT 83, MT. LEHMAN ROAD, ABBOTSFORD
YOU CAN PUT YOUR TRUST WITH OUR NINE SER VICE DEPARTMENTS - 6 DAYS A WEEK