WATER WARNINGS Some residents defy sprinkling ban
WRESTLER SHINES
STOLEN FLOWERS
Thieves pillage downtown displays
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Friday, July 17, 2015
SERVING MISSION SINCE 1908
Canine control concerns Petition seeks status quo Alex Butler ABBOTSFORD NEWS
As Mission mulls whether to move its animal control services over to Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) control, nearly 600 people have signed a petition against the change. With its current animal control contract up in 2016, the District has decided to consider implementing the FVRD’s program, which in addition to pound services, includes licensing and bylaw enforcement, such as barking complaints, off-leash infractions and aggressive dog investigations. It’s a move that was made by Abbotsford earlier this year. Stacey Barker, manager of environmental services at the FVRD, made a presentation to Mission council last week outlining their services. However, some members of the public were not happy about the potential change. Barker told The Record that the changeover in Abbotsford has gone well and the City is happy with their service. She said Mission asked for a proposal regarding their animal control program. But the petition, created by Susan Moore on Change. org, says she is satisfied with the existing service and wants to keep the shelter local. “I have a hard time believing that anyone will care for the dogs the way the current poundkeeper and her staff have,” it says. It states that licensing fees will drop – from $60 to $56 for dogs, $36.25 to $28 for neutered dogs – but it will also introduce fees of $100 for a nuisance dog and $200 for an aggressive dog. Barker said the FVRD runs an excellent program Continued on 5
New skate park site chosen Facility to be located at Mission Leisure Centre
Kevin Mills MISSION RECORD
Mission’s new skate park will be located east of the existing park, on the grounds of the Mission Leisure Centre. The decision was made by council last week. Seven possible locations were debated, but it became clear to organizers that one of three options at the leisure centre – the existing skate park, west of the park and east of the park – would be the logical choice. According to the staff report, the leisure centre was chosen because it is “an accepted community use for skate park, the topography is easily developed, site services and infrastructure are in place, adequate space is available and access and visibility/security are good.” Of the three options, the eastern location was chosen. It will allow construction to begin with little impact to parking or other factors. “I think it gives the potential for growth as well. Maybe the old skateboard park site could eventually one day be a youth centre,” said Coun. Rhett Nicholson. Stephanie Key, deputy director of parks, said the project is moving along on schedule, but some survey and geotechnical work still has to be done. The decision also has to be made A proposed new skate board park will be constructed just east of the existing one, on the on the final size of the park. grounds of the Mission Leisure Centre. BOB FRIESEN FILE PHOTO
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