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September 23, 2015 (Vol. 40 No. 76)
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Homeland bound: Spurred by images she found online – and saddened to see so many young people affected – Azra Mann is heading back to her home country of Serbia to help displaced Syrian refugees. i see page 11
SEPTEMBER 24-27
TRADEX ABBOTSFORD
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Enter today at peacearchnews.com
Opposing candidates question whether former mayor approved of flyer’s message
Watts’ terror warning ‘fear mongering’ Alex Browne Staff Reporter
Federal Liberal South Surrey-White Rock candidate Judy Higginbotham has gone on the attack against election material delivered door-to-door last week by Conservative Dianne Watts’ campaign. On the other side of a card bearing Watts’ name and picture, a photo-montage of headlines quotes an alleged Isis jihadist as saying “You Will Not Feel Secure In Your Bed-
rooms,” while contrasting it with quotes from NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau expressing their lack of support for anti-ISIS combat missions. The campaign leaflet’s message, alongside the Conservative party logo, is “We will fight jihadist terrorists at home and abroad.” In a media release issued late Monday afternoon, Higginbotham slammed the campaign literature. “Creating this kind of terrorist fear-mon-
gering in our riding goes far beyond being inappropriate,” she said, calling on Watts to “stiffen her backbone” and indicate to Conservative Leader Stephen Harper that such a message to Canadians is not acceptable. “Is fighting terrorists in South SurreyWhite Rock really (Watts’) top priority?” the release questioned. Watts did not respond to Peace Arch News’ request for comment by press time Tuesday. i see page 4
Conservative flyer
Sent to South Surrey-White Rock voters.
Positive steps More than 200 participants braved the stormy weather Sunday to take part in the 35th annual Terry Fox Run, which raises awareness and funds for cancer research. Runners and walkers set off from the Rotary Field House in the South Surrey Athletic Park, choosing between one and sixkilometre routes at the event, hosted by the Rotary Club of White Rock. Melissa Smalley photo
Community supports Dawn O’Kane, suffering from aggressive form of multiple sclerosis
Retired dancer’s efforts focused on being a mother Alex Browne Staff Reporter
Dawn O’Kane
She may be a former Canadian ballroom dance champion, dance instructor and owner of the Peninsula’s Arthur Murray Dance Studio. But Dawn O’Kane – diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of multiple sclerosis 12 years ago – has a much more important focus these days. She’s enjoying life with her 10-year-old daughter.
“People ask me ‘do you want to dance again?’ and I say, ‘I want to be a mom,” she said. “I want to be there for (Isabella), to walk with her.” Key to achieving the goal, she maintains, is travelling to Russia in March to receive chemotherapy and a Hematopioetic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) – a procedure unavailable in Canada. It has made a significant difference to other MS patients, but will end up cost-
ing some $60,000, she said. There are others in the community – from husband Grant to fellow Southridge School parents, friends and former dance associates – who share O’Kane’s goal, and they’re organizing a burger and beer fundraiser, dubbed ‘A New Day For Dawn,’ tonight (Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.) at the South Point Jimmy Flynn’s Celtic Snug (3020 152 St.). For $20, adult patrons will receive a
South Surrey & White Rock Artists’ Open House
Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27 Map and info at www.peninsulaarttour.com Special thanks
19 A R T I S T S - 11 LO C AT I O N S to our sponsor
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burger and beer. For $15, a ticket will buy children a burger and pop. There will also be 50/50 tickets and a silent auction to help boost the take. “I’ve received so much incredible support – and so many people are still supporting me,” said O’Kane, previously profiled in the Peace Arch News in 2011. At that time, the family raised $14,000 to send her to California for a procedure. i see page 4