Thursday December 24, 2015 (Vol. 40 No. 103) 3)
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Food for thought: As Santa preps his sleigh with presents and jingle bells, Peninsula food bank volunteers prep their shelves for the busiest time of year. i see page 9
Chloramine defended
‘Tis the season
Mayor douses water critics
Bright lights C
Melissa Smalley Staff Reporter
White Rock’s plan to add chloramine to its water supply starting next month poses no health concerns to residents, according to Mayor Wayne Baldwin. The decision to disinfect the water supply with chloramine – a combination of chlorine and ammonia – was announced Dec. 14 by senior staff, who cited better esthetics due to the high levels of manganese in the water as one of the driving forces behind choosing the method over just chlorine. Baldwin noted chloramination is a process Epcor had planned to use prior to selling the water utility to the city, as well as one recommended by city consultants and approved by Fraser Health, who, in 2011, mandated the city treat its supply following a boil-water advisory the previous year. “It’s a valid process for disinfection and maintaining a residual in the water so that we can tell whether or not there’s an infection going on,” Baldwin told Peace Arch News Tuesday. “It’s valid, and it’s not a health concern, otherwise Fraser Health wouldn’t have approved it.” News of the city’s plans has been poorly received by some residents, who have expressed concerns about health risks associated with chloramine use. Baldwin said he doesn’t share those concerns, noting many of the negative comments he has seen came from “some of those who are steadfastly opposed to council on just about every issue.”
Gord Goble photo
This Rosemary Heights home – set up by Jim Carrigan – is a seasonal feast for both the eyes and ears.
i see page 4
HRISTMAS SPIRIT is shining bright around the Semiahmoo Peninsula, where several residents have assembled notable light displays on their homes, with some even raising money for charities. In Rosemary Heights, Jim Carrigan and Lisa Bourdon have lit up their home (3326 Rosemary Heights Cres.) with a festive display that is synchronized to a program, so visitors can tune in on their car radio and watch the lights pulse to the music. “I’ve been living out this way for the past eight years and I’ve just kept adding to it each year,” Carrigan told Peace Arch News. “I do it for my kids as well as the kids in the neighbourhood, just to bring out some Christmas spirit and cheer.” Other notable homes around South Surrey and Cloverdale include: Q 15499 22 Ave. – Ken and Bonnie Fletcher are continuing their 16-year tradition of adorning their home with hundreds of lights, holiday characters and a lit-up Canadian flag on the roof. The couple is collecting donations to the Sources White Rock/Surrey Food Bank. Q 6116 163A St. – Resident Willard Kimble has also synced his light display – featuring more than 2,000 lights – to the radio, at 99.5 FM. The household is accepting donations to the Province Empty Stocking Fund. Q 16956 60A Ave. – The Kinna family are using their eye-catching display to raise funds for Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation, with donations to go towards the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Q 3779 159A St. – This home in Morgan Creek features several strings of lights, a miniature Nativity scene, and dozens of lit-up Frosty characters. If you have a light display you think our readers would like to see, please add a comment on this story at www.peacearchnews.com
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