Wednesday January 27, 2016 (Vol. 41 No. 7)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
Memories of wartime: Second World War pilot Vince Brimicombe, 93, is humble about his distinguished service record – but he is grateful to have learned what happened to a ‘lost’ comrade. i see page 15
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
2 ' ,* , -** 0
!! * $' %- + )) , + * /$,# ',*3 ' * "-% * ,# )-* # + (! ' +$ !! * ''(, 0 ' (1+ (,# * )*(&(,$(' % (!! * (* (-)(' !! -+ $' (& $' ,$(' /$,# '0 * # + '( +# . . %$ , %- ' $+ ('%0 1+ -',$% *- *0 ,#
Language the biggest hurdle faced by some of those seeking refuge from Syria
It’s beautiful in Canada: teen refugee Kevin Diakiw Black Press
Evan Seal photo
Surrey newcomer Ola Katabi, 15.
Recently landed in Surrey from the chaos and bloodshed they left behind in Syria, a dozen refugees gathered in a North Surrey hotel last week to describe their experience in Canada. They were at a press gathering as Surrey-based grocer Fruiticana donated bags of groceries to the families. Fruiticana founder Tony Singh committed to provide enough groceries to feed 500 families for seven to nine days. Ola Katabi has been here just two weeks and
says she loves Canada. “It’s natural,� the 15-year-old said as she beamed. “It’s beautiful.� It’s a far cry from where she just left. “In Syria, it’s difficult,� Katabi said. It’s an understatement coming from a girl fleeing a country gripped in a complex civil war. The world, including Canada, has snapped to attention since atrocities have come to light. As part of a federal Liberal campaign promise in last fall’s election, 25,000 refugees are heading to Canada in the coming months.
Along with those who have already arrived, hundreds are expected to settle in Surrey. Scores of them are being housed temporarily at a hotel. One of the biggest barriers, they say, is becoming familiar with the new language. Katpahi Abdelrazqe spoke through an interpreter and said language is definitely the biggest hurdle he faces. “So far, I can’t pinpoint any (significant) challenges,� he said. “Language is definitely the biggest.� i see page 4
Firefighters save dog
Rescue mission White Rock firefighters embarked on a rescue of a different breed last weekend, after a dog fell down an embankment south of Terry Road. Deputy fire Chief Ed Wolfe said the call for help came in around 2:30 p.m. Saturday. “The dog had fallen off the top of an unsanctioned trail,� Wolfe said. Wolfe said that for the rescue, an auxiliary firefighter rappelled down the embankment and the dog was pulled up using a makeshift harness. “It wasn’t a complicated technical rescue by any stretch,� Wolfe said. “It really went off without a hitch.� Wolfe said it’s fortunate the dog – a four-year-old named Rocky – was not injured. His owner, Tim Jones, did the right thing in calling for help, he added. – Tracy Holmes
Boaz Joseph photo
Tim Jones (left) retrieves Rocky after his four-year-old dog fell down a steep embankment next to a walking path south of Terry Road Saturday.
Proposed rules should apply to politicians too, says Coun. Fathers
City of White Rock targets ‘abusive’ residents Melissa Smalley Staff Reporter
White Rock council is taking steps to address what members describe as “abusive� and “disrespectful� behaviour from residents towards staff and elected officials. At Monday’s governance and leg-
islation committee meeting, several changes to the Council and Committee Procedure Bylaw – as well as council’s correspondence policy – were proposed. Among those changes is the addition under ‘conduct and debate’ addressing decorum during meet-
Space Saver Cabinet Beds
Many other makes, models, colours and mattress options available!
Mattress Gallery wrmattress.com
ings, noting “members of the public are not permitted to interrupt the meeting in any way, including outbursts, shouting out questions/ comments, booing and heckling.� The bylaw goes on to detail procedure to be followed if unwelcome behaviour persists.
Coun. Lynne Sinclair said she is glad to see decorum addressed, noting she was becoming “increasingly concerned at the interruptions at meetings and public hearings.� “It’s one thing to have disagreements, but it’s another thing to treat people with disrespect,� Sin-
30 seconds to OPEN
BORDER GOLD Watch Video Demo wrmattress.com
2390 - 152nd St., South Surrey (in the old 7-Eleven Building)
604-385-0112
CORP.
clair said. “I think we really need to rein in this behaviour.� Coun. Helen Fathers acknowledged there have been “difficult times� in council chambers, but she was also critical of past comments by Mayor Wayne Baldwin. i see page 4