4
MP sees void created by Clark’s victory
Time stands still
Chamber’s capsule to be opened century from now
6
Open government
Huntington calling for renewal of democracy
11
Optimist Delta
Newsstand 50¢
YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL SPORTS, NEWS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT! WWW.DELTA-OPTIMIST.COM The Voice of Delta since 1922 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011
Mariner at last
Ladner pitcher signs with Major League Baseball team
18
Relax with us tonight! 01053920
Conservative approach
#220-6165 Highway #17, Delta, BC www.theprimerose.com
604-940-0200
Man stabbed at front door of his home in Tsaw.
Changing landscape
BY
JESSICA KERR
jkerr@delta-optimist.com
PHOTO BY
CHUNG CHOW
Work continues through South Delta on the South Fraser Perimeter Road, the $1 billion highway that will link Deltaport Way with Highway 1 in Surrey. The fourlane thoroughfare is scheduled to open for traffic in 2013.
A Tsawwassen man is in hospital after suffering stab wounds in an altercation at his home Monday night. Police believe three unknown men approached the residence in the 1100-block of Shaman Crescent just before 7 p.m. and rang the doorbell. When the victim answered the door, the men tried to get into the house. A struggle ensued and the homeowner was stabbed. The assailants fled the area. The victim suffered a punctured lung and was transported to hospital for treatment. “The motive and circumstances leading up to this incident have not yet been determined,” said police spokesperson Sgt. Sharlene Brooks. The incident is still under investigation.
Packed hearing is put on hold As fourth night of Southlands debate is about to get underway, mayor announces month break to hold summit BY
SANDOR GYARMATI
sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com
There’s yet another twist in the seemingly never-ending debate over the future of the Southlands. Mayor Lois Jackson announced Monday that a public hearing that began last week has been put on hold until next month. Close to 300 people packed council chambers and the foyer at municipal hall for what was expected to be the fourth evening
of the hearing on the proposed Tsawwassen Area Plan. The most controversial element of the plan recommends Delta apply to the Agricultural Land Commission to have the 538-acre Southlands placed back in the ALR. The speakers’ list had only reached 90 after the first three nights of the hearing. As of Monday, almost 170 had signed up to have their say. It was clear after the first three
days how divisive the Southlands remains for the community. A number of speakers talked about the positive attributes of the Century Group’s housing/farming proposal for the property, while some urged Delta council to talk with Century president
Sean Hodgins about his plan. Opponents, though, were steadfast in their determination not to have development on what they say is prime agricultural land. Jackson said this week it’s clear there was no community consensus and described the Southlands issue as the “elephant in the room” for Delta. Saying even farmers didn’t have one voice on the issue, Jackson said although there is a long history of controversy, she
heard from many who said they want the community to move forward rather than revisit the past. “There are, however, mixed feelings about the urgency to proceed. Some feel it is high time to put this decision to rest once and for all and without delay by applying to put the lands in the ALR,” she said. “On the other hand, many of you requested time to allow the See HEARING page 3
01085415
When you need to get back on track. ( Located behind Tsawwassen McDonald’s )
604.943.6383