Delta Optimist October 9 2013

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Willing to forgive

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Murder victim’s parents say no value in hatred

Author expands reach

Laura Thomas takes her writing contest global

19

Swim with Sharks Brodie Reid in AHL after San Jose stint

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Council sets dates for Southlands hearing BY

JESSICA KERR

jkerr@delta-optimist.com

SCAN WITH TO REVEAL PHOTOS & VIDEO Organizer Niamh Plaxton addressed the crowd that assembled Sunday morning outside the South Delta Public Health Unit in Ladner.

PHOTO BY

GORD GOBLE

Rally outside health unit Public upset by Fraser Health plan to turn South Delta facility into a satellite operation BY

SANDOR GYARMATI

sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com

Around 200 residents took part in a rally Sunday against changes planned for the South Delta Public Health Unit. The morning event outside the centre in Ladner’s civic precinct saw many parents bring their young children for a large group photo. They saw it as an opportunity to send a message to the Fraser Health Authority, which plans to amalgamate staff at the facility with the health unit in North Delta. The South Delta unit

is to be maintained as a “satellite” location. Organizer Niamh Plaxton, who has utilized the services provided by the health unit, told the Optimist the centre is a vital part of the community, including playing a huge role in preventative health. If there’s a reduction, the impacts won’t be seen immediately, but they will put stress on other areas of community and health services, she said. Plaxton said they want transparency and answers from the health region, saying it’s not clear what the impact will be, although it

Niamh Plaxton appears fewer important services will be available as a satellite unit, forcing people to travel to North Delta.

“We’re anxious and we don’t know what is going to happen to our community. We’ve reached out to Fraser Health to try and understand more. We have questions and we are not finding our answers too easily.” Plaxton said as far as she could find out, only two public health nurses will be assigned to South Delta. “So if we’ve only had a minimum of three to five depending on what time of the day, moving to two, who are remotely situSee RALLY page 3

Delta council has set out days and times for the Southlands public hearing, which is scheduled to take place later this month. On Monday night, civic politicians announced the hearing will take place Oct. 28 to 30 at the South Delta Recreation Centre. Each day will be comprised of two sessions — 3 to 6 p.m. and then 6:45 to 9:30 p.m. Residents wishing to speak can arrive as early as 2 p.m. to sign up. Initially, the public hearing was scheduled for Oct. 28 and 29. It could go longer than the three days now set aside for it if there are still people wanting to speak on the contentious rezoning proposal. The Southlands site in Tsawwassen comprises seven properties with a combined area of 217 hectares (537 acres). The application involves 950 residential units in various forms and densities on 20 per cent of the site. The application also includes over 7,400 square metres (80,000 square feet) of commercial space. The applicant is proposing to construct a connector road that would extend from 3rd Avenue and Boundary Bay Road to 4th Avenue and 56th Street. The owner proposes to transfer 172 hectares (425 acres) to Delta, amounting to 80 per cent of the site. That land would be used for agriculture, natural habitat, public open space (including a market square) and greenways.


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