Abbotsford Times June 12 2012

Page 1

INSIDE: Heaps of high praise for Abbotsford’s legal community Pg. 5 T U E S D A Y

June 12, 2012

17  N E W S ,

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E N T E R T A I N M E N T  abbotsfordtimes.com

Cashing in on bigger business fees

ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com

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“Out of tune” City considers more from liquor, food, realtors

bbotsford city council is considering a proposal to increase the cost of business licences that could double or even triple fees to restaurants, bars and real estate offices. The current cost of a liquor primary business licence required by a bar is $520, but the proposed increase would mean a fee of $1,500. Liquor store business licences

would jump from $270 to $500. A restaurant, or food primary business, which currently pays $270 could be faced with a $400 bill while real estate offices that currently pay $120 face an increase to $500 annually. Abbotsford city staff have surveyed business licence fees in neighbouring communities and found several categories where

t h e m u n i c i p a l i t y ’s b u s i n e s s licence fees were low in comparison, according to a report slated for presentation to council on Monday (after press deadline). The proposed business licence fee increases would align Abbotsford fees with surrounding cities, stated the report. Businessman Paul Esposito, owner of the Phoenix Lounge and

Finnegan’s Pub and Grill as well as two liquor stores in Abbotsford, says he will be hard hit if the city goes ahead with the hikes. Increased business licence fees are another burden to an industry already crippled by the HST, the province’s stricter drinking and driving law and a recent increase to the minimum wage. “[The City] is so out of tune with

what is going on in the industry,” said Esposito. “A liquor primary licence has no value any more because of provincial regulations. Government can’t keeping knocking on the taxpayer’s door. “The consumer doesn’t have any more . . . and we in primary liquor [sector] have seen a decline in sales and are already paying huge property taxes.” see BUSINESS, page A6

ABBOTSFORD POLICE RUN MORE THAN FLATFOOTS POUND PAVEMENT FOR A VERY SPECIAL CAUSE

– JEAN KONDA-WITTE/TIMES

Participants dash off in the annual Abbotsford Police Challenge Run at the city’s Thunderbird Memorial Square Saturday morning. Held in June instead of September for only the second time, numbers were lower than usual with 575 runners in the 5k and 10k distances. They included 50 police officers, city councillors and Special Olympians. Funds raised go to B.C. Special Olympics.

Superhero sting T nets Abby man

he recent arrests of three men on child luring charges stemmed directly from a series of stings by Chilliwack youth who dressed as superheroes, police are now confirming.

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Mounties say 24-year-old Andrew Karl Westerberg of Abbotsford, Chilliwack teacher Todd Michael Paice, 48, and 36-year-old Kevin Robert Gill, also of Chilliwack, were arrested in connection with last November’s

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