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COMMUNITY: Stolen Rolex rewinds back to golf pro, 30 years later 8
! Buddhists at Lingyen Mountain Temple perform a ceremony as part of the temple’s year-end charity drive last Sunday. In keeping with the Buddha’s teachings of compassion and giving, Lingyen Mountain Temple collected 5,692 pounds of food, lots of clothing and toys, all of which were donated to the Richmond Food Bank and other charities. Photo by Gord Goble/Special to the News ! See more pictures in The Pulse, page 24.
Library hours cut back R
ichmond city councillors decided to reduce the opening hours of three branches of the Richmond Public Library, at a council meeting Monday night. The cuts will save $200,000 annually and result in 26 fewer hours of operation, per week, across the Steveston, Cambie and Ironwood branches. From the savings, the library will apply $150,000 to its e-book and print collection. The move comes after councillors, and in particular Mayor Malcolm Brodie, questioned rising costs of the library last week at a finance committee meeting, where Brodie said he wouldn’t consider cuts. Brodie had expressed concern that the library was asking for an additional $200,000
for its collection on top of a three per cent the cuts will be “tolerable by the patrons.” increase to its annual budget. He noted the Richmondite Eric Ren was lined up with a library’s annual costs rose the dozen people at the Brigmost out of any division in house (Main) branch before the city (other divisions rose it opened at 9 a.m. Tuesday. I hope they leave by just over two per cent, on He said while he doesn’t average). use the other branches he them (libraries) “Obviously, no cuts are knows seniors that do. He and their great staff said weekend hours are parbetter than some cuts but I’m alone. hoping we can manage,” said ticularly important to people. chief librarian Greg Buss, who On Twitter, Jeremy Hop– L H was asked by the committee wood said it was a “weird to find extra money for the colplace to focus efficiencies.” lections without having to raise the budget. Laura Heroux said the libraries are one of “Adding to the collection is important. the best things left in Richmond. There’s no point in having your doors open “I hope they leave them and their great if you can’t provide (reading) material,” said staff alone,” she said, via Twitter. Buss. The cuts bring down the 2016 library In the wake of council’s directive, a report budget increase to 2.38 per cent, for a Monday from community services manager grand total of $8.7 million. Cathryn Volkering Carlile stated the city feels See No page 3
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Graeme Wood
Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com
THEATRE: Clever effects take audience well over the rainbow 20
SPORTS: Dunfee breaks Canadian record Down Under 22
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