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LOCAL NEWS – LOCAL MATTERS
W E E K E N D
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THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND SEE PAGE 23
E D I T I O N
Bringing the forest to the city Plan is to increase the city’s ‘forest canopy’ after seeing it drop from 22 per cent in 1994 to 18 per cent today By Jacob Zinn
editorial@newwestrecord.ca
AT YOUR SERVICE Calvin Basran, owner of Frankie G’s, stands next to the eight-seater van he purchased specifically to offer customers free rides to and from his pub in Queensborough. PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER
Pub steers drinkers its way Frankie G’s pub in Queensborough hopes a free shuttle service will pay off in terms of safety and drive up business as well By Tereza Verenca
editorial@newwestrecord.ca
A New Westminster pub has launched a free shuttle service to and from its establishment in an effort to curb drinking and driving. Calvin Basran, owner of Frankie G’s in Queensborough, rolled out the service to locals late last week. “It’s been on my radar for a long time. It’s a first-of-its-kind in the city. All you do is give us a call and we’ll come right to where you are.You come down here and enjoy yourself and we’ll make sure you get home OK,” he told the Record. “The only area we don’t service is Sapperton because
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it’s a bit far.” According to Basran, the total cost of setting up the program, which included buying an eight-seater van and hiring a driver, hovers around the $30,000 mark. “I have no problem spending the money, the main thing is safety.You don’t want to see anybody drinking and driving,” he said, adding he’s heard a lot of stories about people losing their jobs after losing their driver’s license. Another motivation behind Basran’s decision to start up the service was the pub’s unique location, at 305 Ewen Ave. “We’re a hidden gem in New West.We have a lot to offer, but nobody wants to cross the bridge, and drink and drive,” he
66 10th Street Columbia Square New Westminster 604-522-6099 6574 E. Hastings Kensington Plaza Burnaby 604-291-1323
said. Meanwhile, the smiling face behind the wheel of the van is 47-year-old Alex Gordon, who Basran called “the nicest guy in the world.” “He’s very conversational and a man you can trust.That was extremely important to us, to find the right person people feel comfortable with.” Gordon told the Record the first weekend was a little slow in terms of clientele, but expects that to change as word gets out. “I found people just love it because they’re getting a ride.What they love most is that we’re willing to come to their door, which is something new for a lot of people,” he said. The service runs Thursday through Saturday, from 5 p.m. until closing.To get a ride, call 604-328-6511.
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Columbia Square #101-78 Tenth St., New Westminster
The City of New Westminster is looking to liven up its streets with greenery. The city’s urban forest management strategy – currently being prepared by city staff – aims to put more trees and plant life in urban areas, creating environmental, social and economic benefits. “The document, at the end of the day, identifies what the need or the current state is of the health and welfare of our urban forest, which pertains to all the trees that exist in the city,” said Dean Gibson, director of parks, culture and recreation in New West. “Part of the work we’ve been doing is an assessment in terms of how that tree canopy coverage has been either holding its own or growing or declining.” The city’s forest canopy – the spread of tree crowns – covers just 18 per cent of the city, down from 22 per cent in 1994.While the current figure matches Vancouver and Victoria, it falls short of the North American average of 27 per cent and the recommended best practice of 40 per cent. Broken down by neighbourhood, only Queen’s Park and Glenbrooke South exceed the North American average. While the strategy aims to add more greenery to New Westminster, Gibson said it’s up to council if they want to reach the continental average or keep coverage at 18 per cent. “A target hasn’t yet been established formally by city council,” he said. “What is probably more important is that the 18 per cent number is lower than it has been in previous years – it seems to be identifying a trend over a period of time that suggests our overall canopy coverage is coming down.” Continued on page 8