New Westminster Record February 25 2021

NEWS 3

Pile driving starts up again COMMUNITY 11

FSA results rising in NewWest AS WE AGE 19

Seniors embracing technology THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2021 LOCAL NEWS – LOCAL MATTERS

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BOX OFFIC E CHAMP: New Westminster’s Rick Whitfield thinks he has come up with the ultimate solution for those people who are working from home. It’s called BoxOffice, and you can read more about it on page 14. PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

35 died from drug toxicity in New West in 2020 Dustin Godfrey dgodfrey@newwestrecord.ca

Thirty-five people died from drug toxicity in New Westminster last year, among more than 1,700 provincewide.

Leslie McBain, with Moms Stop the Harm, said in a recent press confer-

ence that incremental actions by the provincial and federal governments have helped but have not been enough to halt the impact of a toxic drug supply.

She called on the Premier John Horgan to tell people of the plan to address the crisis moving forward. And she referenced

the premier’s mandate letter to the minister of mental health and addictions, which called for fast-tracking decriminalization.

“That was six months ago,” she said. “We need this now; we needed it five years ago.”

McBain was joined by Abbotsford Police Depart-

ment Chief Const. Mike Serr and chief coroner Lisa Lapointe, who both called for decriminalization of drug users.

“Decriminalization is a step.We have not seen it move along fast enough,” Lapointe said, pointing to a spring 2019 plan from provincial health officer

Dr. Bonnie Henry for de facto decriminalization of drug users at a provincial level.

“We have not seen any change. Of course, things have to start with asking questions and writing letters, but there needs to be some serious motivation and intention at every level

of government.”

Lapointe said there has been urgency from the City ofVancouver, which asked the federal government for a local exemption from enforcement on drug possession, but said the senior levels of governments need to take more action.

Continued on page 3

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New West Record THURSDAY, February 25, 2021

3

City DEVELOPMENT

Pile driving to start again on waterfront

Theresa McManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

The sound of pile driving will soon be ringing out on New Westminster’s waterfront.

Bosa Development has informed neighbours that it’s getting set to begin pile driving at its Pier West development site at 660 Quayside Dr. “Starting in March, we will begin installing foundation piles on our site.

These piles provide the necessary engineered support for the 53- and 43-storey towers that will be built above,” said a notice distributed to neighbours. “This work will mean periods of increased noise levels on our site for the next six to nine months.”

According to Bosa Development, work will be completed within the city’s permitted construction hours, which is between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

“We acknowledge that the upcoming work will create more noise than the work in recent months, and we assure our neighbours that we are using the least disruptive approach to pile driving and are working within the city’s bylaws and regulations,” said Dan Diebolt, the company’s vice-president of development. “Our goal is to start pouring concrete

in the summer.”

In February 2019, a representative from Bosa Development appeared before city council to apologize for the impacts that the project’s construction were having on residents and businesses. Many downtown residents had complained about piledriving noise and vibrations, as well as light intrusion from the Pier West site.

With the upcoming work, Bosa states there will be no use of diesel impact hammers, and piles will be installed by way of vibratory and hydraulic hammers to best mitigate noise.

In 2016, Bosa Properties (unaffiliated with Bosa Development) drew the wrath of downtown residents when doing pile driving as part of the nearby RiverSky development at 1000 Quayside Dr. About 500 new steel piles filled with concrete, ranging from 60 to 90 feet in length, had to be driven into the waterfront site to provide structural stability for the development.

“Our project came on the heels of nearby projects that had used diesel impact hammers, which were something new and disruptive to the surrounding community,” Diebolt said in a statement to the Record. “Understandably, the community had enough disruption by the

1, 2019. However, we have been advised by our solicitor that applications received prior to July 2018 and building permits issued prior to March 2019 are ‘grandfathered’ – meaning that the prohibition against diesel impact hammers does not legally apply to them.”

Noise notice: Pile driving is set to begin at the Pier West site. PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

time we began construction on Pier West, so we launched regular, proactive, two-way communication efforts to listen to the community and respond to concerns.This included Bosa Development altering Pier West’s design, schedule and construction methods at a significant cost to us to find less disruptive methods so we could be good neighbours.”

CHANGES INTRODUCED In response to complaints about pile driving at downtown construction sites, city council approved changes to the hours and types of pile driving allowed in New Westminster.The changes,

approved in 2018, didn’t apply to projects that had already been approved, but Bosa Development voluntarily committed to using less disruptive pile-driving techniques.

Emilie Adin, the city’s director of development services, said the city is pleased by Bosa’s efforts to be a “good neighbour” during this major construction project. She said the city and the developer will work together to mitigate any construction concerns as they arise.

“We are aware that Bosa Development has notified the community that they anticipate pile driving noise to occur during normal permitted construction hours over the next six

to nine months,” she said.

“The city appreciates that Bosa follows a noise vibration mitigation strategy to reduce impacts on its neighbours and – most significantly – has agreed not to use diesel impact hammers.”

According to Adin, Bosa’s building permit application for shoring and excavation work was received prior to July 2018, and it’s not clear that the city could enforce the new provisions of Bylaw 8125.

“A few years ago, we amended Building Bylaw 8125 by putting in place a prohibition against the use of diesel impact hammers over 30,000 foot pounds,” she said. “This prohibition took effect on March

NEXT ROUND Adin noted that Bosa has not asked for any variances from the construction noise bylaw for the upcoming round of pile driving.

“The city continues to monitor and to work with developers to mitigate construction noise impacts,” she said. “The city has empathy for local residents and businesses who are affected by construction noise.The city also works hard to support a vibrant local economy and the creation of new community amenities.”

Pier West will include 53- and 43-storey residential towers, a threestorey commercial building with a 40-space child-care facility and retail space, an extension to Westminster Pier Park, pedestrian connections to River Market and Westminster Pier Park, a public plaza and esplanade, surface and underground parking and about two acres of park.

Province urged to strengthen regulations on recovery centres Continued from page 1 Lapointe added the province needs stronger regulations on recovery centres, including creating standards for treatment based on what works – something that was called for by a coroners service death panel and which has still not been implemented.

She said there still isn’t data being collected by the province on how many people have sought recov-

ery services, which services they’re seeking and what is working.

While there have been pilot programs for introducing safe supply, Lapointe said that needs to be expanded.

Lapointe would also like to see the federal government recognize the crisis as a national public health emergency.

Asked about that lack of a national declaration, La-

pointe told reporters she believes federal officials would change their tune if they sat down with Moms Stop the Harm and heard their stories.

“We are losing thousands and thousands of people and thousands and thousands of years of life,” Lapointe said.

“It is frustrating. It’s very frustrating. …You do just feel like throwing your hands in the air and

saying ‘What’s the use?’” she added on the repeated conversations about the drug toxicity crisis followed by only incremental changes. But she said the urgency of the situation continues to motivate her.

NewWestminster’s 35 deaths in 2020 is the second-highest number ever recorded in the city; 2018 was the worst year, with 36 deaths.That number had dropped to 20 in

2019 but began climbing again with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

The City of NewWestminster and Fraser Health are working to open an overdose prevention site in the city in the hopes of turning the tide on drug toxicity deaths.The Lower Mainland Purpose Society will operate a new centre on Begbie Street that will offer witnessed consump-

tion, drug testing, harm reduction supplies, takehome naloxone kits and more.

City staff and Fraser Health are working to try to have plans ready for council’s consideration of a temporary use permit by March 30. Funding for the centre is to be in place as of March 31.

- with files fromTheresa McManaus

4 THURSDAY, February 25, 2021 • New West Record

CITYPAGE THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS IN OUR CITY

PUBLIC AUCTION

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

By virtue of the Warehouseman’s Lien Act., the City of New Westminster Towing and Storage Service will dispose of the following vehicles, by public auction, to recover the towing, storage, legal and other costs associated with the disposal of each vehicle.

1478433 1386949 36298 36295 36293 36243 36127 36086 36379 32645 36382 1439886 1439873 1439848 1439720 1439716 1439655 1410093 1410063 32674 36726 36764 36750 36607 36601 36587 38330 38329 36367 36731 36777 36710 36703 36586 36583 36565 36554 36496 36463 36779

1997 Pontiac Transport 2006 Ford F150 Pickup 2006 Chrysler ;300 2002 Toyota Echo 1995 Chevrolet Lumina 2004 Toyota Sienna 2000 BMW 3231 2005 Chrysler 300 2005 Honda Civic 2011 Chevrolet Impala 1998AudiA6 2001 Nissan Maxima 2000 Honda Civic 1998 GMC 1500 2000 Mazda MPV 1996 Honda Civic 1999 Ford Explorer 2012 Nissan Rogue 2009 Hyundai Accent 2006 Honda Civic 1999 GMC Jimmy 1995 Toyota Camry 2006 Chevrolet Optra 2000 Dodge Caravan 1995 GMC Sierra 2005 Ford Escape 2000 Dodge Dakota 2002 Dodge Caravan 1997 Chevrolet Astro 1987 Volvo 740 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier 2007 BMW 323i 1999 Toyota Camry 2003 Nissan Altima 2001 AudiA4 2000 Honda Civic 2005 Pontiac Montana 2002 Hyundai Elantra 1985 Ford F150 Pickup 1995 Ford Ranger

1GMDX06E3VD173507 1FTPW145X6KB51059 2C3KA53G86H494841 JTDAT123420203453 2G1WN52M4S9331819 5TDZA29C94S033076 WBAAM3343YCA93681 2C3AA53G15H588151 1HGEM21295L812099 2G1WA5EK6B1255704 WAUBA24B4WN079047 JN1CA31A21T306865 2HGEJ6681YH927472 2GTEK19R0W1555650 JM3LW28G1Y0101589 2HGEJ6331TH004636 1FMYU24E0XUA30140 JN8AS5MT9CW282127 KMHCN45C89U335825 2HGFA16556H007726 1G T13W7X2540656 4T1GK11E6SU074880 KL1JK66Z36K315113 2B4GP2432YR703334 2GTEC19Z7S1502130 1FMCU03135KA91892 1B7GG2AN3YS665880 1B4GP25R02B604486 1GCDM19W5VB193602 YV1FX8748H1151939 1G1JC124427424964 WBAVH13557KC97812 JT2BF22K3X0196990 1N4BL11E93C186629 WAUED54B11N020083 ZH5EJ6616YH910038 1GMDV03E75D103910 KMHDN45D82U427200 1FTEX15Y3FKA88271 1FTCR14AXSPA43704

$1,417.54 $2,640.00 $2,266.78 $2,411.47 $2,640.64 $3,248.90 $4,224.24 $4,830.29 $3,057.65 $7,831.37 $3,046.92 $3,460.06 $3,586.75 $1,992.97 $3,157.80 $3,159.01 $4,314.13 $1,756.95 $ 1,919.51 $7,832.60 $2,050.32 $1,878.34 $1,865.47 $ 924.99 $1,851.90 $1,051.68 $1,050.26 $1,040.95 $3,275.32 $2,021.06 $1,051.68 $2,270.02 $2,471.72 $1,115.03 $1,195.64 $1,479.29 $1,809.72 $2,124.05 $2,647.62 $1,018.76

The public auction will be conducted online on March 23, 2021.

Viewing will take place at the City of New Westminster Towing & Storage Compound located at 420 Boyne Street. Auction will be conducted by All City Auctioneers Ltd. www.allcityauctioneers.com 604-514-0194

Monday, March 1 6:00 pm Regular Meeting of Council Meeting held electronically under Ministerial Order No. M192/2020 and the current Order of the Provincial Health Officer - Gatherings and Events.

Wednesday, March 3 6:00 – 7:00 pm Riverside Adventure Park Open House 2 Online – RSVP at Riverside-park2.eventbrite.ca

Thursday, March 11 6:30 – 8:00 pm Hume Park Master Plan Open House Online – RSVP at hume-park-oh1.eventbrite.ca Saturday, March 20 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Recycling Drop-off 901 First Street

HUME PARK MASTER PLAN OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, March 11, 2021 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Online - RSVP We’re developing a master plan for Hume Park and we need your input on park programming needs and priorities for future planning. Your feedback will help inform the next phase of the master plan development and will be presented back to you in fall 2021.

Everyone is welcome! Please reserve your spot on Eventbrite and a Zoom link will be emailed to you closer to the meeting date.

For those who are not able to attend, the open house will be recorded and posted online for viewing on your own time. The survey questions will also be available online at: www.BeheardNewWest.ca/hume-park

RIVERSIDE ADVENTURE PARK OPEN HOUSE 2 Wednesday, March 3, 2021 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (presentation from 6:00 pm to 6:20 pm, Q&A discussion to follow from 6:20 pm to 7:00 pm) Online We’re holding a second virtual open house to present design options and receive feedback om a preferred concept plan for the replacement play equipment at Riverside Adventure Park, located at Fifth Avenue & Sharp Street.

Everyone is welcome! Please reserve your spot at Riverside-park2.eventbrite.ca and a Zoom link will be emailed to you closer to the meeting date. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, March 3rd at 6:00 pm (PST). *Note: The open house will be recorded. For those who are not able to attend, there will be an opportunity to view the recording om your own time and take the online survey at: BeheardNewWest.ca/Riverside-play. You can also visit this page for more information on the project.

WATER MAIN FLUSHING As part of the City of New Westminster’s maintenance program, the flushing of the water mains will take place from March 9, 2020 to May 31, 2020.

Flushing of the water mains is required to remove sediments and to maintain water quality. This may result in your water supply appearing cloudy due to the sediments. Since some staining of laundry may result and some industrial processes may be affected we recommend the following: • Run your cold water tap until the water clears up • Check the water supply before doing laundry If in doubt, please check the City’s website for daily updates on the streets being flushed or call the Water Department at 604-526-4691 between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm.

SUBSCRIBE TO CITYPAGE: newwestcity.ca/citypage

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New West Record THURSDAY, February 25, 2021

5

City Heritage plan approved for Queen’s Park meat market Theresa McManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

Queen’s Meat and Deli is getting its chance at having a mid-century modern makeover.

Following a public hearing on Monday night, council unanimously approved a heritage revitalization agreement bylaw and a heritage designation bylaw, which will allow the applicants to add additional floor space to the one-storey 1926 building at 404 Second St. through a 31-square-metre (332-square-foot) side addition, an 18-square-metre (191-square-foot) rear addition and a basement.

In exchange for several zoning and sign bylaw relaxations, the building would be restored to its 1951 design, legally protected through a heritage designation agreement and listed on the city’s her-

itage register.

Elana Zysblat, the project’s heritage consultant, said a neighbourhood that was once dotted with corner stores now has only two surviving corner businesses – the meat market and the muffler shop on Sixth Avenue. She said protecting one of them through the use of an HRA is a significant opportunity for the city.

“You conserve the most character-defining era of a historic place, the one that embodies its heritage values. In the case of the Queen’s Park Meat Market, it is 1951,” she said.

“The mid-century era is immensely important to NewWestminster’s story and identity.”

Camelia Mezo, who owns the building and the business with her husband Florin, said they took over the butcher shop in 2016 and purchased the prop-

erty in 2019.When they took over the shop, she said a health inspector told them the building was a tear-down, but they’re hoping to make changes that will ensure it’s able to stay a neighbourhood store for years to come.

“We really wouldn’t want to see it go,” she said. “So many small family businesses have disappeared from our city in the past years, so the purpose of this HRA is to protect and provide a better service.”

More than 20 residents spoke as delegations during Monday’s three-hour public hearing.

Some Queen’s Park residents, including several who live near the site, opposed the application.

They cited concerns about the tripling of the size of the commercial space, potential impacts from having a larger commercial

MISSING PERSON

business in the neighbourhood, the use of a heritage revitalization agreement rather than a rezoning application for the expansion, and the plan to restore the building to its 1950s design rather than its original 1920s appearance.

Several residents expressed concern about the “failed” consultation process, saying it wasn’t clearly articulated until “very recently” what commercial uses would be allowed in the space.They said some residents supported the butcher shop’s application without knowing that other uses would also be allowed.

A staff report said the application will “regularize and expand the non-conforming commercial use” of the building in what’s primarily a single-family residential neighbourhood.

To provide flexibility and support for the continued

commercial uses, a variety of uses would be allowed: business and professional offices; cafés and restaurants (excluding drive-ins and drive-thrus); personal services establishments, excluding dry-cleaning, electrical appliance repair shops and launderettes; and retail stores, excluding convenience stores that are open past 10 p.m. or before 7 a.m.

Sue Lee, who lives next door to the shop, said neighbours already deal with impacts related to traffic and idling cars, but that could get worse as the application would allow other business uses, expand the size of the business and increase its operating hours.

Queen’s Park resident Brian Taylor said he’s never attended a council meeting but felt compelled to do so because he believes in the project and

Yes

WE HAVE YOUR

SIZE!

®

fully supports small business in NewWest.

“All around NewWestminster you see shuttered businesses because of COVID.While we want to hope otherwise, the reality is that many of these small businesses will not reopen.

They will be gone forever,” he said. “Here we have a small business owner who not only wants to stay but wants to grow. How anybody cannot support … is beyond us.”

Maria Prevolos, who lives in Queen’s Park, said these types of businesses make the community walkable and create community by providing a social hub in neighbourhoods. She said concern about potential future uses are “bordering on hysteria” as businesses would be required to get a business permit and the HRA rules out certain types of businesses.

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WE’RE OPEN

Applying all Covid safety protocols & measures.

SURREY 10340 152nd St. 604.498.4801 BURNABY 5900 Kingsway 604.558.4727

6 THURSDAY, February 25, 2021 • New West Record

Opinion MY VIEW KEITH BALDREY

Topic: Pedestrians, drivers and crosswalk safety

Two announcements last week served as reminders of the deep political issues the BC Liberals face.

First, the party announced that Andrew Wilkinson had finally resigned as party leader, which no doubt surprised many who thought he had already departed.

Then, party MLA Ellis Ross appeared to have almost accidentally announced his candidacy for leader.

News of this dribbled out in fits and starts and the way it was handled suggested he does not even have a team behind him.

Notably, neither event registered much media coverage and seemed to be greeted with a public yawn.

In normal times, the official resignation of the leader of a party that governed this province for 17 of the past 20 years or so would be considered big news. Not right now.

The meh response by so many underscores the deep problems faced by the BC Liberals.The party will hold a leadership race during a time of great uncertainty.

No one knows how long the pandemic will last.

Mass vaccinations will undoubtedly help, but new fears about the COVID-19 variants – not the least of which is the uncertainty over how effective vaccines will be against some of them – may lead to a third and even fourth wave.

Even if the COVID-19 situation improves significantly over the year, there is no guarantee certain public health protocols – notably, a ban on gatherings of large crowds and continued mask wearing – will disappear.

Those protocols will make it difficult for a political party trying to rebuild itself after being tossed from power more than three years ago and then

“Doesn’t matter who is right or who is wrong. After dark, rainy night, light glare, dark clothing, etc.The pedestrians must always assume that they are not visible, even in bright daylight.The car will survive the collision every time; humans don’t. Better to be alive than in the ‘right.’”

“Bottom line is that people rarely stop before turning right on red. I’ve had the driver behind me blare the horn when I’ve done the required stop before turning. Pedestrians deserve to be treated with respect.

Drivers need to take an abundance of caution in the dark and/or rain.”

Debbie Cooke

Carole Wylie y

Leadership race faces big hurdles

suffering a devastating election defeat last fall.

The whole party leadership question magnifies how big a challenge it will be for the party to deal with some of its key problems: its lack of diversity and a serious erosion of public support in Metro Vancouver, whose ridings are the key to winning elections in this province.

There appear to be no “star” candidates in the offing, and candidates like Ross (or fellow MLAs Tom Shypitka and Renne Merrifield, whose names have come up in speculation) are from the Interior or the North, not Metro Vancouver.

Then there is former BC Liberal cabinet minister Kevin Falcon, considered the likely front-runner should he enter the race.

He is experienced and capable, but as a longtime lieutenant of former Premier Gordon Campbell, he hardly qualifies as someone who brings renewal and rebranding to the table.

The upcoming legislature session will give the BC Liberals a little bit of oxygen, but not a heck of a lot.

Framed against the ongoing carnage of the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms like Question Period will often seem irrelevant to the average person.

As I pointed out in this space recently, the federal opposition parties are struggling to be heard during this pandemic.

The BC Liberals (and, for that matter, the BC Greens) are facing the exact same problem and there is no sign the situation will change any time soon.

In fact, things could get even worse for them if we see a third wave of the virus.

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.

via Facebook

THEY SAID IT ...

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OUR TEAM

We acknowledge that the upcoming work will create more noise than the work in recent months.

Dan Diebolt, story page 3

ARCHIVE 1986

LARA GRAHAM Publisher

lgraham@newwestrecord.ca

French immersion gets support

The New Westminster school board voted in September to launch a French immersion program the following year. Superintendent Mary Lyons said the decision was the result of discussions that started in 1981.

She said local kids had been enrolling in French immersion programs in Burnaby and Coquitlam, but those were getting too crowded.The board decided to start with a late immersion program first and expand with demand.The school to house the program had yet to be picked.

CHRIS CAMPBELL

Editor

ccampbell@newwestrecord.ca

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The Record won the same award in 2018 and 2015, and is the recipient of multiple blue ribbons for excellence from the Canadian Community Newspapers Association.

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New West Record THURSDAY, February 25, 2021

Letters

BROADWAY

INBOX

System has committed a ‘grim injustice’ against the Malcom family

Editor: Re: What happened to drunk-driving charges against driver who killed New Westminster’s Olivia Malcom? Record News Regardless of what happens in the sentencing phase ahead, a grim injustice has already occurred. The Malcom family has been let down horribly by the lack of information from Crown counsel.

The drastically reduced charges need to be explained. It should be explained publicly, to enlighten us all – but primarily all of the people who know the Malcom family and knew their totally innocent loved one, the victim Olivia.

The fact it took more than a year to approve impaired charges is a staggering one, but to have the charges reduced dramatically – to no longer allege impaired driving – is nearly unbelievable. As noted in the article, the Crown has to meet a high threshold to approve charges.

Indeed, the conviction rate in B.C. is high due to the Crown’s carefulness of seeking charges that are likely to result in a conviction.

And when a massive change occurs, it must be explained. It must be, as clearly there is a

reason. That reason needs to be indicated for the public, and it should be explained fully for the Malcom family.

Sadly – and unnecessarily – they are re-victimized by this terrible crash and the anguish they are put through by the appalling lack of clarity and lack of assistance, both of which they need and deserve.

I worked for a justice-aimed association in B.C. for many years, and I spent many more years volunteering as an advocate for victims of violent crime. Some things within the system have gotten better over the years, but this recent development is both shocking and sad, and it should be remedied without delay.

The Malcom family deserves fairness, fair play and an appropriate level of care. It is far too tough for families going through the legal system, as they learn that they do not have a lawyer, but instead must rely upon the Crown, to act for the state, for the big picture of justice.

They deserve every piece of information with regard to how charges were altered in a devastating way, after such a long wait for a trial that is now likely not to come, but rather will end with only a sentencing phase of a drastically reduced charge.

Justice demands far better for the Malcom family.

Ben Doyle, New Westminster

THE NEW WESTMINSTER RECORD WELCOMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. We edit for taste, legality and length.

Please include a contact phone number. Send letters to: The Editor, #201A–3430 Brighton Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V5A 3H4, email to: editorial@newwestrecord.ca. (no attachments please) or fax to: 604-439-2694. Letters to the editor and columns may be reproduced on the New West Record website, www.newwestrecord.ca.

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City

Engman & Gunther N O T A R I E S

Council OKs 4.9% tax hike Theresa McManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

New Westminster city council has approved its 2021 budget – and is poised to start the process all over again within a few months.

On Feb. 22, council approved the 2021 to 2025 financial plan bylaw, which incorporates a 4.9% property tax increase and a $183.3-million capital budget for 2021. No members of the public attended the virtual meeting to speak to the budget.

Mayor Jonathan Cote acknowledged staff’s efforts to engage with the public during the 2021 budget process. He said about 1,000 people participated in the engagement process.

“I think getting that feedback earlier in September was really helpful to help council work through the budget, as opposed to the feedback on the final night before the budget approval,” he said.

“I really appreciate all the residents who took the time to participate.”

It’s been a “challenging” budget year, Cote said, and the city is still faced with impacts of COVID-19.

“Our revenue sources are still not back to normal.There is still uncertainty,” he said. “We have had to do our best to balance through those challenges, while at the same time getting back on track with a lot of the important work we are doing with the city.”

Cote hopes the city is nearing the point where it can get started on construction of the Canada Games Pool replacement project.

“I think the tax rate that we are at is a little bit higher than where we have traditionally been over the past number of years,” he said. “There are a few big drivers, the big one be-

ing getting the Canada Games Pool project back on track.”

Cote supports staff’s effort to get the budget approved earlier than in past years and believes it will lead to better results down the road. He said the city will be starting work on the 2022 budget within a few months.

The finance department aimed to have the 2021 to 2025 financial plan adopted by the end of December, as that’s considered a best practice.When considering the draft budget in December, some councillors voiced concerns about a proposed increase for the New Westminster Police Department (related to wages, diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism initiatives, personal protective equipment and naloxone), and council voted 4-3 in favour of asking the police board to bring back a budget with a 0% increase for 2021.

After the police board refused to submit a budget with no increase for the NWPD, council voted 5-2 in favour of forwarding the financial plan bylaw to council for its consideration. In response to calls from across North America for police reform, councillors Nadine Nakagawa and Mary Trentadue voted against that motion on Feb. 1.

Trentadue and Nakagawa, however, supported the financial plan when it was adopted by council Monday night.

“I supported it moving forward. I just felt like I need to support this process,”Trentadue later told the Record. “I don’t specifically support the police budget.”

Trentadue said concerns about the police budget and police reform will be discussed during the next budget process and during discussions between the police board and council.

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11

News New West FSA results above provincial averages Julie MacLellan

jmaclellan@newwestrecord.ca

NewWestminster schools are achieving above the provincial average on most literacy and numeracy assessments – but there’s still some work to be done.

School trustees heard that message during a report on student learning outcomes at an education committee meeting Feb. 9.That report included the results of Grade 4 and Grade 7 Foundation Skills Assessments, which measure specific literacy and numeracy skills in standardized tests given to students across B.C. For literacy, the percentage of local Grade 4 students measured as

“on track” or “extending” (meaning achieving beyond grade level expectations) was higher across the board than the B.C. average. For reading comprehension, 81% of students fell into one of those two categories, compared to 74% provincewide. For writing, the local percentage stood at 95%, compared to 85% provincewide.

At the Grade 7 level, 83% came out on track or extending in reading comprehension, compared to 76% provincewide. In writing, the local result – with 84% of students on track or extending – was slightly below the B.C. total of 88%.

“We have been consistently strong in read-

ing comprehension and writing throughout the three-year trend, which is amazing,” said Maureen McRae-Stanger, the district’s director of instruction, learning and innovation.

For numeracy, local numbers were lower but still ahead of the B.C. results.

Among local Grade 4 students, 79% were on track or extending, versus 68% provincewide. In Grade 7, the local number was 69%, compared to 64% provincewide.

McRae-Stanger said numeracy results reflect a shift in the B.C. curriculum in 2016, when the numeracy focus shifted away from “math fluency,” or rote memorization, and to-

wards applying math skills to solve problems across the curriculum.That shift required a change in teaching methods.

“It’s taken us some time to get accustomed to doing that and to help our students to really understand what numeracy is, and how to apply those skills in different contexts,” she said.

She noted that, despite those challenges, New Westminster is well above the provincial average for numeracy at the Grade 4 level.

“So, although we’re happy with these scores, we can always have room for improvement in the numeracy area, and that will be a focus for us moving forward,” she said.

At the high school level, results of the Grade 10 Graduation Literacy Assessment and Graduation Numeracy Assessment follow a similar trend.

For literacy, 82% per cent of NewWestminster students came out as “proficient” or “extending,” compared to 74% provincewide. For numeracy, 48% of NewWestminster students came out as proficient or extending – up from 42% the previous year, and higher than the B.C. total of 40%.

McRae-Stanger said the numeracy assessment data provides a limited picture because students have a chance to write the assessment three times in any of the three grades (10, 11 and 12) before graduation,

and the numbers show both repeat and first-time writers.

“What it does tell us, though, is that students are having some challenges with this assessment,” she said. “For us, it means going back and looking at the actual assessment itself, breaking down the areas on the assessment where students are struggling with certain problem-solving components with it, sharing that information back with our teachers.”

She also noted that, because the assessment is not attached to a particular course and a student’s outcome isn’t relevant to post-secondary applications, some students may not take it as seriously as they could.

Indigenous student outcomes improving in New West schools Julie MacLellan

jmaclellan@newwestrecord.ca

The New Westminster school district is finding success in its efforts to improve the academic outcomes of its Indigenous students.

Rav Johal, the district’s principal of equity and inclusion, brought that message to the New Westminster school board during a Feb. 9 presentation to the board’s education committee. Johal said Indigenous student results on the Foundation Skills As-

sessments, standardized tests given to measure literacy and numeracy for all Grade 4 and 7 students in B.C., are showing success.

“Our Indigenous students in Grade 4 are doing exceptionally well on the FSAs,” Johal said.

Johal noted the district’s Indigenous student results in 2019/20 were more than 20% higher than provincial outcomes.

On reading comprehension, 83% of New West’s Indigenous students were found to be on-track or “extending” (that is,

achieving beyond their grade level), compared to 61% for Indigenous students provincewide. For writing, the local number stood at 100%, meaning every Indigenous student in New West was found to be on-track or extending, compared to a provincial result of 71%.

For numeracy, the New Westminster total was 77% – again substantially higher than the B.C. number, 51%.

Johal cautioned the results reflect only a small number of students, since

just 18 of the district’s 28 Indigenous students in Grade 4 actually wrote the test.

In Grade 7, participation was higher, with 15 of 18 students writing. Once again, however, results were much higher than the provincial outcomes.

For reading comprehension, 73% of New West’s Indigenous students were found to be on-track or extending, compared to 60% across B.C. For writing, the local number was 86%, compared to 79% provincewide. For numer-

acy, the New Westminster number was 60% – substantially higher than the 40% provincewide.

Johal said academic improvement is one of the goals outlined in the district’s aboriginal education enhancement agreement.

“The continued focus for us, for Indigenous learners, is to improve performance in Grades 4 through 7 in numeracy, reading and writing,” he said.

He said the district will continue to work with school-based teams and

aboriginal support workers to maintain the gains it has made in student success.The district will also continue to work with educators on “Indigenizing” the curriculum for kindergarten through Grade 9, Johal said.

At the high school level, Johal reported the district has seen a steady increase in the number of Indigenous students who graduate – from 53% of 52 students in 2015/16, up to 82% of 27 students in 2019/20 (higher than the B.C. number, 71%).

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14 THURSDAY, February 25, 2021 • New West Record

City The ultimate work-from-home location: BoxOffice Cameron Thomson Glacier Media

A NewWestminster resident has come up with the ultimate solution for those who are working from home but need to get out of the house.

RickWhitfield worked as a building designer before he was employed within the film industry as an art director and set designer.When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Whitfield found himself without a job, but it was this time that allowed him to dust off an old idea.

About 10 years ago,Whitfield found himself working from home while married with a toddler and a puppy. After gazing out the window to his backyard, the idea for BoxOffice formed, a home office away from home.

Drawing on his build-

ing and design experience, Whitfield created the first BoxOffice, which he had installed in his backyard.

The offices, assembled in Pitt Meadows and North Vancouver, use materials that offer unique customizable options.

“This is kind of a hybrid product between, like, real-world construction and film sets, and I’ve kind of found this weird way to build them that allows me to put the printed vinyl on the outside, for example,” Whitfield said.

The printed vinyl sheeting allows the exterior to be transformed into any colour or texture.This functionality is exemplified on the BoxOffice website (www.boxoffice.ca), where 12 swatches can be applied to the office’s outside walls.Whitfield says the options are almost limitless; as long as the design

can be printed, it can be put on the side of the office.

The base model of the 64-square-foot BoxOffice comes with your choice of exterior skin design, a fully finished interior, real wood desk and cabinetry, acoustic ceiling tiles, a programmable ventilation unit, a heater and electrical outlets.

The BoxOffice website launched Jan. 7, andWhitfield says the project has received nothing but positive feedback.

“The reaction has been absolutely huge,”Whitfield said. “The media has really paid attention to it, and it’s really getting a lot of traction for the amount of time we’ve been going.”

Whitfield says he has already gotten about a dozen people sending in builds generated from the website which are now

Office in a box: Rick Whitfield with his BoxOffice –a pandemicinspired idea to give people an extra space to work from home.

PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

awaiting discussion before purchasing and installation.

Some of the interest has come from people living on B.C.’s Gulf Islands, whichWhitfield says the BoxOffices are ideal for since getting tradespeople

to work on projects on the Gulf Islands can be timeconsuming and costly.

The BoxOffice comes with a $30,000 price tag, butWhitfield hopes that with more buyers the cost can be reduced.To help with the price, the com-

pany is offering a preorder special, and the offices get delivered free of charge.

Whitfield says if the power supply work is done ahead of time, the buyer can start working in the office within an hour after delivery.

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New West Record THURSDAY, February 25, 2021

15

Community New Westminster woman left a legacy in education

curriculum/special education from 1996 to 1999.

New West resident Rocky Suffron attended A woman who made her mark on the education F.W. Howay Elementary when Harrison was the system in New Westminschool’s principal and visster has passed away after a battle with breast cancer. ited her recently at the June Harrison (formerly hospice.

He left a note telling her Gilgan) died at St. Miof the impact she’d made chael’s Hospice in Burnon his life and recalled aby on Feb. 18, after behow she’d given him a hug ing diagnosed with stage when he was crying as he 4 metastatic breast cancer left the Grade 7 end-ofin 2015.

Harrison started her 36- year assembly.

“It’s fitting that I’m visyear career with the New iting you during my birthWestminster school disday month of February. trict as a teacher at HerYou would run into my bert Spencer Elemenfather at the store and tary School, where she tell him to wish taught from 1963 me a Happy to 1969. After a Birthday – even stint as an SFU though you faculty associhadn’t been ate teaching new my principal in teachers from over 25 years,” 1969 to 1971, he wrote. “Your she returned to spirit at F.W. the New WestHoway made it minster school a very enjoyable district, where June Harrison school to attend. she taught at lifelong educator Yes, we had a few Lord Kelvin Elchats about my ementary from behaviour, and still that is 1971 to 1973 and was a understated…..Thank you teacher/vice-principal at for all that you did in my John Robson Elemenmost important years.” tary from 1973 to 1977.

Harrison retired in Her roles included being a 1999 but returned to work classroom teacher, teachin 2001, when she was er-librarian and resource named as Urban Academy teacher. independent school’s first In 1977, Harrison was principal, a job she held named principal (quite until 2005. likely the first woman to Laura Drummond, a serve in that role in the co-founding parent for school district) at F.W. Howay Elementary, where Urban Academy, said Harrison came across an she remained until 1987. ad for Urban Academy She went on to serve as when it was getting started principal at Richard Mcin 2001 and contacted the Bride Elementary from school to lend her support.

1987 to 1992 and Lord “In true June fashion, Tweedsmuir from 1992 to 1996, before taking on the she jumped in, becoming principal and a fundamenrole of district principal of Theresa McManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER.

tal part of the creation of UA in the first four years,” Drummond said in a statement. “Many impact-

ful hours were spent with June, passionately discussing curriculum, staff and how to provide the edu-

cation our students deserved.”

In retirement, Harrison also established a private

tutoring company, worked two days a week at Kenneth Gordon School, Continued on page 16

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16 THURSDAY, February 25, 2021 • New West Record

Community Learn about the Fraser’s ‘ghosts’ Theresa McManus AROUND TOWN

tm mcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

Ghosts are returning to Fraser River Discovery Centre this weekend.

When Super Saturdays returns to FRDC this weekend, it will be focusing on one of the Fraser River’s most mysterious characters – the Fraser River white sturgeon.

“Nicknamed the Ghosts of the Fraser, white sturgeon are specially adapted to live in their watery home,” said Stephen Bruyneel, FRDC’s director, external relations and development. “Despite this, there are still a lot of challenges they must face in order to survive in the Fraser, and we’d love to tell you about them on Saturday, Feb. 27.”

This weekend’s activities will include: checking out real sturgeon specimens; learning how the white sturgeon is so well-adapted for survival in the murky waters of the Fraser River; viewing specimen jars of baby sturgeon at different stages of their life cycle; and playing FRDC’s sturgeon survival board game.

“There will be fun for the whole family, so come on down and join us,” Bruyneel said in a news release. “And don’t worry – it will also be safe, as all

activities are consistent with our COVID health and safety plan, including the need to pre-register, limited numbers, timed visits, social distancing and frequent cleaning.”

Super Saturday, taking place on the last Saturday of every month, is a series of programs geared toward family-friendly activities, all focused on a different Fraser River topic each month. Super Saturdays are free with admission to the galleries, but pre-registration is required at www. fraserriverdiscovery.org.

CENTURY HOUSE KEEPS SENIORS BUSY A number of informative and entertaining programs are being served up – virtually – at Century House.

On the health front, a seniors’ health and wellness facilitator from Cosco and Century House staff will lead a virtual workshop on: Age Well, Live Well with Safe Medication Use. It’s on Friday, Feb. 25 at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom.

“As we age, our bodies change, and the dosages of some medications may actually be too strong now or may be less effective than in the past,” said a notice about the session.

“This workshop will help you understand why that might be, and what actions you and your health care

provider might consider so that your current medications meet the needs of your body.”

While gatherings at Century House are off-limits because of COVID-19, seniors programmer Shelly Schnee is connecting with folks through the weekly Coffee Break with Shelly! The get-togethers takes place on Tuesdays at 9:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Zoom, and are open to anyone aged 50+.

“Join me for a coffee break where we can share like we were having coffee at Century House,” Schnee said. “It’s a bit more structured than a regular coffee; I ask the group questions, have activities and maybe even special guests. Everyone has the opportunity to share.”

Pre-registration is required for all of the online programs. For details on current offerings, go to www.centuryhouseassociation.com and look under the What’s Happening tab.

For more information, call Century House at 604-519-1066.

KETTLE CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS The Salvation Army is thankful for the support it received from New Westminster during its recent Kettle Campaign.

Memoir chronicles pioneer life Continued from page 15 a school for children with specific learning disabilities, and was a tribunal member for the Employment Assistance Appeal Tribunal.

In recent years, Harrison also got to work on her passion project – writing a book about her family’s pioneer upbringing.

She had been planning the project since 2010 but was spurred on after being diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and being told she had a limited life expectancy.

During the early days of the pandemic last spring, Harrison worked on her memoir, and Finding Home:TheValues of a Pioneer Family in North Central British Columbia was published in late 2020.

When the book was published, Harrison told the Record she had three purposes to this particular project: to record her experiences of her pioneer lifestyle in north central B.C., where both sets of her grandparents were original European settlers at the early part of the last

century; to explore the values of her family by profiling a number of aunts, uncles and cousins to enable her young grandsons to understand their heritage and shared values; and to reflect on how these values/experiences aided her successful administrative career in New Westminster.

Finding Home:TheValues of a Pioneer Family in North Central B.C. is $18 and is available at Renaissance Books, 712B 12th St.

Captains Randy and Anne Holden of the Salvation Army New Westminster want to thank the community for its “generous” support to the campaign that occurred during the recent holiday season.

“Our 2020 Kettle Campaign was an incredible success, and all the funds remain here in our community supporting our food bank and family services department,” they said in an email to the Record. “There was an increased need for our services in 2020, and the community support shown will help to meet this need in 2021.We want to acknowledge the New Westminster Rotary Club, the Royal City Rotary Club, BFL Canada Insurance Services and Garda World for their generous support.”

AGE AS WE

F E B R UA RY 2 0 21

SEE PAGE 19

Call for funding applications Applications are now open for projects that will create safe and vibrant public spaces, improve mobility options and provide digital solutions that improve people’s health.

Whether it’s pop-up bike paths, community gardens, art installations or Wi-Fi hot spots, small projects can make a big difference in communities.

If you have an idea of how to transform public spaces find out if your organization is eligible to apply to the #HealthyCommunities Initiative you can simply scan the QR code below which will take you to https://www.surreycares.org/chci You can also reach out to: Central Okanagan Foundation Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies Community Foundation of the North Okanagan Maple Ridge Community Foundation Nakusp and Area Community Foundation Port Moody Foundation

Round one Feb 9 -March 9 Round two May 14 - June 25

professional talks

New West Record THURSDAY, February 25, 2021

I N

N E W

ASK A NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

Q A

W E S T M I N S T E R

ASK A DENTIST

Q A

How often should I have a bowel movement?

There is generally no accepted frequency for how many bowel movements you should have daily – anywhere from 3 times a day to 3 times a week. Bowel movements DR. HEIDI STANDEVEN, allow your body to discard stuff MA, ND your body doesn’t need. You don’t want it hanging out in your colon.

What can be more indicative of health than frequency is consistency. Like Goldilocks, you want it to be just right – not too hard, not too soft, no straining, no mucous, no blood.

Stool that is too liquid can indicate infection or inflammation in your lower gastrointestinal tract. If it’s too hard, it can be difficult to pass and lead to hemorrhoids.

Bowel movements are a great indicator of health and how well you’re processing what you take in. Next time, take a look, and if you have questions about your digestion, please feel free to contact me.

ASK A REALTOR

The truth is that existing dental work actually increases the chances of future decay and breakdown, so prevention of DR. AJAND NOBAHARI problems is key. The margins of your fillings DENTIST and crowns are still subject to bacterial accumulation. Brushing after eating and flossing daily are the best ways to protect the work in your mouth. Additionally, visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings can help since small issues that can arise, if caught early, are much easier to treat. Fillings and crowns can often be maintained for many years if issues are addressed sooner rather than waiting until the only option, at best, is full replacement.

Also, if you have any bruxing habits (clenching, or grinding), the lifespan of any dental work in your mouth is greatly decreased. Wearing a nightguard, or otherwise addressing your bruxism will increase the lifespan of your dental work.

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ASK AN INVESTMENT ADVISOR

A

We are worried we will miss the market if we wait until summer to list our home?

Any delay on bringing your home to market may only help your final sale price. I have been advising my potential sellers not to fret over missing this market. This market is DERRICK THORNHILL supply / demand and interest rate driven. Inventory and interest rates REALTOR are staying right where they are for the next 6 months. I believe our market values will peak out towards summer. The high end of the market may not reach their peak value until next spring. The $2M plus price point will be a common sight in New West by the time the dust settles on this current market upswing. What I would highly recommend, is know where you are going before selling!

Call me today. I can help you traverse this very tricky market!

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ASK A DOG TRAINER

Q A

With the Mar. 1st RRSP deadline approaching, should I just put money in my RRSP mutual funds again or is there a better option?

“Canine enrichment”, what does that mean?

We want to get those pupper brains working by doing some sort of enriching activity with your dog one or two times a day. Imagine your life without the arts, your favourite sports teams, your puppy to play with... well, it turns out dogs need stuff to make life STEFANIA BUTKOVIC, more fulfilling too, and not just in the form of OWNER physical exercise. Playing brain games and allowing them to engage in behaviours that their genetic makeup really drives them to is an awesome way to ensure your dog is mentally, physically and emotionally satisfied. Consider taking them on a “sniffari” (dedicated walk just for sniffin’) or creating a DIY puzzle game to feed at least one meal out of every day. With a quick google search, you’ll find all sorts of cost effective ways to entertain your family fuzzbutt!

This question has been coming up more often as people begin to realize how high the imbedded QUINN WADDINGTON fees in mutual funds are, often up PORTFOLIO MANAGER, to 2.5% or higher. There are many INVESTMENT ADVISOR cheaper options which is why I generally avoid mutual funds for my clients. One option is to use Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to manage a diverse and tactical portfolio that can take advantage of different global opportunities for much lower costs than mutual funds.

The average savings of our new clients has been roughly 1%, which over a 30+ year investment horizon adds up to a substantial amount of extra money staying in your pocket.

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www.mindfulmutts.ca 604-553-6888 ASK A PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Q A

Reach out to your community online and in print! Deliver expert advice and receive a feature editorial as the featured expert.

Email lgraham@glaciermedia.ca for more information.

Q

How can I prolong the lifespan of my dental work?

g

Q

17

ASK A DESIGNER

Q

I’m about to have joint surgery. Is Physiotherapy before surgery beneficial?

Absolutely! For many orthopaedic surgeries, such as total hip/ knee replacements, ACL surgery, meniscectomies, etc. there is STEVEN MCGEE plenty of research showing that people who PHYSIOTHERAPIST do physiotherapy before and after surgery fair better in the long-term than those who just do physiotherapy after surgery. This is because many people lose strength after surgery in the early phases of recovery. However, those that do physiotherapy before they have surgery, build up their strength ahead of time so that they do not lose as much in the early recovery stages. As a result, people who do physiotherapy before surgery often recover quicker and have less complications than those that don’t. At New West Sports Medicine, our physiotherapists can help prepare you for surgery to help speed-up your recovery.

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How do I choose the right colors for my home?

We are spending more time indoors and with COVID restrictions your surroundings may feel a bit blah. Why not change your scenery by having a mini staycation and give your home a MDD color makeover?

Balance and Harmony Choose a palette with complementary colors for the whole house. Like clutter, too many different colors will distract attention. Changing the color value and intensity of the palette and/or adding a pop of color to rooms creates interest.

Lighting Lighting plays a vital part in how colors appear in your home. In a well-lit room, darker colors can absorb the space and create warmth and comfort but in north facing rooms/ basement with low natural light, dark colors close in the room. Book a MDD color consultation today for your home’s color makeover!

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18 THURSDAY, February 25, 2021 • New West Record

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New West Record THURSDAY, February 25, 2021

AS WE AGE

19

Celebrating Seniors

Seniors embracing new technology during pandemic Theresa McManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced some seniors to try out technologies they may never have dared to try in the past.

In response to gathering restrictions and other COVID protocols, Century House has had to change up its programming by moving some offerings online and adding new programs to the mix.

“We are really excited about it,” said Tim Hicks, a volunteer at Century House. “It’s gone way beyond what we thought was the best we could possibly do. People with no choice simply said, ‘Well, I am going to have to learn this.’

Many, many of them have said, ‘Well, that was easier than I thought it would be.’”

Hicks started overseeing and reviving Century House’s website about 13 months ago.That’s evolved into becoming the “tech guy” who helps get various programs running online – a role that’s keeping him plenty busy during the pandemic.

“Really, I don’t know where we’d be without the pandemic.We might not be doing any of this video stuff yet.We wouldn’t be using Zoom much,” he said. “We have gone from about 200 people following the website to 450.”

As Century House has had to pivot to online programming during the pandemic, it’s keeping its members in the know about current offerings and COVID-19 protocols via regular updates on its website.The website is also where folks will find content such as recordings by the Century House Players’ drama group.

Century House has also expanded its social media offerings, including the launch of the Facebook Good Cheer Group “We had a Century House presence on Facebook but it was not doing anything,” Hicks explained. “We decided rather than building that up we would open a new group called the Good Cheer Group and it would accept posts only designed to make people smile.We put up jokes and cartoons, puzzles, funny stories and inspirational things.

Early in the pandemic, Hicks learned how to use Zoom, and he has since helped to get others started in the technology.

One of Century House’s popular Zoom programs is the weekly Coffee Break With Shelly, where folks join Shelly Schnee, the city’s program coordinator for seniors, for a Zoom visit where they chat, do activities and hear from special guests.

Hicks, who worked in

corporate communications prior to his retirement in 2009, is happy to be putting his skills to good use in retirement.

“A lot of us are realizing, ‘Hey, we can still use these skills,’” he said. “One of the things that we are getting is people are stepping up in the Octopus program and they are leading workshops in things they are comfortable with.”

Local seniors have shared their knowledge on a variety of topics with their peers through the Octopus program, which is available on Zoom.

Former CBC Radio producer Curt Albertson has spearheaded Talk New West, which features interviews with Century House members and local seniors.

In the future, Hicks anticipates Century House will be able to do hybrid workshops that allow people to attend in-person if they’re conformable or via Zoom if they’re be more comfortable taking part from home.

During the pandemic, much has been learned about seniors’ needs for technology, including the need for one-on-one support to learn about various devices.

“The seniors told us very clearly that that is what they would like,” Hicks said. “We had to learn that seniors don’t go

at the same pace. …You have to be prepared to go more slowly and let them discover it for themselves and be there to help.”

Hicks is a member of the Seniors Embracing Technology Group at Century House, which hopes to help seniors become more comfortable with technology.

“The whole goal is to provide training and support for the seniors who

aren’t as technology savvy as we are,” he said.

While technology is helping some seniors to stay connected with their family and friends, not everyone is able to do that, Hicks said.

“We are still concerned about the people who don’t have technology and haven’t even made the first step,” he said. “Some of us are working with city committees,Telus and peo-

ple like that trying to get technology into the hands of people who can’t afford it.”

For those who already have access to technology, Hicks urges them to give it a try – even if it’s something new to them.

“All I can say is, if you haven’t tried it, go and talk to some of your friends who have,” he said. “I think you might change your mind.”

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AS WE AGE

TOMOV D E IN AY

20 THURSDAY, February 25, 2021 • New West Record

Foot care is a key part of overall health for seniors Margaret Coates contributor

I recently received an email from a couple who needed help with foot care.

Though this couple is able to drive and walk, they had trouble cutting their toenails. A friend of mine remembered, as a younger person, reading a scene in a Kingsley Amis novel where some older men were discussing their inability to trim their own toenails, and in one case no longer being able to even see his toes. At the time my friend wondered, will my life ever come to this?

I remembered back to a time when I ran a seniors centre downtown and the lineup for the po-

diatrist who came in once a month filled the entire lobby. It occurred to me that perhaps healthy and pain-free feet were especially important to maintaining healthy living.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, “three out of four people develop serious foot problems as they age – putting their independence and well-being at risk.”

Healthy and pain-free feet are helpful in maintaining good balance, keeping you active and giving you advanced warning signs of other issues.

The health agency also states that healthy and pain-free feet help you keep your balance, which is important in preventing falls – and falling, of

course, is a major risk factor in seniors health and well-being.

Health Canada’s website states: “Falls are the leading cause of injury among older Canadians, the cause of 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations, and 50% of all falls causing hospitalization happen at home while people are doing their usual daily activities.”

Staying active is key to aging well. It is said that in our lifetime, we may average well over 150,000 kilometres, and healthy feet are crucial for that activity.

Walking is the perfect exercise for keeping our weight down, preventing blood clots and keeping our bones and muscles strong.

Continued on page 21

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New West Record THURSDAY, February 25, 2021

AS WE AGE

Take good care of your feet

Continued from page 20 Walking is free and, despite COVID-19 restrictions, can be done in your own neighbourhood, at the mall and on trails and walkways.

The Canadian health agency also states that, “Keeping an eye on your feet can even give you an early warning about serious health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, nerve damage and poor blood circulation.” Many of these issues can manifest in the feet first.

PRACTICAL STEPS Ð Check your feet regularly. Make sure to get your doctor to check your feet if you have things like cuts, sores, ingrown or infected toenails, dry cracked skin or swelling or you feel that something is wrong with your foot alignment.

Ð Keep blood circulating to your feet as much as possible. Put your feet up when you are sitting or lying down, stretch if you have had to sit for a long while, have a gentle foot massage or take a warm foot bath. Ð Wear comfortable and well-fitting shoes with good traction.Your choice of shoe can do a lot to keep your feet as healthy as possible, especially if you have diabetes or arthritis.

They can also help to prevent possible infections.

Also, research shows wearing shoes (inside and outside) is your best protection against falls. Ð Avoid exposing your feet to cold temperatures and do not sit for long periods. Do not smoke because that can decrease blood supply and increases the chance of swelling and

other circulatory problems. Ð Finally, the Canadian health agency suggests that you take good care of your toenails. If you do not deal with your toenails regularly, you may experience problems fitting into your shoes which may make walking difficult. Or you could develop infections like ingrown toenails, nail fungus and athlete’s foot. Ð If you cannot cut or file your toenails, have a friend assist you or look for a service to help you with all your foot-care needs.To find a service you could call BC NurseLine at 1-866-215-4700, check with your health-care provider, or dial 2-1-1 for BC211 information services.

Unhealthy feet and ongoing foot pain does not have to be an inevitable part of aging.

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22 THURSDAY, February 25, 2021 • New West Record

Your Community

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REMEMBRANCES

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OBITUARIES

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ACCOUNTING/ BOOKKEEPING

APARTMENTS/ CONDOS FOR RENT

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LOWE, Delphine Charlotte Carrell (nee Segur) September 18, 1925 - February 7, 2021 Born in Golden and raised in Revelstoke, Delphine passed away at the age of 95 in Squamish.

Delphine will be forever missed by her family: Dawn Hemingway (Peter), Sharon Carrell (John), Terry Roy (Lorne) and Scott Carrell (Helen), family and friends. Delphine was predeceased by husbands Ray Carrell (1990) and Ernest Lowe (2017); and her brothers, Bill and Don Segur.

Our mom was a remarkable, loving woman who devoted her life to her family and community; qualities instilled by her parents, Marjorie and Vincent (Bill) Segur (former Revelstoke CCF, MLA), who strove to make the world a better place.

Revelstoke was perfect for growing up. Delphine and Don loved summers at Three Valley Gap; kept busy with basketball, gymnastics and swimming at the YMCA. Mom played basketball at UBC and has always loved the Canucks.

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In 1947 she completed a UBC degree in Government and Economics. In 1949, she married our dad, Ray Carrell. In 1955, they moved from Revelstoke to Burnaby where she was an active volunteer.

United Church, Girl Guides and, especially, NDP activities were woven into our busy family life. Mom was a shining example of putting principles into action. She held true to Tommy Douglas’ words: “Courage my friends, ‘tis not too late to make a better world.”

Celebrate the lives of loved ones with your stories, photographs and tributes

ROOFERS: BROADWAY ROOFING CO LTD. Broadway Roofing Co Ltd., located 400−7430 Lowland Dr, Burnaby, BC V5J 5A4 is looking for 5 experienced Roofers for Burnaby region. Full time, permanent position. Job duties: flat roofing work, site cleanup, tearing off old roofing and installation. Experience & training with Torch−on roof product systems preferred. Training in Safety and Fall Protection is asset. Basic English.

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TRADES HELP

Delphine’s acts of kindness resulted in many awards and life memberships: NDP, New Vista, Burnaby Citizen’s Ass’n, O. A. Pensioners, Stroke Club. On her world travels, she happily immersed herself in the culture of the people.

In 2018, Del moved into Burnaby’s Mulberry Parc residence. With her many new friends she enjoyed daytrips, musical events, jokes, discussing current events, solving crosswords, BINGO and banging pots at 7:00 pm each evening.

Mom is an inspiration to us all.

Visit www.dignitymemorial.com for complete obituary, donation details and to share memories.

Mom would want to join with us in thanking everyone who has been there to love her, laugh with her and to support her throughout her long and rich life.

She always said, “I’m so lucky.”

SKILLED HELP

PLEASE RECYCLE ADVERTISING POLICIES

All advertising published in this newspaper is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to buyers at the advertised prices. Advertisers are aware of these conditions. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading, is never knowingly accepted. If any reader encounters non-compliance with these standards we ask that you inform the Publisher of this newspaper and The Advertising Standards Council of B.C. OMISSION AND ERROR: The publishers do not guarantee the insertion of a particular advertisement on a specified date, or at all, although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of the advertisers.

Further, the publishers do not accept liability for any loss of damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. Any corrections of changes will be made in the next available issue. The Richmond News will be responsible for only one incorrect insertion with liability limited to that portion of the advertisement affected by the error. Request for adjustments or corrections on charges must be made within 30 days of the ad’s expiration.

For best results please check your ad for accuracy the first day it appears. Refunds made only after 7 business days notice!

BROADWAY ROOFING SHEET METAL WORKER Broadway Roofing Co Ltd., located 400−7430 Lowland Dr, Burnaby, BC V5J 5A4 is looking for 2 experienced metal sheet workers for Burnaby region.

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New West Record THURSDAY, February 25, 2021

23

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Drainage & Excavation SERVICES • We make Basements Dry • 604-341-4446

DRYWALL

Hardwood Floor Refinishing Experts • Repairs • Staining • Installation • Free Estimates

604-376-7224 centuryhardwood.com INSTALLATION REFINISHING, Sanding. Free est, great prices.

Satisfaction guar.604-518-7508

ABE MOVING & Delivery & 24 years Experience.

Fully y Ins’d. Lic’d & WCB • Spring Clean-up • Lawn Maintenance • Power Rake • New Sod & Seeding • Tree Topping & Trimming • Power Wash • Gutters • Patio’s • Decks • Fences • Concrete • Retaining Walls ys & Sidewalks • Driveway & Much MORE All work guaranteed Free Estimates .

.

Boarding & Taping, Good Rates! Reliable, Free Est. Reno’s & Small Jobs Welcome! Call Gurprit 604-710-7769

GUTTERS

Electrical Contractors Res • Com • Industrial Maintenance Work.

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Antonio • 604-363-4588

Electrical Installations Renos & Repairs. BBB Member.

www.nrgelectric.ca

604-520-9922

YOUR ELECTRICIAN Lic#89402. Insured. Guar’d.

Fast same day service.

We love BIG & small jobs!

604-568-1899 goldenleafelectrical.com

604-240-2881

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE −$50.00 − Gutter cleaning − Pressure washing − Aerating − Power Raking − Window cleaning − Gardening 604−209−3445 www.npservices.ca

• Gutter Cleaning • Roof Cleaning • Power Washing WorkSafeBC • Insured

www.gutterguys.ca Mike 604-961-1280 A-1 Steve’s Gutter & Roof Clean and Windows & Repair from $98 !

Gutters vacuumed and hand cleaned. 604-524-0667

HANDYPERSON

778-680-5352

Winter Specials • Clean-up BOBCAT SERVICES Tree Pruning & Hedges Blackberry Removal • Retaining Walls • Concrete • Driveways •Paths •Patios’ • DECKS & FENCING & more

25+ yrs exp. WCB. Insured

Donny 604-600-6049

604-341-4446

FENCING West Coast Cedar Installations since 1991.

New • Repaired • Rebuilt Fences & Decks.

604-788-6458

cedarinstall@hotmail.com

classifieds.newwestrecord.ca

778-984-0666 D&M PAINTING Interior / Exterior Specialist.

Many Years Experience.

Fully Insured.

Top Quality • Quick Work.

Free estimate.

WINTER CLEAN-UP • Stucco Repair • Decks & Fencing & more • Retaining Walls • Paths • Lawn; Seed, Install, Repair •Tree Prune & Hedg ge Trim

BONDED & INSURED EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES PROFESSIONAL, SAFE AND RELIABLE

604-900-6010 MrHandyman.ca

HOME REPAIRS RENOVATIONS INSTALLATIONS CARPENTRY • ELECTRICAL PLUMBING • PAINTING FLOORING • TO-DO LIST

HOME REPAIRS RENOVATIONS INSTALLATIONS CARPENTRY • ELECTRICAL PLUMBING • PAINTING FLOORING • TO-DO LIST

Done Quick. Licensed.

Done Right. Bonded.

Guaranteed. Insured.

604-878-5232 HandymanConnection.com

classifieds. newwestrecord.ca

PLUMBING

WEST BEST HOME RENOVATION Siding, Deck, Stairs, Railing, Patio, Fences, Gate, Driveway, Installs, Door & Windows, Flashing, Gutter Repair, Roof, Chimney, Drywall, Painting & Much More.

Call Mike: 604−841−7773

ALL RENOVATIONS: •Kitchen •Baths •Additions •Patio •Stairs •Deck •Fences •P Painting •D Drywall & MORE

778-892-1530

a1kahlonconstruction.ca

PAINTSPECIAL.COM

3 rooms for $375, 2 coats any colour (Ceiling & Trim extra) Price incls Cloverdale Premium quality paint.

NO PAYMENT until Job is completed.

Ask us about our Laminate Flooring & Maid Services.

Call Simon for prompt & professional service 30 yrs exp.

604-230-0627

Jag • 778-892-1530

a1kahlonconstruction.ca

RUBBISH REMOVAL

BRADS JUNK REMOVAL.com

• FULL SERVICE JUNK REMOVAL & Clean-Up at Affordable Rates • Pianos & Hot Tubs No Problem • Booked Appointments • Same-Day Service • Residential & Commercial

20 YARD BIN RENTALS from $249/week + dump fees

604.220.JUNK (5865)

YARD & HOME Cleanup Complete Renovations • Licensed Builder • Plumbing • Heating • Hot Water Tanks • Boilers •Gas Fittings •Fireplaces

Re-Roofing & Repairs Specialists

20 Year Labour Warranty Available

604-591-3500

604-767-2667

DISPOSAL Construction Reno’s & Drywall / Demo’s 7 Day ys/Week • Free Est’s

Isaac • 604-727-5232 www.lowcostrubbish.com

TREE SERVICES

Bros. Roofing Ltd.

ROOFING

POWER WASHING Gutter Cleaning, Power Washing, Window Cleaning, Roof Cleaning

A-1 Contracting & Roofing New & Re-Roofing • All Types All Maintenance & Repairs GUTTER CLEANING Gutter Guard Installations • RENOVATION WORK • WCB. 25% Discount • Emergency Repairs •

ROOFING

604-724-3832

PLUMBING

bf#37309 Commercial & residential reno’s & small jobs.

Drainage; Video Inspection, Landscaping, Stump/Rock/Cement/Oil Tank & Demos, Paving, Pool/Dirt Removal, Paver Stones, Jackhammer, Water/Sewer, Line/Sumps, Slinger Avail, Concrete Cutting, Hand Excavating.

Basements Made Dry Claudio’s Backhoe Service

A. RIGHTWAY PAIN NTING Ltd.

TRIM, PRUNE, POWER RAKE Clean-up, Rubbish Removal.

Free Est. • 604-710-9670

LIC. ELECTRICIAN

.

23 years experience.

Free Estimates

778 -895-3503

Bob • 778-968-7843

(604)374-0062 Simply Electric

#1 Backhoes & Excavators Trenchless Waterlines Bobcats & Dump Truck & All Material Deliveries

SPECIAL WINTER PAINTING DISCOUNT

.

Licensed. Res/Com. Small job expert. Renos, Panel changes.

EXCAVATING

PAINTING/ WALLPAPER

35%OFF SPRING CLEAN-UP • New Lawns & Seed • Hedging & Trimming • Retaining Walls • Rock, Gravel, Pavers • Concrete - all work • Patios • Fencing • Decks All Garden Work & Maint.

Prime Time Venture Inc Santo 778-235-1772

2 Guys With A Truck Moving & Storage 604-628-7136

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

All Electrical, Low Cost.

778-322-0934

Rubbish Removal $30/hr per Person.24/7 • 604-999-6020

Residential & Commercial

ELECTRICAL

Licensed Home Builder RENOVATIONS Tub to Walk-in Showers BATHROOM SPECIALIST 25+ years experience.

Over 40 Years in Business SPECIALIZING IN CEDAR, FIBERGLASS LAMINATES AND TORCH ON.

New Roofing & Repairs.

Gutter Cleaning • $80 Free Est. • GLRoofing.ca

Liability Insurance, WCB, BBB, Free Estimates

604-240-5362

classifieds.newwestrecord.ca

604-946-4333

TREE SERVICES

Pruning, Hedge Trimming Tree & Stump Removal 75 ft Bucket Trucks Covid-19 Safety Guidelines strictly followed.

604 - 787-5915

.

www.treeworksonline.ca 10% discount with this ad

SUDOKU

MASONRY

ROCK • SLATE BRICK • GRANITE • PAVERS

Incl. Landscaping, Stone Structures, Patios, Pools 20 years exp. - No job too small Will- 604.805.1582 www.northlandmasonry.com

PATIOS .

Aluminum & Glass Patio Covers, Sunrooms & Railings

Done Quick. Licensed.

Done Right. Bonded.

Guaranteed. Insured.

Free Estimate

604-878-5232

604-821-8088

Any project,

BRING HOME IMPROVEMENTS

HandymanConnection.com

BOWEN ALUMINUM

TO THE NEXT LEVEL

BIG

or small...

Find all the help you need in the Home Services section

BC AWNING & RAILING

•Aluminum/Glass Patio Cover •Sunrooms & Windows •Aluminum Railings, Vinyl Deck Free Est • 604-521-2688 PatioCoverVancouver.com

REFER TO THE HOME SERVICES SECTION FOR ALL YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT NEEDS

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

PUZZLE ANSWERS ON SEPARATE PAGE

24 THURSDAY, February 25, 2021 • New West Record

WEEKLY SPECIALS! Prices Effective February 25 - March 3, 2021.

100% BC OWNED AND OPERATED

Choices Ready to Eat Stuffed Chicken Breast

Fresh Steelhead Fillets

1699/lb

549

37.46/kg

each

Blue Jay Brand Navel Oranges from California

Organic Green Asparagus Imported from Mexico

3.26/kg

8.77/kg

148

Burritos, English Muffins or Bagels

349549

398 /lb

/lb

Earth’s Own So Fresh Oat Beverages

Breakfast At Choices

49th Parallel Coffee Assorted Varieties

Choices’ Own Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread

Assorted Varieties

599

1299

399

580g

340g

1.75L

Andalou Naturals Face & Body Care Products

AOR Vitamins & Supplements

Assorted Varieties

Assorted Varieties

35% off

assorted sizes Regular Retail 2.99 - 41.99

Choices’ Own Blondies, Brownies, Nanaimo Bars & Raw Bites

20% off assorted sizes Regular Retail 29.99-122.99

599 699 assorted sizes

Raw Nut Bars

Thank You Choices Customers Star of the Season

Each year, Choices Markets asks our customers to help support those less fortunate in our community with our Star of the Season campaign. These donations go directly to local neighbourhood houses, community organizations and food banks found near our stores. These organizations are on the ground floor of helping people who are our friends and neighbours when they need it most.

We R $62,0 aised 00.00

You donated 62,000.00 this year which is double the amount from last year. THANK YOU AGAIN!

Kitsilano | Cambie | Kerrisdale | Yaletown Commercial Drive | Burnaby Crest

choicesmarkets.com

/ChoicesMarkets

@ChoicesMarkets

/Choices_Markets

Physical Distancing: Please remain 2 metres from others.

One customer using the checkout belt at a time.Thank you.