Maple Ridge Chamber of Commerce hosts 2008 candidates Q&A

One or two candidates had complained earlier in the day that the Maple Ridge Chamber of Commerce gave very short notice regarding this meeting. Not only that, but the all-candidates Q&A meeting conflicted with a fund raiser for another group and many candidates, frankly, would be better viewed attending the (perhaps more worthy) fund raiser. The MC for the Chamber of Commerce apologized for the short notice and, as candidates trickled in late, they each excused themselves by saying that they had been at the other event.

Notwithstanding the fact that when your correspondent arrived a number of candidates were still at the fund raiser and it did appear for a moment that at the Chamber of Commerce meeting the questioners were outnumbered by the answerers i.e. council candidates v. general public and members of the Chamber of Commerce. There is, as an aside, no way of telling who of those attending were members and who were general public.

The venue at Thomas Haney is cavernous so the combination of all candidates and the audience did little to fill it. None of the three Mayoral Candidates were present. Perhaps they lingered at the aforementioned fund raiser hoping to snag a vote or two. Or perhaps it was just that evil mix of rain, wind and a cold fall night that kept the Mayoral Candidates away from the Chamber of Commerce meeting. And what a meeting it wasn't.

A town is just a town, after all. It is easy to exhaust the questions: what is your vision for Maple Ridge; what can we do about crime, homelessness, drug abuse, vandalism; can we improve transport; how can we attract more business; what have we done; what should we do; and of course, why do you think you rather than anyone else at the table can do it? If the questions sound familiar it is because they are. Ditto the answers.

Densification and revitalization of the downtown core and business area has been on the table for several decades now. True, it is given more airtime in 2005 and 2008 than at any previous electoral discussion. It is as though the candidates are piling into the discussion three years at a time. Your erstwhile correspondent would like to have heard a question regarding demographics.

Anyone interested in macro or micro economics will be aware that the answers to most of the run of the mill questions submitted at these meeting every three years is simply demographics. Gender, age, education, marital status and to some extent ethnic background and whether or not one is new to Maple Ridge or not. And in this consumer society, let's not count out income and occupation, white collar, blue collar or simply no collar at all. For an interesting Chamber of Commerce Meeting hire an expert in demographics. He or she will have the questions, the answers and perhaps even a glimpse at the future to offer.

The dreary thing about demographics is its relationship to time; birth, population movement and death (death can be unpredictable at times) move at a slow pace. And it these fundamentals that determine for instance the success or failure of a plan to say, densify our population in downtown Maple Ridge. And as we grow so do the the seedier aspects grow happily in the shadow of our loftier aspirations. More people, more crime, more homelessness, more drug abuse. Managing growth is all we can hope for from the elected officials. It is brave and kind and good of them to stand for office. To the articulate, and more than one of them rose to the occasion in the gloom of this meeting last night, hopefully go the spoils. To the less than articulate (and I suspect they know who they are) one hopes that office will be denied.

It did occur me last night that had I not attended last night it may have caused me to make one or two poor decisions. I departed the meeting with a somewhat altered slate than the one I arrived with. It pleased me that what I heard and saw caused me to change my mind and my vote. In this era of change, after all, change is seen as a good thing. This community of 73,000 would be better off it more voters dragged themselves out to all candidates meetings to hear what the hopefuls have to say. If not you are more or less voting to keep things just as they are. On reflection. "keeping things just as they are" would perhaps be an appropriate tag line for Maple Ridge's now familiar "Deep Roots. Greater Heights." The District of Maple Ridge, at least from what this correspondent has observed these past 15 years, is more about the roots than the heights.

From a friend in California

One sunny day in February 2009 an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench.

He spoke to the U.S. Marine standing guard and said, 'I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.' The Marine looked at the man and said, 'Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here.'

The old man said, 'Okay' and walked away. The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, 'I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.'

The Marine again told the man, 'Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here.' The man thanked him and, again, just walked away. The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same U.S. Marine, saying 'I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.'

The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, 'Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I've told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?'

The old man looked at the Marine and said, 'Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it.'

The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, 'See you tomorrow.'

Trouble at Mill, Mall and Hall

Vitriol in every guise, one reads, has slipped out from the whispered mutterings and under the breath innuendo up in the District of Maple Ridge's sacred corridors of power and now spills naked on the pages of our beloved local paper, the NEWS.

Clearly not all is well up at the Hall. The larger than life Mayor of our hamlet is receiving a very public spanking from the six council members who he claims are party to the most cohesive council since the 12 apostles. When it comes to walking on water, healing the addicted and the poor and homeless, or dividing the Lougheed thus making room for a wondrous light rail system or turning farmland to....er...farmland and green space to....er....green space....then Mister Cohesive is the super hero for you.

"Foul" each council member howls choir-like or solitary around the kitchen tables or in the local SBX. A nauseatingly expensive promotional campaign set the standard for all. The message in the  ads is clear: "Spend $100,000 and you too can be Mayor" Many candidates are shocked by the amount of money being thrown at the incumbent's campaign, but not nearly as shocked as they are by the content. If I read correctly between the line then our current council are stunned to learn that the Mayor is responsible decision taken these past three years and they in their state of mindless cohesion are responsible for all the worst decisions - at least that is what the incumbent mayor seems to be saying. Confused? So you should be.

Maple Ridge has lost its way. Is that possible? It would take a genius to mess up so simple an organism as this. Cohesion and confusion are not spelled the same way, nor do they share even vaguely any semblance of meaning. Deception and sleight of hand are not well obscured by the smell of snake oil wafting around our village this November.

There is a very strong possibility that the incumbent will prevail on November 15. There is also a strong possibility that many council members will be returned to their seats up at the Hall. Were this to happen then Maple Ridge is guaranteed three years of whatever the opposite of cohesion is and a continuation of what confusion most certainly is recognized for being - not good for a growing community.

Do we really need a community that will waste three years of its time in an atmosphere of confusion and uncertainty. The incumbent promised he would not run for a second term. It is every voter's duty to see that the incumbent first wish comes true and that he does not confuse us with a second term.

 

A South African perspective on President Barack Obama

SOUTH AFRICA, JONAH FISHER - BBC

In the last two months of the US election campaign South Africa's president has been deposed and its main political party split.

But 14 years after South Africa elected its first black president, Barack Obama's bid to follow suit has remained front page news.

In a country acutely aware of race and its role in politics Mr Obama appears South Africa's overwhelming preference.

On election day itself one newspaper proclaimed "Obamania: World Wants Illinois Senator in White House".

That preference appears to be based more on symbolism than any evidence that Mr Obama will mean a real change in bilateral relations.

In fact it's possible that America's next president may be less favourable to Africa than his often derided predecessor.

George W Bush is widely credited with increasing foreign aid for Africa and for South Africa in particular, his support of HIV/Aids-related projects has been welcome.

Mr Obama has promised to double foreign aid - but his running mate Joe Biden has already suggested that the global financial crisis may mean that commitment not being met.

President Bush is also credited with the African Growth and Opportunities Act which allows African countries like South Africa to export selected goods into the US tariff free.

With the Democrats enjoying closer ties to the trade unions and a recession imminent there may now be pressure on President Obama to take a more protectionist stance.

Elect and protect (click on this headline)

On November 15 vote for Tyler Ducharme if you have any interest at all in improving life in the downtown area of Maple Ridge and Haney.

Vote Ducharme - it will do ya no harme!!

More bus images from Oct 30 2008 between 11:20AM and 2PM

A bus comes calling

As a regular user of the West Coast Express bus service I was surprised to discover yesterday that they now make door stops (with the help of an old Cedar tree of course).

The bus missed our place by about 15'. Thankfully the injuries were minor. This is a dangerous part of the Haney By-pass as anyone who attempts to cross it at Calaghan will tell you.

I wonder if we can get council to get us a set of lights there. Naaah.

 

Maple Ridge Municipal Elections - Candidates seem unified on issues

If one is to believe the local media [and of course one is] then it appears that the three mayoral candidates and indeed all the council hopefuls are all on the same page when it comes to almost every issue of any consequence in this dormitory community. It is safe to say that everyone agrees that Maple Ridge is by every definition the sleepy hollow of the Fraser Valley; not that there is anything wrong with that.

Given this universal consensus of opinion among our politicos the citizens of Maple Ridge will or may be tempted to make their choice less on the views of the candidates and more on whether the candidate can deliver on any one of the short list of aspirations we all share:

• keep it green and keep it clean (the ALR)
• reduce one and increase the other (residential tax base v. business and commercial taxes)
• densify whenever and wherever you can (the downtown areas now newly defined)
• make Maple Ridge more attractive to business
• get that public transport system a step closer to reality (light rail along the Lougheed)
• do all we can to stop or at least slow down sprawl (happily excessive inventory in our single detached homes will take care of this problem for many years to come)
• Drug dealing, prostitution, violent crime, petty theft and vandalism (just knock down Northumberland Court on Fraser Street and get a court order for its majority owner to do some sort of community service. Perhaps if he just left town that would be service enough.)
• Haney Place Mall (see point above)
• Valley Fair Mall (keep up the good work)

And so on and so on. Next year we will head back into the bull markets globally, though it will only be felt in 2010. The two bridges will begin to impact Maple Ridge though no one really knows how; perhaps the effects have already been factored and we will see little change.

It would be awful to see the same old faces on council of course. Politics is grimly predictable though in Maple Ridge and it is unlikely that we will see a 'bench change' of any significance. One thing is for sure, who is elected next Mayor will be well known to all. There are a few new faces running for council and they are all being very nice to each other right now. Let's see how long the peace lasts. For a lasting peace I am going to vote for Ernie Daykin. Either of the other two candidates will bring their own, unique brand of chaos to the Chamber. 

It would be nice to see a council more engaged in the day to day affairs of the District rather than just presiding over a conveyor belt of subdivision applications; we deserve better. Fortunately the recession will lessen the  flow of development permits being issued  (for the moment at least). But don't worry, they'll be back in 2010 and 2011. In the meantime the green-keepers can sleep at night. And pick-up trucks will be among the 'best buys' at our local dealerships (see Dodge and Ford) for some time to come.

The Farmers' Market will expand and may even sport locally grown produce one day though I am not holding my breath.

It is a shame that we do not have some exciting candidates like junk-yard Dave and that adult store guy whatshisname running this time around. Local tourist attraction Linda could make a clean breast of things and throw her bra into the ring. We have all sorts of interesting people who could make election 'more funner' to use the vernacular. But fun is not for us; consensus rules the day. Gordy says so, so you better believe it!!

 

November 5, 2008 - THE HEADLINES

LANDSLIDE VICTORY PUTS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT IN THE WHITEHOUSE

and

BARACK OBAMA WIN DELIVERS LARGEST SINGLE-DAY GAIN TO WALL STREET WITH INTERNATIONAL MARKETS FOLLOWING HARD ON HEELS 

Surrealism - A form of art in which an attempt is made to represent and interpret the phenomena of dreams and similar experiences.[Oxford Dictionary]

The 2008 race for the presidency of the United States is awash in dreamlike qualities that warrant interpretation by all concerned.

And, as it happens, when the USA is the subject of discussion, all indeed are concerned. Is there a being on the planet left untouched (or should one say unscathed) by what happens in that country? That country so far away for many, yet irritatingly near to all.

The world watches with disbelief as the presidential campaign rages. The funds to float each candidate alone are stunning - more so if one understands that these are the very funds that find their genesis in such instruments of fiscal tomfoolery as the now infamous credit default swaps ("CDS"). A financial instrument once hidden from public scrutiny, now understood by even the most rudimentarily educated citizen. The CDS, a national ponzi scheme, cheque kiting on an international scale. And that, it seems is just the beginning of this unseemly fiasco.

The CDS system of bailing out debt, bucket by bucket between our esteemed institutions is just the birth place for a system which - had the man in the street known - would have been shown the abortionists table many years ago.

Greenspan - an appropriate name for the man who presided over the the spanning of more green than any other before him, can now be seen and heard publicly saying I told you so while we scratch our heads saying 'told us what?'And Bernanke, shaky of voice, stares blankly into the CNN lens yet continues spanning, stretching, eking out every morsel of debt from every tidbit of credibility that debt for paper will allow. Wondrous.

Yet, were it not so, where would we all be - those of us fortunate to make up the 10% of the world that eats, sleeps and works without apparent stress (well, that's how it used to be) or strain.

Are we to take the US seriously? Perhaps we should have 4 years ago and 8 years ago and 12 years ago and 16 years ago and so on back to the days of confederation. Historians can doubtless point to events that lead this nation, great as it was once, to the point now where it is simply a parody of itself. A self-mocking goofy-kid, spoilt, gluttonous yet disarmingly friendly and reaching out as if to say; sorry man, I did not mean to piss you off.

How do so many decent folk come together to represent a national oaf?

The lies, the deceipt, the fear, the greed, the humpty-dumpty fragility of politics in the US mesmerizes all but the brain dead. Lurching from bravado to tears, from war to remorse, from bully to samaritan, from destroyer to saviour - where will this journey end? Even the enemy, unseen as he is, knows that this USA cannot be undone. Unwound perhaps, but not undone. Chastised for sure, chagrined with ease, scolded for sure; bothered, buggered and beset upon no doubt. Stunned, oh yes. Only to rise on the wings of its beloved eagle, dragging that flag behind it in its talons, up, up, up into the blue skies above California and Arizona and beyond. A flip of the dollar 'heads you win' and whammo, the US is back in business. You know it.

Addicted to war and debt, a few years in detox and the US will emerge from the next 4 years of democratic rule to our head-shaking disbelief, in glory once more, ready to topple into the next partisan abyss.

It is not oil. That would be be too simple. They put a simple man there to disguise a simple myth these past 8 years. What it is, is the a need for recognition. The US wants us to know that it is relevant. And like it or not, it is.

Jeffrey's Bay 1964

Bosco sliding right at Paardeneiland in Cape Town circa. 1964.

One of the earliest groups to visit and surf the now fabled J Bay was this group of bums including a guy called Bosco, sitting back to camera.

Deja pooh.......

With less than a week to go to the US election and with Nov 15 2008 looming in our local election here in Maple Ridge it is tempting to think that perhaps the next four years and three years will somehow be different from the past - fat chance.

It is refreshing though to see some new names on the candidate list. One is tempted to vote only for those names that one does not recognize or heard very little of.

This Morden chappy seems like an interesting fellow. On the hand we certain names which frankly should have been archived years ago. Each candidate wants the same, so it is more about who can deliver rather than what is to be delivered. Morden's wish list seems to reflect that of all the other candidates, a sort of man for all causes:

• Enhance Transit and Roads (yay)
• Economic development (yay)
• Create local employment (yay)
• Expand and balance our tax base (yay)
• Address Crime and Homelessness (yay)
• Enhance Arts and Culture (yay)
• More Local Shopping Opportunities (good luck with this one, unless you mean more Loonie stores)
• Respect for Environment (yay)

Did he leave anything out?

Al Hogarth's message is curious: "I am still listening." Some clever git wrote underneath Al's message:"Why didn't you hear me the first time."

Gord has had so much to say these past 3 years that he has finally relented and says in his campaign advertisement: "Time for you to have your say." 

Craig Speirs has strung a series of cliches into meaningful sentences in his state of the environment address to his loyal subjects. And Sather goes tripping over a list of hobbies that reach all but nauseating lows.

It is all great fun of course, but one does hope to see some fresh faces in council next time around.  

Hopefully in this welcome housing downturn the District of Maple Ridge will be able to focus on the simpler aspects of municipal life and less on the the frantic antics of our developer-realtor community. We have enough inventory for years to come so need to waste any further time with applications on subdivisions or ALR applications. A broke economy will keep us safe from sprawl. The important thing now is to keep the recession going for as long as possible.

Quiet times ahead. Excellent!!

A Thank You

Lunatic Surfer or Destiny, Donald Paarman, 2008 A biography; this book tells the story of so many more lives than its central figure, South African surf icon Donald Paarman. Further, it manages to grind out between each crude or poetic page aspects of the world of surfing between the 1950s and 1980s and up to this present day which only those who ‘were there’ may understand. How familiar surfers are with the term ‘you shoulda been here yesterday.’ For those of us fortunate to have been there yesterday, Lunatic Surfer or Destiny is a ‘must read.’

Paarman seemingly carves from his raw life moments of intense despair, self-doubt, naivety and joy. In the same way as he may have paddled into a 15’ monster at the Kom Outer or Supertubes so did he paddle into life, not always certain where the ride would end; a disaster on a rocky beach or screaming cut out just moments before disaster struck.

To some readers this story may read as a piece of fiction, a reflection of an LSD, booze and dope fuelled brain clinging on to some vague memories from the past and stringing them in a rudimentary way together in a contrivance of myth-making and legend. To those who rode the same wave the story of Donald’s life may seem somewhat (Whaaaat!) matter of fact. Many of us may be tempted to think there but for the grace of Goddo go I.

For this reader Lunatic Surfer or Destiny hits home personally at many levels. As children Donald and I competed in swimming competitions at Christian Brothers College. My secret name for the school was Christian ‘Bothers’ College as the Christians bothered me daily. We must have started surfing roughly around the same time as we both stopped swimming at roughly the same time and surfing took hold of our lives and the lives of so many kids in Cape Town. I only had one rule, when Donald was in the water I would get out. This was because I got my more pleasure watching this genius at work at Long Beach, the Kom or J. Bay than I did from my own inept attempts at surfing.

To this dayI can see in my mind’s eye his almost lackadaisical style as he astonished his audiences on the beach with his elegant style and unbelievable recoveries from some situations from which it seemed he stood no chance of ‘making it.’

Lunatic Surfer or Destiny reminds us of the many characters who populated our young chaotic lives; the Bokhorst brothers, Thys and Frank (Murphy). John Whitemore (Oom), Ponting lad and Paul Botha. Interestingly, and perhaps typically for Donald, he frequently alludes to people in the book who he may admire less, but does not expose. I know for instance who was at the wheel of the boat that injured his brother with its propellers. It happens too that we know who it was who scammed him out of his dug profits and took off for France to marry and live happily ever after. There are many instances like this and it says so much for Donald that he remains silent when he could voice indignation.

Poetry and imagery follows the reader throughout. When Donald talks about the smell of the ocean in the damp Catholic Church in Camp’s Bay anyone who has smelled that smell can smell it once more, as though it was yesterday.

The quest for truth theme runs throughout and this reader paused to reflect that the title for this book may have been Catholic Boy Lost in a Sea of Goddism. Sweetly Donald tells us what he has learned and why he continues his search, but he tells us in no uncertain terms that no longer is he lost. Bravely he subjects the ANC to some very basic truths in so refreshing a style that it is hard to argue with his view of South Africa. Tragically he portrays not only his own life as a driverless bus, but to some degree as the once sturdy Viking Family of Catholics ages so to the flaws widen in some places and love consolidates in others.

Lunatic Surfer or Destiny astounds in one way. Given the lifelong addiction to dagga, LSD and drink how on earth did Donald manage to remember everything in such fine detail? If you want to test how difficult this is just ask Chemical Clive what he had for breakfast. As a wannabe writer this reader has yet to pull off of full-blown publication and I am thankful to Donald and his supporters for this biography as it stands as possibly the least pretentious, accurate and complete account of a wonderful era. Thank you Donald, you truly are THE MAN.

Claus “Bosco” Andrup
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Canada

Ernie Daykin for Mayor

This November vote for Ernie Daykin as our new Mayor of Maple Ridge.

Tyler Ducharme for Council.

Old blood mixed with new blood makes 'just right' blood.

GO FOR THE POSITIVE.

Bailout - hard to know

Just a guess. Hard to know. But here goes.

This little blogger held that Congress was right the first time to vote 'no' to the bailout.

A little bit of politicking and bullying in Washington and shazzam the vote is reversed a few days later.

This little blogger remains stuck on the notion that the first 'no' should have been the call again. No, no, no to bailing out debt with debt in a falling GDP. 

The markets looked modestly north at the time of the 'yes' vote today and then bless my cotton socks if they didn't head south before the close.

The question to which we will never know the answer to is; how much worse would it have been if the vote had been 'no' on the this Friday October 3, 2008. This little blogger's guess is that the result would have been roughly the same. In other words the US congress has just tossed another $700 billion into the socialist abyss.

Well, blog me to tears!!! How many decades or hundreds of years will it take to learn the basics.

 

$1.2 Trillion single day loss defines "New Order"

To the Bush, Rumsfeld and Cheney boys the notion of a 'new order' seemed once to be a grand idea. It seemed appropriate to them and their supporters that the US should head up this new order with a handful of puppet-states like the UK propping up the theory with great enthusiasm. 

Now, only a few deficit-laden months from his retirement to the farm (he is about ready for the farm) we are finally sharing the grand vision he and his friends had in store for us.

Thanks Georgie, thanks a lot.

Is there room on the farm for the rest of us?

The world.

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind.

BIG MISTAKE

The USA, through the conduit of its leaders, has taken it upon itself to save the world (so it says) by saving itself.

How noble.

Give it a while and lets see where this takes us (the world).

Tough love follows shortly as it is unlikely that the world (that would be 'us') is likely to step in to the breach when the US debt machine grinds to an inevitable halt sometime soon - winter 2009 or early 2010.

The banks should be allowed to go down with the rest of the so called 'system' - the world can survive quite cheerfully without the US. It is arrogant to think otherwise. No offense guys, but hey, enough already. 

Alfred E. Newman

Rumour mill

Robson to run for second term.

Furrowed brows mean nothing

The worried looks on the faces of the incumbent and the two candidates belie their intentions.

The massed congress and senators staring questioningly into the cameras belies the survivor in each one of them.

When someone, anyone, stands up and says: "I'll take a 50% pay cut if it will help my country." Then the political and economic leadership may, at a stretch, regain some of its credibility.

Searching as they are for some technical solution to this man-made fiscal fiasco is tantamount to searching for a pardon. How can US electorate pardon the unpardonable? One means them no disrespect of course, but it is their country, their politicians, their views and their vote.

No matter how long he may plan or how bitter he feels or how well-financed and supported he is, Osama Bin Laden would be hard-pressed to wreak as much havoc on the United States through acts of terrorism has the US electorate has managed through negligence to weaken itself to the degree that it has.

Terrorists can relax for many years to come, the US is well on the way to self-terror.

One is conscious that a 50% pay cut for each individual in the public service in the United States, politicians and staff, would resolve the problems of the US in a blink of an eye.

In the meantime we watch bemused as greed knocks at the foundations of a once meaningful sovereignty.

The American dream is just that.

When dreams become reality - Wall Street 2008.

Look for candidates who offer less

Less of the same

• inertia towards the downtown area
• pandering to developers who continue building where no buildings are needed (is it any wonder that the August 2008 on new housing starts sites Maple Ridge with the fewest. This is because the District has churned out so many subdivisions that we now have too many and don't need any more, perhaps for years).
• attitude towards property owners who ride rough shod over the community by allowing their properties to become junk yards (Northumberland Court on Fraser Street for instance)
• disregard for basic fundamentals of infrastructure. How about freshly painted pedestrian cross walks and decent lighting to prevent further deaths on our roads
• expenditure on consultants and analysts who once we have paid we ignore their advice
• planning and more implementation of the plans in place
• sense of achievement when nothing is achieved
• of the same civic agenda and more of the community agenda
• interest group-style politicians - does one absolutely have to be tied to the development community to get elected
• focus on development (if we can't attract developers with style, panache and guts then lets not pretend we know what we are doing)
• crime
• grow-ops
• graffiti
• pointless vandalism and more vigilism
• theft
• fast food outlets
• loonie stores
• micro-management by politicians
• talking, more listening by politicians
• roads, more bike trails and horse trails
• crummy design and construction
• cars, more people
• bureaucratic fear, more government courage
• insider dealing, more transparent and communicative approach towards all aspects of governance and government
• 1950s more 2030

The Eersteling Gold Mining Company

Fraser River Port Haney Feb 26 2008

I've never met a recession that I didn't survive.

Wild Life in Port Haney 2007

This young fellow showed up on our deck on December 30th 2007 quite determined to get into the kitchen for some festive food!!

Is it too early to start thinking about municipal elections

When we all awake On January 1st 2008 in glorious Maple Ridge it will be day one of the year in which the tax payers of Maple Ridge go to the polls (well at least 30% of them) to elect a new Mayor and Council.

Is it, one wonders, too early to begin reflecting on incumbents' performance? What kind of a three-years have we had? Good, bad, so-so? Where have we gained or lost? Does anyone really care?

With a population closing in on 75,000 we can no longer consider ourselves a small community. Does this prevent us from behaving like one? That is a question for the community, not for the politicians.

When it comes to elections the community asks itself who will be the best person to run this District for me? The question may better serve us all if it were slightly re-phrased; who will be the best person to this District for us? It is interesting that the community is content to allow 30% of its number to elect our leaders and to decide the future for us.

If we were able to see who went to the polls three years ago we would probably find that it was largely the same people who went to the polls in the previous election and the ones previous to that.

People who vote never change their demographic; they are all over 50 and have lived in this community for over a decade or were born here.

I'd like to hear from the other 70% in the next election and more important I like to hear from the new comers to Maple Ridge and from the young people. I'd like to see a council of young fresh faces, eager to lead us into the future. People with imagination, vision and a wider understanding of where in the world this small part of the world is headed. In short I'd like to see a clean sweep of our politicians and a nice fresh slate of dedicated citizens, willing to take on the challenges of the next term.

Is it not perhaps time that the Maple Ridge Club opened its doors to everyone?

Golden Ears Bridge on December 10 2007

Evidence of construction of the new Golden Ears Bridge can be seen from as far away as Port Haney. Here the winter sun sets on a crane on the north side of the river.

The many, many reasons for building a new museum in Maple Ridge

Come what may, history happens. There is no stopping time’s passing. And within the framework of time we the thinking species have gone about our business on this planet leaving behind a trail of events which we refer to as history. As far back as the earliest cave paintings Man has understood the need to record his activities, celebrate the events of the day and to preserve the community memory for future generations.

Not a moment passes when we are not a part of history, yet ask a school child what subject they least enjoy at school and it is a safe bet that ‘history’ will be high on the list. Better yet ask an adult when they last visited the museum: “Oh, do we have a museum in Maple Ridge?” is a common response. The reason perhaps is that museums are often thought of as being found in the large and important cities around the world. In Canada we are fortunate in that so many of our small provincial towns boast a local museum. In 1956 community leader George Mussallem recognized that Maple Ridge would one day become a much larger town and that it was important to archive the town’s earliest beginnings. So was born the Maple Ridge Historical Society and subsequently the Maple Ridge Museum was established.

Now in 2007 the Maple Ridge Historical Society is behind a drive to build a new facility that will act as a museum and archive designed to preserve and display our town’s past. At a recent workshop held by the Society participants were asked to list the benefits that a new museum may bring to our community. It soon became evident that the benefits we can expect extend far beyond the fundamental understanding of a museum which is to preserve and display. A little brainstorming brought interesting results.

Intellectual Benefits The need understand to our past through research, collections and increased knowledge; the benefit is knowledge. Spiritual Benefits The need to connect with our past is within us all; the benefit is well-being and the sense that we belong. Physical Benefits When we see a museum building from the outside we may feel comforted or drawn to enter. Then when we step into the building all our senses alert us to the promise of a tactile pathway back to our origins. The benefit is to touch the past with one’s hands as well as one’s eyes, ears and sense of smell.

Demographic Benefits We are not who we once were. Our median age groups change proportionately in a continuous urban dance; we grow in numbers. And as we grow as community we need more cultural activities to stimulate the young and strengthen the aged, and to encourage young families in understanding values of our heritage. Psychographic Benefits Our attitude toward all aspects of life in our community is constantly under review and change. Our base values remain largely embedded, but subtle changes in how we think leads ultimately to universal changes. One day we are urban sprawlers; the next day, ardent gatekeepers of our environment.

Tangible Economics The direct economic benefits of a fully operational museum in a City or District hosting less than 100,000 is probably questionable. In our instinctive quest for the bottom line and return on investment one may have to look further abroad than the institution’s annual financial statements. That is not to say that creative and innovative solutions cannot be implemented which could give rise to a more than break - even and steadily improving, year-over-year finale to each year’s annual report.

Intangible Economics Often it is the intangible benefits that are most tangible of all. Cultural Benefits Notwithstanding the many slights we receive from time to time Maple Ridge has a strong and fast growing cultural community. Attendance at our ACT theatre attests to the fact that we are home to a theatre-hungry and culturally savvy community. Our street festivals draw crowds from all over the valley each year. Tax payers support (for the most part) all the culturally diverse programs and projects that have come their way. The museum expansion will be questioned along the way as to the cost. The truth is that ‘culture costs.’

Core Regeneration In the case of this particular building and its specific location its significance is amplified by the fact that its presence will first create excitement within its immediate location and doubtless catalyze further much-needed development within its environs. Beautification For some years now the District of Maple Ridge has contemplated, and in many cases, acted out the wishes of the downtown community to make our town more beautiful. In 2006 and 2007 the District restated its intention to continue with the beautification of the downtown area through the careful placing of not only such things as flower baskets and banners and perhaps even street art, but more fundamental elements such as adding cross walks and additional traffic lights as well as reconfiguring parking and other street calming techniques. A major benefit of the museum is that it demonstrates the District’s willingness and dedication to make the town centre not simply livable, but desirable.

Walk Maple Ridge The benefits of a healthy walk are well-documented as a path to longevity and happiness. Politicians and staff in Maple Ridge, encouraged by local activists and enthusiasts, have made great headway in creating and promoting opportunities in the District at large. Closer to the centre of town and located near the waterfront a walker will find many pleasant walks during every season. The museum expansion will provide a destination of interest as well as stop for a cup of tea or simply a place to rest along the heritage walk, or perhaps meet a friend.

The regeneration of Haney began when the District restored the sidewalks and our road surfaces on North Street. The work included subtle design changes which would themselves conjure up the notion of ‘we are living in a better place’. What might any of this have to do with the new museum expansion?

Before long 18 townhouses appeared on 225^th street, one of the most neglected streets in the downtown area. Suddenly there were other signs of restoration appearing in the area. There is now momentum. The appearance of a construction crew on the museum site would accelerate the rate of regeneration in Haney – a clear benefit.

Haney developments Most of the old buildings of significant heritage importance are gone from the streetscapes of Haney. A small gaggle of low end developments have occurred over the past two decades. Architecturally speaking they are neither here and most certainly not there, when it comes to responsible development of the downtown. An extremely important benefit of the museum expansion is that it will reverse the downward trend of the neighbourhood and encourage hard dollar benefits which will be directly attributed to its presence.

Connecting with the Fraser River Historically 224^th Street has always been the main thoroughfare to the Port Town Centre Haney Wharf. Over the years the connection was lost for a variety of reasons. The construction of the Haney Bypass in the 1980s was the last nail in the coffin for old Haney. A review of the downtown centre through the SmartGrowth on the Ground process in 2004 and 2005 alighted almost instantly on the idea that 224^th Street was and continues to be the ‘spine’ that connects the downtown to the waterfront. As a spine 224^th street has been woefully short in the vertebrae department; that is changing rapidly. A significant benefit of the museum expansion is that it will accelerate and make permanent the town to river connection, eventually making it one of the most pedestrian traveled routes in Maple Ridge.

Enhancing Public Safety Improve street lighting in the immediate vicinity; better sidewalks in the immediate vicinity; more eyes on the street are just some of public safety spin-offs we can expect to see when the new museum is completed. The museum adds to safety and security as it overlooks the Heritage Walk lane from 224^th to 225^th and as a bonus will make 224^th Street a safer place for commuters who regularly walk through the pedestrian tunnel that connects the West Coast Express Station on River Road to 224^th Street.

― Claus Andrup, June 2007, Haney

(Claus Andrup is current Vice President of the Maple Ridge Historical Society)

A war without peace

The failed attempt by the United States to control Iraq's oil reserves will eventually end. The failure of Iraqis to live harmoniously has seemingly no end in sight. When the war ends will anyone be held responsible for the human cost? Or will it simply be 'on to the next thing?' If the United Nations was unable to stop the US from invading Iraq then where will the next failure occur? Though many of us live our lives distant from the clatter and chaos of bombs and sirens that does not mean that we are not responsible. There is something grotesque and obscene in the way we casually send our young men and women to their deaths. The politicians and generals put on serious faces, but the tears are reserved only for family and friends. The world needs sensible leadership and responsible management. Will it ever come? Not likely.

Controlled Flooding

There is something quaint about the way in which three levels of government are rushing about trying to raise the dikes along the Fraser River. Interesting how when you push nature it does what only nature knows, which is to push back. In our simple way it seems so obvious to jump in with all the equipment we can muster in order to contain the river. I've not yet heard anyone suggest that instead of increasing the height of the dikes the answer may be to build the dikes further from the river's natural course. So desperate are we to protect our farmlands and industrial parks along the Fraser that we push to river further and further inwards when what we need is a little more creative thinking, long term thinking, natural thinking. This bolstering of the dikes will not end well. Let nature take its course - after all, is that not what all the current hue and cry is all about. Let's see now, we'll start with the Fraser River, next Florida. The expected freshet will doubtless be nothing more than a damp squib - just not as damp as everyone anticipates.

George Bush:That Zany Guy

George Bush Hailed as the Muddle East's Greatest Saviour

Stockholm: August 10, 2010. Ex-president George W. Bush graciously received the Nobel Peace Prize today as the the sole architect of Middle East Peace, the long illusive of holy grail of world peace sought by many over thousands of years.

Bush, in bringing the Shia and Sunni together from the cauldron of war intitiated by his regime's seemingly stupid attack in 2003 on Iraq is seen today as the the greatest world leader in history and peacemaker extraordinaire. He saw what even he did not see.

uhearitherefirst

Maple Ridge 1948 - Long before the word 'densification' became popular

Relief for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows at last

On Friday February 9th 2007 Premier Gordon Campbell announced the start of work on the new Pitt River bridge. Not a moment too soon.

The bridge is due to be completed in the Fall of 2009. To demonstrate that they mean business the contractor Kiewiet & Son was on site on the following Monday (yesterday) February 12 just two days after the announcement.

The Pitt River bridge is timed to complete with the Golden Ears Bridge that crosses from Langley into Maple Ridge. The two bridges will have a profound effect on the future of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

Some explorers go both ways!

Is it true that arctic explorers who have visited both the North and South Poles are referred to as Bipolar?

Full-house expected for last showing of interactive performance of “Meth”

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

January 25, 2007

Full-house expected for last showing of interactive performance of “Meth”

Forum Theatre creates dialogue on roots of addiction

Organizers are expecting a full-house for the last performance of its recent tour of the acclaimed interactive production of “Meth” and therefore ask the public call in their reservations as early as they can.

The BC Tour performances, co-sponsored by Native and non-Native communities’ interactive performance of “Meth” will be held at Westview Secondary School on February 28 from 7:30-9:30 PM.

Headlines Theatre with Native and non-Native participants created and performs Meth, an interactive Forum Theatre production. Communities across BC use the primal language of theatre to grapple with the human relationships and dynamics that lead to addiction, creating theatrical public dialogue in search of grassroots solutions.

A Native Elder tells Headlines that Meth use on reserves is “the new plague”. Mass media now regularly reports on the “Meth epidemic”. Addiction knows no racial or geographical boundaries, yet communities struggle to address it isolated from one another. Who are the addicted? Why? And what can be done?

25 years strong, Headlines Theatre has produced hundreds of Theatre for Living workshops and performances around the world. Recent mainstage events Here and Now (2005) and Practicing Democracy (2004) played to great critical and audience acclaim, with Practicing Democracy being honoured as Outstanding Production of the Year at the 2004 Jessie Richardson Awards.

Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of the last performance on their BC wide tour. For reservations call 604-329-9365. Admission will be by donation.

-Ends-

What parents need to know about meth addiction

Claus Andrup│What do you know about meth addiction?

The majority of families in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge will never have to deal with the tragedy of addiction to crystal meth in their lives. For most of us crystal meth is something we read about in the press, see glimpses of on TV in documentaries or advertisements, or are reminded of each time we drive along East Hastings on our way back from a hockey game or concert downtown.

Politicians discuss crystal meth addiction, much in the same way that they discuss health, education or the environment. We expect them to do so and they never disappoint. As is often the case however, it takes the community itself to make the transition from ‘discussion’ to ‘action.’

Through a chance meeting between my wife Deborah and an acquaintance, Rani Bellwood, I came to find myself sitting among 50 or so young people in the Youth Lounge at Pitt Meadows recreational centre on a recent Saturday evening. Rani had suggested to my wife that we may want to attend an educational evening for youth. The theme for the evening was “Life or Meth.”

I thought that 50 or 60 children was a great turnout. They had many questions on the subject of meth and meth addiction, and were keen to share what knowledge they had gleaned informally and, perhaps more importantly, seemed eager to expand their knowledge.

The Life or Meth presentation combined videos and slides with the acting-out of two young simulated addicts who told their stories based on the lives of real characters with whom they had been in contact with or directly from RCMP or VPD reports.

Most of us are familiar with the fact that crystal meth is highly addictive and almost impossible to shake. We know too that it attacks its victim physically and mentally with severe consequences and that death is a common outcome.

Perhaps the cruelest thing about crystal meth is that once introduced to the system it immediately robs the user of his or her reason. The challenge for outreach workers and youth coordinators, it seemed to me, was how on earth do they make addicts understand in the first instance that they have a problem and second, that if they do not kick the habit, they may find themselves in the morgue?

To combat such a powerful drug takes resolve, persistence, ingenuity and the involvement of the entire community from every walk of life. In Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows this seems to be taking place, as demonstrated by people such as Rani Bellwood chairperson of the Life or Meth Youth Forum Organization Committee, Tony Cotroneo Youth Services Coordinator for Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, Mary Robson chairperson Maple Crystal Meth Task Force, Andrew Tolchard Chairperson for the Pitt Meadows Crystal Meth Task Force and the community partners that assisted.


As parents and adults our views of the addicted vary. Some of us may lump together, or associate a number of unpleasant aspects of the state of our communities. Homelessness, crime, addiction, production and distribution of drugs, prostitution and child neglect become, as it were, a single issue which we think of now and then, but choose to ignore if we possibly can. Until, of course, the day that the problem walks in our own front door in the form of one of our own children.

Parent blame has always been central to any discussion where teen behaviour is concerned. What causes certain behaviour patterns in our youth? Given that our children are subjected to having to watch mum and dad’s behaviour on a daily basis and having to listen to what mum and dad have to say about this issue or that, it is hard to absolve parents from the absolute responsibility of how children respond during the long and often arduous process of becoming adults.

Parents, for their part, are not born experts and most of their training can be said to be of the ‘on the job’ variety.

That said, the least one can expect from parents is curiosity. Bringing up our children should involve a lot of who, where, why, what and when?

In the case of drug addiction among youth the call for who, where, why and when becomes even stronger as the answers to the questions can save lives and whole family structures; and ultimately whole communities.

Here are three basic questions that parents in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows should be asking themselves.
· What are the chances my child will be exposed to this, and will try it?
· If my kid is using it, how to I detect that?
· If I think my kid is using, what can I do about that?

The hackles will rise on any parent at the suggestion even that a child of theirs could become a drug addict. Oddly, today it is the youth themselves, at least in this community, who seem to be asking more questions than the parents. This bodes well for future generations and for the quality of life we can expect many decades down the road.


The probability: General population surveys on alcohol and other drug use are often done by telephone interviews. You may have even participated in surveys done through questionnaires at your school. These studies show a low rate of Meth use in the general population.
For example, a major recent survey, the Canadian Addictions Survey 2004 (CAS), asked people about their use of "speed", an informal term that covers all amphetamines, including Meth. The CAS showed that 0.8% of Canadians reported using speed at least once in the previous 12 months.
That doesn't seem like a big percentage so why the big deal?

Firstly, 0.8% of Canadians 15 years and older equals about two hundred thousand people so, while that number is much smaller than some other substances, it's still significant. Also, standard surveys and interviews in the general population likely miss hard-to-reach people such as street youth. Information from other sources suggests that Meth use is much higher among this group.
Information, such as hospital admissions, shows that the number of people seeking treatment for Meth problems is growing. Police have also uncovered more clandestine laboratories producing Meth. They have also seized greater quantities of Meth. All these factors point to increasing Meth use, particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.[1]
The signs: User Denial, Family Member Denial, Enabling, Codependency, Personality changes, Immaturity (avoiding responsibility) Self-Esteem, Suicide attempts, Changes in Relationships, Lack of Motivation, Changes in Thinking, Concentration & Memory, Values and Beliefs, Denial & Lying, Changes in Sleeping and Eating patterns, Reckless & Impulsive behavior, Changes in Physical Appearance and Health, Changes in Personal Habits and Activities, Mental and Behavioral Changes, Arising Legal Problems.[2]

Action: In today’s world help is everywhere, thanks largely to the ubiquity of the internet. Each community recognizes the threat of meth addiction among youth. In Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows we are fortunate to have among us the leadership and volunteers who understand the need to come to the assistance of victims of the proponents of illicit substances.
People such as Rani Bellwood, Tony Cotroneo, Mary Robson chairperson Maple Crystal Meth Task Force, Andrew Tolchard and a small army of youth community partners are poised to help and guide any parent in need of advice. The irony should not be lost here; in large part our volunteer youth are standing by to help parents who do not know how to react to the addictions that may be affecting their own kids. Youth helping adults – perfect.

Maple Ridge, October 2006








[1] http://www.crystalrecovery.com/Recovery/Recovery.html
[2] http://www.drugwise-droguesoisfute.hc-sc.gc.ca/facts-faits/meth_e.asp#e

The Albion Sports Complex would create a centre of excellence for the youth of Maple Ridge

It will be some years before the community of Maple Ridge - particularly those who live in the Albion or Kanaka Creek area - decides what land use would be acceptable and desirable for one of the few remaining agricultural zones in the District. For a few years now a company called FirstPro (it recently changed its name to the more palatable and user friendly "SmartCentres" presumably following all the other smarts; SmartGrowth, Smart Cars, Smart Energy etc) has been enthusiastically assembling as many of the lots in the Albion as it could lay its hands on. This speculative buying as its endgame the construction of a large, typical strip mall occupied largely by Wall-Mart. Given that we now live in an age where consumerism has evolved into a full-time hobby for most of us, it comes as no surprise that big box names are lurking in the reeds at the Albion waiting to put their foundations down. Valid and well-established arguments exist for and against.

And while we all have our opinions, the District of Maple Ridge - politicians and staff - are less fortunate than us the citizenry. Citizens are entitled to their opinions; government is only entitled to facts.

Whether or not we see a legacy-type sports complex where we can hold provincial, national and even international sporting events ,or whether we are handed yet another venue for running up our credit cards and overdrafts, remains to be seen. It will all come down to opinion versus fact in a sort WWF of urban planning. I can already hear the crowd getting restless.......they are calling for blood as the proponents of the battle for Albion Green Belt get ready to ruuuuuuuuuuumballllllllllll!!!!!

Overheard

"Humans look like fish out of water."

Darwin

Mark Adams has an outstanding vision for the Albion Area of Maple Ridge

Maple Ridge Crystal Meth Task Force

Maple Ridge Crystal Meth Task Force
Coming Together through Addictions, and Mental Illness


NEWS RELEASE


January 2nd, 2007



Maple Ridge Crystal Meth Task Force broadens role


Maple Ridge, BC: The Maple Ridge Crystal Meth Task Force is pleased to announce that it is expanding its mandate from crystal meth only to a broader spectrum of addictions and will now include mental illness.

Says Chairperson Mary Robson: “What Maple Ridge has been able to accomplish, through funding and the synergy that is happening in our community, is recovery and post-treatment.”

She adds: “In July 2004 the community took ownership of its problem and Maple Ridge has been the only community in the GVRD that has been successful in reducing the number of people on its streets.”

The newly mandated Maple Ridge Crystal Meth Task Force will hold its first meeting on January 15, 2007 from 3 PM - 4:30 PM in the Genstar room at the ACT theatre in Maple Ridge.

Anyone wishing to attend or wanting details should please contact Rani Bellwood (Mobile) 778.230.8101


-ends-