By Dan Hilborn
Published Oct. 15, 2005
Team Burnaby wants to dredge Burnaby Lake for wildlife and recreation, but not for international rowing.
The plan, unveiled on Wednesday, calls for more aggressive programs to stop silt from flowing into the urban watershed and for dredging to accommodate recreational rowers and a new 'pocket wilderness area.'
"We don't think an eight-lane rowing course is appropriate for the lake," said Ron Churchill, a longtime B.C. Green Party member and city council candidate for Team.
"We think the money should be spent on dredging, with opportunities for people to get closer to the lake."
The future of Burnaby Lake has been debated at city council for almost three decades, since former city councillor Doreen Lawson called for an integrated management plan to enhance wildlife and recreational activities at the regional park.
In September 2002, just two months before the previous municipal election, the Burnaby Citizens' Association outlined a $29- million rejuvenation plan for the lake but delayed implementation of that program until they received commitments for equal cost-sharing from both the provincial and federal governments.
In May, just days before the provincial election, Premier Gordon Campbell came to Burnaby Lake to announce his government was contributing $10 million as its share of the program. Earlier in the year, federal environment minister Stephane Dion visited the lake, but a federal commitment on funding has still not been announced.
Churchill, who developed the Team Burnaby strategy along with Green Party compatriot Bruce Friesen, said the elimination of a planned international rowing facility is one of his group's most important changes to the long-debated plan.
"While people can row there, it should not be a venue for international rowing regattas because it's just not big enough," Churchill said. "I think it's been damaged trying to make it an eight-lane rowing venue."
The press release also stated that a Team Burnaby council would call on the city engineering staff to "systematically curb sediment- laced storm surges" into the lake while working with property owners, streamkeepers and developers to limit the amount of silt that enters the lake. The press release also noted that "inappropriate land management practices" have caused many of the current problems with the lake.
Parts of the Team Burnaby proposal, such as the call to build catch basins and settling ponds along Still Creek to help trap sediment heading into the 10,000-year-old glacier-made lake, are similar to the city's current plan for the lake.
The proposal was unveiled Wednesday by a small group of Team Burnaby candidates, including mayoral hopeful Andrew Stewart and B.C. Green Party leader Adriane Carr.
"I'm very pleased to be here today to praise and support Team Burnaby's vision for Burnaby Lake," Carr said in a press release. "This plan is for the long-term future."
In the press release, Stewart said the debate over the lake has been "pre-empted" by the proposal for an elite rowing facility at Burnaby Lake and the process of dredging should be separated from the construction of new facilities.
"Team Burnaby wants everyone - canoeists, walkers, joggers, birders and local streamkeepers, as well as elite-level rowers - to enjoy the lake," Stewart said in the press release.
Stewart also called for the creation of a mayor's committee to advise council on what facilities might be built at the lake after the dredging is completed. "There is room for rowing and for a pocket wilderness - if our community's cooperative spirit is engaged to find it."
Showing posts with label Burnaby Lake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Burnaby Lake. Show all posts
Monday, July 7, 2008
MP calls for dredging
By Dan Hilborn
Published Sept. 7, 2005
The rookie MP for Burnaby-New Westminster is joining a chorus of voices calling on the federal government to provide new funding to dredge the Fraser River, to keep open the second largest port in the country and ensure the safety of homes and businesses along the waterway.
Peter Julian made the call less than one week after federal Transport Minister Jean Lapierre told the Vancouver Sun that any future Fraser River dredging funds could not come from his ministry.
"The Fraser River dredging program has a shortfall of less than $4 million, and the response from the transport minister is that they don't fund port facilities directly," Julian said. "Well, they do, and they have in other parts of the country.
"That funding needs to be there to ensure we have the port facility and access to the port facility at all times," Julian said.
Lapierre told the Sun on Aug. 23 that a federal infrastructure program may be the best place to fund the dredging, which costs the Fraser River Port Authority more than $3 million per year.
In 1998, the federal government gave the port authority a one- time lump sum of $14 million to pay for its dredging operations, but that money has since run out. Dredging costs the port a total of about $7 million annually, but more than $4 million is recovered by selling the sand to other businesses.
Federal Industry Minister David Emerson also joined the call to establish a new funding program for Fraser River dredging, and said the issue may be comparable to the provision of funding for ice breaking along the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Sun reported that the Canadian Coast Guard provides 95 per cent of the funding for icebreaking work related to flood control.
Despite the support from local politicians of all stripes, including the mayors of all nine affected cities, Ed Kargl, vice- president of business development for the port authority, is not confident that the future federal funding will come through.
"I'm not very confident at all," Kargl said Tuesday morning. "The minister at our last meeting pretty much slammed the door on the funding strategy as we proposed it - which was a fund of about $50 million, which if properly invested would spin off the shortfall. He said Ottawa is not going to go along with that.
"Clearly, someone has to dredge the Fraser. We have to for navigation purposes. But there's a lot more than just that. There are other parts of the river such as secondary channels and we aren't going to do that because we don't have the money for it.
"We'll keep the river open for ships as long as we can, but if there's other dredging requirements, we'll say it has nothing to do with us."
Published Sept. 7, 2005
The rookie MP for Burnaby-New Westminster is joining a chorus of voices calling on the federal government to provide new funding to dredge the Fraser River, to keep open the second largest port in the country and ensure the safety of homes and businesses along the waterway.
Peter Julian made the call less than one week after federal Transport Minister Jean Lapierre told the Vancouver Sun that any future Fraser River dredging funds could not come from his ministry.
"The Fraser River dredging program has a shortfall of less than $4 million, and the response from the transport minister is that they don't fund port facilities directly," Julian said. "Well, they do, and they have in other parts of the country.
"That funding needs to be there to ensure we have the port facility and access to the port facility at all times," Julian said.
Lapierre told the Sun on Aug. 23 that a federal infrastructure program may be the best place to fund the dredging, which costs the Fraser River Port Authority more than $3 million per year.
In 1998, the federal government gave the port authority a one- time lump sum of $14 million to pay for its dredging operations, but that money has since run out. Dredging costs the port a total of about $7 million annually, but more than $4 million is recovered by selling the sand to other businesses.
Federal Industry Minister David Emerson also joined the call to establish a new funding program for Fraser River dredging, and said the issue may be comparable to the provision of funding for ice breaking along the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Sun reported that the Canadian Coast Guard provides 95 per cent of the funding for icebreaking work related to flood control.
Despite the support from local politicians of all stripes, including the mayors of all nine affected cities, Ed Kargl, vice- president of business development for the port authority, is not confident that the future federal funding will come through.
"I'm not very confident at all," Kargl said Tuesday morning. "The minister at our last meeting pretty much slammed the door on the funding strategy as we proposed it - which was a fund of about $50 million, which if properly invested would spin off the shortfall. He said Ottawa is not going to go along with that.
"Clearly, someone has to dredge the Fraser. We have to for navigation purposes. But there's a lot more than just that. There are other parts of the river such as secondary channels and we aren't going to do that because we don't have the money for it.
"We'll keep the river open for ships as long as we can, but if there's other dredging requirements, we'll say it has nothing to do with us."
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Campbell promises $10 million for lake project
By Dan Hilborn
Published May 14, 2005
B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell gave Burnaby voters 10 million more reasons to cast their ballot for the B.C. Liberals in the May 17 election.
In his second visit to the city in less than a week, Campbell was flanked by all four of his local candidates when he promised $10 million for the dredging and rejuvenation of Burnaby Lake.
"Burnaby Lake is one of the Lower Mainland's truly great environmental and recreational assets," Campbell said while standing on the recently refurbished Piper Spit boardwalk Thursday morning.
While exact details of the dredging project still need to be finalized, Campbell's announcement means the city can finally move forward with a long-planned $29-million project to remove up to 400,000 cubic metres of sediment from the 36-hectare lake.
Campbell also offered to work with Simon Fraser University, the Burnaby Lake Rowing Club and the Canoe and Kayak Club to build a national training centre at the lake.
Contacted at city hall, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said the city had been lobbying the provincial government for the funding since 2003, and he was pleased to see the Liberals finally come onside with the revitalization project.
"I'm really pleasantly surprised that they made this commitment today, even if it is electioneering," said Corrigan, noting that he was not invited to the formal announcement.
Corrigan also said that he received a similar funding commitment from NDP leader Carole James less than 24 hours earlier.
When asked if he was surprised by the timing of Campbell's commitment, Corrigan responded: "In a sense, if you're cynical, you're not surprised. And if you're practical, we could have been on this project if we could have gotten the support earlier on.
"I'm just glad I've got bipartisan agreement on this now," he said. "Carole James committed yesterday that they (the NDP) would support this, and I had given up on the Liberals supporting this."
But Campbell, who compared the Burnaby Lake dredging announcement to his government's 2003 decision to spend $79 million to purchase and preserve 2,200 hectares of Burns Bog in Delta, said the funding was only made possible because of the booming economy.
The project, which should be completed in time for the 2009 World Police and Fire Games, also meets two of his government's "five great goals" for the future - sustainable environmental management and healthy living.
"This could be one of the premier sport facilities in Canada," Campbell said, noting the project will restore the 2,000-m rowing course that was initially built at the lake in time for the 1972 Canada Summer Games.
And he gave credit to the city's four MLAs - Harry Bloy, Patty Sahota, Richard Lee and John Nuraney - for being "persistent in their pursuit of this plan."
In addition to the dredging, the project includes an upgrade to a large GVRD water main under the lake.
Just hours after the Liberal announcement, the NDP issued a press release that promised their support to the dredging project and some other uses for the planned rowing facility.
"Party's plan would look at creating dragon boat facility to reflect Burnaby's multicultural diversity," said the NDP press release.
"I couldn't believe what I heard from the Liberals today, because it wasn't that long ago that Gordon Campbell personally rejected funding this important project," said Burnaby-Willingdon NDP candidate Gabriel Yiu in the press release.
Published May 14, 2005
B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell gave Burnaby voters 10 million more reasons to cast their ballot for the B.C. Liberals in the May 17 election.
In his second visit to the city in less than a week, Campbell was flanked by all four of his local candidates when he promised $10 million for the dredging and rejuvenation of Burnaby Lake.
"Burnaby Lake is one of the Lower Mainland's truly great environmental and recreational assets," Campbell said while standing on the recently refurbished Piper Spit boardwalk Thursday morning.
While exact details of the dredging project still need to be finalized, Campbell's announcement means the city can finally move forward with a long-planned $29-million project to remove up to 400,000 cubic metres of sediment from the 36-hectare lake.
Campbell also offered to work with Simon Fraser University, the Burnaby Lake Rowing Club and the Canoe and Kayak Club to build a national training centre at the lake.
Contacted at city hall, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said the city had been lobbying the provincial government for the funding since 2003, and he was pleased to see the Liberals finally come onside with the revitalization project.
"I'm really pleasantly surprised that they made this commitment today, even if it is electioneering," said Corrigan, noting that he was not invited to the formal announcement.
Corrigan also said that he received a similar funding commitment from NDP leader Carole James less than 24 hours earlier.
When asked if he was surprised by the timing of Campbell's commitment, Corrigan responded: "In a sense, if you're cynical, you're not surprised. And if you're practical, we could have been on this project if we could have gotten the support earlier on.
"I'm just glad I've got bipartisan agreement on this now," he said. "Carole James committed yesterday that they (the NDP) would support this, and I had given up on the Liberals supporting this."
But Campbell, who compared the Burnaby Lake dredging announcement to his government's 2003 decision to spend $79 million to purchase and preserve 2,200 hectares of Burns Bog in Delta, said the funding was only made possible because of the booming economy.
The project, which should be completed in time for the 2009 World Police and Fire Games, also meets two of his government's "five great goals" for the future - sustainable environmental management and healthy living.
"This could be one of the premier sport facilities in Canada," Campbell said, noting the project will restore the 2,000-m rowing course that was initially built at the lake in time for the 1972 Canada Summer Games.
And he gave credit to the city's four MLAs - Harry Bloy, Patty Sahota, Richard Lee and John Nuraney - for being "persistent in their pursuit of this plan."
In addition to the dredging, the project includes an upgrade to a large GVRD water main under the lake.
Just hours after the Liberal announcement, the NDP issued a press release that promised their support to the dredging project and some other uses for the planned rowing facility.
"Party's plan would look at creating dragon boat facility to reflect Burnaby's multicultural diversity," said the NDP press release.
"I couldn't believe what I heard from the Liberals today, because it wasn't that long ago that Gordon Campbell personally rejected funding this important project," said Burnaby-Willingdon NDP candidate Gabriel Yiu in the press release.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
City's NDP MPs blast budget
By Dan Hilborn
Published Feb. 26, 2005
Good, bad and indifferent. Those were the reactions from Burnaby politicians after federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale introduced the 2005/06 spending plan in the House of Common in Ottawa on Wednesday.
Local politicians stayed true to their roots as they alternatively described the annual spending plan as either a stroke of genius, simply adequate or an abject failure.
"I think the Liberals campaigned like New Democrats and then introduced a budget like Conservatives," said NDP MP Peter Julian, who represents the Burnaby-New Westminster riding.
Julian and his NDP colleague Bill Siksay from Burnaby-Douglas will likely vote against the spending plan, but they want to watch how the debate rolls out.
Siksay said he was disappointed by the fact that there was no mention of affordable housing in the budget, and the only real impact on post-secondary education will be a proposal to forgive a student loan only if the recipient dies.
"You have to die or be completely disabled to get this new assistance - that's just not good enough," Siksay said.
Siksay and Julian also expressed disappointment in the fact that the budget delayed most of its spending on child care and the environment until the later years of the budget, and that the government announced a $4.6-billion corporate tax cut.
"The major element I'm concerned about is that this seems to be more of a budget for corporations and wealthy Canadians," said Julian, who was especially concerned about the elimination of the 30 per cent ceiling on foreign investments in RRSPs.
"They seem hell bent on outsourcing," Julian said. "Eliminating the 30 per cent benefits banks, it doesn't benefit average Canadians."
Paul Forseth, the Conservative MP in New Westminster-Coquitlam, said he'll vote in favour of the spending plan, even with its flaws.
"We are going to outline how poor the budget is and provide our economic alternative, but we've also read the mood of the country and we are not going to use the budget to bring down the government at this time," Forseth said. "We have decided to allow the budget to pass while criticizing it strongly."
And that's just fine for the highest ranking Liberal party member in Burnaby - Bill Cunningham, the former candidate who now serves as executive director of the Pacific region federal cabinet office.
In a three-page press release, Cunningham pointed to Ottawa's commitment to provide $87 million over seven years to fund Olympic and Paralympic initiatives, another $15 million per year for athletes, releasing $636 million in gas tax revenues for local governments over five years, a $138-million investment in the Coast Guard to "procure, operate and maintain" six new large vessels, including four mid-shore patrol vessels, plus an increase of $298 million over five years for settlement and integration programs for new immigrants.
Cunningham said four federal cabinet ministers will be in Burnaby on Monday to discuss the budget's environmental initiatives, and Environment Minister Stephane Dion will speak to Mayor Derek Corrigan specifically about the proposal to dredge Burnaby Lake.
"This is exactly what British Columbians have been saying their priorities are," Cunningham said.
Published Feb. 26, 2005
Good, bad and indifferent. Those were the reactions from Burnaby politicians after federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale introduced the 2005/06 spending plan in the House of Common in Ottawa on Wednesday.
Local politicians stayed true to their roots as they alternatively described the annual spending plan as either a stroke of genius, simply adequate or an abject failure.
"I think the Liberals campaigned like New Democrats and then introduced a budget like Conservatives," said NDP MP Peter Julian, who represents the Burnaby-New Westminster riding.
Julian and his NDP colleague Bill Siksay from Burnaby-Douglas will likely vote against the spending plan, but they want to watch how the debate rolls out.
Siksay said he was disappointed by the fact that there was no mention of affordable housing in the budget, and the only real impact on post-secondary education will be a proposal to forgive a student loan only if the recipient dies.
"You have to die or be completely disabled to get this new assistance - that's just not good enough," Siksay said.
Siksay and Julian also expressed disappointment in the fact that the budget delayed most of its spending on child care and the environment until the later years of the budget, and that the government announced a $4.6-billion corporate tax cut.
"The major element I'm concerned about is that this seems to be more of a budget for corporations and wealthy Canadians," said Julian, who was especially concerned about the elimination of the 30 per cent ceiling on foreign investments in RRSPs.
"They seem hell bent on outsourcing," Julian said. "Eliminating the 30 per cent benefits banks, it doesn't benefit average Canadians."
Paul Forseth, the Conservative MP in New Westminster-Coquitlam, said he'll vote in favour of the spending plan, even with its flaws.
"We are going to outline how poor the budget is and provide our economic alternative, but we've also read the mood of the country and we are not going to use the budget to bring down the government at this time," Forseth said. "We have decided to allow the budget to pass while criticizing it strongly."
And that's just fine for the highest ranking Liberal party member in Burnaby - Bill Cunningham, the former candidate who now serves as executive director of the Pacific region federal cabinet office.
In a three-page press release, Cunningham pointed to Ottawa's commitment to provide $87 million over seven years to fund Olympic and Paralympic initiatives, another $15 million per year for athletes, releasing $636 million in gas tax revenues for local governments over five years, a $138-million investment in the Coast Guard to "procure, operate and maintain" six new large vessels, including four mid-shore patrol vessels, plus an increase of $298 million over five years for settlement and integration programs for new immigrants.
Cunningham said four federal cabinet ministers will be in Burnaby on Monday to discuss the budget's environmental initiatives, and Environment Minister Stephane Dion will speak to Mayor Derek Corrigan specifically about the proposal to dredge Burnaby Lake.
"This is exactly what British Columbians have been saying their priorities are," Cunningham said.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
City gets raw deal on lake grant, says MP
By Dan Hilborn
Published Jan. 26, 2005
Could Liberal favouritism be standing in the way of the City of Burnaby's planned $27-million project to rejuvenate Burnaby Lake?
That's the assertion from Burnaby-New Westminster MP Peter Julian, who has found evidence of a major discrepancy in Ottawa's official explanation as to why the Burnaby Lake project was rejected for funding under the Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF).
Julian held a press conference at the Burnaby Lake Pavilion on Monday afternoon, where he unveiled several letters that indicate Burnaby Lake funding was rejected even though a very similar lake revitalization project was approved in the riding of federal finance minister Ralph Goodale.
"The appearance here is that two standards are being applied - one standard for Liberal ridings and another standard for all the other ridings," Julian said. "And I think what we're seeing, again, is British Columbia being ignored by this federal program."
Among the documents Julian unveiled was a May 13, 2002 letter co- signed by Jim Sproul and Ardath Paxton Mann, the B.C. and federal co- chairs of the Canada/B.C. Infrastructure Program, stating the Burnaby Lake application was rejected because it did not meet the eligibility requirements.
"Specifically, this project is not a construction, renewal or expansion of infrastructure for public use or benefit, and it is not an eligible project category. Lake dredging is considered to be a maintenance or repair activity and not the construction of public infrastructure," said the letter.
Also presented was a Nov. 30, 2004 letter to Mayor Derek Corrigan from Stephen Owen, the Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State for Sport, expressing regret at his inability to find a suitable program to fund the lake rejuvenation project.
"I support in principle any endeavour to increase sport participation and development opportunities for Canadians," Owen said in the letter. "The Sport Canada branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage, however, does not have any programs that could provide funding for the type of infrastructure project that you describe."
But Julian also presented another document that appears to contradict the assertions in the two other letters.
On Oct. 3, 2003, Goodale, the MP for Regina-Wascana, announced the federal government was pitching in $14 million towards a total $30 million to dredge, deepen and renovate Regina's Wascana Lake and build a new 130,000 square foot, multi-purpose complex at the site.
Julian noted the Burnaby Lake proposal would have only required 33 per cent federal funding, while the Wascana Lake work - which is now underway and has its own website at www.wascanalake.com - received 50 per cent funding from Ottawa.
"The Liberals say they want to embrace B.C. This is an example that they haven't got it yet," he said. "The project clearly meets the guidelines that I've seen that were used to approve Wascana Lake."
Julian also noted that the Burnaby Lake project has some urgency to it because of a variety of environmental issues that can only be addressed by a thorough rejuvenation project. Among the issues at stake are the ability of fish to travel upstream into the lake's tributary streams and creeks, the water quality of the Brunette River, the removal of contaminants in the lake bottom sediments, particularly near the inlet of Still Creek, and improved public recreation.
"This is an area I feel very strongly about," Julian said. "I grew up in this area, and I've been coming to Burnaby Lake since I was a kid. Generations of my family have enjoyed this lake."
Published Jan. 26, 2005
Could Liberal favouritism be standing in the way of the City of Burnaby's planned $27-million project to rejuvenate Burnaby Lake?
That's the assertion from Burnaby-New Westminster MP Peter Julian, who has found evidence of a major discrepancy in Ottawa's official explanation as to why the Burnaby Lake project was rejected for funding under the Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF).
Julian held a press conference at the Burnaby Lake Pavilion on Monday afternoon, where he unveiled several letters that indicate Burnaby Lake funding was rejected even though a very similar lake revitalization project was approved in the riding of federal finance minister Ralph Goodale.
"The appearance here is that two standards are being applied - one standard for Liberal ridings and another standard for all the other ridings," Julian said. "And I think what we're seeing, again, is British Columbia being ignored by this federal program."
Among the documents Julian unveiled was a May 13, 2002 letter co- signed by Jim Sproul and Ardath Paxton Mann, the B.C. and federal co- chairs of the Canada/B.C. Infrastructure Program, stating the Burnaby Lake application was rejected because it did not meet the eligibility requirements.
"Specifically, this project is not a construction, renewal or expansion of infrastructure for public use or benefit, and it is not an eligible project category. Lake dredging is considered to be a maintenance or repair activity and not the construction of public infrastructure," said the letter.
Also presented was a Nov. 30, 2004 letter to Mayor Derek Corrigan from Stephen Owen, the Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State for Sport, expressing regret at his inability to find a suitable program to fund the lake rejuvenation project.
"I support in principle any endeavour to increase sport participation and development opportunities for Canadians," Owen said in the letter. "The Sport Canada branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage, however, does not have any programs that could provide funding for the type of infrastructure project that you describe."
But Julian also presented another document that appears to contradict the assertions in the two other letters.
On Oct. 3, 2003, Goodale, the MP for Regina-Wascana, announced the federal government was pitching in $14 million towards a total $30 million to dredge, deepen and renovate Regina's Wascana Lake and build a new 130,000 square foot, multi-purpose complex at the site.
Julian noted the Burnaby Lake proposal would have only required 33 per cent federal funding, while the Wascana Lake work - which is now underway and has its own website at www.wascanalake.com - received 50 per cent funding from Ottawa.
"The Liberals say they want to embrace B.C. This is an example that they haven't got it yet," he said. "The project clearly meets the guidelines that I've seen that were used to approve Wascana Lake."
Julian also noted that the Burnaby Lake project has some urgency to it because of a variety of environmental issues that can only be addressed by a thorough rejuvenation project. Among the issues at stake are the ability of fish to travel upstream into the lake's tributary streams and creeks, the water quality of the Brunette River, the removal of contaminants in the lake bottom sediments, particularly near the inlet of Still Creek, and improved public recreation.
"This is an area I feel very strongly about," Julian said. "I grew up in this area, and I've been coming to Burnaby Lake since I was a kid. Generations of my family have enjoyed this lake."
Friday, December 7, 2007
Burnaby Lake in the B.C. spotlight
Here and Now column by Dan Hilborn
Published Dec. 15, 2002
Naysayers who are opposed to city council's plans to dredge Burnaby Lake may want to take a peek at the most recent edition of the internationally-acclaimed British Columbia Magazine.
The winter 2002 issue, now on newsstands, features a four-page article on our local wildlife treasure, chock full of the magazine's trademark beautiful photos of our local nature park.
The magazine, which has worldwide distribution and recently won 10 separate awards from the International Regional Magazine Association, described the Burnaby Lake regional park as "the best little duck pond in British Columbia."
Of course, the lake is rapidly filling in with silt, and environmentalists are worried that this rare wildlife habitat in the midst of an urban community may soon disappear unless the dredging program begins soon.
The article, written by Bruce Obee, tells of coyotes searching for food and how the large lake carp can actually gobble down the tiny Canada goose goslings that begin their lives on the marshes and reeds that surround the lake waters.
MARCHING TO THEIR OWN BEAT
The 50-member Burnaby North secondary marching band has again earned the Best School Band trophy at the annual Santa Claus Parade held in downtown New Westminster last weekend.
This is the third year in a row that the band has won the award, and apparently, the weather was a whole lot more enjoyable this time when compared to last year.
Peter Wenzek, teacher sponsor of the band, says Burnaby North has one of very few school marching bands in the Lower Mainland, and finding the right equipment is not easy during these days of tighter budgets.
"We have virtually no marching equipment," Wenzek told a reporter who once spent his winter school days marching around a snow- covered track with a sousaphone wrapped around his shoulders. "We're pulling small miracles around here. We have no formal uniforms, and no budget."
The Burnaby North marching band is now checking into plans to march in the Hats Off Day parade on Hastings Street next summer, and some of its members performed at the premier screening of the new movie 'Drumline' at Silver City Metropolis on Friday.
Anyone with a spare sousaphone or percussion instruments around can call Wenzek at the school, 664-8550 ext 272.
HONOURS FOR BLOCK PARENTS
A Burnaby resident who's been a mainstay for the Block Parent program across the entire province for almost two decades was awarded the Queens' Golden Jubilee medal at a ceremony in New Westminster this week.
Gail Yip, who first joined Block Parents in 1983, was among six people who were presented the commemorative medals by MP Paul Forseth and BC Block Parent Society president Shelley Sweeney.
Gail first joined the program when her own children were small, and she just stayed on over the years because of the incredible good work done by the program.
Over the years, she's served as a volunteer, school coordinator, area coordinator, publicity coordinator and director for the association, and this year she is the first vice-president of BC BPS.
And that's not all. Gail is also active in the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Salvation Army.
HARRY SENDS CASH
Instead of sending out Christmas cards this holiday season, local MLA Harry Bloy donated $2,000 to a group of six local charities.
Bloy, who represents the Burquitlam riding, gave his hard-earned cash to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau, the Burnaby Optimist Club, Coquitlam Kinettes, Cottonwood Connections, Jimmy Christmas Hamper Fund and the Northeast Burnaby Community Association.
The cheques were handed out during a special ceremony at Harry's Clarke Road constituency office earlier this month.
COATS FOR KIDS FROM CURTIS
Kudos are due to the good folks at Curtis Lumber, who were probably the greatest single contributors to the seventh annual Coats for Kids campaign organized by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association.
Collection boxes were set up at both Curtis Lumber locations in the city late last month, and after just two weeks, the staff, customers and friends had donated a whopping total of more than 100 warm coats for needy kids and teenagers.
"Every year they collect more and more coats," said GVHBA executive director Peter Simpson. "They really get involved in this and, let's face it, they don't have to do this."
Curtis Lumbers' donation is one of the main reasons the campaign collected more than 1,900 warm coats this year, more than double the number collected last year.
Other collection boxes were set up by local renovation company TQ Construction, and at the Elgin Street sales office of Intracorp Developments.
All coats will be taken to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau for distribution to families across the region.
MARKING THE DAYS
Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland are holding one of their largest fundraisers at Brentwood Town Centre this holiday season.
The group is selling their inspirational 2003 Contest Calendar for Big Sisters at a special kiosk inside the shopping centre.
The 15-month calendar includes inspirational sayings and pictures, plus 52 chances, one for each week of the year plus a grand prize, for the chance to win prizes valued at over $15,000.
The calendars will be on sale until Christmas Eve. All proceeds go back into the organization which currently has 33 matched Big and Little Sisters in Burnaby, plus more on the waiting lists.
A SCARY TALE
Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for the rebel in your family?
The Haven: A True Story of Life in the Hole is the autobiography of Richard Dube, a convicted murderer, who robbed a motel in Burnaby en route to a long stint of inside Canada's most notorious prisons.
Dube's story, $10.99 from Harper Collins, gives a frightful look into Canada's prison system and what terrors await those who cross to the other side of the law.
The book would be a real eye-opener for anyone who believes that Canada's prisons have turned into country clubs.
Published Dec. 15, 2002
Naysayers who are opposed to city council's plans to dredge Burnaby Lake may want to take a peek at the most recent edition of the internationally-acclaimed British Columbia Magazine.
The winter 2002 issue, now on newsstands, features a four-page article on our local wildlife treasure, chock full of the magazine's trademark beautiful photos of our local nature park.
The magazine, which has worldwide distribution and recently won 10 separate awards from the International Regional Magazine Association, described the Burnaby Lake regional park as "the best little duck pond in British Columbia."
Of course, the lake is rapidly filling in with silt, and environmentalists are worried that this rare wildlife habitat in the midst of an urban community may soon disappear unless the dredging program begins soon.
The article, written by Bruce Obee, tells of coyotes searching for food and how the large lake carp can actually gobble down the tiny Canada goose goslings that begin their lives on the marshes and reeds that surround the lake waters.
MARCHING TO THEIR OWN BEAT
The 50-member Burnaby North secondary marching band has again earned the Best School Band trophy at the annual Santa Claus Parade held in downtown New Westminster last weekend.
This is the third year in a row that the band has won the award, and apparently, the weather was a whole lot more enjoyable this time when compared to last year.
Peter Wenzek, teacher sponsor of the band, says Burnaby North has one of very few school marching bands in the Lower Mainland, and finding the right equipment is not easy during these days of tighter budgets.
"We have virtually no marching equipment," Wenzek told a reporter who once spent his winter school days marching around a snow- covered track with a sousaphone wrapped around his shoulders. "We're pulling small miracles around here. We have no formal uniforms, and no budget."
The Burnaby North marching band is now checking into plans to march in the Hats Off Day parade on Hastings Street next summer, and some of its members performed at the premier screening of the new movie 'Drumline' at Silver City Metropolis on Friday.
Anyone with a spare sousaphone or percussion instruments around can call Wenzek at the school, 664-8550 ext 272.
HONOURS FOR BLOCK PARENTS
A Burnaby resident who's been a mainstay for the Block Parent program across the entire province for almost two decades was awarded the Queens' Golden Jubilee medal at a ceremony in New Westminster this week.
Gail Yip, who first joined Block Parents in 1983, was among six people who were presented the commemorative medals by MP Paul Forseth and BC Block Parent Society president Shelley Sweeney.
Gail first joined the program when her own children were small, and she just stayed on over the years because of the incredible good work done by the program.
Over the years, she's served as a volunteer, school coordinator, area coordinator, publicity coordinator and director for the association, and this year she is the first vice-president of BC BPS.
And that's not all. Gail is also active in the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Salvation Army.
HARRY SENDS CASH
Instead of sending out Christmas cards this holiday season, local MLA Harry Bloy donated $2,000 to a group of six local charities.
Bloy, who represents the Burquitlam riding, gave his hard-earned cash to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau, the Burnaby Optimist Club, Coquitlam Kinettes, Cottonwood Connections, Jimmy Christmas Hamper Fund and the Northeast Burnaby Community Association.
The cheques were handed out during a special ceremony at Harry's Clarke Road constituency office earlier this month.
COATS FOR KIDS FROM CURTIS
Kudos are due to the good folks at Curtis Lumber, who were probably the greatest single contributors to the seventh annual Coats for Kids campaign organized by the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association.
Collection boxes were set up at both Curtis Lumber locations in the city late last month, and after just two weeks, the staff, customers and friends had donated a whopping total of more than 100 warm coats for needy kids and teenagers.
"Every year they collect more and more coats," said GVHBA executive director Peter Simpson. "They really get involved in this and, let's face it, they don't have to do this."
Curtis Lumbers' donation is one of the main reasons the campaign collected more than 1,900 warm coats this year, more than double the number collected last year.
Other collection boxes were set up by local renovation company TQ Construction, and at the Elgin Street sales office of Intracorp Developments.
All coats will be taken to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau for distribution to families across the region.
MARKING THE DAYS
Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland are holding one of their largest fundraisers at Brentwood Town Centre this holiday season.
The group is selling their inspirational 2003 Contest Calendar for Big Sisters at a special kiosk inside the shopping centre.
The 15-month calendar includes inspirational sayings and pictures, plus 52 chances, one for each week of the year plus a grand prize, for the chance to win prizes valued at over $15,000.
The calendars will be on sale until Christmas Eve. All proceeds go back into the organization which currently has 33 matched Big and Little Sisters in Burnaby, plus more on the waiting lists.
A SCARY TALE
Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for the rebel in your family?
The Haven: A True Story of Life in the Hole is the autobiography of Richard Dube, a convicted murderer, who robbed a motel in Burnaby en route to a long stint of inside Canada's most notorious prisons.
Dube's story, $10.99 from Harper Collins, gives a frightful look into Canada's prison system and what terrors await those who cross to the other side of the law.
The book would be a real eye-opener for anyone who believes that Canada's prisons have turned into country clubs.
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