Taking Action to End Violence in Relationships

December 06 - National day of Remembrance and
Action on Violence against Women

DOVE (Delta Opposes Violence Everywhere) is a committee of community agencies working together to end violence in relationships. The Dove Committee came together in 2000 and consists of multiple community agencies including; Deltassist Family & Community Services, Delta Police Victim Services, Stroh Healthcare, Diversecity, Options, Family Justice Services, Delta School District, Delta/Surrey Community Corrections, Boys and Girls Club, Ministry for Children and Families and Delta Mental Health.
This committee works in a coordinated effort to end violence in all relationships by bringing about public awareness, as well as working to minimize potential gaps or duplications of services within Delta.

The Dove Committee is one of action and members of the committee will be visible in the community as December 06 - National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women approaches.

December 01-06 DOVE Committee EVENTS:

• December 01-03 - Committee members will be hosting displays in three secondary schools in Delta in an effort to educate youth on the issues of relationship violence.

• Sunday December 05, in addition to hosting a display in South Delta Baptist Church, the DOVE committee will be receiving recognition and a special presentation from that congregation.

South Delta Baptist Church, Pastor Paul Johnson says, “As a church we recognize there are difficult circumstances faced by people in our community. We endeavor to help in prayerful, practical and meaningful ways. Supporting the work of the DOVE committee is one of many opportunities we have to make a positive impact in our community. We are pleased to make a financial contribution to DOVE from the Thanksgiving offerings that took place in our congregation through the month of October.”

On Monday Dec 6th the National Day of Remembrance, the DOVE committee will be accessible and provide resource information at a display in the Scottsdale Center ( 7100 block 120th St in North Delta) between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 5: 00 p.m.

DOVE focuses on ending violence in relationships through;

• Awareness and education – the committee educates the community by identifying different forms of violence that exist in all relationships. Dove is proactive in reaching all age and multicultural groups via outreach at various events through out the year.

• Providing referrals, support and resources – using a holistic approach Dove explores preventative options
looking at all aspects of violence from the victim, offender, to family members. Has developed various resources focusing on safety for adults, teens, and elderly.

• Practical Action – Emergency Care Kits; created and provided to those fleeing abuse.

Last year the DOVE Committee initiated the “Emergency Care Kits” for women, men and children leaving an abusive relationship. The nature of an abusive relationship, often require those involved to relocate suddenly without notice for safety reasons. Emergency Care Kits include basic items such as toiletries to get them through a critical time. With the support of the community the DOVE Committee was able to achieve its 2009 goal of creating 150 Emergency Care Kits. There is always a need for these short term necessities, if you wish to donate various supplies please visit the DOVE website at, deltaassist.com/dove.html or contact Jill Colley at jcolley@deltapolice.ca

Lest We Forget

By Debbie McBride - Beneath cloudy skies and standing in a brisk cold breeze, over a hundred people took part in an intimate and moving Remembrance Day service at Delta Heritage Airpark. This was the fifth year Delta Heritage Airpark, which is located at the foot of 104 St. in Delta, has held a Remembrance Day service.
The ceremony is centered around the flagpole located near the grass landing strip and heritage hangers which house numerous recreational aircraft.

The start of the service is signalled by the rumbling flyover of World War II aircraft taking off from nearby Boundary Bay Airport. These Warbirds then continue on to participate in Remembrance Day services located throughout Metro Vancouver.

The service continued as words of remembrance, including the reading of In Flanders Fields, were spoken and the flag lowered to half-mast. Serving as Colour Guards were members of 655 Richmond Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets, who also provided Bugler Sgt Asheesh Jagdeo.

The haunting strains of Last Post, the observance of two minutes of silence and Reveille were all the more poignant as birdsong surrounded the diverse crowd of all ages who had come to pay their respect to and honour all those who had sacrificed so much.

Wreaths were placed in memory of All Veterans by Larry Thomson and Tony Swain and for Commonwealth Airmen by Ralph Rowe. At the end of the service a number of people placed their poppies on this wreath which was later taken to and placed at the little known Commonwealth Airmen Memorial Garden in Stanley Park.
What makes this service so unique is the time of personal reflection that is open to all in attendance. During this time people spoke of those they had known during times of war and shared their stories in a personal and touching time that isn’t possible in larger, more formal ceremonies.

The service was then concluded by the singing of O Canada led by 10 year old Isabelle Hui Bon Hoa and the flypast of the returning Warbirds and a formation flight of nine single engine aircraft from Delta Heritage Airpark.
After the ceremony all were invited to the Airpark coffee shop to partake in a chili lunch hosted by the Airpark and the Recreational Aircraft Association Chapter 85.

Thrifty Foods Recalls BBQ Chicken and Pot Pies

Thrifty Foods Barbecue Chicken and Pot Pies at Tsawwassen Location May Contain Possible Chemical Contaminant

Tsawwassen, BC. November 2, 2010: A health hazard alert has been issued by Thrifty Foods through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Thrifty Foods Tsawwassen is warning the public not to consume barbecue chicken, pre-cooked chicken pot pies and pre-cooked broccoli pot pies produced and sold at the store on November 1, 2010.

The following products are being voluntarily recalled as they may have come in contact with a chemical used to clean the ovens at the Tsawwassen store:

Brand	Product	UPC	Best Before Date
Thrifty Foods	Barbecue whole chicken	77414730220	November 2, 2010
Thrifty Foods	Barbecue chicken breast	20608200000	November 2, 2010
Thrifty Foods	Barbecue chicken leg	20608400000	November 2, 2010
Thrifty Foods	Pre-cooked, hot chicken pot pies	20589400000	November 2, 2010
Thrifty Foods	Pre-cooked, hot broccoli pot pies	20622900000	November 2, 2010

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products and recalled product has been sent to food laboratories for testing.

Thrifty Foods Tsawwassen consumers may bring products back to the Tsawwassen store for a full refund.

Tsawwasen Area Plan Scrapped After Citizen Revolt

After two years of Tsawwassen Area Plan Committee meetings, Delta Council has decided to turn down the proposed Tsawwassen Area Plan. The plan, which involved untold hours of Delta planning and staff time, contentious public meetings, consultations, and costly surveys met with fierce opposition from the citizens of Tsawwassen and sparked an intense public hearing process that had no end in sight.

The public hearing for the proposed area plan took place on Oct 26 and 27 between 7 and 10 PM at the South Delta Rec Center. Each speaker was allowed 5 minutes to speak to the Area Plan and an additional 2-minutes of rebuttal time after everyone had been heard.

An overwhelming majority of the speakers spoke against the adoption of the plan. The Southlands retaining its agriculture designation was the only part of the plan that received endorsement, although many people requested that the council lobby the provincial government to return the land to the Agricultural Land Reserve.

With development of the Southlands off the chopping block, it became pretty obvious that Mayor Jackson and her council had grossly miscalculated the effect this plan would have on the community. It was the appearance of a vastly extended area of apartments, condos and town homes that proved to be the catalyst of an all-out citizens revolt. This rezoning of established single family neighbourhoods would have affected 600 single family homes. To those in attendance, Mayor Jackson's error became apparent as speaker after speaker took the podium to vocalize their outrage of the plan and their contempt for the council that tried to impose it without public consultation. The new plan would have also allowed for multi-family homes to built along the BC Hydro right of way and there was outrage that this was even considered, let alone be included in the new Tsawwassen Area Plan.

Residents affected by the arbitrary increase of multi-family zoning were united in their disapproval. Their emotional testimonies included tears, pleas, outrage and shock by many that the first they had been informed of the designation changes were when they received the brochure from Delta showing the proposed area plan.

Other issues raised were the exclusion of the Tsawwassen Golf and Country Club from the area plan as well as the lack of inclusion of plans for rapid and large development on the Tsawwassen First Nation lands and how those plans would effect Tsawwassen.

Additionally, there were questions raised about why there had been no discussion or information regarding Tsawwassen's role in the Metro Vancouver Watershed program and a number of speakers called for the resignations of city planning staff for creating this plan. Another day of hearings had to be scheduled as many people had yet to be heard by the end of day two. With Mayor Jackson not in attendance due to failing health, Councilor Robert Campbell put forth a motion to extend the hearings for another day.

It was at this newly scheduled meeting that the bomb was dropped, as Mayor Lois Jackson showed up and brought an end to the meeting. After thanking Delta staff and Councilor Bruce McDonald for all their time and effort, she announced that Delta had decided to withdraw the plan after hearing the overwhelming opposition from residents at the public hearing. She also announced that there will be a review of the process that took place.

The entire public hearing, including Thursday's stunning announcement, can be viewed on Delta Cable, a community access channel.

Delta Mayor and Council Take Beating TAP Hearing

Tsawwassen - The much anticipated Tsawwassen Area Plan (TAP) public hearing began last night at the South Delta Recreation center. Hundred gathered to voice there opinions on the proposed area plan that has been over two years in the making.

Throughout the process, the Southlands residential development plan had dominated the area plan. After numerous failed attempts to gauge public opinion on the matter, staff conducted an Ipsos Reid survey. The results showed that two-thirds of Tsawwassen residents opposed any development of the old Spetifore farmlands. It was this survey along with a vocal opposition by concerned citizens that predicated city staff to revise the TAP recommending that the Southlands retain its agricultural zoning.

Even with this recommendation many came out to see what would take place at the hearings. Dana Maslovat, one of the founders of Southlands the Facts thinks the plan is only the first step in protecting the land. "I think now that the Southlands is going to retain its agricultural designation council should make an application to the Agricultural Land Commission to have it returned to the Agricultural Land Reserve and settle this divisive issue once and for all."


Maslovat was the third person to address council on the proposed plan. and it was clear his sentiments were shared by the crowd.

Although a number of speakers addressed council and staff with their objections to the development of the Southlands, the majority in attendance were also very much opposed to practically every aspect of the TAP. Citizen after citizen took to the podium to announce their displeasure of the policies, and of the Mayor and council who sat there and nodded as they were drubbed over and over again with displeased constituents.

As Mayor Jackson and council listened to the citizens who spoke last night, it became apparent that public opinion is not reflected in the new TAP with respect to densification proposed for the surrounding area of the town center. The gorwth projections were challenged by the majority in attendance.

The theme of the evening became the obvious lack of community input when deciding where the proposed growth would be located. A large delegations from Camaro Drive and the Hylands owned the podium for the majority of the night, asking why council would consider a plan that would rezone their communities and force them to sell to developers. One gentleman talked about all the additions he had done to his home with permits purchased from the city, "Now I will have to leave my home and walk away from all the money I have invested." After a round of applause he added,"My land will only be worth lot value to a developer My home will be worthless."

It would appear the initial assumption that Tsawwassen requires new zoning options to allow for significant growth is not shared by the residents. It is obvious that the many citizens that attended the public meeting do not see large growth as necessary or wanted.

The last time the Tsawwassen Area Plan was put to the public it resulted in the longest public hearing in the history of the British Commonwealth. That was over 20-years ago when the Southlands was slated for development. From all accounts of people who had been in attendance two decades ago, this hearing was far more civilized.

The only conflict of the night was when former councilor and Hyland resident, Wendy Jeske filibustered well over her allotted 5-minutes (close to 15-minutes) while local activist Carol Vignale jumped up and down wildly in the back of the room screaming, "Boo, Boo," and going on to shout,"this is not democracy!" before storming out of the building in disgust. Jeske's impassioned, and extended, plea was well received by the audience and the Mayor herself didn't interrupt.

By the end of the evening close to 40 people had spoken with many more to be heard tonight.

Tsawwassen Area Plan Public Hearing October 26 & 27

Tsawwassen Area Plan Hearing Begins Tomorrow

The new Tsawwassen Area Plan (TAP) will be presented and discussed at a public meeting on October 26 & 27, 7:00 pm at South Delta Recreation Center. The public will be given an opportunity to provide feedback to Delta Council regarding the bylaw outlining the future direction of Tsawwassen. The proposed TAP recommends maintaining of the agricultural land use Designation for the Southlands.

This follows an 8-1 vote in favour of agricultural designation from the final TAPC meeting, an Ipsos Reid survey showing clear majority support (62%) for maintaining the designation of the land as agricultural, and an earlier staff recommendation from Delta’s Chief Administrative Officer in June to maintain the agricultural designation.

“I’m glad that Council is respecting the will of the public,” stated Dana Maslovat, one of the organizers of Southlands the Facts, “We hope this will be the last step to ensure the agricultural designation of the Southlands is maintained in Tsawwassen’s new Official Community Plan this fall.”

The potential re-designation of the Southlands agricultural land to accommodate a housing development is by far the most contentious component of the process undertaken to revise the existing Tsawwassen Area Plan. Any re-designation will change the Official Community Plan and open up the Southlands for a 1900 unit housing development by Century Holdings. This piece of farmland was the cause of the longest public hearing in Commonwealth history and a resident run plebiscite in 1989, which prevented a 2000 unit development that was proposed for the same property.

Armed Robbery at Tsawwassen Gas-Station

Police Scour South Delta for Armed Suspect

News Desk - Tsawwassen was the scene of a police manhunt after an attendant at the Chevron on 56th Street and 12th Avenue was the victim of an armed robbery.

Police were quick to attend the scene and cruisers cordoned off 52nd and 56th Street, effectively cordoning off all escape routes from town. From behind police tape you could observe the attendant being questioned by the officers on scene. A Police dog was also deployed to the crime scene.

Upon questioning, police officers would not give any answers to what was happening, but one officer implied that they were searching for a robbery suspect.

The robbery took place around 8:30pm when a man entered the station demanding the attendant hand over all his money. It is still unknown whether the robber actually produced a firearm, but another staff member who started work this morning said the man had a gun tucked in his waist. "Police told us to close up," the attendant said, "they were more concerned about a man with a gun at large than the small amount of money that was stolen."

His co-worker, a young girl in her early twenties, added "My parent's have lived here a long time. They have never heard of things like this happening here. Between this and the drive by shooting up the street a couple of months ago I don't know what's going on here."

Police have yet to release a statement about this incident, but reaction on the street has people wondering just how safe they are. Morning coffees at the Tim Horton's were accompanied by many people speculating about what took place. The general feeling is one of bewilderment about a big city type of crime here in sleepy Tsawwassen.

8-Year Old Girl Approached by Man With Badge in Tsawwassen

News Desk - On October 06, 2010 at 0840 a.m. an 8-year old girl was approached by a man in the 200 block of 52A Street, near Pebble Hill Elementary School. The suspicious male stated he was a police officer but was not in uniform. He did however, present what appeared to be a badge. The man spoke with the young girl but no attempt was made to grab her or follow her.

The young girl did the right thing by listening to her instincts and continuing to walk toward the school. She didn't report this incident to school staff immediately and the young girl’s parent notified the school the following day. This prompted school staff to contact their School Liaison Officer.

At this time the Delta Police are unable to confirm whether in fact this man was a police officer. As a proactive and precautionary measure, a notice was sent home with elementary students of Pebble Hill School on Friday to make parents aware of this incident.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, 5’8 to 5’9, 35 to 45-years old, clean cut, short hair, no facial hair, and average height and build wearing jeans and t-shirt. The male produced a gold or yellowish badge from inside a black wallet.

Police would like to remind all parents that it is recommended that if children are walking to school that they be accompanied by either an adult or in the company of others. Police would also encourage parents to discuss safety plans with their children with respect to strangers.

Person of Interest Focus of Szendrei Murder Investigation

Delta Police may be close to identifying a 'person of interest' in the brutal daytime murder of 15-year old Laura Szendrei.

At a media conference held this morning, police spokeswoman Sargent Sharlene Brooks revealed that hundreds of tips from the public may have led to the identification of a suspect in the teen homicide. Police have yet to contact the person.

Although the police are still unable to confirm whether this crime was targeted or random they have concluded that the recent pepper spraying incidents are in no way linked to the attack on Szendrei.

Using Mackie Park as a backdrop for the conference, Brooks hoped the setting would help jog peoples memories and hoped the public would continue to provide the DPD with any information regarding the attack, asking "anyone in Mackie Park who may have seen or heard anything suspicious please call police."

Police are investigating over 350 tips received from the public and have looked for patterns linking recent attacks on women jogging and walking alone to establish if there are any links with Laura's assault. The DPD advises people to walk in groups, don't wear headphones, and be completely aware of your surroundings.

Mackie Park is being completely reopened to the public, but Brooks stated that this investigation is not being scaled back. Currently there are close to 55 officers active on this case and more may be called in to assist.

Police are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed this attack to come forward. If you have any information regarding this crime please call Delta Police at (604) 946-4411

Delta Police to Brief Media on Szendrei Homicide

Close to two weeks have passed since the daytime murder of 15-year-old Laura Szendrei in Delta's Mackie Park. Delta Police Department's Sgt. Sharlene Brooks has call a news conference to update the media on the status of the investigation.

It is unknown at this time if the police will be providing any new information into the investigation.

Laura was supposed to be meeting up with some friends at Mackie Park to watch a high school football game. She was alone when the attack took place, but she was discovered by friends who saw her lying on the ground.

According to unconfirmed reports, she was hit multiple times with a baseball bat. Delta Police responded to calls reporting the attack at around 1:30 p.m. on September 25th, 2010.

Delta Police have released very little information to the public during this ongoing investigation and have been unable to confirm whether the attack was random or targeted.

(Stay tuned for post a post conference follow-up)

Witness Foils ATM Scam at Ladner Bank

ATM Card Skimming Devices like the one shown here record your information while you bank.

Ladner, BC - A plot to collect cardholder information from a Ladner bank machine in the 5100-block of 48th Avenue was foiled by a diligent observer.

A Trio of Hispanics, two males and one female, were attempting to install a card skimming device over an ATM keypad when a witness called the police. The police attended the scene and conducted a search of the area but they were unable to locate the culprits.

Card skimmers have been used in a number of schemes to steal money from ATM users. The device reads the card and records as the user inputs their PIN code. These devices are disguised to blend in to the machine and can be difficult to spot. In a typical card skimming operation, bank cards are forged using the information collected and are used to withdraw funds from their unsuspecting victims.

Fortunately, for users of this bank machine the device, which was equipped with a pinhole camera, was uncovered prior to collecting any information and the Delta police have seized it for forensic examination.

Afternoon Assault Takes Teenage Girls Life

Laura Szendrei passed away in the early hours of this morning with her family by her side. The fifteen year old Burnsview Secondary School student succumbed to injuries inflicted upon her in a viscous attack near Mackie Park yesterday afternoon.

Laura was supposed to be meeting up with some friends at Mackie Park to watch a high school football game. She was alone when the attack took place, but she was discovered by friends who saw her lying on the ground.

According to unconfirmed reports, she was hit multiple times with a baseball bat. Delta Police responded to calls reporting the attack at around 1:30 p.m. Their Serious Crimes Unit scoured the scene all day and are leading the investigation.

A facebook page titled Justice for Laura Scendrei has already been created hoping to bring the assailant(s) to justice.

Police are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed this attack to come forward. If you have any information regarding this crime please call Delta Police at (604) 946-4411

Teen Girl Dies After Assault near Delta's Mackle Park

News Desk - Delta Police responded to a report of an assault that had just occurred in the 8200 blk 110th St in the Mackie Park area in North Delta.

On arrival police learned that the injuries to the 15 yr old female victim were very serious in nature and she was transported to hospital. Delta Police deployed significant resources to the area and called in the Serious Crime Section investigators to conduct the investigation.

Delta Police learned that in the early morning hours the North Delta teen succumbed to her injuries with family by her side.

Delta Police have called in victim services and are also working closely with the Delta School Board to establish care plan for students and staff of schools in the North Delta area.

The name of the girl has not been released.

Standoff with Delta Gunman Locks Down Jarvis Elementary

Replica Air-Soft Handgun Creates Terror in Quiet Neighbourhood

Delta BC - Jarvis Elementary School was on lock-down yesterday for over two hours as the Police encircled a home two doors away on the 7600 block of 118th Street in Delta. Reports of a man wielding a gun brought a swift response from the Delta Police Department, who initiated the lock-down of nearly 300 students, staff and parents as a precautionary and safety measure, given the close proximity of the school to the residence.

During this incident, Delta Police officers were in the school and worked collectively with the School Board and administration staff to ensure the safety of the children and to communicate with parents/guardians the whereabouts of their children. "We deployed a cross section of our force to respond to this," Said media relations officer Sgt. Sharlene Brooks, "We had a School liaison officer inside the school and she coordinated the lock down. As well, we utilized our Patrol Section, our Emergency Response Team, and other plain clothes officers."

The standoff, which lasted from 3:00 pm to 5:20pm, transformed the quiet neighbourhood into a scene out of a movie as the black clad Emergency Response Team surrounded the house with assault rifles held at the ready. The area was cordoned off due to a male believed to be in possession of a handgun who had gone into the residence and barricaded himself inside.

The siege was lifted at approximately 5:20 p.m. when the Delta Police along with the ERT team were able to take the male into custody without incident using voice commands to subdue him. A search of the residence revealed that the male was in possession of an AirSoft pistol that emulates the look of a real handgun.

A 27 yr old male from Delta has been in held in custody. His name won't be released until later today when he will appear for a 'Show Cause' hearing. Delta police are recommended charges including possession of a weapon (imitation) for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats.

When asked if this would be a scenario when the department would use an armoured vehicle, like the BearCat that is being contemplated as a joint purchase between Delta, Port Moody, New Westminster, and Abbotsford police forces Sgt. Brooks responded with an emphatic, "Yes!"

"It minimizes the risk to our personnel when we have equipment that caliber," she continued, "This would have been an incident when we would have used it."

Airsoft replica guns have caused many police incidents throughout North America. Although the guns are manufactured with an orange tip to distinguish them from legitimate firearms, the tips can be easily removed or covered with electrical tape making them a spitting image of the real thing.

Stricter Drinking and Driving Rules in Effect

Young Odessa asks people to slow down and drive safe as she poses for pictures outside South Delta Secondary as part of the Delta Police Departments Traffic Safety Initiative.

Today the Delta Police Department took to the street outside South Delta Secondary School to educate the public on new traffic laws and remind people about the “Walk –Ride- Drive Back to School Safety Plan”. As of Monday, new impaired driving and excessive speed laws have been enacted allowing the police to issue driving bans, vehicle impoundment, and fines right at roadside.

The new impaired driving legislation brings consequences for blowing a WARN into a roadside screening device/ That is a blood alcohol level between 0.05 and 0.08. This new WARN level will allow officers to issue:

• an immediate three day driving ban,
• $200 fine, three day impoundment,
• and a $250 driver's license reinstatement fee for a first offense.

Second offenses increase the driving ban to seven days and a third offense in a five year period carries the toughest penalties with a:

• 30-day driving ban, $400 fine,
• 30 day impoundment,
• enrollment in a responsible driver's program,
• ignition lock for 1 year,
• and a $250 driver's license reinstatement fee.

The total for a third offense in a 5-year period is a minimum of $3960. Blow over 0.08 and you will receive a 90-day driving ban, $500 fine, $250 driver's license reinstatement fee, 30 day impoundment, enrollment in a responsible driver's program, ignition lock for 1 year for a total of $4,060.

These laws are the toughest in Canada and have been released in conjunction with new excessive speeding laws which will see people driving in excess of 40km/h over the speed limit incur tougher fines and possible vehicle impoundments.

"These new rules are a way for us (the police) to let first time offenders know how serious impaired driving is," said Sgt. Kevin Jones of the Delta Police Traffic Division, "They need to think twice before they get in a car after drinking. They need to know that this isn't cool."

Sgt. Sharlene Brooks, Delta Police Department's Media Relations officer, confirmed that both these new set of rules have been used roadside with the first impoundment of a vehicle for excessive speed occurring less than two hours after the rules came into effect.

The incidence of impaired driving has increased in the past few years and Delta has had been front and center in establishing these tough new sanctions. After four-year-old Alexa Middelaer was killed by a drunk driver while feeding a horse along the side of the road in Ladner in 2008 there has been a well spring of support politically to toughen up the punishment for people who would get behind the wheel after drinking. Since their daughter’s tragic death, the Middelaers have formed Alexa’s Team as a way to recognize police officers and are raising funds for a $250,000 roadside impaired lab to be named Alexa’s Bus.

Local Writer to Host Book Reading at North Delta Library

Delta, B.C. - Come on down to George Mackie Library this Wednesday evening as our very own columnist Alex Sangha will read from his first book entitled, "Imagine: Ideas that Challenge the Status Quo"

Imagine places ideas in society and gets readers thinking critically about their most cherished beliefs and values. The topics are vast and varied: abortion, immigration, gay rights, love, mentorship, and sustainable development. There is no right answer. We must come to our own conclusions. If we can listen and learn from each other, we can accept our differences. Everyone has ideas on how to make the world a better place and fill humankind with hope. Imagine espouses humanitarian and egalitarian ideals such as every citizen deserves to reach their potential and contribute to society. Imagine is written from the perspective of protecting the people and the planet for current and future generations. You will learn of thought-provoking issues. The book proposes that we are all one and connected by spiritual energy. This will help us look for what we have in common and bring about social peace, social progress, and social change that light our souls and lift humanity in one colossal embrace.

Alex Sangha has been a columnist with the Delta Free Press, the Surrey North Delta Leader, and Indo Canadian Voice Newspaper. He has also contributed to the Georgia Straight website and the South Asian Post. In 2008, the Georgia Straight selected Alex in their Best of Vancouver issue as a bright light who challenges the status quo. Alex has a Bachelor of Social Work with a First Class Standing from UBC, and a MSc in Public Administration and Public Policy from the Department of Government at the London School of Economics. Alex works as a Youth Counsellor and is a Registered Social Worker in BC.



"Imagine: Ideas that Challenge the Status Quo" is available everywhere through Amazon.

The details of the author reading are:


Wednesday, September 22, 2010
7:00 to 8:30 pm
George Mackie Library
(Corner of 84th Avenue and 112th Street)
North Delta

The agenda consists of introduction, selected chapter readings, and open discussion.

For more information contact Alex Sangha at alexsangha@gmail.com

Winners of the Best Green Photos Contest of Summer 2010 Announced!

Alouette River at Dusk by Kyle Falconer

Delta, BC – Greener Steps Sustainable Living is proud to announce the winners of its first annual Greener Steps Photo Contest held throughout British Columbia.

This year’s theme was the ‘Best Green Photo of Summer 2010’ and the first prize was claimed by Kyle W. Falconer of Pitt Meadows, B.C. Kyle submitted a beautiful photo of Alouette River at dusk.

The Greener Steps Photo Contest is the idea of Greener Steps founder and Delta resident Alex Sangha. The contest aims to generate greater public interest about the environment, sustainability and greener living, through a series of thematic photo contests.

The contest generated a lot of public interest and drew in over 43 quality photo entries from locations as far as Harrison Hot Springs, Duncan, Nanoose Bay, Buntzen Lake, and throughout the Lower Mainland.

The 2010 Summer Contest was sponsored by local companies Metropolitan Aromatherapy and Kiss My Flash Photography, both well known eco supporters.

A panel of judges were selected from the Greener Steps Team to shortlist finalists who included website developer, Evanson Bess, of Webbchief Internet Solutions.

Catherine McLaren of Kiss My Flash Photography was brought onboard to help with the final decision making.

“We are very excited about the response and the support from the community in our inaugural contest. We hope next year the contest will be even bigger and better. And of course a special thanks goes out to our sponsors Metropolitan Aromatherapy and Kiss My Flash Photography whose support was invaluable, and to all those who participated”, says Alex Sangha.

Dragonfly on Blackberries by Mia Paisley

Mia Paisley of Maple Ridge captured second place with her photo of a dragonfly resting on a blackberry bush.

Ryan Rose of Surrey captured third place with his photo of Hyland Park in Newton. Ryan Rose was also the recipient of a $400.00 photo shoot or photo workshop from Kiss My Flash Photography. This prize was randomly drawn from all the entrants in our first ever Greener Steps Photo Contest.

Hyland Park by Ryan Rose

Says Ryan, “I'm 17 years old, who just graduated high school and took media arts in grades 11-12. I'm hoping to get into Emily Carr University of Art and Design to get my BFA and major in photography. All my photography skills where self-taught ...Nature/environmental photography is important as it can really show how beautiful the Earth really is, and in contrast it can also show how ugly our Earth is. It always keeps our eyes open though ...”

The winners all received a Greener Steps Certificate; cash prizes of $200, $100 and $50 respectively; the chance for their photos to be displayed on the Greener Steps website; and $100 gift certificates from Metropolitan Aromatherapy. Each winner also received Greener Step’s latest offering: Greener Steps Biodegradable Ballpoint Pens made from 99% organic materials.

Greener Steps is already preparing for next year’s contest in Fall 2011, which will run from September to November of the same year.

For media and company sponsorship opportunities contact Alex Sangha at info@greenersteps.com or visit their site at www.greenersteps.com

Committee Votes 8 to 1 to Protect Southlands From Developer

By Elvis Glazier - The Tsawwassen Area Plan committee has recommended that Delta’s municipal council retain the current agricultural designation on the Spetifore Farmlands now known as the Southlands and adopt it as such into the official community plan. The committee met yesterday evening for a final discussion on how the recommendations in their report would be presented to city council.

The meeting had to be diverted to the main council chambers to accommodate the influx of people wishing to attend. The contentious nature of the proposed Southlands development has been a rallying point for the battle hardened citizens of Tsawwassen. Land developer, Sean Hodgins was in attendance as the committee deliberated over the parcel of land that his family has held for over 20 years.

A unanimous consensus couldn’t be reached as one member of the committee spoke out against maintaining the current agriculture zoning. Helen Kettle, who served on the Century Groups community planning team, was alone in voicing her concern that people in favour of the development weren’t being represented in the document. In the end it was agreed that staff would add a disclaimer to the policy statement:

“The Southlands: The existing Tsawwassen Area Plan has policies related specifically to the lands known as the “Southlands”. It is recommended that the existing land use designation of AGR be retained for these lands. (added)A consensus on this policy issue was not reached among Committee members.”

"While it is certainly a positive step forward, it is unfortunate that a single dissension results in a statement about a lack of consensus,” said Dana Maslovat, co-founder and spokesperson of the group Southlands the Facts. “Another section of the TAP was not unanimously supported but no statement about lack of consensus was put into the Committee report."

The Tsawwassen Area Plan Committee may have one more gathering prior to being struck but their heavy lifting is done. The document will now be prepared by staff and presented to Delta council on August 30th for ratification. It is expected that the public hearings will take place sometime in the early fall.

Southlands Designation to be Decided at Meeting Tonight

Delta Staff members have released a draft of the new Tsawwassen Area Plan (TAP) that will be discussed and ratified at a final Committee meeting tonight (Thursday, August 19, 7:00 pm, Annacis Room, City Hall), including policies regarding the future use of the Southlands.

Although the TAP recommends agricultural designation be maintained for the Southlands, it notes that this statement may be amended after the August 19th meeting due to several members of the Committee encouraging residential development on these lands.

Results from the Ipsos Reid survey commissioned by Delta Council in June of this year showed clear majority support (62%) for maintaining the designation of the land as agricultural. It is expected that there will be a large public turnout for this final TAP Committee meeting.

“Given the clear direction from the community at all stages of public consultation, I cannot understand why this issue is still being discussed,” stated Dana Maslovat, one of the organizers of Southlands the Facts, “Although I am optimistic the right decision will be made and Southlands will remain agricultural, it appears that some members of the Committee are trying to push their own agenda rather than representing the will of the people.”

The potential re-designation of the Southlands agricultural land to accommodate a housing development is by far the most contentious component of the process undertaken to revise the existing Tsawwassen Area Plan. Any re-designation will change the Official Community Plan and open up the Southlands for a 1900 unit housing development by Century Holdings. This piece of farmland was the cause of the longest public hearing in Commonwealth history and a resident run plebiscite in 1989, which prevented a 2000 unit development that was proposed for the same property.

Delta Police Secure Charges in Tidewater Pub Fire

Sgt. Sharlene Brooks - Delta Police secure charges in the arson of the Tidewater Pub located in the 10100 block of River Rd.

Incident: On May 28th 2010 at approximately 1:52 a.m. the Delta Police and Fire Departments responded to a structure fire. On arrival the Tidewater pub was fully engulfed. The loss estimated to be approximately $2.6 - $3 million.

Delta Police Major Crimes Section embarked on a criminal investigation and as a result of their investigative efforts, Bradley Thomas ANTROBUS 27yrs of Surrey is charged with Arson and Break and Enter relating to this incident.

ANTROBUS, who was in custody at the time charges were laid on unrelated matters with another agency, remains in custody and his next court appearance is scheduled for August 16,2010.