Here are some of the news stories that the Optimist covered in 2023:
July
*Both sides appeared to be dug in and the rhetoric was flying back and forth as thousands of B.C. port workers, including those who load and unload containers at Deltaport, went on strike. Asking the government to not interfere, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) had been negotiating with the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) with the assistance of a federal mediator, until talks between the two sides stalled.
*Air conditioning should be a given when it comes to new residential projects.
That’s how a motion put forward by Coun. Dan Boisvert was summed up as city staff were asked to prepare a report on the feasibility of a new bylaw making air conditioning mandatory for new multi-family developments. Council agreed with Boisvert’s request, which also includes requiring active mechanical cooling systems in buildings that have public gatherings.
*A Surrey Provincial Court judge fined a fisherman $160,000 after he pleaded guilty to four counts of crabbing offences under the federal Fisheries Act. Judge Kimberly Arthur-Leung accepted Hoan Trung Do’s pleas prior to sentencing June 27.
*Another big truck barrelled into a highway overpass, this time on Highway 99, at the Highway 17A crossing creating traffic chaos. A day later, southbound traffic was again flowing on Highway 99 while the southbound lanes of Highway 17A overpass remain closed.
*More than 150 frustrated float homeowners and business owners made their anger known at a town hall meeting on the ongoing dredging issue at Fisherman’s Hall in Ladner.
The message most of the speakers conveyed was made loud and clear…they don’t want to hear their political representatives describing how much they have been advocating…they want results.
*Just as the water supply drops in the summer, demand skyrockets, by up to 50 per cent, as people try to keep their lawns lush and their gardens green. Delta, along with the rest of Metro Vancouver, was at Stage 1 water restrictions, where residents are allowed to water their lawns only one day a week. Although water levels in the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam reservoirs currently are within the normal range, much of the province was drying up.
*There was now no room for error as conditions remained tinder dry, ready to explode into fire. Having gone weeks without rain, and none in the immediate forecast, Delta’s fire danger rating was moved to the extreme level.
*Delta council denied a proposal to put up a 3.5-storey office and retail building on 12th Avenue and 53A Street in Tsawwassen following a public hearing. Council’s vote was unanimous with Coun. Dylan Kruger calling for residential housing to be a priority.
August
*It’s going to be a while, actually months, before the Highway 17A overpass is fixed.
The lanes were closed following a crash July 18 when a commercial truck smashed into the overpass while heading south on Highway 99. According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI), only the design for the repairs will be done this summer. And nothing else, such as when the overpass will be repaired, will be known until then.
*Steps have been taken but more is needed to help those with drug addictions, says Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord. At a Delta Police Board meeting, Dubord provided an update on the decriminalization in B.C. of possessing small amounts of illicit drugs. The federal government last year announced that the province would be granted a three-year exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to remove criminal penalties for those who possess a small amount for personal use. The exemption is in effect from Jan. 31, 2023, to Jan. 31, 2026.
*Delta’s MP had a new portfolio after a significant federal cabinet shuffle in Ottawa.
Carla Qualtrough became the new Minister of Sport and Physical Activity a position she held back in 2015. Two-thirds of cabinet portfolios switched hands, with seven rookie ministers coming in to replace the seven ministers who are leaving. Five of the new ministers represent constituencies in Ontario, one is from British Columbia and one from Quebec.
*They’re fast, agile, steady, highly maneuverable and can potentially help to save lives.
The Delta Police Department’s (DPD) newest drone was put to the test in its first mission, locating a missing individual who walked away that night from Delta Hospital. The individual had been admitted for physical medical issues, which were complicated by potential dementia-like symptoms. According to the DPD, officers promptly responded to a potential sighting of the missing person at Dugald Morrison Park in Ladner but were not able to locate the person during initial efforts.
*A food rescue program in Delta was growing through the collaborative efforts of the Earthwise Society, Tsawwassen Rotary Club and the Vancouver Food Runners.
Recently, the groups received financial support through a Grow Grant from the Giustra Foundation. This partnership redirects surplus produce from Delta and Tsawwassen farms to Earthwise Society where it is turned into harvest boxes for the community.
* The community must come together, take a stand and send a message for what it values.
That was the theme from organizers of an anti-hate rally held at Paterson Park in Ladner.
The rally organized by Community Action for Equity and Racial Justice saw about 100 participants march to the Highway 17A overpass to counter on-going flag-waving protests that are said to be spreading misinformation and hate.
* B.C.’s top award that recognizes service to the public was given to a man whose family has become a household name in Delta and beyond. George Conrad Reifel would receive the Order of British Columbia, along with 13 other British Columbians. Reifel is the grandson of George C. Reifel, after which the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary is named.
*After 36 years at the Delta Optimist, sports editor Mark Booth announced his retirement.
He penned his final column with the paper, thanking the community and the hundreds of athletes he had profiled over the years covering sports for the Optimist and our sister paper the Richmond News.
* More Delta firefighters were expected to be heading to the B.C. Interior to help battle the raging wildfires. Delta responded to an initial request on Aug. 18 from B.C. Wildlife Service and sent five firefighters, along with a Type 1 fire truck, support vehicle and trailer to the Kelowna area. Their initial role was protecting critical infrastructure in urban environments, as well as hold and protect to keep the fire from advancing into residential buildings.
* It was a great day for seniors in Delta. That’s how the official groundbreaking of a new 152-unit seniors’ affordable rental housing complex at KinVillage in Tsawwassen was described. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, Delta Mayor George Harvie, members of the KinVillage board and others were on hand to celebrate the 54A Street development already underway.
* With heavy hearts, the Delta Police Department (DPD) shared the news of the passing of a retired family member, Caber, who was also Canada’s first Victim Services Justice Facility Dog. Caber was a trailblazer. Working with victims of trauma and crime, Caber became a provider of stability for many who needed a supporting hand.
September
* B.C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care was on hand for the first day of school at Delview Secondary in North Delta Tuesday for an important reminder about road safety.
Joined by representatives from the school district, Delta Police Department and ICBC, Rachna Singh stressed the importance of slowing down in school zones, as well as raising awareness on safety tips for students walking or biking to school.
*Delta had another lotto winner as avid traveller Sandra Green returned from Disneyland and was shopping at the Scottsdale Centre Mall on 120th St. in North Delta when she decided to pick up a Crossword Extreme Scratch & Win ticket that ended up netting her $150,000.
*The Tsawwassen Business Improvement Association (TBIA) was thrilled to announce the appointment of Giovanni D'Agostino as the new executive director and Kelly Scott as director of community engagement. The TBIA, whose mandate is to enhance and promote the economic vitality, vibrancy, and well-being of the local Tsawwassen business community, envisions growth and collaboration through strategic initiatives, stakeholder partnerships, and community engagement for businesses, residents, and visitors alike.
*It was a scary 24 hours for local resident Emma O Halloran when she noticed her little mini-Australian shepherd wasn’t quite herself after taking her for a walk around Winskill Park, the evening of Aug. 28. When she got home, she noticed her three-month-old pup named Pepper didn’t look good and couldn’t stand by herself and was “totally glassy eyed.” Pepper was rushed into Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital where they tested her urine and found it positive for fentanyl and other opioids, likely picked up during their walk in the park.
*Delta Police Sgt. Katie Garcia is not your average police officer. She has gone above and beyond in a variety of different ways. In September, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recognized her commitment and achievements with a Top 40 Under 40 award.
The IACP’s award program is designed to recognize 40 law enforcement professionals under the age of 40 from around the world who demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to their profession.
*The inaugural Barnside Harvest Festival was a huge success with packed crowds for three days at Ladner’s Patterson Park. Festival attendees enjoyed great music, food vendors and just a wonderful community festival atmosphere the likes of which have not been seen in Delta for years.
*More than 250 guests and VIPs attended the inaugural 7 Over 70 Awards Gala at Tsawwassen Springs. The gala fundraiser raised nearly $200,000 towards the expansion of the Day Program for Older Persons at KinVillage. The award recipients included: Dr. Jack Taunton, Carlene Lewall, Peter Guichon, Avis Glaze, Bruno Marti, Leslie Abramson and Bill Wilms.
* There’s been many changes in his 30-plus years working for the City of Delta, but it remains the best place to live in the Lower Mainland. That’s what former city manager Sean McGill had to say about his lengthy tenure for the city where he was born and raised, recently retiring from his role as Delta’s top staffer. His last day as city manager was on Aug. 31.
* The City of Delta found out how many new housing units the province wants to see built in the next five years. Minister of Housing and Delta North MLA Ravi Kahlon announced housing targets for the first 10 municipalities selected as part of the Housing Supply Act.
The target orders for Delta are 3,607 housing units.
* Fines totalling $310,000, were levied in Prince Rupert Provincial Court in the case involving the Feb. 10, 2021 sinking of the tug Ingenika and the loss of two crew members, one of whom was from Tsawwassen. James Geoffrey Bates pleaded guilty to a Workers Compensation Act violation for failing to provide training and supervision to ensure the safety of the workers. He was fined $15,000.
Crew member Charley Cragg, 25, from Tsawwassen, and tug master Troy Pearson, 58, were killed, while a third crew member survived. It was Cragg’s first day on the job.
