As we bid farewell to 2011, let's take a look at the year and some of the top stories. In addition to the excitement associated with two elections (federal and municipal), the year includes new stories ranging from shootings, stabbings, and a police officer slashing to bedbugs at the library and a devastating virus at the New Westminster Animal Shelter that led to a decision to put down all of the cats at the shelter.
Let's take a look at some of the top stories of 2011 in New Westminster. Our year in review roundup begins here and will continue in our next edition.
JANUARY
New Westminster residential property values increase by 9.11 per cent compared to the previous year. B.C. Assessment mails out assessments notices on Dec. 31 and residents start receiving them in the first week of January.
The Elizabeth Fry Society seeks public feedback about a proposal to build a three-storey, mixed used development near its headquarters at East Columbia and Sherbrooke streets. The building would provide non-market housing units and a group child-care space that's licensed for 37 children.
Dave Jones is appointed as the new chief constable of the New Westminster Police Service, succeeding Lorne Zapotichny who is retiring in February. Zapotichny has worked for the New Westminster Police Service for the past 13 years, which followed a 30-year career with the RCMP.
In a surprise vote, New Westminster school trustees vote against reopening the 45-day school closure process for Hume Park Elementary School. It means the school appears to be safe for the rest of this year.
New Westminster talent emerges triumphant at the seventh annual Ovation Awards, which celebrate the best musical theatre in the Lower Mainland. In addition to the various individual awards won by local talent, Royal City Musical Theatre comes out on top for Outstanding Community
Production (Large Theatre) for its presentation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
FEBRUARY
New Westminster resident Patrick O'Connor circulates a legal opinion from a legal firm about school trustee Lori Watt's perceived conflict of interest. He believes she's in conflict because she's employed by CUPE B.C. and has the ability to vote on CUPE Local 409's new collective agreement and a motion to ban bottled water in school district facilities.
New Westminster is the first school district to receive new modular classrooms that are being delivered provincewide to accommodate full-day kindergarten, which will get underway in September.
New Westminster city council isn't prepared to endorse the United Boulevard extension based on the information TransLink has provided to date. Council asks TransLink to consider additional options for the route, which has sparked a lot of concern in the community.
The school district sends out a stranger danger notice about a potential child-luring attempt in New Westminster. It's the third reported incident since January.
Trustee Lori Watt gets her own legal opinion about conflict of interest, with her lawyer stating she isn't in any conflict when voting on CUPE issues because she has a "relatively low level" job with the union.
TransLink extends the timeline for United Boulevard extension until April, in order to complete some new concepts about the proposed roadway. The extension is an attempt to get the project back on track, after community members voice concerns about what's being proposed.
A New Westminster Police Service rookie constable is being praised following a "textbook" takedown and his role in de-escalating in a potentially deadly incident. Const. Andrew Corazza had transported a man to Royal Columbian Hospital, when the man pulled out a large knife he had concealed. Corazza unholstered his sidearm, called for backup and repeatedly instructed the man to drop the knife, which he finally did.
New Westminster school board votes in favour of continuing to make bottled water available in its facilities. The district is committed to phasing out bottled water, but that will only happen after the district completes its three school projects.
Edna Anderson, who's known as the Queen of Queensborough, passes away at the age of 92. Anderson had been named Citizen of the Year in honour of her many accomplishments.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit raids Westley Military Surplus on Front Street. Police seize a number of items, including starter pistols they allege are being illegally converted to fire live ammunition.
Royal Columbian Hospital makes headlines across the country when the Tim Hortons' cafeteria in the hospital doubles as an emergency room to accommodate overflow patients. Four patients are treated in the impromptu treatment area for a total of one-and-a-half hours.
The City of New Westminster launches its Biggest Loser challenge, also known as the Healthy Weight Loss Challenge. The 12-week program is intended to help residents be healthier by losing weight, eating better and exercising more.
MARCH
The newest vehicle in the New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service's fleet is preparing to hit the streets. Training is underway to prepare firefighters to drive and operate the new truck that includes a 100-foot aerial platform.
Royal City residents continue to provide TransLink with input about its proposed United Boulevard extension. TransLink is holding a series of public meetings to get input about the proposed plan.
New Westminster school district is surveying local families to determine whether spring break should be extended from one to two weeks.
School District No. 40 is once again warning parents about another stranger danger incident, after four strange men approach two Grade 2 girls near John Robson Elementary School. When two of the men put their hands on two girls' shoulders, the girls push the men's hands away and run screaming to one of their homes.
Local politicos dust off their election gear and get set for a spring election.
APRIL
Kaylin Brown is crowned Miss New Westminster Ambassador during a gala pageant.
A Vancouver developer is hoping an anti-harmonized sales tax bet will pay off when it comes to selling new condo units in New Westminster. Wanson Development announces it will not be charging any HST on the condos at Eight West, a soon-to-be built four-storey, mixeduse development at the old Canadian Tire site.
A New Westminster police officer is convicted of assaulting a newspaper deliveryman while off-duty and intoxicated. A Vancouver Provincial Court judge finds Jeffrey Klassen guilty of one count of assault for his role in an assault on Firoz Khan on Jan. 21, 2009.
The B.C. Nurses' Union holds a rally outside Royal Columbian Hospital to demand an end to "hallway health care" and overcrowding. Nurses voice concerns that patients who are admitted to hospital have no place to go and are being treated in hallways.
A design for the $2 million expansion to the Queensborough Community Centre strives to make the building more welcoming. The expansion will include space for child-care and early childhood development spaces, library services, expanded weight room facilities, police office space, dedicated youth and seniors spaces and additional multi-purpose rooms.
The Supreme Court of British Columbia dismisses a civil lawsuit brought against the City of New Westminster, citing gross negligence and misrepresentation. Nirmal Walia, the president of P.S.D.
Enterprises and the former owner of the Windsor Hotel on Columbia Street, claimed city officials had assured him, if he sold the hotel property to a developer, that the city would undertake any rezoning necessary to enable him to relocate his liquor store to a new location on 12th Street.
Gary Johnston is found guilty of seconddegree murder in the 1998 stabbing death of New Westminster trucker and crane operator Vic Fraser. The Crown's theory is that Johnston broke into Fraser's sister's home in Surrey knowing she wouldn't be home, but was surprised when Fraser arrived at the house.
The fate of Hume Park Elementary School is back on the table after-school trustees vote four to three in favour of restarting a 45-day consultation period that may see the consolidation or closure of the small Sapperton school. The plan is to consider consolidating Hume Park with Richard McBride Elementary School because of its dwindling enrolment. Hume Park Elementary currently has 26 students.
Bill Radbourne is named New Westminster's Citizen of the Year for his many years of community contributions. Trudy Van Dop is the 2010 recipient of the Bernie Legge Cultural Award.
Our look back at 2011 will continue in the Dec. 30 issue.
