Ready to vote, learn about tenants’ rights or enjoy an artsy afternoon or evening of entertainment? It’s happening this week in New Westminster.
For weather watchers
Rain, rain go away? If the weather forecasts are accurate, it could be Friday before the rain starts to ease. We may even see some sun on Saturday.
For council watchers
New Westminster city council is delving into housing policy at a workshop on Monday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. Staff will provide council with information on the changes to provincial housing legislation and seek council’s endorsement of an interim development review framework and next steps. The meeting is in council chamber in city hall, but you can also watch it online.
For school board watchers
The New Westminster board of education meeting is on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. You can attend in-person at the school board office at 811 Ontario St. or via Zoom. The agenda includes a presentation about the musical theatre program, reports from senior management (school learning plans and a mentorship program update, as well as the budget process and timelines). The meeting also includes a question period, trustee reports and new business – including a board advocacy plan for 2024 and an item regarding trustee remuneration review.
For folks who want to vote
Still on the topic of the school board, the second day of advance voting for the School District 40 byelection is on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Four candidates are running to fill the vacant trustee seat on the New Westminster board of education. You can vote anytime between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. in council chamber at New Westminster City Hall, 511 Royal Ave.
The byelection is on Saturday, Feb. 3 byelection. Polls will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at several locations in the city:
- Queen Elizabeth Elementary School gym – 921 Salter St.
- Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary School gym – 1714 Eighth Ave.
- Fraser River Middle School gym – 800 Queens Ave.
- Glenbrook Middle School gym – 701 Park Cres.
- Skwo:wech Elementary School gym – 331 Richmond St.
If you’re not on the list of electors you can still vote once you complete the required application form at the voting place.
For music lovers
Piva Presents: Jazz at the Anvil – Wild Blue Herons. The dynamic duo of Bill Sample on piano/keys and Darlene Cooper on vocals, will entertain with jazz-infused sounds ranging from pop/gospel to intimate jazz ballads. They’re performing at Anvil Theatre on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20.
For fans of the written word
The Royal City Literary Arts Society presents Cogswell Award Winners Reading Event on Sunday, Feb. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the #IheartNewWest community art space – unit 103 – 78 10th St. in Columbia Square plaza. It’s free and everyone is welcome to attend this event.
For tenants
The City of New Westminster and the New Westminster Public Library are hosting two events next weekend regarding rental accommodations.
Renting 101 is the topic of a free presentation about the rights and obligations renters have under the law. This hybrid event is taking place on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the main branch of the library at 716 Sixth Ave. – but it will also be broadcast live via Zoom.
TRAC (Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre) will speak to the following topics: how to protect yourself; your rights and responsibilities; security deposits; illegal entry; and repairs and evictions, etc. City of New Westminster bylaws staff will talk about situations when the city will get involved, how renters can contact bylaw and the process that can be expected.
Evictions is the focus of a presentation on Sunday, Feb. 4. Presented by the New Westminster Public Library and the City of New Westminster, this event will talk about how and when landlords can evict renters.
It’s happening from 2 to 4 p.m. at the main branch of the New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Avenue.
TRAC (Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre) will speak to the following topics: four types of evictions illegal lock outs; compensation for tenants if landlords evict with a two- and a four-month notice; right of first refusal; bad faith evictions; selling a property; physically evicting a tenant; and proper eviction templates from the Residential Tenancy Board
Attendees are invited to bring your questions to the hybrid event, which can be attended in person at the library and broadcast live via Zoom.
If you want to attend, register through the library website. All registered attendees will receive a Zoom link before the event.
