Greg Carr
2023-04-05 09:47:38 UTC
I was out for a walk in Surrey, BC 4 hours and saw 4 signs negative of Iko Shingles "I think Iko shingles warranty is bullshit" across from the skateboard park on King George Hwy. in Surrey and Iko Shingles Leak at 94a Ave. and 140 St. NE corner saw two similar signs elsewhere. I don't know the company or anything about shingles but I have heard of lawsuits involving shingles. The skateboard park has almost no graffiti or litter.
Walked by the Quibble Creek Safe Injection Site and the drug detox and transition house next door looked quite nice its right next to Surrey Memorial Hospital can't remember what was there before.
English Oak
This English oak was designated as a heritage tree in 1997. Its furrowed bark is full of life - look for critters and plants in the cracks! The huge branches of this tree shade nearby properties, roads and sidewalks - an ideal neighbour!
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/05442f0da507430f8af70880f9f8c536
140 Street & 90 Avenue there is a ceremonial rock next to it. As I was checking out the tree and rock some young White guy with a pink mohawk on a bike with phat tyres rolled by and we interacted some young White guy with a black shirt walked between us and said his piece and a car turning left onto 140 St. gave off a series of honks.
Missing People of Canada - Missing People News
Missing High-Risk Woman from Delta, BC - Nev Bains, 54 - #BC #Delta #missingperson #missingpeoplecanada (LIKE AND SHARE!)
Nev’s car has been located in the Bridgeview area of Surrey. Nev is described as 5’3” tall, approximately 140 lbs, with medium-length black hair....
Saw posters about her on KGH where the Shell Station is and Terminal Ave. in Vancouver.
https://twitter.com/deltapolice/status/1614372189201125377?lang=en has a pic of the woman missing almost 3 months.
On the evening of January 13th, 2023, the Delta Police Department (DPD) received a report of a missing person.
A 54-year-old woman, Nev Bains, was last seen at her North Delta home that morning. Nev’s car has been located in the Bridgeview area of Surrey.
Nev is described as 5’3” tall, approximately 140 lbs, with medium-length black hair. CCTV from the Bridgeview area confirmed Nev is wearing blue jeans, a black hooded sweater and black running shoes with white sole edges.
The DPD is asking for the public’s assistance to help locate Nev. Should you see her, please contact the DPD at (604)946-4411 or the police of jurisdiction.
An officer will immediately attend. https://thelinkpaper.ca/delta-police-requesting-public-assistance-to-help-locate-high-risk-missing-woman/
Justice for Rajwinder Bains
April 5, 2019
·
Rajwinder was a wonderful mother and a hard worker who worked three jobs to provide a good future for her children.
At this time, we would like to ask for anyone who may have information about Rajwinder’s murder to please contact IHIT at 1-877-551-4448, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Please bear in mind no information is irrelevant and you may remain anonymous.
We hope this public plea will help Rajwinder and her family get the justice she deserves.
#JusticeForRajwinderBains
#ENDviolence
https://www.facebook.com/justice4rajwinderbains/
IHIT investigating after missing mother of 3 found dead
CTV Vancouver
Published Thursday, February 21, 2019 8:22AM PST
Last Updated Thursday, February 21, 2019 5:20PM PST
SHARE:
Reddit
A woman who was reported missing last month in Surrey, B.C. has been found dead – and police say there are many unanswered questions about what happened to her.
The family of 38-year-old Rajwinder Bains reported her disappearance to Surrey RCMP on Jan. 23, 2019, triggering a missing person's case that has since ended in tragedy.
"During the course of the investigation, Ms. Bains' body was discovered and her death is now being investigated as a homicide," the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said in a news release.
On Thursday, IHIT released a surveillance image of Bains at the TD Canada Trust bank on 152 Street and 56 Avenue. IHIT said she was last seen leaving the bank at around 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 7.
In an earlier release sent to media last month, Surrey RCMP said Bains had been seen leaving a home in the 6100 block of 140th Street on Jan. 10. IHIT said that sighting has not yet been corroborated.
One of Bains' friends and coworkers remembered her as a happy, funny person who had a husband and three young children.
"It's hard to think about," Divinia Banda told CTV News. "Hard to believe that (she) … went missing and we don't know the reason."
IHIT is investigating her death with help from Surrey RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Team and the BC Coroners Service, but Cpl. Frank Jang said there is still much they don't know.
He asked anyone with information that could help their case to come forward.
"IHIT is exploring all avenues of investigation into Ms. Bains' death," Jang said in a statement. "Detectives continue to pursue leads that may answer the many questions remaining."
People can contact IHIT at 1-877-551-4448, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
With files from CTV Vancouver's Nafeesa Karim
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/ihit-investigating-after-missing-mother-of-3-found-dead-1.4306575
Surrey raises scrap metal bylaw fine to $50K from $10K to fight catalytic converter theft
Council tweaks Scrap Metal Dealer Regulation Bylaw, Business License Bylaw and Surrey Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw and Surrey Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw
TOM ZYTARUKApr. 4, 2023 1:48 p.m.LOCAL NEWSNEWS
Surrey has raised the maximum fines under its scrap metal bylaw to $50K from $10K to fight catalytic converter theft.
City council voted Monday to tweak the Scrap Metal Dealer Regulation Bylaw, Business License Bylaw and Surrey Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw and Surrey Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw to this end.
A study of the theft problem concluded that the “most effective approach” to fighting this crime is to limit how a scrap metal dealer can buy a catalytic converter, while at the same time ensuring legitimate transactions are not impacted.
Developed with the Surrey RCMP, the bylaw amendments create a ticketable offence for businesses buying catalytic converters contrary to city bylaws, raise the maximum fine, and “modernize” how information concerning transactions needs to be transmitted to police.
READ ALSO: Plan to target catalytic converter theft in play, Surrey mayor says
READ ALSO: Surrey RCMP and ICBC launched “You Etch It. We Catch It” campaign in hopes of deterring catalytic converter theft
https://www.northdeltareporter.com/news/surrey-raises-scrap-metal-bylaw-fine-to-5ok-from-10k-to-fight-catalytic-converter-theft/
I have seen worse in Newton but I have seen problem properties cease being problem properties after the owner is hit with a city clean up bill a few times in many cases the owners know the dumpers. Old car parts, toys and furniture no one wants, household garbage. Frank Hurt Park ppl dump old mattreses, unwanted TV's and bags of used containers of take out E. Indian food the city cleans it up but the miscreants cause our property taxes to be high.
NE corner of 152 St. and 72 Ave. homeless person with long hair big tent set up includes a propane can two nearby tents are collapsed and being used for litter that property which long ago was Surrey Lake Farms is going to be a Skytrain station for the KGH expansion I am told. The old farm sign is faded and spindly trees have grown taller than it. Farmer Jones or Grewal will make a mint the land like some others nearby hasn't been used for crops in over 10 years even though its ALR change the zoning to govt or industrial use its value goes through the roof.
Streetlight is out on 138 St. just south of Frank Hurt Park. The lights that illuminate the eagle memorial to the murdered in a ambush Mr. Bell in Frank Hurt Park have been tampered with around Jan. 12 and just shine uselessly wasting power. The 2011 homicide is unsolved but there are two videos of the 5 Indo suspects.
The large black chair in the bushes behind King's Cross Mall is still there despite city works saying they had dealt with the problem it has been there a month.
Owner of run-down South Surrey property to be billed for cleanup
TRACY HOLMESSOBIA MOMANApr. 4, 2023 11:40 a.m.LOCAL NEWSNEWS
Picture 1 of 3
The owner of a South Surrey home that neighbours say has been a source of angst and odour for years can expect a bill from the city, after failing to meet a March 31 deadline to clean up the property.
Officials with the City of Surrey’s corporate services department confirmed Tuesday (April 4) that crews will be dispatched to the lot – located at 132 Street and 15A Avenue – to clear garbage, clothing and other debris that has accumulated in recent years.
“The owner did not comply with the City’s request to clean up the property by the March 31 deadline. As a result, the City has initiated the clean-up process and will be scheduling a clean up for next week,” reads a statement emailed to Peace Arch News.
READ MORE: Owner of run-down South Surrey property given till March 31 to clean up
The city told PAN last week that “we are actively working with the owner to clean up the property.”
The same family has been living at the home for decades, according to neighbours.
The unsightly problem has “been going on for years,” said Kevin Savage, who has lived across the street for 30 years.
Sharon Darlington, who lives next door to the home, said she believes the close proximity of the mess has impacted her health.
“It all started because of the smell. We can smell (the mould) so much and I have asthma. I can’t be out there without a respirator in my own yard,” she said.
“It’s only going to get worse as the weather warms up,” she added. “The house is like an incubator at this point.”
The 0.18-acre lot is heavily treed and the home’s exterior is littered with all manner of household debris and garbage.
This is not the first time the property has been brought to the city’s attention. A city spokesperson confirmed the municipality conducted a clean-up there five years ago.
A woman who identified herself as the Block Watch captain for the neighbourhood said she has heard “tons” of complaints about the home for years.
A for-sale sign was erected at the property last Wednesday (March 29).
According to listing details posted to katronisrealestate.com, the home is 2,816 square feet, with five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property is listed for $1,699,900.
“Build your dream home on fantastic corner lot with lane way,” the description reads.
“Newly built homes on the street so check with the City for building potential… House has no value.”
Jonathan Katronis said last week that he suspects the property will sell “pretty quick, but you never know.”
https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/owner-of-run-down-south-surrey-property-to-be-billed-for-cleanup/?fbclid=IwAR2-9OtHc9ZMacv3bWuJHOpvZDdYZrHtetpqOZHOrwv0crhtP9Bgc5oUZ4M
Surrey council approves budget with 12.5% property tax hike
Rejected plan had increase set at 17.5%
TOM ZYTARUKApr. 3, 2023 10:46 p.m.LOCAL NEWSNEWS
Get ready for your 12.5-per-cent property tax hike.
Surrey city council gave third-reading approval Monday to a raft of bylaws related to a 12.5 per cent property tax increase this year that’s predicated on the Surrey RCMP remaining this city’s police of jurisdiction, with councillors Linda Annis and Mandeep Nagra voting in opposition.
Final approval is expected on April 17.
Coun. Doug Elford did not attend council’s Monday meeting. (Greg: I was at the meeting who was the White man seated next to Council member Nagra?)
“I am opposed to this, I don’t think this is the right time to make any sort of increases as we all know that we are going through a recession and we have just seen a huge interest rate hike as well, so I don’t think our residents are ready to pay more at this time,” Nagra said.
Annis echoed that.
“I don’t think the taxpayers at this point in time, the businesses or the residents, can afford a 12.5 per cent tax increase. It’s huge for many, many families that live in Surrey,” she said.
“I think it’s going to put them over the top and in addition to what we’re approving tonight, of course, we also have our utilities taxes will be over and above that. I just think it’s gone way too far.”
While she supports getting more firefighters, police and bylaw enforcement officers, and another rink in Cloverdale, she said, for Annis the “fly in the ointment” is the amount the city has allocated to keep the RCMP.
“Whatever way it goes is fine with me, but I don’t have good faith in the number of severance that $85 million, that that indeed is the correct number and that’s a huge part of our budget.” (Greg: I voted for her don't regret it but she didn't suggest one budget item to cut. Langley has their taxes going up only 5.7%.)
Finance manager Kam Grewal said for the 2023 fiscal year the amounts for either the RCMP or Surrey Police Service are “virtually identical.” (Greg: Impressive dude and he had the answers to Council Members Nagra and Stutt's questions Stutt's questions stopped Mr. Nagra's attempt to obfuscate matters.)
If the severance doesn’t materialize for any reason, Grewal said, the funding could be used for other purposes “or fall to the bottom line for future years, it would be at the discretion of council.”
“Our analytics and analysis indicates over 2023, whether its RCMP or SPS, the budget allocation is going to be virtually the same. Of course, if it’s SPS there won’t be a severance component but there will be other factors that will need to be considered as part of the RCMP demobilizing and overall the numbers are very much the same for 2023.”
READ ALSO: Surrey finance committee rejects proposed 17.5% tax hike, votes to limit it to no more than 12.5%
Surrey council sitting as the finance committee on March 6 rejected the city’s proposed budget for 2023 containing a 17.5 per cent tax increase for 2023 after it was slammed by angry Surrey residents at a public hearing at city hall.
A revised budget came before council for consideration on April 3, after council had instructed city staff to limit the property tax increase to no more than 12.5 per cent.
After hearing from outraged residents, council voted on March 6 to have city staff incorporate $89.9 million from the Growing Communities Fund into the 2023-2027 financial plan and also use the grant money to build a third sheet of ice in Cloverdale, to reduce the 2023 tax increase for “policing shortfall” from 9.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent, to maintain the seven per cent general property tax increase for “inflationary pressures” and new resources, and to maintain the one per cent hike in the roads levy.
This would mean the 2023 total general tax increase would be no more than seven, 4.5 and one to a total of 12.5 per cent.
Council on Monday also passed second-reading on a bylaw that would see a 6.8 per cent increase in the Secondary Plan and Infill Area Amenity Contribution, Affordable Housing, Capital Project, and Community Specific Capital Project Community Amenity Contributions rates, calculated using the average annual Vancouver Consumer Price Index for inflation.
This will go to a public hearing on Monday, April 17, at 7 p.m.
Meantime, Coun. Rob Stutt asked Grewal about the “dynamics” beyond 2023 as it relates to the city’s budget and the policing issue. Grewal replied that starting in 2024 there will be a “significant difference in retaining the SPS that would also apply for 2025, 2026, and in fact in perpetuity. In the analysis that we did back at the end of 2022 indicate that from an ongoing perspective there’a likely a minimum difference of $32 million per year, every year, going forward.”
Nagra asked Grewal if the city will save the $85 million if it goes with the SPS.
“I wouldn’t describe that as a savings because even though we do not have to pay out severance under that scenario there will be additional costs in terms of demobilizing the RCMP that would be of the equivalent, so it would be kind-of cost neutral from that perspective,” Grewal replied. “In terms of the transition, assuming that it is RCMP as directed by council, the transition would effectively from a financial perspective be complete this year because of the severance component. There might be some trailing costs going in to 2024 but they’d be minimal.”
Stutt asked if the city is “sustainable” moving forward with the RCMP. City manager Vincent Lalonde replied that the budget before council is based on the RCMP continuing as Surrey’s police of jurisdiction.
“Anything else is basically based on our discussions we had with council on future models, on predictions. So it’s very important that you consider the bylaws in front of you and the financial information as keeping RCMP as POJ, that is council direction.”
Mayor Brenda Locke said “the big part of the challenge” for Surrey has been to “operationalize” two police forces at the same time.
“That has put us in a very difficult situation. We’re also dealing with a history that we have had to try and pick those pieces up as well. There is a number of things, including capital projects, that we want to support; we want to support infrastructure for our residents. This is certainly not the kind of numbers we would have ever wanted to see but they are the ones we are dealt with.”
The RCMP has been Surrey’s police of jurisdiction since it took over from the Surrey Police on May 1, 1951, as the result of a plebiscite. Surrey’s is the largest RCMP detachment in Canada.
On Nov. 5, 2018, the council of the day, led by mayor Doug McCallum, served notice to the provincial and federal governments that it would end its contract with the RCMP to set up its own force.
Four years and one civic election later, on Nov. 14, 2022, the current council led by Locke decided on a 5-4 vote to maintain the Surrey RCMP as this city’s police of jurisdiction instead of forging ahead with the Surrey Police Service.
Meantime, Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth has yet to render a decision on the transition. He said Monday in Victoria he’s expecting to receive “information” from the director of police services later this week.
“At the last time we spoke, I said that I wanted to have a decision by the time the tax notices go out, which is in mid-May. I want to assure everyone that it’s being worked on very, very fast. The initial plan to go to transition to Surrey Police Service, that took an initial 18 months. We received the information from the City of Surrey just before Christmas and the ministry staff have been working very expeditiously on it and I would like to get this done, as I said before, as soon as possible.”
“I understand the mayor of Surrey’s position, Surrey has the right to make decisions around policing and the mayor’s sole concern is the city of Surrey. My responsibility as solicitor general is to ensure safe and effective policing not only for Surrey but for the entire province of British Columbia,” Farnworth told reporters.
Locke asked Grewal how much Farnworth’s “stall of the decision” has cost the city to date.
“In terms of effectively carrying two police organizations, that monthly burn rate, if you will, it’s approximately $8 million per month,” Grewal replied.
Locke said the city was initially expecting a decision by the end of January.
“It’s extremely disappointing, the minister knows full well the cost. He knows we’ve been waiting for this decision for a very long time. He knows that the RCMP have provided safe and effective policing in this city for 72 years. He knows that the city has made the decision to change to the RCMP and he also knows that in the Police Act it is the responsibility, the jurisdiction of the local government, to pick their police force,” she told the Now-Leader. “It is our right, according to the Police Act, to choose our police force.”
While taking the matter to court, if need be, is “absolutely” in the city’s toolkit, Locke said, “that would be an absolute last resort. But that is not my wish. I will take the word of the premier when he says to me it will go Surrey’s way. He said that. The previous premier said that, and this minister, this solicitor general, also said it is Surrey’s decision. The length of time it is taking them to make this decision is really unfortunate, and it’s unfortunate that they didn’t take this kind of time to make the decision to go with the switchover that we’re into at this point. It’s too bad they didn’t do this kind of due diligence at the front end. And so we’re faced with doing it now, and that seems extraordinarily unfair to the residents and I daresay I think it’s disrespectful to the residents of Surrey that it’s taking so long.”
Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman said that “despite the reduced resident property tax of 12.5 per cent that was approved at the April 3 City of Surrey council meeting, the Surrey Board of Trade is very concerned about ongoing, uncertain property tax increases for businesses.
“It is business,” she said, “that bears the greatest burden of taxation by all levels of government. The City of Surrey budget, on top of regional and provincial tax increases, are stifling businesses to grow in an already challenging economy.”
https://www.northdeltareporter.com/news/surrey-council-approves-budget-with-12-5-property-tax-hike/
Council also voted to allow Annie Kaps and the Save Bear Creek Park delegation to appear before council. Keep them on their toes Annie.
City Manager Vince Lalonde was given an award for 25 years service most ppl clapped I did not because I had urged him to quit or be fired after McCallum was voted out but after reflecting I realized I never knew the guy existed until the last run of McCallum so what the hey guess he just had a cpl of bad years. 2/3rds of the ppl present left after the various development proposals were finished I complimented one Indo speaker for articulating why he wanted the problem property on his block finally developed the only opposition to that idea was to have residential instead of industrial development there many complained about the traffic there saying it took over 5 minutes to drive a block at rush hour.
Walked by the Quibble Creek Safe Injection Site and the drug detox and transition house next door looked quite nice its right next to Surrey Memorial Hospital can't remember what was there before.
English Oak
This English oak was designated as a heritage tree in 1997. Its furrowed bark is full of life - look for critters and plants in the cracks! The huge branches of this tree shade nearby properties, roads and sidewalks - an ideal neighbour!
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/05442f0da507430f8af70880f9f8c536
140 Street & 90 Avenue there is a ceremonial rock next to it. As I was checking out the tree and rock some young White guy with a pink mohawk on a bike with phat tyres rolled by and we interacted some young White guy with a black shirt walked between us and said his piece and a car turning left onto 140 St. gave off a series of honks.
Missing People of Canada - Missing People News
Missing High-Risk Woman from Delta, BC - Nev Bains, 54 - #BC #Delta #missingperson #missingpeoplecanada (LIKE AND SHARE!)
Nev’s car has been located in the Bridgeview area of Surrey. Nev is described as 5’3” tall, approximately 140 lbs, with medium-length black hair....
Saw posters about her on KGH where the Shell Station is and Terminal Ave. in Vancouver.
https://twitter.com/deltapolice/status/1614372189201125377?lang=en has a pic of the woman missing almost 3 months.
On the evening of January 13th, 2023, the Delta Police Department (DPD) received a report of a missing person.
A 54-year-old woman, Nev Bains, was last seen at her North Delta home that morning. Nev’s car has been located in the Bridgeview area of Surrey.
Nev is described as 5’3” tall, approximately 140 lbs, with medium-length black hair. CCTV from the Bridgeview area confirmed Nev is wearing blue jeans, a black hooded sweater and black running shoes with white sole edges.
The DPD is asking for the public’s assistance to help locate Nev. Should you see her, please contact the DPD at (604)946-4411 or the police of jurisdiction.
An officer will immediately attend. https://thelinkpaper.ca/delta-police-requesting-public-assistance-to-help-locate-high-risk-missing-woman/
Justice for Rajwinder Bains
April 5, 2019
·
Rajwinder was a wonderful mother and a hard worker who worked three jobs to provide a good future for her children.
At this time, we would like to ask for anyone who may have information about Rajwinder’s murder to please contact IHIT at 1-877-551-4448, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Please bear in mind no information is irrelevant and you may remain anonymous.
We hope this public plea will help Rajwinder and her family get the justice she deserves.
#JusticeForRajwinderBains
#ENDviolence
https://www.facebook.com/justice4rajwinderbains/
IHIT investigating after missing mother of 3 found dead
CTV Vancouver
Published Thursday, February 21, 2019 8:22AM PST
Last Updated Thursday, February 21, 2019 5:20PM PST
SHARE:
A woman who was reported missing last month in Surrey, B.C. has been found dead – and police say there are many unanswered questions about what happened to her.
The family of 38-year-old Rajwinder Bains reported her disappearance to Surrey RCMP on Jan. 23, 2019, triggering a missing person's case that has since ended in tragedy.
"During the course of the investigation, Ms. Bains' body was discovered and her death is now being investigated as a homicide," the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said in a news release.
On Thursday, IHIT released a surveillance image of Bains at the TD Canada Trust bank on 152 Street and 56 Avenue. IHIT said she was last seen leaving the bank at around 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 7.
In an earlier release sent to media last month, Surrey RCMP said Bains had been seen leaving a home in the 6100 block of 140th Street on Jan. 10. IHIT said that sighting has not yet been corroborated.
One of Bains' friends and coworkers remembered her as a happy, funny person who had a husband and three young children.
"It's hard to think about," Divinia Banda told CTV News. "Hard to believe that (she) … went missing and we don't know the reason."
IHIT is investigating her death with help from Surrey RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Team and the BC Coroners Service, but Cpl. Frank Jang said there is still much they don't know.
He asked anyone with information that could help their case to come forward.
"IHIT is exploring all avenues of investigation into Ms. Bains' death," Jang said in a statement. "Detectives continue to pursue leads that may answer the many questions remaining."
People can contact IHIT at 1-877-551-4448, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
With files from CTV Vancouver's Nafeesa Karim
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/ihit-investigating-after-missing-mother-of-3-found-dead-1.4306575
Surrey raises scrap metal bylaw fine to $50K from $10K to fight catalytic converter theft
Council tweaks Scrap Metal Dealer Regulation Bylaw, Business License Bylaw and Surrey Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw and Surrey Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw
TOM ZYTARUKApr. 4, 2023 1:48 p.m.LOCAL NEWSNEWS
Surrey has raised the maximum fines under its scrap metal bylaw to $50K from $10K to fight catalytic converter theft.
City council voted Monday to tweak the Scrap Metal Dealer Regulation Bylaw, Business License Bylaw and Surrey Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw and Surrey Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw to this end.
A study of the theft problem concluded that the “most effective approach” to fighting this crime is to limit how a scrap metal dealer can buy a catalytic converter, while at the same time ensuring legitimate transactions are not impacted.
Developed with the Surrey RCMP, the bylaw amendments create a ticketable offence for businesses buying catalytic converters contrary to city bylaws, raise the maximum fine, and “modernize” how information concerning transactions needs to be transmitted to police.
READ ALSO: Plan to target catalytic converter theft in play, Surrey mayor says
READ ALSO: Surrey RCMP and ICBC launched “You Etch It. We Catch It” campaign in hopes of deterring catalytic converter theft
https://www.northdeltareporter.com/news/surrey-raises-scrap-metal-bylaw-fine-to-5ok-from-10k-to-fight-catalytic-converter-theft/
I have seen worse in Newton but I have seen problem properties cease being problem properties after the owner is hit with a city clean up bill a few times in many cases the owners know the dumpers. Old car parts, toys and furniture no one wants, household garbage. Frank Hurt Park ppl dump old mattreses, unwanted TV's and bags of used containers of take out E. Indian food the city cleans it up but the miscreants cause our property taxes to be high.
NE corner of 152 St. and 72 Ave. homeless person with long hair big tent set up includes a propane can two nearby tents are collapsed and being used for litter that property which long ago was Surrey Lake Farms is going to be a Skytrain station for the KGH expansion I am told. The old farm sign is faded and spindly trees have grown taller than it. Farmer Jones or Grewal will make a mint the land like some others nearby hasn't been used for crops in over 10 years even though its ALR change the zoning to govt or industrial use its value goes through the roof.
Streetlight is out on 138 St. just south of Frank Hurt Park. The lights that illuminate the eagle memorial to the murdered in a ambush Mr. Bell in Frank Hurt Park have been tampered with around Jan. 12 and just shine uselessly wasting power. The 2011 homicide is unsolved but there are two videos of the 5 Indo suspects.
The large black chair in the bushes behind King's Cross Mall is still there despite city works saying they had dealt with the problem it has been there a month.
Owner of run-down South Surrey property to be billed for cleanup
TRACY HOLMESSOBIA MOMANApr. 4, 2023 11:40 a.m.LOCAL NEWSNEWS
Picture 1 of 3
The owner of a South Surrey home that neighbours say has been a source of angst and odour for years can expect a bill from the city, after failing to meet a March 31 deadline to clean up the property.
Officials with the City of Surrey’s corporate services department confirmed Tuesday (April 4) that crews will be dispatched to the lot – located at 132 Street and 15A Avenue – to clear garbage, clothing and other debris that has accumulated in recent years.
“The owner did not comply with the City’s request to clean up the property by the March 31 deadline. As a result, the City has initiated the clean-up process and will be scheduling a clean up for next week,” reads a statement emailed to Peace Arch News.
READ MORE: Owner of run-down South Surrey property given till March 31 to clean up
The city told PAN last week that “we are actively working with the owner to clean up the property.”
The same family has been living at the home for decades, according to neighbours.
The unsightly problem has “been going on for years,” said Kevin Savage, who has lived across the street for 30 years.
Sharon Darlington, who lives next door to the home, said she believes the close proximity of the mess has impacted her health.
“It all started because of the smell. We can smell (the mould) so much and I have asthma. I can’t be out there without a respirator in my own yard,” she said.
“It’s only going to get worse as the weather warms up,” she added. “The house is like an incubator at this point.”
The 0.18-acre lot is heavily treed and the home’s exterior is littered with all manner of household debris and garbage.
This is not the first time the property has been brought to the city’s attention. A city spokesperson confirmed the municipality conducted a clean-up there five years ago.
A woman who identified herself as the Block Watch captain for the neighbourhood said she has heard “tons” of complaints about the home for years.
A for-sale sign was erected at the property last Wednesday (March 29).
According to listing details posted to katronisrealestate.com, the home is 2,816 square feet, with five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property is listed for $1,699,900.
“Build your dream home on fantastic corner lot with lane way,” the description reads.
“Newly built homes on the street so check with the City for building potential… House has no value.”
Jonathan Katronis said last week that he suspects the property will sell “pretty quick, but you never know.”
https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/owner-of-run-down-south-surrey-property-to-be-billed-for-cleanup/?fbclid=IwAR2-9OtHc9ZMacv3bWuJHOpvZDdYZrHtetpqOZHOrwv0crhtP9Bgc5oUZ4M
Surrey council approves budget with 12.5% property tax hike
Rejected plan had increase set at 17.5%
TOM ZYTARUKApr. 3, 2023 10:46 p.m.LOCAL NEWSNEWS
Get ready for your 12.5-per-cent property tax hike.
Surrey city council gave third-reading approval Monday to a raft of bylaws related to a 12.5 per cent property tax increase this year that’s predicated on the Surrey RCMP remaining this city’s police of jurisdiction, with councillors Linda Annis and Mandeep Nagra voting in opposition.
Final approval is expected on April 17.
Coun. Doug Elford did not attend council’s Monday meeting. (Greg: I was at the meeting who was the White man seated next to Council member Nagra?)
“I am opposed to this, I don’t think this is the right time to make any sort of increases as we all know that we are going through a recession and we have just seen a huge interest rate hike as well, so I don’t think our residents are ready to pay more at this time,” Nagra said.
Annis echoed that.
“I don’t think the taxpayers at this point in time, the businesses or the residents, can afford a 12.5 per cent tax increase. It’s huge for many, many families that live in Surrey,” she said.
“I think it’s going to put them over the top and in addition to what we’re approving tonight, of course, we also have our utilities taxes will be over and above that. I just think it’s gone way too far.”
While she supports getting more firefighters, police and bylaw enforcement officers, and another rink in Cloverdale, she said, for Annis the “fly in the ointment” is the amount the city has allocated to keep the RCMP.
“Whatever way it goes is fine with me, but I don’t have good faith in the number of severance that $85 million, that that indeed is the correct number and that’s a huge part of our budget.” (Greg: I voted for her don't regret it but she didn't suggest one budget item to cut. Langley has their taxes going up only 5.7%.)
Finance manager Kam Grewal said for the 2023 fiscal year the amounts for either the RCMP or Surrey Police Service are “virtually identical.” (Greg: Impressive dude and he had the answers to Council Members Nagra and Stutt's questions Stutt's questions stopped Mr. Nagra's attempt to obfuscate matters.)
If the severance doesn’t materialize for any reason, Grewal said, the funding could be used for other purposes “or fall to the bottom line for future years, it would be at the discretion of council.”
“Our analytics and analysis indicates over 2023, whether its RCMP or SPS, the budget allocation is going to be virtually the same. Of course, if it’s SPS there won’t be a severance component but there will be other factors that will need to be considered as part of the RCMP demobilizing and overall the numbers are very much the same for 2023.”
READ ALSO: Surrey finance committee rejects proposed 17.5% tax hike, votes to limit it to no more than 12.5%
Surrey council sitting as the finance committee on March 6 rejected the city’s proposed budget for 2023 containing a 17.5 per cent tax increase for 2023 after it was slammed by angry Surrey residents at a public hearing at city hall.
A revised budget came before council for consideration on April 3, after council had instructed city staff to limit the property tax increase to no more than 12.5 per cent.
After hearing from outraged residents, council voted on March 6 to have city staff incorporate $89.9 million from the Growing Communities Fund into the 2023-2027 financial plan and also use the grant money to build a third sheet of ice in Cloverdale, to reduce the 2023 tax increase for “policing shortfall” from 9.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent, to maintain the seven per cent general property tax increase for “inflationary pressures” and new resources, and to maintain the one per cent hike in the roads levy.
This would mean the 2023 total general tax increase would be no more than seven, 4.5 and one to a total of 12.5 per cent.
Council on Monday also passed second-reading on a bylaw that would see a 6.8 per cent increase in the Secondary Plan and Infill Area Amenity Contribution, Affordable Housing, Capital Project, and Community Specific Capital Project Community Amenity Contributions rates, calculated using the average annual Vancouver Consumer Price Index for inflation.
This will go to a public hearing on Monday, April 17, at 7 p.m.
Meantime, Coun. Rob Stutt asked Grewal about the “dynamics” beyond 2023 as it relates to the city’s budget and the policing issue. Grewal replied that starting in 2024 there will be a “significant difference in retaining the SPS that would also apply for 2025, 2026, and in fact in perpetuity. In the analysis that we did back at the end of 2022 indicate that from an ongoing perspective there’a likely a minimum difference of $32 million per year, every year, going forward.”
Nagra asked Grewal if the city will save the $85 million if it goes with the SPS.
“I wouldn’t describe that as a savings because even though we do not have to pay out severance under that scenario there will be additional costs in terms of demobilizing the RCMP that would be of the equivalent, so it would be kind-of cost neutral from that perspective,” Grewal replied. “In terms of the transition, assuming that it is RCMP as directed by council, the transition would effectively from a financial perspective be complete this year because of the severance component. There might be some trailing costs going in to 2024 but they’d be minimal.”
Stutt asked if the city is “sustainable” moving forward with the RCMP. City manager Vincent Lalonde replied that the budget before council is based on the RCMP continuing as Surrey’s police of jurisdiction.
“Anything else is basically based on our discussions we had with council on future models, on predictions. So it’s very important that you consider the bylaws in front of you and the financial information as keeping RCMP as POJ, that is council direction.”
Mayor Brenda Locke said “the big part of the challenge” for Surrey has been to “operationalize” two police forces at the same time.
“That has put us in a very difficult situation. We’re also dealing with a history that we have had to try and pick those pieces up as well. There is a number of things, including capital projects, that we want to support; we want to support infrastructure for our residents. This is certainly not the kind of numbers we would have ever wanted to see but they are the ones we are dealt with.”
The RCMP has been Surrey’s police of jurisdiction since it took over from the Surrey Police on May 1, 1951, as the result of a plebiscite. Surrey’s is the largest RCMP detachment in Canada.
On Nov. 5, 2018, the council of the day, led by mayor Doug McCallum, served notice to the provincial and federal governments that it would end its contract with the RCMP to set up its own force.
Four years and one civic election later, on Nov. 14, 2022, the current council led by Locke decided on a 5-4 vote to maintain the Surrey RCMP as this city’s police of jurisdiction instead of forging ahead with the Surrey Police Service.
Meantime, Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth has yet to render a decision on the transition. He said Monday in Victoria he’s expecting to receive “information” from the director of police services later this week.
“At the last time we spoke, I said that I wanted to have a decision by the time the tax notices go out, which is in mid-May. I want to assure everyone that it’s being worked on very, very fast. The initial plan to go to transition to Surrey Police Service, that took an initial 18 months. We received the information from the City of Surrey just before Christmas and the ministry staff have been working very expeditiously on it and I would like to get this done, as I said before, as soon as possible.”
“I understand the mayor of Surrey’s position, Surrey has the right to make decisions around policing and the mayor’s sole concern is the city of Surrey. My responsibility as solicitor general is to ensure safe and effective policing not only for Surrey but for the entire province of British Columbia,” Farnworth told reporters.
Locke asked Grewal how much Farnworth’s “stall of the decision” has cost the city to date.
“In terms of effectively carrying two police organizations, that monthly burn rate, if you will, it’s approximately $8 million per month,” Grewal replied.
Locke said the city was initially expecting a decision by the end of January.
“It’s extremely disappointing, the minister knows full well the cost. He knows we’ve been waiting for this decision for a very long time. He knows that the RCMP have provided safe and effective policing in this city for 72 years. He knows that the city has made the decision to change to the RCMP and he also knows that in the Police Act it is the responsibility, the jurisdiction of the local government, to pick their police force,” she told the Now-Leader. “It is our right, according to the Police Act, to choose our police force.”
While taking the matter to court, if need be, is “absolutely” in the city’s toolkit, Locke said, “that would be an absolute last resort. But that is not my wish. I will take the word of the premier when he says to me it will go Surrey’s way. He said that. The previous premier said that, and this minister, this solicitor general, also said it is Surrey’s decision. The length of time it is taking them to make this decision is really unfortunate, and it’s unfortunate that they didn’t take this kind of time to make the decision to go with the switchover that we’re into at this point. It’s too bad they didn’t do this kind of due diligence at the front end. And so we’re faced with doing it now, and that seems extraordinarily unfair to the residents and I daresay I think it’s disrespectful to the residents of Surrey that it’s taking so long.”
Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman said that “despite the reduced resident property tax of 12.5 per cent that was approved at the April 3 City of Surrey council meeting, the Surrey Board of Trade is very concerned about ongoing, uncertain property tax increases for businesses.
“It is business,” she said, “that bears the greatest burden of taxation by all levels of government. The City of Surrey budget, on top of regional and provincial tax increases, are stifling businesses to grow in an already challenging economy.”
https://www.northdeltareporter.com/news/surrey-council-approves-budget-with-12-5-property-tax-hike/
Council also voted to allow Annie Kaps and the Save Bear Creek Park delegation to appear before council. Keep them on their toes Annie.
City Manager Vince Lalonde was given an award for 25 years service most ppl clapped I did not because I had urged him to quit or be fired after McCallum was voted out but after reflecting I realized I never knew the guy existed until the last run of McCallum so what the hey guess he just had a cpl of bad years. 2/3rds of the ppl present left after the various development proposals were finished I complimented one Indo speaker for articulating why he wanted the problem property on his block finally developed the only opposition to that idea was to have residential instead of industrial development there many complained about the traffic there saying it took over 5 minutes to drive a block at rush hour.