Demoralized staff, unsafe homes and questionable motives – the issue of Surrey’s ” Monster Homes”makes front page news in The Province

Welcome news greeted me on the front page of the print edition of The Province this morning , one that left me thanking the author of the article, Kent Spencer, and the powers that be for giving this issue some  much-needed attention on a larger scale.  Unionized employees from the city of Surrey have come [...]

Don’t wait for a four leaf clover – make your own luck.

Some people will go their entire lives without finding a four- leaf clover, regardless of the effort spent trying to look.  Legend has it that finding one, especially accidentally, will bring good luck to the finder.  The legend also says that each leaf stands for something – one leaf for hope, one for faith, one [...]

Newton neighbourhoods still rife with prostitutes,drugs and crime – despite city’s Newton Revitalization Plan

It has been  just over one year since I spent the afternoon taking Susana da Silva and her cameraman on a driving tour of Newton. 
One year.
In response to increasing frustration among home and business owners in the neighbourhood regarding the cities lack of action, I decided enough was enough and called the CBC to suggest they [...]

Is this about fixing people – or saving their own jobs?

Due to illness, there will be no Bits and Bites today. God knows why, but this year  it seems as if I’ve been destined to catch every freaking bug my kids bring home – something that is extremely unusual for me. I go years without getting ill.
However, for you Newton readers,I did spot  a story [...]

Surrey ranks in the Top 10 Most Dangerous cities in Canada – so why not add slot machines to one of the poorest neighbourhoods?

Funny, I was just in the local RCMP detachment yesterday reading that theft from vehicles in Surrey is on the rise. This little tidbit was found in the Block Watch newsletter.( As is all crime, I suspect – wait until the next bunch of stats come out) I’ve been writing about this for some time , only [...]

Stabbing in Newton sends one to hospital- right in front of me.

One young man is in hospital with what are described as non- life threatening injuries, and police are searching for  a single male suspect who fled the scene on foot.
This, after I found myself smack dab in the middle of a police incident at the Newton Wave pool and Recreational Centre this evening.
As I made my way through the crowd, two officers halted one male youth in front of [...]

You know you are in trouble when…

An RCMP cruiser pulls up and parks in front of your house, and an officer knocks on your door…
It never fails.
 Whenever I have one of those days where the shower never happened, the hairs in a ratty ponytail and dark circles clearly show under my eyes, someone shows up unexpectedly at the door.  And after [...]

End of the week round-up and answers to your frequently asked questions

Lately I’ve been getting a lot of questions and requests for updates, and rather than email everyone individually, I thought that perhaps once every couple of weeks I will compose a blog strictly to address those queries, names and details withheld. So, without delay, here are the answers to this weeks Frequently Asked Questions.
1) What happened to [...]

Newton Beautification Efforts Appreciated by Bums and Addicts

 Have to comment about the latest in the Newton Beautification efforts- the large planters along 72nd ave by the Newton bus loop.  I wish I had taken my camera this morning.
Gorgeous plants, nice containers.
I saw a bum pissing in one of them, and a needle in another. Already, they are filling with cigarette butts and debris. 
No [...]

Returning Monday

Ahhhh, nothing like a little sleep deprivation to fire up a good rant !! I will return to regular postings on Monday, and I do have a few good commentaries building up that I simply must get out before I explode.
One thing to look at will be the “Newton Plan”, courtesy of Surrey mayor, Dianne Watts, and [...]