Nov
05
2008
Rina Gill calls for Surrey to establish sister city relationship in India
SCC 2008 Election 0
Today Rina Gill, a candidate for Surrey city council with the Surrey Civic Coalition, called for the City of Surrey to establish new sister city relationships with cities in India. “As one of the fastest growing and most dynamic cities in Canada, good relationships with cities in India will lead to future economic opportunities for Surrey businesses” said Gill. India is the world’s biggest democracy and has a dynamic and growing economy. Sister city relationships are a good way to promote business between regions and people. Sister city relations, or twinning as it is sometimes called, support relationships where communitiesRead more
Oct
31
2008
It takes more than just talk to revitalize Surrey City Centre
SCC 2008 Election 0
For immediate release It takes more than just talk to revitalize Surrey City Centre, says council candidate Stephanie Ryan. The Surrey Civic Coalition candidate said this week that Surrey First’s recent announcement that they are committed to relocating City Hall to the city centre is a campaign promise that defies the current council’s actions. “Just five years ago, City Council voted to spend $9 million on renovations at the current City Hall. If the mayor and council really were interested in relocating City Hall to Surrey City Centre, they should not have spent money renovating, but focused on a realRead more
Oct
24
2008
Time for a change on School Board
SCC 2008 Election 0
Ijaz Chatha, Surrey Civic Coalition school trustee candidate, said “Surrey residents need to elect trustees who will be strong advocates for a fully-funded public education. The system is so under-funded that we never know from year to year what services will be available for children for special needs.” The current Board of Education did not stand up against the closing of Fleetwood Elementary, said Chatha, adding, now is the time for a change on school board to avoid future school closures. “Closing the school is not the way to improve the quality of education. I firmly believe that we needRead more
Oct
23
2008
SCC Says Land Swap Not The Solution to Saving Little Campbell River Headwaters
SCC 2008 Election 0
The Surrey Civic Coalition says Surrey entering into a deal with the provincial government to purchase land for further industrial development does not protect the Little Campbell River headwaters. Rice was referring to the surprise move announced last Thursday by Mayor Dianne Watts and Kevin Falcon, Surrey Cloverdale MLA, that the city would purchase a 250 acre gravel pit and 50 acre wooded area from the province for $104.5 million. “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” said SCC council candidate Grant Rice. “SCC exposed serious environmental flaws with their plan to put warehouses in the Little Campbell River headwaters. SoRead more
Oct
22
2008
SCC Calls For More Affordable Housing in Surrey
SCC 2008 Election 0
For immediate release Stephanie Ryan, Surrey Civic Coalition council candidate, applauds yesterday’s announcement that 30 to 40 units of modular supportive housing will come to Surrey. The agreement is a partnership between VANOC, RONA, the provincial government and the city. “It’s great for Surrey and will help address the issue of homelessness,” said Ryan. She said Homelessness Awareness Week was an opportune time to note, “The city has made significant progress in addressing homelessness in the last three years, especially with the establishment of the Housing & Homelesness Society. But Ryan, who has researched the lack of commercial development inRead more
Oct
22
2008
SCC Council Candidate Questions Surrey’s Spending on Olympics
SCC 2008 Election 0
For Immediate Release SCC Council Candidate Questions Surrey’s Spending on Olympics Surrey Civic Coalition (SCC) City Council candidate Stephanie Ryan wants to know why the City of Surrey had to buy its way into providing the volunteer training centre for the 2010 Olympics. Ryan is a keen supporter of the 2010 Olympics, but believes that the economic times require good fiscal leadership and a view to the city’s bottom line. “The city paid VANOC $2 million for the ‘membership privileges’ of using the Olympic logo, being a part of the Torch Relay and the Cultural Olympiad, and to have ourRead more
Oct
16
2008
Surrey Civic Coalition (SCC) has lodged challenge on legitimacy of two political groups
SCC 2008 Election 0
For immediate release The Surrey Civic Coalition (SCC) has lodged a formal challenge of the legitimacy of two political groups. SCC believes neither Surrey First nor Surrey Education Team has met the requirements of a political party under the Local Government Act. A hearing has been set in the Provincial Court of British Columbia in Surrey for Thursday, October 15th at 1:30 pm. SCC President Lynda Toews said, in the case of Surrey First, “the mayor has said time after time that Surrey First is not a political party, that they don’t have any membership, constitution or nomination process forRead more
Oct
11
2008
Gill sets Hepner straight on ward system
SCC 2008 Election 0
Original Article from VoiceOnline, Point #3. I was appalled at the actions of Surrey council when Councillor Bob Bose brought a motion to send the issue of wards to referendum. The Surrey Civic Coalition didn’t expect Bob’s motion would pass. We knew full well that the Surrey First and other council members don’t want a ward system because it would hurt their reelection chances. But council’s decorum reached lows not seen since the Doug McCallum days and their feeble alternatives for electoral reform completely missed the point. The mayor and Surrey First councillors suggested term limits on council. They objectRead more
Sep
29
2008
Protect the Little Campbell River headwaters
SCC 2008 Election 0
For release: Monday, Sept. 29 The Surrey Civic Coalition has vowed to protect the Little Campbell River headwaters. “We promise to save the Little Campbell River from further development if Surrey elects an SCC council,” said SCC councilllor Bob Bose. “It’s simple: Elect all five SCC council candidates and the rest of the city-owned land will be preserved as a park,” said Bose, making the first major promise of Surrey’s civic election campaign. The Little Campbell River headwaters, also known as Stokes Pit, has been the subject of much controversy since Surrey council first voted to sell the environmentally-sensitive areaRead more
Sep
23
2008
Surrey Tree Preservation
SCC 2008 Election 0
For immediate release The Surrey School District has violated Surrey’s own Tree Preservation By-law by cutting down 17 trees behind Surrey College on 140 Street last Friday. A concerned citizen witnessed the removal of the mature trees next to Green Timbers Forest, and was shocked to see them being chopped down. Surrey Civic Coalition Councillor Bob Bose was notified of the situation, and contacted city staff to investigate. “I was told by staff there was no permit approved to remove those 17 trees at that site. “It’s really discouraging to hear that the Tree Preservation By-law continues to be violated,Read more