The boys and girls in blue are going green.
In January 2015, the New Westminster Police Department began piloting a project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing fuel expenses. Four patrol division vehicles are now equipped with dual fuel technology.
“We strongly believe that we are doing our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while being fiscally responsible to the citizens of New Westminster,” said Act. Sgt. Jeff Scott in a press release. “Over the next few years we will continue to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions as we change our existing patrol vehicles over to dual fuel technology.”
The police department has announced there has been a 24 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions among its fleet since the rollout of the initial fleet. The pilot project has also proven to be a major fuel cost saver.
“The Green Fleet dual fuel technology employs a system that uses gasoline as the fuel source to start the vehicle, before seamlessly transitioning to propane as the primary source of fuel,” stated a press release from the police department. “The decrease in the greenhouse gas emissions and the cost of fuel are largely in part due to the new dual fuel vehicles, and the officers making a conscious effort to avoid unnecessary idling where possible.”
As the police department replaces vehicles, Scott said all the new vehicles will be equipped with the duel fuel system.
Win a car – and help local kids
Key West Ford has donated a used car toward a fundraiser for New Westminster Family Place.
“It offsets our deficit,” said Marjorie Staal, executive director of Family Place. “It will help us to stay in business, help us to keep our doors open.”
Like some other non-profit organizations, New Westminster Family Place has encountered some financial difficulties after losing some of its grants.
Tickets for the 2003 Ford Focus SE (valued at about $4,245 at the dealership) are $10 or three for $20. They’re available at New Westminster Family Place, #101-93 Sixth St. or 604-520-3666.
Mayor Jonathan Cote will do the honours and draw the lucky winner’s name on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 3 p.m.
If you’d like to help out Family Place beforehand, you can attend the ninth annual Christmas for Kids pancake breakfast and toy drive on Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Paddlewheeler Pub in River Market. Bring an unwrapped gift valued at $15 or more and you can enjoy a free pancake breakfast (pancakes, sausages, eggs, fresh fruit, juice and coffee) with local dignitaries.
Gifts of toys, games, books and puzzles for tots to teens will be collected and donated to Family Place and the Purpose Society, which will then disperse them to local families in need.
Prime minister calls on local candidate
You just never know who may be calling when Private shows up on the call display.
Sasha Ramnarine, who was the Liberal candidate in New Westminster in the recent federal election, was doing some work around home shortly after the election when his phone rang. Seeing Private on the screen, he ignored the call. A while later his phone rang again from a private line and he chose to answer.
It turns out the call was from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was calling to personally thank Ramnarine for running in the election and acknowledging the increase in votes the Liberals got in New Westminster from the previous election.
Local couple honoured by NDP
Dawn and Peter Black have been deemed to be honorary life members of British Columbian’s New Democratic Party.
The longtime New West residents received the honour on Nov. 7 at the B.C. NDP 2015 convention.
“We’ve worked with many wonderful people over the years who care deeply about our province, our country and are committed to building a fairer society,” wrote Dawn Black on Facebook. “The friends we’ve made and the memories we share have made our lives much richer.”
Save the date:
Wednesday, Dec. 2: The City of New Westminster is hosting an open house on the prosed Q2Q Bridge, a pedestrian crossing between Queensborough and the Quay. Information about the proposed bridge’s alignment, general form and the process will be presented at an open house on Dec. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at River Market, 810 Quayside Dr.
Saturday Dec. 5: The City of New Westminster is hosting the 2015 Santa Claus Parade, as well as the tree-lighting and holiday festivities in downtown New Westminster. The parade gets underway at 11 a.m., with activities taking place at River Market, Fraser River Discovery Centre, Anvil Centre and the Shops at New West Station during the day.
Sunday, Dec. 6: Take in what’s been called “New Westminster’s most popular Christmas concert” when the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir and Winter Harp join together for The Christmas Star performance at Massey Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. In what’s billed as “New Westminster’s most popular Christmas concert”, Canada’s largest male voice choir will be surrounded by harps, flutes, rare medieval instruments and percussion for this holiday show. Tickets range from $20.50 to $31.50 (plus service charges) and are available at 604-521-5050 or ticketsnw.ca.
