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- ⚓ Community First makes it four
⚓ Community First makes it four
Plus: these local groups could use a hand this holiday season
New West Anchor Staff
December 12, 2023
Welcome to Tuesday, New West.
In case you missed it, the school board race has now become a race of four, with Community First—former school trustee Dee Beattie’s old party—introducing their candidate last week. Scroll on to find out who they are.
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POLITICS
Fourth candidate enters school board race
Community First—the party that previously supported beleaguered school trustee Dee Beattie—has put forward a 21-year-old candidate from the Glenbrook North neighbourhood.
Jalen Bachra will be running with the slate, which currently has a majority at both the school board and council.
“I think the prospect of having a young person on the school board is really exciting,” said Bachra. “I can amplify that students’ perspective, while still addressing the concerns of parents.”
Bachra joins three others: Shawn Sorensen and Alejandro Diaz are both running as independents, while Kathleen Carlsen will run on behalf of the New West Progressives. Voting takes place on Feb. 3, 2024.
SPONSORED BY THE CITY OF NEW WEST
Winter registration starts December 14
The City of New Westminster's Winter 2024 program registration will begin at 10 am, December 14 for New Westminster residents and December 15 for everyone. Registration by phone or in-person is available at recreation centres, and online via a new registration site. Stay active this winter!
📣 Neighbourhood bulletin
🚶Walkers’ caucus. The group—known for advocating for pedestrians—will host a meeting this evening in the Ash Room at the New Westminster Public Library’s main branch. Doors open at 7pm.
🏘️ Open house. The Royal City Literary Arts Society and New West Artists will be teaming up to host an open house on Saturday, Dec. 16. All are welcome to come: the event is happening at the ‘I Heart New West’ community space at Columbia Square.
🍾 Reminder. Don’t forget to start thinking of Royal City Rotary if you have empties: the group will be hosting a recycling bottle drop from 10am to 2pm in January. Stay tuned to their page for the latest details.
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🗞 In other news
Pedestrian struck. New West Police have confirmed someone was struck near Royal City Centre mall on Sunday. It’s believed to have happened just before 2pm. The particulars of how this unfolded are still being determined by investigators.
Dog found. Milo, an Italian Greyhound that escaped through an open door last week, has since been found alive. (New West Record)
Dental plan. The federal government has launched its federal dental insurance plan, with those 87 and older able to apply as of next week. Other age groups will be able to apply over the course of next year. (CityNews/The Canadian Press)
Robert Pickton evidence. A group speaking on behalf of the victims of the Canadian serial killer wants evidence related to the Pickton case to be preserved. In 2007, Pickton was found guilty of six counts of second-degree murder. He is serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. (CBC Vancouver)
Fighting gender-based violence. The initiative is part of a $62M investment by the federal government over four years. The province says it will be using the funds to create more safe spaces and housing for women and children escaping violence. There will also be a 24/7 crisis line. (CityNews Vancouver)
🤩 Community spotlight
Community groups to think of this holiday season
There are a number of local not-for-profits and charities that would love your support as they get ready to provide another round of assistance in 2024:
KidSport BC. In 2022 there were 93 children who took advantage of a bursary that allowed them to play local sports. In 2023, that number went up to 113—that’s a 22% increase. Learn more about what this group does for the community and how beneficiaries can get an up to $400 grant during the calendar year.
New West Hospice Society. New West Hospice Society’s goal is to work towards what it calls a “compassionate city,” an issue that was particularly amplified—according to board member Michael Scales—during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Become an Anchor Insider member today so we can keep covering all the cool things New Westies are doing!
🤝 Now hiring
Library assistant, City of New Westminster. Wage: starts at $25.16/hour.
Overnight assistant manager, Walmart. (6th St. location.) Salary: starts at $53,300 annually.
Maintenance worker, The Salvation Army, Buchanan Lodge. Wage: $29.18/hour.
Medical office assistant, Dr. Jacques Zhang—plastic surgeon. Wage: $22/hour.
Client partner, capital developments’ strategic change, Royal Columbian Hospital. Wage: $44.14/hour.
Coordinator, general operations, Fraser Health. Wage: starts at $33.66/hour.
Operations supervisor, student affairs and services, Douglas College. Wage: $32.98/hour.
Youth outreach worker, Lower Mainland Purpose Society. Wage: $29.87/hour.
Hiring in New West? Reply to this email and let us know.
💸 Local deals and specials
Steel & Oak. The made-in-New West brewery is offering 10% off if you buy a variety flat. You can order online or in-person.
Know an awesome deal New Westies should know about? Reply back to our newsletter to share!
🗓️ Things to do
Meet Constable Claus. Cst. Claus will be hosting a meet-and-greet with one of his elves. The duo will be working together to collect donations for the Don’t Go Hungry program. You can say hello on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 5 to 8pm.
The Nutcracker. Get festive for the holidays: there will be two showings of the holiday ballet on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 1pm and 4pm. Proudly presented by The Royal City Youth Ballet.
Info session for the upcoming byelection. There will be an info session at City Hall on Monday, Dec. 18. It’ll be getting underway at 6pm.
That’s it!
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