Thurs. Apr 18, 2024 edition: To drink, or not to drink, in public parks?

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week, council debated the question: to drink, or not to drink, in Burnaby parks? The topic came up in council following the results of a pilot program last year which temporarily allowed residents to drink in selected areas of the city’s public parks. In other news, the Burnaby Community Assembly saw its first public engagement event last week, hosting important discussions regarding the city’s new 2050 Official Community Plan.

👀 In today's edition:

• A disagreement in council over alcohol consumption

• The first public engagement event for the Community Assembly

• A heated transit debate

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NEWS

Alcohol consumption in public parks sparks disagreement in council

Last year, Burnaby ran a pilot program that allowed consumption of alcohol in Burnaby public parks. According to a council report, it took place from June to October 2023 and was limited to one park per quadrant, with consumption subject to a 10-metre distance from amenities such as playgrounds.

Members of the city’s parks, recreation and culture team have now reviewed the program and are analyzing the results of a public survey which, with only 45 participants, had a lack of public response. In addition to some constructive feedback that included conversations about drunkenness and additional garbage in parks, council was faced with a decision to either cancel or continue the project for coming years.

While most council members showed support for the project, others expressed concern over its long term impacts. The motion to expand the project was passed, with two councillors opposing it.

Other highlights from council this week include support for rapid bus routes, and details on a national day of mourning for workers killed on the job.

Read the full city council round-up here. 

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Burnaby Bulletin

Burnaby man charged. A 29-year-old man has been charged with second degree murder following the stabbing of a woman on April 3. The victim, 49-year-old Gertrude Cheong, died at the scene. [Global News]

A heated transit debate. Transit riders and local merchants’ association are in opposition over a proposed rapid bus route from the congested North Shore to Metrotown, one of the major plans proposed by Metro Vancouver mayors last year. [CBC]

Rescued from a fire. An extraordinary rescue was caught on camera last Saturday in the midst of a serious building fire in Burnaby. Anna Dosen, a 79-year-old resident, was saved by a man living across the street. [Global News]

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Suspended SkyTrain services. Translink announced that Skytrain services at Metrotown and Royal Oak stations were suspended due to a “track intrusion” alarm. Regular service has resumed. [CityNews]

A restaurant fire. Plumes of smoke were spotted by pedestrians at Church’s Chicken on Lougheed Highway last Thursday. According to the Burnaby Fire Department, the cause of the smoke was a grease fire that led to minimal damage at the eatery. [Daily Hive]

Several vehicles burned. Burnaby RCMP are currently investigating the cause of a fire that engulfed two vehicles on the 3700 block of Fir Street around 4:20am last Thursday. One car, notably, was a 1980s Corvette. [Global News]

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NEWS

Burnaby Community Assembly first public engagement event

On April 9, around 100 Burnaby residents trickled into the banquet hall at Bonsor Recreation Centre for the Burnaby Community Assembly’s first public engagement.

Between 6 and 6:30pm, most grabbed a sandwich or hot beverage and filled the seats at the round tables in the hall. Stationery was arranged on the tables, including notepads, pens, and markers. Each table included about 10 people, including a facilitator to moderate the conversations and guide participants through the different activities of the evening. 

The Assembly—a representative body comprised of 40 to 50 residents—will meet over the next several weeks to find hidden consensus for Burnaby’s new Official Community Plan.

Find more details about the meeting here. 

Where to eat & drink

🍗 Polish Deli Metrotown. Cabbage rolls, borsht, smoked sausages and pickles in brine…this deli is the place of dreams for Eastern European goods. Stop by for a hearty lunch (may we recommend the sauerkraut and mushroom pierogies?) and don’t forget to look through the selection of sweets—you might find your new favourite.

🍝 Basil Pasta Bar. A humble, build-your-own pasta counter that makes lunches (and decadent late night cravings) a breeze. Customize your pasta just the way you like it or choose among a wide list of house specialties like smoked salmon fettuccine and gnocchi bolognese.

🍣 Sushi U Burnaby. This mellow, low-key eatery is making some of the best traditional and fusion Asian dishes in Burnaby. Striving to be the best in the city, Sushi U is undoubtedly known for their nigiri, special rolls and main dishes like katsu and donburi.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Office Assistant at the City of Burnaby

• E-commerce Clerk at Real Canadian Superstore

• Accounts Payable Analyst at BC Hydro

• Administrative Secretary at PHSA

• Investment Specialist at BMO

• Sales Effectiveness Coach at Moneris Solutions

• Complaint Intake Manager at Engineers & Geoscientists BC

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Roy Henry Vickers. 10am to 4:30pm. Burnaby Art Gallery.

• Safe Community Series: Frauds and Scams. 6pm. Online via Zoom.

• The Year of Magical Thinking. 7:30pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

Friday

• Villains Pokemon. 7pm. The Rec Room.

• Ukrainian Dinner. 5pm. Bonsor Recreation Complex.

• Tango Musicality I & II. 7pm. The Zoroastrian Society of BC.

Saturday

• Flea Market. 9:30am to 1:30pm. Confederation Seniors’ Centre. 

• Harumatsuri by Anime Evolution. 10am. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

• Build with AI. 1pm. British Columbia Institute of Technology.

• Wildflower Seed Bomb Workshop. 10am. Gardenworks Burnaby.

Sunday

• BC Parkway Enhancement Project Pop-Up. 9:30am. Patterson Skytrain Station.

• Spoken INK. 12pm. Deer Lake Art Gallery.

Monday

• Imagine a Cleaner Future. 5:30pm. Deer Lake Park.

• Burnaby Town Hall with Kevin Falcon. 6:30pm. Bonsor Recreation Complex.

• Saje & Heights Yoga Pop-Up. 6pm. Heights Yoga and Wellness.

Tuesday

• Occupational First Aid Level 1. 8:30am. ProSafe Training School (Burnaby Campus)

• BCIT Business Operations Management Showcase. 5:30pm. Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.

• Game Night for English Learners. 6pm. Burnaby Public Library.

Wednesday

• Scandinavian Dancing. 7pm. Scandinavian Community Centre.

• Interview Prep Workshop. 11:30am. BCIT Student Association.

• Burnaby Writing Group. 6pm. Tommy Douglas Library.