Monday Morning Gob Smack- She Said What???

Woke up this morning to see Shelley Fralic's glowing report  in the Vancouver Sun on Surrey mayor Dianne Watts.

 Fralic writes that "Watts has cleaned up the grimy bits" and is "hell-bent on cleaning up the grungier parts of town.." 

Nearly sprayed coffee all over the kitchen windows. Didn't know whether to laugh out loud or cry.  

South Newton residents, especially those living near the King George corridor between 72nd & 60th, can only shake their heads at these pronouncements.  Despite well-timed promises for revitalization of the Newton downtown area  no action has been taken and well  friends, THIS is what greets drivers  at one of the busiest intersections in all of Surrey daily. And it's been like this for over a decade.  

If Watts  and Co. continue to neglect Newton- home to Surrey's largest population ( and growing) the result will be seen come next election.  And that's a crying shame, because  up until now, I have voted for her every time.

The Future Lives Here?

The decaying former Surrey Public Market   stands at one of the busiest intersections in town  King George & 64th Avenue.
70,000 drivers daily look at this and think "The Future Lives here??? "

Read  full Vancouver Sun piece here

Time for the Suburbs to Grow Up...

You have a night out planned. 

These are your options:

 A one stop complex  that offers restaurants and entertainment options including a  show theatre  but is located in a neighbouring community?

or .... an aging bingo hall ?

Quick-Where are you going to spend your money?

Bingo Country Surrey BC

Coast Hotel and Cascades Casino Langley BC

What do you think- did Bruce get it right? Ouch!

Click here for Bruce Allen's Reality Check re: Surrey Casino Jan 22

How about International Village for Newton?

Time to think outside the box and build something wonderful that ALL  of Surrey residents can feel good about!

What now for Downtown Newton?
Some thoughts...

Holland Park in Downtown Surrey is home to the Fusion Festival, a popular annual event that   thousands  of families enjoy every year.  Always a wonderful opportunity to showcase our city's amazingly diverse cultures and nationalities. 

 Last summer we attended  with 3 kids from Mexico who said the best thing by far was the delicious food! They  enjoyed the chicken satay with peanut sauce so much that I had to make my version of it for dinner  later that evening! Got everybody talking about how great it would be for Surrey and in particular Downtown Newton to showcase  our multi-culturalism  for more than  just a few weekends a year.  Newton  has the largest population in Surrey many of whom are immigrants bringing with them their own unique gifts and artistic skills.

Wouldn't it be great to see Downtown  Newton transformed into an International Village? Imagine the food!    We'd love to see a farmer's market  that caters to everyone's cultural heritage. 

Bringing cultures together is  what builds a strong community and contributes to

 healthy, safe and vibrant neighbourhoods. 

What do you think? 

Mother and son shopping at open air marketplace

International Village for Newton?

Casino Royale-Time to Shuffle the Deck and Deal

  This weekend Surrey city council  in a close vote  turned down the proposal to build a casino and entertainment complex in South Surrey.

It's a victory for South Surrey residents,  and there's an element of Nimbyism for sure.

 The  No vote has unfortunate consequences for South Newton where Gateway's current Bingo Country operates.
Several months ago council voted to allow slots at that facility on a "temporary" basis until  the new casino in South Surrey was built and the gaming license transferred. 

 At the time it was said by many that  "temporary" had a way of becoming permanent.
And guess what folks, it has.

 The  aging Newton facility will keep operating as it is, and  plans for a new retail complex, complete with Planet Organic as anchor tenant?   Well that's unlikely to happen any time soon if ever.

Newton deserves the same attention and consideration as those  whose wishes were granted late Friday night.

  The city of Surrey must get working with developers to revitalize the South Newton/King George corridor.  

Clearly a need exists for  arts, entertainment and convention facilities. And what better place than  South Newton, the heart of Surrey. It's a no-brainer.

  Compromises will be necessary. We can't have everything we ask for. 

  But the time has come for the suburbs to grow up. Literally and figuratively.

Casino Royale

Tonight Surrey city council hears the second night of  speakers for and against the proposed casino plans for south Surrey.
Whichever way the vote goes, it has an impact here in South Newton.  If the casino is approved for  south Surrey, it looks as though Bingo Country (at Hall Rd and King George ) will be gone (Gateway will be moving the license to the new complex).
That's good news.
 A new retail complex is needed and very much wanted by the booming population in the Hyland, Sullivan Heights and Panorama community.

If the casino proposal doesn't go through it means that  the bingo hall and the slots, which despite much protest from the community were allowed by council  on a "temporary basis" will stay.

It'll be interesting to see how this goes. Will council listen to the wishes of the south Surrey community and vote no, and if so, why didn't they listen to the voices of Newton residents over  the same issue. Time will tell if there are different rules for different areas of Surrey.

Creating inviting public places- Good design means creating a welcoming atmosphere.

 Came across this blog post from People for Public Spaces and had to post it.
It shows great examples of why cutting edge design often falls flat.
 People like friendly welcoming buildings and places, not concrete and 'artsy' design.
 Check it out.

 Where would you want to spend time visiting?

On Hiatus til 2013!

Do you run a business in Newton?

The  Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association (DTBIA) has been successful in  helping revitalize the Central City area. The City of Surrey has also helped in giving economic incentives to  promote  development  in the hopes of creating  a new and exciting downtown destination.


 In Newton there is no BIA and one is desperately  needed! 
 In fact,  every other community in Surrey has a BIA.

 Do you want to see a more vibrant  neighbourhood here in South Newton specifically  around the King George Blvd between 60th and 76th Aves?
 Do you want city hall to recognize that Newton needs a reboot?
 Email me and let's do this!

Lots happening in Newton

Summer in Newton saw the partial take-down of the derelict public market building at King George and 64th Ave.   We're still waiting to see how the developer will be dealing with the rest of the structure  which most residents of the neighbourhood say should  also meet the business end of a bulldozer.
The Welcome Home project appears to be progressing  so will keep you posted on that in the coming weeks.  Before I became involved in local issues, nearly 1,000   Newton  homeowners came out in force to oppose the project which would see hundreds of former inmates housed in a live/work facility, adjacent to the existing  Price Pro residence which houses people recovering from addiction. No one disagrees that a facility like this is useful. No one. The argument is that Newton already has so many correctional and social  service type  organizations  that it is in danger of becoming  Surrey's version of  Vancouver's downtown eastside.
 Newton needs business revitalization.  We  cannot continue  along this path.  Simply put, it is not healthy for the community. Every neighbourhood needs a healthy  and balanced economic mix if it is to thrive.
 Now we hear  that there may be yet another homeless shelter in Newton, even though Mayor Watts has promised that Newton will not be the home to any more social services.  We need a major economic boost. Newton needs  new businesses to set up shop in the neighbourhood. Too many are leaving.  We need to look at the long term livability of our community. South Newton needs help. How much longer is the largest community in Surrey (130,000 residents) going to be neglected?
 Promises of  a revitalized town centre and "Festival Street" are considered by many residents as merely lip service. No follow up has occurred.
 Let's get serious and take action  while there's still time to make a  difference

Central City Skyline

The Central City tower is destined to become THE identifying landmark in the heart of the rapidly developing Surrey Downtown neighbourhood.  

 In the same way that  anyone anywhere seeing the Harbour Centre building in a photo or painting of Vancouver's skyline immediately knows exactly which city they're looking at, soon anybody seeing an image of  the iconic roof top  "whoosh"  will know that THIS is Central City.

The curving rooftop and welcoming outdoor plaza are truly a gem in the heart of our expanding city. If you've never been inside this part of the complex do yourself a favour. It's a marvel of architecture and design. The wood beams alone are worth the trip. Many people say the interior reminds them of a ship which 

I believe is exactly what architect Bing Thom had in mind.

  You can relax on the patio of the Central City Brewing Company restaurant and pub, sip one of their award-winning brews, and enjoy the simple pleasure of  people watching on the outdoor plaza. 

 This is a great place to be!

Central City Tower by Lamplight
Photo by Jude Hannah

Why would anyone do this?

A few days ago there was a fire at the Surrey Hospice and Firefighters thrift store in Newton. Arson is suspected.
Why anyone would target a place  like this is beyond my comprehension.
The people who work here,  all volunteers I believe, are always so gracious and friendly when I have dropped off donations.
 It really boggles the mind. 

School Bells Ring, are ya listenin'?

Quick reminder to slow down when driving through school zones and keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone

Happy first day of school to young and old alike!

 Nothing is more important  than to never stop learning about our mysterious, beautiful world and its people.

Be curious about EVERYTHING

Countdown to First Day of School!

One of the most rewarding parts of being a parent was the time I spent volunteering at my son's elementary school.
I joined the Parent Advisory Committee the moment he stepped into his first Kindergarten class.

With the first day of school looming on the horizon, I'd like to encourage all parents, moms AND dads to get involved in whatever way they can.  It's a great way to connect with people in your neighbourhood and parental involvement has been shown to help students academically.
Most schools now have websites with a link to their PAC, so there's really no reason to stay out of the loop!

Surrey's Bad Rap....why does it continue?

Back in the 80s, there was an advertising campaign encouraging people to purchase homes in the Richmond area. The tagline was:
 "Living in Richmond means never having to say you're Surrey"

It was a play on the line from   the movie Love Story. I recall it being quite controversial at the time.
Lots of Surrey folks were insulted.  I wasn't a Surrey resident at the time and in New Westminster we kind of nodded in agreement. Surrey wasn't the jewel of the Vancouver area.

Fast forward to last week when someone on facebook  posted a 'joke' that's goes like this....

A couple in Surrey are planning on naming their newborn Adolf Hitler. 
They should be ashamed of themselves. Surrey is no place to raise a child.

 Not much has changed.

So here's my question. 
Why does Surrey continue to be the butt of jokes,  the area of Metro Vancouver which is considered the least desirable place to live? 

Free Family Fun plus Movie Night at Sullivan Heights Park Sunday!

Just a super quick post to tell everyone in Southeast Newton
( you know, Panorama, Sullivan, Hyland, the Ridge, however you refer to our neighbourhood)
that Vancity is sponsoring a....
 FREE event on Sunday August 12  at Sullivan Heights Park 144th and 64th Ave
They'll be all sorts of goodies and the evening will end with a showing of Aladdin so bring the  kids and have some fun in your own community!
.Click for details here

Mini Apartments in Residential Neighbourhoods- Time to Put an End to This Practice

   The area surrounding Hyland Park in Newton was once home to pheasants, raccoons,  coyotes beavers and a thriving salmon spawning population in Hyland Creek.

Now a developer wants to create another street of mega homes on small lots ( Hyland Park development proposal link )- so small and jammed so closely together that to compensate for the lack of street space for parking, a parking "island" ( in truth just a small parking lot) in the centre of the cul de sac is planned. 

The 14000 blk of 65th Avenue  across from the proposed development is a lovely street that has homes on 1/2 acre lots. The homes on the 13800 blk of 65th Ave closest to the proposed development have 1/4 acre lot homes. A development more in keeping with these areas is preferred and recommended. If that is not considered a possibility then townhouses are preferred over small lots. The creek setback would then be 30 metres as opposed to 15 metres for small lot homes
.Plus a townhouse complex requires a strata council in place to govern  rentals, noise and other issues affecting home owners. 
We simply cannot absorb more rental suites geared to a transient  population. This model does not make for a healthy and safe neighbourhood for families and places a burden on an already over-taxed school system.


 I should add that no one I know has any problem with an extended family living in one home  that includes a suite for mom. In fact I applaud this multi-generational model and believe that North Americans should consider this  way of living more often. It strengthens families.


We need to  think of the big picture here- it's time to create livable healthy  communities for everyone.

 Homeowners are weary of  neighbourhoods turning into mini apartment zones. We have seen an increase in crime, garbage, drug dealing  and vandalism when the development of  64A Avenue just west of 138th St was approved and built despite the opposition of dozens of  area homeowners. The streets in that  development are littered with debris and there is a steady stream of young males coming from that neighbourhood and dealing drugs at the nearby pedestrian bridge. Just 2 weeks ago there was another police incident.
 We know that  city hall cannot keep up now with  illegal suite enforcement.To  approve developments which encourage this practice is sheer folly on the part of local government.
 To use a phrase often heard by city council, we need to look at the 'big picture' here. What is  the best decision for this neighbourhood and what  will it say about how things are run in Surrey?

 There is a public hearing on Monday July 23 at 7pm.

Mayor and Council Contact info
Hyland Park development proposal link

City Hall needs to act NOW to save Newton from becoming Whalley 2.0 Just think , our own little Downtown Eastside in the making. All the signs are there.

King George and 64th Ave. 
Southern Gateway to Surrey 

Welcome to Surrey
 The Future Lives Here

Take one minute to send a message asking( demanding?) council and the mayor to pay attention to the state of Newton NOW.            Contact info for mayor and council link
The troubles of Whalley have simply been pushed down the King George into Newton.
Now businesses don't see the area as an economically viable location option.

Welcome to Whalley 2.O
What a legacy for our mayor ...

Summer break time!

Taking a little break  from blogging to enjoy the sunshine here in sunny south Surrey.
Thanks to everyone for their continued support for the ReNewal of Newton.  This is an uphill battle. We need to ensure that our community gets attention and does not continue to be Surrey's dumping ground.
I encourage you to do a little research and pay attention to what's happening in your neighbourhood and most importantly  let your voice be heard.
Call city hall
Call the police when you see crime
Form a Blockwatch
Get to know your neighbours
Thanks!
Jude at ReNewton Nation

Someone has a grudge against ReNewton!

Apparently someone has chosen to be malicious and  reported to facebook ( incorrectly of course) that the ReNewton.org website is "unsafe or spammy"
If you have received anything from an email address  associated with  ReNewton that is questionable please let me know. I believe that it is " just "someone being nasty and I don't think the site was compromised in anyway.
Now who would do such a thing ??

Bad Day in Newton

First my hand- painted  decoupaged chair gets stolen from our front porch , burned and left in the playground and now my  blog has been reported as "unsafe" Wow! A community blog deemed unsafe. What's going on. Trying to fix it so please stay tuned.