New West citizens go green Matthew Laird By Matthew Steinbach News Editor n the last couple of years a new group called the New Westminster Environmental Partners has emerged in New Westminster whose mission it is to tackle environmental issues. They have “created a group that allows people to get together in New West,” explains Andrew Feltham, one of the group’s co- founders, and through this, he explains, they have aided in the creation of an anti-idling by- law, worked with groups like the Farmer’s Society to help reduce pesticides along with many other projects. However, what Feltham sees as a major issue for the future of New Westminster is generating involvement. “People need to be aware and get involved in the issues,” he said. Matthew Laird, another co- founder with the group, echoed those sentiments and added that City Council is often “hesitant if it not sure how the public feels on. the issue.” By being more involved and making their voice heard on environmental matters, Laird believes that citizens can bring about change. There are other key concerns that NWEP is looking at. “We see [New West] as attractive, live-able and walk-able with amenities and services all nearby,” said Feltham. Laird added that New West could be a hub of sustainable development that it is small and compact, which would enable the government to do pilot programs on the small scale to attempt more environmentally friendly initiatives in Vancouver. Matthew Laird will be running ALUMI Gs ote ee eA mT MON em Tent provincial election; however, he stated in an interview with The Other Press that he will distance himself from the NWEP during that time to enable full operation during the election. There are other environmental groups in BC, including the Sierra Youth Club in Vancouver, which has met moderate success as well. There are other social clubs in New Westminster, but for the most part, none of them focus on green issues. Students’ Union holds AGM, will apply to courts to end receivership green By Matthew Steinbach News Editor he Douglas Students’ Union held their Annual General Meeting last week on March 11" at the New Westminster Campus. There was no quorum, which means that the required number of present students required to carry on with most of the business of the meeting was not met. However, they were able to continue on with the financial matters of the AGM, which the DSU has claimed would be one of the last steps before going to court to end receivership. The audit was presented by Cal Thompkins, auditor for the Students’ Union, and he explained that it was an “unqualified audit” for the first time in many years. He explained that an unqualified audit means that all the documentation, and other questions the auditors had were answered to their satisfaction, so they have no problems with the document. He went onto explain that for the first time in many years that there is more money in the organization than ever before for them to spend, and the Performing Arts Committee money has been restored to the fund. After the meeting, Geoff Lenahan, treasurer for the DSU, discussed that all that’s left is for them to do is to sign the letter of agreement with the school, which states what the relationship will be between the DSU and the College and what their duties are in reporting their financial situation in the future to the college will be. Lenahan explained that Marne Jensen, the receiver-manager, needs to write up a report to be served to all the relevant parties at which point they can go to court to agree to let the DSU out of receivership. Lenahan also expressed his hope that after this it will only be a few weeks before they can finally leave receivership, so the next group can have complete control of the organization. However, he did admit that a court date has not been set because he did not realize until recently that he would have to officially end the court appointment of the receiver-manager. Quick facts on receivership POUIMITe CHINN COM leet meet the auditors can sign off on it and that all financial controls are in good working order in the organization. If an audit has EVO Beer me rT aS eel ane Students pay a small fee every semester to the Performing Arts Fund to finance plays and other seo) uen Iba TECM TV LE LER (etm but when the DSU bought the 88 8" Street Building across the street from the New West Campus, it used monies from the Performing Arts Fund and the health plan fund to purchase the building. That purchase rmeey ny uriae Coyne ten m aim Ee of audits and funds raised red flags with the Collegé and they began to withhold funds from the Students’ Union and began working to get the DSU to sign a letter of agreement similar to the one that the DSU is set to sign now. The College then sent the DSU into receivership by taking them to court, and now Oo Amen eMUO Une Mer tio (eNom eit DEB On Breok one The other groups involved in the DSU’s receivership were creditors whom the DSU owed money to when the college withheld their funding. Which means that they too have to agree with the college’s ruling. Even Shamus Reid, chairperson for the CFS-BC section, has admitted to the OP that CFS BC has been in support of ending receivership. The Performing Arts Fund has been frozen after it came to light that the Students’ Union had spent it for the purposes of buying a building as opposed to holding it in trust for the Performing Arts Committee.