Mayor bids a fond farewell -- Halsey-Brandt praised for keeping cultural harmony in difficult times

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Greg Halsey-Brandt tendered his resignation at the end of council meeting on Monday, following his farewell address and some glowing praise from his fellow council members.

"It was a rare privilege to allow me to be your mayor for the last 11 years," said Halsey-Brandt with obvious emotion.

Both Halsey-Brandt and Coun. Ken Johnston were sworn in as MLAs in the provincial government Tuesday. Halsey-Brandt (Richmond Centre) had already been named to Premier Gordon Campbell's cabinet as minister of state for intergovernmental affairs last week.

Monday night the outgoing mayor gave a nod to Gil Blair, his predecessor, who he observed in the mayor's job during his nine years as an alderman.

"He taught me a lot."

Halsey-Brandt recounted many of the projects and achievements that came Richmond's way since being first elected in 1982. Among them were the creation of Garry Point Park and the beautification of Steveston, and the building of the Minoru Rink and Gateway Theatre. Richmond's also seen a crop of new community centres, Watermania, the No. 7 firehall and the No. 2 Road Bridge.

"We still have traffic line-ups--it doesn't matter," he quipped in his deadpan style.

He also noted the immigration that helped almost triple the city's population in the last 20 years, and bring diversity and skills to Richmond.

Former councillor Corisande Percival-Smith said Halsey-Brandt played a pivotal role in maintaining harmony during a period of rapid cultural change.

During the large immigration influx in the early '90s, council was besieged by people angry about everything from mega houses to Chinese signs and malls.

"It was very, very awkward on council," said Percival-Smith, who was councillor for 22 years before being defeated in 1999.

Halsey-Brandt's speech Monday listed the physical growth Richmond experienced in the last 20 years, but failed to mention his achievements in keeping the peace, she said.

"I felt in reflection, Greg, you really missed out what your true strength was," she said, citing an example of when TV crews descended on Richmond in search of culture clash. "He finessed it extremely well, and said we welcome people to our community, and don't differentiate between races."

Halsey-Brandt continually kept his cool during the "pressure pot" of council during that period, she said.

"He was very calm about it. I think he did Richmond a real service. I hope people will take that to heart, because it could have gone the another way--but it didn't."

That same style was effective in the day-to-day meetings of council, she said. He had the ideal style for a mayor, which is "not to be too pushy, and let council members do a lot of pushing and shoving for you."

"You could say he didn't have a viewpoint, but you knew damn well he did," Percival-Smith.

Coun. Ken Johnston, who is now Liberal MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview, said he would also be leaving council in a few weeks. He complimented Halsey-Brandt on his skill as mayor, and argued that his legacy amounts to more than just bridges of the concrete variety.

"The real legacy I think you leave behind, sir, is not the No. 2 Road bridge or the buildings or anything else," Johnston said.

"In my mind, it's the way you built this community with people working with people.

"Anybody can build buildings, but not everybody can build a really vibrant, exciting community."

Coun. Harold Steves congratulated Halsey-Brandt and Johnston, and pondered Richmond's new-found influence in the provincial government.

"I think that's rather fantastic that we've got a fourth MLA that's been on this council and knows this community," Steves said, in reference to Johnston and Richmond's three other MLAs.

Oct. 13 eyed for byelection

According to city clerk Richard McKenna, council members will discuss a timeline for a byelection next Monday. If the schedule is approved as McKenna has proposed, a chief election officer would be appointed July 30.

Councillors interested in running for the mayor's job would have 14 days to put their names forward, and resign. Their seats would be included up for grabs at the same byelection. Coun. Ken Johnston is also expected to resign. If any councillors were to resign after the two-week period, a second byelection would be required-an expensive scenario.

The tentative date for a byelection would be Oct. 13.

"That's the anticipated date," McKenna said. "It's very much up to council on Monday."

Mouse infestation forces closure of Noodle Restaurant

Martin van den Hemelstaff reporter

Kelvin Higo, Richmond's chief public health inspector, said the premises will remain closed until the mouse problem has been dealt with and the restaurant has been cleaned up.

Although no mice were seen by inspectors, mouse droppings were seen everywhere. Health officials ordered that contaminated foods be thrown out.

Although the restaurant's owners are hoping to re-open the facility by Friday, that isn't likely.

"This time I think we'll be taking a harder stance," Higo said. "It was a fairly serious mouse infestation problem."

Higo said the restaurant owner will take advantage of the closure to make structural upgrades to the building and to re-tile certain areas.

McRoberts students shine through in face of tragedy

Don Fennellstaff reporter

When principal Kent Chappell informed the graduation committee last week that Grade 11 student Anna Pacheco, her two siblings and parents had lost much of their belongings in a devastating fire which destroyed the townhouse they were renting, Pacheco's peers stepped up.

Money the students had intended to use to celebrate their graduations, raised through various fundraisers, including a car wash and twonie drive, they instead put together and presented to Anna and her family last Thursday.

"There was no question (we wanted to help)," said Melissa Smith, a Grade 12 student at McRoberts.

Smith said students were surprised to learn of the Pacheco's tragedy and "everyone went quiet."

"We do a lot of work for other charities and this is someone who goes to our school," Katie Wagner added.

Andrew Livingston, who served as co-chair of this year's graduation committee, said he was impressed by the outpouring of support for the family but not surprised. He said the Grade 10s and 11s were also anxious to lend a hand when asked.

"This is who they (students) are," said an emotional Chappell. "Nobody says they have to do these things, it's just what they do. They're continuing a legacy (at McRoberts) of helping to make a difference."

Anna Pacheco and her family were clearly overwhelmed by the students' kindness, but their heartfelt "thank you" spoke volumes.

Gwozd rules out run for mayor's chair

Martin van den Hemelstaff reporter

Some time in August, the Richmond Non-Partisan Association is expected to call a membership meeting where a vote will be held to determine which candidate the NPA will support for the city's top job.

That timing simply doesn't work for Gwozd, who will be on holidays for the next couple of weeks. And the fact her party membership has expired doesn't help.

"I think realistically it's just not practical," she said Monday.

But she's still keeping her options open for a position on council, and hopes to make a final decision in July.

Gwozd said she was worried about jumping from a non-council position to the mayor's seat, concerned about the challenges that might bring.

Although she's had plenty of experience dealing with school district issues such as handling a $100 million-plus budget and tackling staffing issues, she's not familiar with the nuances of council.

"I like to do a good job at the things I do," Gwozd said, adding she likes to give her all at anything she does. "I have to know I'm going to be able to do that."

That means she'll have to be convinced she can successfully juggle the commitments she's already made in addition to any political position she decides to pursue.

Amphitheatre work could begin in November

Martin van den Hemelstaff reporter

Concert impresario Paul Mercs, best known for booking the highly success Expo 86 amphitheatre, told The Richmond Review this week that the November timeline is an aggressive one, but it's been one supported by the City of Richmond.

Once built, he said the City of Richmond should have access to the facility to book its own event dates.

Among the groups who have expressed an interest in holding concerts at the new venue is the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, he said.

"I think people are really, really going to enjoy it," Mercs said of the project, expected to be built on a 20-acre parcel of city owned property behind SilverCity at No. 6 Road and Steveston Highway.

Mercs expects the outdoor facility will draw people from around the Lower Mainland to as far away as Seattle, where it will also be marketed once completed.

"It's something we've been missing here since Expo."

Asked about the proposed Tall Ships event, Mercs said the prospect of an armada of classically-masted ships gracing Richmond's shores is spectacular.

If everything proceeds according to plan and the amphitheatre is completed in time for the Tall Ships event, Mercs said: "We'll want to tie in the best that we can."

The thought that a 100-metre Tall Ship could serve as a backdrop for the amphitheatre is an image he's already envisioned, he said.

Mercs has teamed up with music industry heavyweights Sam Feldman and Bruce Allen on the multi-million dollar amphitheatre proposal.

An artist among us since 1915 -- Kazumi Kawaguchi part of this year's local artists' tour

Chris Bryanstaff reporter

The 85-year-old artist is participating in Artists Among Us, a self-guided tour of the homes of 31 Richmond artists whose works include paintings, sculpture and jewellery.

This will be the first time Kawaguchi has opened his home to the public, even though he has been drawing and painting since he was a child. The Steveston-born artist is the son of a fisherman, and his love of Richmond's historic waterfront is plain to see.

Fishing boats, canneries and Finn Slough feature prominently in the watercolours and acrylics that cover the walls throughout his home.

Shortly after he was born, Kawaguchi was taken to Japan, where he went through elementary school in the early 1920s. His boyhood sketches caught the attention of his teachers, who noted his natural ability.

Returning to Vancouver in 1932, he was held back a couple of years in school because his English was poor.

But his time at Kitsilano Secondary proved to be crucial in his development as an artist.

There he met Jack Shadbolt, the teacher who would become a lifetime mentor. Shadbolt, who died in 1998 at the age of 89, was a highly regarded artist who worked with themes of British Columbia's nature and First Nations culture.

Kawaguchi took classes from him in junior high school, and developed a great admiration for Shadbolt, who was only six years his senior.

"He's an artist, but he's such a nice person," Kawaguchi said. "You've never seen such a person."

In 1941, both men showed their works at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The internment of Japanese-Canadians shortly thereafter resulted in Kawaguchi's re-location to B.C.'s Interior for almost 10 years, but the two men stayed in touch. When he returned to Vancouver, he studied art by correspondence, and would often pack his paintings into his car and take them to Shadbolt's for a critique.

Kazumi and his wife, Nobuko, ran a store for several years, and he also worked as an upholsterer for about 25 years. As a result, Kawaguchi has always done his art in his spare time-in the evenings, on weekends and often, on holidays.

"I look out the window and say 'stop! stop! stop!'" said Kazumi, of the trips they took to the Rockies and Vancouver Island. Nobuko has always been the driver, and piloted their van, which they converted for camping.

"He refused to stay in hotels," she said. "So my son made it into a camper."

Nobuko tells an anecdote of a trip to Jasper that highlights her husband's passion for his craft:

"The mosquitoes were just covering him. I was chasing them. Once he sits there he just has to finish it. He said 'If I sell it, I'll give you the money.'

"But I think I deserved more because I was driving him around."

Kawaguchi said he sold his first painting to a Scotsman in 1961 for $25. The following decades saw a high degree of commercial and artistic success for his works, with another showing at the Vancouver Art Gallery and also a two-person show at the Richmond Art Gallery.

In recent years, Kawaguchi's paintings have moved from representational to abstract. Because he finds it harder to get out, and he refuses to paint from photographs, he has begun painting more from inside his head, he said.

"Like Mr. Shadbolt says, 'always keep your pen moving,'" Kawaguchi said.

The works are a major departure, filled with playful designs and bold, primary colours.

His determination to keep painting in his 86th year is a nod to the sage advice of Shadbolt, who painted with vigour until he died.

"He told me I should keep up my art."

Artists Among Us kicks off with a preview art exhibition at Richmond Art Gallery Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Richmond Orchestra Ensemble.

Maps of the self-guided tour are available at the art gallery, most major malls and community centres.

Call 231-6457 for information.

Skateboard park gets its lights thanks to $20,000 donation

Martin van den Hemel, Staff Reporter

The Thompson Community Centre Association and the City Centre Community Association have received more than $53,000 in funding from the city's 10 per cent share of the locally generated casino revenues.

Marcus Liu, parks technologist for the City of Richmond, said he hopes the lights will be up and running by the end of July or early August.

"They were wanting lights...but we didn't have the funding. I'm glad to see this is coming through."

The project couldn't have happened without the generous support of Musco Sports Lighting Inc., which has contributed nearly $20,000 to the project, Liu said. That contribution helped the city keep within its $53,000 budget.

Normally, the powerful lights cost $40,000 and that doesn't include the hefty price of installation and other necessary work, Liu pointed out.

City officials are now hoping to get some assistance from local youth to help assemble the poles.

Liu suggests youth who are interested in helping out should call Julie Halfnights at the Thompson Community Centre at 718-8422.

Airport traffic woes addressed

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Vancouver International Airport Authority has proposed a high priority/high occupancy vehicle lane northbound on Russ Baker Way between the Dinsmore and Arthur Laing bridges.

City council gave tentative approval for a nine-month to one-year project at its meeting Monday night, but expressed some confusion.

"It does seem confusing to have a combination HPV/HOV lane-you either have one or the other," Coun. Derek Dang said.

"This thing could actually create more of a mess."

According to transportation planner Victor Wei, cars that are not HOV but are travelling from south terminal or the Dinsmore Bridge to the international terminal could use the lane, as long as they exit to the airport.

High occupancy vehicles (three or more occupants) could continue on to the Arthur Laing Bridge, Wei said.

Coun. Kiichi Kumagai said the idea is worth a try, particularly for people travelling between terminals.

"In rush hour, that can take 40 minutes," he said, also voicing some skepticism. "It will be an interesting exercise for about nine months."

Coun. Harold Steves said he would welcome the new lane, as he's seen drivers cutting across the grass and take the frontage road near the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel to avoid the traffic.

"I think people will figure out how this works," he said, "and the majority of people will not abuse it."

The airport authority will hold a public hearing into the project before it returns to council for final approval.

The beginning of the pilot project would coincide with the completion of the Airport Connector, planned for December 2001.

Teen chosen for Thai adventure

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

The Grade 11 Hugh McRoberts student doesn't hum and haw about things, she usually just jumps in with both feet. This time, those feet are landing in Thailand, where she'll be spending a year as part of a Rotary exchange.

Earlier this year, Padolina was intrigued when she heard on her school announcement about a chance to spend a year abroad.

Without hesitation, she filed an application, got an interview and before she know it, she was chosen as the Richmond representative.

Her parents had no idea.

The forthright teen told them she was interested in an exchange, and would they come to an information meeting?

It was only when they arrived that they got the full story.

"I'm pretty spontaneous that way," she said, matter-of-factly. "I just do whatever."

Thailand wasn't Padolina's first choice. In fact, it wasn't even in the three countries requested for the application. After Australia, Switzerland, and Sweden, she added "Thailand" almost as an afterthought.

"I was a little disappointed at first," she admits. "I didn't know what to expect." And her parents were a little anxious as well.

But with a little reading and after asking around, her interest was piqued.

"People are saying so many great things (about the country) that I'm really looking forward to it," she said about her pending departure August 1.

She'll live with a family in Rayong, a small city just an hour's bus ride from the resort town of Puttaya. There she'll act as an "ambassador for Richmond" and will attend a private English-language school, where she'll take courses in Thai language, culture and history.

"They have an amazing arts and culture background."

When she's not at school or working at Earl's, Padolina is on the dance floor. In recent weeks, she's been rehearsing for the musical The Wiz at the University of B.C., and says her dance experience helped her secure the Thailand exchange. She will likely be very interested in the local dance forms, and will also have something to offer.

While her friends at McRoberts are completing their final year, Padolina said she'll gladly interrupt her schooling here to learn about another culture, society and, ultimately, herself.

"I'm definitely going to find out a lot about myself, and probably grow up a lot," said the 17-year-old. "And I'll come back with some really fun stories. Giving up a year is nothing."

Leaving her family, though, will be tough.

"Right now I'm going through separation anxiety," she said. "Leaving my family and so on. Other than that, it's going to be awesome."

Mayor says he'll resign this week

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Although he'll be sworn in Tuesday as the new MLA for Richmond Centre, he said there will be some sadness to leave municipal politics.

"It's been Monday nights now for 20 years," said Halsey-Brandt, who was first elected to council in 1981 and was first elected mayor in 1990.

"It's hard to believe I won't be coming here anymore."

Halsey-Brandt was elected May 16 in the Liberal landslide that left the NDP with only two seats. He was sworn in to Gordon Campbell's new cabinet Tuesday, becoming minister of state for Intergovernmental Affairs. In his new post, he will deal primarily with issues between B.C. and the other provinces, and the United States.

For instance, at the Western Premiers Conference he would be involved in discussions and advising Campbell on issues such as energy policy. On other fronts, he would deal with the Softwood Lumber Agreement with the U.S. and transfer payments with the federal government.

Mending ties with the feds is a particular concern of the provincial Liberals, Halsey-Brandt said.

"We agree, Gordon and I, that relations under the NDP were not very good," said Halsey-Brandt, who shares staff with the premier and has an office across the hall. "We've got our work cut out for us to build a dynamic of mutual respect."

Among his first actions, Halsey-Brandt plans to get to know MPs and senators and discuss both B.C.'s interests and Canada's interests. He will also prepare the agenda for the next premiers conference, being held in B.C. in August.

"I'll be making sure our items are there," he said.

The mayor said he plans to resign his position sometime this week.

The new job will be a challenge, he admitted.

"That'll be quite a switch for me. I've loved it here and the issues we've dealt with."

Man loses million at casino

Martin van den Hemel, Staff Reporter

Benjamin K. F. Poon has been charged with fraud after he admitted to losing nearly $1 million at the Great Canadian Casino on Sea Island Way in less than 9 months.

According to a search warrant obtained by The Richmond Review, Poon told police in February he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from his employer to support his gambling habit.

And all the while he was on this tremendous losing streak, between May 2000 and February 2001, Great Canadian Casino officials were aware of his pattern of gambling but stood by, according to the search warrant.

Since 1997, Poon was an accountant for a local mall developer-which owns a local Asian shopping centre-and allegedly forged more than three dozen cheques to the tune of $963,734.59.

He then cashed the cheques and spent the money at the local casino.

"He seemed to be a very nice, ordinary person," according to one of Poon's colleagues, who asked to remain anonymous.

Poon was quiet and reserved and coworkers had no idea he was a problem gambler.

Richard Garlick, spokesperson for the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse which also deals with gambling addictions, said he believes casinos have a social responsibility to its customers.

The relationship between a casino and gambler is not unlike that between a pub and a drinker, Garlick said.

"In a general sense, any person who provides a product or service that is potentially hazardous has a responsibility to provide it in as safe a manner as possible."

Perhaps the casino should have stepped in to express its concerns, he said.

Great Canadian Casino spokesperson Jacee Schaefer said her casino does keep a tab on people who gamble more than $10,000 per day, but said taking active intervention may violate a gambler's civil liberties.

"As far as people who...have a problem with gambling...we follow a fairly fine line. We do feel we have a responsibility to that portion of the population...that has a problem with gaming," a number Schaefer believes is around three or four per cent of all gamblers.

Though a casino manager who spots someone with a gaming problem may discuss available gaming addiction programs with them, or provide available literature, Schaefer said that is probably the limit of what a casino can do.

Anti-gaming activist Bill Chu said it is deplorable that casinos target the most vulnerable in society: those who are gaming addicts.

"They are in the business of trying to get as much money as they can," Chu said and that's why it is difficult for casinos to police themselves.

Poon first moved to Canada five years ago and turned himself into police shortly after his boss noticed irregularities in some accounts Poon handled.

"Poon was very remorseful, crying and apologetic. Poon knows what he did was wrong," the search warrant states.

At one point, he had lost so much money that he had to sell his house and all of his assets, the search warrant states.

Zellers to make a move

Martin van den Hemel, Staff Reporter

The relocation means Zellers will be looking for up to 60 new employees.

Zellers district manager Wayne Nixon said the new location will be open by October and a hiring process to bring staffing levels up to about 200 people will soon begin.

Nixon said the Zellers relocation will not affect staff at the chain's existing outlet at Richmond Centre.

Zellers currently employs between 120 and 140 people at Lansdowne Centre, and around 140 people at Richmond Centre.

When asked if the Richmond Centre location will be closing any time soon, Nixon said "that may happen down the road. If we strike a deal somewhere in the future to give up that location at Richmond Centre, we may close it."

But he stressed the potential closure at Richmond Centre is not in any way connected to the relocation.

Lansdowne's Brian Nosko said discussions have been held with potential clients to fill the spot soon to be vacated by Zellers.

Finn Slough seeks Old English solution -- Residents make bid to clarify property claims

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Although people have lived in the houses on stilts at the slough since the turn-of-the-century, they haven't been acknowledged by the powers that be.

Their houses are located below the high water mark, on "water lots," and do not fall under the municipal mandate for services and taxes. The water lots belong to the province.

Since the early 1990s, residents have been in discussions with the Fraser River Port Authority-which administers the lots for the province-to clarify their claim on the property.

Finn Slough resident Dave Dorrington said the two sides will meet in court later this year, where they'll discuss the legality of something called "adverse possession." This comes from Old English law, which was in effect in Canada until 1976.

According to Dorrington, earlier residents could have claimed legal title under this principle, but neglected to do so.

"What adverse possession means is that if you stay in one place long enough, eventually, you achieve the right to be there," Dorrington said.

Throughout the many years people have lived on the slough, they have lived free from government or upland property owner interference. This fact is a strength in their case, Dorrington said.

"They essentially forgot about Finn Slough for almost 97 years, in terms of bureaucracy," he said.

Fraser River Port Authority spokesperson Raija Orava said legal counsels on both sides have agreed to put this "pivotal question" to the courts. If the residents are successful, they would have the right to lease their properties without title, she said.

"The question is, does the law allow it?" she said.

Dorrington said the day in court will cost $15,000 to $20,000, but it's worth it.

"This is a really good idea for all parties concerned," he said.

"It's a relatively cheap way of seeing where the people are at. We've paid $125,000 for the negotiations so far, which didn't go anywhere at all."

Residents have been paying money to the city, in lieu of property taxes, since 1999.

A slough of history

Settlement on Finn Slough began about 1900 when the Township installed a dam on Woodward Slough. The Finnish residents had previously brought their fish boats up to their homes, near No. 4 Road and Finn Road.

They built the shacks at the present-day settlement in order to have a facility to moor their boats, and clean and repair their nets.

"It grew from that into one of the biggest Finnish fishing villages on the west coast, by 1940 there were over 40 boats here-which is a lot," resident Dave Dorrington said.

"Now it's only a shadow of itself."

There are still Finns living on Finn Road, and a couple of fishing families based out of the slough itself.

Matchmakers -- Student resource centre provides job postings for summer time work

Philip Raphael, Staff Reporter

But when you look at it, that's exactly what the Human Resource Centre for Students does.

Officially opened on May 7 and planned to run until late August, the Richmond branch at 118 - 4940 No. 3 Road helps youths, defined as students between the ages 15 to 30, find temporary summer employment. Locally, the annual Hire a Student program managed to place 402 students in summer jobs last year.

The no-cost, federally funded service is mutually beneficial, explained Soares, the senior summer employment officer at the Richmond location, because many of the students are in search of work experience or much-needed summer time cash to finance continued studies, and the employer requires motivated employees to fill holiday vacancies, or get them over a seasonal rush.

One of those employers who finds the 'matchmaking' effort a good fit is Sandra Zylmans of W & A Farms, who expects to hire three students this summer.

"For us it's pretty much perfect timing because when the kids are off school it's time for strawberry season," she said. "And that means we need some extra hands to help with the u-pick operation. They also get the opportunity to work with the public and get some experience in the customer service end of the business."

The best way for students to connect with employers is the resource centre's job board postings, where employers list available positions. The jobs displayed there range from minimum wage positions in restaurants to skilled horticultural jobs that rival pay for full-time careers.

Soares said the majority of jobs are in the sales and service sectors, followed by trades, construction and warehouse jobs, and clerical and data entry positions.

"What we are finding is that a lot of them (students) are looking for high-end jobs, positions where they can use some of the skills they have been learning in university or college."

A few of the unique positions being offered included an employer that wanted students who were skilled puppeteers and could produce a 'black light' educational presentation aimed at young children. Another wanted tour co-ordinators to accompany young international students on visits to places of interest around the Lower Mainland.

Then there are equal numbers of students who are keen to find their first job.

Once they have picked a job from the board, the students can use the centre's fax machine to apply for the position. There are also three computer workstations where students can surf the internet for summer work postings. Plus there is a casual labour registry where those looking for even shorter term work can list themselves.

But the assistance does not end with making a match.

"We also offer one-on-one help with interview skills and can even do mock interviews where we go over the types of questions they are likely to be asked by an employer," Soares said. "We want to advise them on how they should present themselves, and get them in the mindset they need to be to have a successful interview."

"Most of the students are pretty self-sufficient. They have resumes and generally know how to handle themselves. But we are there for those who may need to beef up their resumes," added Siveem El-Nashar, supervisor of the Richmond and Vancouver resource centres. "Sometimes all they need is a little guidance.

"And it's really satisfying to see some of the students come in here a few times, not really sure of themselves, look at the job boards for a few days in a row and then finally get all excited that they've found a summer job."

Young entrepreneurs find ways to floor competition

Philip Raphael, Staff Reporter

With looming job cuts, wage rollbacks, negotiations with one of the most steadfast unions in industry, and a downward spiraling market, they knew it was not going to be a 'walk-over'.

Fortunately for them, enough customers decided to do just that with their product-carpet underlay-and in the process it earned the duo last year's Richmond Chamber of Commerce award for achievement by young entrepreneurs.

But the success of Columbia Foam Inc. didn't happen overnight for Gerald Dooley and Dave Butcher.

It was 1995 and Dooley, who now holds an MBA and degree in computer science, was working at the plant. It was owned at the time by Woodbridge Foam Corporation, and as part of a summer job Dooley was designing an order management system for the firm.

He was about to return to university when Butcher, who was working as the plant's production engineer, found out the operation was up for sale.

"Woodbridge's focus was not really on the plant. It is a big company and one of the things they do is make car seats, and this plant was a way for them to get rid of the excess foam in their production process by turning it into carpet underlay," says Dooley who is the firm's marketing manager.

"But there were a lot of mistakes being made here that could be corrected. So, we said, 'Hold on, there is a way to turn things around.'"

The business was losing around $500,000 a year when the two made their pitch to buy the plant.

"We knew there wasn't a simple fix. But the company was going to be sold, the equipment bought and possibly moved somewhere else."

First, radical surgery was required. And that meant cutting the workforce of 15 employees in half, and rolling back wages by 12 per cent of those who remained on the books.

When you consider the unionized staff were represented by the Teamsters, you could say it was a daunting task.

"There were some difficult negotiations with the union, but we had a deadline to make our offer to buy the company, and it was clear that the plant would likely be bought, the equipment sold and moved out of the country, and then all the jobs would be lost."

Now, with a trimmed down workforce, the two embarked upon another sweeping change to the way business was done. They took on the role of distributor themselves, and it has proved to be the catalyst of the operation's meteoric rise.

But the ride was not all that smooth at first.

"Without a distributor we lost about 80 per cent of our customers," Dooley recalls.

Needless to say, the challenge to rebuild the customer base was daunting. But the way they undertook the process helped win them not only new customers, it raised the bar in terms of customer satisfaction.

"We concentrated mainly on the B.C. market and made a lot of face-to-face visits with customers. And that also got much better feedback from our customers.

"Before, it used to take about a year to answer a customer complaint. Now, we can act on things much sooner. And as a result we've seen the number of customer complaints drop."

Cutting out the middle man also helped eliminate about 15 per cent from the bottom line. And within two years they managed to increase sales by 50 per cent, while the workforce has rebounded to around its current 17 employees.

"That first summer we actually had trouble filling some of the orders," Dooley says proudly stating that Columbia Foam is the second-largest carpet underlay supplier in B.C.

What made this dramatic turnaround even more impressive was the fact that all of this took place as B.C. experienced a dramatic downturn in the number of new housing starts.

"In 1993 housing starts were around 43,000. Last year that was down to about 14,000," Dooley says.

Today, with a change in government and an air of optimism in the provincial economy, Butcher and Dooley are hoping that will translate into increased sales figures. But to do that in a big way may mean looking at the market with a national view.

In order to be a truly national company, a future second plant would need to be located close to the manufacturing hub of Ontario where the supply of raw materials would be plentiful, and the customer base near at hand.

But those plans are just one the drawing board, and the two have no plans to move out of Richmond any time soon.

"Richmond is a great place to operate. We are centrally located in the Lower Mainland, close to major transportation routes. Plus there are an awful lot of carpet stores in the city," Dooley quips.

Jewelry smuggler fined

Mohamed Contractor plead guilty for the offense, which occurred Oct. 28 1999. Contractor was returning to Canada after travelling to India and Dubai. Customs inspectors at Vancouver International Airport found the undeclared jewelry inside his briefcase. The jewelry had been purchased in Dubai for approximately $43,000.

Contractor will also have to pay over $35,000 should he wish to get the jewelry back.