Driver who hit officer to be sentenced

The man who was behind the wheel of a high-powered Honda Civic coupe that slammed into a police cruiser, killing Richmond RCMP Const. Jimmy Ng, was to be sentenced today.

Yau Chung (Stuart) Chan will be sentenced for his part in the September 2002 crash at No. 3 Road and Williams.

In June, Chan pled guilty to criminal negligence causing death and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

Chan fled the scene of the accident in a BMW driven by Ying Hua (David) Guan, who received a three-year driving ban, a suspended sentence and a three-year term of probation for helping Chan leave.

UPDATE: Sentencing hearing for driver in Ng death

The sentencing hearing for a man who was behind the wheel of a high-powered Honda Civic coupe that slammed into a police cruiser, killing Richmond RCMP Const. Jimmy Ng, continues.

Both Crown and defence lawyers made their submissions today, with Crown asking for two to three years in jail and the defence asking for community service.

Yau Chung (Stuart) Chan is in B.C. Supreme Court for his part in the September 2002 crash at No. 3 Road and Williams.

In June, Chan pled guilty to criminal negligence causing death and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

Chan fled the scene of the accident in a BMW driven by Ying Hua (David) Guan, who received a three-year driving ban, a suspended sentence and a three-year term of probation for helping Chan leave.

Ng’s parents, Therese and Christopher, have filed a civil lawsuit against Chan and Guan.

Nibbles & Bites set for Sept. 11-12

Nibbles & Bites, Thompson Community Centre's annual food extravaganza, returns Sept. 11-12. The 13th annual food fair features nibble and bite size portions from 24 local restaurants.

There's also entertainment, a children's carnival, adult volleyball and youth basketball tournaments and more.

It takes place at Thompson Community Centre (5151 Granville Ave.) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12.

For more information, call 604-718-8422 or see www.city.richmond.bc.ca/thompson.

Burnaby writes IOC

Burnaby city council is asking the International Olympic Committee to look into the venue change for the 2010 Winter Olympics long track speed skating oval.

The Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee announced the facility would be built in Richmond and not Simon Fraser University in Burnaby.

Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said it's important to find out if the bidding process followed the policies set out by the International Olympic Committee.

Novex gets 'green' reward

It's easy being "green" for Richmond-based Novex Courier which was the first in Canada to use ultra low emission vehicles in its fleet to help cut down on air pollution.

And it has earned the firm an environmental award.

This past week, Novex was presented with the EECOM Award of Excellence In Environmental Education in the category of Outstanding Private Company.

The Canadian Network of Environmental Education and Communication presents this award to one company annually.

And this year it found Novex had initiated policies and practices that made them an outstanding example of a green private company.

Currently, Novex has a total of 20 hybrid cars and natural gas powered vans in its "Clean" fleet. Plans are to replace its remaining gasoline-powered vehicles with hybrids and other ultra low emission models.

In addition to the "Clean" fleet, Novex was praised for its paperless billing and payment option offered to customers which has saved a total of 35 trees over the past year.

"We are delighted with this award," said Robert Safrata, chief executive officer of Novex Courier.

"Our entire team is dedicated to reducing the impact that we have on the environment."

Thai culture lands in Richmond

A little bit of Thailand visits Richmond's Aberdeen Centre starting next week during a trade and exhibition show.

From Sept. 1-4, the mall will be filled with more than 30 exhibitors bringing into the spotlight the sights, sounds and smells of traditional Thai culture as fashion, dance, kick-boxing, fruit carving, and traditional Thai massage will be on display.

The event in the central atrium and ground floor areas of the mall will also give local business the opportunity to explore possible trade links with Thailand.

Show times at Aberdeen Centre run from 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Sept., 1-4, and 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 5.

For more information on the event, contact the Thai Trade Centre Vancouver at: 604-687-6400.

Lifeboat's 60th anniversary celebrated

Last Saturday, the captain and crew celebrated the 60th birthday of the Steveston Lifeboat.

Braving typical "lifeboat" weather of heavy wind and rain, 80 guests joined the crew for a reception and barbecue at the lifeboat station at the foot of No. 1 Road in Steveston.

Amongst the guests were the U.S. Consul General Luis Arreaga and his wife Mary, representatives from the Fraser Port and the commercial fishing industry, and many supporters and friends. Canadian Lifeboat Institution directors were also on hand to help cut a birthday cake.

Certificates of appreciation were presented by Pascal Rodier on behalf of the B.C. Ambulance Services in recognition of medical assistance given over the years-the latest being a heart attack victim who was stabilized and transported to B.C. Ambulance paramedics for further delivery to hospital.

The crew of the lifeboat presented their captain, John Horton, with a silver hip flask suitably engraved in recognition of over 26 years of volunteer search and rescue in Richmond.

The Steveston lifeboat was built in Pearl Harbor in 1944 and saw extensive service with the U.S. Navy. Purchased by Horton in 1988, she has been used in the volunteer search and rescue service of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Canadian Lifeboat Institution. She remains in excellent condition.

A common sight on the Fraser River she has offered assistance to mariners in trouble on over 650 occasions. The dedicated crew receive professional level training every Thursday evening in Steveston.

Volunteers are always made welcome and may volunteer their services by calling 604-760-5218.

City committee backs flood hazard evaluation

Richmond is inching closer to wading in on a $600,000 study that will evaluate the flood hazard in the Lower Fraser region.

At Wednesday's public works and transportation committee, councillors agreed with a staff recommendation to chip in $15,000.

The Fraser Basin Council is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing the sustainability of the Fraser River basin.

In the city's report, it was noted that the Lower Fraser Basin was last studied in a 1969 report, while the Upper Fraser was evaluated three years ago.

Development over the years has seen the addition of new bridges, dike systems, dredging as well as advances in the ability to analyze river systems through the use of computers and satellites.

If all of the funding is acquired, work on the report is scheduled to begin next month and wrap up by August of 2005.

–by Martin van den Hemel

Music school to hold AGM

The Richmond Music School is holding its annual general meeting on Thursday, September 2. It gets underway at 7 p.m. at the music school on 11271 No. 3 Road. The public is welcome to attend.