MORE PHOTOS ABOVE
Newly elected Liberal MP Ron McKinnon was joined in Centre Block, Ottawa, by his wife Christine and daughters Katherine and Sarah for the swearing-in ceremony.
"Once again, I thank the voters in Coquitlam- Port Coquitlam for placing their trust in me. I am looking forward to the opportunity to live up to this great responsibility."
Meanwhile, McKinnon has hired PoCo resident and former ombudsperson and arbitrator Dale Bryant as his constituency assistant.
FIN IN
NDP MP Fin Donnelly (Port Moody-Coquitlam) was back at Centre Block last Thursday to take the oath of office.
Donnelly, a former Coquitlam city councillor who has served as MP since 2009, has also been appointed the party critic for Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard.
SALMON BBQ
Visitors to the Hyde Creek Salmon Festival in Port Coquitlam this month got a bit more of a treat then the usual hot dog barbecue thanks to the work and creativity of Culinary Arts students from Centennial and Gleneagle secondary schools.
Chefs and teachers Adam Jonas, from Centennial, and Frank Abbinante, from Gleneagle, worked alongside students.
NEW BOARD
Gillian Kirk of Avia Employment Services was elected chair of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce last week. She will take over from Rick Pasin of My Education Room in the new year.
Also at the chamber's annual general meeting at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, Tri-City News publisher Shannon Balla was elected to the board for next year. The 2016 board also includes:
• Tereza McDermid (Crossroads Hospice), vice chair;
• Carlo Zarrillo (Sandpiper Signs), vice chair;
• Cecelia de Roca-Chan (Kemp Harvey De Roca-Chan Inc), treasurer;
• Catherine Ackerman (Express Employment);
• Parv Bal (Progressive Waste Management);
• Rick Duff (Hard Rock Casino Vancouver);
• Lisa Landry (Snapd Tri Cities);
• Tom Lewis (Profit Mastery);
• Daniel Richardson (BTM Lawyers);
• Mary Vellani (TD Bank);
• and Randy Webster (MedRay Imaging).
RCH CASH
A 30-minute pledge drive by the Muslim Business Council of BC at its annual fundraising dinner Sunday resulted in $30,000 for the Royal Columbian Hospital.
The money from the group, along with the Canadian Society of Fiji Muslims, will pay for a new patient transport monitor.
Pictured from left to right are: RCH's Bruce Bouchard, the council's Qamrul Mohammed and Sunita Chand, RCH intensive care unit manager Kathy Rasmussen, and the council's Mohammed Yasin and Tass Ali.
SO UGLY
Coquitlam realtor Vargha Akhtarkhavari put up his impressive collection of 24 ugly Christmas sweaters for auction and, in just a few weeks, managed to raise $1,400 for a collection of charities including the BC Children's Hospital Foundation, BC Cancer Foundation, Down Syndrome Research Foundation, Ronald McDonal House BC or VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.
Akhtarkhavari matched the donations for a total of $2,800.
SMALL BIZ
Three Port Moody firms are up for Small Business BC Awards.
Butter Studios is a finalist for Premier's People's Choice, Best Company and Best Online Marketer while YesBelt is also in the Premier's People's Choice category.
Around My House Consignment also is nominated for Premier's People's Choice and Best Community Impact.
The accolades are designed to recognize new and existing businesses registered in the province with fewer than 50 employees.
"Small Business BC takes great pride in celebrating entrepreneurs and helping them to become more successful. While individually small, these businesses have a big reputation across Canada and the world," said CEO George Hunter in a news release.
Winners will each receive $1,500 cash and educational resources through Small Business BC and other experts. The contest closes Nov. 30. Anyone wanting to nominate a small business can go online at sbbcawards.ca.
The top five finalists will be invited to pitch to judges before the Feb. 25 gala.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
