SCOUT COMPANY
About 75 Scouts, leaders and parents with 5th Coquitlam Scouts were at Como Lake middle school last week to pay tribute to the organization’s founder, Robert Baden-Powell, on what would have been his 161st birthday. The annual potluck was held on Feb. 21.
NORTON BAT
Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay (centre) was presented this month with a baseball bat in honour of Wayne Norton, a longtime PoMo resident and Canadian Baseball hall of famer who died in January after a three-year battle with ALS
ANTI-BULLYING
Port Coquitlam students and supporters of the I Am Someone Ending Bullying Society raised awareness about anti-bullying during a Coquitlam Express hockey game in advance of Pink Shirt Day.
ROAD RACE $
Dave Teixeira (left) of Dominion Lending handed over $25,000 to Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore and Jack Taunton, PoCo Grand Prix chair, this month at a sponsors event at Samz Pub in PoCo.
NEW LEADER
Colleen Talbot is the new board chair for the Coquitlam Foundation. The veteran volunteer — and longtime Coquitlam resident — takes over the top job for the philanthropic group from Jason Leo Carvalho, who is moving to Toronto, said the foundation’s executive director Dwight Yochim in a press release. Also new to the board are Debra Abraham, founder and executive director of Unique Get Together Society; Adel Gamar, who is on faculty at the UBC Sauder School of Business; Trish Mandewo, a speaker, facilitator, business owner and author; and John Wolff, a retired financial consultant.
In June, they will be joined by Bruce Okabe, the chief executive officer of Tourism Richmond. Other current board members are: Carlo Zarrillo, past chair of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce; SD43 Trustee Carol Cahoon; Coquitlam Coun. Terry O’Neill; treasurer Justina Mark; and members-at-large Linda Meneghello and Roch Ripley. The Coquitlam Foundation’s next fundraiser is Kickin’ It Country on April 13. Visit coquitlamfoundation.com for tickets.
PM POLICE PRIZES
Port Moody Police honoured their own this month by doling out commendations and awards of excellence. The event, held Feb. 15 at Port Moody city hall, saw 15 police officers and 19 civilian volunteers receive accolades for their outstanding service to the community. Const. Al Bewcyk also received his 40-year exemplary service medal. He started his policing career as an RCMP officer in 1973 before being hired by PMPD in 1999. And Helen Thrift, a 15-year volunteer, was also recognized for her efforts at PMPD since 1992. Meanwhile, PMPD’s first-ever mental health officer Const. Jenn Ohashi won a chief constable’s commendation while Kia West Automotive got a chief constable’s letter of commendation for their contributions to the PMPD volunteer program over the past seven years (the dealership has donated a new vehicle for community relations). “It is truly an honour to recognize all of our award recipients for the dedication and passion they have shown to keep our community safe,” PMPD Chief Const. Dave Fleugel said.
