Massey Tunnel Consultation

The City of Richmond is an Island, and obviously every bridge and tunnel that directs traffic on or off our City streets is vitally important. And the next big transportation improvement on the horizon is the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel.

Built in the late 1950’s, the Massey Tunnel or more affectionately dubbed ‘The Tube’ sees close to 80,000 cars a day during a normal rush hour. It has about 10-15 years of useful life remaining and will need urgent replacement by then. Given the growth in population in both Richmond and in the South Fraser Region, as well as the expansion to DeltaPort, this project needs advance planning. Obviously the ultimate goal is processing much higher volumes of vehicle traffic without the current gridlock. From an economic standpoint this new transportation artery will also allow for higher volumes of truck traffic, which will be important to the movement of goods to our ports and traffic to the ferry terminal.

The question then, is what to replace it with. That’s where you came in. Should it be a bridge, or larger tunnel? How should it be paid for? What is the environmental impact, and given that the Fraser River is one of the world’s largest salmon-bearing rivers and a waterfowl estuary, how do we mitigate any effects of construction.

The Ministry of Transportation and Highways launched a phase one consultation with some basic questions in late 2012. The second phase of a consultation process wrapped up in early April, 2013. Thousands of people participated by attending meetings and filling out questionnaires. The results of phase one consultation are already up on the Ministry’s website and the results of the phase two consultation will be posted shortly. It will contain a shortlist of replacement options.

I urge you to stay informed and to review the options carefully when they’re posted. This transportation project is vitally important to you, your family your business and our City. Log on to the Ministry of Transportation website or enter “George Massey Consultation Project’ on the Google Search Engine and follow the links.

-- Linda
(Authorized by Kimberly Sorensen, Official Agent for the Linda Reid Campaign, 604-276-8868)

McHappy Day

What better way to support a great cause and meet people than to volunteer an hour at a local McDonalds Restaurant to support ‘McHappy Day’?

‘McHappy Day’ is a special opportunity for all diners to donate a few bucks to support Ronald McDonald House, which will be built in conjunction with B.C. Children’s Hospital. Ronald McDonald House is a place for out-of-town families to stay while their children are undergoing treatment at the Hospital.

This great cause ensures that during a time of great stress and anxiety for a family, they are assured of a supportive and quiet place to stay and to be close to their child facing surgery or other traumatic health issues. Believe it or not, McDonalds Restaurants marked its 20th Anniversary of McHappy Day on May 8th, 2013.

So I want to thank the manager and staff at the (No. 5 Road) McDonalds Restaurant who welcomed me and put me to work over the noon hour, signing up diners for McHappy Day donations. And thanks to all those diners who donated.

-- Linda
(Authorized by Kimberly Sorensen, Official Agent for the Linda Reid Campaign, 604-276-8868)

YWCA 2013 Women of Distinction

In my most recent blog I promised to share with you my thoughts on where I would like to see the prize award go, should I be so fortunate as to receive the most votes for a YWCA 2013 Women of Distinction Award.

By way of background, between April 24th and May 17th you can go on-line and vote in all the categories to support the women of your choice in nine different award categories. I was gratified to be nominated in the ‘not-for profit-public service category’.

Through the generous sponsorship of Scotiabank, the winner in each category of the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards will have the right to donate the $10,000 prize to the YWCA program of their choice. This would be a difficult decision as the YWCA funds so many outstanding programs for women and children.

However if I win I can only pick one. And after careful consideration, the YWCA programs in child-care and early learning would be my choice. Upon reflection, perhaps the years I spent as B.C.’s Minister of State for Childcare provided me with a unique perspective on the life-long impact of early childcare and learning.

The success of these programs will continue to influence our babies and their lives as they mature and move through life. These programs and the dedicated professionals involved in them are simply vital in any discussion about our future as a society and a Province. So there you have my choice.

Now it’s your turn. Visit YWCAWomenofDistinction or the YWCA Metro Vancouver website and learn more about voting on-line.  There’s an information video and background on all the nominees. Between April 24th and noon on May 17th you can vote in all categories. Let’s all get involved to make a difference for the YWCA and all of the great programs it supports.

Finally, let me know what you think. I’d still welcome your views on what YOU think the top priority should be? Again, let me say how grateful I am for all your interest and support.

--- Linda

(Authorized by Kimberly Sorensen, Official Agent for the Linda Reid Campaign, 604-276-8868)

YWCA Awards...

In my last blog I shared with my followers my appreciation to the YWCA and all those who nominated me for a 2013 Women of Distinction Award.

However did you know that these awards are interactive and participatory? There’s a way for you to become directly involved. Not only can you vote for your individual choices in the various award categories, but with the generous sponsorship of Scotiabank, the award winner will have the option of directing a $10,000 honorarium to the YWCA program of their choice. In future blogs I will let you know which program I will be supporting and why I think this contribution would be so vital.

In my own nomination category of ‘Not for Profit and Public Service’ we have the option of supporting five categories of YWCA programs. They are: Early Learning and Childcare; Reducing Child Poverty; Safe and Affordable Housing; Health Choices for Youth; and Preventing Violence Against Women. All are worthy programs that need support.

Now it’s your turn. Visit the YWCA Women of Distinction website or the YWCA Metro Vancouver website and learn more about voting on-line. There’s an information video and background on all the nominees. Between April 24^th and noon on May 17^th you can vote in all categories. Let’s all get involved to make a difference for the YWCA and all of the great programs it supports.

Finally, let me know what you think. What do you think the top priority should be? Thanks again for your interest and support.

  --- Linda
  (Authorized by Kimberly Sorensen, Official Agent for the Linda Reid Campaign, 604-276-8868)

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards

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The personal reward of serving people in public office is more than enough recognition for those of us elected to the House of Commons; the Legislature or to City Councils or School Boards. However it is still a great honour when an organization as important to our community as the YWCA Metro Vancouver advises you that you are under consideration for a special award.

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards is the signature event recognizing the contributions of women from all walks of life. Since 1984 more than 373 outstanding women have been honoured for their commitments to their community.

I am especially appreciate to all those who nominated me for an award in the ‘Non-Profit and Public Service’ category. A total of 83 outstanding women have been nominated for awards in each of a number of categories including Entrepreneurship; Environmental Sustainability; Arts & Culture; Business and Professional; Community Building; Education; Training and Development;  and Health, Wellness and Athletics

The annual YCWA Women of Distinction Awards Banquet is on Tuesday May 28^th in Vancouver. For more information about all the nominees and the event visit the YWCA Women of Distinction website. Again I would like to express my appreciation to the YWCA and to all my thoughtful supporters.

(Authorized by Kimberly Sorensen, Official Agent for the Linda Reid Campaign, 604-276-8868)

LINDA REID on the campaign strategy of Burma Shaving

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Burma-shaving has become synonymous with election campaigns, yet few people know what the term means or even its history.

Did you know that ‘Burma Shaving’ originated in the 20’s and ’30 when the manufacturers of Burma Shaving Cream in the U.S. rejuvenated their flagging company by erecting their signs along key highways and thoroughfares? There were actually a series of signs, where drivers had to follow each one to get the final message. Their strategy coincided with the expansion of the highway system in the U.S. and the transition from horse and buggy to the automobile. Soon Burma-Shave signs were sprouting up on the roads of America, including the iconic Route 66 across the country’s heartland.

Although the Burma-Shaving brand and the company that made it has long disappeared, the term "Burma-Shave” lives on. Burma-shaving now refers to the direct method of reaching voters—particularly the commuting crowd—by gathering with supporters at the side of the road with election signs. Drivers can see the candidate first-hand and be reminded that the election is underway and that it is important to vote. Ironically, given our online and social media age, Burma-shaving remains one of the most effective ways to reach voters and instantly receive feedback. Drivers are invited to honk if they’re supporters; unfortunately, the response can sometimes go the other way too but that’s all part of the campaign experience.

Over the next four weeks, I look forward to seeing you on the byways and thoroughfares of Richmond East and hope you’ll join us. To sign up as a ‘Burma-Shaver’ and support our campaign, call the Garden City Campaign Office at 604-276-8868 or our Hamilton Office at 604-710-9533.

(Authorized by Kimberly Sorensen, Official Agent for the Linda Reid Campaign, 604-276-8868)

Chinese New Year

A Happy Chinese & Lunar New Year.  This year's Chinese New Year is February 10th, 2012 - The Year of the Snake. 

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.

Breathing Fire into the New Year
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in dragon years are innovative, brave, and passionate. Salvador Dali, John Lennon, and Mary-Louise Parker were all born in the year of the dragon.

Fireworks and Family Feasts

At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

The Lantern Festival

In China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year's Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events.
The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.
In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. In the United States, where the New Year is celebrated with a shortened schedule, the dragon dance always takes place on a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2013 is the Year of the Snake, which begins on February 10, 2013 and ends on January 30, 2014. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal Signs. It is the enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animals Signs. Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve. People born in the Year of the Snake are keen and cunning, quite intelligent and wise. They are great mediators and good at doing business. Therefore, you should have good luck if you were born in the Year of the Snake. (Please click the following images for more information.)

This is a year of water Snake, and all things will be possible. Saving money and being thrifty should be your top priorities. Delusion and deception are common in the year of water Snake. Stay alert! To gain the greatest benefits from this year, you must control spending and use your talents wisely. If you are planning to get married or to begin a business partnership, be sure to thoroughly investigate the other person's finances and background before you legalize the alliance.