WANT TO KNOW WHAT A PROPERTY SOLD FOR ? CALLMARIO.CA CANADA 604-207-9966 OTES MARIO S. DAVID PREC RE/MAX Crest Realty 20192019 LET ME HELP YOU VOL. 3 ISSUE 18 NOT-FOR-PROFIT Mid-October 2019 SELL YOUR HOME HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR Richmond readies for annual fireworks extravaganza 03 Photo courtesy City of Richmond Fire jugglers kept the crowd mesmerized at last year's Halloween Fireworks Festival. This year's celebration is again set for Halloween night, Oct. 31, starting at 6:30 p.m. in Minoru Park. Kenny ELECT CHIU STEVESTON-RICHMOND EAST Authorized by the Ocial Agent for Kenny Chiu 2 | COMMUNITY Mid-October 2019 RICHMOND SENTINEL 604-204-1111: One phone number for all mental health services ancouver Coastal Health is mak- turn,” said Karen Barclay, the director fore finally connecting with the right Ving access to mental health and for mental health and substance use one. substance use services in Richmond programs for VCH in Richmond. “The The goal of the new central phone easier than ever. new single phone number removes number is to eliminate the confusion Starting today, Richmond residents the burden on patients, their families and frustration families have when seeking help can call a single number and community partners of knowing trying to connect with the right ser- —604-204-1111—to access informa- which service they need to access.” vice provider. Offering a single phone tion and connect with all Vancouver The number will be able to connect number for potential clients to call Coastal Health (VCH) mental health people with specialized services for will increase the likelihood of a per- services in the city. This phone num- all ages, including children, youth son receiving the appropriate service ber for mental health and substance and seniors. Translation services are at the appropriate time, and will en- use services will significantly in- also available. sure VCH-Richmond is able to offer crease the ease in which people can Previously, each of the mental quick, efficient access to services for access services, ensuring clients are health and substance use services more people. connected to the right service when provided by Vancouver Coastal “Recently, I helped someone I they need them. Health in Richmond had their own, knew navigate through the mental “When families are in crisis, navi- separate referral and intake pro- health system but if I didn’t have that gating the health care system and cesses. For people seeking help, this personal experience it would have finding the right supports can be a could make it difficult to know which been a very difficult journey for them. barrier. Having one phone number service is appropriate for them and Where would you even start?” said Photo from pexels.com will take away the confusion and create unnecessary delays and hard- Mary Carter, who works for the peer- frustration people often experience ship as people attempted to navigate led Richmond Mental Health Con- ally ill and so I think the new phone when they need specialized commu- the system themselves and bounced sumer and Friends’ Society. “Time is number will really help people find nity services but don’t know where to around from program to program be- of the essence when a person is re- exactly where they need to go.” richmondsentinel.ca Mid-October 2019 community | 3 Richmond rolls out new mental health car By DON FENNELL seen the number of mental health-re- @DFSentinel lated calls increase but note these types of calls can be some of the most ichmond is taking a proactive ap- complex an officer may encounter. Rproach to the rising number of inci- There are instances where little back- dents relating to mental health. ground is known about the person in With calls to Richmond RCMP re- crisis and intervention is required to garding mental health, and substance help them access support and pre- use, exceeding growth rates and ca- vent harm. In other instances, individ- pacity for police in the region, a new uals may be well know to police and mental health car is being introduced. would benefit from an established re- The initiative by Richmond RCMP lationship with specially-trained pro- and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) fessionals. and supported by the City of Rich- “This has been a long time coming mond, was unveiled Thursday. It is and the result of a lot of hard work,” expected the new unit, consisting of a says Supt. Will Ng, officer in charge, Richmond RCMP officer riding along- Richmond RCMP. “It is a true collabo- side a mental health nurse from VCH, ration between the city, VCH and Rich- Photo by Don Fennell will increase timely intervention and mond RCMP.” help provide support to Richmond res- Richmond RCMP and Vancouver Coastal Health have teamed up to Ng says not only have police noted idents when and where they need it. introduce a new mental health car for the city. a dramatic increase in calls involving “This is a fantastic partnership,” says and mental health care advisor, says that know the mental health system mental health, but that it often means VCH head nurse Carmen Joost. “We’re the new mental health car is a wel- and are able to provide direction will officers having to spend hours at the really excited about bringing together comed addition to dealing with the make people calm and feel more safe emergency room waiting for an as- the strengths our nurses have to of- issue. and secure.” sessment. fer with the specially-trained RCMP. “Having a car with specially-trained The mental health car will field calls Mayor Malcolm Brodie says mental Working in partnership will allow us members and nurses will make is so from dispatch and may be referred health knows no cultural or socio-eco- to deliver care right to people in their much easier for people in crisis,” he by CH, providing rapid response to nomic boundaries “so it is essential homes or when they are experiencing says. “And their skills will make peo- mental heath crises and connecting that we give the Richmond RCMP and a crisis. We can be right there to sup- ple feel supported and safe and help people with the most appropriate ser- VCH the specialized tools necessary port them, and make those connec- de-escalate crisis situations.” vices. to respond safely and effectively to tions.” “When you’re in crisis, you’re not able Over the course of the past several those in need.” Mike Tibbles, a Richmond resident to advocate for yourself. Responders years, Richmond RCMP has not only •[email protected] Spooktacular Halloween events underway in the city re you looking for unique ways to spend time event at Watermania Oct. 20 1. Halloween Fireworks Festival, Minoru Park, Awith some ghouls, goblins and your family this • taking a walk through Richmond Nature Park 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Music, magic, roving entertainers, Halloween season? With over 15 wickedly awe- Oct. 19 and 20 during Wild Things, a family-friend- children’s activities, inflatable corn maze, trick-or- some Halloween-inspired events and programs ly, theatrical experience that ties together nature, treating, fire juggling and a spectacular fireworks to choose from happening now through Thurs- wildlife and Halloween finale at 8:30 p.m. day, Oct. 31, there is some fa-boo-lous fun for ev- • creating jack-o-lanterns and spooky masks at 2. Hugh Boyd Community Park (West Rich- eryone. Hamilton Community Centre mond), 8:15 p.m. “Richmond is once again providing family-friend- • enjoying a Halloween-themed skate in costume 3. McLean Neighbourhood Park (Hamilton), 8:15 ly and safe Halloween experiences for all ages,” at Minoru Arenas and the Richmond Olympic Oval p.m. said Mayor Malcolm Brodie.“These low cost or free • listening to spooktacular stories, songs and 4. South Arm Community Park, 8:15 p.m. fun events offered by the City and its partners con- rhymes at your local library 5. Burkeville Neighbourhood Park, 8:15 p.m.— tinue to build a great sense of community spirit.” • joining the dancing at the 55+ years Hallow- Please note that Burkeville will be local traffic Some of this year’s fang-tastic Halloween een social at the Seniors Centre at Minoru Centre only from 4 to 9 p.m. events include: for Active Living. For more information on the free fireworks •Jumping in the water and retrieving a pumpkin On Halloween night, there are five free commu- displays or other Halloween events visit to take home at the “Pumpkin Patch in the Pool” nity firework displays to choose from: www.richmond.ca/halloween 4 | ELEction Mid-October 2019 RICHMOND SENTINEL RICHMOND CENTRE CANDIDATES Platform: Transitioning to a green economy. History: Formed in 1983, the party has never formed government. Dustin Innes, NDP CANADA Steven Kou, Liberal LIBERAL Ivan Pak, PPC PARTY Francoise Raunet, Green Leader: Justin Trudeau (since April 14, 2013) Alice Wong, Conservative (incumbent) Own riding: Papineau Zhe Zhang, Independent Seats at dissolution of Parliament: 177 (52.4 per OTES STEVESTON-RICHMOND cent) EAST CANDIDATES Campaign slogan: “Choose forward.” Platform: Cut taxes for middle-class families. Ping Chan, Independent History: Founded in 1867 (at Canada’s confeder- 2019 Kenny Chiu, Conservative ation), the party is the oldest in the country. The 2019 Jaeden Dela Torre, NDP party last formed government under Prime Min- Nicole Iaci, Green ister Justin Trudeau from 2015 to 2019. Liberals Joe Peschisolido, Liberal (incumbent) formed government for 69 years in the 20th cen- Federal Election tury. CONSERVATIVE Primer PARTY NEW DEMOCRATIC Leader: Andrew Scheer (since May 27, 2017) PARTY • The 2019 Canadian Federal Election on Mon- Own riding: Regina-Qu’Appelle Leader: Jagmeet Singh (since Oct.