COUNCIL REFUSES TO RECONSIDER PENALTY AGAINST MAN WHOSE TENANTS GREW POT

ABBOTSFORD - The only appeal launched so far against an Abbotsford bylaw
penalizing landlords whose properties are used for marijuana growing
operations was denied by city council Monday.

A man identified as Mr. Slanina asked council to reconsider a penalty of
just over $2,000 charged to him after police raided his property at St.
Moritz Way. The fine is intended to cover extraordinary costs incurred by
police when officers have to dismantle growing operations.

It was the second time officers had raided an operation at the St. Moritz
property, and police claimed Slanina had not done due diligence in
screening his renters, said Councillor George Peary. Council unanimously
refused to reconsider the penalty, Peary said.

Although the penalty has been in place for about two years, this was the
first time it has been officially challenged.

"It was the first real test case of the bylaw," Peary said.

The fines are aimed at making landlords responsible for keeping marijuana
growers out of their homes.