PROTESTS AT MISSION COUNCIL

Residents of Mission unhappy with their district council made their
voices heard last night prior to the council's regular Monday meeting.

Despite the rain, as many as 100 protesters were expected to show up
last night outside district chambers to voice their displeasure with
what they believe is a mayor and council that has, for the most part,
lost touch with its residents.

"There's a number of issues," said Larry Newell, a Mission resident
and former director of inspection services for the district.

"They just don't particularly listen. They don't believe in the
natural laws of administrative fairness. I've never seen anything like
it in my working career."

Recently, former Mission councillor Ron Taylor and current councillor
Jenny Stevens each had their computers seized by the RCMP as part of a
breach of trust investigation. It's been alleged that leaks pertaining
to the district's controlled substance bylaw have filtered their way
from Mission council during in-camera meetings.

The controlled substance bylaw - better known as the marijuana bylaw -
allows the district's Public Safety Inspection Team to perform
unwarranted searches on properties drawing more than 93 kwh of
electricity per day.

Residents subject to these searches have been forced to pay upwards of
$5,000 as an inspection fee, regardless if marijuana - or a grow
operation - is found.

The bylaw has now become the subject of a class action lawsuit against
the District of Mission and backed by the B.C. Civil Liberties
Association.