COUNCILLOR'S COMPUTER RETURNED

No Charges Laid by Mission RCMP

No charges have been laid against Mission Coun. Jenny Stevens who is
getting her computer back following a breach of trust investigation
by the RCMP .

Stevens read out a statement at the District of Mission council
meeting on Monday stating several Crown Counsels have reviewed RCMP
documentation and have advised that no further action will be taken.

In addition to Stevens' computer, officers from Mission, Chilliwack
and Surrey also confiscated three computers belonging to retired
councillor Ron Taylor. The seizures were part of a Mission RCMP
investigation into an alleged leak from council regarding the
district's controversial substance control bylaw - better known as
the marijuana grow op bylaw, according to Taylor. The RCMP has not
issued any statements as to why the computers were seized.

Stevens commended the RCMP for their consideration during the
investigation, and said she was satisfied with the result.

"The outcome is what I hoped for. My intention is to put it behind me."

The bylaw in question, which Taylor and Stevens have both denounced,
allows Mission's Public Safety Inspection Team to search people's
homes for grow ops if they are using more than 93 kwh of electricity per day.

Residents have been charged $5,200 inspection fee, even if no
marijuana, or signs of a grow operation are found.

Some Mission residents have begun a class-action lawsuit, backed by
the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, against the district in B.C.
Supreme Court.

In June, the district issued an apology when it announced it had
mistakenly labelled more than a dozen locations as controlled
substance properties and placed a moratorium on the bylaw.