Feb 02 2008
Does Abby need a crematorium?
By KEN HERAR
The proposed construction of a public crematorium at Hazelwood Cemetery presents itself as an important discussion. With a diverse community and cemetery land availability issues lingering, is cremation the way to go?Has the time come for Abbotsford to consider building a public crematorium site, and follow communities like Mission, where a crematorium has been serving the region for more than 25 years?Do we need two public crematorium sites in the valley? Let’s look at history and the numbers.The crematorium at Hatzic Cemetery in Mission was built in the late 1970s after funds were raised by the Punjabi community, allowing the District of Mission to proceed with the much-needed facility. Previously, families had been driving into Vancouver for cremation services.With a significant and growing Indo Canadian population in Abbotsford/Mission, the District proceeded with the project, but faced some opposition from people who didn’t hold cremation as part of their religious beliefs.
It is a Sikh tradition for mourners to gather at the cremation site for final prayers for departed souls.The crematorium has been largely used by members of the Abbotsford/Mission Indo Canadian community, but the doors have always remained open to the general public.Mission Alderman from 1974-86 Perry Cleven said, “it was a very interesting time and it was something completely new. If it wasn’t for the Indo-Canadian community the crematorium wouldn’t have been built.”
According to my father, Tok Herar, who headed the fundraising committee, “the crematorium was built at the appropriate time, and has served the region well despite some of the challenges we faced at that time.”Over the years funds have been raised by the Punjabi community to upgrade the facility. A much-needed roof to protect mourners from weather and a larger waiting area were added.In recent years the number of cremations has been on the decline, and the crematorium has not been operating at full capacity, forcing the District of Mission to lease out the facility, according ot Dennis Clark, director of corporate affairs.“The number of cremations has declined over the years,” he said. “We were only getting one or two a month. Funeral homes were sending cremations into Burnaby where they owned their own facilities.”
The District of Mission leased the facility a year ago to current owner Chris Dorrington, who operates it under Bakerview Community Crematorium. Dorrington wants to expand the facility and sees potential in future growth.He said the crematorium is still not operating at full capacity, and stays idle for the majority of the week, mainly used by the Punjabi community on weekends.Does Abbotsford need a public crematorium?With a private firm already existing in Abbotsford the current numbers don’t support it. This proposal before Abbotsford council has the facility being operated by a non-profit society which will represent all faiths with funds being raised by private citizens, meaning that there will be no cost to the city.According to Baljinder Bains who is chairing a group of Community Advocates who have come together to prepare the business plan for Abbotsford, the city needs this facility.Abbotsford school trustee Sat Gill, who is one of the members supporting a crematorium, said : “This has been discussed for years and now it is finally coming to fruition.”The group has hired a consultant who is assisting in preparing the business plan.“We are almost ready to present to city council, the business plan is using conservative assumptions and we are comfortable with the projected use of the site” said Bains.“This will be a community crematorium, open to all, built and run by a non-profit society” said Gill.The City of Abbotsford was presented a Cemetery Master Plan in 2007 and having a Community Crematorium constructed on Hazelwood Cemetery was one of the recommendations.
KenHerar@gmail.com
© Copyright 2007 Abbotsford News
Friday, January 8, 2010
Taking action....
Taking action on cultural diversity
By KEN HERAR
We can all talk about building an inclusive, diverse community, but are the talkers’ actions representing their words?I have already received some responses to he Abbotsford News Diversity Challenge, and what some people are doing is heartening.The challenge question is: “What have you done or what you could do to include someone into your culture or community organization?”In the coming months through this column you will be hearing from many voices to show you what is occurring in our community on diversity issues.There are many cultures that exist in Canada, and I would like to hear from as many participants as possible in this writing challenge.Festivals are a terrific way in sharing cultures with Canadians. There are currently two upcoming Valley festivals that present a multicultural theme. In Langley, on June 28 “Culture Fest” is taking place and some of the cultural groups that will be participating will be: Punjabi, Afro Caribbean, Latin American and First Nation.Some of the events on this day include musical entertainment, drumming and carving. Event coordinator Ana David of Langley said the festival venue “creates a place and an audience for those who normally go unnoticed.”Jim Diers, who is the guest speaker on community building, is all about turning perceived liabilities into assets, nominate mobility restricted members to your organization s board and use their talents at a different level than a regular 9-5 job setting. Seniors, youth, diversity, disabilities, parenting are all important factors to a cohesive supportive neighborhood network we can all call home . . . maybe one day.” Culture Fest is a week celebration of culture and diversity from June 23 to June 28. Details of events can be found at www.bcharmony.org* * *Harold Rosen from the Baha’i Spiritual Assembly of Abbotsford and a coordinator with the Abbotsford Multicultural Festival, set for Oct. 4 at the Ag-Rec buildings, shared these comments: “The festival next fall will be an opportunity for new levels of bonding among people of various ethnic backgrounds, and will encourage new patterns of socializing in our city. It will build bridges of fellowship among the diverse faith communities, schools, businesses and performing arts groups of Abbotsford.”“As an extended family event, it will generate greater trust, understanding and appreciation among our neighbours in the Fraser Valley. All of these likely outcomes of the Multicultural Festival are beautifully harmonious with Baha’i goals and purposes,” he said.* * *The model behind the diversity question is how can we better share culture. Festivals are a terrific way to connect citizens with different global villages.If you think you have an answer in 300 words or less send me an email me at the address below or drop it off at the Abbotsford News on Gladys Avenue before Sept 19.This challenge is open to all ages with two categories one for school-aged children and the other for adults. Stay tuned in my next column we will find how some local politicians answered the question.KenHerar@gmail.com
© Copyright 2007 Abbotsford News
By KEN HERAR
We can all talk about building an inclusive, diverse community, but are the talkers’ actions representing their words?I have already received some responses to he Abbotsford News Diversity Challenge, and what some people are doing is heartening.The challenge question is: “What have you done or what you could do to include someone into your culture or community organization?”In the coming months through this column you will be hearing from many voices to show you what is occurring in our community on diversity issues.There are many cultures that exist in Canada, and I would like to hear from as many participants as possible in this writing challenge.Festivals are a terrific way in sharing cultures with Canadians. There are currently two upcoming Valley festivals that present a multicultural theme. In Langley, on June 28 “Culture Fest” is taking place and some of the cultural groups that will be participating will be: Punjabi, Afro Caribbean, Latin American and First Nation.Some of the events on this day include musical entertainment, drumming and carving. Event coordinator Ana David of Langley said the festival venue “creates a place and an audience for those who normally go unnoticed.”Jim Diers, who is the guest speaker on community building, is all about turning perceived liabilities into assets, nominate mobility restricted members to your organization s board and use their talents at a different level than a regular 9-5 job setting. Seniors, youth, diversity, disabilities, parenting are all important factors to a cohesive supportive neighborhood network we can all call home . . . maybe one day.” Culture Fest is a week celebration of culture and diversity from June 23 to June 28. Details of events can be found at www.bcharmony.org* * *Harold Rosen from the Baha’i Spiritual Assembly of Abbotsford and a coordinator with the Abbotsford Multicultural Festival, set for Oct. 4 at the Ag-Rec buildings, shared these comments: “The festival next fall will be an opportunity for new levels of bonding among people of various ethnic backgrounds, and will encourage new patterns of socializing in our city. It will build bridges of fellowship among the diverse faith communities, schools, businesses and performing arts groups of Abbotsford.”“As an extended family event, it will generate greater trust, understanding and appreciation among our neighbours in the Fraser Valley. All of these likely outcomes of the Multicultural Festival are beautifully harmonious with Baha’i goals and purposes,” he said.* * *The model behind the diversity question is how can we better share culture. Festivals are a terrific way to connect citizens with different global villages.If you think you have an answer in 300 words or less send me an email me at the address below or drop it off at the Abbotsford News on Gladys Avenue before Sept 19.This challenge is open to all ages with two categories one for school-aged children and the other for adults. Stay tuned in my next column we will find how some local politicians answered the question.KenHerar@gmail.com
© Copyright 2007 Abbotsford News
2010 will deliver more diversity...
2010 will deliver more diversity
Ken Herar, The Times
Published: Friday, January 08, 2010New Year celebrations are a time of reflection and optimism.Last week, I had planned to spend a quiet evening at home before my cell phone rang and some buddies persuaded me to join them for dinner in Vancouver.
The last few years, I have stayed close to my couch watching the lively celebrations on the tube and decided this was becoming a routine that I needed to end.
It was time to put the remote down and ring in the year in style.
If I hadn't ventured out the door, I would have easily handed my mates another lousy excuse to stay home.
Staying home during special occasions and excluding yourself can be a bad way to start the coming year.
It's important to be around people and celebrate - whether it be with a group of friends at someone's home or at a larger gathering somewhere around town.
I reached into my soul when I made the decision to go out and see the clock strike midnight.
I asked myself, "Do I want to start the year as anti-social or should I reach out to the people who are close to me?"
I made the right choice to start off the calendar year with good friendship and a fabulous meal.
One funny question I often get asked around this time is, "How was your New Year's?"
It's hard to answer since we just started the year.
A long tradition in many South Asian families is to attend the Sikh Temple during New Year's.
Gurcharan Dhaliwal, president of the Khalsa Diwan Society of Abbotsford, said about 10,000 people attended the Sikh temple on South Fraser Way throughout the first day of the year.
According to Dhaliwal, on New Year's Eve there were around 6,000 worshippers at the temple.
I asked him why so many families visit the temple around this time?
He said, "To ask God in the coming year 2010 for happiness and peace in the world."
That reminds me.
My mother asked me to go to the temple and pray for the New Year, which I haven't yet done.
In my quest to become a renewed person I have made a few resolutions for this year.
I have decided to become a vegetarian because there is too much destruction of our animals and it's a sacrifice I would like to make to preserve our habitat.
It's definitely going to be difficult to achieve that goal during the barbecue season.
Secondly, I lost about 20 to 30 pounds playing basketball and tennis over the last few months. I plan to remain this way throughout the year, keeping the weight off.
Thirdly, this June, I will be celebrating 15 years as a columnist and I am again committing myself to deliver ways to build an inclusive, diverse community.
- Ken Herar writes about community diversity issues. Contact him at KenHerar@gmail.com
Abbotsford Times 2010Thursday, January 7, 2010
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