Lifeguard arrest
In September, I wrote about the arrest of 70-year-old former park board employee Abraham "Abe" Kiewiet in connection with charges of sexual misconduct.
Turns out Kiewiet was arrested once again Nov. 7 and the 麻豆传媒映画Police Department has requested additional charges be added to the 10 he was already facing.
It was initially alleged Kiewiet preyed on four young boys between 1976 and 1982 after meeting them during swimming or lifeguard lessons. Kiewiet was both an instructor at the park board's 麻豆传媒映画Lifeguard School and a volunteer coach with the YMCA's aquatic safety program.
Last week, Crown counsel laid additional charges related to five victims. The male and female victims ranged in age between 12 and 16 years old when the offences were alleged to have taken place. Kiewiet now faces 22 charges against five victims, including eight counts of indecent assault on a male, three counts of indecent assault on a female and 11 counts of gross indecency.
Kiewiet was released from custody pending his next court appearance in Provincial Court Dec. 4 at 9 a.m.
Sex Crimes Unit investigators continue to conduct inquiries and believe there are other victims yet to come forward. Police encourage anyone with pertinent information to contact the tip line at 604-717-0618.
Drinks on the links
According to a city staff report, one of the respondents to the park board's recent proposal to allow liquor/beverage carts on three city golf courses had some concerns, including public urination and smoking.
I must admit, I found the image of such Happy Gilmore-like behaviour on our city's golf courses most amusing, but considering selling alcohol to golfers is pretty much the norm in every municipality and city under the sun, including Richmond and Surrey, such behaviour likely won't be a problem at 麻豆传媒映画public golf courses.
City council voted Wednesday to allow the park board to proceed with its next, and likely final, step in getting permission to sell liquor on the greens.
Vision 麻豆传媒映画park board vice-chair Aaron Jasper says getting council's approval for the plan was vital. Now it will be up to the province's Liquor Control and Licensing Branch to give the final go-ahead.
"If all goes well, golfers should be able to enjoy a cold beer on the ninth hole by next summer," says Jasper.
He adds, allowing beverage carts on the greens at Fairview, Langara and McCleery courses was never just about selling alcohol.
"This started when we looked at ways to improve food service," says Jasper. "And that can mean everything from buying a hot dog and a pop or juice for the kids. It was never just about booze."
That said, Jasper says it's estimated the park board could see profits of up to $100,000 annually by adding a maximum of two carts per course - one per every nine holes.
The city's report explains the three golf courses have Food Primary liquor licenses, which only allow the consumption of alcohol with food. In order to sell liquor outside of their clubhouses and patios, these golf courses must apply to the province for Liquor Primary licenses.
To read the report in full, visit vancouver.ca and follow the links to the Nov. 12 Planning, Transportation and Environment meeting.
Twitter: @sthomas10
