But it’s only when the sheer scale of the carnage is laid bare to the naked eye and is told directly to your ear, that the magnitude of what happened that day is truly realized.

Veteran councillors Bill McNulty and Harold Steves visited on the weekend the site of such a village adopted by Richmond in the wake of the disaster.

Since last year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, Richmond community groups and residents have pledged more than $150,000 to help the small Japanese fishing village of Onagawa.

A Richmond delegation, led by McNulty and Steves, saw in person how those funds are aiding recovery efforts.

Read more: http://www.richmond-news.com/news/Veteran+Richmond+councillors+tsunami+devastation+first+hand+delegation+delivers/6504468/story.html#ixzz1t1WsPCpj

“It’s a joke,” said Coun. Derek Dang, chair of council’s community safety committee. “We’re going to sign a 20-year agreement that saddles my kids and maybe their kids, to a contract and we don’t know what the final outcome is. It’s untenable.”

Read more at: http://www.richmondreview.com/news/146023445.html

Click here to watch a story from Global TV covering the 2012 Walk for Japan

Courtesy Steveston Rotary

For Immediate Release

March 21, 2012

Walk to Rebuild the Lives of Onagawa‘s Children Post-Tsunami

The Richmond and Steveston community will be rallying in support of the children of Onagawa, Japan this Sunday in memory of the anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011, said Rotary Organizer and Richmond City Councillor Bill McNulty.

“We were overwhelmed by the turnout and the generosity of our residents last year when this event raised over $100,000 for Japan Tsunami Relief,” said McNulty. “Although we’re now a year later, there are still people that need our help as they rebuild their lives and I’m proud we’re keeping this tradition going.”

This year’s Walk to Rebuild the Lives of Onagawa’s Children, hosted by the Steveston Rotary Club, will see participants walk a one kilometer route starting from Fisherman’s Park at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Every hour on the hour from 10am to 2pm, supporters will participate in the memorial walk. All funds raised will be going to support children in need in the small village of Onagawa, Japan, near the heavily damaged city of Sendai.

“Many children lost their parents in the earthquake and tsunami, and I’m proud that we will collect donations to continue helping them,” said Richmond and Steveston Community Leader Jim Kojima. “We must never forget those most in need, and thanks to the generosity of our community, I feel we’ll continue to support them for years to come.”

Steveston’s ties with Japan began in 1877 with the arrival of the Asian nation’s first immigrant, and those ties continue to this day.

On behalf of Councillors Derek Dang, Ken Johnston, Bill McNulty and Linda McPhail, and Trustees Donna Sargent, Debbie Tablotney, Grace Tsang, and Dr. Eric Yung – THANK YOU and we appreciate your support!

Click here for a full breakdown of Richmond’s 2011 Election Results. 

“Richmond First Voters Society is the most active local political body in social media, with regular updates posted on Twitter and Facebook.” - Matthew Hoekstra, Richmond Review

Check us out on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/richmondfirst
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Read more at: http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/132277953.html

September 19, 2011

RICHMOND – The Richmond First banner will carry a team of four trustee candidates for the Board of Education elections to be held this Fall, Board of Education Trustee Donna Sargent said today.

“I’m very pleased with the depth and experience of our team standing for election in November,” said Sargent. “The strength and experience of each member will serve to complement one another, and will create an exceptional slate that I firmly believe will be a valuable asset to our school district.”

The Richmond First candidates for the 2011 Board of Education trustee elections include current trustees Donna Sargent , Debbie Tablotney, and Grace Tsang. Joining the three returning trustees under the Richmond First banner is longtime Richmond resident, Harvard Medical School researcher, and three-term President of the Richmond District Parents Association, Dr. Eric Yung.

The Richmond First Trustee team will be standing on five key principles when seeking a mandate from voters in November.

1) Proven and proactive fiscal leadership.
2) Building communities around neighbourhoods of learning.
3) Supporting safe, healthy, and environmentally sustainable schools.
4) Promoting positive parent, teacher, and student relationships.
5) Continuing to improve student achievement.

Donna Sargent has been a resident of Richmond for 25 years and has been actively involved with the Richmond School District for since 1991. Completing her third term as a School Trustee, Donna is currently the Chairperson of the Board of Education. Her extensive track record has given her a reputation of being a hard working, principle centered and a trustworthy team player. Some of her involvement includes Chairperson of the Personnel and Finance Committee, Chairperson of the Council Board Liaison Committee, Special Purpose Task Force on Land Issues, Career Development Advisory Committee, City of Richmond’s Sister City Committee, Richmond Substance Abuse Task Force, Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, and Richmond District Parents Association President/Vice President.

“I feel my voice of reason and common sense approach helps bring the community’s voice to the Board table,” said Sargent. “Today more than ever, our Richmond School District needs knowledgeable, passionate, caring leaders that will work hard for the students of Richmond.”

Debbie Tablotney, a Richmond resident since 1982, was first elected to the Richmond Board of Education in 2002 and was re-elected again in 2008. Debbie has demonstrated a long history of commitment to both the school district and her community. She is currently serving as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Education, Chair of the Personnel / Finance Committee and City Council School Board Liaison. She also attends the Sister City Committee, and has been the Provincial Counselor for the BC School Trustees Association. Among her extensive volunteer work, she has served as a treasurer for Richmond Family Place, the RDPA, Richmond Youth Concert Band, Richmond Toastmasters and Richmond Sunrise Rotary. She also served 4 years as the PAC Chair of Westwind Elementary School. Debbie operates a Family Insurance agency and has raised three sons all of whom have attended school in Richmond.

“I enjoy working with and listening to all stakeholders to ensure our education system is taking advantage of ideas and addressing challenges,” said Tablotney. “We need to continue building on this foundation to ensure students, parents, and educators all play an important role in making our schools even better.”

Grace Tsang, a Certified Financial Planner, was first elected to the Richmond Board of Education in 2005 and has served as Chair of the Audit Committee, Vice Chair of the Personnel & Finance Committee, and as the Board’s representative to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and B.C. Public Schools Employers’ Association. Grace has also served as Education Committee Chair, and as a member of the City of Richmond’s Sister City Committee and Child Care Development Advisory Committee. Grace has lived in Richmond with her husband and two children since 1993.

Grace’s volunteer experience with the Richmond School District includes: PAC fundraiser, volunteer interpreter and dry grad. In addition, Grace has served as Director for the BCIT Alumni Association, Richmond Youth Concert Band and Richmond Sunset Rotary Club.

“I’ve enjoyed serving parents, students and teachers to help make their education experience the best it can be and to maximize student achievement,” said Tsang. “I’m a strong advocate of a well-rounded education so I want to ensure we’re giving students opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.”

Dr. Eric Yung has been a Richmond resident since 1975 and has attended Richmond’s public school system from Quilchena Elementary to graduation from Richmond High School. He has been very active in various local community organizations including serving as President of the Richmond District Parents Association, Secretary of the International Development Assistance Society of Canada (IDAS, a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds for international disaster relief and infrastructure assistance), a member of the For Children We Care Fundraising committee for BC Children’s Hospital, and a founding member and Secretary of the Vancouver Freenet. Eric has two young children, a daughter entering Grade 3 this year, and a son who is still in preschool.

“I’m passionate about ensuring that the next generation of children have the same opportunities as I did growing up in Richmond.,” said Yung. “With key policies like all-day kindergarten, and a focus on personalized learning in the 21st century, I feel a renewed emphasis on our youngest children is required, and I will bring that emphasis to the board table.”

Last week, Richmond First announced Councillors Derek Dang, Ken Johnston, Bill McNulty, and former School Board Chairperson Linda McPhail are seeking election as Richmond First City Council candidates in November.

The next Richmond Board of Education election is set for November 19, 2011.

September 14, 2011

RICHMOND – It’s time for a new voice on Richmond City Council and I’m ready to deliver common sense change during this critical time for our city, Linda McPhail announced today while launching her bid for Council in the upcoming November municipal election.

“People have been clamoring for common sense in our city, from increasing taxes to the threat of development in our single family neighbourhoods, and I’m stepping up to join the debate,” said McPhail. “Councillors Dang, Johnston, and McNulty have been the voice of reason for the past three years and I want to support their efforts on Council.”

A lifelong Richmond resident, Ms. McPhail has served three consecutive terms as a Richmond Board of Education Trustee, being elected by her peers to serve seven years as Chair. An active volunteer in Richmond, she has served on the Board of Seafair Minor Hockey Association for nine years, the Board for the Richmond Arena’s Community Association (RACA) for six years, the Richmond Hospital Auxiliary for twenty years, the Nite of Hope, and in 2009 at the BC Seniors Games.

“Through my personal, civic and volunteer experiences, I’ve learned the value of working collaboratively with the community to get things done,” said McPhail. “That means listening to voters about what they want instead of telling them what they want – something that seems like a revolutionary concept to some on Council. That’s got to change, and I want to bring that change with my Richmond First colleagues.”

Ms. McPhail is married to her husband of 28-years, Terry, with 3 adult children – Melissa, Ross and Melanie.

The next Richmond City Council election is set for November 19, 2011.

September 12, 2011

RICHMOND – All three Richmond First incumbent City Councillors, Derek Dang, Ken Johnston, and Bill McNulty, will be standing for re-election in November’s municipal election, running on a plan to return common sense to Richmond City Council.

“There are serious issues facing Richmond today and I’m pleased our team is standing for re-election to deal with these challenges using the common sense approach we bring to the table,” said Councillor Bill McNulty. “With Richmond at a crossroads, the strength and experience of our team to stand up and tackle the big issues are now more important than ever.”

Councillor Derek Dang has lived in Richmond all his life and served on City Council since 1996. Over his last term on Council, Mr. Dang was the first public official to reveal Translink’s hidden agenda to likely place tolls on the Knight Street Bridge, and has been standing up for important social programs within the City.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have received the support of Richmond residents in the past to represent them on City Council, and I hope to earn their support again in November,” said Councillor Derek Dang. “At the top of my agenda is ensuring we maintain a strong public safety record and that our first responders are strongly supported to keep our community protected.”

Councillor Ken Johnston has been tackling a variety of issues since returning to Richmond Council in 2008. Mr. Johnston was the first Councillor to blow the whistle and speak out against the proposed airport fuel pipeline and storage tanks that are slated to run through Richmond, and he spearheaded a bylaw allowing Richmond to strike a blow against puppy mills by becoming the first municipality in Canada to ban puppy sales in pet stores.

“I’m pleased to put my name forward for re-election because I want to continue taking on special interests and standing up to defend common sense on behalf of citizens,” said Councillor Ken Johnston. “I believe our greatest challenge now is to keep taxes among the lowest of Lower Mainland municipalities so we can retain and create jobs in Richmond – and I’m going to do just that by being the financial conscience on Council.”

Councillor Bill McNulty is a long-time Richmond resident better known as “Richmond’s Man in Motion”, reflecting Mr. McNulty’s active community volunteer work in the city. Serving on Council since 1993, Mr. McNulty has been championing public safety and the installation of fare gates at Canada Line stations, opposing fuel tanks being installed on Sea Island and fuel tankers running past Steveston along the South Arm of the Fraser, and defending the continued existence of single-family neighbourhoods throughout the city.

“Over the last three years, we’ve seen a Richmond Council out of touch with the everyday realities people are facing, from unwanted densification in single-family neighbouroods to frivolous spending of tax dollars during a global economic downturn,” said Councillor McNulty. “Residents and business are having trouble making ends meet, and yet taxes are going up, road tolls are being proposed, and a massive jet fuel terminal and pipeline is being rammed through our city. I’m pleased to stand for re-election so I can continue defending the will of our citizens on Council.”

The next Richmond City Council election is set for November 19, 2011.

—
Richmond News
Richmond walk raises $80,000 for Japanese earthquake victims

About 7,000 people raised more than $80,000 in an effort to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami on Sunday at the Walk for Japan organized by the Steveston Rotary Club, said Coun. Bill McNulty.

“We were overwhelmed by the turnout and the generosity of our residents with long line-ups of people wanting to donate,” said McNulty who helped organize the event. “People have seen the devastation in Japan, know about our city’s longstanding ties to the Japanese people, and they came out in the thousands to show their support.

Read more: http://www.richmond-news.com/Richmond+walk+raises+Japanese+earthquake+victims/4478996/story.html#ixzz1HJ2TvDHr

Over $75,000 has been raised for victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami today as a result of the Walk for Japan organized by the Steveston Rotary Club, said Rotary Organizer and Richmond City Councillor Bill McNulty after Sunday’s event.

“We were overwhelmed by the turnout and the generosity of our residents with long line-ups of people wanting to donate,” said McNulty. “People have seen the devastation in Japan, know about our city’s longstanding ties to the Japanese people, and they came out in the thousands to show their support.”

The Walk for Japan, hosted by the Steveston Rotary Club, drew an estimated 7,000 people from 10am-4pm on Sunday to participate in a one kilometer stroll starting from Fisherman’s Park at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. The walk, also supported by the Steveston Community Society and Steveston Buddhist Church, was restarted every hour, and hundreds took part in each new walk. The funds raised will go directly to the Steveston Buddhist Church for distribution to Japan, with 100% of funds raised going to support those in need in the small village of Onagawa, Japan, near the heavily damaged city of Sendai.

“The $75,000 raised far surpassed our expectations for this event, and we want to thank everyone who took part and the businesses that supported our Japanese brothers and sisters,” said McNulty. “At the outset we hoped people would throw in a loonie or toonie, but ten, twenty, fifty and even hundred dollar bills were being contributed as well.”

Steveston’s ties with Japan began in 1877 with the arrival of the Asian nation’s first immigrant, and those ties continue to this day.