The Sahota family, whose dilapidated Balmoral Hotel on Vancouvers Downtown Eastside was evacuated last month, are being slammed for their failed effort to open a cannabis dispensary on the citys west side. Revenues will contribute to cost recovery for the additional time spent by property use inspectors, licensing staff, development review staff, police (and) fire inspectors in regulating this sector, he said. Vancouver police Chief James McElvain wiped tears from his eyes at a press conference Thursday as he read a statement from slain police Officer Donald Sahotas mother describing her son as someone who was honest, kind, loved to help people.. © 2023, Featured in this episode: Jen St. Denis, Christopher Cheung (, For low-income residents in Vancouver, a different kind of real estate crisis, Out-of-control SROs: Everyone wants to help, but no one seems to have the tools, This show was brought to you by our patrons. Its a true tragedy and nobody wants to have to deal with this kind of situation ever, Strangfield said. For decades, she was in control of the familys real estate holdings, according to Ajantha (Sam) Dharmapala, a former employee who is now a rental-housing activist. The family rarely sells any of its properties and fought the city in court to try to stop the expropriation of the shuttered Regent and Balmoral, a process that ended with an agreement last month. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. We have a weekly Western Canada newsletter written by our B.C. This really rests on one persons shoulders. Assessment records. Cards or letters to Sahotas family or the department can also be mailed there, at 605 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661. They also said there was no better person than Don Sahota, that he was the kindest man you ever met. This show was brought to you by our patrons. Ticketmasters ground us to dust. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. The men began struggling in the driveway. "He's brought honor to his family, his department and his community,'' Det. The sun broke through the clouds in time for Sahotas motorcade and the single-file line of as many as 400 law enforcement and emergency vehicles to pass the Pioneer Street overpass around 11 a.m. As Dale Lowrie shielded his eyes from the rays, he noted, the sun is shining for him.. At this point we are just, it is pretty devastating, the mayor said. Vancouvers seawall: A walking/cycling path or could it be so much more? Currently, the City of Vancouver has begun the process to. The family has been led by Mr. Sahota, his brother Gurdyal and their sister Parkash, or Pash. Photos via The Globe and Mail's BEN NELMS AND RAFAL GERSZAK The Globe and Mail just published a piece of journalism that will hopefully win some awards if not just the attention of anyone who has a heart and is at all concerned about the most vulnerable citizens of our city. In an interview two weeks ago, Mr. She would regularly tour the Sahotas various rental properties up until a decade ago, when illness and her advanced age kept her close to the ramshackle family home in Vancouvers upscale Kerrisdale neighbourhood. People wishing to send cards or letters to the Sahota family can mail them to: Vancouver Police, HQ605 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661. The companies got too large, now monopolies are in charge. Desrochers said a City of Vancouver staffer confirmed that city officials knew about the. Although Sahota was off duty when he was killed, Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain has said the shooting was the departments first line-of-duty death since the agencys inception in 1883. The family has come under renewed public scrutiny this month after a deal was reported showing that the City of Vancouver paid millions to expropriate two of the familys Downtown Eastside properties the crumbling Balmoral and Regent hotels. Sahota worked for both departments before joining the Vancouver police in 2014. She said she first noticed something going on about 8-ish when she saw a fire truck and an ambulance speed by. Last month, Mayor Gregor Robertson called the conditions of the Sahotas Balmoral Hotel disgusting and said city staff were looking at legal and regulatory tools to force the family to repair the building and to enforce bylaws the Sahotas have ignored. File photo Dan Toulgoet. Wednesday afternoon, Herban Legends had an appeal hearing with the citys board of variance. Some councillors voiced skepticism about these arguments. Heed said the projects sunk costs were a significant amount in excess of the value of the land, which was last assessed at $2-million. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. Sahota was the third officer McElvain hired, just months after the chief joined the department, he said. The board unanimously refused to approve the Sahota familys application for a licence to operate the dispensary. Over the past few days, I have been in many conversations with Sheriff Atkins and I know that he and his people are also hurting, said Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain. Gudy Sahota answered his phone. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Lower Columbia Major Crimes Team is leading the investigation into the shooting by the deputy, who fired several rounds from a rifle. A neighbor told KOIN 6 News he heard 4 shots. Mr. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Meanwhile, the future of another Sahota property linked to cannabis appears less bright. The Globe has learned through public documents and conversations with people close to the family. Honest, kind, loved to help people. Vancouver police Chief James McElvain wipes away a tear while reading a statement from slain Officer Donald Sahota's mother during a press conference Thursday afternoon at the department's headquarters. A city spokesperson e-mailed a statement Wednesday saying each development is approved on its own merit, but the permitting department is not allowed to take into account the applicants other dealings with the city. But the Sahotas allege that Gill and Behla only made one interest payment. The church service, which will be held at the Central Vancouver Campus of New . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. But the Sahotas are not like any other dynasty youve ever heard of. Sahota joined the Vancouver Police Department in April 2014. In May, 2019, Ms. Sahota secured a permit from the city to build a duplex on the property at the same time as the family was at loggerheads with the city over the proposed expropriation of its Downtown Eastside hotels. He was a great son, wonderful father and husband. Seeking an injunction would just add costs and time to this process, he said. A member of a Vancouver family whose multimillion-dollar property holdings include some of the citys most run-down rental housing is facing a $1.2-million tax judgment and the possible forced sale of the family home to pay the money owed. A 2018 Globe investigation found the reclusive familys holdings about 40 properties in and around the city was worth an estimated $218-million. Herban Legends, at 3038 Arbutus St., sought to sell cannabis 220 metres from York House Schools Little School against regulations that require all dispensaries to be at least 300 metres from schools. Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. He was set to finally face a judge in May 2013, but instead pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud. She added that the average rent in these private, dorm-style units is $700 a month which eats up almost every dollar many tenants get from their provincial monthly social assistance cheque. Sahotas wife called 911 to report that a stranger had pounded on her familys front door asking for help because hed just crashed his car. I applied (for the) marijuana licence.. As of Thursday. The caller said her husband was an off-duty armed Vancouver police officer, Donald Sahota, who went to confront the suspect and detain him until the police arrived. Police officials and grieving family members on Thursday extended a hand of compassion to the Clark County sheriffs deputy who fatally shot an off-duty Vancouver policeman last week, placing the blame solely on an armed robbery suspect accused of stabbing Officer Donald Sahota outside his home. Im truly devastated by the loss of Don. Authorities will forward letters sent to the agency to Sahotas family, and people can donate to the Officer Sahota Memorial Fund, which benefits Sahotas wife and two children, at any Chase Bank branch. When The Globe called Pal Sahotas cellphone number Wednesday, a man who answered said he had no idea about the tax troubles and had no comment about the recent deal with the city for the twin hotels. May the Lord heal the Deputies and Officers of the involved agencies. An unofficial narrative of Canada's telecom overlords. From what I saw it was a midnight blue Mercedes.. They were not happy., With research from Stephanie Chambers in Toronto. He was, in that moment, acting as a police officer trying to control somebody that was breaking the law.. Sahota was an off-duty Vancouver officer when he was shot and killed defending his . COWLITZ INDIAN RESERVATION Some of Kylie DaCunhas earliest memories of her dad, slain Vancouver police Officer Donald Sahota, are of him working as a police officer. The firmis not in good standing and is in the process of being dissolved. Sign up today. I Am A Man Who Will Fight For You Honor by Chris Zabriskie, adapted. But the suspect and Sahota physically fought. A couple hours later the sirens came on, so I knew something had happened but I didnt know what. Their story is far stranger, and far darker, than anything you can imagine. but they want them to know they are praying for them. Cards or letters for the Vancouver Police Department or the Sahota family can also be mailed to Vancouver polices headquarters at 605 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661. It would not surprise me that he would be the one to run into a situation. He left behind his wife and 2 children. These days, there's new hope for the Regent and. Jannette Huber, a volunteer with the Ridgefield Police Department, said the procession and memorial ceremony can help the public process their own grief over the loss of a fellow community member. The Balmoral and Regent hotels in the downtown Eastside in Vancouver, Nov. 6, 2019. Hes never received that type of phone call before. Robertson said there had been repeated building and safety violations, adding later that the city would go after the slumlords that are letting their buildings fall apart.. Ft: THEDEEPR / THECORNER / feat : FORENSIC /. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. The Globe recently obtained a death certificate from B.C.s Vital Statistics Agency for a Parkash Kaur Sahota, age 90, with a birthplace of India, that lists the date of death as January 23, 2020. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian), Families of Peterson, Donald seek to merge wrongful death suits against Clark County Sheriffs Office, Vancouver man accused of kidnapping, assaulting police informant during drug sting, Clark County sheriff's deputy wont be charged in death of Vancouver police Officer Donald Sahota, Vancouver police officers to see 6 percent raise, Former sheriff candidate, Vancouver police Officer Rey Reynolds placed on leave, Vancouver traffic stop leads to arrest of Oregon murder suspect.