Frankly Speaking

A smiling Dave Barrett is an apt image of the former premier and longtime NDP MLA, and NDP MP for one term. He had a passion for politics, but he also had a wonderful sense of humour and was the most entertaining politician on the stump that I've ever seen in B.C. Dave Barrett was remembered at two public memorial events last weekend, in Victoria and Vancouver. Barrett, who died at the age of 87 in early February, was B.C.’s first NDP premier. He headed a government that was in office for just under three and one-half years, from 1972 to 1975. It was a “government in a hurry,” passing 357 bills in its few years in office and ushering in an era of remarkable change in B.C. Some of its most significant achievements have been commented on extensively, most frequently the establishment of the Agricultural Land Reserve, the creation of ICBC, bringing Hansard and question period to the provincial legislature and one of the first pharmacare programs in Canada. Not much at...

Bill and Etta Marr. Bill Marr took his final journey from the confines of Earth on Feb. 23. The Langley pioneer and longtime pilot died at age 100 at Langley Lodge. His memorial service on Friday had many wonderful touches - most of which involved the theme of flight. The Fraser Blues aircraft formation team, based at Langley Airport, flew over St. Andrew's Anglican Church, where the service was held. The flypast took place after the service, so that all in attendance could come out and see it. The blue sky and puffy white clouds made a wonderful backdrop. The four planes flew low over the church twice. Then on the third pass, one plane went upwards from the other three, and off into a different direction. This is known as the "missing man" formation, and is a common and memorable salute to a fellow pilot who has died. Bill was born in Bramshott, England on July 5, 1917, the most difficult and challenging year of the First World War. His father, well-loved pioneer...