Pubdate: Tue, 26 Oct 2010
Source: Now, The (Surrey, CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenownewspaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1462
Author: Ted Colley

MISTAKEN IDENTITY PLAGUES FLOWER SHOP

Business Suffers After Competitor Busted In Drug Raid

A North Delta florist says confusion over a drug bust back in 
mid-August is killing her business.

On Aug. 13, police descended on JoJo's Flower Shop, 9407 Scott Rd., 
and seized 3,600 opium poppy seed pods police believe were destined 
to be ground into doda, a powder used to brew a narcotic tea.

Kris Sanderson owns Delta Flowers & gifts at 8047 Scott Rd. She says 
an initial report in a Vancouver daily said only that a North Delta 
flower shop was raided and ever since then, her business has dropped 
to nearly nothing.

"I first noticed business falling off in August, but I put it down to 
people being away on holiday," Sanderson said Monday.

"When I really noticed it was in September. I've had people come in 
and say it must be me because I'm the only North Delta flower shop."

Business is down 80 per cent and Sanderson's convinced it's because 
of the drug raid and that early report.

When North Delta student Laura Szendrei, 15, was murdered in Mackie 
Park last month, Sanderson donated flowers for a memorial at the dead 
girl's school. She got the shock of her life when a woman confronted 
her as she delivered the flowers.

"She accosted me. She said, 'How dare you come to this school and 
show yourself when you're selling drugs.' I told her it wasn't me, 
but she didn't believe me."

Several media outlets have since reported the name and location of 
JoJo's, but Sanderson said people are still pointing a finger at her. 
Dozens of unsold roses are wilting in her cooler, their petals 
littering the floor.

After five years in this location and never being a day late paying 
her bills, Sanderson is behind in her rent and fears she might lose 
the business she loves. She's seen lean times before, she said, but 
never like this.

"I just want people to know it wasn't me. It wasn't Delta Flowers."

James Clayton Miller has a similar problem. He says people think he's 
a pervert after a Now report of the conviction of North Delta's James 
William Miller for sexual assault and other sex crimes involving a minor.

Although he now lives and operates a business in Surrey, James 
Clayton Miller lived in North Delta for about 20 years.

"I grew up in North Delta and people know me as James Miller of North 
Delta. I had somebody I know say he read about that and thought it 
was me. My business has dropped off lately and I'm afraid it's 
because of that," Miller said.

"I need you to let people know it's not me."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart