Highway One Expansion Plan - First Open House, In Langley Feb 18th

Langley is having the first of many regional GVRD "Gateway Plan" open houses on Saturday February 18 from 10am to 1pm at the Walnut Grove Community center. Let’s make sure Langley’s opinions are clearly heard. Organize your neighbourhood and friends to take a position, whatever your position is, and make your opinions well heard. Remember that Langley’s strong voice was significant and overcame the dreaded car tax levy. This is our chance once again, let’s make Langley's needs clear.

This map shows the Gateway plan routes.
View the Vancouver Sun report here. The Sun reports that the new Port Mann Bridge will be built to accomodate "future light transit".

The Gateway Project information is available to be seen here on the CBC site with some informative document links. We at Langley Free Press strongly agree with the Gateway project, especially on twinning the Port Mann Bridge. We are still not convinced that it is fair to charge tolls, considering all the tax money we are paying to all levels for transportation. It seems to penalize us more so than other communities. The important item to be raised is that the Twining will help in the short term of perhaps 20 years or so and is desperately needed now.

We strongly feel that as part of this gateway plan a complementing time line & a commitment to provide an extension of sky train, light Rapid Train or similar rapid transit service to the Fraser Valley in the next 15 to 25 years is desperately required. Growth and gridlock is unavoidable south of the Fraser. We believe this makes eminent sense to plan and commit to now. We need the Gateway project in the short term but we equally have to marry it to a definite mid to long term rapid transit solution as well to the Fraser Valley. We need to plan for at least 50 years not 20 years at a time. It would also be the perfect time to look at the dramaticily increasing container train problems in the South Fraser. The Vancouver malcontent elitists will be somewhat placated with the twinning if they know that a complementary rapid public transit plan is also in the works. Combining long & very long term creative plans that incorporate container trains and perhaps commuter rapid transit now is desperately needed and could not be better timed. Anything less would be unfathomable.

And Then There Was One...Tobin Says No

Brian Tobin has declared 20 minutes ago that he will not run to replace Paul Martin. Well it’s starting to look a lot more like Michael Ignatieff will be the new Crown Prince of the Liberal Party. For those Liberals who support him, contact him here and ask how you can help. Those who hate him, again contact him here and tell him so! For all the others see here and here about him. Keep in mind he has a large following demonstrated by the fact that apparently during his election campaign 4 out of 5 volunteers helping him were from outside his own riding and were significantly composed of law students and lawyers who came especially from downtown Toronto to specifically help Michael. Intellectuals and Liberal leaning youth are especially mesmerized by what we can only define as Michael Mania reminniscent of Trudeau Mania. We sense and predict a wave coming!

Computer Worm Warning For Friday!

We want to keep your computers working so that you read our blog.
So please see this and make sure you virus protection is current.

Canada Is A Left Wing Country

Western Standard makes an excellent point that this past election proves that Canada is more a left leaning Country. Also that the best the Conservatives can do is to steer to the center and basically ignore or spin off social conservatives if they wish a majority or to continue governing at all.

Gurmant Grewal Threatens To Sue

Some things just never go away fast enough!

Its About Time Get On With It

Today’s Sun basically lays out the $3 billion plan B.C. plan which will get the lower mainland back on the move with twinning the Port Mann bridge, highway one, and the south and north perimeter roads. It’s about time.

Frank McKenna - Canada's Loss As Leader

Frank McKenna announced Monday he will not seek the federal Liberal leadership. See here. Increasingly the best possible leaders will refuse to run for politics, leaving the door open to the worst possible leaders only.

Vecchiato’s Voice - January 30, 2006

WHAT ARE WE PAYING THEM FOR?

How important is green space in Langley? How important are streams in Langley? How important are fish in Langley? How important are trees in Langley?

If you’re like me, you’ll know, understand and appreciate that Langley is a gem in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD). If you’re like me, you will probably have moved here because Langley is so unique in the GVRD. It is green. It does have fish and you can drink its water.

However, all of this uniqueness is under attack. If we don’t soon pay attention to what is going on in the Planning Department at Township Hall, “we won’t know what we’ve lost until it’s gone” because the Township is clearly “paving paradise to put up a parking lot”.

Take for example, stream setbacks. Setbacks are necessary to protect the ecosystem of streams. This is especially important for fish-bearing streams and Langley is fortunate to have 700 km of such streams.

Stream setbacks used to be 30 meters but the current provincial government has recently decreed that setbacks could be reduced by a municipality to as little as 15 meters. This, of course, promotes more development to the detriment of trees, birds, fish and other wildlife because it makes more land available for development especially along the banks of streams and other waterways.

When the province made this fundamental change to green space, township administration told council "the new regulations...are based in land owner arguments that current development setbacks...leave strips along stream banks...equivalent to creating parks without compensation." (Langley Times, March 16, 2005)

My internal response was: 1) So why don't these taxpayers get credit for park space?; and 2) Why is Township staff (whom we pay) giving sympathy to the development community? I think the Township staff’s comments just aid and abet more taxes for all of us. We shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that development cost charges will cover the costs. They don’t even come close to replacing the natural habitat that we’ve lost.

In the relatively recent past, a former Township planner argued that the nesting season clause in the Provincial Wildlife Act did not apply to development parcels. I e-mailed the Ministry, and was told that indeed, the legislation DID cover all parcels.

Unfortunately, Township planners seem to think that bird surveys are not necessary, despite a clause in the Tree Protection Policy that reminds builders of nesting bird protection.

A case in point on this environmental aspect was clearly illustrated when a major development company was allowed to clearcut 215 trees on the corner of 68th and 203rd without a single survey and in the middle of nesting season.

We know this because Langley Conservation Network (LCN) members filed “FOI’s” under the Freedom of Information Act, and no surveys were found. One LCN member even made a delegation to council on the issue, and was moved to the 3 p.m. Council meeting when no members of the public were there.

In addition, a former senior Township staff member was recently quoted in the Langley Times. He said that some bonus density is being used in developing significant buffers along 200th St. Bonus density, according to the reporter's definition, "allows developers to cluster development in higher density...to leave large green spaces."

Is this what you see when you drive down 200th St.? What I see along 200th St is a turf grass margin that sits atop underground services. It has zero habitat value, and little human value for that matter. Is this what we want our children to ‘enjoy’? Who really wants to push a stroller down this while diesel fumes spew across the turf strip and mini-trees?

And, where will the wildlife and birds go? They can’t nest, roost, or burrow in mini-trees. What we’re now witnessing on 200th St will be replicated several times over before Township planners are finished decimating Willoughby. Is this what we want for the future of Langley? Is this the best that the Township’s high-priced and well-educated planners can offer us? Is this why you moved to Langley? It’s not why I moved here.

Cathleen Vecchiato
Langley Conservation Network

Cathleen Vecchiato has been an outspoken environmentalist for the past 5-1/2 years.She is a very well recognized champion of the environment and community activist in Langley as well as in other adjoining communities.Cathleen formed and leads the Langley Conservation Network. Editor-LFP

CCRA – Federal Tax Man Wants to Collect for Other Levels of Government!

Have you ever had the Feds collection department go after you for tax money or GST remittance money? Well guess what? If they have their way they hope to get the provinces, municipalities and other levels of government to use their services! They even hired a public relations firm to help them sell the idea.

Don’t you just feel warm and comfy all over knowing that CCRA may go after you for unpaid dog licenses, business licenses, municipal water bills or other provincial and municipal bill collecting. The old boys club at Township of Langley Council would love it. CCRA could help them maybe collect more cash to help pay for the $3-4-5 Million Grandstand. The City could maybe even use CCRA to help collect for their casino buddies. Imagine the consolidated information data base they could have on each and every one of us then! Big Brother 1984 is back! Shudder the thought! The Canadian Taxpayers Federation doesn’t like the idea either. See the CP report here.

Jack Layton - Health Care is Precious!

Health Care is Precious as found among others on satirical political comedian, Rick Mercer's blog.

Scott Brison Testing the Liberal Leader Waters

Canadian Press reports that not only may Newfoundland Liberal MP Scott Brison become interim Leader but he is obviously thinking of running to replace Paul Martin as Liberal Leader. Also see CTV story as well. Wow imagine that former Conservative and openly gay Scott Brison, running for Prime Minister of Canada against Stephen Harper’s Conservatives who have a healthy contingent of far right wing social conservatives! I can just see the fireworks now even as interim leader we would all be intently watching the CPAC house of Commons question period. Too much fun!

Letter to The Editor - January 29, 2006 - From Bruce Northway - School District Plan

(We post letters to the editor prominently sent to our attention. EDITOR-LFP)

Here are three ‘Letters to the Editor’. The first is from me (Bruce Northway) and was printed in both the Advance and Times. The second is a response from the School District that was printed in the Advance. The third is my response sent to the Advance today and not yet printed.

Jan 25 2006

Editor:
On Jan. 17, our school trustees voted unanimously in favour of reviewing whether they should close South Carvolth Elementary. The process will be tortuous for everyone involved, and I feel for the students, parents, staff and trustees.

It’s quite possible that when taken in context of what is best for the Langley School District the closure of a school with under 100 students is worth the $300,000 savings envisioned by the district’s brain trust. That said I still have a problem with the announcement of the review.

During the recent campaign, each and every trustee candidate promised an elevated
communication level with the community. As well, this new board has not yet created a strategic plan. In fact, the district’s website has a strategic plan posted on it that is dated 2003-2005.

A few questions come to mind. Where did the idea to close this school come from? Why close a school prior to the board publishing a new long-term strategic plan? Is the community going to be involved in the planning process?

It is obvious that the timing of the review is based on wanting to have it completed in conjunction with this year’s budgetary process. This makes common sense. But I believe it also indicates a less than attractive planning process that is looking more short-term from within than long-term in partnership with the community. I hope I’m proven wrong.

Bruce Northway,Langley City
____________________________________________________

Dear Editor,
Your correspondent suggested Langley School District is operating without a long term strategic plan in place [Community communication lacking, Jan. 24 Letters, Langley Advance]. He noted that the Strategic Plan posted on the Langley School District web site is for the years 2003-2005.

The Strategic Plan of Langley School District is a key document, guiding the efforts of the school district to improve student success.

The 2003-2005 document was updated continuously through the term of the last school board, and many of the items listed in the plan were achieved during its term of office.

Readers can find out more by going to www.sd35.bc.ca/board/strategic_plan.html. A "backgrounder" on that page notes that the Strategic Planning Cycle will result in a 2006-2009 Strategic Plan, as the new board, inaugurated in December of 2005, consults with communities and stakeholders and determines what its planning priorities should be. That document should be available by the spring of this year.

Other planning and consultation processes implemented by the district include: the Accountability Contract, School Planning Councils, and the Budget Planning Process, all of which can be accessed on the district web site or by phoning the School Board Office at 604-534-7891.
Langley School District encourages public involvement in its decision-making processes.

Craig Spence, Communications Manager, Langley School District
published on 01/27/200
_____________________________________________________

Editor:
I was surprised to see the Langley School District Communications Manager responded to my last ‘Letter to the Editor’. I was more surprised to see the District missed the point of my letter.

The District’s response focused on my observation that their Strategic Plan is out of date. It did not address my main concerns. One of these was that the Trustees voted to review closing South Carvolth Elementary prior to publishing the new 2006-2009 Strategic Plan. It seems obvious to me it makes more sense to produce a long term plan prior to closing any facilities.

I also asked if the community is going to be involved in the planning process. In his letter the Communications Manager stated that the Board ‘consults with communities and stakeholders’. To my knowledge past Strategic Plans were produced by the Trustees and the District’s bureaucrats brainstorming over a weekend. There was little if any consultation with the general public.

The Communications Manager also stated that the ‘District encourages public involvement in its decision-making processes’, yet during the last campaign the Trustee candidates heard over and over again the public’s main complaint; a lack of communication.

It is easy to state you encourage public involvement. Our Trustees need to follow up on their promise to do more than past Boards to make sure that involvement takes place.

Bruce Northway
Langley City
1/29/06

Mr. Northway was an unsucsesful first time candidate for School board in the November 2005 municipal elections and is a frequent commentator, critic and community activist focused on helping to improve all aspects of the Langley School District. - Editor LFP

Layton's NDP Signals Willingness To Work With Harper's Conservatives

CTV reports Layton saying, "I am going to make a legitimate, determined effort to find things where there can be common action," he said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
"I believe there are ideas in all of our platforms for the parties to get something done." Oh my Gawd, the Devil and the deep blue Sea getting together! Does Layton have no shame?

Trinity Western University Students Want Paradigm Shift in How Trinity Is Run

Recent situations raise questions about University Governance from some Langley Trinity University students themselves, as reported by the Vancouver Sun. These issues arise from procedures for dealing with harassment out of a recently reported and apparently resolved harassment complaint and some subsequent student's concerns of representation on the board.

The Mars Hill student paper as shown by the editorial by student paper editor Matthew Jenkins seeks appropriate representation and these comments by student Kristin Ostensen suggests election of a student, faculty and alumni representative to the Board.

BC Libs & NDP Want Action Re Bountiful Polygamy

Both of BC's major political parties seem poised to start action on the Bountiful Polygamy issues to the apparent chagrin and disinterest of the federal Conservatives, specifically local Kootenay-Columbia Conservative MP Jim Abbott. For full details view here and here.

Harper Govt To Alberta's Klein - Abide by Canada Health Act

Concerns regarding Alerta Premier Ralph Klein's move to expanding private health care in his province have led to broad concerns of threats to Canadian Medicare. A Conservative Government spokesman clarifies that any changes made must not violate Canadian health act. See full story here.

Dosanjh Considering Lawsuit

He's thinking about suing over allegations that he offered rewards to get a Conservative MP to switch parties last spring.

Prime Minister Elect Harper Goes To Hospital

Stephen Harper went to an Ottawa hospital after suffering an asthma attack Thursday night. Apparently not the first time. Also see asthma major among our young.

Canwest Employees Beware

Canwest Mediaworks CEO Peter Viner says "We will increase our focus on cost containment,". The Sun, Province & Langley Advance paper is a division of Mediaworks.

Liberal Leadership Insider Thoughts

Some interesting insights as to who will go for the brass ring.

Local News Review

Langley Politics Dotcom – Wednesday January 25, 2006
Besides the traditionally consistent friends, family and social conservative insiders who rant, rave and abase in the comments sections (much better than CKNW callers ever do by the way), Jordan Bateman buries some gems as comments under one of his postings that we just can’t ignore. Don't get us wrong though we love Lang Pol dotcom (even though they won't link to us!), it inspired us and we still hold out great hope that Bateman won't ever join the dark side! Picture Aniken before his conversion by the evil EMPEROR PALPATINE!

Councillor Bateman states the following regarding the $3-4-5 Million over budget MAP Grandstand Project:
“I don't believe in leaving a building half finished and unusable. So, is it a bigger waste to have spent $1.65 m (the Township's share) and have nothing, or to add $950k and get it done? It's a policy call, and I chose to see it finished. I also don't believe in paying the City's share, so Charlie and I had it amended to subtract the 20% the City should be kicking in. Jordan”
Sounds a little too simple to me. Less than 30 days after being elected, damm the torpedoes full speed ahead. If I were a bureaucrat, that would make me real comfortable in going over any budget on other projects, because "they will just want to finish it"!

Councillor Bateman further says:
" City residents get more out of Township services in almost every partnership--one of the things I'm committed to changing. " " Jordan"
Gee, he sees our point of view great. But in our opinion saying this won't help you negotiate with the City, Jordan.

Finally, Councillor Bateman says:
“...and it should be noted that the rest of Council was skeptical they would (referring to city increasing their funding for the Grandstand), but Mayor Fassbender is hinting that they might. It's hard to cry poor with $4.5 million in casino revenue jingling in your pocket. …Jordan”

OK Councillor Bateman, so let’s see – the traditional funding formula between city & township is about 1/5 city and 4/5ths Township. So far, the city has committed to about $200k and TOL about $800k based on the original $1 mill portion of the initial $3 million Grandstand. With Jordan’s motion pushing the project up substantially to about $5 mill, that means about $3 mill should be shared by both municipalities. So very simple math means 1/5 of $3 mill is $600k from the city and TOL will pay $2.4 mill. Wow, $2.4 million - forgot how big our share is even if they paid their share. Anyhow, ok, I’m dying to see Council get $600k from the City when they were apparently never confirmed to agree to the extra $ when the infamous 3-4-5 Grandstand project grew from $3 to $4 to $5 Million. They stopped at $3 mill and we kept going like the energizer bunny! Were they an uninformed silent partner? Or was the Township the uninforming silent partner? So far all they ever confirmed to pay is about $200k based on the first $3million project.

So go for it, Jordan. While you’re there, why not ask for them to return about 3 years of TOL financing for the city cops at about $700 k annually - for a simple total of about $2 million! You negotiate these two and you’re a hero in my books. Heck, at least try to get 50 cents on the dollar if you can. Sweeten the pot and suggest you’ll call it the Fassbender Grandstand for the total $600 k!

Langley Advance - Tuesday January 24, 2006
Obviously Tuesday’s paper had the whole front page about Warawa wining the election. Wow surprise. Also Libs and NDP proclaimed they won too. Yeah right. Page 3 talks about casino windfall royalties for Langley City and how they are going to use some of it. No mention of helping pay their fair share of the gold plated Grandstand though. Great to see emergency plans in place for a Pandemic (hope we never need it) in Langley. Also Rich Coleman once again comes through for $100k funding for Fort Langley channel. The editorial gives us hope that they are finally putting reelected Warawa on notice that he better start delivering for Langley. Way to go, Bob! Oh wait the editorial signature is M.C. !

Langley Times – Wednesday January 25, 2006
Yup, you guessed it. Front page picture and story about Warawa’s reelection victory. It quotes Mayor Kurt Alberts as gushing that he “ has done so much for Langley as it is that it can only get better when his party is in power.” Is this the same MP we are talking about? Or is this just a way to put him on notice to deliver? It goes on to talk about Kurt’s pet project: the Aldergrove Navel base as an environmental reserve. Hope Mark got his message. He’s on notice again. We’ve got to agree with Kurt on this one though. An environmental reserve for the base is a great idea as long as it costs $0.

Also, Angel Claypool (who we think has a bright political future) says she will keep Warawa’s feet to the fire. Please do. The press generally doesn’t and worse still, constantly gushes with loving platitudes about him. Then again on page 4, the Times talks about the City’s casino windfall and their being a Cloverdale Casino killer.

Page 6 has Al Irwin finally reporting on the Grandstand fiasco and the fact that the petulant private old boys club on council ignored Kim Richter’s motion. See here for background, if you don’t already get it. The best line is Alberts comment: “I think we actually saved money” . OK, let’s see - $3m to $4m to $5m and we saved money. Right! When caught in bed with someone other than your spouse, the best advice is to keep denying and adamently say nothing happened!

In Bucholtz’s editorial, he essentially also puts Warawa on notice saying its time for him to deliver, especially on overpasses and shelters for the homeless. With all due respect, he comments that Warawa has proven to be hard working and diligent. We do have to give Warawa some slack on this one. We give him the fact that he is constantly working very hard trying to find something to get his teeth into that he can deliver. Now that he is on the government side, we also put him on notice to deliver. Nice guys trying and not delivering just don’t cut it.

Also the letters to the editor has Blair King’s letter on the parking tax that he first submitted in LFP and has forwarded as we suggested to the Mayor (Translink Board Member) and the local papers. Bruce Northway, who ran for School Board, rightly suggests that the new School Board revisit a new strategic plan.

Letter to the Editor - January 24,2006 - From Tom Ouellette - Homeless Housing

We post letters to the editor prominently sent to our attention. EDITOR-LFP

Attention: Editor

January 24, 2006

The Township of Langley is spending $5 million dollars on a covered grandstand, $ 6.5 million on a golf course we can not use for 20 years, and only the mayor and council know how much has been spent buying up land for the arbor ribbon.

Yet I have not heard of one cent being spent to aid or house the homeless roaming around the Langley’s. Granted we have food banks, we have soup kitchens but we do not have housing. How many are going to be camping out on in the doorways of the churches, in the bushes along 56th Avenue near the By-pass before both Langley’s recognize we have a problem. These people do not need charity, they need they need a warm dry place for one or two days before they move on.

What are the Langley’s going to do, a study, a report from staff, or are we going to continue to ignore these individuals until they fade away or die from exposure. If we are doing something why is it a big secret? Let the public know your intentions and maybe, just maybe you will get some strong volunteers to assist in your endeavours. Sitting around saying you know we have a problem with homeless people and doing nothing does not help with a workable solution.

Tom Ouellette
c.c. Aldergrove Star, Langley Times, Langley Advance

Tom Ouellette ran unsuccessfully against the incumbent, Mayor Kurt Alberts, in the past November 2005 Langley Township Municipal election. While not successful, his showing was impressively close to the incumbent especially since he was relatively unknown and had a fraction of the incumbent's campaign funds. He provided a clear wake up call to Mayor Alberts. - Editor LFP

Richter Report - January 26, 2006

And the budget numbers just keep on ballooning....

At the Township Budget Meeting held on January 16, 2006, Council was presented with a list of “General Major Capital Requests” (p.10; Slide 19). Included in this list was a $9.0 Million expenditure proposed for 2007 to expand the WC Blair Pool.

This was very interesting since the 2005-2014 10-year plan (approved by Council in Spring 2005) only included a $1.25 Million improvement to the Blair facility. So why the increase (in less than one year) from $1.25 Million to $9.0 Million? Have construction costs gone up that much? If they have, then we really should be putting a moratorium on new facility development until after the 2010 Olympics. Besides which, just how much bigger a Blair Pool does the Township need – especially when the growth in the Township is in Willoughby, not Murrayville?

From my perspective, if we need a pool expansion right now, it’s not in Murrayville – it’s in Aldergrove. And, if we need a whole new pool facility, it’s also not in Murrayville – it’s in Willoughby (based on population growth).

So just to keep the financial record straight, let’s remember that in the last year, the Township has:

i) Opened a new Township Hall;
ii) Added a new Library, Fitness facility and Community Police Office;
iii) Bought a golf course;
iv) Covered a $250,000 budget overrun on a field house;
v) Approved a $2+ million animal shelter; and
vi) Is building a $5.2 Million Grandstand.

Given all of these major capital expenditures (and this does NOT include roads or sewer or water improvements), does the Township really need a bigger Blair Pool in 2007?

By the way, the proposed new $35.6 Million of debt (to be incurred from 2006 to 2008) that I referenced in my last report does NOT include planned DCC debt. It is also over and above the proposed 20.35% increase in property taxes during the same period.

Do you still think we’ll be able to afford to live in Langley?

Kim Richter

Kim Richter is in her 3rd term as Langley Township Councillor and also is a Professor of Business at Kwantlen University College. She holds a masters degree in health administration and was a health care management consultant.

Open Letter To Mary Polak: Work Alone Legislation Required, Especially For Youth

17 year old Female gas station attendant in Montreal suburb murdered on her first overnight shift

This is an open letter to our Langley MLA, Mary Polak, to initiate strong "work alone" legislation, especially for our youth whose lives are at risk for the sake of small amounts of cash in the tills of the convenience stores, gas stations and other similar work places.

Young kids, women and increasingly our seniors, who work for minimum wages are often put in perilous situations especially on the midnight shifts as they are often left working alone. Yesterday a 17 year old girl was stabbed and killed for about $50 when she was working alone for the first time on the midnight shift at a Shell gas station in Montreal. See this Montreal Gazette report.

We all have children, or are related to, or know kids, who work for $6.50 an hour or minimum wages under similar dangerous situations. At least a mandatory employer/employee Work Alone information and training program is required. But our thought is that a minimum age should be legislated to limit immature younger kids from being put into dangerous work alone environments. Their lack of life experience makes them especially prone to those who would feign anything to get access to so called secured areas like gas bar booths.

The only legislation that seems to focus at least on awareness seems to be in Alberta. In BC, the only focus we could find was concern that the employee working alone should be checked up on at intervals to see if they are ok! Gee, isn't this effective at 3 AM?

This is definitely another opportunity for our MLA to earn her pay check.

Editor-Langley Free Press

NEWS UPDATE : Jan 27 - FORMER CO-WORKER SOUGHT IN KILLING

NDP Says Rich Coleman Should be Ashamed

Doug Routley, NDP Opposition Critic for Housing today accused Rich Coleman who is the Liberal Minister of Housing of leaving seniors and people with disabilities in the lurch especially when the waiting list for social housing has climbed to 14,000 from 10,000. Posted on their website. Apparently this comes on the heels of three social housing groups who were reported by Sean Holman' Public Eye Online to have serious concerns. Meanwhile the only response found so far is from Jordan Bateman at Langley Politics who works for Coleman's office in communications who obviously says that Rich's plans are "intelligent, well-reasoned, and should result in the most significant creation of social housing in the history of the province". Gawd! What do we expect him to say! I wonder if Jordan will use those same words for Langley's Grandstand $3-4-5 million project as we now fondly will refer to it as the 3-4-5.

Ambassador Frank McKenna Resigns To Harper

Canadian Press reports that Ambassador Frank McKenna has submitted his resignation to prime minister-designate Stephen Harper. Well I guess this is our first candidate for the Liberal Leadership coming up. Now lets see Conservative patronage in action. Who does Harper appoint to the plum Washington Ambassador Job? Maybe appoint Randy White! Just kidding!

Category - B.C. Politics

This is a category page. The following posts (listed in order from newest to oldest) comment on anything about British Columbia Politics.

• Rich Coleman Wants Mobile Home Protection - 2/01/2007
  
• Dr.Ballem, Former BC Deputy Health Minister Clarifies Her Resignation Reasons... Partially - 1/04/2007
• Is 'BC Conversation On Health' Liberal Smokescreen for "Unsound Plans"? - 1/03/2007
• Dr. Penny Ballem - Former Deputy Minister of Health Critical of BC Liberals, Doctors and MACs - 1/03/2007
• $350 A Day Renumeration For ALR Appointees Controversy - 5/4/06
• Langley Patronage Appointment by ALR Ministry Accused by NDP - 5/2/06
• B.C. Government Introduces Legislation to Limit School Class Sizes - 4/27/06
• BC Legislative Police Raid - Where Are The Media Questions? - 4/12/06
• BC Lib Govt To Blame For Child Protection Mess - 4/7/06
• Legislative Raid Charges Expand To Alleged Influence Peddling By Previous Provincial Liberal Ministerial Aides - 4/5/06
• Provincial Lib's Basi, Virk Warrant Information Released - 4/4/06
• Queen Of The North Resting Upright in Video Released - 3/28/06
• Northen BC Ferry Sinks at 1 AM - 3/22/06
• Private Copeman Medical Clinic To Be Investigated - 3/21/06
• B.C. government and public service union reach tentative contract deal - 3/20/06
• BC Doctors Negotiate 19% Hike Over Four Years - 3/14/06
• "Husband dies weeks after he and his wife of 70 years are separated by BC Health Ministry" - 3/2/06
• CDN Taxpayers Federation Dishes BC Budget - 2/23/06
• Kudos To Kevin Falcon - Walk a Mile in My Shoes - 2/23/06
• Downtown Vancouver Courier Newspaper Dishes Port Mann Twinning - 2/21/06
• Rich Coleman Social Housing Firestorm Coming? - 2/13/06
• Worker’s Compensation Claimant Battle Ends In Suicide - 2/13/06
• Build Social Housing or Just Provide Rental Supplements? Coleman to decide - 2/9/06
• Letter To the Editor - February 7, 2006 - From Pierre Rovtar - No to Gateway - 2/7/06
• Highway One Expansion Plan - First Open House, In Langley Feb 18th - 1/31/06
• Its About Time Get On With It - 1/31/06
• BC Libs & NDP Want Action Re Bountiful Polygamy - 1/28/06
• Open Letter To Mary Polak: Work Alone Legislation Required, Especially For Youth - 1/25/06

Letter to the Editor - Jan 20,2006 - From Blair King - Parking Lot Taxes

We post letters to the editor prominently sent to our attention. EDITOR-LFP

January 20, 2006

The Honorable Kurt Alberts,
Township of Langley,
Municipal Hall
20338 - 65 Avenue
Langley, BC, V2Y 3J1

Dear Mayor Alberts,

Re: TransLink Parking Site Tax

The purpose of my letter is to take advantage of your new position on the TransLink Board to address an inequity in the new TransLink "Parking Site Tax". While I recognize the need for increased funding for transit, it is clear that the "Parking Site Tax" that has recently been put in place by TransLink is inequitable, specifically in that it charges comparable parking tax rates regardless of access to TransLink services and has the perverse effect of collecting greater taxes from individuals and businesses that are under-served by TransLink (and thus require more parking) than businesses and individuals that are well served by transit. As described on the TransLink information page:

the parking tax will be a implemented as a property tax on parking area. The amount of the tax will not be based on the assessed value of the land, but on a rate per square metre that TransLink will set through a by-law.

Based on the current formula businesses in rural Langley, who are unserved by any transit, are being charged the same rate as businesses at Metrotown Mall, which is served by over 10 bus lines and the SkyTrain, and businesses on Broadway in Vancouver, where a bus passes by every 2-5 minutes. Since these taxes will ultimately be passed on to the consumer this has the effect of placing an unfair burden on the citizens of Langley, Surrey and the other outer municipalities to provide greater services to the citizens of the core municipalities. Consequently, as our new representative to the TransLink Board, I would like to request that you forward a motion at your earliest convenience to amend the current parking tax calculation to prorate the levy dependent on available bus/SkyTrain service in the area. In this way the merchants and shoppers of Langley, that are virtually bereft of transit service and are utterly dependent on automobiles for their customers and shopping, will not be subsidizing parking spaces for shoppers in Vancouver who have other options. I am not requesting that you ask to repeal the tax as it is clear that road and bridge improvements will simplify commuting in our region, merely that the rate be lowered in regions where viable alternatives to the personal automobile do not presently exist.

Sincerely,

Blair King

CC (via email): Editor - Langley Times
Webmaster - LangleyFreePress

Township Council Votes NO To Prevent Future Cost Overruns!

Rest of Langley Township Council Votes Against Richter/Bateman Motion to in Future Prevent More Grandstand “Fast Ferry” Type Projects!

All of Council last night except for Councillors Richter & Bateman voted against the motion “that Council take action to prevent similar significant budget escalations on future major capital projects...”

Sources who were at the 7 PM Council meeting clarified the following information and forwarded to us the attached documents herein. We thank them for that. Apparently the Motion (actual motion viewed here) that Councillor Kim Richter submitted and that Councillor Jordan Bateman agreed to second was discussed at last night’s Township meeting and failed by a vote of 7 to 2. Apparently only Mayor Alberts and Councillor Mel Kosistky spoke up to say they did not support the motion because they thought that the preamble to the motion had things in it that were not true or correct. Looking at the motion you will see that the preamble only discusses the dollars going up at the Nov 29, 2004 Council meeting from the originally planned $3 million to $4 million when the Federal and Provincial funding was confirmed. The remaining preamble then refers to bumping it up to $5.2 million at the Dec 21, 2005 Council meeting.

In rebuttal to Alberts and Kositsky’s accusations, Richter referenced her motion and specifically asked staff to confirm or deny 2 key questions. They were: 1. In November 2004, was a new $4 million total for the project and a $1.58 million cap on Township's contribution to the project approved in accordance with staff's recommendation?; and 2. Was 80% of an additional $1.2 Million (over and above the $4 Million) approved on December 21, 2005? Their answer was yes to both questions with some vague waffling. The waffles were not elaborated on, discussed or understood at all. Nor did Mayor Alberts or Councillor Kositsky ever once explain what they thought were untruths in Richter’s motion preamble. Why? Is it because her preamble is accurate and very well documented?

The attached documents (slide presentation viewed here- large 12mb file) shows the entire slide presentation made by Staff to Council on November 29, 2004. As you will see, staff clearly recommends which cost action to proceed with (i.e. Option 2 - $4.0 Million). The covering letter (dated January 17, 2006) on the first page of the slide presentation states that it does not include any “actual” Council resolutions that may have resulted from the presentation. However, the Council as you can see from the actual minutes of the very same Nov 29, 2004 meeting (Minutes Nov 29/04 viewed here) went along with the November 2004 staff recommendations almost word for word and except for Councillors Arnason and Richter chose to increase the project dollars by $1 million to the Option 2 – Medium Scope of $4 million. In fact the motion clearly stated that not a penny more should be spent on the Grandstand! They chose this one over both Option 1 – Smallest Scope of $3.1 million or Option 3 – Original Scope of $5.7 million.

View these options yourself in the attached slide presentation. Yes, the Council decided in Nov 2004 not to stick with the $3 million amount as initialed planned for the Grandstand which they could have hopefully done by going with Option 1 (although much smaller in scope than initially desired and the presentation suggested it had an upside risk amount of extra unknown $).

As a footnote comment, in our opinion, Council should ideally have refused all options and sent the whole project back for redesign to get it back to closer to a firm $3 million design. It seems that staff clearly submitted the $3 million Option 1 in case the Council decided to stick more closely with the previous very first $3.06 million estimated amount that Council approved on August 25, 2003 and submitted to the federal and provincial governments for joint funding. On April 5, 2004, this was again endorsed by Council. However, by November 2004, Council changed its cost position and went with staff's recommendation for the $4 million Option 2. Most recently on December 21, 2005 once again with Councillor Richter opposed, Council again increased the project's dollar funding to $5 million at taxpayers expense. This project clearly started at $3 m went to $4 m and now is at $5 million!

The decision of all of Council, except for Richter and Bateman, to vote against the motion is a travesty because they do not at all clarify or even attempt to clarify why or what they think is untrue. Staff FAQ’s also confirm Richter’s chronology and facts. Council minutes and the slide presentation also confirm the motions and more importantly show that this Grandstand project has undisputedly gone from $3 to $4 to $5 million with the Township’s cost portion rising from the first contemplated $800,000 to over $3 million. Those are the facts. Attached is the documenting proof.

Answers to the real questions arising out of last night’s Council meeting should be demanded. Specifically, why was this motion defeated? What items in Richter’s motion preamble are not deemed true? Why weren't these disagreements discussed in last night's meeting? Is this simply an attempt to hide the truth from the taxpayers in Langley? Is it an attempt to punish the messenger? Is this a cover up? Or, is it just very bad business sense coupled with an out-of-control "Tax , Spend & Borrow" Council that cares more about getting themselves top of the line Blackberry cell phones than keeping tax dollars low? Or is there another answer? What is the real answer?

This Council has rejected Richter’s motion that would have at least put some new measures in place to help prevent this Grandstand fiasco from occurring again. But a $5 million Grandstand project cost, initially planned at $3 million, is a very big deal especially when we end up probably paying $3 million instead of our initially planned $800, 000 portion of it compared to our 3 partners. But $3 million when Township only brings in about $80 million annually represents about 4% of our annual budget and is a big deal. Not only should we be trying to prevent this from happening again but we should try to hire a Sheila Fraser type of auditor to investigate this to find out why this gross overrun happened in the first place and why the apparent attempt to stifle Councilor Richter and cover this up.

Unfortunately, we were told that only the Times were in attendance at last night's Council meeting. It will be interesting to see what their take is on the attempt to rewrite history on the Grandstand cost overruns. Stay tuned.

For more information on the Grandstand fiasco see the initial columns by Councillor Richter who broke the story here first in Langley Free Press. The links to view are here, here and here.

Casino Revenues for Langley City Better Than Expected

The Vancouver Sun reports that the Langley Cascades Casino is making more money for Langley City than expected at the expense of other casinos that are not doing that well. The Cloverdale Racetrack casino for one is apparently one of those that are under performing. The City expected to earn $3.5 million as its share of the casino take. It looks like it well be much more. The City now expects to pay down the debt completely on the property where the casino stands earlier than expected in the first year. UPDATE: Also see today's Langley Advance for more details.

Since the Casino is doing so well for the City, perhaps now the City will finally pay its fair share of the policing cost in the Langleys and help the Township out with Grandstand costs!

Who will want Paul Martin's Job?

Who will want Paul Martin’s job? But who will most likely get it. See our poll for some suggestions. LFP right now is betting on Michael Ignatieff. New on the block and touted as the next Trudeau. Manley and Mckenna are suggested as most likely. Have early backers & machines ready to go.

Hebert - New PM Faces Tough Balancing Act

Toronto Star CHANTAL HEBERT gives her first comment on the election.
We predict Harper's primary focus from now on will be Quebec first to get a majority next time and urban communities secondly especially Toronto.

More Harper Win Editorials and Comments.
view here forTYEE blogger comments.
view here for Globe & Mail story.
view here Van Sun Editorial, concensus needed
view here for Canadian dollar down
view here Harper still scary in BC
view here Province editorial
view here National Post Editorial
view here New York Times
view here BBC News
view here Montreal Gazette Editorial
view here Calgary Herald Editorial
view here Ottawa Citizen Editorial

Cpac Ses Nightly Poll Deadly Accurate

This is the second election where SES comes out shining. You can see from the below why Langley Free Press provided the daily updates exclusively. It would appear that the SES 12.5 % undecided had no single focused real impact on the party numbers.

Canadian Popular Vote…Actual…SES Poll
Conservative……………....36.3%.....36.4%
Liberal ………………….......30.2%.....30.1%
NDP ……………………........17.5 %.....17.4%
Bloc ……………………........10.5%......10.6%
Green/Other ……………....5.6%.........5.6%

View final SES nightly Jan 22 poll here.
View final SES nightly Jan 22 regional breakdown poll here.

Canadians Win Minority Change- Warawa Langley Winner

Paul Martin announces he will not stay on as Leader.
Locally, Warawa big winner, increases his vote by 4.9%.
Local Gap between Libs & Cons widens to 29.5% from 23%.
Langley NDP vote increase by 1.6%. Closing in on Liberals.

2004 Langley Election
47.7%.....24390 votes….Conservative…Mark Warawa
24.7%.....12649 votes…..Liberal………....Kim Richter
16.8%.......8568 votes…..NDP………........Dean Morrison
6.1%.........3108 votes…..Green…………...Patrick Meyer
4.7%........2422 votes…..Independent….Mel Kositsky
65.4%.. turnout of… 78394 eligible… 51268 voted

2006 Langley Election
52.6%..28586 votes.Conservative.Mark Warawa(+4196 & + 4.9%)
23.1%..12529 votes..Liberal………....Bill Brooks……(-120 & -1.6%)
18.4%..10017 votes..NDP………....Angel Claypool(+1449 & +1.6%)
5.5%......3010 votes..Green…………...Patrick Meyer.(-98 & - .6%)
.4%.........211 votes..( C. A . P.)......Vicki Lee Sloan.
66.6%.. turnout of…81580 eligible...54353 voted

Changes in brackets show change of votes & % of votes over 2004 election.
Note 2004 Independent (-2422 & -4.7%) vote loss to be factored also.

More Rewriting of History Attempts on Grandstand Fiasco

Councillor Jordan Bateman on his website langleypolitics.com when commenting on the Richter motion tonight regarding reeling in out of control Township spending, like the gold plated Grandstand project, forgets to mention he is indeed the Councillor that put forward initially the motion in late December to go over the Grandstand budget by $800,000.00 to $1,000,000.00. His comments seem to have earned a rare comment on his same posting by Councillor Kim Richter (one of LFP's contributing columnists) herself, clarifing what her motion is.

Of interest is Bateman saying that "Mayor Alberts calls it a service improvement". Obviously Bateman has been speaking to Alberts behind the scene and this would appear to us to be the newest previously unheard of yet history rewrite spin being floated. Remember the last rewrite attempt was to say it was always budgeted at $5.7 million not $3 or $4 million! If that is correct does it mean that Councillor Bateman moved the motion in late December as a service improvement only! Did he know that at the time? Great priorities on spending!

To be fair to Councillor Bateman, is it possible that when Bateman moved the motion in late December, remember he was only on Council for less than 30 days, perhaps he was for some reason unknowingly snookered to move the motion? Or did he just feel, get on with the project? But why then did he not try to make any attempt to keep the cost to the originally approved budget? He always talked of the right fiscal priorities during the Municipal election campaign. Perplexing. To see the true whole history on the Grandstand fiasco go to the original breaking story here , here and here.

From our point of view this is a bad cost overrun like the fast ferries was. Or it was always planned to be over $5 million but never truly revealed? Which do you think?

Look At The Real Losers After Tonight

Chantal Hebert looks at the real losers after tonight’s election campaign.

Blog Power Rules !

Support your local Blogs. Here’s why.

Martin-Layton Coalition Government?

Shane Dyson forwards an interesting premise. Specifically the scenario setup and the question raised:

Stephen Harper has just won enough seats to form a minority Government, yet the Liberals and NDP combined have more seats than the Conservatives. Paul Martin calls Jack Layton up and asks for a formal coalition to keep the Conservatives out of power.

Good question, food for thought. The bigger question is how Martin could bear talking to Layton after Layton focused his current campaign exclusively on picking at the carcass of the Liberals instead of the Conservatives! Also strategically may be wise to fend off post election criticism of Layton indirectly having helped the Conservatives. But seriously if your scenario is correct, does Martin go to the Governor General and officially ask that he remain the PM?

Shane by the way ran for Township Council and quite frankly we were disappointed that the voters did not chose to elect him this past election. Next time Shane, we'll support ya! You can see him at his website and we also thought we would add some colour to this post by showing his picture here as well. Thank you Shane.

Category - Canada At War In Afghanistan

This is a category page. The following posts (listed in order from newest to oldest) comment on anything about or posted by Your Editor about the Canada-Afghan War.

• Globe & Mail - Afghanistan WAR is Story of the Year - 1/01/2007
• 16th Afghan War Soldier Killed in Combat Is Canada's First Woman - 5/18/2006
• Terrorist Scum One Day - Friend Next Day - 5/16/2006
• Harper To Call Vote to Extend Canadian War In Afghanistan Two More Years - 5/16/2006
• Afghanistan on “Life Support” Warns Council Report - 5/04/2006
• President of Afghanistan Offers Olive Branch to Taliban - 4/30/2006
• Fallen Soldier's Dad Critical Of PM Harper - 4/29/2006
• Letter to the Editor - April 26,2006 - From Tom Ouellette - Honour Our Troops - Red Fridays - 4/26/2006
• Are The Harper Conservatives Essentially Censoring Our War Dead Images? Why? - 4/24/2006
• Four More Coming Home As Threat Getting Worse - 4/24/2006
• Tories Will No Longer Lower Our Flags For Canadian War Dead In Afghanistan - 4/22/2006
• Canadian Afghan War Dead Tally - In Honour & In Grief - 4/22/2006
• Another Point Of View On Afghanistan War - 4/13/2006
• "Live the adventure in Afghanistan" - Join Tim Hortons Kandahar - 4/12/2006
• U.S. Army Officer's Top 10 Reasons For Canada To Stay In Afghanistan - 4/11/2006
• Troops To Stay in Afghanistan For Years: Harper - 4/11/2006
• Top Canadian General Hillier Wants More Muslims in Our Military - 4/10/2006
• 'When we kill enough(Canadians) ... they will quit' Says Afghanistan Taliban - 4/9/2006
• Richter Report - April 5, 2006 - Warawa Promises "Complete Response" - 4/5/2006
• Did Friendly Fire Cause Deaths in Kandahar? - 4/4/2006
• You Heard It Here First! - "Boots On The Ground" Canadian Ad in Washington - 3/30/2006
• Richter Report - March 30, 2006 - No Response From MP Warawa Re: “Boots On The Ground” -3/30/2006
• Boots on The Ground Art Exhibit In Washington DC Cdn Embassy - 3/29/2006
• Soldiers In Training Eager To Go To Afghanistan - 3/29/2006
• Canadian Soldier Killed In Firefight - 3 Wounded - 3/28/2006
• Canada’s Military in Afghanistan –Peacekeeping or Security & Combat? - 3/26/2006
• Richter Report - March 23, 2006 - Where Is Our Military Heading? - 3/23/2006

Final SES Poll before Election - Look Out!

Cpac Ses Nightly Tracking Poll final before Election results:
Gap has closed in Ontario to 2 % points! Atlantic last moment big switch to Liberals.
Based on 3 day rolling , 1200 voters as reported since December 1
( as logged on sidebar to the Right)
Be wary of sample polls that are for info only and not statistically accurate. But then again any poll may in the final analysis be inaccurate!

Conservative…..36%
Liberal ………..30%
NDP ………….17%
Bloc …………..11%
Green ………….6%

And Look out in seat rich Ontario;

Conservative …..38%
Liberal ………....36%
NDP …………...20%
Green ……………6%

Both Martin and Harper Ending Election In Lower Mainland

Martin & Harper stomping around Vancouver because BC is “crown jewel” in election hopes by both leaders. Quoted in news 1130. Your last chance ever to see one of them!

Ottawa Sun's Thoughts On Harper Cabinet

The Ottawa Sun muses about Harper’s Government cabinet and the only BC Harper minion it mentions is Stockwell Day. Oh, how embarrassing for BC if this is true! Is this the best of BC's Conservative MPs ?

Embarrassing Old Martin Tributes to Gagliano

The following video link is suddenly released. We wonder who made sure to dig this up, on the day before the election! They are obviously 2 old videos of tributes to none other than Alfonso Gagliano by, you guessed it Paul Martin in the good ole days of entitlements. Ouch!

Local News Review - Jan 15 - 20, 2006

This week was Category 1 News week. In our opinion this past week, Jan 15 through today Jan 20 has not been a stellar week for the local papers. We come to the simplistic conclusion that the papers have 3 kinds of stories. The first is filler or what we could call lazy news which is basically nothing spectacular and quite frankly boring. Examples abound like the overly balanced news on the election candidates in Langley, some theoretically heart warming stories, cops find human ashes in car, editor shaves his head bald, merchant closes shop, etc. Basically boring and the editorials and even letters to the editor are boring. The ads are generally more interesting on category 1 days! Filler news is category 1. Some Cat 1 news in a paper is expected , but mainly or only cat 1 news is disappointing.

Category 2 News has some sparks of life and potential with some interesting stuff but once again not as hard hitting or investigative as they could be. It leaves the reader craving more and feeling as unsatisfied as a disinterested lover. This week's papers had potential category 2 stories like the township tax increases hinted at but buried deep in the Times paper's bowels! For another version on tax increases look here. Also some potential not followed up on in detail was the Grandstand story( not enough info, scratched the surface), the Hornets leaving (again no impact or real background), and the school closings scratchings. We believed these stories had potential. Climax free news is Category 2.

Category 3 News seems to be very rare and the only good example was a few weeks ago when the Times had a detailed, well reported series of comprehensive angles and background articles in their crystal meth series of stories in one paper. I still congratulate them on that to this day. Brilliant! Category 3 stories are in depth stories on things like the real story on the gold plated Grandstand which still remains unreported. High impact, eyebrow raising, innovative, pertinent, investigative, interesting and informative is Category 3 News.

This past week has been category 1 for just about everything in all papers. One Category 2 item was the Grandstand cost overrun in today's Advance. But readers were only titilated on this one. For the life of me I did not understand what the $40ok overrun was referring to. I do know the project started at $3m, up to $4m, up to $5m and In the mean time some attempt is being floated that it was always $5.7 million. Yet the city still is expecting to pay only their share of the $3 million option to this day.! (Find another version on this story here & here) .

The other category 2 Advance story was that the Hornets are moving. Heck, where are the comments that the Township spent gobs of money to keep them here a couple of years ago by upgrading the seats, elevators and what ever else and the fact that we heard that the Hornets were not allowed to extend the advertising at the civic centre. The Township tax increases story was buried in the Times so far in we can't even find it any more. See here for another version of theTownship tax increase story. The School closings including Carvolth just has to get more in depth. The school board seems to constantly glide under the media's radar. During the election they promised more interaction with the community. The article in today's advance displayed none of this promise.

The editorials have been essentially category 1 and the multitude of letters including the "I love Harper" or "I fear Harper" have been category 1. The exception is on page 57 (as far back as you can go) in the Advance where a resident relates her story about her mother's treatment in Langley Hospital. This is Category 3 and it should be followed up on. If only the Langley Free Press was able to have as many reporters as the local media we would strive to bring the standard up to category 3 as much as possible! But we are only a local blog.

Keep in mind the foregoing is only this writer's opinion and maybe we are being unrealistic and far to harsh. Perhaps this is the standard that a community newspaper can deliver to, should deliver to and is expected to deliver to, especially under a large umbrella business organization like Black Press & Canwest. Maybe this is normal and ok. If it is, I apologize. They are obviously not a Globe & Mail or Vancouver Sun nor do they have their resources. But one can dream can't one?

Michael Ignatieff - Next Trudeau?

We predict that you will hear much more from Michael in the future. Especially with talk of Liberals losing the election and perhaps Paul Martin too. See the British Guardian paper article. At the Liberal convention early last year he apparently excited the audience and especially electrified the youth in attendance. Many say he could be a second coming, reminiscent of Trudeau.

Vancouver Sun & Province Endorse Harper

The Vancouver Sun Editorial Board today in the Sun Editorial endorsed Stephen Harper’s Conservatives especially focusing on reforming the political side of government but strongly suggested that Harper not revisit the same sex marriage issue nor pursue the Conservative approach to illicit drug use. The Sun is also concerned with Harper’s $22.5 billion cuts in government spending impact. The Vancouver Province also endorse Harper.

Separatists Big Losers In Quebec

Chantal Hébert reports in the Toronto Star that essentially the biggest irony is that it is the Conservatives with an Albertan leader, Harper, that is now killing the sovereignty movement in Quebec!

Vecchiato’s Voice Is Coming To Langley Free Press

We are pleased to announce that Cathleen Vecchiato has agreed to become our 3rd and most recent contributing columnist with Langley Free Press. She is a very well recognized champion of the environment and community activist in Langley as well as in other adjoining communities. She has been a frequent fixture at Council meetings advocating for the environment and wildlife. She is always well researched, passionate and articulate on conservation matters. She has also contributed extensively to the print media over the years about balancing and conserving the natural beauty of our communities.

Cathleen Vecchiato has been an outspoken environmentalist for the past 5-1/2 years. Raised in Johannesburg, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and San Francisco, she earned her Bachelor's in English at SF State University. After moving to Langley in 1997, she has followed municipal issues closely, made delegations to council, and formed Langley Conservation Network. Vecchiato became a Canadian citizen on December 3, 2003, primarily so that she could vote in Canada.

We look forward to Cathleen sharing political & conservation information and discussion about the community with the community here in Langley Free Press. Tomorrow will be Langley Free Press's 1st month anniversary and we have come a long way. Three columnists and thousands of viewers in just 30 days and growing exponentially! How fitting for us to celebrate with Cathleen's Voice joining ours! She will be submitting in the upcoming week. Welcome Cathleen.
Editor Langley Free Press

Que Liberal Candidate Clarifies, Vote Him First, Federalist Second

Gilles Savard, the Liberal candidate running in the Jonquière-Alma riding clarified earlier media reports that suggested he is throwing his support behind a Tory. Reported by CTV. "I do not concede victory to any of my adversaries before the actual results of the election are known,'' Savard was quoted as saying. He then encouraged all Liberal voters to support him, and above all else, to support federalist candidates.

The next few days will be wild with tension, hope, and yes desperation by all parties! Right up till Monday you will read many more wild and wooly stories that all the political parties are grabbing on to and spinning like mad. Don’t believe everything you read in the next few days because the media are also just as desperate and just trying to score first. The worst media spinner right now, bar none is Bourque!

Canadian Bar Association Burns Harper

Brian A. Tabor, Q.C. is the President of the Canadian Bar Association which represents lawyers and I guess also Judges across Canada. Tabor, without naming Stephen Harper directly, obviously chastises him for his remarks about suggesting Canadian Judge’s may have political biases against Harper’s Conservatives. In the CBA website, he refers to politicians, “tempted to score easy political points by attacking judges who can't defend themselves in public debate.” Ouch, Harper burned! And Tabor goes on to say anyone suggesting that Canadian Judges have social agenda biases “ damages the integrity of the justice system to suggest otherwise.” Well you heard here first folks a lot of lawyers are steamed with Harper. Any good lawyer jokes?

Bill Brooks Bash Bust

Long time Senator Jack Austin visited the Aldergrove Banquet Center for a fund raising rally for Bill Brooks yesterday morning. Our sources say the attendance was about 10 supporters! Why pick a banquet hall that can seat 1000? Oh boy we better adjust our guess on % of votes for the Liberals in Langley. Curiously Brooks’s website shows about 15 in the picture. Must have included 5 or 6 Banquet Hall staff! I guess the photographer was Langley Poltics.Com’s Sam Kirk!

Fewer Goodies for Langley & BC With Harper as PM

The election is over except for the crying and laughing. It certainly looks like Harper’s conservatives won this one even though the undecided are still out there and today’s SES poll shows the Liberals are tied with the Conservatives in seat rich Ontario. Is it minority or majority though? Our concern in Langley and BC should now be about having influence with strong representation in Harper’s cabinet. We at Langley Free Press are concerned that we won’t have as much influence and local investment as we had under Paul Martin’s cabinet. Under Martin’s government we had four ministers. They were Ujjal Dosanjh, (Minister of Health), David Emerson (Minister of Industry), Raymond Chan, (Minister of State (Multiculturalism)) and Stephen Owen (Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State & Sport). Lets face it BC and Langley was finally getting attention and money from the feds with these senior ministers.

The issue is that BC will not have the same strong conservative cabinet material. For instance in our opinion Langley’s Mark Warawa is not cabinet material, probably never will be and will keep warming up the back benches. It’s really unfortunate that in Langley the social conservatives helped plant Warawa over Bev Braaten at their nomination meeting in 2004. She had the political connections, was articulate and intelligent, fast on her feet and we think was many more times the cabinet material of a Mark Warawa. With the lack of strong if any substantial females (except for perhaps Rona Ambrose) in the Harper Government she would have most certainly been in cabinet. The social conservatives have hijacked many Conservative ridings all over BC and mostly in the west . They essentially supported single issue puppets in ridings just as they solidly helped elect Warawa in Langley. These elected candidates will know where their bread is buttered and unfortunately will remain pretty much single issue candidates with similar capabilities as our local MP. Hence, many back seat bench warmers in government.

So who will Harper choose for his cabinet? Another problem for BC is Harper’s focus on Quebec, Ontario and home ground Alberta. An indicator of BC’s importance is demonstrated by Harper’s 8 BC election visits so far compared to Paul Martin’s 11 visits. BC’s only possible list of cabinet material possibilities is not overly impressive. Stockwell Day, Chuck Strahl, Jay Hill, John Cummins and James Moore are the only ones that we can see Harper choose from. Moore who is bilingual and brash and energetic has excellent potential. The rest speak for them selves. The Harper cabinet ministers and more importantly the senior ministers will primarily hail from Ontario, Alberta and now probably from Quebec too. As local Liberal candidate Bill Brooks points out, he has been more effective in helping get Langley infrastructure monies as a non elected volunteer than our sitting MP Mark Warawa. Therefore, Harper as PM will unfortunately provide no better local benefits for Langley and we are further worried about losing influence and money for BC as a whole as well.

New Translink Chair Waffles on Port Mann Doubling

Does new Translink Chair Malcolm Brodie (Richmond Mayor) want to twin the Port Mann or not? He better do something for the South Fraser commuters! CKNW reports.

Langley Election Prediction Contest

2004 Langley Actual Election Results
(51,268 people voted out of a possible 78,394 for 65.4% turnout)

47.7%.....24390 votes….Conservative…Mark Warawa
24.7%.....12649 votes…..Liberal………....Kim Richter
16.8%.......8568 votes…..NDP………........Dean Morrison
6.1%.........3108 votes…..Green…………...Patrick Meyer
4.7%........2422 votes…..Independent….Mel Kositsky

Our 2006 Langley Election - January 18 Prediction
(We at Langley Free Press predict a 67% turnout this time)

53%.......Conservative…………............Mark Warawa
18%........Liberal……………...................Bill Brooks
19%........NDP………............................Angel Claypool
9%.........Green………………………..........Patrick Meyer
1%..........Canadian Action Party.........Vicki Lee Sloan

What’s your best guess?
Closest on Election Day wins the “Smiling Gumby” award.
Rules? You gotta be kidding! Your way too serious!
Your last best guess by first poll closing is the one that counts.

Guess The Election Candidate Celebrity Supporter

Note the Warawa sign affixed to which Langley Celebrity home?

Richter Report - January 17, 2006

Township Tax, Spend & Borrow Plans - Going from the sublime to the ridiculous

20.35% tax increase and $35.6 Million in new debt presented!

Yesterday, Township Council spent 2½ hours reviewing the Township’s draft 2006 to 2008 Budget. On December 21, 2005, Council had asked staff to “prepare the 10 year Long Term Financial Plan based on the preferred Service Enhancement Option D” and to bring this back to a Budget Workshop on January 16, 2006 at 3 pm (as reported in Langley Free Press [LFP] on Dec. 23/05). Those of you who visited LFP in December 2005 will recall that “Option D” was the most expensive option presented to Council for its consideration.

At yesterday’s meeting, Council did not get past the 2008 numbers. So the new Council failed to meet its earlier objective of reviewing a 10 year plan as originally scheduled. However, given the dramatic cost increases presented for 2006 to 2008, it was probably a good thing that we stopped at 2008 and did not proceed to 2016. (Otherwise, we’d likely all have to sell and move out of Langley because we wouldn’t be able to afford either the anticipated taxes or the new debt load).

We were fortunate to have had one member of the local media present. However, he only stayed for the first hour of the meeting and therefore missed the major piece of Council discussion on anticipated new debt plus new tax rates over the next three years.

While he was there, staff confirmed that the basic general levy tax increase being presented over the next 3 years is 20.35% (5.6% in 2006 plus 8.95% in 2007 plus 5.8% in 2008). Of course, this simple total of 20.35% does not include the compounded effect over 3 years.

I’m sure though that the editor of his paper will explain the difference between ‘simple’ and ‘compounded’ increases so that we’ll all be able to understand how a simple increase of 20.35% is not so bad, especially because the compounded increase is 21.7%.

Of course, these numbers depend on an increase in assessed property value of 13.58%. If your assessed property value increased more than this, the 20.35% won’t apply. You can expect more. Again, I’m sure that the newspaper editor will explain all of this to you.

Getting back to the main issue, tax increases may be justified (depending on who you are talking to). But, how do you also explain/justify increases in Township debt? Is new development really paying for itself? (This is a key issue that I’ve raised before).

Yesterday, Council was informed that in addition to the 20.35% tax increase in the general levy from 2006 to 2008, a new debt load of $36.5 Million in same three year period (2006 to 2008) would also be required (and this new debt does NOT include the $30-$52 million estimated in the Fall of 2005 for Aldergrove’s Sewer and Water).

Our existing debt is about $4.5 million. Previous councils have worked very hard to pay the Township’s debt level down. So now that it is down, why do we want to run it back up again? And especially if running it back up again does not include key health and safety issues like sewer capacity in Aldergrove.

I sincerely hope that the rest of Council (especially the new Councillors) finally understand what I have been concerned about for many years. We are living beyond our means and our growth is not financially sustainable.

Council has been approving spending and new development on a piece-meal (by project) basis without regard to the bigger picture. As a result, Council has been increasing taxes to homeowners to pay for it. I don’t think we can continue in this manner. We must start differentiating between “Need-to-Have” and “Nice-to-Have”. It would be nice to have a new museum in Fort Langley but we need to have a new sewer system in Aldergrove and better roads in Willoughby.

If we don’t start making this key differentiation soon, we’ll be bankrupt (or taxed out of existence). Like many other people in this community, I started my family here and I want to retire here, but if taxes keep going they way they are, I won’t be able to afford to do so (and neither will you).

Like a buoy, I have been ringing a bell. The numbers are out of control. If you want examples, look at field houses and grandstands. Look at “old” (3 years ago) and “new” 10 year financial plans. Look at blackberries and expense accounts.

The budget planning meeting was to have been completed yesterday. But after the many questions that I (and a couple of other new members of Council) asked, Council decided to review these numbers again at a workshop in February and to delay all the public open houses/surveys for another month. Here’s hoping that the Council will be what it was elected to be and that is a Board of Directors. The Board should set the parameters and staff should respond to those parameters.

Now as shareholders who elect the Board of Directors, here’s your job. Do you agree to the following numbers? If you don’t, call your councillors and let them know your position. (Their phone numbers are available on http://www.tol.bc.ca/Langley/Council/Members/).

Proposed Tax Increases (2006 to 2008)
2006 tax increase 5.60%
2007 tax increase 8.95%
2008 tax increase 5.80 %
Total 3 yr simple increase 20.35%

Proposed Debt (2006 to 2008)
New Debt:
2006 General Capital $ 6.65 million
2008 General Capital $ 10.00 million
2007 Water Capital $ 1.50 million
2008 Water Capital $ 4.00 million

2006 Storm Water Capital $ 1.5 million
2007 Storm Water Capital $ 8.2 million
2008 Storm Water Capital $ 3.8 million

Total NEW DEBT $35.65 Million


Current Existing Debt $ 4.5 million
Grand Total Debt $40.15 Million


Summary Comments & Suggestions:

1. In the last term, Council proudly announced that the Township no longer had significant debt. Obviously, this could be history. And, why should we incur more debt?


2. Substantial decreases in the Township tax rates contemplated in December 2005 will not occur.


3. Council should consider hiring an independent financial actuary to assist it in drilling down to, and understanding, the macros of the numbers presented by staff. With all due respect to Council, a business background is an asset and we need independent advice.


4. It clearly appears to me that even with dramatic growth in housing and commercial development starts, we are not able to pay for new development. We either have to stop new development or dramatically raise DCC’s. Alternatively, we could tax and borrow a lot more BUT only if our spending is non-exorbitant (which it’s not).


5. At what point do we ask ourselves whether we are living beyond our means? Maybe it should be soon and maybe we should start requiring more reports from developers as to their impact on the immediate and extended neighbourhoods, and especially about impact on new residents’ expectations concerning neighbourhood and community services.

Kim Richter

Kim Richter is in her 3rd term as Langley Township Councillor and also is a Professor of Business at Kwantlen University College. She holds a masters degree in health administration and was a health care management consultant.

Bureaucratic attempt to Rewrite History on the MAP Grandstand?

Jordan Bateman of Langley Politics.Com has posted “Grandstand grandstanding” where he posts a new Township document with a frequently asked Questions report on the MAP Grandstand. Clearly from our perspective it confirms everything Councillor Kim Richter has said about the project. Richter first broke the story here in LFP in her previous 3 part series Grandstand column. Essentially the report says the same she said with some very disturbing and we think misleading embellishments and distortions. The report essentially says;

1. Initial budget was $3.0 million (Grant application went in on February 2001 and was approved in 2004)


2. In 2004 Council approved an increase to $4.0 million (it was recosted & apparently staff wanted to up it to $5.7 million then. Council seems to have had some brains by apparently saying no to $5.7 million)


3. In 2005 Staff wanted another $1.2 million, approved by Council except for Richter but they won upping it to $5.2 million (Wow, they almost got their previous $5.7 money anyhow! Report says increased costs were for roof area increase and complete bleacher seating and roughed in areas. What the heck are all these? Sounds like cost plus items. And what the heck is Phase 2 or Phase 1 for that matter? Is there an expensive Phase 2 coming?)


4. It says Township is ultimately on the hook for $2.965 Million (and they are still trying to get money from the City and any body else they can to mitigate the project’s cost! Good luck. The City obviously also never knew that the budget really was supposedly $4.0, $5.2 or $5.7 million, because they are still committed only to the same portion of the original $1 million City/Township portion of the $3 million. Even after all this time! Unbelievable!)

So this report says what we already know. It agrees with Councillor Richter. These are the facts and they remain unchanged.

What we at Langley Free Press find very disturbing is in the real intent and curious undercurrent of the document which is glaringly set in sophisticated bureaucratic gobbley gook. Most importantly it also shockingly seems to be back dooring an admonishment and also suggests muzzling of the facts is necessary and requested of Richter or anyone else who would dare to question or criticize the cost overruns on the Grandstand in public. I can’t believe any level of government would blatantly promote the conscious censoring of opinions and facts on any taxpayer paid venture. Are all these accidental or deliberate? Essentially the report blatantly suggests that vocal concerns for spending tax dollars on this project could harm the public’s perception of the project and further fundraising for the project. The tail is trying to wag the dog! Gee, the only vocal person has been Richter! How dare she! Yet it agrees with Richter’s exposé on the project. It just seems to try and gloss up the whole thing and almost literally badly attempts to rewrite history.

We ask what is really behind this bureaucratic piece of fluff and why? Let’s face it folks we can add too, $3 million, up to $4 million, up to $5.2. Million and we pay $3 million in the end hoping to get the City to pony up their share. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. Don’t be fooled.

We thank Langley Politics.com for bringing our attention to the document they posted today. But we also have to ask why is Jordan Bateman of Langley Politics.com posting this bureaucratic document and titling the posting “Grandstand grandstanding”? Who is he suggesting is grandstanding? Why is he suggesting this? What is his alternative to shed light on this and other significant public issues not reported in the traditional media? Will he answer these questions?

Muriel's Thoughts - January 16, 2006

It is an outrage that many old people who devoted their younger years to paying their taxes are now finding in their retirement that they have to worry about their income. Many live in fear that they will be unable to keep their homes and the few comforts they have. Ever increasing taxes, high assessments and the greed of a society that does not consider their welfare when they embark on large projects. Many old people live in fear of losing all they have and being put in a home through no fault of their own.

Politicians continue to finance their ever increasing projects and demanding increasing tax money to pay for sport projects. Why should I pay to support a game where people hit a little ball with a stick and put it in a hole and call it golf, or throw a ball into a hoop and call it basketball or hit a ball with a stick and run around bases and call it baseball. I can participate in none of these activities. The best exercise is walking and it is free. No one considers us when the cost of living goes up. But we must eat like everybody else, we must exist like everybody else and we are powerless and seldom listened to. We fear being called demented or senile because this might be a prelude of going into a home and losing our freedom. We are unable to organize and do not seem to have any influence on the politicians, bureaucrats or anyone else in society.

The Bible says “ Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long in the land that the Lord thy God hath given thee”. Many old people cannot participate in sports projects, as many, like myself are handicapped. The old people and handicapped people have no way of earning the money to pay for these increasing taxes. Jesus said “Whatsoever ye do to the least of my children, do you also unto me”

Many old people end up in extended care homes where they feel abandoned by their loved ones. They are fed pills to keep them docile. A wise man said “Most of us live lives of quiet desperation” I believe this is really true of many elderly. This should not happen in a civilized society. Every individual should ask themselves, what are they doing for their elderly relatives. You too, one day, will be old. “Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.”

At the municipal hall people are hired on a contract basis to do a job and when it is finished they are dismissed and their benefits including pension are terminated. How can one work consistently enough to get a pension under these circumstances?

Another thing that happened this week that interested me, was a letter that I received by email saying that I could apply to get a diploma from an unregistered university for a degree up to a doctorate degree. I assume that they wanted money and I phoned to see what this was about. I wonder how many people are working in the system with these degrees from non-registered universities. I imagine a great many. I hope employers are checking very carefully these beautiful certificates. They may identify people who have never seen the inside of a university with degrees.

I am very pleased to have this opportunity to write my views on The Langley Free Press and I will continue to do so. In the meantime I am enjoying my leisure and seem to have lots to keep me busy.

If I can talk to you or speak to the people of Langley I am available. Please email me at murielarnason@canada.com. or phone me 604 888 6264. I can assure you that my university degrees are genuine.

Muriel Arnason.
Bachelor of Arts Sociology
5th year Education degree
Royal Conservatory of Music

Muriel Arnason was Langley Township's longest serving Councillor and in December 2005 decided to take a break from Council. She cares very much about the people and now shares her thoughts in LFP regularily.

Insiders Suggest Harper's Moderate Election Image a Temporary Mask?

Is social conservative Harper masked by a temporary moderate election image facade? Insiders who know Stephen Harper suggest the toned down moderate election image you see is not what you will get reported by TheTyee.ca. Meanwhile, our social conservative in Langley doesn't have to wear a mask at all! Nope.....not in Langley.

Liberal's Ontario House of Cards Crumbling !

Liberal negative ads not working & Liberals reeling in seat rich Ontario.

With only 1 week to go the Conservative Majority is very possible now. The Strategic Counsel poll for The Globe and Mail and CTV shows double digit lead for Conservatives. Greater Toronto area shows weakening & danger for Liberals holding 40% to Conservative 37%! The rest of Ontario polls 42% Conservative and 28% Liberal. NDP is in the 16 to 20% range.

Tory Platform Missing Two Key Costs

Mark Warawa’s campaign handed out a letter (see attached) at the recent All Candidates meetings in Langley. Warawa also referred to this letter several times in his comments. This letter may now be in serious question.

The letter is written by Mr. Paul Darby, an economist for the Conference Board of Canada. He was hired in December by the Conservative Party. Apparently, the dollar impact of two major Conservative policies is missing, as reported in today’s Globe & Mail. The Globe said Mr Darby appeared “uncomfortable” with the issue and when asked specifically about the two major cost issues, he confirmed they were not included in his letter and he suggested that the press should seek further answers from the Conservative Party.

Specifically, the two uncosted platforms in the January 13 Conservative platform are fixing the fiscal imbalance and patient waiting-time guarantee that would ship patients to other jurisdictions if they cannot get timely treatment at home. Mr Darby was quoted by the Globe & Mail: "They're not costed in the platform that they (referring to the Conservative Platform) presented on Jan. 13th," he said in the Globe interview. "They're still not in the platform." Mark Warawa’s Conservative party who by all accounts are proposing the largest spending spree of all the federal Parties if elected has now raised serious concerns that their financial platform may be unrealistic and underfunded.

Langley Free Press shudders at the thought …..Shades of Brian Mulroney Deficit Days?

Richter Report – January 15, 2006

How important is a new Municipal Museum?

In the not so distant Langley past, there was a municipal political group that questioned the role of the “malcontent elitists” in this community. This political group went on to form a local government despite howls of protest. While in power (also despite howls of protest), they built an overpass, an award-winning pool, and ‘revitalized’ downtown Aldergrove. They got many things done in a short 3 year term but were severely criticized for the processes they used. Perhaps rightly so, but then again, they did build fundamental infrastructure for this community without having to increase taxes. Furthermore, the infrastructure they built is now used on a daily basis by most of Langley’s population.

Now, flash forward 10 years. Property taxes have increased substantially and are projected to increase another 14% over the next 2 years. (5.6% in 2006 and 8.95% in 2007 have been proposed).

Walnut Grove (population 23,000) is almost at build-out. Many of its young families are enrolled in soccer and have to practice 3 teams to one field. Willoughby is growing at a phenomenal rate (estimated future population 50,000) and there are virtually no recreation facilities for them (although there is lots of shopping if they want their kids to hang out at malls). Aldergrove is also expanding. It needs a new pool, especially with programs for seniors who can’t get to Blair or Walnut Grove because of a poor bus system. In addition, Aldergrove has sewer and water systems that are overcapacity and desperately in need of expansion (to the tune of $30+ million). Many roads through Langley, particularly in Willoughby, are in gridlock. Brookswood exists with a water supply that comes from an unconfined aquifer susceptible to leachate from outdated septic systems and industrial development next door in Surrey.

So, given all of these pressing issues, what do you think would be the priority issues for the new Council to deal with at its first Council Priorities Committee (CPC) meeting?

If you guessed any of the above, you’d be wrong.

The new Council had its first CPC meeting on Wednesday (January 11, 2006). There were 2 topics on the agenda. The topics were: 1. Heritage Center (in Fort Langley); and 2. Communities in Bloom.

Council was asked to give staff direction on whether to plan for replacing the existing municipal museum ($5 Million) or to build a “Bigger, Bolder, More Obvious” museum ($5 ++ million) in Fort Langley (home of the Mayor and one other Councillor). Council was told that they have to make this decision soon because of site, scope, timing and cost considerations. So the question I ask you is “How important is a new Municipal Museum?” Is this something that all residents of Langley want and need? Or, is this something that a small group is pushing the Council towards adopting? Also, how important is the Communities in Bloom project? (Have you even heard of it?)

Your property tax dollars will pay for these projects and your property tax dollars are increasing. Please make your thoughts known and your preferences clear about where (and on what) you think your money should be spent. Do you want a new municipal museum in Fort Langley? Or, do you want more soccer fields in Willoughby? What will you use more? What do you think is most important for Langley and its future?

Kim Richter

Kim Richter is in her 3rd term as Langley Township Councillor and also is a Professor of Business at Kwantlen University College. She holds a masters degree in health administration and was a health care management consultant.

Unbelievably Stupid but True!

How can you tell its Friday the 13th ? The answer, another Federal candidate is removed by his party leader. This time the honor goes to David Oliver the Liberal candidate in Abbotsford. He is the long serving former Liberal riding constituency president in Abbotsford. The accusation made by NDP candidate Jeffrey Hansen Carlson is that he alledgely was asked to resign as the NDP candidate from the election race and throw his support behind Oliver for a potential job with Oliver if he won as MP. This is only alledged and not proven at all to be true. How can anyone in their right mind think that anyone but Conservative could win Abbotsford. If you combined the Liberal, Green, NDP and the Marijauna party votes together it still would never beat Randy White’s conservative successor in Abbotsford whoever it is. Unbelievably stupid but probably true! See CKNW or any and all other media to hear the biggest joke of the day. Did we mention yet that there are far too many door knobs in politics. Go to theTyee.ca for the best comments on this comedy.
See latest comment from CTV.
Liberal Candidate David Oliver video denial on CTV.
NDP candidate Jeffrey Hansen Carlson video accusation on CTV.

Local News Review

Langley Times - Friday January 13, 2006
The Story of The Day - The Blogsey Twins Editorial
As one of the Blogsey twins, we just want to go on record for Times Reporter Al Irwin's benefit that it was an immaculate conception and we were definitely separated before birth!

Our criticism of your blog article is that you only see the negatives. Where are the positives? The Taxpayers in the Township should be thrilled that a couple of Councillors have chosen vehicles to get their thoughts better heard, more often and uncut. We advertise the fact that we would be pleased to headline posts for other Councillors' opinions on our blog too. In fact, former Councillor Muriel Arneson is a contributing columnist at LFP as well. She certainly has never minced words and also certainly did not agree with everything our other contributing columnist, Councillor Richter, says either. It would be a travesty indeed if Al's observation about what anybody says in any blogs could cause retribution when it comes to formal Council meetings. And get real Al, Richter was having a tough time getting her motions seconded any way before she ever wrote for this blog!

The key issue then becomes not what is said but rather the small mindedness of the old boys club who can't stomach any threatening change. Most politicians and their status quo need to get shaken up. That is why the voters elected Councillors like Muriel & Kim and even Jordan Bateman. Before closing on this item Al, do you think your publisher would authorize funds for both the Times and LFP to jointly hire Eli Mina? Heck, many have argued that the Times could equally use guidelines on proper decorum too, particularly in the editorial department! Irrespective, thank you for the plug. Hits are going through the roof already and its only 11:30 AM. Next time, please don't forget to reference www.langleyfreepress.com .

Summary of other items in the Times reveals a TWU harassment complaint withdrawal. We hope that the Times stays on top of this story. Also taxpayers eagerly await their tax bills from city & Township to see what the implications of their recent property assessments combined with creeping tax increases will mean to them. Is it time to throw the tea into the bay yet? Also the editor, Frank Bucholtz is unnaturally and amazingly kind and fair to all the candidates in the debate in his editorial.

Aldergrove Star - Thursday January 12, 2006
One thing about the Star is they just seem to have more bulk news content than both the Advance or the Times. The big story is advising the public that our Councillors on GVRD boards make $200 to $400 for the meetings they go to. Kurt Alberts, Mel Kositsky, Bob Long and Kim Richter have previously sat on GVRD committees. Not bad, but we can hardly blame them since the meetings are in Vancouver or Burnaby so that means they have to be hours in traffic tie ups coming & going on the Port Mann bridge. Hardly pays for thre idling gas consumed and time lost. Probably really works out to $6.50 an hour!

The need for a shelter in Langley for the homeless crys out for attention as well as the source of propoganda in NE Langley. Then of course there is the story about our gold plated Grandstand that Councillor Richter broke right here in LFP. Also a story about our School District getting $50 per student more from Victoria but they have to justify where the money goes. It better be for better learning opportunities. Once again Translink has found ways of indirectly squeezing more cash out of the taxpayers. This leads into the fact that our very own Mayor Alberts is now also on the Translink board. Hmm...wonder how much that pays an hour? Also they report the new appointments to the committees & commissions. Sorry no $200 ameeting for those poor volunteers, just the prestige of shaking Kurt's hand occasionally! Then an article on new Translink initiatives which unfortunately does not have Langley mentioned as a beneficiary except for the new Bridge to Maple Ridge. Finally a recycled article from sister paper , Langley Times on Township electoral reforms.

Langley Advance - Friday January 13, 2006
Obviously the advance reports on the debate mentioning that probably the parties stacked the room with their vocal supporters. Nah, would they really do that? Also Councillor Bob Long wants a crack down on retail stores selling drug paraphernalia. Northeast Gordon Estates neighbourhood plan was approved by Township Council with Richter opposed. And finally, the editorial speaks to the fact that the numbing vote buying attempts by the federal political parties should not detract from the important decision of who you should vote for based on careful analysis of the policies and that this election is a critical one in Canada's history. We could not agree more. Please vote carefully.

Rick Mercer's Take on Harper Cabinet

Rick Mercer's Blog shows his take on Harper's Cabinet. Rick Mercer is Canada's comedian & satirist best known for comedy tv show" This Hour has 22 Minutes". (Note: Mercer's Blog style is gorgeous.)

Globe and Mail Says Harper Majority Possible

Friday’s Globe says Conservatives could be within a few seats of a majority as it stands right now. The column is interesting and actually the first thing we thought of here at LFP is that the Conservatives better help pay dumped BC interior candidate's (Conservative accused of smuggling) legal costs and pray he is cleared so that they can better their chances as a majority Government! The shocker on this is the prediction of 8 conservatives elected in Quebec! Unbelievable, who would have considered this last week? They also predict Deputy PM Anne McClelland will go down too. Following are the seat projections that they calculate.

– British Columbia is on track to elect 26 Tories, six Liberals, three NDP MPs and an Independent.
– All 28 ridings in Alberta will go to the Conservatives.
– Manitoba and Saskatchewan will not change, once again electing a combined 20 Conservatives, four Liberals and four NDP MPs.
– The Greater Toronto Area will elect 35 Liberals, eight Tories and two NDP MPs while the rest of Ontario will elect 49 Tories, four Liberals and eight New Democrats.
– Montreal will have 21 Bloc MPs and seven Liberals, while the rest of Quebec will elect 39 Bloc MPs and eight Conservatives.
– Atlantic Canada will elect 15 Liberals, 13 Conservatives and four NDP MPs.
– All three seats in the territories will go to the Liberals.

Al Irwin of Langley Times - Star Covers Grandstand

In today's Aldergrove Star and most likely in tommorow's Langley times, Columnist Al Irwin breaks the story of the Grandstand cost over runs. This story was brought to light by Councillor Kim Richter in Langley Free press last week in her 3 part series. We encourage Al to keep up with the story and if he so wishes he can cut and paste anything we have on this blog or for that matter anything else we have in here at any time. Since starting our blog just before Christmas our blog hits have risen dramatically into the thousands, but we do acknowledge that we are only getting to a fraction of the readership of the Black Press or Canwest local papers. In fact we appreciate that our readership is primarily news and political junkies who need their hits more than just a couple of days a week. We know that we do! Our purpose is not to compete but to provide another outlet for an alternative perspective and discussion and we are extremely pleased that Al Irwin is broadcasting the Grandstand overruns to the average taxpayer in Langley. They have to know about where their tax dollars go. With average Township revenues of only $70 odd million annually, percentage wise this should be a bigger fiasco than fast ferries in Langley. Kudos to Al, and if you see fit a little plug for little old Langley Free Press blog, note www.langleyfreepress.com ,would be much appreciated Al. We may even become kinder to Bucky...nah not that kind. Believe us, it's really all in fun Bucky.

Harper a big Trekkie

From Canadian Press; Big breaking news!

OTTAWA (CP) - It is said there's no bigger fan of James T. Kirk than Stephen Harper....

Well that does it we at Langley Free Press have finally found our single biggest reason to love Stephen Harper. Like us he is a Treekie, aka original star trek series fan. Where can we sign up to volunteer! We knew that if you dug deep you could ultimately find his motivation. This finally explains his charisma. He has very successfully modeled himself after the emotionless Spock. Down in the engine room we have Scotty, aka John Reynolds, keeping the warp drives ready to go into hyper space when needed. Stephen Harper, going boldly where no man has gone before. He's really been all along fighting Martin's Tricky Romulans and of course Layton's mindless Borgs. Stephen , please beam us up.

Langley All Candidates Meeting Review

"Superior Court is superior”
“If it is not in my party platform I won’t talk about it”

Guess who these classic lines came from last night at the first Federal all candidates debate in Langley.

If you guessed our Conservative MP you are right. His Bush’isms would make George Bush proud. In addition we were agog when he said that his party’s answer to the democratic deficit is basically to not permit “parachute candidates”. The pot calling the kettle black from former Abbotsford Councillor Warawa who himself parachuted into Langley just in time for his own election. For that matter there are two more parachutists, Liberal Bill Brooks and it appears Vicki Lee Sloan of the Canadian Action Party. Gee, 3 out of 5 parachutes running in Langley. But we are getting used to it here. It’s just as comfortable now in Langley as drafting Russian hockey players for the Canucks! Another great line from Warawa was that he would send druggies to jail so that they can dry out. Mark, there are more drugs in jail than on the streets! It seemed to me that Warawa’s constant answer to every issue was to put everyone in jail. I guess you can call him a single issue candidate.

Approximately 200 plus people came to watch the five Langley candidates debate. When Bill Brooks kept interrupting Warawa, Bev Dornan the moderator, reminded him this was not a debate. Huh? Bill’s emphasis was that the voters should choose him because of him and his past work for Langley. Essentially he was hoping the voter would basically ignore the fact he is a Liberal. Nice strategy Sam Kirk, it might buy him 2 or 3 votes. He also consistently reminded the audience that Warawa has done nothing for Langley. Hard to argue with that one. Heck, at times Bill Brooks sounded more like a Conservative than Warawa except that he unlike Warawa did not want to put everyone in jail. When asked direct questions on several issues he disagreed with the Liberal party line and even said he would tell Paul Martin he disagreed with him.

Patrick Meyer was basically Green, no news there on his second time at bats for the Green Party. Vicky Lee Sloan running for the Canadian Action Party repeated the Paul Hellyer mantra about free trade being bad & some bank of Canada stuff that nobody really understood or cared about.

The real star of the night though was 28 year old Angel Claypool for the NDP. This writer was surprised by her performance because you could sense that she was the most self less and sincerely real candidate on stage who had done her homework. We initially thought that she was just convenient NDP cannon fodder. If you are voting along the lines of the individual candidate rather than the party, leader or party policies you should give her a definite look. It was heartening indeed to see such a young person entering the political stage and doing such a fine job on stage. I could sense that she would work hard and not just talk the walk. Politics needs more Angels!

But in summary face it, Kermit the frog could run in Langley as a Conservative in this election and still win by at least 50% to 65% of the vote. So when you go out and vote be sure that Conservative Mark (Don’t pass Go, go directly to Jail) Warawa will win the Langley seat handily. So please consider that the Federal Government gives each party about $1.75 for each vote they get and that 5000 votes for instance translates into almost $8000.00 for the next election. So knowing that Warawa will absolutely win, why not vote strategically this time so that another party or individual that you could support too will get some money for the next election!
That’s all folks.

Local News Review

Langley Advance Tuesday January 10, 2006
Front page appropriately honours George Preston as well as other articles and editorials. It's really great to see young people in Langley organizing a debate at Ethical Addictions Saturday at 7 PM. Of other note we now have a gun owners group in Langley who obviously slam the Liberals. Are we still rednecks in Langley. You betcha! Last two articles are not on line.

Langley Times Wednesday January 11, 2006
Front page appropriately honours George Preston as well as other articles and editorials. Times once again has the best content of both papers. Specifically urgent need for shelter, Brooks' very small plug for Federal Liberals (compared to Warawa's full front page fluff last time), and great young entrepreneurs eBay 3rd person selling business in Langley(got to get the paper to read this one). Councillor Kim Richter's concern about new Golden Ears Bridge requiring rescue boat and who will pay for emergency services on the new bridge. We can always count on Kim to ask the tough and right questions. Most disturbing is story of knifing at Walnut Grove Secondary! Got to nip this in the bud asap in Langley schools!

CPAC-SES Nightly Poll Proves Debate Winner

The latest poll by SES Nightly poll clearly points out to us that Harper won the debate and for the first time Langley Free Press says, maybe the election! And the big debate losers were Layton & Duceppe. Big problems for the Liberals who are now behind Conservatives by 9% !

Before & After Debate leadership Index
Harper 70 grew to 86
Martin 80 down to 78
Layton 50 down to 40
Duceppe 30 down to 21

Advance Copy of Liberal Red Book Leaked

Hot of the Press!
Andrew Coyne says “The Western Standard has somehow obtained an advance copy of the Liberal platform. Was this the work of ... The Mole?”

Category - Langley School District Articles

This is a category page. The following posts (listed in order from newest to oldest) comment on anything about or posted by Your Editor at Langley Free Press.

• Langley School District Special Report by Susan Semonick - Wine & Cheese Anyone? - 1/23/2007
• Min. of Edu. News Release Special Report by Susan Semonick - 12/27/06
• December Langley School District Board Report - Special Report by Susan Semonick -12/16/06
• November Langley School District Board Report - Special Report by Susan Semonick -12/12/06
• Letter To The Editor - April 29, 2006 - From Peter Adamovich - Re: School Closure Procedures Review
• Letter To The Editor - April 29, 2006 - From Peter Adamovich - South Carvolth Kids going to Surrey School
• Letter To The Editor - April 1, 2006 - From Peter Adamovich - Re: South Carvolth Environmental School Closure Decision
• Closing Time For South Carvolth Environmental Elementary - 3/31/06
  
• Letter To The Editor - February 27, 2006 - From Sandra Zandbergen - South Carvolth School Public Survival Meeting March 8
  
• South Carvolth School Group Press Release - "Fighting to Stay Alive" - 2/27/06
  
• Letter to The Editor - January 29, 2006 - From Bruce Northway - School District Plan

Township Council Performance Review - Jan 9, 2006 evening Meeting

Not much to report on the Council Meeting except perhaps for the “gotcha” below. The meeting took about 1 1/2 hour in total, if that. There were no delegations or presentations.

In the last Council meeting, Charlie Fox talked with concern about the Fox & Hounds pub expansion and seemed to be pleased this meeting by basically adding another tree to give the nearby residents more privacy. Then there was some discussion about bylaws and other development permits that did not seem newsworthy at all. Exciting, you should have been there. I almost fell asleep in the viewing gallery.

Even Mayor Kurt Alberts for the first time in recollection had a very short Mayor’s report. More importantly, in his report he spoke very kindly of the recent tragic passing of some community leaders. He spoke admirably and reverently of George Preston who passed away at age 74 on Sunday morning. George was the prominent local businessman who twice served as Mayor of Langley Township. He supported countless charitable, arts and community organizations since coming to Langley in the 1960s. He will be sorely missed.

The council also announced the appointments of Councillors and community representatives to the council boards, commissions and committees. You can view all the appointments on the linked Township Council Agenda (link to be posted shortly). We will try to digest and summarize our thoughts on them at some other time. If you want to share your thoughts, feel free to do so.

Langley Free Press’s First “Gotcha”

The only notice of motion was from Councillor Kim Richter and as usual this council, just as the previous council, did not pass it and no body even wanted to talk about it at all because it was not even seconded for discussion. This is not so unusual as all the lads on Council were probably very uncomfortable discussing this item because it talked about making Langley better and more accessible for the disabled, handicapped and the elderly.

By the way, if you have not noticed, Councillor Richter is the only female on a council of the 9 members. As such, please forgive this editor in future when I refer to the males on council as lads, laddies, boys, lackies, ole boys club, not so silent slate, etc. The benefit of an all male groupthink opposition to Richter’s generally thoughtful motions makes it wonderfully easy for me to lump them together under any one of the the foregoing descriptors. Really great for an Editor, not so good for Richter or the Taxpayer though!

Anyhow I digress. Richter’s motion was a followup to the last meeting when Ken Hinton, township accessiblity watchdog, and Mary Trafford, a disabled youth worker, asked the Council to consider increasing accessibility for the handicapped and giving people the ability to age in place via “universal design” standards in new home construction. Richter’s motion asked Council to require that 25% of all new construction be “universal design” and that Council ask staff to report back on the feasibility of establishing a “Melrose Place” for disabled young adults. Both Hinton and Trafford made impassioned pleas to Council for action on these issues. Richter, at least, heard them.

But as I said the Albert’s ole boys club on council always seems to shy away from uncomfortable topics. Come on laddies, at least talk about it!

The real story though is this editor kept brochures and stuff on all the new council members’ election promises and propoganda. As a new feature, we will call discrepencies to election promises “Gotcha” in the future.

We at Langley Free Press for the life of us can’t understand why Councillor Jordan Bateman did not go along with Richter’s motion or at the very least second it for discussion. This would have been a great opportunity for him to try to at least talk around his campaign pledges. His election brochure shows his top 6 “pledges to you”.

Specifically note Bateman’s pledge No. 3; “make Langley the most wheelchair-friendly community in Canada”. Not to mention his other “pledge to Langley’s seniors … improve your recreational, social and housing opportunities”. Did I miss something or doesn’t adopting, modifying or at least exploring Richter’s motion on universal design talk to Jordan’s “pledges”? How soon politicians forget! I’m baffled.

Jordan, we’re not really picking on you. We look for the obvious. This one was too easy. Any how, Gotcha.

Category - LFP Comments Out Loud

This is a category page. The following posts (listed in order from newest to oldest) comment on anything about or posted by Your Editor at Langley Free Press.

• Unacceptable Transit Options for Langley Residents -2/03/2007
  
• Rick Mercer's Roundup - 1/31/2007
  
• "And Our Taxes Went Up" - Advance Editor - 1/23/2007
• Kudos To Times Editor & MP Warawa -1/19/2007
• Rick Mercer's Front Page News Video - 1/19/2007
• Canada's First Premier TV Weatherman, Percy Saltzman Dies - 1/18/2007
• Bush/Cheney Iraq Plan: Add 20,000 Soldiers - More Blood for More Oil? - 1/16/2007
• Add or View Your Doctor's Anonymous Ratings - 1/15/2007
• $$$ Up ! Up ! & UP - 1/03/2007
• Saddam Hussein Executed In Iraq - 12/29/2006
• Local Reported News in Review Time - Manure, Greetings & Political Correctness - 12/27/2006
• 2006 - The Year That Religious Monoliths Began to Break Down - 12/22/2006
• Coach Suspended For Asking His Hockey Players to Sign Flag For Our Troops -12/21/2006
• "You" are Time Magazine's person of the year - 12/16/2006
• Churches, Taxes, Unions, Police, Schools & Casino Reviews In The News - 12/08/2006
• Is Big Brother Causing Slow Snow Removal? - 12/08/2006
• Ed Stelmach Replaces King Ralph Klein - 12/03/2006
• Do You Want More Tax Hikes? Get Ready! -11/30/2006
• Mayor Of Fort Langley? No Surprise At All! -11/30/2006
• Langley School District Controversial - 11/28/2006
• Schmaltz Brothers In Arms - 11/21/2006
• Langley Power Restoration Two Days Too Long? - 11/17/2006
• LFP Is Back, Refreshed and Pissed - 10/18/2006
• Did Mexican President Vicente Fox Bow To U.S. Pressure? - 5/04/2006
• Mexico Decriminalizes Pot, Cocaine - Yup You Heard Right! - 4/28/2006
• Sweden's Muslims Demand Separate Laws For Muslims! -4/28/2006
• B.C. Government Introduces Legislation to Limit School Class Sizes - 4/27/2006
• "Happy Fun Kid's Club" - by Rick Mercer - 4/25/2006
• Bloggers Are The New Sherpas - 4/24/2006
• BC 211 Telephone Service Coming Soon - 4/15/2006
• Another Point Of View On Afghanistan War - 4/13/2006
• Do You Really Want To Keep Eating Hamburger? - 4/13/2006
• BC Legislative Police Raid - Where Are The Media Questions? - 4/12/2006
• "Live the adventure in Afghanistan" - Join Tim Hortons Kandahar - 4/12/2006
• Rabble Rousers Rrr Rocking - 4/11/2006
• U.S. Army Officer's Top 10 Reasons For Canada To Stay In Afghanistan - 4/11/2006
• 'When we kill enough(Canadians) ... they will quit' Says Afghanistan Taliban - 4/9/2006
• BC Lib Govt To Blame For Child Protection Mess - 4/7/2006
• "Preston-for-Premier" Gains Steam - 4/7/2006
• Richter Report - April 5, 2006 - Warawa Promises "Complete Response" - 4/5/2006
• Legislative Raid Charges Expand To Alleged Influence Peddling By Previous Provincial Liberal Ministerial Aides - 4/5/2006
• Restructuring, Rightsizing & Changes At Radio CKNW 980 - 4/5/2006
• Klein Calls It Quit By Year End - 4/4/2006
  
• Live Streaming Video & Audio Of Island Nesting Eagles! - 4/4/2006
  
• Should Richmond School District Help Hand Out Bibles To Students? - 4/4/2006
  
• Langley RCMP Officer Resigns Over Child Porn - 4/4/2006
  
• Provincial Lib's Basi, Virk Warrant Information Released - 4/4/2006
  
• Ralph Klein's Wife Warns Palace Revolt May Backfire! - 4/4/2006
  
• Preston Manning Interested- Calls For Persuasion To Replace Klein - 4/1/2006
  
• Will Ralph Klein Resign - Now? - 4/1/2006
  
• Richmond B.C. – In Perpetual Turmoil - 3/31/2006
  
• Closing Time For South Carvolth Environmental Elementary - 3/31/2006
  
• You Heard It Here First! - "Boots On The Ground" Canadian Ad in Washington - 3/30/2006
  
• Boots on The Ground Art Exhibit In Washington DC Cdn Embassy - 3/29/2006
  
• Soldiers In Training Eager To Go To Afghanistan - 3/29/2006
  
• Canadian Soldier Killed In Firefight - 3 Wounded - 3/28/2006
  
• Queen Of The North Resting Upright in Video Released - 3/28/2006
  
• Canada’s Military in Afghanistan –Peacekeeping or Security & Combat? - 3/26/2006
  
• Langley Casino Killing Fraser Downs Casino -3/23/2006
  
• City Of Richmond, Laughs & Giggles - 3/22/2006
  
• Political Spin of The Day -3/22/2006
  
• Rick Mercer Reminds Us Its Tax Time! - 3/22/2006
  
• Northen BC Ferry Sinks at 1 AM - 3/22/2006
  
• H5N1 Bird Flu Has Split Into Two Distinct Strains - 3/21/2006
  
• Private Copeman Medical Clinic To Be Investigated - 3/21/2006
  
• Trinity Western University Announces New President - 3/20/2006
  
• B.C. government and public service union reach tentative contract deal - 3/20/2006
  
• Weird & Wacky: Hard Waking Up Mornings?
• Must Faith Remain Taboo in Canadian Politics? - 3/18/2006
  
• Richmond $178M Olympic Oval Makes Langley’s $3-4-5M Grandstand Look Great! - 3/17/2006
  
• Et tu, Brutus - 3/14/2006
  
• Remove prayer from convocation - U of T Student Group - 3/14/2006
  
• BC Doctors Negotiate 19% Hike Over Four Years -3/14/2006
  
• The Battle of the Spins - 3/13/2006
  
• “Spending Out Of Control in Langley Township” - Vancouver Province Newspaper - 3/9/2006
  
• Translink Parking Tax Anger Aldergrove Elks - 3/7/2006
  
• Langley University Holds First Ever School Dance! - 3/6/2006
  
• Canada has become the biggest exporter of oil to the United States - 3/4/2006
  
• Alberta Premier Ralph Klein Must Go - Says Calgary Herald - 3/4/2006
  
• City of Richmond Wins 8th Annual Teddies Waste Award - 3/2/2006
  
• "Husband dies weeks after he and his wife of 70 years are separated by BC Health Ministry" - 3/1/2006
  
• H5N1 Keeps Migrating Around The Globe - 3/1/2006
  
• Scary Comparative Statistics of Military Losses - 2/27/2006
  
• Interest Rate Hikes Looming - 2/27/2006
  
• CDN Taxpayers Federation Dishes BC Budget - 2/23/2006
  
• Globe Hockey Headline Pictures Say It All - 2/23/2006
  
• Casino Wars and Gambling Advertising - 2/23/2006
  
• Kudos To Kevin Falcon - Walk a Mile in My Shoes - 2/23/2006
  
• We Told You So - Now Send Langley City a Police Services Bill - 2/22/06
  
• Downtown Vancouver Courier Newspaper Dishes Port Mann Twinning - 2/21/2006
  
• H5N1 Bird Flu - Global Growth Alarming - 2/19/2006
  
• Gretzkys, High Rollers? - 2/13/2006
  
• Rich Coleman Social Housing Firestorm Coming? -2/13/2006
  
• Worker’s Compensation Claimant Battle Ends In Suicide - 2/13/2006
  
• Jack Layton Disagrees With NDP Booting Buzz Hargrove - 2/13/2006
  
• Canada's Womens Olympic Hockey Team Beats Russia 12-0 Today and Italy 16-0 Yesterday! - 2/12/2006
  
• US VP Dick Cheney Shoots Hunting Partner! -2/12/2006
  
• Youngest Premier in Canada Elected in Nova Scotia - 2/11/2006
  
• Please Tell Me It Ain't So! - 2/8/2006
  
• Build Social Housing or Just Provide Rental Supplements? Coleman to decide
• You Heard It Here First! - Who Will Get Top Admin Job In Surrey City - 2/8/2006
  
• Conservative Minister Solberg Shuts Down His Blog - Who's Next? - 2/8/2006
  
• Armed Canadian Border Guards? - 2/4/2006
• Highway One Expansion Plan - First Open House, In Langley Feb 18th - 1/31/2006
  
• Computer Worm Warning For Friday!
• Its About Time Get On With It - 1/31/2006
  
• CCRA – Federal Tax Man Wants to Collect for Other Levels of Government!
• Trinity Western University Students Want Paradigm Shift in How Trinity Is Run
• BC Libs & NDP Want Action Re Bountiful Polygamy - 1/28/2006
  
• Canwest Employees Beware -1/27/2006
  
• Open Letter To Mary Polak: Work Alone Legislation Required, Especially For Youth
• NDP Says Rich Coleman Should be Ashamed - 1/25/2006
• Letter to the Editor - Jan 20,2006 - From Blair King
• Blog Power Rules ! - 1/22/2006
• Vecchiato’s Voice Is Coming To Langley Free Press - 1/20/2006
• New Translink Chair Waffles on Port Mann Doubling - 1/18/2006
• Guess The Election Candidate Celebrity Supporter - 1/18/2006
• Sumas 2 may finally be dead! - 1/06/2006
• Welcome to our newest Contributing Columnist - Muriel Arnason! - 12/31/2005
• Have a Great Christmas Holiday season ! - 12/23/2005
• Langley Free Press has Landed - Merry Xmas - 12/17/2005

Early Leaders Debate Results

Well the debate is over and only the French debate remains for tomorrow night. Who won? Ipsos Reid poll says the following from immediate after debate poll;

Harper 34%
Martin 31%
Layton 26%
Duceppe 2%
Not sure 6%

Ipsos Reid also has results on before and post debate as to who they most likely would vote for;

Before Debate Poll

Conservative 43%
Liberal 31%
NDP 21%
Green 5%

After Debate Poll

Conservative 40% ( down 3%)
Liberal 32% (up 1%)
NDP 23% (up 2%)
Green 5%

As we said in previous post we really don't buy 8% gap in the final analysis but we do find the overall change above basically showing no clear debate winner. At least not tonight, 30 minutes after the debate. It is to early to say who won or lost. But obviously no knock out punches.
The major issue was when Martin announced that he would legislate that using not withstanding clause will not be allowed for issues that effect human rights. Wonder what Harper will respond to this one. Lets wait and see how the public digests this. More tomorrow.

We Don't Buy Media Polls of Big Lead By Harper

We have a hard time at Langley Free Press believing the polls quoted out there by the Lemming media. They promote a 6 to 8 or more percentage point lead and election win by the Conservatives. Some even suggest a majority! We reject the premise of Harper absolutely winning the election because of the following facts. We say look at the polls carefully. Specifically we stick by the CPAC –SES Nightly poll which is daily updated and posted daily on our sidebar to the right. Let’s look at the real facts specifically using the SES poll;

They poll 1200 Canadians nightly. Their poll last election was darn accurate.
Presently the Conservatives are shown to be winning in Canada by 3% based on popular vote.
The election is about winning seats not general votes.
Regionally Atlantic Canada is a rout for the Liberals by almost 28%. Atlantic will be solid Liberal.
Regionally Western Canada is a rout for the Conservatives by 18%. West will be solid Conservative.
In Quebec the Bloc leads both Libs & Cons by 27% to 32%. Quebec will be solid Bloc. But face it seats like Westmount will go Liberal not Conservative.
Seat Rich Ontario, the key, is tied. But face it Urban will go Liberal and Conservative will win Rural. The real question is how many?
But who will get the most seats in Ontario. That is the key to winning a minority Government.
Of the 1200 polled 18% are undecided. We predict that they will mainly go Liberal!
Even in the West many urban centers will vote Liberal. Western Liberal/Conservative split in urban/rural seats except in Alberta.
The poll shows that both Martin & Harper are tied in performance and as best PM.
Finally women, emigrant based voters and strong charter supporters still don’t feel good about Harper.

Summary: Ontario is where the minority government will be won by either Harper or Martin. This country will be split down a lot of middles. Atlantic versus West. French Canada versus English Canada. Urban versus rural. Minorities versus mainstream. And finally philosophies and values, essentially Liberal versus Conservative. We predict this will be a close race on seats more so than on population. Who will win? It’s very tough to absolutely say who right now. But, it will be tight and a minority. Our prediction: we bet on the Liberals because ultimately when it gets tough the Liberals always seem to rally from behind.

Conservative Justice Critic Advocates Use of Notwithstanding Clause

If you link on over to the Liberal HO you will see their latest Presser;

“Tape Reveals Conservative Justice Critic Advocates Use of Notwithstanding Clause. Ottawa - Conservative Justice Critic Vic Toews has called for the use of the notwithstanding clause to revoke the right to equal marriage in Canada, which is an equality right as defined by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

Looks like the Liberals are hoping to start up a mirror image of the famous Randy White gaffe in the last election! All this, on the eve of the debate. Interesting. I bet the conservatives have a presser out there ready to go too!

By the way note that on the Liberal splash web page they have a countdown clock that cycles through the Conservative promises and takes the surplus to a deficit. Actually it did catch my eye.

Rafe Mair - Harper May Even Get A Majority

See Rafe Mair’s opinion in TheTyee.ca today. Rafe says that Paul Martin needs a miracle to win and unless that happens, he even thinks Harper could get a majority. Meanwhile depending on what polls you believe, Stephen Harper is leading by anywhere from 2 to 8 percentage points. Wow the media momentum is swinging big time in favor of Harper’s Conservatives. Will this hold out for 15 more days? Tonight’s debate will be very interesting.

Final English Debate Tonight

Chantal Hebert reports that there will be new dynamics on the debate tonight. Watch the polls after the debate. If Martin pulls it out of the teeth of defeat Harper will be finished. Same scenario for Martin. Jack Layton will most likely be left out in the cold in tonight’s debate. We wonder if Duceppe will attack Conservatives tonight? Since the Conservatives are leading in all the polls, her points in summary are;

Harper will be the focus and he will make it or break it tonight.
Last election, 17 months ago, he was leading and after the debate dropped.
Martin when all is at its worst traditionally makes a comeback.
Conservatives up in Quebec because they like his watered down federalism.
It will be tougher for Martin to use the unity fear card because of Bloc drop to Conservatives.
More voters will watch tonight’s debate than last time.

Richter Report - January 8, 2006 Preventing Another Grandstand Tax Drain

“Bateman & Richter discuss solutions in public”
Regarding my 3-part series on the new grandstand, I received the following communiqué from Township Councillor Jordan Bateman wanting to second some of the actions I proposed to prevent further capital project budget overrun fiascos.

"#3, 4, and 6 sound like they could be put into the much-needed procurement policy update. Craft it into a notice of motion, and I'll gladly second it. Jordan 01.05.06 - 8:26 pm"

Jordan is referring to three suggested actions that I put forward in Part 3 of my discussion on the grandstand budget fiasco (Langley Free Press; January 5, 2006). A recent correspondent, Blair, pointed out to me that we have to do what’s best for the Township and its taxpayers. So, in the spirit of “Getting to Yes” as recommended by Blair, now that I know I have a seconder, I’ll put the motion you suggested forward, Jordon. A small change in the right direction is better than no change at all. Thank you for your support.

On the topic of Township’s procurement policy, I will have more to say on this matter later as I’m not convinced that the revised policy as presented to Council for approval last fall is in the best interests of the taxpayers.

As an aside Jordan, I believe this is a somewhat historic event. Two Councillors, along with much input and opinion from taxpayers via both Langley Free Press and Langley Politics Dotcom, have in the open, public domain discussed the problems, causes and solutions of a significant issue and agreed to work together at the Council Table on fixing it. In my opinion, this is pretty significant for Langley! Thanks for taking this initiative. I appreciate it.
KIM RICHTER

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) to see 3 part series

Kim Richter is in her 3rd term as Langley Township Councillor and also is a Professor of Business at Kwantlen University College. She holds a masters degree in health administration and was a health care management consultant.

Its Official - Alberts on Translink Board

Kurt Alberts of Langley Township will sit on the Translink board with 11 other primarily municipal mayors in GVRD such as Mayors Sam Sullivan, Derek Corrigan, Malcom Brodie and Dianne Watts of Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and Surrey respectively. Councillor Marvin Hunt of Surrey also was chosen. We think it is basically Alberts turn to be on Translink because it was more or less our turn anyhow in Township to represent the Township, Langley City, Peace Arch and White Rock.

This will now be Alberts defining moment because Marlene Grinnell, our past representative on the board, managed to get Langley City gobs of Translink funded roadwork, bus service and not to mention the uselessly located 204th Street overpass. Let's see how much Kurt gets from the new West End dominated Translink Board that will fight to stop the Port Mann bridge twinning and pretty much try to keep Langley Township to its sub rural roots! All that remains now is the choice of chair by the board. Heavy lobbying coming up! But the money is on Brodie of Richmond. Who really wants it? It took down the previous two Translink chairs.

Similarly Albert's position on the Translink Board will be a large sink or swim opportunity for him as well. Can he be as effective as Grinnell was in getting the transportation infrastructure that Langley desperately needs? We are betting that he has slim chances because our priorities don't amount to a hill of beans with the big boys in the hood. Also Alberts is no Grinnell who out negotiated him on several City -Township joint deals. Yup, Township is still subsidizing almost $3/4 million a year for the City's police. I believe its almost 2 years since it was brought to the City's attention folks. Remember he has just under 3 years to get something big for Langley Township. In either event I'm sure that his success or failure will be exploited in our next Township election.

Sumas 2 may finally be dead!

People in the Fraser Valley are breathing easier today and it seems they will be for a long time. The Sumas 2 Energy Project is dead, at least for now. News Report 1130.

Local News Review

Aldergrove Star – Thursday January 5, 2006
Only three interesting stories this week plus Kurt’s editorial.

1. The Aldergrove sewer system is broken and must be fixed. Key fact is; our taxes must fix it for $16 to $65 million! Lets rush out and build more Grandstands too!


2. Langley School District will hire 15 more teachers to help reduce class size and help kids who have learning disabilities. Bottom line is they are rehiring staff they let go a few years ago!


3. Aussie financial group buys out ABN Avro’s interest in the new Abbotsford Hospital. Hmm… we wonder why?


4. Edith Griese gets 5000 signatures demanding transit service between Aldergrove to Abbotsford. Admirable, but face it, Aldergrove hardly has bus service to Langley yet!

Langley Times – Friday January 6, 2006

1. The Langley Times has an admirable and laudable focus on the Crystal Meth issue with 3 articles and an editorial devoted to the topic. The articles provides stories on what crystal meth is ,that a community based multi disciplinary task force is required and about a true life addict story. The story that really hits a homerun is about Carolyne Beaudoin who tells her story as an addict to a classroom of her peer age. She was a guest speaker for Kwantlen Professor & Councillor Kim Richter's class. The accompanying picture of Carolyne by John Gordon is haunting with the artistic shot of the long hallway behind her.We really can't be flippant about this issue and hope everyone understands the dangers of Crystal Meth. Read the articles and kudos to the Times for doing their job very well on this issue.


2. A bylaw court to be shared by Langley City, Township & Abbotsford. Wow, what a concept. Someone better warn Abbotsford that the City is usually a shrewd negotiator and will get every one else to pay for it.


3. Frank Bucholtz’s editorial on election promises criticizes that the promises will create more bureaucracy in the end. I don't know about you but we at Langley Free Press are all promised out in this election. Our eyes glaze over now every time, each party daily promises to spend more of our money. We've lost track of all the promises and who made them!

Langley Advance – Friday January 6, 2006
Competing with the Times focus on Crystal Meth makes it really tough to find anything more meaningful in the Advance today. But let’s try.

1. Ad this to the list of Langley City strange, unusual and ever increasing crime and violence list. Woman on bike hit by bottle thrown from passing vehicle. Maybe the perpetrator just lost his shirt at the casino.


2. Mark Warawa is once again dangling a carrot in front of us saying he will get try to get us money for new overpasses in Langley. Did we mention our sheet of paper on Warawa accomplishments for Langley is still blank?


3. The editor scolds the public who booed at the World Junior Hockey game. He’s right, but darn it sometimes you can only take so much from the “ugly Americans”.

Susan Semonick's "On School's Report" Bio & All Her LFP Columns

>VIEW ALL her LFP columns by Mouse Clicking Here<

Susan Semonick Bio

Susan's picture, bio, etc. here are still under construction. It will be completed shortly. In the meantime Mouseclick the following to see Susan's school petition webpage in the meantime.

>VIEW ALL her LFP columns by Mouse Clicking Here<

Brooks asks what has Warawa Done?

We received a Press Release from Langley Federal Liberal Candidate, Bill Brooks, where it pointedly questions what our Conservative MP Mark Warawa actually did for Langley. Our editorial group sat around a table, put our feet up, poured a dry martini, and made a list of all his accomplishments. Heck we even went to Warawa's website. Well the piece of paper is still blank. Help us out there folks. Remind us what he did for Langley or the paper will remain blank. Maybe my martini is too dry!

Oh by the way have a look at said attached press release and surprise, surprise..Sam Kirk is Brooks Campaign Communication Manager. He was also Jordan Bateman's Campaign Manager. FYI, Sam and Jordan are also the co-founders & co-contributors at LangleyPolitics.com . Sam, how long have you been a federal Liberal? We bet Brooks is hoping you can replicate the same magic that you used to elect Jordan Bateman to Council. But seriously folks, of all Langley's politicos, we respect and really like Sam. A true gentleman.

If any other candidates wish to send us their press releases, we would be pleased to receive them.

Richter Report – January 5, 2006 – Over Budget & Out of Control (Part3of3)

Over-Budget & Out-of-Control: Diary of the Township Grandstand Project – Part 3

Solutions (Third & final of a 3 part series)

A project that was estimated to cost $3.0 Million two years ago is now costing $5.2 Million. Of this, Township taxpayers are on the hook for $3.0 million instead of their original $800,000 share – a 300% increase. So what can we do to stop financial disasters like this from happening again?

Here are my suggestions. (Any others would be welcome and are obviously needed).

1) Council should be prepared to say “NO” to budget increase requests and, if necessary, stop projects immediately without hesitation. Council should not be seduced into ever-increasing budgets.
2) A budget should be sacred and consequences clear. This new culture must prevail.
3) Council must be always assured of securing firm fixed prices under all circumstances in future and not be coerced into entering design-build contracts, especially in very active and inflationary construction times, and never on large and unique projects.
4) Contracts with co-sponsors should clearly state that all parties share all costs and cost overruns.
5) In light of this and other recent dramatic cost increases, Council should severely curtail and restrict new projects for the next few years until the Olympic construction boom cools down. We don’t have to build everything today. We can wait for more favourable cost periods.
6) A separate level of independent cost surveyor reporting to the Council should be employed on large and unique projects.
7) Finally, we should strike a joint public-township task force to investigate this specific project and all similar capital projects in the Township. In addition to a senior Township administrator and a member of Council, this task force should be comprised of competent, capable and independent individuals experienced in construction, contracts, design and cost accounting. They should be charged with reporting causes for overruns on budgets, and recommending policies & procedures for courses of action to prevent and eliminate overruns in the future.

Township taxpayers cannot be expected to continually suffer increases in tax rates to pay for over-budget spending. The gravy train must end.

KIM RICHTER

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) to see 3 part series

Kim Richter is in her 3rd term as Langley Township Councillor and also is a Professor of Business at Kwantlen University College. She holds a masters degree in health administration and was a health care management consultant.

Harper Gets Nasty Towards Martin

Globe & Mail reports that Harper got Downright nasty & personal! Hang on Stephen don't lose it. Specifically Mr. Harper was responding to questions about his own love of Canada that were raised Tuesday in a speech by the Liberal leader. "Mr. Martin has questioned my patriotism," said Mr. Harper, whose frustration was evident. "The fact is Mr. Martin lived a good deal of his professional life under the flags of other countries and Mr. Martin constantly tried — and was successful, I gather — at avoiding paying taxes in Canada. That's the record."

Richter Report – January 4, 2006 – Over Budget & Out of Control (Part2of3)

Over-Budget & Out-of-Control: Diary of the Township Grandstand Project – Part 2

The Background / History (Second of a 3 part series)

On December 21, 2005, with relatively little discussion or debate, the new Township Council blithely approved another million dollar injection to a project that continues to escalate dramatically in costs. This latest million dollars was over and above the extra million dollars injected by the last council in November 2004. The result: a project that was budgeted to cost $3.0 million is now costing $5.2 million AND the Township of Langley taxpayers have been bearing the full burden of all these budget overruns.

Don’t or can’t believe this? Well, thanks to the wonders of modern technology and Township records available through the TOL website, the following is a detailed chronology of the very sad saga of the MAP grandstand project, out of control.

At the October 30, 2000 Regular Council Meeting, Township Council approved a motion that the City and Township of Langley make a joint application under the Federal/Provincial Infrastructure Program to construct a grandstand at the Municipal Athletic Park (MAP).

Over the next 3 years, this project concept went back and forth between the City, the Township, various committees and the Province. Finally, on June 16, 2003, there was a Report to Council which identified that the estimated budget for completion of the grandstand facility would be $3,063,748.

At the Regular Meeting on August 25, 2003, Council approved the MAP Grandstand as the Township’s #1 “Municipal Recreation and Community” Infrastructure Project at an estimated cost of $3,060,000 (to be cost-shared 1/3 federal, 1/3 provincial and 1/3 municipal). Staff was directed to make application for these funds.

At the Special Meeting of April 5, 2004, Council reiterated its position that the MAP Grandstand was a priority for funding from the provincial/federal infrastructure program (community projects) and on June 14, 2004, a letter was received in the Special Meeting from the Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Program confirming approval of funding in the amount of $2,000,000 for the Langley Grandstand Project.

So, the money’s all there – a done deal, right? Wrong. This is where the story starts to get really good.

At the September 15, 2004 Joint City/Township Parks and Recreation Committee, members were advised that the grandstand must be finished by 2006 to take advantage of the $2.0 Million federal/provincial funding. The grandstand had originally been scheduled for a 2007 completion.

At the November 17, 2004 Joint City/Township Parks & Recreation Committee, members were advised that the cost of construction would be “considerably higher” but that staff were looking at ways to reduce costs or rescope the project.

Then, at the November 29, 2004 Special Council Meeting, Township Council authorized early release of funds for the grandstand with a total budget envelop of $4.0 million (inclusive of all external costs) and that the Township’s contributions for this project would be limited to $1.58 Million.

On February 14, 2005, Council authorized the selection of an architect at a cost not to exceed $253,320 + GST for design, construction documents and construction administration services.

At the April 13, 2005 Township Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, members were advised that the grandstand was scheduled for completion by February 2006.

At the May 9, 2005 Special Meeting, Council received an update on the grandstand project which identified that the grandstand would consist of 2363 seats and only ½ a roof as a full roof would cost an additional $700,000. Only putting on ½ a roof would keep the project costs below the $4.0 million budget but the construction manager would strive to reduce costs to accommodate a full roof. Construction was scheduled to start mid-May 2005. Council asked staff to find other funding opportunities.

From May until December 2005, all was quiet on the grandstand front. There were no other formal reports to Council until the budget meeting of the new council on December 21, 2005. At this Special Meeting of Council, a budget line appeared on page 153 asking Council to pre-approve an additional $1.2 Million for the MAP Grandstand as “the project is underway and required further commitments to finish by the end of May 2006”. Huh? Where did this come from? Whatever happened to the Nov/04 resolution to limit the Township’s contributions for this project to $1.58 Million? (This $1.2 Million is in addition to the $1.58 Million limit).

An amendment motion from Councillors Bateman and Fox authorized that the requested grandstand pre-approval be made but limited to 80% of the $1.2 Million or $960,000. This was carried with only myself opposed.

As I recall, Council’s logic was that the additional 20% (of the new $1.2 Million) should be provided by Langley City. [Now, we can’t even get Langley City to pay for the 7 man-years of policing service they receive from the Township (at a cost of about $700,000+ per year). So, I don’t know why we’d think they’d be willing to cough up $240,000 for this budget overrun that they didn’t authorize].

Besides the real issue here is not that the City should pay 20%, it’s the fact that there has been such a significant budget overrun in the first place. A project that was estimated to cost $3.0 Million two years ago is now sitting at $5.2 Million. Of this, the Township taxpayers are on the hook for $3.0 million instead of $800,000 (80% of the original 1/3 municipal cost).

I am more than a little concerned about the dramatic budget escalations we’ve seen over the past few years in Township capital projects. In my opinion, they are just not sustainable. So what can we do to stop this from happening again? (Unfortunately, recall isn’t an option.)

KIM RICHTER
Coming Tomorrow: Part 3 - Solutions (Third & Final of a 3 part series)

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) to see 3 part series

Local News Review

Langley Advance - Tuesday, January 3, 2006

1. Marlene Grinnell is named Newsmaker of the Year. We can't really argue with this but we think the Newsmaker of the year should be the all the Langley Voters whose apathy and appalling turnout was the most significant event of the year in the Langleys! Others argue the Newsmaker is the local newspapers which did a gawd awful job in reporting the real candidates, choices, issues and generally not inciting the voters to vote at all.


2. Great news: the RCMP are targeting repeat offenders and the drug trade in the Langleys. By the way, like clockwork at 3:30 AM every morning drive by the 200 St Tim Hortons and see how many squad cars are having a break. I wonder if crime stats are up at that time?

Langley Times - Wednesday, January 4, 2006

1. Bucky is going out of his way to be neutral to all candidates in his editorial. We wonder how long this will last but of note he does give a big front page splash to his fav which quite frankly(excuse the pun) is not news at all but just fluff. Will Brooks get front page splash? The biggest comment is when Wawa says: "more federal funding...( for 204th St Overpass)...may be impossible to attain". Wow, my hero!


2. Anybody want to buy the real newsmaker of the year home?


3. Township staff report suggested changes to help increase voter turnout. Right on and get on with it.


4. Letters to the editor focus rightly on million dollar animal shelters but no investment on homeless shelters. May we suggest the $5 million open air Grandstand that Kim Richter headlines in this week's Richter Report right here in little ole Langley Free Press. Come back later tonight to view Richter's part 2 of 3 Grandstand Out of Control column.

Shane Dyson Submits News

I understand there are three all-candidate meetings scheduled so far:
Chamber of Commerce,
Jan. 11, at the Langley Seniors Resource Centre, 20605 - 51B Ave. from 7-9 p.m

Council of Canadians,
Jan 14, at the Seniors Centre at 1:30 p.m.

Squash Apathy youth voter initiative group on Jan 14th at Ethical Addictions, 20411 Fraser Highway at 7:00 p.m.

It's great to see some of our younger leaders taking a role in informing the electorate.
Shane

Forward:
Dear Angel Claypool,
I am a representative of the Langley-based Squash Apathy youth voter initiative. We are hosting an upcoming Federal Election all-candidates forum on Saturday, January 14th at Ethical Addictions Coffee House, located at 20411 Fraser Highway in Langley. The event will get underway at approximately 7:00 pm and will also feature live local musical performances.
The purpose of the forum is to provide the youth of Langley with an opportunity to make direct contact with the federal candidates of their riding. Attendees may ask questions of the candidates during the Que stion and Answer period, and will have the chance to begin a dialogue with them before and after the forum.
We believe that one of the best ways to inform young people of this upcoming event is to provide information via their youth groups or congregations, and we ask for your help in this by displaying some of our event posters in your building, and by informing your youth groups of this forum.
We feel that together, we can positively affect youth voter turnout in Langley. Please contact myself at your soonest convenience so that I can address and of your questions or concerns.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Aimee Kuo
Event Coordinator
eventcoordinator@squashapathy.org

Letters To The LFP Editor

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Who & Where Are Canada's True Leaders?

It seems everyone is slagging and predicting the demise of just about every one of our national parties' leaders except for maybe Gilles Duceppe who will never lead our country. Where have all the real leaders gone and are there any out there who can rise to become the Prime Minister that we all crave for? One Toronto Star columnist muses that we need a different breed of politician. We say how about finding the next great Prime Minister be that person Liberal, Conservative or otherwise? Or are there no more great ones possible in this day & age? I fear we will probably have many more minority governments until such time as a great Leader emerges that captures the imagination of the broad base of Canadian voters.

Conservatives Two Faced on Attack Ads

Well it looks like the Conservatives have starting the "Attack Ads" in earnest first which is hypocritical since they complain about the Liberal ads which we have not seen as of yet. If the Liberals are smart they should not play any attack ads at all and let the Conservatives drag themselves through the U.S. style political mud. The Liberals should not panic and stay the course. The game is make sure the message is right and stay on message. Harper, who is now feeling cocky, is risking all now by changing course from his meat & potatoes policies to pursue gutter politics. Will the voter buy this poop. The Conservatives TV ads try to justify their actions by accusing the Liberals of planning attack ads yet preempt with their own two radio Conservative attack ads. Pretty two faced, don't you think?
Ottawa Radio Negative Ad
More than Money Radio negative Ad

Richter Report – January 3, 2006 – Over Budget & Out of Control (Part1of3)

Over-Budget & Out-of-Control: Diary of the Township Grandstand Project – Part 1

The Issue (First of a 3 part series)

On December 21, 2005, all members of the new Township Council (except for me) voted to pre-approve 80% of an additional $1.2 Million for the McLeod Athletic Park Grandstand project. This means that Township taxpayers are now paying 300% more than originally budgeted for their share of this project. It’s beginning to sound a lot like RAV….

Originally budgeted to cost $3.0 Million, the tally for the new open air grandstand with changing rooms now stands at $5.2 Million. Of the original $3.0 Million, $2.0 Million was contributed by the federal and provincial governments. The remaining $1 Million was to be cost-shared 80%/20% between the Township and City. However, Langley Township Taxpayers have gone from paying the planned initial budget total of $800,000 to now paying $3,000,000 because we’ve been picking up the tab for all the cost overruns.
This is a whopping 300% over-budget for the Township portion of the grandstand capital project. So when you eventually sit down in it, enjoy the seat as it will have cost you in the Township about $1270 a seat when it initially was budgeted to cost you just $339 a seat. When you pay your home taxes this July, you should calculate if your taxes paid for the equivalent of 1, 2 or 3 of the 2363 seats.

The Grandstand is in great company because adjacent to it in the same park is the new field house building that started out at an estimated $500,000 cost and ended up 70% over budget at $854,000. But that’s another story.

So when you drive by 56th Avenue and 216th street, look to the North West and you will see our McLeod Athletic Park (MAP) just east of Langley Secondary School with the artificial turf soccer field and running track. Facing this is the new gold plated Grandstand and changing rooms structure being built as we speak.

Compare the $5.2 Million value of this open air Grandstand construction cost which had no land costs included to the $6.1 Million purchase price of our new Municipal Hall - a 4 storey enclosed building which included the costly land as well! On the positive side, at least the new grandstand will have a roof.

Don’t or can’t believe all this? Stay tuned.
KIM RICHTER

Coming Tomorrow: Part 2 - The Background/ History (Second of a 3 part series)

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) to see 3 part series

Category - Federal Politics

This is a category page. The following posts (listed in order from newest to oldest) comment on anything about Federal Politics posted by Your Editor at Langley Free Press

• Stephen Harper Is as Green As Snow is Black! - 1/30/2007
  
• Kudos To Times Editor & MP Warawa - 1/19/2007
• Election Fever Forces Harper Cabinet Shuffle - 1/04/2007
• Harper Conservative's First Canadian Budget
• Softwood Lumber Agreement Unraveling Already - Impinges On Canadian Sovereignty - 4/28/2006
• Ken Dryden & Gerard Kennedy Makes It Ten Little Indians - 4/28/2006
• Do We Really Still Have A Valid NAFTA Agreement Anymore? - 4/27/2006
• 3 Way Liberal Leadership Race - 4/27/2006
• Voters Like Idea of a Liberal-NDP Merger - 4/27/2006
• Letter to the Editor - April 26,2006 - From Tom Ouellette - Honour Our Troops - Red Fridays - 4/26/2006
• Total Taxes For Average Canadian Family Increased 1,600 % Since 1961! - 4/26/2006
• "Happy Fun Kid's Club" - by Rick Mercer - 4/25/2006
• Are The Harper Conservatives Essentially Censoring Our War Dead Images? Why? - 4/24/2006
• Then There Were Eight - Bob Rae & Carolyn Bennett In Liberal Race - 4/23/2006
• Four More Coming Home As Threat Getting Worse - 4/23/2006
• Then There Were 6 – Scott Brison Is In - 4/23/2006
• Tories Will No Longer Lower Our Flags For Canadian War Dead In Afghanistan - 4/22/2006
• Canadian Afghan War Dead Tally - In Honour & In Grief - 4/22/2006
• Then There Were Five - Liberal Leadership Race -4/22/2006
• David Emerson Frustrated as a Conservative And More! Minister's Office Denies Remarks - 4/20/2006
• Then There Were Four - Liberal Leadership Race - 4/20/2006
• New Harper Tories - Get In Line Or Get Fired - 4/14/2006
• Another Point Of View On Afghanistan War - 4/13/2006
• "Live the adventure in Afghanistan" - Join Tim Hortons Kandahar - 4/12/2006
• Now Only 3 Running To Replace Paul Martin - 4/12/2006
• Harper Models Press Conference After Bush - 4/11/2006
• U.S. Army Officer's Top 10 Reasons For Canada To Stay In Afghanistan - 4/11/2006
• Troops To Stay in Afghanistan For Years: Harper - 4/10/2006
• Top Canadian General Hillier Wants More Muslims in Our Military - 4/10/2006
• 'When we kill enough(Canadians) ... they will quit' Says Afghanistan Taliban - 4/9/2006
• Its Official, Ignatieff & Dion Vie To Succeed Paul Martin - 4/7/2006
• First sponsorship Sentence Handed Down - 18 Months In Jail - 4/7/2006
• Pierre Trudeau’s Son, Justin Leads Liberal Renewal Task Force - 4/7/2006
• Richter Report - April 5, 2006 - Warawa Promises "Complete Response" - 4/5/2006
• Throne Speech Outlines Harper's 5 Points + - 4/4/2006
  
• CHANTAL HÉBERT Nine Mp's To Watch - 4/4/2006
  
• Liberals Don't Need A new Leader To Fight Another Election - 4/4/2006
  
• Did Friendly Fire Cause Deaths in Kandahar? - 4/4/2006
  
• Harper Gets Nothing For Canada At Three Amigos Summit - 3/31/2006
  
• You Heard It Here First! - "Boots On The Ground" Canadian Ad in Washington - 3/30/2006
  
• Richter Report - March 30, 2006 - No Response From MP Warawa Re: “Boots On The Ground” - 3/30/2006
  
• Boots on The Ground Art Exhibit In Washington DC Cdn Embassy - 3/29/2006
  
• Soldiers In Training Eager To Go To Afghanistan - 3/29/2006
  
• Canadian Soldier Killed In Firefight - 3 Wounded - 3/28/2006
  
• This Week's Rick Mercer On Politics - 3/28/2006
  
• Canada’s Military in Afghanistan –Peacekeeping or Security & Combat? - 3/26/2006
  
• CAW Urges Members To Not Support NDP - 3/24/2006
  
• Mercer’s Ebay Liberal Leader Kit Auction - 3/23/2006
  
• Harper's Closed Shop - 3/23/2006
  
• David Asper Editorial A Scathing Rebuttal To Liberal Bill Graham - 3/23/2006
  
• Liberal Leader Graham Warns PM Harper To Tread Softly - 3/21/2006
  
• And Then There Were Two - Liberal Leadership - 3/20/2006
  
• Ethics Czar, Shapiro, Clears Harper & Emerson -3/20/2006
  
• Parliament Will Be Back to Normal Fisticuffs April 3rd - 3/20/2006
  
• Lib Leadership Convention Dec 2-3, In Montreal
• Conservatives Worldwide Will Dominate Liberals! - 3/17/2006
  
• PM Harper, Gags His Government Public Comments - 3/17/2006
  
• Do Canadians Want A "Hoorah" Military? - 3/16/2006
  
• Charest-Harper Love fest Great For Separatists - Duceppe - 3/16/2006
  
• Charest's Survival Based On Bedding With Harper - 3/15/2006
  
• Is An Elected Senate A Concern Not A Solution? - 3/15/2006
  
• "Chrétien and Harper A lot Alike" - 3/15/2006
  
• Harper A "PM we could truly be proud of" - National Post - 3/14/2006
  
• Prime Minister’s Office Impeding Freedom Of The Press - 3/9/2006
  
• Conservative Ethics Hypocrisy - Liberal Newsletter - 3/8/2006
  
• Stand Off Between Ethics Commissioner & Harper - 3/8/2006
  
• PM Preparing To Dump Ethics Commissioner - 3/7/2006
  
• Libs & NDP Should Merge - Centre-Left Liberal Democratic Party - 3/4/2006
  
• Opposition Parties United Against Klein's 3rd Way Health Plan - 3/2/2006
  
• Alternative Health Care For The Rich - Alberta Health Minister Iris Evans
• Liberals Bring Down Harper On Child Care? - 2/28/2006
  
• PM Harper Appoints His Democratic Deficit’s First Senator! - 2/28/2006
  
• Emerson Running For Election In Dominican Republic? - 2/23/2006
  
• Star Wars Returns Says Hawkeye O'Connor - 2/23/2006
  
• Harper's Parliamentary Agenda -A Must Read - 2/23/2006
  
• Yawn....Liberals Announce Opposition Critics - 2/23/2006
  
• SES Poll on National Political Party Support - 2/21/2006
  
• Scott Brison, His Liberal Leadership Supporters? - 2/20/2006
  
• Harper's Third Director of Communications Bites the Dust - 2/20/2006
  
• US Style of Interviews of New Supreme Court Justices by MPs - 2/20/2006
  
• Harper Needs US Senate Ethics Committee And Mansion Model - 2/19/2006
  
• Conservatives Will Never Abolish Gun Control - 2/19/2006
  
• PM Harpers Strange Appointment Decisions - 2/18/2006
  
• Statement from the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin - 2/16/2006
  
• Paul Martin Finally Speaks Saying Emerson Move Astonising - 2/15/2006
  
• Rafe Mair Roasts Steven Harper - 2/13/2006
  
• The Hill Times Says Conservatives Still Shaken - 2/13/2006
  
• Emerson on CKNW Says "he will not be driven out of office" - 2/13/2006
  
• Garth Turner No Stranger To controversy Himself - 2/13/2006
  
• Jack Layton Disagrees With NDP Booting Buzz Hargrove - 2/13/2006
  
• Buzz Hargrove's NDP Membership Yanked - 2/12/2006
  
• I was elected as a Conservative. I'm proud to be a Conservative." Garth Turner - 2/12/2006
  
• Gee, We Are Elected Government So We Don't Need To Blog Anymore!
• Conservative MP Garth Turner Does It Again! Calls for Mulroney Investigation! -2/11/2006
  
• Prime Minister Obsessed With Majority - Leading to Big Mistakes - 2/11/2006
  
• MP Garth Turner expects his Parliament office will be in 'vermin infested dank basement'
• http://www.kimrichter.com/Blog/2006/02/this-is.html - 2/11/2006
  
• Dissident Tories Demand Emerson Resign - Globe & Mail - 2/10/2006
  
• Here we go again! -2/10/2006
  
• Recall Michael Fortier Petition - 2/10/2006
  
• Conservative Minister Solberg Shuts Down His Blog - Who's Next? - 2/8/2006
  
• First Liberal Leadership Candidate Surfaces - 2/8/2006
  
• David Emerson Recall Petition - 2/8/2006
  
• Pay Up David Emerson, says Liberal Riding Association - 2/8/2006
• "Tory MPs Riled by Harper's Outsiders" - Globe Headline - 2/8/2006
• "I say you need to be elected to the Parliament of Canada to become a minister." Stephen Harper Quote! Jan 12, 2006 - 2/8/2006
• New Defense Minister Was A Registered Defense Contractor Lobbyist
• Warawa Becomes Rona Ambrose's Secretary - 2/7/2006
• Letter From BC President Liberal Party RE: Emerson Defection - 2/7/2006
• Different Party Same Old Tricks? - 2/7/2006
• Conservative Backlash to Emerson & Fortier? - 2/6/2006
• Harper's New Cabinet - 2/6/2006
• Jawdropper! David Emerson NEW Conservative Minister - 2/6/2006
• Need A Nickname For PM Stephen Harper - 2/5/2006
• Ralph Klein's Third Wave Health Care Plan A "gimmicky slogan" -2/5/2006
• Harper Should Not Politicize Courts Says Supreme Court Chief Justice
• Jacques Parizeau Calls Tory Platform Mandatory Reading - 2/5/2006
• Gomery's Key Recommendations Out Today - 2/1/2006
• Bill Graham, New Leader of Liberals Replaces Martin - 2/1/2006
• And Then There Was One...Tobin Says No
• Canada Is A Left Wing Country
• Gurmant Grewal Threatens To Sue
• Frank McKenna - Canada's Loss As Leader - 1/30/2006
• CCRA – Federal Tax Man Wants to Collect for Other Levels of Government!
• Jack Layton - Health Care is Precious! -1/29/2006
• Scott Brison Testing the Liberal Leader Waters - 1/29/2006
• Layton's NDP Signals Willingness To Work With Harper's Conservatives
• Harper Govt To Alberta's Klein - Abide by Canada Health Act - 1/28/2006
• Dosanjh Considering Lawsuit - 1/27/2006
• Harper Goes To Hospital -1/27/2006
• Liberal Leadership Insider Thoughts - 1/27/2006
• Ambassador Frank McKenna Resigns To Harper 1/25/2006
• Who will want Paul Martin's Job? - 1/24/2006
• Hebert - New PM Faces Tough Balancing Act - 1/24/2006
• Cpac Ses Nightly Poll Deadly Accurate - 1/24/2006
• Canadians Win Minority Change- Warawa Langley Winner
• Look At The Real Losers After Tonight - 1/23/2006
• Martin-Layton Coalition Government? - 1/22/2006
• A REMINDER - 1/22/2006
• Final SES Poll before Election - Look Out! - 1/22/2006
• Both Martin and Harper Ending Election In Lower Mainland
• Ottawa Sun's Thoughts On Harper Cabinet - 1/22/2006
• Embarrassing Old Martin Tributes to Gagliano - 1/22/2006
• Michael Ignatieff - Next Trudeau? - 1/20/2006
• Vancouver Sun & Province Endorse Harper - 1/20/2006
• Separatists Big Losers In Quebec - 1/20/2006
• Que Liberal Candidate Clarifies, Vote Him First, Federalist Second
• Canadian Bar Association Burns Harper - 1/19/2006
• Bill Brooks Bash Bust - 1/19/2006
• Fewer Goodies for Langley & BC With Harper as PM - 1/19/2006
• Langley Election Prediction Contest - 1/18/2006
• Guess The Election Candidate Celebrity Supporter - 1/18/2006
• Insiders Suggest Harper's Moderate Election Image a Temporary Mask?
• Liberal's Ontario House of Cards Crumbling ! - 1/16/2006
• Tory Platform Missing Two Key Costs - 1/15/2006
• Unbelievably Stupid but True! - 1/13/2006
• Rick Mercer's Take on Harper Cabinet - 1/13/2006
• Globe and Mail Says Harper Majority Possible - 1/13/2006
• Harper a big Trekkie - 1/12/2006
• Langley All Candidates Meeting Review - 1/12/2006
• CPAC-SES Nightly Poll Proves Debate Winner - 1/11/2006
• Advance Copy of Liberal Red Book Leaked - 1/11/2006
• Chantal Hebert - PMs Best hope..Fear of Tory Majority - 1/11/2006
• CPAC-SES Nightly Tracking Election Poll Update - Jan 10
• Early Leaders Debate Results - 1/09/2006
• We Don't Buy Media Polls of Big Lead By Harper - 1/09/2006
• Conservative Justice Critic Advocates Use of Notwithstanding Clause - 1/09/2006
• Rafe Mair - Harper May Even Get A Majority - 1/09/2006
• Final English Debate Tonight - 1/09/2006
• Conservative's gains will spook NDP vote to go Liberal - 1/06/2006
• Harper Gets Nasty Towards Martin - 1/05/2006
• Shane Dyson Submits News - 1/04/2006
• CPAC-SES Nightly Tracking Election Poll Update - Jan 4
• Who & Where Are Canada's True Leaders? - 1/04/2006
• Conservatives Two Faced on Attack Ads - 1/04/2006
• Liberal Campaign Flash Jan 2/06 2pm
• HAVE THE TORIES GONE TOO FAR?? - 12/30/2005
• Globe & Mail - RCMP to probe possible Goodale trusts ruling leak - 12/28/2005
• Big Debt Loads for Federal Parties except Conservatives - 12/27/2005
• Shane Dyson gets Chamber to change All Candidates Meeting Location - 12/23/2005
• Say NO to U.S. style negative Federal Election Campaign Ads - 12/22/2005

Liberal Campaign Flash Jan 2/06 2pm

Following, here's a bone that we dug up today for all you right & left wingers to chew on from the Liberal H.O.! By the way is it just our imagination or is the Canadian $ improving because of the polls and momentum hype the main line press are according to the Conservatives? Note that we now have a live Canadian $ exchange rate on our sidebar below this posting. It will also be interesting to see how the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) handles the Election swing momentum hype which is also on the sidebar for you to track when the markets open in the morning. - Langley Free Press

From: info@liberal.ca
CAMPAIGN FLASH
Harper's Five Priorities Miss the Mark

Issue:
In a speech today Conservative leader Stephen Harper set out his five main priorities:
. Government accountability;
. A reduction in the GST;
. Strengthening the justice system;
. A child care allowance; and
. Solving the "fiscal imbalance" and waiting times for patients
A closer look shows that Mr. Harper's approach to each of these issues misses the mark when it comes to what Canadians' priorities.

Key Messages:

Accountability
Stephen Harper claims he wants improve government accountability, but his plan has huge loopholes.
If Mr. Harper really cares about accountability why won't he tell Canadians who bankrolled his 2002 leadership campaign? Why will he not support our government's efforts to limit the influence of big-money lobby groups like the National Citizens' Coalition on Canadian elections, and make these lobby groups reveal who is funding their campaigns?
GST Reduction
Stephen Harper claims that his tax cut is progressive but, unlike personal income tax cuts, the people who benefit the most are those with large disposable incomes.
It saves:
. four cents on a hamburger but 10 times that if you can afford steak and lobster.
. less than a quarter on a Timex and fifty bucks on a Rolex.
. 40 cents on a pair of Levi's but $20 if you could afford to buy a Gucci suit.
. $250 on a new Grand Prix but nearly $1,000 on a luxury Lexus.

Justice System
Stephen Harper claims he wants to address gun crime, citing recent examples in Toronto, but his public record says something quite different.
Mr. Harper has spent a career fighting gun control, including the 1991 restrictions brought in by the Mulroney government. Mr. Harper and his colleagues voted against every single gun control measure brought in by the Liberal government over the last 12 years. Most recently, Mr. Harper helped precipitate an early election that derailed Bill C-82 which includes new gun crime offences and will double mandatory minimums.
Now Mr. Harper is refusing to support the Liberal government's proposed Canada Handgun Ban. He continues to be out of step with the priorities of Canadians.

Child Care
Stephen Harper said that child care is one of his priorities. However, he has said he will renege on the five-year child care agreements signed with the provinces. Mr. Harper's proposal to give families less than $25 a week, or about $4 a day after taxes, will pay for only three days of child care a month in most provinces. Unlike the Liberal plan, Mr. Harper will do nothing to create new facilities that are safe, employing well-trained educators.
What Mr. Harper doesn't understand is that Canadians expect more from the government than a coupon for our kids.

Fiscal Imbalance / Waiting Times
Stephen Harper promises "medically acceptable waiting times", but his plan allocates no money to improving the system - either in new transfers to the provinces or new direct federal spending.
Harper has a record of supporting expanding private health care, not strengthening the public system. His efforts to bring down the government last spring nearly blocked implementation of the $41 billion federal-provincial heath care deal that Prime Minister Martin negotiated with the provinces and territories
On solving the "fiscal imbalance" Mr. Harper refuses to say what he plans to do or put a price tag on this promise which, at its core, is about reducing the role of the Government of Canada and transferring tax points to the provinces. Harper knows that a tax point transfer will mean much more to wealthier provinces than those with a smaller tax base, but he doesn't seem to care that his plan will exacerbate regional disparities.

Political Slurs
Stephen Harper's speech included an angry attack on the Liberal party saying it had "stolen" funds and included his baseless claim that "a lot more" than a million was "funneled into the election coffers of Liberal campaigners."
In today's speech Mr. Harper said Canadians are "tired of slurs .and spin." We agree and we wish he'd stop rather than rolling out new negative television ads.

Missing Priorities
It was interesting to note what priorities did not make Harper's list: no mention of the economy, education, the environment, seniors, foreign policy, regional development, agriculture, softwood, national unity, protection of minority rights, or support for cities and communities.

Muriel's Thoughts - January 1, 2006

The great middle age philosopher Rene Descartes stated his conviction in the following words: “I think, therefore I am”.

When you think of this statement, it is rather profound. What he is saying is, if you do not think, you are nothing. Many people today are too busy to give time to think. They are involved in sports, they drive, and they are occupied with making a living and have very little time for the pursuit of thinking.

The Bible says: “Be still and know that I am God”.

Thinking can be a lot of fun. When a person makes a very profound statement, match it up with your own experience. You have as much right to your opinion as he has to his.

When I was in University, a clever professor made the following remarks: “When you are talking to someone, they bring their life’s experience to the conversation and you bring your life’s experiences to the conversation”. When I was young, I’m 79 now, I remember the Great Depression, many wars and many hardships. If I speak to a young person, say 29, there is 50 years difference between our experiences. If they mention poverty, I think of the depression. If the young person thinks of poverty, they think that they cannot afford one hundred dollar slacks. So we leave each other satisfied that each one of us has understood our conversation, but really we haven’t and that is why the generations don’t understand each other.

In my youth, science was in its infancy. Today, people are walking on the moon and going to the stars. We must learn to take time to think what is the other person telling us or we leave the conversation frustrated and unhappy.

There are many people today who tell you how to think and what to think. That is why you need solitude and time to yourself to come to your own conclusions. What other people tell you are just their opinions. The newspapers tell you what to think, the government tells you what to think, the sports people tell you what to think, but you have the right to think that they are all wrong. Only by careful, thoughtful thinking can you become someone. If you don’t, you will be nobody and nobody will listen to you.

Turn off the TV. Take off your earphones. Turn off all the distractions of the world and listen to the still small voice that is within all of us, and then you will astound the world and be a somebody. Prove Rene Descartes correct. Contemplation and mediation is good for the soul.

I applied for a position on the Economic Development Commission so that I could help the farmers with my 26 years experience on council. The council refused my request.

January 1, 2006
Muriel Arnason