Langley Free Press

LFP Moving to New Website Address

2010-04-30T11:55:00.002-07:00

Due to new Google/Blogger requirements, LFP's website will be moving this LFP blog to http://langleyfreepress.blogspot.com/. You should be redirected there auotmatically as soon as this transition is completed in the next 24 hours. Bear with us please until we transition completely and try to iron out all the technology kinks. But rest assured - We'll be back!

Fight the HST!

2010-04-22T06:32:00.003-07:00

Fight the HST!
INFO You Won't Find on Langley Liberal MLA Wannabee/Township Councillor Jordan Bateman's TWO other Langley Blogs!!!! Wonder Why Not? LOL!

Sign the Citizens Initiative Petition to end the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) at the following location(s):

* April 20th (Tues), Langley Seniors' Centre, 20605, 51B Avenue, 10 AM - 2 PM

* April 22nd (Thurs), West Langley Hall, Business Expo, noon - 9 PM; Bill Van der Zalm will deliver a speech at 7 PM.

* April 25th (Sun), Fernridge Hall, 1 PM - 4 PM

For more information, go to www.fighthst.com.

Richter Responds to Bateman - Langley Township Budget 2010 - Another Bateman 4.95% tax hike!

2010-04-13T00:54:00.011-07:00

(Disclaimer - Sorry, turn up your volume on this video as once again the multi million dollar sound system did not work at Township Hall! Also stay tuned - more videos, graphs and info on tonight's budget meeting forthcoming. I just had to get this on first!)

See also Council's Dirty Little Secret? video.
See also Richter and Green's video, who each explain their reasons they were the only two on Township Council to vote NO to another annual 4.95% Tax Hike.
Also stay tuned to LFP for more Budget videos, charts, graphs and commentary coming!

Councillor Kim Richter responds to Councillor Jordan Bateman's inaccuracies and snide personal comments regarding the Township 2010 Budget. Brace yourselves: Councillor Jordan a.k.a. "I've-never-seen-a-tax-hike-I-don't-like" Bateman once again spearheaded a 4.95% tax hike! Richter sinks Bateman's political smoke screens about increases being due to full time firefighters.

In summary she held up shocking Township-provided financial summary numbers that show:

1. 2003 to 2010 a 99% increase in operating expenditures for fire, police,recreation general government, parks, storm water and transportation. $57 million in 2003 to $113 million in 2010.

2. Full time firefighters started implementation in 2006 with a budget of $6.1 million. In 2010 the fire budget is $13.1 million-an increase of $7 million of the total $46.1 million increase in the total operating budget over the same period. So she asked Bateman where did council spend the other $38 million? Certainly not the Fire department as Bateman and his other council slate pilot fish harp on constantly.

3. Utilities (water, sewer & solid waste) have increased 64% from 2006 ($15.4 million) to 2010 ($25.2 million).

4. Debt has gone from $5.7 million in 2005 to $31.1 million in 2010, representing a whopping 648% increase.

5. To cap this all off Council's salary increased in 2009 by 55% (going from $23,196 to $36,036) while the Mayor's salary went up $29,162 from $64,562 in 2008 to $93,724 in 2009 - a 45% increase!

By the way, despite the 55% salary increase that the council got and did not even bother to mention or publicize, council (including the Mayor) did not today second her motion to reduce their salaries by 4.95% (equivalent to this year's tax increase). 4.95% is a drop in this council piggy trough of a 55% increase!

Needless to say Councillor Kim Richter voted against the budget.

Budget meeting quote of the day by Cllr. Kim Richter - "Everyone of us sitting at this table,..., who got a 55% increase in salary can afford to pay these rates [tax hikes] but there are a lot of people out there in this community who did not get a 55% salary increase and they can't keep on affording to keep on paying tax increases..." Many in the audience were seen nodding their heads up and down when Richter said this!

The signs of a Narcissist (Ottawa Citizen, 20 Feb 2010, Page J2)

2010-02-20T11:27:00.008-08:00

Do you know which narcissists YOU recently elected ? How many of the attached newspaper's criteria apply to them ? Check them off to identify your very own narcissistic Langley politicians! I count at LEAST 2 easily enough without even trying! Hint they are always lobbying hard to get their pictures often in both Langley papers! Both papers easily accommodate!

Bigger Hint, they are both males (over 95% of narcissists are always predominantly male) both are certainly politically self infatuated and ambitious and certainly also clearly dislike each other and will most certainly run against each other as mayor candidates with very ruthless and very characteristic self important and expensive vanity campaigns in the very next election!

OTTAWA CITIZEN references nine traits of narcissists
"The American Psychological Association identifies nine traits of narcissists, five of which need to be present for a Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) diagnosis: ■ Feels grandiose and self-important for reasons not supported by reality ■ Obsesses with fantasies about unlimited success, fame, power or omnipotence ■ Believes he/she is unique and special and can be understood by and associate with only other unique or high-status people ■ Requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation ■ Feels a sense of entitlement ■ Exploits others without guilt or remorse ■ Is devoid of empathy ■ Tends to be envious of others or believes others are envious of him/her ■ Displays arrogant and haughty behaviour."

Narcissism Primer Aid:
Inordinate fascination with oneself; Excessive self-love; Someone in love with themselves;. Vanity; A pattern of traits and behaviors which signify infatuation and obsession with one's self to the exclusion of all others and the egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one's gratification, dominance and ambition; Admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes; Being a normal condition at the infantile level of personality development; egotism or simple selfishness; It is sometimes used to denote elitism or an indifference to the plight of others.

The signs

Ottawa Citizen
20 Feb 2010

The American Psychological Association identifies nine traits of narcissists, five of which need to be present for a Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) diagnosis: Feels grandiose and self-important for reasons not supported by reality Obsesses...read more...

B. C. school trustees to superintendents: We need more information (The Vancouver Sun, 16 Feb 2010, Page B3)

2010-02-17T06:24:00.002-08:00

Wow! Read this Quote:

"Doug Player, a former superintendent in West Vancouver, said the auditor-general’s report suggests senior staff have exceptional influence because many trustees don’t understand the issues. A quarter of them said they don’t have enough time to comprehend the information provided before board meetings.

“ The system needs a significant shock — it needs refreshing,” said Player, adding that the report helps explain, for example, how a district like Langley could accumulate an $ 8.2-million deficit without trustees noticing."

Exactly! HOW can this magnitude error not have been noticed? Does this survey result now provide the Government an easy out to appoint trustees just like on Heath boards? Should they? Or are the wrong type of people just being elected? Or are the local newspapers responsible partly for not flushing out the best candidates fully for the voters at election time? Lots of questions. I do know that ANY private company's shareholders would have fired their board if a similar Langley deficit happened not to mention a preceding clean sweep off the executive administration as well.

B. C. school trustees to superintendents: We need more information
BY JANET STEFFENHAGEN
The Vancouver Sun
16 Feb 2010

More than a third of B. C. school trustees who participated in a survey last year said they weren’t getting sufficient information from superintendents and other senior staff to make effective decisions at the board table. That concern is highlighted...read more...

Tech Tags: The Vancouver Sun newspaper CANADA & WORLD

Politicians score seats for top events before public (The Vancouver Sun, 25 Jan 2010, Page A1)

2010-01-25T15:09:00.002-08:00

So in an earlier Vancouver Sun article before we read that BC Provincial Liberal MLAs got free Olympic tickets to go to the Olympic events. The Provincial Libs said it would only be used to accompany approved government business associates! Yeah right!

Now we hear that the feds have 1st class olympic tickets without having to wait in line. Meanwhile our whole family after 3 times trying the Olympic lottery for tons of tickets secured only one nose bleed ticket at a second rate event. Talk about featherbedding!

Are any of our local politicians going and where and how did they get their tickets or are they going with other people's or sponsors tickets? Do ANY of our local politicians get free Olympic tickets or even in my mind worse tickets that they pay for and did not have to enter the lottery for? Or did they get free or preferential tickets and maybe even worse gave it to friends, family or business associates or despicably sell them for unimaginable profits? Who is going to ask this of ALL of our municipal. school board and especially MLAs Rich Coleman, Mary Polak and MP Mark Warawa? If nobody asks its a travesty. Because you all know that if LFP asks them we will never get an answer! Come on guys, get clean and fess up.

Politicians score seats for top events before public
BY JEFF LEE
The Vancouver Sun
25 Jan 2010

The federal government is using its access to Olympic tickets to give priority to politicians, bureaucrats and others who will get some of the best seats in the house during the Winter Games next month. Of the nearly 1,500 tickets that the government...read more...

Tech Tags: The Vancouver Sun newspaper FRONT PAGE

What Grade Does Mayor Green & His 2009 Annual Report Card Deserve?

2010-01-18T22:55:00.020-08:00

Rookie Langley Township Mayor Rick Green earlier this evening at the Council meeting presented his long overdue past year's (2009) annual council achievement report card which is normally proudly presented as somewhat of a taxpayer's pre Xmas present listing of ALL the previous year's Township Council achievements. I don't ever remember seeing it used as a personal political platform justification attempt before. This presentation traditionally is presented by each Mayor in early to mid December and never as a short after thought. This time after almost 14 months after first being elected to office and at just 10 minutes long it was also the shortest and most unheralded one that this LFP Editor can ever remember as well. In any event watch it below in it's 10 minute entirety and evaluate it yourself.

Mayor Green's presentation seemed to have some very questionable, curious & glaring exclusions that veteran Councillor Steve Ferguson reminded the Mayor of right after the Mayor's speech which immediately eliciting comments from the Mayor like "I will take that criticism.. Clr. Ferguson.." & "I apologize...". Really? See Councillor Ferguson's 2 minute video comments just below as well and you decide.

Even Cllr. Kim Richter asked about the Mayor's speech to clarify who the Mayor's credited "WE" group was amongst one of his achievements list item that essentially was actually started by some key partisan VALTAC members for a south Fraser rail for the valley group that this rookie Mayor has almost exclusively and agaain questionably hitched his own wagon to in 2009.

This specific supposed achievement is interesting indeed in my opinion, since I don't even believe that it has actually met at all yet, never mind accomplished anything! In fact at least two or three other supposed partners PASSED on adding any representative and specifically one (Translink) even sent a letter to the Mayor asking that all reference to Translink logos be removed in the documentation & slide show that was previously being used by the Mayor and perhaps others. These presentation materials were originally used to get buy in by more community partners. But essentially did these materials perhaps imply inaccurately the full involvement & support of Translink and maybe even perhaps others? Did this perhaps help sell the other so called partners that did sign on? If so it did work somewhat though because even Langley Twnsp. council itself signed up! Needless to say, the jury is certainly still out on this so called Council/Mayor's achievement for quite a spell yet! Remember Translink itself opted out!

LFP has admittedly been absent for far too long. I apologize for this. I must admit that this Editor has been silent mainly because of the unexpected shock and great disappointment at this past year's new council leadership & direction and indeed also as a result of feeling betrayed just as I believe many others including Township taxpayers must & should also feel for very good and similar reasons. Promises simply have not materialized. This disappointing track record of leadership in the first year of this new council has spurred me on again to editorialize. Also recently at least one prominent if not more of the existing councillors public false misrepresentation of another councillor and finally simply because of the continuing and at best political pablum from all other's public opinions have again necessitated this LFP Editor's comeback. Again, my apologies for the absence and I will elaborate on all these issues as well in short time. In the mean time I have restarted the comments section and look forward to yours as well. What letter grade do YOU give the Mayor's 2009 report, the Mayor himself and this Township Council? ---LFP EDITOR---

Sonya Paterson Asks Township Council 'Six-Pack' Where are the 'Tens of Thousands'?

2009-09-15T17:53:00.003-07:00

LFP IS BACK

2009-09-15T15:55:00.001-07:00

We are back after an extended summer holiday and looking forward to posting lots again.

Fort Langley May Day Parade LFP-YouTube of Langley Politicians

2009-05-25T13:46:00.006-07:00

Our LFP photographer attended the Fort Langley May Day parade and captured the following LFP/YouTube videos of parts of the parade. The first video showed some of the local politicians early on in the parade including Councillor Kim Richter and the second video shows her on the sidelines after, looking on to the continuing parade participants.

Stephany's Langley NDP Press Release Supports Mayor Green's Protection Of Passenger Rail Corridor Through Langley

2009-05-06T16:58:00.007-07:00

Township Mayor Rick Green at Monday's council meeting informed his Council of:

"Today, May 4,2009, I am providing Council with the following information relating to the history and protection of our old Interurban Passenger and freight Rail Corridor through the Township and City of Langley."

He further told Council:

"This agreement expires on August 29,2009. Therefore, in order to preserve the rights of BC Hydro and the public I am requesting the support of the Township Council to send a letter to B.C. Hydro requesting their immediate response and assurance that they will renew the Agreement in question prior to August 29,2009."

KUDOS especially to Mayor Rick Green and his Council for supporting their Mayor and endorsing his request on Monday's council meeting to renew the agreement to protect the old Interurban Passenger Rail agreement through the Langley's!

After asking the local MLA election candidates for their support too: "We are asking for your public support of the Master Agreement's renewal...", the local Langley NDP issued the below Press Release on the topic today to the media which also included LFP, and LFP did not receive any other local candidates' or political parties responses to date:

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
May 6, 2009

NDP WILL PRESERVE RAIL AGREEMENT

Langley – Yesterday Mayor Rick Green and his council released a memorandum referring to the ‘long lost’ Master Agreement, which not only defines some land use arrangements between the Province, Municipality and the Railway, but also ensured 33% of the traffic on the line for crown use. In exchange, the CPR is allowed to build rails and use 66% of the rail capacity on the provincially owned land.

“Gordon Campbell has made a mess of transit in the Lower Mainland,” said Stephany. “The BC Liberal plan is an unfunded wish list. It won’t get more people out of their cars, won’t make transit more convenient and it won’t make transit more affordable.”

The NDP will stand behind planning for a comprehensive light rail transit system serving the South Fraser region. It will be closely integrated with the bus and SkyTrain systems. The plan will review options including the interurban passenger rail route.

“Because we stand for a comprehensive light rail transit system for the South Fraser region, we will be very interested in any options that become available to us, including crown use of the interurban corridor and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) rails through Langley,” said Stephany.

In a letter to Kathleen Stephany, Mayor Rick Green asks for the support of the NDP for the renewal of the Master Agreement, set to expire this August. He also requests Stephany's commitment to light passenger rail.

In fact, the only thing that has ever held back the West Coast Express is the fact that the wheelage must be leased from the railway. The Master Agreement allows the province to run of a huge amount of trains on the CPR line at no cost.

“We already own the rails through the remainder of the interurban corridor. This is the first step to establishing an effective, reliable, and cost-efficient community rail service,” added Stephany. “The NDP will definitely extend the agreement with CP.”

-30-
Media Contact: Piotr Majkowski 604-533-3222...

Fort Langley/Aldergrove May 5 Election Debate LFP/YouTube Video Excerpts- Jordan Braun (BC Refed) Takes On Lib MLA Rich Coleman

2009-05-06T01:07:00.022-07:00

Gail Chaddock-Costello (NDP), Travis Erbacher (Green), Rich Coleman (BC LIB) and Jordan Braun (BC Refederation Party) at the Township Hall theatre chambers last night was the best debate to date. Mr. Braun drew the most gasps and laughter from the attending audience to some obvious chagrin of MLA Coleman who right after the meeting had immediate words with Mr. Braun, the very first competing candidate that Mr. Coleman talked to immediately after the debate ended.

Fascinating details and videos continually uploading now. Having reviewed most of the videos the political neophyte, Jordan Braun definitely demonstrated his potential as a budding politician! The recommended videos to watch are so noted below!

May 5th Fort Langley/Aldergrove BC Election Debate
LFP-YouTube Videos -
Braun (BC Refederation Party), Chaddock-Costello (NDP), Coleman (BC LIB), Erbacher (Green),

Re: Carbon Tax - (4:47 minutes long) - Recommend
Re: Transportation - (4:19 minutes long)
Re: Beer Tax! - (2:32 minutes long) - Recommend
Re: Groundwater - (3:24 minutes long) - Recommend
Re: Crime - (4:29 minutes long)
Re: Homelessness - (3:44 minutes long)
Re: 2 Tier Medicine - (3:51 minutes long)
Re: Minumum Wage - (3:52 minutes long)
Re: Economy - (3:52 minutes long) Recommend
Re: STV - (2:53 minutes long)
Re: Cost Overuns - (4:15 minutes long)

Langleys' Election Candidates Debates - LTA & The Chamber - LFP/YouTube Video Excerpts

2009-05-03T21:45:00.069-07:00

Herein below view our LFP-YouTube video clip excerpts from this LTA sponsored debate. On April 27th past, at the Langley Fine Arts School theatre the Langley Teachers Association (LTA) hosted the first ever joint Langleys' MLA candidate election debate. Both Langley Liberal MLAs & Ministers, Coleman & Polak boycotted the debate as covered in our previous posting. All the other MLA candidates from both Langley ridings from the NDP, Green and Refederation parties attended.

Further below also are excerpts from the 2nd debate. Specifically the April 30th Chamber of Commerce/ Real estate Board Langley debate as well that was attended by all three election candidates, Liberal Mary Polak, NDP Kathleen Stephany and Green Ron Abgrall. It was held at Langley's Kwantlen campus College auditorium, .

April 27th Langley Teacher's Association Debate Vid-Clips By LFP:

Opening Host Remarks & Intros (Video 1:00 Minute)

Rafe Mair, former Socred minister and radio host at debate & excerpt re Liberal debate boycott. (Video 1:12 Minute)

Both Langley NDP Candidates respond to Audience Question Re Liberal Debate boycott. (Video 3:31 Minutes)

All candidates responses on BC child Poverty:
Kathleen Stephany - Langley NDP - (Video 1:34)
Travis Erbacher - Ft. Lan/Aldergrove Green - (Video 1:22)
Gail Chaddock-Costello - Ft. Lan/Alder NDP - (Video 3:01)
Jordan Braun - Ft. Lan/Alder BC Refederation - (Video 2:24)
Ron Abgrall - Langley Green - (Video 4:45)

All candidates responses on Education:
Kathleen Stephany - Langley NDP - (Video 0:49)
Travis Erbacher - Ft. Lan/Aldergrove Green - (Video 2:02)
Gail Chaddock-Costello - Ft. Lan/Alder NDP - (Video 3:00)
Jordan Braun - Ft. Lan/Alder BC Refederation - (Video 4:11)
Ron Abgrall - Langley Green - (Video 2:49)

All candidates responses on BC Rivers & Environment:
Kathleen Stephany - Langley NDP - (Video 2:03)
Travis Erbacher - Ft. Lan/Aldergrove Green - (Video 2:13)
Gail Chaddock-Costello - Ft. Lan/Alder NDP - (Video 2:21)
Jordan Braun - Ft. Lan/Alder BC Refederation - (Video 4:38)
Ron Abgrall - Langley Green - (Video 4:24)

Langley Riding Election Candidates Debate of April 3oth At Kwantlen University
(Note the microphone/audio system were not operational on debate night at Kwantlen so apologies for these 4 videos sound quality)
Mary Polak, Kathleen Stephany & Rob Abgrall - Langley Kwantlen Election Debate - Re: Overpass Mufford & Glover (Video 6:00)
Mary Polak & Kathleen Stephany - Langley Kwantlen Election Debate - Re: Port Mann Bridge (video 3:20)
Mary Polak, Kathleen Stephany & Rob Abgrall - Langley Kwantlen Election Debate - Re: Ground Water Legislation (Video 4:10)
Mary Polak & Kathleen Stephany - Langley Kwantlen Election Debate - Re: Economy (Video 3:05)
...

First Ever BOTH Langley Riding's All Candidates BC MLA Election Debate Boycotted By Coleman & Polak

2009-04-28T02:47:00.007-07:00

From 7pm to 10 pm last night April 27th at the Fort Langley Fine Arts School Chief Sepass Theatre the first ever 'All Candidate Debates' for BOTH Langley Ridings of all the candidates took place. Many people including guest host Rafe Mair commented that it was 'despicable' that two candidates refused to attend. Specifically both Langley Liberal MLAs and Ministers Rich Coleman & Mary Polak chose to boycott the debate. The debate was sponsored by the Langley Teacher's Association and curiously less than 5% of the agenda covered education!

Many people including Rafe commented very negatively on the absence of both Liberal candidates. Some of the words used to describe their boycott were arrogant, despicable, smug and snubbing. It's curious to note that even our local Langley municipal election candidates attend CUPE and International Association of Firefighters sponsored debates for municipal elections. So why won't out Langley MLAs/Ministers?

So it is indeed a very controversial and questionable decision not to attend the debate. Rafe Mair even commented that if he had boycotted an election debate when he was a cabinet minister in the then ruling Socred government, the Premier then would have been furious. He also pointed out that this was another reason that he recommended the public also vote YES for the STV because he bet the two Liberal cabinet ministers would most likely have certainly attended if we had STV! See the Langley Times news report here with more details.

SEE LFP YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE

Rail For The Valley Protests Along Highway #1 Overpasses & Stephany Interviewed

2009-04-15T13:35:00.017-07:00

The below two videos and above picture slide presentation highlight this past Saturday April 11th Day of Action held all along Highway #1 at as many overpasses as possible. Members, friends and supporters of Rail For The Valley, a prominent south Fraser valley advocacy group that wants to bring back passenger rail to the valley organized the event to get more public visibility. Locally in Langley, Sonya Paterson organized the event and was filmed at the 208th street overpass. Local NDP candidate Kathleen Stephany who is running against Liberal MLA Mary Polak, attended the event to show her support and was interviewed by Sonya Paterson in the video below.

Double click Videos to enlarge videos.

LFP YouTube Videos of Township Council Debate Re: 5% compounded Annual Tax Hike Over 5 years That Majority Voted For Monday Past

2009-04-09T15:33:00.020-07:00

Last Monday April 6th the Langley Township council again took it 3 major steps forward to raise taxes by 5% for this year and each and every year for the next 5 years in total by giving the budget bylaw 1st, 2nd & 3rd reading! Final reading will be on April 20th! So, Another record breaking (history repeating itself?) Langley Township Council cumulative tax hike! The following LFP YouTube Videos of this council debate is as follows:

Clr. Kim Richter Objects strongly with 5% tax hike (1:29 minutes)
Mayor Rick Green Speaks against 5% Tax Hike (1:18 minutes)
Clr. Bateman questions Mayor's .93% hike and Clr. Ferguson squabbles with the Mayor over finance committee yet again (2:34 minutes)
Mayor Rick Green's rebuttal to what he says are 'fear & scare tactics' around the budget process (1:40 minutes)
Actual vote for 5% tax hike for each of every 5 years to come with only Mayor Green & Clr. Richter who vote against the 5% hike and Clr. Fox also votes against it to because he wanted only 3.95% tax hike. The rest all vote for the 5% with Clr. Dornan absent (0:21 seconds)....

Township Council Votes For 5% Tax Hike AGAIN for Each Year of next 5 years! & Our LFP Cartoonist, Prost's Perspective

2009-04-08T15:39:00.016-07:00

April 8/09 Langley Times:"Township taxes jump five per cent" by Al Irwin
April 9/09 Langley Times: "The tone for tax increases is set" by Editor Frank Bucholtz
April 10/09 Langley Advance: "Add five per cent more to taxes" by Heather Colpitts

The Gold-Plated “Era of Entitlement” Has to End - And A Current Case Study Example

2009-04-05T12:45:00.004-07:00

Note to Langley Township Council: In case you haven’t noticed, there is a recession out there and it’s now being felt in Langley as shown previously in LFP. When are you politicos going to realize this?

We know that the majority of the current Township councillors derive most of their personal income from the public teat (i.e. Councillors Bateman, Fox, Ward, Ferguson, etc.) but this is no excuse to ignore the financial pain
being felt by many Langley Township taxpayers who don’t have the same luxury of a guaranteed annual income compliments of the taxpayers.

On March 24, 2009, Councillors Bateman, Ward, Ferguson, Long and Dornan agreed to send a preliminary budget increase of 5% out to the public.

Since then, the firefighter's and sports group's “partisan political enforcers” have again been whipped into an overtime frenzy. They have sent many letters/emails to the local papers and council saying: “YES! WE WANT A 5% TAX INCREASE”. One has to wonder why.

Have you ever seen anyone in Langley purposely asking for a tax increase unless there was some hidden agenda?

What garbage and misinformation have these well-meaning citizens been fed? By whom? And for what ulterior motives? Do these groups even realize that they are being politically manipulated? (Or do they even care as long as they think they have political power?)

Mayor Rick Green was elected on a platform to control and restrain taxes. Shortly after he was sworn in as Mayor, he appointed a Finance Committee. This committee was comprised of very qualified members of the public who spent 7 weeks (in between childish outbursts from Councillors Ward and Ferguson) reviewing Township financial records.

The Finance Committee recommended that a .93% tax increase was feasible and obtainable this year with NO CUTS to current Township service levels.

Councillors Bateman, Ward, Ferguson, Long and Dornan have purposely chosen to ignore the Finance Committee’s advice. They did not once raise any of the recommendations put forward by the Mayor’s Finance Committee before they voted to send a 5% tax increase to the public. Why?

Also interesting to note is how the Mayor’s Finance Committee spent 7 weeks reviewing the budget in detail (and recommended a .93% property tax increase) yet Township Council spent less than 6 hours before deciding that a 5% property tax increase was OK to send to the public.

So who really controls Langley Township Council? Is it the public? Or is it Township Administration and its [provincial Liberal] lackeys on Council?

You decide but here’s one last example for you to consider.

On March 23, 2009, Langley Township Council received a report from Township staff recommending that Council approve a Mowing Maintenance contract for 2009 to 2011 for $1,075,839 (the “Gold Medalist”). The “Silver Medalist” price was $811,388. Staff recommended the “Gold Medalist” (a $1+ Million price package). The Langley Times this week reported about this very contract debate between Councillor's Richter & Fox and is scheduled to be finally considered again on this Monday's council meeting again.

The difference between these two price packages (on grass cutting alone) is equivalent to a ½ percent annual Township tax increase. This cost difference alone could be applied to much needed service enhancements in other areas like better snow removal or more full time firefighters.

So why are we, the taxpayers, paying more for a service we already have when we could get the same service for less price and still have money left over for other services we really need (like better snow removal)?

This is just one more example of why the Township is well renowned for its gold plated “Culture of Entitlement” and one more example of why we need a Council that works for the people who elected it instead of those arrogant back room BC Liberal lackeys who think they run it all.

P.S. Monday we will see what Council votes on this mowing contract. Bet the Gold plated Group of Six votes for it? We have asked an expert for his comments on this bid process and the above bid summary document about the above Mowing Maintenance RFQ 3PRE09-302 that the Township of Langley requested and got bids for. He pointed out a few interesting things.

He first found it curious that the two Township Evaluators had different points given under the price evaluation column for only the last 4 high bidders and the exactly same points given for the 3 low bidders. How can that be? After all bid price is bid price isn’t it?
Secondly he was concerned that it would seem that the actual bid price was far less than 20% or at best one fifth of the DECIDING criteria ranking of the whole bid consideration as to who got the work! In other words price is not an object or criteria that ranks in importance with the Township of Langley it would seem! And why not? After all they can every year go back to the taxpayers for another 5% tax hike!
Third it obviously seemed that experience with the Township gave what would seem a very unfair advantage to only one bidder because it appears only one bidder has had Township experience. Our expert said imagine if all Township contracts were awarded with this criteria. We would most likely always have premium prices and ever less competitive bids coming in and invariably always use the same contractor . He also pointed out that in other than Langley's jurisdictional government bids this was proven often as an easy way to take care of close friends at times.
Fourth he questioned how the point evaluation scheme had the exact same points given to all the bidders for experience and references yet the two evaluators had big variances in Equipment evaluations. Why the difference here?
Fifth who were the evaluators and did they clearly before receiving bids specify their evaluation formula and specific points awarding details to all the bidders?
Finally our expert says that there has been a long documented history especially in Governments that have led to very questionable biases and much worse allegations of corruption around these similar subjective bid evaluation methods. Many of which have gone to court for both civil and criminal reasons. Use of only two evaluators he frankly says is ludicrous and dangerous and puts an inordinate amount of pressure and stress and unfortunately perhaps opportunity on these two public servants.

In a summary our expert says that especially in government public bids he would never recommend this process. Low price bid should always be the only final criteria. He suggests if concerns about service levels are feared that instead a clearly articulated penalty process be established to handle those in default that would return money or exact appropriate penalties for gaps in promised service. Or he suggests that a performance bond perhaps be part of the bid to recompense for contract breaches.

Another suggestion is that perhaps the Township split the service area into 2, 3 or even four zones to then have better future comparisons and alternate ready emergency back ups and this would certainly require far less equipment by any one super mowing contractor while spreading the wealth around as well and staying away from any real or perceived bias. At worst case, he says if absolutely necessary, that all bidders be invited to first pre-qualify to bid and that they be weeded out (forgive the pun) in this process first and then the contract goes to the low bidder. But again our expert says that this process is also fraught with questionable risks and issues as well, but it is a better compromise.

The bottom line is that this case clearly documents that The Gold-Plated “Era of Entitlement” Has to End and that it is NOT and never has been about cutting the essentials like Fire and Police portions of the Township budget. There is obviously lots of fat or grease that can be skimmed out of the constant 5% annual tax increases other than in protective services! It's time to stop looking and pointing at the must haves like Fire & Police and start looking at the nice to have as demonstrated in this mowing contract case study....

Ribbons fly in fight to save fertile farmland (The Province, 05 Apr 2009, Page A13)

2009-04-05T12:41:00.001-07:00

The final battle looms. Will ALC give final Approval to the Bateman/Falcon Liberal Overpass to Nowhere? Kudos to Elisabeth Robson and her green ribbons!

Ribbons fly in fight to save fertile farmland
Brian Lewis
The Province
05 Apr 2009

Ask long-time Langley Township resident Elisabeth Robson about the quality of farmland in her neighbourhood that the proposed Mufford/Glover Road overpass will destroy, and she opens the family photo album. “Look at this,” she says, showing a...read more...

Tech Tags: The Province newspaper News

KUDOS to Langley Times For Asking Tough Questions About 'Perceived' ALC Conflicts of Interest RE: Mufford Overpass Decision

2009-04-02T17:56:00.013-07:00

KUDOS to Rachel McHollister of the Langley Times, the TIMES EDITOR and the Langley Times for their article today (probably Friday in Print) on this very significant topic we also posted about on LFP. Stick to it Rachel & Frank until you get proper answers!

The Times specifically reports; "The Times contacted the executive director of the Agricultural Land Commission, Brian Underhill, on Monday." about his comments on appearance of a possible conflict of interest regarding the Mufford Overpass ALC decision that Commissioner Tomlinson ruled on in light of his campaign donations to the B.C. Liberals including Councillor Bateman and Ferguson who both supported the overpass too.

The Langley Times reporter is referring to the Dec. 16, 2008 B.C. Supreme Court ruling that laid down new guidelines for conflict of interest of commissioners of the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC). See more about this in our previous posting here.

The Times reporter goes on to say that despite saying he would respond to her questions immediately that instead: "Since then, The Times has tried to contact Underhill three times, but he has not responded to the messages nor has he been available."

See the whole Rachel McHollister Langley Times article here.

Well done. Journalism to be proud of! Reads just like big time Globe & Mail & Vancouver Sun investigative and probing journalism of questionable pertinent issues that taxpayers should get answers to!

P.S. See here for Elections B.C. Political contributions System search result re: any Tomlinson donations. Any names can be entered and searched at this site....

Should Langley Township Council Keep Hitting Taxpayers with big ~5 % Annual Tax Hikes ?

2009-04-02T13:00:00.020-07:00

Canada has lost nearly 300,000 jobs in the last four months, including 82,600 jobs in February according to Statistics Canada!
As you all know Langley Township Council majority decided to once again approve a 5% tax hike for public input and this will likely be ratified at their April 20th meeting as previously reported here in LFP.

We think that this LFP spreadsheet which reflects the dismal outlook of our economy insofar as job loss announcements may be of help to this council in their final decision of whether they stick to a 5% tax increase that they approved for public input.

Remember that this council also said that the Mufford overpass plan was just "preliminary ' too for input as well and even despite overwhelming opposition to it, essentially the same majority of 6 councillors voted for the 'preliminary' design anyhow! So how different will this be for the 5% tax increase proposed by majority of Township Council for public input?

This Editor is betting that they will most likely stay somewhere between Councillor Fox's proposed 3.95% to the 5.00% sent to the open houses. This range will be way above the cost of living increase and way above the Mayor's Finance committee proposed 0.93% tax increase! Another Langley consecutive historically high cumulative tax increase!

So for assistance to the 6 on council who in this Editor's opinion seem to have no limits to their constant tax & debt increases and their constant flamboyant spending spree, we have the following 'Reality Check' resource guide that we hope will help these 6 on council realize what economical times we live in! Maybe, just maybe, this reality check will help keep in check their constant spending spree and tax & borrowing hikes! Not just for this budget but for every few thousands of $ they spend and throw around at every council meeting seemingly too!

Check back here often, because we at LFP will constantly be upgrading the spreadsheet's "Running Job Loss" figures. We will also post the same spreadsheet link on LFP's sidebar too. So tell your taxpaying neighbours to check this spreadsheet to see how many more are losing their jobs and how many of us are forced to tighten our belts. Yet this Langley Township Council in spite of this continues to raise our taxes, increase our debt and spend like there is no tomorrow!...

$1 Billion B.C. Rail Sale To C.N. By B.C. Libs - Lawyers Say Premier Met With Kinsella & C.N. Rail Chair Prior To Sale!

2009-03-31T06:28:00.010-07:00

The Globe & Mail reports that "Mr. Kinsella was paid $297,000 by BC Rail between 2002 and a 2003. There is also reference to a bonus of $201,512 to Progressive Holdings (Kinsella's firm), but it was not clear if that was an additional payment." They also report that "Mr. Kinsella got a call from David McLean, head of CN, saying "the deal was at risk" and asking for help." Mr. Patrick Kinsella was former BC Liberal Party 2001 & 2005 campaign co-chair and B.C. Liberal insider.

Journalist and commentator Bill Tieleman on his blog in detail says, "Defence lawyers in the B.C. Legislature raid case made a bombshell allegation Thursday that Premier Gordon Campbell met with BC Liberal 2001 election campaign co-chair Patrick Kinsella and David McLean, CN Rail's Chair, to discuss the $1 billion B. C. Rail deal before CN was announced the winning bidder." Bill also plays 20 questions on his blog as well here with "What did BC Liberal Party insider Patrick Kinsella do for BC Rail for $297,000 - let's play 20 questions".

Meanwhile according to Bill Tieleman , "Premier Gordon Campbell, Attorney General Wally Oppal and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon state they can't say anything about Kinsella's B.C. Rail role because it is "before the courts" when B.C. Rail and Kinsella released statements and Kinsella is not under any investigation related to the David Basi and Bob Virk trial, the two government aides facing corruption charges."

LFP previously reported on this with links to the Province Michael Smyth editorial and Vancouver Sun Vaughn Palmer editorial. All the links and stories in this posting are an excellent primer on this whole affair and highly recommended reading....

Land commission, pushed by court, has new rules (Times Colonist, 24 Mar 2009, Page A1)

2009-03-26T17:57:00.011-07:00

ALC Commissioners MUST "recuse themselves from any decision that involves their neighbours,relatives or business associates, according to new conduct rules." ! "Colin Fry, commission executive director said, “We believe it’s a lesson learned on the appearance of bias and how it’s defined.” He further says, "It will be up to individual commissioners to declare their conflicts, said Fry, who added he’s “very confident” they will do so because of a recent “refresher course” on the subject."

So should ALC Commissioner Mr. Tomlinson recuse himself from his previous and and future decisions on the Bateman/Falcon Liberal Overpass To Nowhere now based at least on 'appearance' especially after the refresher course? Many thanks to LFP reader Mr. Holcombe for this lead. Thanks! See full Times Colonist article below. Click either picture of newspaper or read more for full content.

Land commission, pushed by court, has new rules
ROB SHAW and LINDSAY KINES
Times Colonist
24 Mar 2009

Agricultural land commissioners, who decide the fate of farmland across B.C. and Vancouver Island, must now recuse themselves from any decision that involves their neighbours, relatives or business associates, according to new conduct rules. The...read more...

Tech Tags: Times Colonist newspaper Front Page

Lfp's Poetry Spot - Featuring "bad poet" - WE ALL GOT SCREWED

2009-03-26T14:30:00.004-07:00

WE ALL GOT SCREWED - by 'bad poet'

We went to a meeting-many hundreds and I
Looking for changes-oh how we did try

But there was no way of changing the minds of those six
Cause those councilors there were all up to their tricks

A number of people- there must have been eight
All had enough gumption to step up to the plate

To try and persuade the powers that be
This is not a good project-oh why can’t you see

The good people of Milner will suffer I’m sure
And the rest of us surely will wind up as poor

But Bateman and Ward and Foxy don’t care
As long as Mayor Green looks foolish up there

Thery’d vote for the devil if they though it would help
Its all Mayor Green’s fault they constantly yelp

As Ferguson said in the paper today
We’ll teach him a lesson and keep him at bay

So they voted the same with a smirk and some chatter
To teach all us people our opinions don’t matter

So in summing this up I’d never beleived
The utter contempt Jordan Bateman received

While our good Mayor Rick Green got a standing ovation
And it looks like to me a good election foundation

bad poet

Editor's Note: 'bad poet' is a satirical political poet very welcome here on LFP! Hey LFP readers, CLUE - read Bad Poet poems slowly, one line at a time for the best rhyming lyrical poetry effect! Hilarious and all meant in jest as satirical political comedy/commentary! Anyone else want to tryout for LFP's poetry spot? Submit yours too!...

'Bateman/Falcon Liberal Overpass To Nowhere' 2nd Langley Township Council Decision (6-3) LFP - YouTube Video Highlights

2009-03-25T15:47:00.020-07:00

The following are the LFP video highlights of the Township Council Meeting that for the second time voted 6 to 3 to go ahead with the controversial Bateman/Falcon Liberal Overpass To Nowhere also really known as the Mufford-Glover Overpass. Only Mayor Green & Councillors Richter and Kositsky voted against the overpass. (Videos will be loading all day and highligted as they come available online.)