The Editorial Board of this blog have given Mayor Rick Green the benefit of the doubt regarding his light rail task force, despite the involvement of the Milner Greens. But I have an opposing viewpoint and they have graciously allowed me to publish it here. Thanks fellow EB members!
This Train Isn't Leaving The Station
Why you ask? Well likely because Mayor Green and his citizens committee (or so he states - we will discuss that later in this post) didn't do their homework prior to presenting to all the Mayors and Councils south of the Fraser. The City of Surrey announced some time ago their support for a rail demonstration project in conjunction with the heritage rail folks (Mufford, Holt, et al - all staunch Milner Green campaign supporters). Trying to capitalize on Mayor Green's position, his cohort (read "cronies") decided to work the momentum created by Surrey and developed a proposal to extend this through the Fraser Valley on the old interurban line. Mayor Green and his group reported to Township Council on Oct. 5th. The report titled "Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Update" in actual fact wasn't an update. It was a proposal for ToL Council to back his supposed south of the Fraser Rail Task Force.
With due consideration and politeness Township Council indulged and appointed a member of Council to this task force. Prior to presenting to Council, Mayor Green and his band of tired engineers (including hanger on member Jacob deRaat) presented to Langley City Council.
With due consideration and politeness Township Council indulged and appointed a member of Council to this task force. Prior to presenting to Council, Mayor Green and his band of tired engineers (including hanger on member Jacob deRaat) presented to Langley City Council.
With his chest puffed and his ego stroked by Township Council, Green felt he had tied the issue up (no pun intended). Things started to unravel later that week as Township Council received a pointed and rather blunt letter from TransLink C.E.O., Mr. Tom Prendergast in which he straightened the record out on several points that Mayor Green and his misguided citizens committee made in their presentations to numerous councils. Further, he implored the committee to correct the points made regarding TransLink's alleged support (which the committee interpreted quite incorrectly - listen folks, listen) and told Green in no uncertain terms to remove the TransLink logo from their presentation.
This was a huge blow to the committee as one of their reported key partners for support (both moral and funding) was allegedly TransLink. Mayor Green then shot back a letter to Mr. Prendergast using Township letterhead (what you scream!). I thought this was a citizens committee and that Mayor Green was actually just a simple citizen (Rick Green) on the committee, and not the Mayor as he had reported. So all of a sudden this is a Township Committee and his rebuttle is now clearly laid out on Township letterhead and I would guess typed by Township staff. Interesting that Green failed to use the "Mayor's letterhead" with his name and picture only - choosing to use the mayor and council letterhead. Perhaps he felt that all the names collectively added credibility to his cause? This is evidence of a blatant lie to Township Council and an abuse of power in his position as Mayor - are you a citizen or Mayor when you speak for this committee Mr. Green? We are very confused as you appear to throw your mayor's cape on and off at will.
Doesn't this bring back memories of the supposed "private citizen" Rick Green presenting to the ALC and mentioning five times in the presentation that he was mayor - another Community Charter violation methinks!
This was a huge blow to the committee as one of their reported key partners for support (both moral and funding) was allegedly TransLink. Mayor Green then shot back a letter to Mr. Prendergast using Township letterhead (what you scream!). I thought this was a citizens committee and that Mayor Green was actually just a simple citizen (Rick Green) on the committee, and not the Mayor as he had reported. So all of a sudden this is a Township Committee and his rebuttle is now clearly laid out on Township letterhead and I would guess typed by Township staff. Interesting that Green failed to use the "Mayor's letterhead" with his name and picture only - choosing to use the mayor and council letterhead. Perhaps he felt that all the names collectively added credibility to his cause? This is evidence of a blatant lie to Township Council and an abuse of power in his position as Mayor - are you a citizen or Mayor when you speak for this committee Mr. Green? We are very confused as you appear to throw your mayor's cape on and off at will.
Doesn't this bring back memories of the supposed "private citizen" Rick Green presenting to the ALC and mentioning five times in the presentation that he was mayor - another Community Charter violation methinks!
Now comes the biggest blow. My sources tell me that on Monday a week ago all members of Township Council, Mayors and Councils south of the Fraser and all other government bodies received a letter from the Mayor of the City of Langley simply challenging Mr. Green (no not Mayor Green) and his antique band of self-proclaimed railway officinados to answer to eleven points that represent some legitimate questions regarding the reality or authenticity of this proposed demonstration project. Apparently this rational letter caused an explosion. I guess it is fair to say relations between the Langleys are at an all-time low. With Mayor Fassbender's letter and Translink's rebuttal in hand this guest editor suspects that this project has derailed and hit the end of the line. There won't be any diesel smoke blowing from these engines, just from that smoke blowing from the ears of the Milner Greens. Of course as Holt and deRaat are from South Surrey and Whiterock, it would be unfair to label them as true Milner Greens. So why do they muck around in Langley anyway?
Next time folks, cross your 'T's' and dot your 'I's' before you stoke the coals. It will be a long time coming now, as all credibility has been lost. Area councils were all told that this proposal had regional support from all the other communities and TransLink. But now we find it was all a sham and this is why This Train Isn't Leaving The Station.
3 comments:
Wow, the Milner Greens have been thrown under the bus (or on to the tracks) on this one. I hope they learn their biggest mistake was believing having Green 'on board' was a train wreck waiting to happen. Put this one on the siding and let the engine cool down, I agree, it will be a long time before anyone can stoke the coals on this baby.......thanks in a large part to Green.
Isn't this the second violation of the Community Charter or is it the third?
P.S. note to Jacob the Rat - stay and play in your own back yard.
I see your point Editor, to much Greens is obviously a bad thing in one's diet. Take note Township residents! Two years and 12 days left of this crap.
Anon are you telling me that growing greens (on that good farmland - or in their greenhouses) and eating greens in Milner must have an effect on ones cerebral function and ability to see the facts and make informed decisions? Isn't that the truth!
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