On April 6, 2009 Council received a presentation and report from an appraiser that has significant experience in assessing lease rates and terms of regional airports. There was some local newspaper coverage on this presentation, but that coverage did not pinpoint the politics that caused the study to be conducted. This memo from staff on Langley Regional Airport Lease Rates and Terms was received this past Monday and quietly approved in the Special Township Council Meeting.
Mayor Rick Green campaigned hard, along with his side-kick Councillor Kim Richter, that airport lease rates in Langley were extremely low and that the community was being short changed by then Mayor Alberts and Township Council. This, even though Richter had voted twice against raising airport lease rates in the past. Councillor Richter has openly attacked Langley Airport Manager George Miller, despite Miller being respected far and wide in the aviation community.
The presentation and staff memo clearly indicates that in actuality, Langley Township has been served very well by our airport and it has had a very favorable impact on our local economy with some very good paying aircraft maintenance jobs. The review and report vindicates former mayor Kurt Alberts and Airport Manager George Miller, who clearly knows their stuff. It also once again casts a significant cloud on the credibility and irresponsibility of the two local slate members (Green & Richter), for lashing out on a subject they have been very ill-informed on. Clearly a public apology by these two should be issued forthwith. Mayor Green quietly accepted the staff recommendations with the rest of council this past Monday.
Councillor Kim Richter was noticeably absent from this week's Council meeting and this editor wonders if her absence was meant to help her distance herself from this airport issue (that she has often spouted off on). Of course it could have also been that she didn't want to be around to vote against yet another budget, thereby being perceived as being irresponsible for failing to properly fund the Township of Langley. One thing is certain, Richter will offer a passionate appeal and excuse for the absence.
The Langley Record must however offer praise to Mayor Green for coming around to realize that the airport operations have been professional and reasonable. At least Mayor Green attended the meeting, and didn't find a lame excuse to be absent.
3 comments:
Richter for Mayor
(of Tim-buck-tooooooo! Horny Toad for Deputy)
"Lame excuse to be absent" The question Mr. Editor, other than election time and for a photo op when does Richter show up at anything? For example, was she at the Gymanstics Provincials and opening at the new Langley Events Center? There are dozens of examples like this that your readers could put forth I am sure. In conclusion, from my perspective as an informed observer, she does the least in terms of community commitment and P.R. from my of any of those on Council. She takes her paycheck and runs with it not living up to her obligations, a pay cut may be in order.
Bad Poetry 3
Another day at Council,
And one is missing in action.
I guess it is really tough when, You are not there to get a reaction.
Her negativity is so very evident,
She tries to create such a faction.
Green is figuring out each day,
That having her as support is akin to inaction.
Liken her to an anchor on the Titanic,
She has hit the iceberg and lost all her public complextion.
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