The Langley Record

Thursday, September 3, 2009

News Flash - Mayor's Office Pimped Out Like A Cheap Whore

BREAKING NEWS
UPDATE # 1 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
Some of our regular readers contacted several of our editors with information that will enhance this article and provide more factual information. We have now revised this piece with those items in mind. Since our story broke, one local newspaper - The Langley Advance had the guts to public this Opinion on "Green's Farmgate Fiasco". We know the hands of the other editor are all tied up. Certainly if any facts were to be published there, a call from the mayor would see that information removed pronto! But enjoy the Langley Advance - one local newspaper with some balls. --The Ed

As (now one) local newspaper cowers to the demands of Mayor Rick Green, the Langley Record stands alone as your first and fresh source for the real news behind the news. The Langley Record has now obtained a copy of a presentation used by Mayor Rick Green and his insiders during a recent delegation to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC). Despite the spin campaign launched by Mayor Green today, as you can see from the documents presented here, Green DID CERTAINLY present himself to the ALC as the Mayor of the Township of Langley, despite his disclaimers and back-peddling. He used the office of the mayor once again to try to bully the ALC into submission and attempted to add credibility to the ramblings of his band of malcontents. Several who actually live in South Surrey and Whiterock.

As you see from the document's time lines (insert below - click to enlarge), then Mayor-Elect Green started to bully the ALC ahead of even taking the Oath of Office. Word is that he threatened to overthrow any ALC decision once officially sworn in, if they did not put an end to the overpass project.

The problem here has nothing to do with the overpass. It's all about Green taking an oath as mayor to carry out "The Will of Council". Although councillors can run around making such presentations, Mayor Green did swear to uphold the Will of Council. His e-mail to Council (here) clearly shows a mayor that has not read or fails to understand the Community Charter. You will recall that with the overpass, Green asked Council to vote twice as he and his cronies humiliated and brow-beat them.

This ALC matter is yet another example of Green's hypocrisy. This guy flapped his jaw often about "open and accountable government" before and after his campaign. But clearly Mayor Green has stepped way over the line of any professionalism, as he pimped out the Office of the Mayor of the Township of Langley like a cheap whore. Where was the openness and accountability here? There is NO evidence of this ALC presentation anywhere in Green's nauseating and cry baby Mayor's Reports.

Mayor Green definitely trampled on his Oath of Office and the Community Charter. He presented to the ALC a position that was plainly against the Will of Township Council. We have it on very good sources that even Councillor Mel Kositsky (who voted against the overpass) is now agreeing with the opposition to voice concern over Mayor Green's despicable actions. Kositsky is a student of parliamentary process and has scolded and instructed the mayor several times during this term. Kositsky must know that Green has really crossed the line big time, and it appears that he (Kositsky) is about to put his foot down. This mayor cannot be trusted.

Why won't Langley's publicity engine rag newspaper tell you the facts? Why do they continue to print Green's spin? You saw it here first folks. Read it for yourself. How disgraceful!

PLEASE note that Councillor Kim Richter is very silent on this issue. Wasn't Richter another vocal supporter of open and accountable Township government? You will recall that Richter supported Green on the overpass issue. Has her slate politics clouded her judgement in remaining silent on this lack of transparency and disclosure? This lack of trust Council now must have with this mayor? Richter now appears to be turning her back on all the moral and ethical rhetoric that she has wasted soo much Council time with. Shame on you Kim Richter for being complacent and sitting back while allowing dirty politics to be played out right under your nose!

See Mayor Green's full presentation (click here)

Some Balls From The Langley Advance - September 4, 2009

Some Luke-Warm Shite From The Langley Times (click to view):
September 1, 2009

September 3, 2009 (TODAY) - Note that NO members of Township Council were interviewed for this story. ONLY Mayor Green. WHY is that?

So Green represented himself to the ALC as a private citizen and did not use his office as mayor? We say BULLSHIT. It really doesn't matter, because either way - Green violated his Oath of Office and here is the proof from Mayor Green's very own ALC presentation given on July 27, 2009 (click to enlarge) that we are sure he didn't want you to see:

Is "Rick Green's Township" the Langley that you want? Taking care of friends, making a cheap whore out of the Office of the Mayor, mistreating staff and bullying a democratically elected Council. What a disgracing for the Office of the Mayor. This is Mayor Rick Green's vision for the Township of Langley. All as one local rag sits idle and spins Rick Green's bullshit.

Stay tuned all this week as The Langley Record presents you with more factual proof of Mayor Green's unrepentant smoke screens, bullying and strong-arm tactics. If one closed their eyes you could quickly picture a Third World dictator.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Action Continues This Monday - ToL Council Meeting

With summer break behind us, Township of Langley Council reconvenes this Monday, August 31, 2009. The Township made life easy on us by compiling each agenda with the supporting materials. So now you can look or download at a single document!

Special ToL Council Meeting - August 31, 2009 from 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Special Council packet click here

Regular ToL Council Meeting - August 31, 2009 from 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Regular Council packet click here

Several land and development discussions in this meeting. Let's see if the mayor's friend and insiders will trump the overall good of the people of the Township of Langley. One long-time Langley resident commented to our Editorial Board, "When I hear about Green I see red".

We are happy to note that 10,686 people have now read our documents on SCRIBD and there have been 79 individual downloads of our ToL Council documents!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Breaking News!

VERY informed sources tell the Langley Record that the much talked about $86,000 needed to fund the Langley Senior's Outreach may not be totally accurate. The local media has been reporting that this $86 Grand is needed for senior's outreach and seniors are precious to us all (or should be). But now we learn that a sizeable portion of these funds pay the salaries of paid workers to help "organize volunteers".

Why Isn't the local press reporting these facts to the public so everyone can make an informed decision? Are the local newspapers just looking to pin back the ears of the Liberal MLAs in Langley and make them feel some heat?

The Langley Record has been told that MLA's Rich Coleman and Mary Polak have extended the help of their office to assist with volunteer organizing and TransLink was contacted by the same MLA's. Word is that TransLink is offering HandiDart service to also come to the aid of these seniors.

In the upcoming Township Council Meeting on Monday, August 31st it will be very interesting to see if Mayor Rick Green proposes that Council write a cheque from a budget that he voted against, in order to fund a program where roughly 75% of the participants are from the City of Langley. Will Green's Mayor's Report serve up the usual grand-standing manure, complete with attacks on the MLA's, the Fraser Health Authority and others? Green loves to spout off in these reports, but one week later he will probably sneak into MLA Rich Coleman's BBQ for some free chicken and a chance to appear to be endorsed by Coleman. But word on the street is that after Green's show boating at the senior's meeting, Coleman has little use for Green and Green is likely to get a cold welcome if he dials for tickets to the BBQ as he did in 2008.

Perhaps Green can skip the BBQ this year and join his Socred hero, former BC premier Bill Vander Zalm in a hugg-in with the NDP and Carol James over the HST? Not a far stretch as Mayor Green gave a a local NDP provincial candidate the floor in a Township Council Meeting as many of Green's supporters worked hard to elect that Champagne Socialist who lost by a wide margin. Come hell or high water, Mayor Green is very likely to keep shooting blanks for another 2 years until some fresh blood replaces this aging dinosaur that has his own views of reality.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Mayor Green Shoots Blanks at Seniors Meeting

By Special Features Editor Inda Know

Let it be known that our seniors are the pioneers of our community. They laid the foundation for today's society and deserve our respect and support. At a rally hosted at the newly renovated Langley Seniors Centre on Saturday, the two local mayors spoke. Mayor Fassbender stated that he will see what his council is able to do. This is a novel concept - a Mayor working with his Council to solve an obviously serious community issue.

On the other hand, Rick Green the Mayor of the Township (who campaigned on a 0/0/0% tax increase over 3 years), stated; "to suggest that services to carry out outreach programs are available elsewhere in the community "is, quite frankly, insulting to the intelligence."
However, calling Outreach "an absolutely priceless" program, Green pledged that "one way or another, come hell or high water, this program will not be cut."

So the hypocrisy continues. Green promises the electorate a 0% tax increase which would have set the Township back years and used up all the surplus in short order. Now he vows to keep this outreach program running. From what, a budget that Mayor Green voted against and called unnecessary? Our seniors would have be paralyzed by a 0% tax increase as promised, and even as surely with Green's face-saving .93% tax increase that he and his cronies proposed in the third hour. The manure Mayor Green spoke about in the election would have certainly resulted in across the board hikes in such things as user fees for Township facilities and amenities. I am very certain that all preventative maintenance and upkeep of valuable Township assets would have ceased and deterioration of these assets was a done deal. Facilities would have suffered dramatically as well, all of which are well used by our seniors as part of their outreach programs. So where is the money coming from to cover the $86,000 shortfall? It is common knowledge that Rick Green does not work well with his Council as evidenced at weekly Council meetings and in public appearances with other Council members.

So, what is the solution Mr. Green? It is just like the election all over again - promising the world and not being able to deliver. Wasn't the Langley Airport to produce $1M more per year for the Township of Langley under a Green mayoralty? Wasn't there all kinds of fat and waste that Green's "Budget Bunnies" were to uncover with their 12+ week detailed examination of ToL financial records? The same Budget Bunnies that claimed the Township could save boat loads of money by collecting trash bi-weekly instead of weekly and eliminating laptop computers and Blackberries? If it were not for the diligence of a few Councillors who voted for a fair tax increase to allow this community to continue to provide services and infrastructure, this mayor would have no money to spend on anything.

But now Green attacks FHA executives (a familiar tactic of Green) and spouts off like a loose canon, promises single-handedly to solve this issue without working with the eight other elected Council members.

As a taxpayer, I want to know how Mr. Green intends to live up to his promise to our valued seniors that, "this program will not be cut." I hope our seniors are not waiting for a quick fix from this mayor - it just won't happen with his present Lone Ranger Mayor and his gun-slinging approach to governance. Clearly promises that have more bluster than luster.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Grant Ward Strong As An Ox

Grant Ward - There's No Keeping Him Down

About one week ago three term Township Councillor Grant Ward received a knee replacement at Langley Memorial Hospital. We heard that within 24 hours of the surgery he was spotted out and about around LMH and within two days the man went home under own power. Good on your Grant and our best wishes are with you as you heal and keep all those around you on the go chasing you down.

We have it on good sources that only days before this surgery Councillor Ward peddled some 26 miles or so on his bicycle! We also heard sadly that Mayor Rick Green did not reach out to Councillor Ward whatsoever to check on the Councillor's progress or extend any offers of assistance to his family.

It is very common knowledge that Green had lashed out at Ward during the 2008 campaign regarding airport lease rates and a letter that Ward had published in the local newspapers that spelled the facts out for then candidate Green.

Of course we all know that an expert report to council just two months or so, confirming that indeed the Township has been receiving more than adequate compensation on airport leases. In fact, the Langley Airport has done better than many other airports of its size. One would think that certainly after the election, or even with this release of this report, Mayor Green would have reached out to Councillor Ward and extended an olive branch instead of giving him the cold shoulder around the ToL unless forced to acknowledge Grant Ward at public events, as Councillor Ward is a very active man in our community and participates in numerous events here. Keep mending Grant and keep speaking your mind. Many of us respect you for that keen honesty.

Plugging Away

Some editors go fishing, but others apply some hard work and effort to the task at hand. The Editorial Board of the Langley Record has been approached by some seasoned journalists who see some great community value in the Langley Record and are interested in possibly acquiring us. Their many ventures are interesting ones and they have found a way to make a profit to boot! We'll keep you posted as this develops and we can tell you that if talks solidify into action, The Langley Record will be one great place to read some awesome electronic media and a host of ideas. It would definitely be something that will give the struggling local rags a run for their money and possibly spell disaster for at least one of them.

Gearing Up

Langley Township Council has not met since July 20th as they took their annual summer break. Everyone will be gearing up for Monday, August 31st when ToL Council reconvenes. There will be a 3:00pm Special Meeting of Council and then the Regular Meeting at 7:00pm. No public hearings are noted on the calendar.

Of course the Langley Record will have all the agendas and reports for you to easily access right here and we will give you the straight scoop on the messy Green poop for sure.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Possible Conflict - Township To Suffer

No Township Council meetings for a few weeks due to summer vacation. It was an interesting meeting of council last time around.

Our council watchers report some strange comments coming from Mayor Rick Green. It all started with the delegation that went on forever, as Vancouver-based developers ignored the Township's Sustainability Charter and the desires of the majority of the citizens of Langley Township. Staff have worked for many years to make the Sustainability Charter a reality. There was SIGNIFICANT public participation and residents supported the work.

Mayor Green hails from the food and supermarket industry. He believes that a 5,000 sq. ft. supermarket is not large enough. He wants 15,000 sq. ft. minimum and up to 30,000 sq. ft. if he could get it. The Vancouver-based developers are eying 200th Street in the area of 80th Avenue. The area was to be mixed-use to create an Urban Village. A mix of neighbourhood commercial and residential units. It would all compliment "gasoline alley", where gas stations on every major corner have been allowed to develop.

The end result is that commercial development will now go ahead of residential because these developers cried about the market. It's interesting that right next door to the Township, the City of Langley is approving residential developments and they are selling out (i.e. Paddington Station). Mayor Green reminded all of his 35 years of industry experience and that he still had a "few fingers" in some things. During this meeting, Mayor Green mentioned several times of his meetings with developers, and most especially with the proponents who were present and made delegations. We all know that developers are the largest contributors to most political campaigns. The question is, are Green's fingers in a conflict of interest?

Our council watchers noted that a strong Green supporter who owns land in this area was present and Green had been seen supporting him in local newspaper articles during the campaign. Does Mayor Green have any property interest or shares with this person? One should examine this.

In the end, a deal was made with the devil and commercial development will move forward. Residential and the Urban Village concept will take a back seat and you can thank Mayor Rick Green for the crap that will keep the 200th Street corridor a car-only environment for many, many years to come.

The only champions in this story are Councillors Jordan Bateman, Grant Ward and Kim Richter who opposed this travesty and spoke out and lost out to the motor heads on council who simply don't understand and who allowed Township staff to be slapped in the face. But hey, this is Langley Township under cowboy Rick Green. The very same man that accused former Mayor Kurt Alberts of "top down planning". The same man who allows a steady stream of developers to file through his office. So many insiders and speacial interest groups have come through the mayor's office over the past few months that now a special gate has been installed inside the door to help maintain order and decorum. Prior to this internal gate, those with connections had a "no appointment necessary" deal with the mayor.

Of note, under Mayor Kurt Alberts (and at the urging of Councillor Jordan Bateman) the 200th Street corridor was protected as a transit corridor. But Green and others have seen fit to forget that promise made to the Township. Shame, shame.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Monday Township Council Meetings

This week there will be a Special ToL Council Meeting and a Regular ToL Council Meeting. Both meeting agendas are packed with business ahead of the big summer break.

It is interesting to note that during the Special afternoon meeting, two developers based in Vancouver are hoping to get Council to agree to move forward with commercial development, ahead of any residential development in the Jericho Sub-Neighbourhood area. Council had voted under Mayor Kurt Alberts to protect 200th Street as a major transit corridor. If commercial development is allowed to take over 200th Street, you can kiss good transit goodbye. Of course this wouldn't impact these developers, as their offices are in Vancouver where transit dollars and transit options are very plentiful. You can also see in the public engagement that some residents in the area fail to understand the value of density development and land use linked to transportation options. Do they like gridlock? When will we learn?

Click on links to access documents below.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Special Township Council Meeting - 3:00pm - 5:30pm

Agenda

Minutes of Special ToL Council Meeting - July 6, 2009

Regular Township Council Meeting - 7:00pm - 11:00pm

Agenda

Minutes of Special ToL Council Meeting - July 6, 2009

Sunday, July 12, 2009

No Township Council Meeting This Week

The Langley Record has learned that both the Special and Regular ToL Council meetings are both canceled for this week. We have no solid reasons why these meetings were axed, but we do have some good clues.

It appears that Township Staff moral is at an all-time low. Mayor Rick Green views his role as a Commander-In-Chief of sorts. During the campaign his criticism of ToL programs and processes could be taken as nothing less than an attack on Township Staff. Once taking office Green questioned staff to a level of distrust, and many times attacked their personal integrity, professionalism and credentials.

Our sources tell us that staff have no idea what issues will trigger a rage and rants from the mayor. It all seems very dependent upon what issues are near and dear to Green campaign workers, and most especially his financial supporters. As ToL staff are very bright people, they've learned that by not issuing reports and promoting new initiatives, the council agenda is kept to a minimum. It also ensures that staff are kept away from any confrontation with the Office of the Chief Cowboy In Residence (Green). Why would intelligent people ever want to stick their necks out with a loose cannon like Green in power?

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Mayor Green Does It Again

In a rare Langley Mimes story we see that Mayor Green has once again opened his mouth and inserted his foot. It was written with Al Irwin frankness and with Al's usual well-rounded research. You can be sure that this will all be lacking at The Mimes now that he is gone.

Irwin got a quote from CP and its a dozy. This is similar to last month during the opening of the new Golden Ears Bridge. Although the bridge was built with regional dollars through TransLink and a P3, Green insisted on thanking the two local MLA's for the money for the bridge.

Now we learn in yet another Green effort to grab headlines, he isolated CP Rail and pissed them off, breaking a long-standing cooperation that other like Mayor Peter Fassbender guard carefully. But Green charged ahead and tried to invoke his big puzzle revealed line again. What part of a public lease document is such a secret Mayor Green? We can tell you that you are far from a Sherlock Holmes.

"Mike LoVecchio, a CP spokesperson, said he is surprised Green has not contacted CP on this matter.
“First of all, the agreement is with BC Hydro, not the provincial government.” LoVecchio said that CP has not seen Green’s press release, nor has it heard from the mayor.

“It is fair to say Mayor Green has put a premium on public communication, but that doesn’t apparently include CP."

Wow, how embarrasing is that!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Eli Mina At Township Council

Eli Mina - The ultimate Canadian parliamentarian and walking Robert's Rules of Order, had to have paid an incognito visit to Township of Langley Council. Read the full article here. Some Eli Mina gems that can be directly linked to Township Council:

Mayor Rick Green

Let’s begin with raised voices. Mina says politicians can be prone to raise their voice and sound “very dramatic and emphatic” as they address a crowd or stand in front of a television camera.
The potential damage? “Your colleagues on council may take note that you crave public attention. They may feel insulted and hence tune you out.
The cure? “Consider the Chinese proverb: Strong and harsh words mean a weak cause.”

Councillor Kim Richter

Bad habit number two—sighing and eye rolling. Mina says politicians are guilty of such behaviour when listening to a citizen or fellow politician rant about the same tired argument; in other words, sounding like a broken record.
The potential damage? “Council will look like a group of childish and petty adults who cannot possibly be trusted with the tasks of overseeing large budgets and making significant policy decisions.”
The cure? “Park your ego, biases and impatience at the door and be fully committed to serving the needs of the municipality.” Also look to find “the gems” within “the fluff” of a person’s blather.

Councillor Mel Kositsky

Bad habit number three—rambling and repetition. Mina doesn’t think it’s appropriate for politicians to take up every minute of their allotted speaking time at a meeting just to express a point already made by someone else.
The potential damage? “Rambling and repetition take up precious meeting time and therefore makes less time available for significant issues scheduled later on the agenda.”
The cure? “Don’t feel duty bound to compete with your time hogging colleagues. Just state your point and stop.”

Thank you Eli!

Lots of Hypocrisy At The Mimes

Journalism hit an all-time low this week when Langley Times Editor Frank Bucholtz who this opinion piece on municipal taxes for their sister paper, The Surrey North Delta Leader. We now refer to The Langley Times as The Langley Mimes because it is common knowledge that Bucky (Frank Bucholtz) supported Rick Green in his run for mayor and threw former Mayor Kurt Alberts under the bus in the final days of the campaign by telling people in another opinion piece that Township residents should watch the tax inssue (interesting enough). Now he allows Green to call The Mimes to censor them, or to complain about content or a lack of coverage. Green does so frequently, and has boasted about it in public often.

Did Bucky forget this Mimes opinion piece he wrote just a short time ago? He had to admit that his buddy Rick Green was unrealistic with his 0-0-0 tax increases, but what about the value we get for our tax dollars here in the Township of Langley? Does Delta and Surrey provide more? We sincerely doubt that. Here's another gem where the good editor asks ToL Council to spend. A great cause for sure, but you can't have it both ways Bucky! But, Editor Bucholtz MUST stick up for his buddy Green and it is clearly evident right here, in our opinion. See for yourself with these links we've provided.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Monday Township Council Meetings

On Monday, July 6, 2009, Township of Langley Council will meet for a Special Meeting and a Regular Meeting. Unfortunately the ToL did not release the agenda and reports for the Special Meeting. The agenda and information for the Regular Meeting of Council can be found here. The agenda is light and will probably result in a short meeting.

Monday, July 6, 2009 - 3:00pm - 5:30pm

Special Township Council Meeting

(no agenda or reports available)

7:00pm - 10:00pm (?)

Regular Township Council Meeting

Minutes from June 22, 2009 Regular Meeting of Council

Agenda for July 6th Meeting

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Like the old song says,

"They say that breaking up is hard to do. Now I know, I know that this is true."

It is very interesting to note that Mayor Rick Green has possibly seen the light with regards to his council soulmate, Councillor Kim Richter. Green smartly did not second any of Richter's crazy motions at the last meeting, not even for discussion, as he has done often in the past. Richter was seen getting chummy again with Councillor Bob Long. Long did second some of Richter's motions or at least verbally agreed with her on many issues discussed at the last meeting of Township Council.

We have witnessed Richter's cozying up to Long in the past, and Long resosponded with a season of accommodating Richter. That is until she stabbed him in the back, as she often does. You can count on an upcoming Richter family outing to one of Bob Long's restaurants soon, and that glowing photo essay by you know who very soon. Those two know how to get to Councillor Bob Long, but hopefully Long will remember who he is dealing with this time around.

There is some very evident turmoil in the Green/Richter Slate toy box that could be severe and long-lasting. Richter's permanent smile has been replaced by a distant look of unhappiness. She lunged at Green's throat when the mayor recently inadvertently did not see Richter's light on in the speaker's queue. It seems that Richter's political strategy with Green has gone sideways, just as it has with Bateman, Ward and many others in the past. This is possibly due to political advice received from you know who, who does not have a clue?

Perhaps the permanent smile has now vanished because Kim Richter has come to realize that her star in the council chamber's has reached its zenith. Political baggage, age and a record of non-accomplishment has gotten the best of Richter these days. If pressed hard in an all-candidates debate, Richter cannot point to one major initiative she can legitimately take any credit for. Lately it appears that her council packet arrives on a Thursday like everyone else' and goes unopened until the council meeting has started. It is now very evident to all that she is reading her council packet as the meeting continues. Her questions sometimes result in another council member pointing out the obvious answer from the council packet.

Our advice to Councillor Kim Richter is for her to focus on her work as an educator. She was recently appointed to Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Board of Governors and it seems to us to be Richter's true calling. One cannot serve two masters without your star burning up in a wild frenzy of self-destruction. It is very fitting as if one looks up the definition of the word "governess", you find that a governess is one employed to teach children and it's origins are "female ruler". We believe that in the educations arena, Kim Richter makes a fine female ruler. She fails the grade in the political world however.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

More Reasons Why Kim Richter Cannot Be Mayor

Reason 529 - 538 why Township of Langley Councillor Kim Richter cannot be mayor:

At the last meeting of Township Council the Langley Record has now learned that Councillor Kim Richter attached several groups of people in the Township. In reviewing the official file of the meeting, we have found that Richter is:

Against helping sick people
Against helping old people
Against helping anyone who works in the hospital taking care of sick people
Against helping anyone working in a society taking care of old people
Against the Langley Events Centre, Aldergrove pool and other recreation facilities
Against proper planning for road maintenance
Against reducing liquor seats in Langley Meadows
Against reducing liquor service hours in Langley Meadows
Against moving fast to connect people to sewer
Against moving fast to protect the Salmon River from failing septic fields overflowing a few feet from its banks

It is also now very apparent to our Editorial Board that Kim Richter can’t work with anyone. Not her one time slate mates Rick Green or Grant Ward, not Kurt Alberts or Howie Vickberg, not Jordan Bateman or Charlie Fox, not Muriel Arnason or Penny Kirkpatrick, not Dan Sheel or Steve Ferguson, not anyone.

Not even the fulltime fire fighters she claimed to support but voted not to fund and tried to stab in the back in the first month of the term. She couldn't work with John Scholtens, who froze taxes for six years. She kept fighting him with nasty letters and personal attacks. Maybe the problem is not the rest of the world. Maybe the problem is Kim Richter?

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Happy Canada Day!

Although many politicians will be out kissing babies on Canada Day, we thought we would take a break from politics and wish you a very Happy Canada Day. As you enjoy our nation's big birthday celebrations and time with your family, take time out to wave some flags and remember all those great Canadians that protected our freedoms and made this great country what it is.

Stay tuned the remainder of this week for more Langley-centered political details and some interesting commentary on our local political scene, based on some very recent Township events.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Monday Township Council

Township Council Meetings & Documents

Monday, June 22, 2009

Special Council Meeting - 3:00PM

(click links to view or download Council documents)

Minutes of Special ToL Council Meeting - June 15, 2009

Agenda for Special ToL Council Meeting - June 22, 2009

Regular Council Meeting - 7:00PM

(click links to view or download Council documents)

Minutes of Special Public Hearing - June 15, 2009

Minutes of Regular ToL Council Meeting - June 15, 2009

Agenda for Regular ToL Council Meeting - June 22, 2009

Friday, June 19, 2009

Township Resident Ambushed

When Alan and Elizabeth Hendricks (and other owners) filed an application to exclude an 11.01 acre site fronting 44th Avenue in Murrayville from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), they did so because these are not viable farmlands. Even the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission agreed that the properties had limited potential for agricultural development.

The Hendricks doing all they could to be good neighbours offered property for a municipal trail, opportunity for the ToL to construct and upgrade 44th Avenue (between 216th Street and Benz Crescent) at no cost to the Township, a "significant" financial contribution to an "Agricultural Enhancement Trust Fund", and several other community benefits. The Hendricks operated through the whole process in good faith and expected fair treatment. The application and staff report were presented to Township Council at the June 1, 2009 meeting.

The June 1st ToL Council meeting was another strange one as with the Mufford/64th Overpass Councillor Richter said that there should be public input when agricultural lands are impacted or people seek exclusions. But with the Hendricks application, Richter supported the exclusion and angrily spoke out against a suggested public input session. Some council members then voted to refer this application to the Langley Agricultural Advisory Committee (LAAC) and incorporate a "public input session" into that meeting. As with the Mufford Overpass, the official "Public Hearing" process was ignored in favour of the very nebulous and non-bonding "public input session" that this mayor is now famous for.

The June 18, 2009 LAAC meeting was nothing less than an ambush of Mr. Hendricks. He was lured in to what he was thinking would be a fair discussion regarding his land. He thought he was being asked to provide constructive information, in exchange for constructive advice. Instead, Mr. Hendricks was forced to provide a presentation on his proposal (guess no one present could read the extensive staff report and application??) After that, Mr. Hendricks had to be lectured by Mayor Green's supporters and a member of LAAC that broke ranks by failing to listen to the public and decided to preach to Mr. Hendricks.

The final sacking of Mr. Hendricks came from none other than self-appointed quarterback Mayor Rick Green, who pontificated about wanting to "protect farmers". He said that people spoke of protecting farmlands, but he (Green) wanted to protect farmers. Mr. Hendricks, we feel so sorry for you neighbour. You acted in good faith and this mayor set you up for an ambush.

Let's see, shall we add this one to the list of Green comic book hero defenses?

Protection from gang violence

Protection from so-called hate crimes

Protection from "top-down" land use planning

Protection from crime in Aldergrove (security guards offered)

Protection from crime in Walnut Grove (is he for real?)

Protection from the Provincial Government

Protection from Metro Vancouver

Protection from Translink

Protection from the railroads

Protection from taxes

Protection from water metering

Protection from sand pits

Protection from aquifers

Councillor Kim Richter, Charlie Fox, Jordan Bateman and Bob Long probably protested the unorthodox "public input" session. We aren't sure if the Green-Richter slate is showing strong signs of a break up, but we wonder if Councillor Mel Kositsky is becoming Mayor Green's new lackey? He has often been seen voting in lock step with Green and seems to fiercely defend Green's primary platform issues.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Cowboy Mayor Roped Again

About one week ago Mayor Rick Green of the Township of Langley strapped on his dual six-shooters to instruct the RCMP how to do their jobs once again. The exercise was another usual Green tactic to harness the energy of the press to propel his mayoralty stardom and let everyone know that there is a new self-appointed sheriff in town.

The object of Green's rage was an alleged "hate crime" that had occurred in Aldergrove. Green analyzed the reports and then cloaked himself in knickers and a cape to act as judge and jury. He spoke as though the allegations were proven and adjudicated facts and that these Aldergrove teens were immediately guilty.

Well, today's Province newspaper carried this article which makes it clear that perhaps the attack was not "unprovoked" and innocents violated.

"We walked over to the park and we saw all these East Indians in [the tennis courts]," he said. "They tapped on the fence and said, 'Come on, little boys, come and play with us.'"

The youth and his companions took those words to be offensive, and three of them entered the courts, where the players began using racial epithets, the boy said.

"They're calling us little white boys," he said. He and his friends responded by calling the Indo-Canadian men "sand-niggers," he said.
To the boy's father, the allegations of racism are overblown.
"It was just a bunch of kids calling each other names," said the man, who came to court with his son, as did the mother. Parents of accused young offenders can't be named because it would identify the accused."

It's not like the RCMP to issue an off-the-cuff statement that conjure up images of hate crime without a proper investigation. The Langley RCMP has been especially cautious not to label crimes hate crimes in the past. Was this sudden change in policy a direct result of the cowboy mayor playing the role of Law & Order Sheriff again? Very interesting.

We'll have to see what comes of this trial in time, but these parents from Aldergrove must have been publicly embarrassed in that small community by this mayor's comments. The Langley Record wonders what they think of this cowboy mayor. Better yet, wonder what Rattan will think of this latest news, as he had already called this play! Perhaps another shake of the dinosaur head is in order for Green Mr. Rattan?

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The Langley Times Out of Touch AGAIN

We at The Langley Record could not believe the absolute SHITE that The Langley Times Editor Frank Bucholtz has published today. How does a standing ovation for former Township of Langley Mayor Kurt Alberts (who was extremely instrumental in causing the new Langley Events Centre to happen) suddenly because a signal from the masses that they want current mayor and council to work together?

Firstly, Mayor Green severely limited his own comments when he invited Kurt Alberts and Howie Vickberg to join him and council on the floor. Much more could have been said in praise, but Green remained silent. The audience did not hesitate in standing for Alberts because everyone there knew that Mayor Green had absolutely nothing to do with making the Langley Events Centre (LEC) happen, and in fact, did all he could (with his sidekick Councillor Kim Richter) to derail the LEC. Kurt Alberts greatly deserved the standing ovation and that is why the people responded with the outpouring. It had NOTHING to do with Rick Green.

Either Editor Bucholtz is smoking something strong, or his eyes of been seriously blinded by Mayor Green's constant calls to him and his publisher to bitch about his press or lack thereof. Did Bucholtz not see Mayor Rick Green totally ignore former Mayor Kurt Alberts at the Golden Ears Bridge ceremony on Sunday? Maybe Bucholts should have attended yesterday's council meeting to watch Green, Richter and Kositsky carry on past grudges by voting against borrowing for the Mufford/64th Overpass? Or should Bucky have been present for Green's vote against a Murrayville sustainable development yesterday that also dates back pre-election? Yes, Mayor Green the "champion" of transit voted to defeat a high-density development that would in time perhaps support improved transit of some sort!

Oh but Bucholtz surely must remember Green's calls to The Mimes over the Fort Langley Rowing Club and LEC articles where Alberts was interviewed. Many people opine that Bucholtz owes something to Green that goes way back to their Delta roots. Maybe they should both come clean and put their cards on the table. And where is the publish of The Mimes in all this?

From Day 1 Green has been the one to try and divide and conquer this council. To this day his ego does not allow him to say one word outside the council table to Councillor Grant Ward, and that is just plain despicable. Working together? We say BULLSHIT. Mayor Rick Green should have gone to breakfast with Councillor Richter and skipped the LEC opening along with her. Green didn't support the LEC, he had NOTHING to do with the LEC, and he certainly would like nothing better for it to fail.

Hey Bucky, get those green coloured glasses off, will ya? Why don't you start checking out what happened to Green's Land Trust and related promises? Council voted many months ago to have Green's consultant quantify land that could go in to a trust. No report has been produced to date and this was to be a very small consulting engagement. What do you say Bucky? Or have you lost your abilities to investigate and hold people accountable?

Monday, June 15, 2009

White Dinosaur Head Sighted in Township

The Indo-Canadian newspaper VOICE had some very funny things to say about Township Mayor Rick Green in Rattan's Rumble found here. Rattan has a great sense of humour, and asks with reference to Mayor Green:

"What world is this white guy living in? The one created by the Vancouver Sun? Maybe he should start reading this newspaper and give his dinosaur head a good shake!"

We here at The Langley Record wondered if Rattan was referring to Mayor Green's 2009 look or the 12 year old photo he insists all staff use? Rattan in his whit make a great point about this whole race issue. Politicians like Green love to use the race card for their own devices when they wish to get some publicity and appear to be the defender of the populous. But many times they join the chorus to bitch about all these immigrants entering the country.

Defending the populous should be left to the RCMP that we pay to do so. We don't need photo ops and lime light. The RCMP can work with the community to determine what is a hate crime and what is not. Perhaps if politicians like Green stop meddling in police business, race relations will improve.

We wonder if we can get Rattan to do a regular column for The Langley Record. This would give our readers yet another perspective. What do you say Rattan?

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Monday June 15th Township Council Meetings

Township Council will meet as follows. Please note that a Public Hearing meeting is scheduled for 7:00pm as well. Although the Council Calendar shows the Public Hearing, the agenda page for this meeting appears blank. Glitch in the ToL website we gather. At least all if not part of this Special Hearing will be for the public to comment on the ToL Annual Report for 2008.

Monday, June 15, 2009

(click the links below to view or download documents and reports)

Special Township Council Meeting - 3:00 PM

Agenda

Minutes of Special Council Meeting - June 1, 2009

Special Public Hearing - 7:00PM

-- No Agenda For Public Hearing Available From ToL --

View or download the 2008 Annual ToL Report here

Regular Township Council Meeting - 7:00PM

Agenda

Minutes of Regular ToL Council Meeting - May 25, 2009

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Have A Little Horse Sense

A Langley Record Editorial

Recently we praised Mayor Rick Green for what appeared to be a turning of the page on past flexing of his ego and the I problems that has haunted him in the recent past. We at The Record thought we could stick to the issues at hand and retire the Raging Bull reports. Well, guess again.

Green's family raises horses, runs a riding instruction school, etc. No issues with that. However, Mayor Green recently summoned a certain female community leader to his office for a meeting related to some promotional brochures that her group produced. They help market Langley to the urban and rural lovers from all parts of our province and country.

Apparently Mayor Green feels it necessary to constantly scrutinize and micro-manage the police, Township staff and now, a community organization and their director. Despite the fact that this female executive is NOT a Township staff member, Mayor Green decided to pick her apart for what the mayor viewed as her group not promoting Langley's horse community and events enough to the mayor's liking.

We have it on very good sources that this female executive (who only has the interests of the community at heart) was reduced to tears as Mayor Green became raging bull and tore a strip off this fine member of our community. Yes folks, tears. Can you believe the arrogance of this mayor to tell the police, staff and now civic groups, how to do their jobs? They are the experts and this grocery manager thinks he can do it all better than they??

The Editorial Board of the Langley Record met today over some coffee and several of us wonder what Langley's feminist champion Councillor Kim Richter thinks about all this. Does Richter support this cruelty and abussive behaviour against female professionals? Do tell us Maddam, we are so waiting to hear from you.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Flip Flop Season At ToL Council

Summer is almost here, but it certainly is flip flop fashion season for Township of Langley Councillor Kim Richter. Monday's council meeting was one flip flop fashion display after another.

A group of Township soccer associations presented a delegation to council because a new Western Diversification grant program may provide significant funding for these groups and the Township to partner together to provide an artificial turf application to the Willoughby soccer field. Its an exciting proposition and these soccer groups are looking to raise $250K amongst themselves to make this happen.

After the delegation, Councillor Kim Richter ignored the 7 or so soccer folks that came out to present and asked the administrator to comment on whether these same grant monies could be secured for the proposed Aldergrove Pool project. HUGE flip flop here folks!

A little over one month ago a member of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Advisory Committee made a presentation to council regarding the planning of an Aldergrove Pool. Richter had her usual permanent phony smile face on and didn't say much. (Is that a smile or an attempt at holding the eyeglasses up?) But at the following council meeting, Councillor Richter attacked her follow councillors with a verbal assault about how projects like this pool, how they are a little rich for these tough economic times, and how this council must realize that when you approve projects like this pool, one has to consider that apart from the capital costs, Richter said these facilities require operating budgets (gee, no kidding?).

Richter opposed the 5% tax increase and said that she would only support a .93% tax hike. She was conveniently absent from the council meeting where there was a vote on this year's budget, even though she has never voted in favour of any budget in the ToL. We've said it before and we will say it again...Councillor Kim Richter loves to order off the dim sum menu, but she is almost certain to skip out on the funding mechanism or the bill.

More Kim Richter flip flops to follow from the last meeting. Stay tuned as we are requesting audio of the flip flops.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Richter Lashes Out At ToL Council Yesterday

*** Tuesday Morning Update ***

Ultra Vires - is a Latin phrase that literally means "beyond the powers". Its inverse is called intra vires, meaning "within the powers". It is used as a legal term in a number of common law contexts. -- Wikipedia

RE: Mayor Rick Green's Motion last night...

How can it be ultra vires to ask a large group of FCM to support this resolution? That's all Green was trying to accomplish here! All we can say about that and Richter is stultus!

We should have added that during Councillor Richter's outburst she accused Mayor Green's motion of being Ultra Vires. We thought we would provide a definition here and expand your knowledge of the Latin language.

We just received news late last night that Councillor Kim Richter put forth a major attack against Mayor Rick Green at yesterday's Township Council Meeting. Here's what we know thus far...

Mayor Rick Green asked Township Council yesterday to approve his motion to support the Town of Halton Hills, ON at the upcoming Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) meeting taking place in Whistler from June 5th - 8th. This motion to "Buy Canadian" is in response to local and state spending in the USA on roadwork and other infrastructure projects with a specification that only US firms and supplies be used for the projects. Apparently local and state governments are not bound by NAFTA in the USA, only the US Federal Government, despite the fact that these funds will funnel downward to the local and state governments from the US Federal Government. You can read more here.

Mayor Green's Motion was very similar to this one by the Town of Halton Hills. We are told it was a clean motion and was very straight forward. Our sources tell us that no one on council and most especially Mayor Green expected what would happen next. Councillor Kim Richter with anger on her face we are told pressed her button with impunity to get into the speaker's queue. With her head trashing back and forth Richter declared Green's motion to be faulty and provided additional rant until Green told her that she can vote as she wishes and the motion will be debated further at FCM this week. Green then called for the vote after no other councillors wanted to speak to the motion. Mayor Green's motion was approved with only Councillor Kim Richter opposed. We are told that her rage continued after the vote with her being visibly angry at the council table.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Township Council Meeting - June 1, 2009

**** IMPORTANT UPDATE ****

Township Council will meet at 4:00pm tomorrow and with no in-camera meeting before the public 4:00pm session.

Monday Township Council Meeting for June 1, 2009 at 4:00pm

This week due to a compact agenda, all business will be handled in a 4:00pm session of ToL Council. There will be no 7:00pm meeting this week. Click the links below to access the documents.

Also, the Township of Langley has issued a DRAFT of its Annual Report for 2008. You can read all about the Township's finances and programs in this great report. Although citizens rarely do it, residents can send a letter to Mayor and Council through the Township clerk to comment on the Annual Report. Another avenue of public participation that people don't take full advantage of. Again, click the link to access the document.

ToL Annual Report for 2008

Minutes - Special Council Meeting of May 25, 2009

Agenda - Monday Council Agenda for June 1, 2009 - @ 4:00pm

Doc 5

Friday, May 29, 2009

Mayor Green and Councillor Richter Had It All Wrong

By Langley Record Special Editor Reed Fraser

On Monday, Langley Township council received the audited financial statements for the municipality for 2008. The statements are, yet again, a vindication of the exemplary work of Langley Township staff, and the previous council, including former Mayor of the Township, Kurt Alberts, while at the same time an indictment of Councillor Kim Richter and Mayor Rick Green's "The Sky is Falling" Chicken Little act that got them elected in November.

Despite the constant refrain for the last few years from the councillor representing the Township landed gentry and rural elite -- Kim Richter -- that her fellow councillors were spending money like drunken sailors, and the municipality was wallowing in dept, finances seem to be in pretty good shape at the Township.

Township finance director Hilary Tsikayi notes in an attachment to the audit that Debt and Agreements Payable decreased from $26.8 million in 2007, to $24.8 million in 2008 because there were no significant new debts incurred in 2008.

"The $24.8 million debt for last year is comprised of $21.5 million repayable from Development Cost Charges and $3.3 million in land purchase agreements repayable from future land sales," Tsikayi says. "The Township has no debt payable from current taxation revenue," writes Tsikayi.

The consultants, KPMG Accountants, give high marks to Township senior staff for co-operation, and note that all is in order. KPMG states that the Langley Events Centre, funded by three major sources, the province, the Township and external partners, has "to date" cumulative expenditures of $50 million, with confirmed revenues to match that amount.
The events centre, say the auditors, was funded in part by Victoria, $15 million, with the same amount from the Langley Development Group, Trinity Western University sprung for $3.5 million, Langley School District $3 million and Langley Gymnasium (sic) put up $1 million, with the Township providing the balance, $19.5 million.

Was the tight-bunned Richter, or her Jolly Green compatriot heard to say, Well, it looks like we we've been proven wrong again? Not bloody likely. Richter has been so strident in her false claims of financial doom, while at the same time supporting full-time fire crews on the one hand, voting against a budget to finance them with the other, all the while ignoring supposed NDP social values and passing the buck to the province on seniors' assisted living housing and arguing that the gentleman farmer's market deserves a larger than normal community grant, that it is too late for her to start listening to a voice of reason, an independent and respected chartered accounting firm.

And what do they know anyway, that Richter doesn't, after all, the councillor for the horsey set is a business professor, even if her mind has been tightly constrained from examining new ideas, by a bun tied too tight at the back of her head, for years.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Mayor's Report Refreshing - Same Old Anger From Richter

*** Update May 26, 2009 ***

We spoke with several informants about last night's ToL Council meetings. The afternoon meeting was punctuated by a vicious assault on a Fort Langley art gallery and Tourism Langley. It's a well-know fact that Richter has deep-seated hatred for the Langley Regional Airport, Tourism Langley, and several other groups and their management.

Yesterday was beyond expectation as Cllr. Richter first praised Tourism Langley for a packet of colourful promotional brochures, and then lashed out like a second ego at their use of a photo of a beautiful heritage building that is home to a well-known art gallery in the Township. Of course the attack was especially vicious and vindictive, as the gallery is owned by the former Township mayor and his wife. Richter asked staff to investigate if other galleries were afforded the opportunity to be photographed and how this gallery was selected. Perhaps Richter should get out of her elite south Langley estate and visit the other galleries to find that most are in strip-mall locations and not in beautiful heritage homes?

With Richter's ultra-ego primed, she also offered up what must be her eighth scalding attack on the poor old Langley Lodge Society that serves many elderly Township residents and is trying desperately to raise funds to expand. Richter and Kositsky ignore the fact that this facility doesn't qualify for BC Housing or Fraser Health monies, and insist on sending the request for a grant back to staff to waste more staff time. Kositsky seems to do no more than be grumpy and pour on layer after layer of red tape this term. What's up with that? Councillors should be helping the community do what needs to be done, not creating roadblocks and red tape.

In the process of Richter attacking this community asset (the Langley Lodge Society), Richter then launched into a very upsetting attack on the Salvation Army and their soon to open Gateway of Hope facility. Richter first said that at least the Gateway of Hope was tackling a social problem (homelessness) in the community (like the Langley Lodge doesn't), but then she went for the throat of the Salvation Army by saying she did not realize that the ToL offered $1M in funding over 20 years to the Gateway of Hope. Was she sleeping during these council meetings? What numerous issues of the local newspapers did she not read folks?

Richter's attack on the Salvation Army is very detestable an Councillor Kim Richter should hang her head in shame. Shame, shame on you Kim. Mayor Green had his head down during the whole discussion and it looked like Mayor Green wanted to crawl under his desk due to Richter's comments. We thinks Mayor Green is getting a good taste of Councillor Kim Richter and is not foolish enough to overlook her caustic nature and hatred that could spill over to him if he lets it. We think he is smarter than that and is seeing the light.

Next the Kwantlen-suported farmer's market came in with a presentation and said they weren't there to ask for anything. In the end, they were looking for $3,000 from the ToL to cover shoppers parking at the market. While the farmer's market will be a great community asset and the society that runs it is non-profit, still the sellers will make money from this venture, and this is why they signed up. The sellers also made sure that this Langley Farmer's Market would be held on Wednesdays so as not to interfere with their Saturday farmer's market sales where they get higher prices for their produce.

The same Councillor Kim Richter that assails the Langley Lodge Society and the Salvation Army, constantly referring funding requests to the budget or grant processes then offered the Kwantlen-sanctioned farmer's market $3,000, which is $500 more than the usual Community Grant of $2,500, and this comes after the Township grant application process has closed and grants for 2009 have been awarded. Richter wanted this $3,000 to be approved immediately by council without any application or in-camera discussion. Far from her usual insistence that her fellow councillors handle things by advanced Notices of Motions and such. WOW!

Earlier this year the Aldergrove Credit Union had a development permit on the table with ToL council. Councillor Steve Ferguson excused himself from the debate and vote because he wasactive with the credit union's board of directors. Richter serves on the Board of Governors of Kwantlen and is a professor there. The person making the delegation we ae told was a colleague of hers. Is not this a huge conflict of interest for Richter? Should she not have excused herself?

The biggest switch for the good was Mayor Rick Green who deserves a huge pat on the back. The Editorial Board of the Langley Record almost choked on our popcorn as we watched cable TV and heard the Mayor's Report. In a very impressive display of professionalism and team-building, Mayor Green waxed elegant as he discussed various community meetings he (and sometimes his pleasant wife) attended over the past few weeks. As not to leave others out, Mayor Green then went through a list of councillors and meetings they had attended on his behalf, or as representatives of council. Kudos to Mayor Green for extending this much-needed olive branch. This is everything we have been waiting for from this mayor and we truly commend him for this respectful and thoughtful Mayor's Report. Maybe Councillor Richter should watch Mayor Green and take some notes? Despite teaching Organizational Behaviour, she gets a failing grade in practices what she preaches. She certainly doesn't behave well in this council organization.