Database Cross-Check In Progress

*** LANGLEY RECORD EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION II ***


MORE TO FOLLOW.

Exclusive Investigative Report About to be Released

****** URGENT INVESTIGATIVE BULLETIN *****

The Langley Record's Editorial Board has now received the results of a Freedom of Information request. Shortly we will be releasing details of our exclusive investigation that no other local or regional news organization has bothered to investigate or will tell you about. But we have the guts to do so!

Through this FoIPPA request, The Langley Record has obtained documents that prove conclusively that taxpayer dollars were wasted in the Township of Langley by a high-ranking public official. The waste was authorized with a written acknowledgment that it would cost ToL taxpayers more money.

In addition to this blatant disregard for the taxpayers, this official made claims in open Council that said official had little to do with the extent of this expenditure. We are currently checking and verifying 3 more sources and cross-checking our databases. We will go live with the results of our investigation as soon as all the evidence is verified and cross-checked. Keep watching The Record for breaking news of this investigation.

Why Did Kim Richter Just Accept A New Township Laptop?

At the Monday, April 12, 2010 meeting of Township Council, Cllr. Kim Richter and Mayor Green took jabs at ToL Council. They both taunted Council members for what they viewed as a failure to listen to the Mayor's Standing Committee on Finance and their recommendations.

Well, Rick Green accepted a new Township laptop computer when he took office and we hear that this week Councillor Kim Richter accepted a brand new laptop computer from the ToL. Well this is really interesting (and hypocritical once again), as Richter just this past Monday slammed her fellow councillors for what she perceived as a failure of her colleagues to listen to the Finance Committee recommendations.

HYPOCRITE, because Richter ignored one of the Big 7 Recommendations when the Committee wrote (click to read full box):

Well Kim Richter, when will you cease your use of this "electronic gadgetry" if this report and it's recommendations are so credible? Explain that new laptop of yours. And what about the ringleader, Mayor Rick Green? He is constantly seen playing with his Blackberry, irritatingly so even when people are trying to speak with him.

HYPOCRISY is alive and well in the Township of Langley. It starts at the top with Rick Green and Kim Richter.

Bateman Not Responsible - Imagine That!

History was made this week on The Langley Times website. We congratulate Green flunkie Horny Toad who has always posted toxic comments blaming Township Councillor Jordan Bateman for every situation in the Township of Langley. After the Times Editor posted this opinion, Horny Toad had this to say...

"Has there ever been an education problem that couldn't be solved by just paying teachers more money. After all, EVERYONE knows they do everything for the benefit of students."

Not one single mention of Cllr. Bateman, can you picture it? We anticipate heavy rains, thunder and hail this weekend for certain. But it may be short lived as Horny Toad never has done any of his own research and relies on the political lies and favorable press writers for his information on various topics.

This PR machine is all part of the Rick Green PR machine leading up to the election. Paint Green as the "victim" of a Township Council that just won't work or listen to him. Of course we know for a fact that this mayor had opportunities to deliver the goods and has failed. His Report Card is a big fat F. Some recent Rick Green failures include:

• Failure to obtain the promised 0-0-0 by failing to provide researched and reasonable cost-cutting suggestions during the budget process. No folks, not even ONE.
• Voting for the Water Management Strategy that he ran against.
• Voting for a big fat raise in his Metro Vancouver per diem
• Voting for Metro increases that will impact taxpayers in perpetuity
  
• Supporting his Finance Committee's recommendations that included provision for cutting computer laptops and cell phones and then accepting both "technological gadgets"
• Failure to sell off the Redwoods Golf Course and Bedford House Restaurant. Green spoken often during the campaign about these two public assets and has not mentioned a word about them since winning the election. What's up with that?
• Failure to deliver $1M more per year to the ToL from increases in airport lease rates. We have seen NO proposals from Green to change anything at this airport.

Rick Green has been one big failure of a mayor for the Township of Langley. Horny Toad, better pay more attention to the facts like you have with this last comment!

Richter Body Language Clear - Her Star Has Burst

The Editorial Board had coffee this morning with our Township Council advisers. We had quite a chuckle as the "Blog In The Fog" vented about Councillor Jordan Bateman. It was clear that Bateman's calm, cool and well-researched comments on the budget got the goat of all times of Cllr. Kim Richter. Our council advisers report that Richter's body language as Bateman spoke was as if she had just taken a large mouth full of manure. We'll keep it tame here. Interesting that the Blog In The Fog (BITF) mentions all these comments and quotes from Richter, but fails to show any video or quotes from Bateman. Just some vague innuendos. What's up with that?

The BITF blames Bateman alone for the tax increases, imagine that? How foolish! How silly! How idiotic! No mention of water, sewer, contract and other drivers. You have to be a real moron to read that garbage and believe it. Even Mayor Green voted for the user pay utility increases and he was happy to not be at the other end of the forked tongue of Cllr. Richter.

Bateman rightly pointed out that conservative and liberal councils have raised taxes. Large and small cities have raised taxes. Taxes with and without casinos have raised taxes. The list goes on and all Kim Richter could counter with was a personal attack on her fellow councillors regarding the automatic raises that are bench marked with Metro. How lame was that?

Bateman rightly pointed out that the Township doesn't buy television sets, food and consumer goods. The ToL buys construction, water, sewer and other costly things. Did Cllr. Richter debate this? NO.

But Richter will surely get that crap out of her mouth just in time to use that new laptop that the Township bought for her from tax dollars approved by her fellow councillors and not approved by her. Kim Richter is ordering off the Township buffet once again and not paying the bills. Did the BITF tell you about the new ToL laptop Richter just got? NO, not at ALL!

Councillor Kim Richter is:

Out of date
Out of touch with reality
Out of urban Langley much of the time
Out to lunch

If one watches the hit TV show Glee, a twin of Councillor Kim Richter can be seen in each and every episode. Yes, Kim Richter is the spitting image of Sue Sylvester. Coach of the "Cheerios" in Glee that constantly tries to undermine her council colleagues and attack them personally and professionally. Watch the show. Watch Kim Richter. Amazing similarities.

First A Kid's Baseball Coach and Now the Mormans - The Langley Times Hits Another Low

We have been reporting during the past while about the errors and omissions of The Langley Times that we can only assume is sanctioned by the Editor and his Publisher. We recently reported on the Little League Baseball coach that The Times had to apologize to for a photo and caption about a child molester. Then there were the series of factually incorrect articles that we posted quotes and links to. Just as we published our open letter to the publisher of The Times, news of this gem hit our Editorial Board...

So this Friday The Times published this story about a bogus credit card factory that was busted by the Langley RCMP. While we think the police action was GREAT and illegal operations like this should be busted, we don't believe the RCMP wanted the nearby Mormon Temple and Church to be drawn into this raid on some illegal activity during a speacial week for them. But, as The Langley Times is on a roll lately with articles in poor taste, this quote appeared in The Langley Times piece...

"Langley RCMP’s economic crime unit executed a search warrant at a property in the 20400 block of 82 Avenue, which is the same street as the new Mormon Temple."

Now why on earth did The Langley Times see fit to drag the new Mormon Temple into this criminal crackdown? This article was published just as this local church began celebrating their new temple, a showpiece of their religion and a building that will serve something like 22,000 people, by inviting the general public to tour the new temple.

In fact, whether you agree with the Mormon religion or not, hundreds (if not thousands) of people from all over the Pacific Northwest are currently visiting and touring this grand $34M temple building. Many cars and buses were backed up on 200th Street and the surrounding area Saturday, as the local Mormon church served as gracious hosts to those visiting Langley citizens and those who traveled from beyond Langley. We are also sure that those same visitors will spend lots of money this weekend in local restaurants, shops and hotels.

For all their good will, the Mormon Temple is mentioned in the same article about some serious criminal activity, almost as if they were somehow affiliated with this illegal activity! The Langley Record Editorial Board aren't the only ones that immediately thought this reference in The Times was in extremely poor taste, as this Langley Times blog commenter posted this...

"What's the inference here? Are the Mormons involved in criminal activities? Did the police seize any black suits, white shirts and shiny shoes at this residence?

jwlaurie

Looks like The Times had better get another "sorry column" typeset this weekend and ready for fresh publication their their Tuesday edition. Surely the Times Editor should have caught this one directly after that Little League blunder! Mr. Times Publisher, are you listening now?

An Open Letter to The Publisher of The Langley Times

**** UPDATE **** April 7, 2010 - Traffic to this article is going NUTS! Apparently people are seeking it out and where much of our traffic is direct, search engine traffic is now through the roof. People are taking an interest in this topic and the publisher would be wise to take this rebuke seriously. The primary search words are people grouping "langley record" with "langley times". It is very clear that news is traveling fast through Langley on this topic. Stay tuned!


TO: Mr. Dwayne Weidendorf

Publisher, Columnist
The Langley Times

Dear Mr. Weindorf,

Since early 2008 your newspaper has allowed slanted articles to be published for consumption by Langley residents. In fact, Township Mayor Rick Green boasted in public at the Douglas Day banquet in 2008 that he had your Editor, Frank Bucholtz in his "back pocket". The lack of investigation and fact-finding continues to be published week after week in your newspaper.

Article after article related specifically to the local political scene in both the City of Langley and the Township of Langley is being skewered on a regular basis. Minor facts are also being misreported. Here are a few quotes from The Times that are clearly false:

Full version with many inaccurate facts here.

– “Most of these developments are located near the 208 Street corridor. The Township has no plans at present to widen the street or help move traffic better, yet the street is now congested at many hours of the day, particularly in rush hours.” Frank Bucholtz

LR EDITOR: Clearly this has been addressed in budget discussions, with specific projects for 2011. There has also been an extensive transportation plan to address the 208^th Street corridor and funding is the big requirement.

Full version of another inaccurate rant here.

– “In fact, the Township does not even have current population projections for Willoughby. About a decade ago, when development in the area was starting, population projections called for about 50,000 residents when the area was fully developed. That was later boosted to 60,000.” … “Given the trends in housing today and the exorbitant cost of land, it would not be surprising to see Willoughby have an eventual population of 70,000 or more. It now has less than 20,000” Frank Bucholtz

LR EDITOR: Apparently The Times has never read any of the Official Community Plans (OCP’s) to see that the Willoughby OCP projects 65,000 residents.

– “It used to be that homes in the Fraser Valley, starting in Surrey and moving east, were priced a fair bit lower than those in Vancouver, but that has changed in recent years. The price differential isn't as glaring as it used to be.”… “Given the very expensive housing prices here, what have local or provincial governments done to ease this affordability crisis?” … “Local governments aren't any better. They consistently raise the development cost charges on urban developments, which are paid by buyers not by developers, as some municipal politicians seem to think. The developers pass the cost on to the buyers. DCCs are a key factor in the high cost of a serviced building site.” Frank Bucholtz

LR EDITOR: Lots to say about these and other quotes in that same article, but it looks like the Editor was refuted with a reply from a ToL Council member that we are sure you are aware of.

The height of this lack of publisher control occurred today when The Langley Times had to apologize to Langley Baseball for this photo and headline which was VERY inaccurate. While The Times is trying to explain this away by talking about a box around the photo, everyone we checked with associated your headline to this photo. This was very irresponsible journalism, and damning to your Editorial team. We do hope that this poor coach in the photo is considering his legal options.

We feel very badly for this coach and the young child pictured. Here is a guy that volunteers in our community and gives of his time and talents freely. He's probably received very little recognition for all this hard work, and his first front page picture in the local newspaper is a horrendous print error that slipped by your watchdog. Imagine the horror and humiliation he was forced to endure Mr. Publisher.

There is instance after instance that we could document which proves your publishing standards have diminished greatly over the past few years. It is now time as Publisher that you take the reins of this wild horse and pull it in. While bloggers are being portrayed as being irresponsible for not performing fact-checking, The Langley Times continues to publish inaccurate and misleading articles. The Langley Times now requires your leadership. If not, there needs to be two resignations, with swift and direct control from the upper management at Black Press.

Bombshell Dropped

Our editorial war room was inundated with calls this morning to ask what the bombshell was. As reported yesterday in our "Cat Out of The Bag" article, Mayor Rick Green announced his candidacy for re-election as Mayor of the Township of Langley. That was the bombshell we spoke of and was awaiting confirmation of. You can read all about it here in the Langley Times. An immediate reaction came from The Times Editor (and old pal of Green from Delta days) which can be accessed here.

It's clear from the press coverage and comments that Green has no regard for the Community Charter and doesn't see the need for the mayor to represent the "will of council" in other meetings. While individual councillors can speak their minds, the mayors have always represented the majority "will of council" as a uniting force. This is also required under the mayor's Oath of Office that is vastly different from the Oath of Office that members of Council take.

Green makes these statements regarding "speaking out", "fighting" this or that, etc. as mere politicking. Mayor Green has for many months accused Council of continuing to fight the last election. He took the same shot at them basically in his announcement.

If the electorate reviewed this fan fare by Green and Bucholtz for an election that is about 20 months away, one must conclude that Green is the one that has not stopped fighting the last election and in fact will now use his office as mayor to further his political future. Just like that Mayoral Chain of Office. Rest assured that each and every decision by Mayor Green moving forward will now be measured against re-election, garnering more supporters that will convert to voters, and playing to the whims of his vocal Milner Green supporters.

The Times (with Bucholtz at the helm of content), would like to see nothing better than to see a 1999 style election. It makes for lots of he said, she saids, sensational headlines and the potential for greater ad dollars as readership spikes upwards. Judging by the slim amount of pages and the end of a Sunday edition of The Times, the paper needs all the help they can get.

Mayor Green may get his wish at a chance to try new things and such. Moral with key Township staff is at an all-time low and we are certain that if Green was re-elected, retirements and resignations would follow. This would be a catastrophic brain drain for the Township and one that could set us back 10-20 years. Reserves would be plundered. Illegally plundered we assume, as Green's recommendations fly in the face of legal requirements. Infrastructure would certainly crumble and take years to rebuild. At that point Green could ride into the sunset on his horsey and that would be that.

What is more chocking is the reaction of The Langley Advance in all of this. While the Advance presents more balanced stories and Editorial Opinions, they are certainly not holding this current mayor's feet to the fire as that editor did to Former Mayor Kurt Alberts. Perhaps it's because Green appears more intimidating to them and his bully style has made them impotent? Maybe some massive doses of reporter and editor Viagra is required to help them out?

The Cat is Now Out of The Bag...

Well, the cat is now out of the bag and Langley Township has been duly warned that Mayor Rick Green will seek re-election. Green felt it necessary to announce his intentions (a campaign that never ended) to The Langley Times here of course.

It was clear from his first day that Green intended to politic and now the cat is out in the open. Unlike other members of Council that got in with their jobs once the election was over, Green used every Mayor's Report and opportunity to fight a campaign of sorts. The 0-0-0 promises never became a reality because they never really could. But hey, people believed that this politician was unlike all the others that promised tax cuts and never delivered. Just like the Mayoral Chain of Office, we will now see what Mayor Green does with our money to benefit his re-election campaign over the next two years.

Bombshell About to Hit Township

Today our Editorial Board received word of a statement made loud and clear by a local politico. Stay tuned, more info to come. Take the new poll as this upcoming statement may be impacted by your vote in this poll.

When You Can't Have It Both Ways

It was a very simple decision to make, but somehow Mayor Rick Green has managed to complicate it. Staff issued a report about upgrading the TransLink Major Road Network (MRN) now that the Golden Ears Bridge has been completed. Obviously the new bridge will impact the surrounding area and everyone knew this. As roads are placed into the MRN, TransLink is now responsible for paying the bills for those roadways.

Green frustrated the decision-making process to place 208th Street into the MRN, that would also allow some truck traffic, by insisting on a public consultation process. These are issues that the average citizen does not understand the implications of. The decisions regarding the MRN are best left with professional staff and a sober second look from Council. This is how every other municipality handles MRN decisions.

The reality is clear to anyone that uses 208th Street. That reality is that currently more truck traffic travels along 208th Street with the massive ongoing construction than there ever will be with an MRN truck designation. Residents in and around 208th Street want the roadway widened to 4 lanes for safety and efficiency. As land must be acquired for a right-of-way along the route, the Township has no ability to pay this bill without help.

Mayor Green complains often about other orders of government "downloading" costs to the municipalities. In fact, he took a pop shot at the provincial government just this past Monday during his 2010 budget rant. So the socialist-leaning bailout rants go forth, but Green and others can't manage the millions that the GVRD has already! Can you imagine the nerve of government legislating health and safety? The nerve of them, right Mayor Green?

The BC Provincial government is under constant attack by Mayor Green. So here is the much-needed MRN expansion that is a no-brainer for most. There is money to make 208th Street safer and more productive. Money will flow from TransLink to pay for the much-needed infrastructure upgrades.

So why does Mayor Green oppose saving Township taxpayers millions by putting 208th Street in the MRN? He pouts when other governments say no - and when they say YES!

Budget Vote Next Monday - Richter Motion With Absent Richter

Township Council will vote on the budget bylaw next Monday, March 22, 2010.

Councillor Kim Richter announced she will be on Kwantlen business for that March 22nd meeting, but read her motion in the last Special Meeting of Township Council. in her motion, Richter calls for the mayor and council to take cuts in pay and benefits. This sounds aweful familiar to the stunt Councillor Dave Hall did in Langley City Council. Now Isn't that nice of Councillor Richter to do this? Just as she will miss this upcoming meeting for "Kwantlen business", taking her away from ToL Council business that she was elected to do, she will be paid for it all by Kwantlen and the ToL. Between Kwantlen instructor salary at $80-100K, plus the monies paid to her for her Board of Governor status, she can certainly afford to skunk her fellow councillors. ToL benefit cuts? Not a problem as Kwantlen also provides those. Cllr. Dave Hall is also on the education teet, so birds of a feather here folks. Cuts on the City or Township level will not impact Hall and Richter, so what the heck, eh?

The danger in these kinds of votes (apart from pandering to the press for a little smiling picture and article), is that you are saying with your motion that the common man can't run for mayor or Council. The message is, only the elite with good paying public teet jobs should run because they can take or leave their municiple benefits. What about retirees? Well, they need to come well-financed in Richter's version of public office. Single Mom's? Sell the farm and pony up cowgirl. What Richter hasn't figured out is that other members of Council may work harder than her. She certainly missed all the budget meetings and her contents within her motion make it obvious that she didn't understand what was proposed with the budget because she asked for Council cuts to cover things that are already covered under the proposed budget!

It's really good that the majority of Council came to work and didn't take an outside salary. It's equally good that those other members didn't stab their colleagues in the back and use this outside compensation to strong-arm their colleagues. So, come to the Council table self-financed or go home folks. This is Kim Richter's version of politics. Let's question her regarding her late arrival or no arrival at Council in the next election, shall we? Let's get her to disclose her non-Township salary and benefits, how's that? It is high time we hold her to the same standard she tries to set for everyone else in our humble opinion.

Rick Green's Hidden Agenda?

Township Mayor Rick Green has been using a systematic program of disinformation since the campaign. The disinformation program uses uninformed political supporter pawns to write letters and post comments to the two local newspaper groups. The campaign's primary focus is continue fighting the election by hamming a false idea that Mayor Rick Green is a victim and that Council is just out to get him. Of course we all know the reality is that this is all a smokescreen.

The fact is, this rookie mayor has accomplished absolutely nothing. This is wholly attributable to his bully disposition and his inability to grasp the the essential issues that mayors who are true leaders can. One of the key principles is that once the election is over you lead as mayor by building consensus and serving the people. This is what YOU are elected to do Mayor Green. Green has done a piss poor job of this ability to stop fighting the election and getting on to business. This lack of leadership points to the impotence level being extremely high.

Our the past couple of weeks the Rick Green campaign of disinformation has been operating on overtime as these uniformed and blind Green followers have occupied space in the local newspapers and online once again. But this week in the latest campaign we see clearly some items that could be forming part of a hidden agenda for use by Green in the next election. It is no secret that Green is busy forming a slate and that he is paranoid that Cllrs. Jordan Bateman and Charlie Fox make take a shot at the mayor's seat in the next election. So, the latest letters seek to discredit Bateman and Fox. At the same time, they introduce some themes that appear to be part and parcel of Green's hidden agenda. We've gotten several calls about these issues and several people are of the same mind. Green has some tricks up his sleeve:

Green's Hidden Agenda # 1 - Cut the ToL Fire Department & ToL Staff
“Stop growing the bureaucracy and stop growing the fire department budget.” See link here

It's no secret that since elected, Green has placed significant pressure on the Township Fire Chief and other department heads to find ways to reduce their already slim budgets. Green through this bull fighting could care less about public safety, as long as he could take credit for what appears on the surface to be budget cutting. That is of course until an incident happens, then he will blame the department head. These letter writers should also know that some of the people they quote are City of Langley residents, not Township.

Green's Hidden Agenda # 2 - Allow Soil Deposits and Removals for Select Friends & Supporters

Green extremist Fred McNeil takes issue with Cllr. Charlie Fox for his record of strongly opposing gravel extraction and soil deposit works that could impact the water supply. See the post here. Fox was merely suggesting that the letter writer in question understand the issues more clearly, just as this fine letter writer and this one does. While McNeil, Green and others continue to rant over the Mufford Overpass, the fact remains that several ALR exclusion applications have come before Council and none of these "farm saviours" have attended any of the meetings. Does McNeil's letter open a door for Green to start considering soil deposits and removals now?

Green's Hidden Agenda # 3 - Attack Councillors Jordan Bateman and Charlie Fox
Relentlessly

In additional to Fred McNeil's venom against Cllr. Fox in the above section, McNeil was busy crafting this comment online against Cllr. Jordan Bateman. The Green Disinformation Committee has met and Fred McNeil must have been elected Chair. Congrats Fred on your total misunderstanding of the facts regarding the issues of this Township. Stay at home and listen to Rick Green smokescreens and you will be fine. Keep up the attacks on Bateman and Fox because as you know, your buddy the mayor is going to have one hell of a road to hoe in the next election, as he comes empty handed to the debate table with NOTHING accomplished for the good of the Township. All because he continues to fight the last election and almost every councillor that was elected with him.

Do You Remember?

Do you remember the old McDonald's hand puppets? It's been a long time since our Editorial Board has seen a Mayor McCheese puppet, so we thought we'd bring him back for you.

Next Monday, Township Council will meet. The 2010 Budget vote will be front and center before them. Mayor Green as you know ran on a platform that hinged greatly on generating more revenues and cutting taxes. We've seen neither! His tactic since winning was to join the whiners and blame Township Council for it all. He has missed two important 2010 budget meetings (the final two).

Councillor Kim Richter has never voted to approve a Township budget. Last year she did not attend the council meeting when the vote was taken. During the only Council Priorities Committee (CPC) meeting regarding the budget that Richter attended this year, she put forth a couple of possibilities (like water metering in the urban areas and no additional police officers) and then disappeared.

We aren't sure where Councillor Richter stands, but following staff's outline of legal requirements (for utility funds and such), ToL staff identified about $175,000 - $200,000 in possible discretionary cuts that Mayor Green or Councillor Richter could propose at next Monday's meeting. In our opinion this year Richter could gain some credibility by forgetting her annual protest budget vote and either approve the 2010 budget, or make motions to cut the items that staff identified.

As we mentioned before, Mayor Green has already vowed to "fight" a proposed closing (on the off-season) of the Langley Centennial Museum on Sundays and Mondays. This decision despite staff memos that make it clear the closing will have very minimal impact on the public and is in line with what other municipal area museums are doing. But hey, Green and the local rags never let the facts get in the way of a good BS story, eh?

Next Monday we will see if Cllr. Richter attends the budget meeting and takes some bold action of real substance. Will she propose and vote for cuts as she has suggested over the past few years at past budget meetings? Or will she decide to approve the budget? This will be a true test of her ability to lead. She has coveted the mayor seat in the past and now her leadership has to become evident. Money is the important issue for many people these days. You can't give them lip service the rest of the year. You have to show your true leadership capabilities where the rubber meets the road...finances and budgeting. You can't abdicate this responsibility. You must put forth SPECIFICS and you must put aside simplistic protest votes.

Now that Green has decided to approve spending, will he now vote to approve this budget? In 2009 Green voted against the budget with a big fat vague speech that told the intelligent electorate NOTHING. It did impress the "cling-ons" that agree blindly with everything the man says. But if you plan to spend, then you also must vote for the vehicle that allows the bills you approve of to be paid. Time for a man to be a man.

Will Mayor Green switch over to a Mayor McCheese mentality, or will stop "fighting" and try to work with the majority of Township Council that was elected with a larger mandate - more votes than Green?

Doublespeak From Township Mayor

This week, Township Mayor Rick Green vowed to "fight" yet another battle...closing the Langley Centennial Museum. You can read about it here. As Council looked at a list of non-essential Township items that could be reduced from the budget, this item came. Mayor Green was not at this Council meeting on the budget, but did get his Council packet like everyone else. The staff report said in part:

Historically the museum was closed Mondays from Thanksgiving Monday to the first Monday in May through 2003. Monday openings in the off season were added in October 2003. The museum has been open Sundays from 1:00 - 5:00 pm since before 1987.

During the years when the museum was closed on Mondays two professional staff continued to work that day. If Council approves a Monday closure two professional staff will continue work on Mondays. Museum staff will be available to:

- oversee any Recreation Worker led registered Monday programs
- maintain Lochiel School commitments
- coordinate pick-up and drop-off for offsite self-guided tour options
- organize and plan for school programs scheduled from Tuesday to Friday
- do conservation or exhibit related work

The in-museum self guided program "Discovery Cupboards" would no longer be available on Mondays but would remain available on Fridays.

As noted in the Memo to Council dated February 2, 2010 closing on Mondays only would shift one regular part-time clerical position to other recreation facilities, reducing auxiliary hours at those facilities. Maintaining the current operating hours on a seasonal basis would require auxiliary staff to supplement the full-time clerical position during the defined summer season. Closing on Sundays and Mondays would shift both regular part-time clerical positions to other recreation facilities, reducing auxiliary hours at those facilities. Maintaining the current operating hours on a seasonal basis would require using auxiliary staff to supplement the full-time clerical position during the defined season. In both scenarios there is an allowance made to provide eight hours per week of auxiliary clerical support throughout the off-season."

-- Township Staff Memo--

Mayor Green ran on the promise of zero-based budgeting and spoke often and passionately about all the non-core services and waste he purported to be found within Township operations. He called for many "audits" and "reviews" to find areas to cut. His Finance Committee suggested withholding laptop computers and Blackberry devices to ToL staff and picking up your trash only once every two weeks. One could argue that garbage collection is a core service in a municipality, is it not?

So, now Mayor Green considered keeping a museum open off-season something similar to an essential service! You see, Mayor Green is doing what all politicians do...blab about cutting things until a group of citizens complain to you at the Mayor's Open House. At that meeting you can claim you was not present at the Township Council meeting where this matter was discussed and you can blame Council for the proposed cut, as Mayor Green told the crowd that Saturday.

The facts of low attendance during these off-season times be damned, as now the mayor will "fight" to keep this museum open. Who cares if attendance is low and staff can use the time to catch up on other duties? It's time to fight and put aside election promises of core services and cuts elsewhere. Who will stand with Mayor Green in this fight? Who are they fighting against?

Township Budget Open House Coming Up

The Township's annual Budget Open House will take place March 1st & 2nd. You can download the Budget highlights and Response form directly from this ToL site here.

Our Editorial Board has reviewed this year's budget in-depth and after one sets aside all of the statutory requirements, there is approximately $200K in discretionary spending. Despite what some politicians might say, this is the fact of the matter! If there was a way to do more, those people proposing it would be elected forever. There is no magic bullet folks despite all the political rhetoric.

So, what part of the $200K do you wish to cut? The choices are things like closing the museum in Fort Langley during certain seasons, abolishing Rivers Day (really a week at $40K), axing the volunteer appreciation dinners like those for firefighters and a host of other related things this community holds as important.

This is an open thread, so let's hear your ideas !

Warning Signs - The Female Narcissistic Politician Among Us

The problem with mental illness is the deception of it all. Those with mental health issues often feel deep inside they are the healthy ones and have convinced themselves this is true. They project the hidden inner demons onto others, despising their colleagues that obtain the press coverage and perceived limelight that they themselves thrive on. They conjure up false causes and excuses to obtain "payback" and get that face picture on the front page as often as possible. They enlist friends and family...often spouses...who enable them and feed their illusions of grandeur. New hair styles, a dye job here and there, an appointment to board perhaps? All part and parcel of the destructive mental health issues hidden deep within.

Don't be deceived into thinking that we don't have our very own female narcissist at work in our municipal Council!

Here's some facts and warning signs for female narcissists that you should be aware of. Recognize any of these?

" They secure their Narcissistic Supply through their more traditional gender role: the home, children, suitable careers, their feminine traits, their role in society, etc"

"It is no wonder than narcissists are chauvinistic. They depend to such an extent on the opinions of people around them – that, with time, they are transformed into ultra-sensitive seismographs of public opinion".

"The narcissist cannot afford to seriously alienate her "constituency", those people who reflect her False Self back to her. The very proper and on-going functioning of the narcissist's Ego depends on the goodwill and the collaboration of her human environment."

-- Dr. Sam Vaknin

Common Signs of Female Narcissists:

• A lack of feeling, empathy, or concern for others
• A willingness to take advantage of others
• Excessive feelings of self-importance
• Exaggerated personal achievements and abilities
• An expectation to be seen as superior without cause
• A fantasy or is preoccupation with power, personal abilities, or success
• A demand for favorable treatment without appropriate reasons
• An insistence on being the object of admiration and attention.
• A sense of entitlement
• Interpersonally exploitative (i.e. takes advantage of others to achieve her own ends)
• Lacks empathy- unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
• Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of her
• Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes. Distances herself from others
  

What Planet?

What planet is this letter writer (Robert Moats) from? This man lectures Council on how to conduct themselves and points to Mayor Green as the shining example for them all to follow. This same letter writer bullied Council during the Mufford overpass debate - treating staff and councillors like dirt.

Mr. Moats does not know what he is talking about. He did not attend any committee meetings, has only attended Council when he needed to bully and bitch about something, or to threaten councillors. As far as our Editorial Board knows, Mr. Moats is not involved in any community activities (i.e. giving back). As a strong supported of Green during the campaign and a full-fledged Milner Green, he needs to look at his own conduct and the abhorent manner in which he conducts his "advocacy" for his very small minority.

Mr. Moats, you are also wrong about the majority. Mayor Green came in 4th place. Three councillors got more votes than the mayor. Get your facts in order before you put your dragon suit on.

Mayor Green was elected as mayor and not dictator. Staff does the work in a municipality Mr. Moats and mayor and council work on a higher level ONLY to provide a sober second look and to set high-level direction based on the EXPERTS (Township staff). No one wants your Mr. Green or anyone else taking over for staff. They are hired experts and you pay them so they are listened to. Not your Green grocer.

Something's Fishy

****UPDATED FEBRUARY 15, 2010****

By now we are sure you have all read the letter to the editor regarding the Mayor's Standing Committee on Finance and the decision of the three civilians to resign. Something's really fishy about this for several reasons...

The mayor was Chair of this committee. If you believe that Council ignored the committee, then there is a fundamental problem because the Chair is to support and advocate to Council for his committee and engage Council in the process.

1. Council thought this committee was so important that they had 3 members of Council sit on the committee (Mayor Green, Cllr. Richter and Cllr. Ferguson)
2. The letter writer mentioned his credentials and experience. But several times during the budget process this same individual stated that he had no municipal finance experience.
3. The .93% was never explained in any detail whatsoever by the mayor. None of their budget figures were shown to add up and the accountant left on holidays before the report was written. How could run on a campaign of 0-0-0 and then propose even a .93? Did he miscalculate when running in the election?
   

Mayor Green told us during the campaign that the Langley Airport was operating grossly under market and that the Township of Langley should be making an additional $1M per year. Another miscalculation we gather, as a report released late last year states that our airport is making record profits as compared with other regional airports around the country.

Rick Green told us during his campaign that Langley would be saved through a Land Trust, much like the City of Vancouver. Green proposed a man with qualifications to act as a consultant, but who had also supported Green in the campaign. Council accepted the qualifications and did not fight the hiring of this consultant. One year later this exercise of a Land Trust has gone nowhere.

The Township doesn't have Vancouver's land portfolio and hence cannot generate the dollars needed to offset property taxes. Once again Mayor Green's calculator was broken and we can thank Green (and not NOT COUNCIL) for our tax increases. If he did as promised and what people elected him to do, we would be getting money flowing from this grand Land Trust that would freeze our property taxes. Green has failed us!

Mayor Rick Green's calculator is broken folks. He embarked on this finance committee process with the goal of finding massive waste and perhaps more. What he found was a well-oiled machine that is run by dedicated and bright staff.

The mayor should get his calculator repaired or replaced as this year's budget enters the debate process. It is now time for Mayor Rick Green to explain in detail where the $7M+ in cuts will come from to support his 0% rhetoric. Will he close recreation centres? Will he cancel all road repairs and upgrades? Will he rip up contracts for CUPE workers? Will he reduce garbage collection?

We want specifics Mayor Green and if the local press won't push for detailed facts to support a 0% tax increase, then the people must. It's time for details and an end to vague pontifications delivered in a white washed public relations Mayor's Report.

The Free Tickets You Don't Know About

REASON 687 WHY KIM RICHTER COULD NEVER BECOME MAYOR

Recently Township Councillor Kim Richter's PR machine posted an article that slammed the Provincial Government for what they inaccurately termed free Olympic tickets for BC Liberal MLAs. Of course everyone in the know is aware that over 80 social events will take place during the Games where ministers will work as hosts to international business people. After all, when the world is on your doorstep why note try to lure big business to consider the Greater Vancouver area as a new base for operations?

Local MLA Mary Polak has already told a recent Town Hall Meeting held in the City of Langley last Saturday that she is working over 50 non-sporting events as host and therefore she will not be getting any Games tickets for sporting events. They are reserved for colleagues that are working as hosts at sporting events, as well as visiting dignitaries (Heads of State, etc.) that pop in. The insiders know that Mary Polak was offered free tickets to Olympic events by a large corporation that bought many event tickets. MLA Polak politely refused the tickets because of optics and knowing full well that there will be community whiners that would verbally assault her for doing so, we are sure.

But the hypocrisy of the Kim Richter's PR engine is simply amazing! Richter and her significant other have attended hockey games at least twice at the Langley Events Centre using free tickets obtained through the Corporation of Langley. In at least one instance, Richter received additional free tickets for her former slate friend and others. All in the very same Langley Events Centre...a community asset that she has spoken and voted against time after time in Council. Hypocrisy!

The height of hypocracy came just one week after her PR blog post about the Olympic tickets when Councillor Kim Richter and her significant other attended a Vancouver Giants games on the corporate bubble.

Now it would be OK for extra tickets to be distributed to Council and others. Maybe even to the many volunteers that serve this community? But to throw stones at the provincial government on one side of your mouth and then take free tickets for you and your family members on the other side is the same hypocrisy that Richter often accuses others of. Glass houses are popping up in central Langley. Yet another reason why Kim Richter could never be mayor of the Township of Langley.