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I found it interesting that Councillor Richter only found time to appreciated "her" full-time members of the Township Fire Department. Paid call members (who I was a guest of) sat at the same table as Mrs. Richter's favorite full time member Andy Hewitson..............the paid call members were not acknowledged with even a glance. The paid call members total over 100 compared to the 32 full time "favorites".......which is a larger voting body, hmmm????
Unfortunately supporting full time may get some votes from I.A.F.F. members from other departments (many live in Langley). Kim was campaigning for I.A.F.F. support not showing favoritism.
Working against Kim with union members is the flip flop on taxes for protection, and her lack of basic knowledge of what’s really happening with firefighting in Langley. There is discontent with paid call members because they do the work and - others- gets the recognition. I think you will see fewer and fewer participating in the future.
Don’t mean to rag on - any individual - , - this (individual edited out) - is an example of one problem not the source of all the problems.
Kim should be careful not to believe everything she hears when she lends an ear. A lot of people tell her what they think she wants to hear, not what is real.
Edited By Siteowner - Specific Comments about actual fire dept personnel have been edited out out of respect for them
I don't agree with your comments at all. Richter's husband, apparently was a paid call firefighter for a year or so until he got hurt on the job a couple of years back. So Kim Richter would clearly have a better understanding than most, but certainly not all. Her job as any councillor, is to listen, learn & ask questions to prompt new ideas and better performances in all depts without prejudice.
Also her priority has always been from the get go to champion fire department response time for the public's benefit, and not favour any one faction in any discussion. To do so clearly you needed round the clock F.F. who man 2 or 3 Township halls, pure & simple. In fact she always made in abundantly clear that in her opinion all full time F.F.s. should be ALWAYS chosen from within the ranks of Langley's paid call members ONLY. Which it has been to date in Langley Township!
In talking to try to clarify both your comments with her husband Bob, he says the comments previous are unfounded and erroneous. Unlike the rest of Mayor & council who all sat clustered together with the Fire Dept. senior management team, Richter & her husband in fact choose on both nights to sit randomely with whatever table had vacant seats without regard to who was on the table and then went out of their way not be elitist snobs. In fact Bob says that on the first night he was with a retired paid call member and his wife who actually trained him in first aid on the job! On the second night they sat with two recently retired paid call F.F.s. & thier wives. This Editor strongly suggests that the "good Ole boys Club" Council try to sit with the rank and file next year too!
Kim Richter has also apparently kept in touch with all sectors and members in the fire dept because she wants to help avoid any elitism either in Langley, like there are presently in other municipalities!
So if you have any sour grapes, let me recommend that you get your facts straight first before you criticise unfairly. Remember, That's always been My job at LFP! LOL
Finally if you see some injustices that you I assume feel strongly about, I suggest that you give Kim Richter a candid phone call and tell her that you want to give her an earfull of YOUr facts and do so in confidence with her is my suggesation.
LFP Editor,
I agree that Kim and Bob sat and talked to firefighters (whether you call it socializing, genuine concern or campaigning) more than most other councilors. Jordan Bateman for example only stayed long enough for a beer the first night and barely long enough for dinner the second night. He was there to be seen and talk to other council members and maybe a couple chiefs only. I commend the councilors who stayed for the awards and speeches - thanks for taking the time to recognize the service members are providing. The appreciation dinner is to show appreciation for the overall contributions not just come for a free dinner and leave.
I also agree that the mandate is to promote better perfomances without prejudice, the problem is confidential phone calls about personnel issues should not be encouraged. Yes Bob was paid call when there was no full time and a different chief, things have changed quite a bit. I am sure the growing pains will sort themselves out from within the dept. The last thing the department needs is Councillors taking a personal interest in only some members or highlighting members they believe are the stars of the show. One side of any story is rarely an accurate depiction.
Your editing took my comments out of context somewhat. The discontent is not generalized but focused on a few policies that need to be addressed internally, not by council. If you take out actual names to respect individuals how did Andy Hewitsons name get past you????LOL
LFP Editor,
On second thought I would like to add some clarification to what I mean about not showing personal preference or bias.
The real stars of the appreciation dinner were the long service receipients. Bob did photograph Dave Palmer but no photos of Jim Duncan or Len Foss. Jim Duncan served for 44 years as paid call and career. Countless nights without sleep and as well many many hours volunteered without pay to serve the community.
For whatever reason the pictures displayed on your site only include one of the actual 'stars' of the night. The previous *individual* mentioned has much less service no night time wake-up calls and has been paid for every second (no volunteer activity) While I am sure no bias was intended, as you know perception in politics is everything. When Kim is pictured next to a sign that says firefighter appreciation dinner it is campaign fodder and people are quick to take offence if she appears to have missed the point.
Andy Hewitson is now an elected official because he is the elected leader of the Langley Township firefighters. So fair game. Critical comments about any other individual that simply works at the Township is not prudent even if the comments are accurate.
Insofar as the pictures Bob provided this Editor with way more pictures and it's this Editor that had to edit & limit the quantity due to picassa max 20 picture slideshow capability. The pictures were intended to show a flavour of the evening not each and every award and individual.
Kim Richter did miss the point (and has every time she has attended this event.
Friend, I will mark you down as disgruntled (don't know why yet, you don't say?) or simply that you don't like certain politicians. Both are your perogative obviously. And do you think then that the rest of council does gets the point???? whatever your point it is???
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