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I noticed that the same article is in todays Langley Times and in their version there are a few edits. Significantly where you say: "On January 14, 2008, Mayor Alberts and his majority on Council.." the Times has "the" instead of "his" majority. Who's version is the correct version?
In any event I take heart to see that there is only 288 days till the "Un-Election" to get rid of Oinkers Club on Township Council!
In talking to Richter apparently there were a few changes from Richter's original letter as posted herein by her. Yes, it would appear that the Times Editor changed "his" to "the" in reference to her comment about an Alberts slate. But see the attached original advertisement from Alberts during the last election that clearly points to his slate of clearly HIS choices!
http://www.kimrichter.com/Blog/
a...ts_slate_ad.pdf
Clearly 7 of his 9 recomended council members were elected. All of whom, as well as even rookie councillor Bateman, all voted together for the same 3 record breaking tax increases in each of the last 3 years since his team slate won the election! And then do you still wonder why Richter is treated the way she is now on council? No seconders, NO respect, NO appointments to committees and commissions, etc, etc!
Alberts endorsed ALL of the incumbents in the last election EXCEPT Richter! Do you really think there is no Alberts's slate? I certainly think this is a definition list of a slate that Mayor Alberts published! How can anybody not agree with this?
By the way, remember that one of his so-called advisory panel members(Bill Lakevold) was quoted at that time as saying there were no advisory panel meetings at all! He was not even aware of any advisory panel at all! He also said that this Mayor Alberts ad was a total surprise to him. Especially the endorsements! Alberts was never really brought up on the carpet about this and will certainly face the music this coming election on this very questionable tactic! Betcha he uses this one again though!
The sad note is that Councillor Bateman was also not endorsed by Albert's Ad as well at that time. Yet he was barely elected (bottom 3) along with Richter (top 3) as the only two not endorsed by Alberts in the last election.
Sadly though, it would now appear that Bateman will probably make Alberts's so-called endorsement list (slate) next election in November given that his voting record pattern has essentially always melded with Mayor Alberts and he also now does Alberts political accomplishments slide presentation materials for the Mayor now too! How sad. How very sad! At least Richter was not a sell-out to the Township Council Mayor Alberts endorsed slate!
FOOTNOTE UPDATE:
I'm sure that you will see Bateman react strongly to this whole posting! Yup he sure did! Wow, some great B.S. spin-work attempt though! What's that old line? A good offence against something or another? I suggest that maybe he doth "Protest TOO Much"?
It almost seems to this Editor that he is justifying (the slate's attack dog perhaps?) the abysmal 'Good Ole boys' slate record on behalf of and for the other's benefit on the boy's team (slate)? It does keep the others clean though with an official attack dog off the leash now? The ole high road , low road political election tactic perhaps?
This Editor suggests that he just go on and also keep on voting with the 'Good Ole boys' Club' historic tax increases and keep doing Alberts's Township political accomplishments slide presentations for him and then he will be a shoe in to make the next November Alberts's endorsement list along with ALL the other good ole boys! In any event, you can bet Richter will not be endorsed by the so-called advisory panel. LOL
SPIN, SPIN, SPIN - you call Bateman's investigative work spin....I knew the truth hurt. Fortunately the minority read this blog and accept it for the gospel....most of we informed folks will have our say in 288 days and likely Richter's days are numbered and those of her SLATE - Aranson, Tomblin, Spencer, etc. are too!
Councillor Bateman is buzzing and spinning obviously because he was hoping that he could slide in unnoticed and untouched in November's Township council election with the center stage Richter vs Alberts dominating the election. KUDOS to Kim for now sending the first volley out that now publicly puts the tax and spend WHOLE council together in the same bureaucratic pig pen that requires a wholesale change. Give us your aadvisory panel's list Kim, PLEASE.
I well remember the All Candidates meeting where Alberts' selection of faithful candidates were exposed to all who were present. Up until that time, his selection of puppets were only available to close friends, or so it seemed.
There was a fair amount of spluttering and defensive accusations when this was revealed, but there was no denying it, because someone had leaked an advertisement for the following day's paper, with the same list of names.
There was also an embarassing problem when it was disclosed that Bill Lakevold was not aware that he had endorsed the list! I later heard that he was actually out of town!
Bill Lakevold is a fine gentleman in every way, and I think he was more embarassed than anyone.
This action by Mayor Alberts has always left me with the opinion that perhaps deception is not strange to his M.O., and as I think other occurances, that opinion grows stronger.
Someone with a better memory than mine might be able to recount what the Langley Times printed the next day about Alberts' list of favourites, and the verbal rumble the previous night.
Edited By Siteowner
I hope Mayor Alberts does have another recommended list this November to elect. It would be the kiss of death to whoever he lists. As this would make it easy to see who not to vote for. Axtually its pretty easy now as I will not vote for any on the existing council except for mayor Kim Richter.
If an unknown guy with election signs wrongly spelling Langley , Langely can get almost 40 % of the vote in the last election, certainly Richter can easily win as mayor given this mayors curious land deals, tax iincreases and now also no consistent garbage pickup anymore. I just hope that there will be 3 or 4 running for mayor to split off even more of Alberts vote to guarantee her win. Go gal!
Edited By Siteowner - Go Gal is refering to Tom Ouellette who in the last election ran surprisingly well against Mayor Alberts. Yes, he did spell LangEley wrong on his signs too. I kept one as a trophy! Tom was a security guard at Abbotsford airport and last we heard has relocated to the interior.
Anti-slate...then who were Tomblin, Arnason etc. running with or for...the udder slate, known as the hypocrits!
Ahhh Wink, you're so blanketed from reality it's to the point of being pathetic. Why don't you take the blinders off and get in the REAL world?
Eager (beaver) you stick to the BELL adverts with your other two buddies! Politics is away out of your league.
You know, "Wink", Your "udder" comment was in really poor taste and I'm surprised the editor of this site let it go. Perhaps you should run for Council - your small-minded attitude would fit right in!
Edited By Siteowner
It has been said many times already, but it's worth repeating. The sudden and heavy growth in the township has brought about pressure on the existing infrastucture, as well as that which surrounds and connects new areas of development. If growth is the cause, then controlled growth is the only answer to keeping costs at an acceptable level. Is that a myth, or is it part of town planning?
A question that needs an answer is: Why do we have an ex town planner who holds the reins of our township governance, that cannot control this situation? In my opinion I wonder if he gives a damn?
Pointing to the excesses of other municipalities does not cut it with me. As careless members of our township council take this avenue of reasoning, they simply expose their own disinterest in caring for the people who have put their trust in them. They act as though there is no solution to what's driving up our taxes, when there are many there to be exploited. They never seem to look in that direction though, and just proceed to spend their way out of anything that comes their way.
Kurt and his cadets are headed for a huge surprise come November in my opinion. Maybe this time residents will awaken to our worsening tax predicament, that will not improve with the administration now in office.
One intelligent councilor with business management skills just can't do it.
Edited By Siteowner
Outrageous that reporter Mathew Claxton's Langley Advance story and editorial on your letter to the Editor panders to councillor Batemen's political spin so blatantly and obviously! It repulses me. Am I the only one that sees this? Is his objectivity perhaps driven by partisanship or perhaps just a kindred friendship?
Kim are you aware of Claxton or perhaps even the Advance itself bias as it is clear to me that both Claxton & Bateman are singing of the same songsheet far too closely nowadays? This is not the first time either in my opinion.
It's outrageous for both these reporter neophtes, to try to suggest that the full time highly paid, educated and trained administration table at Township hall have to be spoon fed line by line budget cuts from our part time councillors who are composed of retired principles, local small time newspaper reporters, high school cousellors, school bus drivers and retired cops! Great financial expertise don't you think Mathew?
I agree with you Kim, demand that the administration hold tax increases to the cost of living. It's their job to determine what cuts and expenses to cut. Not the individual councillors.
Pure and utter drivel Mr. Claxton and we should let you know its outrageous drivel. Why didn't you also mention that what Richter revealed in her letter is that basically our tax bill will increase by about 50% in the next 5 years? That was the real story that you choose to not reoport on.
WHAT..............let me out of this box! Claxton is absolutley correct. Lots of rehtoric from Richter but NO solutions. Typical of a politician who is in it for her own personal gain, knock those who do good and get a few other neophyites to do the same. Mathew is right on, fess up Richter or shut up!
A novel idea!!!! Richter and methinks for School Board....they are so educated you know.
Outraged states: I agree with you Kim, demand that the administration hold tax increases to the cost of living. It's their job to determine what cuts and expenses to cut. Not the individual councillors.
Keith replies: Nope, the administration has no such power. Council can give the admin a framework to work with and have them supply recommendations within that framework, but ultimately it is the coucillors themselves who will decide on the budget.
And that is as it should be.
In private business, departmments are given budgets that they must work within. The hard fact is that the private sector has to earn the money before they spend it, or go into debt. Our ill prepared mayor does not see this as a barrier, and feels that we as tax payers are a bunch of suckers that will just pony up when asked.
I'm sorry Kurt, those days are over.
Let's hear from Councillor Richter where the 'fat' is in the Township budget.
Or as an alternate path she could ask for an idependent review of the Township's budget to find out if it is running a 'lean machine'.
Thankyou Wink! I will not lower myself to get into a p#@@%^& match with you because I've already done your profile and the result is that whatever I said would not register in your noggin anyway. Have a nice day.
I guess we all know by now that Wink has only enough brain power to agitate. Gee, come to think of it, he would fit well in Kurt's next slate of faithful followers. Go for it Wink. A low IQ could be your best asset.
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