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LFP told you that the other blog would edit the anonymous comment real quick. He certainly did! Hope you copied the comment like I quickly did and LFP and others probably did too and sent it to the trustee so she can ask for an apology for primting it!
Since posting the protest rally flyer I got, I suddenly received an outrageously vehement poisonous comment that starts rather innoculously, see here---> "Yes, I guess we should not collect taxes and invest in the future of the Township. We should just live as peasants and protest everything that comes before council that will better our community. Let's just rally behind Councillor Richter who says on one side.... Get some people that can work with mayor and council to benefit the community, instead of some silly protest votes.... "
I won't anymore publish the poisonous trash that was contained in the above comment that was excessive to say the least. I do note that it must be someone awfully close to the Mayor Alberts slate election campaign because of the quoted typical Mayor Alberts election slogan that you will hear a lot from now on ---> "..people that can work with mayor and council.." or "working together to get things done" ! Right, working together for the highest ever taxes, spending and debt EVER in Langley Township. Get a life Mr. Anonymous or rather "Informed" as you call yourself, better still get off council buddy!
LFP
Before I got to the end of your comment I was already putting a name to the diatribe. And yes, it was a councillor. They really don't want anything to get in the way of their 'comfort zone'. And really, if they didn't think this was threatening their zone, why would it bother them? Because it's hitting too close to home.
That was the fastest editing job in the history of Blogs. Do we need any more proof as to who has joined forces with the Secret Slate of Kurt Alberts? Are his intiials Jordan Bateman?
Informed wrote again calling this Editor a socialist against free press amongst other more rabid comments! But as I said before no more venomous & rabid B.S. any more on LFP. Try facts and good points not just unsubstantiated venom! Then I may even allow some of your venom if you provide a comment with SOME good value or opinion, not just venomous ranting! It serves no purpose and has no substantial value to add to anything. The fact that I summarize and publish your pathetic rants Informed should be enough democracy for you.
Interestingly enough INFORMED fyi, is that the only real open and dissenting voice that provides an alternative opinion that is remaining in the Langley's is LFP! Everyone, I mean everyone else, has sold out to the establishment including the two new Councillors that were last elected!
Remember them saying that they would fight for the taxpayers in the form of low taxes. Both these new councillors have voted for 99% or more of all tax increases since they were elected if not all of them. In fact Cllr. Bateman moved at least one of the big annual tax hikes while supporting all the other final implemented annual big tax hikes since being elected. Heck even The Times Editor now heaps praise on him too for dropping his previous blog assaults on the Mayor Alberts "Good Ole boy's Club" slate and their financial management as well . No wonder, he essentially joined the "boy's" slate once elected!
But we all now know who the real leader of the real political power team is in Langley Township now, don't we!
When present day Mayor Kurt Alberts had the nerve to advertise a list of candidates that he favoured for council, I think the writing was all over the wall at that moment. He effectively endorsed these candidates but denied that he was running a slate!
Is there any wonder now that these members of council follow his leadership, and while doing so they spend our tax money as he sees fit? I think being fooled once is quite enough, and it really is time for a change of leadership.
Because of the astounding MLA Rich Coleman public endorsement of Mayor Alberts it seems obvious to me that the provincial Liberals with MLA Rich Coleman and his junior lackies, his riding's Liberal VP, who is also Township councillor Jordan Bateman and a distant campaign funded puppet, MLA Mary Polak, is now in charge of the Langley Township Mayor's slate and his Township political agenda. When will the Township citizens finally all realize this political sham and then question all the terrible financial township decisions and questionable land deals as well? Are their hidden bigger links here?
Edited By Siteowner
Oh my. MP Warawa was there at the Mayor's election campaign launch as well. Shall you now suggest that Prime Minister Harper himself calls Kurt from Ottawa each day to give daily instructions? Idle minds....
The word on the street is that provincial Liberal contacts in Surrey & developers organized and bought lots of tickets for Liberal councillor Bateman's re-election fund raiser. Is this true?
Anon - Dooh! What do you think. He is VP of Coleman's riding and MLA Coleman gushes for the first time ever over a local Township mayor! Peas in a pod don't you think? Coleman's Libs hit us with as much as 2 to 10 cents more a litre at the gas pumps and Albert's Good Ole boy's Club Township Council taxes and spends at an incredible historic high! Peas in a pod? You bet! Theres a name for this that starts with "Circle .....".
PS: Informed (I posted your comment!), Warawa is a minor player in Township REAL political power who will link to ANY local political power brokers! Look to the Coleman/Surrey Liberals for the real NEW power in Langley. The Township mayor's office is now contolled by them too! Wawa, Kurt & Mary are all wannabees and suplicants to the real power group.
Dear Ed,
Thanks for posting my comments to the "Free Press". I'm relieved to hear that at least the mayor is not having to awake so early and take calls from Ottawa in his pajamas.
From the looks of those photographs it doesn't seem like Mayor Alberts has too many against him and his governance style, does it?
Big revolutions and major change are invariably created by a handful of oppressed, just, diligent and determined peoples! Look out!
All I can say is that it must have been pretty demoralizing for Kim and Rick to have 7 people show up for a protest. The campaign issues that aren't?
Judging by the comments today at the township hall tax demonstration, I'm now convinced that it will be curtains for Kurt in Nivember. Even his friends have turned away from him.
FYI, Kim and all her election team members were definitely not aware of the event (until late) nor involved, nor in attendance and our Photographer, said he did not see the recently rarely seen early declared & only MAYORALITY challenger to date, Mr. Green. But he was only there taking pictures between 1:30 & 2:00 at the protest. That's not to say that Kim and her team certainly don't appreciate the intent of those who were there protesting this Township Coucil's out of control tax increases & spending spree! Unlike the local prominent MLA I don't think it is apopropriate to interfere in other people's political events nor to steal the spotlight! Don't ya think!
Irrespective, some familiar local names were there apparently I was told. No matter how many were there its more than shows up at any annual Township public budget open houses! LOL! By that measurement it was a full house!!!
Again whoever coordinated this, kudos. Please write us and let us know who you are. I assume we might find out from the other local media who they were probably over the next few days though.
This Editor thinks to say the least that this protest was not as well publicised and could perhaps have been better organised. For instance this Editor only got a notice a couple of days before the event! July 2nd, a weekday after a long weekend may not have been the best of days methinks! But then nobody asked me! LOL!
You bring up a great point Mr. Editor. If people take exception to the taxes or anything else that this mayor and council are doing, then WHY don't these people attend the budget open houses and other public meetings? Despite the rhetoric, the Township advertises and spends lots of time allowing for public comment and input. I don't see many taking advantage of these opportunities and therefore I say, they really have no right to bitch, other than its a free country and they have a voice. But if you want REAL change and there are REAL problems, then I don't see why the due process provided for is not utilized. Don't you agree Mr. Editor?
The reality IMO is as mentioned before herein is that it only takes a few people to create major change but it needs a major burning issue and buy in mostly festering long term issues as opposed to sudden developements.
The campaigns for Mayor are not underway yet and the festering issue that will boil up IMO are people's financials and especially fear of losing/eroding their financial footings. "It's the economy stupid!"
How much municipal taxes and spending resonates in the final analysis depends on the level of fear and the professional message delivery job from the major campaigns. A major faux pas or significant related local developement in the next 134 days can tip the scales as well.
If this election sees the status quo remain the next election 3 years hence will undoubtedly realize massive change at that time undoubtedly. Change is the Obama message. In Langley, After 3 tired concurrent terms and 9 years this message delivered properly & professionaly with appropriate pilot fish accompanying messaging could well do the job here now though this election.
The lack of attendance in all things (Budgets, demonstrations, etc.) is never signicant or really important in any eventuality. Just window dressing like Coleman's endorsement which btw got a lot of voters upset too! Consider this though. How many toes have been stepped on by the ruling slate in 3 terms and 9 years? How often has the tax, spend & borrow message along with questionable land deals been slowly infiltrating the top 25 %ers semi informed who do vote. This election is too early to call until the players and game plans are in place. Mid September is when people Like Richter and others have to decide what to do. I'm betting Richter will win and be in the top 3 as a Councillor insofar as votes. To early to predict her chance ythough as Mayor. It needs another two to three months to get better focus and odds. Remember 3 months are an eternity in politics!
Informed, if you only knew how many public meetings, open houses, information sessions, etc etc that I've attended in the last decade it would make your head swim.
The truth of the matter is; the mayor, council(most of them siding with whatever the mayor decides) staff and whoever else gets their 2 cents in already have made their decision before the meetings. I found this out the hard way. Now it's gotten that people are so disgusted that they can't even be bothered attending these functions as there is a preconceived conclusion before it even commences.
LOL at going to the meetings and as far as filling out the comments on anything, that goes as far as the shredder.
The tax protest was done on a weekday and ran only 'till 4 o'clock. Therefore it was never expected to draw a large group, and the idea was to draw attentiont to what is going on at township hall. The large crowd came after 4 PM (working hours, and that's when many angry people signed the petition. I know, because I was there.
I think this "informed" fellow has a sick nasty streak in him, and he certainly must enjoy the thought that his property tax will go up by more than 25% in the next 5 years. So OK HIS pension is indexed, but that still won't cut it. I hope he never taught math when teaching.
I wondered why today's Advance paper gives so much credit to councillor Kim Richter as the only one on council who opposed these township tax hikes protested against on wednesday.. The advance even surprisingly notes Kim's blogsite, Langley Free Press!
EDITORS NOTE SEE THE REFERENCED LINK HERE:
http://www.canada.com/langleyadv...39-
d33e22d15124
Then it hit me that they want you Kim to run for Mayor against Alberts and risk losing you completley off of council. Please don't do it, not yet. Don't be seduced. The voters are still to aphethetic.
We can't risk losing your voice on council. The Bateman-Coleman-Liberal sell out to control Township slate politics stinks. It stinks awfully bad. Mayor Alberts slate will have glossy flyers going to every house with the endorsements and pictures of his co-conspiraters, all the Langley mlas and mp, especially mla Rich Coleman.
I am convinced that this will fool the low voter turn out this time out in Novemvber. Let this Green mayor candidate try this time for Mayor. Kim, If you run for Mayor and lose by a handful of fooled and apethetic voters the township tax and spend flood gates will be wide open over the next 4 years of this council without your voice. Wait another 4 years and by then the tax increases, like gas, carbon tax, hydro and all the other debilatating tax hikes will make these a[pethetic voters come out in mass against this Alberts slate and the real liberal Coleman agenda. Wait this one out and stay as our watchdog.
Edited By Siteowner
Dear Melanie K.,
I'm a little surprised that you are able to judge me as a person having a "sick nasty streak", when the editor never published my full comments and only provided inaccurate commentary on them. I guess because he termed my comments "outrageously vehement poisonous", then you can immediately judge me without having the facts? I guess when you oppose the views of a socialist then it always results in a personal attack thrown back it you.
Before you attack others, you should have all the facts at hand and not take the comments of LFP or its Editor as the gospel. For a balanced approach you can check and see the reality of your taxation issues....... Also make note of the fact that Councillor Bateman took the time to respond to one of the organizers of this tax rally with some cold hard facts, and he should be given some credit for that.
Edited By Siteowner - It always amazes this EDITOR that certain critics so easily label and simple mindedly point to "socialists" as the point of all evil.! INFORMED this EDITOR is as far away from socialist as is imaginable! Using this cop out always reminds me of angry old men still stuck in the 1950's and who probably have posters of McCarthy and Oswald prominently on their bedroom walls! They still see commie conspiracies around every corner still in the year 2008! Unbelievable!
And INFORMED what a laugh that you consider BATEMAN and his newly adopted Township slate buddies as informed and the real truth! LOL! And speaking about personal attacks...gimme a break! And INFORMED I tire of the smokescreen that the full time firefighters are always to blame for year after year after year of the highest tax increases ever in Langley Township by our current Mayor Alberts slate on council of "Good Ole boy's Club". What about the gold plated dramatic over budget monuments to this slate like the Grandstand, Events centre , City Hall palace, etc, etc? And Cold hard facts my ass. That is warm and soft B.S. pure & simple. Comparing tax increase with carefully selected other cities has been used as effectively as comparing Council pay increases with carefully selete=d other cities too. Either way, this always provides all politicians the ability to justify them more easily when required while comfortably ramping up ridiculous regular pay hikes and taxes! Enough is enough. This must be a socialist conspiracy too INFORMED! ...LFP EDITOR...
Wow, I guess the truth really hurts. Owch!
Edited Reply By Siteowner - Which Truth? The real truth or your Bateman/Alberts/Coleman tag team truths? The mayor before Alberts must be stupified with shock at the public endorsements! INFORMED, Hope you are enjoying the Coleman/Liberal carbon tax too, 2 cents (going up to 10 cents per litre) with no peep of solid support for better transit NOW from our MLAs! You must be very rich or very connected to not care about perpetual tax hikes UN-INFORMED without better services in Langley!
This Editor always gave MLA Coleman credit for his politics. No more though, I've seen the light and yes it stinks...his interference into local politics is unforgiveable from my point of view. I can now see why rural BC communities call him the minister of unemployment as a result of his same so-labeled failed forestry ministry portfolio ( his first ever major real portfolio!) yanked away from him and also I now understand still very angry Islanders about the controversial Vancouver Island waterfront land developement deals.
I guess tax & spend birds of the feather flock together even municipally and provincially but only in Langley township you say . But what is the real reason though? A deeper look now is required! Sad, very, very sad though. ...LFP EDITOR...
Why did MLA & Minister Coleman endorse Mayor Alberts and not Mayor Fassbender? Did he essentially want to yank the chair out from under Councillor Richter so that she would not run for Mayor against Alberts? I agree with the previous comments. She should wait for the next election which is only 3 years away not 4 years.
Edited By Siteowner
You bring up a good point. Certainly Mayor Fassbender may want to make sure that the previously quoted so-called "election chair is not yanked out" from under him if Minister Coleman were perhaps to suddenly also endorse another challenger to sitting Langley City Mayor Fassbender for whatever stated so-called reasons. "Successful track record of working together successfully" has already been used in the Township interference adventure! Will need a new justifcation in the City!
For that fact what would prevent MLA & Minister Coleman from endorsing other Mayors through-out the province? At minumum, Abbotsford & Surrey's Mayors Ferguson & Watts should perhaps pay attention too due to very dangerously close proximity to Langley!
One wonders if Premier Campbell is now also permiting the rest of his caucus especially other ministers to all endorse municipal candidates elsewhere, perhaps in their ridings too! Is this a new business as usual in Provincial Liberal political policy, especialy insofar as local politics? Who will Premier Campbell himself then choose to arbitrailly endorse municipally? Obviously the Liberals don't consider this undue or conflicting interference at all?! Being Ethical & all! Maybe the Provincial Liberals should consider instituting a new ministry of Provincial Liberal Government caucus & minister endorsements to keep every thing straight especially in how it would play to the public?
As provincial housing minister one would expect that there are many lobbyists constantly circling his housing ministry from developers, to builders, etc. including the Greater Vancouver Home Builders association whose President publicly & loudly criticised Councillor Kim Richter's concerns a couple of years ago about building large monolithic clear cut developements with cracker jack houuses that could in future become "ghettos" as then termed by Cllr. Richter in Langley township.
Perhaps the minister of health and Transportation should also entertain endorsing Mayors & council slates especially those that are luckily even favourable to their portfolios too, don't ya think?
Gee, thinking about it, isn't this ruling Township Mayor Alberts slate pretty favourable to clear cutting and building new developement & row upon row of crackerbox sprawling residential debelopments too? I do know that Councillor Kim Richter has always been the single solid voice railing against these in Langley Township. How dare she swim upstream against the "Good Ole boy's Club" slate?
Nudge, nudge, wink, wink!
Mental Note: Must look at the local MLA's disclosure statements to see who their election campaign contributors were & are.
One person I talked to said that if MLAs Coleman & Polak & MP Warawa all appear at and endorse Township Mayor Alberts that's good enough for him. But another said he was pissed off at the endorsements, especially MLA Coleman. So which side wins more voters?
Edited Reply By Siteowner
- That's the million dollar question. Too early to tell yet. But as I said I find the endorsements interfering at minumum and terribly outrageous and I believe a serious lack of good judgement and perhaps even a great conflict of interest especially with the provincial minister of housing, in my humble opinion. But this whole issue will ramp up, believe me, it definitely will. Kim Richter, Rick Green, and especially the Township TAXPAYERS and voters need a real urgent retraction & apology in my opinion. Even though the damage is a done deal. ...LFP EDITOR...
P.S. -----> Remember this was reported by the Times below about Coleman's endorsement after Coleman's keynote address introduced Mayor Alberts at his much publicised Mayorility re-election campaign kick off event:
'Coleman said Alberts believes “in giving back to the community” and has, with council, initiated action on many fronts, including sewer upgrades for Aldergrove, the Langley Events Centre and the Rotary field house in South Aldergrove.
“(These things) take place because the members of council and this mayor work together to build the community. They care about this community — our community,” he said.
“The future of Langley is in good hands as long as these types of relationships are in place,” he said, referring to the Township’s partnerships with the province, Ottawa, the school district and the City.'
Rich Coleman's carbon tax and his endorsements of Mayor taxmeister for out of control grand projects and property taxes sealed my votes against both of them . This will be the first time I hold my nose and vote NDP next spring.
Edited By Siteowner - We can't afford their spending on monuments to their grandiose plans, can we? Oh by the way INFORMED will call you a Socialist now too! Too bad there are only 2 parties! Where are the Provincial Socred Party people when you most need them! Certainly not with the Libs!...LFP EDITOR>>>
You people really have some wild imaginations. Conspiracy theories abound!
Some Township residents understand the need for public safety and other things that our tax dollars pay for. Some of us are very aware that you are twisting the truth with regards to things really purchased with DCC funds. Richter is supposed to support all things green and sustainable, yet you want to deny sustainable housing options to young families that will make Langley Township their home.
Its clear that Councillor Richter is being guided by people who haven't a clue how to organize and manage an effective campaign, so they must know blame Mayor Alberts, the balance of council, MLA's, the Premier, the MP, and who next? Isn't one of your main voices here a man that has flip-flopped his support for Mayor Alberts several times, then ran against the good mayor and lost? Not someone I would be taking my campaign advice from.
Councillor Richter - I cannot judge who's interests you serve, as I do not know your heart. I can only see that your mode of operation and protest is not effective for the people of the Township. I believe there is a place for opinion and disagreement, but unless you engage the framework and players, your voice will be just a faint gong in the Township of Langley.
Wow, Informed did not call anyone a socialist in his last rant! And btw fyi never forget that Richter's team successfully organized, planned, politicked and executed the Liberal nomination away from the overwhelming dominant establishment in the township against pretty big odds bud! So organization certainly ain't her problem, bud! Sadly timing was bad then as the Quebec sponsorship fiasco sealed the Paul Martin/Liberal Langley fate unfortunately. That's why you now have the outstanding contributions (lol) from parachute Warawa (Mr. minister material!) to date.
Timing and organization is everything Informed. AND Timing is the big question now!
Clearly you would be happy without Cllr. Richter's questions expecially on Township Hall financials. Stop blaming the firefighters that is pure & simple BS. Look to the rampant spending on Golf Courses, restaurants, grandstands, CITY Hall palace, and the Minister's Event center and on and on and on...
It always amazes me that pundits like you call this/her protest but all that it is are intelligent questions and very valid concerns! Obviously you also like and want "stepford wives" politicians and probably especially females too !
I'm sure the fixed income seniors who are property rich and cash poor just love the doubling of property tax along at twice the inflation rate! Well guess what I and many more more can't and won't take it any more. Thank goodness at least Cllr. Richter is the only one left fighting for them. The other boys certainly are not.! It is refreshing to see some comments here that now suddenly have reversed and now trash both Coleman & Alberts as their political reps. The tide is turning. Now its up to strategy and timing. My bets on Team Richter on both counts. The smarts and the proper time!
Maybe an affordable option is for you to sell your "property rich" holdings, make a profit, and move to the City of Langley?
Fassbender won't be spending your hard-earned money on more police and you can buy yourself a cheap baseball bat to fend off attackers at the bus loop. Wouldn't life be grand for you there?
Edited Reply By Siteowner - Fassbender better ask Coleman what it would take for him to keep his endorsements out of Langley City!!!!!! ...LFP EDITOR...
Is the organisor of the Tax protest Anne Paterson the horse lady who writes for the langley times?
Edited Reply By Siteowner - I have been told that she is one and the same. As a rural property owner one can appreciate her tax increases versus her services (lack thereof) increases! The fascinating thing is that there are now new people coming out of the comunity who finally understand what Cllr. Richter has been questioning since Mayor Alberts took control. It's about time - time for real change in Langley Township political representatives!!!!
Get rid of 'Informed'. He can only be one of the Mayor's 6 pack to carry on the way he is. He must have a cushy job or maybe Daddy and Mommy left him with a huge inheritance. For anyone NOT to be concerned about the increase in taxes says it all.
I must say that I feel badly about criticizing Informed. I should be more careful about making fun of half witted comments.
If anyone needs proof that Alberts spends without due care, check out one of his last statements.
When it was announced that the township would kick in to pay for the canoe and rowing club facility in Fort Langley, the mayor was asked how much that would be. His answer was that he DIDN'T KNOW!
I ask everyone if they would buy something with someone else's money without checking on the cost? Of course that might happen if that someone else was a fool. I HATE BEING PLAYED LIKE A FOOL.
No one said that I was "not concerned" about tax increases. And for your information twisted beaver and MK, I was not handed anything on a silver plater and worked far hard to get where I am. Appareently you have a big problem with people that have ambition and the ability to turn something into nothing. Again, that is typical of the socialist, as you would like us all to be equally poor like the NDP did in the past. Is that better for you? Yes, I said the "S" word again, but it is warranted with your comments.
Some residents of the Township realize that in the name of progress and in thinking beyond ourselves and to future generations, we must make "investments". Investments cost money and there will always be those "money monks" that feel that spending is bad and we should hord money and collect interest. But many times these long-term investments are much better for us and our community.
You have a right to your opinion and I have a right to mine. But you need not attack someone and call them half-witted, stupid or a fool for disagreeing with you. When you do so, you are only projecting yourself onto others. See past your own hatred and personal problems and we could have intelligent "adult" dialog here. Unless of course you wish to keep projecting yourself.
As an entrepreneur and businessman if I oppose all the township's spending, taxing and will vote for Richter and a changed more businesslike council, if that makes me a socialst in your mind so be it.
Capitalist:
No, that would make you entitled to your opinion and exercising your voting right.
I was responding to the person (Eager Beaver) specifically that suggest ed that I have a "cushy job" or had the benefit of help or inheritance from Daddy or Mommy.
Apparently he simply has trouble with people getting ahead or having ambition, or any creation of wealth being the result of luck or some shady/illicit gain. I don't know about you, but I live in an "abundant world" and not the scarcity type of world that entraps many people today. They become the victims and have to blame others like Mayor Alberts and Council. Its the government and its never them.
My opinion of what ails the administration of Langley's finances is basic. That is that Alberts and his crew do not manage affairs based on a sound knowledge of good business management and practices. Considering the size of the annual township budget, this is a very serious problem, and one that is faced by all large municipalities. Good management practices can solve this issue, but they do not appear to be applied in the township.
The mayor himself is an ex public servant with a background in town planning, and seems to see the township with a focus on its
structure more than it's operation. Reliance on the municipal staff to fill this void, leaves many things open to question.
Of the present day councilors, only Kim Richter has a solid background related to Business management, but the other council members have chosen to ignore her opinions whether they be right or questionable. Opportunities for open discussion are often missed as a result. There is also cloud that dogs the mayor regarding his faithful council members that are often accused of being his lackies. All in all, this makes for a less than ideal civic government body.
Township residents who believe that a good house cleaning regarding members of council seem to be in abundance when talking with residents. I tend to agree, and cannot imagine any downside to such an event. Considering the Vast experience of RICK GREEN in finacial and business management, we now have a great opportunity to solve the situation.
It is so trite the folks on this site! The same old rehtoric and miss informed. Anyone like 'Informed' who is slitghtly contrary gets lambastred by the ione sided narrow minded LFP Editor who adds paragraphs of dribble after each comment. At least the other blog has no bias and reflects the thinking and approaches of the mainstream. 'Methinks' I would be willing to bet you a good sum you are washed up and wriong on Nov. 15th. Dream on buddy....or have another smoke of BC bud!
Edited Reply By Siteowner - If you look back to LFP's comments after the first council meeting Dec 2005 this Editor said the following ----->
"The other surprise for me was Charlie. Unlike Jordan, he was ready, willing and unafraid to fight for his issues. In fact, when the Mayor tried to summarize, minimize and get on with it, Charlie did not back down but kept forcing his (very valid) point. This is unlike other Council members who, when Kurt does his “I-am-the-knowledgeable-boss” routine, usually back right off (except for Muriel in the past and Kim). I hope Charlie’s outspokenness bodes well for Council.
Right now, Langley Free Press predicts that the two wild cards for Kurt’s new council slate may well be both Charlie & Kim (which is surprising since we thought Charlie was on Kurt’s not-so-silent slate and Jordan was a free agent). Heck, we even predict that Charlie and Kim may (and I stress the ‘may’) see eye to eye on the majority of issues. They both seem to be responsive to the community and concerned about money. However, I think Charlie will be the ‘Star’ of this new Council."
LFP one sided? My ass! I held out a lot of hope for Cllr. Fox as you can see above! What happened ? He voted for every tax increase and every major cost overun and every major & questionable property/business purchase. Now he just seems to vote along with the Mayor Alberts' council slate group think. Repeat myself? You betcha!
Listen again for I will repeat myself (LOL) , the "Good Ole boy's Club" council slate in my opinion has no business sense and has made stupid financial decisions that has cost us dearly and will continuue to with ad nauseum minumum ~ 5% annual tax increases annually unless the PEOPLE un-elect these boys in November! If this is "drivel" and "socialism" as you and informed respectively say? Just like another commenter says, so be it then! Gee I would never have thought that being a prudent financial manager advocate would equate to being drivel! But then you guys like all the eXcessive tax, spend & borrow of these boys don't you. Groupthink?
And speaking about trite, look to the other site for simply an extension of the groupthink 'the boy who would be king' fan club commenters with "isn't he just great comments"! Give us all a break, please!
Given the financial incompetence and blatant spendthifts I criticize in this blog how can anyone in their right mind ignore these outrageous dealings?! Is it just possible that your desirable "mainstream" is perhaps simply blind groupthink at its worst aka 1984 bud? Do proverbial lemmings come to mind perhaps? Hope you consider the foregoing fair comment and not lambasting Dougie, lol? It's diffilcult not to comment Dougie when I get lambasted by a narrow one sided commenter!...LFP EDITOR...
I bumped into a neighbor of mine at the Co-op yesterday, and she thought that Charly Fox might get the boot from council in the next election. Her reason was that he has the least experience(?), and he has hitched his wagon too firmly to Kurt Alberts. On this latter point I would agree, considering the fact that Fox was on Alberts' list of suggested candidates for council (Slate?). What annoyed me more than anything about Fox was the fact that he supported the Redwoods Golf Course purchase, which was a bone-headed idea from the get-go. This woman has picked winners and losers quite well in the past.
Melanie,
If you are so good (and so full of yourself), then why aren't you on council? Maybe you're just afraid to run and lose? Not sure how investing in green space is "bone-headed" unless you are sitting on your vast South Langley acreage and can't seem to see the forest from the trees and upset with all the sustainable development that the mayor and his "slate" are building around your castle.
GEEE whiz Informed. May I ask why you are not on council, because you attitude is in keeping with what Kurt asks of his team.
Regards the "sustainable" development that you speak of, you have pin-pointed the very thing that is causing much of our tax woes. Sustaining Kurts dreams of development is the cause of most of our tax increases.
By the way, the Redwoods golf course is of no more benefit to township residents now than it was when in private hands. Since it was ALR land to begin with, it never would have faced development unless the township council approved of it. What do you think of you friend FOX now?
Dougie ole chap, have you been smoking your divots from Redwoods? If so, they are not sitting well with you. Try a cup of tea and a laxitive. It will also stop you from coughing.
Oh boy, now you've really got me riled 'informed'. Come down, come down from your ivory tower!
"and for your information twisted beaver and MK, I was not handed anything on a silver platter and worked for(sic) hard to get where I am. Appareently(sic)you have a big problem with people that have ambition and the ability to turn something into nothing...."
I think that last sentence says something about you informed...don't you mean turn nothing into something???
You have some type of notion that Mayor and Council should keep buying even though it goes over our budget. This is what Kurt is doing with our tax dollars.
You may be in the working years, but think about individuals that have lived and worked in Langley all their lives and are now retired it's more than possible that they are on a fixed budget, and these increased taxes, due to Kurt's ever growing flashy 'wish list' put a difficult strain on them.
Think about the young families where both parents are working their heads off just to make ends meet, and their taxes keep going up to pay for Kurt's 'wish list'.
Think about the Senior's that got screwed by Harper and Flaherty in the budget after he lied about not getting rid of the income trust units. They believed him and left their money in, and now their pension has decreased by an enormous amount. The tax increases have hit them big time.
I know some very wealthy residents that are upset with Kurt's buy, buy, buy, with our money. You know how they got wealthy? By managing their money and staying on budget. They, like you said you did, worked very hard and managed their affairs well, but unlike you, they don't like people digging into their pocket books, with never ending cost overruns.
Really, when you think about it, there's more to Langley township than 'informed'.
Try not to focus on me, me, me, me, so much and think about your fellow neighbours.
Come down, come down, from your ivory tower.
I thought I was caring about my community by insisting that we invest in our Langley and built it in a sustainable way. While I can appreciate there are people on fixed incomes, many of those same people are choosing to keep the big house and large acreage. This is totally their decision, but the remainder of Langley Township should be held back from progress because of their personal decisions.
The mayor's "flashy wish list" as you call it seems like the amenities that any growing community needs to attract developers and businesses. But I realize that you will never see it that way, so I won't try to convince you. But things like this are shown to pay off in the long-term if done right and I suspect that the Events Centre and such will do so in time.
Investments can always go sour and income trusts were questionable investments to begin with. They were the flavour of the month with every financial planner and I rejected that investment with at least 3 of them. I won't blame the government for my gambling.
Lastly, not sure where this "ivory tower" comes from. That's certainly far from my outlook in life and I'm just a normal guy. I invest hundreds of hours in community issues and keep a very low profile in doing so. Can you say the same?
Informed speaks of "their personal decisions" meaning we the individuals chose a life style and must pay heavily for this behaviour, but frankly I tend to believe that much of the township's tax increases are due to Kurt Alberts lofty views and ambitions. He has had the support of his selected councillors, and we are simply left out of the process even when we react negatively (i.e.Golf Course). I should also add here that the life style of those living in rural Langley is not the result of having scads of money. Most have just chosen that way of life, and are otherwise quite average regards their income. That fact makes me wonder if you even live in the township Mr. Informed.
Another annoyance is when Kim Richter tries to draw attention to some things, the blank stares from her fellow councillors are an embarassment to all who watch. Have they no sense of decency I often wonder? Is a little discussion not bearable to them, or are they brain dead?
I guess you know by now that 8 names that are now sitting at the council table will not be on my ballot.
Informed, you may want to study up and refresh your knowledge on Income Trusts. Stephen Harper specifically stated "there will be no changes in Income Trusts". Period. How can you hold individuals to blame if they cannot believe the 'top dog' of Canada? I would certainly not classify it as Gambling. Investments are one thing, but a guarantee from the Prime Minister of Canada should be enough to assure individuals that this is a safe position to be in.
But, there again, you are holding yourself sooo much smarter by knowing that that was going to happen??? Oh my, all those other stupid people, and you're so much better and smarter.
I do give a lot of my time and effort to the community, but I'm afraid it might get a little curtailed in the next few months, as I will be putting more time and effort into getting rid of the Mayor and some of his sidekicks in council. Although, you could actually put that in the category of working to better my community.
I'm not defending Harper and I do recall the statements you outline here. But again, regardless of what a government says, personal investments come with risks and you have to accept the risks with the potential for gains (or loses). That's all I was saying. Also not saying I'm smarter or better than others, just that I had several opportunities to invest in income trusts that the financial people were pushing and I decided not to risk it. So I put my money into real estate and came ahead.
O.K. informed. I think I know where you're coming from now.
You accept that the Prime Minister of Canada can't be trusted and thereby you preferred to not take the risk of putting your money in Income Trusts.
That your PM would lie just doesn't seem to phase you in the least.
Now I know why you seem to think that Alberts can do no wrong. You are not holding him/them accountable for anything they do. Just like the PM you not only excuse their erring ways but actually condone it.
Me? I trust and believe that my superiors will keep their word and follow through with their promises. Unfortunately Kurt said something that I believe was a whopping untruth that affected our neighbourhood drastically from that day forward.
"The Untruth" can be found in the Langley Times, July 9, 2004.
I have to move on to somebody who is
conscientiously honest and accountable
and that leaves Kurt out.
Edited By Siteowner
Our local MP, who incidently has also endorsed a very frightened Alberts for another term, never said a word when the Prime Minister broke his promise and income trust share holders lost billions of dollars. That speaks to his real feelings about his senior constituents, and perhaps also to his strong personal survival instincts.
Regarding willynilly's statement about the blatant deceit by our prime minister, there is only one very sad remark to make about that. That is that a promise from Canada's Prime Minister should have taken the gamble right out of income trust investing.
Only an extremely cautious fellow like Informed would have appreciated the actual risk,... or perhaps he is after all a socialist who will not play in the same sand box as the so called rich (in his view only) tax payers that he has so little regard for.
Not sure how you can come to these conclusions.
Not sure Informed? It's quite clear to me, although I haven't been involved in the discussion, thus far.
Many people have high expectations of the individuals representing them (honesty and integrity come to mind)and their families. You don't seem to. Simple as that.
Queenie,
Let's forget about Fantasy Island for a minute and look at reality. This $20K per year council job is not going to attract career upper management. Whether it is Richter or whomever, they are on council to get involved and represent themselves and their interests. If you don't like the way to represent their interests, you can run against them and get your two cents in for real. This is reality here. They are not your lackies, you don't own them, and despite what you might think, you don't pay them enough to do a damn thing for you. THEY DO NOT REPRESENT YOU. So, if you must piss and moan, just put in your papers and run baby run.
I do believe that you need psychiatric help Informed. Nothing that you said backs up ANY of the other comments that you were questioned on. Your last comment really has me scratching my head:
"they are on Council to get involved and represent themselves and their interests".....
Funny, I always thought that council was elected by us, the taxpayers, and were there to represent US and OUR interests. I think you got it backwards there, informed.
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