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Nice, Richter is in support of flatulating motorcycles keeping our cities awake at night.
These things are a major detriment to the livability of our cities. Never before have so few disturbed so many so often. I would say they "should be illegal", except they already are. We just choose not to enforce the Motor Vehicle Code or city noise bylaws because of the successful marketing of another wasteful, idiotic, hydrocarbon-burning multinational-corporation-funded special interest.
Motorcycles & more importantly automobiles will have to change with the carbon evolution or revolution out of consumer pressure more so than political pressure. In the meantime politicians should still welcome business & community minded investments in their communities.
Just like cigarette smokers have been ostracised by the public & consumers, rest assured the same will certainly happen to the carbon guzzlers in the not to distant future. This may not be fast enough for you but it will happen.
What you should be more angry about is the massive clear cutting in Langley to build more retarded 1950's era suburbs which are not realistic nor sustainable AND CERTAINLY NOT ENVIRONMETALLY FRIENDLY. THAT IS THE BIGGER ISSUE METHINKS!
Nice deflection attempt, but this has nothing to do with clear cutting or suburbs. Don’t confuse the issue by changing the issue.
Yes, the product that place sells may be “environmentally unfriendly” (although likely more friendly than most cars… I digress), but that isn’t (yet) illegal. What is illegal is riding a motorcycle that contravenes the Motor Vehicle Act Reg. 26/58 S.7.03, and riding it in such a way that it contravenes TOL Bylaw 1988 No. 2573. This business that Kim is using as a pre-election photo-op makes its money by encouraging those acts, to the point that HD tried once to trademark the “distinctive sound” of their V-2 engines. These people may be business-minded as you claim, but they sure as hell aren’t community minded
Actually the biggest polluters are:
freight ships
freight trains
airplanes
commercial trucks
and their use is increasing because without them, our communities would resort to food riots and nightly raids of farms and backyard gardens.
more people would become poor, and our country would suffer a clandestine civil war between the rich and the poor much worse than the randon shootings today.
so i find comments about motorcycles being a source of pollution to be ridiculous when our consumption of goods causes the biggest impact on global warming.
if we consumed less, the four sources of emissions would get displaced to other areas of the world but we'd be a little poorer for it.
cars and motorcycles don't really have as a big impact on global warming. SUVs do, as do 4x4s and those fancy car-trucks.
RC, Sageb1 is right, more motorcycles rather than more polluting cars, suvs, trucks would help indeed. RC trucks are noiser than motorcyles anytime especially in my neigbourhood. Get your priorities right especially about Langley developers clear cutting and creating suburban sprawl..
What are you all talking about? Read my original post. I made no mention of carbon emissions or clear cuts. Those were attempts the LFP Editor to deflect the issue. Nor am I critical of all motorcycles.
I am critical of the particular brand name of motorcycle that Richter has her smiling mug in front of. The majority of those motorcycles are operated in violation of provincial law and Township bylaw (as I pointed out above). A hundred trucks do not make the combined noise of a single meathead on a V-twin with open pipes opening his throttle. And although trucks (which are generally noisier than cars) are limited to truck routes to keep them out of our residential neighbourhoods at night, these turkeys are allowed to wake as many neighbourhoods as they want, at any time they want. The LFP Editor referring to this company as “community-minded” is a joke.
Hill Time, I don't like Chrysler either because of their archaic polluting big muscle cars and retarded hemi engines. But I don't blame any councillor for that either because they do business in Langley. Come clean with your real bitch.
Re-stating my “real bitch”, for the third time: Noise. Harleys with open pipes make cities measurably less livable. They exist by marketing an image that consists of violating provincial law and township bylaws see above). You are right, in that councilors aren’t to blame for this. But when a politician shows up for a photo-op at a business opening, they are associating themselves with the business in question, for good or for bad. A Harley store is not, in my mind, an example of a “community-minded business”.
Hill Time (formerly R.C.)
So Hill Time, Mayor Kurt Alberts and Mayor Fassbender are your real culprits then as they both attended the Harley Davidson store and Alberts I assume even cut the ribbon. You make no comment about that at all! So besides noise are you also partial to male politicians but not female politicians of note? PS: I worry more about noisy political polluters and the occasional obviously political sexist than the rare HD bike!
Edited By Siteowner - Yes, The Mayors took opportunity for Photo Ops at Barnes H-D as well.
Hill Time or RC & Anon - The real issue you all skirt by is bylaw enforcement. The township administration has admitted freely and often that they only react to actual complaints for the vast majority of bylaw infractions actions.
So if indeed a motorcycle (or car or truck, etc.) is in contravention of the noise bylaws or any other bylaws you should write down the offending bike license especially if they reside in Langley and report the offender for Bylaw enforcement action. (I know that they have decibel meters.)
Or better still make application in person or by letter/email to present your issue to the Township & City Mayor & Council and request that they step up to more police & or both bylaw "noise traps" on regularily frequented roads.
But quite frankly H.T. what about other noise issues like the gun range in Brookswood, leaf blowers, chain saws, construction and a multitude of more other equally invasive noise makers! What are the real issues and priorities we should be more worried about.
Yes, in this Editor's case it's the clear cutting, continued auto dominated 1950's style suburbs rather that complete communities similar to Whistler village for example, out of control spending and dramatically annual compounding tax bill growth in Langley Township. I believe these are far more important and way more destructive to our community and our way of life at this point in time. If these issues are resolved I would think your HD noise issues could possibly climb higher up my rank of concerns (LOL).
But if you feel Harley Davidsons or all motorcycles (indeed I also have heard loud reved up Japanese bikes and souped up japanese sports cars too) are the real issue, more power to you. But do something about it and don't blame the politicians who attend the ribbon cutting of local businesses. That's a cop out in this Editor's opinion.
Well, this editor knows a thing or two about cop-outs. As for the veiled accusations of sexism, rest assured if the Mayor had a blog dedicated to self-promotion and used the photo op at the HD dealer, I would have commented there as well. Thank you for the constructive ideas on how to combat noise pollution, but this is about optics…Kim (and the mayors) thought it was good optics to mug in front of a HD dealer, I disagree, as I do not think that particular corporation is “community minded”.
OK Hill Time we all now clearly know you dont like Harleys. We will have to warn Richter now not to ever dare take a picture at Starbucks either because they are accused of not being fair trade coffee importers nor Wal-Mart or Home Depot too either because they are known as local small retail killers. Nor Burger King because they still have too many transfats in their burgers or McDonalds because they use way too much packaging that litters our roads, nor Safeway, Save on foods or Otter Co-Op for that matter because they still use billions & billions of environmentally unfriendly plastic bags, etc....etc....etc...the list goes on.
We sure don't want her to risk upseting any other niche market activists with any ever possibly complicit linking picture implications there either do we?
Better still maybe Cllr. Kim Richter should say, do and be totally silent on everything just like most of your other provincial and federal elected politicians who in lieu spend thousands of your TAXPAYER DOLLARS SOLELY ON WEEKLY ADS THAT SAY ONLY "I CARE, I'M HERE, REMEMBER MY NAME" (weekly anemic ads that are pretty hard not to remember that have just the Politicians name and picture essentially!) and do or say nothing else to the point of being very accomplished on their virtual invisibility and silence on all matters like light rail into Langley! Would that make you happier?
GIVE IT A REST HILL TIME AND GET REAL. ITS JUST A DARN PICTURE FOR HEAVENS SAKE beside a motorcycle not besides the latest biggest commercial crop business owner in Langley...a grow op! That, you could be really upset about...LOL!
COP OUT MY ASS!
Why no comment from you on my bylaw enforcement suggestions at all? A cop out?
While your at you why don't you simply just admit that Cllr. Richter obviously ranks up there with your very fond love of Harley Davidsons? Is that perhaps the real cop out here? Don't be shy. Your entitled to your opinion about politicians work and to vote for or against your choice of politicians. That's fair comment & democracy. Or am I off base on this deducted assumption as well? Or is that a stretch LFP Editor cop out too in your mind?
Insofar as your 'local political self promotion blog' accusation, I can easily point you towards another well known local political blog that has mastered the art of political self promotion far beyond anything you could ever possibly see here! That site in my opinion seems to even censor nay sayers like yourself if they ever dared utter any even smallest leaning negative Innuendo! In fact there are some hilarious & questionable comments that overtly and overly gush platitudes about that Editor/columnist in that blog's case! Note, that this Editor allows you your say even though you rap this Editor and our Publisher/Columnist! Better still we even publish Wink's comments too for example!
P.S. HELP US OUT FOLKS: This Editor welcomes other readers to help Cllr. Richter out, by suggesting where she should never be caught even dead on camera in future so that other niche Hill Tim' ers won't be ever upset either! LOL! Another few examples;
- KFC, because of the treatment and caging at commercial chicken farms
- Any Fish Restaurants that serve farmed & caged salmon
- ETC.....
Maybe the real question is what is the shorter list of WHERE SHE CAN SAFELY HAVE A PICTURE TAKEN?! LOL
I like your (partial) list of business that should be avoided…although I would probably not include the Otter, they seem to be an example of a community-minded business. You again miss the point, it isn’t up to me or anyone else to decide what the appropriate venues are for a political photo-op for any given candidate. But once the candidate makes that choice, we (those who pay for her seat on council) have the right to question those choices, and any councilor has the right to defend those choices. If she decides to get a photo-op in front of a new mushroom barn next to my house, you bet I’m going to “raise a stink” about it! It is called representative democracy.
Since you raised the issue, my opinion of Richter is that she is much more adept at the electoral part of politics than the leadership part. My opinion is that she is too often in “opposition” in the council chambers yet is too seldom offering practical, creative, alternative answers to the positions she opposes. For the record, I think Bateman makes the effort to inform himself, uses his creative thinking skills to develop ideas and solutions. I just happen to disagree with almost every solution he finds. Part of the reason I changed my handle here is to clarify my position in relation to “that other blog”. Anyone “over there” will tell you I have called Mr. Bateman to task many more times than I have Ms. Richter. Most of Jordan’s “yes men” over there think I am a “Nut Job” because I get my climate change information from NOAA and NASA and not from the Vancouver Province opinion page. I also question Mr. Bateman’s ability to serve two masters when the Township’s interests butt up against the Provincial Government’s. Just as I question Richter’s ability to work within the council structure for the good of the Township when she seems hell bent on maintaining an opposing position on everything.
And since you raised censorship, I have been censored in the past (as R.C.) on this site, presumably for being too critical of the “Editors” editing style (or lack thereof), however the only time I was ever censored on the “other blog” was the recent time.......
Edited By Siteowner
HT, fair comments for the most part. Of course I do edit at times comments that may lead direct to a specific individual & that identifies those that may not be overly thrilled with commentary that may not be quite fair comment.
Insofar as your comments about my specific edits previously I thank you ( I think I remember which one you talk about) because at times I have rushed to post without careful edits and the article of mine you quote was truly a gramatical hodgepodge. I admit it! I don't specifically recall your specific wording that you refer to though. So sorry if you don't like my edits or agree with them but at least I do publish and not just simply edit in its entirety. But it is my call and frankly I am not happy I had to choose to vet all the comments. But that's the nature of the beast now-a-days!
I don't agree with you obviously about some of your observations in your comments and suggest you look at the motions that ALL Councillors generate and specifically those that are regularily not seconded even for discussion. They in my opinion ALL provide 'practical, creative, alternative' suggestions & solutions!
Or would you rather not have critical discussions on council because certainly in my opinion the "Good Ole boy's" groupthink would have gotten away with much more without someone forwarding critical questioning and criticism? BTW it takes courage to look at all points of view without partisanship! It's unfortunate that when there is only one non slate opposition member that in all similar circumstances that one individual is most often viewed as being a proverbial negative critic, only. That's the nature of the beast though. That's also generally never true either. Unfortunately, So be it methinks!
Insofar as reprinting. Yes I have the same concerns too. Thats why I don't reprint large portions from other media only very small pertinent quotes and references unlike other sites, with my appropriate links and credits where and when they are shown. Absolutely, and obviously no copyrighted or watermaked or credited photos are ever used.
In any event I welcome your thoughts and opinions even though I won't always agree. But really HT, Harleys? Come on!
PS: Why don't you take action yourself and write/see Council or police/Bylaws officer re your noise issues?
I always wanted a harley and who made you supreme decision maker anyway on noise? Its the driver not the bike that makes the noise. So call the cops and complain about the drivers not the products. Any vehicle or engine can be driven too noisy.
I vote no contest at all. I vote Richter over Bateman anytime because of their opposite tax and spend record and for
having the real guts to work hard to earnestly fix and help prevent my tax burden. I vote No to all local, provincial
and federal partisan politics anytime and everytime in the Township Municipality. And I will vote for any other women
like her too on November 22,2008. No contest at all.
Well Hill, thanks for starting all this over some silly photos at a business opening! Just kidding!
Okay you got me riled, don’t you go messing with the Coop if you know what is good for you : )
As for Harley’s they are great bikes but like Hill suggests they are too easily modified and when they are, they are simply unbearable. Back when I used to live in the City, I couldn’t go a single night without at least one modified bike roaring outside my window (I lived on Michaud Crescent). The bikers tended to drive by late (after the bars closed) and I had to keep my windows closed to avoid being shaken out of my bed. None of my (or my neighbours') complaints resulted in any enforcement.
Mental Note To Myself, The Editor..Don't ever, ever publish politicians pictures at the Co-Op, ever! LOL, thanks Blair! How much more info and comments are there possible on Harley Davidson motorcylces for heaven's sake?! I've heard yamaha motorcycles sreaming by my home just as bad. Are they modified too?
No, no you got me completely reveresed. I'm a huge fan of the Coop. If you want to get in my good books get your photo taken with their Otter Mascot.
I thought you were dissing the Coop...that's what got me riled 
I have driven many makes of bikes over a 50+ year period. The first thing I will admit to is that they are a pain in the butt when they rip around the neighborhood with noisy pipes,...........but noisy pipes are a riders best friend when freeway commuting because rivers in adjacent lanes quite frequently don't see a bike in their mirror (If they look), and it's all too common to get sqeezed off the road, or worse. Car drivers also have a habit of forgetting that motorcycles are on the road because they don't appear too frequently for long periods in winter. Many just don't like motorcycles, and don't realize the enjoyment that can be had from them.
I'll always choose a noisy bike to ride, but sometimes I too get a bit peed off when they disturb my sleep. Just as Anon says though, it is up to the rider as well. Throttle use, and gear changes can easily control the noise.
Blair, I just can't believe that you and I are both passionate about the Otter Coop! Although I have a high regard for your knowledge, I'd given up all hope that we'd actually agree on anything. Good on us.
I've shopped there for 37 years(have a very low mbshp#)and I love the mascot too! Can you imagine we could have been almost rubbing shoulders in an isle there at some point.
Richter is very popular amongst the staff, as they had serious concerns and a petition against a roundabout @ 16th and 248th and they feel she worked hard to champion their cause. Also, I've seen her shopping there many times, so she's one of the locals..
Now about the Harley's...... I know many individuals that have Harley bikes and are not your typical 'bikers' any way, shape or form. One of them is my Doctor in Abbotsford. Another one is an owner of a local golf course(not Redwoods) and a senior, who with his senior friends tour all through a lot of the States every year(not just Sturgis, S. Dakota, but as well as).
'Labelling' Harley owners as problem maker's is like saying one apple in the basket is rotten so all the apples in the basket are rotten..
So what I meant to say and forgot was....if all some people can do is find fault with Richter for having her picture taken with a reputable business in Langley township that brings money to the area and pays the necessary taxes into our coffers, they must have pretty small minds and nothing better to do with their time..
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