Langley Politics has a terrible reputation province wide, and the Langley East Liberal Constituency Association and its past small cabal of leaders and hangers-on are at the center of everything political – Provincial and Municipal within the Township! All of this at our expense, do not believe me, the latest plus a few stories that should disgust all taxpayers.
We moved to Langley from Delta in 1997, bought our farm, our horses and settled into semi-retirement. A condition of our move, I stay out of politics. Free enterprise politically very active in Delta dating back to 1975 unelected and elected. The issues I uncovered in the Township after 10 years of living here changed all of that. There were about 9 major issues, so I started my campaign for Mayor, we worked for 1 ½ years and we won! Be careful what you ask for?
What I uncovered during the 2008 campaign and after our swearing in were bombshells, one after the other. I uncovered them through challenging staff with questions – from the Financial Boondoggle with the Langley Events Center, to numerous questionable development approvals, to landfill on agricultural land – there were many areas where those responsible should have been dealt with severely and legally; however it certainly didn’t take long to realize who most of those elected owed their election success to. I have written a lot about many issues, over 120 posts since 2013, so I will not get into any of that here. This is important, Mark Bakken, Township of Langley CAO, is Rich Coleman’s very-good friend, as told to me directly by Rich in Feb. of 2008! In that same meeting he advised me that “they were OK with the land sales that were going on”, I was making noise about them at the time. Do we have to say any more?
So, what is the real story behind the almost launched Eric Woodward BC NDP Campaign? The HIT job that just happened?
First, the announcement of Eric’s candidacy leaked out prematurely on Saturday which left everyone scrambling, nevertheless everything was quickly put together. The Langley East B.C. Liberals freaked out at their serious prospects of losing the Rich Coleman “FIEFDOM”! Everything was looking very-positive for Eric in this constituency that to-date has been considered the exclusive domain of one Rich Coleman! But they would not let that happen!
The just announced HIT job on Councillor Eric Woodward, is despicable by any measure. There is a Cabal of Fort Langley residents who have had it out for Eric Woodward for some time. It is no secret that I have published a few BLOG posts against Eric a number of years ago; having said that I also met with Eric a few times prior to the last Municipal Election and we had a good discussion about the Township, his ideas and his vision. Remember he did not support my campaign in 2011, however I was only interested in what he would do to help correct the ills of the Township. I liked what he had to say, endorsed him along with 4 other Councillors in this BLOG prior to the last election and in my opinion, Eric has performed head and shoulders above anyone else on Council, and he has only been there for two years.
I have to point this out – Prior to the last election and before I published any endorsements, I received very inflammatory statements and commentary about Eric of a personal and slanderous nature from a few in Fort Langley – and they know who they are. I would never entertain anything against anyone that is based loosely on rumor, gossip, and innuendo. I have been in politics too long and have seen what unfounded rumor, gossip, and innuendo can do. I was the target of a few of the same people directly tied to the Langley East B.C. Liberal Cabal (See below)! These people and their leader do not take kindly to threats to their power base.
The interesting part of this HIT job comes from those directly connected to the B.C. Liberals in the Township of Langley, non-other than Jordan Bateman (Liberal spokesperson with the ICBA, former President of Rich Coleman’s Constituency Association and now identified as the Treasurer of said Association) who has been spreading unfounded gossip, rumor, innuendo or suggestions against Eric Woodward with his media buddy contacts; in their effort to protect a fledgling new candidate Margaret Kunst and the B.C. Liberals in Langley East who was in clear trouble, potentially losing this previously safe B.C. Liberal seat and they knew it!
Through an endless number of Tweets from Jordan Bateman to all his media buddies and everyone political stating “there was a big reveal coming” and “just wait until the media finds out what the real story is”, you can see why Eric, due to past rumor, gossip and innuendo he faced in the Municipal Campaign, his responsible action was to withdraw. The reality is, due to a short campaign period, and what he has faced before which was spread by word of mouth, he could not effectively respond in such a short time frame to effectively correct any misinformation! While not appropriate at this time, I would be preparing a lawsuit for defamation of character if this ever raised its head again! Let us not lose sight of the fact that all of this is tied directly to the B.C. Liberals in Langley East, to deny this is to deny the facts.
The latest just in: (Mathew Claxton Sept. 28th, 2020) Jordan Bateman in the Langley Advance Times sounding like he is still a spokesperson for the Langley East Constituency Association. “He filled out Liberal Nomination Papers” – really Jordan, that is the best you can do? Now given his track record of this whole saga I wouldn’t believe a word he says! But all of that aside, let me see if I have this straight – If I take the B.C. Liberals at their word and they didn’t want Eric as a candidate, they are coming unglued that he was going to run for another party? Really? So, in the face of that reality you go out and spread unfounded rumor, gossip, innuendo plus that infamous political line “if you knew what I knew or something similar” garbage. Absolutely despicable, there is no other word for it. You are a coward Jordan. If you have something to say go for it – let the chips fall where they may, and you will be seen for who you really are!
Further evidence, if we needed any, is laid out within the following issues that I experienced during my three years in the Mayor’s Office! I remember a candidate for Township of Langley Municipal Council in a Municipal Election past received a call from one Rich Coleman requesting he come in for an interview. What? Really? This is what is really happening, if you don’t fall in line you had better rethink your position!
Issue of interest – In 2010, I had numerous breakfast meetings with citizens throughout the Township. Through those meetings I was advised numerous times of a company called Brownshack Developments, with well-connected owners of the day. Per the Community Charter my responsibility was to keep members of Council informed which I did.
A meeting, no staff present, no accusations, the political HIT job commenced. A Complaint to the RCMP was made by Councillor Grant Ward (former RCMP) and Joel Schacter that I released in-camera information; it clearly was not. This resulted in over $150,000 in Township legal bills and $25,000 for me personally, defending myself. A 7-month RCMP investigation through 2 Crown Counsels and finally a Special Prosecutor, releasing his report 2 months before the 2011 election. I was cleared, but I paid a high price politically and financially. That was their plan!
Another Issue of interest – As published in my March 23rd, 2013 BLOG Post, leading up to the 2011 election campaign, we received a thread of emails from a Realtor in Joel Schacter’s Real Estate Office which we found very-interesting. The full email thread is available on the above post so I will just highlight items of interest – This is just another example of interference for dubious reasons by those connected with the B.C. Liberal Langley East Constituency Assoc.!
1st email – from Joel Schacter – Tuesday 11/15 2011 3:00 PM
“I have had discussions with some of the senior management at the hall as well as our MLA Rich Coleman and 2 former mayors…. they are all suggesting Mel has the best chance of taking Green out.”
He goes on to list all candidates for Mayor, Councillor and School Trustee that he recommends.
2nd Email – The response from Glenn Duff (Then Langley Realtor) –
“It is likely, that most of the people in the office are not aware of your behind the scenes smear campaign against what I consider to be ………..a very intelligent, honest and fair guy who is being slammed by a bunch of self-serving idiots that have their own hidden agendas…..just like you do.”
“Are you scared of losing your inside connections to all of the Township and School Board real estate deals? Pretty easy to prove my point.”
3rd Email – Further response from Glenn Duff (Then Langley Realtor) –
“Why is it, that you and Rich Coleman and Mark Bakken all hang out together and scheme about how to “take out” Green?? What is it really about Rick Green that has got your collected attention?”
“I was told a long time ago, to find the truth……. simply follow the money.”
“It seems however, that you have a lot more energy than me……… as I see various political figures in your office at the end of the day………. You seem to be very-popular, so you should try closing your office blinds when nighttime arrives.”
In Summary:
The unfortunate part of this whole story is the charade that has been perpetrated on the residents of the Township of Langley.
I would suggest that the vast majority of those who take out a membership in the B.C. Liberal Party are just not aware of the ulterior motives of those in leadership roles. I understand that in everyone’s busy lives and basic trust that they put in the hands of those elected wonder, how can any of this be true? Why would anyone have such a lust for power and control?
In the world we are living in, and in the Municipality, we are living in, with our developable land base, trust me it is NOT a conspiracy theory! Quite frankly, it all makes me sick, we can only hope it has the same affect on the citizens of the Township of Langley in future elections.
RG
I am working on a few posts at present that I believe are of significant concern to Township of Langley Residents, come back often for news of interest to Township residents.
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