langleywatchdog…. and more!

In a bit of a departure from my normal Blog topics, given the month we are in, I wanted to relate my personal story regarding my diagnosis of Prostate Cancer. It was uncovered by accident, thanks to my wife Carol – to this day I am convinced she saved my life!! Men don’t like to talk about this issue, I get that, but the seriousness of Prostate Cancer cannot be overstated. Life is too important and valuable!

Nine years ago, we had just sold our horse farm and moved to our hoped-for retirement home in Aldergrove. I had Diabetes for a number of years and was under the care of B.C. Diabetes, all of that was under control thanks to that organization. Life was good, health wise, and we had a family doctor. I had a number of aged issues – I was taking medication for – cholesterol, high blood pressure and thyroid but generally speaking we had all of the normal lab tests on an annual basis, and everything was in-line – so we thought?

As I said, we normally had our annual doctor visits and lab tests, but in 2016 I hadn’t been in to see my doctor for two years (not normal) and I received a call from his office that he wanted to see me after I had gone in for the prescribed regular lab tests, a lab requisition he issued at that time. Prior to going into the lab for my tests my wife noticed that our doctor did not check off the PSA test on the Lab Requisition which wasn’t normal (clearly a mistake) – so Carol checked it off prior to me going to the lab. Well, as you will see that catch by her was very significant to my survival to this day!

My next step was to go into see my doctor and get the results – Well, ALL were good EXCEPT my PSA which came back an 8. A physical examination was done and was normal? My earlier PSA tests were in the 3 – 4 range. A general upper limit is a 4 possibly going to 4.5, BUT 8! Yikes! So, the next order of business, my doctor sent me in to get another PSA test in 30 days which I did – the result? A 9, in one month it grew by a full point? An immediate and urgent referral to Dr. Jason Archambault (a Langley Urologist) was in order!

I was scheduled quickly for an appointment with my new specialist Dr. Archambault. Another physical examination by my specialist again was found to be normal but a biopsy procedure was ordered immediately. The results? 12 out of 12 samples taken had cancer cells (some higher than others) – The Gleason score was a 9, (maximum is a 10) which indicates the seriousness of my diagnosis! My cancer was considered aggressive, a very scary situation that left me wondering what was ahead of me, at 70 years old?

The next step? A Bone Scan, a CT Scan, a Lung Xray and blood tests to ensure my cancer had not spread. Thankfully, even with my aggressive Cancer, there were no signs of it spreading – All tests were negative, thank god! It was clear to me that given the increase in my PSA over a one-month period, had Carol not caught the mistake on that requisition and I had gone another year, I doubt I would be here today. The odds were certainly against it.

At this point I want to state that in my experience all Prostate Cancer situations are different, in no way am I recommending any particular treatment, there is a wide variety of treatments available depending on individual needs, circumstances and doctor’s recommendations.

In my case my specialist did not recommend removal of the Prostate due to the aggressive nature of my diagnosis, as there were too many chances of cancer cells spreading due to the operation. The joint- recommendation given to me by my Urologist and my Radiation Oncologist in the Abbotsford Cancer Centre was 30 radiation treatments (5 per week for 6 weeks) in addition to 6 treatments (shots) of Lupron (1 shot every 4 months).

It has been 9 years, I have been tested annually every year with a follow up appointment with my Urologist and so far my last PSA test was 0.03 – virtually non-existent, after nine years!

I cannot express my appreciation enough for the quick, immediate and first-class quality of care I received from start to finish from our health care system and its providers. My final appointment with Dr. Archambault will be September of 2026, 10 years since being diagnosed! A massive thank you to my wife Carol, my doctor, my specialist and my Radiation Oncologist is in order. Life is good at 79 years!

Serious advice – Get checked annually, your life could depend on it, mine did! 

RG

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I am in receipt of the court documents with respect to the just released news surrounding a lawsuit filed by Mayor Woodward and two Township of Langley Councillors, against Rich Coleman, 481121 B.C. Ltd., Thomas Martini, Lorval Developments Ltd, Kim Richter, Bob Richter, Micah Haince, Jean Francoi Louis Hardy, Kalim Kassam and John Does 10 -12, as B.C. Supreme Court Action No. S-253300 Amended Notice of Civil Claim dated Sept 3^rd, 2025. While the accusations in the filed action haven’t been proven in court, its content is quite eye popping with respect to what is going on behind the scenes – It is actually very disgusting from a voter’s perspective!   

The apparent revelations and activities and the defendant’s potential involvement surrounding an egregious and anonymous Internet website and Facebook page as described in this action is shocking. ALL residents of the Township of Langley should be outraged. While, as I said, the accusations have not been proven in court, the documents including emails, NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and other communication contained in this action speak volumes of what has been going on over the last few years. The anonymous Internet Website named “Langley Monitor” and a Facebook site “Langley Township Watch” were the product of cowards distributing fake news, rumor, gossip and innuendo aimed at unduly influencing residents of the Township. It is interesting that as of today those sites have been taken down.

It seems that anonymous websites and Facebook sites are the political vehicles of choice in the Township of Langley when it comes to campaigning against your political opposition, an obvious choice of cowards. On the eve of my election as Mayor In 2008, my losing opponents stated in the press that I would be a one term Mayor and they would not cooperate with me! I defeated Mayor Kurt Alberts but all of his council were reelected. Within 30 days of my election, my opposition had set up an anonymous website called the “Langley Record”. It distributed the same fake news, rumor, gossip and innuendo. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to positively identify those responsible although I believe I could name all responsible. They were successful in defeating me in the next election. It is interesting that some of the names of people I was fighting are still around today and their politics are just as dirty.

Having said the above, the apparent actions and/or involvement by Defendant, Township of Langley Councillor Kim Richter, in supplying and/or working with the purveyors of the anonymous Internet website and Facebook site is particularly egregious. Mainly because of the content published in effect that challenged the staff of the Township of Langley with respect to the purchase of the fire equipment in question. In my view this is a total breach of a council members ethical responsibility to Township staff in particular, as well as to members of our sitting council. Aside from the results of this court action (whatever it may be) she should be publicly censored by council at the very least for this apparent serious transgression.

To give you some insight into Township of Langley politics I am re-publishing a portion of a Blog Post I published within my first about 170 posts of langleywatchdog.com back on January 30^th, 2013! The following is a verbatim repeat of that post as it pertains to an individual who is a defendant in the recently made public court action.

The following is interesting in light of the most recent of many dim-witted actions by our resident bully Rich Coleman. In February of 2008, after my public announcement that I was running for Mayor, out of courtesy I sent a message by email and/or voice mail to ALL sitting councillors as well as MLAs Mary Polak and Rich Coleman. The response – I heard from and met with four councillors and MLA Rich Coleman. At this point I will relate an interesting conversation I had with Rich Coleman. For the record I would swear an affidavit to the validity of the following, a lie detector test if required. It was in February of 2008 and in response to my message and request for a meeting, I received a call from Rich Coleman’s office to set up a meeting in his then Aldergrove office. On my arrival (interesting that then Councillor Jordan Bateman was hanging out in Coleman’s office) when I got there. We went into his boardroom with just two of us in the meeting. We got into it right off the top:

Rich Coleman: So what is this meeting about?

Rick Green: I just wanted to drop by and introduce someone who is running for Mayor.

Rich Coleman: Well, WE are OK with the job the Mayor is doing.

Rick Green: Well, WE are not!

Rich Coleman: I want you to know two things; the CAO (Mark Bakken – Chief Administrative Officer) is a good friend of mine

Rick Green: That’s interesting

Rich Coleman: And you have been making noises about land deals, and I want you to know WE are OK with them

Rick Green: Well, WE are not, it is bull shit and it is going to stop.

After that frosty exchange, I was surprised that the meeting lasted a while longer. Believe me, there was no doubt that I was not his choice for Mayor, (Somehow, I don’t think I fit his mold of “do as I say”) but then again, I could have cared less. He was the last person in the world I was trying to impress. The haunting question from that meeting that still remains unanswered is, WHO was Rich Coleman referring to with respect to “WE” being OK with the mysterious land deals, and “WE” being OK with the then Mayor Kurt Alberts. Who is ”WE”? Just asking the question? The Establishment? WHO? Very interesting comment which probably tells a lot!

Summary: When you view Township of Langley politics it is intuitive to view it from a stand point of a fact based past. I have written extensively on a wide range of questionable issues and decisions driven by long time insiders in our community. Take a look at www.langleywatchdog.com I have exposed MANY improper decisions, all FACT based, that shines a light on poor and questionable governance over many, many years. The Supreme Court Action stated above speaks to the ongoing activity by some who in my opinion are trying to regain a power base on council that would bring us back to the way it was through devious and anonymous means, you know – “Don’t let the Facts Get In The Way Of A Good Story!”

The current Mayor and his members of council are doing an excellent job under very difficult circumstances – making up for a lost decade under the previous Mayor and Council by building out our infrastructure, (roads, fire hall, parks and recreation facilities) that has long been forgotten. During the previous decade we had a council that was great at approving development (a dramatic increase in population) while ignoring the obvious critical infrastructure needs. The previous council did not address annual increases in DCCs (Development Cost Charges) or the need for CACs (Community Amenity Contributions), all of that which is necessary to take the load off of existing property taxpayers.

Over that last dark decade, the Township of Langley has lost out on an estimated $500 million in development related revenue by not addressing the DCC and CAC issue as opposed to taxpayers having to pay the bill. The current council changed the DCC and ACC issue as one of their first actions when elected and have been progressive in providing those services and considerations our residents demand, ultimately paying for the infrastructure costs out of development DCC and CAC revenue.

SPECIAL NOTE re Court documents – I have them available and can email them to anyone wishing to receive them. There are four PDF files, they are too large to send via one email so I will have to send them in two separate emails. If you wish to receive copies of this court action, please reply via return email requesting same. Email creeksidefarms@shaw.ca

RG

Protect your Democratic Rights – Protect your NEIGHBORS Democratic Rights – stay informed, stay involved and VOTE!!!

I am working on future posts that I believe are of significant concern to Township of Langley Residents, come back often for news of interest to Township residents.Share this BLOG; forward it to your friends, neighbors, and relatives! To comment on this post – Click on this Post, top left-hand corner under recent posts