It has been 15 years since leaving office, but the same Langley Establishment (power brokers, friends, insiders, developers) are hanging around, now on the outside looking in – manufacturing issues out of non-issues – they are unhappy! They win IF you elect a Mayor and Council full of OBFUSCATION / Political Speak – talking a lot, saying little and committing to do nothing, who will be easily influenced and controlled by those outside influences! We need to continue with a strong MAJORITY to complete upgrading the infrastructure deficit left by the previous council. The council we have, has faced the real issues head-on, they have made numerous changes that previous councils did not have the courage to make due to pressure and loyalty from outside forces. I am going to hit the high or LOW spots of my experiences! I have written at length on many issues, not all! With no council support when in office (8 against 1), my experience was nothing short of unbelievable! You couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried, but it is what I experienced. The following is just a short list of what happened as I disrupted the Langley Establishment, don’t let them win this time!
Decision to run for office 2007? I presented a neighborhood objection to the relocation of a cell tower at a public hearing by our farm due to the health issue of a neighbor; council voted to support us. Councillor Richter came over after and asked if I would be interested in running for council – My first thought, hell NO. She gave me her card, I had a conversation with my wife (Sworn off politics buying the farm), she said do it. After in-depth due diligence I decided I would only run for Mayor, not Council. I advised Kim of my decision. The plan? She would let it be known she was running for Mayor and on the last day file for Councillor. I felt confident politically with my background managing and running years of high-profile campaigns, that I could win, but it had to be a one-on-one contest. It worked (BLOG Post – January 30th, 2013)
The Campaign: Taxes / The sale of TOL property to friends and insiders and more? There were about eight issues including HIGH tax increases, property deals to friends and insiders, a secret deal for the Mufford Crescent diversion through the Milner Valley, Metro Water into East Langley (Aldergrove & Gloucester), landfill on Ag land and more! My campaign dealt with REAL issues with REAL solutions NOT OBFUSCATED / Political Speak that we are hearing out of the opposition in this year’s election campaign. A threat to the Township of Langley Establishment! who threw everything at me, but we had secured wide ranging community support unknown to many. We kept our networking to ourselves throughout the campaign! The end result? They didn’t know what hit them!
Meeting with Rich Coleman / Property Issues? After announcing my run in the media, getting significant exposure I contacted our MLA, requesting a meeting to introduce myself as candidate for Mayor. A tell-all conversation follows. It was in February of 2008 and in response to my message I received a call from his office to set up a meeting in his Aldergrove office.
On my arrival the two of us went into his boardroom. 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 is a good friend of mine.
Rick Green: That is interesting
Rich Coleman: And you have been making noises about some 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. (He never did say who we was?)
That conversation which went on for a while, was the start of my campaign, it gives you InSite into what I should expect, should I get elected. After that conversation, you don’t think we rocked the boat and I became their target?
Note – FYI – The major property deal I was talking about in the Campaign was the 80 + acre Dixon Pit Property that included 40 acres of developable non-ALR land in North Langley, advertised in a newspaper not distributed in the area of the property, only with legal description, sold to the Martini Family at in my opinion a give-away price. When I was in office I was invited by a mutual friend for lunch, there was someone he wanted me to meet – I did, and that man was Ron Martini. A nice guy, but I told him, much to the chagrin of our mutual friend, if I was the Mayor he never would have received that deal.
Our WIN? We came out of nowhere: My election was an earthquake in the lower mainland and to the Langley Establishment. Numerous comments in the press from elected council members on election night; I would be a one term Mayor, they would not cooperate with me! My first act was to meet with members of council pre-swearing in. The intent, introduce ourselves, and get a picture of their priorities and interest? Most meetings went well, however Grant Ward refused to meet (About 14 requests over 3 years) and my meeting with Kim Richter was interesting. Coffee at Ricky’s in Murrayville. She arrived, sat down and stated “Well what’s in it for me?”. Taken aback by such a statement I said, what do you want? “Deputy Mayor for the full term.” I said I didn’t know the status of the procedural by-law so I said you put forward a motion, I will second it, we will discuss it and have a vote of council. She didn’t have the guts to put forward a motion, typical of her, but throughout my term she told people that I promised her that – not true but just an example of who I had to deal with and what she is really all about; but I digress!
Major issue uncovered – Langley Events Center (LEC): My first in-camera meeting dealt with an LEC report requesting an additional $7 Million? After reviewing it I requested a one-week deferral of council so we can study the issue as we had one councillor away, a new Mayor and one NEW Councillor. Request denied, funding request approved. Everything went downhill from there. Shortly after that meeting I called Mark Bakken in asking him for a copy of the P3 agreement that the Township, the Province and Rich Coleman had publicly raved about in the media for over two years. His answer – We don’t have one! What? He said they are working on it. A $45 Million (ended up at around $65 Million) project 2/3rds completed and we don’t have an agreement in place? Question – Who’s working on it for us? Answer Davis & Co. Who’s working on it for them? Answer Davis & Co. I literally could not believe what I was hearing, the same legal firm working for both sides? So, the question then became who were we dealing with in construction? The answer was the Langley Development Group (LDG) owned by Maury Keith and Jim Bond, the apparent winners of an RFQ and RFP. Maury Keith was friends with Rich Coleman who had appointed him numerous times to the B.C. Lottery Corporation Board, he owned the Langley Chiefs Hockey Club playing out of the Preston Arena soon to be playing out of the LEC. Mark Bakken’s son was playing for the Langley Chiefs. (Just saying?) The LDG contracted Vantana Construction (Owned by Jim Bond Part owner of LDG) to build the facility. You can’t make this stuff up! Obviously, the council of the day had no problem with what was going on! I requested and received a very large binder of every email, memo, fax, letter, press release and proposed contract on the LEC. I fought this issue for 2 ½ years. (The detail was in-camera, so I could not talk about any detail publicly) I independently brought in a senior accounting firm to review the entire file plus a senior law firm from downtown specializing in these issues – Their conclusion, how the hell did you guys get yourselves into this? I have said since day one there should have been a forensic audit. Result – I uncovered and nullified a planned sweetheart deal, and was the lone negative vote on the final unnecessary settlement amount (in my opinion) with LDG. (There is much more to this story, you can go to the following BLOG Posts datedMarch 2013 and Blog Sept. 2014 for even more shocking revelations.)
The “Langley Record”, anybody remember that? Within the first 30 days of my term an anonymous site popped up on the internet called the Langley Record. It was an anti Rick Green site, after just 30 days in office? Full of lies, slander, rumor, gossip, innuendo and attack lines but who were they? They attacked my supporters with lies about them. Unfortunately, we tried but failed to positively identify the perpetrators – we came close but it shows the threat I was to the Langley Establishment. In what we did learn, they appeared to be those we suspected. If I had proof, I would have sued.
Major issue uncovered – Mufford Crescent Diversion: The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Study (to build 9 overpasses along the corridor) called for a four-lane highway extension of Mufford Crescent across the Hudsons Bay Property, over the rail line, over Glover Road across the Bella Vista Farm connecting with a two-lane country road, 64th & 216th St. Its work and pertinent detail was held secret from the public. It was going to split off potentially 600 acres of farm land in the Milner Valley making most of it unfarmable, in my opinion leading to a development opportunity in the years ahead – it was nothing short of a land deal for friends and insiders. This overall study was backed by all South of Fraser Municipalities, the Provincial Government (MLAs Coleman and Polak), the Federal Government with TransLink being the lead agency. Despite being told during the campaign that this proposal didn’t exist by the then Mayor we uncovered the truth through Municipal Hall before the election and told the public about it. This proposal never did come before council; those I was elected with felt there was no reason to interfere with this secret deal? Nothing to see here! Well, we took on all principles involved in this scheme, meetings with the ALC, multiple public meetings, multiple hearings and multiple council votes. Our Council was adamantly opposed to my campaign to stop this. I was in a public dispute with then Minister of Highways Kevin Falcon. In a public letter Kevin Falcon (and personally in his Victoria Office) told me if we didn’t want the money, he’d take it elsewhere, I told him to never threaten me. It took two and half years of constant work and community support, but we won. It was defeated at the Agricultural Land Commission, thanks to then chair Richard Bullock after numerous Public Hearings and conversations. Bullock cast a tying vote, defeating their proposal. Shortly after the defeat of the government endorsed proposal, Richard Bullock was removed as Chair? That is how these people really work! We stood firm, the option we always knew was available is in place, we saved 600 acres of farmland, thanks to the residential and farming community, and Richard Bullock. By the way, despite threats from Falcon and Coleman, the money WAS spent in the Township of Langley. Result– Withstood pressure from All South of the Fraser Municipalities, Provincial, Federal Gov’ts., TransLink and our MLAs to deny the requested road option, saved 600 acres of prime farm land from development. (Full story BLOG Feb. 22nd 2013)
Brownshack Developments – the issue, the investigation, the cost, the result! At the start of my mandate,I spent months in meetings, coffee, breakfast and lunch – with people that wanted to get to know me, arranged by a high-profile resident supporter. This issue focuses on three get-to-know-you sessions that I had with prominent well-known lawyers in our community. During our conversations all three brought up – Brownshack Developments – apparently with interesting shareholders? After some time, I received a copy of the Central Securities Register listing the following names – Patricia Bakken (former spouse of Township CAO Mark Bakken), Michele Coleman (spouse of MLA Rich Coleman), Sharon Schacter (spouse of realtor Joel Schacter) to March 2nd 2005 and Joel Schacter (Realtor, former School Trustee). So now what do I do with this info? After some period of time, I sought out legal advice – my thought was to call a special in-camera meeting, council only (no staff) to inform council, my legal responsibility as Mayor, and my legal-council agreed. Some members of council challenged me on calling the meeting however they attended. I made one point very clear at the start, that I was not making any accusations against anybody for any wrong doing, that is why I limited attendance to council only. They were all given a package of information. But in typical fashion and for political reasons I was accused of everything; they went ballistic! They had known about this for years etc. Council ended up bringing in a TOL lawyer. Their primary focus then was what could they could do to the Mayor. Public Censure and removal from Metro Board which they did, but they tried and failed to remove me from Metro Committees (The Chair of Metro assigned me to six committees) and I stayed on the TransLink Mayors Council that they had no control over.
What were they looking for?They wanted the names of whom I met with that gave me insight into Brownshack! I refused and said it was none of their business! It wasn’t about me but was about protecting the office of the Mayor. If I gave into that request there essentially would be no private conversations with the Mayor or Council with any residents going forward. It wasn’t going to happen! (They would be shocked if they knew who I met with? – Just saying! LOL)
Hiring my lawyer? Their lawyer talked about setting up a Council Committee of Inquiry with subpoena privileges. Seeing where this debacle was going, it was clear, I needed a lawyer to represent me against this out-of-control mob. Imagine having to chair your own inquisition in meetings? My lawyer’s message to the TOL / Council’s lawyer, there will be no Council Committee of Inquiry, the legislation calls for Committee of Inquiry subpoenas to be issued over the hand of the Mayor, not the Deputy Mayor not an appointed Mayor – and this Mayor will not be issuing subpoenas! This would have dragged those I met with into an arena they did not deserve.
Legal Fees? It is quite well known that public employees have legal defence fees paid for if they are charged or accused of wrong doing and found not guilty. If they are found guilty fees are not paid. Well, because I would not provide council with the names whom I met with, they passed a special resolution, despite an existing policy to the contrary, to compensate them (members of council each secured separate legal counsel) for legal services but to deny the expenses of the Mayor. Two offers were made to pay my legal expenses 1) If I told them whom I met with or 2) One Councillor said if I promised not to sue council – On both offers I said an emphatic NO! I was not guilty of anything!
So, what was the end result? Rick Green paid $25,000 in after tax dollars personally and the Township of Langley taxpayers (the last I heard) paid somewhere around $160,000.!!! Probably more!
RCMP Investigation? I had enough and called a press conference held in Council Chambers with all local, regional, print and electronic media attending and I issued a press release with documentation. Two Councillors and one other citizen filed a complaint with the RCMP. It took two months to find out what I was being accused of but it was “breaching a political statute – the release of in-camera documents”, which it was not. (A few members of council spread a false rumor that it was a criminal case) Despite that, this accusation went through two Crown Counsel and Special Crown Counsel in Victoria. Decision issued Sept. 9th 2011 – Quote in-part from Criminal Justice Branch Victoria …. “Mr. Crossin concluded that there is no substantial likelihood of conviction for any offences.” Announcement made four weeks before election day after a 9-month investigation? Isn’t that timing interesting and suspicious? Results – I fulfilled my sworn commitment to keep Council informed, nothing more, they turned it into a serious political attack costing me personally and you the taxpayer a lot!
To put all of this into perspective and wrap this in a bow the following are Intercepted emails from Joel Schacter, local real estate salesman and former School Trustee. This is not a conspiracy theory, I believe this is proof?
IMPORTANT / Caution – The following emails reinforce what I have been saying for years. The proof that undue political influence and interference by provincial elected officials, senior management at the Hall and others within the Township of Langley existed. Many of the same power brokers are still active behind the scenes. The following emails were extensively distributed to hundreds of Real Estate professionals in the Township of Langley. It was started by Joel Schacter (former school trustee) a well-known friend of Rich Coleman and Mark Bakken (former Township CAO) with respect to the 2011 Township of Langley Municipal Election Campaign. It was distributed the week prior to the 2011 election. These emails were provided by a concerned resident / realtor in the Township of Langley at the time and approved their publication. The following Emails are in part (The complete thread of emails, as written, can be found in my BLOG dated March 23rd 2013)
1st Email – To Real Estate professionals in his office – I do have a concern if we split the vote between Jack Froese and Mel as this could easily put Rick Green back in the Mayor’s seat. Jack is a good man but I was hoping he would have run for a council seat before jumping right for the chair of the Mayor. Unfortunately, it appears a vote for Jack looks like it will end up being a vote for Green in the long run.
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. Rich will be making an unprecedented press release endorsing Mel as well as several current members of council and 2 new prospective members in the next 24 -48 hours. He believes strongly in getting the right people locally who can work with them provincially. This will stop all provincial funds from being diverted to Surrey, as has been for the last while. This was mostly due to the antagonistic and adversarial posture the current Mayor took with them when funds were either requested or offered.
2nd Email – The response –Joel,I for one, am truly embarrassed to be even closely associated with you and your bunch of urban cowboy idiots.
Perhaps you might be kind and courteous enough to keep your bent political bullshit to yourself and out of our office. It is bad enough that you have your Bible study sessions utilizing our office facilities. Go rent a room some where else.
Sending this garbage email to everyone in the office….. creates the impression of Guilt by Association.
If not, then why would you bother to spend so much of your time on this shit? 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.
Mel Kositsky may be a very nice guy, but heh……what other job has he had in his career ? He is in this deal for the pay cheque and pension, just like most of them.
You seem to feel some right to open your mouth and spew this garbage to everyone…..then I suppose I have the same right to retort. Get a life.
Glenn Duff
3rd Email – Further response – Joel, Now that you have seriously got my attention, I would actually like to make a formal and public inquiry as to what really is your agenda here ?
After my long days working in Real Estate, I am simply looking for the couch to hang out and relax. 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 night time arrives.
…. You have now created a bit of a legacy within the Township of Langley….of course with all of your hard work on the School Board (right ) and lately with your behind the scenes work, ensuring the “right” people are elected. What you actually do is create a bad smell and it is getting worse. Do the right thing for a change and keep your biased opinions to your self.
Glenn Duff
NOTE – The comment made by Rich Coleman in this email thread is an outright lie, specifically “This will stop all provincial funds from being diverted to Surrey, as has been for the last while. This was mostly due to the antagonistic and adversarial posture the current Mayor took with them when funds were either requested or offered.” Response – At NO TIME was the Township offered nor did we reject any provincial funds offered. In support of 90% of the community we requested a different option for the Mufford Crescent Diversion, using less dollars than originally planned which we received.
Summary – This BLOG Post is to remind those in our community about some very bad history that I was able to expose while in office and the tentacles that the Township of Langley power brokers / establishment have into members of council, much through subtle, friendly connections / associations without them knowing what is really going on. Without practical business and/or political experience nobody would think any of this stuff would be possible. We do not need that inexperience at the council table. This is but a small sample of the issues I had to deal with, there were many questionable decisions made during my three years, however at 8 against 1, nothing could be done. The outside influence mainly affects those who run and get elected on an OBFUSCATED / Political Speak non-threatening platform. In other words, not threatening significant change from what they had been able to control in the past.
Do you think developers appreciated the introduction of CACs and subsequently ACCs or annually updated DCCs – NOT! So, who do you think is influencing the current opposition to the current Mayor and his majority? The development community? Long time friends and insiders? What have they promised the development community? Are developers donating to the opposition?
Just asking the obvious questions, that is not out of line!
“When you get elected – You Face the world how you found it, NOT the way you wish it was”!
FYI – I issued a detailed Community Press Release from the Mayor’s Office September 14th, 2010 that covered details up to that point!
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.
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