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There is NO END to what Society wants…. BUT there IS AN END to what Society can afford and pay for! When are we going to demand that politicians SPEAK TRUTH TO TAXPAYERS?

Posted: December 2, 2024 in Uncategorized

There are an endless number of examples, however the best and most tragic example is on transit, specifically in the form of the Langley SkyTrain extension – It was nothing more than a political promise in the heat of the 2020 election trying to win two Langley seats, successful, but losing those two Langley seats four years later. It was not, and cannot be defended by any common-sense business plan, it was purely political by any common-sense review of its existence! This project was decided despite there being, a very affordable interregional transit option (pennies on the dollar) available South of Fraser (still needed despite this tragic decision) but insanity/politics got in the way. The most recent transit decisions made and being made are NOT sustainable, and we the taxpayers are paying the price – when are our politicians going to wake up?

TransLink’s Financial Disaster: Remember TransLink is in virtual bankruptcy, requiring an additional $600 million per year to sustain the existing service levels by 2026. TransLink blames falling revenue, partially true, however the cost of building and maintaining a like-to-have SkyTrain (non-affordable) is key to their problem. Again it is not sustainable!

TransLink is not interested or responsible for public transit East of the Township of Langley: TransLink, is responsible for public transit in Metro Vancouver only by provincial legislation. They continue to feel threatened that any senior government funding will go anywhere but to TransLink (Metro Vancouver), so the Fraser Valley, east of the Township of Langley is forgotten about!

The abbreviated history of how Langley SkyTrain came about? – The facts.

Mayor Dianne Watts initiates plan (2012) for light rail transit, 104^th from Guildford east to King George Blvd. and South on King George Blvd to Newton (10.5 KMs) for $1.65 Billion. Plan in place funding secured, construction scheduled to begin in 2019, expected to open 2024.

2018 Municipal election, Doug McCallum wins – key plank in that election, cancel light rail plan in place and run SkyTrain down Fraser Highway to Langley City – 16 kms for $1.65 Billion. Not a dollar more says Doug McCallum!

NOTE: Why was this proposed by the new Municipal leadership? – It was nothing more than a land deal, with personal land value capture for friends and insiders, nothing more! Just use your imagination re the increase in land cost, with dramatic density increases on Fraser Highway from King George Blvd. through to Langley City (16 kms)? Who benefits – developers!

2018, after the election win, McCallum takes his plan to the first TransLink Mayor’s Council meeting. More than a dozen long term Mayors did not run for election or were defeated, the newly elected were not aware of the weighted vote system until it was too late. McCallum knowing how it works (past experience) goes to meeting with the needed votes in hand and gets support. Doug McCallum – not a dollar more than $1.65 Billion.

October 8^th, 2020 at Langley City Press Conference, (Election date October 24^th, 2020), Premier John Horgan pledged $1.5 Billion to complete SkyTrain to Langley City. B.C. Government takes over project. Total cost announced was $3.1 Billion.

NOTE: Why was SkyTrain supported Provincially? It was in search of votes! When you promise the public SkyTrain, what do you think the public will say? No other options given, or costs mentioned? The public were sold pie in the sky!

July 2022, B.C. Government announces full 16 KMs to be constructed in one phase finishing 2 years earlier at $500 Million less. Cost announced as $3.94 Billion!

August 15^th, 2024, the B.C. Government announces new cost of Langley SkyTrain line at $5.996 Billion and finishing 2 years later than planned (2031). Increase blamed on inflation and market challenges? Not the true cost or full truth?

The True Actual Cost, wasn’t announced? – In December 2023 the province purchased a 37-acre parcel of land at 176^th and Fraser Highway to build a $1 Billion operations and maintenance Center for TransLink, needed to support the SkyTrain extension. The land was valued at $5.65 Million in July of 2023 and sold for $8.052 million in November of 2023. Who did the B.C. Government buy that 37-acre property from?

Who made that $2.402 million windfall profit?

Actual Cost of Langley SkyTrain extension is now estimated to be $7 Billion!

So, what was the viable interregional transit option they ignored?

A publicly owned 99 KM State-of-the-Art Interurban Passenger Rail Corridor Pattullo Bridge (Surrey) to Chilliwack with passenger rights protected!

This corridor was designed for the movement of people plus goods and services for the Fraser Valley over 110 years ago. In 1988 when the Provincial Government, through their agency, (B.C. Hydro) sold the freight rights only to the corridor; they Protected and Reserved the Passenger Rights of the corridor for Future Passenger Rail Use …. At No Cost for its use! The corridor was not sold.

The estimated population South of the Fraser by 2025 (Provincial statistics) will be 1,313,732 and growing exponentially.

Through the discovery of a Master-Agreement in March of 2009 by then Township of Langley Mayor Rick Green, (Agreement between B.C. Hydro and CP Rail, previously unknown, dated August 26^th 1988), launched a campaign for its renewal. That successful campaign to renew the agreement was supported unanimously through Council Resolutions by ALL Municipalities South of the Fraser. This agreement was renewed in June of 2009 by B.C. Hydro, six weeks before it was due to expire forever.

This plan for the implementation of a NEW South of Fraser Tram-Train Passenger service on a reactivated Interurban corridor is the result of thousands of hours of work by residents and local politicians over the past two decades.

The Goal: A once in a lifetime opportunity to establish a transportation link with a net value to the citizens of the Province of B.C. and specifically to the lower mainland of British Columbia being Priceless – just do the math. As stated, this opportunity was set up and protected in 1988 by a previous Provincial Government with a Vision – No Cost to the public; it is time that we take action!

This is an opportunity to show that vision today and into the future. This forward-thinking solution will be seen as smart; affordable, an economic game changer, environmentally friendly (beating all climate change targets), community resiliency, and politically smart serving close to 1.3 million citizens, Fourteen Post-Secondary Institutions, Sixteen Communities (Cities and Municipalities), 14 First Nations Communities, Major Industrial Parks, Tourism and Agri-Tourism.

Compare the FACTS of both proposals!

Length of Public Transit Lines:

Langley SkyTrain 16 KMs – King George Blvd to Langley City

Interurban 99 KMs – Pattullo Bridge to Chilliwack

Populations Served: SkyTrain 200,000 vs Interurban 1,300,000 (6 ½ times SkyTrain)

Cost per Capita: SkyTrain $35,000. vs Interurban $1,541. (4.4% that of SkyTrain)

Cost per KM: SkyTrain $437,500,000. vs Interurban $18,643,555. (4.2% that of SkyTrain)

Estimated Cost: SkyTrain $7,000,000,000. plus vs Interurban $1,850,000,000.

Land Cost: SkyTrain “Significant” vs Interurban “NIL – publicly owned corridor”

Number of Stations: SkyTrain 8 vs Interurban 14

Communities Reached: SkyTrain 5 vs Interurban 16

Post-Secondary Institutions served: SkyTrain 4 vs Interurban 14

Unprecedented and unparalleled Support for a Reactivated Interurban

Public Support – ResearchCo (Mario Canseco May 2021 Poll) – 88% support South of Fraser, North Delta to Chilliwack! Abbotsford 93%, Chilliwack 89%, North Surrey 83%, Township of Langley 82%, City of Langley 76% and North Delta 85%!
Post-Secondary Support – Members of South of Fraser Community Rail Task Force support Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Trinity Western University and UFV.
Post-Secondary – University of the Fraser Valley Student Union Society.
Municipal Support – Township of Langley UBCM – AGM Resolution June 26/2023!
Municipal Support – Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley City, Langley Township, Abbotsford (2009) and Chilliwack (2019) supported passenger rights renewal.
NEW Municipal Support – Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) 30 members endorsed this initiative at Whistler AGM – May 2024.
Business Support – Surrey Board of Trade support July 9th, 2021
Business Support – Hydrogen B.C. / Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Assoc. (CHFCA) support Aug. 2023. Supporting B.C.’s Hydrogen Industry!
NEW! – Indigenous Society Support – B.C. Indigenous Housing Society!

John Horgan Delivered!

John Horgan delivered on our request. In a March 2017 meeting presentation requesting his government, should they be elected, conduct an independent study on this 99 km publicly owned, passenger protected, rail corridor between the Pattullo Bridge and the City of Chilliwack – A common sense request despite it coming from a team of individuals who he knew were not previous NDP supporters! The study was announced in the B.C. Government Throne Speech of February 11^th, 2020 and the Budget Papers of February 18^th 2020. We said, don’t believe us, conduct an independent study to measure its viability. John Horgan had a vision and saw the opportunity, pending the results of that Fraser Valley Rail Study.

Fraser Valley Regional Rail Pre-Feasibility Study – Published July 8^th, 2022

The South Fraser Community Rail Society were asked to attend an initial 3-hour meeting of the Study Group consisting of the contracted consultant, their staff, our SFCRS executive, our special advisors as well as the Executive Leader of the Study for a presentation by our group. We were considered a “Key Stakeholder” by government and we supplied them with volumes of data and information, binders, maps and videos for the proposal that was on the table.

The study Terms of Reference included the entire 99 km rail corridor. The final results of the study were very supportive to move forward with a “Feasibility Study” by professional independent rail industry consultants. The study published was very comprehensive and supportive of a reactivated passenger rail corridor.

A Gerrymandered Study Area – While the study was very positive, someone in government corrupted the study area going from the full South of Fraser Region to Langley City to Chilliwack. In short, they propose the Interurban to be a feeder service for the Langley City SkyTrain project, feeding transit riders in the valley onto SkyTrain Langley. This move eliminates the populations of Cloverdale, Sullivan Station, Newton, Kennedy Heights and then the Pattullo Bridge. A reactivated Interurban, provides the comprehensive needs of Interregional Transit South of the Fraser while SkyTrain serves transit riders who for the most part, are going across the river to Vancouver and its suburbs.

You could easily argue a reactivated Interurban serves everything and more than what SkyTrain offers for pennies on the dollar. SkyTrain only serves a fraction of the Interurban catchment area.

Summary: For the record, John Horgan was a supporter of this proposal as he mentioned in his first press conference on the side of Highway #1 when announcing the widening project April of 2019 – He set this project as a priority for his government recognizing the widening of Highway #1 was not the full answer to the gridlock problem.

Fast forward to a meeting with Premier Horgan, our then MLA and former Mayor of the Township of Langley at the UBCM Convention in Whistler – September 2022. John Horgan advised both that a reactivated Interurban was now a TOP Priority for his government moving forward.

Since that time Premier Horgan resigned and since tragically passed away. Incoming Premier David Eby has clearly demonstrated his choice for a centralized government, controlled out of the Premier’s office with no interest in the populace form of governance that John Horgan was so popular for. No willingness to meet or to discuss, which direction was strangely followed by his Minister of Transportation.

Well, the results are in, David Eby has single handedly driven his party down to a one seat majority, and by all accounts, while he states he has listened to the public post-election, his actions since, speak to the contrary on a wide variety of issues! It appears Premier David Eby has not learned a thing by barely holding onto government.

2024 Election results South of the Fraser:

NDP – Lost – DOWN 8 seats (Lost 1 in Cloverdale, 2 in Langleys, 1 in Abby. and 2 in Chilliwack – Cloverdale east no seats!)

Conservatives – GAINED – UP 10 seats

This is an interesting result considering the heat the government took in social media and with community groups South of the Fraser over its multiple press conferences over the delayed widening of Highway #1 and lack of action on Interregional Public Transit – Is there a connection with losing these seats?

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.

When the NDP tell you WHAT they are…. BELIEVE THEM! In a state of panic the NDP have stooped to LIES, MISINFORMATION and SCARE TACTICS – as they see polls tighten; Change is needed!

Posted: October 13, 2024 in Uncategorized

Under David Eby, this government has lost ALL respect from that previously gained by John Horgan; Eby has taken their party back to the old days of Social Engineering – imposing their parties views that negatively affect the livability of our communities, impose unsafe changes to our building codes, legalizing drugs and drug use with supporting drug dens, a revolving door catch and release bail system resulting in unchecked criminals walking our streets plus their incompetent management of capital projects! We cannot afford another 4 years of this government’s incompetence. They have shown us what they are all about!

An old True-ism – “If you don’t stand for something you will stand for anything!” David Eby, as the polls are dramatically changing, has done a serious flip-flop on issues such as the Carbon Tax (something the NDP has vigorously protected and increased over the years) as well as involuntary care (something he has vigorously opposed in past years) despite the rampant rise in crime, mental health issues and rampant drug use, to name just a few. Who knows what principles he will abandon in the years and months ahead. These are clearly changes of convenience, not belief – he has shown he cannot be trusted!

Bribing the electorate with our own tax dollars is an old tried and true method of campaigning – the problem is it is totally disingenuous, let’s not get sucked in! It is interesting that in a recent press conference by David Eby he was asked about the ballooning debt – this year’s deficit with a few of the new promises will grow to $9.5 Billion, an increase of $3 Billion since just this Spring? He stated without being asked – the public won’t have to pay for it? What? There is only one taxpayer and we are all on the hook. Their campaign is a run-away train wreck of irresponsible spending.

Abject LIES and misinformation contained in NDP campaign advertising! In a display of what the NDP are all about are their abject likes and misinformation which frankly is an insult to the intelligence of us the voter. Despite numerous examples of the Conservative Party refuting these claims by clearly explaining their policies, the NDP are stating there will be a reduction of over $4 Billion in Health Care and the re-introduction of tolling bridges – Both are complete lies!

In my previous BLOG Post, I listed and outlined the reasons the NDP DO NOT deserve another mandate – As a reminder in brief they are –

Housing Bills 44, 46 and 47

The NDP government has removed Community Planning, zoning, eliminated public hearings, and eliminated parking requirements. In addition, they are interfering in your municipalities ability to collect DCCs and CACs in a number of areas – funds that are needed to fund the necessary infrastructure in our communities. Who will pay for that shortfall? You the taxpayer!

Change in B.C. Building Code requiring only one exit stairwell in Condo Buildings up to 6 Stories In an ad-hoc move out of left field, Minister Ravi Kahlon changed the B.C. Building Code, approving the requirement for only one exit stairwell in Condo-Apartment buildings up to 6 stories. This is a dangerous and life-threatening brain-dead decision.

Highway #1 Widening – No Interregional Transit Trust in your government can only be measured by their actions and in the case of Highway #1 widening – Lies have been the order of the day! Since 2017 we have seen and heard a multitude of promises through an endless number of press conferences and releases dealing with the widening and promised project start and completion times.

Decriminalization of Drugs – Once again our NDP government took a poorly thought-out action by requesting and being granted a three-year exemption by the Federal Government to decriminalize people in possession of small amounts of certain illicit drugs. Since that time, we have seen a large increase of theft and criminal offences! Enough of the trial-and-error experiments at the public’s expense.

Installation of so-called harm-reduction vending machines at Island Hospitals In another failed NDP experiment at the public’s expense was the installation of harm-reduction vending machines dispensing free drug testing kits, drug paraphernalia (bubble pipes and snorting utensils) and more at regional hospitals on Vancouver Island.

Increase in serious crime assaults and theft Our province has seen a Dramatic massive increase in criminal assaults and shoplifting which has been blamed on our lax drug policy and crime enforcement.

Catch and Release of prolific offenders We have seen an endless number of serious assaults (some deadly) in British Columbia followed up with an arrest (hopefully), all being released to appear at a future court date(s) despite many very lengthy criminal wrap sheets. It appears, based on their records, that offenders just don’t care and apparently neither does our government, primarily elected to keep their citizens safe!

Incompetent Management of Capital Projects Enough of the excuses. We count on our governments when planning for major infrastructure projects, that they are well aware of estimated increases or volatility in prices and costs. The staff within government ministries are professional and well paid – so far, they are failing badly. Are we suggesting – That inflation is something new? That raw material cost increases are a new revelation? That wage cost increases were unexpectedly new?

Incompetent Oversight of Regional Districts and their Capital Projects We are just starting to hear horror stories about the waste that has been internally evident for years. The immediate need is for an external audit to be conducted on the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant fiasco which is now 4 years behind schedule and has ballooned to 5 times its original estimated cost? How is that possible? It will cost residents of Greater Vancouver dearly with additional costs yearly, for 31 years! The only ones able to change this is the provincial government.

Ignoring the obvious mismanagement of the TransLink Regional District Transit model TransLink is bankrupt and has been for years, SkyTrain started us down that road. It has become a comfortable transit service that everyone in the region feel that they deserve? If Vancouver can have it, why not Langley? In simple terms cost i.e. the responsible use of public money – fiscal responsibility.

Massive increase in Provincial Debt in a short two years I recognize that when we start talking Billions of dollars people’s eyes glaze over, do we really appreciate how much $1 Billion is? John Horgan left David Eby with a surplus of close to $6 Billion!

Last week David Eby’s targeted deficit for this year is $9 Billion, a negative turn in two years of $15 Billion!

Summary – The election is your opportunity to make a statement!

This election is your chance to send a message to government, ensuring a future government will revisit these irresponsible moves! Remember, you get the government you deserve, take action now. Unfortunately, the disaster of many of these moves will not be truly felt for a number of years, if the NDP are re-elected it will be too late.

David Eby is getting nervous, he knows a number of his policies have been very unpopular and he is trying to catch up with popular opinion. We are now seeing daily actions of flip-flopping on two significant issues 1) Carbon Tax (something that has been the NDP foundation for years) and 2) the introduction of involuntary care for those with mental health and serious drug issues. That last item has had provincial legislation supporting that move – it hasn’t been acted upon? Why?

In view of the foregoing facts, I am strongly recommending a vote for the B.C. Conservative Party. Provincial parties who threaten our municipal and city governments, introduce and experiment with policies that are poorly thought out with NO consultation and communication with those affected have crossed the line and are in a breach of the trust we place in them. In the case of the NDP under David Eby, their actions into Social Engineering should not be acceptable by any of us. If elected we will all pay a significant price in the years ahead.

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.

When the NDP Government tells us who they are…. BELIEVE THEM! This government is a dramatic change from who we elected in 2017 and 2020, David Eby is NO John Horgan – Bring back common sense – Time for a Change!

Posted: September 17, 2024 in Uncategorized

As was the case in the 90s, the NDP have brought back Social Engineering which is VOID of any common sense, community / inter-governmental discussion, or communication! Decisions made without the appropriate knowledge or professional and community input is a road to disaster!

As I have previously written, John Horgan was elected based on his leadership and common-sense decisions; “He didn’t allow perfect be the enemy of the good”, which is why he was able to attract many of us traditional center to right of center voters. Unfortunately, John Horgan had to resign for health reasons and the electorate (all of us) were left with the candidate selected by NDP members to be his successor. We were willing to sit back and see who and what David Eby was all about, now we know – “He is no John Horgan.” His actions are setting our province back decades, dramatically changing our collective quality of life. We need to bring back common sense to our provincial government we cannot afford their experiments!

IMPORTANT – Why are we saying this government is dramatically changing our quality of life? Let’s explain, there are many and of a very serious nature!

Housing Bills 44, 46 and 47 – Under the guise of providing more housing this provincial government has virtually taken over the rights of your municipal government; your rights. The NDP government has removed Community Planning, zoning, eliminated public hearings, and eliminated parking requirements. In addition, they are interfering in your municipalities ability to collect DCCs and CACs in a number of areas – funds that are needed to fund the necessary infrastructure in our communities. Who will pay for that shortfall? You the taxpayer!

Many life-long NDP supporters will recognize the name Kathy Corrigan a former NDP MLA for Burnaby. Her husband Derek was a successful multi-term Mayor of Burnaby and NDP activist for many decades. The following is her take on the new NDP housing legislation changes, that she posted recently on her Facebook Post….

“I want to talk about the impact that the BC government’s Bill 44, which virtually eliminates single family housing zoning in British Columbia, is already having in our neighborhood. Last year, the BC NDP passed legislation, without consultation, bypassing the zoning function of BC cities, and imposing 4 units on almost all single-family lots or duplex lots in the province.

The Cities had a long history of planning communities through carefully thought-out Community Plans, which, certainly in the case of Burnaby, involved significant community consultation. …. this is ridiculous, and unfair to those who bought houses with the confidence that their neighborhoods would be livable ….. the provincial government, are, as I said earlier, taking a sledgehammer to our neighborhoods.”

Change in B.C. Building Code requiring only one exit stairwell in Condo Buildings up to 6 Stories – In an ad-hoc move out of left field, Minister Ravi Kahlon changed the B.C. Building Code, approving the requirement for only one exit stairwell in Condo-Apartment buildings up to 6 stories. This is a dangerous and life-threatening brain-dead decision, they support this move with – New York and Seattle have had this in place for some time.

Should take confidence following Seattle and New York’s moves? – NOT!

They additionally state that they will be required to have sprinklers and a smoke-management system in place! What? Message to Minister Kahlon, sprinklers and smoke detectors are already required! Their rationale stated it would provide for larger units – NOTE not more units!

In keeping with the Eby philosophy, this change was made with absolutely NO communication or consultation with safety professionals. The B.C. Professional Firefighters and the B.C. Fire Chiefs have come out adamantly against this move based on their professional experience. Does a Minister with NO experience know better? NOT! We are living in the age of NDP experiments – No thanks!

Highway #1 Widening – No Interregional Transit – Trust in your government can only be measured by their actions and in the case of Highway #1 widening – Lies have been the order of the day! Since 2017 we have seen and heard a multitude of promises through an endless number of press conferences and releases dealing with the widening and promised project start and completion times. This is a congested traffic corridor in crisis, it has been in gridlock for years. By government’s own traffic counts it is increasing by 20% + every 7 years. Widening to Highway #11 / Sumas Way is now estimated to complete in 2031 (pre-election announcement) – we suggest with this province’s record it won’t complete until 2034 at the earliest – 10 years from now! Despite John Horgan saying in Sept. of 2022 that reactivating the Interurban for Interregional passenger rail transit was now a high priority.

This Premier has offered no such support for 1.3 million residents South of the Fraser.

Decriminalization of Drugs – Once again our NDP government took a poorly thought-out action by requesting and being granted a three-year exemption by the Federal Government to decriminalize people in possession of small amounts of certain illicit drugs. Since that time, we have seen a large increase of theft and criminal offences which has led to the B.C. Government requesting a reversal of the exemption – it has been granted. Further proof that our government is making decisions based on trial and error – a practice we cannot afford in our province.

Installation of so-called harm-reduction vending machines at Island Hospitals – In another failed NDP experiment at the public’s expense was the installation of harm-reduction vending machines dispensing free drug testing kits, drug paraphernalia (bubble pipes and snorting utensils) and more at regional hospitals on Vancouver Island. They have been suspended and removed while the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions conduct a review. What? Until after the election?

Dramatic Increase in serious crime assaults and theft – Our province has seen a massive increase in criminal assaults and shoplifting which has been blamed on our lax drug policy and crime enforcement. The province is not providing the desired leadership in protection of our communities.

Catch and Release of prolific offenders – We have seen an endless number of serious assaults (some deadly) in British Columbia followed up with a arrests (hopefully), all being released to appear at a future court date(s) despite many very lengthy criminal wrap sheets. It appears, based on their records, that offenders just don’t care and apparently neither does our government, primarily elected to keep their citizens safe! Other than pathetic post event comments – they are thinking of and praying for the victims, nothing is being done. Message to government, praying and thinking of those materially affected does nothing to solve the problem.

Incompetent Management of Capital Projects – Enough of the excuses. We count on our governments when planning for major infrastructure projects, that they are well aware of estimated increases or volatility in prices and costs. The staff within government ministries are professional and well paid – so far, they are failing badly. Are we suggesting – That inflation is something new? That raw material cost increases are a new revelation? That wage cost increases were unexpectedly new? Or are they hiding from reality by announcing lower projected costs on projects at the outset, coming out during construction with overblown budgets supported by their new found rationale as I have previously outlined? Cloverdale Hospital +75% or $1.22 Billion, Langley SkyTrain + 81% or $3.15 Billion, Broadway / Arbutus SkyTrain – Increase unknown, Massey Tunnel – Cost and Increase unknown and that is just a fraction of capital projects underway.

Incompetent Oversight of Regional Districts and their Capital Projects – Metro Vancouver is and has been for years a monolith of a public agency that is in need of drastic change – the only ones able to change it is the provincial government. I know, I am a former board member. Metro Vancouver is effectively unaccountable, despite its board members continuing to defend it. At a minimum those sitting on the Metro Board should be directly elected. We are just starting to hear horror stories about the waste that has been internally evident for years. The immediate need is for an external audit to be conducted on the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant fiasco which is now 4 years behind schedule and has ballooned to 5 times its original estimated cost? How is that possible? It will cost residents of Greater Vancouver dearly with additional costs yearly, for 31 years! As of today, they are proposing an Independent Review – that should not be acceptable, unfortunately Premier Eby seems very reluctant to get involved? Why? Is it to protect some key NDP Municipal Leaders that sit on the Metro Board? This agency needs broad oversight! Eby is not showing leadership.

Ignoring the obvious mismanagement of the TransLink Regional District Transit model – TransLink is bankrupt and has been for years, SkyTrain started us down that road. It has become a comfortable transit service that everyone in the region feel that they deserve? If Vancouver can have it, why not Langley? In simple terms cost! It has been great for certain areas but expansion should have been put on hold years ago to measure a cost benefit analysis. SkyTrain to Langley City was a political decision, initiated by the former Mayor of Surrey. It was nothing more than a land deal for friends and insiders. You could never justify its expansion based on a business plan! At a cost of $7 Billion OR $437 Million per KM they have eaten up enough funds to look after the lower mainland’s transit needs for decades.

Massive increase in Provincial Debt in a short two years –I recognize that when we start talking Billions of dollars people’s eyes glaze over, do we really appreciate how much $1 Billion is? On this issue it is all about the facts, so I found that Vaughn Palmer’s recent Vancouver Province column said it best:

John Horgan left David Eby with a surplus of close to $6 Billion!

Last week David Eby’s targeted deficit for this year is $9 Billion, a negative turn in two years of $15 Billion!

They boosted the public service by another 1,600 full time positions.

David Eby’s electioneering has added three dozen capital projects to the February Budget increasing the deficit by $12 Billion in just six months!

Interest cost increased by $344 Million per year!

The impact of David Eby’s decisions boosted the debt by $25 Billion in a single year with total debt topping out at $128 Billion by the current fiscal year end!

David Eby’s fiscal plan calls for debt to increase to $151 Billion in the next fiscal year and $173 Billion the year after.

Summary – Elections are your opportunity to make a statement!

In Summary – This election is your chance to send a message to government, ensuring a future government will revisit these irresponsible moves! Remember, you get the government you deserve, take action now. Unfortunately, the disaster of these moves will not be truly felt for a number of years, if the NDP are re-elected it will be too late.

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.

TransLink INSANITY driven by SkyTrain must stop…. NDP’s INCOMPETENCE ON Full DISPLAY!

Posted: August 19, 2024 in Uncategorized

The Truth Explained – Langley SkyTrain cost is $7 Billion (not $6 Billion) …. Up 74% since their March 2024 projection – How did all of this happen?

The story of how this happened? (You can’t write this stuff as they say, but I will try) The multi-billion-dollar decision to put SkyTrain into Langley was made thanks to the efforts of Doug McCallum, Mayor of Surrey in the first Mayors TransLink Council meeting, post his 2018 election. Mayor McCallum attended the meeting with pre-arranged voter support in place for his motion to scrap the Diane Watts approved $1.6 Billion light rail transit (Guildford, down 104^th to King George Blvd South to Newton), in favor of SkyTrain to Langley City. McCallum was emphatic, they could build SkyTrain to Langley City for $1.65 Billion and not a penny more! This, was all thanks to the weighted vote from Surrey and Vancouver at the Mayors TransLink Council.

You see, the 2018 election saw the election of a number of new Mayors attending their first TransLink Mayors Council meeting with no knowledge of the weighted vote; and they were blindsided. A vote was held, and thanks to this set up, provisional support was given for this initiative. TransLink staff then proceeded to build a justification for this change, and shockingly in a relatively short space of time (obviously with a clear lack of due diligence in terms of cost investigation and projections) they were successful in selling this bill of goods to the Mayors TransLink Council – it received final approval. This was just the start of the TransLink incompetence on this file that has put all of us in the situation we are in today. It is scary how major decisions involving Billions of dollars are made, on your behalf. But then it got progressively worse!

Within a couple of years, TransLink went to the province for financial help, again, crying poverty. (TransLink owns their own financial destiny due to dumb and very expensive past decisions.) So, compounding this self-inflicted problem TransLink found themselves in, Premier John Horgan, leading up to a provincial election, without any detailed due diligence in terms of cost projections, announced that the province would take over the Langley SkyTrain project! This was a Political Decision – nothing more. Not one that was costed out, analyzed in detail, or justified by any form of Transit Business Plan! The estimated cost of the Langley SkyTrain project has gone from $1.6 Billion to $2.1 Billion, to $3.2 Billion to $3.95 Billion, to $4 Billion, and now $7 Billion!

Why $7 Billion and not $6 Billion – because this extension required a major new operations and maintenance center in North Cloverdale costing a further $1 Billion. In what is a further very questionable development, on Dec. 11^th, 2023 a Cabinet-Order-in-Council was signed (by Surrey Green Timbers MLA Rachna Singh) taking out a nearly 37-acre parcel of land (176^th & Fraser Highway) out of the Agricultural Land Reserve. The land was valued at $5.65 Million and was sold for $8.052 Million last November? Really? Who sold the land at that inflated price?

All of this plus a further year of delay to get to 2030. Here is my bet going forward, if the full extension is built, and that is a big if – it won’t be finished before 2032 and will cost north of $10 Billion.

So, to the announcement of this week, buried within a flowery press release about SkyTrain coming to Langley, almost like an after-thought was information regarding the exploding budget. All of this with disingenuous explanations from Minister Fleming as to the reasons for it?

In outlining his excuses for the cost increases and delays the reality is, it falls back on the provincial government’s incompetence and lack of due diligence in their takeover and planning of this project. One primary reason that hasn’t been touched on in the public discourse is the issue of the Serpentine Flats. To reach Langley City you have to go through roughly 2 ½ kms of the Serpentine Flats (Area of Fry’s Corner 176^th and Fraser Hwy). If you talk to those that have had experience in drilling wells in this area for years’ they will tell you that you have to go down 400 ft. or more to find bed rock that could hold up and withstand the vast weight of an elevated cement guideway. A guideway requires absolutely no movement to maintain proper and efficient operation for linear induction motors.

You can build anything if you pour enough money into it. In our research and after FOI requests we conclude they had not done any comprehensive geotechnical surveys in this area prior to any published cost estimates. A sign of total incompetence!

TransLink is Bankrupt! – I was a member of the Mayors TransLink Council 2008 – 2011 and I can tell you we had serious financial issues back then. The issues of declining gas tax revenue and fare evasion were serious issues at that time. What we have never heard of is any attempt by the TransLink Mayors Council or Board of Directors to do any kind of internal productivity audit on service and internal operations, this is unfortunately consistent with most if not all of our publicly funded institutions like Metro Vancouver. The B.C. Conservative Party has just announced they would initiate a performance audit of TransLink should they be elected. Is the public getting value for their tax dollar, NOT! It seems SkyTrain has become a demanded service by the public in every part of the region, however TransLink and the B.C. Government have not communicated the unsustainable costs for this mode of transit. This is a big reason for TransLink’s serious financial dilemma, constantly going to senior levels of government to cover operational costs to cover their past incompetence.

Think of this number; Based on the current published cost estimates for the Langley SkyTrain, 16 KMs at $7 Billion = $437,500,000 per km! – Pure insanity!

TransLink’s most recent public statement says they will be short $600 million per year by 2026 or they will have to start drastically cutting the transit service they provide. I will point out that the operational cost and TransLink’s share of the capital cost of the Langley SkyTrain project is not included in the above shortfall. Throughout my term I banged the table for the recognition of transit need in the Township of Langley, and I hate to say with very little improvement. I know Mayor Woodward is doing the same but is faced with the same frustration. We have just come through a dark decade with Jack Froese as Mayor and I might add as vice-chair of the Mayors TransLink Council – he was no more successful other than supporting the approval of SkyTrain to Langley City – We now see the disastrous results of that shortsighted initiative.

The Hidden Cost of TransLink? – We often hear TransLink cry the blues about the declining gas tax revenue as well as fare gate revenue – have you ever tried to find out the revenue they receive from each revenue source? You can’t, it isn’t available. The following are their category sources of revenue from every member municipality and city in Metro Vancouver:

Parking Tax – Now 24% (adds 15 cents hr. to aver. $5/hr. per parking stall

Property Tax – 7% (increase per yr. of the TransLink Property Tax base per yr.)

Gas Tax – 18.5 cents a litre (highest gas taxes in North America)

Transit user fees – Single use +5 cents to 10 cents/Day Pass +25 cents/monthly passes +$2 – $3.

B.C. Hydro Transit Levy – Regular Single-Family dwelling 1.87 month – Last year $21,585,432 Yr.

Development Cost Charges – Sing. Fam. $2,975 unit, Townhouse $2,470 unit, Apartment $1,545 unit, Retail Service $1.25 sq. ft., Office $1.25 sq. ft., Institutional .50 sq. ft., Industrial .30 sq. ft.

NOTE – The B.C. Government allowed the imposition of TransLink DCC costs – and they are blaming others for housing affordability?

There is a very cost-effective Transit option for South of the Fraser – There is a BETTER CHOICE?

In a Global interview on Thursday August 15^th, Minister Rob Fleming stated they had three choices 1) Stay the course despite cost 2) Pare down the size of the project or 3) Cancel it! Well Minister Fleming, we strongly suggest that you had a 4^th, and very good choice – Reactivate the existing Interurban which could be done within 3 years, it would serve 10 times the population with more reach, value and economic impact than SkyTrain. The cost to reactivate the Interurban would be roughly 4.2% of the cost per km of SkyTrain and 4.4% of the cost per capita of SkyTrain. Despite our complete cooperation with the provincial government, including providing volumes of information, paying for meeting time and space at their request ($1,000), we have been denied a meaningful one-hour meeting with Minister Fleming – 1 year trying!

The South Fraser Community Rail Society (SFCRS) has campaigned for the reactivation of the Interurban Corridor with state-of-the-art Hydrail Passenger Rail Service between the Pattullo Bridge and the City of Chilliwack for the past 7 years. This 99 km corridor is owned by the public with protected passenger rights, with use at no cost. It is an existing and operating rail corridor, the majority by a small line rail road. As part of the renewed Master Agreement, the sale of freight rights through the joint section (The Langleys), CP agree to pay for any double tracking should it be required and that freight and passenger traffic would be given equal use, among a number of other stipulations.

The facts are that this corridor connects 16 Population Centers (14 stops – Pattullo Bridge, Kennedy Heights N. Delta, Newton, Sullivan Station, Cloverdale, Langley City / TOL, Trinity TOL, Gloucester TOL, Abbotsford Old Town, Abbotsford Sumas Way, Huntington, Yarrow, Sardis, and Chilliwack) – 14 Post-Secondary Institutions, Industrial Parks, Abbotsford International Airport via a Spine (Rail Line) and Rib (Bus) Transit system in the same way that SkyTrain serves Metro Vancouver. Because of the large tracks of ALR land in the Fraser Valley this corridor goes through the ALR and connects developable land within each of these population centers up and down the valley. Today, over 75% of trips starting South of the Fraser end South of the Fraser (the opposite to what it was in 2005) but their desired destination is not served by the current Express Bus which, as an aside, is tied up in the Highway #1 congestion that we are fighting every day. There currently is no Interregional Transit South of the Fraser and there won’t be for 11 years at the earliest!

This campaign to reactivate goes back a couple of decades, significantly ramping up over the past 7 years. Over this period of time the SFCRS has made over 500 in-person presentations, produced an 88 page “Community Business Plan”, considered a major stake holder by the B.C. Government and lobbied successfully for the Fraser Valley Regional Rail Pre-Feasibility Study published July 8^th 2022.

Support for this initiative include the following –

All South of Fraser Cities and Municipalities by resolution 2009
88% overall Public Support in a Mario Canseco ResearchCo Poll – North Delta to Chilliwack
John Horgan – UBCM Meeting in Whistler September 2022
All Post Secondary Institutions – Members of the Municipal Community Rail Task Force
University of the Fraser Valley Transportation Demand Management Strategy
Township of Langley UBCM Resolution 2023
Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA unanimous support)
Surrey Board of Trade
Fleetwood Business Improvement Association
Hydrogen B.C. / Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association
B.C. Indigenous Housing Society
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
B.C. Government Fraser Valley Regional Rail Pre-Feasibility Study

Summary – So, the Highway #1 widening won’t be done until the 30s, and Skytrain won’t be done until the 30s if it ever gets done. Both projects are way over their proposed budget even before the projects get started. A reactivated 99 km Interregional Interurban passenger rail service could be operational at a fraction of the cost (pennies on the dollar) compared to SkyTrain as previously stated. All that is needed are road crossing gates at all road crossings (They are already in place in a number of locations), 14 European style Passenger Platforms (Not expensive SkyTrain Stations) in strategic locations between North Delta and Chilliwack. The track and track beds are maintained to national standards. The average speed would be between 60 and 80 KM per hour with an estimated 90-minute trip between Chilliwack and the Pattullo Bridge.

This service could be operational within 2 ½ – 3 years. What are the good people in the valley supposed to do, wait until 2034 before they can get a tiny bit of help to move around? Using provincial government traffic numbers just east of 200^th street, traffic is increasing at a rate of 20% per year. With the reality of Highway 1 widening just to Abbotsford not scheduled to finish until 2035 (a real date not a political dream) at best, what is the exponentially growing population of the Fraser Valley going to do? Tram Train Passenger Rail is the popular form of transit in virtually every part of the world including right here in Canada – Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. It is long past time we invested in affordable, convenient and effective public transit.

For full detail on this proposal check out the following links –

Web site www.southfrasercommunityrail.ca View 4-minute video on this site.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/connectthevalley

You Tube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZxkXqvEP0EnV-CCK-LMaw

It is Time for Change – David Eby is a drastic change from John Horgan and it is not a good change. The NDP’s incompetence is showing in spades with their inability to manage and control major infrastructure projects, their imposition of their Social Engineering philosophy including the overbearing imposition of their housing policy on municipalities (without discussion and conversation) removing their ability to plan and listen to their communities, their legalized drug policy and the out-of-control crime problem. In short, they over their heads in their ability to effectively govern, we need change now!

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.

NDP Government THREATENS the Township of Langley (TOL) over housing…. They are threatening your duly elected government who are protecting your family’s quality of life!! Take a stand against the NDP!

Posted: August 12, 2024 in Uncategorized

In an unheard-of overreach by the NDP government has refused the TOL’s request for an extension in consideration of the serious deficient infrastructure issue which prevents municipalities to meet the government’s demand for even more housing than what they are accepting at present!

This action MUST be challenged by you the voter in this year’s B.C. Election if you want to protect your Municipality and community’s quality of life – reject the NDP!

Threats rather than communication, dialogue / discussion is NOT acceptable!!

The centrally controlled Eby administration, took what can only be described using a sledge hammer to kill a flea on the shortage of housing issue, (I describe it as being brain dead!) The community ramifications of their new housing policy in Bills 44, 46 and 47 cannot be willingly accepted by us, the Township taxpayer and voter!

In a media interview Eby conducted well before the introduction of these new Bills, after his public comments about what was to come, the media asked – “What about Parking”? His answer was “I am not worried about parking I am only worried about housing”? What world does David Eby live in?

To be clear, Municipal Government is a product of the Provincial Government; they have full control over what municipalities can and cannot do, however, I would argue Municipal Governments are the hallmark of our democracy and much closer to the people. Using a heavy -handed approach against a community’s democratic rights, without consultation, discussion and negotiation, is an outrageous act. – they should, and hopefully will pay the price! Disregarding each municipalities uniqueness, wishes and more, should leave all of us completely outraged and activated going into this year’s election.

The imposition of Bills 44,46, and 47 is the creation of a centralized campaign by Minister Ravi Kahlon and Premier David Eby who haven’t had one day of experience in Municipal elected office or on the issues faced by municipal governments and obviously haven’t spent a second of time considering the investments the public have made in their housing choice. It will not decrease the price of housing, but then why let the facts get in the way of a good story?

Minister Ravi Kahlon quote: Langley Advance Times (Mathew Claxton) – B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon stated “that doesn’t mean the end of the traditional single-family home just yet.” That statement sure gives you confidence, doesn’t it? NOT!

Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward quotes: Woodward likened the legislation to “surgery on housing policy using a chainsaw”! A very appropriate comment! “When they take these policies and drop them on the whole province, they’re really ignoring the nuance of how different communities do development differently…. By ignoring that they are going to cause a lot of damage.” “Provincial politicians are not going to prevent me from listening to my community.”

NDP Social Engineering is back with a vengeance as I stated in my previous BLOG Post. What do I mean by that? “The imposition of changes to our society’s norms, expectations, and wishes drastically changing universally accepted rules surrounding the make-up of our communities without due political process.” It removes your duly elected government’s ability to serve your needs and wishes properly!

In the case of the Township of Langley letter (below) received from Minister Ravi Kahlon in answer to the TOLs request for a one-year extension dealing with the government’s housing legislation. Without discussion, review, questions or a phone call re the infrastructure deficiency evidence provided by the Township of Langley in support of their requested extension, the Township of Langley’s request for extension was denied.

What infrastructure are we talking about? Water, sewer, roads, community centers, arenas, pools, parks (Passive and Play Fields), fire, police, transit, hospital capacity, electrical grid and so much more. But no, the government without investigation, communication or discussion are bulldozing their way into the rights of your municipal government that you elected to protect your rights, against this kind of intrusion.

In another warning letter just received from the Provincial Government stating the Township needs to designate an area around the future Willowbrook SkyTrain Station for high-density development. The letter, from Minister Rob Fleming, was a pointed reminder and “recommendation” (A Threat) that the Township put the designation in place no later than Oct. 31. By the way there are no parking requirements or payment of Municipal DCC and CAC fees associated to this high-density development bunder provincial regulation? So, you the property tax payer in the Township will have to pay up! Really? – What world do they live in?

In response, Mayor Woodward states “For the Willowbrook area, the BC NDP are requiring that we designate an area for significant quantity of tower density years before SkyTrain is even projected to be completed,” Woodward said. “It is being imposed without a community planning process for schools, parks and other needed amenities to provide for a complete community.” Woodward said that “mandating densities will cost taxpayers more in unnecessary land costs by removing the ability for the Township to collect funds via bonus densities.”

What makes all of this worse, if that is possible – they are imposing their will against and doing away with years and years of municipal community planning that have cost millions of dollars to create and years of input by you, the public. The provincial government, as part of this action is eliminating any parking requirements on any and all developments, imposing 3 – 6 units on a traditional single-family lot, all with absolutely no say from your municipal government! It all equates to the eventual destruction of our quality of life and of our communities as we know them.

B.C. Government Letterhead

July 25, 2024 Reference: 69354

Jason Winslade

GM, Municipal Administration, Facilities and Corporate Projects

Township of Langley

20338 – 65 Avenue

Langley BC V2Y 3J1

Email: jwinslade@tol.ca

Dear Jason Winslade:

Thank you for your application for an extension to the small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) zoning bylaw requirements pursuant to Section 786 of the Local Government Act (“Act”), submitted to the Province June 20, 2024.

I have considered the application in accordance with the legislation. The request for extension on the basis of Council’s deferral is refused. Based on the application materials submitted, it is not apparent enough (from the documentation provided) that infrastructure upgrades are immediately needed in order to address risk to public health, safety, or environment.

Pursuant to Section 785 (1) (b) of the Act, you must adopt a zoning bylaw that complies with Section 481.3 in relation to the areas identified in your request within 90 days after the date set out in this notice of refusal.

Thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

Ravi Kahlon

Minister of Housing

cc: Chanpreet Kooner, Administrator (Acting) – Wendy Bauer, Director

Premier Eby and Minister Kahlon are busy sending out messages via Social-Media that Municipalities and Cities are all on board – Nothing could be further from the truth, Municipalities / Cities are being threatened and have no choice. Some are taking a stand, lets stand with them and defeat the NDP!

Township Housing Statistics: For those living in the Township of Langley, they will know and will have experienced the explosive population growth, thus the massive population increase and the inability of infrastructure to keep up with development. The following statistics reflect a municipality that is doing its part in providing housing starts while working hard to making up for years of not building the infrastructure required to sustain that population.

Township of Langley Units Approved, Not Yet at Construction

Apartments: 69% 5,193

Townhouses: 21.7% 1,630

Single Family Attached Rowhomes: 1.9% 144

Single Family: 7.4% 554

Township of Langley Housing Unit Approvals 2022 – 2024

Council Year Total (Multifamily / Town House / Single Family)

2022 66

2023 6,443

2024 1,030

Total 7,539

Township of Langley Issued Building Permits Under Construction

Community Total (Multifamily / Town – Row House / Single Family)

Aldergrove 290

Brookswood Fernridge 199

Fort Langley 28

Murrayville 32

Northwest Langley 12

Rural Areas 306

Walnut Grove

Willoughby 2,040

Willowbrook

Still unknown 982

Total 3,889

Elections are your opportunity to make a statement!

In Summary – This election is your last chance to send a message to this NDP government to ensure a future government will revisit this undemocratic move! Remember, you get the government you deserve, take action now. Unfortunately, the disaster of this move will not be truly felt for a number of years if the NDP are elected – then it will be too late.

Threat by your NDP provincial government: Make no mistake about it, this is a threat against your duly elected municipal government – not a polite reminder as they will suggest. As Mayor of the Township of Langley I was confronted with a threat by then B.C. Liberal Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon in an open letter stating that I either accept the road network (Mufford Crescent Diversion) that the B.C. Government, Federal Government, TransLink and 12 funding partners (part of the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor project) proposed or he would take the money and move it elsewhere! I also received the same verbal threat from him coming out of his office after an MFA meeting! Their proposal? A 4-lane road cutting through the historic Hudsons Bay Farm, over the rail tracks and Glover Road then through the middle of the Bella Vista Farm connecting to a two-lane country road at 64^th and 216^th. I lost two votes in my council despite two open houses and a public meeting and I lost the preliminary vote with the ALC. Finally, we filed a Minority Report (which my Council went apoplectic over) with the ALC refuting the erroneous information in the Pacific Land Group Report on which a final decision was to be made. Two years later, thanks to Richard Bullock then Provincial Chair of the ALC, and a further discussion with me – we won on a tie vote. (FYI – Richard Bullock was removed from that job by the B.C. Liberal Government shortly- after his vote on this proposal.) That negative vote by Richard Bullock caused a tie vote which rejected their proposal based on the three key issues we profiled in our minority report. That decision, saved over 300 acres of prime agricultural land in the Milner Valley designed for future development, changing the character of the Township of Langley forever. Just a sign of what really had gone on in the Township of Langley for decades. It was nothing more than a major land deal orchestrated by local power brokers for the benefit of a few friends and insiders. Their efforts and plans failed, you can fight and win!

By the way, they never did move the money as threatened; we approved a more appropriate overpass and road configuration that didn’t wipe out hundreds of acres of farmland. So much for Rich Coleman’s constant blathering threats about not putting provincial funds into the Township because I wouldn’t capitulate to his government’s demands.

There are never any guarantees, but we owe a great deal of thanks to Mayor Woodward and his majority on Council to stand up to this NDP bullying on our behalf. Believe me when I say, the easy decision is to throw up your hands and capitulate, the hard decision is to take a stand and not roll over.

For all of the foregoing facts, I am strongly recommending a vote for the B.C. Conservative Party. Provincial parties who threaten municipal and city governments have crossed the line of trust. In the case of the NDP, their move to Social Engineering should not be acceptable by any of us.

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.

The NDP are in the process of grabbing DEFEAT from the jaws of Victory once again…. They just can’t seem to learn from their past! David Eby is no John Horgan!

Posted: July 15, 2024 in Uncategorized

The Social Engineering of the past is back…. It has now become their flavor of the day!

To be clear I am and have been a staunch free enterprise activist and supporter since 1975 working with and for free enterprise against a socialist movement, the NDP, initially to defeat the Dave Barrett government of 1972 – 75. (Read my BIO on this BLOG, link above.) That support was seriously tempered with the election of Gordon Campbell stemming from my past elected experiences serving with him at Metro Vancouver and completely off the board with the subsequent elections of Christy Clark and then Kevin Falcon. (Read my previous post) The actions of these free enterprise leaders caused their own just demise, in very dramatic fashion.

Fast forward to my support for the NDP starting back in March 2017. Explanation – Through an NDP friend we met with John Horgan (Pre 2017 election) – presenting our South Fraser Community Rail proposal – reactivating the Interurban Corridor with Interregional Passenger Rail Transit – Pattullo Bridge to the City of Chilliwack. (More on this proposal and its status in a future post.) That meeting went very well. John Horgan’s question – What was our ask? Should he be elected – we asked that he commission a comprehensive independent study for Rail Transit South of the Fraser. In short, we lobbied for that study in a Minority Government over 2 ½ years – that study was announced after his majority election win, in the Throne Speech of February 11^th, 2020. Beyond that issue, as there was never any guarantee, our support for John Horgan was broader than that, it stemmed from his personal connection with supporters, his common-sense approach to government, his pragmatism, and in our opinion his ability to neutralize many of the crazies (extremists) in his party. NOTE – every party has extremists left or right – it is how you deal with them and neutralize their impact that is important. You cannot get elected embracing the extremes!

To be clear, our extensive support for the NDP in 2020 went beyond the writings in this BLOG, they were personal and financial supporting our local MLA which continued, despite some local disappointment, up to a while after David Eby’s election as leader. We have been very disappointment on many fronts since then with the party and our local MLA in Langley Walnut Grove.

GOOD Government is just that, GOOD Government – This is not good government!

It is not a left or right issue.

As I said, the NDP’s new leader David Eby has disappointed on many fronts, everything counter to his predecessor – “He is NO John Horgan”. I/we were certainly willing to give him a chance, but to no avail. In an interesting aside, while I was writing this BLOG Post, Andrew Weaver, the former Green Party Leader, who negotiated a “Confidence and Supply Agreement” with John Horgan, which I might add allowed the NDP to win a Minority Government, giving them a chance to govern, wrote a very revealing Op-Ed, it says it all.

Andrew Weaver Quotes: – “Since Eby assumed the Premier’s Chair, radical ideological-driven activism, empty promises with destructive consequences, an out of touch hubris embody the hallmarks of his tenure.” Further he stated “It’s about pragmatism over politics.”

The NDP are now back to making decisions, absent any critical thinking, consultation or knowledge on so many issues. They have reverted back to their Social Engineering agenda on a wide variety of topics which they became well known for a few decades back.

Shortage of Housing? – The centrally controlled Eby administration, took what can only be described as a knee jerk reaction, (I describe their decisions as being brain dead!) to solve the serious housing shortage issue. The community ramifications of their new housing policy in Bills 44, 46 and 47 are so outrageous, I am almost speechless – as I said ALMOST!

To be clear, Municipal Governments are products of the Provincial Government who have full control over what municipalities can and cannot do through provincial legislation, however I would argue Municipal Governments are the hallmark of our democracy and are much closer to the people. Use a heavy handed and unwarranted hand against them without consultation, discussion and negotiation, an outrageous act, and you will pay the price! Overbearing moves involving the removal of community plans, eliminating zoning, eliminating public hearings on developments, eliminating parking requirements, allowing fourplexes or up to six units on a single-family lot in single family neighborhoods without local input or municipal approval, a one size fits all throughout the province disregarding each municipalities uniqueness, wishes and more, should leave all of us completely outraged and activated going into this year’s election.

Another very important negative aspect of this legislation is its lack of awareness and recognition of its impact on infrastructure needs. Community infrastructure needs are strategically identified through a provincially mandated process called the “Regional Growth Strategy” (RGS) to serve population and growth numbers agreed to, based on growth projections by the province and determined by their Regional District. (ie Metro Vancouver). All of this goes into identifying the municipalities and regions future needs for police, fire, roads, schools, community amenities, sewer, water, transit and more! As Mayor I was involved in updating our RGS in 2011, I know it well. Now you want to throw all of that out? At who’s expense and under who’s mandate?

Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA) – Through Bill 47 they are creating TOAs forcing municipal governments to force approval of high-rise buildings between eight and 20 stories, minimum within 800 meters of a rapid transit station and within 400 meters of a bus exchange. That imposition is bad enough but it comes with a couple of important facts; there will be no parking requirements being applied to these developments (Meaning NO parking); and there will be no application of the traditional DCCs (Development Cost Charges) nor CACs (Community Amenity Contributions). The removal of the application of municipal costs, which pay for all of those infrastructure costs I previously identified, will cost the Township of Langley (You and I) millions of dollars therefore potentially forcing all existing property taxpayers (You and I) to pay for that shortfall.

“The problem here is that it will take a number of years to realize just how bad these decisions were and then it will be too late.”

The Decriminalization of small amounts of drugs? It cannot be better stated than Andrew Weaver’s statement on this issue – “The decision to decriminalize the use of small amounts of drugs while prescribing “safe” supply narcotics is a philosophy that emphasizes harm reduction at the expense of prevention, treatment and enforcement. Yet when Eby had to ask Health Canada to be able to recriminalize public drug use due to parks and streets being overrun, he blamed the courts rather than his shortsightedness for the course correction.” David Eby’s actions on this issue reflect his imposition of their Social Engineering at all of our expense!

Fiscal Management? Since John Horgan stepped down, the Eby Government has increased spending by 14% and 20% respectively. The debt has tripled since pre-pandemic levels in 2019 – 2020. As a result, two major credit-rating agencies have downgraded B.C. since Eby became Premier which no doubt will increase borrowing costs causing all of us higher taxes.

Solving the transportation crisis on Highway #1? Unfortunately, in what appears to be a deliberate act of public deception by the NDP, the truth is not being told to the public South of the Fraser, regarding the promised widening of highway #1. In what seems to be an endless number of press releases and press conferences, the goal posts continue to change in terms of the various phases of construction, their project start and completion dates, and a few projected phases providing NO dates whatsoever. Completion dates for Highway #1 widening is another 12 years away, just to Sumas Way – Chilliwack, years beyond that! This is just common sense! The South Fraser Community Rail Society have written extensively on this subject, distributing detailed newsletters providing relative facts and figures on this, (our) reality.

Solving the Interregional Public Transit crisis and shortfall South of the Fraser? First to be clear I support the widening of Highway #1 however also to be clear widening Highway #1 WILL NOT solve our public transit crisis regardless of when it is finished. Express buses on a congested highway not going to the destinations riders want does NOT constitute effective public transit.

So here are the facts – Despite John Horgan’s support, his announcement of the study we requested, the government’s labelling of the South Fraser Community Rail Society as a “Key Stakeholder”, the extensive input by the SFCRS into the study at its cost, the very positive outcome of that study – The South of Fraser Community Rail Society was not invited to participate in the “Key Stakeholders” Post-Study Engagement 1 & 2 nor were we ever advised of the conclusion of the study – That was discovered by us about a year and a half AFTER its conclusion via Freedom of Information (FOI). Despite repeated attempts over a full year, requesting a meaningful meeting with Minister Rob Fleming, we were denied after everything we did in support of this government’s efforts at their request and at our cost! A little over $1,000.! It was an act of total disrespect!

Despite the following unequalled, unmatched and unparalleled “Support” for a reactivated Interurban, South of the Fraser – All South of Fraser Municipalities 2009, 88% Public Support (ResearchCo) May 2021 Poll, John Horgan Sept. 2022, ALL Post Secondary Institutions, 2022 UFV Transportation Demand Strategy, June 2023 Township of Langley UBCM Resolution, 2024 Endorsement by the Lower Mainland Local Government Assoc., Surrey Board of Trade, Hydrogen B.C. / Canadian Hydrogen Fuel Cell Assoc., 2023 B.C. Indigenous Housing Society, 2024 Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2022 B.C. Government Fraser Valley Regional Rail Pre-Feasibility Study.

The NDP have failed to respond to this priceless, public owned passenger rail opportunity – SkyTrain to Langley City does not cut it, a ridiculous cost! (Again, more on SkyTrain to Langley City in a future post!)

Summary: In my opinion the choice for the next provincial government has been narrowed considerably. I have written with full explanation, in my previous post, why I could not and would never endorse or support Kevin Falcon and B.C. United, in provincial politics the leader is key to any election. The Green Party is clearly of no relevance, that is just a fact. If you want to decide on the future direction of our/your government, that leaves the B.C. Conservative Party. It is important to look at the candidates running to represent you and your family’s values, but again the leader is key to its election. In my up close and personal experience of over 45 years, the MLA report card should be based on – what have they done to make your community stronger. Their job should not be measured on their actions as social butterflies in our communities bouncing from one social get together to another, rather it should be based on meaningful representation. In my opinion there are a number of government MLAs South of the Fraser that are buying into the direction of their party at the expense of their communities – they should be defeated because of their in-action.

In my view the actions of the MLAs for Langley Walnut Grove and Langley Willoughby receive a failing grade! There is no doubt you will hear all about bringing SkyTrain to Langley – Well be careful what you wish for – That real story will be coming in a future post with facts, not hyperbole. Annoyed about the Metro Vancouver out of control spending of your tax dollars, you haven’t seen nothing yet!

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.

Upcoming Provincial Election Oct. 19th, 2024.… Elections have consequences! Electing Kevin Falcon and BC United would be a DISASTER for the Township of Langley; For Reasons – Read On!

Posted: May 27, 2024 in Uncategorized

“The best predictor of FUTURE BEHAVIOUR is PAST BEHAVIOUR!”

The topic of this BLOG Post is based on my personal experiences with Kevin Falcon when I was Mayor of the Township of Langley. (circa 2008 – 2011) For the Record: I have been a life-long free enterprise supporter going back to 1975, a community activist, party insider, Constituency Executive Member, Provincial Convention Plenary Chairman and candidate, although all of that was during the 70s, 80s, and early 90s. Since that time, in my opinion the free enterprise option has seriously lost its way in our province under the B.C. Liberals aka B.C. United, a lot of things have changed. I have never been able to be a blind loyalist to a given political party if they break from traditional beliefs, “bad government is bad government, on the left or the right.”

In 2017 a group of us had the opportunity to have a two-hour meeting with then candidate John Horgan, NDP Leader – we were very suitably impressed. We found John Horgan far more reasoned and balanced than any NDP Leader we have known, competed against or known since the mid-70s, he just had a good dose of common sense and in our opinion wasn’t drawn to the traditional extreme elements of his party! We supported John and the NDP since that time and have not been sorry for it with so many common-sense actions legislated by his government. Personally I didn’t agree with everything, but on balance he ran a good government, my opinion. Many of my old allies thought I had lost my mind – but then a problem, John Horgan stepped down!

The NDP’s new leader David Eby has been very disappointing – “He is NO John Horgan”. I certainly was willing to give him a chance, but to no avail. The NDP are now back to making decisions, absent any critical thinking, consultation or knowledge on so many issues. They have reverted back to their Social Engineering agenda on a variety of issues. Issues such as removing community plans, zoning and parking requirements with no experience or consultation through Bills 44, 46 and 47; communities as we have known and invested in them will be changed forever. The problem here is that it will take a number of years to realize how bad these decisions were. Their disingenuous press releases regarding highway 1 widening and completion times while ignoring interregional public transit south of the Fraser, short-sighted and poorly thought-out decriminalization of drugs, the revolving door on crime, out of control provincial finances and so much more, it is getting worse.

More on the NDP in a future BLOG Post.

Back to the very negative issues against Kevin Falcon, which are many but I will outline just a few serious issues that tell me he cannot be trusted in any capacity of leadership.

The Mufford Crescent Diversion (circa 2008 – 2011): In short, this issue stemmed from the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor agreement consisting of 12 funding partners with the purpose to fund 9 overpasses between Roberts Bank and the main rail line South of the Fraser. It was decided by well-known elected political insiders that the Township overpass was to be located at Mufford Crescent over Glover Road. Despite ZERO public consultation, the decision and the very surprising connecting road network was made behind the scenes by those insiders we identify as the Langley Mafia, well connected and involved politically. This was a major issue I ran on during the 2008 election. Despite the then Mayor denying any plan for an overpass we obtained a supporting document confirming our suspicions. After successfully winning that election and before my swearing in, I contacted the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) at which time I had it confirmed that the commissioners were considering this proposal at that moment. I served notice at that time that I would be taking this issue to a series of public open houses and a public meeting to receive public input – despite that notice the ALC gave conditional approval of the proposal shortly after my phone call, not waiting for input from our newly elected Council and input from our community. The above is only the start of our very successful BUT long two-year fight.

The issue with Kevin Falcon? This project’s lead agency was TransLink and their consulting company – Falcon was responsible for TransLink. My opposition to this project without any public consultation was met with derision by then Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon. Very soon after my swearing in I received an open letter from Minister Falcon “if we didn’t want their funding, they would move the money elsewhere”? Really! No phone call, no conversation, just a threatening letter. On the same issue, after an MFA meeting in his Victoria office the Minister ran after me once again stating a threat to move the money to another project if we didn’t like what they were proposing? Let’s put it this way, it was a very short conversation – a polite version would be “get stuffed”! We would not be threatened – again after two years, we won!

Why did we object to their concocted proposal? They had designed a multi- KM – 4 lane road from Mufford Crescent, cutting the old Hudson’s Bay Farm in half with an overpass over the railway tracks and Glover Road with the road cutting the Bella-Vista Farm in half continuing to 216^th and 64^th – a direction nobody wanted to go connecting to a two-lane country road. In short this would have isolated about 300 acres of farmland that would be very difficult to farm therefore becoming nothing more than a land deal for future development. After close to 2 years, thanks to the then new ALC Chairman Richard Bullock, based on our committee’s minority report’s three major arguments, he voted against the project creating a tie vote therefore defeating the proposal. Kevin Falcon fought us all the way. FYI – The B.C. Liberals removed Richard Bullock from his position shortly after that decision, we retained over 300 acres of prime agricultural land because of his support.

The full and complete story can be read at https://langleywatchdog.com/2013/02/

Financing for the Evergreen Line from TransLink members – During the campaigning for the Evergreen Line in the early 2000s, the regions Councils had campaigned very hard for a lower cost light rail passenger transit option to serve Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. The region’s TransLink members agreed to a $400 million contribution but had very limited legislative options to raise that kind of money.

Unfortunately, the Provincial Government coopted by the Federal Government then advised all TransLink members that they would build a transit system but it had to be SkyTrain! As is the case on every extension of SkyTrain, the cost ballooned exponentially as budgets exploded and the TransLink members refused to come up with the previously promised funding coupled with the fact operational costs were that much greater. We fought Kevin Falcon on this issue – his answer you can add it to your municipal property tax rolls! Really? We ended up agreeing to an additional 2 cents a litre on gas tax, but did not add an additional expense on property taxes throughout the lower mainland. When Kevin Falcon tells you who he is believe him!

Truck Parking on Agricultural Land – Quality of Life has always been an intrinsic value, asset and reason for so many to move to, and live in the Township of Langley. 75% of the Township’s land base is locked into the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), protecting it from residential development. The ALR protects that land from the pressures that come with it, and protection of our quality of life. An issue that started before and during my term as Mayor was what I called the bastardization of the ALR, specifically the non-permitted use of ALR land for a variety of commercial uses, not allowed by provincial legislation BUT the ALC did not have adequate or even minimal enforcement personnel to respond. The ALC always tried to rely on municipal by-law officers who were dealing with pressure from many other areas due to development and staffing pressures.

One of the major issues is the use of ALR land for truck parking which has exponentially got worse over the past decade. We cannot allow these uses in the ALR or we will lose the ALR forever. We have those in society that don’t believe the rules apply to them excusing away the problem with saying there is no place to park their trucks? There is no excuse for breaking the law and there is a process to deal with their problem and issue, USE IT!

Now we have Kevin Falcon arriving in the Township of Langley for a speaking engagement and in an interview with local media stating – “Due to the importance of trucking to the local economy, he would allow truck parking on ALR land”! This was in the response to the Township of Langley taking action against this illegal activity. Really? Unbelievable!

Changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve – Kevin Falcon during his local Langley media interview stated he would be making changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve! That says it all, and based on my experiences with Kevin Falcon “When Kevin Falcon tells you who he is, believe him!”

A Provincial Government MOT in-house Fraser Valley Transportation Study (Circa 2008 – 2010) In typical Kevin Falcon fashion, he has shown his stripes in favor of BIG Rail (ie CP, CN etc). We all remember the infamous Gordon Campbell / Kevin Falcon Government promise – we will not sell B.C. Rail promise pre-election and then post-election he leased B.C. Rail to CN for 999 years, how insulting! That obvious addiction to support corporate heavy rail over the interests of the public raised its head on another issue in 2009 involving yours truly, so a little history is in order as follows.

In a February 2009 in-camera meeting, as Mayor I had questions regarding the volume of Heavy Rail going through the Langleys and our ability to deal with various rail related issues.

I was advised of a report that our TOL corporate lawyers provided after a 2005 investigation. After viewing that report there were conclusions with an added “subject to what is in the Master Agreement”? Problem – nobody had been able to uncover that Master Agreement? After the meeting and 5 phone calls, I had a copy on my desk the next morning (anonymous). This agreement was between B.C. Hydro and CP Rail, it was a complete previously unknown revelation. A lot has been written about this over the years and I will be providing an update in a future BLOG Post. The key point for this discussion is that the Master Agreement covering the joint section through the Langleys was for 21 years. renewable at either party’s option including the renewal clause. It had to be renewed by August 26^th, 2009. I launched a renewal campaign with all municipalities South of the Fraser, unanimous approval except Chilliwack. I deliberately did not go to the provincial government given their past record of non-support for passenger rail but went directly to then B.C. Hydro CEO Bob Elton – Passenger rights were renewed in June of 2009. Of interest is the fact Bob Elton was removed as B.C. Hydro CEO a few months later? Coincidence, I don’t think so!

I am raising this here due to the past obvious biases of the then B.C. Liberal Government with heavy rail at the expense of the public’s interest and their rights. This was in no way an effort to stifle heavy rail movements but it is and was ensuring that the joint use of the publicly owned and passenger rights protected corridor was sustained. There were very specific commitments made by CP Rail as part of the Freight Rights Sales agreement made in 1988.

It was during this period while campaigning to renew this corridor in meetings with then Mayor of Chilliwack Sharon Gaetz, she stated bizarrely – people don’t leave Chilliwack, we don’t need it? Interesting about 5 years later she publicly stated that it was needed. Pushed by Chilliwack the Provincial Government Ministry of Transportation in-house Fraser Valley Transportation Study (Circa 2008 – 2010) was conducted supported by TransLink and BC Transit (Both agencies controlled by the B.C. Government). In keeping with past self-serving non-educated in-house studies it was produced with pre-determined outcomes. It is interesting to note that the renewal of passenger rights occurred in the early stages of this study, but was not mentioned or considered. Despite the fact this was supposed to be a Fraser Valley Study with Chilliwack participating, it is interesting that all other Fraser Valley Municipalities were excluded and were not asked for input on this study. Kevin Falcon was Minister of Transportation during this period, he is responsible for ignoring the rights of the people of B.C. in favor of his heavy rail friends and insiders in an attempt to squash interest in passenger rail.

NOTE – A NEW 2-part series is coming on the campaign and status to reactivate the publicly owned, passenger protected 99 km Interurban Rail Corridor with State-of-the-art Hydrail Passenger Rail – Go to www.southfrasercommunityrail.com for a view of the proposal.

In Summary: It should not be surprising to see the B.C. Liberals / BC United doing so badly in the polls. It all stems from their disastrous 16 years in government of which Kevin Falcon was a key part. The public are not stupid, changing the party name without changing what you stand for or cleaning house of old tired personalities who are guilty through participation of the past will not be accepted by the people of B.C.

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.

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

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.

Trying to find HER relevance on Township Council…. Only to find she is IRRELEVANT – my opinion!

Posted: November 26, 2023 in Uncategorized

Being elected and serving your community on a Municipal Council is a significant responsibility that brings with it some serious sole searching in the decisions you are tasked to make on behalf of all taxpayers. Whether you run as an independent or as part of a team of like-minded candidates there will always be differences of opinion among all members of Council, (I know, I have been a part of both) however respect and decorum are essential for a well-run Council. Debate and difference of opinion is good and healthy, it is how you deal with it at the Council table with ALL members of Council that is important showing respect for all!

So, to a key question to all members of Council that should be asked – why did you run for Council? For most, in my experience, with the exclusion of many I have had to work with or who I have observed on our Township of Langley Council, normally elected members have priorities on what they want to accomplish? Unfortunately, during the past couple of decades Township of Langley Council has been populated by those being directed by outside forces, I have written about much of this in past BLOG Posts. What has gone on over the last couple of decades in the Township of Langley is hard to imagine or believe, but it is true as I found out.

To the point above, it is called finding your “RELEVANCE” as a sitting member of Council!

The worst situation that a sitting member of Council can find themselves in, is being branded IRRELEVANT! However, that is exactly the position that Councillor Richter finds herself in, it isn’t something that just happened, based on her performance over the last few decades she has been irrelevant for years – in my opinion!

This BLOG Post has been a long time in coming, God knows there has been a considerable amount of material to support my view over the past 16 years, since I first met her. Yes, I know she has been seen by some as the conscience of Council since first being elected in 1999. In reality nothing could be further from the truth if you really follow her actions at the council table. What has she accomplished other than dysfunction?

An opposing view during debate is good, an opposing view for the sake of opposing and being a constant disruptive voice on Council for purely political reasons is quite something else. The well publicized Township of Langley Council dysfunction over a number of years has had a number of contributors and guilty parties; however, there is a “Common Denominator”.

It has been well known that through the tenures of Mayors Kurt Alberts, Rick Green, Jack Froese and now Eric Woodward, Kim Richter has been a very difficult member of council to work with, in the opinion of many. It is not about disagreeing; it is about being disagreeable and disruptive. It is about a non-constructive participant within the body of council!

Why on a long list of issues over the years has she not argued vociferously to reach a final conclusion on an issue that raised her ire; she will ask a question on an issue but never follows up as though the theatrics of asking the question was her only interest in the issue? It is the theatrics of asking a question being her only purpose, she hopes those observing the meeting will think she knows what she is talking about.

A quiet negative vote on council while she is trying to calculate the direction of the political winds on many issues just doesn’t cut it.

Just in my term (2008 – 11) there was the introduction of Community Amenity Contributions (CACs), the Mufford Crescent Diversion, Landfill on Agricultural Land, Athenry, and the Langley Events Center financial boondoggle among so many others. OH yes and there was her appointment to my “Mayors Standing Committee of Finance”, her silence was deafening!

Where was she when we were going through many of those fights? The list is long and significant, I could write this whole BLOG Post on everything pre the 2022 election, but I digress.

So, to the issues immediately at hand, just in the first year of the current council? After watching most if not all Council meetings in the first year of our current council, I cannot sit back any longer without speaking up. Watching her repeatedly ask questions of staff, on many procedural issues that she knows the answers to; after all she has been on council for 23 years. Her posturing to the audience in chambers and on live-stream is nothing more than theatrics designed to try to impress.

First – Constant fight at the Council table as to the current council moving forward on their promises to build the infrastructure long ignored by previous councils which she has been a part of going back a couple of decades!

The current Council majority under Mayor Eric Woodward ran on a platform of not only building the infrastructure, long ignored by previous Councils as they continued to approve development in the Township; he spelled out their plan as to how this investment in infrastructure was going to be paid for; development would finally pay for itself, but no, Kim Richter continues to object.

A big part of this council’s plan was the introduction of a competitive CAC program and an annual review of Development Cost Charges (DCCs). These plans were well presented during the last election and anyone who has been on council as long as Councillor Richter has, knows how that works, only too well. While Kim Richter was only one member of past councils, in 2008 as Mayor I introduced CACs to the Council of the day through a couple of seminars put on by the then Manager of Real Estate Services for the City of Vancouver with respect to their very successful CAC program. A review of my previous BLOG Post tells the story of what has been missed to the detriment of all citizens of the Township of Langley since 2009. She has to take responsibility for not publicly exposing and dealing with the reality of no CACs and the lack of annual updates in the DCC program over so many years.

Her making noise is all about politics, and not about real issues. She has done this consistently since day one. It is all about theatre! In my last BLOG we pointed out that the Township taxpayer has lost out on an estimated $500 million minimum in lost CAC dollars and a $200 million shortfall in DCCs, for a total of approximately $700 million, that bill put on the backs of taxpayers, until now. This was all due to the inaction of past councils of which she was a member.

In one year, our current council has raised an estimated $150 million (with much more to come); on developments that they have approved since taking office, only after their relevant CAC program and updated DCCs were put in place. Those funds will go to pay for the infrastructure that has recently been approved which Kim Richter has voted against, in the majority of cases.

Second – During this year’s wild-fire crisis Municipalities and Cities throughout our province offered up fire-fighting equipment and personnel in an unequalled crisis affecting every area of our province. The Township of Langley did their part by sending a truck and crew to the interior to assist in that fight. In what I consider to be an unbelievable public statement, Councillor Richter, in a Facebook post challenged the Mayor, asking who authorized that contribution? This comment, despite the fact that there was a provincial state of emergency, is incomprehensible; I guess it tells us a lot about the person responsible for making that statement.

Third – Transit in and out of the Gloucester Industrial Park is non-existent; this argument goes back a few decades despite the fact all companies in Gloucester pay a substantial sum of money (In 2011 about $1.6 million annually) to TransLink as a part of their property taxes. To the best of my knowledge, I was the first to bring this issue up as Mayor and member of the TransLink Mayor’s Council (2008 – 11). I set up a meeting in March of 2011 for all companies operating in Gloucester, in the General Motors Board Room. Attending in addition to a large turnout of Gloucester and Aldergrove Businesses were two executives from TransLink, Councillor Richter and local media. The result coming out of that meeting, agreed to by all was that we would do an extensive survey of Gloucester companies and the town of Aldergrove to present to TransLink. To speed up that process I agreed that the Township of Langley would have an extensive survey conducted dealing with our transit deficit. Going back to Council to get approval, one Kim Richter was responsible for arguing against us paying for it, which, given the lack of support I had on Council that initiative died at the council table.

So to today on that issue, which she knows all about only too well, I was shocked to see Councillor Kim Richter opposing a recent motion by the current council to advocate to TransLink and/or the Provincial Government for a transit service or to transfer the currently collected TransLink tax portion of their property tax (now approximately $2.5 million annually) to another agency to provide that service. Imagine paying that amount for a service that you have never received? The motion was passed by Council, thankfully – Councillor Richter opposed.

Summary –

It just doesn’t end! This is not about controlling debate and/or any opposition, it is about how to handle yourself at the council table using common sense and being courteous to all.

When I was elected in 2008 against the odds of many, I arranged to meet with all members of Council for a coffee just to get to know each other before being sworn in. I remember saying at the outset of our individual meetings that they probably didn’t want me to be elected and like-wise with me about them but we are all elected to work in the best interest of our residents. I also remember saying that we can disagree without being disagreeable – Well so much for that effort, it went downhill from there.

All of that being said, it doesn’t take much on council to alienate yourself from the majority, and Councillor Richter continues to lead that parade, something that should embarrass her, but then again it probably does not!

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.

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

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.

Township of Langley Council Today

Posted: October 22, 2023 in Uncategorized

vs the RECENT DARK DECADE and longer! A Brighter Light is now Shining, Elections have consequences good or bad!

A true measurement of a politician or politicians on your municipal council is how are they performing vis a vis the previous council and the platform promises they made. As far as a comparison to the previous council is concerned, a light has been turned on for the public; as far as delivering on their platform promises are concerned, while early (1 year in on a 4-year term) their early performance is a breath of fresh air! Yes, I endorsed Eric Woodward and his team plus Michael Pratt for Council in the last election, have I agreed with all decisions, no, BUT then again that was never going to happen, no matter who got elected which is as it should be! On balance so far, they are doing very well in my opinion.

I cannot write this post without talking about the Dark Decade and longer that we have just come through, in the Township of Langley!

A brief history – My family moved to the Township of Langley in 1996 after 29 years living in North Delta and owning a large business in Tsawwassen. I spent 22 years heavily invested in politics, elected, and being an activist plus extensive community committee involvement. Our move to Langley was great, buying our property, raising and showing our horses coupled with a promise to my wife that I was done with politics. That promise lasted for about 10 years, BUT after observing a number of issues in the Township, I couldn’t resist, I ran for Mayor, and was elected November 15^th, 2008. Be careful what you wish for, what I knew before getting elected, paled in comparison to what I found after being sworn in.

The issues were extremely significant back then, in short, the Township of Langley had been run, and controlled by friends and insiders of those in elected office over many many years. Those involved during this period of time were known quietly by many of us as the Langley Mafia. Dispute that? There was just too much evidence on what was really going on, as I have written in this BLOG.

This BLOG was initiated back in January of 2013, after giving then Mayor Jack Froese one year to prove his worth. He failed in spades with a continuing do nothing, see nothing, say nothing administration, the same as what went on before my term. A review of over 150 posts in this BLOG’s history deals with a multitude of Township of Langley issues over the last 10 years. Frankly if it wasn’t so serious it would be a joke. I still ask myself how any of this was possible?

So why do I say the “Dark Decade”?

In 2008 it was apparent that the Township of Langley was facing an explosion in population, due to so much available and developable land in a municipality within Metro Vancouver, specifically Willoughby. In 2008 the Township of Langley had a population of about 107,000 with the actual Willoughby population in the 17,000 range. It was the focus of numerous community planning initiatives and development applications back then, but that was just the start. It has been supercharged ever since. It was, and in some ways still is the wild west in property development!

The Problem? – It is one thing to approve a development, but it is quite something else to deal up front with the planning necessary to include, who is going to pay for the community infrastructure necessary to support the incoming population? To be clear, development does not pay for itself, it never has. By way of the old Municipal Act and the relatively NEW Community Charter, developers are required to pay for DCCs (Development Cost Charges). DCC assessments are approved by council designed to fund localized sewer, water, road, sidewalk and lighting infrastructure. They can only be used for limited purposes per its provincial legislation. It is common sense that DCC rates should be increased annually, due to inflation, if nothing else, however this was not being done on an annual basis in the Township.

Checking on DCC increases by the Jack Froese government? They didn’t raise DCCs between 2012 and 2020 – An estimate of lost dollars – $200 million. You the taxpayer paid that bill!

All of this meant that when the time came for the Township to contract and put in the infrastructure the money was secured to pay for, the municipality was spending money year(s) after at an inflated rate due to cost increases over that period of time. Therefore, you were having to spend more money than what was collected from the developers to provide the infrastructure that was planned. You the taxpayer ended up paying for the shortfall. It was wrong but had been allowed to continue. That thinking has ended with our new council.

So, who was the previous council thinking was going to pay for all of the supporting infrastructure? First of all, by all accounts they didn’t have a plan at all. Fire Halls their infrastructure plus staffing, Police Offices their infrastructure plus staffing, Community Centers, Pools, Dry Floor arenas, Ice Arenas, State-of-the-art active parks, passive parks, Fields, pre-development major road infrastructure like 208^th Street and so much more?

You The taxpayer have been paying for the shortfall!!!!

There are only two choices as to who will pay for the supporting infrastructure that is required to support the population that moves into all of that council approved development, you the taxpayer OR the developer! Well, it was a massive failure by past councils; that cost inevitably landed on the back of Township of Langley taxpayers to the benefit of developers. Past administrations in the Township of Langley had very tight connections to the development community.

In 2009 I presented my council with a solution to this significant problem as I saw it – Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) but they didn’t see it my way, why? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out!

Recognizing this problem among many, I made CACs (Community Amenity Contributions) an issue during my campaign of 2008. After the election I brought in Bruce Maitland a well- respected retired Manager of the City of Vancouver Real Estate Services who was very well versed on the CAC issue. Bruce and his wife live in the Willoughby community.

His primary task at the time was to conduct a seminar for all Council members to understand the Vancouver CAC program (Vancouver originated the idea which had been court tested) to explain in detail what was involved and why it was such a benefit. Well, NOT for my council!

I will never forget the action of one councillor, who is still on Council I might add (3 guesses and the first two don’t count – LOL). That individual stood up in the middle of the seminar and blurted out – that is fine for Vancouver, but we don’t do that in the Township of Langley! The stupidity of such a statement is mind boggling! So why did the council of the day reject such an idea – one can only assume that friendship with the development community meant more than the impact on you the residential and business taxpayer.

So, what was the impact of that decision by the 2008 – 2011 Council and the intransigence of Jack Froese and his Council over the past 10 years to continue with such an irresponsible anti CAC policy? NOTE – His council brought in a relatively insignificant CAC by-law in 2018 (very low by any comparative standards to surrounding municipalities) which didn’t take effect until sometime in 2019 with a few small payments made late in 2019.

So, what was the cost of rejecting such a valuable development by-law opportunity in 2009? Think of all of the residential and business development that has taken place in the Township of Langley over the past 14 years? Think of the development just in Willoughby alone? So, what are the numbers? I have watched council quite closely since their swearing in last year. I have tracked their move and implementation of a competitive CAC by-law and their actions with development applications including those that were able to be brought back to review by the new council.

Prior to the current council’s election, Willoughby has had about 40% development approved virtually no or very limited return to the Township of Langley via the old CAC program. So, to be clear 40% or more of Willoughby has been allowed to be developed without contributing a single dime towards the current and justified campaign to bring our communities up to a safe, livable and enjoyable community standard. Willoughby’s population is now over 50,000 probably half way to its built-out number.

What has been achieved by the new council should make all of us very pleased that we have the majority on council who have a vision on what has been needed and how to pay for it. There will be borrowing – however amendments have been made to the CAC program to be able to pay off certain debt when the monies are collected from approved developments.

It is estimated that this council has generated, in less than one year, about $150 Million in CACs. This is a small amount of what will be coming to the Township through CACs as the Willoughby area is built out not counting development in other parts of the Township of Langley. Now, that money has not all been collected yet, which is why there has been the need for borrowing against dedicated CAC revenue payable to the Township of Langley. Some of the improvements like the widening of 208^th street will be funded through borrowing against future DCCs coming from property development on both sides of 208^th Street.

How much have we allowed to slip through our fingers through the inaction of numerous previous councils since 2008?

How about a minimum of $500 million in lost dollars?

Add to that a $200 million shortfall in DCCs you get a $700 million bill to taxpayers.

Think of what that that money could have been used for?

Call me a liar, but it would probably be greater than the amount above!

A big thank you to the Township of Langley majority on Council for their vision and pro-active decisions. There is no question that this council has had to play catch up due to the irresponsible series of municipal governments that we have had in the Township of Langley. The necessary decisions are finally being made through a responsible developer paid funding initiative for the necessary and essential community amenities for safety, recreation and livability.

PS – I say the majority on council because there is certainly a long term exception to that on council, I will deal with that issue in a future post.

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.

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

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Township of Langley Budget Discussions – A process of Staff Manipulation of the Facts!

Posted: February 8, 2023 in Uncategorized

So the Langley Advance headlines read – 7.29% tax hike suggested by staff, Council calling for a tax increase of 4%! As somebody who has been there, nothing has changed! Staff, for the most part create the process that will best justify their wishes, control of the process, and the result. All of this brings me back to my first budget process after my election as Mayor of the Township of Langley in November of 2008 – an eye opening experience, one that you had to see to believe! My implementation of a “Mayor’s Standing Committee of Finance” faced the focus of staff behind the scenes with undue influence and obstruction and the then Municipal Council’s public outrage to the Standing Committees creation. I had appointed the then retired managing Director of BDO Dunwoody, a just retired Federal tax auditor and a local lawyer (all volunteers) and three Council members to the committee. This committee was set up per the Mayor’s authority under the guidelines of the Community Charter. We learned a lot about the facts behind Municipal budgeting through this process and what really goes on.

Some History from my term as Mayor – The Council of the day decided, because they strongly objected to the creation of a “Mayor’s Standing Committee of Finance”, that they would NOT participate in any budget discussions and would leave it to the Standing Committee to submit a report to Council. For the record all members of Council were invited to attend the Standing Committee meetings, but to no avail. We were very open in looking at Zero based budgeting to which Mark Bakken, our CAO noted in one of our first meetings “we practice a form of Zero based budgeting”! Message to Mark Bakken at the time – there is no such thing, it is Zero based OR it is NOT.

After about 3 ½ months of long, very frequent and very involved detailed budget discussion meetings with committee members, staff, and department heads – a department by department, line by line analysis of the provisional budget proposed by staff occurred. I have been lead to believe this kind of analysis had never been undertaken before by and/or for any previous Council and you can bet it hasn’t happened since. A final report was then presented to Council.

The result – A Standing Committee of Finance Report was submitted. It was lengthy but in the final analysis, fully explained it recommended a tax increase of 1%. In a motion put forward by Councillor Bateman immediately after the committees presentation (same meeting) ignored the Standing Committee’s report, not a question asked, and moved a motion for a tax increase of 5% – which was immediately approved by council.

To today’s news on budget discussions – per the Director of Finance public comments “they need to find $5 million in savings, spending reductions or increased revenue”. Or Mark Bakken’s (TOL CAO) comments “We likely have a lot more priorities or hopes than we may have resources” or “Council may have to prioritize or look for creative ways of raising revenue and reducing expenses”!

Excuse me but as that old saying goes “Bull Shit is trying to Baffle Brains”!

Have we not forgotten something here, a number of items staff never want to talk about? Our committee went line by line with every department head reviewing every category and sub-category of which there are many within a complete Municipal Budget.

Township of Langley Capital Budget – There are numerous headings used by staff; just a few examples – “Capital Budget approved not funded”, “Capital budget approved and started” or “Capital Budget approved, funded, not started”!

Just in one area we uncovered something very interesting, a category that at first glance seems insignificant probably significantly inflated from what it was back in 2009 in every department! That is in the Category – “Capital Projects approved, funded, not started”! We found that throughout the budget this category was nothing but a catch all for taxpayer funds, put another way, slush funds. This was a catch-all for a wide variety of projects over the years that had been approved by the Council of the day, those major or minor that had been delayed, forgotten about, lacked any urgency to conclude and/or those put on hold for one reason or another. Probably in some cases they were a ruse! This appeared to have been going on for years unchecked. A normal process would be if these funds were not expended and project started within a year, those funds should revert to general revenue. If you extrapolate this practice over many years you are talking a significant number of financial slush funds throughout the budget that are being protected and carried forward year after year after year.

Township of Langley Operations Budget – So Township / Municipal Staff led by their CAO seem to feel it is their rite of passage and they are above being questioned as to line items in the budget dealing with regular activities and costs. God forbid if we can achieve better results by implementing new and more productive methods to achieve the same or in many cases better results throughout our Township service model at a lower cost? Number of vehicles requested vs need? I am not suggesting that government services (public sector) can be operated the same as or with the same efficiency as the private sector (for a wide variety of reasons), however there has to be a willingness on the part of public sector management to do better and be more accountable.

As to public sector wages – by any measure they are the best by any comparison to the private sector and are a product of agreements negotiated on behalf of the Public Sector in Metro Vancouver by RES (Regional Employers Services). That’s right, public sector employees negotiating for public sector employees. Fact, the negotiators will receive the same or better increase than those they are negotiating for. After all it is only your tax dollars they are spending! Not all municipalities take advantage of these services but their negotiated settlements form a template throughout the region. A number of years ago as a Delta Alderman I served on the then Metro Vancouver labor relations Committee. The only thing that has changed is it has been expedited.

Summary: We sincerely wish our new council well in their efforts in concluding a municipal budget with a tax increase of 4% which is their publicly stated goal. The majority of this council were elected on a very well thought out plan that will start the Township on a road to delivering on the services, facilities and roads required for such a dramatically fast growing Municipality. It certainly can be done it just requires determination and focus to cut through all of the internal noise and obstruction.

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.

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

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.

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Township of Langley Budget Discussions – A process of Staff Manipulation of the Facts!