Politicians score seats for top events before public (The Vancouver Sun, 25 Jan 2010, Page A1)

So in an earlier Vancouver Sun article before we read that BC Provincial Liberal MLAs got free Olympic tickets to go to the Olympic events. The Provincial Libs said it would only be used to accompany approved government business associates! Yeah right!

Now we hear that the feds have 1st class olympic tickets without having to wait in line. Meanwhile our whole family after 3 times trying the Olympic lottery for tons of tickets secured only one nose bleed ticket at a second rate event. Talk about featherbedding!

Are any of our local politicians going and where and how did they get their tickets or are they going with other people's or sponsors tickets? Do ANY of our local politicians get free Olympic tickets or even in my mind worse tickets that they pay for and did not have to enter the lottery for? Or did they get free or preferential tickets and maybe even worse gave it to friends, family or business associates or despicably sell them for unimaginable profits? Who is going to ask this of ALL of our municipal. school board and especially MLAs Rich Coleman, Mary Polak and MP Mark Warawa? If nobody asks its a travesty. Because you all know that if LFP asks them we will never get an answer! Come on guys, get clean and fess up.

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Politicians score seats for top events before public
BY JEFF LEE
The Vancouver Sun
25 Jan 2010

The federal government is using its access to Olympic tickets to give priority to politicians, bureaucrats and others who will get some of the best seats in the house during the Winter Games next month. Of the nearly 1,500 tickets that the government...read more...

Tech Tags: The Vancouver Sun newspaper FRONT PAGE

What Grade Does Mayor Green & His 2009 Annual Report Card Deserve?

Rookie Langley Township Mayor Rick Green earlier this evening at the Council meeting presented his long overdue past year's (2009) annual council achievement report card which is normally proudly presented as somewhat of a taxpayer's pre Xmas present listing of ALL the previous year's Township Council achievements. I don't ever remember seeing it used as a personal political platform justification attempt before. This presentation traditionally is presented by each Mayor in early to mid December and never as a short after thought. This time after almost 14 months after first being elected to office and at just 10 minutes long it was also the shortest and most unheralded one that this LFP Editor can ever remember as well. In any event watch it below in it's 10 minute entirety and evaluate it yourself.

Mayor Green's presentation seemed to have some very questionable, curious & glaring exclusions that veteran Councillor Steve Ferguson reminded the Mayor of right after the Mayor's speech which immediately eliciting comments from the Mayor like "I will take that criticism.. Clr. Ferguson.." & "I apologize...". Really? See Councillor Ferguson's 2 minute video comments just below as well and you decide.

Even Cllr. Kim Richter asked about the Mayor's speech to clarify who the Mayor's credited "WE" group was amongst one of his achievements list item that essentially was actually started by some key partisan VALTAC members for a south Fraser rail for the valley group that this rookie Mayor has almost exclusively and agaain questionably hitched his own wagon to in 2009.

This specific supposed achievement is interesting indeed in my opinion, since I don't even believe that it has actually met at all yet, never mind accomplished anything! In fact at least two or three other supposed partners PASSED on adding any representative and specifically one (Translink) even sent a letter to the Mayor asking that all reference to Translink logos be removed in the documentation & slide show that was previously being used by the Mayor and perhaps others. These presentation materials were originally used to get buy in by more community partners. But essentially did these materials perhaps imply inaccurately the full involvement & support of Translink and maybe even perhaps others? Did this perhaps help sell the other so called partners that did sign on? If so it did work somewhat though because even Langley Twnsp. council itself signed up! Needless to say, the jury is certainly still out on this so called Council/Mayor's achievement for quite a spell yet! Remember Translink itself opted out!

LFP has admittedly been absent for far too long. I apologize for this. I must admit that this Editor has been silent mainly because of the unexpected shock and great disappointment at this past year's new council leadership & direction and indeed also as a result of feeling betrayed just as I believe many others including Township taxpayers must & should also feel for very good and similar reasons. Promises simply have not materialized. This disappointing track record of leadership in the first year of this new council has spurred me on again to editorialize. Also recently at least one prominent if not more of the existing councillors public false misrepresentation of another councillor and finally simply because of the continuing and at best political pablum from all other's public opinions have again necessitated this LFP Editor's comeback. Again, my apologies for the absence and I will elaborate on all these issues as well in short time. In the mean time I have restarted the comments section and look forward to yours as well. What letter grade do YOU give the Mayor's 2009 report, the Mayor himself and this Township Council? ---LFP EDITOR---

Sonya Paterson Asks Township Council 'Six-Pack' Where are the 'Tens of Thousands'?

LFP IS BACK

We are back after an extended summer holiday and looking forward to posting lots again.

Fort Langley May Day Parade LFP-YouTube of Langley Politicians

Our LFP photographer attended the Fort Langley May Day parade and captured the following LFP/YouTube videos of parts of the parade. The first video showed some of the local politicians early on in the parade including Councillor Kim Richter and the second video shows her on the sidelines after, looking on to the continuing parade participants.

Stephany's Langley NDP Press Release Supports Mayor Green's Protection Of Passenger Rail Corridor Through Langley

Township Mayor Rick Green at Monday's council meeting informed his Council of:

"Today, May 4,2009, I am providing Council with the following information relating to the history and protection of our old Interurban Passenger and freight Rail Corridor through the Township and City of Langley."

He further told Council:

"This agreement expires on August 29,2009. Therefore, in order to preserve the rights of BC Hydro and the public I am requesting the support of the Township Council to send a letter to B.C. Hydro requesting their immediate response and assurance that they will renew the Agreement in question prior to August 29,2009."

KUDOS especially to Mayor Rick Green and his Council for supporting their Mayor and endorsing his request on Monday's council meeting to renew the agreement to protect the old Interurban Passenger Rail agreement through the Langley's!

After asking the local MLA election candidates for their support too: "We are asking for your public support of the Master Agreement's renewal...", the local Langley NDP issued the below Press Release on the topic today to the media which also included LFP, and LFP did not receive any other local candidates' or political parties responses to date:

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
May 6, 2009

NDP WILL PRESERVE RAIL AGREEMENT

Langley – Yesterday Mayor Rick Green and his council released a memorandum referring to the ‘long lost’ Master Agreement, which not only defines some land use arrangements between the Province, Municipality and the Railway, but also ensured 33% of the traffic on the line for crown use. In exchange, the CPR is allowed to build rails and use 66% of the rail capacity on the provincially owned land.

“Gordon Campbell has made a mess of transit in the Lower Mainland,” said Stephany. “The BC Liberal plan is an unfunded wish list. It won’t get more people out of their cars, won’t make transit more convenient and it won’t make transit more affordable.”

The NDP will stand behind planning for a comprehensive light rail transit system serving the South Fraser region. It will be closely integrated with the bus and SkyTrain systems. The plan will review options including the interurban passenger rail route.

“Because we stand for a comprehensive light rail transit system for the South Fraser region, we will be very interested in any options that become available to us, including crown use of the interurban corridor and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) rails through Langley,” said Stephany.

In a letter to Kathleen Stephany, Mayor Rick Green asks for the support of the NDP for the renewal of the Master Agreement, set to expire this August. He also requests Stephany's commitment to light passenger rail.

In fact, the only thing that has ever held back the West Coast Express is the fact that the wheelage must be leased from the railway. The Master Agreement allows the province to run of a huge amount of trains on the CPR line at no cost.

“We already own the rails through the remainder of the interurban corridor. This is the first step to establishing an effective, reliable, and cost-efficient community rail service,” added Stephany. “The NDP will definitely extend the agreement with CP.”

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Media Contact: Piotr Majkowski 604-533-3222...

Fort Langley/Aldergrove May 5 Election Debate LFP/YouTube Video Excerpts- Jordan Braun (BC Refed) Takes On Lib MLA Rich Coleman

Gail Chaddock-Costello (NDP), Travis Erbacher (Green), Rich Coleman (BC LIB) and Jordan Braun (BC Refederation Party) at the Township Hall theatre chambers last night was the best debate to date. Mr. Braun drew the most gasps and laughter from the attending audience to some obvious chagrin of MLA Coleman who right after the meeting had immediate words with Mr. Braun, the very first competing candidate that Mr. Coleman talked to immediately after the debate ended.

Fascinating details and videos continually uploading now. Having reviewed most of the videos the political neophyte, Jordan Braun definitely demonstrated his potential as a budding politician! The recommended videos to watch are so noted below!

May 5th Fort Langley/Aldergrove BC Election Debate
LFP-YouTube Videos -
Braun (BC Refederation Party), Chaddock-Costello (NDP), Coleman (BC LIB), Erbacher (Green),

Re: Carbon Tax - (4:47 minutes long) - Recommend
Re: Transportation - (4:19 minutes long)
Re: Beer Tax! - (2:32 minutes long) - Recommend
Re: Groundwater - (3:24 minutes long) - Recommend
Re: Crime - (4:29 minutes long)
Re: Homelessness - (3:44 minutes long)
Re: 2 Tier Medicine - (3:51 minutes long)
Re: Minumum Wage - (3:52 minutes long)
Re: Economy - (3:52 minutes long) Recommend
Re: STV - (2:53 minutes long)
Re: Cost Overuns - (4:15 minutes long)

Langleys' Election Candidates Debates - LTA & The Chamber - LFP/YouTube Video Excerpts

Herein below view our LFP-YouTube video clip excerpts from this LTA sponsored debate. On April 27th past, at the Langley Fine Arts School theatre the Langley Teachers Association (LTA) hosted the first ever joint Langleys' MLA candidate election debate. Both Langley Liberal MLAs & Ministers, Coleman & Polak boycotted the debate as covered in our previous posting. All the other MLA candidates from both Langley ridings from the NDP, Green and Refederation parties attended.

Further below also are excerpts from the 2nd debate. Specifically the April 30th Chamber of Commerce/ Real estate Board Langley debate as well that was attended by all three election candidates, Liberal Mary Polak, NDP Kathleen Stephany and Green Ron Abgrall. It was held at Langley's Kwantlen campus College auditorium, .

April 27th Langley Teacher's Association Debate Vid-Clips By LFP:

Opening Host Remarks & Intros (Video 1:00 Minute)

Rafe Mair, former Socred minister and radio host at debate & excerpt re Liberal debate boycott. (Video 1:12 Minute)

Both Langley NDP Candidates respond to Audience Question Re Liberal Debate boycott. (Video 3:31 Minutes)

All candidates responses on BC child Poverty:
Kathleen Stephany - Langley NDP - (Video 1:34)
Travis Erbacher - Ft. Lan/Aldergrove Green - (Video 1:22)
Gail Chaddock-Costello - Ft. Lan/Alder NDP - (Video 3:01)
Jordan Braun - Ft. Lan/Alder BC Refederation - (Video 2:24)
Ron Abgrall - Langley Green - (Video 4:45)

All candidates responses on Education:
Kathleen Stephany - Langley NDP - (Video 0:49)
Travis Erbacher - Ft. Lan/Aldergrove Green - (Video 2:02)
Gail Chaddock-Costello - Ft. Lan/Alder NDP - (Video 3:00)
Jordan Braun - Ft. Lan/Alder BC Refederation - (Video 4:11)
Ron Abgrall - Langley Green - (Video 2:49)

All candidates responses on BC Rivers & Environment:
Kathleen Stephany - Langley NDP - (Video 2:03)
Travis Erbacher - Ft. Lan/Aldergrove Green - (Video 2:13)
Gail Chaddock-Costello - Ft. Lan/Alder NDP - (Video 2:21)
Jordan Braun - Ft. Lan/Alder BC Refederation - (Video 4:38)
Ron Abgrall - Langley Green - (Video 4:24)

Langley Riding Election Candidates Debate of April 3oth At Kwantlen University
(Note the microphone/audio system were not operational on debate night at Kwantlen so apologies for these 4 videos sound quality)
Mary Polak, Kathleen Stephany & Rob Abgrall - Langley Kwantlen Election Debate - Re: Overpass Mufford & Glover (Video 6:00)
Mary Polak & Kathleen Stephany - Langley Kwantlen Election Debate - Re: Port Mann Bridge (video 3:20)
Mary Polak, Kathleen Stephany & Rob Abgrall - Langley Kwantlen Election Debate - Re: Ground Water Legislation (Video 4:10)
Mary Polak & Kathleen Stephany - Langley Kwantlen Election Debate - Re: Economy (Video 3:05)
...

First Ever BOTH Langley Riding's All Candidates BC MLA Election Debate Boycotted By Coleman & Polak

From 7pm to 10 pm last night April 27th at the Fort Langley Fine Arts School Chief Sepass Theatre the first ever 'All Candidate Debates' for BOTH Langley Ridings of all the candidates took place. Many people including guest host Rafe Mair commented that it was 'despicable' that two candidates refused to attend. Specifically both Langley Liberal MLAs and Ministers Rich Coleman & Mary Polak chose to boycott the debate. The debate was sponsored by the Langley Teacher's Association and curiously less than 5% of the agenda covered education!

Many people including Rafe commented very negatively on the absence of both Liberal candidates. Some of the words used to describe their boycott were arrogant, despicable, smug and snubbing. It's curious to note that even our local Langley municipal election candidates attend CUPE and International Association of Firefighters sponsored debates for municipal elections. So why won't out Langley MLAs/Ministers?

So it is indeed a very controversial and questionable decision not to attend the debate. Rafe Mair even commented that if he had boycotted an election debate when he was a cabinet minister in the then ruling Socred government, the Premier then would have been furious. He also pointed out that this was another reason that he recommended the public also vote YES for the STV because he bet the two Liberal cabinet ministers would most likely have certainly attended if we had STV! See the Langley Times news report here with more details.

SEE LFP YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE

Rail For The Valley Protests Along Highway #1 Overpasses & Stephany Interviewed

Double click Videos to enlarge videos.

LFP YouTube Videos of Township Council Debate Re: 5% compounded Annual Tax Hike Over 5 years That Majority Voted For Monday Past

Last Monday April 6th the Langley Township council again took it 3 major steps forward to raise taxes by 5% for this year and each and every year for the next 5 years in total by giving the budget bylaw 1st, 2nd & 3rd reading! Final reading will be on April 20th! So, Another record breaking (history repeating itself?) Langley Township Council cumulative tax hike! The following LFP YouTube Videos of this council debate is as follows:

• Clr. Kim Richter Objects strongly with 5% tax hike (1:29 minutes)
  
• Mayor Rick Green Speaks against 5% Tax Hike (1:18 minutes)
• Clr. Bateman questions Mayor's .93% hike and Clr. Ferguson squabbles with the Mayor over finance committee yet again (2:34 minutes)
• Mayor Rick Green's rebuttal to what he says are 'fear & scare tactics' around the budget process (1:40 minutes)
• Actual vote for 5% tax hike for each of every 5 years to come with only Mayor Green & Clr. Richter who vote against the 5% hike and Clr. Fox also votes against it to because he wanted only 3.95% tax hike. The rest all vote for the 5% with Clr. Dornan absent (0:21 seconds)....
  

Township Council Votes For 5% Tax Hike AGAIN for Each Year of next 5 years! & Our LFP Cartoonist, Prost's Perspective

April 8/09 Langley Times:"Township taxes jump five per cent" by Al Irwin
April 9/09 Langley Times: "The tone for tax increases is set" by Editor Frank Bucholtz
April 10/09 Langley Advance: "Add five per cent more to taxes" by Heather Colpitts