Friday, December 20, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
GRIFFITH NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVISORY CORP.
Interesting. How to hide things in plain sight.
I knew it was all about money but I didn't think is was that bad. It appears here that the Township and its planners have been bought. One would think that any money provided to the township, even if it's to be paid back, is a pay-off plain and simple. This also appears to have caused the hiring of a costly independent consultant instead of using less expensive township services already in place. It also gives the impression that the township is a partner, who will receive money as proceeds of development and thus has a vested interest in pushing the new plan through. So this is how it works it seems. I feel this whole process is a farce and we are just being manipulated.
One thing though, the members of the corporation must be chewing their fingernails with impatience in the face of inevitable interest rate hikes in the future or the downturn in rich foreign investors. Of course we the tax payers will face larger rate hikes if this convoluted plan doesn't work they way they want it to.
Amazing, after seeing this sort of stuff it kind of makes you feel like we are all cows to be milked for votes and tax revenue to benefit local stake holders and then we are passed around to their buddies so they can fill their pails too.
_____________________________
I knew it was all about money but I didn't think is was that bad. It appears here that the Township and its planners have been bought. One would think that any money provided to the township, even if it's to be paid back, is a pay-off plain and simple. This also appears to have caused the hiring of a costly independent consultant instead of using less expensive township services already in place. It also gives the impression that the township is a partner, who will receive money as proceeds of development and thus has a vested interest in pushing the new plan through. So this is how it works it seems. I feel this whole process is a farce and we are just being manipulated.
One thing though, the members of the corporation must be chewing their fingernails with impatience in the face of inevitable interest rate hikes in the future or the downturn in rich foreign investors. Of course we the tax payers will face larger rate hikes if this convoluted plan doesn't work they way they want it to.
Amazing, after seeing this sort of stuff it kind of makes you feel like we are all cows to be milked for votes and tax revenue to benefit local stake holders and then we are passed around to their buddies so they can fill their pails too.
_____________________________
This backgrounder is intended to provide information about the Griffith Neighbourhood Advisory Corp.and its relationship with the Township as well as its role in the Brookswood/Fernridge Community Plan and Griffith Neighbourhood Plan processes.
Griffith Neighbourhood Advisory Corp. (“GNAC”) was incorporated on May 9, 2011 as a British Columbia private company following the submission of a petition by the majority of the
landowners (of those lands depicted in the map attached to this Backgrounder) requesting a new neighbourhood plan. This conforms to Township Policy No. 07-221 Neighbourhood Plan:
Initiation & Process. The neighbourhood plan area was renamed by Council in September 2012 as the “Griffith Neighbourhood”. GNAC was incorporated to act as the representative of all the owners within the Griffith Neighbourhood in working with the Township to prepare a new
Neighbourhood Plan for the Griffith Neighbourhood.
GNAC does not own any lands within Brookswood/Fernridge or the Griffith Neighbourhood itself, nor does it develop real estate.
GNAC has 10 participating shareholders, all of whom are owners of properties within the Griffith Neighbourhood ranging in size from 4.55 to 10 acres. The shareholders have collectively contributed $500,000 to be used to provide up-front funding of the costs of hiring a consultant and a Township planner to complete the process of updating the current Brookswood/Fernridge Community Plan and preparing the new Neighbourhood Plan for the Griffith Neighbourhood.
Most of this funding will be returned to the GNAC shareholders in the future through a
neighbourhood planning administration fee to be charged by the Township on new development of lands located within Griffith Neighbourhood.
GNAC has two directors: Cameron Gair who is a long-time resident of the Township and Brian R. Canfield who is an owner of property in the Griffith Neighbourhood. Misters Gair and Canfield have significant experience with developments generally. Mr. Gair is the agent or representative of a number of GNAC shareholders, as well as other land owners within Brookswood/Fernridge, but does not personally or corporately own any lands within this area.
Mr. Gair is President and spokesperson for GNAC. He can be reached at 604.530.4141
604.530.4141.
604.530.4141. Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Tear down vacant homes. Sounds like a good idea...
Of course if they rent to welfare individuals where the government pays the rent to the landlord directly you just have big problems as many have already experienced. The crime in our neighbourhood fell off dramatically when the confirmed welfare residents where evicted and the place was boarded-up.
http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/council-considers-demolishing-derelict-homes-1.619539
http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/council-considers-demolishing-derelict-homes-1.619539
Tall = City. Low = Small town.
Now do we want the place to look and feel like a big city or a town. The developers are hungering for the city option I'm sure.
There is nothing wrong with being anti development...
After all they are destroying a Canadian way of life by shoehorning their greedy visions into our communities. After all more stories mean more money. And if you have influence with the township council you get what you want right?
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/219636641.html
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/219636641.html
Hmmm it seems the Township doesn't care. Not news...
http://www.langleytimes.com/opinion/letters/222412301.html
Development is eroding historic village’s heritage
posted Sep 4, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Editor: I cannot believe the seeming lack of interest our province is showing in the desecration of the Fort Langley heritage village.
For many years, families and visitors have come to the little town to enjoy the unique 1858 fort, the excellent museums, the heritage CN station, the antique and art shops, the Kwantlen Nation’s gallery and all the activities on the mighty Fraser River.
To perpetuate this experience for the future the village of Fort Langley was designated a heritage area by the then council with an official community plan and bylaws which passed unanimously.
Now, the present council has gone against their own bylaws, their heritage advisory board and their planning staff and passed one large building which does not conform to the bylaws in place.
Three other planned buildings have been carefully planned to conform to all official plans, bylaws and the heritage mandate.
It seems unfair and irresponsible to cater to one developer over others.
Also, 80 per cent of the community spoke against the plan and 900 signed a petition which was ignored by the council, who supposedly represent the people.
Now we are not only covering up valuable Fraser Valley farmland with development, but we are robbing our future citizens and grandchildren of their sample of B.C.’s history — the village which grew up around the Fort Langley national historic site.
For many years, families and visitors have come to the little town to enjoy the unique 1858 fort, the excellent museums, the heritage CN station, the antique and art shops, the Kwantlen Nation’s gallery and all the activities on the mighty Fraser River.
To perpetuate this experience for the future the village of Fort Langley was designated a heritage area by the then council with an official community plan and bylaws which passed unanimously.
Now, the present council has gone against their own bylaws, their heritage advisory board and their planning staff and passed one large building which does not conform to the bylaws in place.
Three other planned buildings have been carefully planned to conform to all official plans, bylaws and the heritage mandate.
It seems unfair and irresponsible to cater to one developer over others.
Also, 80 per cent of the community spoke against the plan and 900 signed a petition which was ignored by the council, who supposedly represent the people.
Now we are not only covering up valuable Fraser Valley farmland with development, but we are robbing our future citizens and grandchildren of their sample of B.C.’s history — the village which grew up around the Fort Langley national historic site.
Bays Blackhall
Director, LHS, CN Station site.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Crime getting worse in Langley? Surprised?
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/213558821.html
Speaking from experience as police officer in the past I must point out that you have to pester these criminals (potential or otherwise) to keep them from getting two comfortable within an area. ie. walking patrols and in-house security with cameras - no one involving themselves in crime likes to have a camera pointed at them. If you keep them moving they have a hard time setting up to sell drugs or involve themselves in prostitution.
You can't instigate so called 'programs' and expect crime to go away. You have to roll up your sleeves, actively fight it, and always keep at it. And you can't be risk adverse for there is much at stake. Langley isn't a town any more so the same rules don't apply.
Just like invasive weeds you have to dig them out and keep on digging. You have to keep at them or they will take over. This IS priority one in Langley now for criminals are taking root.
Unfortunately the Langley's have been attracting these sorts of people and word is spreading. Langley City has a problem, and it will get bigger. It will be the next downtown east side...
Now is the time to take a hard stand!
Quick Suggestions:
Note to police and local government - think creatively!
- City and Township - hire security guards with communications monitored by police dispatch and give them cameras to point at suspicious people.
- Don't discourage volunteer citizen patrols yet go further and educate them, they are going to do it anyway so you might as well tell what they can and can't do, equip them if you can, and get them to sign disclaimers. They make great eyes and ears. Do discourage police from looking down upon them.
We did look down upon them at Richmond RCMP. Any help the police can get the better - it's just all about management.
- Two person police cars. The officers take turns doing foot patrols in parks while the other lights up the area with a spot light.
- Bylaw officers should do foot patrols through our parks and i.d. people involved in low risk crime (again show the flag.)
- Police cary high power flash lights when on foot patrols - criminals don't like that.
- Patrols should be repeated at odd times during the day and night. A park should not be considered patrolled just once a shift.
- Police should be driving more fuel efficient cars (as it stands I can't imagine the fuel costs for such large cars and SUVs!) and should use them for more patrols during the night in and around our neighbourhoods shining spotlights. If the police are moving and lighting up the dark then the criminals will be kept on the move as well and will have less opportunity to commit crime...
- Parks shut down at night.
- There are an unusually large number of pharmacies in Langley, each one is dispensing methadone. Make a rule that only one of them can dispense methadone each day. This will cut down on the amount of junkies coming to town and make them work for it a bit more for their suppliers move around. A lazy junkie is a complacent junkie, a complacent junkie stays a junkie.
- Install direct to police/security wireless call stations that can't be tampered with in parks and problem areas so people can call in suspicious activity. Maintain them!
- Fake cameras in static areas with motion activated red lights.
- Motion activated strobe lights that light up at night if people linger in problem areas too long.
- Bright short duration sensor lights in problem areas.
- Motion activated camera flashes in problem areas (makes criminals feel like they are having their photos taken.
- Police encouraged to do paperwork in problem areas to 'show the flag.'
- More bike and foot patrols by the same officers so they get to know people.
- Dedicate a Police-Community liaison officer to proactively interface with with business people, property managers, etc. There should be an informal schedule. Feedback should be solicited.
- Create incentives for bus drivers, taxi drivers, garbage men, etc. to immediately report suspicious activity. For as the city grows and they are exposed to more crap the less they will care, unless reminded that it's in their best interests to call stuff-in.
- Make every prostitute caught in Langley go through a medical exam - they don't like doing that, and will avoid Langley in the future (remember dugs and prostitution go everywhere hand in hand.)
- Langley RCMP should have a dedicated rehab cell for druggies - make it nice, and provide a nurse to hold their hands so the human rights people, politicians with no backbone, and news papers won't object. Paint it pink or a colour that is similar. It can be a place where they can go through cold turkey withdrawal or at least part way. The room will get a reputation and people who do drugs will be less likely to come here.
- Form a dedicated vice squad who's primary objective is to effect gorilla investigations, to interdict and pester people involved in drugs and prostitution - not to form charges for that is expensive and time consuming, they are mainly there to form an information database and keep crime from spreading. Keep them on the move.
- The RCMP should create 'constable apprenticeships' as a more permanent auxiliary member. 1. After a basic training these people are less expensive than full constable during their training time. 2. They can help out an underpowered organization. 3. They form good people for their future ranks.
- Constant maintenance in the area. If something gets broken or graffiti is sprayed on things clean it up right away. Municipal maintenance people shouldn't complain about being proactive about this for they are getting paid well to do it. Broken window theory...
- Important: City, Township and police all have to work together on this. Ask the hard questions and deal concisely with the hard issues. Do what has to be done and don't blame or point fingers, just keep going and get things in place. If Langley City needs a hand from Township then give it freely and vise-versa. Or parts of both Langley's will become cesspools - that is if they haven't already...
- Care more about the the people already here who built this wonderful community and have maintained it instead of those invading it and tearing it apart...
Speaking from experience as police officer in the past I must point out that you have to pester these criminals (potential or otherwise) to keep them from getting two comfortable within an area. ie. walking patrols and in-house security with cameras - no one involving themselves in crime likes to have a camera pointed at them. If you keep them moving they have a hard time setting up to sell drugs or involve themselves in prostitution.
You can't instigate so called 'programs' and expect crime to go away. You have to roll up your sleeves, actively fight it, and always keep at it. And you can't be risk adverse for there is much at stake. Langley isn't a town any more so the same rules don't apply.
Just like invasive weeds you have to dig them out and keep on digging. You have to keep at them or they will take over. This IS priority one in Langley now for criminals are taking root.
Unfortunately the Langley's have been attracting these sorts of people and word is spreading. Langley City has a problem, and it will get bigger. It will be the next downtown east side...
Now is the time to take a hard stand!
Quick Suggestions:
Note to police and local government - think creatively!
- City and Township - hire security guards with communications monitored by police dispatch and give them cameras to point at suspicious people.
- Don't discourage volunteer citizen patrols yet go further and educate them, they are going to do it anyway so you might as well tell what they can and can't do, equip them if you can, and get them to sign disclaimers. They make great eyes and ears. Do discourage police from looking down upon them.
We did look down upon them at Richmond RCMP. Any help the police can get the better - it's just all about management.
- Two person police cars. The officers take turns doing foot patrols in parks while the other lights up the area with a spot light.
- Bylaw officers should do foot patrols through our parks and i.d. people involved in low risk crime (again show the flag.)
- Police cary high power flash lights when on foot patrols - criminals don't like that.
- Patrols should be repeated at odd times during the day and night. A park should not be considered patrolled just once a shift.
- Police should be driving more fuel efficient cars (as it stands I can't imagine the fuel costs for such large cars and SUVs!) and should use them for more patrols during the night in and around our neighbourhoods shining spotlights. If the police are moving and lighting up the dark then the criminals will be kept on the move as well and will have less opportunity to commit crime...
- Parks shut down at night.
- There are an unusually large number of pharmacies in Langley, each one is dispensing methadone. Make a rule that only one of them can dispense methadone each day. This will cut down on the amount of junkies coming to town and make them work for it a bit more for their suppliers move around. A lazy junkie is a complacent junkie, a complacent junkie stays a junkie.
- Install direct to police/security wireless call stations that can't be tampered with in parks and problem areas so people can call in suspicious activity. Maintain them!
- Fake cameras in static areas with motion activated red lights.
- Motion activated strobe lights that light up at night if people linger in problem areas too long.
- Bright short duration sensor lights in problem areas.
- Motion activated camera flashes in problem areas (makes criminals feel like they are having their photos taken.
- Police encouraged to do paperwork in problem areas to 'show the flag.'
- More bike and foot patrols by the same officers so they get to know people.
- Dedicate a Police-Community liaison officer to proactively interface with with business people, property managers, etc. There should be an informal schedule. Feedback should be solicited.
- Create incentives for bus drivers, taxi drivers, garbage men, etc. to immediately report suspicious activity. For as the city grows and they are exposed to more crap the less they will care, unless reminded that it's in their best interests to call stuff-in.
- Make every prostitute caught in Langley go through a medical exam - they don't like doing that, and will avoid Langley in the future (remember dugs and prostitution go everywhere hand in hand.)
- Langley RCMP should have a dedicated rehab cell for druggies - make it nice, and provide a nurse to hold their hands so the human rights people, politicians with no backbone, and news papers won't object. Paint it pink or a colour that is similar. It can be a place where they can go through cold turkey withdrawal or at least part way. The room will get a reputation and people who do drugs will be less likely to come here.
- Form a dedicated vice squad who's primary objective is to effect gorilla investigations, to interdict and pester people involved in drugs and prostitution - not to form charges for that is expensive and time consuming, they are mainly there to form an information database and keep crime from spreading. Keep them on the move.
- The RCMP should create 'constable apprenticeships' as a more permanent auxiliary member. 1. After a basic training these people are less expensive than full constable during their training time. 2. They can help out an underpowered organization. 3. They form good people for their future ranks.
- Constant maintenance in the area. If something gets broken or graffiti is sprayed on things clean it up right away. Municipal maintenance people shouldn't complain about being proactive about this for they are getting paid well to do it. Broken window theory...
- Important: City, Township and police all have to work together on this. Ask the hard questions and deal concisely with the hard issues. Do what has to be done and don't blame or point fingers, just keep going and get things in place. If Langley City needs a hand from Township then give it freely and vise-versa. Or parts of both Langley's will become cesspools - that is if they haven't already...
- Care more about the the people already here who built this wonderful community and have maintained it instead of those invading it and tearing it apart...
Langley Township's modern-day alchemy
http://www.langleytimes.com/opinion/212842601.html
posted Jun 24, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Langley Township's modern-day alchemy
by Frank Bucholtz - Langley Timesposted Jun 24, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Do we still have an Agricultural Land Reserve in this province?
Perhaps it exists in other communities, but Langley Township seems to think it does not apply to land use decisions here.
It’s hard not to see things that way when so many Langley Township council meetings feature discussions about which areas of the ALR need to be rezoned to allow for housing.
There was the Tuscan Farms development, which council has approved. This will see a former farm become the location of 85 homes, with some farmland remaining.
This is not taking place in an area adjacent to an urban area. It is in the midst of rural Langley, admittedly in an area which features many homes on smaller acreages — developments that predate the ALR.
The Tuscan Farms development is also above the Hopington aquifer, where there has theoretically been a freeze on development. This freeze is meaningless, as many new homes have been built above it. I was very surprised to see, on a drive into an area I rarely get to, a number of huge new homes on what was once a small farm at 240 Street and 62A Crescent.
The Wall farm subdivision is perhaps the most naked assault on the ALR. Touted as part of a “university district,” it is no such thing. It has no physical access and only indirect proximity to the Trinity Western University campus, and in fact is simply the latest in a long series of attempts by the owners of a large farm (located on part of the historic Hudson’s Bay farm) to turn dirt into real estate gold. It’s modern-day alchemy.
The land use they propose is completely at odds with the ALR, official community plans and all planning principles.
Six members of Township council may be aspiring alchemists. They have supported this development through thick and thin. The only reason I can see for such unwavering support, including the surprising support from two council members with strong farm backgrounds, is that the Walls and various companies they are involved in were donors to numerous municipal election campaigns.
I give full credit to Councillors David Davis, Kim Richter and Michelle Sparrow for continuing to point out that this particular emperor has no clothes on. I hope their stance on this is remembered favourably by voters next November.
The latest attempt to pretend that the ALR does not exist is in the proposed redevelopment of 44 acres of farmland on the northwest outskirts of Aldergrove. The land has been fallow for years, likely because it is controlled by Genstar.
The case made by many members of Township council is one that has been made before — Aldergrove needs mure urban land so that it can more fully develop and more services can be provided to residents.
However, that lack of an urban base isn’t stopping council from building a pool, new ice rink and community centre. Nor did it stop the plan to build a new water line to service Aldergrove.
Perhaps it exists in other communities, but Langley Township seems to think it does not apply to land use decisions here.
It’s hard not to see things that way when so many Langley Township council meetings feature discussions about which areas of the ALR need to be rezoned to allow for housing.
There was the Tuscan Farms development, which council has approved. This will see a former farm become the location of 85 homes, with some farmland remaining.
This is not taking place in an area adjacent to an urban area. It is in the midst of rural Langley, admittedly in an area which features many homes on smaller acreages — developments that predate the ALR.
The Tuscan Farms development is also above the Hopington aquifer, where there has theoretically been a freeze on development. This freeze is meaningless, as many new homes have been built above it. I was very surprised to see, on a drive into an area I rarely get to, a number of huge new homes on what was once a small farm at 240 Street and 62A Crescent.
The Wall farm subdivision is perhaps the most naked assault on the ALR. Touted as part of a “university district,” it is no such thing. It has no physical access and only indirect proximity to the Trinity Western University campus, and in fact is simply the latest in a long series of attempts by the owners of a large farm (located on part of the historic Hudson’s Bay farm) to turn dirt into real estate gold. It’s modern-day alchemy.
The land use they propose is completely at odds with the ALR, official community plans and all planning principles.
Six members of Township council may be aspiring alchemists. They have supported this development through thick and thin. The only reason I can see for such unwavering support, including the surprising support from two council members with strong farm backgrounds, is that the Walls and various companies they are involved in were donors to numerous municipal election campaigns.
I give full credit to Councillors David Davis, Kim Richter and Michelle Sparrow for continuing to point out that this particular emperor has no clothes on. I hope their stance on this is remembered favourably by voters next November.
The latest attempt to pretend that the ALR does not exist is in the proposed redevelopment of 44 acres of farmland on the northwest outskirts of Aldergrove. The land has been fallow for years, likely because it is controlled by Genstar.
The case made by many members of Township council is one that has been made before — Aldergrove needs mure urban land so that it can more fully develop and more services can be provided to residents.
However, that lack of an urban base isn’t stopping council from building a pool, new ice rink and community centre. Nor did it stop the plan to build a new water line to service Aldergrove.
Monday, July 1, 2013
This IS Agricultural land guys!
The township has NO BUSINESS using our tax money to help ANY developer slice off a part of the Agricultural Land Reserve!!
"At Monday’s afternoon meeting, Township council voted 5-4 to refer Genstar Development Company’s exclusion application to the Agricultural Land Commission. The land, located at 3250 264 St., is in the ALR, but not in Metro Vancouver’s Green Zone."
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/212216881.html
We are paying you with our taxes, so the time you spend helping these guys pick away at the ALR is out of our pockets.
DON'T... do... that!
"At Monday’s afternoon meeting, Township council voted 5-4 to refer Genstar Development Company’s exclusion application to the Agricultural Land Commission. The land, located at 3250 264 St., is in the ALR, but not in Metro Vancouver’s Green Zone."
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/212216881.html
We are paying you with our taxes, so the time you spend helping these guys pick away at the ALR is out of our pockets.
DON'T... do... that!
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Council calls for second look at high density development
I love this quote:
“I was born into high density,” McDonald said.
“It sucks.”
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/213183351.html
“I was born into high density,” McDonald said.
“It sucks.”
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/213183351.html
Suspicious fire causes oil slick in Nicomekl River (Developer Owned)
Again, the owner is criminally negligent and should be charged! Am I wrong?? Is there some reason why the authorities are reluctant to do so??
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/211908941.html
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/211908941.html
Langley Welfare Crack-House Shut Down. Let's celebrate! (Developer Owned)
After numerous visits by police, by by-laws, the health department and the fire department the Crack House has been cracked. FINALY!
The residents have been removed, the house has been boarded-up and keep-out signs posted. The place is a complete mess with refuse and broken articles strewed all over the property. Hopefully the place will be torn down or someone will buy it and fix it up for their own honest use. The place has been the scourge of the surrounding neighbourhood with property crime spiking. People have had their vehicles and houses broken into and have had their person's robbed while walking on the streets in the area and a crack-head has overdosed at the end of our driveway while waving a crowbar. Fun eh? It was a great education for our young kids...
I imagine it would be telling if you could triangulate the recent crime statistics with this house at it's epicentre. It is good thing it has been shuttered.
The danger is still there though, not only is the place a mess but the boards are only a mild deterrent for squatters and if they end up in there you know it will only be a matter of time before the place goes up in flames. And being hemmed in by large pine trees a good part of the street could burn.
The lower mainland underbelly now knows the area, and they know that there are other developer and holding company owned abandoned houses around Brookswood were they can live for a time, feed off the local residents and shoot-up. The above place should be torn down, a lien should be placed upon it and all the police and other service costs that the local tax payers have incurred should be assessed (including wages) and the owner charged.
Wouldn't that be fair considering all the damage this one owner has caused? The owner should be liable for his negligence, right? He was the one that didn't screen the residents right?? Or will insult be added to injury and we will just eat the costs as usual as part of our rapidly increasing taxes. Maybe Langley Township and City should be less circumspect about calculating and litigating these situations especially when they are caused by owner (developer/holding company) neglect and carelessness AND creating a slum as a result.
May then, and only then, will they be forced to care a little about the world around them instead of just thinking about the cash that will line their pockets...
Friday, May 10, 2013
Property Tax Higher than Inflation!
No government has any right or business raising or fixing yearly property taxes to a level that is higher than inflation. It is immoral and unkind to do so.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Langley Development Timelapse
This shows the development of Willoughby, Willowbrook and east Cloverdale since 1984. Note the huge 'compressive housing' development serge that has been allowed to happen by both The City of Surrey and Langley Township over the last decade. Eye opening isn't it?
It looks like some sort of runaway spreading cancer that eats both land and trees...
Now take a look at Brookswood. Contrasting right?
One of the main reasons why we love Brookswood as our community is because of this slow pace - it's because this is the way things should be. It's reasonable, measured, non consuming, non choking, sustainable and traditionally Canadian. It's not all about desperate growth, nor about hordes of people, or about a greater tax base.
The land under Brookswoods is not meant to make money for salivating developers, or to provide extra government revenue or balance government budgets, it is a tranquil place for the present residents to live and rest without fear that the world is going to take it all from you or is going to compress and smother you.
Other countries have filled themselves up with humanity, countries like China, Malaysia and India and even large parts of Europe and South America. This to the tune of, a mind-boggling, 7 Billion people!!
Is this what we are becoming as Canadians? I know it wasn't that way when I was a kid. We didn't have rapid growth, and didn't think about filling our country up with people, and bulldozing it all down to do so.
It's like we have adopted a money-worship-sell-out-your-countrymen type attitude where growth is absolute, and are told that we have to make room for more people to accommodate this way of thinking!
It's like the Canadian way and culture has died and we have adopted the ways and cut-throat methods of some other country.
And for Canadians this is not very polite...
It looks like some sort of runaway spreading cancer that eats both land and trees...
Now take a look at Brookswood. Contrasting right?
One of the main reasons why we love Brookswood as our community is because of this slow pace - it's because this is the way things should be. It's reasonable, measured, non consuming, non choking, sustainable and traditionally Canadian. It's not all about desperate growth, nor about hordes of people, or about a greater tax base.
The land under Brookswoods is not meant to make money for salivating developers, or to provide extra government revenue or balance government budgets, it is a tranquil place for the present residents to live and rest without fear that the world is going to take it all from you or is going to compress and smother you.
Other countries have filled themselves up with humanity, countries like China, Malaysia and India and even large parts of Europe and South America. This to the tune of, a mind-boggling, 7 Billion people!!
Is this what we are becoming as Canadians? I know it wasn't that way when I was a kid. We didn't have rapid growth, and didn't think about filling our country up with people, and bulldozing it all down to do so.
It's like we have adopted a money-worship-sell-out-your-countrymen type attitude where growth is absolute, and are told that we have to make room for more people to accommodate this way of thinking!
It's like the Canadian way and culture has died and we have adopted the ways and cut-throat methods of some other country.
And for Canadians this is not very polite...
Monday, May 6, 2013
Brookswood Plan: No Council Envy. By Brad Richert.
http://www.langleytoday.ca/brookswood-plan-no-council-envy/
I disagree with some of what Mr. Richert has to say in the above article.
Much of the situation in Brookswood (and Langley in general) is caused by mass immigration with many people moving to the area from other countries and from migration from other livable parts of the country which are filling up. Many other areas are considered not as nice to live in due to climate or chocking levels of development, crime or because built-up areas tend to become unkind as they lose their sense of a country-like community - as well as other problems. Brookswood is a desirable area, mainly because of the large trees, the country like atmosphere and and the rural connectivity that the residents share. That will be destroyed as the area comes under pressure from development, as the trees are torn down and the roads widened.
Let's face it. It is all about money. This excellent community will be torn apart so others can make money. A community that has been wonderfully 'stagnating' for decades will be wiped-out to become like any other community. Brookswood is an island in a sea of sprawl, and when the waves of development crash over the spruces and the firs and the hemlocks that grace the area it will become like so much chopped up flotsam that is the rest of the lower mainland. I know, how poetic, but if you come here and look all around, you will feel the same way - this place, the way it is now = harmony. It needs protecting.
Am I a NIMBY as Mr. Richert has stated in his article? Maybe. I own a big house on a large parcel of land and I have worked extremely hard and have given-up much (you can see me driving around in my 94 Honda Civic) in order to buy it, keep it and maintain it so it looks nice just like all of my neighbours around me - there is much pride in our community. My son will probably inherit my house if he can afford it by that point (and the township can control their spending) and I sincerely wish to have the same low population, 'stagnant' and safe community around him by then. Like Mr. Richert I stand to benefit from densification for I will have one of the few houses in the lower-mainland with land if the rampant development is not kept at-bay - and that is becoming rare.
Even if I stand to benefit I still want to fight to keep Brookswood as-is...
Damn right Brookswood residents will lash-out!! And why shouldn't we?? People who do not live here want to destroy what we dearly love and they want to cut us in half with 4 lane commuter highways! They even thought about building a casino here! That is why so many people showed up for the open houses. And that is why we will all be angry if we are sold-out like we feel is happening to us.
Yes this is our back yard and we want to protect it. Wouldn't you do the same thing to protect something you love?
Comments:
I disagree with some of what Mr. Richert has to say in the above article.
Much of the situation in Brookswood (and Langley in general) is caused by mass immigration with many people moving to the area from other countries and from migration from other livable parts of the country which are filling up. Many other areas are considered not as nice to live in due to climate or chocking levels of development, crime or because built-up areas tend to become unkind as they lose their sense of a country-like community - as well as other problems. Brookswood is a desirable area, mainly because of the large trees, the country like atmosphere and and the rural connectivity that the residents share. That will be destroyed as the area comes under pressure from development, as the trees are torn down and the roads widened.
Let's face it. It is all about money. This excellent community will be torn apart so others can make money. A community that has been wonderfully 'stagnating' for decades will be wiped-out to become like any other community. Brookswood is an island in a sea of sprawl, and when the waves of development crash over the spruces and the firs and the hemlocks that grace the area it will become like so much chopped up flotsam that is the rest of the lower mainland. I know, how poetic, but if you come here and look all around, you will feel the same way - this place, the way it is now = harmony. It needs protecting.
Am I a NIMBY as Mr. Richert has stated in his article? Maybe. I own a big house on a large parcel of land and I have worked extremely hard and have given-up much (you can see me driving around in my 94 Honda Civic) in order to buy it, keep it and maintain it so it looks nice just like all of my neighbours around me - there is much pride in our community. My son will probably inherit my house if he can afford it by that point (and the township can control their spending) and I sincerely wish to have the same low population, 'stagnant' and safe community around him by then. Like Mr. Richert I stand to benefit from densification for I will have one of the few houses in the lower-mainland with land if the rampant development is not kept at-bay - and that is becoming rare.
Even if I stand to benefit I still want to fight to keep Brookswood as-is...
Damn right Brookswood residents will lash-out!! And why shouldn't we?? People who do not live here want to destroy what we dearly love and they want to cut us in half with 4 lane commuter highways! They even thought about building a casino here! That is why so many people showed up for the open houses. And that is why we will all be angry if we are sold-out like we feel is happening to us.
Yes this is our back yard and we want to protect it. Wouldn't you do the same thing to protect something you love?
Comments:
AnonymousJuly 11, 2013 at 8:16 PM
Has
there been a petition going around? I live in the brookswood area and
almost all of my neighbours werent even aware of any changes that will
be coming... If i had better resources i would defenitely start a
petition to stop the destruction of brookswood.
As
far as I know I'm the only one who is doing something like this. There
are many people against changing the Community plan (initiated by a
small group of owners in the 'Griffith' neighborhood) but most people
who I talk to have a downtrodden belief that nothing they do will
matter, or that what ever the Township does it will be written in stone
and can't be changed.
It is sad that not many people who we elect to govern us truly care about the people who put them in power, instead they are there for their own motives and agendas - and that mostly to make money for themselves or for their buddies. We seem to be adopting a third world political model I'm afraid.
I can only continue to promote this site, and I hope that people read it and it makes them think. And maybe some will go out and do something about it.
Beyond that we, the masters, are being steam rolled by our in our pay (ha! the employees of the Township who faithfully work for us...) -D
It is sad that not many people who we elect to govern us truly care about the people who put them in power, instead they are there for their own motives and agendas - and that mostly to make money for themselves or for their buddies. We seem to be adopting a third world political model I'm afraid.
I can only continue to promote this site, and I hope that people read it and it makes them think. And maybe some will go out and do something about it.
Beyond that we, the masters, are being steam rolled by our in our pay (ha! the employees of the Township who faithfully work for us...) -D
- AnonymousJuly 15, 2013 at 12:31 PMSo now what , i have quite a few neighbours now concerned with whats going on and i have their support , i have also spoken with numerous businesses along the 208 & 40 ave , and they have also shown support for a petition. Unfortunately im not sure where to begin...im very passionate about keeping this area the way it is. I was born and raised from richmond and now i dont even recognize my old neighbourhood or most of the city , i just hope brookswoods fate doesnt end up the same.
David M Chambers 23, 2013 at 5:36 PM
I would fully promote any petition on this site. Please let people know about it so they can read some of the objections I've written down here. Beyond that it's about what gets the most publicity: Door-to-door written petitions with signatures or on-line petition sites.The biggest thing is to let the township know that this is our community not theirs. They have had their way for most of this process and they have done things the way they see fit - that is they failed to properly and fully notify the residents (using only the minimum methods) and have bent the questions and agenda to what they want by leaving and filling gaps the way they see fit. The sad thing is that we are paying for it out of pocket and eventually through a decline in living conditions due to a large population increase (and attending problems) and the widening of our country streets and roads to 4 lane city standards. - And then there is Willoughby...
Word of mouth works well, so does paper and electronic postings wherever you can post. I was thinking about using my banner as a bumper sticker as well.
The unfortunate thing is that with the info age buzzing around everyone's heads not as many people look up from their iPhones and take notice. Governments (Townships) realize this and take advantage by pushing forward their own agendas without much public consultation or even in private sessions.
It is nice that the Townships has consulted with us this much, but I wonder about their process, their motivations, and their alliances. -D
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Say goodbye to Brookswood as we know it
http://www.langleytimes.com/opinion/letters/205405631.html
I, along with countless other Brookswood residents, share in the trepidation of the planned four-laning of 40 Avenue.
However, this is just one small component of the much larger and more sinister master plan to destroy Brookswood and Fernridge. The draft land use plan conveniently understates, or in some cases camouflages, the true development intent.
Due to the colour shadings used, at first glance it appears that there is provision for some new quarter-acre and larger lots.
As I recall, Goal 1 listed at the planning workshops was to “preserve existing character.” The reality is that the largest new lots included in this plan are 7,000 square feet. These will likely be few and far between.
So, say goodbye to Brookswood as we know and cherish it. Say goodbye to the large lots, and the large stands of trees.
There is an opportunity to develop something different and unique here, something apart from the same, old, tired densification. It could be different from the type of development that has wreaked havoc on other areas of Langley.
I suspect, however, we will see yet another “clear cut” disaster.
B. Cameron,
Langley
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Sooooo, what's up with the questionnaire?
"3. Housing Types
Which of the following statements best represent your interpretation of the types of housing included in the plan? Indicate all that apply.
There should be more emphasis on regular single family lots (4, 6, 8 or 10 upa/10-25 uph, 4-7,000 square foot lots)"
"5. Parks and Schools Size and Distribution
What do you think of the park and school sites included in the plan?
Please note, park and school sites represented on the display board do not reflect exact future sites of schools and parks. These will be determined as development occurs and land acquisition permits (see symbols E, M, and S on the plan). Indicate all that apply."
I predict another mismanagement cluster on this one... It kind of leaves things wide open to swap more school land with developers doesn't it? Or worse...
http://www.langleytimes.com/opinion/138818834.html
By-the-way the survey will be up until April 30th and can be found here...
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JKQRBYW
Which of the following statements best represent your interpretation of the types of housing included in the plan? Indicate all that apply.
There should be more emphasis on regular single family lots (4, 6, 8 or 10 upa/10-25 uph, 4-7,000 square foot lots)"
...or 20, 22, or 30... That is quite the range for what they consider 'regular single family lots'... This process is like some sort of probe that keeps getting more invasive. Of course if you are in charge of finessing this particular process you can formulate the questions what ever way you want. It's called manipulation.
What do you think of the park and school sites included in the plan?
Please note, park and school sites represented on the display board do not reflect exact future sites of schools and parks. These will be determined as development occurs and land acquisition permits (see symbols E, M, and S on the plan). Indicate all that apply."
I predict another mismanagement cluster on this one... It kind of leaves things wide open to swap more school land with developers doesn't it? Or worse...
Willoughby schools are close to crisis
http://www.langleytimes.com/opinion/138818834.html
By-the-way the survey will be up until April 30th and can be found here...
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JKQRBYW
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Growth = Money = Planners = Development
Boy! There wouldn't be much work for planners if there wasn't much growth. What happens to many of them when things slow down? Do they still keep their jobs while we continue to support them with our taxes? What about after they fill every square acre up with development? Then what are they going to do?
I guess it's hard to be concerned about the existing people in their community when they are protecting and justifying their jobs right?
Remember the leaky condo issue? Remember all the building envelope consultants that set-up over-night to 'solve the problems' for the stratta councils. They cost many people allot of money too - and many of those people couldn't afford to spend that money.
I guess when there is a perceived need there will always be a crowd of people ready to jump in and capitalize on it. This is the way I look upon planners.
Note: Planners are supposed to be the appointed guardians of the communities they serve, not autonomous destroyers.
I guess it's hard to be concerned about the existing people in their community when they are protecting and justifying their jobs right?
Remember the leaky condo issue? Remember all the building envelope consultants that set-up over-night to 'solve the problems' for the stratta councils. They cost many people allot of money too - and many of those people couldn't afford to spend that money.
I guess when there is a perceived need there will always be a crowd of people ready to jump in and capitalize on it. This is the way I look upon planners.
Note: Planners are supposed to be the appointed guardians of the communities they serve, not autonomous destroyers.
Brookswood is a beautiful place to live - the way it is now.
Joni Mitchell: Big Yellow Taxi
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot SPOT
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
'Til it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
They took all the trees
And put them in a tree museum
Then they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em
Don't it always seem to go,
That you don't know what you've got
'Til it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot...
Ask yourselves: what kind of legacy are you creating?
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot SPOT
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
'Til it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
They took all the trees
And put them in a tree museum
Then they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em
Don't it always seem to go,
That you don't know what you've got
'Til it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot...
Ask yourselves: what kind of legacy are you creating?
WHY?
Why do you have to do this at all? Why can't you just leave it be and let it take it's natural course? Is it because people who own large parcels of land are hoping to become millionaires? Is it because developers and land holding companies are hungering to make money off of the area and then move on to devour the next?
Must the entire lower mainland be ravaged this way? Can there not be some sanctuaries?
Must the entire lower mainland be ravaged this way? Can there not be some sanctuaries?
Monday, April 15, 2013
What happened guys?
When I moved to Langley in the early 90s my wife and I thought that Langley was such a nice place. We thought that here was a place that had it together, that this place was not going to be like Surrey, or Richmond with their rapid growth and messed-up sprawl. We thought that with a city like Surrey just next door, with it's developer pay-offs and bad planning Langley had a glaringly obvious example of what not to do.
You changed for the worse, and are becoming another Surrey.
What happened Langley?
You changed for the worse, and are becoming another Surrey.
What happened Langley?
Do all the Township planners live in Langley?
It would be discouraging to see that any one of them may live somewhere else - vested interest and such...
So... how much is this costing again?
Remember, money from public coffers is just free money right? It's not like it's yours or something? Right??
Whoa! Population spike on a whim!
Quote from latest draft land use plan:
'Population Summary
The population forecast for the area, based on proposed Land Use Designations, is approximately 42,000 people.'
(??!!)
Wow! That is quite the sudden population increase from 36,000!! Or 33,600 or even 32,000 as stated in the questionnaire last time...
Yes, yes, it's just an estimate you say. But if we can't trust you to come up with proper estimates what can we trust you with? If I was managing you, we would be having a little talk behind closed doors.
It makes one wonder if the planning department really knows what they are doing. It also shows an offensively disdainful regard for the residents of Langley, the same residents that you milk for votes and tax revenue.
The people of Brookswood were lead-by-the-nose to view a presentation involving 3 options only! You can't combine or mix, or befuddle, blend, defuse, finesse or slime those carefully manipulated distinct options into any sort of hybrid without us howling blue murder!
Doesn't the planners and politicians understand that we (the present residents and lion share of the property owners, tax payers and voters in Brookswood) Don't want to live in high density.
You did it elsewhere don't do it here!
This gives you the appearance of being money-grubbing, crooked and OBTUSE
I feel a betrayal will be ensured when this thing (which shouldn't have been attempted in the first place) comes down the line...
Oh and by-the-way having almost half of all the undeveloped land mass in Brookswood designated 6 units (houses) per acre is a 150% increase in density compared to what exists presently in Brookswood.
http://www.tol.ca/Portals/0/FileShare/ComDev/2013-04-11_April_open_house_boards_LR.pdf
The population forecast for the area, based on proposed Land Use Designations, is approximately 42,000 people.'
(??!!)
Wow! That is quite the sudden population increase from 36,000!! Or 33,600 or even 32,000 as stated in the questionnaire last time...
Yes, yes, it's just an estimate you say. But if we can't trust you to come up with proper estimates what can we trust you with? If I was managing you, we would be having a little talk behind closed doors.
It makes one wonder if the planning department really knows what they are doing. It also shows an offensively disdainful regard for the residents of Langley, the same residents that you milk for votes and tax revenue.
The people of Brookswood were lead-by-the-nose to view a presentation involving 3 options only! You can't combine or mix, or befuddle, blend, defuse, finesse or slime those carefully manipulated distinct options into any sort of hybrid without us howling blue murder!
Doesn't the planners and politicians understand that we (the present residents and lion share of the property owners, tax payers and voters in Brookswood) Don't want to live in high density.
You did it elsewhere don't do it here!
This gives you the appearance of being money-grubbing, crooked and OBTUSE
I feel a betrayal will be ensured when this thing (which shouldn't have been attempted in the first place) comes down the line...
Oh and by-the-way having almost half of all the undeveloped land mass in Brookswood designated 6 units (houses) per acre is a 150% increase in density compared to what exists presently in Brookswood.
http://www.tol.ca/Portals/0/FileShare/ComDev/2013-04-11_April_open_house_boards_LR.pdf
Monday, April 8, 2013
Report Suspicious Activity!!
If you see people doing something that is suspicious or doesn't feel right call 911 and report it!
I can't emphasize this more. The only way we can keep the crime (drugs) manageable in Langley is for you to get on your cell phone more and let the police know. They wont be angry at you (if they are you can complain) and they will be directed to the problems - besides it's your taxes that are paying for them right??
You see the police are reactive, and the only way that a reactive organization can be effective is to have things pointed out to them. Each call or 'occurrence' creates what is termed a stat or statistic. These stats are tallied and sent to Ottawa ('A' Division Headquarters). The more stats there are the more likely Ottawa will direct resources to that community and the more likely the community will get more officers to augment its (our) inadequately manned police department.
So next time you see something suspicious CALL 911! The police expect it and want it!
I can't emphasize this more. The only way we can keep the crime (drugs) manageable in Langley is for you to get on your cell phone more and let the police know. They wont be angry at you (if they are you can complain) and they will be directed to the problems - besides it's your taxes that are paying for them right??
You see the police are reactive, and the only way that a reactive organization can be effective is to have things pointed out to them. Each call or 'occurrence' creates what is termed a stat or statistic. These stats are tallied and sent to Ottawa ('A' Division Headquarters). The more stats there are the more likely Ottawa will direct resources to that community and the more likely the community will get more officers to augment its (our) inadequately manned police department.
So next time you see something suspicious CALL 911! The police expect it and want it!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Langley: The next Skid Row...
Look alive guys! Transients are moving in!
Having experience in these things I know you can't have a bleeding heart when it comes to this otherwise they will root themselves. If they reject help you just have to keep pestering them to move on. You also have to keep at the old apartment building owners to improve their buildings.
Most people moved to Langley because it is a nice place to live, that is changing for the worst due to inadequate precautionary measures, aging unkempt apartments and a somewhat tolerant and segmented population. High rises in Langley City aren't going to help either - but they won't find that out until they're built.
If the city and the township don't act assertively much of the shady and transient aspect of lower mainland will move in and harm this community making it no longer safe for families.
These people are being pushed out of Vancouver's Downtown East side and Langley is a wonderfully attractive place for them to 'set-up-shop.' If they are willing to accept help and become productive members of the community then fine they can stay (there are plenty of things they can do to help out) but if not they will have to move on.
Or do nothing and see what happens.
Drive around Langley City and you will see some of what I mean...
Oh, by the way, a little note to the overly sensitive people that bleed for this segment of society. Try this test...
Approach a vagrant and instead of offering them food and/or money offer to assist them to the many services that are out there to help them. See if they will accept the help... If they do good for you, you helped one of them. If not keep trying.
You see it is the hand outs that cause them to congregate in a particular area and perhaps the drugs - something I have been seeing much of lately in Langley.
Having experience in these things I know you can't have a bleeding heart when it comes to this otherwise they will root themselves. If they reject help you just have to keep pestering them to move on. You also have to keep at the old apartment building owners to improve their buildings.
Most people moved to Langley because it is a nice place to live, that is changing for the worst due to inadequate precautionary measures, aging unkempt apartments and a somewhat tolerant and segmented population. High rises in Langley City aren't going to help either - but they won't find that out until they're built.
If the city and the township don't act assertively much of the shady and transient aspect of lower mainland will move in and harm this community making it no longer safe for families.
These people are being pushed out of Vancouver's Downtown East side and Langley is a wonderfully attractive place for them to 'set-up-shop.' If they are willing to accept help and become productive members of the community then fine they can stay (there are plenty of things they can do to help out) but if not they will have to move on.
Or do nothing and see what happens.
Drive around Langley City and you will see some of what I mean...
Oh, by the way, a little note to the overly sensitive people that bleed for this segment of society. Try this test...
Approach a vagrant and instead of offering them food and/or money offer to assist them to the many services that are out there to help them. See if they will accept the help... If they do good for you, you helped one of them. If not keep trying.
You see it is the hand outs that cause them to congregate in a particular area and perhaps the drugs - something I have been seeing much of lately in Langley.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Money
Further what is a full planning staff doing while they pay a consultant, in all likelihood, a large amount of Langley tax payer money to come up with this new plan?
Lack of Notification
Mr. Tinney wrote the
following statement on page 2 of his recent consultation report...
'The Township of Langley has
actively sought community involvement for this community planning process.
However, it should be noted that public consultation events only generate
feedback from a small cross section of the community as not all community
members are able to attend these events.'
'actively' eh? Fail!
'actively' eh? Fail!
Not
everyone knows that this process is taking place! The township
has successfully pushed hard to get this whole thing going and has successfully massaged and
sculpted a vision that they want by limiting our choices in the matter, but
they failed miserably in a major way - they failed to notify people properly.
What they must understand is that this is a legal process with potential legal
consequences. As such you need to appropriately notify everyone in
the community involved. The Township did not go door-to-door and they did not mail notifications to the residents and
home owners in Brookswood/Fernridge - ads in the not-always-read local newspapers or on
your website aren't enough!
If the Township can get dog license canvassers to go door-to-door then they can do the same to notify
people about a huge impending community plan. It follows reason does it not??
This is a
post that I received from a resident on March 15th...
“Thank
you David. I live in Deer Creek and I
just received a letter from Maureen Spender and now I’m very concerned. I didn’t know about any of this.”
Now how
many people don’t know that the community plan process is taking place?
If you
(the Township of Langley and its planners) don’t fully enlighten residents
about these important and life changing events then don't be surprised if you are
then tarred with an unseemly association with developers and their money - much like
the corrupt developer/city practices that happed in Surrey over the last few decades...
Most want to live in a big house - really, no kidding??
The township planners should take note of this article. Maybe this with create a small chink in their thinking...
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Most+Metro+Vancouver+would+choose+house+suburbs+over+luxury+apartment+survey/8153112/story.html
“We were a bit surprised that, despite all the talk about densification and walkability, despite the fact that condos have taken over from houses in many parts of our region, the overwhelming choice was for a large house on a big suburban property,” said Elizabeth Wilson, content editor for REW.
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Most+Metro+Vancouver+would+choose+house+suburbs+over+luxury+apartment+survey/8153112/story.html
“We were a bit surprised that, despite all the talk about densification and walkability, despite the fact that condos have taken over from houses in many parts of our region, the overwhelming choice was for a large house on a big suburban property,” said Elizabeth Wilson, content editor for REW.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Casino in Langley Township?
Q: When did casinos become the must have for communities?
A: When local government started getting a cut of the gambling money.
Have you ever walked through a casino and watched the gambling zombies spend money with glazed eyes and a lost sense of self awareness. It's sad.
It is also sad that governments have so lost their moral sense of awareness that they think it is a good thing to feed off of these people in order to increase revenue instead of using basic accounting practices to run a township. In a tizzy of head-screwiness they even thought of putting one in Brookswood! In a family oriented residential area! This type of thinking shows how desperate the township is to generate more funds so they can then build more things that will then have to be maintained.
Casinos don't add much to the community. Most of the money they generate goes elsewhere. The supporters will say that casinos help pay for charities but they wreck more lives than they help due to individuals losing money to gambling addiction, money they could have used to pay for high taxes and bridge tolls.
Btw, what a marketing deal giving 10% of the yearly proceeds to local government is.
Heroin pushers do something similar to get things started...
A: When local government started getting a cut of the gambling money.
Have you ever walked through a casino and watched the gambling zombies spend money with glazed eyes and a lost sense of self awareness. It's sad.
It is also sad that governments have so lost their moral sense of awareness that they think it is a good thing to feed off of these people in order to increase revenue instead of using basic accounting practices to run a township. In a tizzy of head-screwiness they even thought of putting one in Brookswood! In a family oriented residential area! This type of thinking shows how desperate the township is to generate more funds so they can then build more things that will then have to be maintained.
Casinos don't add much to the community. Most of the money they generate goes elsewhere. The supporters will say that casinos help pay for charities but they wreck more lives than they help due to individuals losing money to gambling addiction, money they could have used to pay for high taxes and bridge tolls.
Btw, what a marketing deal giving 10% of the yearly proceeds to local government is.
Heroin pushers do something similar to get things started...
Friday, January 25, 2013
Cost of policing...
I never understood why municipalities don't make use of mobile staff security guards. They can provide a presence, they become the eyes and ears of police (who are spread thin) and can report incidents without getting directly involved. They are also much less expensive than the police.
There is definitely an undesirable segment of society moving into the Langleys and along with it it's attendant criminal aspect. When the risk is low security can pester vagrants and film drug dealers (no drug dealer likes flash bubs going off in their direction) encouraging them to get-out-of-town.
Let's face it, if we aren't proactive and take a stand parts of the Langleys shamefully will become slums. If you go with the socialist agenda and provide shelters much more of a bedraggled and amoral fringe element will be attracted here and slums will be guaranteed.
The time to act is now, for Langley is an attractive venue for these people and some parts are already becoming seedy with visible (out in the open) drug deals and dumpster-divers. I know, it is heartless of me, but you wont think so when your kids start finding syringes and condoms around your neighborhoods.
Btw, every business should have a lock on their dumpsters unless they want to keep cleaning up the mess a dumpster-diver makes. Further you are responsible to clean-up that mess and you can get a hefty fine for littering if you don't do so and Langley bylaws decide they are going to notice... After all who wants your garbage flying around the town on the wind after some recently entrenched vagrant digs through your dumpster.
http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/Summit+tackles+rising+police+costs/7853325/story.html
There is definitely an undesirable segment of society moving into the Langleys and along with it it's attendant criminal aspect. When the risk is low security can pester vagrants and film drug dealers (no drug dealer likes flash bubs going off in their direction) encouraging them to get-out-of-town.
Let's face it, if we aren't proactive and take a stand parts of the Langleys shamefully will become slums. If you go with the socialist agenda and provide shelters much more of a bedraggled and amoral fringe element will be attracted here and slums will be guaranteed.
The time to act is now, for Langley is an attractive venue for these people and some parts are already becoming seedy with visible (out in the open) drug deals and dumpster-divers. I know, it is heartless of me, but you wont think so when your kids start finding syringes and condoms around your neighborhoods.
Btw, every business should have a lock on their dumpsters unless they want to keep cleaning up the mess a dumpster-diver makes. Further you are responsible to clean-up that mess and you can get a hefty fine for littering if you don't do so and Langley bylaws decide they are going to notice... After all who wants your garbage flying around the town on the wind after some recently entrenched vagrant digs through your dumpster.
http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/Summit+tackles+rising+police+costs/7853325/story.html
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Welcome to Brookswood boys!
Make yourselves at home. Part of the cost of urbanization...
http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/Camera+captures+suspects/7864719/story.html
http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/Camera+captures+suspects/7864719/story.html
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Brookwood's 'Options'
** Take note that in each of these 'options' the population will
be over 30,000 people. The low density Subdivision option has a very similar planned
population level when compared with the other two options. That should indicate the Township's overriding motive - target tax base for the area.
They probably started this whole thing with something like this (think: meeting with the smoking man in X Files)...
(Gruff voice) 'We need 35,000 more tax payers in Langley! (pause as cigar smoke dissipates...)
(Young enthusiastic voice) Well Sir., how about Brookswood, we can put them all there??
(Gruff voice) Great idea ____________! All they have there is trees and they don't vote! (looking appreciatively at his young protégé) ____________ I knew there was a reason why we brought you on board! Now let's talk about your commission...'
A man in a shadowed corner from the real estate consulting company silently smiles and his nervous fingers twitch...
Oh the nefarious drama of it all.
I also find it interesting that the lowest density (Subdivision) option will end up developing the whole darn area! That is with the exception of that pesky ALR thing. At least the area will then be developed and done with, for you just know that with the other two options they aren't going to stop with just 'nodes' and 'pockets' - interesting choice of words btw, sounds better than 'clots' and 'cavities'. Oh, it's fun to spin.
And as Mr. Tinney indicated at the October info session: "Development can actually be good for the aquifer." So all this impending development IS good news! Yeah!!
Subdivision" would Extend the suburban style of density south, with lots staying roughly around 10,000 square feet. Population would be about 33,650, and parts of southeast-ern Brookswood and Fernridge would retain lower density.
**Note: 10,000 square foot lots are easier to subdivide in the future.
Enhanced Centres" would see pockets of multifamily, including condos and townhouses, at the existing commercial nodes, at 200th Street and 208th Street on 40th Avenue, and at 32nd and 24th Avenues on 200th. This would leave larger areas with low density, with 44 per cent of land with half-acre or larger lots. Population would be about 32,000.
Centres and corridors" would use the same style of nodes, but would add higher density along parts of 200th Street heading north-south, and along smaller stretches of 24th and 32nd Avenues. Population would be about 36,000.
It's like you're buying a car or something. Except in this case the smiling salespeople back at the dealership aren't going to listen when something bad develops....
They probably started this whole thing with something like this (think: meeting with the smoking man in X Files)...
(Gruff voice) 'We need 35,000 more tax payers in Langley! (pause as cigar smoke dissipates...)
(Young enthusiastic voice) Well Sir., how about Brookswood, we can put them all there??
(Gruff voice) Great idea ____________! All they have there is trees and they don't vote! (looking appreciatively at his young protégé) ____________ I knew there was a reason why we brought you on board! Now let's talk about your commission...'
A man in a shadowed corner from the real estate consulting company silently smiles and his nervous fingers twitch...
Oh the nefarious drama of it all.
I also find it interesting that the lowest density (Subdivision) option will end up developing the whole darn area! That is with the exception of that pesky ALR thing. At least the area will then be developed and done with, for you just know that with the other two options they aren't going to stop with just 'nodes' and 'pockets' - interesting choice of words btw, sounds better than 'clots' and 'cavities'. Oh, it's fun to spin.
And as Mr. Tinney indicated at the October info session: "Development can actually be good for the aquifer." So all this impending development IS good news! Yeah!!
Subdivision" would Extend the suburban style of density south, with lots staying roughly around 10,000 square feet. Population would be about 33,650, and parts of southeast-ern Brookswood and Fernridge would retain lower density.
**Note: 10,000 square foot lots are easier to subdivide in the future.
Enhanced Centres" would see pockets of multifamily, including condos and townhouses, at the existing commercial nodes, at 200th Street and 208th Street on 40th Avenue, and at 32nd and 24th Avenues on 200th. This would leave larger areas with low density, with 44 per cent of land with half-acre or larger lots. Population would be about 32,000.
Centres and corridors" would use the same style of nodes, but would add higher density along parts of 200th Street heading north-south, and along smaller stretches of 24th and 32nd Avenues. Population would be about 36,000.
It's like you're buying a car or something. Except in this case the smiling salespeople back at the dealership aren't going to listen when something bad develops....
Sunday, January 20, 2013
City Planners always do what they want to do.
That is the way it has always been and they will not change for this town - I guess I shouldn't be calling it a town any more, they have chosen sprawl so it must unfortunately be called a city. The public consultations are just there for show and as a result Brookswood will never be the same afterwards for there is money to be made and very little land in the region. If people don't sell they will eventually be pushed out by constant (bigger than wage increase) yearly jumps in taxes - for property tax is not based on the ability to pay or on income, it is based on the house value. It is also based on the Township's need to pay for extravagant municipal spending on things we don't really need and the resultant cost of maintenance for what is built, for the purchase of new things instead of maintaining what exists, for air conditioned lawn mowers for a region that rarely needs air conditioning. Eventually the planners and the developers will tear down all the trees and Brookswood will become a place of cement apartment buildings and townhouses. Those of us who bought here before the big real estate boom will have to leave, even if we wanted to live here all our lives, replaced by others arriving on our soil with much more money than we can possibly make who will constantly push up prices.
There is no fairness, no dignity or morals when it comes to development and the back-scratching business of local government, there is just growth and progress, and of course profit...
There is no fairness, no dignity or morals when it comes to development and the back-scratching business of local government, there is just growth and progress, and of course profit...
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Brookswood residents eager for plan input
http://www.langleytimes.com/news/187197081.html
It's not that they are eager, with 300 people showing up I think it has more to do with fear...
What about the fourth question: 'Make no changes to the existing plan'? I guess they wouldn't want to ask that question would they? That is to say that the residents of Brookswood are being corralled and molded towards a goal, the planners are asking limited questions the way they want to ask them. They are not really giving people any choice at all. In the end the Langley Township planners will do things the way they want and they will then point to the public consultation process for justification even though they manipulated the whole process. I think they know that a large amount of people in the community do not want any further development but they can't have it tallied and written down for that wouldn't lend credence to their case - and that is carte blanche on behalf of the developers.
It's not that they are eager, with 300 people showing up I think it has more to do with fear...
What about the fourth question: 'Make no changes to the existing plan'? I guess they wouldn't want to ask that question would they? That is to say that the residents of Brookswood are being corralled and molded towards a goal, the planners are asking limited questions the way they want to ask them. They are not really giving people any choice at all. In the end the Langley Township planners will do things the way they want and they will then point to the public consultation process for justification even though they manipulated the whole process. I think they know that a large amount of people in the community do not want any further development but they can't have it tallied and written down for that wouldn't lend credence to their case - and that is carte blanche on behalf of the developers.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
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