Kim Richter

For the weeks following April 22nd - Township of Langley Page notices and upcoming events/dates of note posted by https://www.facebook.com/KimRichterTOL/ includes: Dates to Note, Council and Advisory Committee meetings (open to the public), Public Notices, Public Programs and Events, Langley Events Center Tickets/Events and Notice of Public Hearings. Township Council Meetings are also Live Streamed and can be selected and viewed at http://bit.ly/QEspLd (Agenda & Meeting Details also available at the same link).

The removal of the last small forest in Murrayville is now underway in order for new development to occur. These pictures were taken today. This particular forest is directly behind the James Hill Elementary School on 224th Street. So very sadly, tree protection in this Township is governed by 3 separate sets of rules. ... 1. On ALR land (used for food production), Township has no control. It is governed solely and completely by provincial regulation. This particular piece of land is not ALR land. 2. On non-ALR land that is already developed, the Township’s Tree Protection Bylaw applies and homeowners must get a permit to remove trees. The Township’s Tree Protection Bylaw is currently under review by a community-based Tree Protection Advisory Committee appointed by Township Council. Some changes may be pending based on that Committee’s work which is still underway. 3. On non-ALR land that is rezoned for development, the Township servicing bylaws apply and Council votes on whether or not to rezone. This land was a re-zoning. I did not support it due to the loss of this little forest but a majority of Council did. Hence, it’s current destruction. I have said for years now that new development should protect more trees and canopy cover. New development should occur around tree retention and protection. Mature trees offer so many benefits for the community like better health and liveability but keeping trees is just not cost-effective for developers and interfere with their housing/profit yield. If you care about mature tree retention on non-ALR land in this community, please let the Township’s Tree Protection Advisory Committee know.

There is another side to EVERY story especially when it comes to taxation and service delivery. This is a side that has not been told but that local property taxpayers need to hear, and be aware of. Today in the BC Government's Throne Speech, the provincial government once again reiterated its support for $10/day daycare. I totally support this and I expect the provincial government to step up to the plate, finance it, and deliver it. What I do NOT expect and do NOT support i...s the provincial government downloading this cost to municipalities. Of every tax dollar generated in this province (and country), only 10 cents of every tax dollar generated goes to municipalities. From this 10 cents, municipalities are expected to provide police protection, fire protection, clean water, sewer services, parks, garbage collection, bylaw enforcement, community planning and development, etc. Municipalities do this and do this well on ONLY 10 cents of every tax dollar generated in this province. Nowhere does it legislatively say that municipalities HAVE to provide subsidized day care. This is a provincial responsibility and a provincial promise. So they need to fund this. Give municipalities more than 10 cents out of every tax dollar (like double this amount at least) if they expect municipalities to provide this service. In other provinces like Ontario, before-school and after-school programs are run through the School Boards and financed by them. Why don’t we do the same thing in BC? Why doesn’t the provincial government step up and put its money where its mouth is? I reject the idea that municipalities were created to provide subsidized day care solely on property tax dollars. If the provincial government wants this to happen, then they should fund it 100% from their share of the 90 cents on every tax dollar that they get. Stop eroding the 10 cents that municipalities get. What exactly do they think we should cut out of our municipal budgets in order to do this? Fire protection? Police protection? Parks? Sewer? Garbage collection? Or do they just expect us to raise property taxes? Clear Provincial answers (as well as Provincial $) are most definitely needed and wanted. Where do both the Langley MLA’s stand on this? How exactly will they vote to fund this provincial promise? How will they protect our municipalities from provincial promise downloads? Answers are needed now for our Municipal property tax payers in the Township of Langley. Kim Richter - Councillor (Township of Langley)

A piece of Canadian history I knew nothing about until today. Why haven't Canadians been more educated on this? I only learned of this by reading the book called "The Forgotten Home Child" by Genevieve Graham, available also at our municipal libraries. This 2020 fictional book is set in Canada in the early 1930s but is based on accurate and true history of over 100.000 children of all ages that were sent by ships to Canada in the late 1860s right up to 1948 from Britain essen...tially all alone as labour mainly for Canadian farms. Many of theses children suffered extremely abusive conditions of indentureship which more closely resembled outright slavery! Over ten percent of the current Canadian population are descendants of the Home Children, although many are still unaware of their heritage. A fascinating story and a very disturbing read. I highly recommend it. At minimum I think that Canada owes these children a formal apology. https://canadianbritishhomechildren.weebly.com/

Today Bob and I got our first Pfizer vaccine doses at the Langley Events Centre - what a super caring, well-organized and very efficient process. We were in and... out in 1/2 an hour. The pictures document the process and everyone there was so very kind and helpful - no pressure and no stress. Very well done indeed! See more

In the last 3 meetings of Township Council, there have been 3 separate motions for Council to support both of the Langley Food Banks through Council Contingency funds during these very difficult Covid Pandemic times. All 3 motions to support the Langley food banks were defeated by a majority of Council. These 3 Township Council motions occurred in 3 separate meetings of Council over the past month and a half. Sadly this story of lack of Township Council support for the food banks has not been covered. Now there is this story that says these organizations need help and money. Too bad this article did not surface prior to the last food bank motion which was again defeated on January 11th 2021. Kudos and thanks to fellow Councilors Davis And Woodward who did and do support our food banks.

As a taxpayer, I do not believe organizations that have been fined for willfully putting public health in this community at risk by their deliberate actions in this time of a global pandemic and a provincial state of emergency should be allowed to benefit from the public purse. They do not deserve a property tax exemption because their actions increase taxpayer costs as well as community health risk. Furthermore I would encourage other municipalities to consider similar actio...ns when it comes to public health and safety. It is time to draw a line. Below is my actual notice of motion. "Council Policy 03-837, Permissive Exemptions From Property Taxation Amendment Whereas due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Provincial Health Officer suspended all events and gatherings, including those that occur at a church, synagogue, mosque, gurdwara, temple, or other place of worship, from November 19, 2020 to January 8, 2021; Whereas the suspension of gatherings was intended to increase the health and safety of the residents of British Columbia, including residents of Langley; and Whereas the Township of Langley Council members must show support for the actions of the Provincial Health Officer that are intended to protect the residents of Langley during the COVID-19 Pandemic; Therefore be it resolved that Council request staff to amend Council Policy 03-837, Permissive Exemptions From Property Taxation to require all applicants requesting Permissive Tax Exemptions for 2022 to confirm that they have not been cited for non-compliance of orders issued by the Provincial Health Officer under the BC COVID-19 Related Measures Act; and further That the applicants for the grant be required to confirm that they have not been fined under such order or enactment; and further That staff bring such information to Council’s attention prior to Council’s deliberation of the Permissive Tax Exemption 2022 Bylaw; and finally That staff advise Council on mechanisms available to Council to repeal and/or recoup 2020 and 2021 permissive property tax exemptions from any organizations that have been fined, for willfully putting public health in this community at risk by their deliberate actions in this time of a global pandemic and a provincial state of emergency."

Thinking of you all and hoping this will be the last Easter Covid lockdown ever!

On 19 April 2021, an open Special Meeting of Council will be held to discuss changes to the current TOL Annual Budget Process. These are my submitted changes to this process. And these are the changes I will fight for. The TOL Budget Process needs to work to the best benefit of Township Taxpayers going forward. Any other suggestions/ideas are welcome and I will carry them forward to this meeting. Please tune in - it will be a Zoom meeting. Richter Notices of Motion for the 19...Continue reading

For the weeks following January 4th - Township of Langley Page notices and upcoming events/dates of note posted by https://www.facebook.com/KimRichterTOL/ includes: Dates to Note, Council and Advisory Committee... meetings (open to the public), Public Notices, Public Programs and Events, Langley Events Center Tickets/Events and Notice of Public Hearings. Township Council Meetings are also Live Streamed and can be selected and viewed at http://bit.ly/QEspLd (Agenda & Meeting Details also available at the same link). See more

CDC now states that masks also protect the wearer and the public as well.

Remember where our freedom came from. (Archived picture below from 2013 remembrance day ceremony in Aldergrove.)

Final updated results are in. Congratulations to our newest Langley East MLA - Megan Dykeman! Well Done!! These updated final results are now posted on BC Elections site. A significant first for Langley East. Megan replaces Rich Coleman. Congratulations as well to all the Candidates who put their names forward and ran in this Election.

Dr. Henry has issued new public health orders for the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions. The orders require everyone in those communities, with the ex...ception of Bella Coola Valley and Central Coast residents, to limit social interactions, until November 23. That means: SOCIAL GATHERINGS: Socialize only with your immediate household. No parties or get togethers. No community-based social gatherings. No unnecessary travel. Stay in your local community. No receptions for funerals or weddings. GROUP PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: Indoor group physical activities must stop until new safety plans can be approved by local Medical Health Officers. Indoor sports where physical distancing cannot be maintained must be modified. Travel for sports into or out of these regions must stop. Now is the time for everyone living in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions to double down on the actions we know will allow our schools and businesses to stay open and keep us safe. Learn more: https://www2.gov.bc.ca//covid-19-provincial/lower-mainland

"Retiring Richmond South Centre MLA Linda Reid is in line for a $108,000-per-year pension. The next highest amount would be to former Langley East MLA Rich Coleman, who is in line for $101,000 per year."

My Editorial comments will be coming shortly re this election in Langley. (Screenshot from Elections BC Preliminary Voting Results, Elections BC estimates the final count will come in by Nov. 16.)

Let's make sure our communities can still function and kids can still safely go to school. Now is the time to re-commit to the things we know work: Physical d...istancing Wear masks when we can't keep our distance Keep our social interactions small Wash hands often And be kind, be calm and be safe.

For the weeks following October 22nd - Township of Langley Page notices and upcoming events/dates of note posted by https://www.facebook.com/KimRichterTOL/ includes: Dates to Note, Council and Advisory Committee... meetings (open to the public), Public Notices, Public Programs and Events, Langley Events Center Tickets/Events and Notice of Public Hearings. Township Council Meetings are also Live Streamed and can be selected and viewed at http://bit.ly/QEspLd (Agenda & Meeting Details also available at the same link). See more

Bob & I just voted! Four good reasons to vote: 1. The Best Candidate; 2. The Best Party Leader; 3. The Party’s Track Record; and ... 4. Who can bring the most to Langley. This election was an easy and clear choice for me! Whatever your preference, Please Get Out & Vote!! It’s really easy to do this year - especially in the comfort of your own neighbourhood! See more

So very sad......Internationaly and locally.

October 24th BC Provincial Election "Online Voter Registration - Request your vote-by-mail package". https://eregister.electionsbc.gov.bc.ca/ovr/#

The public has a right to input on this decision to replace the Fort Langley Outdoor Pool with a Splash Park. I have just put forward a Notice of Motion for the September 21st, 2020 Township Council meeting to ask that this be done.

So one has to wonder who Rich Coleman's Provincial Liberal Langley East replacement will be and will that person be able to get an official critic role by the party Leader?

Neither of our two Langley MPs were selected to the top tier of the 51 new Conservative leadership team and shadow cabinet.

Sad and startling news shared by Cathy Gibbs of Langley today. This disease can be much closer than we all reaIize. Wishing her all the best and thanking her for sharing this warning.

Following recent concerns, the Township engaged professional services to assess the water quality of the flow from the Murrayville Pumphouse. While the well is ...not considered part of the municipal water supply, testing results indicated elevated levels of arsenic in the water, exceeding the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. With this confirmation, the flow from the pumphouse was redirected to restrict access to the water for public health and safety. Updated signage advising the public not to consume the water was posted on the pumphouse. Township staff, with the assistance of a qualified professional, are working to find the best long-term solution for the well. None of the proposed options include decommissioning the heritage structure. Results and recommendations for future management of the well and pumphouse will follow completion of the study. Read the full post for more information: https://www.tol.ca/news/murrayville-pumphouse-water-quality/

"...You can be part of breaking the chains of transmissioon..."

Financial Post Excerpt: "Will Canada raise taxes in the post-COVID world? The debt hole we are now digging is bigger and deeper than in 2009. So maybe taxes will eventually be needed for fiscal probity. Yet the highest priority for voters is to get people back to work, which will take years. Hiking taxes is the worst economic choice to achieve both growth and fiscal sustainability, sapping private-sector confidence as it does. Instead, Canada would be better off constraining spending and letting growth reduce the debt burden over time."

Do you live or own a business in the Township of Langley’s urban or rural areas and want to be involved in guiding the protection, preservation, and planting of... trees in your community? The Township of Langley is seeking applications for a nine-member Tree Protection Advisory Committee (TPAC) to participate in a review of the Tree Protection Bylaw 2019 No. 5478, and development of a Community Forest Management Strategy. The Committee will work alongside Township staff in a conversational, round-table format to offer feedback, review materials, and report back to the community and other organizations on progress and key discussions. Learn more about the Community Forest Management Strategy and find a link to TPAC applications and frequently asked questions at bit.ly/3hDyjt4. Deadline for applications is 3:30pm on Friday, August 21, 2020.