tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9444596271754464542024-03-13T09:30:29.522-07:00McLellan Park BlogGlen Valley forests should be preserved.Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-50820797143399017462018-10-13T18:16:00.002-07:002018-10-13T18:49:08.269-07:00OPEN LETTER TO TOWNSHIP OF LANGLEY COUNCIL <div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-7e497c48-7fff-bdea-d576-8b07a58ee7f1" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<i><u><span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;"> Editorial Note</span></u></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">This is a copy of an open letter sent to Township of Langley
Council on October 13,2018 by Watchers of Langley Forests(WOLF). the Salmon
River Enhancement Society(SRES), and the Bertrand Creek Enhancement
Society(BCES), You may remember this letter. It was originally sent by WOLF and
SRES on October 7,2014. Since then ToL has sold for development one property in
Aldergrove, rezoned for development a property in Brookswood, and clearcut in
anticipation of development <a href="https://www.langleytimes.com/news/township-remediates-former-gravel-pit-in-brookswood-fernridge/" target="_blank">Horne Pit in Brookswood</a>. Since the
issues raised are still outstanding and neglected by Township. WOLF, SRES and a
new participant BCES have joined together to re-issue the letter. The test has
been modified only slightly to reflect the passage of time. The specific
request for a meeting before the November 2014 municipal elections should</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">be seen as a historical reference only.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;"> An Open Letter to Mayor and Council </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">Dear Mayor and Council, </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">On March 20(<b>2014)</b>, the Langley Times <a href="https://www.langleytimes.com/news/more-land-sales-planned-to-fund-pool/" target="_blank">reported</a> that Township staff were
preparing a report for Township Council identifying Township-owned
properties that could be sold to pay for future infrastructure in Langley
Township. We the undersigned, are concerned about the implications of this
article. Six months<b>(now four years)</b> have passed without this staff
report being made public. We write to you with the assumption that it has
not yet been presented to Council.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">As the article acknowledges, past and present policy with regard
to the sale of what the Township has identified as “surplus property” has
generated much controversy. The approach that the Township has taken
appears to many to be secretive and reactive. There is an obvious need for a
process with greater transparency, one grounded in sound planning. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">The lands belonging to the Township are the collective property of
the community of Langley. Decisions regarding the management of 'surplus
properties' greatly impact the public good and will affect the patterns of
future development in the neighbourhoods in which they are located. Decisions
regarding the sale or retention of these lands must take a long-term
view. We are particularly concerned that the ecological value of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>'surplus properties'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be given greater consideration. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">Under the current approach, it appears that the Township has
proceeded without adequately considering or informing itself about
the ecology of parcels placed on the market. It has therefore been left
to individual citizens and community groups to bring these issues to the
attention of Council and Staff. In response to protest Township has made
ad hoc corrections that have failed to address the larger problem. The
danger that significant ecosystems could be lost remains. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">Although heartened by the implication that the above mentioned
staff report will be released to the public upon receipt by Council, there
are a number of additional steps that we feel Mayor and Council can undertake.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">1) Council should direct Staff to undertake consultations with stewardship
groups and other environmental and community groups to assist in the
preparation of the staff report. Upon completion of the staff report, it
should be presented to Council and released to the public at the same time.
We urge Council to authorize this action in a timely manner and to see
that the completion of the report is not delayed.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">2) Develop a comprehensive inventory of Township lands that would
be publicly accessible on the web. In time this could include the results
of ecological surveys of individual properties that have been prepared by
public or private entities. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">3) Prepare a comprehensive plan for the sale and retention
of Township lands that takes into account the ecological value of
particular parcels. The impact on Langley aquifers from any resulting
destruction of forests and wetlands must be considered. The Township
should commit itself to the principle that our natural heritage
should not be sacrificed in the development of modern amenities.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">4) Council has made it a uniform practice to invoke Section 90 of
the Community Charter as a way of closing meetings of Council to the
public when land sales are under consideration. The resulting lack of
transparency compounds the difficulties in the issues already discussed. When a
sale is well-advised, this practice hinders maximum advertising to
prospective buyers, and when a sale is ill-advised it prevents the public
from seeing their elected representatives debate the proposal. The public
interest is thus served by greater transparency in both instances.Only
exceptional circumstances can justify invoking Section 90 in the
circumstance of land sales. We strongly urge Council to invoke Section
90 </span>sparingly in the case of land sales and on a case by case basis.</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">5)The comprehensive plan should recognize that although a policy
of selling off real estate to generate capital can have merit in some
circumstances care must be taken that land worth more monetarily in the
future could be lost through poor planning. Holding on to 'surplus properties'
may also provide a much needed source of income in the future.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">Finally, we urge Council to take these steps in a timely manner so
that the ensuing discussion and debate on Council and amongst the public
can begin before, and not after, the upcoming municipal election this November(<b>2014</b>).</span><span style="color: black; font-family: ""arial"",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">We would encourage
Council and staff to begin the process by meeting with community
groups prior to November 1st. We would be pleased to participate in such a
meeting. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">Respectfully, </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">Watchers of Langley Forests</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">Salmon River Enhancement Society</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: ""times new roman"",serif;">*The above groups have reviewed this letter and being convinced
that the issue is an important one that should be addressed they
have joined together to send this letter. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-37936272814268603622016-06-27T04:19:00.002-07:002016-06-27T04:19:51.189-07:00WOLF AGM WEDNESDAY JUNE 29,2016This is a reminder for WOLF members and a notice for interested public that Watchers of Langley Forests will be having our 3rd Annual General Meeting on Wednesday June 29,2016 at the BC Farm Museum (9131 King Street) at 6:30 pm. The main purpose of the meeting will be receive a report from the Board of Directors, a Treasurer's report, and to fill those seats on the Board of Directors that are up for election.<br />
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As I explained in an email to the members a while back the Directors have decided that in stead of having a guest speaker for the AGM a meeting of the general membership will be held to discuss the ongoing business of WOLF immediately after the AGM. We are calling it a semi-regular meeting because we don't know how much they will be tied to the calendar.<br />
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On the agenda of that semi-regular meeting will be the subject of the forest at Gloucester Estates. A post about that issue will be out Tuesday.<br />
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Kirk Robertson<br />
WOLF Chair<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img class="CToWUd" height="11" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HeVAtoAUhu5KCh3h59hK0yAyhWWszRcQcUQOY86sFTi6AABlzc3MWe5ptIxEkzHuKDLJGRKELwptizpHyVvYSggfEeauaMSeYPKp3EDeO_rWGgY2wz3bG7CyASz1JDOhwkR27N_Z" style="border: medium none;" width="623" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kirk</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Robertson </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Chairperson</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">26215 84th Ave. <wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr> Phone/<wbr></wbr>Fax: 856-6849</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Langley, B.C. V1M 3M6 <wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><wbr></wbr> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Email: <a href="mailto:scalkiro@gmail.com" target="_blank">scalkiro@gmail.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 48px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Official Notice</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <wbr></wbr>Of</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 32px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Annual General Meeting</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 32px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Watchers of Langley Forests</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Date: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">June 29,2016</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Time: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 21.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6:30 pm</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">BC Farm Museum</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9131 King St ,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fort Langley, B.C.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For directions or more information </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Phone Kirk Robertson at <a href="tel:604-856-6849" target="_blank" value="+16048566849">604-856-6849</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">or email: <a href="mailto:scalkiro@gmail.com" target="_blank">scalkiro@gmail.com</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">AGM to be followed by a (Semi-)Regular Meeting of W.O.L.F. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We will be electing a Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving on the Board please contact Kirk Robertson.</span></div>
Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-7227785466937983132015-09-28T04:30:00.000-07:002015-09-28T04:30:06.636-07:00HAN SHAN REVIVAL AT BLAAUW ECO FORESTLast week saw us reach the <a href="http://www.langleytimes.com/news/225232352.html?mobile=true" target="_blank">two year anniversary</a> of the dedication of what is now know as the Blaauw Eco Forest. It seems a fitting time to remember how we got to that moment. The School of Arts and Music at Trinity Western University will be hosting an event next Saturday October 3 that will celebrate the <a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2012/12/han-shan-poetry-project.html" target="_blank">Han Shan Project</a>. Susan McCaslin, award winning poet and organizer of the original event in <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/writers-hang-poems-in-trees-in-bid-to-save-langley-land-parcel/article5983994/" target="_blank">December 2012</a>, will speak at this free and public event. This is part of a Conference on Arts and the Environment to be held at Trinity Western University. <br />
<br />
To learn more <a href="http://www.twu.ca/academics/samc/interdisciplinary/conferences/blauuw-eco-forest.html" target="_blank">go here</a>. As mentioned above this event is free and open to the public. Attendees who register for free have the option to purchase a lunch. Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-67751154549940526112015-05-22T00:09:00.000-07:002015-05-22T00:20:58.186-07:00CHANGE OF VENUE FOR WOLF AGM<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Due to circumstance beyond the control of Watchers of Langley Forests the WOLF AGM cannot be held at the venue of the Community Hall. The new venue is at the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2;">Riverside Room at the back of the building where the Fort Pub is located.The meeting will still be held at 1 pm May 24. The address is 9277 Glover Road but the best way to access is to walk in from Billy Brown Road through Le'lem Square.</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2;"><b>The date and time of Sunday May 24 at 1 pm remains the same.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>We apologize for any inconvenience.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>We hope you can make it.</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>-Kirk Robertson</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Chair </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Watchers of Langley Forests</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Displaying Wolf Meeting.jpg" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=10d6f69380&view=fimg&th=14d7a35b3501be29&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=a21409f2665ec29b_0.1&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ_PdZTcUC1VnOWy5cUsYYvzhedhlmX2qj5H7b-Pirf_2l8_ti_IbSHnIxSpOjlbxnjE44mmMEvDCcXe2RzzhLZKPWwAVwVPUr2Pz0F0DeaSl0zO8Mb4NFy6tik&ats=1432274516638&rm=14d7a35b3501be29&zw&sz=w1342-h539" /></span></div>
Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-54441373480022119742015-05-21T13:50:00.000-07:002015-05-22T00:03:40.268-07:00WOLF Annual General Meeting MAY 24,2015<h2>
WATCHERS OF LANGLEY FORESTS </h2>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <b> UPDATE</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Due to circumstance beyond the control of Watchers of Langley Forests the WOLF AGM cannot be held at the venue of the Community Hall. The new venue is at the </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Riverside Room at the back of the building where the Fort Pub is located.The meeting will still be held at 1 pm May 24. The address is 9277 Glover Road but the best way to access is to walk in from Billy Brown Road through Le'lem Square.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">We apologize for any inconvenience.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">We hope you can make it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">-Kirk Robertson</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chair </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Watchers of Langley Forests</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; line-height: 1.2; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 28.7999992370605px;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.2;"> </span></span></div>
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<br />
Watchers of Langley Forests(WOLF) will be holding its 2nd Annual General Meeting on May<br />
24 at 1 pm at(see above for new venue). The membership of WOLF will gather to elect a portion of the Board of Directors. <a href="http://www.uvic.ca/law/facultystaff/facultydirectory/haddock.php" target="_blank">Mark Haddock</a>,a professor of environmental law at the University of Victoria and a Langley Township resident will be the featured speaker.<br />
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WOLF is a forest conservation group in the Township of Langley. In its short period of<br />
existence the members of WOLF have seen highs and lows. It was established in 2012 to<br />
campaign against the sale of what is now known as the Blaauw Eco Forest in the Glen Valley<br />
area of Langley Thanks to the generosity of the Blaauw family the Blaauw Eco forest has<br />
since been aside as an educational,research, and conservation area for Trinity Western<br />
University.Since January 2014 much of WOLF’s efforts were focused on persuading<br />
Township Council not to sell Creekside Forest, an urban forest in the Aldergrove area. In early<br />
March Council voted five to four to proceed with the sale.<br />
<br />
<br />
Featured speaker Mark Haddock will talk about how the successful campaign to save the<br />
Blaauw Forest relates to the conservation of old growth forests in a provincial context.<br />
The address for the Fort Langley Community Hall is 9167 Glover Road.The membership fee<br />
for WOLF is ten dollars.<br />
<br />
Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-23330814468632977142015-05-21T13:42:00.002-07:002015-05-21T23:54:28.009-07:00WOLF AGM THIS SUNDAY<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-9fa2ad9a-7822-fb2d-2624-eca0ed6f4a72" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> UPDATE</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; vertical-align: baseline;"> Due to circumstance beyond the control of Watchers of Langley Forests the WOLF AGM cannot be held at the venue of the Community Hall. The new venue is at the </span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Riverside Room at the back of the building where the Fort Pub is located.The meeting will still be held at 1 pm May 24. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">We apologize for any inconvenience.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">We hope you can make it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">-Kirk Robertson</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chair </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Watchers of Langley Forests</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img class="CToWUd" height="11px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/MZm1_3jM3gJlUsGYgImOOEv5fQrxiI_BNcyGnKniGoMJM9HOK4H1zQkINSx1fTDgWHm9qdFD-eyFehTuEmUpm-m1QIofZgVsPTAs1BMJ9MAFblZSapwY-1Oowh0fViwrSmOrz9kzE3ikpa61" style="border: medium none;" width="623px;" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 48px; line-height: 1.2;"> Notice</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 32px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Annual General Meeting</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Date: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">May 24, 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Time: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">1 pm</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Place: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"> NEW VENUE </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">9277 Glover Road.,Langley</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">For directions or more information </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Phone Kirk Robertson at <a href="tel:604-856-6849" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+16048566849">604-856-6849</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">or email: <a href="mailto:scalkiro@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">scalkiro@gmail.com</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Speaker:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark Haddock -Environmental Lawyer</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">We will be electing a Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving on the Board please contact Kirk Robertson.</span></div>
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Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-59204033234961283912015-04-14T04:11:00.001-07:002015-04-14T04:11:26.511-07:00GLENN RYDER - A CELEBRATION OF LIFE <span id="docs-internal-guid-acae1835-b79e-995e-372c-c130d2dfdc96" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="804px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/52xnpGvYquCz4gFXaHrdKBFEK_X8qZYqGvXVsqrLNyBB81yQyn3iAxn-bDe4M9L-7pRLwLRuwmDK6gt0g4K3x6R7pbANUh-5ll5HllvMLcMO3TZujz15bQjOdhfsdK7Lfdl6LwI" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="621px;" /></span>Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-38317596722856302872014-12-29T06:38:00.000-08:002014-12-29T06:38:43.151-08:00PRESS RELEASE-CONCERT AT CREEKSIDE FOREST<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-498c4528-9676-eb1f-ff5f-04c98a11c25a" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Watchers of Langley Forests</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ~</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">December 29,2014</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Watchers of Langley Forests (WOLF) and Aldergrove Neighbours are inviting the public to attend a late season Christmas Concert at Creekside Forest in Aldergrove.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The concert,an a cappella performance by the Opus Women’s Choir, will begin at 10:30 am January 3,2015. It is expected to last about an hour and a half. The location will be Creekside Forest, a municipallyowned forest now slated to be developed as part of a sixtyone family home development. Local forest conservation group , Watchers of Langley Forests(WOLF) together with a group of Aldergrove residents calling themselves Aldergrove Neighbours, have been campaigning for Creekside Forest to be conserved.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What the future will bring is up to Township Council. We are hopeful that the Mayor and Council will to the right thing though. It is in that spirit of hope so in keeping with the holidays that we decided to organize the concert” said WOLF chair Kirk Robertson.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jessica Horst,of Aldergrove Neighbours, said “This is all about the community coming together speaking up for saving our natural heritage.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Creekside forest is the southern portion of a 19acre property owned by the Township of Langley and located at 28th Ave and 276th street..In the spring of 2014 the land was rezoned to allow for sixtyone detached lots. Twenty lots are located in the heart of the forest following a “keyhole” design. The other forty lots are in the northern unforested portion.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Since January 2014 WOLF has been calling for the forested area to set aside for conservation and recreational purposes. In conjunction with local Aldergrove residents they have made delegations to Council and organized tours of the forest in late May. In November 2014 the property was put up for sale. On December 01,2014 Township Council was presented with evidence that the arborist report prepared for Council as part of their decision to rezone was based on faulty data. Specifically, in multiple cases tree species such as cedar were misidentified as “inferior species” such as birch. Council voted to refer the issue to staff so that the consultants who prepared the report and gathered the data could speak to the issue. In the meantime the sale is on hold.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Aldergrove resident, Darlene Sherwin, said “This is our last publiclyowned natural standing forest in Aldergrove proper. As an Aldergrove resident for nearly forty years I have watched our forests disappear. This has been really disconcerting.” She added “Hopefully with events like the concert Aldergrove residents will be able to see why preserving Creekside Forest is </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">so important.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The forest can be accessed at 27540 28th avenue just east of the bridge over Bertrand Creek.Signs will be placed to guide the public. Hot beverages and refreshments will be provided on the day of the concert. Audience participation will be encouraged.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> -30- </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><br />Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/unCI6<br /><br />Contact Kirk Robertson<br />at savemclellanpark@gmail.com </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-73770470570616767302014-12-24T15:20:00.000-08:002014-12-24T15:20:57.764-08:00CONCERT AT CREEKSIDE FOREST<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-d098c119-7e8b-5c7a-3f75-b25a48738819" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 28px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">CONCERT AT CREEKSIDE FOREST</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 28px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">in ALDERGROVE </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: green; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Come join us in celebrating</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: green; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> THE NEW YEAR WITH A FOND FAREWELL TO THE CHRISTMAS SEASON</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday Jan. 03, 2015 at 10:30 am</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: green; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Opus One Women’s Choir performing</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: green; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brenda Wilson, Artistic Director</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: green; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bring the whole family</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: green; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: green; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sing along</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: green; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Meet at 27540 28th Avenue</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: green; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">google maps link</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: green; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Aldergrove Neighbours & WOLF (Watchers of Langley Forests)</span></div>
Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-80074738332243654622014-11-25T21:33:00.001-08:002014-11-25T21:41:21.912-08:00CREEKSIDE FOREST PRESS RELEASE<h2>
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br />
<br />
Langley, BC. Tuesday November 25, 2014<br />
<br />
This week members and supporters of Watchers of Langley Forests(WOLF) expressed their<br />
extreme disappointment at the decision of the Township of Langley to proceed with the sale of<br />
the Creekside forest property in Aldergrove just days after the municipal election. WOLF also<br />
called upon the public to attend the next afternoon Council meeting on Monday December<br />
1,2014.<br />
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Creekside forest is the southern portion of a 19 acre Township owned property located at<br />
28th Ave and 276th street. The northern unforested portion was once the Township sewage<br />
treatment facility. In the spring of 2014 the land was rezoned to allow for sixty-one detached<br />
lots. Twenty lots are located in the heart of the forest following a “keyhole” design. The edges<br />
of the forest have been set aside by Township for green space. The other forty lots are in the<br />
northern unforested portion. Two water treatment facilities on the northeast and northwest<br />
corners of the parcel are to be retained by the municipality. Bertrand Creek runs along the<br />
west side of the property and Creekside Park is located on the other side of Bertrand Creek.<br />
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The Township page printed in local Langley newspapers featured an advertisement for the<br />
sale of all sixtyone lots on Thursday November 20. This is a statutory requirement. Once a<br />
second advertisement is printed this week the sale can proceed. Township staff will have<br />
authority to conclude a sale from the morning of December 1,2014. Council meets later that<br />
day at 3pm.<br />
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“It pains me that that the Township has chosen to continue on this path” said advocate for the<br />
forest and Aldergrove resident Jessica Horst. She added “The Township never considered the<br />
recreational and educational advantages of conserving this last publicly owned urban forest in<br />
Aldergrove. Langley kids,especially those at nearby Shortreed Elementary, are losing out on a<br />
great resource. This irreplaceable community asset shouldn’t be cast aside for money. This is<br />
our last chance to get this right.”<br />
<br />
Kirk Robertson, Chair of WOLF agreed. “The decision to rezone and sell is ripe for review by<br />
the newly elected Council. I hope that they will get an opportunity to do so “<br />
<br />
The fight to save Creekside Forest began in January 2014 when Township Council held<br />
public hearings into a bylaw to subdivide and rezone its own property. The Bylaw received<br />
final approval in the spring. Until now Township has retained ownership of the land.<br />
“Up to now the new lots have just been lines on a map. Once they are sold to a developer the<br />
new reality on the ground is going to significantly change things” said WOLF member Ron<br />
Kitteringham.<br />
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WOLF member C. Walther agreed “The forest won’t continue as an intact ecosystem when<br />
the middle of it is taken out. Habitat fragmentation is one of the most detrimental and<br />
irreversible impacts upon a system's integrity and capacity for ecological resilience. Sources<br />
of invasive species quickly outcompete the seedlings of indigenous species once<br />
disturbance occurs causing all future maintenance costs to soar and healthy habitat to be<br />
compromised.”<br />
<br />
She continued "Forests can't be defined by the 'living' trees alone. In fact, a forest without<br />
'dead' and decaying wood wouldn't be a healthy forest at all. None of that is taken into<br />
account in single point surveys or bylaw sized tree inventories. Once you start dissecting a<br />
forest into smaller wooded areas the whole stops being more than the sum of its parts.”<br />
Robertson emphasized that the issue of Creekside Forest had a larger context.<br />
<br />
“This is part of an ongoing process of land sales by the municipality that has seen Township<br />
consistently fail to consider ecological issues when they decide to sell.They also neglect to<br />
consult with the public or community groups before going ahead. Bertrand Creek<br />
Enhancement Society was not even consulted about this proposed development.”<br />
<br />
“Langley residents who care about the forest or these larger issues need to come out to the<br />
Afternoon Meeting next Monday to let Council know that Langley cares about this.”<br />
<br />
He added “This is an opportunity to do things differently in Langley Township.”<br />
<br />
In June 2012 a group of concerned residents launched a successful campaign to save a<br />
Township owned forest in Glen Valley that is now known as McLellan Forest Natural Park.<br />
Many of the people involved in that earlier campaign formed Watchers of Langley Forests in<br />
July 2012 to fight for the conservation of another nearby Glen Valley forest that had also been<br />
put up for sale by the Township. That forest ,which is now known as the Blaauw Eco Forest,<br />
was purchased by Trinity Western University after a generous donation by the Blaauw family.<br />
The Blaauw forest has been set aside as an educational,research, and conservation area.<br />
WOLF has continued to advocate and fight for the conservation of ecologically significant<br />
forests in Langley Township since then.Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-44770071392135026132014-11-14T13:26:00.000-08:002014-11-14T13:26:47.434-08:00TOWNSHIP CANDIDATES ANSWERS TO WOLF QUESTIONS<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">On Saturday November 15 the people of Langley Township will elect a Mayor and Council for a four year term. To help members of the public make their decision as to how to vote </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Watchers of Langley Forests (WOLF) asked all the candidates for Mayor and Council to comment on two topics. Each topic had two or three questions attached.. The topics were <a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/01/action-alert.html" target="_blank">Creekside</a><a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/05/creekside-forest-photo.html" target="_blank"> Forest</a> in Aldergrove and the issue of <a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/10/open-letter-to-mayor-and-council.html" target="_blank">land sales </a>by the </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Township of Langley.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The questions were as follows.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Creekside Forest</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?</span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Land Sales by Township</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?</span></div>
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Here are the answers we have received as of the early afternoon on November 14. We will update as we receive any additional answers. I have split the answers up with part one appearing first and <a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/11/township-candidates-answers-to-wolf_14.html" target="_blank">part two</a> second as you scroll down the blog.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>JACK FROESE</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>No reply</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>RICK GREEN</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> Thank you for your email and questions posed. I will answer them with a preamble first of some necessary history related to Township owned land first. <u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">When I decided to run for office in 2007 and subsequently announced publicly in February of 2008 I did so ONLY after I uncovered a litany of issues I felt were patently wrong. One of the serious issues I raised and went after then Mayor Kurt Alberts for was the Dixon Pit Property as you may recall. This will go down as a text book example of what not to do, but that is another story.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">During that election campaign I undertook to find out or uncover a list of properties the Township taxpayer owned. We were told they did not have a comprehensive list. We tried three times and were denied. After the election and during a transition meeting with the CAO I requested immediately an inventory of all property. It came to me in three weeks in about 5 binders, one per classification with pictures, maps and history (ie purchase price etc,). That inventory was made public and announced by me on or around January of 2009. It is available to the public in the Real Estate Department. Up to this time there was and I believe is today (minus my time in office) a cloak of secrecy around the Township property. I said during that time that there was around $500 million in inventory, which was denied by the then Mayor Kurt Alberts which I found to be true after the election.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">My answers to your questions are as follows:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><u></u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">RE Creekside Forest in Aldergrove – I will seek support through a new Council an update/status of this prospective development with a view of to pull back from the plans where and if possible subject to contracts that may have been signed?<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><u></u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">RE Land Sales – I would put it another way it is about land / asset management. I have always stated that land sales should be a very public process but only after going through a very strict internal review. In the 2008 Municipal Election Campaign I introduced the concept of creating a “Township of Langley Property Endowment Trust” and “Trust Fund”. It was patterned after the “Vancouver Property Endowment Trust and Trust Fund” established by then Mayor Art Phillips in the 70s in answer to the out of control wild west property deals which were occurring frequently with friends and insiders gaining benefit. It started out in the $100 million range, today it is worth over $2 Billion and over the last 40 or so years has transferred about $300 million into Vancouver’s General Revenue. It’s management is set up with complete transparency (what is allowed obviously) and reports to Council with all decisions up to Council.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">NOTE: You may recall this was criticized during my campaign as a method to sell off our assets – That is exactly what it is NOT! The Trust (as the name means) is a protection of the asset, increasing it’s value and managing the asset for the taxpayer.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><u></u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">RE Making list public – Yes if there is a list but frankly I believe the way Council and staff are going about things it is knee jerk and there is no comprehensive, short, medium or long term. Selling assets for the purpose of funding Capital Projects is fundamentally wrong.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Kirk, I have had a very good tour of the Creekside Forest in Aldergrove by Jessica Horst a few weeks back. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I hope this email answers your questions, I would be pleased to discuss the issue in greater detail at your convenience.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">All the best<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Rick Green</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>SERENA OH</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>No reply</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>CANDIDATES FOR TOWNSHIP COUNCIL</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>PETRINA ARNASON</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Creekside Forest<br /><br /> Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?I am in favour of rescinding the rezoning of the forested property for single family residential development. A new Council should consider, based on an appropriate assessment of the situation and future density increases to the area, whether or not to save both parcels or to compromise by allowing the development of the former sewage treatment properties only. At this time, I personally favour maintaining both properties and utilizing the former service property as a remediation project which would provide an opportunity for local environmental stewards, educators, and the Township to create a model for environmental rehabilitation and ecosystem recovery which would also expand the forested ecosystem and create more green space for Aldergrove.<br /><br /><br /> Land Sales by Township<br />What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?I totally support the release of information by the Township regarding our land inventory and would push the Township to be more open and transparent with respect to all land sales and transactions, insofar as information divulged does not harm the public interest with respect to potential TOL land purchases. I am fundamentally opposed to the selling of our natural capital (surplus land) in order to pay for amenities as I believe that this is not sustainable and that it is not in keeping with prudent economic management as we will need many of these properties in the future and they will only rise in value as land suitable for parks, development and infrastructure becomes more scarce.<br /><br /> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>KARL BUCHANAN</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>No reply</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>SOLON BUCHOLTZ</b></span><br />
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In regards to the questions. I
believe we need to respect our land and people. Langley's heritage and
natural greenspaces are some of our greatest assets. We are a diverse
group of communities, land and people. Our decisions, whether about land
sales or developments such as Creekside, need to be community driven
and consensus led. </div>
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The
Creekside development has again shown us that many on current council
are not being guided by the residents or the sustainability charter of
2008. The decisions that are being made permanently destroy
irreplaceable lands of ecological value. Aldergrove does need growth and
has a revitalization plan that promotes it. Why we are revising the OCP
for the benefits of few and the loss of many symbolizes our need for
change in direction at a municipal level. We need to ensure our elected
officials are transparent in the planning process and advocate for the
residents.</div>
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I
have been a strong advocate for transparency when it comes to land
sales in the Township. More often than not, the majority of residents
are unaware of the sale of any community lands until after the fact.
This disconnect with our residents and lack of transparency, is a real
issue needing to be addressed. Langley is land rich and often cash poor.
If we dispose of our tangible land assets of irreplaceable value, our
short-term gains will results in our long term failure to be a real
community of value, livability and sustainability. I think the list of
land owned by the people should be public and sales should be open to
scrutiny prior to them being made available for sale. Thus, these
decisions must be made with public input as a first step in consensus
led governance.</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>DAVID DAVIS</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">1. I originally voted in favour of developing so the funds could be put towards the pool.
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I also supported a motion by Councillor Richter to put the development
on the North side and would support revisiting the motion (as discussed
with Jessica Horst) as there might be some new ideas on how we can
separate the south side. I have visited Creek side
Forest a few times. I am very open to new information and ideas.<br />
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2. I believe that if the township is selling off township owned land then it should be transparent to the public.<br />
I am a big advocate for saving farmland and preserving our rural areas.<br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>BEV DORNAN</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>No reply</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>ZOSIA ETTENBERG</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>STEVE FERGUSON</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>No reply</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>CHARLIE FOX</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>No reply</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #0433ff;">I am NOT in favour of development of Creekside Forest. Creekside Forest is the last remaining forest in south Aldergrove within walking distance of the core center. As such, we should be preserving this natural space for the enjoyment of its residents and their future generations. It is unfortunate that our past council sees only economic value in its development rather than the social value the area brings to the community. Therefore, I believe it should be preserved in its entirety, although I understand that a majority of residents are only against the proposed 20 homes in the middle of the forest. Personally, I would like to see the entire area protected as a formal Township park.</span></span></div>
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<b>Land Sales by Township</b></div>
and What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0433ff; text-align: justify;">The Township owns an enormous amount of property to the tune of $500 million. I’d like to verify these numbers by directing staff to create an inventory list of these assets before we make any hard decisions in addition to making this information publicly available. Mostly, these are tremendous community assets so we should first be looking at ways to manage, protect and enhance these assets without having to sell them off.</span><span style="color: #0433ff; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #0433ff; text-align: justify;">Many of these assets could be used for parks, for example, which can lead to spin off benefits for many years to come.</span><span style="color: #0433ff; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #0433ff; text-align: justify;">I believe there’s shortsightedness on the part of past council and it reflects in their recent decisions.</span><span style="color: #0433ff; text-align: justify;"> I would rather have us look at some real long term solutions to creating value to these assets, both financially and socially.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0433ff;">Providing amenities for our communities is important as well as preserving our natural and built heritage. As the birthplace of BC, our natural and built heritage means a great deal to a great deal of people so we should bear that responsibility with great humility. Areas such as Creekside Forest, Fort Langley, and Murrayville represent our connections to the past that should not be given up for the sake of “progress”. There are ways to bring progress without having to sacrifice our heritage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>MEL KOSITSKY(editorial note-Mel Kositsky answers are compiled from portions of 2 emails I recieved from him. Any incoherence is my responsiblity)</b></span><br />
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Aldergrove is in desperate need of more housing, especially for
families and seniors. I am a supporter of an urban forest concept, but
affordable housing is top on my list. I am not sure who the housing
proposal is targeted to, but the right development plan can perhaps
achieve both goals, maybe by increasing the density. I will have to look
into it closer. You need trees to build houses and the amount of land
available to build housing in Aldergrove is very limited unless you can
start dipping into the agriculture lands and that is a whole different
discussion. Not going there! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I am very familiar with the natural heritage and ecological value of land that is not designated parkland.<br /><br />My
work with LEPS, Metro Vancouver parks, TOL parks, the Pacific Parklands
Foundation and Suzuki Foundation gives me a broad understanding of the
issues outlined in the letter.<br /><br />My years on Council also gave me a
good understanding on municipal land sales. I was involved in the
protection of the West Creek lands, Langley Bog, Brae Island, and many
other parcels. You can be assured if I do get re-elected there would be a
good analysis of any land before it was offered for sale. The only
reason we have the land is because previous councils (some way before
me) had the smarts to acquire it - otherwise we would not be having this
discussion. TOL is not broke and does not need to rush to sell off its
land holdings. </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<b>BOB LONG</b></div>
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<b>Creekside Forest</b></div>
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Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?</div>
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A considerable portion of the lands have been set aside for conservation.</div>
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<b>Land Sales by Township</b></div>
and What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?<br />
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Sure you can see the document - and that is a good principle on which to consider land sales in the Township. <br />
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Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-35674321977832016802014-11-14T13:23:00.001-08:002014-11-14T13:30:56.400-08:00TOWNSHIP CANDIDATES ANSWERS TO WOLF QUESTIONS PART 2<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">On
Saturday November 15 the people of Langley Township will elect a Mayor
and Council for a four year term. To help members of the public make
their decision as to how to vote </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Watchers
of Langley Forests (WOLF) asked all the candidates for Mayor and
Council to comment on two topics. Each topic had two or three questions
attached.. The topics were <a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/01/action-alert.html" target="_blank">Creekside</a><a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/05/creekside-forest-photo.html" target="_blank"> Forest</a> in Aldergrove and the issue of <a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/10/open-letter-to-mayor-and-council.html" target="_blank">land sales </a>y the </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Township of Langley.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The questions were as follows.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Creekside Forest</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Where
do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in
Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> What
are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open
letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon
River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing
Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as
soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our
natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?</span></div>
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Here are the answers we have received as of the early afternoon on
November 14. We will update as we receive any additional answers. I have
split the answers up with part one appearing first and part 2 second as
you scroll down the blog. </span><br />
<a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/11/township-candidates-answers-to-wolf.html" target="_blank">Part 1 can be read here.</a><br />
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<b>JACKIE MANDZAK</b><br />
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<i>Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?</i></div>
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My understanding is that Creekside Forest in Aldergrove is the last forest in the area that is owned by the Township. It currently has a keyhole design developed proposed for the site; one that is situated in the middle of the forest. At this time it has been suggested that there will still be forest remaining on either side of the development with a walking path that takes one behind the development to connect both sides of the remaining forest.</div>
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I see a few things wrong with this. The first being that it the last forest site in the community that can be protected for current residents and for future generations to enjoy. While I understand the idea behind the sale of the property, I do not believe that it would be in the best interests of the residents of the TOL to see this happen. </div>
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Building in the middle of this ecosystem will destroy it. Many of the species that currently reside in the forest will either be displaced or will not survive the development as their habitat will be removed. I realize that we need space for people to live, but the development proposed will be higher end homes that back onto the forest. These will not be affordable for most people. This creates a situation where we put the needs of a few (there are not many homes in the development plan) against the needs of a community to preserve a wildlife area. Already half of the forest has been sold and in my opinion, the remaining half should be preserved. </div>
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It shouldn't be about development vs environment. It should be about preserving the quality of life for future generations. The forest has the capability of providing a place for residents to experience a natural park space - both now and in the future. As the Aldergrove community grows, this will be a much needed resource. </div>
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<i>and What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?</i></div>
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I do think that the list of TOL owned properties should be made public once the list is completed. I have publicly stated that the properties of the TOL belong to the residents of the community as a whole, and as such, the process of their sale should be public. Many properties will not have public concern surrounding their disposition. However, some shall, and it is prudent to ensure that the input from concerned citizens and environmental groups is taken under advisement. This isn't possible if the properties that might be sold are not publicly known until action is taken by the council in their regard. </div>
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Section 90 of the community charter states that council may invoke that section to close the meeting in regards to the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality. The key word here is 'may'. To close the meetings as a matter of course each time TOL lands are involved does not give transparency to the process. I do understand that this may not always be possible, but it should be strived for. </div>
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I have also stated before development in an ecologically sensitive area, environmental studies must be done by a party that is neutral in the actual development process. If this was to occur prior to land sales, it would assist in determining what the use of the land might be, and if the parcel was of greater ecological value. </div>
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In regards to the open letter that was addressed to the current Mayor and Council, I am in agreement with what you have stated. Having an inventory, with environmental input, would actually allow for greater preservation of sensitive areas, while ensuring that those properties which would be a good fit for sale and development are well noted. </div>
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Once the natural spaces are gone, they are gone forever. It is important to preserve some of these spaces for future generations to study and to enjoy. </div>
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Thank you for your questions. I hope I have been able to answer them clearly.</div>
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<b>KEVIN MITCHELL</b></div>
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<b>Creekside Forest</b> - Having toured the site, I feel the southern portion of the forest should be retained in its entirety while the northern portion be developed with spacious yards accentuating the green space to the south, community pathways and single level homes geared towards 55+.</div>
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<b>Land Sales by Township</b> - According to former Mayor Rick Green, there is already a listing of all Township properties. I believe this should be posted on the Township website and updated regularly. Regarding land sales, I would consider sales as part of the normal purchase and sale of certain surplus properties with the proviso that the affected community (e.g. Glen Valley) residents are provided sufficient input to the impact of the sale on their area well prior to the commercial offering. Regarding profits from land sales, I would require that all proceeds are strictly used to finance additional land purchases providing community amenities such as nature parks and green space as the first priority.</div>
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<b>SCOTT NICHOLS</b></div>
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1.) I do support the work of Jessica and her Creekside group.<br />
2.) Yes, the Creekside forest should be saved in its entirety.<br />
3.) Yes, the Township report should be released as soon as it is completed.<br />
4.) Yes, our natural heritage should NOT be sacrificed for modern amenities.<br />
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<b>ANGIE QUAALE</b></div>
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<b>KIM RICHTER</b></div>
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Thank you very much for your email and Election 2014 Candidate questions. I appreciated receiving them.<br />
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My responses are as follows.<br />
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<b>Creekside Forest</b></div>
Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?<b>Yes. It should be saved. That is why I voted against this particular development proposal.</b><br />
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<b>Land Sales by Township</b></div>
What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?<b>I strongly agree that natural heritage should be preserved particularly in Brookswood/Fernridge. Only 3% of all of Langley Township is coniferous forest and 48% of that forest is in Brookswood/Fernridge. When the Township decides to sell its publicly-owned land, the public should be properly consulted before that land is placed on the market.</b><br />
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I hope this answers your questions. If you have more, please let me know.<br />
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Thank you again for taking the time to write.<br />
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Sincerely, Kim Richter</div>
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<b>KERRI ROSS(LIVE LANGLEY)</b></div>
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<b>I am expecting a response from Kerri Ross shortly.<br /> </b></div>
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<b>MICHELLE SPARROW</b></div>
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<b>DAVE STARK</b></div>
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Let me first say that I am the only candidate running in the Township who has taken a Zero Tolerance Approach to allowing ANY land to be taken out of the Agricultural Land Reserve. I refer to this here because my justification, and reasoning for making this bold statement are the same reasons for my response to your question about Creekside Forest. Natural heritage should be protected, and I feel that an absolute line should be drawn in the sand to protect it for future generations. Like my stance on the ALR, I believe that many decision-makers, and developers only take a short-term perspective of valuable resources where we need to look well into the future. Natural forests, like farmland, can not be re-created. We should NOT allow the offering up of our natural heritage as a sacrifice to the Gods of development and profit. There are other lands and other ways to develop a community.<br />
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Regarding the Open Letter, it is both succinct, and well written. I agree with all points made by WOLF and the Salmon River Enhancement Society. My understanding is that a complete inventory of TOL owned lands was completed in 2009. There has been no "political will" or reason for this council to make it public. This is why we need to change the majority of this group and bring back transparency and trust to our local government. Given that council and staff have shown their complete disregard for ecologically-sensitive properties, a "new" community-based planing process needs to be introduced, not only for this topic, but for many other community issues.<br />
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The existing process, or lack thereof, has been costly in terms of loss of valuable lands, and a waste of many stakeholder's time. A new process will be a win-win for everyone involved.<br />
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The TOL Property Portfolio is a significant asset for the Township and residents. This 500 million dollar asset needs to be better managed with a goal to asset development. Better management will allow for not only strategic/justified sales, but will provide a greater return for taxpayers over time.<br />
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Lastly, we need to seriously look at what the TOL considers "Surplus". This is a scary term when looking at the long term for both natural heritage and farmland. Perhaps we have some "Surplus" staff.</div>
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<b>GRANT WARD</b></div>
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<b>BLAIR WHITMARSH</b></div>
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<b>Creekside Forest</b><u></u><u></u></div>
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Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety<span style="color: #1f497d;">?<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">I am supportive of some development in the Creekside Forest. Currently, a minimum of 19 acres has been set aside for preservation and it is possible there could be more. The new council should look at the land very carefully and be sure that development is not have a significant, negative impact on the environment. The Township owns the land so there is still an opportunity to make adjustments to the use of that land. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b>Land Sales by Township</b><u></u><u></u></div>
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and What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?<u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The process for the sale of land should be as open and transparent as possible. I am certainly open to the sale of Township land but only after a good process of determining the overall heritage or ecological value of the land. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-80610770201128737122014-10-07T04:42:00.001-07:002014-10-07T04:42:31.799-07:00OPEN LETTER TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL<div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: "Calibri"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">An Open Letter to Mayor and Council </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">October 7,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">2014</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Dear Mayor and Council</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">On
March 20, the <a href="http://www.langleytimes.com/news/251025091.html" target="_blank">Langley Times reported</a> that Township staff were preparing
a report for Township Council identifying Township-owned properties
that could be sold to pay for future infrastructure in Langley Township.
We the undersigned, are concerned about the implications of this
article. Six months have passed without this staff report being made
public. We write to you with the assumption that it has not yet been
presented to Council. </span></div>
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<span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">As
the article acknowledges, past and present policy with regard to the
sale of what the Township has identified as “surplus property” has
generated much controversy. The approach that the Township has taken
appears to many</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> to be </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">secretive and reactive. There is an obvious need for a process with greater transparency, one grounded in sound planning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">The
lands belonging to the Township are the collective property of the
community of Langley. Decisions regarding the management of 'surplus
properties' greatly impact the public good and will affect the patterns
of future development in the neighbourhoods in which they are located.
Decisions regarding the sale or retention of these lands must take a
long-term view. We are particularly concerned that the ecological value
of 'surplus properties' be given greater consideration. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Under the current approach, it appears that</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">the Township </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">has proceeded </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">without adequately considering</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> or </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> informing itself about the ecolog</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">y </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">of parcels </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">placed on the market</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">. It has therefore been left to individual citizens and</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> community</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> groups to bring these issues to the attention of Council and Staff.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> In
response to protest Township has made ad hoc corrections that have
failed to address the larger problem. The danger that significant
ecosystems could be lost remains.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Although heartened by the implication that the above mentioned staff report will be released to the public </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">upon</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> receipt by Council, there are a number of additional steps that we feel Mayor and Council can undertake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">1) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Council
should direct Staff to undertake consultations with stewardship groups
and other environmental and community groups to assist in the
preparation of the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">staff</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> report.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> Upon
completion of the staff report, it should be presented to Council and
released to the public at the same time. We urge Council to authorize
this action in a timely manner and to see that the completion of the
report is not delayed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">2</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">)
Develop a comprehensive inventory of Township lands that would be
publicly accessible on the web. In time this could include the results
of ecological surveys of individual properties that have been prepared
by public or private entities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">3</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">)
Prepare a comprehensive plan for the sale and retention of Township
lands that takes into account the ecological value of particular parcels</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> The i</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">mpact on Langley aquifers from any resulting destruction of forests and wetlands must be considered. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">The
Township should commit itself to the principle that our natural
heritage should not be sacrificed in the development of modern
amenities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> 4)
Council has made it a uniform practice to invoke Section 90 of the
Community Charter as a way of closing meetings of Council to the public
when land sales are under consideration. The resulting lack of
transparency compounds the difficulties in the issues already discussed.
When a sale is well-advised, this practice hinders maximum advertising
to prospective buyers, and when a sale is ill-advised it prevents the
public from seeing their elected representatives debate the proposal.
The public interest is thus served by greater transparency in both
instances.Only exceptional circumstances can justify invoking Section 90
in the circumstance of land sales. We strongly urge Council to invoke
Section 90 sparingly in the case of land sales and on a case by case
basis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">5)The
comprehensive plan should recognize that although a policy of selling
off real estate to generate capital can have merit in some circumstances
care must be taken that land worth more monetarily in the future could
be lost through poor planning. Holding on to 'surplus properties' may
also provide a much needed source of income in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Finally,
we urge Council to take these steps in a timely manner so that the
ensuing discussion and debate on Council and amongst the public can </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">begin</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> before, and not after, the upcoming municipal election this November.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">We
would encourage Council and staff to begin the process by meeting with
community groups prior to November 1st. We would be pleased to
participate in such a meeting. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Respectfully, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Watchers of Langley Forests</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Salmon River Enhancement Society</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">*Both
groups have reviewed this letter and being convinced that the issue is
an important one that should be addressed they have joined together to
send this letter.</span></div>
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Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-25235013283758791332014-05-31T00:34:00.000-07:002014-05-31T00:34:03.148-07:00THE DAY IS HEREJust a quick reminder that tomorrow Saturday May 31(technically today) will be an opportunity to get a free guided tour of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove.<a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/05/effort-to-save-aldergrove-forest.html" target="_blank"> Details here.</a><br />
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Here is a quick summary.<br />
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The tours will be from 10 am to 3 pm at 274th and 28th Avenue.<br />
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Also between 10 am and 3pm there will be from a Community Event at Aldergrove Athletic Park. There will be crafts,games and facepainting and Harriet the Owl will bet there from 10 am to 11 am.<br />
The address is 29th Avenue 267B Street. <br />
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So to recap Harriet the Owl and facepainting at Aldergrove Athletic Park. You can have your picture taken with her for five dollars. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69X_Q1VVIOITeDhy6XTg_z8YLxnr3Qr_mk3WBepqUy6yeELer-fBBWfRTSvQrxjYHV70XA3bnT7dfUDqNUpp3dEJbPgqnLgarUhM74_ioDOIgi16aisRn5ReAevhj0wi1KMOCNFqzM5m1/s1600/HARRIETOWL_8220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69X_Q1VVIOITeDhy6XTg_z8YLxnr3Qr_mk3WBepqUy6yeELer-fBBWfRTSvQrxjYHV70XA3bnT7dfUDqNUpp3dEJbPgqnLgarUhM74_ioDOIgi16aisRn5ReAevhj0wi1KMOCNFqzM5m1/s1600/HARRIETOWL_8220.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HARRIET the OWL </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and at the same time you can get a FREE tour of Creekside Forest.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaiYTNd-k3XopH6Zfu0RLJzT68CwAqiwAXSItdvzUb75jKO7KPe0lKvIxyewCB9P65nucWYPAEuy8ht0gBNrB5LBdiQcKIlZU0pSeKadzGHil2JSL5IvD_bAmM3wI4DtZGN77_0iwyDqe/s1600/Creekside_2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaiYTNd-k3XopH6Zfu0RLJzT68CwAqiwAXSItdvzUb75jKO7KPe0lKvIxyewCB9P65nucWYPAEuy8ht0gBNrB5LBdiQcKIlZU0pSeKadzGHil2JSL5IvD_bAmM3wI4DtZGN77_0iwyDqe/s1600/Creekside_2454.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
I hope you can make it. <br />
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<br />Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-75897865091288969322014-05-29T21:59:00.001-07:002014-05-29T22:50:25.190-07:00THERE'S A REASON IT'S CALLED CREEKSIDE FOREST<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jCq-yTZhEf0VcL8va9Nl-z8EO11Dz92fvcYVaEuW4bZDLTLbF1S_8hv7Z9ytml-wdy2-duRMGc2YOMsyJ6J5SUfblTv0i0Y0aFc2NZPElPu-uI7vSDAXTv3vbzdexb3ea2DaZPRYuiq4/s1600/IMGP4070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jCq-yTZhEf0VcL8va9Nl-z8EO11Dz92fvcYVaEuW4bZDLTLbF1S_8hv7Z9ytml-wdy2-duRMGc2YOMsyJ6J5SUfblTv0i0Y0aFc2NZPElPu-uI7vSDAXTv3vbzdexb3ea2DaZPRYuiq4/s1600/IMGP4070.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Taken from the west side of Bertrand Creek looking into Creekside Forest.</td></tr>
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<br />Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-17284076628867078432014-05-27T19:01:00.003-07:002014-05-27T19:01:44.908-07:00THE CIRCLE OF LIFE Here is another view of the forest. This one has some trees that have seen better days.But there are others still standing proud in the background.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysP0RgoWc2IYh9k30mo6luS1MBC10Raw8fn9xeOvaLwcEdP4OTuT2osU2NlZ-rAA-3XUVJC0uHLe1nXtb93uEbYJfdseD36B1ePkHh1-D9xRrlOuE2AXnRg4Oiw8T0nV4B8tX1ATi4VQL/s1600/Creekside_2475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysP0RgoWc2IYh9k30mo6luS1MBC10Raw8fn9xeOvaLwcEdP4OTuT2osU2NlZ-rAA-3XUVJC0uHLe1nXtb93uEbYJfdseD36B1ePkHh1-D9xRrlOuE2AXnRg4Oiw8T0nV4B8tX1ATi4VQL/s1600/Creekside_2475.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-67765425231559787022014-05-22T19:17:00.000-07:002014-05-22T19:17:16.415-07:00CREEKSIDE FOREST PHOTOThis is what people will be able to see at the free guided tours this Saturday May 24 and next Saturday May 31. <a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/05/effort-to-save-aldergrove-forest.html" target="_blank">See this blog post for details.</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlojkrt1leL0KGNLnh1Asoj_V1MQfTpUTMIS5I-wuPsz4b21ZeBIQN2XMAgmPGUkT8NdoOCnVgyPyoK88qvzAN15Lvlbth-ic2wR2YzEHaMdFRqLDvi2pTwEeNXxSsJ-TrKvy_7mU7_6-/s1600/Creekside_2455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlojkrt1leL0KGNLnh1Asoj_V1MQfTpUTMIS5I-wuPsz4b21ZeBIQN2XMAgmPGUkT8NdoOCnVgyPyoK88qvzAN15Lvlbth-ic2wR2YzEHaMdFRqLDvi2pTwEeNXxSsJ-TrKvy_7mU7_6-/s1600/Creekside_2455.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Inside Creekside Forest May 2014</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here is a link to the latest <a href="http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/wolf-hosts-langley-forest-tours-may-24-and-31-1.1070165" target="_blank">Langley Advance story </a><br />
And here is a link to the latest<a href="http://www.langleytimes.com/news/260337611.html" target="_blank"> Langley Times/Aldergrove Star story.</a>Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-68743824123423039382014-05-22T04:01:00.000-07:002014-05-26T16:57:31.739-07:00EFFORT TO SAVE ALDERGROVE FOREST<br />
<div>
In the spirit of working together to keep natural places in urban
spaces a group of Aldergrove residents,with some help from Watchers of
Langley Forests(WOLF) are putting on some events to raise public
awareness about the Creekside Forest in Aldergrove. This urban
forest,owned by the Township of Langley, has been slated for development
by the municipality. Township Council recently voted to rezone the
property to allow a sixty-one lot subdivision. SEE <a href="http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/aldergrove-residents-rally-to-save-forest-land-1.795776" target="_blank">THESE</a> <a href="http://www.langleyadvance.com/news/twp-housing-plan-fought-1.798505" target="_blank">STORIES</a> FOR <a href="http://www.langleytimes.com/news/241115271.html?mobile=true" target="_blank">BACKGROUND</a></div>
<div>
<div>
On Saturday May 24 and Saturday May 31 10 am to 3pm
members of WOLF will be giving free guided tours of the Creekside Forest
located between Shortreed Elementary/Creekside Park and the Abbotsford
border. This forest runs along Bertrand Creek on a Township owned
property approximately between 26th and 28th Avenue. The tours will be
an opportunity for the public to see for themselves this bit of
wilderness so near to Aldergrove but so different than the urban spaces
that mostly surround it. </div>
<div>
The tours will start at Creekside Park
(28th Ave and 274th St) just by the bridge that crosses Bertrand Creek. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
Also on May 31 a family friendly event will run from
10am until 3pm at the Aldergrove Athletic Park under the covered picnic
area.There will be an information station informing residents of Langley
Township about
the proposed development into our local forest. Residents can sign a
petition in favour of stopping the development into the forest. There
will be a craft, games,and facepainting stations for kids. Harriet the
Owl will make an appearance for about an hour in the
morning. Visitors can have their picture taken with the owl for $5.
All
money raised will be donated to WOLF.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Hotdogs and beverages will be served at lunch time for free or by donation. <br />
<br />
Should
the Township plans go through most of the forest will be cut down to
make way for houses. The streamside setbacks required by the Department
of Fisheries and Oceans will not allow this forest to survive as an
intact ecosystem. Some trees will remain but this bit of natural space
will be no longer be much of a forest. </div>
For more information contact Jessica Horst at <a href="mailto:ecological-footprint@outlook.com" target="_blank">ecological-footprint@outlook.<wbr></wbr>com</a><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4BDjklsUnsu_QyAurFn2WHBFUZdZQkI4yCUi2lvjfkxsQv1V55V8245JvL1Q6Y_IRxtYcM_Ux7YWDq194a5BaQrCTwaUwnY7dvraXJcC_6SKdsEUckmfbMMN3oBkSlKdXCPGKrRckn_x/s1600/Creekside_2455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4BDjklsUnsu_QyAurFn2WHBFUZdZQkI4yCUi2lvjfkxsQv1V55V8245JvL1Q6Y_IRxtYcM_Ux7YWDq194a5BaQrCTwaUwnY7dvraXJcC_6SKdsEUckmfbMMN3oBkSlKdXCPGKrRckn_x/s1600/Creekside_2455.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-18004866755452311152014-05-17T03:08:00.000-07:002014-05-17T03:08:18.016-07:00TWO OLD FRIENDSCheck out what <a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2012/12/han-shan-poetry-project.html" target="_blank">poet</a> <a href="http://www.members.shaw.ca/smccaslin/" target="_blank">Susan McCaslin</a> and <a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2013/04/written-in-forest.html" target="_blank">artist </a><a href="http://susanfalk.ca/" target="_blank">Susan Falk</a> are <a href="http://www.langleyadvance.com/entertainment/arts-culture/two-artistic-susans-unite-for-langley-event-1.1061671" target="_blank">up to this month.</a><br />
<br />
Susan Falk's art exhibition(in collaboration with <a href="http://kristinkrimmel.com/about.html" target="_blank">Kristin Krimmel</a>) <a href="http://www.fortgallery.ca/current-show.html" target="_blank">The French Connection</a> runs from May 9-25 at the Fort Gallery in Fort Langley. Tonight May 17 at 7pm Susan McCaslin and fellow poet <a href="http://www.londonpoetryopenmic.com/season-2-interviews--poems-only-from-dec-4th-2013/may-7th-2014-featured-poet-lee-johnson-interview-and-poems" target="_blank">Lee Johnson</a> will join the exhibition for a joint poetry book launch. Susan McCaslin for her book "The Disarmed Heart" and Lee Johnson for his book "Poetria Nova"<br />
<br />
<br />
Susan McCaslin and Susan Falk were instrumental in helping Watchers of
Langley Forest save Mclellan Forest East(now the Blaauw Eco Forest) and
ensuring that WOLF was well funded. Susan McCaslin's launching of The
Han Shan Poetry Initiative brought great publicity to the cause of the
forest and truly became a global happening. Susan Falk's generous
donation of the proceeds from sale of her art show in May 2013 are the
reason that WOLF has insurance. The continuing news coverage that these and other events garnered are what brought the forest's plight to the attention of Mrs. Blaauw and family. These are just the practical prosaic
contributions that they have made. By allowing the forest to inspire
themselves and each other they made an artistic gift to the world that
would have survived even if the forest had not . WOLF is enormously
grateful that we have both around to appreciate. I myself have fond memories
of the mad chaos of those times that will stay with me for the rest of
my life. <br />
<br />
Susan McCaslin has emailed me to say that nature will be a theme for the night and that she will be reading from some poems she wrote for the Han Shan project. <br />
<br />
Kirk Robertson<br />
WOLF Chair<br />
<br />
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<b>Poetic Form and the Mystical Muse: </b></div>
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<b>A Collaboration of Poetry and the Visual Arts</b></div>
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<b>Saturday May 17</b></div>
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<b>7-9 pm</b></div>
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<b>You are cordially invited to attend a free poetry book launch with </b></div>
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<b>Susan McCaslin & Lee Johnson</b></div>
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<b>in collaboration with local visual artists</b></div>
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<b> Kristin Krimmel & and Susan J. Falk </b></div>
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<b>at their exhibition, The French Connection</b></div>
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<b>The Fort Gallery</b></div>
<b>9048 Glover Road, Fort Langley, BC</b>Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-60854111052939457472014-03-08T04:26:00.001-08:002014-03-08T04:26:58.039-08:00WOLF AGM TODAYThe day has arrived. I hope you can make it.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Annual General Meeting</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FOR WOLF(WATCHERS OF LANGLEY FORESTS)</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Date:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>March
08, 2014.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Time:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">2 pm</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Place: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fort Langley Community Hall </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">9167 Glover Road</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> ,</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fort</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Langley</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">, B.C.<span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">For directions or more information<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Phone WOLF Chair Kirk Robertson at 604-856-6849</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">or email: savemclellanpark@gmail.com<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Speaker:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dr. David R. Clements </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Coordinator of
Environmental Studies</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Department of
Biology</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Trinity</span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Western University</span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dr. Clements will be
talking about the research that the University is doing at the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thomas
Blaauw Forest
(formerly known as Gray Pit or Mclellan
Park Forest
East)</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> New members are welcome. There is
a ten dollar membership fee. Membership is open to all ages with members 12
years and up able to vote.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We will be electing a Board of Directors. If you are
interested in serving on the Board please contact Kirk Robertson(contact info
above)</span></b></div>
Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-67867667643398020402014-03-05T10:04:00.003-08:002014-03-05T10:11:51.561-08:00BROOKSWOOD PUBLIC HEARINGS TO GO FOR THIRD NIGHTThis notice on the Town ship of Langley<a href="http://www.tol.ca/Current-News-Initiatives/Current-News/Article/1413/public-hearing-reconvened-brookswoodfernridge-community-plan" target="_blank"> website</a> will give some idea of how the public hearings went Tuesday night. See this earlier<a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2014/03/those-of-you-who-live-in-langley.html" target="_blank"> post for background.</a> More to follow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Public Hearing for the Brookswood/Fernridge Community Plan will reconvene on:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
DATE: Wednesday, March 5, 2014 <br />
<br />
TIME: 7:00pm <br />
<br />
LOCATION: George Preston Recreation Centre 20699 – 42 Avenue, Langley, BC<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Item F.1 Brookswood/Fernridge Community Plan <br />
<br />
Bylaw No. 5057 <br />
<br />
Bylaw No. 5058 <br />
<br />
Report 14-09 <br />
<br />
File CD LRP00001 <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
“Langley Official Community Plan Bylaw 1979 No. 1842 Amendment
(Brookswood/Fernridge) 2014 No. 5057”; and “Brookswood/Fernridge
Community Plan Bylaw 2014 No. 5058”<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="margin-right: 5px;"> </span>
<span style="height: 20px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 77px;"></span>
</div>
Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-50371254354745287992014-03-04T17:18:00.000-08:002014-03-04T17:19:25.460-08:00BROOKSWOODThose of you who live in Langley Township are doubtless aware of recent proposals that the Brookswood-Fernridge area of South Langley be redeveloped . This was something that I know would have an impact on wooded areas but I didn't really have a good handle on the issue.I am still working to educate myself. Then over the weekend a concerned Brookswood resident showed me and another member of WOLF around the neighbourhood. This Google aerial is overlayed over the development plan area. and shows how extensive the loss of forest could be.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4fY1Wu6nY7WNZhkrve_JAemjGyyJH51-QSHKPUVPY_2mVAv3sHLwXmqzuY3FxqOu3oeMKKpMm4v00GTDG2Uh_3v18xgZFTOLUUnjK4_4bdYGkdEhNLAtXNRfwL2CqCHBZCiuVJvvmqio/s1600/Brookswood+Fernridge+outline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4fY1Wu6nY7WNZhkrve_JAemjGyyJH51-QSHKPUVPY_2mVAv3sHLwXmqzuY3FxqOu3oeMKKpMm4v00GTDG2Uh_3v18xgZFTOLUUnjK4_4bdYGkdEhNLAtXNRfwL2CqCHBZCiuVJvvmqio/s1600/Brookswood+Fernridge+outline.jpg" height="640" title="Brookswood-Fernridge Development Plan" width="603" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The area outlined in red is slated for development under a plan currently making it's way through Township Council.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are two significant areas. The area around 32nd Avenue near 200th St and the area around 208th<br />
Street roughly between 32nd Avenue and 36th Avenue. But there are stands of trees throughout the neighbourhood.<br />
<br />
It is very difficult to see how this kind of urban forest can survive under the proposed development. It is particularly troubling that some owners have begun preemptive clearcuts.<br />
<br />
This is all of great concern to the people who live in the neighbourhood and those who own property there as well. Certainly it will affect the future of all of Langley Township and ought to concern Langley residents throughout the municipality. But WOLF is a forest advocacy group and why might we be concerned.<br />
<br />
Some might think of WOLF as a bunch of people who just like trees and forest for aesthetic reasons. Although this is undoubtedly true as far as it goes it is not the whole truth. Forests play a vital role in our ecology here in the Lower Mainland. The loss of forest will significantly affect the human environment. Not the least of these impacts would be on our aquifers. Simply put trees play an immense role in conserving and filtering our groundwater. I have seen no evidence that Township has thought through the consequences for the Brookswood Aquifer if there is a singificant loss of trees in the Brookswood area. This aquifer is one of the most vulnerable aquifers in the region. Two other vulnerable aquifers are also in Langley Township.<br />
<br />
How these wooded areas in private hands can be conserved is a genuinely vexing problem but the current plan doesn't even confront the problem. Planting trees as replacements especially on this scale is a weak gesture.<br />
<br />
Last night (Monday March 3) was the public hearings for the the bylaws changing the Official Community Plan. I would like to be able to give you a first-hand account of how it went but I can't. I stepped out of the Council chambers shortly before the hearings started and was unable to get back in due to the large overflow crowd. This picture gives you an idea of what the scene was like but does not do it full justice because it was taken after many people had already given up and left.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELs23FWwCUn8bHVkwLFkweIzONrhlPl0GXZ1GgeZHVHhFmw1oSXUAHkblAf7pMPYg3xEXh3mi3AUtGlDnv0EOzLNUYCdnJ5NTB1SEm2Fc-8pqCUiI5yIatFYBlWIgOOPdT4s4eKY_Jehj/s1600/IMG_5162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELs23FWwCUn8bHVkwLFkweIzONrhlPl0GXZ1GgeZHVHhFmw1oSXUAHkblAf7pMPYg3xEXh3mi3AUtGlDnv0EOzLNUYCdnJ5NTB1SEm2Fc-8pqCUiI5yIatFYBlWIgOOPdT4s4eKY_Jehj/s1600/IMG_5162.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is looking into the Council chambers just outside the main doors. There are more people in the lobby outside who are not visible in this picture.</td></tr>
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Apparently the crowd was in fact in excess of the fire regulations. The meeting became more and more raucous sounding from the vantage post outside. The people outside contributed to that noise as they murmured and sometimes shouted that they could not hear what was going on inside. A TV screen was turned on in the lobby but the volume only worked for about a minute.<br />
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After four speakers and a brief recess Council decided to adjourn the hearings until tonight at a new venue the George Preston Recreation Centre. Address 20699 – 42 Avenue, Langley, BC<br />
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The hearings start at 7pm. Tonight Tuesday March 4. I am told that the George Preston Centre seats 400 people.<br />
I will try to let you know what happens if I can get in.<br />
-Kirk Robertson<br />
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<br />Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-28062684353723326282014-02-26T17:39:00.001-08:002014-02-26T17:39:44.382-08:00WOLF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGOn Saturday March 08,2014 Watchers of Langley Forests will be holding our first Annual General Meeting at the Fort Langley Community Hall. This will be an opportunity for the founding Board of Directors to report on what WOLF has accomplished in the last fifteen months to our membership. Our very first elections for the Board of Directors will also be held. If you are a member you should have received an official notice already but if you are not a member you can become one by paying a membership fee of ten dollars at the door. Address and contact info below.<br />
Kirk Robertson<br />
Chair<br />
Watchers of Langley Forests<br />
<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Annual General Meeting</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FOR WOLF(WATCHERS OF LANGLEY FORESTS)</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Date:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>March
08, 2014.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Time:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">2 pm</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Place: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fort Langley Community Hall </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">9167 Glover Road</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> ,</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fort</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Langley</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">, B.C.<span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">For directions or more information<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Phone WOLF Chair Kirk Robertson at 604-856-6849</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">or email: savemclellanpark@gmail.com<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Speaker:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dr. David R. Clements </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Coordinator of
Environmental Studies</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Department of
Biology</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Trinity</span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Western University</span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dr. Clements will be
talking about the research that the University is doing at the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thomas
Blaauw Forest
(formerly known as Gray Pit or Mclellan
Park Forest
East)</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"> New members are welcome. There is
a ten dollar membership fee. Membership is open to all ages with members 12
years and up able to vote.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We will be electing a Board of Directors. If you are
interested in serving on the Board please contact Kirk Robertson(contact info
above)</span></b></div>
Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-42706414283406189702014-01-20T03:37:00.000-08:002014-01-20T03:39:19.584-08:00ACTION ALERT I hope that all of you will find the time to help the residents of Aldergrove who fighting to save<a href="http://www.aldergrovestar.com/news/241115421.html" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">this neighbourhood forest</a>.<br />
Please spread the word about this <br />
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Public
hearings will be held at the Monday evening council this January 20
regarding the Township's development proposal for the former sewage
treatment site between Bertrand Creek and the Abbotsford border. The
address is 27540 28th Avenue. The site is now used as a water treatment
site and is also the location of the Aldergrove weather
station..Township has deemed most of the property to
be surplus and has applied through an agent for the land to be
subdivided into sixty-one single-family lots. The southern portion of
the development
would mean cutting down a large part of the forest on the property.
Local
residents have organized a petition asking Council to scrap the twenty
lots that would impact on the forest. We need people to come out to the
hearings to show their support for the local neighbourhood. Aldergrove
and Langley at large should not be loosing any of our rare urban
forests. Although setbacks from the ecologically sensitive Bertrand
Creek have been provided for under the plan building near the Creek
should be approached with caution. I hope you will attend the hearings.
This will be the last chance for the public to weigh in on this issue.
As in days past please wear green to show your support for the cause.
Just so there is no confusion this is not about the Glen Valley forests
which were for sale by Township and have since been spared.</div>
If you are unable to attend in person please consider signing the electronic petition at <br />
<a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/township-of-langley-protect-the-forested-southerly-portion-of-lot-27540-28th-avenue-aldergrove-bc" target="_blank">http://www.change.org/<wbr></wbr>petitions/township-of-langley-<wbr></wbr>protect-the-forested-<wbr></wbr>southerly-portion-of-lot-<wbr></wbr>27540-28th-avenue-aldergrove-<wbr></wbr>bc</a></div>
or more importantly writing a letter to the Township.<br />
If you are unsure about what you could write or how to word what you’d like to express, e-mail <a href="mailto:ecologicalfootprint@outlook.com" target="_blank">ecological-footprint@outlook.<wbr></wbr>com</a> with subject heading: Request Letter, and you’ll receive an e-mail with a letter you <br />
can sign and forward to <a href="mailto:legservicesinfo@tol.ca" target="_blank">legservicesinfo@tol.ca</a>.)</div>
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You can find contact information for Mayor and Councillors <a href="http://mclellanpark.blogspot.ca/2012/09/contact-info-for-mayor-and-council.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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Langley Township Council will be meeting at 7pm in the Fraser River Presentation Theatre Civic Facility, located at the <b>4th Floor, 20338 – 65 Avenue, Langley</b><b><br /></b></div>
<b>Wear Green to show your support for keeping this forest intact.</b><br />
<b>This is not the only forest that is could be threatened by Township's decisions this year so stay tuned for further news.</b></div>
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Watchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944459627175446454.post-38746830022493795692014-01-20T03:20:00.001-08:002014-01-20T03:20:39.974-08:00WHILE THIS BLOGSPOT WAS SLEEPINGThis blog has been silent for many months now. This was not intended and I hope to rectify that by catching people up in this post.Over the course of the Autumn of 2013 a long year and a half campaign to save the Mclellan forests in Glen Valley wound to a close.What has once seemed impossible became reality. However there seemed less urgency to report good news than there had been to report the bad news. I think I felt compelled to write something profound that would sum up the the inspirational conclusion to so many months of hard work by so many people. Details that I wanted to nail down gave me excuses for neglecting my blogging duties. November came and went. The holidays passed. Life interfered. My bad habit of procrastination reasserted itself. As a result many people may have missed some important facts or heard about them only by happenstance. Here is my attempt to rectify that.<br />
<br />
In September 2013 Trinity Western University announced that thanks to the generosity of a local family it was purchasing the<a href="http://www.langleytimes.com/news/223531491.html?mobile=true" target="_blank"> Mclellan Forest East.</a> On September 24 a<a href="http://www.langleytimes.com/news/225232352.html?mobile=true" target="_blank"> Dedication Ceremony</a> was held to the memory of the late Thomas Blaauw.<br />
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Then in late October the Mayor announced that Mclellan Forest West or just Mclellan Park had been designated a<a href="http://www.langleytimes.com/news/229950751.html?print=true" target="_blank"> Natural Park</a> by Township Council. The ongoing concern that this parcel was not adequately protected had been unexpectedly resolved. The petition campaign that we had been conducting since the Spring in an low key manner came to an unexpected ending.<br />
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I will have more to say about what has been going on with TWU and the forest that they are now custodians. . A place with too many names already has a new name. Mclellan Park needs an official name from the Township. WOLF is looking forward to working with TWU and TOL with regard to the lands they have assumed responsibility for. <br />
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Watchers of Langley Forests intends to continue as a going concern. We will continue to speak up for the conservation of forests throughout Langley. I hope to have an announcement shortly about our first Annual General Meeting. Mclellan Park Blogspot is now a misnomer but until further notice it and the facebook page will continue to be the place to find information about WOLF and our activities. I hope this will not be confusing for people.<br />
<br />
Because in fact there are issues that WOLF is involved with right now. But see the next post.<br />
<br />
If anybody has questions or would like to get involved with WOLF please write to savemclellanpark@gmail.com. <br />
<br />
Kirk Robertson<br />
Chair<br />
Watchers of Langley ForestsWatchers Of Langley Forestshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01360911200765423161noreply@blogger.com1