Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Barb2U: MAG is a NO-brainer Nov 29, 2011


Eleven days post-Delta civic elections and happily I have my life back to order.
Bliss. 

It would be better if Heather was Mayor, but bliss is bliss. 

Ah, that was three hours ago.

Bliss? That was before I read an article in the Delta Optimist. 

I threw out a raspberry tweet and muttered a bunch of rather unladylike expressions and tried to get over it!

Unfortunately, my state of bliss did not return.  I did not get over it!

HUH??? Truly, I thought I was done with blogging and politics.

We gave it a good run, lost, and closed the book.

NOPE!

Closed the chapter! 

Surprise, surprise, I am not done. After a bad case of the mutters, I decided I gotta do something. Something legal that is; the pen is mightier than the sword!

Apparently, I cannot care 100% and then expect a raspberry tweet and a bit of muttering to anesthetize my concerns. UGH, I feel rather dramatic, like the owner of an exotic, never before diagnosed, Achilles' heel. 

My weakness is that I do care. I care a whole lot. 

Join my moaning and feel my pain. 

I was warned. 

Longtime friend and political activist with a political career, Arne Zabell, (Twitter@RuralBC) warned me, "Once you realize you can participate, be heard and hopefully improve the quality of life for many: politics is addictive." 

Smugly I shrugged off his warning; after all, I don't have an addictive personality. 

But I do care. I have an Achilles' heel.
Here is the skinny:
  • A zillion candidates jockeying for a position on Delta council said that Delta needs to change. They used strong words to describe what was wrong with Delta council: lack of transparency, bullying, arrogance, and intimidation!
  • Jackson wins - regardless of the disdain I feel, congratulations are in order. I am, after all just one vote and I have other things to do....
  • Today I read the article "Delta mayor doesn't see need for civic auditor" and my heart sinks...she didn't listen, nothing is going to change, and my buddy (Heather King) isn't at the table to ask the tough questions.
The appointment of a Municipal Auditor General (MAG) is a good thing. The MAG will be able to let us know, if we are getting bang for our Delta taxpayers' bucks!

We shouldn't just blindly trust our civic leader, Jackson, who says, "A new auditor general for local government is a big waste of time and money."

Sigh, she really doesn't get it.

Yesterday, there was an excellent article in the Vancouver Sun "Auditor-general must be change agent for municipalities".

Truly the MAG is a no-brainer: accountability and transparency are good things. REALLY GOOD THINGS!

The article says is way better than I could.

I am done, but just for today. Now I must find some chocolate to go with my raspberries!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Heather King :1 more sleep

I am Barb Westlake
Email me at Barb_2U@eastlink.ca or
tweet me @Barb_2U
I guarantee your identity will remain confidential.
I'm here for the fun - if you want to the facts, go to Heather's website 

Today's heroes!
Rachida, Heather, and Rachida's son

This was taken yesterday outside of Brooke Elementary in North Delta. 

Rachida, Cheers to you, your son, and your Dad! What a way to inspire Heather as she was campaigning in the rain! 

A few hours later when it started to snow, Heather was still glowing from Rachida's enthusiasm and support! 

Rachida sent the picture and email to Heather!
            Ms King,

It was an honor having a picture with you today. The quality of the picture is not very good, but the quality of the time my son and I spent with you today and last week at our toastmaster’s group is what counts more. Thank you for your efforts to make our city better. Much appreciated.

Go Heather Go!  My dad and I are voting for you this Saturday.

Best Regards,

Rachida Elaroussi, M.Sc.
Senior SR&ED Consultant
R&D Incentives Inc.
http://www.rdincentives.com

  Today's other hero: 

 Katy Weatherly, a 16 year-old Heather King supporter, who created this video!


Don't forget:



  • Saturday VOTE: HEATHER KING for MAYOR
     
     
  • After you vote, go support  the "Bazaar" Committee Ladies from the Delta Museum and Archives Society. 
  • If you see Robert at the Bazaar picking out my Christmas present -- give him a hug.... and remind him that I like dark chocolate and beautiful surprises.
              Holiday Bazaar
                Saturday, November 19th
                10:00am - 3:30pm


Kinsmen House, 5050 – 47th Avenue
(next to Ladner Pioneer Library)



LA Grand Fanali --  All the Campaign Jokes:
Yes, I am aware that some of the jokes are much worse that others...Just remember the louder you groan, the better the Knock Knock joke! I couldn't create jokes for

Special mention to:
  • Brad Sherwin, (Hero # 40) School Board Trustee Candidate for feeding me some of the Knock Knock jokes - thanks Brad, especially for the ones that stumped me....
  • Grade 11 SDSS students - my Knock Knock inspirations and suppliers of many jokes!
Candidates for Mayor (vote Heather King for mayor)

Knock  Knock.  
Who's there? 
Krista.   
Krista who?  
Your future is Krista clear, if you vote Heather King for Mayor!

Knock  Knock. 
Who's there?
Lois. 
Lois who? 
Lois vote count of the election!

Knock  knock. 
Who's there? 
Lois Jackson. 
Lois Jackson who?

See how quickly we forget? Vote for Heather KING for Mayor.
Knock  Knock. 
Who's there? 
KING. 
KING who? 
KING you imagine, Lois is a DIVA!

Knock, Knock. 
Who's there? 
KING. 
KING who? 
KING you imagine council without Heather King?


Knock  knock. 
Who's there? 
King. 
King who?
King ya just vote for Heather King for Mayor so we can get going? 


Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
DIVA.  
DIVA who? 
DIVA you know that Heather King is the best choice for mayor?

Knock  Knock. 
Who's there? 
Meech. 
Meech who? 
Meech ya at the polling station to vote for Heather KING 4 Mayor!

Candidates for Councillor (pick six or fewer)

Knock knock. 
Who's there. 
Sylvia. 
Sylvia who? 
Sylvia vote Heather King for Mayor on Saturday or what?



Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Scott.   
Scott who? 
Scott EVERYTHING to do with you, vote Heather King for Mayor.

Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Neil. 
Neil who? 
Neil down here comes Heather King 4 Mayor!

Knock  knock. 
Who's there? 
Corbett. 
Corbett who? 
Corbetts are in - odds favour Heather KING for Mayor!

Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Garth. 
Garth who? 
Garth the angels did sing, "Vote for Heather King!"
 
Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Scott.   
Scott who? 
Scott what you are doing! Go vote Heather King for Mayor.

Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Heer. 
Heer who? 
Heer is where you vote for Heather KING 4 Mayor!

Knock knock. 
Who's there? 
Paton. 
Paton who? 
Paton that idea and vote for Heather KING for Mayor!

Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Ian. 
Ian who?

Ian his wife are voting for Heather King

knock knock. 
Who's there? 
Anne. 
Anne who? 
Anne me the ballot sheet, so I may vote for Heather King.

Candidates for School Trustee (pick seven on fewer)

Knock Knock. 
Who’s there? 
Carroll. 
Carroll who? 
Carroll-ers go away unless you are voting for Heather King.

Knock  Knock. 
Who's there? 
Andy. 
Andy who? 
Andybody else voting for Heather KING for Mayor?



Knock knock. 
Who's there? 
Brenda. 
Brenda who? 
Brenda down touch yer toes, then go exercise yer right to vote by voting fer Heather KING for Mayor!


Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Donna.  
Donna who? 
Donna don’t just sit there, go vote Heather King for Mayor!


Knock Knock.  
Who's there? 
Dyer.  
Dyer who?  
Dyer Straits, if you don't vote Heather King for Mayor.

Knock  Knock. 
Who's there? 
Pat.  
Pat who?  
Pat yourself on the back when you vote Heather King for Mayor.


Knock Knock. 
Who’s there? 
Carol. 
Carol who? 
Carol-ers singing vote for heather King.
 
Knock Knock.  
Who's there?   
Nick. 
Nick who? 
Nick-rs in a knot over DIVA? Vote for Heather KING for Mayor.



Knock Knock.  
Who's there?  
Lloyd. 
Lloyd who? 
Lloyd –r later, right now hurry and vote for Heather KING for Mayor.


Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Macumber.    
Macumber who? 
Macumber over to the polls and Vote Heather King for Mayor!

Knock  Knock.  
Who's there? 
Saip. 
Saip who? 
Don't be a Saip, vote Heather KING for Mayor!

Knock Knock. 
Who's there?  
Shanutz.
Shanutz who? 
Don't take a Shanutz Vote for Heather KING 4 Mayor!
 
Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Sherwin. 
Sherwin who? 
Heather KING's a Sherwin for Delta Mayor!



Knock Knock. 
Who's there?
Smillie. 
Smillie who? 
Smillie and the world smillies with you, when you vote for Heather for Mayor!



Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Simon.
Simon who? 
Simon says, "Vote for Heather KING 4 Mayor!"


Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Truelove. 
Truelove who?  
If you want Truelove, vote for Heather KING for Mayor.


Knock Knock. 
Who's there? 
Windsor.
Windsor who? 
Windsor changing, vote Heather KING 4 Mayor!



Barb's Heroes List:
  1. Councillor Heather King, Mayor Candidate
  2. Neil Corbett , Council Candidate, Pop Quiz star
  3. Francis Van Roode, VP Sunfish
  4. Philip Raphael, Editor South Delta Leader & Pop Quiz #2 winner!
  5. Andrew Conley, Council Candidate
  6. Scott Broderick, Council Candidate & Pop Quiz #1: 1st place winner! 
  7. Cathie Goodman, Pop Quiz #1: 2nd place winner & SD Leader winner!
  8. Ladners Landing,  Pop Quiz #1: 3rd place winner
  9. Carroll Allan, School Board Trustee Candidate 
  10.  Ferd Lamens, Ambassadors Toastmaster & regular guy concerned about gas tax 
  11. Pam Noble Paton, for her family values and for standing by her man 
  12. Guest Blogger #1
  13. Sylvia Bishop, Council Candidate & Pop Quiz #6: 1st place winner 
  14. Bruce Doucette, Pop Quiz #6; 3rd place winner @
  15. Linda Chamaschuk, for her post to Ladners Landing's wall 
  16. Dr. Andy Basi, for being a true gentleman, School Board Trustee Candidate
  17. Karuna Jain, for all her behind the scenes help
  18. Ruth Katiagi, canvasser extraordinaire for Heather King For Mayor  (Week #1)
  19. Geoff for knowing he was right even when he was wrong! 
  20. Jean Pearce, for her community engagement by posting on Landers Landing FB
  21. Linda Pearce, for solving the sign mystery by positng on Landers Landing FB
  22. Laura, Heather King 4 Mayor volunteer and mom extraordinaire 
  23. Pam, most enthusiastic Heather King 4 Mayor volunteer
  24. Monica Sanderson, owner Its an Art Tattoo Studio 4868 Delta Street
  25. Aerock Shandler, owner Top Barber, 4868 Delta Street
  26. James Price Owner/operator Ladner Village Hardware, 4821 Delta Street
  27. Carey Muir, Founder & Co-director Freshwave Ministries 
  28. Louise Long, Canvasser of the week (Week #2)  
  29. Azhar Khan, Toastmaster BC Area 50 Governor -for his leadership initiative
  30. Alison Martin, Ambassadors Toastmasters of Tsawwassen VP of Publicity
  31. Leah Bach, North Delta Realtor and "soggy canvasser" for Heather 
  32. Mr. Harry Brar, owner Paradise Banquet Hall & Convention Centre
  33. Thomas Leathem, Director Community Planning and Development Department 
  34. Marcy, Deputy Director Community Planning and Development Department 
  35. Tony Dales, Heather KING for Mayor Ladner Hub Coordinator
  36. Colleen Hardie, canvasser extraordinaire, most houses in one day (300) (Week #3)
  37. Barbara Moy, Speedy canvasser extraordinaire (Week #3)
  38. Joan MacDonald, Speedy canvasser extraodinaire (Week #3)
  39. Sarg and John Dhaliwal, commited canvassers (Week #3)
  40. Brad Sherwin, Candidate for Delta School Trustee and and volunteer hero
  41. Garth Cuthbert, Council Candidate and volunteer hero
  42. “The Bazaar Committee” of the Delta Museum and Archives Society, Delta Volunteer Legacies 
  43. Doug Lumley, Canadian Vietnam War Vet
  44. Shiraz Bhatia, a guest blogger and canvassing partner for Heather 
  45. Gab Torrealba, Delta voter and youth pastor at Ladner Christian Fellowship 
  46. Douglas Bolen, for his letter to the Delta Optimist
  47. Helen L. Kettle, for her letter to the Delta Optimist "Not all agree on the 'Facts'"
  48. Richida Elaroussi and family, for their enthusiastic support for Heather KING
  49. Katy Weatherly, for creating her inspiring video
  50. Councillor Robert Campbell (pending)
IF you have a concern, contact Heather King.  Her information is at the top of the page. She WANTS to talk to you.



VOTE HEATHER KING for MAYOR
 

On June 29, 2011 Delta's Councillor Heather King announced she was running for Mayor. I thought it would be fun to blog Heather’s campaign. I am not the voice of Heather, I am just the entertainment having fun and bringing the campaign 2U. If you want to know what Heather thinks about a specific issue, ask her. She can run, she can win, but she cannot hide (election pun): 778 875-9494; king4mayor@gmail.com; http://www.heatherking.org/; or twitter @HKingCouncillor (I'm @Barb_2U)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Heather King Guest Blogger & Election Jokes:2 sleeps

I am Barb Westlake
Email me at Barb_2U@eastlink.ca or
tweet me @Barb_2U
I guarantee your identity will remain confidential.
I'm here for the fun - if you want to the facts, go to Heather's website 


Scroll down to read the letter from Douglas Bolen, today's guest blogger:

Looks like Heather is trying to submit a knock Knock Joke


 More Campaign Jokes:
 
Knock, knock. 
Who's there? 
Saip. 
Saip who? 
Don't be a Saip, vote Heather KING for Mayor!

Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
Garth.
Garth who?
Garth the angels did sing, "Vote for Heather King!"

Knock, Knock.
Who's there? 
Scott. 
Scott who? 
Scott what you are doing and go vote Heather King for Mayor!

Knock, knock. 
Who's there?  
Nick.
Nick who?  
Nick-rs in a knot over DIVA? Vote for Heather KING for Mayor.
Knock, Knock
Who's there? 
Dyer.  
Dyer who? 
Dyer Straits, if you don't vote Heather King for Mayor.

Knock, knock. 
Who's there? 
Corbett. 
Corbett who? 
Corbetts are in - odds favour Heather KING for Mayor!

Knock, Knock
Who's there? 
Lloyd. 
Lloyd who? 
Don't Lloyd-r go vote Heather King for Mayor!

Knock, Knock
Who's there? 
Donna. 
Donna who? 
Donna just sit there, go vote Heather King for Mayor!

Knock, Knock
Who's there? 
Macumber. 
Macumber who? 
Macumber over to the polls and Vote Heather King for Mayor!

Knock, Knock.   
Who's there? 
Krista.     
Krista who? 
Your future is Krista clear, if you vote Heather King for Mayor!

Guest blogger: 

The following letter was submitted to Ted Murphy, the editor at The Delta Optimist. It was written by Douglas Bolen of Tsawwassen in response to the flyer (below) that was distributed to his home.

This photo is taken at Boundary Bay Regional Park. It is not part of Southlands.

By Douglas Bolen

"In their most blatant and desperate attempt to deceive the voting public on the Southlands issue, the “Southlands the Facts” boys funded and authored an “Anti Southlands” flyer in an effort to endorse election hopefuls Krista Engelland, Sylvia Bishop, Andrew Conley & Scott Broderick.  What a mistake these hopefuls have made allowing their names to be associated with this document.  Each and every “fact” in the flyer is untrue except, sadly, that the named individuals are candidates in the upcoming election. 
They have demonstrated their lack of qualifications for the positions on council by not knowing the difference between a rezoning application and an application for an amendment to the Official Community Plan, by not knowing the latter’s implications on the development process, by not knowing the legislation regarding municipal elections, by making unsubstantiated libellous allegations of collusion regarding Delta’s handling of the Southlands issue, by not using a calculator when calculating the percentage increase in residential units in Tsawwassen as a result of development of the Southlands and by not knowing the difference between high density and medium density developments.   I want my councillors to know these things.   
My favourite part of the flyer is the part about their “experts” stating that industrial agriculture “will not work” on the Southlands. Interestingly enough, it was the Southlands the Facts participants in the Mayor’s Summit who insisted that wording be included in the Official Communiqué precluding Century Group from pursuing industrial agriculture on the Southlands.  They don’t even believe their own lies and neither should you."

Thank you Douglas Bolen for your letter.

 

Helen L. Kettle also wrote a letter to the editor. Her letter was published November 16, 2011 in the Delta Optimist. To read Helen's letter click here.


Heroes to add to my list:

  • Douglas Bolen, today's guest blogger,  for his above letter
  • Helen L. Kettle, for her letter and for being the star of today's noon show at at XL Radio (http://www.xlradio.ca/) She was very clear passionate as she spoke about Southlands.

Barb's Heroes List:
  1. Councillor Heather King, Mayor Candidate
  2. Neil Corbett , Council Candidate, Pop Quiz star
  3. Francis Van Roode, VP Sunfish
  4. Philip Raphael, Editor South Delta Leader & Pop Quiz #2 winner!
  5. Andrew Conley, Council Candidate
  6. Scott Broderick, Council Candidate & Pop Quiz #1: 1st place winner! 
  7. Cathie Goodman, Pop Quiz #1: 2nd place winner & SD Leader winner!
  8. Ladners Landing,  Pop Quiz #1: 3rd place winner
  9. Carroll Allan, School Board Trustee Candidate 
  10.  Ferd Lamens, Ambassadors Toastmaster & regular guy concerned about gas tax 
  11. Pam Noble Paton, for her family values and for standing by her man 
  12. Guest Blogger #1
  13. Sylvia Bishop, Council Candidate & Pop Quiz #6: 1st place winner 
  14. Bruce Doucette, Pop Quiz #6; 3rd place winner @
  15. Linda Chamaschuk, for her post to Ladners Landing's wall 
  16. Dr. Andy Basi, for being a true gentleman, School Board Trustee Candidate
  17. Karuna Jain, for all her behind the scenes help
  18. Ruth Katiagi, canvasser extraordinaire for Heather King For Mayor  (Week #1)
  19. Geoff for knowing he was right even when he was wrong! 
  20. Jean Pearce, for her community engagement by posting on Landers Landing FB
  21. Linda Pearce, for solving the sign mystery by positng on Landers Landing FB
  22. Laura, Heather King 4 Mayor volunteer and mom extraordinaire 
  23. Pam, most enthusiastic Heather King 4 Mayor volunteer
  24. Monica Sanderson, owner Its an Art Tattoo Studio 4868 Delta Street
  25. Aerock Shandler, owner Top Barber, 4868 Delta Street
  26. James Price Owner/operator Ladner Village Hardware, 4821 Delta Street
  27. Carey Muir, Founder & Co-director Freshwave Ministries 
  28. Louise Long, Canvasser of the week (Week #2)  
  29. Azhar Khan, Toastmaster BC Area 50 Governor -for his leadership initiative
  30. Alison Martin, Ambassadors Toastmasters of Tsawwassen VP of Publicity
  31. Leah Bach, North Delta Realtor and "soggy canvasser" for Heather 
  32. Mr. Harry Brar, owner Paradise Banquet Hall & Convention Centre
  33. Thomas Leathem, Director Community Planning and Development Department 
  34. Marcy, Deputy Director Community Planning and Development Department 
  35. Tony Dales, Heather KING for Mayor Ladner Hub Coordinator
  36. Colleen Hardie, canvasser extraordinaire, most houses in one day-300 (Week #3)
  37. Barbara Moy, Speedy canvasser extraordinaire (Week #3)
  38. Joan MacDonald, Speedy canvasser extraodinaire (Week #3)
  39. Sarg and John Dhaliwal, commited canvassers (Week #3)
  40. Brad Sherwin, Candidate for Delta School Trustee and and volunteer hero
  41. Garth Cuthbert, Council Candidate and volunteer hero
  42. “The Bazaar Committee” of the Delta Museum and Archives Society, Delta Volunteer Legacies 
  43. Doug Lumley, Canadian Vietnam War Vet
  44. Shiraz Bhatia, a guest blogger and canvassing partner for Heather 
  45. Gab Torrealba, Delta voter and youth pastor at Ladner Christian Fellowship 
  46. Douglas Bolen, for his letter above
  47. Helen L. Kettle, for her letter to the Delta Optimist "Not all agree on the 'Facts'"
  48. Councillor Robert Campbell (pending)
 
IF you have a concern, contact Heather King.  Her information is at the top of the page. She WANTS to talk to you.



VOTE HEATHER KING for MAYOR