Nine people have already declared they would like to be a member of Pitt Meadows council

Former councillor runs again

 

Nine people have already declared they would like to be a member of Pitt Meadows council

 

By Sylver McLaren, The Times

Read more: http://www.mrtimes.com/news/story.html?id=5498273#ixzz1aIicBPws

 

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David Murray, new hopeful

Photograph by: submitted, for the TIMES

Today’s the day that political hopefuls can begin submitting their names if they wish to run for a seat as City of Pitt Meadows council or mayor.
“The nomination packages are out there and are being accepted starting tomorrow [Tuesday] until 4 p.m. on Oct. 14,” said Patti Rear, legislative services clerk for Pitt Meadows.
Packages are available online or at City hall, Rear said.
“Once the nomination packages are in the candidates have one week to withdrawal their candidacy. Then, City hall will make the declaration of election,” said Rear.
Meanwhile, everyone who currently holds a seat, save the current mayor Don MacLean, is hoping to get re-elected Nov. 19, and serve another three years either on council or as mayor.
Councillors Deb Walters and John Becker have both declared intentions to run for mayor, while councillors Bruce Bell, Doug Bing, Gwen O’Connell, and Tracy Miyashita have all stated they will seek re-election.
Janis Elkerton, a 14-year council veteran, announced Monday she’ll seek a seat on council after a four-year absence.
“This election is a turning point for Pitt Meadows,” Elkerton said. “With the current mayor stepping down and two council members vying for that position there will be a significant loss of experience for the City.”
Elkerton is ready to help fill that void.
“I am passionate about Pitt Meadows and want to bring my experience to bear on several important decisions facing our community over the next three years,” she said.
Elkerton has lived in Pitt Meadows for more than 27 years. She was Pitt Meadows’ community health nurse for 11 years. She served for 14 years on Pitt Meadows council from 1993 to January 2008, until resigning to recuperate from injuries sustained in a car accident.
David Murray has decided to throw his hat into the mix for a council seat for the first time in Pitt Meadows.
Among many ideas, including improved transit and promoting small business, Murray wants to promote sports and recreation by making solid commitments to enhance and expand sports facilities and programs.
He has served on the executive committees of Pitt Meadows Soccer and Ridge Meadows Minor Baseball.
Murray grew up in political circles. As a young boy, he saw his father worked on Tommy Douglas’ first campaign in Weyburn, Sask. in October 1935 and he was involved in the On to Ottawa Trek and the Regina Riot.
He and his wife Sharon have lived in Pitt Meadows since 1987. They have two children Ryan, 23, and Shannon-Lee, 21.
Korleen Carrarias has pulled her name out of the municipal election and said she is setting her sights on something else, for which she will soon let made known, she said.
Also vying for the mayor’s seat is Gary Paller, who announced his intentions to gain the top seat back in September.

© Copyright (c) Maple Ridge Times

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Adrian Dix At The Everbloom Garden Centre

Categorized | Provincial Politics

Provincial Politics: Adrian Dix At The Everbloom Garden Centre

Posted on 28 June 2011
Tags: abbotsford, adrian dix, david murray, Everbloom Garden Centre, Harry Bains, Liberals, Mike Farnworth, Sukhi Dhami

By David Murray. I attended a barbecue at the Everbloom Garden Centre tonight in Abbotsford. Adrian Dix and Mike Farnworth were both on hand to talk about some important issues in the Fraser Valley.

Adrian Dix-Bob Douglas 70 year CCF-NDP member and Mike Farnworth

Sukhi Dhami was the host and is one of the owners of the Everbloom Garden Centre on Mt. Lehman Rd in Abbotsford. After the feast Mike Farnworth MLA from Port Coquitlam ,spoke briefly about how B.C. is going to experience a whole new era in leadership. He noted that under Dix, B.C. will have strong leadership and will win the next provincial election. Mike told the gathering of about 100 NDP supporters that “Adrian Dix , who is my long-time friend worked on my first provincial campaign in 1991″.

Harry Bains another NDP MLA in attendance had a lot of encouraging words for the crowd, he told the group “Adrian Dix is a premier for all the people”. He went on to say “Adrian represents our future” and the “B.C. Liberals have no fresh ideas left”.
Mr. Dix, who just finished attending a meeting in Mission a few hours earlier talked about the Liberals and their record on the economy. (the worst of any party since the depression) . He said ” The Liberals think they own the riding’s in the Fraser Valley-The Chilliwacks, The Abbotsfords, The Langley’s.” “That is about to change” retorted Dix. “They have ignored us (speaking to a partisan Abbotsford crowd) long enough.”
“Seven Million dollars of your hard earned taxpayers dollars on partisan pro-hst ads with stickmen during the hockey games is shameful” replied Dix. Mr. Dix painted this picture ” The Liberals are turning this HST campaign into a very negative campaign, hoping to keep people from wanting to vote like the last referendum where only 38% of the people voted”.

This post was written by:

David Murray - who has written 57 posts on Pitt Meadows Today – the Other Side of the News.

Dix brings anti-HST campaign to Abbotsford

NDP Leader Adrian Dix addresses part of the crowd in Abbotsford on Tuesday night.

Neil Corbett photo
Buy Abbotsford News Photos Online

By Neil Corbett - Abbotsford News
Published: June 29, 2011 2:00 PM
Updated: June 29, 2011 2:24 PM

NDP Leader Adrian Dix brought his ant-HST campaign to Abbotsford on Tuesday.
Dix has been touring the province since he won the leadership. He has recently been through Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Kamloops, Vernon and throughout Vancouver Island. In the past week he has seen 14 towns and cities.
He was met by a friendly audience of NDP supporters at the Everbloom Garden Centre on Mt. Lehman Road. They included David Murray, the federal NDP candidate for the Abbotsford riding.
"Man that guy works hard," Murray said of Dix, noting his busy travel schedule. "It's really appropo that he's rolling up his sleeves, and getting after it."
Dix told The News that his "grassroots campaign" is discovering a familiar theme.
"I'm hearing from small business: 'People have less money to spend, and it's hurting us.'"
He said it is inappropriate for the government to spend $7 million of taxpayers money for HST referendum advertising that supports its position. He added the spending would be illegal under election law.
However, Dix doesn't believe the advertising or the drop in the HST from 12 to 10 per cent will save the tax from being voted down in the mail-in referendum.
He's confident the "yes" vote will win.
"We're plucky, and we've got a better argument," Dix contends.
That argument is that the tax is "shifting $1.9 billion in taxes onto working families," he said, adding big business benefits from the tax break.
The HST issue has shown that the Liberal government "can't be trusted," said Dix, because of the many times the public has been "lied to."
He said the provincial government has reneged on its word when it promised not to bring in the HST, when it said the tax would be revenue neutral, said all the revenue would be put into health care, and said it would generate 100,000 jobs.
He said the government will become too arrogant if it can save the HST in the referendum.
"I don't think, in the end, they will get away with it," he predicted. "David sometimes beats Goliath."

Other leaders voting no
Finance minister and deputy premier Kevin Falcon issued a press release applauding the decision by the leaders of the Green Party and the BC Conservatives for taking what he called "principled positions to vote ‘no’ in the upcoming referendum."
“In sharp contrast to Adrian Dix and the rest of the NDP, the other opposition leaders took the time and effort to inform themselves about the real impact of returning to a 12 per cent PST and GST and have taken a clear position to do what is best for the province – support the HST and reject the PST+GST,” said Falcon.
“It would have been easy for these leaders to simply oppose the HST on the basis of how it was introduced and implemented, but instead we now only have the NDP wanting to go back to a destructive two tax system with the PST+GST.”
Falcon also noted that advisors to the NDP are beginning to take a stand against going back to the PST.
“When longtime NDP economic advisors like Marvin Shaffer are coming out, against considerable internal pressure, to take a stand against returning to the PST, you realize that this referendum is all about politics for the NDP and nothing to do with good tax policy.”

Provincial Politics: Raj Chouhan – Adrian Dix at the Diamond Banquet Hall

Categorized | Provincial Politics

Provincial Politics: Raj Chouhan – Adrian Dix at the Diamond Banquet Hall

Posted on 26 June 2011
Tags: adrian dix, Bill Siskay, Bob Douglas, David Eby, david murray, Ernest Edward Winch, Fraser Valley Labour Council, Kennedy Stewart, Pauline Jewett, Peter Julian, Premier Thomas Dufferin, Raj Chouhan, Svend Robinson, Tommy Douglas

story by David Murray: Raj Chouhan is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as the MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds in the 2005 provincial election. He serves as Opposition Critic for Labour.

Raj Chouhan speaking at the Fraser Valley Labour Council in Abbotsford

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Last night at the Diamond Banquet Hall on Edmonds Street in Burnaby MLA Raj Chouhan had a get together with the Burnaby-Edmonds NDP Constituency Association. He spoke of his early times when, as he was trying to organize farm workers in the fraser valley, a farmer came out to meet Raj with a shot gun.
Raj was born in the Punjab province of India, Chouhan was the founding president of the Canadian Farm Workers’ Union and served as a director of the Hospital Employees Union. He also served as a member of the Labour Relations Board of B.C. and the Arbitration Bureau of B.C. He was also a founding member of the B.C. Organization to Fight Racism.
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Chouhan has worked relentlessly in promoting human rights and racial equality. He has served as the Vice President of the B.C. Human Rights Defenders since 2003, and has taught courses on Human Rights, the B.C. Labour Code and collective bargaining since 1987.
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The other guest speaker last night was Adrian Dix, he spoke of the great progressive tradition of the Burnaby riding. He eluded to previous politician’s who ran in Burnaby for public office . He spoke of Ernest Edward Winch who served as a MLA from 1933 until his death in 1957. He mentioned that Tommy Douglas and Svend Robinson ran in Burnaby with distinction. Pauline Jewett was another famous politician who ran in Burnaby.
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Mr. Dix went on to mention current politician’s like Raj Chouhan , elected in 2005 ,Bill Siskay who recently retired, Kennedy Stewart (Siskay’s replacement), and Peter Julian. And last but not least , elected in 2009 MLA Kathy Corrigan.
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Adrian Dix said “If we are going to win the next provincial election in British Columbia, We need to run the table in Burnaby”. Meaning they need to win all four seats in Burnaby.

Adrian Dix and 70 year CCF-NDP Abbotsford member Mr.Bob Douglas

“Things are pointing in a positive direction for the NDP” according to Dix , the by-election in Point Grey saw David Eby garner a whopping 45% of the vote when only a couple weeks back saw the Federal NDP getting only 13% of the riding’s vote. Dix saw this as part of the NDP’s positive message.
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Mr. Dix went on to say that “the B.C. Liberals have had the worst economic record in British Columbia since Premier Thomas Dufferin (“Duff”) Pattulo in the “Great Depression”.

Thomas Dufferin Pattulo premier in B.C. 1933-1941

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Mr. Dix says “The NDP are being counted on for Real Positive Change”. He mentioned about the inequality that Bill 29 brought forth. “Especially to women workers” piped Dix. The opposition leader went on to state “ Our minimum wage not going up for 10 years was shameful” . This brought a big ovation from the crowd of about 200 people at the Diamond Banquet Hall.

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“We are going to take the Liberals on their record with the B.C. Economy” stated Dix. He mentioned “ We have lost 30,000 jobs in the forest industry and have seen 70 mills close in our province since 2001”.
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In closing Mr. Dix said “ He wants to stop raw log exports” as well reminded all British Columbia’s “that the future of B.C. Hydro is at stake in the coming provincial election”.

LIBERALS RUNNING AND HIDING FROM DEBATE, CONSUMED WITH SALVAGING THE HST: DIX



LIBERALS RUNNING AND HIDING FROM DEBATE, CONSUMED WITH SALVAGING THE HST: DIX

June 3, 2011

VICTORIA-Adrian Dix, leader of the B.C. New Democrat Official Opposition, today accused Christy Clark's Liberals of running and hiding from fair debate due to their preoccupation with salvaging the HST.

"I came to this session of the Legislature to advocate for fairness and positive solutions to the challenges of working and middle class families," said Dix. "Christy Clark's Liberals responded with a profoundly anti-democratic continuation of the Gordon Campbell agenda and style-shut down debate, ram through legislation and say one thing while doing another."
The Liberals used closure to shut down the legislature after only 20 sitting days, ending debate on the HST and the Yale Treaty among other important business.
"Premier Clark had the audacity to complain about a lack of debate on the HST, then shut it down using the heavy hand of closure. Apparently, the Vancouver-Point Grey by-election was not enough to teach her that it's a good idea to show up for the debate," said Dix.
The Liberals' HST advertising blitz is another example of anti-democratic behaviour by Premier Clark, according to Dix.
"Far from providing balance, this taxpayer funded partisan propaganda campaign cannot find a single negative thing to say about the HST," said Dix. "It hides the fact that the HST shifts the tax burden from large businesses onto the backs of B.C. families to the tune of $3.2 billion over its first two years. It hides the fact that hundreds of goods and services that were untaxed under the PST are now taxed an additional 7 per cent under the HST."
Dix said of the ad campaign, "This is not information; it is blatant propaganda, funded by the very taxpayers who stand to lose most if the HST remains in place. It would also be illegal if Premier Clark conducted the referendum just like a provincial election, which is what she explicitly promised during her leadership bid.
"When it comes to the HST, the facts are simple: Liberals want a 7 per cent tax on a sandwich in a coffee shop, New Democrats want a zero per cent tax; Liberals want a 7 per cent tax on children's sports programs, New Democrats want a zero per cent tax; Liberals want a 7 per cent tax on bicycles, New Democrats want a zero per cent tax."
Dix promised to continue to protect families from the HST and continues to encourage everyone to vote "yes" to scrapping the HST in the upcoming referendum.

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NDP MOVE FORWARD ON POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF B.C.’s MOST VULNERABLE

NEW DEMOCRATS MOVE FORWARD ON POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF B.C.’s MOST VULNERABLE

VICTORIA - In an effort to dramatically improve the lives of B.C.'s most vulnerable citizens, the New Democrats have initiated the first step in the creation of a poverty reduction plan that will put children and families first.
"Seven other provinces and territories have either committed to or have enacted a poverty reduction strategy, yet despite having the highest poverty rate in Canada, the B.C. Liberals have neglected to take action in B.C. to break the cycle of poverty," said Shane Simpson, the New Democrat social development critic.
Simpson will introduce the Poverty Reduction Act on Thursday afternoon, challenging the B.C. Liberals' political will to legislate change and improve the lives of half a million British Columbians.
"The need for a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy is becoming more urgent every day with over 11 per cent of British Columbia's population living in poverty," said Simpson, the MLA for Vancouver-Hastings. "Minister after minister has refused to take action on poverty. It is time for someone to show leadership on this issue - I challenge the B.C. Liberals to take action and move forward with a poverty reduction plan."
Simpson says the act is an initial move toward a long-term strategy in areas of income, housing, child care, education, training and the social determinants of health.
"In addition to the actions laid out in this act, there are immediate steps the B.C. Liberals could take to alleviate the deep poverty that some British Columbians are living in," said Simpson. "For example, the minimum wage should immediately be tied to the rate of inflation."
"We have an obligation to take the steps necessary to reduce poverty and to create opportunities for greater prosperity," said Simpson. "We have an obligation to identify strategies to accomplish these objectives and to put them at the forefront of public debate and ultimately to legislate those strategies and put them into action."
"It's shameful that we've had the highest child poverty rate in the country for the past seven years," said Simpson. "It is imperative our children have the resources necessary that provide real opportunity."
"This is about families; it's about children, seniors and the disabled. It's about women escaping violence. It's about aboriginal people in our communities. It's about our parents and our neighbours."
Simpson says community consultation will be a necessary component to creating a poverty- reduction strategy.
"It's essential a poverty- reduction plan invite broad consultation to set out clear goals, improve specific supports and provide services for families living in poverty," said Simpson. "The government must show initiative to help build the partnerships with the non-profit sector, business, academia, social justice groups and other levels of government.
"British Columbia over the past decade has become the most unequal province in our nation. This inequality must end and this Poverty Reduction Act is a key step in that direction. We cannot be a truly prosperous province without equality."

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B.C. LIBERAL CLAIM OF NEUTRALITY ON HST IS LUDICROUS

Categorized | BC Government Links, David Murray, Issues, Langley, Opinion, Politics

B.C. LIBERAL CLAIM OF NEUTRALITY ON HST IS LUDICROUS

Posted on 14 May 2011

“British Columbia New Democrat Leader Adrian Dix Liberals Claim Of Neutrality on HST Is Ludicrous ”

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VANCOUVER – The B.C. Liberal claim of neutrality on the HST, with the launch of a multi-million-dollar ad campaign, is simply ludicrous and wasteful, say the New Democrats.
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“No one in this province believes the B.C. Liberals are neutral when it comes to the HST,” said New Democrat finance critic Bruce Ralston. “But it isn’t stopping them from blowing nearly $7 million of public funds trying to deceive voters.”
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During Thursday’s launch of a TV, radio and print advertising campaign starring a stick person, B.C. Liberal Finance Minister Kevin Falcon said “I want to be clear about something, this is not going to be a persuasion campaign.”
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The $7 million government HST campaign includes the ads that have the sole purpose of drawing voters toward the government’s HST website.
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“The stick person is made up of seven lines and a circle – that’s $1 million of taxpayers’ money for each line, but I suppose it’s a deal because you get the circle for free,” said Ralston. “Even worse than the waste is that the website itself is carefully-crafted HST propaganda that fails to masquerade itself as unbiased.”
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Ralston said page after page is designed in such a way to deceive people into thinking the HST is good for them.
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“For example, the ‘seniors’ page lists items that seniors use that didn’t increase under the HST, but leaves out the items such as dietary supplements, alternative medicine, fitness memberships, and prepared foods that jumped up seven per cent with the tax shift,” said Ralston. “The page is implying everything they pay for has either stayed the same or became cheaper, and that is absolutely false.”
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Ralston said another example of a pro-HST bias on the site is the inclusion of indirect benefits – as the B.C. Liberals see them – but an omission of the indirect drawbacks, such as items and services that will increase in cost due to embedded costs that won’t be reimbursed.
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“Landlords will have to pay more for renovations, repairs and assessments and they’ll have to make up for those expenses,” said Ralston. “The only way to do that is to maximize rent increases.”
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Ralston also said that kids and adult sport fees have increased due to facility and field rentals becoming more expensive under the HST.
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“Sports associations had no choice but to increase player fees, and this info was conveniently left off the site.”
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Ralston also said the site quotes a report the B.C. Liberal government paid for, written by their own hand-picked panelists, while failing to mention the report completely contradicts info from other government-funded reports.
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“The B.C. Liberals lost all credibility when it comes to the HST as soon as they implemented the tax shift after promising not to before the election,” said Ralston. “If they wanted to be upfront and honest with British Columbian families and small businesses who bear the brunt of the HST, they would first admit they lied to voters.
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“Saying ‘we could have done it better’ is not an admission of deception.”
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Adrian Dix and the B.C. New Democrats are committed to making life better and more affordable for families by investing in healthcare, education, and other vital services.

David Murray
running for Pitt Meadows City Council 2011

Please contact me at 604-832-5394 or email tigerdave@shaw.ca
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