Over the last decade, the BC Liberals have sorely failed to devise or implement serious land-use plans



Dan Brooks, former BC Conservative
candidate for Nechako Lakes

Today's Conservative Thoughts piece comes from former Nechako Lakes BC Conservative candidate Dan Brooks. 

 

A comprehensive and innovative Community Land Use Planning Initiative for northern communities needs to be a key priority for the government of BC.  Land-use planning is a critical component of resource development. Yet, over the last decade, the BC Liberals have sorely failed to devise or implement serious land-use plans. 

 

It is essential to engage communities in land use planning -- communities must have a greater say in how projects and resources are developed. 

 

Any new initiative needs to have: 

 

1. Clear Expectations - When new projects are proposed or under consideration, it is important that community expectations are clearly delineated in relation to how they benefit or impact stakeholders. 

 

Communicating clear expectations is essential if stakeholder and community concerns are to be met.  Land use planning is the best vehicle to convey those interests, and afterwards it will be up to businesses to determine if a project is viable given the community expectations. 

 

2. Predictable Outcomes - Greater certainty is essential in attracting business investment for resource development. Project approval should be a predictable outcome if businesses meet the expectations set out for them through land use planning. Likewise, failure to meet those expectations should result in project rejection. 

 

It is unfair to companies who invest millions in resource development to have a project rejected due to unpredictable vague platitudes about land use. 

TAKING A BREAK ... for next 10 weeks

Greetings friends ...

I just wanted to let you know that with the BC Provincial Election just 10 weeks away, and the active role I am taking in the Kamloops South Thompson election campaign, I will be signing off for the next 2 and a half months.

As I am sure you are all well aware, I am very much involved with the BC Conservative Party.  This means I am joining to be taking an active role, as part of the team, putting in everything we can to see Peter Sharp elected.

Thanks for being part of the Conservative Thoughts journey -- I'll be back right after the May Provincial General Election.

Meantime, if you are a small 'c' conservative, I hope you will consider lending a hand in our campaign to elect Peter Sharp as our BC Conservative MLA for Kamloops South Thompson.  

We can use every person that has election experience -- those with office and management experience -- and those that can and will offer to take on a task they feel they can handle.

To find out more about Peter Sharps, campaign, please CLICK HERE.

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops ... inviting you to not only follow the campaign ... but to be a part of it by joining the campaign team. 

No wonder people say that politics in British Columbia is crazy!

Before I begin today's Conservative Thoughts blog post, I should reiterate that while I am a member and director of the BC Conservative Party, this blog is not officially or un-officially sanctioned by the BC Conservative Party.  Now ... on with today's post.

If you're confused by politics in BC, you're not alone

The NDP hold no differentiation between the Provincial and Federal wings of their party.  In fact they clearly state they are, "... proud to be associated with the democratic socialist parties of the world"

From the Preamble of the NDP Party constitution you can read for yourself the following:

The New Democratic Party believes that social, economic and political progress in Canada can only be assured by the application of democratic socialist principles to government and the administration of public affairs ...

... the New Democratic Party is proud to be associated with the democratic socialist parties of the world and to share in the struggle for peace, international co-operation and the abolition of poverty.

ARTICLE III — Affiliated Membership and Donors

3.01.1 Affiliated organizations shall be those BC organizations affiliated to the NDP of Canada.

And exactly what countries define themselves to have a socialist government?  Well those would include China, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, North Korea, Venezuela, and Syria.

I also sadly noted the following from the Conservative Party of Canada Constitution:

15. PROVINCIAL PARTIES

15.1 The Party shall not establish provincial political parties. The Party shall promote and maintain relationships with existing provincial conservative parties.

It seems to me that with the exception of a number of true small 'c' conservatives, it seems that Section 15.1 of the Conservative Party Constitution is ignored; at least here in British Columbia.

Now ... here is something else which is also a well known fact:
At the time of the BC Liberal leadership campaign, to replace Gordon Campbell, Christy Clark was a member of the Federal Liberal Party.  It also well know that in her youth she was also a member of the Young Liberals of Canada.

Here is what political commentator Bill Tieleman had to say back in March of 2011:

Well that didn't take long!  Premier-Designate Christy Clark has begun the process of Federal Liberalizing her new government at all levels.

Notwithstanding the use of arch-Conservative Gwyn Morgan on her Transition Team to premier for at least optics, Clark is already stacking the deck with federal Liberal operatives.

Her campaign featured a host of Paul Martin-ite and Stephane Dion-ite operatives, including  FD Element's Don Millar, federal Liberal Party spokesman Brad Zubyk, an ex-Harcourt NDP government aide, and of course Campaign Manager and now Chief of Staff Mike McDonald, who backed ex-NDP Ontario Premier Bob Rae in the 2006 federal Liberal leadership race.

And of course hidden in the backroom was her brother Bruce Clark - a longtime federal Liberal bagman and LPC BC executive member best known for the December 2003 police search of his home to find confidential BC government documents on BC Rail given to him by convicted fraudsters David Basi and Bob Virk.  That would be the BC Legislature Raid case of course.

But now the more serious work begins - transforming government into a more palatable federal Liberal look - call it LP-osuction - removing the undesirable BC Liberal & federal Conservative love handles and replacing them with more attractive Grits.

 

So it seems what we have in BC, are New Democrats, who support both federal and provincial wings of the Party.

We are counting down to the #1 post -- today we look back at #5 down to #2

Today I'm continuing to take a look at the Top 10 commentaries which were most read here on the Conservative Thoughts blog.  We are counting down to the #1 post -- today we look back at #5 down to #2

The 5th most read blog post comes from October 11th, and it was entitled "Someone is pulling the strings from behind –and whoever they are – they are cowards for not showing their faces"

From July 4th comes the 4th most read post; "TwiddleDee, and Twiddle Dumb. That’s what we have with the BC Liberal Party, and the BC New Democrats"

The third most read story, "What they believe, and stand for, are the things that will guide them in government",  comes from April 26th

Some in the media and public believe that the BC Conservative Party has viewpoints that would be opposed by the majority of British Columbians, and has no clearly defined plans and ideas.  Given that, I thought that I would do a side by side comparison

.
And our last look back today will be the 2nd most read commentary from 2012.  It comes from January 16th, and was entitled, "Hiring Ken Boessenkool is for the partisan purpose of making the BC Liberal government look good" 

Is the Premiers Office a non-partisan part of the government of BC --- or is it an extension of the BC Liberal Party?  I ask this question because it is becoming increasing unclear what it’s exact 'political' purpose is.

That's all for today ... tomorrow we'll find out what the most read commentary was from 2012, on the Conservative Thought blog.

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops ... with a look back at the thoughts of one conservative.

The TOP 10 "Conservative Thoughts for the year 2012 -- beginning with #10 to #6

Over the next 3 days I will be presenting the most read commentaries that I posted on the Conservative Thoughts blog.

Today I'll begin by taking a fresh look at the posts counting down from #10 to #6.  Let's begin:

#10 ... "BC Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger should read these words; 'Vitriol' … extreme bitterness and hatred toward somebody or something" -- May 9th 

Two stories tied for the #9 spot ... they were: 

"If you decide to read on, make sure you have some Tylenol, and an antacid, handy" (April 30th)

And from October 6th: "All logic, reason, and unbiased comment,flies out the window when it comes to anything he writes and says about Cummins and the BC Conservative Party" 

#8  ... "We live in a democracy Kevin; that's how it works"  June 13th 

From March 2nd comes the #7 commentary of the year ... "The ineptitude of this government hurts people -- real people!"

And our final post today comes from March 10th.  It stand as the #6 most read post of the year ... "It may talk like a duck ... but it sure as heck doesn't walk like one" -- March 10th

Tomorrow we'll continue as we take a look at more of the Top 10 Conservative Thoughts posts, counting down from #5 to #2.

I'm Alan Forseth and Kamloops ... with the thoughts of one conservative.

And now … a blatant request for your support to elect me Director at Large

Greetings fellow BC Conservative Party members...

Former party president Wayne McGrath - his time on
the phone, and a trip to Kamloops got me onboard

I have been a member of the BC Conservatives for nearly 3 years now, and since the first initial meeting of the party here in Kamloops, I have been a member of the Board of Directors for the Kamloops South Thompson riding.  

With the support of members in this area, I was also selected by the party to become the Regional Directors for Kamloops, Thompson, Fraser, Nicola.

One of the things I have enjoyed, in recent years, has been writing on Conservative values, and taking both the Liberal and NDP to task.  This has been done, in my own personal Conservative Thoughts blog.

While the Conservative Thoughts blog is not an extension of the party (it is my independent thoughts and opinion), it is fair to say not many would doubt my support for the party.

If you are not yet aware, I would like to let you know I have let my name stand for election as Director at Large on the new provincial board. Next Saturday at our AGM in Langley, I ask for your support & your vote.

If you have any questions for me, feel free to contact me by email.

Thanks...

Alan Forseth

Conservative Thoughts: http://​kamloopsthompsonbcconservatives​.blogspot.ca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mostlypolitics
Email:  alfman55@hotmail.com

PERSONAL BACKGROUND:

• Born in Vancouver – moved at the age of 10 to Williams Lake where I grew up. 
• Attended school, married my High School sweetheart Bev, and we raised a family (2 children).   



One of life's pleasures -- my new-to-me 2002 Goldwing

• Moved in 1992 to Kamloops which is where Bev and I call home

WORK BACKGROUND:

• Worked as light equipment operator and laborer at the Gibraltar open pit copper mine from mid to late 70s
• Employed in all facets of radio (on-air, news, writing and production, sales, and management) for 30 years
• Currently employed in sales for an independent BC owned and operated web development, and marketing company, with several sector specific BC tourism websites.

Me at the 2011 BC Conservative Party
AGM which was held in Nanaimo

 POLITICAL BACKGROUND:

I came from a family with deep roots in the CCF Party, and initially was an NDP supporter. 

With the emergence of the Federal Reform Party I became a member, working on several campaigns in the Kamloops riding.  

I also became a member of the BC Reform Party, running as a candidate in the 1996 provincial election.

Like many I have been disillusioned with politics, at the provincial level, for a good number of years now.  

Only with the recent re-emergence of the provincial BC Conservative Party, have a felt able to once again take part in the process, and to encourage others to do so as well.

I thank you for your time and consideration --- and again I ask for your vote to elect me as a Director at Large, on Saturday September 22nd at the BC Conservative Party AGM in Langley.

I take the philosophy that "Common sense is neither right wing, or left wing" to heart and believe myself to be a fiscal conservative with a social conscience.

That's me (Alan Forseth) with BC Conservative
Party leader John Cummins

Greetings friends ...

I would like to let you know I have submitted my name to Jeff Bridge, to let him know I will be seeking a position as a Director at Large, for the BC Conservative Party at our AGM in September.

I have been a member of the party now for nearly 3 years, and was initially the interim President for Kamloops South Thompson, as well as the interim Regional Director for Kamloops Thompson Fraser Nicola (Reg 10). I currently am Secretary of the Kamloops South Thompson CA, and continue to be a designated (by the party) Regional Director for Kamloops Thompson Fraser Nicola.

While we have not seen the kind of growth as some CA's in the Okanagan, we have made great strides moving forward from a starting point that initially stood at about 1 dozen members.

As you know, from reading this, I write the Conservative Thoughts blog, which although it has no direct ties to the BC Conservative party, is fully supportive of the BCCP and our goal of achieving government.

I take the philosophy that "Common sense is neither right wing, or left wing" to heart and believe myself to be a fiscal conservative with a social conscience. I also believe that while a Board of Directors can have some differences of opinion on direction, it can be brought together with people that are willing to listen to both sides, and then try and steer things to a win-win solution.

For those who are not aware, I was also part of the Reform movement in BC in the early / mid-90's, and in fact ran as a candidate for BC Reform in the 1996 election. Following that election, I saw too much-finger pointing, dissension, and to be blunt -- Pride - that got in the way of the good that could have been done. Sadly, the result was the implosion of the party.

We as small 'c' conservatives, have a great opportunity to return grassroots, common sense, government to BC -- let's all work together towards that goal!

If you will be attending the BC Conservative Party AGM in Langley, I hope that you will give me your consideration when it comes time to select the people you wish to be "Directors at Large".  I ask for your support.

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops.

I would like to say thanks to two MLA's who have I believe worked hard to 'represent' their constituents

As we head towards what I believe to be one of the one of the greatest celebrations of the year ... Christmas ... things are getting a little more hectic on the home front ... with the regular everyday meetings and activities ... holiday get-togethers ... and with practices and rehearsals for the Christmas eve service at the church our family attends.

Holiday lights of the BC Legislature -- November 2011

That means the blog will take a bit of a hit over the next two weeks at least ... and it means I'll be posting bits and pieces of things that catch my eye, and maybe with a brief comment our two.

I have now been writing and posting the Conservative Thoughts blog for over a year.  

It has most time been a labour of love, but truthfully at other times it has frustrated me as I have looked at how our political system operates, and the blind loyalty it often demands.

As you all know I am a member of the BC Conservative party ... and I am also a representative for the riding's in the Kamloops area.  That does not mean however I cannot see the good in others (and the bright spots) within BC political system.  

If you are looking for a bit of serious Summer reading, here are a few books some may wish to consider

Beginning this Conservative Thoughts blog, and continuing to write it, has been an interesting, and at times frustrating, endeavor since I began late last year.

Those who know me would tend to say I go into new ventures with a full head of steam.  On this project I did ... and I have.

Since then it has on occasion been a challenge finding the time to write --- but rarely has it ever been a challenge to find things to write about.

Along the way some of you have also taken the time to write and encourage me … to have a comment pro or con … or to offer a fresh point of view.  Thank you to all who have done that as it has been appreciated.

Today one of these folks, a medical doctor I have had an ongoing email dialogue with over the past several months, gets to have the floor.  Wally is a strong believer in the democratic process – and obviously a strong reader on concepts and ideas around democracy and its application.

Here are the top 5 “Conservative Thoughts” blog stories ... so far

It’s the weekend and I should be working hard on my chores, but I thought I’d take a break for moment to check several email accounts, Facebook, and my Conservative Thoughts blog.   Don’t you find it funny how you can start to wander once you get going on something?

I was looking at Blog stats and realized it has now been pretty much 4 months that I have been doing this, and in that time I have written 129 pieces.  This stuff (good or bad depending on your point of view) has been viewed 3,450 times.  Given that, I wondered which postings have been the most popular.

If you missed any of these in the past, here are the top 5 blog stories that I have posted to the Conservative Thoughts blog since in began on December 20^th:

#5 from January 5^th … 'Cause I’m the taxman, Yeah, I’m the taxman.

#4 from March 21^st … How will BC Conservatives govern? ... that's a goo...

#3 from March 9^th … A decade after taking power, the NDP are still to ...

#2 from April 11^th … It’s admirable but ...

And the blog story which has been read the most number of times (#1) is from March 24^th … Dear Christy ... the legislation is NOT open to ad...

This has been an interesting exercise for me, doing this blog, and I hope it has caused you to ask questions, think about things from another point of view, or perhaps even firmed an existing point of view.  That’s what this blog is about, so as long as someone is reading it, I’ll keep writing.

In Kamloops, I’m Alan Forseth, and those are the thoughts of one conservative.