I have enough Drama in my life right now, and I don't really need to add any fuel to the fire

Greetings friends ... I have been a little on the busy side lately, and not able to write as often as I'd like to on the Conservative Thoughts blog.  I just recently had a conversation the other day however, and thought that it would be worthwhile sharing it with you.

I sent out an email blast last week, about stops that BC Conservative Party leadership candidate Dan Brooks would be making.  This is that conversation, which may strike a cord with you -- I know it will with some.

This is an exciting time for our party, as we move forward to a new and brighter future.

Part of that of course is the current campaign now underway to elect the next leader of OUR party.

I am pleased to let you know that BC Conservative Party leadership candidate Dan Brooks will be making stops in ___ xyz city ___ on ___ November 123 ___.

I am contacting you today to see if you will be able to get together and meet with Dan ... and ask any questions you may have about him and the future of the BC Conservative Party.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I looking forward to hearing from you  ... alan

Here is an edited version of the response I received back:

Alan,

I don't think I will be attending. I have enough Drama in my life right now, and I don't really need to add any fuel to the fire.  

Thank-you for the invite, and please keep me updated with Party news.

I wish you and Dan all the best in rebuilding the Party.

Regards,

Scott __ abc ___

Well I let that discourage me for a bit, but then I said to myself, 'He hasn't said he's given up on the party ... only that he's had enough of all the turmoil'.  So, I decided to take a chance (maybe a risk), and send a reply back:

Thanks Scott ... I appreciate your follow-up, and the sincerity of your comments about the party.

I do not say this with any disrespect ... it is just an observation that I think 'may' be close to hitting the mark.  I think perhaps you are likely like some others in the party; demoralized and discouraged, and wondering, "Do I really want to do this again?"

I feel comfortable in making this observation because it is a place I too have been.

Until this years AGM, I was a Regional Director with the Party for three years.  I got to experience first hand the cancer that was creating a storm of dissent within the party; it was not a place, or a time, that I would wish on anyone. Despite that I (and others) hung in because we believed there must be a true conservative voice in BC -- not a watered down version represented by Christy Clark and the BC Liberals.

I also volunteered as the campaign manager for our Kamloops South Thompson candidate in the May general election.  There were too few of us on our team, but those we had, put in a huge effort to do the work of many -- again because we believed there had to be a true conservative option for people to vote for. Sadly the damage done by the dissidents in our party, had eroded the support we had been gaining, and as you know, we elected no members to the legislature in May.

At that point my discouragement was pretty much complete, and I was close to throwing in the towel.  Then Dan Brooks stepped forward and said he was seeking to lead the BC Conservatives. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone want to do that?"

I had the opportunity to meet and speak with him on several occasions, and every time I did, I heard him speak with power and passion about conservatism ... I heard him speak bout empowering the grassroots ... and making sure that BC Conservatives never again go through the kind of infighting that took place last year.

Personally, I would like to do more than keep you 'updated with Party news' ... and while I appreciate that you wish Dan 'all the best in rebuilding the Party' ... we need all hands on deck for that to happen.

I ask for you to give one hour of your time, and see if Dan makes you a believer that we can indeed create a party that the people of BC can support, starting first of all by governing ourselves in a way that can give others the confidence they'll need to come on board with us.

Its one hour of your time ... but I can't think of a better way to spend it.  You'll see and hear first hand from Dan -- get your own impression of him -- and see for yourself the passion that he has to make our province a better place for all British Columbians.

Thank you for letting me share a few of my thoughts with you ... and I hope you'll join Dan in ___ xyz city ... alan

Okay, so maybe I took a little risk in sending that, but again, I thought it was worth it, and apparently it was because Scott did send an email back to me:

Forseth endorses Brooks for Leader, joins team as Campaign Manager

It's official ... and I am announcing the following today:

 

 

KAMLOOPS:  Dan Brooks, candidate for the leadership of the BC Conservatives, today announced that Al Forseth, a long-time party member, regional director and former constituency-association president, has endorsed him as the best choice for Leader.

Brooks also announced that Forseth has accepted an appointment as Campaign Manager of his leadership team.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have Al Forseth endorse my candidacy and join my campaign team as manager,” said Brooks.

“Al’s passion and dedication are legendary throughout our party and across the province, and his decision to manage my leadership campaign sends a strong signal of our unwavering commitment to building the BC Conservative Party into a vital force that will be reckoned with well into the future.”

Forseth said that Brooks shares his belief that British Columbians deserve a better political option than they have faced in recent years – a choice between the lesser of two evils: the New Democrats or the BC Liberals.

“The BC Conservatives – indeed, British Columbians across our great province – desperately need a Leader with a vision of how to create prosperity through well-paying jobs, a place where businesses can thrive and where we have a solid foundation for health-care, education and more,” said Forseth.

“I am inspired that Dan Brooks has a vision and a plan for our party – one where party members will be fully engaged and asked for their full input.

“I believe that Dan has the drive, passion and openness to listen, which will get us back on a path to gain the support of British Columbians and to governing British Columbia.”

Brooks concluded by saying that he will make additional, important announcements in the days leading up to the BC Conservatives annual general meeting, to be held in Vernon on October 19.

With this announcement, I will no longer be be considered neutral in commenting on the BC Conservative Party leadership campaign.  That said, I WILL however continue to make comment on social media, and on this blog, on things I beleive are important to our party -- and that includes information on Rick Peterson's campaign, and the vision and direction he also has for the party.

I fact, in conversation with Dan regarding my endorsement, and taking on the role of Campaign Manager, I indicated that it would be a deal-breaker if this was not acceptable.

To quote Dan ... "I wouldn't have it any other way."

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

Rick Peterson offering "New Voice, New Leadership, New Direction" as the theme for BC Conservative leadership bid

This morning I arrived in Vancouver for the expected announcement that Rick

(L - R)Sean Upshaw, Rick Peterson, Carol Day,
Jim Friesen, Duane Nickull, and Ian Toothill

Peterson would be letting his name stand to become the next leader of the BC Conservative Party ... and as many of you know, this followed the announcement a week and a half ago that Dan Brooks was also going to seek the position.

One of the reasons I made the trip this morning, along with former Kamloops South BC Conservative candidate Peter Sharp, was because as of today, I'm still unsure who I will support.

Right now however, I believe it is more important to get word out on who the candidates are ... their vision ... and how they would lead the membership of the party.

I did Tweet several times from this mornings announcement made by BC Conservative Party leadership hopeful Rick Peterson ... here is what I had to say (FYI ... if you are unfamiliar with Twitter shorthand, a list will follow below of what the shorthand stands for:  

• arrived in #Vancouver 4 #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement at Terminal City Club ... see Sean Upshaw, Ian Toothill, Jeff Bridge, & others
• @duanenickull #seanupshaw #JeffBridge #ianToothill and couple others headed to the platform for #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement 
• Intro now underway w. @CarolDay #BCCP Richmond candid8 at #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement -- giving list of qualifications to lead #bccp
• New Direction, New Leadership, New Direction theme 4 #RickPeterson #leadbcc announcement underway at Terminal City Club in #Vancouver 
• #RickPeterson now stepped 2mic - giving thnx to #CarolDay &kudo's 2 first endorsements including John Friessen #SeanUpshaw #IanToothill & more 
• #RickPeterson talking about lower income family seniors, disadvantaged children & how #ChristyClark sucking life out of BCers 
• small biz being hit hard by #BClibs #ChristyClark; need tax fairness. Privileged few on inside (#BCLib appointees) getting perks pensions etc
• #RickPereson "Who is speaking 4 most vulnerable in BC society -- complete silence from #ChristyClark #BCLibs - #BCCP will fill that void 
• competitive edge in bc being squandered away by #ChristyClark #BCLibs -- can't allow that to happen #rickpeterson #leadbcc #bcpoli 
• #leadbcc #RickPeterson ... we need balance between govt, industry/ resource sector, environment, and 1st nations so we can help those who need it 
• #Leadbcc #RickPeterson; gov deferring problems - interest rates bout to rise. with my team #leadbcc will be advancing policies 4change 

RickPeterson says #BCCP will have full warchest for 2017. Path leading 2 political success leads to support all BCers &economy

Dan Brooks leadership campaign to focus on three core issues

Yesterday in Kamloops, as many of you know, the former BC Conservative candidate for Nechako Lake, Dan Brooks, officially announced he will be seeking the support of members across the province, to become the parties next leader.  Some of the news media stories regarding his announcement can be found at:

Kamloops TV7 News: http://www.cfjctv.com/story.php?id=15999

The Province: http://www.theprovince.com/news/Northern+candidate+Conservative+leadership/8904816/story.html
Kamloops Daily News:
http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20130912/KAMLOOPS0101/130919947/-1/kamloops/first-bc-conservative-tosses-name-into-leadership-race
The Tyee: http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/2013/09/12/BCConsLeader/

Just to be clear, as I have already been asked this, I have not yet made any decision on who I will be supporting for the leadership of the party.  Right now, one person has declared, one more is expected, and there are rumors afloat that others are considering letting their names stand.

I, like many others BC Conservatives, will be looking foreword to hearing the visions of the various candidates, for the future of "our" party. 

In keeping with that, today I would like to present a background document from Dan Brooks, on what he considers the three core issues that he will be presenting.  As others step forward in announcing their candidacy, I will present their thoughts here as well.

Here then, are the three core issues or principles Dan Brooks will be presenting during his campaign for the leadership of the BC Conservative Party; fiscal responsibility and accountability ... rebuilding the economy of rural British Columbia ... and decentralizing decision-making by empowering grassroots British Columbians.

1. Fiscal responsibility and accountability

In 2001, British Columbia's total debt was $33.8 billion. That was too high, said the newly-elected BC Liberals, and so they introduced a balanced budget law that outlawed future deficits.

By the end of the latest fiscal year, 2012/13 - after a dozen years of BC Liberal governments - the provincial debt has climbed to an historic high of $55.8 billion. That's an increase of more than $22.0 billion in just twelve years.

And instead of making fiscal shortfalls illegal, the BC Liberals actually amended their balanced budget statute - twice - to allow for successive deficits. Over the last dozen years, the BC Liberal record is seven deficits and only five surpluses.

The province's independent Auditor General, moreover, repeatedly has issued qualifying statements on the annual Public Accounts, saying they do not conform with generally accepted accounting principles.

On top of that, the province's 'Contractual Obligations' - that is, future payments owed to contracted suppliers such as Independent Power Producers - have exploded to $99.8 billion. Together, British Columbia's debt and contractual obligations add up to an almost-unbelievable $155.8 billion.

The BC Conservative Party is dedicated to bringing the province's finances under control. As party Leader, Dan Brooks will introduce measures to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability.

2. Rebuilding rural British Columbia

British Columbia's rural population has shrunk over the last several decades and now stands - as a proportion of the total population - as the smallest in the country. As recently as 1966, one-quarter - 25 per cent - of all B.C. residents were classified as living in "rural" parts of the province; by 2011 that number had plunged to just 14 per cent. (The comparable number for Canada as a whole was 19 per cent.)

Looked at another way, over the last half-century, the proportion of British Columbians living in an 'urban' setting has increased from 75 to 86 per cent.

The trend is persistent. In total numbers, the province's rural population peaked in 1996 at 667,000. By 2011, that number had collapsed to just 609,000.

Over a 15-year period, therefore, British Columbia's rural communities have lost almost 58,000 residents.

It must be said that some cities and regions outside the Lower Mainland are doing well. For example, between 1996 and 2012, the Thompson/Okanagan Development Region saw its population grow from 468,000 to 541,000.

That's an increase of 73,000 - or more than 15.6 per cent - over the last 16 years. Most of that growth, however, has taken place in the central Okanagan, in and around Kelowna. Other cities and towns in the region have not grown nearly so fast.

In the Kootenay Development Region, the population between 1996 and 2012 grew by less than 500 people. The situation was much worse for most of northern B.C., where three of the four development regions actually lost population between 1996 and 2012.

The Cariboo saw its population fall by 9,600, while the North Coast lost more than 12,000 souls. The number of residents in the Nechako region fell by almost 4,900.

Only the Northeast Development Region - home to the province's booming natural gas industry - experienced a population increase, gaining 7,700 residents from 1996 to 2012.

Unfortunately, the provincial government has done little to acknowledge the on-going challenges that face rural British Columbia. Indeed, in many instances Victoria actually has exacerbated the situation, closing dozens of schools, forest offices, courthouses and other public facilities located in rural and remote parts of the province.

Dan Brooks and the BC Conservatives believe that the province's wilful neglect of rural British Columbia must be reversed. It is long past time to re-invest in our rural economy, to build up transportation and social infrastructure, to improve the quality of life for rural residents, and to reverse the decline in population.

As Leader of the BC Conservatives, Dan Brooks will bring a renewed focus to rebuilding and restoring the province's rural regions.

3. Empowering grassroots British Columbians by decentralizing decision-making

Dan Brooks announces candidacy for Leader of the BC Conservatives ... Campaign will emphasize issues in Interior, North and Rural B.C.

Dan Brooks steps forward as first candidate
to lead BC Conservative Party

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - SEPT. 12, 2013 - Dan Brooks today announced his candidacy to become the new Leader of the BC Conservative Party.

"I am proud to declare that I am seeking to win election as the Leader of the BC Conservatives," said Brooks.

"I was born in B.C.'s North, I am raising my family in rural British Columbia, and I make my living off our bountiful natural resources. For too long, however, the people living in our province's Interior, North and Rural regions have been neglected, ignored by the decision-makers in Victoria.

"My campaign will focus on developing and being a strong voice for those British Columbians who believe that their interests are not being heard or represented in the corridors of power."

Brooks was born in Vanderhoof, B.C. and he later graduated from the University of Waterloo with a B.A. in Classical (Greek and Roman) Studies.

He returned to the North and in 1995 to operate a family business, Crystal Lake Resort Ltd., located north of the Chilcotin region and south of the Nechako River.

In the May 2013 provincial general election, Brooks was the BC Conservative candidate in the riding of Nechako Lakes. He obtained 12.6 per cent of the popular vote, ranking him fifth out of 56 Conservative candidates who contested the election.

Brooks also announced that his campaign office will be located in Kamloops.

"I believe BC Conservative members living in the Interior, North and Rural parts of the province will decide the next Leader of our party," said Brooks. "And Kamloops is ideally situated as a centralized location from which to run my leadership campaign."

 

BACKGROUNDER

Dan Brooks was born in Vanderhoof in 1975, not long after his parents - Fred and Carolyn Brooks - had moved to British Columbia from Alberta, and bought Crystal Lake Resort, a hunting and fishing lodge located southwest of town.

When Dan was eight, Fred, Carolyn and their children moved back to Alberta to operate the family farm while Fred pursued various businesses across BC and Alberta. The Brooks family would return each summer to Vanderhoof and in 1994 Dan began working at Crystal Lake as a guide.

After he turned 21, Dan decided that he wanted to make his home in northern British Columbia. He married an Alberta girl, Ellen Smith, in 1998 and together they raised their family at Crystal Lake.

Dan Brooks to hold news conference in Kamloops on September 12



Dan Brooks -- BC Conservative Party
leadership candidate?

Dan Brooks will hold a news conference at 10:30 am on Thursday, September 12 to address the election of a new Leader for the BC Conservative Party. 

 

Brooks was a candidate for the BC Conservatives in the Nechako Lakes electoral district in the May 2013 provincial general election. 

 

He obtained 12.6 per cent of the popular vote, ranking him fifth among the party's 56 candidates. 

 

The BC Conservative Party will hold a leadership convention on April 11, 2014.

Date:  Thursday, September 12, 2013
Time:  10:30 am

Location:  Columbia Room

               Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference Centre

               1250 Rogers Way, Kamloops, B.C. 

It is up to BC Conservatives to show we are a party worthy of support

I have to say that I am feeling MUCH MORE enthusiastic about being a BC Conservative these days.  Despite not much in the way of news in mainstream media, the rumor mills are alive with talk of upcoming announcements. 

That's why I am asking those outside, and inside the party, "Are you looking to create, and be part of, a true small 'c' conservative party with a social conscience?"

That is what I have always believed in, and hoped to see created in the BC Conservatives.  And those of us who have stuck by the party, and who are now giving us a second look, are (I hope) looking to continue to grow and develope that kind of common sense alternative. 

Dialogue.  That is what people within the BC Conservative Party need to have.  But it must be a respectful dialogue. 

No any one person, or group, is the BC Conservative Party. We have had enough inner squabbles, and I for one am more than ready to say ... "So long good riddance to the past crap" ... and look forward to building the future of the party. 

Personally I believe the party needs to grow from a support base and move out from there -- that means a solid foundation in the interior and north. I feel fairly certain some will not see eye to eye with me on that, however that's the kind of discussion and dialogue the party needs to have. 

Just to be clear, I have not yet chosen who I will be supporting for the leadership of the BC Conservatives. That's because I do not even know yet who is planning to seek the nomination, other than rumors of Dan Brooks and Rick Peterson.  I hope at least one or two others will step forward as well ... and I hope there conservative women considering the leadership as well. 

That is who, and what, the party is ... and must remain

The MEMBERS of the BC Conservative Party had a great AGM, despite negative comments from pundits, the media, and some who were trying to undermine the party.

Friday night we heard great words from Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.  Among other things, he spoke on the necessity of government getting spending under control, and ending the opportunity for CEO's and upper management of Crown Corps and agencies to give themselves big wage increases and bonuses -- SO THAT more can go into front line services and paying down debt.

BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins, wife Sue,
family members, and former party President Reed Elley

BOTH of those ideas are embraced by BC Conservatives.

Saturday morning, through occasional strong, yet respectful debate on proposed amendments to new policy, we completed the work needed to take our platform of common sense ideas to the electorate next spring.

John Cummins was given a mandate to continue as leader -- and then gave a powerful speech -- that electrified the room with the heartfelt passion of the words he delivered.

And then in the afternoon, despite the loss of John van Dongen, the spirit of the membership remained high as we elected a new party executive and board.

New BC Conservative Party President Al Siebring

Elected as the President was long-time radio news broadcaster, and North Cowichan Councilor, Al Siebring.  Christine Clarke, who ran as a candidate for the BC Conservative Party in Port Moody - Coquitlam earlier this year, was elected to the Vice Presidents position.  Lambert Leung will continue in his role as Treasurer, while Linda Bellamy becomes Secretary.

I met many great people on Friday, and Saturday, who have a sincere desire to bring about positive change.  They were members who came from all across our province ... along with many of the women and men who are seeking to become candidates for the BC Conservative party.

That is who, and what, the party is ... and must remain.

This party IS NOT any one person (president, leader, or an MLA) -- and the membership of the BC Conservative Party showed that once again this weekend.

This is a party that British Columbians can and will support in next May's general election.

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

How long can Christy Clark last?

After winning the leadership of the BC Liberal Party last February, here is what new leader Christy Clark had to say:

Premier Christy Clark, during the
campaign to lead the BC Liberal Party

"I want you to be my partners in change in Victoria. I want you to be my partners in bringing open government. You can count on me to listen, you can count on me to engage, and you can count on me to make sure government really does include you. I have specific ideas on how to do these things but I also need to hear from you," she said.

"My top priority will be to put families first. In British Columbia we are blessed with families of all shapes and sizes, families as diverse as our great province. This is the foundation of our communities. This is the building block of our future."

What a difference a year makes.  Since then her government has goes from one problem to the next … she and her party have watched as more and more of the people who voted Liberal last election, have moved to BOTH the BC Conservative Party, and the NDP … saw a former Liberal cabinet Minister (John van Dogen) switch to the Conservatives… and listened, watched, and read one story after the other discussing the possibility that her party may place third in the two up-coming by-elections.

She has also watched as both her approval rating, and the fortunes of the BC Liberals, have fallen in poll after poll.

Now, from all sides of the political spectrum, people are beginning to question whether she can even survive as leader of the party before the next election is to be held in May 2013.

Note to the BC Liberals … “Take a stand ---and lead”

Earlier today Liberal MLA John Rustad (Nechako Lakes) posted a link to a news story, on his Facebook page.  The opinion piece, “Fact finder might help resolve education crisis”, was written by Jon Ferry and is in today’s Province newspaper.

The story is a good read, and to me it offers a clear confirmation that our elected government is failing to do what we elect them to do … govern.  But as Jon Ferry points out in his piece, there may be a lack of willingness to do what must be done.

The BC Liberals have gone steadily downhill in public opinion, and that began just a few short months after they elected Christy Clark as their leader.  They have lost 25% of the people who voted for them in the last election to the BC Conservative party … and a further 10% who have gone over to the NDP. 

One would tend to perhaps agree then with the comment of Jon Ferry when he says:

"The Christy Clark government, however, is now so wounded in the opinion polls it may be unwilling to provoke a political backlash by appearing too draconian."

I am a member of the BC Conservative Party, so one would be correct in thinking I would not readily offer any advise that might help them (not that they would listen), but here goes anyways

Liberal Leadership Debates, and soon the NDP

What if one of the provinces largest political parties held leadership debates and the majority of British Columbian's said, “Who Cares”? 

So far there have been three opportunities for Liberal leadership candidates to have a ‘real’ debate (Vancouver, Kamloops, Prince George), and to show us why they should replace Gordon Campbell as leader of the BC Liberal Party, and by extension premier of the province.  The result unfortunately has indeed been a chorus of “who cares”.  

With the top political job on the line, one would think British Columbian's would be far more interested in these debates; however they have become largely non-events.  Non-events because none of the candidates has presented any ideas to electrify us – it’s been one boring pillow fight actually. 

It’s not just the candidates who are to blame though as the Liberal party has ensured that any real discussion of ideas is stifled, so as to avoid controversy.  That leaves voters desperately looking for a leader that will step forward with ideas to show they are actually committed to representing us -- and being accountable to us.

Dawn Black named NDP interim party leader

"... politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians"

Charles de Gaulle once said, "I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians" … and I am inclined to agree.  Given the proliferation of political parties in BC in recent years, here is something else that he said that seems to fit with our provincial politics, “How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?”

Before I continue today though, I have to anonymously give credit to a friend who sparked the idea of finding those quotes.  Thanks “D”

Okay, back to politics is too serious to be left to the politicians; isn’t that the very reason why over a decade and a half ago the provincial and federal Reform Parties said that elected representatives had to actually be accountable to the people that had elected them, or be subject to being fired by the voters.

I want to say that I do not agree with how recall is currently being used in BC given the fact that we are going to have opportunity to vote on whether the HST is going to be dumped -– and also because the BC NDP seem to be heavily involved in the Fight HST process. 

Having the opportunity, and a process in place, to initiate recall however is valuable to voters in BC (and should be available elsewhere) because politicians and political parties are inclined to say almost anything to get elected.  I believe that between elections, and when there is no other way to stop government and MLA actions that the majority of voters disagree with, recall is a valuable tool that should be used.

Leadership of the BC Conservatives and Policy Development

As mentioned on this blog last Thursday, the BC Conservative Party will be holding a leadership race, culminating in a vote by members ending May 28^th.  BC Conservative Party spokesperson Keith Roy of Vancouver had the following announcement which was released to the media:

The BC Conservative Party is holding a convention to elect a new leader on May 28, 2011.  The convention will take place somewhere in the Fraser Valley or Lower mainland at a soon to be determined location.

According to the constitution of the party, the election of a leader will be by universal ballot, with ballots mailed to every member at least 15 days prior to the leadership convention date.  Ballots may be returned by mail or delivered to the convention.

“Our leadership race will be a truly dynamic and democratic race,” says Wayne McGrath, President of the BC Conservative Party.  “Members from all across the province will have an opportunity to select a new leader.”