Letters to the Editor
For earlier comments and letters to the Editor prior to March 20, 2011 Click
You are invited to submit letters to the editor of the Anmore Alternative by email editors@anmorealternative.com by fax at 604-461-7745, or by using the comment card on the contact page. You need to provide your full name and contact information; however, only your name will be used unless otherwise requested. You are responsible for the content of your submission. We welcome your articles and letters to the Editor**. We reserve the right to edit for brevity, accuracy, clarity, or taste. Obscenities will not be used. The Anmore Alternative will not knowingly print anything untrue, in bad taste, or potentially defamatory, libelous, or slanderous. If you are referring to a particular article, please identify it and the date. Thank you. Editor
22-02-12
Dear Editors,
I will be climbing the 48 stories of the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel for the 11th Annual Stairclimb for Clean Air. The money I raise will contribute to medical research, asthma education, clean air initiatives, programs to help young people live tobacco free, and so much more.
I am thrilled to be participating in such a great event with an amazing cause. I am climbing these stairs because I know it is important to give back and work towards a better way of life for people who can't.
Please help me with a generous donation to the BC Lung Association.Thanks so much, your contribution is greatly appreciated.Tax receipts are provided immediately upon payment online. Climb the Wall: The Stairclimb for Clean Air 2012 - General Donation
Ali Sigariani
05-02-12
Dear Editors,
I love this land and it's people and believe we need to do something, please get out and vote, join a political party be aware of those who are for corporate greed and those who are for the people and the land. Make your voice heard!...
Tribal Warriors for Peace
20-12-11
Dear Editors,
Love the Alternative. Thanks
Britt Andersen
Editors' Note: Thanks to you. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Greetings and salutations Anmore CommunityNews people/person!
Now that we're into the month of December I just wanted to drop in and convey warm wishes for a great upcoming holiday season. Thank you so very much for providing cogent information and may 2012 be a stellar year for you and yours!
Chris Alders
04-12-11
27-11-11
Dear Editors,
Thought you might find this interesting for submission.
Not very often I submit a newspaper article but thought this may be worth it. Thanks for all your hard work,
R.Schofield
Anmore
18-11-11
Dear Editors,
Tomorrow is election day and I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all of the fine people who have supported me throughout my three years on Anmore Council and in my recent candidacy for Mayor. You are the absolute best and I thank you very much.
At times throughout the campaign, keeping the high road has been very difficult for me but I think I have managed quite well. I must admit however that while I am used to Anmore Council shenanigans, the constant damage to my signs, and maildrops damaging my reputation by people I have never met or ever even seen at Council meetings, were quite discouraging for someone who believes in honour, honesty, respect, and 'playing by the rules'.
While I have heard many kind words throughout the campaign, I have absolutely no idea what will happen tomorrow. It is you who will decide. Do you want more of the same or are you ready for change?
When you compare the candidates and look at their motivations, be assured that I have no land to develop, no favours to pay, and no mistakes to cover. My sole reason for running is that I believe I have the vision, the knowledge, the experience, and the civic conscience to work with you to fashion a robust and sustainable future for all of the people in the Village of Anmore.
As your mayor, I simply promise you my very best. Thank you for your vote.
Best regards,
14-11-11
Dear Editors,
As a reply to Larry Barron’s long-winded explanation as to why he posted his election signs in advance of everyone else ... I wish to direct attention to the text of Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos, a French Calvinist work written in 1759 during the period of that nation’s Wars of Religion. It was published pseudonymously, and the author remains something of a mystery. The work was fully translated into English from the original Latin and French in 1648 a year before King Charles I lost his head, and it reappeared again in 1689 on the occasion of the Glorious Revolution, when absolutism was ended. Generally it can be considered a work of “reform” – yet not without caution, mind you, as we see here: “...when someone places more weight on the words of the law than on its meaning, it will be lawful for the king to interpret the law by bringing reason – which is the very soul of law – to bear upon his counsel, lest the greatest right should become the greatest wrong.” (Source: Stephanus Junius Brutus, the Celt, Vindiciae, Contra Tyrannos: or, concerning the legitimate power of a prince over the people, and of the people over a prince, ed. and tr. George Garnett (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003), p. 105.
Dr. Joerge Dyrkton, Anmore
08-11-11
Dear Editors,
I sent the following letter to the Anmore Times about a week ago in response to a letter in both their print and on-line editions. Although they claim to be an unbiased non-political news source, it has not been published although several other comments have been added on their site. I would appreciate it if you could publish my letter. Thank you.
Susan Butterton
Re: Holly Koit's letter to the editor 11.01.2011
I wish to address your misrepresentation of the events on the 20th of August, and in so doing perhaps readers will see where your truth actually lies. Councillor Mario Piamonte was censured for calling the Mayor a "bully" when she shut down discussion on a vital issue without giving him the opportunity to present all the data. It is the Mayor's duty to the village to field all data on all issues in order to ensure the best decisions are made for the benefit of the village. It is all Councillors' duty to present data and represent the views of the people that elected them when such issues are under consideration.
The Mayor, by shutting down discussion, was indeed bullying the Council with this action. She was not only bullying the Council, but undermining all the fundamental principles of democracy. By standing up to her bullying, Councillor Piamonte was true to his duty as Councillor and to his dedication to transparency and honesty in government. And for this he was censured. This says a lot about the values of the people that oppose him in this manner. Rather than fight on issues, truthfully and in the open, there seems to be a strategy to shut down discussion, close off sources of information, and keep fundamental discussion on village issues secret from the people who most need and deserve to hear them – us the villagers.
The post-meeting conflict, although it has no bearing on the censure (which relates to events within the meeting itself), did indeed include strong words -- on both sides, words that have been publically apologised for -- but according to witnesses, there was no violence and no threat or intimation of violence. In fact, the police were not called until long after the meeting was over. They visited Councillor Piamonte and then left, without making any charges, rather annoyed at being called out for what it was hard not to recognise as purely political purposes. Again, this says a lot about the values of the people who oppose Councillor Piamonte in this manner.
We are not so naive Ms. Koit. We know, the police knew, anyone who knows Councillor Piamonte knows, that there was no violence that night, nor any threat of it. He was frustrated and annoyed , and with good reason -- the Mayor and two other councillors had just committed an injustice against, not only him, but the entire village who failed to get proper representation in this case. The Mayor and two other councillors failed not only the village in this, but they failed the principles of fairness and democracy as a whole.
Democracy cannot exist without information, discussion, openness and transparency. If the people don't know, they can't decide. It is important to fight for what is right, and if that means a strong word or two in a moment of righteous indignation, then surely that is a more than acceptable price to pay to bringing us a step closer to truth and honesty in our local government.
Susan Butterton
Anmore
19-10-11
Dear Editors,
Have been following the Election news, but am not finding the Candidates that are running. Nice to be able to read the updates even if we are not there anymore.
Judith Taylor
Editors Note: The Village website has the official list of candidates and their disclosure forms. Click Here. The Anmore Alternative News has also invited each of the candidates to send their promotional material for posting without charge. Their answers to a number of questions will also be posted.
16-10-11
Dear Editors,
I would appreciate it if you could publish the following letter that I sent to Mayor and Council. Thank you.
Larry Barron, Anmore
October 14, 2011
Anmore Mayor and Council
Anmore CAO Howard Carley
Corporate Officer Karen-Ann Cobb
Re: Election Procedure Bylaw
I write regarding s. 26 of the new Election Procedure Bylaw regarding posting of election signs, which states:
Election signs for the Village Elections or By-Elections may not be erected before the first day of the month in the year of the Local General Election or By-Election.
When I first read this section closely when I was making my decision to run a couple weeks ago, my first thought was that it didn’t seem quite right, the second was that it meant January 1, and the third was that the section had obviously been hastily passed in error.
So I checked the former election sign bylaw provision which is found in Anmore Local Government Election Signs Regulation Bylaw No. 343-2003 (which is repealed under s. 28 of the new bylaw), and s. 2 states:
That Local Government Election Signs may not be erected before November 1 in the year of the Local Government Election.
It appears that the drafter of s. 26 in the new bylaw meant the section to be applicable to by-elections as well, which are not always in November, so in an attempt to make it more universal no reference was made to a specific named month. That purpose could have been easily accomplished by simply excising the words “in the year” from s. 26. It would then read, and be perfectly understandable, as follows:
Election signs for the Village Elections or By-Elections may not be erected before the first day of the month of the Local General Election of By-Election.
The only difficulty is that it may not be appropriate for all by-elections. Section 36(2) of the Local Government Act states:
The earliest date possible for the election would be November 15, and hence there would be at least 15 days in which election signs are posted. But for a by-election it is different. LGA s. 37(2), which deals with by-elections, states:
So the election must take place on a Saturday, but it can be any week or month of the year since there is no statutory restriction. If it was the first Saturday of any given month, and that Saturday happened to be the first day of the month, then there would be no opportunity at all to post election signs before the by-election.
It would seem beyond reasonable argument that this section needs to be amended. This cannot take place before the November 19 election because, as you are all aware, any changes to the applicable election bylaw had to be passed by August 8 of this year under provincial law. This brings us of course to the question of why the new election bylaw was passed in such haste on July 20, only 8 days after it was first introduced for consideration, and a full 17 days before the August 8 deadline. I have never to date heard an explanation for this.
Ms. Cobb, the Village corporate officer, stated to me in a recent email that s. 26 of the new election bylaw was “an error”. The intended date for posting election signs is November 1, and this is to avoid Halloween vandalism. Unfortunately, her statement is not binding on Council, and as the matter presently stands s. 26 in its current mistaken form is the law in Anmore. The wording is puzzling, but is capable of being given meaning without reference to extrinsic sources, which to my knowledge is the method of statutory interpretation currently employed by the courts. Hence under the current wording, election signs may not be erected before the first day of January, 2011, which means that there is practically no restriction regarding the posting of signs for the November 19 election.
I would ask that Mayor Anderson and the two councillors, McEwen and Palmer-Isaak, who passed the bylaw along with her confirm in writing that 1) s. 26 was passed in error, and 2) November 1 was the intended date for erection of signs. Without that confirmation I will have to rely upon the wording of the bylaw as it presently stands.
Finally, and so that there is no misunderstanding as seems to have occurred when Councillor Piamonte attempted to question Ms. Cobb about the bylaw and ended up getting censured as a result, in my view this is not Ms. Cobb’s fault. That must properly lie with those members of Council who forced hurried passage of the flawed bylaw, and I would be grateful if they would refrain from blaming Ms. Cobb or other staff who were not responsible for forcing the bylaw through in such haste that it was never given a thorough read-through.
Section 26 is printed at the top of the last page of the bylaw, and Mayor Anderson’s signature is about 4 inches below. Despite this it appears that she never read the section but voted to race it through anyway. And recall that this was done at a special council meeting suddenly called for 9:30 a.m. on a weekday morning (only the second such meeting going back to at least 2004), which only one member of the public managed to attend.
I look forward to promptly receiving the written confirmation of the mayor and two councillors that 1) s. 26 was passed in error, and 2) the intended restriction was that there be no erection of election signs before November 1.
Please include reference to this email in the next RCM agenda under Correspondence, as well as attaching a copy to the agenda package.
Larry Barron
East Road
12-10-11
Dear Editors,
Well, sure happy to see the result that Sasamat Volunteer Firefighters may run for Council if they so choose. A good day for democracy!
Did Anmore administration forget that Anmore Council and Belcarra Council have LONG standing members elected on council? Which bodes the question why was this an issue in the first place? Was it not dealt with during and after the last municipal election and even MORE important, what else is going to happen to embarrass Anmore between now and election day?
Can hardly wait!
Rob Schofield, Anmore
Dear Editor:
Thank you for publishing my second letter and for your reply.
Unfortunately, your response still does not supply the information
that I requested. What I am trying to ascertain is whether the motion
of censure against Councillor Piamonte was, when all the facts are
taken in to account, fair. As I was not at the event which led to the
censure, I will only be able to reiterate the facts as told to me:
During a council meeting held on July 20th 2011, a heated discussion
took place during which Councillor Piamonte was seemingly unable to
control his temper and--contravening Robert’s Rules of Order--would
not respect the chair, requiring Mayor Anderson to adjourn the
meeting. At this point, Councillor Piamonte turned on Councillor
Palmer-Isaak and called her derogatory names in a threatening manner.
When Mayor Anderson came to her defence, he turned on her and, again,
used violent language. As a result of this outburst, the police were
called in. These words (which are not on tape or included in the
transcript) as well as Councillor Piamonte’s conduct during the
meeting and his “ongoing derogatory and disrespectful” conduct in
general, resulted in a motion of censure being brought against him.
I invite Councillor Piamonte himself, instead of letting others
distract from or downplay that event, to either admit to or deny
directing derogatory remarks at the mayor and councillor as indicated
in the preceding paragraph. Your readers and the citizens of Anmore
are being distracted and misled by extraneous and inaccurate
information. We have been shown the wording of the motion of censure,
the wording of the transcript from the meeting and the details of
irrelevant lawsuits. We have been given the opinion of Mr. Barron,
Councillor Sedergreen, a single witness and the editor of this
publication. We would now like to hear from Councillor Piamonte.
My interest in this case, far from just being “continuing curiosity”
as Mr. Barron put it, is to learn the truth. The open and transparent
government to which the editor of this publication and Councillor
Piamonte subscribe should apply to everyone, including themselves.
Holly Koit
Anmore (11-09-11)
Dear Ms Koit,
Since neither you nor I were at the meeting which was the subject of the censure, I suggest that you speak to Council members who were all there for further information. The audio tape of the July 20th meeting, the censure motion of the August 9th meeting with the attached verbatim transcript, and Councillor Sedergreen's statement have all been posted. The sole resident of Anmore who was at the meeting on July 20th where the alleged offenses took place expressed the opinion that this censure vote should not have occurred. Since you were unable to attend the August 9th meeting where Mayor Anderson and Councillors Isaak and McEwen voted to censure Councillor Piamonte, you are invited to look at the two part video of the event, Part One and Part Two.
Regards,
Dr. Lynn Elen Burton
Anmore Alternative News Founding Editor (16-09-11)
Dear Editors,
September 11th 2011, let us all remember the day the World should never forget.
Today is September 11th, 2011, the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks on the United States of America and all of Western civilization.
Today is a day for us all to bow our heads and say a prayer for those who perished in an unimaginable horror that shook the World.
Today is a day that we, as the people of Anmore should put foremost in our hearts and minds and the families of the victims and families of the survivors.
We Shall Never Forget September 11th, 2001
Glenn Graham
Authored by an American living in Anmore.
September 5, 2011
Re: Censuring Councilors while Anmore Burns!
Dear Editor,
Thanks for the info regarding the ongoing mess that we know as Anmore
Village. Sadly, it appears to me that dysfunctional Anmore might be
better-managed if it were absorbed by Port Moody! - at least we would get
the use of the rec. centre and library, plus the added security of a police
presence for our tax dollars, instead of funding lawsuits, pet projects and
jaunts to conferences, etc.
For instance, we at Anmore Green would be ecstatic if our homes were
connected to the above city's sewer system, in fact, any city's sewer
system! - thereby ending a hugely costly and ongoing effort to "fix" a
problem that has been known to "the powers that be" since the place was
built in the late 1990's. Would Port Moody be willing to take a risk with
its citizens' health, not to mention its own liability in case of injury,
death or disease? I think not, but we are speaking of the Kingdom of Anmore,
that wonderful place where every child comes born with a cast-iron immune
system, citizens have so much money that they actually have fun throwing it
away, and the elderly - well, you've got to die of something, right?
So here we are in idyllic Anmore, where, in the year 2011, houses on septic sewage systems are being built on such steep grades that heavy rains can, and have already, brought floods of mud (and other stuff) down onto the homes and septic systems of those unfortunate enough to be located downhill! Come to think of it, a trip to Italy for a conference or convention, or
heck, call it a field trip, would maybe open some eyes to what the Romans
were doing all those years ago - and civilization is supposed to be
improving all the time, right?
In this connection, could someone please enlighten me regarding the
application of building standards in Anmore? Is it true that no-one in
Anmore HQ can be held liable for the results of any building failures
related to improper construction, etc?
Personally, I think that we should be looking at what happened in the
District of North Vancouver a few years back and heed the lessons they had
to learn from their tragic experience. But no, we go to conventions (where
we learn what, exactly?), start quirky energy experiments and get slammed
with law suits!
Just so as I don't appear biased, in Mrs. Koit's e-mail of the 31st August,
she states: "I would not consider her opinion regarding the censure as
valid." Does that mean that Mrs. Weber's opinion is "invalid?" My Collins
dictionary defines "invalid" as follows: "an invalid argument or conclusion
is wrong because it is based on a mistake. 'We think that those arguments
are rendered invalid by the hard facts on the ground'"
The editor's response of 1st September, plus the long weekend editorial
mention a whole lot of facts/mistakes regarding the whole nasty business. I
would be most interested if Mrs. Koit would present her facts/mistakes so
that we can all get an even better appreciation of the ongoing drama of the
Kingdom of Anmore!
Regards,
Mrs. Alexandra Meyer
Anmore
August 31, 2011
Dear Editor:
Thank you for publishing my previous letter and for your reply. However, you did not answer my question.
I must disagree with your view that the censure of Councillor Piamonte was based solely on the transcript of the meeting of July 20, 2011. The wording of the censure states that Councillor Piamonte made these comments “at” the meeting not “during” it and says nothing about the transcript. Therefore, the words directed at Mayor Anderson and Councillor Palmer-Issak immediately following the meeting are still key to understanding this case. As you were able to divulge a comment made by Councillor McEwen after this meeting, please do the same for Councillor Piamonte. If his words were merely “potty-mouthed” (as Mr. Barron so eloquently put it) then printing them should not contravene your publishing guidelines as your paper did not seem to feel it necessary to edit Mr. Barron’s letters for extremely distasteful comments.
We are not likely to meet at a council meeting. I find that the pervasive and relentless negative attacks directed at former Mayor Weinberg and continuing against Mayor Anderson and Councillors Palmer-Issak and McEwen are too offensive and upsetting. However, I do keep up with events in Anmore and try to obtain my information directly from the source rather than trusting other people’s versions of events. For instance, you point out that a member of the public spoke against the censure. This witness, Mrs. Donna Weber, a former editor of the Anmore Alternative, is known personally by yourself and Councillor Piamonte and is currently involved in a lawsuit against the village. As a result, I would not consider her opinion regarding the censure as valid. I would prefer to hear directly from Councillor Piamonte the exact words that he said to Councillor Palmer-Issak and Mayor Anderson immediately following the July 20 meeting. It is these words that essentially brought the censure against him and as he maintains that the censure was unfair he should be glad to have the opportunity to let us hear them and judge for ourselves.
Holly Koit,
Anmore
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011.
Dear Ms. Koit,
Thank you for your letter of August 31st . With reference to your statements about the nature of the motion to censure, the exact wording is attached.
I must tell you that I was quite surprised by your mention of yet another lawsuit against the Village of Anmore. After checking with the petitioners, Rick and Donna Webber, with their permission, I have posted the lawsuit about a development at the end of Fern Drive. This time former Mayor Weinberg and his wife Linda, as well as Anmore Chief Administrative Officer Howard Carley, were put on notice in the lawsuit against the Village of Anmore. This petition can be found on the BC Supreme Court website. To read the full petition Click Here.
I believe that if you listen to the tape of the 'censure meeting' you will find that Councillor Piamonte did not say anything about the censure motion. However, Councillor Sedergreen, MD, made a statement which Mayor Anderson, and Councillors Isaak and McEwen refused to include in the minutes. It is attached. Click Here.
Best regards,
Dr. Lynn Elen Burton,
Founding Editor
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Dear Editor:
The Anmore Alternative recently published the minutes of the
Village Council meeting held on July 20th, 2011. This meeting
resulted in the censure of Councillor Piamonte. However, the
published minutes did not include the comments made by
Councillor Piamonte immediately following the meeting. For the
benefit of the citizens of Anmore who were not in attendance at
that meeting and in the spirit of your publication's "open and
effective communication" and "uncensored" policies, I am
requesting that you have Councillor Piamonte give us the exact
words that he used and to whom they were directed. As these
words appear to have had a major influence on the outcome of the
situation this will help to clarify the events which ensued. In
this way you can let your readers decide whether the police
being called in and the subsequent censuring of Councillor
Piamonte was indeed appropriate.
Sincerely,
Holly Koit
Strong Road, Anmore
Response to Ms. Koit
Dear Ms Koit,
The censure was based on the transcript of the meeting of July 20th which was attached to the meeting Agenda for the August 9th Regular Council Meeting. Likewise, the Anmore Alternative News report on the meeting is based on the meeting itself - not before nor after. If I reported on after the meeting, the tape shows Councillor McEwen calling Councillor Piamonte and Dr. Sedergreen, 'Dumb and Dumber'.
The July 20th transcript shows that Councillor Piamonte accused Mayor Anderson of bullying council. I do believe that shortly afterwards Councillor Piamonte sent an e-mail apologizing to Council members for the use of any inappropriate language after the meeting.
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the Wednesday, July 20th meeting at 9:30 am that was the subject of the censure. However, the one Anmore resident in attendance at the July 20th meeting spoke against the censure at the August 9th meeting.
I too attended the August 9th meeting where a large number of residents spoke out in opposition to the censure motion which was passed by Mayor Anderson and Councillors McEwen and Isaak. The RCMP were in attendance at the August 9th Meeting to update Council on their activities in Anmore over the summer months, and most certainly not for any other reason.
Please introduce yourself to me at the Council meetings. I try to attend as often as I can and I don't think we have ever met.
Cordially,
Dr. Lynn Elen Burton,
Founding Editor
August 28, 2011
From Larry Norman, Candidate for Coquitlam Council, 23-08-11
Reference: Countryside Village
Dear Editors,
Will you please print the following:
"If you are a realtor in the lower mainland, and you propose to sell property in Countryside Village in Anmore, you owe it to yourself and your clients to look at this website. If you are a resident and you have any horror stories to add to this website, just
and I will add them to the site.
Further letters and emails are coming soon."
Cheers,
Bill Murphy (08-08-11)
Dear Editors,
There are, apparently, over 200 species of bees in British Columbia. I appreciate that you featured a bee on the front page of the Anmore Alternative News. Sadly, if we don't start paying more attention to them, the bees will not be, and the multitudes that they pollinate will not "be" any longer, either. Cosmetic pesticides take a toll on bee populations. Our neighboring communities have now passed bylaws against their use. Anmore has a BYLAW on the books that sits in limbo. It never went to final reading to be enacted into law. i believe it is time to dusts off that BYLAW and begin to protect bees (and our environment) from cosmetic pesticides. Thank you for publishing that photo and reminding us of the importance of bees.
Elaine Willis
Anmore
04-08-11
Thank you for adding me to the AnmoreAlternative CommunityNews Facebook friends. Next to Pitt Meadows Anmore and Belcarra are my favorite places in the Lower Mainland. (24-07-11) Janis Elkerton - Councillor City of Pitt Meadows from 1993 - 2008.
Editors' Note: Congratulations to the AnmoreAlternative CommunityNews Facebook Community Animators. At 8:00 on Sunday evening, July 24th, there were 1103 Facebook Friends.
20-07-11
Dear Editors
I really like your Alternative Coverage and Web Layout! Has awesome content regarding not only Anmore but Tri-Cities...Great Job!"
Larry Norman, Coquitlam
Dear Editors,
The 1st Anmore Scouts are currently attending the Pacific Jamboree on the Sunshine Coast. They would like to thank the Mayor and 4 Councillors for the generous donation as well as thank all of the residents of Anmore who contributed to this event through the various Scout fundraisers throughout the year. Anmore truly is a wonderful place to live! To read the Jamboree The Shire News Click Here
Paul Weverink
15-07-11
Hey Mayor and Council and residents of Anmore. Check out what Public Sector workers make in Anmore. WoW !!! Best bang for your buck ? Look around Anmore and you be the judge! Time to start holding these people accountable, unreal ! Rob Schofield
And just how much do our municipal employees make? Click Here
Dear Anmore Alternative,
We hope you have room for the attached picture in your issue.
Attached is a picture of our SVFA Members who donated their time to the 2011 Dry Grad. SVFA also donated $100 Coquitlam Center gift cards as a door prize to show Anmore and Belcarra support for a safe graduation party, dance and after grad.
SVFD and SVFA wish the 2011 Grads all the best and in the future!
From left to right: Mike Devlin,Wade Parrish,Neil Belenkie,Dave McCloskey,Ken Honigman, Councillor Mario Piamonte, Dustin Saunier
Good luck,
Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department
Sasamat Volunteer Firefighters Association Membership
Dear Editors,
I must say, since I moved to Anmore 9 years ago, I feel Anmore Village can be a gong show. People fighting all the time. Neighbours not talking to each other.
Anmore Village needs new fresh faces, as I feel some people that work for Anmore Village are quite RUDE and very unprofessional. Get it together people. This is supposed to be a place to enjoy living in. Instead its been 1 gong show after another.
What kind of example do we show our children. Children of Anmore are more together than the actual adults of this village. It makes me shake my head sometimes.
Come on Anmore, get it together.
Lana Mauro (09-06-11)
May 25, 2011
Dear Editors,
A lovely write up on Ted. He was a wonderful person, and will be missed by alot of people.
Judy Taylor, Anmore
May 22, 2011
Dear Friends and Neighbours,
It saddens me that Anmore has lost once of its most stalwart citizens - Ted Ulmer. Ted, who also proudly went by the nickname WasFuzz, passed away on Saturday May 21, 2011.
My first recollection of Ted was when I went on walks with my dog to Buntzen Lake via the Pump House Road. I would often see Ted with his own special pal Tom – a Basenji – a barkless dog. We had very many lively conversations ranging anywhere from the weather to politics. For many years Ted and his 'barkless' dog Tom were regulars at most community events.
Retiring over 20 years ago, after a full career in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ted continued to be very active in police work and used his knowledge and experience to benefit Anmore as a committed volunteer. A big advocate for by-law enforcement and community building, along with Sheila Roberts, Ted tried to engage Anmore in Block Watch . His contribution to the Village was in fact recognized with the Community Spirit Award.
A man of great integrity, Ted was also known to be out and about during municipal elections to check to see that any and all candidates signs were put back up after being knocked down.
In the last few years he has generously hosted an annual Corn Tasting event for neighbours at our home. Although his mobility was somewhat restricted, Ted always insisted on his pilgrimmage to Matsqui to pick out the very best assortment and variety of corn for his guests to compare. We found out that Ted had for years been picking up anywhere up to 15-20 dozen cobs of corn from Matsqui near Abbotsford and distributing them to friends and neighbours in Countryside as his way of thanking them.
At this time of year I am reminded of one of Ted's greatest delights in his latter years - the return of the bears. He was especially fond of Cinnamon and her cubs - at a distance of course.
I feel very honoured that he considered me his friend but even more honoured to have him as a friend. Rest in peace my friend – you deserve it.
Mario Piamonte, Councillor
Village of Anmore
Editors' Note: When the Anmore Alternative News was started in November 2008, Ted became a regular contributor and financial supporter. Until his recent health crisis, his funny stories were always a great way to bring a smile to your face. We will miss you, Ted Ulmer. You were a great friend.
To the best of our ability, the Anmore Alternative News has attempted to fill in the blanks for those seeking to compare local news sources. We hope that this information is useful. It is great to have a choice. (27-04-11)
"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes ... and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
| Anmore Alternative News | Anmore Times (Note: confirm with AT) | Belcarra Barnacle (Note: confirm with BB ) |
Founding | -Started November 2008 when Minutes on the Village website were over a year behind and residents were seeking information to inform their voting on the referendum. -At the request of former Mayor Weinberg, the Village has sent meeting agendas and Village notices to the AAN for timely posting since the beginning. -AnmoreAlternative CommunityNews Facebook was started in late 2010. It now has 900 members.. | -The Anmore Times information states that it was started in 1988. -the Village sends meeting agendas and notices to the AT for timely posting at the same time as they are sent to the AAN. -The AT Blog was started by Tracy Green in the early part of 2009. -Anmore Times Facebook was started in late 2010. The number of members is not publicly available | -Volume 32, Issue 3 |
Nature | -professional website published four days a week and on the weekend -occasional print highlights in response to requests | -black & White print copies 10 times a year (350 copies) -Word Press blog | -Partial colour print edition 10 times a year (350 copies) -Professional Website with colour editions -with back editions available |
Staff | -volunteer editors, columnists, contributors, community events organizers. -timely Regular Council Meeting reports by a volunteer -There have been 4 editors for extended periods since the beginning. As well, there is the 5 member Green Team. None are paid. | -The Anmore Times lists 6 volunteers on the front page. - A paid staff does written reports on Council Meetings and delivers AT to boxes | Volunteer Editor and four advertising volunteers |
Funding | -A number of private donors contribute money and time. | -has been getting $3500 a year from the Village of Anmore -some in-kind support from Village staff | -gets a $500 contingency from the Village if needed - Funding from Advertising -some in-kind support from Village staff |
Advertising | Free with a request to donate to a local not-for-profit group such as the Scouts | Paid advertising | Paid advertising |
Special Events | -First Anmore Arts in The Garden in 2010 raised enough money for 2 African conservation officers and for the Gallery Gachet. -participation in local events -series of articles on Margaret Lally Murray made into a commemorative book for Scouts and other not-for-profit groups | -All candidates Meetings, participation in local events For more information check with the Anmore Times. | -participation in local events For more information check with the Belcarra Barnacle. |
Editorial Policy | You need to provide your full name and contact information... The Anmore Alternative will not knowingly print anything untrue, in bad taste, or potentially defamatory, libelous, or slanderous. | Letters must be addressed to the Anmore Times and not simply be a copy of a letter addressed to someone else... Letters should limit criticism to ideas and actions and not be personal attacks. | If you would like to submit an article to the editor please be advised that your name will be listed as author.The Belcarra Barnacle reserves the right to edit for brevity, accuracy, clarity or taste. |
Dear Editors,
Looking for answers to the following questions.
- Where does the Anmore Times get some, or all, or a portion of its funding from?
- Where does the Anmore Alternative get some, or all, or a portion of its funding from?
To Mayor and Council and Anmore Lawyer :
What is the legal definition of "conflict of interest" and is it applied differently in Anmore? What if...two councillors were trustees/directors of a group and the two councillors resigned as trustee/directors and a motion was put forward to look into the actions/activities of that group and the two 'former' trustees/directors happen to vote against looking into the group actions/activities, making their votes part of the deciding votes, would that be a conflict of interest? Yes or No ?
...just wondering.
R. Schofield, (22-04-11)Editor's Note: The Anmore Alternative News receives no funding from Anmore although the Village has sent notices for timely posting since the inception.
Dear Editor,
I live in Anmore and recently received your mailer setting the record straight about some dispute between you and certain Village councillors. It's clear to me that Anmore is home to some vigorous local politics which is a healthy sign. What caught my eye was that you backed up your journalistic integrity with your impressive CV as a Scientist. Being in the media and communications business, I wanted to assure you that the field of journalism requires equal training and devotion. The latter you have which I applaud. True, citizen journalists are now an important part of the creative commons. Still, your parallel reminded me of the famous story about Margaret Atwood meeting a brain surgeon at a party. After some chit-chat, the surgeon announces that he plans to take up writing when he retires. Really?' Atwood supposedly replied. When I retire, I plan on taking up brain surgery.
Sincerely,
Will Harding
12-04-11
Editor's Note: Great quote. In the version I know the brain surgeon announced that he was going to write a novel when he retired. Fortunately for all, we are mostly posting links, press releases, and articles that readers and community contributors provide to the website.
Dear Editors,
I just came across your site and I am wondering if you would help me create Awareness for my rare Blood disorder? Here is the link to my story which could be updated Click Here and my HERO is my husband and my special Dr. Amin Javer. Thank you,
Maggie Bernet 09-04-11
Editor's Note: With Apologies to the authors of the most recent Letters to the Editors for moving their letters down the page. Councillor Palmer-Isaak forwarded the following correspondence between Mr. Burgess and herself to the Anmore Alternative on April 3rd. To keep the flow of the correspondence, Mr. Burgess' original letter dated March 27, 2011 to Mayor and Council has been moved to the beginning. The material sent by Councillor Palmer-Isaak follows.
Dear Mayor and Councillors,
I was appalled to read the mail drop last week signed by Mayor
Anderson and Councillors Palmer Isaak and McEwen. In fact, to a
degree it angered me in that it is a clear indication of our
dysfunctional Council including the manner in which Village business
is being conducted. This behavior must stop as it is a waste of
taxpayer money and has made our Village the "laughing stock" of
surrounding communities who function in a professional, productive
manner.
The relationship of Ms. Burton to Councillor Piamonte is completely
irrelevant as is the relationship of the Anmore Times Editor to our
previous Mayor Weinberg. It was clear to any reader for many years
that the Anmore Times was biased to the "Weinberg Camp" and had it not
been, there would be no reason to have created the Anmore Alternative.
I'm happy to see a more balanced viewpoint and it appears others are
as well with tens of thousands of "hits" on the site. People don't
look for work trying to fix something not broken... but Anmore is and
has been for years.
With respect to the Atkins, Barron legal suit, I am fully supportive
and applaud their initiative. Again, they would not be wasting time
and money pursing this if they did not feel there was a need to do so.
Further, I admire Councillors Sedergreen and Piamonte for taking a
stand against what is clearly something not right. Where there's
smoke, there's fire and the Court will discover that and rule
accordingly.
The insuations that there are false statements within
the filing are, at best, questionable and that, too, will be dealt with in the
proceedings. It is not comforting for any Resident to read insuations
of lies including your carefully worded first paragraph which talks
about statements about Councillors in the Anmore Alternative. In my
view, this is potentially slanderous and if I were the subject of
accusations such as these I would seek legal advice. Further,
it creates yet another potential law suit.
The Anmore Renewable Energy Foundation is a farce and I am glad it is
being disolved. What I'm not happy about is all the time wasted over the
years (which equates to money) because it was doomed from the start.
It was simply an idyllic "pipe dream" of some Officials at the time
who clearly did not understand the realities and costs of developing
alternative energy programs. It's what happens when somebody pokes
their nose into something they know nothing about.
Similarly, I am shocked (and angered) by the pending legal suit
between potential day-care Contractors and the Village. That, too,
will soon become more widely understood within our Community and,
presumably, those that made the damaging comments will be held
accountable. If not, I suspect there will be great support for encouragement to do so. We will lose that law suit and it, too, is a result of an incompetent idividual or individuals who created the liability. When you don't
know what you're doing, consult with somebody who does.
My thoughts move from disgust to amusement as I read your last
paragraph. You talk about all the time wasting issues (except the
personal mudslinging) but, in fact, YOU created all of the situations
you see as a waste of time.
Yes, I do hope that you move forward,after you regain some protocol in Council, on important issues. My concern is that it appears you don't know how to prioritze importance in Civic matters... and that, very clearly, indicates a dysfunctional Council. And, in your last sentence, please do not assume you have support from all... because you don't - and it will erode more rapidly soon if you can't get back to business.
John Dalton Burgess
Anmore (27-03-11)
Mr Burgess
Thank You for your thoughts, I have read them and appreciate your concerns. The only point I would like to make, that I am hoping you will take into consideration, is the fact that this mail drop was done after to the 2 mail
drops that came to my mailbox last week from the Anmore Alternative. I
think it is only fair that the community should be presented with
information from both sides of an issue and then, at that time, they may
wish to form an opinion just as you have.
The mention that Councillor Piamonte's spouse created / edits this site is
Hi Kerri,
I reviewed the prior mail drops and, in particular, the one entitledYes, Kerri, I am sure you (and others who will eventually be held I will remind you of my earlier comments in that people have better things to do, ways to spend earnings, than with frivolous law suits. I suspect "We"... NO, it's not "We" because the reason for the suits are entirely a Council responsibility... and likely only a result of specific actions from elected officials. I don't understand why you see it as "sad"... Is it because inappropriateI appreciate your response. I have heard from Chris and Mario but not John or Heather... and that is fine because they are in the loop. Again all we want is to have a functional Council that knows what they're doing, asks for assistance when necessary, is open and honest, acts in a proper manner and doesn't "hide" issues from the electorate.No need to use "Mister" as a salutation for me, Kerri... we are all neighbours. I have the utmost respect for everybody on Council as they are working the best they know how to build a better Anmore...and often without much praise or reward otherwise. I just want all of you to get things "back on the rails" so we can deal with business, not "politics".To repeat, if we are unsure or nervous about the outcome of the pending legal suits, I would ask you and council to consider what might be required to dissolve the suits and move forward in a productive manner. It will not be "free"... that is very clear. Mistakes, Errors, whatever are OK... to an extent. Just don't waste money defending them.Thanks, Kerri.John BurgessThank you again, your comments were very thought provoking, again I appreciate your taking the time. Kerri Editor's Note: Councillor Palmer-Isaak is invited to take a look at the second menu tab About Us. It has been there since the Anmore Alternative News was started in the Fall of 2008, before my husband Mario Piamonte was elected as a Councillor in Anmore. At that time, the Regular Council Meeting Minutes on the Village website were over a year behind and there was no information on which to consider the upcoming Referendum question. At that Time, the Anmore Times came out 10 times a year and did not have an on-line presence.Relative to the recent mailouts. Two one-page sheets have come from the Anmore Alternative News in the past month. The first was my response, which I thought was quite measured, to the mailout from Mayor Anderson and Councillors Palmer-Isaak and McEwen attacking the Anmore Alternative News and myself in particular. The second was the monthly one page Anmore Alternative News Highlights which we are producing instead of the full print copy requested by a number of our readers. Anything else that you have received does not come from us.(05-04-11)
Dear Editor,
It was three years ago today, on April 4, 2008, that the
Honourable Iain Black MLA presented the Village of Anmore with the
cheque for the $499,500 grant for the Anmore Daycare. After three
years all Anmore has to show for it is acrimony, bitter divisions and
now a lawsuit.
March 19, 2011.
Dear Editors,
It is my understanding that Mayor Anderson and Councillor Palmer-Isaak
were going to attend a meeting along with other Tri-City elected officials on
March 3rd 2011 "to discuss the services offered at Eagle Ridge Hospital".
Mayor Anderson stated in the Anmore Times," It is my hope that we can work
with the Fraser Health Authority to ensure that ERH meets a wider range of
the medical needs for the people who live in this region". This was
announced in the March Anmore Times print version. It is my understanding
that they did not go. There were no alternates sent. Is this how things are
done in Anmore?
It is now the 18th of March, no explanation to residents or taxpayers ( " the people who live in this region"?), no apology, nothing. As a resident and taxpayer I want to know WHY they did not go? I want to know why no alternates were sent to the meeting? I want to know why we have had no explanation or communication as of yet? I want to know how many other times this has happened?
As our elected officials we trust they carry out certain duties for our benefit. This was one of those duties and they failed. We expect you to uphold your duties and obligations, we elect you to do that, we take your word for it. Obviously your word means nothing, you have just shown that. Your inaction also shows your attitude towards those who elected you, the residents and taxpayers of Anmore. I will be waiting for an explanation. In the meantime, I think you should both consider resigning your positions.
R.Schofield, Anmore
Response to this letter from Councillor Kerri Palmer-Isaak (19-03-11)
Thanks for your feedback, I think that mayor Anderson did mention this at last council meeting , she also mentioned that she followed up on the presentation and had copies of the report. I am afraid I was unable to attend that evening as my dammult required my attention, my apologies.
I think this is an awfully strong reaction and you are very quick to overlook the hundreds of other meetings we attend on behalf of the Village . The mayor and some of council have very large portfolios that they are responsible for including a numerous committees and, working groups, social events, etc. we often attend several meetings a week, some weeks more than others.
I find it unfortunate that you would call for my resignation over a missed meeting, I feel that you are conveniently overlooking the contributions of my time and efforts form the last t and a half years not to mention the involement that I have had with the Village pre-dating being ellected.
I am sorry that you feel this way Rob, I give you my assurance that I am very reluctant to miss meetings and that I will continue to serve my community and put in the large number of hours that this position requires. Kerri Palmer.
Response from Mayor Heather Anderson (19-03-11) From your email it is obvious you did not attend the March 8th Council meeting where I mentioned Kerri and I were unable to attend the March 3rd meeting on the Eagle Ridge Hospital service levels. I had an unexpected personal issue come up that day which made it so I could not attend this meeting. I contacted Councillor Neal Nicholson from the City of Coquitlam, the organizer of this event, to let him know of our inability to attend and asked them to send me any information from this meeting. You obviously are also not aware that all of Council was invited to attend this meeting, but only Councillor Palmer-Isaak and myself volunteered to attend this meeting.
Editor's Note: At the March 8, 2011 Anmore Regular Council Meeting, Mayor Anderson did say that she was not able to attend this meeting. No mention was made however of Councillor Palmer-Isaak. Councillor Piamonte had indicated at the previous RCM that he would be out of the country on this date but he expressed his support to Coquitlam Councillor Nicholson. Councillor Sedergreen is a practising Family physician and said that he would not be able to attend. Councillor McEwen did not respond.
My statements in my March Mayor's Report in the Anmore Times expressed my sincere desire to attend this meeting, but unfortunately, sometimes things happen which are beyond our control. From the information I have received from those who attended this meeting, the purpose of this meeting was to provide an update on the services being provided by Eagle Ridge Hospital and changes that would happen in the near future.
Editor's Note: Tricity Green Council Steering Committee member, Anmore resident Elaine Willis attended the Eagle Ridge hospital Quality of Service Meeting. It was to respond to 27 recommendations in 'Bear Report' on Quality Service and actions that have been taken to remediate the problems. Ms Willis indicated that in addition to the Mayors and Councillors from other Tri-city communities, Mayor Ralph Drew and two Belcarra Councillors were there. In response to their request, a special meeting on the report and the Eagle Ridge Action Plan will be set up in Belcarra in the near future. Ms Willis indicated that representatives from Anmore will be invited to attend. Ms. Willis gave the details at the March 8 Anmore Council Meeting. Her report was highlighted in the March 7th edition of the Anmore Alternative News Click Here
I am very surprised at the statements of your email. In all my years in working with you on the SVFD, the SVFA and as a resident; I have never heard you react in such a manner. However, you obviously have concerns, so let me confirm the following:
- In my almost 16 years on Council I have never known a Councillor to put in as many hours for our Village, as Councillor Palmer Isaak.
- In my 10 months as Mayor of Anmore, on average I work between 20 to 30 hours a week for our Village.
So I question the logic in asking for our resignations based on the fact we were unable to attend one information sharing meeting.
Sincerely,
Heather (Anderson)
Editor's Note: Apologies to Mayor Anderson. Due to technical problems, the last six lines of her above letter were inadvertently excluded from the original posting. (08-04-11)
Further Response from Councillor Palmer-Isaak
My apolologies, I sent out an email correcting. One of the typos in my original response but apparently it didn't go out to everyone . It should read that I had a family committment that required my attention. 2 finger typing on my phone isn't so great , sorry for any confusion , Kerri (20-03-11)
