Comments on: Threat of arrests halts annual invasive species removal on Skirt Mountain

By: Brian Gordon

Brian Gordon — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:40:07 +0000

It could be liability, but then why the letter from Langford? Only the property owner would be worried about that. Likely it is an old, sleazy developer trick:

1. Buy a property that you want to develop but for which there is resistance to doing so, either from locals, a heritage commission, the local council, wherever.
2. Let the property run down to the point that “something has to be done,” and/or until its original value is lost. (E.g: the property is overgrown with invasive species, the building is so far gone it cannot be preserved, etc.)
3. Bulldoze the property and develop.

By: Jebby

Jebby — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:26:16 +0000

To add to my previous comment it’s also no coincidence that Clara’s downtown properties came up for sale immediately after dealing with Les Bjola. They had been sitting dormant for decades and then all of a sudden after making a deal with the trailer park property/interchange property For Sale signs appeared. There was probably some deal done for the property in Langford in exchange for assistance with the downtown properties.

By: Jebby

Jebby — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:19:55 +0000

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this is now an issue. It’s impossible to know with out someone coming forward. With Les Bjola speaking on behalf of Clara Kramer in the past (http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=a0e4ac66-8d9d-4a83-b8f6-c2b45b64c45a&k=84681) I wouldn’t be surprised if he or someone else may be speaking for her again. I’m not sure the specific reason for them not wanting these people there but it’s likely related to future development plans. It would make more sense to let them do it and avoid the publicity rather than tell them not to, raise more awareness of the area, and then bulldoze it.

By: Steven Hurdle

Steven Hurdle — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:03:14 +0000

I am aware of invasive-species removal efforts in that Garry Oak meadow back as far as a decade, but yes people are more concerned with legal liability these days than they were even 10 years ago. Mind you, ten years ago Skirt Mountain was still a mountain biking mecca so a lot has changed in that time in the area.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:56:52 +0000

I wouldn’t be surprised if Mrs. Kramer just decided she didn’t want the broom bashers on her property after allowing them to remove the invasive species in the past. I don’t know for sure but I guess she would be liable should any of those individuals sustain injuries on her property.