Wow, 2015 flew by awfully fast!

Greetings friends ... it's January 1st, 2016 already.  Wow, 2015 flew by awfully fast! 

For myself, 2015 did not end the way that I would have hoped, as we are dealing with my wife being diagnosed with Lymphoma.  She had her first treatment on December 21st, which stretched into 3 days as she had a bad reaction to the chemo cocktail they had put together.  Bev has been extremely tired since, however we put together a great Christmas at home, and had a number of family members visit over several days.

I would ask for those of you who have an on-going conversation with God, that you keep us in your prayers.  We'll be going through this process into April, and knowing we have an army of Prayer Warriors out there has been a huge morale booster for not only Bev, but myself as well!

2016 now brings us to a short 16 months until the next Provincial Election in BC.  DON'T BE discouraged as there IS going to be a voice for those of us on the center right who are small 'c' conservatives.  In the coming months we MUST ensure we are prepared, no matter what happens to the BC Conservative Party.

The strongest, and most campaign savvy, are now outside the fold, however a formidable campaign can and will be mounted, even if only in a dozen or so well chosen riding's -- contested with quality candidates that we can raise funds for.

The first test will be the still-to-be announced by-elections in the lower mainland.  I feel strongly that with the right candidate(s) $40 to $50 thousand can and will be raised, and I am right now committing to a $150 donation for each of the riding's once the right candidates, with a recognizable profile and a background as a small 'c' conservative can be found.

The right candidate for each of the riding's is out there -- are you prepared (those who live in the greater metro-Vancouver region) to come up with a list of prospects who can be contacted?  Media exposure is going to be crucial, and that is why it will be vital that the individual who runs has an established record that will generate interest from the start with the media.

Whether the BC Conservative Party realizes that those who have left are needed and a campaign is run from there ... whether it is run under a new political entity ... or whether we back and support strong independent candidates from which to build a political entity can be built, is irrelevant.  Re-engaging and ensuring British Columbian's have a choice is the ONLY thing that will matter.

I know many of you have fought the fight already and have said enough.  Well it is never enough unless you are prepared to let others decide for you how each and every one of us will be governed. 

If you are satisfied with the possibility of having the NDP return to power and destroy the province as they are doing in Alberta, then fair enough.  The same holds true if you are prepared to let Christy Clark and the BC Liberals continue to promise jobs that are never delivered, continue to raise taxes and fee's, continue to see the decline in our health care system, and continue to have a lack of a moral compass.

There is fight left in all of you so now is the time to get up and return to active duty.  We are all busy, there is no doubt of that, however there is much at stake, and the need for you to be part of a viable alternative is still required.

Okay ... I will now get off my pulpit   :D

My final thoughts?  I wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy new year.  All the best, and please do continue to have on-going communications with each other.  There are more of us out there than you know!

In Kamloops, I'm Alan Forseth, and these are my first thoughts to start the new year.