LangfordB次元官网网址檚 long-standing council reenforced its tight-knit unity at an all-candidates meeting last week, while only two new hopefuls sought to give voters an alternative.
Admitted underdog and one-time Langford tree sitter Chris Johnson is challenging six-term mayor Stew Young. Recent Belmont secondary grad Grant McLachlan is trying to unseat one incumbent councillor.
Councillors Denise Blackwell, Winnie Sifert, Lillian Szpak, Lanny Seaton, Matt Sahlstrom and Roger Wade are seeking another term guiding Langford. Young, Backwell and Sifert are seeking a seventh term, and have sat on council since incorporation in 1992.
Johnson, who lives in the Port Renfrew area, said he wants to give voice to people in Langford concerned about the rate of residential growth and development. The City needs to examine if itB次元官网网址檚 too dependent on development as a means to generate jobs, he said.
He also wants to make the public process at council more transparent and accessible to get more citizens involved. He admitted he was behind the curve in knowing all the issues facing Langford, but said he is willing to work hard and would move to Langford.
B次元官网网址淧eople want an opportunity to feel meaningfully engaged. The people IB次元官网网址檝e met have not been as meaningfully engaged as they want to be,B次元官网网址� Johnson told the polite and attentive audience at Gordon United Church. The West Shore Chamber of Commerce sponsored the meeting, and former Kwantlen University president Skip Triplett.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not what happens, but how it happens. People feel left out of the process,B次元官网网址� Johnson continued.
B次元官网网址淚 wonB次元官网网址檛 deny that somebody needed to run (against the mayor) ... and express a different point of view and have a dissenting vote. I offer everything I can and I would work hard.B次元官网网址�
McLachlan, who is seeking a council seat, said with the pace of development, B次元官网网址渕any feel the environment is an afterthought.B次元官网网址� He advocates for stronger labour policies, a new balance between ecology and development, getting youth involved in civic life, and reiterated the point that some citizens feel disconnected from council.
B次元官网网址淭here has been many changes in Langford, some I agree with, some I disagree with,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 ready to be the energetic, progressive voice this city desperately needs.B次元官网网址�
LangfordB次元官网网址檚 incumbent mayor and many of the councillors contrasted life in Langford in the 1970s and 80s B次元官网网址� high unemployment, no services, derided as B次元官网网址渄ogpatchB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� to life now, with City Centre Park, many new businesses, improved boulevards and relatively affordable housing.
B次元官网网址淲hen I was growing up, we had no sewers, no sidewalks, no streetlights,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淣ow tax decreases are the norm in this area. Nobody has reined in taxes and done the improvements this council has done.B次元官网网址�
Known regionally as a pro-development council, the incumbents reenforced that notion, and credited that relationship as key to building infrastructure and public amenities through the recession.
B次元官网网址淲e are no longer a bedroom community, we are a city on itB次元官网网址檚 own,B次元官网网址� said Sahlstrom, a four term councillor. B次元官网网址淕rowth is inevitable. People want to live and work in this community, and have no more one hour drives to Victoria.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲e love development here. Our little town has grown up nicely and we can thank developers for that,B次元官网网址� Sifert said.
Councillors also noted that the cityB次元官网网址檚 economy needs diversity, tacitly acknowledging that residential development wonB次元官网网址檛 do the trick forever.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 like to see more government offices in this neck of the woods,B次元官网网址� said Wade, a one-term councillor. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got to get people working here who live here and go downtown everyday. WeB次元官网网址檝e got to move jobs to this community.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淥ur biggest challenge is diversification. People want to work and play where they live,B次元官网网址� said Szpak, a three term councillor. B次元官网网址淲e are open for business and we want to bring in more high-tech jobs.B次元官网网址�
Councillors acknowledged growing traffic congestion in the city. Seaton, a five-term councillor, said council is focused on developing a trail and bike path network to give people options.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e started a plan for more bike lanes and trails to connect neighbourhoods so people donB次元官网网址檛 have to drive,B次元官网网址� Seaton said. B次元官网网址淏ut I donB次元官网网址檛 see getting rid of all the cars, but there is a great opportunity to get the E&N train going into town.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲e can build more roads or spend $1 billion on light rail that goes to Colwood Corners,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淥r we could get the (E&N) train going, and going the right way. That should be the priority.B次元官网网址�
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
