Langley has, for a long time, grown slowly and quietly with little notice from outside forces allowing a community to emerge that is unique and important in defining what living in Langley means to our families.  This situation has changed dramatically in the last few years.  Property values have grown exponentially bringing a deluge of new faces and new ideas.  Suddenly we find that Langley is being forced to deal with important issues that will have a significant impact on all of us for generations to come.  

It is important to know that I feel that change is good and inevitable, change is important and should be viewed with optimism.  The changes we are going to see, however, are going to come quick and are going to have a large impact on our lives now and for a long time in to the future.  Large areas of our communities are going to be transformed through development which will bring thousands of new citizens to the area and with them a host of potential problems if we do not ensure a smooth transition through good leadership.  

Infrastructure is going to be a key issue that will impact us all.  Already we are experiencing some of the downside to accelerated growth in Willoughby.  Driving up 208th Street, north of the Bypass, we all see what happens when you cram too many people too quickly into an area without first planning how it will all work.  Roads, Water Lines, Sewer, Schools, Hospitals, Fire Fighters and Police all have important roles in our life and all will be important issues that need to be dealt with by the next Mayor and council we elect on October 20th.  

I am not trying to tell you who to vote for.  I respect your opinion and your right to choose what’s best for you and your family.   I’m am going to implore you, however, to do your best to become informed about the issues and who would best represent you as a member of our Council.    And I am going to remind you how important your vote is.

There are 3 mayoral candidates and 23 Running for Council.  8 are incumbents, 2 have served in past councils and the rest are trying to get on for the first time.  For full disclosure; my wife, Michelle Connerty, is running for the first time for a council seat.  I ask that you research what she stands for as well as what all the candidates stand for.  There are many different voices and many interesting views.  The incumbents have a track record we can easily judge by the results of their past decisions.  The rest we need to listen to and assess whether or not they stand for and are capable of upholding our values.