Municipal candidate interviews

Posted by admin on Nov 16, 2005 in News | 0 comments

Questions:
1. Why are you running for this position? What are your unique strengths that you can use in this position and for the Langley community? What are your main goals to accomplish for your term, if elected?

2. What do you believe the impact of TWU is on the community? What is the importance of TWU in the Langley area? What can TWU students offer to the community, and what can the community offer TWU students? What community issues will impact TWU this year?

Running for Mayor

Kurt Alberts

1. As a former neighbour and mentor, Robert Thompson (Dr. Bob) first inspired me to get into politics. Now with six years experience as Mayor, I can be effective in managing our local government. I am very proud of Langley. We have a growing and dynamic community. My servant leadership style and focus on community partnerships have enhanced the reputation of Langley.

I bring unique strengths to this position plus a wealth of relevant experience. I have been 6 years Mayor of Langley Township ($76 million operating budget), Recipient of Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow (2005), Recipient of Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2003), Director, Board of Greater Vancouver Regional District (2000 to present),Board Representative, GVRD Agricultural Advisory Committee (2002 to present),Member, GVRD Planning and Environment Committee (2004 to present), President of the GVRD Housing Corporation, $35 million budget (2004 to present), Co-owner Birthplace of B.C. Gallery, since 1996 (Business of the Year 1999), Commissioner of the Agricultural Land Commission (1998/99), BC Heritage Society Award for book Langley 125: A Celebration (1998), Chair of 1996 Planning Institute of B.C. Annual Conference, PIBC Planning Excellence Award: Growth Management Strategy (1996), Honours Degree in Urban & Regional Planning (School of Environmental Studies, University of Waterloo), and have 30 years experience in municipal and regional government.
If re-elected, my goals include:

ˇ Improving transportation with help of Federal Funding for DeltaPort road/rail separation

ˇ Increasing employment to one job for every person in the labour force

ˇ Preserving 1200 acres of environmentally sensitive lands (DND lands)

ˇ Increasing public safety (police/fire)

Running for Council:

Sherry Baker

1.I want to make a lasting contribution by maintaining and improving the quality of life in Langley in a fiscally responsible way. I want to find ways to keep our rural lifestyle while accommodating the pressures of growth. I want to ensure that jobs are available in the community to keep our citizens employed close to home. I want to ensure that Langley’s children can stay, work, play and raise their children in a safe and caring community. I want to work on providing reasonable transportation throughout the Township which will especially meet the needs of seniors and low income residents.

My goals are to ensure that the social impact of issues is known before decisions are made. I want to keep taxes at their present level. I want to address all the public safety issues including police, fire, crime, substance abuse, violence and homelessness and find creative solutions which, where possible, involve other agencies and funders. I want to ensure that our greenspace is preserved and that the Smart Growth (environmentally sustainable) principles are applied to all development proposals.

May Barnard

1. I was a member of Langley Township Council from 1996 – 2002 and I have not been pleased with the increased taxes we’ve endured over the past three years. I’ve been a resident of Langley (Brookswood) for the past 30 years, involved in the community through the Fundamental Schools, sports teams and Rotary. As a general insurance agent for the past 20 years, I’ve seen the impact on the average family of increasing home and auto premiums. In this term I would like to see a more fiscally responsible approach to the Township Budget. I would challenge council to maintain or even reduce taxes. We need to prioritize – did we really need a $20+ million dollar Township Hall? Do we need to borrow $4 million dollars to purchase Redwoods Golf Course? Just two of the questions I feel need to be asked at the Council table.
I’ve always been proud that TWU chose Langley for their home. While on Council I had the opportunity to attend many functions at the university and was very impressed. TWU’s positive economical impact on Langley must measure in the millions and I believe your students will be our future community leaders. TWU students will be impacted with the same issues that all residents of Langley face: increased traffic, (both road & rail) increasing costs of living, increased Federal, Provincial and even municipal taxes and increasing crime.

Jordan Bateman

2. Trinity is a key component of what makes Langley great. Its economic impact is massive, and it is one of the Township’s largest employers.

I am concerned for the long-term sustainability of the school. To protect TWU for the future, we need to find a way to broaden Trinity’s revenue stream. My suggestion is to work toward building a university district with athletic, cultural, commercial, and residential components. This would provide housing and employment options for Trinity students, and enhance the school’s facilities. A supportive Township Council can help attract private investors and philanthropists to make this happen.

In the 2002 election, I topped the poll at TWU with just 86 votes. Yet Trinity’s population outnumbers that of Fort Langley! We need to hear your voice on voting day. If even 500 TWU students and staff vote on Nov. 19, you will open the ears of the politicians who govern this community. They will finally hear you and your concerns. TWU is often overlooked by the powers-that-be in Langley Township—but that can all change on the 19th.

Steve Ferguson

1. I am finishing my 4th term on Township Council. I am running for Council because I really enjoy working and volunteering on behalf of all the residents of Langley. Working as your Community Councillor, I have seen quality managed growth add to our already growing community. I am proud to see new field houses built in Langley through assistance from Service Clubs and community organizatons. I am also proud to see new fields built for residents to play on including a brand new artificial turf field at Macleod Athletic Park. We are in the process of building a several hundred seat grandstand: again at McCleod Athletic park. I would like to see the continuation of building sports fields, Community and Regional parks, and the establishment of Park Legacies for our future residents. I also would like to explore the possibility of full-time-firefighters for the Township based on the recommendation of our Fire Chief. For the price of a coffee a week, I believe that we can make it happen.

I am excited about bringing in more Sustainable Development where people live, work, go to school, and play in a community. Other items would include: fighting the problem of crystal meth, homelessness concerns, community policing (cops on bikes), recreational programs and cultural opportunities, quality jobs for Langley, and environmental concerns.

Glen Tomblin

1. I am running for office because:

This council lacks the open debate and discussion I want as a taxpayer to assure each tax dollar is spent wisely. I have built business in some of the most disenfranchised areas in the lower mainland including East Hastings, Whalley, and Bridgeview. I networked with other business and organizations in the areas to build a greater sense of community.

Council has failed to provide sustainable development that pays for itself therefore the tax burden has become unfair.
I have championed a full-time fire department since 1999: family safety is a priority.

Our environment has to be a priority; retention ponds and sidewalks should not be considered greenspace. We need to implement a tree bylaw with teeth. As a councillor I will protect our aquifers. The first priority would be to remove septic fields presently on the aquifers. We need a wild life corridor to minimize the impact of urbanization.

Langley is experiencing the same community issues as the rest of the lower mainland, such as shortage of affordable housing, crime and safety. The students of TWU will benefit from a full-time fire department if implemented by council. Transportation for students throughout Langley and the lower mainland needs to be more affordable and convenient.

Howie Vickberg

1. I’m completing my first term (3 years) as a Township of Langley councillor. I’ve enjoyed the challenge and experience of being a councillor, and hope to be able to continue serving my community in that role. As 32 year residents of Fort Langley, my wife Linda and I have raised our family in the township and our roots are very deep in the community.

I’ve been involved in our community for many years as a member/chair of the Fort Langley Enhancement Committee, Board of Directors “Derby Reach/Brae Island Park Assoc., past 2 term President Fort Langley Lions Club, co-organizer annual Oktoberfest Charity dance in Fort Langley, organizer for 10 years of Fort Langley May Day parade and festival, on this year’s organizing team for Langley’s first “Relay for Life” (over $210,000 raised for cancer research and prevention.
Langley is very impacted by rail traffic and we’ve formed a “task force” to try and find some solutions, and I would continue to support that effort very strongly.

Like any growing community we are faced with the challenges that growth brings. I introduced a motion which council passed regarding creating a “Sustainability Charter”. Sustainability is assuring that development “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. We are very close to completion of the Charter, and I would welcome the opportunity to be part of putting that in place in the new term.

Grant Ward

1. I am running for the position of Langley Township Councillor because I enjoy the challenges of being part of the decision-making process, and I find it rewarding and fulfilling. I want to continue to be part of the direction and progress to achieve a safe, well-planned, unique and vibrant municipality for present and future citizens. My strengths are accessibility, accountability, and the experience gained from 3 years on Council and from living in the community for 33 years. I bring integrity and an ability to analyze options, and I am truly independent. I would like to work on finding ways to lessen the impact of rail traffic and congestion of vehicle traffic in core areas. Protection of youth from the devastation of crystal meth addiction and the elimination of grow-ops are very important.

2. TWU offers university accreditation in our own neighbourhood. Educated citizens bring new ideas, energy and dialogue to community problem-solving. TWU can facilitate and mentor youth groups, and partner with any of a very large number of committees or service organizations to make a visible presence and make use of their considerable talents. Throughout the municipality TWU students can gain summer employment, enjoy parks and trails, and places to enjoy leisure time.

Andrea Welling

1. My primary goals are to see a tree by-law and an environmental by-law for Langley. I want to create a comprehensive process for guiding development in the Township of Langley. I want to create an integrated trail network system that would include TWU as well as save a 56 acre area of land in Willoughby called Tara Ridge. TWU students are studying a particular snail in this forest.

In addition, I plan to keep taxes as low as possible and avoid tax increases whenever possible as well as bring in full-time firefighters for 2006. Further priorities include: legalization of secondary suites, preserving rural character in South Langley and traffic, transit, rail and congestion issues.

2. My experience with TWU has been numerous. I recently gave a presentation to a class of ESL students about an area called Tara Ridge that Langley Conservation Network is trying to save. I see this project as a natural fit with existing TWU projects to study and conserve the environment. I am also friends with a number of TWU graduates who are now working locally and internationally doing environmental fieldwork and consultation. I see TWU as an important player in education for environmental work in Langley as one example.
For the upcoming year, I believe TWU students will feel the impacts of traffic, transit, rail and congestion issues, development issues (if Trinity decides to develop areas adjacent to it) and possibly positive impacts from a trail network system and the legalization of secondary suites.

Sandra Hulbert

1. For most of my adult life I have donated thousands of hours in support of worthwhile causes, community groups and service clubs. Serving langley as a municipal councillor is an extension to what I have done on a daily basis for many years.

As I am a long time resident and local realtor, there is barely a street in Langley that I have not driven down. This familiarity, along with my experience in dealing with land issues, legal contracts and community involvement, allows me to fully understand many of the issues that will come before me in the council chambers. I have had many years experience in public speaking, serving on board or committees and I am used to understanding budgets and financial statements. I have always been a good steward in managing my own personal and business financial interest.

During the next three years, if I am elected, I hope to work with a cohesive council to preserve what is good about this community, fix what needs to be fixed and keep my hands on the purse strings while I am doing it.

Mel Kositsky

1. Though much has been accomplished in my 12 years on Township Council, there is much more to do. We have just started sport and heritage tourism initiatives which will drive economic development in Langley as we move towards the 2010 Olympics. We have a great demand for new services, both recreation and infrastructure, that must be managed carefully because of rising costs. Our long-term financial plan will serve as a blueprint to guide the process.

We also must address the evils of drug abuse and the problem of homelessness growing in our community. I have been working with a number of community based groups trying to tackle those difficult issues.

2. TWU plays a very important role in Langley, as a high-level learning institution, with a great sports program, and a volunteer base of students who would be an asset to many community groups.
As Langley grows, so does multiculturalism and diversity in our community, so with the mix of international students on the TWU campus, we will all benefit from more interaction. I would like to see TWU students become involved in the World Urban Forum, which will be held in Vancouver in June 2006.

With the increased population of students and staff at TWU, the affordable housing issue must be addressed so students and families do not have to hide in “illegal” suites. Public transportation to and from the campus must be improved so that people can take advantage of facilities and programs offered on and off campus. And the research done at TWU, such as the environmental programs and studies of “Langley Bog,” can be shared with the broader community.

Bob Long

1. I try to bring a pretty common sense business approach to the council table. Currently I serve as 2nd Vice President of the Lower Mainland Municipal Association and I represent British Columbia on Standing Committees of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

The move toward full-time firefighters will come early in the new term and I will see that the funding is in the 2006 budget without creating a huge hit to our taxes. We will be seeing a new police chief in January 2006 and I will work with council to enhance our relationship with the RCMP, making Langley a safer place for us all.

During the past two terms that I have served with the municipality, council has been pro active and responsive to the incredible growth we’ve seen by providing recreational facilities, sports fields, libraries, community police stations, fire halls as well as streetscape improvements, road and utility upgrades. I look forward to continuing this positive approach on the next term of council.

2. I’m sure TWU students would like to see an improvement in Public Transportation, so the Township need to work with Translink to establish more routes and more frequency.

The community has always shown support for TWU initiatives and we look forward to establishing an Education Taskforce within Langley to promote ourselves to the world as a community of Education Excellence.

Kim Richter

1. We need to: i) get township finances under control: ii) improve community safety; and iii) demand sustainable development.
I have 5 specific action items for each of these 3 priorities that range from phased-in fulltime firefighters, to protecting the Willoughby escarpment (across from TWU), to providing self-defense classes for children, youth and seniors in our community. I invite you to visit my website (kimrichter.com) or email me (kimrichter@canada.com) for details on these action items. I understand and value every tax dollar – I don’t take them for granted. All people in this community expect me to speak up for their priorities. I have and I will.

2. Two issues will affect TWU students this year. First, whether or not to have fulltime firefighters. These jobs are necessary to improve the emergency response times to fire and medical calls in the Township of Langley. TWU relies on Township resources in the case of emergencies. Fulltime firefighters will improve our ability to respond to your emergencies. Second, whether or not to legalize secondary suites. Many TWU students are not able to get on-campus accommodation and therefore rely on off-campus resources. Right now, most secondary suites are illegal in the Township of Langley. Removing this barrier will open up housing options for students.

Running for School Trustee

Grant Glimour

1. I decided to run for school trustee when I did the math on my family. Most of us are in or will be in Langley Schools for the next twelve years or so. We have four children. I want to help my children, their friends and other children in Langley achieve the most that they can with their lives. I have a strong belief that education and the quality of that education makes a difference to a person’s well being now and in the future. I also come from a profession that believes that training is the difference between the best and the rest. If elected I will work to impact our schools so that they can continue to provide the best and thus Langley students will continue to be students that we can all be proud of.

I am a Chartered Accountant and have a Bachelor of Science and MBA. I have held positions on boards in the past and have extensive business experience. I am active in my children’s education and I am aware that there are many challenges and choices faced by students at school. I am a Rotarian and I am involved in projects that directly benefit school age children in Langley. For example: Dictionary donations for Grade 4 students in Langley and the Langley Crystal Meth initiative (a program aimed at crystal meth and its sources its targets and its prevention).

Hattie Hogeterp

1. I am running for the position of school trustee because I care deeply about public education. I’ve devoted a lot of time to education in the last 20 years, most of that time as a parent volunteer. In the process I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge and experience, and have worked with parents, students, teachers and other school staff. I want to put that knowledge and experience to work for the students of Langley School District.

Public education is at a pivotal point right now and change is inevitable. The recent teacher job action certainly put education in the public spot light. It exposed some very real problems and clearly underlined the need for better funding. However, it also showed us how much the public values education and the teachers who provide it, and how much we depend on schools to not only educate our children, but also to care for them. School trustees will be involved in the changes that will come out of the Education Round Table discussions, and they will have to deal with other changes as well – demographic changes, changes in parental and public expectations, and changes in society. I want to work with all education stakeholders, to build better communication, consultation and cooperation among us, and to make the best possible decisions for our children and their education.

Brian Leonard

1. I am running for the position of school trustee because I want to be part of the process that will make decisions that shape the future of education in Langley. The education system, as witnessed by the recent work stoppage, is reaching a crisis point, and in good conscious I could let my opportunity to become part of the solution slip away. I also joined the race, because I am disappointed by how previous cuts to the educational system, the provincial government has made has marginalized not only students but also our teachers.

I believe that I work well within the context of a team, yet I do have principles that I will not compromise. I am willing to learn all aspects of the school district and I willing to devout as much energy and time that is required as a school trustee. I have volunteered in several minor Sport associations in Langley and along with wife I am former winner of the Eric Flowerdew award. I am committed to the growth of the Langley education system.

If elected my main goals are to find solutions to the class size and composition issues. Also, to tackle reduced enrollment issues in some Langley schools and of course find creative solutions to budgetary restraints that all school boards face.