Langley Township Council Inaugural Meeting Report--Monday Night, Dec. 1, 2008

Notes from Langley Township Council's inaugural meeting, Monday night, Dec. 1, 2008.

Several formalities started us out, including being piped-in with an honour guard, singing O Canada, being sworn-in by Justice John J. Lenaghan, witnessing a prayer by Pastor Brent Cantelon, and being blessed by Kwantlen First Nation drummer Kevin Kelly.

Council voted unanimously (moved by Bateman, seconded by Fox) to approve a 2009 Council meetings schedule.

We voted unanimously (moved by Dornan, seconded by Fox) to appoint Mayor Green to the GVRD Board, and appoint Councillor Fox as his alternate.

Council voted unanimously (moved by Ferguson, seconded by Bateman) to appoint Councillor Long to the Labour Relations Bureau, with Councillor Kositsky as his alternate.

Council voted uannimously (moved by Ward, seconded by Long) to appoint Mayor Green and Councillor Bateman to the 2010 BC Summer Games Nominating Committee for the prupose of establishing the selection of a president and board of directors.

Council voted unanimously (moved by Bateman, seconded by Fox) to continue our practice of rotating the deputy mayor position among all candidates in alphabetical order. That means I'm deputy mayor for the next couple of months.

To conclude, Mayor and Council made inaugural addresses. Here is mine:

It's hard to believe that three years has passed since my first inaugural meeting. I still feel the same as I did that first day I walked into these Chambers. I feel honoured and humbled and fortunate to be given the opportunity to serve this community I love so much.

Election campaigns are tough--especially on the families of candidates. Campaigns take up a lot of nights and a lot of thought and energy. I want to thank my wife Jenny for letting me do this again. She is a remarkable woman who has sacrificed a lot to let me sit here at this table. And my two daughters—Indiana and Danica--who went without dad for a few too many evenings in November. It's hard to believe Danica wasn’t here at the last inaugural meeting. On Friday, she turns two years old. Time really flies.

Jenny and the girls have been a source of incredible encouragement to me. They keep me grounded and focused on my task here: making the Township of Langley a better place for the kids who will inherit it some day.

I also want to thank Sam Kirk. He's not just my best friend, he's not just Indie and Dee's 'Unka Sam,' he's the best campaign manager in town. He is one of dozens of volunteers who helped me during this campaign. Whether it was putting up signs, making calls, stuffing envelopes, or talking to neighbours, I am very fortunate to have a broad team of people who support me. Tops on that list are my parents, Grant and Faith, and Jenny's parents, Steve and Wendy Taylor. Thank you for everything you do for us.

The future is bright for the Township of Langley. This term, I am looking forward to the opening of the Langley Events Centre, and the incredible opportunities that will come along with it.

This facility is going to be amazing, and will play host to a visit from the Olympic torch in 2010, provincial and national gymnastics, volleyball and basketball championships, the Cities Fit For Children provincial summit, the new Langley Invitational Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament, the 2010 BC Summer Games, and much, much more.

Langley is an incredible community that has been very generous to my family and me. Thank you to all of the residents who came out on Nov. 15 and filled in that little circle next to my name. I do not take this opportunity lightly, and will work hard to continue to uphold your trust and faith in me. Thank you.