Langley Politics Dotcom

Taking Photos of the Torch?

2010-02-07T21:03:00.000-08:00

A couple of quick Torch notes: the orange dots on poles along the Torch route are the spots where one Torchbearer passes the flame to the next Torchbearer. These are great spots to gather, as the Olympic Flame will pause briefly for photos.

And to watch the Torch Relay live on your computer, click here.

If you're out on the Torch route tomorrow taking pictures, I hope you'll be part of our effort to record the day for future generations by submitting photos to our Flickr site:

Thousands of picture perfect moments presented themselves when the Olympic Torch made its way through the Township of Langley on Monday, February 8, and local shutter bugs are encouraged to share their photos with the community and preserve those precious memories for generations to come.

A Flickr photo pool has been set up online and residents who captured the Olympic Torch Relay in Walnut Grove, Fort Langley, Aldergrove, or Willoughby, or took pictures at the Community Celebration, Torch Festival, or Slovakia vs Russia exhibition hockey game, are encouraged to upload their photos.

"This is an easy and effective way to preserve this once-in-a-lifetime event for posterity," said Township of Langley Councillor Jordan Bateman, Chair of the Township’s Torch Relay Committee. "I bet there were hundreds of amazing shots taken of this historic event by members of the community and it would be wonderful to share them and store them."

To load your photos on to the Flickr site, go to http://www.flickr.com/groups/langleytorch/. Create an account, upload the pictures to your personal photostream, then search for the Langley BC's 2010 Olympic Torch Visit group and add your photos.

Those who submit photos are asked to include details in their photo cutlines such as names of the people in the shot, where the photo was taken, and at what time.

The Flickr pool will be up until April 1, then the photos will be collected and digitally archived and used by the Township of Langley’s Corporate Communications Department and Langley Centennial Museum.

"Some people believe that museums are a type of glorified warehouse for old 'stuff,' and in too many cases they are awfully close to the truth," said John Robertson, Langley Centennial Museum Services Manager. "But Langley's museum is dedicated to telling the stories of Langley's people. We treasure our past, we're proud of who we are today, and we're looking forward to the future. That's what these photos represent: stories we are making today to be told in the future."

Langley Centennial Museum hopes to catalog and hold the photos in its digital collection, Robertson said, and the community shots will go a long way towards capturing this specific event and time.

"When Langley celebrates its 200th birthday – and 2073 isn't that far away you know - people will be able to look at these pictures with the same curiosity and wonder as we do at pictures from the 1940's and 50's and say, Didn't they dress funny back then?" he laughed.

"They'll probably wonder, Why was everyone in red mittens?" added Bateman.

Sunday Soapbox

2010-02-07T09:16:00.001-08:00

What's on your mind? Here's an open thread to share your thoughts with the world.

What To Do This Weekend

2010-02-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

Tourism Langley's latest Fresh Sheet of activities can be found here.

The Week's Best Late-Night Jokes

2010-02-07T08:51:00.000-08:00

About.com has its usual list of the week's best political late-night jokes, including the Top Ten Surprises In The $3.8 Trillion Federal Budget from David Letterman. I like #10: "$3.5 trillion given to committee fighting overspending."

Local Torchbearers

2010-02-06T22:09:00.001-08:00

VANOC is now in town, and has released a list of our local torchbearers. You'll see orange markers going up along the route tomorrow, which are Torch handoff points.

And yes, it's *that* Bill Good running in Willoughby.

Walnut Grove leg:
Hayley Shay of Ontario running for Coca-Cola
Valaree Braaten of B.C. running for RBC
Mandy Hadfield of B.C. running for RBC
Jesse Kaufman of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Alex Blaby of B.C. running for RBC
Brian Wilks of B.C. running for RBC
Brad Waugh of B.C. running for VANOC
Burt Burdett of Manitoba running for Coca-Cola
Rebecca Wyse of B.C. running for RBC
Janice Chisholm of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Christopher Brearton of California running for VANOC
Miro Bezjak of B.C. running for RBC
Rick Manuel of B.C. running for RBC
Elizabeth Hughes of B.C. running for RBC
Marlys Cory of Saskatchewan running for Coca-Cola
Claudia Bokel running for VANOC

Fort Langley leg:
Sarah Hannigan of B.C. running for RBC
Alaura Chantelle Collet of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Emily Ellis Collet of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Chantelle A Anne Collet of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Boulay LaFontaine Collet of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
McCormick Kelly Collet of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Victoria Collet of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Gordon Vitkay of B.C. running for RBC
Dan Voetmann of Washington running for VANOC
Joanne Thember of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Terri Orser of B.C. running for VANOC
Bernard Jaquier running for VANOC
Anne Martin-Lederrey running for VANOC
Bev Tennant of B.C. running for RBC
George Coucopoulos of B.C. running for RBC

Aldergrove leg:
Coleen Christie of B.C. running for VANOC
Debbie Armstrong of B.C. running for RBC
Keary Bott of B.C. running for RBC
Brian Johnston of B.C. running for VANOC
Gale Neumann of Manitoba running for Coca-Cola
Pascal Waeber running for VANOC
Sergio Grossi of B.C. running for VANOC
Doug Mossey of B.C. running for RBC
Rachael Lafreniere of B.C. running for Coca-Cola

Langley Township leg:
Robert Kerr of B.C. running for VANOC
Linda Pauls of B.C. running for RBC
Jim McGregor of B.C. running for Spirit of BC
Jerome Piovey running for VANOC
Lauren Barwick of Florida running for VANOC
Chris Lasher of B.C. running for RBC
Diane Askin of B.C. running for RBC
Fenton Davis of B.C. running for RBC
Jessie Anderson of B.C. running for RBC
Colleen Mathieson of B.C. running for RBC
Jennifer Watts of B.C. running for RBC
Dan Nugent of B.C. running for RBC
Patty Nugent of B.C. running for RBC
Keith Prefontaine of B.C. running for RBC
Patrick Watts of B.C. running for RBC
Philip Alalouf of B.C. running for RBC
Seanna Lasher of B.C. running for RBC
Lorne Malinowski of B.C. running for RBC
Brent Holliday of B.C. running for RBC
Robert Watts of B.C. running for RBC
Terry Prefontaine of B.C. running for RBC
Bill Jolly of B.C. running for RBC
Lee Anderson of B.C. running for RBC
Ryan Mathieson of B.C. running for RBC
Theresa Watts of B.C. running for RBC
Deborah Dickson of B.C. running for RBC
Bill Good of B.C. running for IOC
Taylor Briggs of B.C. running for VANOC
Jesse Briggs of B.C. running for VANOC
Andrew Walsh of B.C. running for RBC
Shawn Siak of B.C. running for RBC
Tracy Minor of B.C. running for VANOC
Quamar Jutt of B.C. running for VANOC
Steve van der Leest of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Jamie Nelson of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Matthew Gray of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Kurt Louie of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Teresa Hardie of Georgia running for VANOC

Langley City leg:
Romona McClymont of B.C. running for VANOC
James Pitblado of B.C. running for VANOC
Celia Pereira running for VANOC
Chris Steunenberg of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Pat Brethour of B.C. running for VANOC
Nancy Jensen of B.C. running for RBC
Margaret Langford of B.C. running for Coca-Cola
Richard Nilson of B.C. running for VANOC
Paul Winston of B.C. running for VANOC
Doug Jensen of B.C. running for RBC

Langley Township Council Meeting Report--Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010

2010-02-06T16:14:00.000-08:00

Notes from Langley Township Council's special budget meeting, Thursday. Feb. 4, 2010. Mayor Green and Councillors Richter and Dornan were absent. Coun. Long, as this month's deputy mayor, assumed the chair.

Staff opened the meeting with presentations on planted area maintenance costs and the 2010 budget.

After a series of amendments (detailed below) Council voted unanimously (moved by Bateman, seconded by Fox) to send the draft 2010 budget and 2010-2014 Long Term Financial plan out to the public for input.

Several amendment motions were made to the budget, some passing and some failing.

I made the following motion: "That staff be instructed to cancel this year's BC Rivers Day event and use $20,000 of that budget envelope for a low-flow toilet rebate program in rural areas, and return the other $20,000 to reduce the proposed property tax increase." This was moved by Bateman, seconded by Fox, but defeated 4-2 with only Charlie and me in favour.

The Rivers Day event attracts about a thousand people in a good year, but at $40,000 seemed too high a cost to continue in this form. Indeed, Township staff had flagged it as a "non-core service). I was disappointed that this motion failed, as I felt it would both provide more tangible results for water conservation, and reduce the property tax increase slightly. I plan to try this amendment again when a full Council is present.

Coun. Ward made the following motion: "That staff be instructed to close the Centennial Museum on Labour Day, and on Sundays and Mondays in the fall and winter/spring seasons, and that the $31,500 saved be used to reduce the proposed property tax increase." This was moved by Ward, seconded by Bateman; passed 4-2 with Long and Ferguson opposed. The Museum recieves an average of 21 visitors on these days, and the schedule chnage brings us into line with other municipal museums in the region.

Coun. Fox made the following motion: "That staff be instructed to consider other options and future plans for the Compost Demonstration Garden, and that this recommendation be brought forward in the 2011 budget cycle." It was moved by Fox, seconded by Bateman, and passed unanimously. I want to look at the future of this site in Murrayville.

I made the following motion: "That staff be instructed to put together options and cost estimates to complete 208th Street in Willoughby, and to bring forward a plan in the 2011 budget cycle focusing on the intersections of 72nd and 80th Avenues." This was moved by Bateman, seconded by Fox, and passed unanimously. 208th is a huge problem in Willoughby, and I want to be ready in 2011 to work on it. As part of the Albion Ferry decommissioning deal with TransLink, 208th will beciome part of the TransLink Major Roads Network, meaning the Township will be eligible for capital funding of up to 50% for the project in 2011.

A motion for a $15,000 upgrade to add a left-turn signal at 248th and Fraser, and to put a full intersection upgrade into the Five Year Financial Plan, was passed unanimously (moved by Fox, seconded by Ferguson).

A Coun. Kositsky motion to scrap the Fraser Hwy. widening project did not draw a seconder.

I made the following motion: "That staff be instructed to limit the Township Page to one newspaper group through a competitive bid process, and that the projected savings be used to reduce the proposed property tax increase." This was moved by Bateman, seconded by Ward, but defeated in a 3-3 tie (Kositsky, Long and Ferguson opposed).

I was disappointed this failed, as it could have saved the Township more than $100,000 annually, and it would leverage the competition between the papers and get us a better advertising rate. I plan to bring this back when a full Council is present. The three councillors opposed to the motion tried to muddy the waters by referring it to staff for a full communications study, but this would just cost more money and fortunately was defeated on the 3-3 tie (moved by Kositsky, seconded by Ferguson; Bateman, Ward and Fox opposed).

Later in the meeting, a list of pre-approved capital projects was passed 5-1 (moved by Bateman, seconded by Fox; Kositsky opposed).

The budget now goes to the public for their input, and will come back to us in bylaw form in March.

Jack Layton Has Cancer

2010-02-05T12:17:00.000-08:00

Our thoughts and prayers are with NDP leader Jack Layton and his family. Jack announced today that he is seeking treatment for prostate cancer. The Tyee has more.

Fassbender Chairs TransLink's Mayors' Council

2010-02-04T13:25:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Dianne Watts, who stepped aside as the chair of TransLink's mayors' council yesterday. By my recollection, she's the first chair of that type of group NOT to be turfed in an election (where have you gone, George Puil and Doug McCallum?) or by legislation (Malcolm Brodie).

While rumours swirl that Dianne stepped out to plan a run at the BC Liberal leadership, I hear from people very close to her personally and politically that she has no such plans. She really is focused on turning Surrey's city centre around (I know, I know, some of you hardened hacks will probably think me naive for taking her at her word, but her actions back up her statement).

I do find it funny that people say things like, "She took the chair to pave the way for a leadership bid," when she was elected TransLink chair, and then turn around and say the same thing when she leaves the post. It reminds me of the Chris Gardner situation, where people said he was hired at the City of Surrey to help her on her leadership bid, and when he left, people claimed it was so he could (wait for it) help her on her leadership bid. You can't have it both ways.

Anyway, Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender, who has been a close ally of Dianne's on the transit file, was elected the new chair--despite a vocal beating from Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan.

My main complaint about the Mayors' Council is that they grossly misread Premier Gordon Campbell by pushing for the carbon tax to be used for transit. This strategy, which apparently came from Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, was doomed to fail: the carbon tax, and its revenue neutrality, was Campbell's baby and part of the legacy he wants to leave (whenever that happens). He was never going to do anything to tinker with that. I'm surprised Gregor, as a former NDP MLA, didn't recognize that.

Marilyn Boswyk Has Passed Away

2010-02-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

I was sad to read this news on Bob Groeneveld's blog, that former Langley Advance publisher Marilyn Boswyk has died.

Marilyn was an amazing woman. She took the Advance over in its darkest hour in 1994 and left it on top. She was the most honest boss I've ever had; you always knew where you stood with Marilyn. She was fair and loyal. She worked hard, and inspired and expected us to do the same.

Marilyn was also a character. She was notoriously cheap, even cleaning the Advance office to save a few dollars on janitors. But it worked; that business found its feet and despite the Canwest Global bankruptcy, turned a profit last year.

My condolences to Marilyn's many friends and family. She will be missed.

Cancel Fraser Highway? No Thanks.

2010-02-03T16:21:00.000-08:00

As I do my final preparations for tomorrow's Township budget session, I read the Times's front page story with interest, quoting Coun. Mel Kositsky's suggestion that the Fraser Highway widening project be delayed in order to save "$6 million."

Seems like a reasonable suggestion to bring taxes down, doesn't it? Well, dig deeper, and you will discover that postponing or canceling the project will do nothing to help your property tax bill.

First, the project (which would widen Fraser to four lanes from the new Nicomekl River Bridge to 216th St.) costs $4.25 million, not the $6 million mentioned in the story.

Of that $4.25 million, $2.03 million comes from other levels of government and cannot be transferred to other projects. So if we don't do it now, we risk losing a chunk of that funding.

Of the Township's share, $2.06 million comes out of Development Cost Charges. That means we could cancel the project tomorrow and it would have NO effect on property taxes. That money has been funded out of new development, as the need for more capacity is driven by growth. The remaining $157,000 comes from the Township's capital works budget and is essentially a placeholder for contingency.

One could make an argument that other DCC priorities should be done first. That's a fair debate. I would argue that the DCC-funded road that needs the most immediate help is 208th Street in Willoughby. But under the agreement with TransLink on the decommissioning of the Albion Ferry, 208th Street (including the freeway overpass) will go into the Major Roads Network later this year, meaning up to 50% of the cost to complete it would be covered by TransLink--saving the Township's DCC Fund millions that we can use on other project in years to come.

Fraser Highway isn't a magic budget-busting bullet--canceling or postponing it won't save taxpayers anything.

In other budget-related news, I thought the Times's story on the demise of the Mayor's Finance Committee was fair.

Advance reporter Matthew Claxton also hit the nail on the head on his blog:

Considering the controversy the committee brought, with accusations of secret meetings and angry shouting matches (Councillor Grant Ward vs. Green, Coun. Steve Ferguson vs. Green, etc) it is probably for the best for everyone around the council table. The recent council priority committee meetings have been rather more civil than the budget meetings last year, at least so far.

When they get down to the nitty gritty of tax rates, we'll see.

Thoughts on the Resignations of the Mayor's Finance Committee

2010-02-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

The three citizen members of the Mayor's Standing Committee on Finance resigned last week, we learned from the Mayor yesterday. While I thank these volunteers for their time and energy, I have to admit that I'm disappointed that the Mayor put them into a totally unworkable position.

You don't build trust by having secret, closed-door meetings. Sadly, the Mayor made several unilateral decisions which damaged the ability of that committee to work. Whether it was trying to eject Coun. Ward from one of their meetings, or holding closed-door sessions in his office without inviting Coun. Ferguson (a member of that committee appointed by the Mayor), or meeting secretly with the three citizens right into this year without Councillors Richter and Ferguson (both duly-appointed members) present, it's disappointing that this kind of leadership and direction was shown.

After last year's budget process, some of us on Council tried to find a better way to work with the Committee, suggesting that joint Finance Committee-Council Priorities Committee meetings might be the way to go to save duplication of work and briefings by staff and to give the citizens a better feel for what Council was thinking. That didn't happen. Finance Committee meetings only come by call of the Mayor, and he chose not to call any official ones.

The Committee's 2009 budget report was considered carefully by Council and, speaking for myself, I found it to be unsupportable. The Mayor's plan would have gutted capital spending (0 by 2011). We couldn't have filled a pothole! The committee's recommendations would have put the Township into a $770,000 deficit this year, and $6.4 million by 2013, with no mention or plan on how to fund that deficit, beyond a vague recommendation (a wage freeze) that would have meant ripping up fairly- and regionally-negotiated contracts with CUPE and the IAFF. Even doing that wouldn't have balanced the books for what they were suggesting.

Just to get to that deficit level, the Mayor's plan hinged on taking capital money out of the user-pay utilities (water, sewer and solid waste). This would have opened us up to a huge number of potential breach-of-contract legal actions by our own residents.

In their letter, the citizens express displeasure with the Township's budgeting process. I don't find the budget process convoluted or difficult. We receive hours of briefings, plenty of printed material, and staff are always helpful and responsive when we request specific details or information on the narrowest points. Indeed, our process is consistent with what other communities throughout the region do.

The bottom line is that Langley needs leadership and communication on these issues, not politicking and secret meetings. I'm disappointed the Mayor didn't seek to include Council, but instead chose to exclude us from the process with this committee. Council doesn't have the authority or ability to call Finance Committee meetings, dictate how it meets, create its terms of reference, or develop its agenda--the chair of that committee (the Mayor) does. I think better communication and inclusive leadership would have led to a more productive experience for that group. It's unfortunate that the three have resigned, but I (like the rest of Council via a motion last night) thank Misters Patterson, Luciani and Baker for their time and service.

Langley Township Council Meeting Report--Monday Night, Feb. 1, 2010

2010-02-02T13:01:00.000-08:00

Notes from Langley Township Council's regular meeting, Monday night, Feb. 1, 2010. A full agenda can be found here.

Zvonko Bezjak asked Council to support a province-wide ban on cosmetic pesticides. This is something we voted to support last year. The Province is presently receiving input on the idea, so Council voted unanimously (moved by Richter, seconded by Bateman) to send another letter with our support.

Lt. Mary Ward of the 2277 Seaforth Highlanders told Council that a new Army Cadet program will launch in Langley this fall. Her request for meeting space was referred to staff (moved by Ward, seconded by Long; passed unanimously).

Murray Wood, on behalf of seven land owners on 199 St., asked Council to get involved in a development planning agreement between the owners and a consultant putting together the Jericho Sub Neighbourhood Plan. Essentially, the owners are concerned that the contract they are being ask to sign with the consultant would leave them on the hook, proportionately, for any cost overruns on the services they provide. I see this as a business matter between the neighbours and the consultant, and it would be inappropriate and foolhardy for the Township to inject ourselves into this.

Council voted unanimously (moved by Ward, seconded by Fox) to support an ALC application to allow a horse veterinary clinic on ALR land at 26200 69 Ave.

We voted 8-1 (moved by Ferguson, seconded by Bateman; Richter opposed) to send an application for 15 townhouses at 9584 216 St. to public hearing.

Council voted unanimously (moved by Fox, seconded by Ferguson) to send a proposal for an 18,580 sq. ft. Shoppers Drug Mart at 4024 200th St. to public hearing.

Council voted unanimously (moved by Ward, seconded by Bateman) to sned a rezoning applicaion for three lots at 7000 197B St. to public hearing.

We voted unanimously (moved by Long, seconded by Bateman) to give three readings to housekeeping changes to our Highway and Traffic Bylaw.

We voted unanimously (moved by Fox, seconded by Bateman) to give three readings to add pavement cut charges to our Fees and Charges Bylaw.

Council voted 8-1 (moved by Ferguson, seconded by Bateman; Richter opposed) to give third reading to an application for 83 townhouses at 20966 77A Ave. An amendment to try and save as many trees in the greenway as possible passed unanimously (moved by Richter, seconded by Green).

Council voted unanimously (moved by Long, seconded by Ward) to give third reading to a 27,750 sq. ft. church and school at 24746 Fraser Hwy.

We voted unanimously (moved by Bateman, seconded by Ferguson) to give final reading to a two-lot subdivision at 4752 217A St.

Council voted unanimously (moved by Ferguson, seconded by Bateman) to send a letter of thanks to the three citizen members of the Mayor's Standing Committee on Finance, who resigned last week. I'll have more on this shortly.

Langley Township Council Meeting Report--Monday Afternoon, Feb. 1, 2010

2010-02-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

Notes from Langley Township Council's special meeting, Monday afternoon, Feb. 1, 2010. A full agenda can be found here.

After hearing a delegation from property owner Barry McCall, Council voted 6-3 (moved by Long, seconded by Fox) to endorse his ALR exclusion request for 36 acres along 56th Avenue, directly across the street from GLoucester Industrial Estates. The owners hope to rezone the land to industrial. An amendment to restrict the uses to agro-industrial was defeated 5-4 (moved by Richter, seconded by Long; Ferguson, Bateman, Dornan, Ward and Kositsky opposed).

Council voted unanimously (moved by Ward, seconded by Fox) to send a liquor licence application for the Playtime Gaming bingo hall at 19664 64 Ave. to public hearing.

We voted 8-1 (moved by Bateman, seconded by Fox; Long opposed) to receive a report on RV parking restrictions in residential areas. The majority of Council was comfortable with our current rules.

Council voted 8-1 (moved by Bateman, seconded by Ward; Kositsky opposed) to authorize staff to video webcast and archive our Council meetings live on the Internet, using an outside solution. The cost will be roughly $2,000 in set-up, and about $1,000 a month in ongoing costs. This is an important step in opening the doors of our decision-making process to the public we serve. The Township continues to integrate more web services into how we operate. The new system should be up and running this spring.

We voted unanimously (moved by Ferguson, seconded by Ward) to authorize staff to consider preparing a Smith neighbourhood plan in future work programs.

After some debate, Council voted 5-4 (moved by Kositsky, seconded by Ferguson; Fox, Long, Richter and Green opposed) to refer a $15,000 left turn signal upgrade at 248th and Fraser to our budget discussions. The upgrade, according to an engineering analysis, would have a minimal effect on the intersection.

A report on TransLink Major Road Network changes was referred to staff for a presentation at one of our March meetings.

Council voted unanimously (moved by Bateman, seconded by Ward) to receive a recommendation from our Economic Development Advisory Committee that "incentives such as tax exemptions" be used to encourage investment and redevelopment in Aldergrove. The Aldergrove Planning Committee is already looking at such ideas.

We voted unanimously (moved by Bateman, seconded by Ward) to approve the 2010 Agricultural Advisory Committee workplan.

Council voted unanimously (seconded by Green) to endorse a Coun. Fox motion to have staff research and report back to us on the merits and feasibility of an agricultural land trust in Langley, similar to trusts in Prince George and Delta.

Langley Times - Bateman takes issue with housing editorial

2010-02-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

The Times' website has published a letter to the editor I wrote regarding their housing affordability editorial:

Your recent editorial, "Greedy Government"(The Times, Jan. 27), does a grave disservice to the work of local governments when it comes to affordable housing.

All local taxpayers should be troubled by your unsupported comment that Development Cost Charges are too high. DCCs are calculated by the cost of what it takes to service a lot with water, sewer, drainage, and parks. There is no profit or gouging by the municipalities - the costs are simply calculated and divided by the lots being built.

Surely you are not suggesting that existing residents should heavily subsidize new residents moving in? This infrastructure must be paid for, and it should be paid for by those who are benefiting from it - not the rest of us.

You also claim property taxes as being too high (although they would need to be even higher if we followed your suggestion and cut DCCs). But look at the value for money. A townhouse with all the urban services will pay more for its Shaw bill (with telephone, HDTV cable box, another cable outlet, PVR, and Internet connection) than it will for the municipality's share of property taxes (which gives them police and fire protection, clean water, a working sewer, streets that don't flood, great parks and recreation amenities, roads, snow clearing, and other Township services).

I also disagree that there is no "glaring" price difference between Vancouver and Langley home prices. In Vancouver, $615,000 will get you a brand new, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 779 sq. ft. condo on Smithe St. But in Murrayville, $609,000 will get you six bedrooms, four bathrooms, three levels, your own yard, and 3,445 sq. ft.--all brand new. Plus you'll save $240 a month in strata fees - that's pretty much your total monthly property tax bill, with school taxes, transit levies, library tax, and everything included. That's glaring.

The comment that local government has done "nothing" to help housing affordability is unfair. The Township of Langley has mandated, quite aggressively, that a mix of housing be built in Willoughby, at a higher density than ever seen before in Langley. We are seeing condos, townhouses, rowhouses, fourplexes, compact single-family homes, and other options being built in Willoughby, all of which offer different price points for different needs. Further, the Township has created a bylaw to allow mortgage-helping secondary suites in single-family homes. And the City of Langley has the highest per capita number of affordable housing units in all of Metro Vancouver.

There is no doubt that housing affordability is a significant issue in the region. But to lay the blame on local government is unfair. Can we help it that the Lower Mainland is such an incredibly desirable place to live? Where does personal choice come in? Do all new homes need granite counter tops, top-of-the-line appliances, and other luxuries? Perhaps that has an effect on the cost? Or what about the marketing costs for developers looking to sell in a crowded marketplace - perhaps The Times should cut their ad rates for new developments? And what about land values, driven up by a dwindling supply thanks to the firm urban containment boundaries we have - the mountains, the ocean, the border, and the Agricultural Land Reserve?

Local governments must balance all the interests in our community, including the ones of existing residents who don't feel they should be stuck with the bill for growth. Yes, we need to continue to look at our development processes and charges and find ways to streamline and manage them. Time is money, and we should be looking to save builders and buyers both. But we must balance the livability of our community and make sure we keep Langley a place where people want to live. True housing affordability will take adjustments by buyers, land owners, builders, and all levels of government.

Councillor Jordan Bateman
Langley Township

January 2010's Top Posts

2010-01-31T20:18:00.000-08:00

Here are January's most-read posts on LangleyPolitics.com:

1. Olympic Torch Route Maps and Videos
2. Chris Gardner to Leave the City of Surrey
3. Langley Advance For Sale
4. Two More School Closures Under Consideration

City Torch Route

2010-01-31T20:13:00.001-08:00

Last week, someone asked me for a map of the Torch Route in Langley City. Here it is (it enters the City at 2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 8):

For the Township routes, click here (or scroll down).

Sunday Soapbox

2010-01-31T08:09:00.000-08:00

Here's an open thread for you to discuss whatever is on your mind.

Late Night Humour

2010-01-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

About.com has their usual list of the week's best late night political jokes, including this one from Jimmy Fallon: "Yesterday, President Obama met with a group of mayors at the White House. He told them that he was glad not to be running a city during this recession. It's part of Obama's new campaign slogan, 'Sucks to be you.'"

News Notes

2010-01-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

Where will all the newsprint go? The last newspaper recycling plant in BC has shut down, meaning municipalities like ours have a newsprint problem (Advance).

The City has appointed my friend Rudy Storteboom to the South Fraser Rail Task Force (Advance). Rudy's a good guy and has genuine interest and expertise on this file.

Aldergrove wants to be the reddest town in Canada on Monday, Feb. 8. My prediction is they will be. The Festival Days Society has done an amazing job coordinating the community on that portion of the route (Advance).

The School District is winding down their business company (Times).

Langley City is considering a 5.25% property tax increase. Coun. Dave Hall has some aggressive suggestions on how to cut that down (suggestions that are very unlikely to pass, if I read City Council right), but even he can only get it to 4.18%. There just isn't a lot of wriggle room in local government budgets (Times). By the way, we finished the initial round of briefings on the Township budget yesterday, and it looks like Feb. 4 will be a significant meeting, as we work through some contentious line items and suggested cuts. I have a few ideas I have asked for more information from staff on, and am hopeful we can bring down the proposed increase somewhat.

"Youngish"

2010-01-29T08:52:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure my wife will be teasing me all weekend about being "youngish" when she reads this letter from Cathleen Vecchiato in the Advance. Cathleen and I don't always see eye-to-eye on issues, but I do appreciate the fact she actually has a sense of humour when it comes to politics.

Dear Editor,

Every time I open the newspaper (because I do read it and I want to see what is on sale at the mall), there is a picture of that Township councillor, JB.

You know: JB, like JT for Justin Timberlake?

I mean, like, all the other councillors are trudging through middle age or have even passed it, which makes me wonder if they remember the end of the second World War I studied in Socials 11, and like, those others are baby boomers, and like, they're getting old, and, you know, who wants to take a picture of an old person?

If I were on council, I'd be choked, being older and all. In fact, my self-esteem would go down the toilet because I can't compete with a youngish kind of guy like him.

But I'd be at the doctor in a New York minute, having that liposuction thing, and then get those collagen injections and, you know, that Botox stuff? Well, I'd just have them shoot me all over my body. Really!

I mean, I know it's made from that stuff that you get when your grandmother cans zucchini relish and gives it to your mom and then she dies because your grandma didn't seal it tight because she doesn't like your mom?

Just kidding. LOL!

Cathleen Vecchiato,
Brookswood

Olympic Torch Route Maps and Videos

2010-01-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

Not sure where to line up to see the Olympic Torch in Langley on Monday, Feb. 8? Can't visualize the route from the information on the maps? I went earlier this week and shot a low-budget (okay, no budget) video of the four routes, and offered some suggestions on where to view it, and other pieces of information and advice. Check them out here:

Walnut Grove

Fort Langley

Aldergrove

Willoughby

Close Call

2010-01-28T13:50:00.000-08:00

The girls and I saw the aftermath of this accident on our way out yesterday (it's just up the street from us), and we're glad everyone is okay. Quite a visual to see the back of an SUV sticking out of a big hole, with its front wrapped around the foundation of a future house.

Advance photo:

Times photo:

Housing Affordability: Busting Some Myths About Local Governments

2010-01-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

Langley Times Editor Frank Bucholtz lambastes government for the high cost of housing in the Lower Mainland and I'm going to take exception with several of his points (although I do agree that housing is too expensive). Frank claims:

It used to be that homes in the Fraser Valley, starting in Surrey and moving east, were priced a fair bit lower than those in Vancouver, but that has changed in recent years. The price differential isn't as glaring as it used to be.

This is totally inaccurate. In Vancouver, $615,000 will get you a brand new, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 779 sq. ft. condo on Smithe St. But in my neighhourhood in Murrayville, $609,000 will get you six bedrooms, four bathrooms, three levels, your own yard, and 3,445 sq. ft.--all brand new! And all within easy walking distance of two parks, a grocery store, library, drug store, coffee shops, a rec centre, health care facilities, bank, and three transit routes. Plus you'll save $240 a month in strata fees--that's pretty much your total monthly property tax bill, with school taxes, transit levies, library tax, and everything included!

Or look at rental rates: the regional papers have been all over some "affordable" rental housing downtown--only $675 for 270 sq. ft. (the size of two parking spots!). Compare that to what $650 can get you in Walnut Grove--this bachelor suite. Oh, and the Walnut Grove suite includes all your utilities--even Wi-Fi, while you'll need to pay your own way in your Vancouver apartment. Not that you'd be able to fit a regular TV in there.

I would call those "glaring" differences. Frank then says:

Given the very expensive housing prices here, what have local or provincial governments done to ease this affordability crisis? Nothing.

Again, not true. I'm not going to comment on the Province's role, as I'm not an MLA, but the Township has mandated, quite aggressively, that a mix of housing be built in Willoughby, at a higher density than ever seen before in Langley. We are seeing condos, townhouses, rowhouses, fourplexes, compact single-family homes, and other options being built in Willoughby, all of which offer different price points for different needs. Frank claims:

Local governments aren't any better. They consistently raise the development cost charges on urban developments, which are paid by buyers‚ not by developers, as some municipal politicians seem to think. The developers pass the cost on to the buyers. DCCs are a key factor in the high cost of a serviced building site.

DCCs are calculated by the cost of what it takes to service a lot with water, sewer, stormwater, and parks. There is no profit or gouging by the municipalities--the costs are calculated and divided by the lots being built. Langley City, therefore, can have lower DCCs than the Township, as more of their land is redevelopment, meaning many of these services are already in place. Greenfield development in Willoughby costs more. Or perhaps Frank is suggesting that existing residents should heavily subsidize new residents moving in? The bottom line is this: this infrastructure must be paid for, and it should be paid for by those who are benefiting from it--not the rest of us. Frank claims:

Local govermnments also have been raising property taxes by about five per cent annually, and show no sign of easing off on this annual increase, which is well above inflation and considerably more than many first-time home buyers can afford.

Actually, with the final fire hall being staffed full time this year, the Township's long term financial plan contemplates increases of 3.95% next year, and 2.95% thereafter. And let's look at value for money: a townhouse with all the urban services will pay more for its Shaw bill (with telephone, HDTV cable box, a couple of other cable outlets, PVR, and Internet connection) than it will for the municipality's share of property taxes (which gives them police and fire protection, clean water, a working sewer, streets that don't flood, great parks and recreation amenities, roads, snow clearing, and other Township services). Look at that comparison on value for money. Finally, Frank claims:

The survey showed that it takes 9.3 years of income to buy a home in Vancouver, compared with three years' worth in previous generations. Part of that is the allure of the area - but the role played by governments in boosting housing prices should not be underestimated.

Where does personal responsibility come in, Frank? New home buyers all want granite counter tops, top-of-the-line appliances, and other amenities. Perhaps that has an effect on the cost? Or the marketing costs for developers looking to sell in a crowded marketplace? And what about land values, driven up by a dwindling supply thanks to the firm urban containment boundaries we have--the mountains, the ocean, the border, and the ALR?

Housing affordability is a huge issue, but to oversimplify it and claim it's all municipal government's fault is just plain wrong. I'm going to stand up for local government on this one for a good reason: we have to balance all the interests in our community, including the ones of existing residents who don't feel they should be stuck with the bill for growth. For someone who has been as critical of local government tax rates (both Langley City and Township, and Surrey) as Frank has been over the past few years, it's perplexing to me that he would want those to go up to ensure housing affordability.

All that being said, we need to continue to look at our development processes and charges and find ways to streamline and manage them. Time is money, and we should be looking to save builders both. But we must balance the livability aspect of our community and make sure we keep Langley a place where people want to live. True housing affordability will take adjustments by buyers, land owners, developers, and government.

QUICK ADDITION: A friend of mine in Langley City also notes that "The City of Langley has the highest per capita number of affordable housing units in all of Metro Vancouver." Another good point missed by this column.

Township Budget Coverage

2010-01-27T09:26:00.000-08:00

Reporter Monique Tamminga gives a fair and detailed look at the costs in this year's proposed Township budget (Times):

Fire corporate costs will increase 49 per cent because of a new full-time fire hall in Murrayville. Police finances are up 12 per cent (some due to paying for the police computer system PRIME). Policing costs still dominate the budget, with $27 million in expenses projected next year.

Turning paid on call fire halls into full-time contributes a large portion of the tax increase. Costs for fire in 2006 were $6.1 million. Those costs more than doubled to $14.8 million by 2011, said Hilary Tsikayi, Township director of finance. Virtually all council members support changing the fire department into full-time fire halls.

While firefighting costs will be up 49 per cent, other Township staff costs are set to shrink.

In 2006, there were 504 Township staff members. In 2010, there will be 569. However, due to reducing staffing levels, total wages will go down every year for the next three years because of the consolidation of jobs and not replacing staff after retirement, said Bakken.

The Township is only hiring one new police officer this year.

We are still working through the budget process, and you can expect a detailed post from me in the next couple of weeks.

The Times has a companion piece on property assessments.

More Olympic Stuff

2010-01-27T09:23:00.000-08:00

The Langley Times has a great story on three local torchbearers, who are obviously very excited to carry the Olympic flame next month.

And they have a piece on road closures for Feb. 8.