Moving forward after winning the by-election

This Saturday was one of the most nerve-racking days that I can recall. I ran for a seat on Langley City Council during the November 2014 general election, but missed out by 71 votes. I did not want a repeat of 2014.

I believed that people in Langley City shared my vision for a community that got the basics right such as improving and building sidewalks, enhancing lighting, improving safety in parks, and using good urban design. They just didn’t get a chance to hear about what I stood for.

With the help of an extremely dedicated group of volunteers, we were able to get that message out. I couldn’t have run this successful election campaign without them.

People in Langley City voted for simple solutions and fresh ideas at the Langley City Council table. Here are the preliminary results from the City of Langley’s website.

PACHAL, Nathan: 740
HILLAN, Kiernan: 557
NEWBERY, Sharon: 158
COBURN, Shelley: 141
KOSITSKY, Mel: 140
GRAN, Carol: 126
MAJ, Rae: 79
ROMAN, George: 76
OH, Serena: 57

Once the results are made official and I take an oath of office, I will become Langley City’s newest and youngest Councillor.

Posting on this blog will be a little sporadic over the next week. During the campaign, I put forward a set of solutions to make Langley City a better community. I will be compiling these solutions on this blog, and will post up a page shortly. I plan to update this page throughout my term on Council, so people can keep track of the progress made toward implementing these solutions.

Going forward, I plan on writing regular council meeting updates. Beside these council updates, there will be no change to the cadence or topics covered on this blog.

Thank you to everyone that supported me before and during the campaign. I will work hard to make Langley City the best community it can be for everyone that calls it home.

Reducing poverty for people of all ages in Langley

Back when I lived in Vernon, I worked at a grocery store that was located in Downtown. Just like the City of Langley, there was a large population of seniors who lived in the area. I would regularly see these people as customer who would only buy a can of soup and a banana each day. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this was likely the only meal they were eating in a day.

I also saw people who could no longer look after themselves; they didn’t have a place to go for support, or family that could help them.

Poverty does not discriminate based on age or family status.

During the Langley City by-election, there has been a lot of talk about people living on the street who are homeless, but little has been said about people living in poverty, and who are at the verge of being homeless.

When I was at the all-candidates debate on Monday, an older lady came up to me and told me her story. Living on a fixed-income with ever rising costs, she told me her quality-of-life was deteriorating.

Last fall, Langley Healthier Community Partnership hosted a workshop called “From Poverty to Prosperity – Working Toward a Healthier Community.” The City and Township of Langley, plus Fraser Health are members of the partnership.

Four Langley residents who live on low incomes were interviewing in the summer of 2015. These interviews were graphically recorded. A Mental Health Perspective, Youth Perspective, Seniors Perspective, and Family Perspective were mapped out. The following is the Seniors Perspective.

Family Journey #3 - Senior Perspective. Select image to enlarge.

During the workshop, attendees mapped out the barriers and challenges to getting out of poverty.

Barriers/Challenges Mapping. Select image to enlarge.

The attendees then came up with an action plan to help people get out of poverty.

High-Level Action Plan. Select image to enlarge.

While some of the items in the action plan will require the support of the federal and provincial government to more forward, such as housing funding, many items can be done at the local level. This includes creating safe, accessible spaces, and creating a poverty reduction coalition.

I look forward to seeing a more detailed work plan developed as an outcome of this workshop to improve the quality-of-life for people in Langley. As a society, we need to look after people who are the most vulnerable.

Remember to Vote in the Langley City By-Election

As you are likely aware, I’ve been running for a seat on Langley City Council since the beginning of January. Saturday, February 27th is Election Day, and the polling station will be open from 8am until 8pm.

You can also vote today from 8am until 8pm.

All voting is taking place at:
Douglas Recreation Centre
20550 Douglas Crescent

If you need a ride to the polling station on Saturday, please give me a call at 778-288-8720.

After voting on Saturday, feel free to drop by my Campaign HQ which will be at the:
Best Western Plus Langley Inn
5978 Glover Rd

I’ll be there from 9am until we know the results of the by-election which will be between 8pm and 9pm.

First Look at City of Langley's City Park Master Plan

The City of Langley recently hosted an open house for the new master plan for City Park that they are working on. This master plan will guide the development of the park over the next decade or so.

The first image from the open house shows what already exists at City Park. The south side of the park contains a “football” field. Because the Township of Langley has the McLeod Athletic Park which the City of Langley partially funds, and the Willoughby Community Park which has multiply synthetic turf fields and ample parking, there is limit demand for the “football” field at City Park.

Photos of the existing facilities at City Park. Select image to enlarge.

The City of Langley presented two options at the first open house for people to provide feedback on. The first option looks at trying to increase demand for the fields in the south by creating what they are calling a “soccer complex”. This option also includes a new multi-use field in the north end of the park. With the increased sports fields, comes increased traffic, and demand more for parking. Option 1 actually takes away park space for parking cars.

City Park Option 1 Preliminary Concept. Select image to enlarge.

Option 2 really is about making City Park a community park. The south field will be upgrade, but instead of a new soccer field and parking lot, a new flexible space will be created. This space could be used for community events, a place for people to picnic, or simply throw a ball around with friends and family. The baseball diamonds in the north end of the park are well used. Option 2 includes upgrading the baseball area of the park with a new diamond.

City Park Option 2 Preliminary Concept. Select image to enlarge.

Option 1 looks a trying to make City Park a sub-regional facility. Option 2 will better serve the demands of people that live in the area.

As part of the master plan for the park, the lighting in the park will be upgraded. This will improve the lighting for park uses while at the same time reduce light spilling into residential properties around the park.

I would prefer to see City Park serve the needs of the local community. I prefer options 2. If you would like to provide your feedback on the City Park Master Plan, please email engineering@langleycity.ca before March 4th.