Langley Township council candidates answer rapid-fire questions at forum

Langley Township council candidates answered 18 rapid-fire questions Monday at the first all-candidates meeting of the current election campaign. The Fort Langley Community Association organized the event at Fort Langley Community Church, where council candidates and the two mayoral candidates took part.

FLCA director Sarah Lane moderated the forum. Candidates answered in groups of three, with roughly 45 seconds each before the next question. Topics included homelessness, updates to the Fort Langley community plan and the recent loss of the historic McIver house in Glen Valley.

On maximum building heights in the Fort Langley village core, Langley Strong candidate Blair Whitmarsh called for considerable public consultation and preserving the heritage character of local buildings. Progress For Langley candidate Tim Baillie also supported consultation but said he would not support a proposed four-storey building behind Fort Langley Community Hall. Langley Strong candidate Lauren Chalus said the community plan should set clear standards for building heights and design.

Candidates also discussed the shoreline, dredging Bedford Channel and reducing truck traffic through Fort Langley. Progress For Langley candidate Steve Ferguson pointed to efforts to move Marina Park to a new location. Langley Strong candidate Margaret Kunst proposed local delivery zones and enforcement to prevent trucks from using the Fort as a bypass. Progress For Langley candidate Michael Pratt said a detailed truck route is ready but awaits approval from TransLink and the Agricultural Land Commission; candidate Sarb Rai said the remaining work includes upgrades, approvals and construction funding.

On repeated vandalism of the Fort’s rainbow crosswalk, Langley Strong candidate Barb Martens suggested considering a more durable thermoplastic crossing, citing Nanaimo’s approach. Independent candidate Benjamin Neff described the issue as one of public symbols and education, while Progress For Langley candidate June Park said cameras alone would not solve it but vandals needed to be found.

Arts, culture and housing affordability were also raised. Langley Strong candidate Kim Richter called for a performing arts centre, while Progress For Langley candidate Tess Rouse emphasized supporting existing programs such as summer concerts at the Langley Events Centre. On affordability, Progress For Langley candidate Michele St. Germain said she would listen to residents; Langley Strong candidate Teresa Townsley and independent candidate Leith White cited permitting and development delays as costs that can be passed on to consumers.

Of 20 council candidates, only incumbent Rob Rindt of Progress For Langley did not attend. Eligible Langley Township voters can cast advance ballots Oct. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, or vote on general voting day, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting locations and eligibility information are available at tol.ca/elections.