Tourism Langley will add more Township votes to its board as it rebuilds following a turbulent winter.
At the tourism promotion group’s annual general meeting Tuesday, members voted on two motions to change the board.
First, Township and City members of the board will be allowed to vote, rather than being observing members.
Second, Langley Township get a second board membership. The Township will appoint the new member.
“The membership has spoken loud and clear,” said board member Gareth Abreo.
In early March, Tourism Langley almost voted itself out of existence, and its former chair later resigned.
At issue was a request from Langley Township for some restructuring. Some members of the group were not happy with what they saw as increased control by Langley Township.
But at the AGM, more than three quarters of the voting members supported moving forward with the changes.
Now the board has to wait and see what Langley City wants to do. After the near-death experience for Tourism Langley in March, the City indicated it is looking at its options for tourism marketing.
Abreo said that until the City decides what it wants to do, Tourism Langley isn’t moving ahead with a search for a new permanent executive director. They currently have one staffer who has taken on some of the director’s job functions.
Colleen Clark, executive director of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, said she can’t say what will come for Tourism Langley.
“We want to work with everybody to promote both Langleys,” she said.
The AGM also appointed new board members to replace those stepping down.
According to the accountant’s report, Tourism Langley remains financially strong. The organization is funded through contributions from the Township and City, and a hotel tax of two per cent.
