Scott Nichols, long-time resident and grandson of Langley Township’s first Freeman and former reeve (mayor) Noel Booth, has decided to seek a councillor position on Langley Township council.
He is opposed to the proposed revision of the Brookswood Official Community Plan, the erosion of the ALR, and a 44 per cent ($20 million) increase in the Township’s net debt from 2012 to 2013.
The debt is shown as being more than $63 million in the Township’s 2013 annual report.
Nichols says all these issues spurred him into action.
“Poor fiscal management and density will burden the taxpayers of the Township for years to come,” he says.
Nichols is concerned that the uncontrolled growth of Willoughby has made the community unsafe and unsustainable.
He also has concerns that the Township can subsidize the Langley Events Centre, some say to the tune of $11 million, but cannot find the funds to settle the firefighters’ contract, nor make them National Fire Protection Association 1710 Standard and WCB-compliant with four-man crews.
Nichols feels the trust of the electorate has been damaged by the recent actions and decisions of members of the current council, and it is time for a new council to rebuild that trust.
Nichols knows it will be very important to get his views out to the electorate. He can be followed on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/votescottnichols and contacted via email at: votescottnichols@gmail.com.
He feels his strong connection to the community stems from his family history of civic duty. His grandfather, Noel Booth, donated the land for the present location of the Glenwood Elementary School, and held positions of school trustee, councillor and reeve (mayor) during his many years in office.
A school and a park in the Brookswood area are named after Booth.