Local entrepreneur Sharon Newbery is throwing her hat into the ring for Langley City council.
Her platform will include safety in Langley City. She has seen firsthand the crime that plagues Douglas Park after dark.
“I have seen drugs and alcohol being consumed in the park at all hours. People are especially afraid of going into the park when dusk hits and they shouldn’t have to be.
“This is our park and everyone should be able to use it without fear. I want to help find a solution to the problem,” said Newbery.
Newbery will strive to help bring business and jobs back to the City of Langley.
“Far too many people have to commute to Vancouver to get the higher paying jobs and the IT jobs.
“It’s time to bring those jobs to Langley City and let people enjoy working and playing in their own community,” she said.
She will fight to ensure that derelict buildings in Langley City are managed effectively or, in many cases, demolished. She wants to see the reinstatement of yellow curbs in areas where parking is prohibited as well as blue curbs for parking for the disabled.
Newbery was born in Murrayville and has lived in Langley most of her life.
She obtained her accounting diploma at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and bought her first Coffee News franchise in 2005.
She grew the business until she owned six franchises; North and South Langley, Cloverdale, Fleetwood, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. She sold the business in 2013.
In 2011 while still operating Coffee News, Newbery started a bookkeeping business under her corporation Rheanew Business Solutions Inc.
She is an active member of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce and for many years served on the board of directors. During her term on the board she was the Community Director for South Langley, was the chair of the Business Showcase and was a member of the events committee.
An avid community volunteer, Newbery was involved with the Langley International Festival for three years – and held the position of President for one year.
In addition Newbery served two years with the Langley Canada Day Society, with one of those years as vice president. She has volunteered with VTEA (Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association), and the Disabled Games.
“I have thought long and hard about how I can help improve my city and I decided the best way is to throw my hat into the ring for Langley City Council,” she said.
Newbery lives and works in Langley City and can be seen frequently walking Dakota, her seven-year-old boxer.
She enjoys reading, bike riding along the Nicomekl River, and golfing.