Faces and Places: New leader to head Langley's charity car show

There’s a new president revving up to take over the helm of Langley Good Times Cruise-In.

Following an annual general meeting last week, Wayne Patterson has taken over the top position of the annual charity car show, and said he’s excited but a little anxious about the year ahead.

A self-proclaimed “car guy,” Patterson has been involved with Cruise-In for the past six years, four of those as a board member. Likewise, he’s also brought out his 1971 Nova to display at a few shows through its 17-year history.

“I felt I could help out,” Patterson told the Langley Advance. “I’m somewhat excited and anxious to see what happens. But it will be fun… It’s always fun,” he added.

After two years holding the reins, outgoing president Eric Taylor now assumes the duties of past-president.

“I will remain as an advisor to the board in the official status of past president for 2015 and will support Wayne in any way I can,” Taylor said, adding “Wayne is the best man for the job and I am sure you will soon appreciate him and his new style.”

The new and past presidents are joined on the board by long-time board members Lori Watts as secretary-treasurer, Riccardo Sestito as vice-president, and Dick Hooper as director.

Marty Brown, Rich and Corrina Ulvild, and Audrey Stebanuk stepped back for what Taylor said were a variety of “personal reasons.”

One of the first tasks, Patterson said, will be to find a few new directors to join the board. He is optimistic a few long-time Cruise-In volunteers will step up in the next month or so to get involved at the board level.

He said day-of-event registration at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, as well as the vendor marketplace, and sponsorships are among the top areas of need leading into preparations for the 2015 show, which happens the first Saturday after Labour Day every September.

The annual general meeting and the board changes ”happens at the high point of our year when we as a board are enjoying our ‘week of giving’,” Taylor explained.

During the past week, the directors have been personally delivering much of the $60,453 it raised from the 2014 show to the its top charities of choice.

Cheques have been distributed to Langley Community Support Group, Valley Therapeutic Riding Association, Legacy Water Search & Rescue Society, PuCKS, the Boys & Girls Club of Langley, the Douglas Park Elementary Association, and the last cheque delivered Dec. 16 to the Langley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

“I am very proud of the accomplishments we managed as a board, and look forward to seeing further growth and progress by this very important local charity fundraiser,” Taylor said.