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Representation guaranteed for farmers on committee

Councillor David Davis concerned farmers could lose influence under a new merged committee for business and agriculture
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Farmers in Langley Township will have an equal voice on a merged economic-agricultural committee. Over the objections of mayor Jack Froese, Councillor David Davis convinced a majority of Township council to set a minimum number of farm representatives on the committee.

Concerns that farmers could lose influence under a new Township committee structure helped Councillor David Davis successfully lobby for a quota system Monday.

Davis convinced a majority of council to guarantee the new agricultural advisory and economic enhancement committee will have four farmers, four businessmen and one youth representative on the nine-member body.

Owing to a shortage of volunteers, council decided in September to reduce the number of advisory committees that council consults from eight to four.

Part of the reorganization merged the agricultural and economic committees, a move Davis feared could see business people “overpowering” the body.

Requiring a 50-50 split between farmers and business people would ensue balanced representation, Davis said.

Mayor Froese opposed the proposal, calling it too restrictive.

“Why is agriculture singled out here, what about other industries?” Froese said.

Councillors Blair Whitmarsh and Angie Quaale also balked at the proposal.

“Is not agriculture business?” Whitmarsh asked.

“I’m not sure this is a necessary step” said Quaale, adding, “I don’t think we need to draw lines between the two.”

After some back and forth about how to define farmers separately from business people, councillor Michelle Sparrow suggested the terms of reference already used by the two separate economic and agricultural committees to select appropriate members would be a logical choice.

Following that, council backed the Davis plan by a five-to-three vote (Councillor Charlie Fox was on holidays).

The decision to overhaul the committee structure was made after a report to council said many vacancies remained unfilled several months after the Township began advertising in the fall of 2014, and some positions were not filled until March.

At the end of 2015, there will be four Council Advisory Committees: Agriculture Advisory and Economic Enhancement Committee (AAEEC), Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC), Recreation, Culture and Parks Advisory Committee (RCPAC), and Seniors Advisory Committee (SAC).

Youth community members will be added to each of the four committees and public safety issues will be addressed by the Council Priorities Committee, which is separate from the advisory committees.



Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I’m the guy you’ll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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