Langley Township Councillor Steve Ferguson is once again seeking office.
Ferguson has served on council for the past nine years, and also sat on council in the late 1980s and 1990s.
He is running as an independent, stating that "the best council is one made up from people who can truly look at things from a totally independent perspective.
"I won't be a part of any special interest group or electoral organization. I'm totally against block voting and meeting behind closed doors before deciding on issues that are before us on the agenda."
Budget issues are top of mind for Ferguson in this campaign.
"Without a strong budget and well-planned finances, we cannot deliver the quality programs that make Langley unique.
"The Township is in excellent financial shape. We have been running a very tight ship for years, and we have been able to form partnerships with the province and the federal government, to help us build facilities and enhance our infrastructure.
"I believe that we can provide a solid financial template for this new provincial auditor-general," said Ferguson, "although we need a clear mandate from the province regarding expectations and benchmarks."
Ferguson cites his past experience on Township finance committees which developed long-term financial plans and cost-saving measures which helped develop budgeting efficiencies.
He said that "we can hold any future tax increases at or below the cost of living index," adding that there are no plans in place at present to add full-time firefighters to additional Township fire halls.
Ferguson would like to see the RCMP contract negotiated, and believes that it is important to keep the RCMP in B.C.
"We are a national police force and it is important to keep it that way," he said.
He also wants improved transit for Langley.
"I have always said to TransLink representatives, "How do you deliver a urban transit system to a rural community?" Perhaps we can ask for more mini-buses, inter-community transit, and south of the Fraser transit movement."
He likes the way Langley is growing.
“Langley has always been a community that also believes in balanced growth while attracting quality development. Many of our buildings have won awards for efficiencies and environmental design,” he said.
Ferguson lives in the Brookswood/Fernridge area with his wife Denise and three children, and is a 30-year resident of the Township.
Ferguson's nomination papers were signed by Brookswood residents Russ and Cheryl Lawrie, parents of Toronto Blue Jay player Brett Lawrie, and South Langley farmers Bob and Sue Anderlini.
"I have known Russ (Lawrie) for over 30 years, in fact we played rugby together years ago," stated Ferguson "Brett went to school with my daughter Sarah. "Bob (Anderlini) and Sue have signed my nomination papers several times. Bob and I were on the Otter Co-op board for nine years."