Langley Township council candidate Dave Stark said when it comes to farmland, he’ll only vote one way.
“My approach is very clear,†said Stark. He’s pledged that he’ll vote against any attempt to remove land from the protection of the Agricultural Land Reserve.
This is Stark’s second run for a council seat. Three years ago, he was part of the Vote Langley Now group that was organized around then-mayor Rick Green. None of the contenders with Vote Langley Now were elected.
Now Stark is running as an independent.
“It was a learning experience last time,†Stark said, one he’s put behind him.
Stark has experience with a lot of non-profit enterprises in Langley, from Meals on Wheels to starting a chamber of commerce-style association for charities and non-profits.
He is currently director of the Langley Horse and Farm Federation.
From a farming and fishing background, he currently runs a small hobby farm in Glen Valley.
It’s that agricultural background and present work that led him to his decision on ALR land.
Stark said he wants to repair the “dysfunctional†relationship between the council and the community, pointing to issues in communities like Brookswood, Willoughby, and Fort Langley in the last three years.
As for what type of campaign he’ll run, he’s going to put up a few signs, but not as many as may be common for candidates, Stark said. He’ll be active online and on social media, he mentioned.
“I’m going to do a little bit of everything,†said Stark.
Most importantly, he’s pledged he’ll be available in person seven days a week to meet people to talk about the issues.
“It’s about making yourself available in person,†said Stark.