Today is Sept. 2, and for many people, the summer is over and it’s back to the regular routines.
With the threat of the teachers’ strike dragging into the school year, the routines could be interrupted for a significant number — particularly students and parents, but also other people who may be asked to take care of children who would otherwise be off in school.
Most other routines will be back in full swing though. University and college students will be back in class. People who have been on vacation will be back at work. On the local government front, the two local councils will begin to meet after six weeks off. The staffing at the two city halls will be back in strength.
It has been a wonderful summer, with good weather almost every day, and rain at just the right time. Farmers are excited about their crops, as are backyard gardeners.
The quality and quantity of fresh local produce has been excellent. Whether at the Langley Farmers’ Market, roadside stands or supermarkets, there has been no shortage of great locally-produced food to eat.
The good weather seems to have left many people with a renewed sense of optimism, which is always a great way to start September. Even the threat of the teachers’ strike doesn’t seem to have negatively impacted people too much, although teachers are certainly concerned about their loss of wages.
What’s ahead in the fall months?
Local elections take place on Nov. 15, and there will be a spate of candidate announcements in the coming weeks. Thus far, few people have announced their intentions, and the biggest news is that Trustee Cecelia Reekie is not seeking another term on the board of education. This is a loss for Langley, as she has been a diligent and well-respected trustee who has a real passion for children and for education.
Langley Township Mayor Jack Froese is planning to run again, but no challenger has announced his or her intention to take him on yet. A challenger or two is almost certain, but it will be hard for someone who is not well-known and well-financed to defeat him, given that the election is just over two months away.
In Langley City, acting mayor Ted Schaffer is expected to seek the job on a more permanent basis, and no one else has expressed any interest in the job. There may be a challenger, but the most likely challenger, Councillor Dave Hall, has already announced he is seeking a councillor’s seat again.
This year, those who are elected will serve four years. The Times will devote plenty of effort to letting readers know who is running, and covering election-related events. The most important focus for us will be to encourage people to get out and vote, and give them information they can use to help decide who to vote for.
This fall will also see the federal and provincial legislative bodies sitting, and an increasing number of court cases, as judges and lawyers come back from vacations. There will be no shortage of things going on.