Editor: Our family was away on holidays the day that Councillor Jordan Bateman stepped down from Township council to pursuit a new job.
Although he has already publicly commented on his many accomplishments during his six years as a councillor, as he stated, “The Langley Events Centre, the Olympic Torch celebrations , Aldergrove infrastructure, and public safety,” they were but a fraction of the many things that Jordan had a hand in.
He also was an advocate for the paperless council. Through his efforts, all reports were done electronically, the public are now able to view council meetings using livestream, and through the Township of Langley Homepage now has instant access to records and council information.
However, I would like to add one specific matter that I believe to be an important fact in the matters of running a council. Bateman’s commitment to the budgetary process and the finances required to operate our community.
No community can run without a budget. Taxes are raised for the very purpose of operating a community, and as elected officials we take this responsibility extremely seriously. This is enshrined in the Community Charter under provincial law.
Bateman worked tirelessly with council on minuscule matters of all departments, whether it be parks and recreation, protective services (police, fire), engineering, finance, public works (sewer/water/drainage), or many of our other departments; to make sure that the Township of Langley continues to deliver the very type of quality services and standards that exist today.
As a member of the Finance Task Force, I was questioned continually by Bateman on matters of budgetary concerns and projections for the coming years.
One particular matter which we shared was the importance of ensuring the transition from our past paid-call fire department to the establishment of a budgetary phasing in of full-time fire halls. This was not an easy task and requires the use of taxpayer monies for years to come. It was something that residents wanted and it was our job to make sure that this was done in a cost-effective manner.
In closing, Bateman will be missed at our council table — particularly his energy, ideas, and sense of humour.
I would like to wish him, his wife, and his three children the very best as they embrace their new opportunities and challenges.
Councillor Steve Ferguson