Editor: Appearing on the horizon is something none of us can ignore. Like something rising out of the morning autumn mists over Langley’s fields, the upcoming November election is just beginning to be noticed by people in our area.
It’s easy to see how our busy lives push elections onto the back burner, as we carry on with our everyday patterns of work and rest. Reality, though, needs to take a big step forward from that back burner up to the front of our conscious minds.
There are some very critical decisions to be made in this coming election. It is time to put ourselves on the alert. Frankly, I have been deeply troubled by some of the actions, and inaction, of the present council (with the exceptions of Grant Ward, Mel Kositsky, and Charlie Fox, each of whom I commend for their courage in challenging Mayor Rick Green on some of his actions, and in calling for an inquiry into these actions).
Like leaders in any situation, so much can be influenced by the tone and character of the individuals who head the pack. My feeling is, we need to change much of this council, and the mayor in particular. However, replacing the present council with a slate is not the way to go.
The presentation by Mayor Green of a selected slate of candidates to support his directions and goals is not the direction we should be taking. Slates always seem to channel thinking into a narrower, less open-minded approach to governing.
Discussion slides into compliance, and ideas get supported for the sake of the team, rather than council members thinking for themselves, standing for or against something based on careful reflections on concerns and ideas.
I urge Langley voters to do several important things. One: Make certain that you vote, no matter how busy you are. Second: Seriously consider the consequences of a collective slate, rather than a group of diverse individuals who will bring balance and discussion back to the council chambers. Third: Spend some time thinking about the Langley that we want to live in now, and in the future.
What land will be protected? Are the concerns of your candidates supporting healthy choices for our community? Who has the experience and selfless attitude that will consider the ideas and feelings of all of us.
Change is essential when we fully realize that something we hold precious is being affected in damaging ways.
Linda Muttitt,
Langley