Dear Editor,
I am writing to raise a serious concern about a recent decision by the City of Langley that has deeply troubled many residents in our community.
At a recent public hearing concerning an amendment to the Official Community Plan (OCP), approximately 150 residents attended – all of whom expressed clear opposition to the proposed changes. In addition to this strong public presence, a petition was submitted voicing collective concern from local homeowners. Despite this overwhelming resistance, Mayor Nathan Pachal and the City council voted to approve the amendment.
As a resident who chose to make Canada my home because of its strong democratic values and high standards of public engagement, I find this decision both shocking and disappointing. Many of us feel that our voices – and our rights as stakeholders and taxpayers – were dismissed without genuine consideration.
This incident raises serious questions:
• What is the purpose of a public hearing if resident input is ultimately ignored?
• How can trust be maintained in local government when decisions appear predetermined?
• Are long-term planning documents, such as the OCP, now open to change at the will of developers despite community consensus?
The City of Langley promotes transparency and public consultation as part of its vision. We are asking that these values be honoured – not bypassed.
I hope the Langley Advance Times will consider investigating this matter further and giving space for affected residents to be heard. We are not simply opposed to a building – we are concerned about the integrity of our democratic processes.
I'm a former high-school headmaster and a current B.C. certified teacher.
Jivan Kumar, Langley City
