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Election 2014: Scott Nichols answers questions

Township of Langley: Nichols, Scott- council candidate: He answers The Times' questions.
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Scott Nichols is seeking a seat on Langley Township council.

1 -  What is the most important issue facing the Township, and how would you propose to deal with it?

Transparency. We will need a change at the council table in order to get transparency.  The use of Section 90 of the Community Charter to close meetings with regard to Township-owned land sales is a prime example. Why can’t the lands in question be put to a sealed bid process open to all, or why can’t council use one of our local realtors to market and sell them on behalf of the Township? If there is no change, things will continue as they have in the past. Residents of the Township deserve more.

2 - Should there be restrictions on development in Willoughby until the situation regarding funding for new schools has been resolved?

Yes. I do believe we have to moderate the pace of development until the infrastructure and school system can catch up. Our children deserve to be educated in a school, not a portable. It's not the developer that comes up with these far-fetched enrollment numbers, it's the school district. It appears that their math is seriously flawed.

3 - Do you support a pool and recreation centre complex in Aldergrove, and if so, when should construction begin? If not, why not?

Yes. I do support a pool and recreation centre for Aldergrove. I would like to see construction commence as soon as possible. It's long overdue. I believe there may be more options available than those that have been presented to date. While there may be many options to consider, we cannot use the same concept that was used to build the Langley Events Centre.  That appears to be a mess with a substantial yearly operating cost. It will continue to burden taxpayers for years to come.

4- What type of development, if any, should be encouraged in a new community plan for Brookswood and Fernridge?

In my opinion, it should be a community-based, well-thought out concept that mirrors the 1987 OCP.  It should have 24 or 32 Avenues and 200 Street as a core area.  It should start from there and become less dense moving outward. I prefer quarter-acre lots with some lot sizes of 7,000 sq. ft., as shown in the 1987 OCP. I would like to see development that maintains the character and charm of the neighbourhood, much like Brookswood Village. We must consider the impact on the aquifers from the destruction of the forests and wetland areas from the development of the Brookswood /Fernridge area. It is through the preservation our natural heritage that we will pass on a sustainable community to our future generations.