1. What is the most most important issue facing the Township?
The most important issue facing the Township has been and always will be the managing the Township's ongoing growth while keeping the property tax levy fiscally low as possible, ensuring a good balance of wishful wants. Everybody want to live here, the born and raised, to friends, relatives and others who feel this is the place to work, live and play for the good life. New and old infrastructure such as roads, transportation and transit, park facilities for health and recreation need to be built and upgraded to fit the needs of today and for the future.
"And how to deal with it?" - Ensuring administration and planning, operational staff and protective services (fire and police) are the best they can be through proper hiring, and training them to continue to be the professionals they are.
2. Should there be restrictions on development in Willoughby until the situation regarding funding for new schools has been resolved?
No. Langley Township's Official Community Plan of Walnut Grove and Willoughby were planned for high density urban growth and both School District 35 and the provincial government are the responsible governments for the school funding that accompany normal growth. Changing the OCP to effect a development restriction, holding up acceptable growth, not only would be seen as unachievable, it would also be seen as accepting a form of provincial downloading. We have to pressure those two parties to do their job, and not rest upon the Township to become partners with them.
3. Do you support a pool and recreational centre complex in Aldergrove, and if so, when should construction begin? If not, why not?
Yes, I support the recreational complex, however construction time is dependent on funding. Taxes could be raised or surplus land could be sold or a combination of both to achieve the necessary funding for a focused downtown core revival emphasis in order to give our citizens, especially the youth, a reason to recreate close to home. The 'why not?' is strictly based on municipal sales, increased taxes and/or possibly a naming rights partnership.
4. What type of development, if any, should be encouraged in a new community plan for Brookswood and Fernridge?
Brookswood/Fernridge should develop into a walkable community as it expands further south, where cars are left at home and a healthy five- to 10-minute walk to the corner store is achievable. This means some small commercial and residential nodes along 200 Street, where general walkable area transit needs could also be met.