In the past three years, Township property taxes have increased by twice the rate of inflation, and that is inexcusable and will no longer be tolerated, says Vote Langley Now candidate Tony Malyk.
He condemned the ‘six pack plus one’ vote to accept proposals such as the Mufford Crescent overpass, the Bedford Landing development and Athenry when the public was passionately opposed.
Malyk said that when challenged with the level of the property tax increase this past spring, one councillor threw a copy of the budget down and said “where would you cut?”
“This is the sign of someone who has either given up on trying to get a handle on the budget or just plain doesn’t know what to do,” Malyk said, adding that what is needed is “fresh, open-minded people on council who won’t give up and know what needs to be done. It’s time to complete the change.”
Residents have told him that property tax increases are unacceptable.
“The current council has adopted a sense of entitlement and no longer represents the wishes of the citizens. They continue to vote for proposals despite the passionate disapproval demonstrated by our citizens.”
He said that Langley continues to be ignored by TransLink, which asks residents “to keep paying for service we are not receiving. We have been subsidizing the Lower Mainland for years; it is now their turn to start paying for improvements to Langley.”
He said that with 8,000 to 10,000 people moving in and out of Gloucester Industrial Park every day, it is “unfathomable” that there is no transit there.
Malyk condemned council for continuing to sell out the ALR to developers, putting food security and identity of “where country meets city” at risk.
He said that families are concerned that recreational facilities and programs being cut, limiting opportunities for families to enjoy their Township.
If elected, Malyk hopes to initiate a complete review of all municipal operations, administration and systems to look for efficiencies, not to cut back programs, but do more with less, as the private sector has been doing for years.
He vows to restore the citizen’s voice at Township hall. “I will listen with an open mind to all sides of an issue before making any final decisions, something that the current council is not doing.”
He supports the South of Fraser Community Rail Task Force in its bid to restore the Interurban service on the corridor between Scott Road and Chilliwack.
Malyk supports a feasibility study to determine if the reunification of the Langleys is in everyone’s best interests.
He also vows to fight to preserve the ALR.
Malyk owns a Langley distribution company.