The eight members of Vote Langley Now signed their nomination papers in Langley Township council chambers Tuesday morning.
The mass signing ceremony marks another step in the municipal election campaign in the Township. Although the number of candidates thus far is about par with the number running in the 2008 election, it is expected to rise significantly in the coming week. Nominations close on Friday, Oct. 14, and the election takes place on Saturday, Nov. 19.
Mayor Rick Green, the VLN candidate for mayor, insists that the group is not a formal slate.
"We don't like to use the s-word," he said. "We are willing to work together, but we are not willing to agree on everything. We are very independent."
VLN council candidate Tony Malyk said the group shares "core values," and candidate Tyler deBoer said "we've had disagreements, but we respect each other."
Green said the group is working together to run campaign ads and share other expenses, allowing for "a campaign of economy, taking advantage of economies of scale."
He said the VLN candidates "offer a viable solution to the people of the Township." He promised that VLN will "take the high road" during the campaign and "not get involved in muckraking."
"We are a group that is comfortable with each other, and respects differences of opinion without making objections personal. This was never about finding a group of people agreeing with Rick Green."
Green said details of the VLN platform are available on its website, www.votelangleynow.com. Other VLN candidates for council are Dave Stark, Carla Robin, Dorothy McKim, Ben Penner and Glen Tomblin.
Mayoral candidate Jack Froese also submitted his nomination papers to returning officer Bob Wilson on Tuesday. Also running for mayor is longtime Councillor Mel Kositsky.
Newcomer Rick Manuel announced on Tuesday that he is seeking a council seat as well.
Other announced candidates for Township council thus far are incumbents Charlie Fox and Bev Dornan, former school trustee Sonya Paterson, Murray Jones, who ran unsuccessfully in 2008, and newcomers Wayne Crossen, Michelle Sparrow and Bert Chen.