The One & Only All-Candidates Meeting in Langford
Posted by Cheryl McLachlan on November 7, 2008
The incumbent councillors Denise Blackwell, Matt Sahlstrom, Lanny Seaton, Winnie Sifert and Lillian Szpak all touted a long list they all felt they achieved: a one per cent tax increase over 15 years, they reported a 500 per cent increase in greenspace, cited the development of City Centre Park as a community achievement, noted a recent Communities in Bloom national award for sustainability, and completion of Langford’s new OCP (Official Community Plan), as well as beautification projects, Langford’s affordable housing program, new jobs and low unemployment.
The challengers of Steven Hurdle, Michael Mortimore, Herman Surkis and Vern Trew had a variety of different answers to questions, but a reoccurring theme of a lack of public consultation and real democratic accountability being present in the current council. Michael Mortimore questioned how truly green Langford’s initiatives are, citing the example of building on the wetland of Hull’s Field and breaking the promise to retain 52% of it as parkland. Steven Hurdle reported hearing a pattern of discontent from Langford citizens not truly being listened to, from planning and zoning decisions to over 2,250 signatures on a petition being ignored by mayor and council, and said never again should a major loan or expenditure be approved without public approval. Herman Surkis argued that Langford’s taxes are being artificially kept low through constant development and the payment of DCC (development cost charges) by developers and questioned how Langford would be able to continue on this path with the economic downtown and development slowing or stopping. Vern Trew talked passionately about the importance of including the public in decision-making, and of holding public forums, and that he would listen to anyone. Ryan Hinton argued that most of the new jobs in Langford were low paying service and retail jobs, not jobs that would allow people to buy houses and raise families, and there was a need to diversify employment opportunities, and have complete infrastructure to make neighbourhoods safer and friendlier. Vick Siu, running for both Colwood and Langford Councils admitted he was not very familiar with municipal government but believed his willingness to work hard and his committment to teamwork would be a good asset on council. Roger Wade talked about all the dramatic improvements he had seem in Langford in the last 16 years, thanks to the great teamwork of the mayor and council, and that he would be a great team player. Harry Kuiack was absent due to illness.
For another prespective on the Langford All Candidates meeting check out Wed. Nov. 5th, Goldstream Gazette article, Opposition takes aim at Langford council.
- email the moderator – Cheryl McLachlan -
Ryan Hinton said
I am very disappointed that several of my election signs have been stolen. It is pretty clear that it is a targeted attack and not simply random misbehaviour because in most of the locations where my signs were stolen from, all the other candidate signs remain. There are also locations where mine was the only sign, yet it was stolen and now another candidates sign is in the exact same location my sign was. I am not going to accuse anyone. I simply hope this behaviour will stop. Having election signs stolen will not deter me. I will simply replace those signs and continue to get my message out.
Pat said
Don’t take it personal, I have the same problem with Real Estate Signs, the more you put out the more you lose.
Pat said
How’s this for an unbiased report:
-6 Lines of coverage for the incumbent candidates.
-22 lines of coverage for the “Team” & others.
-Mark for fair coverage by inside Langford: “F”
Heather Scott said
Some of the 22 lines for the “Team” & others were for Wade who wants to be on the incumbents’ team. As for the rest, perhaps that reflects the fact that the Langford Team is not as homogenous as the incumbents (not difficult to believe when you have everything from a green party candidate to a member of the local construction community working on the same team). Their differences are a good thing or a bad thing, depending on who you ask. It is a good thing, if you ask me. I am ready for some discussion and healthy at the council table in our town.
Mark for fair coverage by Inside Langford: B+
Herman Surkis said
Don’t worry about the lost signs. It actually helps you. When your sign disappears and someone else’s turns up, anyone who has seen your sign considers that a dirty trick on the part of the other person. Instead of voting for them, they are more likely to vote against them.
Dirty tricks do work, but in municipal elections they most often backfire and cause the perpetrator far more damage.
I am pleased to note that so far both sides have been working on the merits. And that is as it should be!
Both sides need to be asking their supporters to keep it clean. Hard, tough, all out is ok. But clean.
The only hockey I will watch is Olympic Hockey. It is clean. Fights rarely break out. NHL, not so much.
I prefer Team Canada to win because they are better players, not because they are dirtier.
Ryan Hinton said
Around VMP and HWY 1 and VMP and Goldstream, several of the large billborad election signs have been heavily vandalized. I am unsure if it occured elsewhere, or just in these locations. All the candidates appear to have been impacted by this.
West Raven said
I think ‘Fair’ for the alternative media does not necessarily mean giving equal time to everyone, when you consider the incumbents already get most of the mainstream media attention.
If this blog wants to be that kind of equal time for all kind of media, that’s fine, but if it’s fairness you want, an alternative media source that fills the gaps left by the mainstream media creates a fair playing field.
In my opinion.
Cheryl McLachlan said
I thought mentioning the names of all the candidates running, including Roger Wade and Vick Siu, would at least get me a passing grade from all. ;)
Each incumbent candidate largely covered aspects of the same campaign platform, whereas the other candidates made points that were uniquely theirs so it was much easier to summarize the incumbents into a shorter but comprehensive list.
Afterall, it should be about quality not quantity.
Teresa Ackroyd said
We have heard all about the many amenities realized in Langford under the present council, and we have heard many of the new candidates’ intentions to be more open and accountable to the public, but has anyone actually come out with new ideas or thoughts of where do we go from here? I’m thinking in terms of expanding our affordable housing (aside from the accessible-mortgage program, an excellent starting point), a proactive plan for homelessness (besides arresting squatters), creating community feeling amongst our children and youth (not taking parents to court to recover costs associated with juvenile delinquency). I don’t know if an exotic garden at the mini-golf pitch really excites teenagers these days. Could we use some of that streetlight-and-sidewalk/developers-money to build shelter beds and an expanded drop-in centre for youth at risk?