Work to begin again on Spencer Road Interchange
Posted by Steven Hurdle on January 22, 2010
The City of Langford has reportedly awarded contracts for underground servicing and other work on the interchange, totally $1.7 million. Speaking to CFAX, Mayor Young said:
“And I’ve got to say it’s…Langford actually has had some great housing starts, and people seem to be kind of putting the recession behind them a little bit out here, so, we’re confident we can go ahead, and we’re working with the developers that are paying for this of course.”
Stew Young re-iterated what City Hall staff have said in recent months, that there is no particular rush to finish the project, and that it might take 6 months to a year before these servicing jobs are complete.
There is no word yet on whether this latest round of construction is being done by digging deeper into the $9.95 million the Langford Council authorised the City to borrow on behalf of local developers, or whether the developers have begun to repay their share. The Bear Mountain-related developers had missed a mid-year repayment to the City of Langford last year, and were granted an extension to the end of 2009. Since then, little has been heard about what the current status of the matter is, other than this statement today that they are “working with” them.
Anonymous said
Given that Tampabay.com has reported that Barrie defaulted on his loan to Palace Sports, and local media has reported that Barrie is mortgaged well over the hilt, I can’t see Langord ever seeing any money here.
Once someone starts over the foreclosure cliff they don’t usually then pick and choose who they pay. Nobody gets paid and it becomes the receivers’ problem to figure everything out (ask John Asfar’s creditors as an example).
Mayor Young is putting a nice little smiley face on things, but I can’t see this working out for the taxpayer.
CAMAS said
Who can trust Mayor Young? He was quoted in the media just two years ago “if the Spencer Rd interchange project doesn’t proceed now it will be the death of Langford’s economy and the death of Victoria’s economy.” Now he says there is no rush to complete it! He also said the interchange would improve air quality for Langford residents by removing the traffic light at Spencer Road; but then city council put in a new traffic light just down the highway at Amy Rd and the TCH. Len Barry was given an extension on his $4 plus million payment from March to December 31/09, but did he pay it at all? And who covered the interest charges in that period, the taxpayers of Langford?
maverick said
If you are so worried about and are loosing sleep over it why do you not give them a phone call or drop into their office and have a one on one I`m sure they would like that.
no longer shocked said
you must be joking…poor city staffers just maintain the mantra that they don’t actually make any decisions, must talk to council and council just maintains progress is good, developer good and any opposition is just luddites dragging their feet at the expense of all the multitudes begging to live in a little box. Not fun to get lectured at every meeting by counsellors who know better than us great unwashed. Very sad display of democracy.
maverick said
Like I said one on one in the office with Stu,quit beating around the bush.get on with it.
Sam Snipes said
That is pretty funny, sit down with Stu.
I have emailed finance several times in the past with questions about financial statements, reporting, etc and nada, zilch, squat.
That attitude comes from the top in any organization.
maverick said
Have you actually gone in and asked to have a one on one with the mayor?
Ann said
Yes.
maverick said
well i hope he answered all of your questions to your satisfaction.
Ann said
No, they didn’t.
Bookworm said
With Stu you have to apply active listening looking at him straight in the eye and slowly saying “Did I hear you correctly”,with a smile, and wait !!!
maverick said
Stu obviously has a different outlook on how development is taking place in Langford than you do.
Bookworm said
Oh yes, the “Emperor of Langford” without clothes, does have a different outlook on development, he intends not to allow his subjects to have any input into what and how his ideas affect the future of this area, remember,his High Commissioner of Finance can only sharpen the pencil so far, Then What ?.
Ann said
I noticed they haven’t started working on the interchange yet.
practical said
Couldn’t they move the bridge to nowhere south down the highway to McKenzie so it could be a bridge to somewhere?
We can be a stubborn lot though, and sit in traffic day after day rather than elect a Conservative to get an overpass at McKenzie.
Insider said
I am part of the City of Langford inner circle and I can assure you that Stu is the King of shady back room deals and is as arrogant and unprincipled as they come.He doesn’t give a crap about the concerns of the people. First and foremost he is a businessman and is only interested in what is profitable. The city staff, and to a minor degree the council, try to do the right thing, but it is ultimately Stu’s show and they either play along or are forced to look for employment elsewhere. Rob Buchan got tired of playing the this game.Where is he now?
Jebby said
@Insider: Yeah he is interested in what’s profitable and the fact that he also runs the Alpine group is very troubling. Increasing the population of Langford will be very good for his business and even when he leaves office he’ll have quite a comfortable retirement just on garbage pickup alone. It’s incredibly shady.