The Langford Podcasts were updated to include a new article, “New Sportsplex a Welcome Addition”. The link above directs you to the launch page for the podcasts on the City of Langford web site, in case you had trouble with the direct link in the previous podcasts article on Inside Langford.

Recently there was an exchange between two Inside Langford readers in the comments that raises an interesting point. Ann argued she still believed “there was something very irregular about that last election” in Langford. Doug retorted with the following: “But that’s the whole problem isn’t it, Ann? According to the vast majority of the (Municipal) voting public, Stew Young *IS* making Langford better. The fact that it is not “your” definition of better is eclipsed by the fact that it is most certainly is what the vast majority thinks is better. That’s precisely why he had such broad and deep support. And by the way, let’s not delude ourselves into thinking that Langford is not hugely better off than when Young showed up on the scene. And the suggestion that the voting was “irregular” is so off the map it doesn’t even merit discussion – are you aware of any investigations (or even criticisms) by Elections Canada?”

The Elections Canada reference is interesting. Elections Canada is an independent body that regulates federal elections. The person assuming the top role of Elections Canada is not even allowed to vote, so important is the impartiality of the body, but it only has authority over federal elections. Elections BC is a similar organisation, but with authority over provincial elections.

Since municipalities are essentially wards of the province in the final analysis, you may expect Elections BC would have oversight over them. Interestingly, that’s not the case. Read the rest of this entry »

The City of Langford announces:

Green City Grant Applications

The City of Langford is happy to announce that they are now accepting Green City Grant applications for 2010. This year, the program will provide grants to local non-profit organizations for sustainable projects that demonstrate action in reducing energy and water use, and greenhouse gas emissions. The deadline for submitting an application is July 2nd, 2010.

Green City Grant Applications

The City of Langford website is advising the following:

“Please be advised that on June 2nd through to June 4, 2010, BC Hydro will be conducting Transmission work on Langford Parkway. The east bound lane on Langford Parkway just east of Jacklin Road will be single lane through the intersection and into 50 meter past. Traffic along Jacklin should not be disturbed.

Traffic and pedestrian control will be at all intersections directing traffic. Delays can be expected, motorists please be aware.”

A sharp-eyed Langford resident noted that news vehicles for every major news outlet in town were parked outside the Westshore RCMP. They appear to be following-up on this story that appeared this morning on the Westshore RCMP website:

Homicide Investigation Advances – Search Warrant Executed

Since the March 19th discovery of Kimberly Proctor’s burned body near the Galloping Goose Trail in Colwood, a team of investigators from around the Province have worked tirelessly to identify those responsible for her murder. This team is comprised of investigators from the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU), the RCMP ‘E’ Division Serious Crime Unit, the West Shore RCMP, and a myriad of other specialized support sections and agencies.

While investigators have revealed limited information publicly on their efforts, they have continued to make substantial progress, investing thousands of investigative hours, and substantial resources towards bringing those responsible for Kimberly’s murder to justice.

Last night, shortly before 8 p.m., investigators executed a search warrant at a residence located in the 3200 block of Happy Valley Road, in Langford, BC. Read the rest of this entry »

Much of the content mirrors that in Stew Young’s blog, but there is some unique content. The Langford Podcasts are subtitled “Messages from Langford City Hall and Mayor Stew Young”, though Stew Young does not appear to be in any of them (the only member of Council who appears is any of the clips appears to be Lanny Seaton who has a brief quote).

Langford Podcasts

Here is an index of the podcasts available at present:

Read the rest of this entry »

The Westshore’s only pro road racing cyclist won a stage Sunday in the Tour of California. He won a 134km stage near Los Angeles, which placed him fifth in the race overall (long road cycling races are often broken up into individual daily stages with the cumulative total counting towards the overall win at the finish line). The Belmont Senior Secondary grad returns home Friday for the annual Bear Mountain Parkway climb. Hesjedal is a former mountain bike racer who switched to road racing, and was named Canada’s cyclist of the decade last December. His next stops are the Swiss tour in June, and then the grueling Tour de France during the month of July.

Friday, March 26, 2010
Goldstream Avenue Improvements
The changes we’re working on for Goldstream Avenue will be something our residents are proud of. Beautifying our downtown core has been a priority of Council since incorporation, and the improvements will make the area much more pedestrian and cyclist friendly. I think the new arch, the flags and the roundabout at Bryn Maur Road, plus the addition of more benches, bike stands and improved signage highlighting our lakes and trails will make the area more family friendly. Residents and visitors will be able to park their cars or secure their bikes and enjoy the new flowers, plantings and landscaping, take a walk along Goldstream Avenue and enjoy a coffee or a meal in one of the cafes and check out the shops and boutiques.
Posted by Stew Young at 3:10 PM

Monday, April 19, 2010
Helping the Children of Haiti Build a Better Future
It’s amazing what can be achieved when a community like Langford puts its heart into the effort. The plan to rebuild an orphanage in Haiti that was destroyed by a devastating earthquake in January is a great example of what we can achieve when we work together. A partnership made up of Langford City staff, representatives from Rotary International, the local business community, A Channel and the Italian UN delegation and others are working hard to build a new orphanage for 50 children and staff that will include a school, community centre and chapel. It will not only be built to withstand future quakes, but will also involve the use of local materials and labour to give the economy in that area a much-needed boost. You can check out some great photos from the recent assessment trip that underline the need for the new orphanage at www.teamhaitichildren.com, and you can also make a donation through that website.
Posted by Stew Young at 3:16 PM

Riding to Defeat Prostate Cancer
I think it’s great that Langford is hosting this year’s Motorcycle Ride for Dad on May 15 to raise awareness and funds for the fight against prostate cancer. Although prostate cancer kills more than 4,000 Canadian men a year, early detection through regular testing increases the survival rate to 90 per cent, and that’s a key message to get across. The Show and Shine at City Centre Park will be a great family event, with an awesome collection of street, stock and vintage bikes, and an opportunity to check out some of the other great attractions at the park. I Hope our community supports this worthwhile cause and helps makes this year’s Motorcycle Ride for Dad the best ever.
Posted by Stew Young at 2:17 PM

Inside Langford will continue to monitor our mayor’s blog, but for those who wish to follow Stew Young’s blog themselves, the address is http://stewyoung.blogspot.com/ (also linked to from the City of Langford website).

Our mayor has recently joined Inside Langford’s contributors, plus others such as Zoe Blunt and Deb Harper (who maintains not only one, but two Langford blogs), in blogging about Langford news and views. Mayor Young’s blog does carry news, but views are limited to his own as no comments from readers appear to be allowed. I know Inside Langford readers are going to be interested in what he has to say, and I know Inside Langford readers like to comment on Langford issues, so both to inform readers and to give them their opportunity to have their say, here is part 1 of what Stew Young has been blogging about.

Read the rest of this entry »

Read part 1 here.
Read part 2 here.

Several readers added “Reader News” this month, including:
- told-you-so with “Financial woes land interchange project in limbo”
- Sam Snipes with “Probably not a suprise but Mayor Young isn’t telling the truth. Municipal taxes fall behind secured creditors during bankruptcy proceedings in Canada.”
- Axel Brock-Miller with “April issue of FOCUS Magazine by Gordon O’Connor p.15…one cannot help but think of Langford while reading it.”

Sue Hughes expressed her interest in Langford “Managing Risk…Learning by Doing… Adapting…”, a City of Langford article that goes a bit into the culture in our City Hall.

HornHead indicated that former Langford top bureaucrat Rob Buchan was packing his bags again, this time to North Saanich.

LAMOUREUX,Roger raised safety concerns about what he sees as a lack of traffic law enforcement in our community. HornHead responded with some quotes from the BC Motor Vehicle Act on the issue.

Finally, last comment of the month went to Cheryl McLachlan who passed on a CBC report that “MLA John Les made improper boundary adjustments when he was mayor of Chilliwack.”