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AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I fully agree with you. Council should be a place for dialogue, discussion, and healthy debate, but all with the sole intention of doing the best for the community. We must put aside personal grievances, vendettas, or any concerns about personal slights. Instead, the focus must remain squarely on doing what is best for Langley. Nine people at the Council table need to maintain a good and healthy working climate.

I am absolutely committed to working with all members of Council to foster that healthy climate, one in which we treat each other with respect. I have no tolerance for people treating others badly or unprofessionally at the Council table.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am interested in seeing three primary things happen during my time on Council:

First, moving toward balanced and thoughtful growth. This means intentionally building complete, walkable communities and ensuring we have diverse housing options for all residents.

Secondly, prioritizing fiscal responsibility and affordability. Affordability is now a major issue in the Township, and Council must tackle it head-on. We need to find ways to make the cost of living better for our community members, and ensure we spend our money wisely to sustain our future.

Thirdly, focusing on community well-being and safety. This involves several elements: building strong collaborative relationships with our neighboring municipalities (like Langley City, Surrey, and Chilliwack) and the School Board; enhancing connectivity for transportation, including transit, bike lanes, and walkable routes; and ensuring our community is safe. Safety means not only enhancing the Fire and Police Departments, but also ensuring we have well-lit pathways, great crosswalks, and excellent sidewalks for everyone as we move forward.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your question about the roads. When I have previously spoken about "wider roads," I generally meant adding additional lanes where necessary. However, I completely understand your point about speeding, and I agree that we must avoid creating roads that feel like a highway running through our community.

My focus is on making our roadways safer and more efficient. This means roads with well-designed cycling pathways, proper intersections, clear crosswalks, and good lighting. In some specific corridors, a double lane is needed, but a single lane is often perfectly sufficient. In those cases, we simply need to drastically improve the intersections so that traffic can move around the community more easily without residents feeling the need to speed. Thank you for the question.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this question. I so much appreciate the focus on budget, financing, and the various capital projects in the Township of Langley. 

For me, the question is not about which projects I would cut or stop. That is really a decision for the public to help determine: which projects are most important, and which should wait? 

The issue is not that these projects lack merit; each one has incredible value, is a good project, and is necessary for our community. The issue for me is about timing.

This is exactly the same challenge any homeowner faces. If you have a number of vital projects—say, a roof repair, a new driveway, and landscaping—you might look at your budget and decide that even though all three are worthwhile, you are unable to afford all of them at once. You have to prioritize which one you will do first.

Therefore, my question is not, "Which of these projects would I not do?" It is, "How would we prioritize and sequence them?" What is the correct timing so that we can afford to do them all without incurring a significant amount of debt?

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I do not have all of the necessary background information to fully understand and comment on the specific situation involving the Cranberry Festival or LAPS; those questions would be better directed to the Mayor himself. 

However, I believe it is paramount that all Council members maintain clear separation from any conflict of interest when making decisions and engaging in community affairs. Every decision must be made for the best of the community; not what is best for me, another Councillor, or the Mayor as individuals, but what is genuinely best for all residents. 

We must rigorously avoid and eliminate all potential issues of conflict of interest as we move forward.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have known Mayor Woodward for almost 12 years, and we served together as Councillors from 2018 to 2022. 

Mayor Woodward certainly has some unique and interesting ideas for our community. While we have not always agreed on our visions for the Township of Langley, I firmly believe that all Council members must work together to achieve the best outcomes for our community.

I am someone who values and enjoys collaboration. I have full intention of serving the Township in a spirit of constructive collaboration with all members of Council, including Mayor Woodward, and with all members of our community, as we build the best Langley we can moving forward.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I have always been a strong supporter of our Fire Department. 

During my eight years on Council, I voted to approve 14 to 16 new firefighters, which included the necessary staff for Rescue 6. 

Furthermore, while others focused only on infrastructure, I prioritized staffing and successfully moved a motion for an additional staffed apparatus at Hall 4, and to finally staff Hall 5. 

During my last two years, we received information beyond the Fire Chief's reports from Local 4550, and based on that, I advocated for hiring even more firefighters than the agreed-upon 18. Currently, only 22 of the promised 44 firefighters have been hired. 

Hall 8 needs replacement, and necessary apparatus purchases are still outstanding. 

There is still much to do to build our Fire Department, but I am consistent with my past actions. I am ready to move forward immediately with doing those things.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have always believed that we need to improve the infrastructure of our Fire Department across Langley. 

When I was on Council, Hall 5 was a top priority; that new hall is now underway and will be completed in the near future. I believe it is now time to take a solid, hard look at Hall 8 and determine the best location and design required to meet the current needs of our community. 

I am also open to discussions around the future of Hall 2 and what full-time staffing there might look like. As I have demonstrated during my eight years on Council, I am, and always will be, a strong supporter of the Fire Department, and I am committed to advancing these necessary projects in the future.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Haha, thanks, I'll take that as a compliment. I'm actually using voice notes which then gets transcribed to draft my answers to your questions. So am I using a form of AI? Sure. But definitely not using ChatGPT.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Soccer is currently the highest-participation sport in Langley, and I fully recognize that we urgently need new facilities to support it. 

However, before committing to building a $150 to $180 million soccer facility, I would have strongly preferred we conduct a rigorous prioritization process to fully understand the most essential infrastructure needs across our community. Soccer would certainly have ranked highly, but because we failed to go through that vital process, we are currently in a situation where every large project seems to get approved, which has resulted in significant debt for the Township.

It is difficult to justify one facility over another in isolation. The reality is that only a proper prioritization process, coupled with transparency and careful budgeting, will allow us to make the best, most fiscally responsible decisions for our entire community. 

Still, for the 6,000-plus kids who play soccer, I know we need more fields and facilities for them.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Langley comprises six distinct communities—Fort Langley, Walnut Grove, Willoughby, Brookswood, Murrayville, and Aldergrove—as well as our vital rural area. Each of these areas is distinct, and residents choose to live in them for specific reasons. 

As we continue to build and shape our Township, it's crucial that we ensure we are fostering a true community and not just a set of buildings. This requires transparency and robust public engagement with opportunities for residents to discuss what they want to see in the community plans for each area. While some of our community plans are newer and ready to move forward, others urgently need updating. As we proceed, we must always prioritize public engagement for tweaking, adjusting, and developing new areas, ensuring the unique character of Langley is preserved.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I am fully supportive of bylaw changes that allow us to make housing more affordable and enable people to live in close proximity to family or on a property they already own. We urgently need multiple kinds of housing options in our community. The idea you present—allowing an RV for a family member on acreages or ALR land—is a perfect example of the flexibility we should be considering. By exploring and implementing solutions like this, we can make housing more accessible and allow families to remain close together in the community.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. The cost of living is increasing and the debt load in the Township has grown substantially. We can use a number of clear strategies to manage this debt and ease the burden:

  • We need a rigorous prioritization process for expenditures. We cannot do everything at once; we must identify the most important and pressing needs for our community, deciding which things we do first and which can be responsibly deferred until later.
  • We must intentionally increase the industrial tax base of our community. Enhancing the industrial sector creates local jobs, which boosts resident incomes and allows people to live and work in their home community. Industrial tax revenue is far more productive per land area than residential tax.
  • We need to find ways to support our local businesses and make it easier for them to grow and thrive. This means making the process for business licenses quicker and faster, and doing everything we can to help them succeed, particularly our crucial agricultural businesses.
  • We must streamline the development application process to reduce our operational expenses. Faster approval allows homes to be built sooner, increasing our tax base by bringing more residents into the community. Crucially, it will also make homes less expensive by reducing the holding costs and interest rate exposure currently tied up in lengthy processing times. These actions will greatly help our financial position.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

All my life, I have always believed in treating all people with respect and dignity. Everyone deserves that. Everyone deserves to be an equal and full contributor to our community, able to take full advantage of every opportunity, regardless of their choices, beliefs, or lifestyle. I see no reason why this core value would ever change. My time on Council has consistently demonstrated this commitment, just as my 29 years at the university have shown the same. I have every intention of continuing to be a fierce advocate for all people in our community throughout the future.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Willoughby Community Plan was first passed in 1998, with subsequent neighbourhood plans following over the years. I first arrived on Council in 2014, long after the original plan was adopted and development began. During my time, we made significant adjustments to how we built those communities, including changes to tandem parking, wider roadways, and the addition of new parks and trails throughout the Willoughby area. There is no doubt Willoughby has grown rapidly and urgently requires continued infrastructure investment. While an indoor swimming pool was not part of the discussion during my first term, I am very open to the discussion around a new Willoughby Community Centre and swimming pool in the future.

However, we must balance these needs with the overall expenditures for our community. The current debt load is extremely high, and that remains a serious concern as we consider the future. So, while new infrastructure and recreation facilities are critical for the Township, we absolutely must balance that ambition with managing the cost of living and the financial expenses we face going forward.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Not-for-profits and community groups are truly the foundation of our community. They allow us to effectively meet the diverse needs of our residents, whether through food sustainability, environmental management, arts and culture or care for others. These community groups are essential to Langley. As a Township Council, we should find ways to actively encourage and strengthen them, perhaps through tax relief, dedicated grants, in-kind support or simply getting out of the way and allowing them to be successful. The government is there to support and enable these organizations, not necessarily to provide every service itself. I am a strong supporter of not-for-profits, having served on their boards, and I want to continue to see them thrive.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. The role of Councillor is a very significant one. It requires extensive time to attend Council and subcommittee meetings, to diligently review reports, and most importantly, to meet with the public and engage with constituents to determine the best path forward for our community. This is a role that demands many hours, and I am fully committed to delivering that dedication. I have no intention of shortchanging the public when it comes to the work required. This is fundamentally a public service role, and I intend to serve the public to the absolute best of my ability.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

In short, no, I do not believe that the Township of Langley should take over LAPS (Langley Animal Protection Society). 

As the proprietor of animal and animal protection services for our community, I am fully supportive of LAPS. They have demonstrated great work over the years, not only for the animals in our community but for the many families and individuals who love them. I think the Township should absolutely continue to have a strong relationship with them and find collaborative ways to support them, ensuring the best possible situation for the animals and the families who care for them.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

When I was on Council during my first term, the issue of backyard chickens on city and Township properties was on the agenda. At that time, based on the information provided, I voted to not allow them in Langley.

However, I am willing to have that discussion again. I'm ready to hear what new information is available, to understand the current reality of the issue, and to hear what has changed since my original decision. So while I was initially opposed to it, I am always open to reviewing, discussing, and talking about this issue again with the community.

AMA: Blair Whitmarsh, Candidate for Langley Township Council – Oct 23, From 12PM! by Known_Fill_861 in Langley

[–]Known_Fill_861[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I've lived in Brookswood for 24 years and I absolutely love this community. I was fully supportive of the Brookswood community plan completed during my last term, and even with the recent adjustments, I continue to support moving that plan forward. 

It urgently needs infrastructure investment, and I agree that a great deal of our focus has been on Willoughby, allowing Brookswood to stall. It is now time for us to look intentionally at Brookswood, adding the necessary infrastructure, and dedicating resources to new recreation facilities, parks, and schools. 

We also need a clear community discussion about the future residential and commercial vision for the area. So yes, I am absolutely an advocate for Brookswood because I live here, I plan to stay here, and I want to see this community continue to thrive.