MAYOR’S BEAT | Langley mayor ruminates on “A community for a lifetime”

This is the theme that came out of the city council’s planning meetings as it prepared a budget for 2015 through a series of workshops and public hearings. In 2013 our theme was “Centennial Year.” In 2014 the theme was “A Year of Economic Development.” Having a theme for the year brings us back to our goals and objectives when the strategic improvements and initiatives that we plan are challenged by the immediate demands of emerging needs.

January 17, 2015 2:00 pm

By Fred McCarthy

Langley mayor

This is the theme that came out of the city council’s planning meetings as it prepared a budget for 2015 through a series of workshops and public hearings. In 2013 our theme was “Centennial Year.” In 2014 the theme was “A Year of Economic Development.” Having a theme for the year brings us back to our goals and objectives when the strategic improvements and initiatives that we plan are challenged by the immediate demands of emerging needs.

So what was behind choosing the theme “A Community for a Lifetime” for 2015? To start, it resonated with the council because in their view Langley has it all. Langley is a city of choice for many people for very different reasons. Some people travel the world, achieve a high degree of professional and financial success in their life, and then decide to retire in the most desirable place they have ever visited or lived. Quite often the resulting choice is Langley.

Some people grow up here, leave the island for school, training, or travel and then return for the community and values they remembered when they grew up here. Other people carefully list all of the qualities they want in a community: a beautiful environment with breathtaking views, water access and inviting beaches, old growth woodland trails and open farm fields, interesting and welcoming residents, the arts and entertainment, a child-friendly city, high performing public schools and quality private school options, low crime rates, a friendly community-oriented police department, access to high quality health care, interesting community events, cultural experiences, fare-free public transportation, reasonable cost of living, the opportunity to volunteer or contribute, other people with similar interests, quality relationships, privacy and respect for others’ property, and the place to make a difference. When they compare this list with communities to consider, Langley often comes to the top.

Langley and its environment tends to bring out the best in all of us. So I invite you to remember our city theme for 2015: “A Community for a Lifetime” and work together to shop locally, support our local businesses, volunteer in the community, and bring about as many improvements here as possible to help make our theme our reality in 2015.

Sincerely,

Fred