Langley Township Councillor Mel Kositsky was elected on Friday to the 2011-12 board of directors of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).
“It is a honour to be recognized by your peers in local government,” said Kositsky.
“This gives me the unique opportunity to speak directly with provincial government officials on the numerous issues facing local governments across the province.”
Kositsky joins the 21-member board, in filling one of two new positions representing all Vancouver Metro area local governments. Burnaby Councillor Sav Dhaliwal was also elected to the board. Heath Slee, a director with the East Kootenay Regional District, is the new UBCM president.
According to Kositsky, the Township was well recognized at the week-long convention, during which the Township won an honourable mention for its annual Municipal Awareness Day in the Civic Engagement category of the Community Excellence Awards.
Its resolution regarding the need for uniform provincial regulations in an attempt to curb metal theft was fully endorsed by the assembly.
Some of the key issues discussed last week were the stalled negotiations for the renewal of the RCMP contract for B.C., the position of a municipal auditor general, declining infrastructure grants, the review of the Agricultural Land Reserve and the new task force initiative against grow- ops and the related medicinal marijuana industry.
“I am hoping the Township will be able to benefit from the new program announced by Premier (Christy) Clark regarding new recreational facilities to help build healthy communities,” Kositsky said.
“I believe we are far enough along in our planning for Aldergrove that we should be able to apply for that new funding once the details are known.”
Kositsky served on the UBCM executive in 1999-2000, when he was president of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association.
