Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Kelvin Gawley, and, as of this week, I have joined the Langley Times as a reporter.
I will be covering a variety of topics but one of my main areas of focus will be the City of Langley. This means I will be poring through City documents and reports and sitting through long council meetings, so you don’t have to.
I will endeavour to find the stories that matter most and report them fairly and accurately, in an easy to understand style.
I know that people look to their City council to address such serious issues as development planning and the homelessness problem, and it is my job to keep you apprised of what is (and isn’t) being done, so you can hold them responsible, or give credit when it’s due.
The Times was recently named the “best overall newspaper” for its distribution class at the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards.
Joining this newsroom means I must work to uphold that reputation for excellence, but it also means I will be able to, thanks to the great team around me.
I grew up in Victoria but have since had the opportunity to live and work in many different cities around B.C. and the world.
I have had nearly 20 different jobs, including door-to-door sales, teaching English and tree planting. But I hope to be a journalist for the rest of my life, as it is so much fun, it rarely feels like a real job.
I have spent the last four years in the Lower Mainland but this is my first time living in Langley.
This past weekend I went for a walk around town to better acquaint myself. I stopped for lunch at a Mexican restaurant and ordered a delicious torta.
The owners were friendly and talkative and I was given a bit of an insight into the Mexican community here in Langley.
When a British-born customer walked in, he shared a few things about his experiences of living in Fort Langley for the past four years.
Everyone seemed in agreement: Langley is a beautiful place with a great diversity of residents who each bring something unique to the community.
It is my goal to act as a conduit among Langley’s residents and tell the stories that help people better understand each other, their community’s path forward and its place in the world.
I encourage anyone with news tips to contact by phone, email, on Twitter or when you see me around town.
I hope that in the days, weeks and months ahead you will come to trust me as your advocate and voice and that together we can work to make this community stronger.
If Langley continues to be half as inviting as it has been to me so far, I know it will be an honour to serve as a reporter and a privilege to count myself among the members of such a vibrant community.
