Last week’s column suggested that development plans within the Agricultural Land Reserve in Langley Township may have trouble under the new council which voters elected on Nov. 15.
Several readers have suggested that I am far too optimistic. They say that Councillor Bob Long, whom I had identified as a possible swing vote, is quite sympathetic to such developments, citing his votes on the Wall Farm project, which calls for 65 housing units in the midst of the ALR, and Tuscan Farms, which will see one portion of a former farm developed, with the remainder made more amenable to various types of agriculture.
His voting record suggests they are correct. Incumbent councillors have to be judged onn the basis of past votes.
The Unelection Campaign gave Long a C- in its report cards on the past council, and suggested he might be worth re-electing. However, the report card did suggest that Long’s record on ALR development and exclusion was of concern.
It will be worthwhile for citizens to pay very close attention to any development plans that involve the Agricultural Land Reserve over the next four years, and see what stance Long and others who have favoured development within the ALR take.
Personally, I hope that no more applications like the Wall one, which call for intensive development in the midst of what should be a viable working farm, even come before council. However, the Agricultural Land Commission seems inclined to accept some of these types of applications, which to my mind strike at the heart of farmland preservation legislation.
If the commission does so again within Langley, then we will see another such application.
There are times when land within the ALR should be excluded, However, keeping it within the ALR while allowing development on a very viable farm simply makes no sense.
* * *
I was very saddened to hear of the passing on Pat Quinn on Sunday. I had the great privilege of having a wonderful chat with him at a Langley event several years ago, and have long been a great admirer of his.
Pat Quinn was a member of the original Vancouver Canucks NHL team in 1970. He wore number 3 and was a rugged and determined defenceman.
Those of us who grew up in this area were so excited when the Canucks came to town, after Vancouver missed out on NHL expansion in the first round in 1967. Every Canuck player of that time was well-known, but Quinn was in the half-dozen or so who stood out from the others, simply because of his presence on the ice and his skill level.
He went on to a long and distinguished career as a coach and hockey executive, and did a phenomenal job in taking the 1994 Canucks to the Stanley Cup final. Of the three Canucks teams that made it to the finals, that team in many ways came the closest to winning the ultimate prize.
He loved the game, but more importantly, he loved people. That trait really stood out in my conversation with him. He will be missed by many.
