Editor: In the last few years, thousands of people have moved to Langley – the majority of these people have moved into the Willoughby neighbourhood. This increased population is evident on our congested roads and in our overcrowded schools. Parking is at a premium; when homes are built so closely together as they are in Willoughby (there’s approximately 1 – 1.5 m between each home), naturally, it’s difficult for visitors to find available space on the roads. In the past three years that I have lived in Langley, I have witnessed huge changes in my Willoughby neighbourhood. At present, there are five condo/townhouse developments being built along 208 Street between 84 Avenue and 77 Avenue. In excess of 2,400 people live in the Yorkson Creek development alone, which stands along 208 Street, between 83 and 84 Avenues.
Oddly, in the Township of Langley, infrastructure follows development. We build and then we react. To illustrate, there have been a number of people hit by vehicles on 72 Avenue between 200 and 192 Streets over the past few years. Sadly, an elderly gentleman was killed this past summer. Why is this? Well, unbelievably, there is not a single pedestrian–controlled crosswalk in those entire eight blocks. How can this be?
My parents, who live in a quiet community on Vancouver Island, visit me and my family every three months, and every so often, they comment on the changes they see in Willoughby:
My father: “Gee 88th and 208th feel like rush hour in downtown Vancouver (referring to driving on these streets at 4 p.m. on a weekday).”
My mother: “My goodness, there’s a lot of portables at that school. That’s ridiculous (referring to Mountain Secondary).”
My father: “I hardly recognize this block anymore. It’s all townhouses now (referring to the another development along 84th).”
My mother: “It feels almost claustrophobic here; this development is insane.”
While my parents enjoy visiting their family, they are always very relieved to return to the tranquillity and beauty of their Vancouver Island town.
Speaking of beauty, I watched the mayoral debate on Shaw TV and heard our present mayor state that Willoughby is a “beautiful” community. I found this to be an “interesting” adjective to apply to our neighbourhood. What really is “beautiful?” This is such a subjective term. If, indeed, our area is so beautiful, why does Mayor Jack Froese not live in Willoughby? Furthermore, I would like to know how many of our city planners and present councillors actually live in Willoughby.
It is predicted that Willoughby will gain about 100,000 more people in the next 25 years. This begs the question: How healthy and sustainable is this development that’s occurring before our very eyes? What do you value for a community? What is our community going to look like in 10 years? Can you see yourself here in 10 years?
Please take the time to study the candidates who are running in this municipal election. Spend an hour; spend a couple of hours figuring out which candidates “speak to you.” The decisions that are made at the municipal level affect us directly, so if you’re a Canadian citizen of voting age, please get out on Saturday, Nov. 15 and make your mark. Your vote does count.
Cara St. Remy,
Willoughby
Editor’s note — No members of the current Langley Township council live in Willoughby.
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