Editor: Thank you, Councillor Dave Hall
I am a young Langley resident who is new to local politics and, quite frankly, I am appalled and ashamed of Langley City council. As film students at Brookswood Secondary, we were given the opportunity to film the council meetings that are broadcasted to the public.
I was shocked at the complete lack of public attendance. as well as the lack of debate that happened meeting after meeting. All in favour? Passed. That was the dialogue of every meeting I had attended.
Once I turned 18 and entered the civic responsibility of voting in our elections, I was quite excited to learn who is representing me in Langley City.
To read in The Times and see that Dave Hall was the only representative to fight for my right to vote for a new mayor saddened me, and shattered my idealistic view of our democratic system.
To read that Ted Schaffer (who I did not get a chance to vote for) has taken the power of Langley city, with the blessing of council, and also gets an automatic pay raise angers me. My right to vote and our democracy in Langley has been sold to Schaffer for a measly $3,100.
As a young voter who is one of the few in my age group keeping track of politics, seeing how easily my right to vote has been thrown away is discouraging. There is not a single representative on council who has the perspective of my age group, and this is why my generation doesn’t vote.
We believe that your vote doesn’t really count and our voices are not heard. It’s too hard and not accessible enough for my age group to become a part of politics. Hall seems to be the only council member who is asking questions and trying to hold council responsible for the rights of its citizens. He is also the only member who is attempting to encourage public participation in the meetings.
This is what Langley and the world needs, courageous free thinkers like Hall — not lemmings.
Michelle Tep,
Langley City
