This is very interesting, winds of change 👍

[Note: I am not directly affiliated, paid by, or apart of 'Langley Strong'. I have zero financial relation to this campaign, Langley Strong, or Jay Lundgren. But, Jay Lundgren is a family friend, so there absolutely is some connection in that way. I would not share/support if it wasn't genuinely what I believed in. My posts are not hidden, I am transparent and.. a real person. lol. I will state my name to any moderators if it makes any difference]

I just wanted to share this Instagram post from this morning and want to say a few things:

Based on the Jay that I've known practically my whole life: this is who he is. He is being genuine. He's not bullshitting, or anything of the sort. These issues genuinely mean something to him, and he genuinely wants to help the township. He's not "Maple-MAGA" or is going to be some sort of "religious nut". He genuinely wants to do what's best for the Township, and is a man of his word. I really really believe that he will execute what he's campaigning on.

Up until he started his campaign, I was fully prepared to vote Woodward. I actually made a post earlier this year asking "what's with all the hate for Woodward?", because I thought what he was doing was good...

As the campaign went along, I learned more about what's really going on... and I can firmly say that I now know the answer to that question... tenfold.

The last and biggest thing that I want to say:
No matter what happens, please use your right to vote, even if it's not for who I support.
I know I'd regret not posting this, if it get's taken down - it is what it is.

There seems to be the sense on this subreddit that the incumbent Progress for Langley slate has become reckless financially and arrogant in how they deal various matters, and that Langley Strong will allay all these worries.

I am not sure however that the Langley Strong slate is somehow the panacea that many seem to think it will be.

It's true that Progress has been spending a large amount of money but that has been their stated financial philosophy - large capital investments financed by higher development fees, amortized with borrowing.

Of course developers by and large have not liked this, and there is a sticker shock (and risk) seeing the debt the Township has run up to go in this direction. On the other hand, there have never been such a slew of improvements in such a timeframe. Many township residents benefit from these investments and they may be over the long run be seen as a prudent to have made at this pace.

If Strong's position on reducing the financing of these capital items holds into a term in government, that naturally means there will be fewer of these capital items (assuming they will not undertake any new pet projects of their own, or yield to the pleas of the many interest groups). So: fewer or no new fire halls, recreation facilities, road infrastructure etc. At least not to the degree and rate they have been getting dished out under Progress.

Strong councillors have also voted to increase fire and police expenses significantly more than Progress has allowed. Naturally, if Strong are elected in the majority and return to their voting record on these expenses, taxes will increase to pay for these increased operating costs - and these are major cost drivers for municipalities. So there goes the idea that taxes are somehow going to improve under a Strong administration. They may actually be much higher. Higher still if Strong proceed with capital projects to any degree but doesn't want to use development fees to finance them.

Aside from financial matters, there are others who Progress has displeased, and I am not sure if residents as a whole generally think that it would be a good idea to start placating these parties by electing Strong.

For example a number of current Strong councillors have voted to advance examination of an ALR exclusion application, where Progress has been firm on keeping agriculture land for farm use. You can expect that applicant to be back at the council table making a new request if Strong forms a majority.

There are a number of other parties and interest groups that in some way or another have not gotten their way with the Township and Progress, and many have coalesced behind Strong. It would not be surprising for their interests to be treated more favourably under a Strong term. However, that may not be to the benefit of many residents if you asked them to chime in on the individual issues.

Because Progress is the incumbent slate, many have conflated incumbency with an old guard, but many seem to have forgotten just how much of a shakeup it was when Progress (formerly Contract with Langley) formed government. Many of the true old guard (and not a few developers among them) were not happy with Progress getting in four years ago. And they have not been getting their way with the Township as much as they would like. Does this mean the average voter should be running to be their salvation?

I'd summarize by saying that Langley Strong may well be the slate of the strongly offended, and that the average voter needs to evaluate what direction each of the slates wants to take the Township (financially and other issues) and if that truly serves their interests, not those of the slates or their backers.

Just wanted to share that FortisBC has introduced a $4,000 rebate for eligible homeowners looking to upgrade to a dual-fuel heating system (gas furnace + heat pump), with $8,000 available for income-qualified households.

With the rising cost of everything these days, it’s a great opportunity to save on the upfront cost of a new system, with the added benefit of potentially saving on monthly energy bills too.

I’m a bit of a local HVAC nerd, so if you’re considering an upgrade, I’d be happy to chat, answer any questions, and help you figure out whether a dual-fuel system and the rebate actually make sense for your home.

Feel free to message me here or on my cell!

778-251-0919 – Mike

Canadian Premier League soccer action, Vancouver FC's drive for the playoffs. Friday night lights.

Happening now. What is it?

I think people should be able to make informed decisions about where they spend their money, and I have serious concerns about the workplace culture and management practices at Krause Berry Farms.

Based on what I have observed and what I understand about the workplace, I am concerned about how employees are treated, particularly younger workers, temporary foreign workers, and long-serving staff.

I have concerns about reports of employees being threatened with dismissal when they challenge management, limited opportunities for wage increases, and staff feeling forced to leave rather than having their concerns addressed.

I am also concerned about the reported departure of experienced kitchen staff following disagreements about performance-based raises. If these accounts are accurate, I believe they raise legitimate questions about how employees are valued and treated.

I would also like greater transparency about the food served at the farm, including which items are prepared in-house and which are commercially purchased products. Customers should be able to make informed choices about what they are paying for.

I am sharing these concerns so people can ask questions and make their own informed decisions. I encourage anyone with direct experience to share verifiable information respectfully, rather than relying on rumours.

Businesses should be accountable for how they treat their employees, not just for the experience they provide to customers.

Reminds me of Langley