Letter to the Township of Langley Residents:

First I would like to extend my sincere thank you to all of our residents who have supported me through what can only be described as a very difficult first term as your Mayor. When I decided to run, encouraged by literally hundreds of Township residents, I did so on a platform of change and a commitment to stand behind that platform. I firmly believe voters expect their elected representatives to live up to their promises after the election. To-date I have done my best under very difficult circumstances.

My commitment to the voters of the Township was clearly spelled out in my platform that was published in detail through my brochure and other campaign material during the last election. I was elected on that promise; there could not have been any confusion about what I stood for; further it was clearly articulated in my Inaugural Speech to Council and the public on the evening of my swearing in.

There is no secret that there has been considerable dysfunction on council and opposition to me in particular. There is and has been opposition to my ideas, those ideas in my platform and those ideas that the majority of residents voted for in the last election. From the outset there has been a very strong resistance to change and co-operation. That resistance has been publicly and privately stated before and after my election by some current sitting members of council. Change requires a will to be objective, a will to explore new ways of doing things and a will to change. A clear message was sent by the voters on November 15th, 2008; unfortunately that message of change by you the voters has been ignored by the majority of members of the current Township of Langley Council.

The majority of the current council will say that I can’t or won’t work with them, that this dysfunction is my fault, after all there are at least seven of them on one side and me on the other. How could it not be true? I am not going to get into a sparring match with members of council; however I will let the facts speak for themselves. I will leave you with this thought. In my view, this is exactly the kind of intimidation ie a majority in numbers against a minority of one that allows for politics to be business as usual. It is always easy to blame someone in my position unfortunately in a Municipal political environment with all members claiming to be independent (despite a united block position by at least six members of council) they steadfastly refused to change. I tried unsuccessfully to get them to see another opportunity for the benefit of taxpayers. Unfortunately Council’s maintained a united front to defend or be defensive of their actions of the past and to constantly attempt to discredit my platform of change or me as a leader voted for by you the taxpayers. Their agenda has taken precedence over the wishes of taxpayers.

I am sorry for the dysfunction and the public commotion that has been caused, I am not sorry for standing up to those on council who appear to want to promote dysfunction and blame it on the Mayor. That is not what the electorate voted for and it is not what I will stand for.

There are a wide range of issues that have separated me from members of council. Those issues are those that I promised to deal with during the 2008 election or those that have surprised me while in office. I had two choices 1) Live up to my election promise or 2) Give in to the inaction or actions of the past. There was and is only one choice for me.

In Summary:

I do not enjoy nor have I enjoyed the various confrontations that have occurred throughout this term with members of council. It would have been very easy to sit in the Mayor’s chair, stay neutral and continue with the actions of the past. That is not why I ran for this office, that is not what I believe in and I believe would not be keeping with the wishes and interests of those that supported me. I love working with citizens throughout the Township of Langley, who are advocates for the protection of their communities. I believe in community activism and I am committed to seeking another term in support of so many residents in the Township of Langley who desire change in how the Township of Langley deals with issues and its residents. It’s well past time for something new in the Township, we need a council that listens to the citizens of our community. We need to change the political culture in the Township of Langley.

For those that might question my handling of these issues I welcome the opportunity to discuss them in greater detail. Unfortunately I learned very early in my mandate that there was not a wish to work with me. Almost without exception, every action by me was met with denial or confrontation. Short of capitulation by me I had no choice.

It is my firm belief that people voted for me to realize real change in the Township of Langley. They were tired of not being heard, no or very limited public process, deals being made behind closed doors and little protection of the Township property portfolio valued at around $450 million. There are numerous quotes from some members of council that have stated from election day that it would be business as usual, I am only one vote and the past council have done a good job. Well I believe that the democratic process (Election Day result 2008) made a strong statement to the contrary, the public wanted change and were not happy with the actions of the past.

I do not understand why members of council have resisted the will of the voters in such a focused and belligerent way. I have said to all members of council, prior to swearing in, that it was time to move on and respect the wishes of the voter. That clearly has not happened and I find it very regrettable and something I would never have expected from those elected to serve the residents of their community.

W. R. (Rick) Green
Mayor
Township of Langley