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Hello, Langley!
Langley is bracing for a soggy Monday with rain expected throughout the day and temperatures reaching 11°C, as the community navigates a contentious budget debate and important infrastructure updates.
Today's roundup covers Langley City Council's push by business-aligned councillors to cut public safety funding, Highway 1 detour schedules, Township rezoning proposals advancing low-density sprawl, community support for Meals on Wheels, and local sports action from the Giants and Rivermen.
Business Lobby Pushes Langley City to Gut Public Safety Funding for Tax Breaks
Langley City Council is considering a 5.82 per cent tax increase to fund two new RCMP officers, two firefighters, and earlier pool opening hours, but the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce is demanding cuts to essential community services to save businesses $1,606 annually.
Councillors Delaney Mack and Leith White, both with deep ties to the business community, aligned themselves with the chamber's position, with Mack, who owns Hempyz on the one-way, pushing for cuts to "city administration costs" and White, a former corporate executive with IKEA, Staples, and Starbucks, proposing to raid surplus funds rather than properly invest in public safety.
Mayor Nathan Pachal rejected their proposals, noting that cutting the budget would mean slashing services that working families depend on, while Councillor Rosemary Wallace pointed out the city has been chronically understaffed for years, with the average homeowner facing just $316 more annually for improved police presence, fire protection, and recreation facilities that Mack and White apparently consider expendable.
Highway 1 Detours Through Langley Begin Tuesday Night
Highway 1 will be detoured through the 264 Street interchange for 10 overnight closures between December 9 and 31, as provincial highway reconstruction work continues.
Detours will run from 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., routing traffic through interchange ramps in both directions, with a break for the Christmas holiday period from December 24 to 28.
The Ministry of Transportation says the schedule is weather-dependent and encourages motorists to plan alternate routes during construction hours.
Langley Township Advances Five Rezoning Proposals
Langley Township Council will consider five rezoning applications at their December 15 meeting, including proposals for 58 single-family lots in rural areas and 44 new townhouses.
The package also includes a 60-unit small-scale multi-unit housing development on 210 Street and a controversial suburban-to-industrial conversion on 30A Avenue that would replace potential residential land with warehouse space.
One application would subdivide an Aldergrove property into three large single-family lots, continuing the township's unfortunate pattern of low-density suburban sprawl.
Aldergrove Community Steps Up to Keep Holiday Meals Flowing
Langley Meals on Wheels is successfully meeting increased holiday demand thanks to a groundswell of community support.
The Aldergrove-based organization is gearing up for a busy season of festive events and meal deliveries. With the holidays approaching, the need for both volunteers and donations has never been greater to ensure vulnerable community members receive nutritious meals during this special time of year.
The organization plays a crucial role in supporting seniors and those with mobility challenges who might otherwise struggle to access proper nutrition.
Anyone interested in lending a hand or contributing to this worthy cause is encouraged to reach out as upcoming holiday events will require significant community involvement.
Giants Fight Hard But Fall Short Against Winterhawks in Portland
The Vancouver Giants played a competitive game through 40 minutes but couldn't finish strong in a 4-2 road loss to Portland.
Vancouver held their own and entered the third period locked in a 2-2 tie, setting up what should have been an exciting final frame. Unfortunately, the wheels came off for the Giants in the third as Portland seized control with a dominant 20-6 shot advantage. The Winterhawks scored an early power-play goal to take the lead, then sealed the victory with an empty-netter late in the game.
Jakob Oreskovic and Tobias Tomik provided the offense for Vancouver, with Oreskovic tipping in a point shot and Tomik capitalizing on a nice feed from Ty Halaburda. Despite goaltender Kelton Pyne's solid performance with 35 saves, it wasn't enough to overcome Portland's third-period surge.
The Giants now turn their attention to a Friday matchup in Victoria as they look to bounce back from consecutive losses.
Rivermen Making Franchise History with Successful Alberta Swing
The Langley Rivermen are writing a new chapter in franchise history with their second-ever trip to Alberta turning out positively.
This journey represents significant territory for the young franchise, which continues to expand its footprint and competitive reach. Road trips to Alberta present unique challenges for British Columbia-based teams, including long travel times, unfamiliar venues, and facing teams in their own backyards.
The Rivermen's success on this expedition demonstrates their growing maturity as an organization and their ability to compete effectively in hostile environments. Strong road performance is often a hallmark of championship-caliber teams, and these early signs are encouraging for Langley supporters.
As the Rivermen continue to establish themselves, building a reputation as a team that can win anywhere will be crucial to their long-term success and playoff aspirations.
People who are actively employed now make up nearly one in five food bank visits across Canada, more than people reporting no income at all.
The Archway Food Bank in Abbotsford serves over 6,200 people each month (including 38% children) and needs to raise $1.3 million before year's end to keep providing nutritious food hampers to neighbours who've exhausted every other option.
Please donate to ensure no family in our community goes hungry this winter.
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