LangleyAdvance
Questions asked pg A3
Your community newspaper since 1931
Friday, January 28, 2011
Cherri Chalifour
Your source for breaking news, sports, and entertainment: www.langleyadvance.com
Nine-year-old Matthew Perry and his brother Brendan, five, are upset about the possibility of the Langley Demonstration Garden closing due to Langley Township budget cuts. “It would be really sad,” Matthew said. “I really liked the classes they did, and in the summer it is really pretty. There are an awful lot of birds and butterflies.” Matthew was among the children who created the Stream of Dreams wooden fish mural on a fence at the back of the garden.
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Troy Landreville/ Langley Advance
Township council
Programs face chopping block Some residents are trying to sway the Township to scrap some planned cuts to services and programs. by Matthew Claxton mclaxton@langleyadvance.com
Langley residents are beginning to fight for their favourite programs as the Township tries to determine what to cut to keep the budget under control. Hazel-Anne Vincent is a sometime volunteer at the Langley Demonstration Garden in Murrayville, and she’s trying to prevent its closure. “I don’t want the community to have to lose that,” Vincent said. Langley Township is facing a budget crunch caused by slower-than-expected growth, a federally mandated hike to RCMP wages, and several other increasing costs. Even with cuts, a 3.95 per cent property tax hike is planned. To make up the shortfall, the Township is cutting back on new projects and infrastructure, and considering reductions to a number of community services and events. After living in urban centres like Toronto and New West, Vincent moved to Langley five years ago and dropped in to an event at the demonstration garden soon after. “I got both a composter and a rain barrel at the event,” she said. Since then, she’s learned about everything from water conservation to invasive species during demonstration garden events, and she’s done some volunteering with the Langley Environmental Partners Society, the group that runs the garden.
Also opposed to shutting down the garden building a turf field for Aldergrove. is Erin Perry, a Langley mother whose oldest Rumours have also been swirling about cuts son has been taking part in activities there for to the Langley Centennial Museum. Last year, years. council voted to scrap proposed reductions “My younger son was looking forward to in hours at the half-century old museum. doing them this summer,” she said. This year, no cuts are planned, said Derrick Perry also hopes to Sparks, the Township’s avoid cuts to recreation deputy finance director. centres. Her sons are A series of possible home schooled, and service cuts and facility they take part in quite closures are mentioned “In my opinion, a few rec centre proin the budget feedback grams to supplement form. cutting services is their education. Rivers While none are set not the answer.” Day events, also potenin stone, they are protially on the chopping posed cuts to save a Bob Long block, have provided total of $166,900. environmental educaThe cuts include: tion for her children, • Closing the Perry said. Willowbrook Township councillors are hearing about the Recreation Centre on Sundays; proposed cuts. Coun. Bob Long said several • Closing the Willoughby Community people have mentioned the possible loss of Centre on statutory holidays; hanging baskets in Aldergrove to him. • Shutting down the W.C. Blair pool for an “I think people are disappointed,” Long extra week for maintenance every year; said. • Cutting operating hours at Walnut Grove Long himself is most worried about reducand W.C. Blair centres on statutory holidays; tions in hours at rec centres, calling it • Earlier closings for W.C. Blair; “counterproductive.” • Reduced hours at the Aldergrove Kinsmen “In my opinion, cutting services is not the Community Centre; answer,” Long said. • Cancelling the Aldergrove hanging baskets He’s hoping money can be found from program; other sources to make up the difference. • Closing the demonstration garden; and While some worry about services that might • Cancelling B.C. Rivers Day events. be cut, other groups are lobbying to keep proThe Township’s online survey allows readjects on track. ers to rank the cuts from “strongly agree” to Aldergrove Youth Soccer has posted a mes“strongly disagree.” sage on its website urging parents to visit the Today is the last day on which residents Township’s website and fill out the budget can fill out the online survey, found at www. survey, with an emphasis on encouraging the tol.ca/budget.