Teresa Townsley

Okay, so yeah, we do have an incredibly large debt. And Part of the problem … is that when you take a look at it from a business perspective, the debt that we have doesn't have a really good return on investment. And so what we have here is a bunch of debt that is going to be paid for over a long period of time. That's going to be pushing us back into a corner for our future. So when things come up, for instance, government grants that We could take advantage of to build art centers, things like that, we won't have the capacity to take care of them or to be able to utilize those grants because we don't have enough room left on our debt ceiling. So what we need to do is in the first 100 days, make sure that we have that forensic audit, that we've got a really clear picture of where our debt is, pay it down as best we can without raising taxes as much as possible, and then make sure that we are putting things aside for those eventualities in the future. Because if I ran my business the way the Township is running their budget, I would be out of business in about 10 minutes.

Well, I think it starts with consultation, because what we have to do is when we're prioritizing the industrial lands, which we must do in order to broaden our tax base, we need to make sure that there's appropriate buffer zones between them and the housing areas, between agricultural land and all the other non industrial-based uses or employment-based uses. When a successful business needs to grow … and it needs room to expand, it doesn't just stop growing because we don't have room for it. If we don't have room for those businesses, they will leave Langley and we can't afford that right now. So what I'd like to do is protect the established industrial areas from incompatible residential incursion, plus support bringing the roughly 500 acres of the non-ALR Fraser Highway employment lands into the productive employment use with phasing and appropriate buffers and consultation with the community. And then use an economic development department to attract employers, not merely to designate land. So consultation being the primary thing and protecting employment lands is an economic development, jobs and a tax base issue that must be on the top of any Council that's incoming.

Okay, first I want to make something very clear, is that any shovels in the ground projects need to be finished. We cannot waste, put good money after bad by not completing projects. So that's a non-issue there. What I do want to do going forward though is I would support anything that makes sure that whatever facility we are building, we know that Willoughby needs a community center we know that Brookswood need some attention as far as their facilities goes, has the maximum benefit for the maximum number people of people that are in the in the area that they serve. Not just a select few. What we can't do is keep making things for ribbon cuttings and then having somebody whose parents can't afford to put them in sports not access any parks or recreation facilities. So that's a very big priority for myself. We also need to consider that we need to rebuild that relationship with the school board so that we can work together and build facilities attached to schools so that every facility that we are using is used to its absolute maximum potential. We may not be able to afford to build a lot more but what we can do is look at utilizing what we have to its maximum benefit and I think that makes sense.

Bylaw enforcement has to have meaning. From ditch filling, truck parking, and soil dumping can displace land ag use. I support stronger enforcement, meaningful fines and follow up to ensure compliance. At the same time, we need to distinguish between farmers doing legitimate work and activities that use rural and farm land inappropriately. Use a light touch for real farming and firm enforcement for abuse.

The Rural Plan cannot be written in a backroom. It needs public process and input of the LFI, and the AAC, and especially farmers of many sites and specialities. The people that farm the land bring expertise and residents and farmers need a formal role. The plan should be built with farmers not just presented to them. Truck parking; we need to protect the soil and streams at all cost. We need to enforce bylaws and give them teeth. We can't allow the "turning of a blind eye" to this problem. Our soil and water and food security depends on it

THE AAC — WHERE TWP. HAS A DECISION TO MAKE RE: FARMLAND, IT SHOULD BE HAVING WEIGH-IN FROM THE AAC. IT ALSO NEEDS A MEANINGFUL ROLE IN THE RURAL PLAN. WE NEED TO ASK THE MEMBERS AND MANDATE WHAT WOULD ALLOW THE MOST EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE AAC. AAC MEMBERS ARE EXPERIENCED AND WE NEED TO RESPECT AND CLARIFY THEIR ROLE.

Water is fundamental for farming and groundwater is part of Langley's overall water supply. We need to properly map and protect vulnerable aquifers and recharge areas, and that work belongs in the new rural plan. Before approving development, fill or other uses over a vulnerable aquifer, we should understand what impact it could have on the water underneath.

Hi, I'm Teresa Townsley. And from the flood disaster of 2021, what we did learn is that preparing our community for climate emergencies and developing resilience before there is a huge problem is critical. I support a practical climate action with measurable results. The township already adopted a climate action strategy in 2021. So before writing another plan, I'd want a public accounting of what's actually been completed, what's behind schedule and what's working. My priorities are very local and practical. Flood resilient stormwater, protecting streams, tree canopy, and of course, including our farmland. I will not be satisfied unless we have targets that we can measure and progress that residents can actually see.

Teresa Townsley with Langley Strong. I'm glad I got that question because I was a nurse who used to work in St. Paul's emergency room on the downtown east side. And I know that the township can't solve homelessness by itself because health care, income supports, and much of supportive housing sit with other levels of government. But we do control land use, permitting, and local partnerships and public spaces. So I'd prioritize getting the township, Fraser Health, BC Housing, and outreach providers, as well as the city of Langley, around one table with clear responsibilities. Locally, I'd focus on faster approvals and appropriate supportive housing services, while prioritizing neighbourhood safety and accountability. Thank you.

Teresa Townsley Langley Strong. One thing that the township directly controls is the cost of time and the cost of approvals. As a business owner, I understand that a permitting delay has real costs in the real world. So I would put firm service standards on permit and development decisions. I would track files transparently and remove needless duplication. Carrying costs during long delays don't disappear. They actually are eventually reflected in the price or rent of our homes. So that won't solve affordability on its own, but it is a concrete municipal lever at our disposal.

Good evening, I'm Teresa Townsley, and I'm Township of Langley Council candidate with Langley Strong. I'm also a former registered nurse. I worked in the trauma unit for many years and as a sexual assault nurse examiner. Recently, I've been a farmer, and now, I'm for the past 10 years, I've been a small business owner in the Township of Langley, owning and operating Festina Lente Estate Winery. I know what it means to make payroll, and to hire people, and to invest your own money, and to navigate through regulation and permits, and to make decisions when the numbers aren't always cooperating. And that experience is what's going to shape how I approach Council. Because good intentions matter, but so do costs. So do timelines. So does accountability. And especially, so do results. So, I'm running with Langley Strong because I want a Township where businesses can invest with confidence, and that growth is properly planned, and that local government remembers that a healthy business community helps support the services that make Langley the best place to live on the planet. My name is Teresa Townsley With Langley Strong.

Thank you for coming tonight. For 10 years now, I've had the privilege of building a business here in Langley. And that's taught me that successful organizations, no matter what they are, live within their means, they plan for the unexpected, and they listen to the people that they serve, and they remain accountable for the results. We can't do this without you. We're going to be doing a lot of public consultation in the future because we are in a fiscal corner. Those principles that I just said to you, those are the ones that I bring to Council because I want Langley to remain a community that I built a business in and I love calling home.

Good evening. My name is Teresa Townsley, and I'm running for Township of Langley Council with Langley Strong Team. I'm also a small business owner, farmer, and a former registered nurse. I've also served as school trustee, where I learned that public money has to be treated with care, and every decision has consequences for real people. So, I believe that we can support families, farmers, seniors, young people, local businesses, while still being responsible with taxpayers' money. For our team, this is an election about restoring respect. Respect for your tax dollars, your neighbourhood, your voice, and... and the community we all share. Again, my name is Teresa Townsley with the Langley Strong team and tonight I am asking you to consider our team for your vote.

What I heard here in these closing statements causes me some concern. In my world, if you're buying the house and you're not paying attention to what your mortgage is, that is a fantastic way to become part of the homeless problem. So all I have to say is that you don't have to agree with us on every issue. But you can expect our team, regardless of whether you agree with us or not, to listen to you, to ask questions, to explain our decisions, and to treat people respectfully. My name is Teresa Townsley, and I'm the final name on the ballot. And thank you for sticking around, because I'm also the final person talking tonight. There might be a trend there. I'm hoping that you'll save your last vote for me and all the remaining of the Langley Strong team. Thank you very much.