Langmann Hits The Mark

Aldergrove Star editor Kurt Langmann puts into human terms what the delay on the East Langley water line will mean to Aldergrove residents. As I blogged yesterday, I was the only councillor to vote against deferring our decision because it means two long, hot summers for Aldergrove, and likely severe water shortages and restrictions. We need to get on with this, for the thousands of people who live in Aldergrove and Murrayville, and all the people who rely on their jobs at Gloucester to feed their families.

From the Star:

Perhaps if Township councillors took the time to talk to Aldergrove's suburban residents they might understand the deep and growing resentment felt here by residents who can look over the 276 Street border and see their neighbours in West Abbotsford who have plenty of potable water while a mere block away in East Langley the tap is running dry. Later this summer that resentment could well turn into fury.

Township council, with the exception of Coun. Jordan Bateman who has the courage to say it's long past time to make a decision, are twisting in the wind. They are being buffeted by special interests who want one of three water line routes chosen so that they can develop their rural properties, and other interests who don't want any or all routes chosen because they're opposed to development.

Frankly, if municipal water is the only implement in the Township toolbox to regulate development in the rural area we are in a very sorry state.

Provision of municipal water in West Abbotsford's communities several decades ago has not resulted in wholesale development of Bradner and environs. It was only the provision of municipal sanitary sewer services that has resulted in development of non-ALR lands in West Abbotsford.