Whether I am elected to the Langley Township Council, y top priorities are and will continue to be:

1. Planning and funding for infrastructure PRIOR to development taking place – what has happened in Willoughby is hugely problematic for me and not fair to the long time residents of Langley, nor the new additions. Schools, hospitals, roads, parks, parking, recreational facilities, sidewalks and lighting all need to be planned and funded (if not built) prior to building. We cannot continue to keep making the same mistakes.

2. Environmental Stewardship - including creating new parks, green spaces, wild life protection, a comprehensive Township-wide tree by-law and protection for our rivers, streams and aquifers are also a very important issue for me – these need to be addressed immediately, there is no time to wait.

3. Community building – as development occurs I believe that walkable/liveable neighbourhoods need to be planned so that Communities come together regularly and connect. Bicycle routes, walking paths, town centres, restaurants, parks, local shopping opportunities, etc. all create an attractive and vibrant Community that residents become invested in.

4. ALR land needs to be protected for perpetuity. Land that is unfarmable (poor fill, grade, etc.) should be considered for greenhouses for food/flower growing. Cannabis should be not be grown in the ALR - it should be grown in industrial zoned areas for many reasons including: taxation options, environmental considerations (odours, paving, etc.), and displaced food growing opportunities.

5. Crime – a huge issue for the entire Township – working together to support the group of people in our Community that don’t feel safe, considered or supported. Getting programs and housing in place for them to rejoin us and work towards a future that they are afraid they don’t have, needs to be a priority now, not later!

~ Michelle Connerty

buildabetterlangley

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