In a previously unheard-of act by a municipal government, the Township of Langley (TOL) attempted to download their responsibility onto an unsuspecting Strata taxpayer (many not yet formed)! Prior to the completion of a number of major residential developments affecting over 2,000 residents within four-blocks (207th Street between 80th and 82nd & 207A between 82nd and 84th) – downloading all costs associated with the (Operation, Maintenance and Rehabilitation) OMR of these regular streets. (NOT interior Strata road networks) What did the Developer and the Township conspire to do? How was this made a reality? How could Stratas possibly take over OMR? What we went through to get this reversed? How does this relate to the current opposition slate? Read on!
Downsizing and moving into Parkside 1 – finding the problem / the issue? We downsized from a farm to a home in Aldergrove and then to a Condo in Willoughby, big changes over 4 years! Obviously moving to a Condo was a big change, a good change, but a lot to get used to, that was in early 2020. Over the following year we learned a lot of information related to Condo living and the complex we bought into – we were and are happy. Having said that, when I heard through the grape vine about the issue regarding 207th street, my first thought was that wasn’t possible, then uncovered it was – I was shocked and enraged. Being involved with Municipal governance for years, Mayor of the Township of Langley and Alderman in the City of Delta, I was fully aware of the municipal process related to development! I had also heard through the grapevine that residents on 207A Street had been after the Council of the day to correct their same problem to no avail!
What did the Developer and the Township conspire to do? The obvious intent of the exercise was to download the responsibility of the road (OMR) costs onto the backs of unsuspecting Strata owners, now and into the future, in our case on 207th Street (Parkside 1, Parkside 2, Union Park and Yorkson Creek Townhouses South). A question that must be asked, was this an attempt by the Township of Langley to find a new future avenue to reduce their costs? What else could it be?
How was this made a reality? In our case this was achieved via a land transfer of the roads in question for the sum of $1.00 to the Township of Langley from the developer (again circa 2014 in our case – 207th Street)! The Township of Langley then established and filed a legally binding “Registered Statutory Right of Way” against the roads in question assigning the OMR responsibility to the affected Strata Owners making both of these roads Private Roads (Owned by Strata Owners) with Public Access! The terms of that designation meant that Strata owners facing 207th Street owned the road, were responsible for OMR but could not restrict or inhibit the flow of public traffic in any way even though the Strata owners were responsible for OMR and any damage the non-resident traffic would or could cause? It was outrageous! The same issue affected all Stratas facing 207A Street.
How could Stratas possibly take over OMR? Well, common sense tells you they can’t take over OMR legally – but the Township and obviously the Council of the day decided otherwise! Aside from the obvious negative ethical question in their attempt to download their responsibilities, there is NO provincial legislation allowing a group of Stratas to jointly fund, manage or make decisions on such an undertaking. Who would manage, direct the need and find the funding to fill potholes and/or repave? Who would decide or impose a special assessment to ALL owners of that road? Who legally could make and impose that decision? It simply doesn’t exist! If there was an accident on that road due to poor maintenance, the Stratas, in all likelihood would be found liable?
Our first attempt to get this irresponsible action reversed? After reviewing the 207th Street and 207A Street issue in detail, I prepared a thorough and detailed brief / letter to the Municipal Council of the day. This was sent on behalf of the Parkside 1, Parkside 2, Union Park and Yorkson Creek Townhouses South detailing the issue at length. We requested a complete reversal of the “Registered Statutory Right-of-Way” and OMR responsibility that was in place and the reasons for it. That request to the 2018 / 2022 Jack Froese Municipal Council was denied outright.
Who was on that council 2018 / 22 Council? Blair Whitmarsh, Margaret Kunst and Kim Richter! – ALL members of the current opposition slate in this year’s election!
Looking back, who was on that 2014 Council that allowed and approved this outrageous plan in the first place? – Blair Whitmarsh, Kim Richter and now School Trustee then Councillor Charlie Fox! As an old saying goes, “When they tell you who they are, believe them!”
Success with our NEW and current Council! Again,I prepared a thorough and detailed brief to the NEW Municipal Council of the day dated January 5th, 2023. This was sent and signed off on behalf of Parkside 1, Parkside 2, Union Park and Yorkson Creek Townhouses South detailing the issue at length. We requested a complete reversal of the “Registered Statutory Right-of-Way” and OMR responsibility that was in place. I do know that the residents on 207A did the same.
The Result? The NEW Council listened, understood and took immediate action, they instructed staff to immediately correct this serious error / injustice that would have impacted over 2,000 residents! Who was responsible for correcting this wrong?
Mayor Eric Woodward, Councillors Tim Bailie, Michael Pratt, Steve Ferguson, Rob Rindt and Misty van Popta!
Summary: The personal issue that I have outlined in this BLOG Post is just an example of how wrong doings are allowed to occur when you don’t have strong and experienced governance. The Obfuscated Political Speech we are hearing so far in this election campaign from the opposition is quite pathetic. There is a common tone that comes with everything they have to say – “Talk a lot, say little and commit to nothing”! Don’t address the infrastructure crisis, ignore it!
In my experience which covers some 51 years I have always admired those that run for office on specifics. What do they want to do, backed up by the why and how? I am not interested in rumor, gossip, innuendo, personal attacks and dislike based on personal opinion and attitude! In my campaign in 2008 I ran on specific issues backed up with solutions and actions I would take – I got elected which was a political earthquake in the lower mainland.
I have been reinforcing this message –
“When you get elected – You Face the world how you found it, NOT the way you wish it was”!
My most recent BLOG Posts relating to this year’s election are: Click on the following links to open –
- https://langleywatchdog.com/2026/04/14/township-of-langley-5-year-financial-plan-you-are-entitled-to-your-own-opinion-but-you-are-not-entitled-to-your-own-facts-politics-at-work/
- https://langleywatchdog.com/2026/07/28/upcoming-municipal-election-focusing-on-debt-ignores-the-incompetence-of-past-councils-it-ignores-60000-new-residents-needs-it-ignores-the-critical-lack-of-infrastructure-and-it/
- https://langleywatchdog.com/2026/08/09/township-of-langley-politics-decades-of-undue-influence-on-municipal-council-by-the-langley-establishment-power-brokers-friends-insiders-developers-we-are-recovering-a-strong-government-deliver/
- https://langleywatchdog.com/2026/08/12/accountability-of-a-municipal-council-what-does-or-should-that-word-accountability-mean-to-the-taxpayer-something-to-really-think-about-before-voting-this-year/
RG
Protect your Democratic Rights – Protect your NEIGHBORS Democratic Rights – stay informed, stay involved and VOTE!!!
I am working on future posts that I believe are of significant concern to Township of Langley Residents, come back often for news of interest to Township residents.
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