B.C. civic election profile: Langley city and Langley township

Campaigning to be the next mayor for the City of Langley and the Township of Langley is officially underway.

They’re two very different races in the Fraser Valley region.

 

The City of Langley has only two candidates fighting it out for the job of mayor, with neither of them being a stranger to city hall.

 

Nathan Pachal

Pachal is currently serving his second term as councillor in Langley city.

He’s a manager at a digital media company and regularly posts to his blog about what’s going on in the council chambers.

His platform includes tackling homelessness, creating a safer and more walkable Langley city, and bringing a more vibrant downtown space.

Pachal says he is a strong supporter of agricultural and green spaces and even wrote a report on the Agricultural Land Reserve.

 

Val van den Broek (Incumbent)

Val van den Broek is currently the mayor of Langley city.

She’s also served as city councillor and has 20 years under her belt working in public safety with both the local and federal RCMP.

She’s running on keeping her current projects moving forward, such as increased transit options, fiscal responsibility, and bringing in more community amenities.

van den Broek was recently involved in controversy when she was censured by city council earlier this year due to “breaching the City’s Respectful Workplace Policy.”

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The Township of Langley is a whole different ballgame, as three-term Mayor Jack Froese is not running again due to retirement.

Four people are hoping to take the top job, let’s go through them:

 

Michelle Sparrow

Sparrow previously served two terms on the Langley township council, before being defeated in 2018.

Her platform includes making sure supply keeps up with demand in the housing market, creating safe, walkable roads, and bringing in more firefighters.

She currently works as the government relations lead and conduct advisor at the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

Sparrow says she wants to change the narrative for the Fall 2022 election and campaign for “The Langley We Love!”

 

Blair Whitmarsh

Whitmarsh has been serving on council since 2014, and has been endorsed by current Mayor Froese.

His platform focuses on smart development, safe neighborhoods, and healthy relationships with community partners.

Whitmarsh says the township must have a strong community with local jobs, care for the environment, and livable communities that make “us all proud.”

Whitmarsh has been a coach, a professor, a university administrator, a community volunteer, and home group leader in his church.

 

Eric Woodward

Woodward is also a current city councillor and has spent time as the president of the Fort Langley Business Improvement Association.

His platform includes building new parks and recreation spaces, creating and finishing critical infrastructure, and planning for the future.

Woodward is a former technology entrepreneur and chair of the Fort Langley Project charitable organization.

He’s running with the “A Contract for Langley” team and has been an integral part of revitalizing Fort Langley’s downtown core.

 

Rich Coleman

Coleman is a previous MLA with the BC Liberals and has held various cabinet roles, including Solicitor General.

He was last seen in the public eye earlier this year when he was called for a second time to testify at the inquiry into money laundering in casinos in B.C. when he served as Gaming Minister.

His platform with the “Elevate Langley” party includes ensuring police, fire, and emergency services are fully funded to protect the community, remove red tape in the housing market, and create parks and recreation infrastructure close to home for everyone.

Coleman and his wife Michele have lived in Langley Township for thirty-eight years and he believes it’s the best city in which to raise a family.

 

Civic elections are held across the province on Oct. 15.