The cost of raising taxes

In the private sector I have taken a pay cut as have my fellow employees, and much of our business have now been outsourced to China and other countries. We now work as contractors, not union protected full time employees.  So we are tightening our belts so we can keep our house in Brookswood - the same house that sees a tax hike every year that is above inflation.

What is the Township and its employees doing to save money?? Well??? Are they going to cut back like the rest of us, show some fiscal restraint, tell the other groups like trans link taking their cut 'NO'?

OR ARE THEY GOING TO CONTINUE TO PICK OUR POCKETS?

By the look of it it sure seems like you are throwing a lot our our money around...

Brookswood is a unique place

• posted in the Langley Times Jan 20, 2014 at 4:00 PM

Editor: I attended the town meeting at the Fernridge Hall on Wednesday, and I am very disappointed. I saw a lot of parks and school trails, but if you didn’t pay attention you would miss that they are trying to sell high density, which will be the death of this truly unique area.
There is not another area like Brookswood anywhere in the Lower Mainland. The plan reminds me of Willoughby, as stated in The Times editorial (Jan. 16). As you can see when you’re in Willoughby, all that remains in that area is parking problems, traffic problems and the destruction of the small town feel it used to have.
If the Township does not keep lots at their present size, there will be no more Brookswood. It will be sold off to developers looking to make as much as they can.
I’m sure our mayor Jack Froese would like to see high density, due to the increase in tax revenue. All of this is packaged to the people who live in this area as a diverse, multi-use community plan.
The plans I saw at the hall had some good ideas and services that would benefit the area, but the cost for these services will be way too high. I shop at  Buy-Low Foods, Cedarbrook Bakery and many other local businesses, not because they are cheaper but because I like to go somewhere where, when you walk in the door, they know who you are and you are greeted in a way that is hard to find in other areas of Langley.
I would like to say to my fellow Brookswood and South Langley residents — let’s do something about this. Write to the mayor and to The Times. We do have a voice and should be heard.
I want to drive through this area in 20 years and still feel the same pride and love for this truly beautiful area.There is a sign in Brookswood that reads “Brookswood, not Brooks was.” This sign sums up the future of Brookswood.
If we leave it in the hands of the Township and developers, who clear-cut and develop  every area in the Lower Mainland, you know what will happen.
It is OK to add some homes, but stay with good-sized lots. Add services as this is great for the area.
Just because you put houses so close you can pass your neighbour some sugar, doesn’t mean you have designed a close, family-oriented  community. Have a look at Willoughby and Clayton Heights. The writing is on the wall.

Aaron Nelson,
Brookswood

The Big Rubber Stamp

You know, the community never approved the Brookswood community plan.  You asked the questions (your questions without fair input!) the way you wanted to ask them.  You never really listened.  You planned it the way you wanted and you stepped on people.  And it gets a rubber stamp.

Like proud purveyors of snake oil all of you have sold-us-out, you will gut our community, and you think you are doing a good job.

Well time wounds all heels...

Anonymous January 16, 2014 at 10:11 AM

I had the opportunity to attend the Griffiths neighborhood: open house last night and all I can say is wow! I've never seen so many unhappy people frustrated and angry with this development.I even happen to listen to a few conversations with people that actually reside in for Android that used to belong to the Griffiths neighborhood advisory Corporation and pulled out due to sheer magnitude of this plan. Let's all hope the council either squashes or drastically scales down this development and listens to its community.

David Chambers January 19, 2014 at 5:04 pm/

Yes, I'm frustrated and angry myself.  I'm sure, just like me, many people feel steam-rolled.  Suing them just means that you are in fact suing yourself for it just raises taxes.

I also notice that the township raised taxes again this year instead of cutting costs.

-D

AnonymousJanuary 25, 2014 at 9:24 PM

I too went to the Griffiths "open" house. First off wouldn't be nice if the Township were truly upfront and transparent about the fact that this "process" has been paid for by the elite few who will most benefit? On to the glaring problems: 1) 32nd Avenue. This road has already become an "artery" yet the most important "part" is in Surrey from 192nd to Hwy 99 and it is only one lane! Has Surrey or the BC government guaranteed that 32nd will become a four lane artery? Doubt it! 2) Schools - Noel Booth is the only elementary school with in a walk from this "town center". Has the BC government set aside funds and land for new Schools? Or will Griffiths just be another problem where families move and have no where for their kids to go to School? 3) Transit - does anyone honestly think these so called "planners" really care about how or if Translink has even heard of this "plan"? 4) Yet another "commercial center"? Oh yeah!! just what Langley needs! Another so called "center" with a Boston pizza, Tim Hortons, Price Smart and probably a bunch of sushi bars...weeeee......!just up the road from the other similar stores! What a joke this whole thing is !