September 12, 2016

Good evening everyone and welcome back, I hope everyone had a great summer and an opportunity to enjoy some vacation time.

I would like to take a moment to say how much Brenda Alberts will be missed by this community. Brenda, wife of former Township of Langley Mayor Kurt Alberts, passed away in late July. She was a true inspiration to so many people, and an unstoppable force with a passion for getting things done. Brenda was a champion for countless initiatives, including the Remembrance Day ceremony in Fort Langley, and a huge supporter of heritage conservation, local businesses, and the arts. We all feel the great loss of losing such a vital person who gave so much to Langley, and our deepest condolences go out to Kurt and their son Nick.

Over the summer there were several events, and I, along with Council members, took part in a variety of community celebrations.

The Installation of Emmy Skates, at the Salvation Army Gateway of Hope, took place on Friday, July 29 where Emmy was sworn in as Executive Director, congratulations to Emmy.

Saturday, July 30, was the annual Lego Event, which focused on conservation efforts, at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, and I got to play judge.

Monday, August 1, was Brigade Days, where I participated in the canoe ride from the Fort Langley airport to the Fort Langley National Historic Site. We were dressed in early frontier garb and enjoyed a river ride down the Fraser to commemorate BC Day.

Tuesday, August 9, was the media event for the Ministry of Transportation Hwy 13 Widening completion of 8th Ave to 0 Ave. These improvements will definitely help to decrease wait times at the border for all travellers, and is great for our economy. The highway widening and intersection upgrades will also improve safety for everyone. We are grateful to the BC and Federal Governments for their contributions to this very worth-while project.

Tuesday, August 16, was Grand Opening of WestGen in Abbotsford. I was very pleased to take part in the ceremony along with Mayor Braun, Minister of Agriculture, Norm Letnick and The Honourable Judith Guichon; Lieutenant Governor of . Westgen located in Langley back in 1949, they have a long history with Langley and with my family. In fact, my father-in-law, was on the Board from 1958 to 1968.

Tuesday, August 16, the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce meeting was held with guest speakers from the hockey team, including Glen Hanlon, General Manager, and Dale Saip, Senior Vice President. The topic was what the Giants mean to Langley. We will have the opportunity to see the Giants in action starting this month, as we welcome them to the Langley Events Centre. The LEC will give the Giants a sizable venue that will enable them to play games, create a fun atmosphere, and give the team a great home ice advantage.

Friday, August 19, was the Media Conference to kick off the 2016 Minto Cup Junior ‘A’ Canadian Championships. The Adanacs are this year’s Minto Cup champions. They defeated the Orangeville Northmen 6-5 in overtime at the Langley Events Centre to capture Canada’s Junior A National Lacrosse Championship.

The Whitecaps FC2 soccer team was here in Langley Township on Sunday, August 21, playing a game against Arizona United at McLeod Athletic Park, where they won 3-1 in front of a sold out crowd! The team returned to take on the Seattle Sounders at MAP on September 5, and settled for a 2-2 draw. The Whitecaps WFC2 will return to McLeod Athletic Park on September 21, when they will be pitted against OKC Energy FC (Oklahoma City Energy) in their regular season finale.

Monday, August 22, was an announcement about the Aldergrove Recreation Centre, where we welcomed the Aldergrove Credit Union as the title naming sponsor of this new facility, which will be completed in 2018. The new facility will officially be named the Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre.

On August 24, Debbie and I attended the 71st Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia in Vancouver.

Thursday, September 8, Debbie and I attended the Women's Community Institute’s 25th Anniversary held at the Willoughby Hall. The Willoughby Women’s Institute was formed in 1991 and is an educational organization for all women, dedicated to the betterment of home and family in the community and around the world. It is part of the largest international organization of rural women, the Associated Country Women of the World; they promote international good will and help raise the standard of living and education of rural women and families through training and community development.

Friday, September 9, I met the Fraser Valley Water Polo U16 Girls who won the NCL National Champions 2016 this past May in Montreal.

Saturday, September 10 was the annual Township Golf Tournament where monies raised go to the Kidsport program.

Sunday, September 11 was the Loft Country Fair; a great event for the entire family. Thank you to owners Trent and Sherry for the invitation to attend. Debbie and I also attended the BBQ off the bypass, very well attended event and a great day of sunshine to enjoy some great BBQ.

Meetings: 1. July 30 RCMP IHIT Formula Review 2. August 10 TransLink Investment Plan Consultation 3. September 9 METRO Regional Planning Meeting

Upcoming Events:  Sunday, Sept 18 Annual Terry Fox Run – Walnut Grove and Aldergrove.

 Tuesday, Oct 11 October Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce meeting will be hosting the Consul General of the US, Ms. Lynne Platt, as their guest speaker.

Metro Meetings:

Cllr. Long Friday, July 29 Metro Board Meeting

Cllr. Fox Friday, July 29 Metro Board Meeting

Attended by Council:

Cllr. Petrina Arnason Tuesday, August 9 Ministry of Transportation Hwy 13 Widening 8th Ave to 0 Ave Monday, August 22 Aldergrove Recreation Centre Announcement Thursday, Sept 8 Women's Community Institute 25th Anniversary Cllr. David Davis Cllr Charlie Fox Friday, August 5 Farewell Ceremony - Japanese Students Thursday, August 18 Brenda Alberts Celebration of Life Sunday, August 21 Soccer Game – Whitecaps FC2 vs Arizona Monday, August 22 Aldergrove Recreation Centre Announcement Wednesday, Sept 7 9th Annual Sears National Kids Cancer Ride Friday, Sept 9 Rivermen Game, Puck Drop

Cllr. Bob Long Thursday, August 18 Brenda Alberts Celebration of Life Monday, August 22 Aldergrove Recreation Centre Announcement

Cllr. Angie Quaale Friday, August 5 Women's Senior Fastpitch Provincials Opening Ceremony Saturday, August 6 Historic Event Tuesday, August 9 Ministry of Transportation Hwy 13 Widening 8th Ave to 0 Ave Thursday, August 18 LEPS Annual Blackberry Bake off – Judge Thursday, August 18 Brenda Alberts Celebration of Life Friday, August 19 Media Event - 2016 Minto Cup Junior ‘A’ Lacrosse Canadian Championships Friday, August 19 West Fine Art Show VIP Reception Sunday, August 21 Whitecaps FC2 Game – vs Arizona Monday, August 22 Aldergrove Recreation Centre Announcement Thursday, August 25 Langley Hospice Garden Party Thursday, Sept 8 Women's Community Institute 25th Anniversary Sunday, Sept 11 BBQ on the Bypass

Cllr. Michelle Sparrow Monday, August 22 Aldergrove Recreation Centre Announcement

Cllr. Blair Whitmarsh

Sincerely, Jack Froese, MAYOR