The Mayor of Abbotsford wants to settle, once and for all, regional district woes with his community and its neighbours
To that end Bruce Banman says he will hold meeting with mayors from the two Langley’s, Mission, and Chilliwack on June 22nd to tackle the issue.
“We are going to have everyone concerned sit down around a table and have a calm rational discussion about what possibilities are out there for instance the Langley’s could end up joining the Fraser Valley Regional District for instance or Abbotsford could form a regional district with the Langley’s or perhaps Mission.”
Banman says if there is an appetite for change then a comprehensive look will begin to see what is best for taxpayers.
“Then basically what happens is you do your various studies to find out what that…very simply what the numbers are going to do and what that would look like and what consequences if any would happen but as a region there is a chance right now, the province has said look you can redraw boundaries if you wish, so to not have the discussion is irresponsible to the taxpayers.”
Abbotsford has twice voted to leave the FVRD, and Banman says they aren’t the only unhappy ones.
“Both Langley City and Langley Township are not exactly happy with some of the decisions of the Metro Vancouver or Translink itself.”
Banman says he is against the idea of leaving the FVRD but was voted down by council shortly after being elected.
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