Langley Inside and Out

When I read G. B. Stern’s  words: “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.”,  I was inspired to break my silence.  There is no question that life in Langley is indeed something to be grateful for.  Our village by the sea is quite the place.

One billion people on the planet live on less than $1 USD per day.  They don’t have clean water, they don’t have sanitation, they don’t have adequate food, and they don’t have adequate shelter.  If you have those four things, you are ahead of 83% of the world’s population.  Since Langley has many good things beyond the four listed, we are factually among the most well off people in the world.

Putting Langley, and our lives in Langley, in perspective with the above facts, most of our problems lack magnitude and gratitude for our lives gains significance.  With my council term drawing to an end, expressing gratefuls on this city blog  seems very appropriate.  Accordingly, with the hope of avoiding being maudlin here they are:

• I’m grateful for being given the opportunity to serve on the Langley City Council.  It has been educational, challenging and rewarding.  I have served with Bob, Rene, Russell, Robert, Hal, and Doug.  Each of these hardworking, dedicated council people has influenced my thinking and contributed ideas to the decisions I’ve made.

• I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to serve on the council under Mayor Paul who, in his kind and thoughtful way, led the city through bleak budget reductions.  It is always easy to hire new staff and give staff raises.  It’s not so easy to reduce salaries and eliminate staff.  The reward for this heart-wrenching work is our budget is now in the black.

• I’m grateful for new council members, Bruce and Jim, and I’m grateful for our new Mayor-elect, Larry.  Each of these three men hold hopes and dreams for a better Langley. They will move Langley ahead while respecting and appreciating the good work that preceded them.

• I’m grateful for the city staff–men and women dedicated to doing their job well.  And while not considered staff, the city’s volunteer  board members work like staff as they develop park and open space recommendations, tirelessly grapple with land use and design issues, manage our cemetery, protect our history, and so much more.  And of special note is a city volunteer, Thomas, who has worked tirelessly to upgrade the city’s computer and technical services.

• I’m grateful for Langley’s citizens.  People with hopeful wishes for the town they know as home.  A town of great caring and participation  – church, school, government, charitable organizations, the arts, parks — so very evident in the millions of ways they contribute to their community.   The generosity of Langley’s citizens is inspiring.

• I’m grateful for Langley’s merchants and business people, especially those who understand good business is about community building.   So many in our business community generously support school activities, town festivals, markets and parades, the arts and artists, those suffering with medical or economic problems, town beautification projects, service organizations, and so much more.

Thank you Langley.  I’m looking forward to many more good years to come.