Steven Hurdle running for Langford Council

STEVEN HURDLE, THE “LANGFORD WATCHDOG”, RUNNING FOR LANGFORD COUNCIL

For immediate release
Date: October 11, 2008

LANGFORD – Steven Hurdle, nicknamed the “Langford Watchdog” by a local media outlet for his efforts at bringing the events of Langford Council and committee meetings to residents through the “Inside Langford” news blog, is running for election as a Langford city councilor in the November 15th municipal election. He first moved to Langford 19 years ago, and both lives and works in the community.

“I believe there’s an appetite for more community consultation, and for a renewed commitment to democratic accountability in our community,” said Hurdle. “I have time and again witnessed people leaving Langford’s Council Chambers feeling that they were heard, but not truly listened to. Residents should not feel like decisions are made before they arrive, and without regard to their input.”

Hurdle first came to prominence in local media when he organised and led a petition campaign against Langford Council’s plans to borrow millions of dollars on behalf of local developers to help finance the Spencer Road Interchange, a plan that Langford Council did not submit to a referendum or other form of direct public approval (normally a requirement for loans at the local government level). Ultimately, nearly 2300 people signed the petition over a 30 day period, representing more than 10% of eligible voters, and more than the number of people who voted for several of the sitting members of Langford Council. Hurdle opposes circumventing the public approval process for loans that Langford taxpayers are underwriting, believing that to do so means government is not being accountable to its citizens.

With regard to the rapid changes that have been witnessed in many of Langford’s neighbourhoods, Hurdle supports the rights of Langford’s neighbourhoods to determine their future. Langford councillors in the past have indicated that they’re “not afraid to make hard decisions,” as Lillian Szpak for one put it, in changing the zoning and character of Langford’s neighbourhoods over concern and opposition from local residents. Hurdle, in contrast, feels that the neighbourhoods belong to the people that live there, not City Hall.

Since he became visible in local media due to his community involvement, Hurdle has been routinely asked by Langford residents to run for Langford Council. “There is a strong desire for something new at the Council table,” Hurdle noted. “Virtually every day for the last nine months someone has asked me to run. People have told me that they believe it’s time for a new spirit of listening to the community, and I agree. Too many people leave City Hall not believing that spirit is there, and too many more still choose not to get involved with their civic government because they are no longer convinced it makes any difference to the decisions that are made. While there is much debate about whether Langford Council is on the right or the wrong course, it’s important to remember that it’s not good enough to merely try to do the right thing; one must also do things the right way and recognise that the ends don’t justify the means.”

For more information, please visit StevenHurdle.ca.

-30-

Please contact Steven Hurdle
250-884-0575
steven.hurdle@gmail.com