Scott Goodmanson asked Langford residents for patience as the rookie mayor and five new councillors learn the ropes of running the province’s fastest growing city.
But he promised Langford will continue to grow and prosper, though at a more “sustainable” pace, where all voices will be heard before decisions are made in the council chamber.
Goodmanson was sworn in as Langford’s new mayor on Monday night, along with a full slate of Langford Now councillors: Colby Harder, Keith Yacucha, Kimberley Guiry, Mark Morley and Mary Wagner.
Only Lillian Szpak remains from the election-day sweep on Oct. 15 that saw seven-term mayor Stew Young, 30-year councillor Denise Blackwell and other long-term councillors rejected by voters.
The swearing-in ceremony and inaugural council meeting was moved to Belmont Secondary Theatre after requests for invitations exceeded capacity at Langford City Hall.
In his first address, Goodmanson, 49, pointed to his councillors, saying they represent diverse backgrounds and experiences. “As mayor, diversity in my council is the absolute best I could have asked for … it is the team I will be working with over the next four years.”
He said watching the snow fall on autumn leaves from the mayor’s office on Monday was fitting, as Langford voters have brought in “a new season of change.” “But I ask for your patience, as those changes, both inside city hall and out, will not be immediate nor instant,” said Goodmanson.
It will take time for council and staff “to enact what you have asked from us, and to filter that openly and transparently, in an effective and efficient way, through city hall to create results on the ground for you,” he said.
Young, who had hoped to begin his fourth decade at the city’s helm, has been credited — and lately criticized — for bringing rapid development to Langford. The city, with almost 32 per cent growth in population since 2016 — to 46,584 people — is the fastest-growing municipality in B.C. and third fastest-growing community in Canada, according to the latest census data.
Goodmanson and the new councillors say they aren’t opposed to development, but want to consider the long-term impact of new projects on neighbourhoods, including environmental and transportation implications. They also want more voices to be heard at council meetings — one of the issues that brought more voters to the polls to topple the long-standing mayor and council.
Goodmanson, although not officially affiliated with Langford Now, was championed by the slate as an alternative to Young .
“Change in itself is neither good nor bad, it’s just change,” Goodmanson said in his speech.
“What is a good change for some, others won’t like and then there will be times when the roles are reversed. And that is OK, because the community as a whole is diverse and varied, and no specific item can cover everyone at once.
“But as council and staff, it is our goal to serve the community as best we can and foster positive change in our approach, our engagement, our decisions, both now and into the future.”
The new mayor said climate change will be a top consideration in how the community continues to build.
“We are going to have to adapt our systems, procedures, developments and our economy to meet those changes. Or we will fall victim to them,” said Goodmanson.
He said the next phase in Langford’s growth will have to be “more courageous, more adventurous, more inclusive and more sustainable than we have ever been before.”
Goodmanson credited Langford’s two previous mayors — Jim London and Young — for building the foundations that Langford’s future will be based upon. “And they both deserve to be recognized for that.”
Goodmanson and his rookie council stumbled through some of the procedures in their first meeting after the swearing-in, but the crowd took it in stride, offering a few friendly laughs and applause.
Each of the councillors was appointed to acting mayoral roles over the entire four-year term.
Goodmanson and Szpak will also represent Langford as directors at the Capital Regional District board, as well as its hospital and housing boards, with Wagner and Harder appointed as alternates to represent the city at the CRD.
Guiry and Wagner were appointed to the Regional Water Supply Commission and Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission, with Yacucha and Morley as alternates.
Szpak and Wagner will represent the Greater Victoria Library Board, and Guiry the West Shore Parks and Recreation Board.
Other board positions locally and throughout the region will be added in the months ahead.
