Dear Editor,

Township council failed the people who elected them. More than 70 per cent of the village of Fort Langley voted and petitioned against a development that did not conform to bylaws or the Official Community Plan.

The pro-developer council voted 7-1 for the proposal. The Coulter Berry building will be higher and larger than Fort Langley Community Hall, the "heart of the village." It is a slap in the face to the community which is dependent on tourism and the preservation of B.C.'s early history.

Disregard for the reports of staff and experts shows how little council thinks of its own advisors.

Now the Township faces another large development on ALR farmland: the Wall developers and TWU wish to build a university district.

Of all things, universities should not build on valuable farmland or salmon-spawning streams. Again we wonder at the value judgments of our councillors.

Watchers Of Langley Forest (WOLF) is trying desperately to save a beautiful woodland for perpetuity. Forest giants over 100 years old and trails through the woods for visitors and families who now live in subdivisions are threatened by development. The mayor and council will sell the land to a developer if WOLF doesn't come up with $3 million by an unreasonably imminent date.

The breadbasket of the Fraser Valley will soon be like Vancouver's East End, Fort Langley's historic village will be replaced by tall buildings, and our ancient trees will be replaced by large homes.

What has happened to council's values? Don't they listen to the people who care for the future? It's too late to wait for an election.

The damage will be done.

Bays Blackhall, Langley