Langford voters have chosen a familiar face to lead the city for the next four years, electing longtime former mayor Stew Young in a victory over incumbent Scott Goodmanson. Young secured 64.1 per cent of the vote in Saturday’s municipal election, marking a return to the mayor’s office after decades as a prominent civic leader in B.C. “I am going to work hard,” Young said. “I’m excited to serve Langford for the next four years and get things back on track.” The mayor-elect has outlined an ambitious agenda, with a focus on completing major recreation projects, keeping property taxes manageable and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with the city’s growth. One of his priorities is the planned expansion of Starlight Stadium. “We need to finish off that stadium, go to phase three by putting the seats on the other side and enclose it in like the proper stadium that it was planned to be,” Young said. He also wants to expand recreation options in north Langford, proposing two arenas on the former Western Speedway lands. “I’m going to make sure that I have a specific tax stabilization fund paid for by development as it occurs,” he said. Young has also pledged to keep property tax increases tied to the cost of living, bring back community member committees and maintain free street parking. Making sure development pays for the infrastructure needed to support it will be another key focus. “I want new growth to pay it’s way,” Young said. Saturday’s election also brought a major shakeup to Langford council. Colby Harder was the only incumbent councillor re-elected, leaving her as the sole returning member of the previous council alongside a new group of elected representatives. Harder acknowledged that the incoming council could take a different approach to managing the city’s growth, but said she sees opportunities to work together on shared priorities. While her platform differs from some of the priorities outlined by the new council, Harder said tax stability and expanded recreation facilities are areas where they may find common ground. “There has been a lot of work from this council to stabilize taxes and so I do think that is an achievable goal for the incoming council,” Harder said. “I also would like to provide more recreation facilities and north Langford is definitely an area where there is not enough right now.” Harder said she believes the previous council has left the city in a strong position and is looking forward to helping the new team navigate the transition. “I’m looking forward to being the bridge between the two councils and helping Langford move forward with the new vision,” she said. Young and the incoming council are expected to be sworn in at their first council meeting at the beginning of next month.
