Langham Mayoral candidate Gary Epp wants to tighten up the town’s operating expenses to ensure ratepayers get the best bang for their buck when it comes to property taxes.
“I’d like to see a review done of the operations budget,” said Epp in an interivew October 19. “I think there is some room there to reduce operating expenses without sacrificing services or infrastrucutre.”
Epp previously served on Langham Town Council from 2005-2009. Now retired, Epp was born and raised in Langham. He and his wife Donna have two grown children and three grandchildren.
“I think there needs to be more transparency when it comes to decision-making, and the level of communication with residents needs to be improved,” said Epp.
“I am an open-minded, pro-active member of the Langham community and would appreciate the opportunity to serve the people.”
While he believes the town’s capital budget is reasonable, Epp said the operations of the municipality could be improved.
“I’m glad to see the new lagoon built because that provided the town with additional capacity for growth,” said Epp. “Now the town can potentially double its size.”
Epp said he’d like to see the town attract more commercial investment to strengthen the business sector, and also encourage developers to increase the number of residential building lots.
But, he added, there are also improvements that need to be made to the town’s existing infrastrucutre, including replacing old cast iron waterlines. Many streets also need serious repair, he added, but that can only be done after the waterlines are fixed.
“There is no sense in digging up the roads twice,” he said.