At first, he threw in his hat to ensure someone would run against incumbent mayor Jack Froese, but Alex Joehl believes he has some good ideas for 91原创 Township.

The Libertarian candidate 鈥� who has previously run in both federal and provincial elections 鈥� says the principles of his party can offer residents 鈥渁s much choice as possible.鈥�

When it comes to the Agricultural Land Reserve, for example 鈥� one of Joehl鈥檚 main platforms 鈥� he would like people to have the freedom to use their property as they see fit.

鈥淚f somebody doesn鈥檛 want to farm their land, they shouldn鈥檛 have to farm their land,鈥� Joehl said. 鈥淥bviously, there are other consequences at play, but what speaks to me is, honestly, I鈥檝e always thought that I know better than the government how to live my life, and my neighbour knows better than the government how to live his life. And I would like to try and apply that with one stroke across the board.鈥�

Joehl, who moved to 91原创 three years ago, has a background in sports journalism. After attending Langara College, he worked at a newspaper in Ontario before returning to B.C. to finish his degree. While in school, he got a part time job at Superstore and has stuck with the company ever since.

His other two election platforms involve housing affordability and policing.

Joehl says that housing scarcity in the Lower Mainland is the 鈥渕ain reason鈥� the cost to buy a home is so high, but the way the Township has been addressing this issue is 鈥渨rong.鈥� He says Willoughby, and particularly 208 Street, is a good example of what not to do.

鈥淲e need to be better at planning communities and building the infrastructure first, and then having the housing developments come in,鈥� he said.

Joehl would also like to investigate if a municipal police force 鈥� similar to what Abbotsford and Vancouver have 鈥� would better serve Township residents than the RCMP.

And even if voters don鈥檛 agree with his ideas, Joehl encourages everyone to do their research before heading to the polls.

鈥淚 really want people to have a look at my platform, have a look at me, get to know me,鈥� he said.

鈥淚f they vote for Jack Froese because they think he鈥檚 the better candidate and that he鈥檚 the guy to run the Township for another four years, I have no issue with that. But if they voted for him because they didn鈥檛 know who the other guy was, well, shame on them.鈥�

miranda@langleytimes.com
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