By RENE NEFF

Dear Langley Community, Honorable Mayor Callison and Esteemed Langley Councilmembers,

It has been my distinct privilege and honor to serve the citizens of Langley for the past 12-plus years. The opportunity to get to know the people who work and live in this city and see the heart and soul so many pour into our town is humbling. Langley is a very special place and the people who live and work here give it their all.

During my tenure on the council, I have tried to put my energy toward helping grow Langley’s economy. When I was a merchant in downtown Langley, I realized how crucial those businesses were to our town’s overall prosperity. They are the heartbeat from which the town grows and prospers. Being a part of getting Main Street launched was very important to me and I believe, ultimately, to our town. The leadership there has helped our town take such pride of place and continues to build on the success of LMSA’s projects each year. I felt it was my job to be available whenever a citizen or visitor wanted to talk and I did my best to respect their views and represent their interests and concerns even when I didn’t necessarily agree with their views.

I have had the pleasure of serving with five mayors; all worked very hard for Langley and did their very best to make Langley a great place to live. Individuals on the council have changed, but with each new addition I have been amazed and pleased with the commitment and care each person brought to the job. They came to serve the people, not with agendas of their own. There have been some very difficult times when being a council member was truly challenging and heart wrenching. But, through it all, I found this community moves through our difficulties and disagreements and are still able to treat each other with dignity and respect. Our current council is a strong group that cares deeply about this place and work hard to do what they believe is best for Langley. They listen to their constituents, work with a variety of people throughout the community, serve on boards and commissions representing the city in the best way they can. I want to make sure people understand that my resignation has absolutely nothing to do with the current issues facing our community and nation. I have nothing but the utmost respect for my fellow council members and our mayor.

There are several things driving my desire to resign now and not serve out the rest of my term. First, I have an internal battle to fight. I am determined to win because I have amazing children and grandchildren that I have only begun to know. I want more time with them before they are too old to hang out with their Grammy. Also, I am president of the board of Island Shakespeare Festival, which is really taking off and I want to devote whatever energy I can to helping it be all it can be. I have given 12 years to Langley, and it’s time others step forward with new energy and ideas to lead Langley into its future. It is with a heavy heart, but a realistic one, that I tender my resignation from the Langley City Council effective the 15th day of May.