... Former Socred cabinet minister Jim Nielsen, now living in Walnut Grove, was also on hand and was introduced to the crowd.
Three members of Township council were also on hand - Grant Ward, Jordan Bateman and Howie Vickberg, as was school trustee Alison McVeigh.
Alberts told the crowd that the current council "is the best council I've worked with" and said first-term councillors Bateman and Charlie Fox "have been great additions to council."
He cited many accomplishments over the past three years, highlighting partnerships with various governments and other bodies that made many of them possible. The Willoughby Events Centre, with construction well underway, was made possible by a $15 million grant from the province - "the largest such grant in Langley's history," he stated.
Alberts said the annual Douglas Day banquet, which this year marks the 150th anniversary of B.C.'s founding in Fort Langley, will be held at the centre.
The centre will not only include a 3,500-seat arena, but will also have a 500-seat banquet and exhibition hall and a triple gym.
He said Langley's two post-secondary institutions, the school district, Langley Gymnastics Foundation and the Langley Chiefs are all part of the overall project.
Alberts said that a major emphasis of the current council has been public safety, with full-time firefighters in place in two halls and planned for two more, and additional policing. The Public Safety Inspection Team is combating grow-ops...