Frankly Speaking

On Friday, Langley will become the latest Lower Mainland community to see two of its community newspapers become one. The Langley Advance Times will begin publication that day, with the amalgamation of The Advance  (which began in 1931) and The Times (which started 50 years later, in 1981). Both have been owned by Black Press Media since 2015. There is still another community newspaper in Langley - the Aldergrove Star , also published by Black Press Media. It is based in Aldergrove, and serves the eastern portion of Langley and western portion of Abbotsford. The move to amalgamate makes sense, and will actually provide better news coverage. The news staff at the two newspapers have laboured heroically since each went to once-a-week publication, but there is no doubt they have been stretched on many occasions. I have the highest regard for Roxanne Hooper, editor of the new publication. We worked together many years ago at the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News , and she is not only ...

Roy Clancy, who was the original editor of The Langley Times when it began publication in 1981, passed away on Sunday in Calgary. The cause was "a swift battle with cancer." He was 63. An obituary in today's National Post noted that he was a "consummate journalist with a keen eye for the written word." He had worked for the Calgary Sun for more than 25 years, as editorial page editor and columnist. He came to Langley to help launch a competitor to the long-established Langley Advance , which has been in operation since 1931. Publisher Gerry Maginn and his business partner and brother-in-law Stan Fenton decided to take on The Advance , even though it was a tough time to start a newspaper. Interest rates were at record highs and unemployment numbers were also high. Some people were actually losing their homes in Langley because of an inability to pay their mortgages. The Times was a free-distribution tabloid, with a visual and written style very different f...

Today is the final day of my 17 years as editor of The Langley Times. Here's some thoughts about the many interesting people I've worked with and encountered over the years, as published in The Times' July 1 edition. As a 37-year career in community newspapers winds down this week, it’s time for me to thank all those who have made it possible. First, I wish to thank all those who have passed on good wishes over the past few weeks, and in particular those who honoured me with their attendance at a retirement party last week at Langley Golf Centre. Many thanks to publisher Jean Hincks, incoming editor Brenda Anderson and assistant ad manager Kelly Myers in particular, for their hard work in organizing a very special event. Second, many thanks to the great group of people I have worked with at The Times. Brenda is taking over as editor. She has been here for all the time I’ve held this position, and a bit longer. She knows the community well and will do a great ...