The Squamish Chief is kicking off its election coverage with a “getting-to-know you” paragraph on each candidate. In the coming weeks, those running for office will answer your question in the paper.
An all-candidates meeting is set to take place at Howe Sound Secondary School on Nov. 5 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
For full profiles on the candidates and up-to-date election coverage visit the 'Your Vote Matters' tab and click on 'Candidates'.
The candidate profiles below are in no particular order.
Mayoral candidates
Ron Bahm has called Squamish home for 17 years. The owner of Brackendale Auto Service is no stranger to the political arena. He ran for mayor in 2002, council in 2005 and mayor in 2011, before pulling out. Bahm later said that was a mistake. He said he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work. Bahm wants to tackle illegal drug use, daycare availability and the lack of jobs.
After serving three terms on Squamish council, Patricia Heintzman is runningfor mayor. Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, Heintzman travelled the world before finding Squamish. Heintzman attended McMaster University where she studied history. She also attended Sheridan College to receive a diploma in applied photography. Besides sitting on council Heintzman is currently the chair of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.
Rob Kirkham moved to Squamish in 1988. Since then the father has been involved with many local organizations, from a director on the Howe Sound Performing Arts to a youth sports coach and president and founder of the Squamish Community Foundation. The retired banker has served as mayor for the past three years. Before that Kirkham served as a member of council while also serving on the Squamish Lillooet Regional District. He sits on many municipal committees.
Councillor Candidates
Phil Audet moved to Squamish 13 years ago. He initially came for climbing, but quickly realized Squamish was the place he wanted to be. Audet has worked for many years as a tree planter to help fund his world trips, but keeps returning to Squamish. Audet wants to showcase the community for others, highlighting its natural beauty and Squamish’s budding arts and music scene. Squamish residents are driven, intelligent and energetic and that’s what’s Audet says he’s about.
Jason Blackman-Wulff holds a degree in planning from the University of British Columbia and an honours bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Concordia University in Montreal. He has worked for municipal and provincial governments. Blackman-Wulff currently sits on the District of Squamish’s design advisory panel, which reviews development applications on design merits. On the weekends, Blackman-Wulff likes to walk his two dogs Jasper and Apollo.
Glenne Campbell has called Brackendale home for 18 years. As a costume designer for movies, Campbell has travelled around the world, but Squamish has always called her back. Campbell has volunteered on numerous organizations in Squamish including the Brackendale Fall Fair, Squamish Arts Council and Squamish Film Collective. She’s also served on many District of Squamish taskforces, which include developing the Natural Risk Management Plan and the Employable Lands Survey.
Susan Chapelle has served as a councillor for three years. The owner of Squamish Integrated Health has called Squamish home for 15 years. Besides overseeing 25 health care practitioners, Chapelle supports her own clinical practice by conducting biomedical research through a grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Chapelle is a recent graduate of Simon Fraser University’s community economic development program.
Paul Dosanjh has been a resident of Squamish for more than 40 years. The Howe Sound Secondary School graduate is part of the Save-On-Foods management team, budgeting, scheduling and overseeing 20 employees. Dosanjh took business administration at Capilano College. The father of two teenaged daughters has been a big supporter of local fundraisers for Squamish charities. He’s also devoted his time to Squamish Slo-pitch, a group at which he now serves as president.
Squamish has been Karen Elliott’s adventure playground since 1996. Lured by recreation, and wanting her two daughters to have easy access to the outdoors, Elliott and her husband decided to make it home in 2012. Elliott has a professional background in marketing, communications and investor relations. In 2005, she launched her own practice Karen Elliott Consulting & Coaching, in which she aims to create great leaders, productive teams and workplaces that produce results.
A Howe Sound Secondary School graduate, Stephen Fryer lives with his wife and three children in Brackendale. Fryer is an insurance claims adjuster, specializing in claims and property restoration, with more than 18 years in the industry. Fryer has volunteered with various sports organizations, from Howe Sound Minor Baseball to Squamish Minor Hockey, in which he serves as vice president. Fryer has served on a local residential strata and organizes various cancer and sports fundraisers.
North Vancouver native Peter Kent moved to Squamish with his wife nine years ago. The father of twin boys spent 15 years working as a personal stunt double to Arnold Schwarzengger before setting up Canada’s only stunt training academy. While Kent is a 30-year TV and film veteran, he’s also worked in mills, landscaping, commercial fishing and as a sound engineer. The Hollywood Stuntman’s Hall of Fame inductee attended the British Columbia School of Broadcasting.
Animal-lover Debra McBride moved to Squamish in 1977. Five years later she jumped into the municipal election race for mayor to protect the Squamish Estuary from plans she feared would destroy the area’s wilderness. McBride has volunteered her time to various organizations, including the Brackendale art Gallery and the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association. With a background in farming, the environment tops McBride’s concerns.
Auli Parviainen moved to Squamish in 2009. The Finish native earned a bachelors degree in communications and political science from Simon Fraser University. She currently delivers strategic business consulting services, with a focus on sustainable business practices, strategic planning and long-term financial success. Parviainen is the chair of Inside Edge and is stepping down as treasurer of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce to run for council.
Ontario native Chris Pettingill moved to Squamish with his fiancée and never looked back. Pettingill loves the outdoor lifestyle and quickly found himself involved with local organizations. He just completed a two-year term as the chair of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce. He’s also served on the board of Inside Edge and Tourism Squamish. Pettingill is a software consultant and partner in a company that develops screening tools for children’s mental health.
Writer and producer Bryan Raiser moved to Squamish for a job in 1996. A year later Squamish was his permanent home. He’s served two terms on council, but his interest in politics goes back further. While in city hall, the father of two young daughters has advocated for safe pedestrian and cycling routes. When not in council chambers, Raiser spends time mountain biking and refereeing roller derby. Raiser aims to take a consultative approach to council.
In 2007, Scott Wengi and his wife moved from Sydney, Australia to Squamish. Now with a Canadian citizenship in hand and a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter in tow, Squamish is home. Wengi graduated from the University of New South Wales with a degree in industrial relations and a masters of commerce in human resource management. Wengi worked in general insurance and account managing for a large risk consulting brokerage before reaching his true passion teaching golf.
Rob Weys has lived in Squamish with his wife and three children for more than a decade. Born in Vancouver and raised in Fort Langley, Weys college education focused on business and political science. Weys business experience includes working for Canadian Springs, Yellow Media and the Freundenderg Group. He founded Squamish – Haymack Autoglass. Weys is currently a director with the Squamish Youth Soccer Association and Tantalus Wellspring Society.
Kevin Jewell has a bachelors degree in computer science. Jewell has worked with multinational technology and consulting corporation IBM. He has a background in information analysis and has worked as a computer instructor. As a father of two, Jewell is focused on challenges facing family in Squamish. In particular, Jewell states he’s determined to control municipal taxes and spending. He wants to guide by financial and environmental sustainability and stewardship.
Terrill Patterson is a self-proclaimed watchdog of Squamish politics. Patterson’s history with the local municipal arena runs back to 1970, when the long-time Squamish resident sat on council in 1987. He has campaigned in every election since the 1970s.
Doug Race worked as a partner practicing law at Race and Company for 30 years. Race lived in Whistler before moving to Squamish. Besides serving on council for two terms, Race has been involved with numerous local groups, including serving as president of the Rotary Club of Squamish, co-chair of the Squamish General Hospital fundraising committee in 1997 and a founding director of the Squamish Community Foundation. Race also was a Squamish Oceanfront Corporation director.
Ted Prior has been active in the Squamish political arena for more than 20 years. Currently serving on council, the father of four daughters has served on various District of Squamish taskforces dealing with everything from senior’s housing to land zoning. Prior was a long-time member of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce board and served with the Senior Citizen’s Society. He also served on the district’s design panel and municipal economic development committees.
Eric Andersen was born in Squamish. He’s worked as a forestry and transportation consultant. Andersen served as director of Squamish CAN, the Clean Air Society, the Howe Sound Curling Club and as a member of various chambers of commerce and forest industry committees. Andersen has volunteered on a number of community organizations, focusing on issues from affordable housing to recreation and the environment. He says the district needs to complete a marine strategy.
Brad Hodge is the owner of Squamish-based an information technology (IT) business. He lives with his wife and two children in a housing co-op in Brackendale, which the family moved to in 1999. Hodge attended Pickering College and was involved in running one of the first modes of interactive communications online, the Bulletin Board System. Hodge has served as a director on Squamish’s only housing co-operative, as well as that of the Squamish Helping Hands Society. Hodge is also a member of the Squamish Lions.
