Former CAO paid out $180,000
It cost Squamish taxpayers almost $180,000 for council to terminate the former District of Squamish chief administrative officer (CAO).
Former CAO Corien Becker was paid the equivalent of 12 months’ salary and benefits when she was terminated in July, according to documents obtained in a freedom of information request filed by The Squamish Chief.
Becker received $179,514 gross.
At the time of her termination, a news release stated council had decided to move in a new strategic direction.
In December, former deputy CAO Linda Glenday was announced as Becker’s successor.
New fire chief appointed
Deputy chief Bill Stoner has been promoted to fire chief for the District of Squamish, replacing current chief Bob Fulton, who retires later this month after 28 years of service with Squamish Fire Rescue.
Council officially appointed Stoner at its Tuesday meeting.
Stoner came to Squamish in 2015 from Sun Peaks, where he served as a firefighter for 17 years, according to Linda Glenday, the district’s chief administrative officer.
Loggers Lane development approved
A 70-townhouse development is on its way to Loggers Lane despite objections of a neighbouring campground. Council authorized the development permit and variances Tuesday night.
The owner of Eagle Vista RV Resort and Campground, Jeff Kirkman, had voiced his opposition to the project, saying having a residential development next to his campground will hurt business because tourists come for a more rustic experience.
Rezoning and Official Community Plan bylaw amendments for the development passed in October.
Willow Park upgrades
The Willow Park playground may be getting a facelift this year.
Council passed a motion at its committee of the whole last week to put $40,000 for upgrades to Willow Park into the draft budget deliberations currently underway.
Members of the Willow Park Neighbourhood Association recently lobbied council for an overhaul of the park. Residents say the area has seen increased density over the years, and they pay significant taxes to the municipality but don’t have a playground large enough or sophisticated enough to serve the many children in the community.
The association had proposed the district contribute one per cent of the taxes area residents pay, or $100,000, to revamping the park.
Squamish native language program launched
The non-profit Squamish Nation language program, Kwi Awt Stelmexw, is partnering with Simon Fraser University to launch a two-year, full-time adult immersion program for the Squamish language starting in September.
The long-term aim of the program is to graduate 15 adult speakers of the Squamish language every year to raise the number of speakers to 157 by the year 2027, according to a news release.
Currently there are between seven and 10 fluent Squamish language speakers.
Fifteen students per session will complete 1,000 classroom hours of Squamish Language immersion from September to April, according to the news release.
Graduates will receive a First Nations language proficiency certificate from the university after completing four semesters – two years – of the program.
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2016-2017 program.
A Kwi Awt Stelmexw gala is planned for March 11 to raise funds for a scholarship for students of the program.
*Please note this post has been corrected to reflect that Bob Fulton has been with Squamish Fire Rescue for 28 years, not 20 as first published.
