A surveyor by trade, Phil Audet told The Chief that he thinks Squamish is a special place that is in a transition period. He said it shouldn't just be those with money and power, but also ordinary citizens, who will help shape what Squamish becomes over the next couple of decades."I see Squamish up there with all these desirable places in the world Chamonix, Boulder, Colo.," he said. "It's really ours for the shaping, not just for the wealthy. "I think people have lost respect for politicians," Audet added. "I think we need to move away from the car salesmen and the lawyers and such, and we need people in that seat who have vision and really care about the community. I'm not saying that the current people who sit on council don't, but I think there could be more happening that way." Audet grew up in Calgary and first visited Squamish in 1989 when he came here to climb. Though he found the rocks and routes here challenging, he said he fell in love with the place and the community, eventually coming back here to live about 10 years ago, he said. Over the past few years Audet has worked on the Sea to Sky Highway Improvement Project. He spent much of the past year working in the oilsands in Fort McMurray, Alta., returning a couple of months ago. It was there that he realized that Squamish was his home and that he wanted to help shape its future, he said. "I think we will always be a great place to live and raise a family, but we can always be better. I love this town and I admit that I don't have all the answers or information, but I want to be involved in the direction this town is taking. I want to give the people of this town a voice that resonates with them."Phil Audet information:Twitter: @Phil4_a_change
