Former councillor denies writing, distributing anti-New Directions literature
John French
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Shades of the 2002 election surfaced in the final days of the 2005 municipal election campaign as a mysterious yellow sheet that angered incumbent mayor Ian Sutherland was circulated to post boxes late this week.
The sheet, titled "Did You Know?", offers seven points that criticize the current District of Squamish Council and specifically Squamish New Directions.
A similar unsigned document, titled "Can You Afford Squamish New Directions?", was distributed at the all-candidates' meeting before the 2002 municipal election.
Former councillor Rick King came forward after the meeting and admitted he created the unsigned sheet, which become known as the "Yellow Paper".
Contacted by The Chief Thursday (Nov. 17), King said he did not write or distribute the current sheet.
"I have no idea who did it and my curiosity is up," said King. "Hats off to whoever wrote that one. It is better than my yellow paper from three years ago. This one is short and to the point."
Sutherland, on the other hand, was not pleased by the paper.
"This is unfortunately unsigned propaganda," said Sutherland. "It is the exact same thing that happened three years ago where people who don't have the guts to sign their name to something put out in a public form. Like three years ago, the information is all incorrect. It is fear-mongering."
Sutherland described the distribution of the sheet as being consistent with Squamish's old political ways and the reason he and his supporters became involved in local politics in the first place.
The sheet suggests that invoices for work at the Squamish Adventure Centre are being paid by "robbing Peter to pay Paul" and that the annual operating costs for the Adventre Centre will top $750,000 a year.
Sutherland said the centre will not be that expensive to operate.
The sheet also alleges the current council met behind closed doors more often than the previous council.
"We had less closed meetings than the previous council ever did," Sutherland said.The sheet also alleges $9 million available credit built up for 40 years is gone.
"We do have more money in the bank than we did three years ago when we took power," he said.
Sutherland said he doesn't intend to take any action to counter the document."I think most people in Squamish will see this for what it is," he said.
