So far it's a race of two.
With the 2014 municipal election inching closer, incumbent Susan Chapelle has thrown her hat in the ring alongside that of Squamish resident Ron Bahm. During voting this coming October, Bahm will be on the ballot among those running for mayor, while Chapelle will seek to re-claim her seat on the District of Squamish's council.
This isn't the first time Bahm has dabbled in politics. Bahm ran for mayor in 2002 in a three-way race with Ian Sutherland and Paul Lalli, finishing in third place behind Lalli. Three years ago, the owner of Brackendale Auto Service ran for council's top seat against now-mayor Rob Kirkham and Squamish resident Auli Parviainen. Four days before the election, he pulled out of the race after being contacted by Parviainen's camp.
That's not going to happen again, Bahm said, noting in hindsight he believes pulling out was a mistake.
If I had stayed in there, she probably would have got in, he said.
Squamish needs a lot of fixing, Bahm said. Taxes are again on the rise as the municipality lacks the business base to carry the load, he noted. One way to turn that around is by backing the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant on the former Woodfibre site, Bahm said.
We have to increase the tax base, not taxes, he said.
The proposed all-season resort Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) may not fit into that slot, he noted. Although the development could provide jobs, it would require a lot of district infrastructure, Bahm said, noting he would like the development to go to a referendum. As for the Oceanfront, Bahm said he just wants to see progress.
We are not privy to what is going on there, he said. I would like to see some building going on in there.
Chapelle is the only current Squamish lawmaker to have announced her candidacy for re-election. She wants to continue to work with the district's transit committee. Under the committee's lead, B.C. Transit updated its local schedule, adding a new Tantalus route and aligning buses with school bells.
As for the proposed LNG plant, Chapelle said she's still researching the issue. People need to stop burning coal, but LNG isn't the ultimate environmental energy source, she said. If the LNG plant doesn't get built, residents need to examine the industries that could take its place, she added. Either way, Chapelle said she would like a consultant to do a more localized environmental review of the project.
Chapelle stands opposed to the GAS proposal.
I don't see the benefits of GAS in our community, she said. I don't like the water plan currently.
As a member of council, Chapelle can't share details on negotiations regarding the Squamish Oceanfront. However, she said she's optimistic.
I look forward to the property being developed in the way the community anticipates it being done, she said.
