Three terms is enough, announced Coun. Raj Kahlon this week. Six days after Mayor Ian Sutherland said he would not seek re-election in this year's municipal election, Kahlon announced Monday (June 16) that he too is backing out of November's race."I always said 'If I'm going to run, I'm going to run for mayor, not as a councillor,'" said Kahlon. "I always believed that two-, three-time councillor is as far as a person should go. After that, the person loses the focus and becomes negative. Consequently it's counter-productive and starts costing taxpayers lots of money in micromanaging."Kahlon's reasoning echoes Sutherland's thinking last week as he announced he wouldn't run again saying: "two terms seems to me the right amount of time." Immediately following Sutherland's decision last week, Kahlon said he had yet to decide whether he would seek the mayor's seat. But after a weekend fishing on Hornby Island, he said he decided a life of retirement was just too compelling."Now I'm looking forward to taking care of my mom, play tennis and squash," he said. Kahlon has been through some of the most turbulent times in Squamish council, facing opportunities that residents argued could make or break the town. In 2006, Kahlon drew gasps from a packed city hall during an Oceanfront development Memoradum of Understanding debate when he sprung a surprise amendment to the table demanding the private partner Qualex secure a third of the property to park space. With Kahlon on side, the MOU barely passed. The following day, Qualex pulled out.Over his nine years on council, Kahlon said he's learned a few things about politics, adding one thing never changed: his independence. Kahlon said he's proud that he was never a member of a slate, and never colluded with another against a councillor to achieve a self-interested outcome.He also leaves with hopes for a new council after a term that saw staff take significant criticism: "People are blaming staff, that they're work is not getting done. Actually they should be blaming the seven of us. The staff is doing the best they can. I'm proud of staff. "I sincerely hope the people will elect the new mayor council who has a bigger vision, and work as a team, because last council did not work as a team."In an interview with The Chief, both councillors Greg Gardner and Patricia Heintzman said they were unaware of Kahlon's decision."This is the first I've heard of it," said Gardner, "but I would like to thank Coun. Kahlon for the many years he gave to the District of Squamish. I've enjoyed working alongside him as a councillor.""Good for him, he's got to enjoy his tennis, maybe one day we can make them up to his satisfaction," laughed Heintzman. Kahlon immigrated to Canada in 1971 fresh out of university. He's been a high profile resident of the Sea to Sky for decades, taking on a charitable role for the Lions Club that saw him travel to Bolivia to promote the organization's eye care program. He was elected into council in 1999. In 2002, he sat as the Squamish Lillooet Regional District chair. All this while running two hardware stores in Squamish and in Lillooet.Kahlon said he's pleased to be leaving on a high note."I always wanted to leave with my integrity intact. The people of Squamish, I will go as far as saying they trusted me, they loved me, they respected me. I've been called 'the most charismatic councilor.' That's emotional for me. It's nice to get the respect back."
