Dave Crewson, former chair of the now defunct Squamish Sustainability Corporation (SSC) urged District of Squamish council to consider the effects of their actions.
In his last address to council at a special meeting and annual general meeting for the SSC, Crewson reminded council they are not experts on tourism, and said he regrets that a few politicians were able to inhibit progress and innovation.
"Today, with council appointing themselves as the board of directors, the SSC is no longer an independent, non-political organization," Crewson said. "The same leaders that withdrew the district's investment in local job creation will now be governing the corporation that markets the largest sustainable industry in the community."
Council said little after the presentation and moved to appoint council members to the SSC board as well as appoint BCDO Dunwoody as auditor for the SSC current financial year.
In early May, the entire SSC board tendered its resignation. A SSC news release issued Monday (May 4) stated "attempts to work collaboratively with the new council have been unsuccessful."
"The decision to resign was not taken lightly, and was the last remaining method to communicate with council," Crewson said.
At the AGM, Crewson outlined SSC activities over the past year and noted that 2008 was the first year the district contributed revenues to the SSC. He said the first quarter of 2008 saw the release of the Knowledge Based Industry Strategy, which provides recommendations for the diversification of the local economy by fostering emerging employment sectors.
"I regret to report that all the work on the development of the knowledge based sector has been terminated with the dissolution of the district's economic development department and the economic development committee's refusal to move the SSC's strategic recommendation to council," Crewson said.
While Tourism Squamish exceeded expectations with 130 tourism stakeholders, Crewson said 2008 was not without setbacks such as the resignation of Brent Leigh, the managing director of the SSC.
When the SSC board resigned, Crewson said there was a desire to see Tourism Squamish continue with its responsibilities.
"You can see that the incubation model for the tourism industry has been successful. In fact, the board was attempting to recommend a similar model for the development of other job creation sectors of the local economy," Crewson said.
Crewson said that tourism can be leveraged to market the community for the purposes of attracting entrepreneurs and investors in other sectors. He said council has a lot to consider.
"As you commence upon this task, please take a pragmatic inventory of your tourism knowledge and experience before making decisions that can materially affect hundreds of millions of dollars invested in the tourism infrastructure within this community," Crewson said.
In his closing statement, Crewson urged council to accept risk, embrace innovation and seek collaboration.
"Conservatism may get you re-elected, but investment, risk and innovation will lead to community prosperity," said Crewson.
