You might be forgiven for not knowing which candidate was speaking during the Squamish municipal election mayoral debate on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
The two frontrunners, incumbent Mayor Rob Kirkham and current councillor Patricia Heintzman, took remarkably similar positions on some of the evening’s toughest questions, although mayoral candidate Ron Bahm was occasionally on his own island at the debate, held at Howe Sound Secondary School.
But all three candidates agreed the eventual development of the Squamish oceanfront has taken far too long. It’s time to make a move, Bahm said, noting he doesn’t want to be in a wheelchair by the time buildings go up.
The District of Squamish is on the cusp of signing an agreement for the 59-acre property with developer Newport Beach Partnership Ltd. While no proposal is ever perfect, the one in district’s hands follows the Oceanfront Peninsula Sub Area Plan, drafted with community input, Heintzman said. The agreement also sheds the oceanfront’s $11-million debt off the municipality’s back, she added.
“Ultimately we have to decide: Do we want to have it?”
The oceanfront project plays a huge part in transforming the community, Kirkham said. It speaks to the municipality’s push to revitalize downtown and it moves Squamish closer to the tourism spotlight, he noted. The district has found a developer willing to uphold the community’s vision of the one-third park, one-third residential and one-third commercial/industrial uses, Kirkham said.
“I am really looking forward to this project going ahead and formalizing that and get this oceanfront back into the community’s hands and getting a boardwalk around the outside,” he said.
Heintzman and Kirkham also mimicked each other’s stance on Woodfibre’s proposed liquefied natural gas plant. The site of the former pulp mill is zoned industrial, and the plant fits within the district’s official plan, they both noted.
Next year, the district is undertaking a review of its official plan. At that time it would be prudent for the community come to a consensus on Squamish’s future vision, Heintzman said.
“I think, generally speaking, there are massive opportunities for tourism, but it can’t be all tourism,” she said of the town’s economy.
People are moving to Squamish because of the great opportunities within the community to raise a family, enjoy the outdoors and invest in business, Kirkham said.
“A part of who we are right now is a balance and good mix of tourism and industry working hand-in-hand,” he said.
What is crucial is that the community sits down and lays out a plan that is a win-win for everyone, Kirkham noted, adding this can occur during official plan review.
Bahm took a different tack when it came to the proposal. He said he’d welcome any business to town as long as a job count came with it.
The mayoral candidates individually answered varying questions on issues ranging from homelessness to a dog park.
The district needs to create a five-year plan to end homelessness, Heintzman said. She also called for a comprehensive survey to understand the community’s demographics.
Kirkham wants to work with the Responsible Dog Owners’ Group of Squamish to help address pet issues in town and create a free-run dog park. Kirkham also said he wants to increase youth participation in municipal government by forming a “shadow” youth council.
