The municipal election race is on, with three more candidates stepping up to the start line.
On Monday, Oct. 6, incumbent Coun. Doug Race announced his name is again going to be on the ballet for council. Race received the second highest number of votes in the 2011 election, with 2,088 backers. He trailed Coun. Patricia Heintzman by 204 votes.
“Over the last couple of terms we have done a lot to build a foundation for the community,” Race said, who was also elected to council in 2008.
At the top of the list is the Squamish oceanfront deal and waterfront strategy, he said. Moving forward, the district needs to connect downtown with its waterfront, a plan outlined in the strategy, Race said. Last April, the district acquired two acres of industrially zoned Mamquam Blind Channel waterfront land through a provincial government program. The four-storey residential Mireau development will also help open up access to the water, Race said.
“The waterfront strategy deals with issues such as live-aboard boats, as well as building an attractive waterfront,” he said.
There are a lot of moving parts to the oceanfront agreement between the District of Squamish and Newport Beach Partnership Ltd. — a joint venture between developers Matthews Southwest and Bethel Lands Corporation. Getting the process to the point of a deal was a big move, Race said. Now he wants to see the agreement through.
Opposition to this term’s council has accused officials of a lack of transparency. But that is far from the truth, Race said. A communication manager was hired and the district poured money into upgrading its website, including technology that allows residents to watch council meetings online. During the process of securing an interested party in the Squamish oceanfront, council shared details when possible, Race said. At times it was difficult, he noted, adding by law some components of the negotiations were confidential.
Race’s announcement follows that of Stephen Fryer. The vice-president of the Squamish Minor Hockey Association declared late last month. The long-time Squamish resident’s most recent dabble with politics came about during the district’s recreation user fees discussions. Fryer, who is running for council, voiced his concerns about the proposed increase to ice-users and its effect on accessibility to young athletes. Although Fryer has volunteered on numerous sports groups, including Howe Sound Minor Baseball and Squamish Slo-pitch Association, and took on the role of ice user spokesperson during the debate, he said he’s not a one-issue candidate.
“I love this town. I am really passionate about the people that live here,” he said.
Fryer said he’d like to see a more efficient town hall. Council seems to repeatedly take 10 steps forward and 100 steps back, he noted. Fryer added he’s sick of watching a mish-mash of developments pop up all over town. He also wants to cut down on outside fees.
“The waste of taxpayers money on consultants is ridiculous,” Fryer said.
The community has checked out of engagement with the district, he said, and Fryer intends to turn that around.
“A lot of things are going on behind closed doors,” he said.
Last week, Aussie-turned-Canadian Scott Wengi also announced his council candidacy. Wengi moved to Squamish from Sydney in 2007. Wengi has a bachelor’s degree in industrial relations and masters of commerce in human resource management. In Squamish he decided to follow his passion, changing his career path to become a professional golf instructor.
“Squamish has so much potential and I’d love to play a small part in showcasing this potential to the rest of Canada and the world,” he stated in a submission toThe Squamish Chief. “I would also like to play an active leadership role in relation to local issues such as infrastructure, business growth/job creation and developments that impact us, the residents of this town.”
Squamish resident Phil Audet is also running for Squamish council. Audet ran in the 2011 municipal election and garnered 335 votes. The Squamish Chief could not reach Audet at press deadline.
Last week, former Sea to Sky School District assistant superintendent Ian Kent announced he is running for Squamish school trustee. Kent has served as a principal in various Squamish schools for 22 years and retired last January. He said he misses his involvement with aiding the school system.
“I would like the opportunity to continue on with my background and training,” Kent said.
Following the teachers’ labour dispute, Kent said he wants to bridge the relationship between the school board and teachers.
“We have six years until the next contract,” he said.
The Sea to Sky School District is very well-run, Kent said. There are some amazing teachers within the local schools. The education system is on the verge of some exciting new practices, he added.
“Now we are trying to focus more on the students and their abilities, rather than the class,” he said.
Long-time forestry researcher and consultant Eric Andersen’s name will be on the ballots in a bid for a council seat.
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, Andersen announced his intention. Andersen has volunteered on a number of community organizations, focusing on issues from affordable housing to recreation and the environment.
“Municipal hall is already a very familiar place to me, having served on various district working groups, task forces and committees — and as an interested citizen,” Andersen stated in a press release.
Andersen served as director of Squamish CAN, the Clean Air Society, the Howe Sound Curling Club and as a member of various chambers of commerce and forest industry committees.
“I see an unbalanced jobs-to-housing ratio as a big challenge for Squamish — important to address for economic, but social and also environmental reasons,” he said. “Resigning to becoming a long-distance commuter suburb — a place to just live and play — is not a necessary fate or a good one.”
Moving forward, an Official Community Plan (OCP) review is an important task, Andersen said. The district also needs to look at its marine strategy and complete the estuary plan review, he noted. The Squamish oceanfront is also on top of Andersen’s list.
“The oceanfront plans are important, but in a bigger context,” he said.
