She thought she would try something a little different.
For her annual speech to the Squamish Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, Mayor Patricia Heintzman performed her address as a spoken word poem rather than a speech.
“A little slam poetry,” she explained.
Last year at the same event, she sang a song and strummed her ukulele before her speech.
There were plenty of smiles Wednesday among the 85 attendees, which included MLA Jordan Sturdy, former Squamish mayor Rob Kirkham, Councillors Jason Blackman-Wulff and Doug Race, and the owners and executives of Squamish businesses.
Although she used potty humour and rhyme to get her point across, the message of her 15-minute presentation was serious.
“For the 23 years I have lived here, I have been hearing about Squamish’s potential,” she said. “It’s an excuse not to act, and action is essential.”
Heintzman outlined what she and council have planned for 2016 and beyond.
Strengthening the district’s relationship with the Squamish Nation is one priority.
“We’ve already had several council-to-council meetings this year alone,” she said.
“In 2016, our relationship with the Squamish Nation will get stronger as we continue to explore the protection of Brackendale and the Cheekye Fan, finalize long-awaited service agreements, partner on community forests and embark on a meaningful program of truth and reconciliation.”
She also touched on the $28 million in investment to be made in this year’s district budget, on which council is currently deliberating.
“Flood protection, major work on water and sewer mains, UV disinfection of waste treatment, seismic upgrades of emergency buildings, significant improvements to active transportation, school zones and safe routes to school,” she said, listing major projects for 2016.
The four-year, $3 million overhaul of the district’s aging software infrastructure and technology in everything from finance, recreation to fire rescue will be a massive project going forward, she said.
“It is long overdue and will revolutionize how we do business and deliver efficiency of service.”
Heintzman reiterated that in 2016, the district plans to become carbon neutral. She also said housing and affordability have to be tackled, “because all this positivism that is coming our way means nothing if those who live here can’t work here and stay,” she rhymed. “A goal so dear to my heart is to end homelessness and this path we will chart.”
The controversial liquefied natural gas project and the Garibaldi at Squamish resort projects were conspicuously not her focus. Two tables of Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC employees were in the room.
“How can we forget the elephants in the room, as the EA processes wind down? Will GAS and LNG be coming to town?” was all Heintzman said about the two projects currently waiting provincial or federal Environmental Assessment approvals.
Heintzman announced the final closing date on the Oceanfront Lands deal will be Feb. 3. “Mark your calendars,” she said, receiving a round of applause from the audience.
Her poem also reflected on the year that was.
“This town is in overdrive,” she said. “Even the dock and summer fires and the [Stawamus] Chief shedding its skin didn’t seem to slow us down. Rather, in a bizarre twist, they seem to propel us forward.”
Last year was record-breaking, according to Heitnzman, with a 28 per cent increase in business licenses and a 26 per cent increase in building permits, just some of the milestones she highlighted.
She celebrated those who partied at the Squamish Valley Music Festival, injecting $14.8 million into the local economy.
Heintzman ended her presentation with a quote from Yoda.
“No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.”
After her speech, there was a question-and answer opportunity, but no one had any questions.
