Opinion

In response to “Council discusses a raise” on the cover of The Chief, Dec. 22. I could definitely see this coming. These people are paid extremely well for a group of people who are in training at best.

I have lived in Squamish since 1975 and have seen a lot of changes. Squamish is a nice place to live and we have seen a large growth spurt since the Olympics in 2010. Do I have concerns? Yes I do.

H ere we are heading into 2017 and a salary top-up for our municipal council is back on the budgetary agenda. It’s puzzling why that request did not appear in any of the present council members’ campaign blurbs during the last municipal election.

N ow that 2016 is wrapping up, many Squamish residents are thinking more about how lucky they are to live here. It seems that Squamish – our small community in the mountains – has been a haven from shocking events around the world.

Now that Christmas is over, I am slowly recovering from all the family parties, festive dinners, bubbly wine and opening presents.

A round this time last year I wrote a column about grieving after taking photos at the annual lighting of Squamish Hospice Society’s Memory Tree. This time, I’m writing from a more personal point of view. Her name was Cathy.

T he possibility of schools not giving grades out makes many parents uneasy. Those of us who grew up in the ’70s and ’80s are used to bringing home report cards with big As, Bs, Cs, Ds and ominous Fs written inside.

In George Orwell’s book Politics of the English Language one can change the feeling toward words or phrases by putting a friendly word or phrase on an objectionable action. You give the name of these persons as investors.

December 17: Saturday morning.

T his festive season offers a good opportunity to acknowledge the individuals and organizations who have shared their time and material resources to help the less fortunate in this community.