All is quiet on Squamish’s municipal election front.
A few candidates have entered the trenches early and are eager to get on with what will inevitably be a big battle. Last May, incumbent Susan Chapelle said she’s having another run at a council seat in the upcoming November 15 general election. Ron Bahm was alongside her, letting the masses know that he wants the mayor’s cap. And this time around he says he’s not going to wave the white flag.
This week Peter Kent, who generated 1,187 votes in 2011 missing council’s table by two spots, announced he’s putting on his municipal election helmet.
But the rest of the troops that came out to the field three years ago remain silent. So quiet in fact, that a visitor to our town would not know that there’s a battle brewing behind the scenes.
And a battle this one will be. It’s bringing out all the big cannons – the Woodfibre liquefied natural gas (LNG) proposal, the development and hopeful sale of Squamish’s oceanfront and let’s not shy away from the pooper, as the district delves into the costs of the community’s future sewage treatment facilities.
All these topics and more – the potential development of the Cheekye Fan and how to protect residents from debris flow risks, nailing down our future drinking water sources and finding money to pay for the added infrastructure – we need to focus on in this election. But there’s no doubt LNG is a giant Zeppelin flying above.
Unfortunately, the District of Squamish has very little jurisdiction over the fate of the Woodfibre project. And even though it’s difficult to divert one’s eyes from the issue as it floats overhead, Squamish residents shouldn’t let it overshadow some of the major battles on the ground.
Everyone’s curious about who’s going to lead the charge in the mayoral race. Last election Auli Parviainen lost out to Rob Kirkham by 179 votes. This places her in the prime position to take another stab at it.
But there are wild cards in the mix. Kirkham hasn’t announced whether he’ll pick up the riffle again and there are whispers that Patricia Heintzman might want to upgrade from her council seat to the mayor’s chair.
Whoever runs this year, one thing is known for sure. Shots will be fired.
