The stage is set, the cast is chosen, and the curtain has risen on the ultimate local reality show – the Squamish municipal election of 2014.
And like a lot of reality shows, the winners will be determined by the audience – those that choose to participate, that is.
Want a show with drama? We’ve got it. We’ve got a fully contested mayor’s race between the incumbent and a long-term councillor who has been rumoured to be considering a challenge for the big chair for the last three elections, and is finally stepping forward to do battle.
Want high stakes? We’ve got a gigantic, hot-button issue in the Woodfibre LNG debate that could determine the future of this community for decades.
Want something new? We’ve got a whole host of candidates, and at least two open seats on council.
Want wacky antics? Just wait to see what prop Terrill Patterson brings to the all-candidates’ meeting this time around.
And if all that isn’t enough, we’ve got a council candidate promising to set himself on fire if we can only get more people out to the polls than we did last time. Literally on fire. Beat that, Simon Cowell.
What more do you need to get out and vote?
It could be you need to know more. Fine. We’ve got you fully covered, with full candidate profiles online at www.squamishchief.com, in-depth coverage of the issues and campaign in print every week, and online and in social media all the time between now and voting day on Nov. 15. We will do our utmost to give you every reason we can to vote.
But at that point, nothing we or the candidates can do to make it work without you, the voter. Even the best show in the world can be undermined by a weak audience.
That’s where you come in. Do it because it’s your civic duty. Do it to make a difference. Do it just to make sure we get to see one of our candidates set himself on fire, if you must. Whatever reason it takes.
It’s audience participation time. Come on down.
