The die is cast. This newly elected council is a talented blend of seasoned veterans and political neophytes who have the resources to transform campaign pledges and platitudes into action.
Retired lawyer Doug Race is heading into his third term as a member of our municipal assembly. He is considered by many to be a voice for reason and measured judgement on council. His challenge will be to help the community reach a consensus on the divisive issues it faces.
Council newcomer Jason Blackman-Wulff holds an urban planning degree from UBC. He has worked for various provincial and municipal government agencies and understands Squamish is in a critical transition phase during which significant due diligence will be required.
Ted Prior brings valuable experience as a long-term Squamish resident, business owner and second-term councillor to the political arena. He says, “I won’t stop fighting until Squamish is a model of collaborative, effective, and open decision making.”
First-term councillor Karen Elliott is in the right place at the right time. With a master’s degree in behavioral science and a track record of building high performance teams, she has the required credentials to move the community towards constructive and meaningful dialogue.
Peter Kent, the Arnold Schwarzenegger stunt double, says he is infused with a public-service-above-personal-benefit attitude and is primed to help build a culture of transparency and accountability. However, since the number of voters eclipsed the turnout from the previous election, his first order of business will be to get a permit from the district to set himself ablaze on Cleveland Avenue as promised.
Heading into her second term, Susan Chapelle brings an activist bent to council proceedings. She is the owner of a bustling local integrated health facility and a recent grad of the Community Economic Development program at Simon Fraser University. She believes that background will facilitate the search for solutions to prominent local issues.
With three terms as a councillor under her belt, our newly elected Mayor Patty Heintzman plans to “hit the ground running.” Her goal is to be “a new kind of mayor” whose transformational leadership style will promote openness and proactive teamwork.
There is little doubt that, on paper, this is one of the best educated and most ambitious municipal governments the residents of Squamish have ever elected. For individuals who bring so much upside to the table, the challenge now is to roll up their sleeves and mesh as a productive council.
