EDITOR,I'd like to take this opportunity as a local business owner and passionate Squamish resident of 10 years to endorse Auli Parviainen for mayor.
I feel the previous mayor and council missed a massive opportunity to create a thriving economy around us post-Olympics. They took a very "hands off" approach with the business community this past three years. They let our economic development office dissolve pre-recession along with the Squamish Sustainability Corporation. They replaced it with a committee that didn't produce results. Allowing the construction of housing developments, empty hotel rooms and condos and hoping they will bring jobs with them has not proven to a solid economic development strategy.
For me it comes down to this choice: Do I vote for the same old ways of doing things? Or should we break from our short-sighted traditions and allow some new energy and ideas into city hall?
I feel a mayor should be someone who is a people person and can build a team around them. And this crop of mostly novice council candidates is going to require a special person to unite them into a winning team that creates results for our town. I feel Auli has the skills to get things done and make the citizens feel involved in the process.
I feel that Auli has demonstrated in her campaign that she has the vision, communication skills and the determination to do things different for the betterment of our community and our economy.
It's time for this community to turn the corner and start working towards a new vision that engages all of its citizens. Craig Davidiuk
Squamish
