This letter was sent to MLA Joan McIntyre and copied to The Chief for publication.
Please accept this email as my request that you count my family and I as strong supporters of the proposed Garibaldi at Squamish resort.
It fits the bill of embracing tourism as a major economic driver for our provincial economy. It will bring sorely needed jobs to the town of Squamish and provide the certainty of a growing future to the area that families and small businesses such as mine need in order to justify staying here.
We feel that not moving forward with this project would be a huge disservice not just to the people of Squamish, but the province as a whole. The opposed self interest groups with tenures at risk have long had a monopoly on deriving benefit from this Crown land.
If qualified parties are prepared to invest in the infrastructure necessary to widen the groups that can derive benefit from it we support the government in realizing that opportunity.
We also feel that the process has dragged on long enough and we welcome a decision on the next stage of the process sooner rather than later.
Imagine the publicity that we could have if 2010 Olympic coverage also includes the news that another world class resort is on the way.
While the voices of those opposed may be loud, rest assured that by far, the vast majority of those we speak to on this issue are supportive and wish to see this move forward ASAP.
Unfortunately many of them are so busy with working at their jobs, businesses and volunteer positions that they are hard pressed to find the time to engage the process and let their support be known.
With children to support, training and service in our local volunteer fire department to uphold and education to further, we can appreciate their position in that regard.
We hope to stay here, raise our family, grow our business and see our children able to return and do the same if they so wish.
As we see it GAS is the only option currently on the table that would afford us that luxury.
We would consider it a suitable and wise use of a Crown resource and urge you to do all that you can in support of this effort.
Richard and Susan Tripp
Squamish
