Dear fellow member,
As you can imagine, it is with surprise and much regret that behaviour came to light in the last month regarding our managing director. It has been an unpleasant and unfortunate experience for all involved but one that I have learned from tremendously.
I am the first person to acknowledge that I made a mistake and for this I apologize. And although there are a number of explanations why certain things happened the way they did (over-taxed volunteers, inherited past practices, the well-intentioned inexperience of a number of people, staff increases and changes, implementing new accounting systems and principally-and unfortunately-deceit), there are certainly no excuses.
My failure was to trust someone who appeared to have all the right credentials, ethics and abilities. I also should have had better judgment in analyzing past practices and changing them.
It is not the mistake itself that defines a person or an organization, but how they learn from the failure. Instead of being defensive, one must accept responsibility, bring it into context and make a commitment not to let it happen again. To respond defensively and accuse without consideration wastes a teachable moment.
"The best developer of a leader is failure." -Richard Branson.
The world's greatest leaders have all had spectacular failures. Good leaders have the courage to go out on a limb, take on challenges, make tough decisions, accept responsibility with integrity and honesty, put the mistake into perspective, learn and then move forward, stronger for the experience. Dwelling on or denying failure is perhaps the biggest mistake anyone can make. Failure can leave you feeling defeated and deflated, but leaders and organizations that learn and move forward gain resilience and energy, and in the end are stronger for it.
Yes, 2005 has had its challenges. But it has also been an unprecedented year of opportunity, collaboration and growth for the Chamber. I personally have learned from the good, the bad and the ugly. The Chamber, its board and members, has also learned from this experience and, I have no doubt, will move forward stronger than ever as a leader in this community.
Patricia Heintzman
Squamish
Heintzman upbraided
The following letter to former Chamber of Commerce president Patricia Heintzman was submitted to The Chief for publication:
Dear Patricia,
If what I read in today's Chief is true, about you leaving a new Chamber of Commerce G.M. with signed blank cheques, then you are truly incompetent.
This is just about the most outrageous thing I have ever heard of. I have been president of dozens of companies and various organizations over the past 37 years, and not once did I ever leave a signed blank cheque with any one.
Was this to be your practice if you were elected Mayor?
You should be held personally responsible for any Chamber money that was misappropriated as a result of your own negligence.
Douglas R. Day
Chamber Member
Gardner sets record straight
Editor,
I write in response to a letter to the editor in the Oct. 21 Chief expressing concern over my apparent "disregard" for traffic concerns on Judd Road. The letter referred to me being quoted in the Oct. 14 Chief as saying, "I'm not really sure what the concern is there. I don't see additional traffic as a problem in that area."
That quote is accurate. However, the statement was made in response to the reporter questioning me about traffic on Brennan Road. In fact, I went on to specifically tell the reporter that I believed that the residents' real concern was traffic on Judd Road. It is my understanding that residents have been concerned for some time about vehicles speeding on Judd Road.
I also volunteered during the short telephone interview (since the reporter was not present at the public information hearing) that residents had raised a valid concern about the potential square footage of the bed and breakfast in the proposed zoning bylaw and that I was working with the District's Planning Department to rectify this.
I will take this opportunity to clarify some other discrepancies in the original article. Contrary to the headline, the proposal is not for 31, or any, townhouses. The proposal is for 31 single-family lots on over 9 acres and an 11-room bed and breakfast on a 3 3/4 acre parcel.
In addition, I have never stated that the bed and breakfast "may be licensed".
Should anyone have any further questions or concerns I can be reached during business hours at 604-898-2277.
Greg Gardner
Squamish
Editor's note: A correction and apology is printed on page A3 rectifying the journalist's referral to the homes as townhouses. The telephone interview referred to was recorded and transcribed. The transcription does not indicate that Mr. Gardner made a reference to traffic on Judd Road. With regard to the bed and breakfast's licensing, several residents present at the public hearing were interviewed and said they understood that the bed and breakfast may be licensed.
Oceanfront corporation responds
Editor,
Re: Mr. Mathews's letter to the editor Oct 21:
The Squamish Oceanfront Development (SODC) would like to thank Mr. Mathews for his concern regarding the Brownfield Conditions of the Squamish Oceanfront peninsula lands (Mr. Mathews' Nexen lands reference). However, SODC wishes to clarify that, in fact, the vast majority of the Oceanfront lands are successfully remediated to commercial or residential standards. Minor remaining areas of potential environmental concerns are known and SODC is in the process of dealing with these. Potential risks to human health and the environment from remaining residual constituents of concern will be prevented through appropriate remediation or risk management. SODC is committed to environmentally responsible approaches to development.
Brownfield redevelopments have been successfully done on the Concord, Bayshore, Coal Harbour projects in Vancouver, to name but a few. Brownfield projects are an excellent opportunity to right past wrongs. We wish to ensure the public and that the health and safety of the community and the environment is paramount for SODC. The organization accepts the environmental stewardship of the lands and is dedicated to making the peninsula a better, safer place for all. The development will be a catalyst for habitat enhancement of sensitive natural resources of the site. We invite all residents with concerns to please bring forward their comments to the SODC office by calling Destiny Merkl, the SODC Office Manager at 604-815-5075.
Mike Chin, CEO
Squamish Oceanfront Development Corp.
No vote urged on SCU merger
Editor,
I have been a Squamish citizen for the past 15 years, and have kept a bank account with SCU for most of those years. I want to say that in my opinion, the proposed SCU-VanCity merger will not be beneficial to Squamish residents for the following reasons; large, corporate city banks are impersonal and care less about their clients' interests than do small, locally owned banks; despite VanCity's proposed management board for Squamish and offers for sharing profits and more banking services, merging with VanCity can open a risk of losing control over our local bank - should our interests clash with VanCity's, a power struggle with the city may result, hindering our community growth; Squamish is growing faster than before. By keeping our bank in a simple enterprise, our bank can grow and expand more on it's own legs.
Having relatives working in corporate management positions, I used to respect the philosophy of mega-corporations offering infinite resources. Unfortunately, I have come to realize that as corporations grow and expand, they become less personal, and before long, many begin focusing more on profit and not really care for clientele.
So, to SCU members: on Saturday, Nov. 3, vote "no" to the merger. The place: Sea to Sky Hotel ballroom. Time: 6:30 p.m. Remember, people matter too.
Andrew Lee
Squamish
School trustees need to show respect
Editor,
As a school board candidate, I have been reflecting on the goals we want our board to achieve. And I think it comes down, at least in part, to this: we want the board to ensure that our children have positive and productive interactions with their teachers, and therefore a positive learning climate. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to see the connection between what transpires at monthly board meetings and the achievement of this objective.
The board, in its position of leadership, must always ensure that respectful and positive relationships exist between employer and employees. This sets the tone for the other groups - students, parents, teachers, support staff and administrators - who interact to create our public school system.
The exchange, which I saw at the most recent board meeting, threatened the achievement of this goal. Some (not all) members of the board treated a passionate but polite group of their employees with contempt and disrespect; one trustee personally attacked an individual employee. At no time was this questioned or disavowed by the chair. To the credit of the teachers present, they did not initiate this tone, nor did they respond in kind. To those who would suggest that the board displayed no disrespect, I respond that communication is the message received.
When the going gets tough, it is especially important to treat each other generously. It is simply the correct, courteous and humane way to behave.
But there is more to it than that. The creation and maintenance of an effective, dynamic classroom, school and district relies on the good will of teachers and support staff. If employees do only what they are required to do, our students will not receive the educational experiences they deserve. At the recent meeting, the board damaged this good will for no discernable purpose. No doubt they were frustrated that student learning was suffering during the strike, but maintaining respectful relationships with employees (which does not mean always agreeing with them) will ensure that any damage done during the strike will not linger. With feelings running high on all sides, local boards are stuck in the middle and may feel helpless. They do, however, have the power to preserve and enhance effective relationships with their employees. In this way the inevitable differences between adults will not detract from the enthusiasm and commitment that our students deserve from board, teachers and parents.
Rick Price
Brackendale
What's wrong with a bedroom community?
Editor,
Re: Paillard's "Sad to see it happen here" (Oct. 14, A12)
Last week Paillard wrote of her friend's reaction to the lack of help while trying to change a flat tire: "What do you expect? We're becoming a bedroom community."
This is not the first time that "Squamish becoming a bedroom community" has been alluded to in a negative light in The Chief. As members of this pre-judged group of people who have chosen to live in Squamish, but remain working outside of the community, we are hurt by being blamed for the social weakening and failures of small businesses in Squamish.
Yes, more people are choosing Squamish as a place to live who do not necessarily work here. However, is there any scientific evidence proving that Squamish's economy and sense of community are being compromised by this growing demographic? It is unfortunate that you did not receive help in a time of need, but how do you know that the people who passed you by do not work here?
Commuters may not work in Squamish, but the money we earn in our neighbouring towns is spent here. We pay taxes here; we eat out here; we buy groceries, gas, clothes, gifts and supplies for our homes all in Squamish. We also invest our time and hearts into this community; we help our neighbours, attend community activities and events, enrol our children in schools here, and above all, we care about Squamish just as much as everyone else.
Unfounded judgements and assumptions are segregating citizens of Squamish and weakening our sense of community. Let's think of ways to be more inclusive and welcoming of the changing demographic in Squamish. Say "Hi" or take cookies to the next person to move into your neighbourhood, regardless of where they work, where they're from, or how long they've been in the area. As business owners, do a survey to find ways to capture this growing market. Try staying open later or opening on Sundays; you'll likely find that there are people eager to spend money who may not have been here one, five or ten years ago.
Instead of labelling Squamish a "bedroom community", let's call it "a community". Squamish has been a diverse area for a long tie, it's now time that one more group is welcomed. As residents of Squamish, we should all be proud that people will drive an hour and a half each day to have the opportunity to live in this fantastic community.
Drew Hitchmore
Squamish
It's Vancouver's Olympics, Mr. Mayor
Editor,
Two candidates for mayor: Terrill Patterson and Ian Sutherland. News flash, Ian Sutherland: Vancouver is the host city for the Olympics, not Squamish. Terrill Patterson has been a resident of Squamish for years. He knows the laws of council inside out. He will have things running fairly and smoothly. He will listen to the people. He is for the people and will not be doing things behind closed doors. He will not think the mayor's office is his personally.
You have my vote, Terrill.
Verna Stowe
Brackendale
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