Editor's note: This is the winning letter in the District of Squamish's Mayor for a Day contest. It was written to Christina Moore, DOS communications manager, and copied to The Chief for publication.
I would like to help be mayor for a day for many reasons. Firstly, I would like to encourage the government to put the movie theatre back in because they aren't doing anything with the lot. Second, I would like to give a loan to the Squamish SPCA to help up-size it for more room. Thirdly, I want to fix the walk light downtown, because it makes no sound when it tells you that you can walk, people may be in a rush and miss their turn! Another reason would be to encourage a corner store in Garibaldi Highlands. Brackendale and Valleycliffe both have a corner store, but the Highlands don't. Also, I want to help the wildlife around the highway by keeping at least three of those areas private to pedestrians. Too many people walk through there and litter all over the place. My sixth reason to be mayor for a day would be to encourage the local WalMart to replace the McDonald's with a Dairy Queen. I think that they would get lots of customers, since summer is just around the corner. I, for one, would also like to have more summer camps near upper Squamish for when summer vacation starts. Another thing is that I want to open the Brackendale dike for more walkers, bikers and watchers. We could even buy some of the lot where the house was built so it can be a continuous walkway throughout the river's edge. My 10th suggestion would be to build another hospital in the big lot by WalMart on Commercial Way and Government Road, just so that if there's an emergency and you live in Garibaldi Highlands, you don't have to drive to the other end of town, or so that the ambulances don't, either. Well, I am running out of time to complete this letter. I could give many more suggestions, but I have to go. Hope you liked it!
Kimberley Everett
Grade 7 student
Mamquam Elementary School