Journalistic integrity has hit a new low. I’m almost shocked to be writing that in a town like Squamish, but I am.
On April 12, The Chief published an article (which I think is being kind calling it that) regarding the Solterra proposal for re-developing the PacWest site located at the south end of Cleveland Avenue in Downtown Squamish.
Instead of focusing on the merits of the project, The Chief focused on calling the project a “tower.” It then stooped to a new level of low when someone managing the Chief’s Facebook page elected to justify calling the project “towers” based on “journalistic principals” despite the fact that a quick search in Google that would include Dictionary.com, Wikipedia, Freddie Mac, City of Toronto all define the project as a mid-rise.
Never mind that in planning and architecture degrees around the world define the project as a mid-rise.
The concept of a “tower” in a community like Squamish serves one purpose, and one purpose only to incite fear, misunderstanding, and loathing in a community that is already fractured and bickering like Grade 3 school children over the challenging job our planning department and elected officials have in balancing the needs and wants of a population that has resided in Squamish in some cases for multi-generations coupled with the new members of our community who are moving here, investing here, and starting businesses.
It is not the right of our media to use definitions based on a visual observation of other buildings within Squamish, it is the responsibility of our media to use proper definitions and distinctions when describing the news, whether it be real estate or any other profession and industry.
The article then goes to highlight how the project is mostly residential with ground floor commercial, failing to highlight the two new street plazas that are being added; failing to mention that the project provides a stand alone three storey office building, the first proposed since Cornerstone was built (a loose quote from a councillor mentions an element, but not does not highlight it), nor how sorely needed it is.
As imagery shows in on the DOS Development Showcase, the view from the ONLY public spot across the street the Howe Sound Brew Pub patio retains its spectacular views of the Stawamus Chief by the building being offset.
The article brushes over that this project is providing sorely needed affordable and adaptable housing; fails to mention the unique architecture of the office component and how architecturally ties into the O’Siyiam Pavilion, spilling out into one of the two new street plazas that ties into additional community space. This project also provides re-development of former industrial land that will provide a new level of vibrancy in the south end of downtown.
And yes, I am a developer, but I also live in Squamish and I am choosing to raise my family here. It is my home, a community I care about deeply and I am actively involved in outside of my profession.
I am tired of our media taking the left slant or the right slant and reporting personal interpretations of the facts, versus actually just reporting the facts. The failure to do so is an affront to journalistic integrity and serves one purpose, and one purpose only: create a further division in the community.
Media is a powerful tool and it should be used responsibly to unite a community, to report both the pros and the cons, not personal opinions, those belong in an editorial, of which this article was not. We live in Squamish, not Roger Stone’s world.
The opinions and commentary in this letter are those of me personally, and not associated with any business, partnership, or organization I spend my time with.
Edward Archibald
Squamish
Editor’s note: The Chief writes for its readers and aims to be as clear as possible. Our aim is not to please or displease any one group in Squamish. We stand by the original story.
