This is the time of year when newspaper writers like to gaze into the crystal balls they don’t have and shed light on what is expected to happen in the future.
Here, without the benefit of any ability to look into the future, are some news summaries we might expand on over the next few months.
First, there will be at least one more major staff change at municipal hall. In the interest of allowing some creative thought around this notion, that is the extent of this prediction.
Next, Woodfibre LNG will get an Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) certificate of approval. Subsequent headlines will include references to a citizens’ group filing a legal challenge of the EAO decision and protests led by people concerned about everything from marine safety, increased tanker traffic on Howe Sound, terrorist attacks and greenhouse gas emissions to impacts on air quality, the waters of Howe Sound, salmon, birds, trees and plants.
A proposal to log a large swath of land on the north side of Gambier Island will be significantly scaled back and the gravel pit proposal for McNab Creek will also be scaled back.
Mayor Patricia Heintzman, with a shovel in hand, will turn over the first bit of dirt to mark construction of the waterfront park proposed for the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corp. The following week, I expect The Squamish Chief will publish a letter to the editor from Douglas Day. The letter will tell us the development plan for the lands is a bad idea, and Day will remind us again that he told us years ago the plan was flawed.
In a related matter, Day will float another plan to partially develop the golf course lands he owns at Garibaldi Springs. The plan will be rejected and budget-conscious golfers will continue to enjoy an inexpensive golf experience at Garibaldi Springs.
The Squamish Nation will decide it isn’t good practice to allow its elected officials to be employees of the Squamish Nation. Policy will be put in place to ensure that after the next round of band elections, any Squamish Nation members with political aspirations will have to resign from paid positions with the band before launching an election campaign.
For those who love Stawamus Elementary School, you had better sit down for this next prediction. The little school that could will close. There will be some protest but it will become apparent the decision is in the best interest of the community and the school district.
And, Terrill Patterson will officially retire. He’ll tell a small group of regulars who attend council meetings that he has decided to invest in a computer, Internet access, a smartphone, an iPad and a big flat-screen TV so he can watch council meetings from the comfort of his home while updating his Twitter followers with regular tweets on what he’s learned remotely of what’s going on at municipal hall.
Happy New Year!
