Squamish is one of the fastest growing communities in B.C., with a hot real estate market, a shrinking amount of land for building and an ever-increasing number of families looking to call it home.
Growth like that attracts attention.
Maybe that explains the two shadowy surveys that circulated last month, asking residents for their opinion on the current mayor and their most urgent concerns.
It’s no crime to pay for a poll, but why the secrecy?
Now, still two weeks out from the official deadline to declare, it’s already an intriguing race for the mayor’s chair. At least one more serious candidate is expected to come forward.
There’s plenty on the line for candidates, their families and all the players behind the scenes. If you’re reading from Squamish, then there’s plenty on the line for you.
It’s shaping up to be an exciting election.
And at its peak moments, it will inevitably attract attention from the same big-city media players that arrive in town to document the odd death or disaster.
Every day, our newsroom of two full-time and one part-time reporter will be doing our best to keep you informed.
After the nomination period closes on Sept. 14, we’ll be inviting each candidate to our office so we can tell you who they are and what they stand for. Short profiles will be available on our website, along with a video message from each candidate.
As mayoral candidates declare, we are announcing their run in a short article, followed by a more in-depth question and answer piece.
Candidate forums — where would-be politicians will answer questions on topics like business, environment, arts and recreation — will also be a focus of our coverage. We plan to cover the action as in-depth as possible with print and video.
Over the next eight weeks, we’ll focus our coverage around being fair, accessible and transparent.
Last year, the voter turnout in Squamish was 47.1 per cent, a leader in the province. Let’s keep that going.
You don’t need to be an expert on policy issues to cast a ballot.
Talk to friends, join election Facebook groups, come out to forums and read your local paper.
A lot can happen in four years — even if you don’t follow committees and council, tuning into local politics now will make a big difference to the issues you care about
