We’re a little over two months away from the 2014 municipal elections and it seems like the main thing on local’s minds is everyone’s three favourite letters – LNG.
The Squamish Chief’s recent online poll saw over two-thirds of all respondents point to LNG as the biggest municipal issue for 2014.
For the sake of everyone’s sanity, let’s hope that isn’t the case.
The current Squamish council has taken the right steps so far: They’ve allowed the proponent to present their proposal and given the public the opportunity to pose questions and seek out more information.
The District of Squamish also put together a community committee to assess the project, and council as a group has yet to take a formal position until the Environmental Assessment (EA) is completed later this year.
But that won’t stop other mayoral and council hopefuls from letting Squamish residents know why they think LNG is good or bad for the community.
Some may even make promises to stop LNG from coming here, knowing full well that the DOS has little power to stop such a move. Much of the policy regarding the fate of the project resides outside district jurisdiction.
Other hopefuls will talk of a referendum, something I’m not totally against, but what will we do with the results? It might just end up being a waste of ink and of time.
Squamish voters should look at the complete spectrum of every candidate, not just where they stand on an LNG project.
Imagine the shock of a candidate elected on a no-LNG platform when they realize 95 per cent of the time they’re talking about things like backyard chickens, drive-through windows and skateboard parks.
The LNG debate has turned the Squamish oceanfront development into a side topic when there are also issues like ice and field user fees and the Squamish Nation Cheekye Fan development.
And don’t forget important local matters like transit, arts funding, downtown revitalization, waste management
and homelessness.
Candidates should have well-researched thoughts and opinions on all the issues.
Those running to represent our town should be deep like the waters of Howe Sound; not shallow like the promises they make but can’t keep.
