Opinion

EDITOR,I have never felt compelled to write a letter to the editor before but my many recent conversations with friends, news from the community and other letters propelled me to it this time.

Greg Gardner was first elected to the District of Squamish's council in a 2006 byelection, called after popular Coun. Ray Peters lost his long struggle with cancer. Both times he ran for office, Gardner was the clear winner.

EDITOR, I would like to commend David Burke on his editorial, "Muzzling the experts" (Chief, July 29).

It's that time again for the annual Mini Rail Days at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park on Sunday (Aug. 7) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., when three or more visiting engines will be operating for your enjoyment. The mini-rail rides are $3.

Names are pretty important things. I know they say that a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet, but would we still be shelling out $100 for a bouquet on Valentine's Day if they were called Crapweeds? Not likely.

EDITOR, On behalf of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, its members and its Board of Directors, I'd like to acknowledge and thank Mayor Greg Gardner for his tireless efforts in supporting and promoting businesses, big and small in this community.

Sorry to have been missing in action but my family and I are several weeks into a trip to France. This year's home base is the sleepy little town of St. Aubin de Medoc, about 20 minutes west of Bordeaux.

EDITOR, It is with dismay that I read about the loss of Yiannis, and the string of other businesses that have closed downtown in recent months ("Recent downtown business closures eyed," Chief, July 22).

Gordon Campbell's 2010 reorganization of the province's natural resource ministries has been called, according to The Vancouver Sun's Vaughn Palmer, the premier's "last bad decision.

Are you a wannabe entrepreneur who's a little light in the wallet, or perhaps the typical, broke musician looking to record that genre-defining album? In the past, you'd have to beg and plead with rich investors or promise your soul (and integrity) t