As part of our Squamish Votes 2018 coverage, we invited each candidate to fill out an online questionnaire answering questions about policy and big issues facing Squamish in the next four years. Candidates were emailed the questionnaire and given one week to submit answers.
About You
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Name: |
Tess Linsley |
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How many years have you lived in Squamish? |
10 |
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How many council or committee meetings have you attended since Sept. 1, 2017? |
none |
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What do you love most about Squamish? (150 word limit) |
I have enjoyed living in Squamish because of its small town feel, unfortunately we seem to be losing that atmosphere as Squamish increasingly becomes just another bedroom community to Vancouver. People are being forced to move out as housing prices rise out of control, while wages stagnate. Squamish needs to try and keep its own community together while keeping its own uniqueness. |
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Are you endorsing a particular candidate for mayor? (question for councilor candidates) |
No/Not at this time |
Squamish Issues
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What do you think is the biggest single issue facing Squamish? (150 words limit) |
At this time, as a result of its rapid growth, we have let essential infrastructures to fall behind, waste management, public transport are of paramount concern. |
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In the last term, what was council's single greatest accomplishment? What was council's biggest failure? (150 character limit) |
Getting the waterfront development going. Leaving too much money on the table for the same development.
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Residents often complain about traffic (speeding, parking etc.) What would you do to improve traffic and parking in Squamish? (150 words limit) |
For sure we need to control speeding, but also try and improve traffic flow. For example i would like to explore the possibility of replacing the traffic lights at Cleveland and HWY 99, with a timed lighted roundabout. Parking in downtown will need to be addressed as more people move in to the immediate area. I would like to investigate a purpose built parking garage. |
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Squamish has a housing affordability crisis. What would you do to improve affordability? (150 words limit) |
The housing market is in the hands of Free Enterprise, until the whole attitude towards primary housing changes. Since that would involve government at all levels, and since I see no current sentiment or inclination to change the current system, there is little that can be done. |
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Do you support stronger regulation of AirBNB? |
No |
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How would you attract new businesses and employers to Squamish? (150 words limit) |
New business is coming to Squamish, note the building going on the industrial estate. At the same time I think business taxes are too high. |
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Do you have a strategy to implement regional transit? (150 word limit) |
Yes, I believe we need a bigger and better transit system, that being said it doesn't stop us at looking to the private sector for alternatives. |
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Given limited financial resources, what do you think is the single highest priority for Brennan Park? (150 word limit) |
|
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Do you support cannabis retail shops in Squamish? |
Yes |
Major Developments
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Would you consider yourself pro-WLNG or anti-WLNG? |
Very opposed (5) |
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Are you supportive of the Garibaldi At Squamish project? |
Somewhat opposed (4) |
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Do you support development of the Cheema Lands (Lot 509/510)? |
Very supportive (1) |
