Mayor Patricia Heintzman says she will not seek re-election in the 2018 municipal leadership race after all.
Heintzman announced last week that she would not run for a second term at council's helm.
In an interview after her announcement, Heintzman said she lacked the conviction for a second term herself, but wouldn’t be shying away from politics over the next two months.
“If I don’t see everyone who is running in council chambers for the next two months, they shouldn’t be elected,” she said. “You can’t run on one issue. It’s not just about the Cheema lands; it’s not just about WLNG, it’s not just about growth. There’s a multitude of issues that you need to know about and care about.”
While the deadline to declare is Sept. 14, so far Karen Elliott, Jeff Cooke and Susan Chapelle have stepped forward to run for mayor.
“I have a very clear understanding of what this job should be, and I’ll be very clear about who I think will be good in that role,” she said.
Heintzman was first elected to Squamish council in 2005.
She ran for mayor in the 2014 election and won with 48 per cent of the vote. Four years ago she celebrated her victory against incumbent mayor Rob Kirkham at the Brackendale Art Gallery.
Heintzman moved to Squamish in 1993. Prior to her election to council, Heintzman served as president of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce and volunteered extensively with Squamish Helping Hands.
She has also served on a number of boards for local organizations and regional governments, including the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation, the Whistler Forum for Leadership and Dialogue, Regional Hospital board, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Test of Metal and the Lower Mainland Local Government Association.
On Friday, she said some of her proudest work in the past four years has been “getting our house in order” with the support of other councillors and District staff.
Major development projects are now underway, and strategic master plans are in place. The organization is planning financially for the future and the District has a solid team of senior leadership staff in place, she said.
She said some of the biggest decisions facing the next council will be balancing infrastructure needs with financial constraints: including the need for a new arena, pool, and municipal hall.
“One of the reasons I wanted to run, is that we protect the organization, but that’s not enough. I should be running only if I’m absolutely [dedicated] to doing this job and I’m just not there anymore,” she said. “I’m a little burnt out.”
“I probably took on more responsibility that I should have over the past four years in particular,” she said.
Heintzman said despite the challenges of the job — including a demanding event schedule that often extended into the weekends and constant, and sometimes misinformed, criticism towards the work of elected officials — the position was also deeply rewarding.
“People say it’s a thankless job, but it’s actually one of the most thankful jobs you will ever get. On a daily basis, people express their gratitude, for stepping up and representing the town well,” she said.
After the election is wrapped up and a new mayor and council is in place, Heintzman said she has plans to spend more time with family, work on publishing a book and work toward bringing a dedicated art centre to Squamish.
