A few years ago, my fiancée and I finally made the move to Squamish and I have never looked back. I grew up in rural Ontario on a small tree farm that I helped plant as a toddler so I’ve always appreciated forests. The cedar log house where I was raised literally grew up in BC, and sometimes I wonder if that’s part of what makes Squamish feel like home to me.
Although I have also lived in some of Canada’s bigger cities, I never felt so busy and included as I have in Squamish. Bike races, chainsaws and axe throwing, visiting Japanese dignitaries, parades, gondola rides, international artist exhibits, concerts … every day here really is an adventure, and we’re just getting started!
As much as I love what Squamish has to offer outside, my Squamish adventure hasn’t been limited to the outdoors. I just completed a 2-year term as the chair of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce. The last few years have also had me serving on the boards of Inside Edge and Tourism Squamish. I’ve put in more hours than I care to admit at council and committee of the whole meetings. I’ve also genuinely enjoyed my time trying to help out on the District’s LNG, Transportation/Transit, and Economic Development committees.
I work as a software consultant and partner in a company that develops screening tools for children’s mental health. I focus more on the technical side of things, but what I really love is creative problem solving. Software development provides me with a great outlet for that, but those same skills can be applied to anything. I love that I’m able to serve our national and international clients right from Squamish.
Our town is attracting the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators, but we also have a deep tradition of forestry, industry, and transportation. Rather than being at odds, we can combine these things to preserve our idyllic surroundings while providing people with good jobs and a solid future.
Improving the transparency, consistency, efficiency, and fairness of decisions coming from municipal hall will enable us to capitalize on these opportunities and many more. My understanding of local issues, municipal processes, and good governance will make me an effective councilor right from my first day in office.
You can share your thoughts with me, and find out more about my values, positions, and thought process by following my election Facebook page, website, and Twitter account.
November 15th is our opportunity to decide Squamish’s future. I hope you will take the time to share your vision with me, and I hope I can count on your vote.
For more on Chris:
Follow Chris on Twitter - @cpnetwitt
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChrisPettingillForSquamish
Website: www.chrisforsquamish.ca
