Many locals have strong opinions about how municipal council should be run these days. Thus, it should be a fascinating municipal election campaign this year and a fabulous turnout for the 2022 General Local Elections on Oct. 15.
That is eight months away, Squamish.
If you think you can do better than the current lot in chambers, now is your chance to put your name and ideas forward.
The best — and sometimes worst — thing about local government is that almost anyone with a passion for their community can run.
So, why not you?
Folks considering a run should be fine-tuning their four-year term's platforms and objectives.
They hopefully are also polishing up on Local Elections Legislation: the , and the
We look forward to featuring each candidate’s platform on our pages.
As a refresher, muni councils have power over public transit, garbage collection and disposal, water and sewage, emergency services including fire protection services, building permits and zoning, collection of property taxes and fees for various licences, economic development and city parks.
Hospitals, highways and schools — with the exception of local school board decisions — are provincial jurisdictions.
After a term featuring two years of a global pandemic and plenty of keyboard nastiness, who do you think on the current council will run again?
The Chief reached out to each of those on the current council to see if they planned to run again. Only Coun. John French told The 麻豆社国产 he is determined to put his name forward again.
“As an employee struggling to make life in 麻豆社国产workable, I think I represent well those who are working full-time plus to survive in the expensive times we currently have,” he said.
Coun. Armand Hurford said he was “a solid maybe,” and that it would be a decision made with his family later on.
Coun. Chris Pettingill said he would “likely” run again.
He would like to continue to focus on the “big issues” of climate change, housing affordability, livability, and wellbeing.
Mayor Karen Elliott said at the end of 2021 that she hadn’t thought about whether she would run again yet.
Coun. Doug Race and Coun. Jenna Stoner and Eric Andersen also Told The Chief this week that they weren’t sure yet.
Stoner said she looks forward to the election period either way.
“Elections are such a fundamental part of our democracy, and municipal government and elected officials have such a big impact on our day-to-day,” she said. “I encourage everyone to participate — be it turning up to vote, volunteering for a campaign, or having the courage to step up and run. My door is always open to anyone who is toying with the idea of running and wants to chat. From my perspective, the democratic process is only strengthened when more people choose to run and engage.”
Andersen noted the importance of continuity to do the work at muni hall and highlighted the commitment necessary:
“Hopefully, there will be candidates from among active, informed, dedicated people — who are not too stressed by workplace or family. The time commitment is real,” he said, adding that there is never a single issue that turns out to be as relevant or important to a council term as sometimes might be expected. “Not airport, Oceanfront, WLNG, etc. — as we learn from the past.”
Find out more about running for office on the .
