Exciting times indeed!

So last month I mentioned the UBCM conference where BC municipalities lobby the provincial government and meet other Mayors and Councillors from around the province. It was quite good. The minister meetings were… varied. It must be intense to be a Provincial minister sitting in a room for three days while different communities bombard you every 15 minutes (seriously, that’s how long you have). Personally I found some to be a complete waste of time but others were better with meaningful dialogue and contacts being established. What will come of them is a story yet to be seen. Besides that, meeting other community leaders was very informative and relationship building is a big part of this job.

Then back in the thick of it, we (council) voted first reading on an anti-idling bylaw - which is nice. As well in a David VS Goliath move, we voted to write a letter to local gas stations over the, quite frankly, appalling way they are taking advantage of local consumers. Squamish is not subject to the transit tax and yet our prices remain well above Vancouver. I don’t think we’ll get this morally questionable industry to clean up entirely but it is nice to realize this is something council can do to voice the concerns of the community.

All right, at this point in the newsletter I was going to be coy and creative but I can’t wait any longer, are you ready?
Brace yourself for exciting times my friends.

Come meet the Oceanfront Business Plan!

Ye-haw it’s ready to be unleashed and the big day is Thursday October 29th from 6:30 – 9pm. If you can, come out and comment on the bright future we have in store. If you can’t make it, I’m sure it will be online soon.

Oh, and lastly, an important date this weekend. If you get this email in time, Squamish CAN has organized a celebration for International Climate Change Day at the Adventure Center this Saturday, October 24th, 12 to 4pm. Should be good, see you there.

Thanks again for reading, and as always, if there’s anything on your mind, just drop me a line.

Have a great one,

Bryan Raiser
604.848.9343
braiser@squamish.ca

PS. Don’t be shy. Feel free to pass this email to anyone who may be interested.

PPS. Hungry for “official” District of Squamish updates emailed regularly? – email communications@squamish.ca to get hooked up.