Although this year's municipal election voter turnout percentage was lower than in 2008, the number of people who marked Xs on ballots was higher.
On Saturday (Nov. 19), 4,734 Squamish residents voted for a new District of Squamish council, 105 more voters than three years ago. But the number of eligible voters has also risen by 658 people.
Squamish's 39.2 per cent turnout still placed higher than the provincial average of 29 per cent, according to the co-operative information service CivicInfo BC.
Incumbent Patricia Heintzman topped the council race, placing 204 ballots ahead of incumbent Doug Race. Currently in Toronto to support her sister who's expecting a baby, Heintzman attended this council's last meeting on Tuesday (Nov. 22) via video conference.
The past term has been "unbelievably busy," she said. The current council has laid out the foundation for Squamish's future, Heintzman said.
"I look forward to the next three years," she said.
On Saturday, Race spent time with mayor-elect Rob Kirkham. After seeing the results, Race said he believed the new council will be a good one. Race also noted he was pleased with the mayoral outcome.
"We have an experienced and proven person in the mayor's chair," he told The Chief.
Ron Sander was next on the winners' list. The general manager of construction and continuous improvement for North Vancouver's Neptune Terminals has lived in Squamish since 1996.
His platform included developing a solid marine industry on a portion of the oceanfront lands. Sander also pushed for a development application and permits process at city hall that is consistent, fair and timely.
Having Sander on the team is a huge asset, councillor-elect Ted Prior said, noting Sander's experience in the marine industry.
"He can see the big picture," Prior said.
Prior, who placed fifth, said he has dreamed about being on Squamish council for many years. Now that he's there, he can't wait to get started.
"I have just been pacing around ever since [the election]," he told The Chief.
Prior said he is in a financial position to take on the role full-time. One of Prior's main campaign issues was to connect downtown to the Mamquam Blind Channel and get development there back on track. Prior said he is determined to get the diking completed along the waterway and put in a trail. Prior plans to re-open conversations with the property holders in that area BCR Properties Ltd. and Westmana Development Corp.
Incumbent Bryan Raiser said he can't wait work with the new team. It was wonderful to see so many newcomers running for council and great for democracy that Squamish had a mayoral race, he noted.
"I also liked that everybody that was elected were people who had been sticking their necks out for the community for a decade," Raiser said.
Once the greetings are over, council has some heavy lifting to do, he noted. Raiser said he is excited to tackle the district's budget.
"That is where you figure out what is going on and put all the cards on the table," he said.
The Squamish Oceanfront Development Corp. is a huge issue that will be on council's table immediately, Raiser added. During the campaign there was lots of interesting discussion regarding the project, conversation Raiser hopes will continue at city hall.
Raiser said he is looking forward to the municipality's Core Service Review of the planning department. He also wants to see the service agreement with the Squamish Nation move ahead.
Beating out seventh-place Jeff Cooke for a place at council's table, Susan Chapelle promised in her campaign to bring creative ideas and innovative solutions to council. The owner of Squamish Therapeutics said her experience as a small-business owner will aid her in her new position.
