A high profile environmental advocate is no longer part of the Squamish Environmental Conservation Society (SECS) after its president, council municipal election candidate Catherine Jackson, put forward an ultimatum during the society's annual general meeting Thursday, Oct. 23.John Buchanan, who has been a director for one year, left the group following Jackson's assertion that she would not take a second term as president if he remains. "I felt that as president of the environment group, building relationships with council and staff in planning issues, I felt that a number of times I was undermined by John's reactive responses to certain things," said Jackson. "If I'm not elected to council, and I was to stay on as president, I did say that I wouldn't continue to work if he was part of the executive."Once such example was Jackson and the SECS's opposition to the proposed Paradise Trails equestrian development contrasting Buchanan's vocal support. On Oct. 17, The Chief ran a letter Buchanan wrote criticizing councillors Patricia Heintzman and Raj Kahlonfor their participation in discussions on the issue since the development would be in their part of the community."I was offended by the tone of his last letter that he wrote in your paper," said Jackson. "It's a personal attack on some of the councillors, and that's not the kind of relationships that I would like to build for SECS. And that's the same as in politics as well, there's no reason to be personally attacking people."Jackson said Buchanan had undermined her "three or four times" throughout the year. "The environment is not that important to me that I'm going to stay there and have all my work and time negated by the actions of someone that's supposed to be on the same side as me," she said. "On a personal level, it just wasn't worth it to me. I can do other things."Buchanan declined to comment except to say that Jackson "brings fabulous strengths to the organization."Jackson said she tried numerous times to address her frustrations with Buchanan, and acknowledged the attributes he brought to the group. "He's great in terms of doing research and he's so enthusiastic. I really did try and work with him because of that. And I know that his heart is in the right place."Since Jackson is campaigning to sit on the District of Squamish council, she said her decision should not reflect her ability to work within a group."Sure people could say that I'm not able to work with people, but it's him [Buchanan] that's mostly on the outside. There's a group there that I'm still a part of."
