A few weeks ago a letter writer to The Chief asked if Squamish has an image problem. Part of his point was that out-of-town media come to Squamish with a set of prejudices that make us look bad no matter what story they've come to cover.
We have to agree.
But do we have to make it so easy for them?
What do you think BCTV and the Vancouver papers are going to make of this story when it sees the light of day: if you're from out of town and get involved in an accident that requires help from municipal services, like Squamish Fire Rescue, you're liable to be sent a bill from the District of Squamish. Better still, we're the only community in B.C. that has this "crash tax" on the books.
Getting into a crash, ruining your weekend or your holiday, is bad enough. Getting your pocket picked by the Jaws of Life is literally adding insult to injury - and it's an easy way to make us look terrible to the world.
It's a wonder that this hasn't hit the media yet. All it takes is one out-of-towner wearing a sling and waving an invoice in front of a camera and you've got another made-for-TV PR disaster for Squamish.
Last week, Squamish council had a chance to put a stop to the practice. Instead, council, with the exception of Mayor Ian Sutherland and Coun. Ray Peters, dithered and decided to ask for more information.
We're mystified that the majority of this council, who have shown great respect for Squamish's tourism market and have gone to great lengths to try to promote this community, would pass up an easy and inexpensive opportunity to protect our image.
We're not talking about a huge cost, either - about $7,000 this year. That'll barely cover a month's salary for one of the new staff positions the District's created this year
We see Coun. Corinne Lonsdale's point that ICBC should be paying rescue costs for people who get into accidents out of their own jurisdiction. Communities that straddle major arterial routes, like the Sea to Sky Highway, stand to pay for a lot of fire rescue activity that doesn't involve providing service to local taxpayers.
But when poor Joe Driver who rolls his car in Squamish gets the bill, he doesn't think "ICBC should pay this", he thinks: "What kind of heartless community sends bills to people it provides basic, humanitarian service for?"
Mayor Ian Sutherland and Coun. Ray Peters are on the money on this one. Recouping a few thousand dollars and proving a point with ICBC are not worth the public relations nightmare.
To the rest of council, here's the information you need: axe the crash tax before it's too late.
