Story:
Auld Lang Syne (The Good Old Days) is a song traditionally sung at midnight to ring in the New Year with happiness and hope for a bright and prosperous year. As we hope for prosperity in 2010 this song reminds us that every decision we make affects our community's future.
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?
As we look back, the community we enjoy today is built on the hard work of our predecessors. Moving forward, our council is working to continue that legacy through positive relationships. We cannot be successful without you.
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
An example of a mutually beneficial relationship is our partnership with Squamish Nation. Recently they have waived their rights of accommodation on several properties to allow the district to acquire dykes, park land and other infrastructure lands.
The Squamish Climate Action Network is an organization that has found success by using focus, vision and hard work to collaboratively organize initiatives such as transit awareness day and global awareness day.
I am very pleased with of the negotiations that resulted in the agreement regarding tree removal in front of the new Holiday Inn. The developer Anthem Properties and our local trails and environment advocacy groups were able to find common ground and mutual benefit by knowing their desired outcome, stating it and allowing a compromise to evolve.
Another success story in 2009 was with the SODC board. This board understood with clarity the challenges before them, determined a strategy for success on their own and then kept the community informed and engaged in the process.
The West Coast Railway Heritage Park has had incredible success this year for similar reasons. We also have worked closely with the federal and provincial governments to secure millions of dollars in local infrastructure funding.
And surely you'll buy your pint cup! and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
In each of these examples the partners have taken responsibility for their own issues and mandate, and have been engaged and reasonable. They determined their goals, developed a plan for success and then implemented it without expectation that another organization would do all the work. They each made it easy for the district to support their success by succinctly stating what they needed from us.
In my first year as mayor it has been extremely rewarding to work with the many passionate, intelligent people in this community who want Squamish to be even better than it is. Thank you.
Happy New Year Squamish and all the best in 2010.
