Predicting the future can be hazardous to your health - and even more so to your credibility. Witness the predictions The Chief made for 2013: The only one that hit the mark was the call on the Sea to Sky Gondola, which we said would be under construction by year's end and would be slated for a spring 2014 opening. Bingo.
The rest, however, was about as dismal as a November day -well, not this year's typical November day but one from most other years. Our B.C. election forecast was about as wrong as those of most other "pundits" -we said Christy Clark's party's reign would come crashing down (predicted seat count: NDP 57, Liberals 22, Conservatives 5, Greens 1). Tsk, tsk. We also predicted "star" Liberal candidate Pamela Martin would beat out Jordan Sturdy for the Liberal nomination and, eventually, the right to represent West Vancouver-Sea to Sky in Victoria. Pam was a no-show. Sturdy was a shoo-in.
But enough about last year. Twenty-fourteen is a new dawn, a new chance for Squamish to shine and a new chance to pick winners and losers (or not). So here goes:
Garibaldi at Squamish will have conditional environmental certification by year's end. That doesn't mean the excavators will be in the ground; the community will still be discussing whether to expand its boundaries to make the proposed four-season resort part of our town.
The Woodfibre LNG proposal will still be undergoing an environmental assessment by year's end.
Municipal officials will still be in negotiations with Bethel/MSW on the sale of the Oceanfront in May, when the initial $3 million debt repayment is due. They will, however, make the payment using money from the sale of the Solterra property in the Squamish Business Park, and will replenish that kitty in July, when they'll announce the sale of the Oceanfront land.
The Sea to Sky Gondola will open to much fanfare in May.
In November, Patricia Heintzman will win a three-candidate race for mayor, beating out incumbent Rob Kirkham and 2011 mayoral runner-up Auli Parviainen. In a surprise move, ex-mayor Corinne Lonsdale will announce her candidacy for a seat on council and will secure one of the six available seats. Terrill Patterson will finish 15th but will draw the biggest laugh at the all-candidates' forum with another trick from his bottomless bag of props.
That's about all and remember: You heard it here first.
- David Burke
