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I was raised in Vancouver and attended the University of British Columbia graduating in 1970 with degrees in commerce and law. I practiced law in Vancouver for six years and then in 1978 wanted a change of pace. Having just taken up skiing, I moved to Whistler. I practiced law in Whistler and Squamish until 1986 when, not wanting to live with the weekend crowds any more, I moved to Squamish. I retired from the practice of law in 2008. I was elected to Council that year and re-elected in 2011.
I have been involved in many aspects of outdoor recreation since my childhood. I began sailing and racing sailboats at age 11 and have competed in competitions locally, in other parts of Canada and North America, in the Caribbean, Hawaii and in Europe. This has continued to the present day. I also ski, mostly in the Callaghan, and enjoy mountain biking.
During my time in Squamish I have been involved in many local community and charitable activities including working with the Rotary Club, serving as a founding director of the Squamish Community Foundation, co-chairing a hospital fundraising and helping to organize the Squamish Triathlon. I earned my living in this community and am thankful for the support of the Squamish to allow me to do that. I have always felt the need to give back something in return. Serving on Council has been a part of that and I am grateful and honoured that the people of Squamish have trusted me with their vote in the past two elections.
I have never envisioned Squamish to be a bedroom community. I think a diversified economy with local jobs as well as an attractive and safe place to live and raise families will give us a truly sustainable community. We have worked hard over the past years to embrace new business opportunities to replace industries that are no longer here. We still have the benefit of some traditional industries and now have other opportunities to complement that. Our tourism and recreation industries are an example of a growing sector of our local economy. I think one of our challenges is accommodating business opportunity and having it fit with our community values.
I value our natural assets. I have been boating in Howe Sound since my early teens and have run or cycled on many of our local trails. The beauty of Squamish is the main reason I chose to make my home and build my career here. I don't want to see this beauty sacrificed or diminished. We can encourage economic opportunities without harming our natural environment. We can look for opportunities that subscribe to our values and want to be part of a truly special place to live. That is our challenge going forward. I am running for Council because I want to help with that.
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