It has been a huge privilege for me to serve this amazing community for the past three years as your Mayor. I believe the last few years have seen a real transformation of Squamish. We have become the community that so many people would love to move to and Squamish is one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in B.C.
So much has been achieved to make Squamish a healthy, exciting and vibrant community to raise our families. A few significant accomplishments include: the transformation of the downtown initiative with the new waterfront park, rejuvenate Stan Clarke park, new events, festivals and celebrations; the agreement for MSB to develop the SODC lands; the new all-weather field; expanding our bike lane infrastructure; improved and expanded Transit system; flood protection, waste management, and building financial reserves; and greatly improved communications.
Although we have made good advances, there remain many projects in the works and many opportunities that I would like to see to fruition, such as: continuing to work closely with Squamish Nation; Diking, Water, Sewer, and Waste management infrastructure upgrades; creation of local good paying jobs; improvement of our industrial tax base to relieve the burden on residential and small businesses; creation of a recreation facilities organization where user groups can identify issues, develop solutions and be involved in their implementation; enactment of a Marine Management strategy with specific processes to address derelict vessels; to identify and designate a large natural area for an off leash dog park; continuation of improvements to City Hall processes, Community Engagement and Customer Service levels.
I was born in North Vancouver and moved to Victoria at the age of 10 when my father became a BC Coast Pilot. After High School, I moved back to Vancouver to attend BCIT, and joined Scotia Bank upon graduation. Over the next 14 years, I was promoted eight times and with my family in tow was fortunate to experience many different BC communities. That life style all came to a halt when we moved to Squamish in 1988 and discovered that Squamish is the best place on earth to live and raise a young family.
I have been involved in the arts as a director on Howe Sound Performing Arts and a volunteer with Howe Sound Dance Academy. I have participated in youth sports as coach, referee and umpire for soccer and ball. As well, I’ve served on the Chamber of Commerce Board including a term as president and am a founding director and was president of Squamish Community Foundation.
As your Mayor I have also represented our community on the BC Municipal Finance Authority, the BC Municipal Insurance Authority, the Regional District, the Aboriginal Relations Committee, the Lower Mainland Mayors RCMP consultative forum and the BC Mayors Caucus.
With the experience I have gained and the leadership I have shown over the last six years of service I am asking the good people of Squamish to re-elect myself, Rob Kirkham as your Mayor for a second term.
For more on Rob:
Follow Rob on Twitter - @MayorRobKirkham
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Re-Elect-Mayor-Kirkham/702619423146749
Website: www.robkirkham.com
