By Kerry Eno
Published: Oct 18, 2014
Mayoral candidate Patricia Heintzman launched her campaign for the town’s top seat at a community meet and greet at the Brackendale Art Gallery on October 16. More than 80 people attended the campaign launch.
They were greeted at the door by Heintzman and the Brackendale Art Gallery owner Thor Froslev, who insistently slapped a “Vote for Patty” sticker on anything that moved.
Heintzman had invited all community members including all candidates running for election. More than two-thirds of the council candidates were present, but Heintzman was the only mayoral candidate in attendance at the informal, fireside community conversation.
Heintzman is one of three mayoral candidates in the upcoming municipal elections. A fourth candidate, Auli Parviainen, withdrew from the race to support Heintzman and their shared values of good governance, measurable and accountable results, and meaningful public say.
Heintzman said her choice to run for mayor was a “complex and challenging decision”, despite her nine years of experience as a municipal councillor for the district of Squamish. She was persuaded by a friend who felt that she owed it to the community.
She spoke to the capacity for increased collaboration between mayor and council to eliminate problems caused by a traditional hierarchical approach to municipal government: “You’re electing a team who are going to chart the vision for this community.”
Of each council candidate’s decision to run, Heintzman noted: “It takes courage; it takes a little bit of crazy.”
She offered first crack at the microphone to what she identified as a strong, diverse group of councillor candidate as incumbent councillors Brian Raiser, Ted Prior, and Susan Chappelle declared their support for Heintzman’s campaign.
Chappelle introduced herself and joked: “Patti married me!” She stated her intent to maintain focus on a Complete Streets approach to best practices and implementation for transportation initiatives.
Heintzman stepped in to clarify: “We’re not married.”
Ted Prior commented that residents are increasingly well-educated and that Squamish’s identity as university town is growing. He asked residents to slow down and use this collective intelligence to consider existing opportunities before jumping into the unknown.
New council candidate Jason Blackman-Wulff noted local residents are a “…well-organized group of citizens who care about this community.”
First-time runner Karen Elliott expressed the importance of having a mayor that wants to engage and a community that is not polarized around debates.
The calibre of Squamish residents and a call to increase engagement in community conversation and contribution were popular themes among the candidates’ 30-second elevator pitches.
The municipal election will be held on November 15, 2014.
Patricia Marini says
Interesting,we go from dropping out to running for Mayor?
How many more things will her mind be changed about. What- political rights?
Patricia Marini says
What kind of moderation?
Patricia Marini says
Cancel it all!!
Dave Colwell says
To the people here who object to any candidate: If a candidate gets onto Council, or to the Mayor’s seat, it is either because the objectors are in a minority OR because not enough people got out to vote.
So get out to vote, accept the consequences and then stifle!
Ted prior says
Patricia Marini You sound unhappy about it all. There is many good things going on in Squamish . Patty did not wanted to run at all , She was convinced by many many people that saw we needed better collaboration at city hall. Patty has years of Experience. She is the chair of SLRD is on the UBCM board on top of 9 years at Squamish council . She knows the processes ,policy’s and protocols . Patty will get the best out of whoever is elected through sharing the responsibilities and building a team situation , That is the truth!
2017 mayor says
Oh Patty, thank goodness someone had the gall to coax you off the fence, yet again, to run for the big chair & just in the nick of time…we all threw are cards down, only for you to play yours. Hopefully these moves are not lost on the good people of Squamish when the closed door deals resume.
Dave Colwell says
Sadly, there are lots of unhappy people in the world. We need more of the others!
Jp says
I don’t think patty is doing herself any favors by having Mr. Raiser endorse her campaign. The only thing Mr. Raiser has done over the last six years on council is sue the district and lobby for a raise.
2014 voter says
I completely agree about Mr.Raiser JP, if he had is way I think councillors would earn over $100k and raise taxes again to get it. I think a council position should be more about community service. As far as not doing herself any favors, having Susan Chapelle endorse her is even worse… As one previous post said “^^God help us all if the “Fairy Dust Coalition” gets in.”.
larry mclennan says
With regard to Mr Raiser, I understand he has brought the video gaming practice to new heights while sitting in council.
larry mclennan says
Interesting that Suzie Chapelle declared the state of her nuptials with Patty. I understand that Suzie also attended a Rob Kirkham event .If that’s so , I guess Suzie is two- timing Patty -and on the honeymoon!!
Adam B. says
So great to see someone with Patty’s experience and vision running in this election! We’d be lucky to have her at the helm during a period of such explosive growth. High hopes for this awesome town.