Incumbent councilor Karen Elliott has announced she will seeking the town’s top position in the upcoming elections on October 20.
While she was initially considering whether to run for a council seat, Mayor Heintzman’s decision not to stand for re-election has made her reconsider her decision, she said in a press note.
“Based on my own contemplation and encouragement from others who I deeply respect, I will be submitting my nomination papers next week to run for the position of Mayor. Now is not the time for me to step back, but rather to step forward,” Elliott said. 
She said there are a number of ongoing and upcoming issues and decisions that are critical to the livability of Squamish, and she believes those discussions and decisions will require experienced and steady leadership in the Mayor’s chair.
“People who have followed my priorities and concerns over the past four years or who have worked with me in the community will know me to be a creative problem solver, strategic in my thinking, thorough in ensuring I understand a situation or issue and thoughtful and fair in my decision-making,” she said.
Any serious contender for council, she said, should be focused on housing affordability, regional transportation and ways to support a thriving and diverse local business community.
She will also focus on the livability of our neighbourhoods, addressing the investment required in our District facilities, working with youth to develop an action plan focused on their needs, implementing a pro-active approach to managing tourism growth, using our engagement processes to build community connectedness and resilience, and protecting our natural, agricultural and recreational assets for future generations.
She is ‘deeply committed’ to strengthening the relationship with Squamish Nation and exploring ways to pull together to address the many common and pressing issues our governments face, she added.
“This is an exciting time for Squamish and I look forward to the opportunity to lead this community. I congratulate and thank everyone who is putting their name forward for a position on council; your ideas will add more to the dialogue and debate, and this is only good for our community,” Elliott said.
Dave Colwell says
Looks good to me. Good platform. She needs to be tough and not get upset when people constructively complain or make suggestions (Like me sometimes!). But overall she needs to listen to the people. And she has done this well while she has been on Council.