Lies, mis-statements, personal attack and intimidation tactic.
This is how Mayor Karen Elliott describes the recent ad campaign on Facebook against her by developer Cheema Lands.
Responding to the campaign, Mayor Elliott says it is the only developer she knows in her political career who has resorted to such personal attacks.
“In my six years on Council, through many contentious development proposals, this is the only developer that has taken the route of using personal attack, whereas others have chosen ongoing constructive engagement,” she told the Squamish Reporter.
“I suppose this developer feels that lies and mis-statements will further their cause.”
“We have a choice as a community in how we treat one another. Some may argue that this is how political leaders can expect to be treated, but I fundamentally disagree,” she says.
Elliott says the district has a great deal of important work to do and serious issues to tackle.
“This personal, groundless attack is an unfortunate distraction and inappropriate intimidation tactic,” she says.
“I, along with Council, will stay focused on the response and recovery work ahead as our community continues to navigate its way through the ongoing pandemic,” she adds.
A few weeks ago, the District of Squamish had also issued an official rebuttal to Cheema Lands’ claim about Mayor’s conflict of interest related to OCP steep slope requirement.
In a statement issued on February 6, the district said the Mayor had no direct or indirect interest in or relationship with any developer involved in the Loggers East Neighbourhood.
The Mayor had also suspended her consulting business on January 1, 2020, the district had said in the statement.
CORRECTION: The previous version of the story attributed the Facebook campaign against the Mayor to Developer Bob Cheema. He contacted the Squamish Reporter and asked us to remove his name from the story because, he said, the campaign was being run by the “Cheema Lands Family Organisation at large and not by any particular representative of the Organisation”.
Don Patrick says
This is terrible news …. Hopefully the mis-trust can be rectified, reminds me of the operations south of the border for the past four years. The frustrations that are developed when a lot of money is involved can influence anyone …. but this community has many more issues with respect to uncontrolled growth than meets the eye. The tax payers have been silent for a long time and no better time than the present to slow the trend down and blame it on Covid … heck look at the transit system, bus after bus down the street empty and then spend $$$ to make them comfortable at the stops (tilt) … more emphasis on user pay has to be the route.
Robert says
What “political career “. Being “politically correct “? This town has a history that wasn’t built on tourist dollars more than it was with straight up no apologies good jobs & an affordable economy. To suggest that anyone who’s been here longer than Karen Elliott, which is pretty much everyone that matters, use the pandemic as a shield, is pathetic.
Ted prior says
the 22.500 population cap has been reached . That was the law for the last 3 councils . The road network will be needed through these lands . Does not seem wright to pull the pin like this. I do not like the tactics being used by both sides . It will only take a few new counclors to change this back
Ellery Zeller says
Go Canucks.
ellen says
When do we vote for the next council and mayor?
0742848 BC LTD says
I find Mayor Elliott comments very disturbing to say the least. (other developers chose ongoing constructive engagement). The recent rezoning of 78.5 acres of land located at 1050 Depot Road to agriculture 3 by Mayor Elliott and Doug race leading the way with no communication with the developer sends a very clear message on how Squamish Counsel and Mayor Elliott deals with developers that are not part of there group.
Clearly the residents of Squamish need to take notice of the abusive pattern over the years by Squamish Council and Mayor. Suggested Solution: The residents should only place qualified individuals’ on counsel which is not easy as the bar of education and experience need to be increased and supported with proper pay within the legislation which would provide better selection of individuals’ by the residents of Squamish.
This is a major issue that is crippling our communities.
David Lassmann says
I would like to see an open inquiry into the treatment of potential development properties by DOS. There appears to be the possibility of unfair and uneven practice. For example, are DOS and SORCA trying to extort concessions from Cheema? Our Mayor and Councillors must have and must be seen to have clean hands.