Ok, a few weeks ago I sent out an email saying how frustrated I was that I
Couldn’t publicly talk about some things I wanted to talk about. This puts me into a tough spot because I was elected by many to be a shit disturber. But I was also elected to make this town better so I’ve been working really hard to
figure out how to ‘let er rip’ in a productive way. I’m happy to say I’ve been making great strides in that department and those strides will continue. Still though, the most difficult thing about being a councillor is
people telling you the following:
Councillor conduct is such that when a decision has been made you should not go out into the public domain and start being publicly critical of that decision. Once a decision has been made you support the majority decision. The
rational is that a good council will stick by their decisions whereas a dysfunctional council will spend all their time sniping at one another.
Sorry for the lateness of this Newsletter to those that noticed, it's
been over a month since I've said hi in this format.
I assure you the lag is not for lack of interesting things happening. Far from
it, there are monumental things afoot everywhere and it surely is exciting
times. However, this month I keep trying to write this newsletter and keep
having to stop because, well for many reasons.
One thing's for sure - I very much miss my column in the Chief. Those were
the days when everything I knew was public knowledge and when I saw something
wrong I could simply rant, "just what the hell is going on?!" And create
debate.
Now however things are certainly different. I still have more than my share of
"what the hell," questions, but now I'm kind of left to my own to figure
out how to best reach the desired solution. Even with simple things, who and
what you ask can drastically change the playing field come time for the public
debate. And sometimes things aren't even debated. Often things just happen by
following the process that either existed or one we created.
Skwez launches online carpool service in the Sea-to-Sky corridor
Written by Submitted
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 07:06
Squamish-based technology startup aims to change driving behaviour by making it easier, safer and more convenient for people to share rides.
A young local Internet company, Skwez Technology Corp. (http://skwez.com pronounced "squeeze") launched today its online ride-sharing web site. Aimed at regular commuters and occasional travellers, the free service automatically matches people who travel in the same general direction, working through their time constraints.
"We want to make it easy to arrange a shared trip online." says Manuel Zahariev, 11-year resident of Squamish and the founder of Skwez. "For most people, the constraints of a long-term carpool are incompatible with their work or lifestyle. If you take away the rigid schedule and long-term commitment, ride sharing can actually be a lot of fun. Few people go through the trouble to arrange sharing a one-off trip because it's just not easy, and most end up driving alone to Vancouver and back."
Canadian Environment Week celebrates initiatives in tackling climate change. The launch happens during Canadian Environment Week (May 30-June 5). June 2 is Clean Air Day and World Environment Day is on June 5.
Transportation has a significant environmental impact and represents a leading source of carbon dioxide, which is considered the principal contributor to global warming. Current emissions from transportation using light vehicles are estimated to be more than 3 billion tons annually, or approximately 6% of total human emissions. Commuting using a single occupancy vehicle is predominant in the industrialized world. In Canada, 72.3% of trips to and from work are by lone drivers (75% in the United States and over 80% in Australia). In small towns in Canada, we are some of the worst offenders, driving twice or three times the distance of the average daily commute.
Carpooling currently accounts for only a modest portion of overall personal transportation. For example, in the USA, carpooling participation in 2004 was an average 10%, ranging between 7% and 16% in different states. Most people point to the lack of flexibility or control and the effort required to organize a carpool as main reasons not to participate in ride sharing.
The Skwez web site, which will be in its "beta" phase during the month of June, is well suited for the needs of Sea-to-Sky residents, where a substantial portion of the population is moving along the corridor on a daily basis.
"Our goal is to build a global community of transportation, where people will have quick and seamless access to shared rides" says Zahariev. "We want to make it simpler than finding parking downtown. We are at the beginning of a very exciting journey. Join us and we can change the planet. The revolution starts now, right here in Squamish."
Bear Aware Program Enters its Sixth Year in Squamish
Written by Submitted
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 15:40
The District of Squamish has been chosen as one of fifteen communities to receive continued support for the Bear Aware program. The program designed to identify and resolve bear-related issues and reduce human-bear conflict is now entering into its sixth year. This program is available to the District from the Province through a program administered by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation, a non-profit organization.
"The District remains committed to pursuing Bear Smart accreditation and is supporting the Bear Aware Program for 2010," said Mayor Greg Gardner. "For the past five years, this on-going source for community outreach has been instrumental in increasing individual and community awareness and understanding of bears and human-bear conflicts. Continued education and awareness is critical to the proactive reduction of human-bear conflicts," continued Gardner.
MOMAR Squamish: New Champions, New Trails and One Big Old Rock
Written by Submitted
Tuesday, 25 May 2010 12:41
There were new faces on the podium, and satisfied faces in the crowd following this year's Atmosphere Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR), held this past Saturday in Squamish.
After five years of being a race favorite, John Markez finally won his first MOMAR title, completing the race in 4 hours and 14 minutes. "In 2009, Markez was leading the race at the halfway point when he crashed during the mountain bike stage, and ended up in the hospital with a gash to his leg," says Race Director Bryan Tasaka. "He ran a really clean race this year - it was great to see him come out on top."
The next Squamish CAN meeting will take place next Monday, May 31st, 7pm at the Squamish Arts Council building on Cleveland Avenue (across from August Jack Motor Inn).
At this meeting, we will be taking a good look at Squamish CAN’s past and future growth, and the group’s standing in the community. As well, group reports promise to be juicy, with very successful projects completed or making good progress during the past few weeks, for instance;
Water – At Council for the first time! Great work with the ‘Trust the Tap’ campaign; CAN urges ban on bottled water.
Food – Excellent events and movie nights by the Food group this month, inc. Grow your own dinner.
Energy – Fast progress made on the Waldorf school demo project, where we will soon be installing a solar thermal water heater.
Waste – Another potentially hazardous item finds a solution away from the landfill; Save money - Go green.
Transportation – ‘On the bus with Squamish CAN’ is now 6 months old; many transit leaders have been created and a lot of awareness has been spread.
Education – After a very successful collaborative effort during Earth Day (read about it here), what is the next big event in the works? You’ll have to wait!
We will also be laying out a very exciting calendar of events for the summer – everybody’s welcome to be part of it!
And if you can’t make it next week but want to find out what we’re up to, send us an email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or check www.squamishcan.net for upcoming meetings and events.
Ana Santos, Coordinator
Tel. 604.892.0305
www.squamishcan.net
Fire at Chieftain Hotel
Written by Submitted
Sunday, 23 May 2010 12:48
Sea to Sky Regional Police Services and Squamish Fire Department are investigating a
structural fire which occurred overnight at the Chieftain Hotel on Cleveland Avenue,
Squamish, B.C.
At 12:50 AM on May 23 (Saturday) Police and Fire crews were dispatched to the hotel
after a neighbor advised that there was smoke billowing out of the annex. This
annex is connected to the Chieftain Hotel by a an overhead walkway. The overhead
walkway and annex to the hotel has been heavily damaged by the fire, which did not
spread or appear to have damaged the hotel itself. An investigation is underway to
determine the cause of the fire. The Chieftain Hotel and C-Level nightclub were
both evacuated during the fire and there are no reports of injury.
Anyone with information on the fire, or anyone who may have seen anything suspicious
is asked to call Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100 or Crime Stoppers.
If you wish to remain anonymous please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. They
are open 24/7. You do not have to give your name, address, or your telephone number.
You do not have to testify in Court. A cash reward of up to $2000 will be paid
for any information which leads to an arrest and charge.
A Newfie Reggae band in Squamish?
Written by Submitted
Friday, 21 May 2010 15:19
Get ready to groove to the biggest name in Ska & Reggae from St John's Newfoundland!
Yes, YOU HEARD ME CORRECTLY St John's NFLD, the East Coast's answer to Victoria, BC.
The Idlers 30 city cross Canada tour stops in Squamish Saturday June 5th, in support of their most recent release Keep Out.
So far their tour has included performances with ska legends The English Beat & their most recent album is produced by Bad Brains drummer Darryl Jenifer.
Also featured at this performance are Squamish's local favorites The Jamatonics.
Tickets are limited and can be purchased in advance for $10 at Trinity Romance & The Random Gallery in Squamish
Listen to the Idlers now: http://www.idlers.ca/flash/index.html
Check out this recent story from Winnipeg's Uptown Magazine
http://www.uptownmag.com/2010-05-20/page5885.aspx
....but don't just read about it, c'mon down and join the ska/reggae circus right here in Squamish!
OPERA PRO CANTANTI
Written by Submitted
Saturday, 15 May 2010 12:16
The Telephone & The Old Maid and the Thief
By Gian Carlo Menotti
Opera Pro Cantanti’s first foray into the realm of comic opera. This
double-bill of hilarious and charming works by the American
twentieth-century composer, Gian Carlo Menotti is a treat for everyone.
The Telephone is a love story set emphatically in the modern era. Ben
has to leave on an important business trip, and hopes to propose to
Lucy before he goes. There is only one problem—Lucy simply will not
get off the telephone. Even Ben’s desperate attempt to cut the
telephone cord can’t sever the relationship between Lucy and her true
love. If Ben means to win Lucy’s hand, he needs to think of another
approach—and quickly.
OPC’s production of The Telephone stars soprano Susannah Britnell as
Lucy and baritone Christopher Kovarik as Ben, with Juan Wang at the
piano.
movie nights are back with a two-part series dedicated to FOOD: What’s on your plate?
Next Monday, May 17th , 7pm at the Squamish Adventure Centre
WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE? Part II: A Farm for the Future
Talk about fatty foods – everything we eat is dripping in oil! Inevitably, an energy crisis would force a revolution in farming. It would affect what we put on our plate and where it comes from, and it would even raise the alarming question of whether there would be enough to keep us fed.
The result is, our farmers are hungry for change and crazily busy making their farms fit for the future. Come and see what they look like and learn how, when it comes to changing the world, every bite counts! (And to prove the point, we’ll provide some light, organic snacks ;-)
Special guests include local farmers from Rojo Pez Ranch and Squamish Farmers Market manager Carolyn Morris.
Pass the message on; your friends shouldn’t miss out on this one – it's free, it’s inspiring, it’s entertaining… and we will learn lots!
Help save Wehea Forest in Borneo
Written by Squamish CAN
Saturday, 08 May 2010 08:53
Help Ethical Expeditions protect the majestic Wehea Forest in Borneo. This 38,000 ha rainforest is one of the last remaining lowland forests in Kalimantan, Borneo and is currently protected using the traditional laws of the Wehea Dayak. This community is working tirelessly to protect this forest yet the long-term viability of this forest is not guaranteed. Help Ethical Expeditions support the Wehea Dayak in their struggle to protect their forest.
Our goal is to raise $15,000 by June 31st, which will go to support initiatives to help protect the Wehea Forest. You can read more about these initiatives here.
Ways you can help protect Wehea Forest:
Ethical Expeditions Website - Go directly to the website and donate using PayPal or by check.
Humanity Calls - Help Ethical Expeditions win a portion of $50,000 by voting or donating through the eBay tournament for the environment. It’s easy and free to vote and each donation made earns more votes.
Causes - Join the ‘Help Protect the Wehea Forest in Borneo’ Cause on Facebook.
Fund Raising Event - Organize a fund raising event at your school or in your community for the protection of Wehea Forest. Ethical Expeditions can help you organize this event and could even participate depending on location and timing.
Help Ethical Expeditions raise $15,000 by June 31st. Wehea Forest needs friends and your donation will help ensure the long-term protection of this forest.
