The referendum result is in and the result is loud and clear.
I certainly accept the fact that for whatever reason the people of Squamish decided not to endorse the bylaw to borrow money to build several new facilities.
When I ran for Mayor a little more than two years ago, my running mates and I promised to try to build a seniors' centre, an arts centre and a second sheet of ice. We have kept that promise. We also respect the decision made by you on Feb. 26.
There are however, a few points worth clearing up.
The money was not going to be used for the Nexen Lands. This story has been circulating for weeks, and is simply not true. There are many reasons why this is false, not the least of which is the oceanfront lands wouldn't have qualified under the bylaw.
The same is true for the Squamish Adventure Centre.
On the subject of the SAC, it is indeed unfortunate that a member of Council has misrepresented the facts on that project. Coun. Lonsdale said on Channel 10 that Council approved the Adventure Centre without ever seeing an operating budget for the facility. In fact, it was a condition of federal funding that an operating budget be included in the application package. That was submitted in the summer of 2003.
Back to amenities and facilities. Now is the time to move on and approach the issue from a different angle.
Council on Tuesday supported the creation of a citizens' committee to look at the broad picture of the amenities bylaw, and to consult widely within the community to find out why people chose not to support the initiative.
This group, chaired by Ron Anderson and Doug Day, will report back to Council with their findings by May 3 of this year.
This committee will also delve further into partnership and sponsorship opportunities, and other sources of funding that may be available.
As well, there are Olympic opportunities that may become available as the construction of facilities and infrastructure begins to take place for the 2010 games.
Council has also included funds in this year's budget to complete the Skateboard Park. Volunteers throughout the community have driven this worthwhile project over the last two years.
Our budget contribution will put the project over the top and allow it to be completed this year. No money is being borrowed for this project; rather it is coming out of some of the proceeds from the sale of Lot R to Solterra Development.
The debate over amenities will certainly come back before Council. So will all kinds of other issues as our town grapples with the opportunities and challenges that come from the growth and visibility that is upon us.
It is my hope that we raise the level of debate beyond comparing those you disagree with to a band of terrorists who made Squamish infamous. It's also my hope that people base their opinion on fact, rather than innuendo and hearsay.
Debate and a difference of opinion should take place in any vibrant community, and we are fortunate to have that in Squamish. Having the ability to focus that energy on issues rather than personalities should be our next step.
On the topic of money, Council will bring in a budget this year with less than a two per cent tax increase for the average taxpayer. That follows zero per cent in 2004 and less than three per cent in our first year.
These are facts, and the numbers are based on what they have always been based onthe amount of tax increase attributed to local government for the homeowner who has an average increase in assessment.
