Judging by 2016, we can be certain this year will be a busy one for Squamish. We can expect our town to grow in population as more people discover the Sea to Sky Corridor and students flock to School District 48. 麻豆社国产is attracting more tourists, in both the cold and warm months, as our community becomes a sought-after destination. Change brings many positives, but also challenges. In this section, five community leaders weigh in on what they think this year has in store
Sublime to the ridiculous by听Patricia Heintzman,听Mayor of Squamish听
It鈥檚 usually not a good idea for a mayor to make New Year鈥檚 predictions.听
No matter how earnest or irreverent, the words a mayor utters are easily misconstrued as an innuendo-veiled agenda, or, goodness forbids, a 鈥減romise.鈥�
That said鈥� here are my predictions for 麻豆社国产in 2017, in descending order.
5. After a marathon 15-hour council meeting, where 28,000 floodplain residential units on stilts are approved in a split decision, five members of council and one senior staff caught up in the frenzy, lead the public-hearing crowd in a spontaneous conga line down Cleveland Avenue.
4. As the provincial election ramps up, the premier makes a surprise stop in 麻豆社国产to thank us for being the gift that keeps on giving.听
3. Inspired by the talent and enthusiasm of the 麻豆社国产people, and the sheer awesomeness of this community, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Al Gore, Jimmy Pattison and UBC President Santa Ono, announce a cutting edge centre of excellence, entrepreneurialism, research, innovation and learning on our Oceanfront Lands.听
2. As 350,000-plus cubic metres of fill begin to raise the peninsula to form the Newport Oceanfront park, construction begins on the spine road and the development鈥檚 first employment buildings. Residents walk around in a stupor, some fainting in disbelief, others babbling incomprehensibly about loosing 1000:1 odds in Las Vegas, as shock ripples through the community.听
1. In a rousing ukulele rendition of Leonard Cohen鈥檚听Hallelujah, the world says good riddance to 2016, one of history鈥檚 greatest infamies, and ushers in a new year of dupe news, mind-numbing headlines and impeachment.
It could happen!
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New people, new听opportunities by听Mario Gomes,听Local developer听
The population of 麻豆社国产is growing at over 12 per cent, which is higher than the rest of Canada.听
And the reason? What鈥檚 not to love here?听听
We have the oceans and the mountains, it鈥檚 less than an hour to downtown Vancouver and even shorter to Whistler, and it鈥檚 much more affordable than Metro Vancouver.听
Even better, studies show more people in 麻豆社国产feel a sense of community than other places in B.C.
Add to that, there are more businesses calling 麻豆社国产home, which is improving both the service side of the city and employment.听
Between 2006 and 2011, the employment rate in 麻豆社国产grew by six per cent, which is higher than the national and provincial average. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving in Squamish. 听
More and more people are turning to 麻豆社国产for the quality of life 鈥� a quality that is simply not available in other cities.听听
We have fresh air, open spaces and a safe and engaging community to raise a family. And new housing opportunities, like The Main, offer the affordability younger families are looking for with amenities that homebuyers are looking for.听
We鈥檝e had a great 2016 and can鈥檛 wait for 2017 to help more families find their perfect home in Squamish.
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Accessible mountains and lakes draw more tourists by听Kirby Brown,听Sea to Sky Gondola manager
If 2016 will be remembered as a year of turmoil and loss, 2017 promises to be an unpredictably wild ride. Yet with all that volatility aside there are few things I think we 麻豆社国产folks can count on. 听
First amongst them鈥� our town will be hopping. U.S. visitors will be coming here in similar, if not larger, numbers than in the previous years.听 Oil prices will likely drop in the first half of the year, as will the Canadian dollar against the U.S. 听
The discount U.S. visitors get with their strong dollar combined with growing awareness of what a wonderful place 麻豆社国产is to visit will increase traffic and overnight stays. That鈥檚 more people on the road, in the hotels, restaurants and out on the trails.听 听
At the same time there鈥檚 a sense that overseas visitors may be more reluctant to visit the U.S. this year, resulting in more choosing 鈥淏eautiful B.C.鈥澨�
And my very personal opinion is this: The more the world around us changes, the more people want to connect with the simple pleasures of life.听
Big accessible mountains, rivers and lakes aplenty, an ocean at our doorstep and a town of friendly down to earth people鈥� those are things that endure and endear. With brave new businesses starting up and with a host of new opportunities emerging, I think 2017 will confirm 麻豆社国产as the place to be. To live, to visit鈥� and for some to find sanctuary. 听
As a community we鈥檒l have to wrestle with our popularity, but I think this town has it right. We鈥檙e inclusive, we鈥檙e diverse, we鈥檙e strong-minded, even more wilful. 听
We鈥檙e good people and I think that will shine in 2017.
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Education in a rapidly changing world by听Rick Price,听School District No. 48 board chair听
In the Sea to Sky School District we are anticipating another rewarding year, helping students become thinking, contributing citizens.听
Our education plan, Pathways to Learning, has been developed collaboratively and is intended to ensure that we are providing 鈥溾�afe, purposeful and powerful learning environments in order that all students can think critically, create, collaborate, contribute and learn.鈥�
This is complex and important work, and in 2017 there are new provincial curricula to support us.听
For kindergarten to Grade 9, the emphasis on core competencies and active, engaged learning has already been in full implementation since September 2016. For Grades 10 to 12 the new curriculum is being tested this year, with full implementation in the fall of 2017.
Our district is leading in the development of innovative reporting methods, including descriptive feedback and student self-assessment.听
We want to ensure that reporting supports student learning, and that parents get the information they need in a timely and meaningful way. Our staff is eager to discuss these changes and to receive input. We encourage you to participate when feedback opportunities are provided.
Enrolment growth continues to put capacity pressures on some of our schools, and the recent Supreme Court decision will likely mean an additional welcome increase in teaching staff and more demand for space.
In 2017, we will continue to provide our students with opportunities to focus on their personal interests and aptitudes through many specialized programs and academies.听 We will also welcome about 200 international students, enriching both our classrooms and our communities.
In summary, 2017 will be a year in which we build on our strengths, including our excellent graduation rates, while supporting innovations that best serve our students in a rapidly changing world.
I am pleased to extend, on behalf of trustees and staff, best wishes for a happy and successful year.
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Maintain the small-town feel by听Staff Sgt. Jolaine Percival,听麻豆社国产RCMP detachment听
The 麻豆社国产RCMP are excited to welcome the New Year and the many changes that come along with it. We have seen a substantial turnover with our staff, which means police officers new to 麻豆社国产now call our community home.听
Whether 麻豆社国产is their first posting or they are transferring from another RCMP detachment, these officers are excited to start new chapters in their lives. The sheer beauty of our backyard and the unique, dynamic and ever-changing policing environment in 麻豆社国产is what draws us here.
Over the past couple of years, 麻豆社国产has seen continuous growth and with it has come what may be considered 鈥渂ig city crime.鈥澨�
Over the past year, we have experienced issues with crimes relating to drugs, specifically fentanyl, as well as property and violent crimes.听
We at the RCMP have been reactive to these as they have arisen, and are committed to continuing in an effort to keep 麻豆社国产a safe place for new homes and families, and help maintain the small-town feel. 听
It is extremely difficult to forecast what 2017 will look like from a policing perceptive, as every day is different. 听
There have been some new issues that surfaced this past year, but through strategic planning and effective resource deployment, the RCMP commit to working with our communities and its valuable partners to target each issue as it is identified. 听
The 麻豆社国产RCMP are looking forward to what 2017 has in store and we are confident in our ability to tackle any new challenges this year presents. We will continue to strengthen the already strong relationships with the District of Squamish, the stakeholders, partners and residents of our community and will work hard at building strategies to effectively police our growing community.
