The death of Squamish lawyer Robert McIntosh has touched many people throughout the corridor, including members of Whistler’s council. Councillor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden, a lawyer with Race and Company, announced in a written statement Monday that she is reducing her council commitments for the next three months — including stepping down as chair of the Transportation Advisory Group — while she assists McIntosh’s former clients. McIntosh was with Race and Company’s Squamish office. In a statement read by Mayor Hugh O’Reilly at Monday’s council meeting — Wilhelm-Morden was not present — the Whistler lawyer said she wouldn’t be participating in council workshops and extraordinary meetings beyond the regular council meetings for the next few months. She will re-evaluate her commitments after three months. McIntosh, 40, was killed New Year’s Eve when he and two others went to check on a friend’s house. A party was going on at the house and McIntosh became separated from his two friends. McIntosh was later found unconscious. He died from a blow to the head. RCMP charged 20-year-old Ryan Neil MacMillan of Squamish with manslaughter Tuesday. McIntosh, who competed in international triathlon competitions, was a popular figure in Squamish. Funeral services are being held at the Brennan Park Leisure Centre because it is the only facility big enough to hold all the people expected for the service. Municipal staff will assume most of Wilhelm-Morden’s duties on TAG and the transit committee until a replacement can be named. TAG was expected to make some decisions on the direction of Whistler’s overall transportation strategy later this month.
