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Greg Gardner not seeking re-election as Squamish mayor

GM dealership owner has served in mayor's chair since 2008
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Greg Gardner has decided to not run for office in the 2011 District of Squamish municipal election.

He made the announcement via a press release on Saturday, July 30 before taking a vacation.

"I am extremely proud of the progress that the District of Squamish has made in the past two-and-a-half years," Gardner said.

Gardner said he was proud to have effected positive changes including a complete organizational restructuring, increased operational efficiencies to create a budget surplus, the rebuilding of external relationships, reduced business and light industrial tax rates and increased commercial development.

Among the highlights of his tenure as Mayor, he also listed the Squamish Nation Accord, the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation sub-area plan, multiple infrastructure projects including dyke, water, sewer, solid waste, trail and park upgrades, an economic development strategy for the district, state of the art asset assessments, important policy work including a new Official Community Plan and Regional Growth Strategy based on sustainability principles, and many other positive initiatives - all in one term.

Gardner said he would like to thank the community for the support he has received as a mayor.

"It has been a great honour to have the people of this incredible community trust and support me in the role of mayor and I will always be grateful for this rewarding experience," Gardner noted.

Gardner first entered municipal politics in the 2008 by-election, winning his council race against local developer Ted Prior. In that election, he polled 1,223 votes to Prior's 392 votes.

His 2009 mayoral win was a landslide victory. He polled 3,557 votes with Terrill Patterson trailing him at 715 votes.

Mayor Gardner wasn't available for comment as he's away on vacation until August 8.