Squamish lawyer Doug Race announced Sept. 11 that he is seeking
a position on council in the upcoming municipal election.
Race joined current Councillor Patricia Heintzman and writer
Bryan Raiser last week in announcing their candidacies for council.
“I am excited to have the potential opportunity to give back to
the community that has supported me and my practice for years,” Race said in a
release.
Earlier this year Race announced his upcoming retirement from
Race and Company, where he has been a partner practicing law for 30 years.
“I have always taken a keen interest in municipal governance
and have watched how councils have influenced the direction of the community.
This is the first time I have had the time to consider committing at this
level.
“I would be honoured to have the community allow me to
represent them on the many issues that we are presently facing, including rapid
growth, affordable housing, budget constraints and confidence in community
leadership.”
Heintzman, who has served one term on council, wants to
continue the momentum that the current council has established, particularly on
the environmental front.
Raiser has been involved in the Squamish Off Road Cycling
Association, the Corridor Trail Select Committee and the Committee on Squamish
Business Development. He has twice previously run for council and currently
writes a column in the Squamish Chief newspaper.
Current Councillors Corinne Lonsdale and Greg Gardner
previously announced they will be candidates in November, Gardner for mayor and
Lonsdale for council. Catherine Jackson and Mike Jenson have also announced
they will be candidates for council.
Mayor Ian Sutherland is the Liberal candidate in West
Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country. He announced several weeks ago he
will not seek re-election as mayor.
Race, 63, has been actively involved in community affairs
including as a past president of the Rotary Club of Squamish, co-chair of the
Squamish Hospital fundraising drive in 1997, a founding director of the
Squamish Community Foundation, a member of the organizing committee of the
Squamish Triathlon, and most recently as a founding director of CALOC and a
director of the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation.
Race has received endorsements from Bill McNeney, a director of
the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corp., and long-term Squamish resident and
business owner Terry Mahnger.
“Our community is incredibly fortunate to have someone with
Doug’s credentials and integrity stepping forward to run for a position on our
council,” McNeney said. “Amongst his credentials is the fact that Doug founded
and managed a successful law firm in two communities, giving him extensive
involvement in business and land development issues. Doug is a level headed
problem solver.”
Prior to moving to Squamish in 1986 Race lived in Whistler for
eight years, where he was a director of Mountain Development Corporation, the
corporation that developed Tapley’s Farm, Whistler’s first employee housing
project. During his time in Whistler Race was also involved in the construction
of a commercial building during the first phase of development of Whistler
Village.