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Race to run for Squamish council

Heintzman, Raiser also announce they will seek seats in November

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.