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If You Can't Come First Come 69th (09.24.04)
If Squamish politics we were a reality TV show, this week's episode would have been saved for sweeps week. Right off the bat the mayor and council of "New Directions" takes a completely unexpected 180 by whole heartedly supporting the independent power project for the Ashlu River. Here we have yet another project where the only ones excited are those making dump trucks of cash. Looks like the countless kayakers, tour guides, and residents have this thing all wrong.
Oh well, before you have time to blink the public meeting shenanigans continue with Wal-Mart and the downtown apartments.
Wal-Mart was told over and over again to go home with definite emphasis on "no grocery expansion." By far my favorite quote came from one of the three people in favor, not of the expansion, but of Wal-Mart in general. In reference to the previous speakers condoning of sweatshops, someone asked: "Who are we to deny those children work?"
Moments later council says they can see no reason not to put a giant grocery store in the industrial park. I hope the mayor's verbal threat that they better build the best is taken as more than just pillow talk.
A few more moments later, council goes on to vote no to downtown apartments. For a refreshing change, this time it was the perfect location, bad project yet once again Squamish is left hoping for better.
I don't know about you but after all that I could sure use a good GK Ripper. Proving that not everything is going to hell, the fourth annual GK Ripper fundraiser went off in style. Al and the boys at Tantalus always do a bang-up job to make sure this event is one of a kind. Heck they even had superstar Wade Simmons out there shoveling dirt for a day.
The fundraising festivities began with the dangerous yet traditional pre race party at the Brew Pub. Highlight of the evening is always the "pay money to see the invincible Johnny Mac drink crazy stuff." First year it was crank body wash, second year he gagged down a pitcher of ketchup, and last year Zach and Johnny downed a pitcher of mustard and a couple dozen eggs. So with props to Johnny, this year Zach gulped and gulped the most foul concoction involving fuzzy refrigerator items and a couple of live slugs to raise $700.
It was a party true to its name and there was little sign of restraint when it came to giving for the cause. It's now important to note that the event is also called the Puke and Bleed. Right or wrong, my partner and I (Evan Syles take a bow!!) decided to get a leg up on the competition by hitting it hard and doing both before the race even started.
But it's all good; there were no major injuries, thousands of dollars were raised and at the end of the day I'm proud to say that I came 69th at the fourth annual GK Ripper.
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