Housing crisis... or complete disaster!
I have been a full-time resident of the Sea to Sky corridor for the past 10 years, working as a ski patroller, paramedic, and first aid instructor.
For the past five years, my son and I have had to move five times due to rental shortages, owners reclaiming or selling their homes, or short-term leases.
We thought we had finally found our dream long-term rental in Emerald last summer, but the news of the owner returning this summer to take possession of the house was announced to us in recent days.
We are now finding ourselves again looking for affordable housing in Whistler, which I agree, sounds like an oxymoron.
Currently, on Craigslist for Whistler, a two-bedroom small suite starts at $2,500 per month. And I must add, only one is available, making the competition for housing beyond ferocious.
Do I need to say more?
Will something ever be done for young families trying really hard to stay in this wonderful place? Unfortunately, WHA hasn't been able to keep up with the demand.
Catherine Malette
Whistler
A move towards national park status needed
Howe Sound is a spiritual and recreational haven for Vancouver, tourists and seaside communities of B.C.
This area is under threat by what I have come to refer to as the "Environmental Axis of Evil" armed with industrial weapons of mass destruction.
At the moment there are proposals for:
• An expansion of port facilities at Squamish by filling in huge areas of the Squamish Estuary for a roadway enabling expansion of the port's yard, as well as increased shipping through Howe Sound.
• A gravel mine at McNab Creek, which essentially removes vast amounts of that estuary, leaving behind a water-filled pit in 30 years, and threating fish stocks.
• The Woodfibre LNG export facility is a direct threat to the herring stocks of Howe Sound. It is just coal with LNG makeup on, being shipped through Howe Sound.
After hearing from a delegation having grave concerns about the development of a coal port in Squamish, with ships passing through Howe Sound for loading, then-Mayor Art Phillips and council for Vancouver passed a resolution, unanimously, March 6, 1973 stating that, not only should the provincial government immediately halt all plans concerning the coal port developments, but that the Howe Sound area should be considered primarily as a recreational area.
So here is the challenge I throw out there today.
I dare a group to approach Vancouver mayor and council, to again renew a resolution condemning the reindustrialization of Howe Sound, and again call for the Howe Sound area to be left for all time as primarily a tourism recreation area.
John Buchanan
Squamish
Recycling success
In September 2015, Myrtle Philip Community School implemented a new school-wide recycling and composting program, made possible through funding provided by Community Foundation of Whistler and the Myrtle Philip Community School Parent Advisory Council.
Each classroom received a five-bin, colour-coded recycling system where the students are responsible for correctly sorting the recycling themselves as they learn about becoming environmental stewards.
As the school year is winding down, we would like to share the successes of the program as the numbers speak for themselves.
The 2015-16 school year saw a 14-per-cent increase in student population; however, we were able to reduce the amount of waste created by 19 per cent. A very noticeable increase was in the organic recycling which was up 114 per cent from the previous year.
A very special thanks goes out our school custodian, Darren, who spearheaded this idea and is integral to ensuring the recycling is sorted correctly.
Other important community members who helped with this project are: Kerri Stewart (MPCS PAC), MPCS hot lunch coordinator Jane Moran and her team of volunteers who are dedicated to ensuring waste from the hot lunches get recycled properly, Cutting Edge Signs for the labels, RMOW for the composting stickers, Carney's for the Rinse-It stickers, and all the teachers and students who embraced the new program.
We all owe it to our children to do our best to educate them on how to become environmental stewards and live our lives setting a good example to protect the Earth.
At Myrtle Philip Community School, we are committed to continuing education towards zero waste.
Christy Craig
MPCS parent volunteer
A growing success
The Friends of the Library held their annual fundraiser, The Giant Plant Sale, last Saturday, June 4, and it was a success.
There is something very satisfying about holding an event on the steps of an institution you love and are proud to support, Whistler Public Library. It's even better when the weather cooperates and all the different individuals who come out to organize the event, buy, talk plants and growing and make it a success. Thank you.
Nesters Market has donated bedding plants for the past four years, this year they delivered the beautiful stock to the library Saturday morning. Thank you Bruce, Ian and Zeljka.
Paul Beswetherick (RMOW) and Carolyn of Out on a Limb landscaping graciously donated the bulbs.
Julia Smith and Claire Goss, who also donated dahlia tabors, were our garden gurus.
Starbucks provided the coffee and Nadine and her crew of librarians backed us up with posters, tables and more.
No one has organized a fundraiser without volunteers and they come back year after year.
Thank you to Susan and Gord Annand, Heather Mathew, Janet Jean, Moe Richmond, Maureen Chaddock, Marrianna Orr, Susie Wood, Audry Mitten Dorf and Jack Pendygrasse.
Tulip bulbs will be available in the library after Labour Day. Our next fundraiser will be the fall book sale at the Marketplace on the Thanksgiving weekend.
The Friends of the Library meet at 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. All are welcome.
Jessie Pendygrasse and Christy Auer
Whistler
