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Letters to the editor for the week of April 11th

CN puts safety first CN applauds Tourism Whistler for removing an online profile recommending walking on or alongside the train tracks to access the Train Wreck site. CN certainly appreciates the benefits of recreational trails.
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CN puts safety first

CN applauds Tourism Whistler for removing an online profile recommending walking on or alongside the train tracks to access the Train Wreck site.

CN certainly appreciates the benefits of recreational trails. However, the risk to public safety as a result of trespassing across our right-of-way is an inevitable result of bringing the public closer to the rail track.

Our police force take the matter of trespassing very seriously and try to use education first, but enforcement is also a tool at their disposal to ensure that people are safe and stay away from railway property.

The number of rail trespassing incidents is rising and as a matter of principle, CN will not permit a situation that unnecessarily invites a compromise to public safety. Our hope is that by providing this information, the community understands why CN cannot condone any encouragement that promotes the public's use of the rail right-of-way to access hiking trails.

Safety is CN's number one priority and our policy of not allowing trails within the rail right- of-way is in-line with our commitment to safety. CN will be erecting additional "private property/no trespassing" signage in the area.

CN Police will also be monitoring the area to educate the public of the dangers of trespassing helping to ensure public safety and will also be stepping up enforcement.

Michael A. Cory, Senior Vice-President

Western Region, CN Rail

Helmets not the answer to concussion prevention

While no good scientific evidence exists (nor has it ever existed) that demonstrates helmet use can reduce the risk of concussion, a significant body of compelling information in the form of legal evidence exists that demonstrates beyond any reasonable doubt that helmets can cause or contribute to serious injury to the user. When any party, but especially parties with medical or scientific credentials, make unqualified recommendations for helmet use or make statements to the effect that "any helmet is better than no helmet" it is reasonable for the public to rely on the implied expertise and assume that helmets will provide  broad protection against head injuries including concussion with no associated risk. Nothing could be further from the truth.

At one time there were 35 makers of helmets in North America. By 1985, due to successful litigation, only 5 major helmet makers were left standing. At that time the cost of obtaining insurance coverage had necessitated an increase of $30 in the price of football helmets and was threatening to put helmet makers out of business. More recently, a suit was filed against helmet maker Riddell (Maxwell v. NFL et. al. No. BC465842 - Supreme Court L.A. County - July 19, 2011)  in which it is alleged, among other things, that the helmet maker failed to warn players that its helmets would not protect against long-term head injuries and that Riddell had been aware of this since 1928.

In view of the proven associated risks of helmet use in conjunction with a lack of evidence of protection against concussions it can be argued that helmet makers and those who advocate helmet use owe a duty to warn users that there is no good evidence that helmets will provide protection against concussions, that helmets could pose a risk of serious injury to the user and that the user should seek immediate medical attention in the event that they suffer a blow to the head.

David MacPhailWhistler, BC

Editor's Note: Dr. Pat Bishop, retired professor at the University of Waterloo, reiterated in last week's story "In Helmets We Trust" that helmets do not prevent concussions. He said: "They prevent those lethal focal head injuries (injuries localized to one region of the head such as a skull fracture or a brain bleed)."

Past councillors take a stand

In 2007 the Village of Pemberton Council proposed the purchase of the water license on Pemberton Creek. Provincial BILL C-30 had just recently been passed; this bill would remove our right to make decisions about certain developments in our own boundaries.

By purchasing the water rights, we were hoping to secure control over what happened to Pemberton Creek — be it protection or development. Our prime motivation was to protect the creek from development.

At the time, not much was understood about run-of-river projects. We decided to contract Summit Power to do a feasibility study on a potential power project on Pemberton Creek.

We, as council at the time, were not aware of the inherit risk that these projects posed to river health in B.C. Our first priority was always to protect the watershed.

During that same tenure, we had to secure a second well to ensure we had a continuous water supply. That second well is located just a few metres from the first well. That is because our only potable water source is Pemberton Creek.

Looking back, we feel we made the right decision in obtaining the license for the sole reason to protect our only water source and to protect the interests of our taxpayers.

We hope that the current VOP Council will do the same and reject project proposals that include a river diversion power project.

Village of Pemberton Councilors 2005 -2008

Mark Blundell

Jennie Helmer

David MacKenzie

Kirsten McLeod

The painful subject of income tax

Kerry Packer, an Australian tycoon, in testifying in defense of his low taxes quipped, "I am not evading taxes, I am minimizing my tax. Anybody who does not minimize tax wants his head read. I can tell you as a government that you are not spending it so well that we should be donating extra."

With Kerry in mind and the fact that it is tax season I thought it worthwhile to consider what you can include in your medical expenses.

Let's take an example: You have suffered a broken back while surfing on the Australian Gold Coast and have had to pay a $30,000 bill. On return to Canada you have complications and must be driven to Vancouver monthly for rehab not available in Whistler. It's a three-day program and since you can't drive your mate goes with you and stays in a hotel. In Whistler your doctor feels to relieve pain you should be on a Marijuana program requiring three Dobies a day — cost $30.

What could be deductible from the above? Basically everything, including the pot. Your drive to Vancouver would be covered at 49.5 cents per kilometer, both ways, and food in Vancouver at $51 a day for both you and your mate. If you are confined to a medical facility your mate's hotel would also be deductible, particularly if he/she attended to you at bedside. Make sure you photo-op your mate removing your bed pan.

Back home you can buy the best bud available, but be careful about sharing, CRA auditors might be watching.

If unfortunately your condition does not improve and alterations to your driveway and house have to be made to facilitate your movement, this is also deductible.

All I'm saying is there is a wide list of medical deductions available — extra costs of gluten-free diets, in vitro fertility programs, laser eye surgery. It's all available on the C.R.A. web site.

Maybe you are not enjoying this letter, as you had huge expenses in 2011 that you forgot to deduct —not to worry — you can deduct any 12-month period that ended in 2012 such as January 15, 2011 to January 15, 2012. The deduction is too complicated to outline here but generally it is better to deduct from the partner with the lower income.

Anyway, check it out and join the Kerry Packer Club of refusing to donate to the Government, unless of course you think they are spending your money wisely.....$1 million to take Harper's limo to India, $33 million to remind us we were in the war of 1812 , $30 billion plus for new fighter jets.

Lennox McNeely

Whistler

Stoop and get the poop

It looks like measures haven't been taken about those people who are not cleaning up after their dog.

I feel like a lot of people notice that it's becoming an issue in this town. Whistler is an amazing town but it just becomes unbearable at some point when walkways, parking lots or trails have dogs' poop.

What is it that we need? A dog poop DNA testing? Or more disposable poop bags around trails and parks?

Richard Laumaillet

Whistler

Basketball thanks

The students and teachers of the Whistler Waldorf School would like to send a special thank you to some generous volunteers in the community that gave of their time in January and February to coach our new Grade 6/7 basketball team. The students really enjoyed their friendly games against other local teams.

Our thanks with gratitude go out to: Andrew Eccles, Melissa Talaro, and Jacinta Mousset-Jones.

Aegir Morgan, Grade 7 teacher, principal

Whistler Waldorf School

Jazzfest — Whistler style?

Hey guys let's throw a jazz festival, and instead of utilizing the village, clubs, pubs and venues that would make for an incredible single site jazz festival, let's put a fence up around a stage and hire a bunch of esoteric jazz performers that only appeal to a niche crowd.

Then, when it fails to capture the attention of the people who live in Whistler, B.C., and Washington, the communities close enough to travel to an interesting festival in Whistler with ease, let's blame the resort for issues with putting up a fence or putting on some free concerts. News flash...sound can't be stopped by a fence.

Next year, let's throw a rock festival and hire a bunch of progressive rock and progressive metal bands to come. We'll put a fence up. Eighty long-haired guitar nerds will show up and pay, and everyone else will go to the club and dance to top 40.

Epic fail, and it had nothing to do with the fence, or how the resort advertised. Bring in music that appeals to a broader scope, stuff that makes kids and adults dance, that reminds the elderly generation of the music through their lifetime, and introduces a new generation of people to music that is accessible when presented properly.

My question is why didn't they bring in any DJ's that spin with jazz and throw them in the clubs? Trip hop, funky grooves would've gone down well.

Get a sax player and drummer in on it, and we're watching modern jazz artists relate to a new generation. Where were the bands that make you wanna dance?

There were a few... and it seems that it was the Resort that brought in these ones, not the festival. Where were the smaller groups from within a 24-hour drive of Whistler, the one's you could've hired to fill venues all over town and make this a more accessible event with music from the area and a few head-liners from all over the world?

Could've considered youth jazz groups too and the great artists coming from our music schools. Did they forget Capilano University is just down the highway and filled with amazing student groups? The lower mainland is filled with youth jazz groups. I'm a product of that.

You can bring in great groups for less cost than hiring the heavyweights that nobody in Whistler seemed to care about anyway, except that small niche group of people that paid for the festival.

Man, if I had the backing, that festival would've gone down a lot differently. First mistake is not looking at the culture that exists here and presenting music to that demographic. They are the ones you need to win over first. You don't just walk into a community and expect support when you don't embrace the community.

Monty Biggins

Whistler

Ah, spring is in the air!  

Daylight hours are getting longer, temperatures are getting warmer and it's time to start driving after drinking if you want to head north of the village late at night! (I don't condone drinking and driving, but am frustrated by the lack of late night transit service and wanted to make a point).

If you live south of the village, you have until 3:00 a.m.; that extra hour is great for anyone out drinking or working late at night.

If you live in staff housing, you've got until 2:35 a.m.

But, once again, the summer bus service leaves anyone that lives north of the village high and dry after 2:01 a.m. So much for catching last call or working late at night and taking transit.

The most annoying thing is the fact that there are several deadheads that leave the village for GarageMahal that could easily do a later northbound run.

Why does the north end of Whistler get screwed?

Maybe it's time to stop subsidizing the free Marketplace and Benchlands routes in order to provide more effective transit service for locals!

Kevin Mikkelsen

Whistler

Time for spring cleaning

I am a Kiwi girl who has been living in Whistler for the winter season. Since the snow has melted in the valley I am disgusted with the amount of rubbish I see on my walk to and from the village — I only live in Brio, so it is not a very long walk (15 minutes max from the far side of Brio).

Yesterday on my walk into the village I took a large garbage sack and picked up bottles, cans, pizza plates, coffee cups, lighters, cigarette packets, plastic beer rings and food packaging in general. I even picked up four, full dog litter bags! By the time I got halfway to the village the garbage sack was half full.

Everybody visiting Whistler, whether it is for the season or a short stay, needs to stop being so filthy and polluting such a beautiful place.

If you are a local and are also contributing to this disgusting behaviour you need to seriously buck up your ideas or buck off.

Kristy Fogden

Whistler

WAC says thanks

On behalf of the Whistler Arts Council, we would like to sincerely thank Mike Duggan, Kathleen Holton and the staff at the Nita Lake Lodge.

We were chosen as the recipient charity for the open house at Nita Lake Lodge on Saturday, April 6.

The proceeds from the food and wine donations, as well as the silent auction totaled just over $2,500 and will be allocated to the 30th annual Whistler Children's Festival July 13 & 14.

Thank you to everyone who bid on the auction items and a special thank you to Mei McCurdy of the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation for recommending WAC as the beneficiary. Your support is appreciated!

Kelly Johnston, development manager, Whistler Arts Council