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Letters to the editor for the week of August 1st

Grateful for a lively plaza
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Grateful for a lively plaza

I would like to take a moment to thank our municipality for the lovely concerts and the playground they provide at Olympic Plaza. The music selection is always tasteful and enjoyable to almost all listeners, and the playgrounds provide a great spot for locals and tourists alike to bring their children to play.

The VSO concerts were world class and simply amazing!

The fact that I read in (The Question July 25) paper that a woman living in a condo, in the main village thinks that she should be compensated for the noise shocks me. Her point that the Plaza was not there in 1999 seems moot to me.

Mrs. Gloria Dommer bought a condo in a resort community known for its lively atmosphere and entertainment. If she has wanted tranquility and quiet then perhaps Emerald would have been a better choice. Also, the 10 p.m. "noise curfew" was in place then as it is now, therefore the municipality is simply following its own rules that she should have made herself aware of.

It seems strange to me that a person could find a child's laughter, the VSO or the music of great bands offensive. Maybe giving thanks for living in such an amazing town with so much on offer should instead be what is on her mind. But instead a demand for compensation?

As a taxpayer in this town I would be furious if she received anything other than a laugh from the municipality.

If late-night noise from bar patrons is a concern for her then it is not a new one. Welcome to Whistler. People like to have fun here and they have been doing so for many years before 1999 when you bought the condo.

The RCMP is available. Call them. Or better yet, you could sell the condo that you bought in 1999 for a huge profit to someone who would covet its location near to our greatest treasure from the Olympics.

Kirsten Reinholz

Whistler

Don't leave your pets in the car

This letter comes as a response to multiple things: 1) A news article posted in Pique last week (July 25) titled "dog taken from car by police." 2) A video I saw for the first time just a week ago. 3) The number of times I have seen dogs left inside vehicles this summer.

I have two dogs myself and boy do they keep me busy. I work as well, so when I am off I like to bring my dogs with me for car rides or quick stops at places. But after seeing a video on YouTube a week ago I must admit that I had no clue how harmful it actually is.

Since then I have stopped bringing my dogs along for trips unless it's to the dog park or somewhere to go for a walk. I urge everyone to watch this video, it is an experiment performed by a veterinarian. He sits inside of a parked vehicle on a breezy day with the windows rolled down a bit. He sits in the car for 30 minutes, and the distress he goes through is tremendous.

This being a human who has the capability to understand the situation, control the way he is acting, and most importantly sweat. Yes, dogs are not capable of sweating or releasing body heat like we do.

When I see a dog left inside a vehicle now I can't help but cringe and hope that owner is just stopping for a minute or two, but too often I end up seeing the dog there still much later.

Rolling the windows down does not do nearly as much as you think it does. Parking in the shade barely helps. And leaving water is not a reasonable.

You don't have to agree with my opinions but please for doggies' sakes watch this video! It's only five minutes long, and I learned a lot from it. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tJJ79YoFvM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Samantha Kelly

Whistler

B.C.'s clean energy

Unfortunately, we cannot power our society solely by conservation alone: our population growth, our electric vehicles, our mines and natural resource developments require electricity (Pique, letters to the editor, "Not so 'clean' energy,").

Even North Korea is developing clean electricity supplies to meet demands. 

Those clean electricity supplies simply cannot be built for the same cost plants were built 50 and 60 years ago. Entrepreneurial developers are bearing all the project risks and are required to meet environmental thresholds.

Clean Energy BC (CEBC) has commissioned an independent, science-based study on run-of-river projects and salmonids, which will be released this October.

No doubt B.C.'s ratepayers have some pricing catch up to do, but make no mistake about it, you simply cannot attribute those issues to the successful development of competitively priced clean energy projects. Those who are focused on market-priced power need to look carefully at the label and see how much coal fired and emission un-friendly content there is.

Clean energy developers and users will be able to explain to their own children and grandchildren what they actually did to help steer us away from fossil fuel sources and climate change — good on them.

Paul Kariya

Executive Director CEBC

Pique is more than just a paper

Thank you Bob for your efforts and your many successes in and with the Pique Newsmagazine.

My memory goes back to the first issue of the Pique and my thoughts at the time which were, "here is a brave soul setting out to publish another weekly paper in our small town."

Well, you did more than just publish a paper. Weekly, you produced a newsmagazine, a must- read, that should have garnered many more awards in its field. You introduced us to effective news reporting, providing us with insights into the workings of our fledgling village that has mushroomed into a town. You and your able staff have done an outstanding job. Thank you!

Thanks too for giving Max full rein to at times push, pull, prod and at times yank the chain to wake us from our lethargic complacency. Thanks to Andrew Mitchell, too, for his Cybernaut.

A big thanks to your advertising and marketing team for without them it would have been a much greater challenge to pay the bills. A special thanks to your staff at your classifieds desk where you have always managed to select people with great patience, understanding and with the seemingly unusual ability to listen. Without them many of my adverts and those of others would have failed to appear.

Lastly, a big thanks to the people in your operations department, the ones working behind the scenes to ensure the Pique was put together, printed and distributed on time.

Keith Fernandes

Whistler/Vancouver

Function Junction block party

Well, Function Junction was rocking again last Thursday night, and I think I can safely say that everyone who attended "The" event of the summer had another rollicking good time. A huge thank you to Andrea Mueller and all her hard working staff and volunteers at Whistler Arts Council who make this party happen every year, and to all the vendors, entertainers, artists, sponsors (especially the "Don of Function") and businesses who showed everyone why FJ is a such a happening place.

Cheers.

Harvey Lim

Whistler

Flower poachers

To the person that stole the hanging plants from outside the train station in Creekside on Saturday night: I really hope that you appreciate the love and tender care that went into making those hanging baskets look so beautiful.

I know that our guests that arrive in Whistler on the train did. It was a great first impression and a beautiful welcome to our great town.

Now, thanks to your callous act, our guests are now greeted by a metal rack with one lonely plant and two empty hooks where those lovely baskets once hung proudly.

I sincerely hope that you continue to care for those plants with the same love and care that we did here at the station and that you appreciate the beauty they provide.

Hopefully the flowers will continue to thrive under your care and not wilt and die under the weight of your guilt. If the guilt does get too much for you (and the flowers) to bear, you can always return them home to be reunited with the only remaining basket.

I guess if you had more hands you could have taken the complete set.

Margie Berthoud

Whistler Station Manager

Thank you Superfly ziplines

I would like to publicly thank Joey Houssian, The Adventure Group and specifically Superfly Zipline Tours for their very generous recent promotion.

They offered a full six-zipline experience, anytime between July 2-31, to the first 500 locals to drop by their office on June 26th with no strings attached! The offer was well advertised through a large newspaper ad and social media, so it truly was open to any local.

Although some people lined up hours in advance I was unable to drop by the office until after work around 4 p.m. and was still fortunate enough to get a pass. When I got home I reminded my neighbours about the offer and they too were able to get some of last few passes.

Having read about their two new ziplines, the longest in Canada (1.3) km and over (190) metres above the ground, I was certainly interested to check them out but until one actually experiences them first hand one cannot begin to comprehend just how truly spectacular they really are! As exhilarating as the ziplines themselves are the view is equally as spectacular and the staff is great.

Superfly Ziplines now ranks up there with the Peak 2 Peak Alpine Experience as Whistler's must do attractions for visitors and residents alike!

On behalf of the 500 very lucky locals, thank you very much Joey for your very generous and farsighted promotion!

Mike Tolton

Whistler

Ready for Zhangziazie

A heart-felt "thank you" to Harvey Lim of Art Junction Gallery who invited me to play at his gallery during Function Junction's ArtWalk Block Party.  In combination with my guitar / ukulele-playing buddy Mike Finnegan, all the warm smiles, thumbs up and "Good Luck in China" wishes, my transition to playing to an adult audience has been made relatively seamless.

Thank you as well to the "powers that be" in the RMOW staff who honoured my request to get my performance feet wet at Rainbow Park for the employee recognition barbeque. We had a few technical glitches at the beginning but soldiered on thanks to the understanding and appreciative crowd.    

Thanks to everyone who has shown such support and confidence in me that perhaps maybe, if I can just bottle all your positive energy and wishes, I won't have any problems being one of the best Whistler ambassadors Zhangziazie will ever see!

Laura Nedelak

Whistler

Local restaurant issues warning on seating

With regard to the lawsuit filed by an Ontario women injured on a teeter totter in the municipal bike park I have this analogy to offer: In an effort to decrease the number of injuries that may occur when sitting down, a local restaurant has taken the initiative to post signs throughout the restaurant warning of the dangers of sitting on a chair.

These warnings include checking the seat has four legs before you sit down and that if you choose to sit down and then lean back and balance on two legs, then the restaurant cannot be held liable for any injury sustained as a result.

I ask myself, isn't this going a bit far? Kind of like learning to use a teeter-totter when you are two and then as an adult you need to be reminded of how to use it.

Lisa Johnson-Stott

Whistler

Ahoy there, Whistler!

Whistler hosted its first B.C. circuit sailing regatta the weekend of July 20 and 21. It was a tremendous success according to the athletes, coaches, volunteers and Alta Lake neighbours.

Many, many thanks to BC Sailing Association for entrusting our team with the responsibility of delivering this prestigious event. Thanks to Nesters Market (Bruce and Ian) for meeting the athletes' nutritional needs and for helping with Saturday banquet supplies, which were expertly prepared by Colin. Merci to Laurence and Michel Gagnon from Crepe Montagne for providing Crepes for the dessert. And special mention goes to Jeff Grant from Helly-Hansen for stepping forward with so many prizes for participants and t-shirts for volunteers. The RMOW assisted with venue preparation and coordinating use of Rainbow Park. Collaboration with "Saturday at the Point" was also appreciated.

Special thanks goes to Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and American Friends of Whistler for helping Whistler Sailing with much needed equipment enabling Whistler sailors to compete.

Thank-you to the many volunteers for tireless efforts, spearheaded by Bronwen Hill. Help came from many including, Kim Fournel, Denise Brown, Bob W, Heather Beresford, Thomas Bunburry, Shane Bennett, Bridget Daley, Phil Goubau, Chris Carberry, Craig Smith, Craig McDonald, Peter Shrimpton , Pam Neilson, Jill Almond, our coaches and member volunteers.

There's already talk of including Whistler annually on the BC Sailing Circuit. Our local sailors did us proud, and well-done Whistlerites for the warm hospitality offered to all our visitors.

There's more information about future races, clinics, learn-to-sail courses and our sailing programs at www.whistlersailing.com

Fair winds.

Patrick McCurdy, Commodore,

Francois Hebert, Head Coach, Whistler Sailing Association

Over-the-top customer service

We want to send out a big thank-you to the hard working staff at the various establishments we visited during a recent Whistler weekend getaway in our trailer.

My husband and I were both blown away by the enthusiastic customer service we encountered everywhere we went including Wild Wood Bistro, Black's Pub, Purebread, Riverside RV, Cow's Ice Cream, the Plaza and Adele Campbell art galleries.

Thanks Whistler — well done!   

Vera and Bob Gibson

North Vancouver

Fiscal reminder needed

The other night I saw the debt clock on the news. Scary.

May I suggest that we put this massive obtrusive clock in the premier's office? This would well serve as a reminder to be frugal and resourceful.

Accompanying this, maybe one office wall can be wallpapered with a picture of a decaying, bankrupt Detroit, a mere $8 billion in debt.

No sooner than "not elected," our premier, Christy Clark, waved her magic wand and gave massive raises across the board to senior civil administrators. The election before last Ms. Clark created a position for Pamela Martin, ex news anchor, the salary (well over $100,000) was more than any MLA was making at the time and when asked what her duties would be she had not a clue.

Shortly after that interview, she declined all interviews. Hmmmm. Wonder Why? May I be honest here? Yes, that would be nice for a change.

The writing is on the wall. It spells, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Detroit and Cana... etc etc.

Geoff Swan

Whistler

It's never too early for Christmas cheer

Christmas came early to Whistler this year — the Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium's "Christmas in July" that is!!

We wish many Merry Christmases and a sleigh full of thanks to Mike Duggan, Kathleen Holton and the whole team at Nita Lake Lodge for the vision and support in making "Christmas in July" a successful fundraiser! This fun event would not have been possible without you, and we look forward to many more. The Victorian Carollers made the whole event so special.

All of our sponsors were full of Christmas spirit and we thank them all so much: Blackcomb Cold Beer & Wine, Brian Brown, Creekbread, Creekside Market, Dairy Queen, Delta Whistler Village Suites, Everyday Pearls, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Lodging Ovations, Lyn and Alex Stroshin, Mountain Galleries, Nicklaus North, nicobeads, Nita Lake Lodge, Norwex, Peak to Green, R.J. McGregor & Associates, The Core, Whistler Baskets, Whistler Blackcomb — You made the elves' holiday easier, as there was no need to make any new toys. A special thank-you to Santa Claus for taking time out of his relaxing holiday in Whistler to pose for some photos and share in Christmas Cheer. Thank-you all for your support of the Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium!!

Huge Christmas stockings of thanks to everyone who supported the first-time event by inviting their friends and family, enjoying Christmas dinner at Nita Lake Lodge, stocking up on holiday baking, playing our games, and by bidding on our silent auction items. We loved that you enjoyed the Christmas tree, Santa, the carollers and children's crafts on a hot, sunny day in July!

We always appreciate all of our Rotarians who work so hard in support of our causes.  All proceeds from this event fund both community and international projects of the Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium, one of four Rotary clubs in the Sea to Sky area.

Mary Ann Collishaw

President, Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium

Bug BioBlitz bonanza

The seventh annual Whistler BioBlitz at Alpha Lake Park was a huge success, thanks to the great weather and the quality and quantity of scientists. This year's BioBlitz attracted 65 of B.C.'s top scientists and nature educators and included a large contingent from the Royal BC Museum and UBC Biodiversity Museum.

Thanks to everyone who dropped by Alpha Lake Park to see all the amphibians, reptiles, spiders, insects, plants, and fungi at our displays. And thanks also to those who dropped by on Saturday night to learn directly from the scientists and have a chance to see live bats up close.

Preliminary results show about 600 species in total counted over the 24-hour event, of which 50-100 will be new records in Whistler. The results will be collated by the Whistler Biodiversity Project and available on-line within the next few weeks.

The Whistler Naturalists would like to send thanks to: all the scientists and local volunteers, plus our key sponsors the Community Foundation of Whistler and RMOW.

We would also like to thank all the businesses and organizations who contributed to the event: ZipTrek, Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb, Dusty's Pub, AWARE, Creekside Market, Nesters Market, The Adventure Group, Legends Hotel, Riverside Café, Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council, South Coast Conservation Program, South Coast Bat Action Team, Avalanche Pizza, Whistler Museum, Squamish River Watershed Society, Whistler Golf Club, and Nicklaus North Golf Club.

On behalf of the BioBlitz team, Bob Brett, Kristina Swerhun, Julie Burrow and Melanie Tardif