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Letters to the editor for the week of December 5th

WIC I would like to thank all those who supported the WIC application.
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WIC

I would like to thank all those who supported the WIC application.

This includes the more than 300 who signed our supporter petition including community leaders such as Roger Soane, Shannon Shusko, Tim Reagan, Ted and Jane Milner, Steve Anderson and Kevin Wallace. A special mention of thanks to the late Chris Raymond, whose passion for this project was unsurpassed.

I would also like to thank the realtors, hoteliers, and restaurateurs associations, as well as the rotary clubs who heard us out and gave us so much support. Tremendous thanks to the Zen family, particularly Roger and Karen, who were willing to invest so many resources to try to bring a lasting legacy to our community that would have given so much to our future generations.

Thanks are also due to our educational partners. BCIT and UNBC are two of our finest institutions in British Columbia and they were willing to bring their outstanding programs and reputations to our young people and community.

The fine staff of University Tecknikum Wien in Austria and THNK: the Amsterdam School of Creative Leadership were each equally committed to the creation of a truly global campus here in Whistler. This spring THNK will now centre its program in Vancouver bringing some of the world's finest minds to the city rather than to Whistler.

Thanks as well to Peter Lang whose campus design respected the look and feel of Whistler. Thank you to Mo Douglas and Cindy Filipenko who believed in the project and provided valuable advice and assistance along the way. Finally, I want to thank Councillors Crompton and Grills for coming to all of our events, forming their own independent opinions of the project and being gracious in their comments on their concerns with the project.  

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our mayor. Her vitriolic and insulting comments at the meeting were beyond the pale. They not only insulted the proponents, but the integrity of those fine institutions that were willing to take a risk on our town. The mayor should learn to turn off her microphone after calling a recess as her comments, caught live, told much about her true character.

This was a woman who when asked by the Vancouver Sun about this specific project on April 17, 2012 was quoted as saying "it is a no brainer." Her duplicitous approach to our efforts to enrich and diversify the economy was unfortunate.

While she may think that the comments were her crowning glory, they really only served to exacerbate the loss to the community and display her ignorance of the directions that post-secondary education will take in the future.

So who won and who lost? Certainly the proponents and I lost in our attempts to bring an intellectual and cultural component to the community. Life will go on for both of us but the big loser was our community.

We have lost an exceptional opportunity to bring economic diversification and greater prosperity to the valley.  

We have lost any sense of fairness in municipal hall. Yes, the mayor said she would bring the project to the hall but, in spite of our asking, we were never invited in to discuss solutions to the hall's concerns about our proposal. Even when Councillor Grills raised this in the meeting, staff rebuffed him and we were never offered such an opportunity. Contrast that with another developer who was recently given open and unlimited access to the hall and mayor in addition to millions of dollars of our land on a sensitive floodplain, a 10-year tax free holiday and the fastest rezoning process in our town's history. And what will the facility attract — the same 50,000 visitors that the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre already attracts. We, on the other hand, were never even accorded the courtesy of sitting with staff, the mayor or council to examine alternatives that may have been acceptable to the community.

We have lost environmentally. After the insulting approach taken by the mayor, I am sure there is no hope of the public having access to the Millar Creek wetland, which is privately owned. The use of the beautiful Expo trail which was going to be retained in the campus model is now gone. And, there will be no rehabilitation of Spring and Alpha Creeks, which, in the campus plan, would have once again become fish bearing.

We have lost culturally. Both seniors and young alike would have benefitted from the creation of a centre of learning in our community. On April 17, 2012, Councillor McCarthy said we "have too much brawn and not enough brain in our community." He and his council turned down an opportunity to change that. Tourists and conferences would have increased with the addition of a campus, but that capacity is now lost. Amenities currently unavailable to the community such as the modern theater, culinary arts facilities and indoor track have also been lost.

So the true loser is our community and us. Council could have suggested a collaborative approach that might have seen a win-win outcome. Instead the mayor chose to insult all of us whose intentions were only to create a better and stronger Whistler. However, it will never take away my appreciation of those fine individuals in our community who saw the value in diversifying through education and I will always be appreciative of their support.

Dr. Doug Player

Whistler

Pascal Tiphine remembered

It all started one November evening 20 years ago. We were a bit younger, and zealous skiers. We rented an apartment in Tamarisk. On that Saturday evening after dinner, my friends stayed at home, but I ventured out to check out the local restaurant just around the corner with an intriguing illuminated sign above the Alta Lake Road called Le Deux Gros.

It was rather late and there were no more guests in the restaurant. I settled in a cozy chair next to the wood fireplace. A man in a chef's apron with a smile and friendly posture appeared from the kitchen. In a heavy French accent he said: "Good evening sir, what would you like?" Being in a very French restaurant with a very French décor I thought that asking for the Beaujolais nouveau that just came out, might strike a good note. "It's been overrated" he said, let me offer you a good red instead.

I did not argue, as it looked to me that I would lose. He reappeared from behind the bar with two glasses. "Nobody here, let me join you."

We introduced ourselves to each other and after a couple more glasses of good French red and friendly conversation I sensed that this accidental encounter that evening in November 20 years ago would undeniably improve my existence for the better. That was how I first met the chef and proprietor, Pascal Tiphine.

Since that time the restaurant has become my second home in Whistler. Every Friday coming from Vancouver with my friends we would make the left turn to Le Deux Gros before hitting our place in Tamarisk. My friends have long left to pursue other ventures around the globe, but I stayed behind.

Now with my wife, every time we would come up to Whistler we would make that left turn up to the restaurant, now Le Gros, to say hello to the chef, check who is sitting at the bar or at the chef's table, exchange news, have a "green tea" and start our weekend, no exceptions.

The chef has been my friend for the last 20 years, and what a friend and what a personality. His sense of humour is legendary. Sometimes I happened to be on the receiving end, but it was all in good spirit.

And with him all his many friends became our friends. A huge, diverse and cheerful crowd, an endless stream of remarkable characters that loved good wine, good jokes and most of all, good and honest food.

The chef would go an extra mile to make "his guests" happy. An entertainer. He would call for a "little picnic" and from cavernous coolers unveil his homemade delicacies.

His July 14 petanque tournaments to celebrate Bastille Day has been unrivaled. I still remember lining up impatiently, or sneaking through the back door for must attend après ski, in the Sundial lounge that he ran in the '80s, long before we met. Too many deeds to fill in one man's life. If "legendary" is allowed to be bestowed on a person it must be you.

I'm missing very much already our left hand turns to the restaurant and I will miss them for the rest of my life. And I will miss you Pascal, my good friend.

You have left us here alone, grasping for answers. It's not one of your practical jokes; you didn't plan it this way. We know. What else remains to be said? You gave us your big heart and we will carry it in our memories.

Tomas Wolf

Whistler/Vancouver

Leaving it to the experts

Further to my "Letter to Editor" of last week, (Pique, Nov. 28) I thought I would let readers know that I have exposed a further 20 properties, making a total of 60 found so far that I believe to be in contravention to their zoning by renting out their properties on a nightly basis. All information has been submitted to the bylaw office.

In case you are a homeowner who is renting out and not sure about your zoning, then I would refer you to www.whistler.ca where you can check this up and then read the Zoning Bylaws 303 identifying the correct usage of your property.

I am also very pleased to announce that Paul Sanderson, president of ResortQuest Whistler representing over 600 rental property homeowners in Whistler has provided his support to this initiative. I believe this shows tremendous customer service and commitment towards his many clients. Thank you, Paul.

Likewise, Sue Chappel, owner of Alluradirect has also immediately reacted to this situation and is working with the municipality to verify listings disclosed on her site as possibly in contravention of their zoning — once again, evidence of a local business owner supporting her community. Thank you Sue.

I feel that for now, I have done all I can to expose this ongoing issue and, therefore, I will leave it in the capable hands of our local Hotel and B&B Association, reservation companies and municipality.

Thank you to everyone for your support!

Madeleine Hamilton

Whistler

Thankful for our emergency crews

When I have had to call 911 in my life I have been extremely grateful that there has been someone on the on the other end to help.

We take this for granted. The knowledge that when we need help, there will be someone sent out, day or night to do just that. Think about it for a second. How precious is that gift of help?

Now take a minute to appreciate that the people sent to help are men and women, just like us, who have signed up to risk their lives to do so.

This thought has come to mind many times this week, as I have been reading the horrible and ignorant comments written about the Whistler Fire Department's actions in the recent fire in the Village at the Tyndall Stone Lodge.

Firstly, it should be mentioned that the men and women fighting this fire didn't start this fire. No, someone or something else is at fault for that. Yet the hostility is raining down on the crews who were charged with fighting this fire.

It is pretty easy to throw stones from behind your keyboard using a fake name or screen name. What aren't easy are the years of training that the firefighters have gone through, often at their own expense to be ready to help when needed.

It is also not easy to run into a burning building with temperatures high enough to melt metal. But they do this, for us.

Saving lives is what they are there for, saving the building is second. I am grateful that they don't rush in until they know it is safe to do so. Clearly the people critiquing the speed with which the firefighters went into the building don't have sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers who are firefighters. If they did they would be grateful for the time taken to assess a situation and react accordingly.

It is always sad when a home or a business is lost from a fire. But what is sadder is when you read about lost lives due to the same fire. We forget that the firefighters, and all emergency personnel for that matter, are human beings. We cannot expect their lives to be put at unnecessary risk to save some merchandise or a home.

These people take years off their lives due to the hazards of their jobs as it is. We cannot expect them to rush in if there could be an added danger that we as ignorant bystanders cannot see.

Whistler's Fire Department is made up of dedicated carrier firefighters and also a large, equally dedicated paid-on-call crew. One should note that when those calls came in, men and woman from all over the valley dropped what they were doing, left their jobs and their families to rush to fight this fire, and they did so for hours for little compensation for the risk they were taking. This is what happens day or night when a call comes in. How dare people throw stones.  

If there were things that could have been done better, I am sure it will be noted and used for future training. No one is perfect let's remember. However, all hands were on deck and best efforts were taken. Have you ever tried to make sure a campfire is completely out? Try that with a multi unit building and then come back and say how easy it is.

We do pay a great deal in property taxes. We get for our money a dedicated force of emergency workers who put their lives on the line for us. However, that money does not buy the right to frivolously put their lives in danger to save some drywall.

It would be awful to be out on the streets due to a fire. It would be worse to know the fire killed someone due to bad judgement and a rushed decision.

I want to thank the Whistler Fire Department for its hard work and all emergency crews, police, fire, ambulance, search and rescue, coast guard etc. It is nice to know there is someone on the other end of 911.

Kirsten Reinholz

Whistler

If Maui can do it, why can't we?

I am a seventh grade student at Myrtle Philip Community School.

I love Whistler and I am very proud to live here and be part of the community. However, I am concerned about the use of plastic bags.

This month, I have been very fortunate to go on vacation to Maui, Hawaii. While in Maui I became involved with the Pacific Whale Foundation. This foundation is a 100 per cent non-profit mission and its mission is, "To protect the oceans through science and advocacy." Over the past five years we have been on numerous adventures snorkeling, whale watching and dolphin watching and each time the onboard marine naturalist has spoken in great details about the harmful effects of plastic bags on our oceans.

In the Pacific Ocean there is a plastic bag island floating. This plastic island has a land mass the size of Texas and is endangering many species of marine life. Over the last years Maui has banned plastic bags in supermarkets.

Please, can we do the same thing? "Whistler reusable bags" must replace plastic bags. Maui has designed beautiful holiday memento bags for tourists and locals. I believe that when we make this change we can change our community and our ocean globally.

Aloha from Maui,

Kerry Walker

Whistler

Plastic bag ban still on radar

Thank you for giving your attention to the plastic bag issue over the past year. Since June when (council) requested grocery stores to monitor and lower their use of plastic bags, we (the Ban Plastic Bags in Whistler team of Spring Creek Community School) have not personally seen any change.

We hope that at the next council meeting that discusses this issue, the reports from the grocery stores will show a significant drop in bag usage, preferably by 50 per cent. If not, (we urge council to) enact the regulation that you said you would.

If you need some suggestions on what to do next, we think you should require grocery stores to switch from plastic bags to recyclable or biodegradable bags. These could be clearly marked with a colour stripe to indicate to customers where to dispose of them. For example, if recyclable, the stripe could be blue and if biodegradable, the stripe could be green.

We recognize that this will cost grocery stores more, but the end result will be a cleaner environment and a better reputation for our community.

We understand that no grocery store wants to be the first to make a change, so we remind you of your responsibility and encourage you to enact the regulation to ban plastic bags.

Jane Millen on behalf of the Spring Creek Community School's

Ban plastic bags in Whistler team

Local merchants save the holidays

With the holidays just around the corner, I feel compelled to share some consumer advice that most long-time locals probably already know; the best shopping is in Whistler.

I made a rookie mistake this year and assumed that my daughter's ski suit from the past two years was still OK. I found out the hard way ("I am NOT wearing that!") that she needed a new jacket and pants in mid November, after all the sales were over.

Feeling defeated, I wandered into Fun For Kids in the village and was greeted by the charming Andrew, who solved the problem and helped me laugh about it.

Then just last week, I discovered that the beds I ordered from the city were twice the price of the ones at Whistler Furniture Company in Function.

As I write this, I can hear my artist neighbour hard at work for the Bizarre Bazaar.

Local merchants are the best-kept secret. Before you hit the big boxes down the highway, look around town for one-of-a-kind gems that everyone will love.

Randi Kruse

Whistler

Whistler Welcome Week thanks

Every year Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) organizes a week of events designed to welcome seasonal workers to Whistler.

The idea around these events is to connect newcomers with community members, programs and support services available to them. The success of the week would not be possible without the amazing contribution from the Whistler community.

WCSS would like to take this opportunity to thank the community partners that helped create a great experience for these newcomers: The Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium, Yama Yoga, the Whistler Public Library, LUNA, the Whistler Museum, North Shore Schizophrenia Society, the Whistler Women's Centre, the RMOW and the Whistler Conference Centre. These partners all played integral roles in hosting Welcome Week events.

Also, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who donated their time to make Whistler Welcome Week a success!

Davin Moore

Whistler Community Services Society