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Letters to the editor for the week of January 31st

Pride in our elephant
opinion_letters1

Pride in our elephant

While Mr. Maxwell is writing about "killing the elephant" of the Whistler Sliding Centre, I would like to suggest that he get up from behind his calculator and wander about the village this week to see the amazing collection of world-class athletes from over 20 countries here for the World Luge Championships (Pique Jan.24). Perhaps he could even engage in a conversation or two and hear them describe how much they really like the Whistler track and their experience of being in Whistler.

As he is worrying about the Whistler Sports Legacies' chequebook, Mr. Maxwell might also consider the world-class exposure that Whistler receives for hosting international sliding events and the fantastic opportunity for training for athletes of all ages. World Cup events at the sliding centre are televised and streamed worldwide allowing thousands of viewers to see our Whistler majesty.

Maybe Mr. Maxwell missed the opportunity to ring his cowbell as Jon Montgomery won gold for Canada at the 2012 Olympics? Maybe he didn't get to feel the pride and excitement as Canadian Kallie Humphries took first place in this year's two-women Bobsleigh World Cup event or as Canada's Lyndon Rush and Sarah Reid medaled as well? Mr. Maxwell might ask these dedicated athletes how they feel about their "absurd, Euro-centric non-sports."

Perhaps the North American sliding events don't have the large following that their European counterparts enjoy, but the Whistler track is an outstanding venue for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton races at every level. This season the track has successfully hosted World Cup, Intercontinental Cup, North American Cup, BC Cup bobsleigh and skeleton events, and this week the World Luge Championships. The public bobsleigh and skeleton rides offer our Whistler visitors a unique opportunity to experience these sports for their own excitement.

Clearly WSL's new CEO, Roger Soane, has some financial and operational challenges to address, but the track is already built; the investment is made. We can all be proud of our track and our Canadian athletes in all disciplines.

Find yourself another elephant to go after, Max; and while you're at it, find yourself a little more appreciation for the sports of these dedicated athletes!

Kirk Hulse

Whistler

Thinking beyond the trail

Whistler is a wonderful place to live and Stu Sjolies makes it even more wonderful!

Stu is the mechanic at Nicklaus North Golf Course and under his own initiative has been grooming the service trail along fairways one and two and then the cart paths on fairways 14 and 15 for walkers, dogs and snowshoers. He has designed the groomer that he pulls with his own snowmobile.

He does this so that he and anyone else can walk their dogs on a groomed trail, but not disturb the trails around the golf course that are part of the Lost Lake Trails. 

"Stu's Stroll" makes it easy to connect with the Valley Trail by the Clubhouse or at Nick North Blvd to cross the highway.

We would like to thank Stu for taking on this endeavour and also to thank Nicklaus North Golf Course for allowing the trails on fairways 14 and 15 to be open for non-skiers.

Maureen and John Richmond, and Dickens, Eddie and Chainsaw

Whistler

Is information secure?

I am writing as a Village Host to fully support G.D. Maxwell's January 17 article (in Pique) regarding the requirement for Village Host volunteers to get a criminal record check.

As a volunteer for the 2010 Olympics I had to submit to this check, so when the new requirement was introduced by the RMOW I didn't bother to protest — but it sure made me wonder.

The Village Host program started back in 2004. Why this requirement now? What's changed? Has there been some "incident" that has made the RMOW distrust us?

Like Max, I have no criminal record. My major concern is the security of the confidential information the RMOW has collected on the volunteers. Once an individual has complied and the RMOW requirements are met, are the documents destroyed in a secure manner, or is the information at risk of appearing in the public domain in the future?

Sadly, Max has opted out of the program on point of principle. If more follow suit, the RMOW will lose a very valuable service.

Barbara Milne

Whistler

(Editor's note = The criminal record check requirement for village hosts was introduced in 2007)

Smart minds on smart meters

In response to Mr. Eldridge letter in last week's Pique regarding smart meters it is clear that (he) has done little to no research on smart meter technology and appears to simply have copied and pasted a lot of techno mumble jumble from a website in order to appear smarter.

In his letter Mr. Eldridge states "looking at the SMART meter on my own house, there does not appear to be an antenna there, so presumably no radiation at all." My cell phone as well does not have an antenna, yet I still make and receive call, and yes, IT DOES still emit radiation. He also states that any antenna would have to be on the outside of any metal enclosure. Once again, Mr. Eldridge demonstrates his lack of a "smart mind" on smart meters, as he doesn't appear to have a grasp on how RFID technology works.

A simple screen will not interfere with an RFID signal. The screen would need to be constructed in a similar way to a Faraday Cage. As well the meter would have to be enclosed on all four sides. If it's attached to your wall it can only be enclosed from three sides. And guess which side is not enclosed? Yes, the one facing the inside of your house leaving the signal only one way to go. Through YOU.

In 2011, the World Health Organization released a report on radiation from cell phones (saying they) may have a significant carcinogenic effect. The report also went on to state that radiation at any dose, no matter how small, is unsafe. Even the radiation from the WI-FI on your lap top was enough for the WHO to recommend in that same year, to avoid resting your lap top on your actual lap when in use.

Health effects aside, I think the main issue that should concern most is the surveillance technology being used. The European Data Protection Supervisor has warned that smart meters are a significant privacy threat and wants limits on the retention and use of customer data.

He adds that the technology will "also enable massive collection of personal data which can track what members of a household do within the privacy of their own homes."

That might sound fanciful, but researchers have already demonstrated that the pattern of energy consumed by a decent flat-screen TV can be used to work out what program is being watched. The attacks could be pulled off by stealing meters — which can be situated outside a home — and reprogramming them. Or an attacker could sit near a home or business and wirelessly hack the meter from a laptop, according to Joshua Wright, a senior security analyst with InGuardians Inc. These flaws also could get hackers a key step closer to exploiting one of the most dangerous capabilities of the new technology: the ability to remotely turn someone else's power on and off. Even the hydro company itself can monitor and remotely access any appliance in your home that bears an Energy Star logo and since the meters send this information to the hydro company every 60 seconds, should they determine that your using too much power at peak times can remotely turn off you appliances and keep them off.

I wish I had more space to go into the fact the two homes in the Vancouver area have already burnt down shortly after having smart meters installed. The fires determined by the fire marshall to have originated with the meters themselves. Smart meters are not a B.C. mandate or even a Canadian mandate, and no it's not the Americans either. Smart meters are a global incentive but no one can seem to pin point who exactly is mandating this. Does this make sense?

A couple of weeks ago two housewives from Illinois were arrested for obstruction when refusing to allow the installer of these meters on to their property and are now facing criminal charges. If you don't see anything wrong with this or why they're so desperate to get these meters installed, then go back to your IPhones, YouTube, and television, remaining blissfully asleep. But you'll only have yourself to blame when you finally wake to the nightmare around you.

Michael McArthur

Squamish

Old meters were just fine

Any commentary on effects of radiation from the new electric house meters does not engender any clear information as to what it does but one thing is certain.

The new improperly called smart meters, as though they had a mind of their own, are absolutely not necessary. The old meters were working very well for a long, long time.

Time will tell how long the new electronics will stand up and show what a bill of goods we have bought.

Terry Smith

Garibaldi Highlands

There is room for riders

After another week of negative commentary in regards to mountain biking in the Spearhead area of Garibaldi Park, I feel compelled to respond to the continued misguided belief that allowing cross-country mountain biking in alpine areas will somehow unleash an uncontrollable torrent of off-trail riding that will cause irreparable damage to the environment.

This argument is the primary justification cited by BC Parks in their Draft MP Amendment and media comments, and also by others in the community in support of the decision to continue the ban on mountain biking in these areas.

I can't decide if those who make these arguments have just seen a Redbull Rampage highlight clip and think that everyone on a mountain bike wants to jump cliffs and freeride everywhere, but I'd like to assure you that those interested in the type of riding being proposed in the Spearhead area are not those types of riders.

The type of riding proposed by WORCA and other proponents of alpine mountain biking is cross-country riding, with rides taking several gruelling hours with minimal incentive to venture off trail.

Many of the arguments presented in this paper, as well as by BC Parks and others seem to hinge on the misconception that every rider will have an uncontrollable compulsion to ride off trail at any and all times.

As someone who has hiked in the area and looked at the potential opportunities as a mountain biker, I can assure you that off trail riding in an area such as the Musical Bumps or Singing Pass is highly unlikely and very undesirable. The terrain is filled with lots of big holes and rocks that are hidden by vegetation, presenting major hazards that would cause injury and damage to equipment if hit unexpectedly.

The irony is that in the times I have hiked there, I have witnessed many hikers off trail in the alpine meadows, an easy and inviting thing to do when one is walking. However, riding off trail on a bike isn't as desirable or appealing as the detractors are suggesting. Additionally, riders completing the proposed route (uphill on Singing Pass) would be looking at a ride of likely five to eight, or more, hours.

These are not rides done on heavy downhill bikes, or by people who will travel off trail. These are long-distance, physically demanding cross-country rides done on lightweight bikes, where the participants are out for a hiking-like experience in the backcountry. I am heartened that BC Parks has taken the time to sit down with WORCA and begin a dialogue moving forward.

The Whistler mountain bike community has proven over the past 25 years that it is a committed steward of the trails and a world leader when it comes to trail maintenance and management. There are many easily implemented management solutions to address concerns and potential issues, and it is past time to come together and harness the passion and energy the mountain bike community in Whistler has to work together and help make the trail system in the Spearhead area safe and sustainable for the long term for both hikers and mountain bikers.

Todd Hellinga

Whistler

A great game of shinny

The Birken Volunteer Fire Dept would like to thank everyone who showed up for the fifth annual Gates Lake Shinny Tournament.

Thanks to Chana, Jeanne, and Susie for working the concession. Thanks to James for working the grill. Thanks to the firefighters for working on the ice and getting worked on it.

It was another great day for pond hockey and the ice held out long enough for Birkenstoned to take home the cup. It is the participation of a great many fine individuals that make this the extraordinary community event it has become. Pond hockey rules. See you next year.

Moldy (a.k.a.Daved Moldofsky)

Birken Volunteer Fire Department

A Fond Farewell

As I finish up my time as the library director for the public library in Pemberton, I have been given much opportunity to reflect on the many fond memories that will come with me.

The years of engaging with this community have provided me with many new friends, wonderful experiences and amazing growth opportunities both personally and professionally.

I will miss the random chats, intellectual banter about books and life, the staff — current and past — who are very much a part of my family, the volunteers and this community of library users.

It has been my privilege and honour to work with you, beside you and for you. Thank you to everyone for the past few weeks of kind words, both spoken and written, and your support and encouragement as I move onto my next chapter and adventure.

I truly appreciate it, and I'll see you around town!

Shannon Didier Ellis

Pemberton

Thanks for being you

To the great little mountain town of Whistler, thank-you for your community spirit, for your beautiful alpenglow, your tall trees and fresh mountain air.

The past eight years have brought so many amazing memories with some of the most special people that I have met.

I would like to thank my previous employers and co-workers at Whistler Community Services Society and Whistler Mental Health & Addiction Services. I cannot say enough about the exceptional work that these organizations do to help those in need.

To our friends and our "Whistler family," who have been there in good and challenging times, you will remain in our hearts always and forever.

Thank you for being you!

Jodi Annett-Kish

Whistler