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Letters to the editor for the week of June 20th

MP wantsWhistler to stay In response to media questions that arose last week about Whistler's presence in our riding, let me be clear: Whistler should remain in the Sea to Sky riding.
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MP wantsWhistler to stay

In response to media questions that arose last week about Whistler's presence in our riding, let me be clear: Whistler should remain in the Sea to Sky riding.

I said that in writing on October 2012 to the decision-maker, the Federal Electoral Boundary Commission, and orally to a committee of MPs in March, which also received my October 2012 letter. At the same time, it's clear the commission has a tough job in juggling competing priorities to reduce the riding to its required size.

Readers can, for themselves, have a look at my letter, which stands with the commission as my most direct and relevant view, and the transcript of my remarks to the parliamentary committee (www.johnweston.ca).

Two of my MP initiatives — the Parliamentary Fitness Initiative, to make Parliamentarians healthier models for their constituents, and National Health and Fitness Day — owe their inspiration directly to Whistler, as a host of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Whistlerites' renowned dedication to health and fitness continues to inform my contributions as a legislator. Having ridden GranFondo one and three, I have seen firsthand how cycling, health, fitness, tourism, and the economy can work together. I often refer to Whistler in public remarks about health and fitness.

My commitment to Whistler is more than political. With a place in Whistler, our family's love for the place predates my role as Whistler's MP, and will undoubtedly outlast it.  

Sometimes circumstances (dictate) decisions that no one really likes — still someone has to make the decisions.

I am not the decision-maker on new election boundaries — the Federal Elections Boundary Commission is, and the commission has to downsize our riding. Whistlerites who expressed their view on this to the commission can be confident the commission has listened.

For my part, the record shows I consistently expressed the preference that Whistler remain in the riding I currently represent.

John Weston, M.P.

West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country

Make your voice heard on boundaries

In response to Pique's article from Jun 13, 2013 "Taking Whistler out of Sea to Sky?" I would like to encourage your readers to take action by contacting the Federal Boundaries Commission.

While the hearing process has concluded, the opportunity to comment has not passed. The commission's report, and the related objections filed by members of the House of Commons, are currently being reviewed by a parliamentary committee. Once the review process is complete, the committee will receive the objections, the committee's report and the minutes of its meetings for consideration.

If objections to the proposal that would include Whistler and Pemberton in the same electoral district as Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon are loud enough and numerous enough, the committee will take notice.

It is, however, the eleventh hour so if Whistler and Pemberton residents want to make their voices heard they need to act now. You can e-mail the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia at bc-cb@rfed-rcf.ca, and you can also call the secretary to the commission, Susan McEvoy, at 1-855-747-7236.

Residents might also want to contact our Member of Parliament John Weston at john.weston@parl.gc.ca or call him at 613-947-4617. The Honourable Member for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, Mark Strahl, can be reached at mark.strahl@parl.gc.ca or 604-847-9711.

Let them know you do not support including Whistler and Pemberton in the electoral district of Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon.

Ralph Forsyth

Whistler

Helipad signals need to be obeyed

I find it very upsetting to hear and read that Transport Canada would even think about closing down the helipad once again.

However, I have observed firsthand, the drivers (and the names of their local companies on their vehicles) continually driving through the signals. Have you no respect or regard of safety?

But the most upsetting thing for me was watching a female officer sit at the signal on Blackcomb Way and clearly watch these vehicles breaking the law. She saw between 15-20 of them drive right through. I stood, observing the signal and watched her. I called the incident in to the RCMP, as I think enforcing the law would go a long way.  

What is required to make these drivers (and pedestrians, for that matter) observe the signs that have been clearly displayed? Is the five minutes you save, really going to make a difference? It will when one of your loved ones has been injured and the health care centre is unable to fly them out of here.

Perhaps everyone should think long and hard about this and what the implications might be.  

Observe the signals folks and let's get a little law enforcement involvement happening (especially when you're sitting right there watching it happen).

Bobbi Sandkuhl

Whistler

Reunions may be the answer

My wife and I recently met up with 16 relatives for a family reunion in Whistler. In addition to reliving great memories, we also enjoyed many of the activities that Whistler offers all ages.

During our stay, we happened to pick up a copy of your newsmagazine. Although we enjoyed reading several of the articles, one that especially caught our attention was about the difficulties with drunken vandals during Victoria Day weekends (Pique, May 30, "'Respect Whistler' committee upset...").

We noted that a committee report of several years ago had recommended the need to find some sort of attraction that would draw the types of visitors that might discourage partying teenagers.

Our suggestion is that Whistler considers promoting the week as "Family Reunion Week." Couple that with a program of workshops/mini-courses by a few invited professional genealogists (family historians).

The Whistler Library should have free access to www.ancestry.ca, and that site has lists of professionals.

Perhaps the Whistler community could get behind such a program, encouraging large numbers of reunions by offering good discounts on accommodations, food, and attractions. Advertising at genealogy and family sites on the Internet, travel publications, and genealogical magazines and journals should attract visitors, especially those nearby in western Canada and the western U.S.

We think these would be just the kinds of people to discourage troublemakers from wanting to be in Whistler. When we were in our teens the last people we wanted to associate with were "old folks" telling their stories.

Our family reunion didn't happen to have any teens attending. I would expect other reunions might include some teens. However with parents and grandparents nearby, they wouldn't likely get out of hand.

Although a family reunion can get a little noisy with the sounds of laughter, we're pretty sure you wouldn't find these kinds of visitors running around town late at night, staggering drunk, and breaking windows.

Best of luck.

Brad and Rochelle Oxford

Liverpool, Nova Scotia

Farmer's Market pleasure and loss

On Sunday, June 16, after a lovely daytrip to Pemberton, we arrived in Whistler just in time for a small taste of the market at 3:30 p.m.

Alerted to this event by a tourist guide we were given no parking information. We observed crowded on-street parking so followed a market sidewalk sign to a side road area. In luck, a spot opened up where six to eight cars were parked. While enjoying local market offering we were interviewed on camera giving us a chance to make complimentary remarks about the market.

Then at about 3:50 p.m. when the market began to close we returned with our purchased items to an empty space — no car.

We sought help from a bartender in a near-by eatery who kindly found out where the car had been towed. He called a taxi for us. The taxi driver, William Heywood, told us about the city council's efforts for better market parking. We think better, more reliable parking signage is needed as well.

While driving the distance in the taxi to retrieve our car we wished for a "get out of jail free" card.

John and Sandy Stonehouse

Seattle

Time to tackle mental illness

If you went to the bus stop to catch the bus, and there were two different people sitting there, a person with the flu, and a person with a mental illness, which one would you sit beside?

I bet that most of us would choose the person with the flu, because even without realizing it, society has influenced us to do so. Society has told us with stories, and has portrayed through the media, that we should be afraid of mentally ill people. They are people we should not sit beside at the bus stop.

If a friend has the flu, we feel sorry for them and hope they get better. And they will! It's not their fault that they are sick and we don't think of the person any different than before.

But when someone is diagnosed with a mental illness, people's attitudes change. With or without knowing it, others make mentally ill people feel that it's their fault that something is wrong with them. This is called stigma. Stigma originally meant a physical mark of shame, now it's an invisible mark that sets one apart from others. Stigma devalues a person and separates them from others.

Stigma affects both the individual and larger social groups. If you were diagnosed with a mental illness, would you be joyous about your newfound discovery? People I have asked have said they would be ashamed. But why? It is because of the stigma that society has created.

People don't get help because they are ashamed, because of stigma. We need to change how society views mental illness. If it is not taken care of, those who have it will only continue to become more ill. Mental illness needs to be seen as "normal" and treatable. We need to remove the stigma.

Even in a small town in Whistler, just thinking about how you talk and think about mental illnesses can go a long way. Influence people to redirect stigma into something positive.

Kristina Bell

Psychology 12 student, WSS

Stepping back from Alliance

We wish to express our displeasure with the process that we have just endured — a political sideshow.

We have taken a leadership role as responsible business persons in the community of Whistler, encouraging a broad group of resort colleagues to join with us to develop a plan to deal with the single-use plastic bag issue as identified by Council. We feel we have been treated with utmost disrespect for the considerable time and energy undertaken in good faith, researching and taking very seriously a difficult and complex problem.

The Grocery Store will sell through back stock of single use plastic bags and ask that (Council) provide clear direction to us as to what they determine will be the suitable replacement bag that will be less than a 50-cent cost to our business and to our valued customers. We expect they will be working on this within the next six months as they prepare for a possible ban of single use bags.

We will no longer participate with the Alliance but rather continue on our own program of doing the right and reasonable thing by our customers, stakeholders, community and the environment.

As responsible business operators and very concerned citizens we hope they take into consideration the information that has been carefully prepared and presented to them by our alliance associates, RMOW staff and AWARE. We are all anxious to work towards the best solution that will guarantee a product with a positive environmental life cycle outcome that is best for the environment and our community.

At the Grocery Store we are in business to provide the best products and services to the guests in our resort, which is our first commitment. We do not have any more time to waste on "make-work projects" where we are made to look foolish and irresponsible.

If you would like more information on our position I invite any and all councillors to our place of business to observe all customer transactions. We would be pleased to entertain your informed feedback and suggestions.

Sue and Bob Adams

The Grocery Store

Whistler

Trail Run thanks

The 23rd Whistler Valley Trail Run and Teddy Bear Trot is in the history books and we have some thanks to send out!

First of all to our wonderful volunteers who got up at the crack of dawn to get the course marked and marshalled, as well as the registration and timing ready for the event. This year's run was a great success — registration was up over 40 per cent from last year. Still we know there is room for improvement and we'll be back with an even better event next year.

The Whistler Youth Foundation (WYF) is the recipient of all the money raised. It is a group of Whistler Secondary students who experience philanthropy and community involvement, this program is under the wing of the Community Foundation of Whistler. The students receive grant proposals and select the one(s) they feel would most benefit the youth in our community. This year the students selected the WORCA Youth Camps and the Whistler Youth Centre's "Behind the Image" program. One of the WYF students led the pack and won the 5km race on Saturday!

Thank you to our sponsors: Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub, The Grocery Store, Pique Newsmagazine, Blenz, Thornhill Real Estate, Run With It, Nesters Grocery Store, Samurai Sushi, Creekbread, Saucony, Brooks, New Balance and Sugoi.

See you next year!

Wanda Chalk

Race Director

Car vs. bikes

Yep, another "share the road" letter to the editor. Doing my part for the environment, my fitness and all that, I try to ride my road bike at least twice a week to commute from Pemberton to Whistler.

I'm a pretty small person, I ride to the right of the white line most of the time (despite the bad condition of these shoulders) and I respect the rules of the road.

I'm happy to see the "share the road signs" on Highway 99. However, this past Tuesday morning, I decided to count the number of vehicles that came dangerously close to me, but I quit counting when I got to 12 — it was too depressing.

My question to those drivers who choose to buzz me is "why"? If there's no oncoming traffic, why not move over a few feet? If there's someone coming in the opposite lane, why not slow down a touch?  

Are you trying to teach me a lesson? Do you chuckle when you see me get pulled into your draft as you whip by? Look, I get it. You're bigger, you're faster and I'm trying to stay out of your way. If you have a valid reason for driving that way, I'd like to hear it. But if you're trying to prove a point, please stop doing it at the expense of my safety.  

Christine Cogger

Pemberton

Ironman impacts need investigating

I have been following with interest the Facebook comments responding to Nick Davies column regarding the First Nations lawsuit against Whistler (Whistler Question, June 6). One comment (by S. Anderson) especially piqued my interest: "Collectively known as 'defamation,' libel and slander are civil wrongs that harm a reputation; decrease respect, regard, or confidence; or induce disparaging, hostile, or disagreeable opinions or feelings against an individual or entity. The injury to one's good name or reputation is affected through written or spoken words or visual images."

In my opinion, that pretty much sums up The Question's editorial titled, 'Ironman well worth a few hours of closed roads.' You repeated second- hand information that came to your source through word-of-mouth that may, or may not be true, and published it. You also subjected Pemberton and Mt. Currie residents to a tongue-lashing, finger-wagging rant that has to be the most unprofessional editorial that has ever been published.

For what?

It obviously wasn't intended to unite people. In fact, neither of the local papers have shown any inclination to report on what these road closures mean for Pemberton and Mount Currie or to showcase our efforts to simultaneously promote our tourism industry through the Ironman event and support other important industries in our valley such as farming, logging, and ranching.

We shall not be provided with the information that our business sector needs to plan strategically for event day until end June or mid-July but we have been advised that for six to 10 hours, there will be no car traffic permitted into, out of or within our town and that Pemberton Meadows residents will be unable to leave their driveways.

This means that thousands of dollars may be lost to people who have businesses catering weddings and other events, providing backcountry adventures, growing and supplying food for ourselves and the lower mainland, delivering logs to market and other activities that we feel are important to our well being and local economy.

Surely our concerns deserve to be handled with respect by the bike event planners, our local newspapers and our neighbouring communities. Surely this is something we are right to question and discuss among ourselves without being accused of having bad attitudes or unfairly labelled as spoilsports, idiots and aspiring terrorists.

I think it's fair to say that this editorial has only exacerbated the situation with the scornful and very public shaming of Whistler Question's customers, the residents of Pemberton and Mount Currie. I'm sure by now you have acknowledged that you have wronged us and hope that your public apology will be well received. I don't have a mandate to speak for my colleagues, friends and neighbours but I personally would welcome the gesture.

Evelyn Coggins

Pemberton

Pemberton welcomes Ironman Canada

Despite recent editorials to the contrary, Pemberton does welcome Ironman Canada participants and the entourage that comes with the athletes. We also welcome GranFondo riders and Slow Food Cycle enthusiasts and of course our mountain bikers.

We see a great opportunity to grow tourism and "visits" to Pemberton. It can stimulate a wide variety of businesses in and around Pemberton like our accommodation sector, restaurants and outdoor adventure companies. And let's face it Pemberton could use a shot in the arm after recent economic challenges felt around the world and right here at home.

Who knew what opportunities lay ahead once the "Sea to Sky Highway Project" was completed — that attracted a bike ride from Vancouver to Whistler and GranFondo was born. We knew the highway would be more attractive, safer and faster to move visitors to the best ski resort town in the world winter and summer.

And with increased "visits" comes economic growth and opportunities only limited by an entrepreneur's imagination. It was only a matter of time before Pemberton and the Meadows Road would be a "roadies" dream come true with its flat terrain surrounded by spectacular scenery!

In fact, with world-class mountain bike trails and now a stretch of highway for roadies and events like Nimby Fifty, Slow Food Cycle and Ironman Canada, Pemberton is in an envious position other communities would clamour to get... we should be so lucky!

It doesn't come without challenges though. Meadows Road may be flat but it's narrow and with no shoulders, it can be a nightmare for cyclists, vehicles and our farm neighbours up the valley. Cyclists up the Meadow's Road should ride single file, be careful on the many blind corners and be aware of faster traffic coming up from behind. Heaven forbid we should witness an accident only to learn what we already know!

The new signs "Please Share the Road/ Ride Single File" can only help remind everyone to use extra caution.

It also looks like Ironman road closures will inconvenience everyone from local businesses and farmers alike in Pemberton and up the Meadows. Hopefully these will be minimized as much as possible while at the same time we maximize the opportunities for economic growth.

As summer 2013 officially opens for business, let's welcome riders of all abilities and disciplines to Pemberton and area. And please ride safely!

Paul Vacirca

Past President, Pemberton Chamber of Commerce