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Letters to the editor for the week of March 21st

Safety first in Function Junction Whistler's pedestrian village and Valley Trail system gives those who prefer to walk or cycle a safe and enjoyable alternative.
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Safety first in Function Junction

Whistler's pedestrian village and Valley Trail system gives those who prefer to walk or cycle a safe and enjoyable alternative. Thank-you to all of those with the vision who promoted and worked hard to make what we have a reality.

Unfortunately, Function Junction missed the boat. Living in an apartment at the north end of Function Junction, and working at the pet food store in the south end, I have "feet on the ground" and first-hand experience with just how dangerous getting about Function Junction can be. I can confidently state that walking or cycling in Function is more than just unsafe, it is dangerous.

The recent completion of new Valley Trail connection to Spring Creek and Cheakamus Crossing on their side of the highway brings more people to the area, but without any corresponding improvements on the Function Junction side it has made this dangerous situation worse. The re-routing of Whistler Transit busses from Function Junction to Cheakamus Crossing often requires those going to or from Function Junction to cross the highway to get to and from their bus. This also makes the situation worse.

At a Function Junction meeting put on by the Chamber of Commerce last fall I was encouraged to see a group from Function Junction volunteer their time to work on a pedestrian sidewalk/trail strategy. Their plan and strategy can be viewed at www.facebook.com/FutureOfFunctionJunction. A lot of work was put into this strategy and it appears well thought out, sensible and of modest cost.

The comprehensive Function Junction trail strategy was sent to the RMOW February 13, 2013. At its March 5, 2013 meeting RMOW council referred the Function Junction strategy to staff for consideration for the part of the work to be done in 2014.

The safety of those who love, work and visit (Whistler) should be the #1 priority of local municipal government. To address urgent safety concerns, at the very least, in 2013 the widening of the shoulder of Alpha Lake Road from Highway 99 to Olives/Lordco should be completed and this important safety work should take priority over some less important municipal work scheduled for 2013

I am writing a letter to Mayor and Council asking them to instruct their administration to at least get the initial shoulder widening along Alpha Lake Road, and a three-way stop at Alpha Lake/Millar Creek Road built this summer, and encourage all those who feel likewise to also write or email their mayor and council.

Let's put safety first

Hayley Wirsching

Whistler

Yes, Max, there is a Santa! An ageing in place one, that is ...

In response to "An age-old debate ..." pg. 94, March 14, 2013, Pique Newsmagazine: There is a group of dedicated elders in this community who have been working tirelessly since the early `90s (formally since June 20, 1995) to make ageing in place in Whistler a reality.

The Mature Action Community (MAC) is really just a bunch of local Whistler-ites who are stubborn enough not to want to move away from their beloved community as they age. Even if that community includes snow and issues of accessibility.

The snow is cleared from every street in Whistler and every sidewalk before it even falls, it seems. Bless our hardworking highway maintenance guys and RMOW employees who make that stuff disappear much faster than any other community I have ever lived in. Many Canadian communities have more snow than we do over the course of a winter, in much harsher conditions, with far fewer snow clearing crews and you don't see their seniors rushing to leave the community.

And we have a whole team of people making our community accessible in the form of the Measuring Up Select Committee of Council headed up by the indomitable Sarah Tipler under the umbrella of the municipality's Kevin Damaski. Pick up the Accessibility Map online at http://www.whistler.ca/culture-recreation/accessibility/accessibility-map or in the Access Guide for Seniors available at locations throughout the Village and take that walker with skis prototype for a trial run.

And the mountain does indeed make sure we have heaps of runs to ski even if our egos don't really want to admit that we are now more comfortable on Rock 'n Roll than we are on Pakalolo (the Seniors Ski Team embraces skiers of all levels and is hugely successful at keeping ageing bodies skiing safely).

We have first class medical services (thanks Vancouver Coastal Health and all the amazing physios, chiropractors, massage therapists and doctors who not only choose to be here, but also give us the advantage of their considered experience often diagnosing more accurately and getting us specialist help faster than their urban counterparts), existing programs that will only grow as the demand grows for exercise and wellness services for those over 55, local merchants and retailers who go out of their way to honour locals and those over 55 in particular, non-profit agencies such as Whistler Community Services Society who house the "Over 55 Drop In and Resource Centre," as well as run intergenerational programs, cooking classes, art classes, and best of all, the Helping Hand program which will help anyone with a service need (Need a ride to Vancouver to visit a specialist or friends? Call Helping Hand. Need someone to help you do the grocery shopping or fill out government forms? Call Helping Hand. Need a ride to a meeting? Call Helping Hand. 604.902.0865), and zoned housing options that will be built when there is sufficient demand from those 55+.

Because we are a relatively "new" community (we were only incorporated in 1975 ... a newcomer by B.C. standards), the services for those wishing to age in place are not as evident as they would be in a more age diverse community which is now on its third or fourth generation of users. But that is not to say that these services will not be available! The Mature Action Community (MAC) has, since inception, negotiated with agencies and municipal government to lay the groundwork for residents who wish to stay in the community to have the programs and services they need. Highlights of MAC's work to date are:

• Negotiated three site locations for seniors' housing (one completed to date at Cheakamus Crossing)

• Undertaken an Ageing in Place Community Survey (2009)

• Completed a Seniors' Services and Programs Inventory and Gap Analysis

• Partnered with WCSS to hire a Seniors' Advocate (Melissa Deller)

• Partnered with RMOW to apply for UBCM Grant 2010 (successful)

• Worked with the RMOW to include ageing in place in the rewrite of the OCP

• Co-sponsored Seniors' Access Guide for Whistler initial printing

• Created a Seniors Expo and Flu Shot Clinic each Fall (now in its third year)

• Hosted a Town Hall meeting for those in the community 55+ (more to follow)

• Hosted information sessions such as Advance Care Planning Workshop, Financial Planning Seminar, Estate Planning Seminar

• Produced the Lifestyle Planning Guide

• Successfully applied for a New Horizons for Seniors Grant ($16K)

• Partnered with WCSS to open 55+ Drop In and Resource Centre

So Max ... the Santa of the future will likely be able to grant you your wish of "finding a way to make aging in place in Whistler a reality."

But, like Santa, the Mature Action Community needs supporters (programs and services are much easier to advocate for if one speaks for 1,000 people as opposed to 250 people, and there are 1,975 residents over the age of 50 in Whistler as per the 2011 Canada Census). We would urge everyone who wants to age in place in Whistler to join MAC ($15 a year) and add their "voice" to the growing number of people who are lobbying for an age-friendly community. And if anyone wants to volunteer a little time and/or experience, that would be even more amazing!

Let's make Max's wish come true ...join MAC (www.whistlermac.org "Join Now" button) and let's all get out there and work together to make Whistler an age friendly community! We can do it ... we are so lucky to live in a community full of passion and that wonderful "can do" attitude that has metaphorically speaking "built a mountain" over the past 38 years!

Sue Lawther, president, Mature Action Community

Whistler

Stand up for environment

Recently I visited and photographed Key Hole Falls.

As I stood there in awe of all this natural beauty I wondered if these falls would ever look this way if the proposed Upper Lillooet Project were approved.

It's time to wake up people and stand up for our public lands that are being used for profit at the expense of taxpayers and the environment.

What's next, Pemberton Creek?

Randy Lincks

Pemberton

Transparency please

My husband, daughter and I spent three days at the lovely Westin last weekend on one of Whistler-Blackcomb's last minute deals.

It all felt so special and such a treat until I picked up the bill Sunday morning. We'd been had yet again. The "deal" that started out at $219/night when I booked it on the Whistler-Blackcomb accommodation site had ballooned to $340.91/night once all the sneaky little fees had been added on.

How silly of me not to have read the fine print. There was $30 a night for my daughter (26), $30 a night for parking, along with $41.48 a night in pesky federal and municipal taxes. But most extraordinary, or at least shocking when I picked up the bill, was the "ski valet" charges. Who dreams these things up? It was $8 per night/person to store skis that you are not allowed to keep in your room. The friendly young men from the Westin collecting the skis with a smile at the bottom of the slopes seemed so helpful. No mention from them — or notice anywhere in sight — about the cash they were grabbing along with our skis.

When I protested at the Westin front desk Sunday morning (silly me wasting precious time when I should have been skiing that gorgeous powder that arrived overnight) I was informed by a pleasant young woman that the ski-valet charge has been imposed by Whistler Blackcomb and the Westin is simply collecting the money. She then rationalized the valet charge saying some guests don't ski, so shouldn't be expected to cover the cost of storing other people's skis/boards.

One can only wonder what Whistler and its hotels will come up with next. Extra charges for using cutlery when you buy lunch at the top of the mountain, $5 to use the toilets? Or why not charge for using the elevators, which could be a real moneymaker at the Westin. They are getting extra use now as guests smarter than I head up and down to the expensive parking garage to store and retrieve their skis to avoid the valet charges.

Now that I'm back in the real world, I might also mention that Whistler is doing itself no favours by pretending metres of snow has been pilling up on the mountain when in fact it's been pouring rain as it did last Thursday turning all but the top of the mountain into a giant ice ball. More false (and sneaky) advertising.

Margaret Munro

Vancouver

(Editor's note: The ski valet charge is collected by the Westin Resort and Spa and given to Whistler Blackcomb as the storage is done by WB on its property. According to a hotel spokesman the fee is disclosed to guests when they check in and it is optional though he confirmed that no skis are allowed in hotel rooms — the charge is up to a maximum of $24.)

Humble and proud

At the Kathy Barnett Leadership Luncheon a couple of weeks ago, I was successful in my application for a grant.

I'm so very grateful to many that helped me in my achievement. Thank-you to the Community Foundation of Whistler and the Grants Committee for choosing me. Being awarded this grant is a highlight of my professional career.

Thank-you also to the Whistler Children's Centre and all my co-workers who make going to work an amazing experience.

Part of the grant application asks about community involvement and although I was able to list community organizations that I regularly volunteer for, I believe I should be clear about who also deserves credit for my contributions. Without the love and support of my husband and children, I would not be able to give my time to volunteer.

I want to thank Dave for his support of my volunteering by taking care of Sam and Will while I contribute my time. When I sign up to volunteer, it's more like all four of us are signing up! Dave, you're amazing and deserve this recognition because without you, my success in being awarded this grant would not have been possible.

Tess Evans

Whistler

A lesson from history

I just finished watching 14 episodes of the BBC docudrama: "Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" on YouTube. Sixteen centuries of conquests, battles, massacres, emperors, political plots and assassinations. All that is left now is the mess in Italy. I highly recommend the series to anybody wanting to understand the most important laws and lessons of our history and civilization. It should be obligatory viewing in every high school.

Thru the episodes one overwhelming trend emerges. The enfolding of the history is mainly the result of ambitious, power-hungry individuals who try to achieve power by pretending they serve the empire, or nation, or state, or people, or god. But in the end it is all about power!

Anybody recognizes in this any current Canadian politician? Hint, his name starts with "H."

One can extrapolate this trend to all empires and semi-empires that followed Rome: Medieval Catholic Church, Mongolian Genghis Kahn-Kublai Khan empire, British Colonial Empire, Third Reich, Japanese Empire, Soviet Union with Socialist Block and the modern day U.S.A. pseudo empire.

They have seen unbelievable successes, expansions and culmination and then met with either sudden or prolonged collapse.

The other overwhelming trend that also emerged has shocked me. The Roman Empire was doing fine while conquering, expanding and totally integrating other peoples into the Empire. With the integration, Rome was able to hold together for a long time despite the entropy (the concept of entropy states that every system, including social, has the natural tendency to fall apart and goes from order to disorder).

Big social-political constructions are constantly under attack due to either geographical, national, religious, linguistic, political, or economical differences among their constituting parts. When Rome was forced to accept other folks without their integration into army, government and culture, the Empire was doomed. This has been repeated in other empires and states. One can also see this in many modern situations. My own original "patria," Yugoslavia is one example; the most current one is the ongoing problems with the European Union.

This actually does not bode well for the long-term fate of EU, U.S.A. and also Canada. I hope only that in Canada it does not happen in my lifetime despite the forces pulling this country apart.

What can we do to oppose these trends, at least in the short term to keep Canada viable in the long term?

We should definitively not weaken the federal system and government the way Harper is doing. We should change our political system that bestows power to individuals in political groups whose primary interest is winning and keeping power.

Can you imagine if we had no political parties and no elections? Half of us have already given up on the political process and voting. Instead, we should return to the original roots of our democracy, the ancient Athens, where the representatives of the assembly were chosen by lot. We already have a jury system that functions this way.

MPs selected by lottery would better reflect the interest of Canadians than the current warped setup where 20 per cent of registered voters have given power to an individual who has been showing as strong disdain for the Parliament as Caesar and other emperors in Rome had shown for the Senate. This way we could remove the main cause for self-destruction — quest for power.

Drago Arh

Whistler

Keep your puppies close

Quite some time ago there was a letter written about a dog, trained to be a duck hunter.

Tommy was a really nice, well-trained dog. For some unfortunate reason on a dark night after getting out of the car Tommy, a big black dog, decided to walk on the side of the road, rather than into the big backyard. Unfortunately, and very sadly, a car hit Tommy and the driver did not stop to see if anything could be done.

Tommy made it home but was in too much pain to make it through the night.

Today I was walking towards a grocery store and found a puppy tied up outside. I stopped to say hello, let the funny one sniff me while I gave him a pat. When I left the grocery store the puppy was gone, I thought nothing of it until I saw him walking on his own towards the road. I went towards him calling nicely, and managed to get a hold of his leash. Of course, I'm thinking how did you get yourself untied, silly monkey pup?

After a few minutes I opened the door to the closest building, a take away restaurant, to see if I could find an answer. After I opened the door a nice guy asked if anyone had left a dog outside, a woman standing in line replied, "that's my dog."

I mentioned that he was out here not tied up and the woman said, "I know he won't wander."

I stayed with the pup outside the building near London Drive and Highway 99. Trying to explain the puppy was heading to the road did not help. The woman was not happy with me at all. I am hoping the woman reads this letter and researches the reasons dogs, especially puppies, should not be left alone outside off lead.

Leslie Weir

Pemberton