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Letters to the editor for the week of March 7th

Wanted: their last memories together A good mate of mine Matt Lorraway and his partner Rebecca Ware were visiting Whistler between Feb. 3 and 17, 2013 and stayed in Whistler village.

Wanted: their last memories together

A good mate of mine Matt Lorraway and his partner Rebecca Ware were visiting Whistler between Feb. 3 and 17, 2013 and stayed in Whistler village.

During their time there, Matty lost his GoPro (camera) on the mountain — likely somewhere near the top of the Creekside Gondola or on the green run down to the village from there.

It was reported lost and they also searched all the lost and found at the time with no luck. He desperately wants it back because (the night they arrived back in Australia) Bec was admitted to hospital. (She) was flown to Townsville Hospital, where she was then diagnosed with leukemia and died five days later due to complications.

They had been together for a couple of years and had both got the travel bug... they had many more adventure planned.

The GoPro itself has a touch screen back with a monster energy sticker. The footage on it is of Bec and Matty on the eco-tour ziptrek and of snowmobiling.

Matt would just love the footage back because it was the last footage he has of them together, and the last moments captured of their time together — who wouldn't?

We would just like to put it out to the world if anyone comes across it or has found it please, please, please call me at 0434948996.

All we are hoping for are the photos back, as they are irreplaceable and are their last memories together.

I have attached a few photos of Matty and Bec on holidays in Whistler, in case someone recognizes them on the SD card (go to www.piquenewsmagazine.com to view photos).

Please forward this on to as many notice boards as you can, or papers to get the word out. Please, please, please help, it would mean the world!

Amy McArthur

Walkerston, Australia

Thank-you Kathy Barnett

Kathy offered me my first bookkeeping jobs when I was in my early twenties. She recognized the potential and drive in me, and that's what I needed to get started down my career path. She encouraged and supported me to start the CGA program if I wanted to take my career in finance seriously, and I took her up on her suggestion and support. I looked up to Kathy; she was a woman entrepreneur and quickly became my mentor.

A decade later, I now work as Controller for a large company living in California with my husband and my son and have baby number two on the way.

Two weeks ago, I submitted my last assignment in order to complete both the CGA program and my H.B.Com. Wow, I think it's still setting in that I don't have to do homework or study for exams anymore and can finally go out and get a life!

I wanted to quit many times, but Kathy has been one of my angels helping me with the strength and determination to keep going.

I know there are many of us that Kathy touched along the way and I was just extremely lucky enough to be one of them.

Kat Phillips-Gore

California

A 'better' bag

Rightly or wrongly, single-use plastic bags have become a symbol of waste and an easy target for people concerned with all things plastic. That's not to say single-use plastic bags don't have an impact on the environment, our health and our budgets; they clearly do, but are just not the biggest, nor the most urgent.

On the other hand, perhaps the bag issue is the little butterfly, which flaps its wings and leads to big changes. Stranger things have happened.

To have any bigger impact though, we can't take the approach McDonald's took in the late 1980's. Swaying due to repeated efforts by environmental groups McDonald's was forced to change from paper packaging that destroys forests, to styrofoam container "clam shells." Shortly after, they became a target for the clam shell because it contributed to the ozone hole and the fact that it didn't biodegrade. In 1990, they switched to a mixed material of paper and plastic to appease the critics, but soon after became a target again because it couldn't be recycled. How do we avoid the same revolving criticisms and move toward bigger changes?

At the Centre for Sustainability, we help communities create innovative robust approaches to address big decisions. These same tools and skills may be useful to help move Whistler through this lesser, yet potentially divisive and very time-consuming, plastic bag issue.

An innovative approach would first envision what qualities the "better" bag would have if it were truly sustainable and contributing to Whistler's success, and second, determine the best steps to get there. We need to have something to aim at before we fire.

Based on the dialogue to date, a "better" bag/container in Whistler would likely be one that uses very little materials, is made from recycled materials or recycled organic natural fibres/polymer, is likely re-useable at least once, does not have compounds that build up in nature, doesn't lead to the loss of ecosystems through degradation or negative health impacts on the people that make them or use them. People need to value the bag and it has to be available when people need it most to carry items. While we are at it, the bag needs to support the Whistler brand, helping to put more heads in beds. All of today's bag options; plastic, paper or reusable fall short of this description, none is ideal.

With a "better" bag now somewhat defined, however, we should be able to quickly figure out how each of today's plastic, paper or cotton bags could be the "better" bag. More importantly what policy, if any, can support all these innovations? Improvements might mean major reductions in bag use, an improved plastic bag recycling system and littering control for plastic bags.

Paper bag opportunities might include buying 100 per cent recycled content bags manufactured using renewable energy. Cotton bag prices could be reduced through a sharing system and made from organic cotton or better yet made from old clothing, sheets or linens. Perhaps all bags should have a Whistler logo on them as some have suggested. Through this process, we may actually find that certain types of bags have no more improvement opportunities toward the "better" bag. These virtual dead-end approaches should be dropped for options with more potential.

We all have the knowledge and know how to take the right path forward; we just need to apply a strategic lens so that we end up with a long-term solution that addresses a multitude of issues so we can avoid the McDonald's trap.

Better yet, going through this exercise will help us develop the skills to apply this type of innovative approach in all aspects of community life. Going through this exercise will ultimately help us to build an even more successful and sustainable Whistler.

Dan Wilson, sustainability planner

Centre for Sustainability

Spreading the net

Over the past few months, I have been collecting donations for the charity Spread the Net (STN). I am happy to say that Signal Hill Elementary (SHE) and donors from the Pemberton area have helped me reach my goal of $700 to buy mosquito nets for families in Africa.

Malaria is the #1 cause of death in Africa, as every minute a child dies from a form of malaria. However, malaria is preventable and by donating $10 dollars to STN that money buys an insecticide-sprayed bed net, and saves lives.

What did I do?

Actually, it was me and my friend Joe Davies who brought STN to Pemberton. In the first few months I sent a notice in my family's Xmas newsletter asking for cheques in the mail or donations online. Then one night my mom had an idea driving home from Whistler. The idea was to do a dance and then ask for donations there while people had money for buying food. The idea worked great, and Joe and I were able to raise $255.75 from the dance alone.

Why did we do this?

As you may know, this year SHE got tickets to We Day, a live show at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. We Day features celebrities and public speakers, such as Demi Levato and Desmond Tutu, talking about topics like bullying, racism, and how all that can change. The way the school chooses the people who get to go is by asking them to make a commitment to help either the greater community or just local issues. Frankly, I was not interested, but Joe dragged me to that original meeting and I would have never done this if it weren't for him. Then while watching the Rick Mercer Report he mentioned Spread the Net, and we decided that would be our commitment, to donate to Spread the Net.

Who helped?

Of course Joe and my mom and dad, but I am also thankful to: Hana Ronan (for donating $89 worth of rolled coins), Irma, Rachelle, and Yvon Tetreault, Gwendolyn Davies, Art Van Wart, Maggie McLaren, Rachel Woodman, Lesley Clark, Bryan McGuire, Christie Hess, Cassia Jean, Ms. Henry, and the generous anonymous donors of Signal Hill Elementary School.

Thank you!

Isaac Tetreault (12)

Pemberton

High-five for Pemberton

Sometimes I complain about Pemberton not having enough community. But as I looked around my yard last Wednesday while my home was going up in smoke from a fire started because of a faulty chimney, all I could think about was how great of a community I live in!

More than 17 Pemberton and Mt. Currie volunteer fire fighters were hard at work after being extremely punctual to the 911 call, neighbours and people driving home from work ran over to pitch in a hand, and my phone was ringing off the hook, and text messages were coming in offering a bed to sleep in for the night and anything else that we might need.

The kind of community we get to experience is one where the volunteer fireman brings tarps into your home to cover up the furniture so it doesn't get wet from their hoses.

Thank you community for your loving support, and please give one of our local fire fighters a high-five when you see them next.

Dave, Tessa, and baby-on-the-way Treadway

R-E-S-P-E-C-T-?

I read on page 43 of last week's Pique about mountain crowding. A senior got hit, accidentally I might ad, by a young skier. This young skier was, and I quote, "A good skier, he definitely knew what he was doing." The (writer) then said he was out of control, which we all have to admit sometimes happens.

This incident happened in Whistler Bowl, a black diamond run (where you do get out of control sometimes). The young man stopped, rode out with family, offered condolence and was every bit apologetic. He obviously didn't want this to happen.

Then, after a call from the Pique writer to Whistler Blcakcomb, WB bans him for a year from the hill! What a joke! This young man is probably working for $8 and hour, making just enough to survive a winter and have a good time and WB takes away the one thing he is here for?

And you were talking about respect?

A young skier that "definitely knew what he was doing" gets banned for a year for losing balance in a black diamond zone? Is this the message you try and send?

Three weeks ago I was in the Blackcomb terrain park, dropped into the first jump and low and behold, a ski school instructor with three students cuts in front of me and forces me off the edge, where in I injured my back. That was three weeks ago and I haven't ridden since. I'd like to see WB ban him for a year.

The Alpine Responsibility Code does say that people ahead of you have the right away. But it also says do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible, and before merging look up hill and yield to others. I don't think banning this kid for a year helps anyone.

J. Fredericks

Whistler

Chair's name lacks creativity

A lot of people, including myself, posted comments on the Whistler Blackcomb Facebook site voicing their disappointment in the very anti-climactic "You Name It" contest.

My family, the kids included, spent hours brainstorming a new name for the chair. Between us, we entered three times!

It just seemed so odd that after asking for the public's help to come up with a creative new name, they opted for "The Crystal Ridge Express."

I think everyone who entered ended up feeling a little disappointed.

Christine Keuling

Whistler

Teachers' medical leave

Your February 21, 2013 article on teacher sick leave presents misleading and incomplete information on this issue.

The article suggests that these teachers are receiving pay from the District. While this may be true in some cases, most teachers on long-term medical leave are not being paid any salary by the Board, but are receiving benefits from a union salary indemnity plan, which is completely funded by member premiums.

These teachers' medical leaves have no impact on Board finances and, in some cases, may result in savings for the Board as typically teachers on leave are replaced by less experienced teachers who are paid at a lower rate.

Further, teachers who are using Board-funded sick days for a long-term illness have accrued these over many years of employment as part of their negotiated compensation package, and upon the depletion of these days, are transferred to the union funded plan.

While your interest in school board affairs is welcome, the focus on teacher sick leave as a budget issue is misguided and delivers a somewhat distorted and unfair message targeting local teachers.

I would ask that, in the future, you include a more substantive examination and analysis of School District 48 budget issues and priorities, especially as the budget development process unfolds in the coming months.

Carl Walker

Sea to Sky Teachers' Association President

(Editor's note: According to the Sea to Sky school board the teacher's medical leaves do impact Board finances, it budgets about $1.1 million per year for this expense. Teachers all pay a premium of 1.6 per cent of salary to the BCTF for their Salary Indemnity Plan (SIP) to fund what is essentially an extended insurance plan to help pay teachers on sick leave who have exhausted their "sick bank" with the School District. This plan becomes effective when the teacher has run out of sick days, or used up 120 days in the year, whichever is the greater. This means that a teacher who goes on full-time medical leave at the start of the school year will be paid from their "sick bank" by the School District until they transfer to the SIP around the beginning of March if they had the full 120 days available.)

Your actions have consequences

This letter is written to the person who killed my poor golden retriever on Wednesday the 27th of February. We live on Pemberton Meadows Road close to town where the speed limit is 50 km/h, but many fly by at 90 and above.

I don't know the circumstances under which you hit and killed my dog — maybe you were driving well and paying attention — in which case I harbour no ill will towards you.

But maybe you were not, and are like so many people who fly by my house. You didn't even stop to deal with the issue and come tell us — you left her there and a neighbour had to give us the bad news.

This leads me to believe that maybe you were not being as careful as you should and I want to tell you that we are hurting from the loss in our family. I hope you, and everyone else that drives out towards the Hurley, drives carefully, follows the speed limit and looks out for the many dogs and children that live here.

Karla Treadway

Pemberton

Footprint considerations

Ecologically, One Mile Lake is virtually a dead zone.

As Max Gotz points out (Pique Feb.21), this is indeed a pity.

It is no surprise: in spring the sound of the Dragon boaters banging their drum can be heard from three kilometres away, and this is a good thing. The achievements of the Laolam Eagles is enough to make anyone proud and their fame extends from here to Poland.

Come summer people swim in the lake and stand-up boards glide across the calm waters. But no Loons or Goldeneyes.

Lots 8 and 20, detailed in the Feb. 21 issue of Pique, contain some of the last wild wetland close to Pemberton. Here the boom of the Bittern can sometimes be heard and both local Rails breed. Snipe are common and four species of swallow have been recorded and two swifts. Pygmy and Screech Owls are known from the area yet the powers that be want to turn it into an agricultural park, trails network and river access.

Haven't we destroyed enough delicate habitat already? Mr. Gotz recalls a number of bird species from One Mile Lake, which haven't been seen in years. Birds are sensitive biological indicators and their disappearance means something serious is afoot.

You pave paradise, pick up a parking lot.

Nigel Matthews

Pemberton

Mother Nature in trouble

Max ("Maxed Out," Pique Feb. 28) using plastic bags is as destructive to the environment as I would be if I let my two cats outside, or as are my individual neighbours who leave their dog's shit where it's dumped.

A 2013 study revealed domestic cats in America kill billions of birds and small mammals each year.

Counting the ones that are fed, including Zippy, there are still an underestimated 525 million dogs on the planet. Say each drops a quarter pounder a day, and a very generous estimate of 1 in 10 individuals pick up their dog's shit — that leaves 13 million pounds of it polluting our rapidly diminishing water supply every day.

Humanity isn't destroying our Mother Nature, seven billion individuals are. Sadly, we will keep looking for governments to take action.

By then it will probably be too late, if it is not already. Whether or not it matters if we self-destruct is another question.

Doug Barr

Whistler