Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Letters to the editor for the week of May 30th

Karma is a bitch I am absolutely dumbfounded at the callousness of some people who visit Whistler. On Sunday, May 26 one of my work colleagues had her new bike stolen. It was taken from her home — the lock was cut and callously left.
opinion_letters1

Karma is a bitch

I am absolutely dumbfounded at the callousness of some people who visit Whistler.

On Sunday, May 26 one of my work colleagues had her new bike stolen. It was taken from her home — the lock was cut and callously left. When she realized it was gone she contacted the police who were unable to assist due to all the officers out on patrol.

Her next stop was me. I was devastated for her. She had moved to Whistler from Vancouver on a full-time basis for the summer to fulfill her dream of mountain biking. She had spent the entire winter studying and travelling to Whistler to work at the weekend. She saved all her money and tips to buy the bike, which cost her $1,000 in hard earned cash, never mind the cost of her bike park pass and helmet.

I wish these scumbags would realize the devastation they leave behind — they come to Whistler, treat it like a garbage bin, take what doesn't belong to them and leave a trail of heartache behind.

The hardest thing to watch is this bright, smiley, upbeat young lady completely crushed. She had spent three glorious days in the bike park — her words not mine.

She works in a very popular coffee shop in the village and although its pretty much tourist based there are regular locals who frequent the store. One of these locals came in this morning and said he had a used bike she could have —Oh wow! She went crazy, crying, hugging and not believing her luck that she'd be able to ride the bikepark again.

However, the story doesn't end there. After her bike was stolen she put out to her friends on Facebook what had happened and, of course, friends were messaging her with their support but one of these friends went further than that.

He is Scottish and is presently in Australia — he contacted a local bike shop and with their help he chose and paid for the perfect bike for her, he then had it delivered to the coffee shop as a surprise.

As you can imagine it caused quite a spectacle when this spanking new bike was rolled into the store!

She just couldn't believe her eyes and once again the tears flowed, but this time she had the brightest smile you could imagine.

So you see great things happen to great people and for the callous scumbags who chose to cause so much heartache when they made the decision to take something that didn't belong to them, I want them to know and remember that "Karma is a Bitch."

Tomorrow the two of us are off to the bikepark with a rather large bike lock and the biggest smile on a very happy young lady's face.

Gillian Rowan

Whistler

Strategic placing of police

On the May long weekend Whistler rightfully spent extra money on getting a lot more police in town to protect the business owners, the people, and property.

There were definitely signs of extra police presence because they were all over the road yet somehow they all missed the memo that at 2 a.m. the clubs close and the taxi loop is going to be the central spot for any chaos as all the hoards of drunks gather impatiently for cabs with blood alcohol levels reaching boiling high points.

Between the hours of 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. not one police officer was present to control the chaotic taxi lineup.

People were all over the road jumping in front of taxis, fighting, and not one police officer was there in the most crucial area at 2 a.m.

Can you honestly tell me with the extra policing that we hired for that weekend that we couldn't have had two cops right outside the steps in the taxi Loop showing their presence? Two more cops right by the grocery store overlooking an important part of the village? Two more cops by the 7-Eleven and the McDonald's?

Basically take all the cops and strategically place them at all the key points all over the village to prevent such incidents that happened on that May long weekend from taking place.

But the police were not there during those hours thus business owners who got their windows smashed, and taxi drivers that got assaulted and the general public that felt less safe in general, even with the extra policing, had to suffer because, in my opinion, they were well staffed to deal with this properly yet they had poor planning and execution.  

Bernie Peup

Whistler

We are the losers

I would like to thank Max for his accurate "Do the math...win an election?" column (Pique, May 23).

The upcoming Federal election will not be a contest because the Liberals, NDP and Green parties will not amalgamate.

The late 1990's saw (Brian) Mulroney's Conservatives crash. Kim Campbell, Jean Charest followed again by Joe Clark could not put the pieces back together for Canada's right wing.

Canadian Alliance with players like Stockwell Day and Preston Manning united the Conservative/Reform parties creating the power they enjoy today.

(NDP leader Tom) Mulcair, (Liberal leader Justin) Trudeau, (Green Party leader Elizabeth) May and all of their supporters are losers, and we the people will continue to suffer under their selfish egos.

Jim Horner

Whistler

Leave voting the way it is

I am amused that some Pique readers think that all Canadians should be compelled to vote in elections.

If you frog-march the unengaged and uninterested people into a polling booth, they will vote randomly: some alphabetically, some for all candidates whose names start with vowels, some for only men or only women, etc. And because of this, the result of an election will be much less representative of the concerns of the electorate than we currently achieve.

Democracy is not served by making them vote; it is served by voters caring about the issues we face, and choosing someone to address those issues. The non-voters don't care. So let's leave the voting to those who do care.

By the way, can you imagine how big and costly the new federal Department of Voter Compliance would be! 

Tom Henry

Whistler

Plastic bags still on agenda

Since September 2012, many big events have happened: The prediction of the end of the world, the police officer that brought a pair of shoes for a homeless man, George Lucas giving billions to fund education. I could go on but I think you get the point. I would like to bring up a local event, an issue recently introduced back into Whistler. It's the reason hundreds of birds and much marine life dies each year: plastic bags.

Over the past year our Grade 6 class has received quite a reputation, winning the Science Games, the Green Games and — our most famous — reinstating the plastic bag issue into Whistler's council.

Therefore you can see why we are scrambling to wrap up this project within the small time frame of the one month we have left before the school year ends. Despite that fact, we are waiting patiently for the "Alliance (of Grocery and Drug Stores in Whistler)" to present its course of action to reduce plastic bags on June 18.

Meanwhile, our class has been thinking about what we would like to see the Alliance do and have thought up some ideas of our own. How about a re-usable fabric bag program, a "Whistler Bag," or a "rental/deposit bag system" where hotels and other businesses would carry the "Whistler Bag."

We also agreed that all stores in Whistler should charge around 15 cents each for plastic bags.

Our goal is that in Whistler we could reduce our plastic usage by 50 per cent per year — that would leave time to adjust each year to the new amount of bags being distributed in Whistler.

Our class will be attending the June 18 council meeting in hopes of achieving one more big win this year.

Sierra Grant and Mme. Jane Millen's Grade 6 class, Spring Creek Community School

Whistler

We're heading on down the road...

We were hoping to take this opportunity to say thank-you. Thank-you to everyone in this ridiculously rad community, who've supported us over the years, as we've struggled, stumbled and fumbled while trying to find our way.

It pains me to write we've finally outgrown our Alpine garage-based studio, and on Monday, June 3, we're taking an epic leap of faith, packing up our lil' bespoke shoe company and setting up shop in Vancouver's Chinatown.

From our first Farmer's Market five years ago, we've had an overwhelming amount of support from the get go, which has given us the confidence and motivation to grind-on. It hasn't been easy, but if it wasn't for our Whistler fam, we probably would have called it quits a long, long time ago.

This Sunday, June 2, we're having a BBQ/ garage sale, where we'll be purging everything from old leather inventory to tools, materials, craft show display stuff, vintage furniture, fun kitschy junk, one-piece ski suits, and some other things we've pack-ratted along the way.

This will also be our last opportunity to say goodbye, so it'd be amazing to see as many familiar faces as possible before we head on down the road to the big smoke. We're at 8538 Buckhorn Place, in Alpine Meadows, and we'll be here hanging outside from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If we don't get the opportunity to give you a goodbye hug or high-five this weekend, we'll be back up next season, shreddin' Blackcomb like we never left, with all the other weekend warrior suckers. Until then, thanks for everything Whistler! We seriously miss you already.

Jules Vagelatos and Josh Blodans, Love Jules Leather

Whistler

Book sale breaks record

The Friends of the Library would like to thank everyone who made the Giant Used Book Sale held on the May long weekend such a success. A record-breaking $5,455.00 was raised! These funds will be used for Whistler Public Library needs. 

Huge thanks go out first of all to IGA for allowing us to hold the book sale in front of the store, and to TD Canada Trust and Nesters Market for being donation depots. Both Pique Newsmagazine and the Whistler Question helped to get the word out, which always makes such a difference.

Many hands make light work, and volunteers Moe and John Richmond, Jessie Pendygrasse, Maureen Chaddock, Ophra Buckman, Sharon and Tash from the library, Simone Crichton, Jane and Garry Clifford, Michelle, Bill Janyk, Audrey Mitterndorfer, Elly Johnston, Jaqui Tyler, Lil Goldsmid, Heather Matthew, Alison Hunter, Kris Shoup, and Rick Reid all contributed to sorting, selling, and transporting and thanks go out to them all.

As usual, Whistlerites were generous with donations, including Armchair Books, and book buyers dug deep to pick up their summer reading. Thank you for all your support.

Happy reading until next time!

Jane Reid, organizer

Whistler

Thank-you Whistler Fire Department

I am writing to extend our sincere gratitude to the Whistler Fire Department for its quick and fearless response to the house fire, which occurred in Gondola Heights, Creekside on the morning of Saturday, May 11, 2013.

You did an outstanding job in working together to find, contain and put out the fire. If it were not for your leadership, teamwork and training, many more people and families would have lost their homes. We feel very lucky to have such a dedicated fire department that risks their lives to protect our community. We are forever grateful.

Many thanks to all of you.

Katie Robinson and family

Whistler

Blooming success

Thank-you to everyone who helped make the Cheakamus Community Garden bloom on Saturday.

The volunteers have been working on this garden's vision for a year and it is wonderful to see it finally growing a membership base, as well as, what we've all been waiting for, food!

The garden gathering promoted interesting dialogue, brought our green community together and instilled the importance of cultivating our own food.

Thank-you to our local businesses who fertilized this event with generous contributions: Nesters Market, Purebread and Whistler Brewing Co.

Everyone is invited to come by and check out our "Vegetable Empire" down in Bayly Park.

A sincere and heartfelt thank-you to Darel, Tess, Eric, Helena and Wendi whose commitment and enthusiasm have really made this project blossom and become a reality.

The community garden's connection to building the neighbourhood's social fabric is truly as important as the food itself.

Happy Cultivating!

Lori Pyne

Whistler

www.cheakamuscommunitygarden.com

Survey insulting

Like other voters in the Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon riding, I received a "survey" from the riding's Member of Parliament, Mark Strahl.

The accompanying letter explained that my opinion on "the important issues facing our nation today," were important to him. Apparently the three important issues are: taxes and spending, responsible resource development and the Long Gun Registry.

The multiple choice answers to questions on these issues simplistically either sought to confirm the Conservative's policies, confirm a distorted view of the opposition parties' policies on these issues or confirm a viewpoint which directly opposed the Conservative's policies.

The second question showed that the Conservatives believe that its policies and legislation are promoting responsible resource development.

What an insult to Canadians who know that (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper et al. have gutted our environmental laws, muzzled scientists to prevent them from speaking out against climate change and continue to promote tar sand expansion, pipelines and oil tanker traffic along the B.C. coast, etc. One of the world's leading scientists, Professor James Hansen, recently warned that "tar sands exploitation would mean game over for climate change" and accused Harper of "acting as the industry's tar sands salesman" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/19/tar-sands-exploitation-climate-scientist?INTCMP=SRCH).

The survey concluded by asking me to rank the overall performance of the Conservatives. "Poor" does not begin to capture the incalculable damage the Conservatives have wrought on Canada and the world by their totally irresponsible resource exploitation.

 Louise Taylor

Pemberton

Rivers at risk

With the re-election of the BC Liberals, many of our wild rivers are at huge risk of being ruined by river diversion or run-of-river projects.

About 1,100 rivers in B.C. have been staked by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) with the aim of potentially building river diversion projects on them.

Given that BC Hydro has enough energy to last for the coming ten years, we do not need more river diversion projects, which ruin our fish-bearing rivers and wildlife habitat. Not only is the government wasting taxpayers' money on power we do not need but billions of dollars of taxpayers' money will be required to pay for the $50 billion of electricity purchase agreements that BC Hydro is on the hook for with IPPs.

More taxpayers' money was wasted on the 2008 Sea-to-Sky Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP), which lists important wildlife objectives for the Sea-to-Sky and which the government has failed to implement.

River diversion projects in the Sea-to-Sky undermine the LRMP's wildlife objectives, particularly those regarding the threatened grizzly bear populations and other species at risk.  

Randy Lincks

Pemberton

Local support inspiring

The PSS Girls Soccer team would like to thank all of the individuals and businesses that helped to make the "Legion Dinner Fundraiser" a huge success.

The team is raising money for its trip to Rossland to play in the Single A High School Provincial Soccer Championships May 30 to June 1, 2013.

Thanks to the Pemberton Legion for its generosity and help in providing the space for the event. A huge thanks to Murray Field and his Sous Chef Jacob Field for preparing the delicious meal.

Silent auction thanks to the following: Big Sky Golf & Country Club, Pemberton Meadows Golf Course, Spud Valley Sporting Goods, Pinnacle Hot Tubs, Greenwood B&B, Kathy Leverton Jewellery, Field Family, Adventure Ranch, Riverlands, VanLoon's Farm, Mynt Salon, M.L.C. painting, Pemberton Valley Farms, Horseback Trail Tours, Riverlands, Hip Hop Fusion Camps, Frontier Pharmacy, Newport Auto, Gone Village, Kats Catering and Whistler Jet Boating.

Thanks to Dave Townley who won the 50:50 draw and donated the winnings back to the team. Dave and Kim Townley, along with support from Sierra Townley and Krigi Marti have been an awesome coaching staff.

The team would also like to extend another big thank you to the Village of Pemberton for its generous donation of $1,000 for the team's trip.

The generosity and support from the people of Pemberton is always over the top. The girls are very appreciative. GO PSS GO!

Liz Scoggins

Pemberton

Ten Years of Cushion Concerts

Ten years ago a strangely named concert began a musical tradition in Pemberton. The Cushion Concert was an opportunity for students learning musical instruments to perform to their family and friends.

The very first Cushion Concert showcased 14 young musicians, as well as the newly formed group Chicks with Picks, six adult performers, the Signal Hill School Choir, and the Signal Hill Sweet Tones — a choir consisting of staff members of the elementary school.

Last Friday, the tenth annual Pemberton Cushion Concert was held in the Pemberton Community Centre. No less than 52 student musicians of all ages took the opportunity to perform over two concerts.

We heard piano, violins, cellos, clarinets, and voices. Performers' experience ranged from just a few months of lessons to nine years of hard work. Every single performance was amazing. The sense of achievement on the faces of the performers was a gift to themselves that was plain for all to see. The smiles, the pride, the joy, even the relief was a gift to the audience of family, friends and community.

Personally, I delight in watching the progress of each student. This year I saw stage fright being overcome, old friends learning new instruments together, five different family groups playing together and a fabulous new singing group.

Each year, more teens perform, continuing their musical experiences from childhood into young adulthood. Thank-you too, to the adult students, for demonstrating to our kids that learning is a life-long rewarding venture.

Many, many thanks go to the following volunteers, without whom this event could not run: staff of the Pemberton Community Centre for accommodating my requests, Papa Josh, who had his technical expertise challenged within a very limited time frame, Signal Hill Elementary School and the Pemberton Christian Fellowship for the loan of sound gear, Carmen Stacey of Pemberton Office Services, who donated much of the cost of the colour programs, Janice and Phoebe Peters, Debbie and Romi Schranz for selling tickets at the door and looking after the bake sale, Derek Graves, Rob Szachury, Lazo Lazic and Toshi Kawano (who even remembered his work gloves!) for working together to put the stage away, Will Van Spronsen for helping wherever help was needed. I hope that any volunteers who I may have missed will forgive me.

Through the audience's ticket sales and generous donations at the bake sale, we managed not only to cover our costs, but also raised over $300, which will go toward the costs of running the Annual Pemberton Community Christmas Concert in early December.

To the music teachers of Pemberton — Anita Burleson, Jacinta Cormier, Mae An De Real, Rya Honey, Papa Josh, Beth Solem, Roz Steel — I truly meant what I said at the concert. You are doing such an important job. We don't just teach kids music, we help to nourish their souls.

Parents — keep it up. Your support and encouragement is crucial. Your children learn so much through learning music.

Performers — wow. I just can't wait to see what you will be able to do next year!

Helen Van Spronsen

Pemberton