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Patrolling the people On Jan. 2, my wife and I were enjoying a bluebird day skiing on Blackcomb. Heading from the Glacier Express chair to the chimney our skiing day was ended by an act of the mob waiting for Spanky’s to open.

Patrolling the people

On Jan. 2, my wife and I were enjoying a bluebird day skiing on Blackcomb. Heading from the Glacier Express chair to the chimney our skiing day was ended by an act of the mob waiting for Spanky’s to open. Skiing well below the line, obviously heading down slope, I was blindsided by a chunk of ice. It hit me in the back of the head, knocked me over causing me to cartwheel down hill. I am 6’2”, 220 lbs and a strong skier.

Admittedly I’ve thrown a snowball or two, but this was a chunk of ice that left me with a dented helmet and a wicked headache. Lucky I was wearing the helmet or things may have been different; I need a new helmet not stitches.

There are enough natural dangers on the mountain keeping the patrol occupied everyday. This behavior from “locals” is B.S. Patrol is on the mountain to ensure your safety from the inherent risks associated with skiing, not from other riders. Their job is hard enough; a person was killed on the mountain that day.

After asking for ownership and meeting the gaze of cowards I skied away. Just below I skied by a couple of distraught tourists who had experienced the same treatment; cursing Whistler, discussing leaving and not returning.

You can’t welcome the dollars and not the people. Last year our community suffered; this season we throw ice chunks at guests?

I welcome an apology from the individual who threw the rain-crust, if you have the balls to stand alone.

I do live and work here, see you on the slopes.

Greg Romeskie

Whistler

Bank on it, Whistler

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I were riding up the Harmony Chair where we began chatting with the young man who had joined us at the lift line.

This young man was really warm and upbeat about the resort and we learned that he was a liftie who was enjoying his day off. Our conversation got around to accommodation, cost of living, etc. and we learned that although he had saved a "fair bit of money" to come to Whistler and to hold on with while things got going on the mountain he had actually run out of money. He explained that he just didn't realize that it would cost him as much as it did for rent, food, etc. He also assured us that he had been careful with his money and had not partied it away.

He explained that things got a little desperate and at one point he didn't have money for food and went without eating for two days, until he started to feel faint! At this stage in the process he learned about Whistler's food bank and went there for help, where they set him up with enough food to last him well into his first payday.

Although he was initially reluctant and somewhat embarrassed to go to the food bank he found everyone there very helpful and understanding and he was extremely grateful for their help, especially Sandra McCarthy who dealt with him. He mentioned that he was planning to volunteer at the food bank in order to repay the kindness.

I have to admit that I have, from time to time, had some doubt creeping into my mind about people who use food banks. This example sure helped to clear my mind.

We have since observed this young man working at his job as liftie and there is no doubt that with his nice manner and outgoing personality he is a real asset to Whistler.

Thank heaven for the great work that they do at the food bank! They probably prevented this young man from folding up his tent and going home!

Roger Verrall

Whistler

Year of Darwin?

As we start another year, it reminds me of the Chinese-type of New Year where they honour such things as Year of the Lion or Year of the Pig, etc.

Whistler media is referring to it as Year of the Change (Faith and change on tap for 2006, Pique Opening Remarks Dec. 29). My question is, why struggle for change? Let it be like water, which finds its own level. You cannot push water uphill.

This can be achieved while continuing to promote the community as a fantastic year-round resort, which it is without doubt.

Some large ski areas throughout North America and Europe have already round the “water level” mark and are leaning away from retail, food emporiums and skiwear shops (one company in Whistler has six).

Besides, who needs 53 restaurants (yellow pages count), 15 sportswear shops, 28 sporting goods, 35 various registered and certified massage and spa centres, 32 ski rental shops, 10 escort services, etc. Get the idea?

Despite Whistler’s reputation for being over-priced and over-developed, we plunge ahead while crying the blues. We have had the Whistler Singers for decades, now we have the Whistler Whiners; whine about housing prices, whine about affordable housing, snow conditions, property taxes, food and gas prices, rents, to mention a few.

We are very fortunate; we have no slums, no drive-by shootings, no racial wars, no murders and other negatives found in many communities.

So let’s let the economic water begin to find its own level, just as nature treats all creatures great and small.

Allan Eaton

Whistler

Where to park?

I have a simple question: Where am I supposed to I park?

As a five-year resident of Whistler, I consider this my home. Except, of course, during the high tourism season when there isn't even a parking spot for me.

I give myself a half hour every day to find a parking spot and make it to work on slushy foot. Last week, however, there were two days before 10 a.m. that there was no spot for me (not to mention all the other people). I had to create a spot for myself in the bush, and we all know how much the municipality needs that!

Sooo, where am I supposed to park? Is someone looking into this problem? Is that row of pass parking only in lot 1 ever full?

If there is no spot for me how am I supposed to get to work? How am I supposed to promote tourism in Whistler? How am I supposed to be the happy, optimistic person Whistler has helped me become?

My little green car in the bush just wants to know...

Joanne Van Engelsdorp

Whistler

Smell of jobs vs. smell of cars

Shame on Pique Newsmagazine for publishing a letter so tactless and ill-informed as that of Allan Eaton, Whistler (The smell of jobs disappears, Dec. 22).

The number one air pollution source in Sea to Sky Country is not the Woodfibre pulp mill about to be closed, but the ever-increasing highway traffic. (Averaging 13,700 vehicles per day between Horseshoe Bay and Squamish, and 7,700 vehicles per day between Squamish and Whistler currently, according to B.C. Ministry of Transportation.)

The number two air pollution problem is the wintertime use of sub-standard woodstove appliances in several thousand homes in the region.

During the 30 years Mr. Eaton has commuted between Vancouver and Whistler, tens of millions of dollars have been invested in pollution abatement at Woodfibre. From pressurized peroxide bleaching, to the bio-basin sludge treatment system, and installation of a precipitator on the power plant boiler, these ongoing projects have involved innovative, world-class technology, and resulted in industry-leading standards. “Thanks, Santa” indeed!

As for Mr. Eaton’s “one of the first rules is that some day it ends,” pulp production is distinct from mining and fossil fuels in being based on renewable resources. Pulp and paper manufacturing and consumption will continue to increase in the foreseeable future, along with rising standards of living and literacy in developing countries.

The fact that pulp and paper production is currently in decline in our part of the world has effects not only for Woodfibre employees, their families and the community of Squamish. Stresses and burdens faced by our coastal solid wood manufacturing and forest management system are increased. For example, the timber harvest will increasingly be oriented toward “high-grading” and sawmills will end up shouldering a greater share of forest recreation infrastructure costs in Sea to Sky Country.

Eric Andersen

Squamish

Thank you to our American friends

Once again the members of the American Friends of Whistler, our part-time neighbours, have shown their commitment to our resort community through their incredible generosity.

On Wednesday evening, Dec. 28, at the AFOW's annual holiday celebration, I was honoured and delighted to accept, on behalf of the Whistler Health Care foundation, a gift of $50,000.

This generous donation is to be used to purchase a bedside ultrasound that can be operated by the ER physicians and be available at any time. This vital piece of high-tech equipment will enable them to quickly diagnose a number of life-threatening conditions, such as bleeding into the abdominal or chest cavities or cardiac sac. One of the physicians describes the equipment as "an extension of the stethoscope."

This equipment will not replace the clinic’s traditional ultrasound technology that is currently being operated by a radiology technician one to three days a week. It will, however, greatly improve the ability of the physicians to diagnose and appropriately treat a variety of serious trauma and medical conditions in a timely manner. The increasing incidence of blunt trauma from sports and motor vehicle accidents is a growing concern for our health care providers.

The generosity of our American friends is much appreciated. This year’s donation follows on from previous donations to Whistler’s health care that amounted to over $27,000. On behalf of the WHCF and the community I thank them for their help and welcome them as our neighbours.

Marnie Simon

Chairperson

Whistler Health Care Foundation

Faith restored

A few weeks ago I wrote about a fawn that had been hit in the middle of the road and left to die with his mother by his side. I was very disappointed and saddened by the way whoever did this just kept going and the lack of help from the authorities and general public I received when trying to help the little guy, even though I knew he would be put to sleep. The exception was the conservation officer who took him from me and took care of him.

Just before Christmas my faith in people and their willingness to help was restored when my 15-month-old German Shepherd puppy went missing and spent the night in the woods in the pouring rain. I am so thankful to all the people that helped by looking for her, making posters and getting the word out that she was missing. As with many pet owners she is like my child, even though she was only gone 24 hours it seemed like forever and the feeling of helplessness was unbearable. I cannot thank everyone enough for being so kind.

Ellen Ramsay

Pemberton

Party, effort appreciated

On behalf of all the Mountain Hosts on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and all other attendees I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Intrawest for putting on such a splendid Christmas party for all the vollies and staff.

The ballroom of the Chateau, where the event was held, affords a great deal of class to the dinner and the great deal of effort that obviously went into the decorations, photo's with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the great band on the stage and also in the cocktail area was certainly appreciated by all participants.

The food was excellent and very well prepared and the servers and bar staff from the Chateau were as professional and polite and helpful as they always are.

There were probably 300 people there on the night that we attended and it was obvious that everyone was having a great time enjoying the festivities and the opportunity to get together to socialize at this time of year.

It was also very nice to see that several of Intrawest's senior management were there, circulating amongst the guests wishing everyone the best of the season.

We also observed that many of the participants were seasonal workers who were obviously thousands of miles from their homes, which I'm sure could be tough at Christmas time, particularly if this was the first time that they were away from home.

Many whom we spoke to were looking upon this as their Christmas dinner, were thoroughly enjoying the party and were more than impressed with the whole evening.

As we know things have not been easy for Intrawest over this past year, which necessitates cost cutting in any business. To go forward with this party just the same as in other years shows a lot of class and speaks volumes about how they value their staff.

Thanks again for a terrific evening!

Roger and Rosemary Verrall

Whistler Mountain Hosts

Thank you Smart Growth

I read the article in Pique (Smart Growth to keep Pemberton livable, Dec. 29) about your upcoming development workshop in Pemberton. It is very nice to see that the issue of sustainable development is being addressed. It is my opinion that exponential population growth throughout the Sea to Sky region is unsustainable. But that is only one person’s opinion.

A while back I was informed that development will only be limited by available water supply. When you hold the workshop please be aware of this fact when you assess the speed of the regional development. I would really appreciate it.

While I am unable to attend I would like to thank Smart Growth and all of its partners, including Whistler-Blackcomb and Pique NewsMagazine, for contributing to this workshop and being responsive to communities in the Sea to Sky corridor.

Bjorn Gimse

Temporarily Squamish

Thanks all around

Every Dec. 24 th , many members of the Whistler community and visitors come together to celebrate at the Interdenominational Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols. It is important that we acknowledge the many volunteers who helped to make our 23 rd annual Carol Service such a special event.

Thank you to Jane Reid, Francesca Cole, Betty McWhinnie, Sandi Barrett, Leanne Niewerth, Nicole Fitzgerald, Emily McPhail and her father, Norm McPhail — our readers — as well as to our host, Mayor Ken Melamed.

What would a carol service be without a choir and musicians? Thank you to our Whistler Children’s Chorus as well as to the Whistler Singers and their director, Helen Pearson and the amazing violinist, Maddie Reid.

There would be no carol service without sound, a place to hold it, and a stage to stand on. Thanks go to Scott and Rocky Mountain Production Services, Wendy Mah and the staff at the conference centre, and Spring Creek Community School. Many, many thanks to the Durfeld family and members of Our Lady of the Mountains Church for your help in transporting and setting up that stage, as well as to Jennifer, Verity, and Allyn Pringle — the world’s best roadies.

Thanks go to all the local businesses that willingly displayed posters and to our local newspapers for the advertising.

Finally, thank you to everyone who joined us at 6:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. You outdid yourselves singing the carols — they sounded great! See you next year for the 24 th annual Carol Service.

Alison Hunter & Janet Hamer

Whistler