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Letters to the editor

As the Olympic fever continues to grow in Whistler and Vancouver, a feeling of resentment and outrage is quickly growing in the B.C. Interior. Hospitals are closing, schools shut down, government employees laid off.

As the Olympic fever continues to grow in Whistler and Vancouver, a feeling of resentment and outrage is quickly growing in the B.C. Interior.

Hospitals are closing, schools shut down, government employees laid off. A loss of 300 jobs last year in the Nelson area was equivalent to the loss of 300,000 jobs in the Lower Mainland. A huge blow to their local economy, already struggling in these uncertain times. You might not know this living in the Whistler bubble, but the rest of the province is deeply resentful of our position. And rightfully so, the 2010 Olympics are for Whistler and Vancouver, not B.C. What gives us the right to expect B.C. taxpayers to pay for our Olympics through personal taxes for the next 10 years? Where is the private sector in all this? I guess they just get our hydro and health care to do with what they wish.

Maybe this is punishment for years of NDP rule. Why would B.C. want our own hydro when we could have the Olympics for a few weeks? If our taxes don't go towards social programs anymore it's really easy to justify the Olympics. After all what else will we have to pay for, except for higher hydro rates and medicare premiums? Our tax dollars can pay for a $3 billion party. But we won't be able to attend because prices will be so high only the truly rich will be able to enjoy our Olympics.

We are being punished by a government with only one motive. To truly destroy our social programs while we live the Olympic dream. Hopefully a few locals will be left in Whistler when the big day arrives; maybe we can direct traffic or volunteer to clean the stadiums for a discounted ticket or two.

I would like to see the Olympics, but not at the cost of our publicly owned resources. Something truly Canadian should not be sacrificed for three weeks of fame. Doe's B.C. really want to pay for the Olympics or just 64 per cent of Vancouver? How can that truly justify the billions of dollars needed from our pockets? We deserve better than this!

Phil Robinson

Whistler

 

One thing I have found lacking in the Olympic debate is a decent comparison of the three bids: PyeongChang, South Korea; Salzburg, Austria; and Vancouver, Canada. Our illustrious "Yes" and "No" supporters are suffering from a failure to compare the two other bid cities in relation to Vancouver. I have read all the bid books and I believe Salzburg, Austria has the best bid. Rather than being a "No Games" in Vancouver fanatic, I am pro-Salzburg based on a rational comparison of three choices.

It would be interesting to know how many people voted without having read the Vancouver bid book or any bid book for that matter. I urge everyone to read the three bid books and compare the bids objectively to fully understand the decision that is to be made on July 2, 2003. To blindly support or oppose any bid is simply foolish.

I will support any IOC decision that is based on rational and objective comparisons; unfortunately, they have a history of awarding the Games based on bribery, graft and coercion.

Keith Kennedy

Vancouver

 

Tie a Yellow Ribbon…

Around a power pole, bus stop, stop sign, half dead trees… this has to be the tackiest display I have seen in a long time. Before (wishing it were not true) I knew what this was in aid of, I thought: cheap wedding stunt, grad prank. Well, maybe a bit more thought should have gone into this one.

Robin Tanner

Whistler

 

Re: First Nations reach for the rings (Pique Newsmagazine, Feb. 28).

Lyle Leo has no ultimate power in our community Creekside Resources operates illegally, no guidelines, it's his own business. His statements in public papers violates Lil'wat laws. He is assuming jurisdiction he cannot have in the first place. Lil'wat land management is a federal responsibility. Land issues remain a Lil'wat people responsibility as stated in the Reaffirming of the Lillooet Declaration: "nobody will represent us but ourselves," "not sell one inch."

Land issues stay within the Lil'wat traditional system. He has no right to sit in the capacity he does. He calls an information meeting in the community and makes decisions on that basis. This is not a Lil'wat decision process. He operates with no authority. People are being manipulated, all the time. That's why we can't get ourselves together.

Something is wrong with the laws, if the federal government is not living up to their responsibilities. They are in breach of their judiciary obligations. We are wards of the federal government, we are not even an "entity."

Lyle has to understand Lil'wat laws, let alone the Indian Act.

Lyle Leo seeks funding from the province. This is assimilation by legislation process. The province is not a nation.

I oppose the process of funding being distributed without Lil'wat consent. Why is the provincial government giving money to Creekside? Who are they answerable to? We never said we'd go that route. Agreeing to the 2010 Olympics and Callaghan Valley development is like agreeing to a treaty. A treaty can only be negotiated on the basis of nation to nation.

I am concerned about how confused Lyle is; he has to listen to the people, otherwise he will live in a black hole.

Whistler and Blackcomb is within Lil'wat Homeland. I get concerned when another member from another nation states, "as long as it is crown land it is on the table." No one speaks for us but ourselves in our traditional territory. Three people at the table, the province, Gibby and Lyle, is null and void. The province has no jurisdiction.

This process related to the Governance Act. The courts can’t settle disputes. The Lillooet Lake Road is still in dispute; re-start that case.

Genocide continues. A 2010 roadblock is needed, 2010 is molesting and disturbing us in our own territory. The Pique information is disturbing too.

Terri John

Lil’wat7ullka

 

Although there has been no response from provincial government representatives, the overwhelming support received from resident property owners regarding last week’s letter to the editor has been unanimous and passionate. It is time for the gross inequity in school taxes to be remedied. The response has led me to believe that there will be public demonstrations by Whistler residents in the future. The purpose of which is to put a human face on the resident landowner that breaks the stereotypical viewpoint held by those outside our community.

In contrast there was a pointed comment (by a non-landowner resident tenant) that denied the necessity for change because, "… as landowners in Whistler you can afford it or move. Your properties are worth a fortune."

There are two assumptions in those statements that must be examined. Those assumptions go like this: 1. The laws of supply and demand should govern everything including the nature of what is a community. 2. The value of property is a valid form of taxation.

The first tenet is similar to a religious belief. You either believe it or you don’t. I believe that the community matters. For example, I met two people yesterday on the Excelerator chairlift (yes, I went up at 1:30 for a couple of runs), one from Germany and one from England. They both went on about how great it was to come visit and ski here because they had met so many local people who were ready to make them feel welcome. You don’t get that kind of response by accident. It comes as a result of the people who live and work here. It will sustain social and economic growth in the future. If the community falters so too will the economic engine.

The second assumption, whether valid or not, is the reality of our taxation system today. But it includes the concept that the level of taxation is directly proportionate to the value of the property. Fair enough. But that is not the case here. On average, Whistler’s average assessed value on a single family detached home is four to five times that of the average home in say Squamish. Yet the average school tax in Whistler is 30 times greater! This inequity is a result of the limitations of the Home Owner’s Grant (HOG). That just doesn’t make sense. Even people with valuable properties have a limit. This level of taxation will choke an economic engine.

How do you respond to this? Finance Minister Gary Collins said: "We’re trying to find a solution that works for the residents of the community but doesn’t provide unnecessary relief for (others)." What an answer. The minister has been given several options that would specifically target relief to all the permanent resident owners by simply establishing a supplemental HOG in conjunction with the Municipality. How unimaginative for the minister to say, "It’s very complicated." Imagination is what Premier Campbell wants from the people of B.C. to spur our province on to new heights. He should accept nothing less from his ministers.

Paul O’Mara

Whistler

 

The article on the mountain pine beetle outbreak left out one important point – climate change. (Mountain Pine Beetle: An unwelcome newcomer to Whistler, Pique Newsmagazine, Feb. 28).

Infestations of the mountain pine beetle are normally controlled by cold winter weather, but warmer winters in recent years have enabled the infestation to grow into an epidemic in B.C.'s interior forests. Climate change is causing warmer, drier summers and milder winters across the province. As a result, we can expect to see more insect infestations and forest fires.

In order to slow this costly trend, we need to slow climate change. However, Premier Gordon Campbell is taking B.C. in the opposite direction. By increasing gas and coal-fired power plants, and trying to develop offshore oil and gas reserves, Premier Campbell is driving up B.C.'s greenhouse gas emissions.

We can’t address the problem of the mountain pine beetle infestation without taking on the root cause – warmer temperatures. Now that the Kyoto Protocol on global warming has been signed by Canada, it's time for B.C. to start cutting greenhouse gases. Premier Campbell say's it's too expensive to deal with Kyoto but the mountain pine beetle infestation shows we can't afford not to address climate change. Not only are we facing the costs of an insect outbreak, but a warming climate could cost millions of dollars for B.C.'s tourism and ski industries.

By becoming more efficient in the way we use energy, we will save money, create jobs and help stabilize the climate.

Gerry Scott

Director, Climate Change Program

David Suzuki Foundation

 

Last week the Sea-to-Sky Backcountry Recreation Sharing Forum held public open house meetings in the corridor to seek community feedback on its draft proposal for a Sharing Accord between winter backcountry recreation stakeholders.

As chair of the Forum, I want to thank all of those people who took the time to come out to these meetings. While much of the feedback was confirmation that the Forum is on the right track, several people brought forward concerns and issues about the draft Accord.

The Forum membership appreciates all of this feedback, and spent its monthly meeting last Saturday reviewing every comments. The Forum is also arranging meetings with a couple of people who brought forward complex concerns that require a more detailed discussion.

We are also preparing a Web site, and will advertise the URL when we have completed the breakout maps of the proposed Accord and have posted these maps to the Web. Pat Harrison Chair

 

Pro-life = Pro-helmet

Three years ago, I started skiing with a helmet. Last week, it saved my life!

I was having a glorious day, skiing on Whistler with a couple friends, when out of nowhere, someone plowed into me at warp speed. The impact was violent. When I came to, I was spitting my teeth out... and was in Concussion City.

Now I am safely back home, the blood on my brain is not a threat anymore, my broken back, hand, collar-bone and foot will heal in time, and I am just very happy to be alive! Thank you faithful helmet!

Thank you also to Ski Patrol, the Ambulance Dudes, and all the wonderful staff of Whistler Health Care Centre and VGH.

Why is it that nobody thinks twice about fastening their seat belts when driving, or wearing their helmets when riding their bikes, but there are still people out there skiing and boarding without head protection? What are we waiting for? .Legislation, obviously!

How many people will get seriously injured or die before that happens?

Maybe Whistler-Blackcomb, should give the example and make helmets mandatory; someone has to start the ball rolling.

Wishful thinking? Isn't that how everything starts?

We all love and respect our mountains, let's not forget to love and respect ourselves.

Wear the lid!

Pro-life = Pro-helmet.

Kathleen Guimond

Whistler

 

Mr. Spence contacted my office immediately after the events; he refers to in his February 28 th letter, occurred. As was explained to Mr. Spence at that time, the bus driver did not see him heading to the next bus stop or he would have waited, and, the driver was following the Whistler Transit (WAVE) policy that bus drivers are only permitted to pick up or drop-off passengers at designated bus stop locations. There are two reasons for this policy:

1) Safety — Picking up or dropping off passengers at unpredictable or unspecified locations greatly increases the chance of an accident occurring,

2) On-Time Performance — WAVE bus stops are located at convenient intervals throughout the Whistler area. Stopping for passengers, who are not at these locations, would be frustrating for, and inconsiderate of, other transit riders, and it would make it impossible to maintain the bus schedule.

Additionally, I would like to encourage WAVE riders to contact my office with any comments, compliments, or concerns about the bus service in Whistler. When contacting us regarding a specific incident, providing my office with the bus number, and the time and location of the incident, is very helpful. I may be contacted either by telephone (604) 938-0388, by e-mail operations@whistlertransit.pwt.ca or by mail 101-1055 Millar Creek Road, V0N 1B1.

Scott Pass

Manager

Whistler Transit Ltd.

 

This year has been a lean season for everyone in the Nordic Ski business and we at Wild Willie's would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard at maintaining the trails with our meagre snow pack.

We put on our great Come Glide With Us program each Monday at Spruce Grove Park and have been faced with having to cancel it for a number of weeks due to non-existent snow at Spruce Grove. Regardless we have raised over $1,100 which was donated to the Whistler Jack Rabbits children’s nordic programs and is helping to develop great little Gliders in our own community.

This is one of the best programs in our valley that is affordable for everyone and I can not emphasize enough the terrific job that the instructors and directors of Jack Rabbits in both Whistler and Pemberton have performed on limited budgets.

We could not have done this without the support of our partners in Come Glide With Us and their generous support. We would like to thank Pique for the promotional space they have provided each week; Gone Bakery for the soup and bread that was such an incredible addition; The Resort Municipality of Whistler who helped with resources and an incredible venue; Mountain F.M. who helped get the word out each and every week; Callaghan Country for their support and spectacular getaway; Nesters Market for their support and marketing help; SunDog Eyewear; Cutting Edge Signs; and Squamish Ford who helped out with our vehicles. Also, all of our volunteer guides who help with the sign up, transportation and tips for all of the participants.

And of course Bill and Lucy Lamond, the owners of Wild Willie's, who supplied thousands of dollars in free ski rentals and equipment allowing hundreds of new nordic skiers to experience this incredible form of recreation.

Grant Lamont

Marketing Director, Wild Willie's Ski Shop

 

We’re asking for your help for a friend in need, a person to whom life has recently dealt some vicious blows.

Mike Fidork lives in the small community of Pemberton, B.C. He has worked as a ski instructor for 31 years.

Many of you may know Mike: he has a passion for skiing, and has always shared his love for our sport with his fellow skiers. Perhaps Mike was your examiner when you sat your CSIA Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 instructor’s exams, or perhaps he was your ski training guru. Some of you may remember Mike from the Interski teams of the mid-80s.

Most recently, Mike worked for Whistler-Blackcomb for 14 years. In January 2001, while leading a Blackcomb training session, Mike suffered a major back injury. The severity of the injury and the constant pain have prevented Mike from working since then. Although WCB covered Mike until April 2001, now, in March 2003, Mike has consumed all his savings and assets. He is broke and in debt.

Mike is currently under the treatment of a neurosurgeon, who has scheduled major back surgery for March 2003, at Vancouver General Hospital. After the surgery, Mike will need at least 12 months to recover. Mike will not be able to work during that time.

We ask for your donation, no matter how small. Funds will be placed in an account that will be used to see Mike through his recovery period. Please send cheques to:

Mike Fidork Benefit Account (#8500 5156344)

c/o Box 372

Pemberton, BC VON 2L0.

Please include your e-mail address or address so we can keep you posted on Mike’s recovery. Unfortunately, you cannot claim a tax deduction for your donation, as fundraising for a specific individual does not qualify for registration as a charitable organization.

In addition to asking for your donation, we invite you to attend a benefit party, on March 12, at Buffalo Bill’s in Whistler, at 7 p.m. Admission will be $10 and tickets will be available at the door.

Thank you very much for your help!

Heike Stippler

Wilma van der Heide

Rachel Hankai

Meredith Dally

Susan Perry