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Yay team

Yay team Wow, what a last month it's been. I, for one, have learnt a lot over the course of this campaign. I've been in Whistler for seven years and think I'm relatively involved and engaged with our current issues.

Yay team

Wow, what a last month it's been. I, for one, have learnt a lot over the course of this campaign. I've been in Whistler for seven years and think I'm relatively involved and engaged with our current issues. I run a small business that sells very high end trips to Whistler and have always been about increasing the "bling, bling" in the resort and have always been all for development and progression of the resort. I have, however, in the meantime, been trying to become a "local" and hope to bring up a family in Whistler.

At the beginning of this campaign I was all for Ted and cringed at the thought of Ken getting elected. Over the past three weeks I have done a lot of reading, a lot of research, have spoken to a lot of people, have written a lot of blogs on votewhistler.com and have done a lot of thinking. In doing so I have learnt a great deal about community values, environmental sustainability and integrity.

I ended up voting for Ted as I thought he was the better choice for increased tourism.

Ken has now won the election, yet I don't find myself cringing as I had originally thought I would. In fact, I'm quite excited about Ken as mayor and look forward to seeing what he and this strong new council can accomplish. A heartfelt congrats to all seven winners.

The bottom line is that we're all on the same team, Team Whistler. The first thing we need to do (while simultaneously getting the Rainbow shovels ready to dig in the spring), is to rid ourselves of this polarization that seems to be upon us. Let's think about what Ted supporters can learn from Ken and what Ken supporters can learn from Ted and let's work together to ensure that we all agree that we live in the best place on planet earth, Whistler, B.C.

Ben Thomas

Whistler

Good triumphed over evil

The election is now over and thus the pondering begins. As we watched the campaign and the candidates involved, and then the results of the vote, it would seem that the Whistler community has rejected one kind of politics/philosophy and embraced another. I would suggest that the Whistler community voted for substance and integrity over vacuous style and viciousness. All one has to do is look at your paper and the ads contained therein on the last publishing day before the polls, to see how the true colours of the mayoral candidates came through.

The desperation in the Nebbeling, Wells and Davies camps was there for all to see as the three of them dragged the whole community process and discussion into the gutter where they seem to like to reside. Brutal statement? Perhaps… but look at the attacks they all took on Ken Melamed. Full-page ads that attempted to instill fear in the electorate about all the negative things a vote for Ken would bring. These claims, however untruthful, were meant to scare and intimidate the electorate. These ads could only be described as personal, nasty and inflammatory. That sure feels like blood sport politics doesn’t it?

Damn doing the right and proper thing… when feeling threatened, attack, tear up your competitors, scare people, threaten them, since you must win at any cost. Grace, integrity, honesty and respect count for nothing when it really comes down to it… I guess. A sweet smile and charming demeanors appear to hide something very ugly indeed.

While we all know politics can be brutal, I would surmise that most of us who live here came here specifically to get away from that type of attitude – hyper big business, hyper competition. Most of us who call Whistler home and helped build this community from the beginning believe in greater degree of humanity, respect and tolerance. We all want to build something better for our children and our community than just a smaller version of "any city" Canada, any city USA. We moved here to get away from the ugliness of modern life, at least we were trying to.

Surely our shared values are more noble and inspiring than the "win at any cost" attitude of these three mayoral candidates. Isn’t a more noble belief system the basis for creating something better, a community that aspires to the values of honesty, integrity and selflessness? I for one think that the majority of people in this community do. This community rejected the negative and embraced the positive. They recognized the candidates for what they truly are and what they truly represent. The Whistler electorate decided to put their community first above money, greed and power at any cost. They said no to the dark side. They said yes to a vision of a better place to live that isn't about "more and more, bigger and bigger" ad infinitum.

As a 30-plus-year local said to me on Saturday night, "Why does this victory for Ken feel so much like a victory of the forces of good over evil?" Perhaps that’s because it was.

Jayson Faulkner

Whistler

Making a better place

Congratulations to the new council members and to Ken Melamed for a successful and "high road" campaign. This is certainly one of the reasons the community is behind you. There is a heartfelt sense of relief in Whistler today and a renewed energy to get on with the tasks at hand.

To everyone who threw their hat in the ring I say "good job" and thank you. Whistler will continue to be a better place because of your involvement.

Personally I discovered I had huge support but also I learned how to do it better next time around.

Thank you Whistler. Here's to a great season and three productive years.

Michael d'Artois

Whistler

Keeping track

Congratulations Ken on your recent victory.

I am currently in Ecuador and read the letters to the editor column with enthusiasm. Whistlerites all need to wake up and realize that they live in the most fantastic village in the world, so quit snivelling and do something pro-active as a community for once.

I am sure that the new leadership in Whistler will make a difference.

I read the election results with pleasure noting that many well-known names did not fare well. Perhaps there is hope for Whistler yet?

Dean Fletcher

Purto Lopez, Ecuador

It’s been an honour

When I first became a councillor I described it like taking a sip of water from a fire hose and not being able to swallow. I didn't drown from my experience but I had to rely on many helping hands to stay afloat. That is what the Pemberton community is built on, the kindness of many helping hands, most of whom I will never meet. People who pioneered this area and those who helped build our schools, our roads, libraries, trails, fought our forest fires and many more things we tend to take for granted. Working as part of this council has made me feel closer to the kind folks who live here and those that came before me and made this town what it is today.

I ran for council to give something back to this beautiful place I call home. I would like to thank the people of Pemberton for giving me that opportunity.

The most memorable thing I will take away from council is the remarkable people of this valley who, in the face of disaster like the flood, rally together to help one another, in good times celebrate with much enthusiasm and in times of loss and tragedy pull together and support each other.

The highlight of the last three years for me, has been the Winds of Change Report done with Mount Currie. The fabric of this town is about people. Looking after our mental, emotional and spiritual wellness is just as important as a new sewer plant, sidewalk or water meters. Indeed the Winds of Change document is about building a solid foundation for our future.

It has been a true honour and action-packed pleasure to serve Pemberton with the mayor and council. Thank you for giving your heart and soul to Pemberton.

Much appreciation to the staff for their knowledge, fortitude and constant vigilence on our behalf. A fond farewell to Bryan Kirk for all your knowledge and guidance over the past years. You will be sadly missed.

I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation to my family, whose support allowed me to juggle the responsibilities of being a working mother and councillor.

I hope that I have served Pemberton well. It has been an honour and privilege to give it my best try. Best of luck to the new mayor and council.

Michelle Beauregard

Councillor, Village of Pemberton

Critical times ahead

Congratulations to everyone that put their name forward to run for office. The process is both rewarding and challenging.

I hope and trust that everyone involved will use this experience to better themselves and the area that they represent. Pemberton and Area C are in the most critical years and need the careful attention of our elected officials. Please work together with other elected officials and try to bring our communities together. The Sea to Sky corridor is very unique and the leaders of Squamish and Whistler will welcome the collaborative approach that Valley Vision offers.

Thank you to everyone who voted as this was the largest turnout in Pemberton's history. It is great to see that we reached our goal of increasing voter turnout to over 800.

Thank you for Voting for Action.

Brian Young

Founder of Valley Vision Leadership in Action

Pemberton

Who’s wild anyway?

They say that our sense of smell is the most acute of our senses, the one that remains in our memory the longest. Boy do I remember some of those smells. The meats from the grill, moose, caribou, deer, beef and lamb, and then the hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and of course the sweet goodies from the bakery, all came floating down on the wind, so I just followed my nose and ended up in downtown Whistler, hungry.

My family and I are kind of locals, we've been coming here for years although never very welcome, and this night was no different. There were people running everywhere screaming, and that scared the heck out of me and I took off running too. The crowd just seemed to part for me; maybe it was me they were running from. Can't be what I'm wearing, I thought, not too shabby, in fact I know some people who'd kill for what I've got on. Besides, I'm not the only one wearing fur, and I think I wear mine much better than most.

I'm just a hungry young bear with a light brown coat trying to gain those precious extra pounds to be able to make it through the winter’s hibernation and those smells enticed me.

They call me a wild animal – on the way out of town I saw two bouncers beating on a drunk, two on one that's not very fair, who's wild anyway?

Bruce Chandler

Tyndall Stone Lodge

Divided highway revisited

What a difference a letter and a few weeks makes! Since writing about the urgent need for a divided highway last month, I got a phone call and an invitation to attend a Traffic Advisories Group (TAG) meeting at the Delta Suites. There were several Highways officials and about 15 guests present to explain the state of the upgrades and plans for the next months and years leading up to the Olympics.

Though I was the oddball in the room full of suits, I was made very welcome at the meeting. John Cavanagh led things off and gave an overview of the plans for Highway 99. My concern over a divided highway was addressed immediately and here is the situation as I understand it.

Cement barriers will be installed along all four lane sections of highway between Horseshoe Bay and Whistler, but three and two lane sections of highway will not get barriers. There is actually a very good reason for this: if any single lane is blocked by an accident, mudslide, flooding or any other event, a cement barrier would prevent emergency vehicle access to the incident. It would also prohibit the ability to flag traffic around the event.

I had my artillery drawn, and was ready to shoot down any reason for not having our barrier, but I cannot come up with a good defence against this kind of logic. At least we will get our barrier on all the four lane sections, and as we know quite a lot of the highway will be converted to four lanes in the next four years.

As for the remaining sections, there will be a lot of straightening, and as John Cavanagh had me quite convinced, many other safety measures are planned to reduce car accidents. The entire highway will be upgraded to include rumble strips, rain lines and prolific use of reflector lights. Both railway crossings (at Brandywine and Function Junction) will be straightened and converted to overpasses.

There will even be an attempt to modify behaviour as drivers approach the several communities between Whistler and Horseshoe Bay through the use of landscaping. Boulevards, trees and signs will tell us to slow down.

I completely withdraw my notion that the Highways department is making safety the last priority as the highway improvements continue; they are in fact making safety their primary goal, I am now convinced. If their motive for inviting me was to shut me up, they succeeded; I came away from the meeting somewhat humbled, and impressed with the high level of professionalism and planning that has gone into the highway improvement project.

For those interested in more facts, I suggest visiting www.seatoskyimprovements.ca.

Tim Allix.

Whistler

Ken Quon remembered

Many Whistlerites are aware of the passing of our friend, fellow mountain bike rider, co-worker, and family member Ken Quon, back in September.  Now there are two permanent markers in Whistler honouring Ken thanks to the following: The Question, for providing two very appropriate pictures that were edited for the plaques; Pacific Laser Etch Inc., Callum Thompson in particular for his attention to detail and having his company produce two striking black granite plaques sporting the above mentioned pictures and text beautifully laser etched on them; Tile setter extraordinaire Tom Jackson of Spearhead Tile, for his advice and loan of specialized tools to cut and chisel basalt rock; Frank Noc the Valley's patriarch tile setter whose knowledge was invaluable in mixing thinset strong enough to cement the most tricky of surfaces; The parks department of the RMOW; the staff for their skill in placing a marker weighing a ton in the exact selected location and position in Lost Lake Park; Jim Chan for caring so deeply for his life long friend.

You may view a tribute plaque to Ken in either the IGA Plus, just above the service counter, or on Upper Panorama above Proposal corner in Lost Lake Park where a second and different plaque set in a basalt column marks Ken's final pedal stroke.

To all of the above thank you for your professional skills, advice and caring to help make these two projects come to fruition. Whistler does have a heart and soul and Ken Quon, one of Whistler's nice people, will be remembered in his town of choice.

Tom Thomson

Whistler

Lessons in bookkeeping

There are many lessons one must learn in life. Some are tougher than others but they are lessons all the same. My lesson compelled me to share with others, in hopes of saving them from the same fate.

As a businessperson, we all know that one day the auditor may call. It's part and parcel of doing business that you keep your records straight, organized, and above all, up to date.

Some choose to do this themselves. Some, like me, hire a bookkeeper to do this for them. This is the point of my letter – the bookkeeper/keeper of the books.

Make sure they are qualified, belong to the Canadian Bookkeeper's Association and register there. Just because someone has done "bookkeeping" for a long time does not mean they are doing the job well. Remember this: you can work as hard as you want and earn as much as you can. But here's the point, if your bookkeeper isn't doing the job right someone's going to have to pay. That will be you dear entrepreneur!

Check their references would be my first recommendation. Take your books to an accountant every six months and get them to review everything.

If your bookkeeper makes mistakes, it’s you who pays. You've hired them to keep your records in order. Don't put full trust in others and assume everything is being done properly. Check things out from time to time.

I am not targeting qualified bookkeepers, I am targeting data entry clerks that have simply learned a software program and have never taken a certified accounting program.

The Canadian Bookkeepers Association website is www.c-b-a.ca. They check references and set guidelines and all bookkeepers follow the same code of ethics.

Deanna White

Whistler

Wrong brother

Alas, it was not me ripping up the pow on opening day (Huge opening weekend for Blackcomb, Pique Nov. 10) but my brother, Al. I'm over on Vancouver Island watching the snowline creep down Mount Washington. I'm looking forward to not having to get to the hill as early over here. Please rest assured though, that both Paul brothers will be up bright and early Thursday for the real opening day.

Dave Paul

Qualicum Beach, B.C.

Highly recommended

Since discovering Whistler seven years ago, my wife and I have been coming every year for winter skiing and summer sports.

But as amazing as Whistler can be, nothing compares to the incomparable Bearfoot Bistro and their annual "MasquRave" and winemaker dinners! This is amazing food, an incredible party and one of the very finest wine lists in all of North America. In fact, my wife and I brave the Whistler rainy season in November specifically and solely for this great event.

Highly recommended for connoisseurs of fine food and amazing cuisine! We look forward to the Bistro’s events for many years to come. Scott and Sasha Patterson Tiburon, California

Exotic animal bylaw needed

Following the public outrage against the planned exotic animal acts at a village bar Lifeforce is urging the mayor and council to enact a bylaw to stop any future attempts to perpetuate the exotic animal slave trade.

The majority of people are opposed to such cruel and degrading animal acts. Lifeforce has been instrumental in helping ban such abuse and exploitation of exotic animals. For over a decade we have helped cities enact bans on animal performances. These include Saanich, Victoria, North Vancouver and many more.

Lifeforce investigations have exposed the cruelty at the PNE, circuses, carnivals, shopping malls and strip clubs. Performing animals are caged for most of their lives. They are beaten to perform unnatural tricks on cue. They suffer physically and physiologically. Baby animals are taken away from their mothers to be used in photo gimmicks.

Whistler would have taken a step back into the dark ages of animal exploitation if they did not cancel the animal performances. We hope that Whistler will stand with us against these crimes against nature and promote viewing wildlife in their natural habitats.

Peter Hamilton

Lifeforce Foundation

Vancouver

Cops, community fight cancer

On behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society, Greater Vancouver Region, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the members of your community who supported the Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast. Your community helped us raise vital funds for childhood cancer research and Canadian Cancer Society programs and services for children living with cancer by riding, getting their heads shaved, donating, sponsoring or volunteering for this annual event.

During the week of Sept. 24 to Oct. 1, law enforcement officers from your community cycled over 600 kilometres through Howe Sound, the Sunshine Coast and Greater Vancouver communities in eight days, raising awareness and money for childhood cancer from generous people in your community. Altogether our team of 35 Tour de Coast riders raised an amazing $450,000.

For the past nine years, Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer in British Columbia has been a highly anticipated annual event and I am both heartened and inspired by the spirit and generosity of the ongoing commitment shown by so many people in communities throughout British Columbia. We are amazed by what we have accomplished and are confident that we can do even more to fight cancer with your continued support.

All of you are a part of our dream of the day when no one fears cancer. Thank you.

John Mulka,

Regional Manager

Canadian Cancer Society, Greater Vancouver Region

Expectations exceeded

On behalf of the board of directors and the youth in our programs, I wish to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to all those individuals, local businesses, and of course volunteers who helped ensure that the recent Zero Ceiling Charity Rummage Sale was a resounding success. We exceeded our expectations this year and all funds raised will go towards operating our upcoming Snowboard Instructor Program and Winter Day Visit Program.

From the local properties who donated bedding and linens to the Re-Use-It Centre's clothing and gear donation, I was very impressed with the support we received from our wonderful community. I was equally impressed with everyone who turned out to shop and support us – and on Blackcomb's opening day to boot!

I am truly proud to be a part of such a caring and encouraging community.  Thank you. We look forward to doing it again next year!

Marnie Walter

Program Manager, Zero Ceiling