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The art of disinformation

I have to hand it to municipal hall, they are the masters of manipulation of information. I received a call last week and was requested to participate in a community satisfaction survey. I obliged, having also participated in the 2008 survey.

I have to hand it to municipal hall, they are the masters of manipulation of information.

I received a call last week and was requested to participate in a community satisfaction survey. I obliged, having also participated in the 2008 survey. In 2008, after it was over, I was left with the feeling that there was something missing. This year, during the course of the survey, I realized that the questions asked and the options for answers given did not cover all of the options available to balance the budget. They never  asked questions like:

Should we cut wages at municipal hall to be more in line with real wages?

Do you think that $17/hour is too much to pay rink attendants?

Should we trim the planning and building staff since we have effectively reached build-out? (Peak construction was in 1996 and has been declining ever since. We are currently double the staff in planning and development.)

By carefully manipulating the questions and giving only a narrow range of possible answers, the only options to balance the budget were to cut essential services (such as snow clearing) or raise taxes.

It seems that the survey was specifically designed to support the municipal agenda of raising our taxes to pay for the overpaid staff and their salary increases. Someone should do a proper survey and show the mayor and council what the people of Whistler really think.

Eric Phillips

Whistler

 

Enough is enough

At what point in time do we hold our municipality accountable for their actions? At what point do we the people say enough is enough? Was it our decision to turn the day lots into paid parking? Was it our mistake if there have been budgeting errors made on the behalf of the municipality? Why is it that it is our responsibility to bail out the muni when they make bad decisions?

What do you think is going to happen when there is an increase to an increase in property tax? Well, retail will have to make up that increase, the restaurants will have to make up that increase, hotels, and homeowners will have to make up that increase. Thus rents will have to go up in price, entrees will have to go up in price, T-shirts will have to go up in price, as will hotel rooms.

Do you think this is a wise move for a resort to have to increase prices in a market that has not even bounced back from the Olympics yet? Everyone is already struggling and you want to take more money from us.

If the muni was so concerned about the budget why were they able to allow themselves a raise before the Olympics? Why was the $150,000 not saved for a rainy day?

Enough is enough already. We the people are tired of having to pay for the municipality's mistakes. We the people will no longer be scapegoats. We the people have no more money to give to a muni that is being run into the ground and only thinks about their own interests. It is time for a change, it is time for the people to speak and to be heard.

Paul Rowe

Whistler

 

The (tea) party's over

My first reaction to the plea by our council to help them figure out a way to resolve our $2.8 million shortfall was to laugh. Then I took a minute to compose myself as I took stock of what was being asked of us.

Now let me get this correct, our mayor and his council, along with their high priced municipal staff, is asking Joe Public to come up with a solution? Surely you jest? Let's get real here folks, that's why we pay you to do the thinking while we grind away to pay our taxes.

But now that you asked here are a few suggestions. Let's start by getting rid of the extra staff we hired to do all that work for the Olympics because I am fairly sure they are still on board. Then let's stop the practice of hiring all those very expensive consultants to give us advice on everything. Does anybody know how much we spent on those consultants last year? Because I am unable to get an answer to that question.

Again we hired you bright young professionals with your degrees to make good decisions without having to run to the city to get another opinion. Oh that's a scary thought. Having to put your own butt on the line for once.

Then let's get back to providing the community with the essential services and stop trying to be in business. That's right, stop trying to be the end all and get back to serving the community. We did not elect you to get into business and compete with the private sector. Look at what's going on in the rest of the world and you will soon see that times are tough and look to remain so for quite some time. That's the way it is folks so let's take off the rose coloured shades and start examining where we can really cut costs even if it means some people may have to take a pay cut or lose their jobs. It's a simple reality and until we start playing this game by Big Boy Rules our situation will worsen and our taxes will force all of us working class to move.

I can only warn you often smug politicians and bureaucrats that what you witnessed down south with the Tea Party can just as easily happen here because there are many of us good citizens that have had enough and will work hard to bring about change if you, our elected officials and staff, are unable or unwilling to do it.

Milo Rusimovich

Whistler

 

RMOW values senior government partners

I would like to offer clarification on behalf of the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) for some of the content included in Susan Hollis's article about the 2010 municipal budget process "Fiscal future may hold tax hikes," in the Nov. 25, 2010 edition of Pique Newsmagazine.

In the section, "No one likes to show off," Hollis writes, "Face it. Everyone thinks Whistler is a playground for the elite. That makes it difficult to secure grants from senior governments to finance infrastructure improvements, a resource regularly tapped by other municipalities." General Manager of Economic Viability, Lisa Landry, is then quoted as saying, "Basically, we're on our own. That is how the rest of the province looks at us..."

It is important to understand this in context: the Resort Municipality of Whistler, like other municipalities, relies on funding from other levels of government for infrastructure upgrades and new capital projects. There is a widespread perception, however, that the RMOW does not require the same amount of funding, because of its resort status and success as an international destination resort.

In addition the RMOW, like 13 other resort municipalities, receives funding support for tourism-related projects from the province.

The RMOW has excellent relationships with both the province and federal government through the dedication of our elected representatives to the Sea to Sky corridor, and has been the benefactor of significant funding from both levels of government. Many of the Games legacies, including development of Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood, the sport venues and Whistler Olympic Plaza, received significant contributions from provincial and federal ministries. In addition, projects such as Highway 99 upgrades and infrastructure upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment plant were funded with contributions from other levels of government.

Like other municipalities, however, the RMOW is faced with budget challenges and the reality of a finite number of revenue streams - hence the reliance on municipal property tax increases to cover operating expenses, contributions to reserves and managing budget shortfalls.

The RMOW appreciates its partnerships with the Province and Government of Canada, and recognizes that other levels of government are also challenged to meet the needs of citizens and communities during tough economic times.

Bill Barratt

Chief Administrative Officer

Resort Municipality of Whistler

 

Sliding bar set high

Thank you Sliding Sports supporters! Thanks to all the FIBT World Cup local sponsors: Province of B.C., Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb, Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, Cutting Edge Signs, Pique Newsmagazine , Cat Rentals, Four Seasons, RMOW, and most of all to the Bearfoot Bistro! Andre and his team took a risk and were a key part of enabling the Whistler Sliding Centre to set a new standard for what sliding sports World Cups can be!

I would also like to thank the WSC crew and our volunteers for their exceptional work, and all the fans who attended the three days of competition... the bar was just set higher for every other sliding facility in the world!

Paul Shore

Director, Whistler Sliding Centre

 

Peak oil is real

As a member of the SLRD's Energy Resilience Task Force (ERTF) and as a concerned citizen of Whistler who has dedicated hundreds of hours to learning everything I possibly can about peak oil and its potential impacts, I would like to answer the question posed by Jesse Ferreras in his article in the Pique last week.

Yes. Peak Oil is real.

And according to the 2010 World Energy Outlook issued by the International Energy Agency (IEA) last month, it's already in the rear view mirror. According to the report, we reached a global peak in conventional oil supply (the cheap and easy stuff) of 70 million barrels per day in 2006. Future growth in oil supplies is expected to come mainly from unconventional sources like ultra-deep-water-oil, oil shale, coal-to-liquids and of course, Alberta's tar sands (Sorry, but as an Alberta girl who grew up with the term "tar sands," I've had a hard time embracing the "oil sands" brand). These sources are much more difficult and therefore expensive to produce (not to mention they come at an incredible environmental cost). Global peak production, including conventional and unconventional supplies, is widely expected to occur within the next few years.

Peak oil does not "rest on a central idea - that oil prices will keep rising as production declines," as Mr. Ferreras stated in his article. Peak oil is a geological phenomenon, not an economic theory. Nobody knows for sure exactly what will happen to prices as supplies peak, but extreme volatility is a very likely bet (it's already happening). This does not bode well for an economy predicated on continuous growth and fueled by a consistent supply of cheap energy. Oil touches absolutely every facet of our lives, and as a result, we are very vulnerable to both rising fuel prices and potential supply disruptions as we continue along the "bumpy plateau" at the peak of the oil supply curve.

Not talking about energy depletion, or worse, trivializing it as Mr. Ferreras has done in his article, will not make the problem go away. We must start to prepare for a low carbon future. By definition, it is impossible to sustain the unsustainable forever. In my view, debating whether Peak Oil or climate change is the more important issue is a distraction from the bigger problem: the fact that our society is reaching the physical limits to its continuous growth.

We must find ways to power down, reduce consumption and live within our ecological means. Cultivating personal, community and regional resilience will be essential. These are difficult, complex issues and there are no easy answers but I, for one, think the SLRD should be commended for taking a step towards regional resilience through the creation of the Energy Resilience Task Force. It's the first of its kind in Canada, and one more feather in our cap as we continue our journey toward sustainability.

The future of Whistler and the Sea to Sky region belongs to all of us. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to understand this issue. My personal belief is that while Peak Oil presents us with serious challenges, it also presents us with an opportunity to make our great region even better. Together, we can manage the transition to a low-carbon, prosperous and resilient future.

To learn more about Peak Oil, the vulnerabilities our region will face in an energy depleted future and the ERTF's ideas for how to build resilience, please visit: www.slrd.bc.ca

Jeannette Nadon

SLRD Energy Resilience Task Force member

 

Respect the blast zones

For a number of years, Whistler Mountain has allowed all-weather access through its tenure into Garibaldi Park. As the ski area has expanded throughout the years this access has followed various routes.

For a number of years these access routes were utilized by only a handful of die-hard backcountry enthusiasts, as well as various providers of avalanche awareness courses. During the past few years more and more people have been utilizing these routes. Unfortunately, during the past few years and in particular this season, these routes have been used to poach turns back within the boundary. We have also had people skinning up from the west side of Whistler during active avalanche control.

During avalanche control, Whistler Blackcomb's avalanche control zones become blast zones, and as such it is Whistler Blackcomb's responsibility to keep these zones clear and safe for both public and staff. We take safety very seriously at Whistler Blackcomb and have only decided to close this access after a lot of thought and discussion. These avalanche control closures will remain in effect until we have gained confidence in the public's respect of our closures.

Given the disregard some of the public are currently showing for Whistler Blackcomb's "Avalanche Closures" and the explosives work going on within them, we now have no choice other than to close the all-weather backcountry access routes through our tenure until all of the explosives testing that is, or could be, impacted by proximity to these access routes, is complete.

From this point forward, there will no longer be access to Garibaldi Park along the Encore Ridge Access any time that the avalanche sign-line on Whistler at the bottom of the Harmony Chair is reading "Closed". In addition to this, backcountry passes will not be sold on any day until all blast zones impacted by the Encore Ridge Access route have been cleared. These Park Access Closures will occur periodically during early season, during intense storm cycles, or during any periods of unusually unstable snowpack conditions. Whistler Blackcomb will do its best to open park access through its tenure as soon as it is safe to do so.

The alternate all-weather access into Garibaldi Provincial Park will continue to be up the Singing Pass trail from the base of the Whistler summer road. This route will remain open at all times.

We regret that it has come to this, but it is the only way for us to safely manage a situation that has otherwise become unmanageable. Please help us keep access through our tenure open by doing some self-policing in the community. Inform those who are less knowledgeable and or cavalier in their approach to our Avalanche Closures how their behavior affects us all.

Anton Horvath for

Whistler Blackcomb Snow Safety

 

Paralympians deserve recognition

I was astounded to hear that two local Olympians were given lifetime passes to Whistler, but local Paralympic gold medal winners were not.

The experiences at the Paralympic alpine events were awe-inspiring and life changing. The drive to succeed and to prove that no matter someone's obstacles people can achieve greatness touched everyone during those Games and beyond. The days that Lindsay, Viviane and Lauren won gold the crowd shared an overwhelming pride that led many to stand weeping in the bleachers. These three amazing Paralympic athletes gave us a gift by competing so honourably for our country.

Our Paralympic athletes overcome budget shortfalls, lesser government support and slight media coverage and still they shatter their physical disabilities to show all citizens that they are equal to our Olympians. In my mind, their ability to trample adversity makes them the greater heroes.

The Paralympic athletes deserve equal treatment and hopefully it will inspire future Paralympians to follow their dreams and trust that all of Canada will be behind them for their journey. We need to send a message to those who are currently afraid of their future that life can continue to provide amazing gifts, opportunities and rewards.

This is about more than a ski pass. It is about hope and compensation for inspiring our country and its future. This is a legacy that is ours to create and maintain. Hopefully this decision will be reconsidered so these Paralympians may continue to be ambassadors to sport, community, and achievement.

Jessica Ardley

West Vancouver

 

WB supports Paralympians too

February and March 2010 where incredible months for the community of Whistler. Whistler Blackcomb is incredibly proud of each and every one of the 18 Sea to Sky Olympic and Paralympic athletes who "did us proud."

Ashleigh McIvor and Maëlle Ricker won gold medals, and grew up on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. These two factors were catalysts for a new, formal relationship with Whistler Blackcomb, of which the lifetime season pass is a part. Additional responsibilities include appearances and representing Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb on an international level as they travel and compete at events such as World Cups, the X-Games and future Olympics.

There are a number of incredibly talented athletes who train hard, excel at their sport and make us immensely proud. It was not our intention to imply that other athletes are less deserving. In regards to Para-athlete support specifically, from "beginner" to Paralympic Athlete, Whistler Blackcomb assists in a number of capacities. Whistler Blackcomb supports the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team, the Disabled Skiers Association of British Columbia, and through the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation supports the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program.

To ensure the incredible accomplishments of our Sea to Sky Olympic and Paralympic athletes is recognized and lives on, Whistler Blackcomb has installed a legacy wall in the Roundhouse Lodge. The display recognizes all Sea to Sky Olympic and Paralympic athletes and highlights some of the incredible moments of the Olympics and Paralympics.

Dave Brownlie

President and Chief Operating Officer, Whistler Blackcomb