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Regulating sleds not the answer

The tragedies these past few years involving sledders in the backcountry have been unfortunate.

The tragedies these past few years involving sledders in the backcountry have been unfortunate.

What is also unfortunate is how so many people, many of them people whose opinions I normally agree with, namely Max, are clamoring for mandatory sled registration, licensing and insurance. If I thought those measures would in any way lessen the frequency of tragedies such as the most recent one at Boulder Mountain in Revelstoke, I would be in favour of them.

There is absolutely no correlation between registration, etc. and those incidents. They have all been related to a lack of knowledge, a willful disregard or both, of basic snow safety with regards to snowpack stability, etc. In fact, even if every one of those involved in the tragedy at Boulder had been registered, licensed and/or insured, it would still have occurred as they ignored multiple avalanche bulletins/warnings and basic avalanche safety in organizing their event.

All these increased government regulations on sleds will simply put more money in the coffers of ICBC and do nothing to make the backcountry safer.

If we want more money to go towards SAR, why not provide rescue insurance as it is provided in Europe, whereby you pay a said amount of money a year to defray the costs of a rescue. You don't pay into the plan; you need to get rescued, you pay back the cost. Simple as that.

I realize that we live in a "nanny state" and that no one wants to personally assume responsibility for their actions and expects the government to hold their hand at all times, but this is ridiculous. I can understand and fully expected the knee-jerk reactions from politicians pandering to the outrage and shock of the uninformed public who don't live in the mountains but I expected better from people in the know.

Be responsible for your own actions. Regulating sled access to the backcountry is the beginning of a slippery slope towards straight up backcountry regulations that would surely affect ski tourers as well.

Dave Gheriani

Whistler

 

Olympic reflections

We did it. We welcomed the world to Whistler for the 2010 Winter Games. Together, we showed more than 3.5 billion television viewers what Whistler has to offer. Through some of the saddest moments in our history, with the tragic death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, to the most proud and happy moments - celebrating Jon Montgomery's gold medal, the first in Whistler - our community has demonstrated the most welcoming hospitality on the planet. We have created special moments for ourselves, but also for Canadians who visited Whistler or joined us nightly through their television sets or online.

I am proud of the work of the municipality. We delivered on all the promises we made and then some. We stayed within budgets and used no taxpayer dollars. We created financial legacies and improved affordability within our community. We have grown spiritually, culturally and found new purpose. The integrity of our sustainability commitment is stronger than ever.

Thank you to all the volunteers, Homestay hosts and staff who gave of their time and were always ready to make a guest feel welcome and at home in Whistler.

We have much work ahead to capitalize on our planning and ensure a strong future for Whistler. The bonds we have formed as a community and the strength of the relationships we have forged with the many partners who contributed to our success are key factors looking forward.

Once again, thank you.

Mayor Ken Melamed

Whistler

 

Information at our fingertips

There are many thanks coming from all over for "all of us" for such a wonderful Olympics and Paralympics, but there is another group here in Whistler that needs to be recognized and thanked for their contribution to the Games.

The Village Host Program and Tourism Whistler did an amazing job of setting up the information kiosks for our volunteers. Information was at our fingertips morning, noon and night.

Thank-you Cathie, Erin, Rick, Dave Jody, Sarah, Wendy and others I apologize for not remembering. Thank you for making my experience (and I know a lot of others) the best ever.

Carol Guinn

Whistler

 

How about a Pot of Gold potluck?

This letter is the result of much self-contemplation and consultation with many of my fellow Whistlerites.

I know that Whistler has delivered a world-class party, both during the Olympic Games and especially during the Para Games. As hosts of Whistler's greatest ongoing party - and each and everyone in Whistler contributed in some meaningful way to achieve that lofty goal - do we now need a party to recognize that fact? The question that is now posed is: do we need to spend the budgeted funds that have been earmarked for a post-Games party on a party?

Some points to consider: the funds have limited applicable use; we have just had weeks of non-stop festivities; another festival, the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, is fast approaching; Elvis is coming to town.

Here are some alternatives: first choice is squirrel away the money. Second choice: if the funds must be spent, spend them on a memory piece that will for years come to remind us and our visitors of the 2010 party.

The third choice is my suggested choice. Take a very small portion of the funds for seed money to finance Whistler's first annual Pot of Gold potluck picnic on the "great lawn" of the Medals Plaza.

This fall should see the turnover of this spectacular location to the residents of Whistler. Whistler residents past and present have a history of coming together to share food and entertainment, resulting in the most memorable of moments. Make the event more than just a memory, make it an opportunity to recognize the "champions of Whistler," be they athletes, in the arts, business or any endeavour that needs to be recognized.

Be sure to invite the volunteers to come and share our hospitality; they earned it in spades. Imagine Olympic athletes, Para athletes, including medal winners, sharing your potato salad.

The plaza is our oyster. Let's plant a special granule of sand that will yield an endless string of pearls - an annual, hardly-any-cost, memory tribute party. Plant the first granule in the Pot of Gold this fall.

Just an idea. Irrespective of the outcome, Whistler you rocked the world! It was a privilege to partake. Thank you - thank you very much. Like The King, let the memory live on.

Tom Thomson

Whistler

 

A proud Smurf

I was a Smurf. And I am extremely proud to speak those words.

I spent my childhood in this amazing place. I was blessed and honored to host the Olympics. As an individual. As a British Columbian. As a Canadian!

I had the pleasure of being involved in many different facets of the process. First and foremost... there are quite a few that need recognition. No matter my affiliation...these people need to be recognized! And please forgive me if I leave people out.

Steve Podborski (You are the Man!), Maureen "Mo" Douglas, Hugh Smythe and of course the "other" Hugh - O'Reilly (wherever you may be). And from personal experience, the WSC staff! Not quite sure whether you would like to be named, but you know who you are! And you know that I love you all, very dearly. Please, come back and visit. Wherever your travels take you. I hope each and every one of you float back into my life. You are all amazing! You all have a place, in the heart of a girl that grew up skiing these epic slopes. The same ones that nurtured Julia Murray, the Janyks, Ricker, Osborne-Paradis. All were Ski Scamps at one point.

Everyone has done us proud - volleys, staff, Canadians and other absolutely amazing international staff.

The "Italian Marcos" were my absolute favourite discovery of the Olympic experience. Whoever had the pleasure of meeting them both would know what I mean.

Logistics, overlay, venue management - even the RCMP have a special place in my heart. And most importantly, Whistler Cooks and everyone else who made sure people were fed and happy. Could you imagine what the staff (volleys and otherwise) would have been like had they not been fed at above-normal standards?

I am proud of the way my country welcomed the world and set an example. Even when things didn't work out. No matter what the night there were open street hockey games held on downtown streets. It makes me smile, even now.

All of those involved should be extremely proud. We came together, overcame hardships. We still did it. We will never have the pleasure of meeting, all us Smurfs, but we were all a part of it. We did a fantastic job and we made our country proud. Not as individuals but as a team. Somehow we all came together and showed the world what it truly means to be Canadian.

I have always been proud to say that I am Canadian. I would have always been honoured, to say that. It has been moving to feel that deep in my soul... and pass that on to my children. I will never forget this. And I would do it again, as many times as I could!

Meghan Deschenes

Whistler

 

Remembering Whistler's fallen

RE: Mayor promises permanent legacy for luge athlete (Pique, March 25)

While I fully support a tribute to the luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, I would like to humbly submit that any such memorial also include testimonials of Whistler's own fallen children. If we look back just over the last few years, the list is sadly full of friends, neighhbours, co-workers and aquaintances, some of whose families still work and reside in our community.

Although not exactly an Olympic Legacy, it would also honour and respect their memories. We should not forget them either.

Just a thought.

Paul Rossi

Whistler

 

A sinister soap opera under our noses

Further to my letter of a few weeks ago, which I fired off in haste and with only a little thought while boarding a flight. I apologize if it came across as a tad bit vitriolic. I guess that's how I felt but no matter - I'll try a little harder here.

The Vancouver Sun (March 25) posted an item stating that a new system of salmon farming had been discovered allowing the farms to remain in salt water without wrecking the place. This is spectacularly good news - IF it proves to be true and IF it can be implemented immediately.
In the meantime... for those of you still unaware of who Alexandra Morton is, here is a brief rundown. Alexandra has spent the last decade demonstrating in peer-reviewed scientific journals and our courts of law the gross errors of management occurring in the B.C. salmon farming industry.  For her troubles, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans once threatened her with criminal charges when she tried to move salmon smolts past the sea lice-infested salmon farms of the Broughton Archaepeligo. All this and apparently it doesn't even pay that well. Just Google her and you'll learn more.

The fact that Alexandra remains relatively unknown is puzzling. Perhaps our media has something to do with it. To think that everyone knows and seemingly cares what Tiger Woods is up to, yet the most amazing and sinister soap opera is occurring unnoticed under our noses is pretty hilarious - in a tragic comedy sort of way. And just so I am clear, this Machiavellian drama doesn't involve fish so much as government and corporate collusion. A bit of a steamy and clandestine sexy affair if you will, with the citizenry of B.C. getting a side role as the clueless hubby. But hey it's just part of a long boring series called B.C. Politics. Remember the sale of BC Rail?

The irony of one private individual (Alexandra Morton) doing the job our Department of Fisheries and Oceans is mandated with, yet refuses to do, should not be lost on anyone. Furthermore, what the generally good people in the DFO think about this we'll never know due to the Harper government's effective muzzling of all federally employed scientists. Fortunately there are other sources of good, factual information on the subject, often from terrible mistakes occurring on other sides of the world - mistakes that we have had ample opportunity to learn from. The facts are clearly damning and our governments are complicit. Something to do with political campaign contributions perhaps. Again, just Google it.

The big burning question I'd like an answer to is: will we the people raise an appropriate stink or will the fine Canadian tradition of "keep yer head down and yer nose clean" rule the day? Our wild salmon are not just iconic or economically valuable, but also act as our canary in the coal mine. The clock is ticking. At the very least anyone who has ever tossed a line needs to step up to the plate by informing your MP and MLA, the Premier and the Prime Minister's Office exactly what you think of their scandalous conduct in taking such huge and needless risks with our salmon.

For the more energetic, I urge you to sacrifice a little time and join Alexandra on her march from Port Hardy to Victoria from April 23 to May 9. (http//:alexandramorton.typepad.com)

I repeat, anyone who calls themselves a fisherman in any way, shape or form should be mortally ashamed of themselves if they don't at least inquire as to what the hell I am talking about, and then proceed appropriately. And remember, friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon.

Maybe if they ever get their act together we can change that. Unless we provide the incentive they won't.

Bruce Kay

Whistler

 

Celebrating our aboriginal youth

On March 10th, 2010 five youth from the Lil'wat Nation that attend Pemberton Secondary School attended the annual Provincial Aboriginal Youth Conference that was held at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver this year. Last year the conference was in Kelowna. There were over 1,500 registered Aboriginal youth between the ages of 14 and 24.

Our youth had fundraised the majority of the expenses of the conference however we were very fortunate to have financial support of the N.N.A.A.D.A.P dept. and Cedric Jones and the Lil'wat Wellness Centre and Debbie Alendale.

There were some very interesting and informative workshops that our youth enjoyed very much. In the evening the youth enjoyed the MM dance, Culture night and the talent night. We were very proud that one of our youth, Mel Bruce got up on that stage and played her guitar and sang a song. She got the crowd standing on their feet. It was an honour to see one of our youth representing our school and our community.

This is our second year attending this conference and it wouldn't be possible without the continuous support of the parents, the Lil'wat community and especially our school, P.S.S.

I would like to thank Juanita Coltman for passing this conference opportunity on to our youth. I believe our youth understand the huge responsibility they have before them of living a healthy lifestyle, staying in school and most importantly learning their culture. Our youth made new friends, picked up new ideas and learned more about self identity.

Thank you to all our sponsors, parents and teachers.

Andrea Jones

Lil'wat Nation

 

Seeing the light

Is there any surprise locally that Whistler Mountain plans to close on April 18th, right when the Telus Spring Festival is just getting started? I'll bet a lot of people are not aware yet.

Some of us here in the east have been coming out to the festival for 10 and more years. Both mountains have always been open. Last year Whistler was open until April 26th. As is normal, it closed right after the festival.

I just discovered this planned April 18th closure by chance recently. In a careful search of the Whistler Blackcomb website this information is available. However, it is not mentioned in "first line" media ads. You have to search for it. Most people did not. Why would they? They simply trusted that both mountains would be open like in the past.

Since then several of us have contacted WB. Some people received a response that the matter is being reviewed because of complaints and because of expectations.

I thought for sure Whistler would want to follow the marketing momentum of the Olympics, not to mention the near-record alpine snowfall and the highly touted Peak 2 Peak lift. All this is promoted in the ads across the country. This is supposed to be a world class event!

Whatever money might be "saved" by closing Whistler for the festival will be more than lost in future business and untold damage to the festival. Countless people made plans based on the premise both mountains will be open. We have our fingers crossed that Whistler will see the "light" and remain open for this festival period.

Doug Hamilton

Burlington, Ont.

Editor's note: Whistler Blackcomb has announced that Whistler Mountain will stay open to the end of the festival, April 25.