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Letters to the Editor for the week of July 5th, 2012

Whistler wasting energy?
opinion_letters1

I have been in town for over a year-and–a-half now and something that gets drummed into people rather heavily throughout one's stay in THIS town is how bloody environmentally friendly everyone likes to be.

Well I say bollocks!

Partly due to my own laziness and lack of real drive to complain, but also to observe as to how much longer the issue continued I have not reported this until now. But finally I have had enough and want to claim my prize of pointing the finger!

The heated steps outside Fuji Market (and who knows where else) have been left on 24/7 since the end of the winter!

Not the most drastic news but when you look at the cost to heat something like that around the clock for as long as it has been on unnecessarily it is outrageous. And no one has noticed!

Who does the budgeting for this stuff? Surely they should know that heated-step allowance should go down in the summer... what good could the money be used for instead?

I am from the U.K. and approach this from a perspective other than that of a true local, but given the image that Whistler so bashfully radiates to its visitors, I think it's a bit rich.... anyway.... I hope it gets fixed.

Toby Smith

Whistler

Is Squamish really ready for the gondola?

For the past month I have been taking pictures of the Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls. They form the iconic view that I call Squamish. They are both visible from most locations between Murrin Park and the Tantalus Lookout.

Together, the Chief and the falls mean Squamish. I want to remember them the way they are now, not after a swath the width of a hockey rink is cut between them for the Emperor's New Clothesline.

Is there only one viable location for this carnival ride? Does the success of this project depend on tearing a strip out of the forest between the Chief and the falls? Isn't destroying the view to attract tourists a bit like killing the goose that lays golden eggs?

The developers claim that this project is modelled after a similar ride in Banff. Banff was created in 1885 for the sole purpose of attracting tourists. They see over six times as many tourists each year as Squamish. On the other hand, Squamish sees about six times more rain each year than Banff. Perhaps our lack of tourists will be made up by our abundance of rain.

The developers claim a projected total of 300,000 people per year. Based on a season of 100 days per year, that is an average of 3,000 people per day. Weekends will probably be busier than weekdays and even in our glorious summer there might be a few rainy, foggy, windy or cloudy days, which won't be busy.

Can we expect to see 5,000-8,000 people per day experiencing the wilderness from a ledge behind the Chief? Is Stawamus Chief Provincial Park prepared for the equivalent of a GranFondo every Saturday and Sunday? Is the mountain prepared for thousands of visitors all at the same time? Is the highway prepared for that many people?

Will our provincial parks get less funding? Is it realistic to think that thousands of people per day are going to stand in line to take a ride in Squamish when there are bigger and better rides in Whistler and North Vancouver?

Many people seem to have a much romanticized notion of visiting the mountain top on a gloriously clear day with only their elderly, handicapped grand-mother. For this to work, there needs to be thousands of people up there every day. For this to work, a swath needs to be cleared through the provincial park that will forever separate the Chief and the falls.

Surely, if it really were a good idea, it would work somewhere else.

Murray Gamble

Squamish

Make your voice heard on Gates Lake facility

Wikipedia defines "responsible government" as a concept of accountability at the parliamentary level. However, responsible government is not exclusive to federal politics.

If we consider what this means in our own community, I am drawn to the conclusion, that responsible government is accountability between elected officials and the citizens within the community they serve. Accountability is critical to any relationship and is a two way street.

Elected officials need to ask the important questions, and gather as much feedback as they can from their constituents, to ensure that their political decisions and actions best reflect the wants and needs of their community. We voted for you because we felt you were the best person to represent our collective wants and needs, and in return, our tax dollars pay you and cover your expenses while you serve your community.

The other side of this relationship, and equally responsible, is the community — the voting and tax-paying constituents. It is our responsibility to ask questions, to seek answers and to have an opinion about OUR community.

It is unlikely that everyone in any community will have the same wants and needs, draw the same conclusions or be of the same opinions, but that is not really the point! It is your right to not only have an opinion, but it is also your right to share it, or at least be given the opportunity, which leads me to the topic of RECREATION in Pemberton and Area C.

Two years ago, a house on a small parcel of land in Birken at the end of Gates Lake was purchased to be used as a future recreation site. This land was purchased with Area C amenity funds, accrued through contributions from various IPP projects like the Millar and the Rutherford, along with contributions from the Wedgewood development. It should be noted, that these amenity funds do not have an expiration date, but at least one (Rutherford) is to be used outside of Pemberton exclusively, as arranged by Area C Director Gimse.

It should also be noted, that at this time there is no operational budget for the Gates Lake facility, however, when a budget is determined, it will be Pemberton and Area C tax dollars that will cover the expenses.

The Recreation Advisory Committee, a group of volunteers of which I am one, expressed a number of concerns regarding the Gates Lake facility after learning about the land acquisition through local media. My main concern at the time was that this facility did not appear to meet the recreation wants and needs of Pemberton and Area C residents as I understood them, nor did this project seem to fit into a long-term recreation plan.

In my opinion, the community has never been properly asked what we want with regard to recreation on a macro scale, nor have we been properly invited to be a part of the process on a micro level with the Gates Lake facility.

The Cottonwood community centre adequately demonstrates what happens when decisions are made without community engagement, so why are we continuing down the same path in Birken?

Though we may not have been officially asked, a few vocal citizens continue to express the need for more playing fields, a gymnasium, plus a pool and an arena.

Why are these voices being discredited and told that the community simply cannot afford such luxuries? Who says we can't afford a pool? What study proves this statement?

Perhaps if there was a long-term recreation plan that properly reflected what the community wants we could save our pennies and commit to getting there.

I am NOT against a recreation facility in Birken, but I am disappointed by the lack of community engagement regarding the Gates Lake facility. Ideally, a community centre will properly fulfill the recreation needs of the people using it and paying for it and that includes EVERY taxpayer living in Pemberton and Area C.

I personally invite every single person living between the Hurley turnoff and Anderson Lake, all Pemberton, Area C and Mt.Currie residents to attend the Recreation Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the Gates Lake facility in Birken. You may be in support of or opposed to the Gates Lake facility or you may need more information before forming a decision. The important point is not where you stand on this issue, but that you have the right to own that opinion and that you've now been invited to officially share it!

Lindsay May

Pemberton

Canada Day fun at the BMX Track

On Canada Day the Pemberton BMX track officially came back to life. Kids of all ages took their first laps around a freshly rebuilt track during the initial fun BMX race.

A little over a month ago, the track was overgrown and rarely used. Thanks to an amazing group of people and local businesses we now have a community BMX track plus we were able to put on a memorable event.

The PBMX Society would like to thank the following volunteers and contributors for their support; Jeff Ihaksi, Graeme Harris, Nelsen Jensen, Sean Holmes, Steve Petrie, Turner Montgomery, Brett Milner, Coastal Mountain Excavations, The Bike Co., The Mill Skate Shop, Grimms Fine Foods, Pemberton Valley Supermarket, Mile One Eating House, Route 99 Motorsports, Toad Hall, Dan Wall and all the volunteers that came by to lend a hand at the track.

This is just the beginning of building a great community track for the whole family to enjoy and a future BMX Race destination. Find us at: facebook.com/PembertonBMX .

Many thanks

The Pemberton BMX Society

Thank you from the Whistler Sea Wolves!

After a very successful season, the Whistler Sea Wolves Swim Club would like to extend its gratitude to all who believed in them, showed support and worked hard day-in and day-out to achieve their goals. Since its re-instatement in the fall of 2009, the swim club has had a very fast paced growth, which mirrors the efforts of the board members.

The 2011-12 season saw huge success from within the Whistler pool and the competition pools across the province.

Thanks to this season's amazing volunteer parents — Larisa Valentin, Annie Gareau, Barrett Fisher, and Gwen Milley, as well as past members Danielle and Alan Kristmanson, the club has a very promising future and has established a strong, secure place for itself in the world of competitive swimming.

For all the support we continuously see from our very own home base at the Meadow Park Sports Centre pool, thank you to all the staff and the RMOW for working with us and believing. Your help ensures the exciting events and developments for future plans that will open so many great opportunities to Whistler's youth.

And finally, to all the local businesses of Whistler that donated and helped feed the hungry athletes during special events — the Sea Wolves are very grateful for your generosity, and all the swimmers finished their season with big smiles after receiving their prizes.  

Thanks to: Cows, Dairy Queen, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, David's Tea, Glass Elevator, Nesters Market, Ingrid's Village Cafe, Avalanche Pizza, Village 8 Cinemas, Bounce Trampoline Park, Source for Sports, Lush, 21 Steps, Crepe Montagne, Scandinave Spa, and the Whistler Golf Course

The Coaches, Board members and swimmers of the Whistler Sea Wolves Swim Club

We can make something special

I was frustrated to learn that progress on the nearly completed Birken Community Center has been stalled due to the opposition of a small minority of residents.

It seems to me that these voices are for the most part from those without school-aged children. Those with kids so desperately need any type of facility right now. A recent meeting attended by over 70 people, many surprised by the number of young families, showed overwhelming support. Many were eager to get involved.

When I moved to this area two decades ago I visualized a vibrant, artistic, holistic, family-oriented community. This vision has slowly materialized. What hasn't, however, is any infrastructure to support it.

Back then there was a small restaurant where you could get a burger and a beer, a short-lived pizza delivery service, a post office/general store at a beautiful resort on Anderson Lake and even a passenger train you could flag down.

Now sadly our town center consists of a lone public telephone booth that would be obsolete if only we had cell service.

I can understand that some people may have a hard time picturing a public space in a converted house, but hey, this is Birken where non-conventional folks have always made do.

As for costs, these government projects always cost more than for residential, especially when converting to commercial use. A million for a modest house is not unheard of.

It is my understanding that this project is still within the recreation fund budget, and taxes are not being raised. What I am certain of is starting over from scratch will take many years and most likely won't result in savings.

I can also understand some are upset about the lack of public consultation, but doing things from concensus often takes more time and costs money as its difficult to please all.

It's time to move on. Maybe with a community centre, future decisions may involve more people.

Some would like to see a more institutional structure — a gymnasium and playing fields. That would be nice in a typical town with lots of tax dollars. The gyms and fields are still available in Pemberton, and the facilities in Mount Currie and D'arcy are there if larger groups or teams need them.

I think the scale of this centre will suit us fine. It's centrally located and across from our town jewel — Gates Lake.

The success of this facility does not rest on its architectural merit alone, but mostly from the engagement of the users. I urge the decision makers to get this project finalized and not get hijacked by a few people who are perhaps not as anxious to see something now.

I am confident that our creative community can transform a typical house into something special.

Mike Roger

Birken (Poole Creek)

Daughters and dads

Pemberton celebrated with its annual Father Daughter Dance on Sunday, June 24, and the event (a fundraiser for the intermediate playground project at Signal Hill Elementary School) was a sold-out, stellar success!

We couldn't have pulled it off without the help of many, many people. To the businesses and individuals who jumped on board with donations and time, our PAC executive, and the parent volunteers, we are so very grateful!

Your dedication to this event and the community is very much appreciated. Dozens of local girls and their fathers enjoyed a fabulous dinner and dessert, amazing raffle prizes, a jellybean count, 50/50 draw, photographs, hula hooping and dancing under the (mostly) clear sky.

As the organizing committee for this event, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to: Chris Wallace, Ryan Leitch and the team at Big Sky Golf and Country Club; Sheryl Frankland, Kirsten McLeod and Pemberton Valley Supermarket; Jamie Lee and AG Foods, Wayne Doucette and AVW-Telav; the Whistler Question, MC Extraordinaire, Lindsay May; Toshi and Kaori Kawano and Sea to Sky Photography; Melissa Leitch; Leanne Hachey; Whistler Blackcomb; Whistler Golf Club; Canadian Tire (Squamish); Fairmont Chateau Whistler; Scandinave Spa; Rona (Pemberton); Pemberton Bike Co.; One Earth; Armchair Books; Lush Cosmetics; Small Potatoes Bizarre; Pemberton Frontier Pharmacy; Animal Barn; Cow's; Funky Diva Hair; Adventures on Horseback; Usborne Books; Mount Currie Coffee Company; McDonald's (Pemberton); Valley Chainsaw & Recreation, Spud Valley Sporting Goods; Whistler Jetboating; Great Glass Elevator; Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory; Pemberton Valley Nurseries; Big Sky Dental; Sheena Fraser, Betsy Linnell, Lisa Bartlett, Christine Andrew; Tamara Beaton; Karen Bauckham; Victoria Downes, Louise Stacey-Deegan, Wendy Brookbank, Pat MacKenzie, Heather Prohaska, Dan Kauffman, Randy Lincks, and all the fathers and daughters!

We're looking forward to next year's event!

Karen Goodwin, Lee-Anne Kauffman and Patricia Westerholm

2012 Pemberton Father Daughter Dance organizing committee

Busses way better this year!

Since the bus system usually gets lots of abuse around here, I thought it deserved some praise for once. I've been a car-less bus user for five years now, so I completely depend on the bus to get to work, the grocery store, etc.

In past seasons it could be rage-inducing to watch packed-to-the gills buses drive by, have buses not show up at all or be ridiculously late.

This past year I think there has been a vast improvement, a tweaked Valley Connector is super convenient, buses have been for the most part on time and with lots of space.

Also, a big shout out to the drivers who are all super friendly with the locals and tourists and in good spirits! Thanks again!!

Colleen Dauncey

Whistler

Delicious thanks

The annual Teachers' Appreciation Lunch at Whistler Secondary School, organized by grateful parents for our wonderful teachers, staff and administration, to say, "thank you" for all they do for our children is over for another year.

With the generous help of numerous individuals we were able to present our usual feast of delicious dishes and treats, and I would like to offer thanks to the following groups and individuals: Thank you to all the parents, too numerous to list, who diligently cooked and baked to provide a wonderful selection of salads, side-dishes, hot entrees, and desserts. We have some very talented cooks at our school! Thank you to those who provided cold drinks, coffee, tea, and other needed items.

Thank you to parent Jane Roberts (Incognito Décor) for the beautiful flowers and centre-pieces.

Thank you to Hatto and the RimRock Café for making us an amazing (and huge!) sticky-toffee pudding and caramel sauce, to the Bearfoot Bistro for their generous and delicious pasta entrée, to Mark and Paula of Purebread for a quite staggering array of their fantastic breads, and to Marc Hanno and the Four Seasons for so kindly lending us all we needed in the way of dishes, flatware, linens etc.

Finally, thank you to a terrific team of helpers who gave up time to prepare, serve and clean-up; Susan Shrimpton, Jackie Rohde, Susan Bearance, Corinne Allison, Sherry Baker, Kathy Bonin, Beth Braidwood, Margot Murdoch, Sheilagh Lepine and Claire Prochaska.

See you at the Teachers' Appreciation Lunch 2013!

Linda McGaw

Whistler

Kids make a difference

Mme. Millen and Mme. Jensen's Grade 6 French Immersion class makes a positive difference in the world through various fundraisers and awareness days such as hockey tournaments, Orange Julius and popcorn sales, art projects, video and PowerPoint presentations and the creation of new websites. All this has been done as a class project to learn more about the world.

In the aftermath of Kony 2012, our Grade 6 English teacher, Mme. Millen gave us a similar challenge; make a positive difference in the world. For some, at first it was a daunting task.

"Write an article for the newspaper? Not possible."

"Make a video to go on Shaw cable? No way."

But as the month progressed every group started formulating a plan. Some decided to organize a hockey tournament to raise money for the food crisis in Africa. Another, a school wide walk to raise awareness about eating disorders. You get the picture.

Together, as a class, we raised over $425, who knows how much knowledge, and all in all, had a good time helping those less fortunate.

Now, as the project comes to a close, we would like you to check out our websites, videos, donate to charities and organizations like NEDA, Kiva, Free the Children, Playground Builders, the Canadian Red Cross or research themes like child labor, education and eating disorders.

Remember, our ultimate goal was to make a difference and that's not possible without you.

For those interested in checking out our projects you can visit our classroom website at www.seatoskyclassroom.com.

Oskar Steiner

Whistler