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Pemberton: Sustainability’s the issue

Their concepts for a more sustainable community run the gamut from creating a more efficient transit system to exploring affordable housing options and job creation based on existing natural assets.

Their concepts for a more sustainable community run the gamut from creating a more efficient transit system to exploring affordable housing options and job creation based on existing natural assets.

Looking to move a couple of years ago, paramedic Carrie Turchinetz took a colleague’s positive recommendation and checked out Pemberton. The single mom of a kindergarten-age daughter is glad she did. She finds Pemberton a remarkably friendly place, and the first town where she and Brianna really feel at home. However, securing the physical space of home is a challenge.

"One of my biggest concerns is housing. Other communities I’ve lived in have had low-income housing. That doesn’t exist here.

"It takes everyone to make this community run, not just the people who can afford to be here. It takes the people who work in restaurants, people who work at the gas stations, people like myself who are single parents," said the part-time ambulance attendant. "We love our community and want to stay, but it’s not always accessible."

While acknowledging that the idea of low-income housing makes many people nervous, Turchinetz believes that providing an option such as co-op housing would help to further stabilize the community.

"If people could afford to live here it wouldn’t be such a transient community," she said.

With a job that brings her in touch with a cross-section of people in crisis who call the Pemberton Valley home, Turchinetz is acutely aware of the need for social programs in the area.

"If you need assistance you have to go to Squamish, and it’s difficult to get the help when you need it."

She praises the quality of available daycare and the opportunities the current community centre offers. However, she sees room for further development.

"I think it would be great to have a community workout facility where part of the interaction could be with your kids, so you’re getting exercise, you’re teaching your kids good health and building a foundation of good habits."

Martina Pierre echoes Turchinetz’s belief that a solid community is diverse. But she also believes that with diversity comes a need for increased communication.

Dean of the Ts’Zil Learning Centre, Pierre feels that it is imperative that the new Village of Pemberton government continues to expand on the dialogue that the current administration had begun with the Lil’wat Nation.

"In terms of land issues, we’re always having to deal with third parties because they have to consult with us. I think the overall understanding of where we’re coming from and the history of issues with Native people has to happen," said Pierre.

The politics of land claims aside, she points out that Mount Currie is not a community that exists in isolation.

"Whatever happens in the rest of the valley eventually filters down to us," said Pierre. "I think Pemberton’s growing too fast for some of the people who were original landowners; they were homesteaders not business people. They were looking for a simple life."

She hopes that this ideal can be preserved and that the next crop of elected officials will recognize the value of environmental sustainability.

On a purely practical level, Pierre believes that local government should be working to develop a more effective transit system,

"This would reduce the amount of fossil fuel being used. We have to get a good handle on the preservation of Mother Earth," said Pierre.

Pierre also believes that local job creation has to be a priority.

"We all want the same things. We’re all striving to be educated and employed," stated Pierre.

Job creation is number one on Mike Rochon’s list of issues for the next government to tackle. Rochon, who works in the financial sector, has been living in the area for the past two years.

"Personally, I see the key election issue is the development of economic sustainability as it relates to jobs and people working in the area. We need a local government with a clear and comprehensive plan that addresses that need – a plan that can keep people here and working."

Rochon points out that Pemberton is an expensive community with a young population that needs to be working. He sees the development of a tourism industry based on year-round recreation as a natural fit, although he doesn’t discount the possibility of attracting secondary industry to stimulate the local economy.

If the economic engine ends up being tourism, he believes that Pemberton should present itself as more that an add-on destination for people visiting Vancouver or Whistler.

"In the long-term, Pemberton needs to develop its own brand, it’s own identity."

Rochon also thinks one of the things the community needs is an ice arena. The father of three has two primary school age sons who play hockey. To get to Whistler by 6:45 a.m. for Monday morning hockey practice the Rochon household rises at 5 a.m.

"Mondays are long days at our house."

Long days are normal days for small business owners like Brad White of Coyote Arts and Crafts. He took over the establishment with his wife a year-and-a-half-a-go. Running a niche retail business in a small town means having to rely on tourists, whom White estimates make up to 60 per cent of his annual sales, the majority of which happen during the summer months.

What White would like to see is the new government support a co-ordinated, cohesive approach to marketing.

"I would like to see more co-operation between businesses in town to attract more business," said White. "We should be promoting everything together."

He applauds the formation of Tourism Pemberton, the improved quality of accommodation available in the community and the ongoing discussions about the potential of outdoor recreation.

But as a parent to three children aged 3 to 13, it’s indoor recreation that he feels local government must address.

"We want to take the kids swimming or skating, whatever (the proposed community centre) ends up offering, here instead of having to drive to Whistler," he said. "That is very important to us as a family. We prefer to stay in Pemberton when we can."

Kayla Cherry would prefer one day to return to Pemberton to raise her kids. Of course, that’s a ways off for the 17-year-old high school student who has worked at Frontier Pharmacy for the past two years. She will miss being able to vote in the next election by a mere four months. But Cherry believes that when it comes to civic policy "no vote" shouldn’t necessarily equal "no voice".

"I think there should be more opportunities for youth in Pemberton," said Cherry, citing the lack of recreational facilities. "Politicians need to listen to youth, especially on issues that have to do with youth."

While Cherry still lives at home, she can not imagine someone being able to live on their own in the community while earning minimum wage.

"I listen to my parents, mortgages are high and it’s very expensive to live here."

Cherry plans to become a Phys. Ed teacher, specializing in working with children with disabilities. She hopes that the town she likes will exist when she’s ready to put down roots.

"It’s a gorgeous area with lots of friendly people. Pemberton has always been a comfortable small town. I think fast food restaurants and lots of condos aren’t going to do us any good."



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