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We can create change

It is often easy to decide that we can't really create change. We can't possibly tackle climate change, we can't get real accountability from government, we can't affect, say, health policy.
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It is often easy to decide that we can't really create change.

We can't possibly tackle climate change, we can't get real accountability from government, we can't affect, say, health policy.

The cynic in all of us just wants to put our heads down, do our jobs well, raise our kids and recycle.

But recent developments in our little corner of the world should encourage everyone to look up and see that public pressure may indeed have a positive effect (never mind the Arab Spring, and even the student protests in Quebec — but that's another whole editorial).

With six months of work behind them the new municipal council has already moved on some long-standing issues, such as illegal space and pay parking — issues many in the community have been asking for movement on.

I'm not suggesting that former councillors and mayor weren't working hard — in fact reviews were underway with just-hired CEO Mike Furey in place when the election changed the landscape of local government.

But there is no escaping the fact that residents made a clean sweep with their votes — they voted for change, and it looks like change is what they got.

While I think it is too soon to say if our new political leaders have won over the town, there is a feeling of optimism about local government.

That is important right now as we see businesses closing, the struggle to stay afloat too much for some even with a pretty good winter under our belts.

And with the global economy still struggling we would be foolish to think things will get much easier.

What people don't need right now is a local government that isn't listening. I might be going out on a limb here, but I think most of us feel it's bad enough having a federal government like that without dealing with it at home.

As an aside, Pique had a chance to chat with some former fisheries ministers this week for a story and even the Conservative ones are concerned about how Harper's omnibus budget bill could impact our salmon and streams. These are weighty voices putting pressure on, and it will be interesting to see what, if any, movement there is.

But back to Whistler: There are some significant issues still to be dealt with in the coming months by council, such as WhistlerU and the asphalt plant.

I think there is little doubt that many who voted for Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden believed that bringing her in as leader would mean the end of the asphalt plant at Cheakamus Crossing.

With the courts involved these issues are never black and white, and though public sentiment wanted the plant moved the courts ruled it could stay. For now, it seems that it is enough that council has appointed Eric Martin, president of Whistler Development Corporation, the organization that built the athletes' village, to meet with Frank Silveri, the plant's owner to try and work out a future plan.

But there is no doubt that things would not have even gotten this far on the asphalt file without the public pressure from the No Asphalt Plant group — it will be interesting to watch and see if it needs to organize again as this issue drags on.

And what about Family Day — Whistler weighted in on that and its voice is at least part of the reason the date was moved to earlier in February.

Most recently, we have had the announcement that the corridor will get to keep its second orthopedic surgeon position. With Dr. Pat McConkey retiring last month the fear had been that cost constraints would leave the rotation empty and doctors, health care providers and residents would be stretched in both trying to get help and to give it.

The maintaining of McConkey's position follows a heavy lobby by doctors, local politicians, residents, and even senior officials with Whistler Blackcomb. All spoke out at meetings, privately and in the media about their concerns over orthopedic care in Sea to Sky country. More than 8,000 orthopedic injuries were seen at the Whistler Health Care Centre last year — 43 per cent of all emergency room visits. That's more than double the ortho visits seen at Lions Gate Hospital in the same time period.

On top of keeping the position, the corridor's own health care foundations are funding up to $200,000 for equipment and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA) is topping that up for a total of $324,000 in new spending. True, even with this the orthopedic care system is stretched, and it is only a drop in the multi-billion dollar budget of the VCHA, but it is a baby step in the right direction.

VCHA spokespeople say that the plan was always in the works, so call me a cynic if I believe the outcome would have been quite different if not for the public pressure put on the organization.

I'm not alone in my belief.

"I am absolutely sure there's no way they would have come down with this decision if not for all the public pressure," Dr. Bruce Mohr, chief of the medical staff of the Whistler Health Care Centre told Pique this week.

His comments were echoed by Marnie Simon, chair of the Triboard of the Sea to Sky's health care foundations — and I leave the last words to her: "I think it just shows when enough people get behind something they believe in, change can happen."