Opinion

Gambling policy latest example of NDP’s contempt for local governments The NDP just can’t seem to get enough of gambling. They’ve done it with public money for years, the catamaran ferries and the "balanced" budgets being two examples.

Evidence of just how busy this record breaking season has been can be found in the lineups — for lifts, on the highway and in the grocery stores — which are now nearly a daily occurrence.

Sometime in the next few months the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District will hold a public hearing regarding Whistler’s application to expand its landfill again.

The World Alpine Ski Championships wrapped up last weekend in Vail, and by Vail’s account they were a huge success. The Austrians and Norwegians, who collected 22 out of 30 medals, would also give glowing reviews of Vail 99.

Skier visits are up 18 per cent over the same time last year, and last year was a record winter for Whistler-Blackcomb. An all-time record of 100,000 room nights was set in the month of January.

If anyone ever needed an example of why the old adage "don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today" should be followed they need look no further than the chalet and villa issue now before Whistler council.

Rumours — unconfirmed as of our press time on Wednesday — suggest Joe Sturich’s review of provincial liquor laws may hold some interest for Whistler.

In most towns, the intent of a neighbourhood block watch is to make the neighbourhood safer. In Whistler, a neighbourhood block watch means making sure your neighbour hasn’t filed a rezoning application.

If they ever decide to rank the all-time greatest Olympians the IOC’s Marc Hodler should get a gold medal, in hypocrisy.

Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Suck it up. That was the province’s message to municipalities exactly one week before Christmas when it announced another round of cuts in transfer payments to local governments.