Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

This Week's Letters

I applaud the residents of the Upper Squamish Valley and their refusal to continue to participate in Ledcor’s dance for control of the Ashlu River Canyon.

I applaud the residents of the Upper Squamish Valley and their refusal to continue to participate in Ledcor’s dance for control of the Ashlu River Canyon. As part of the persuasion process, one thing Ledcor will never do is invite you to speak to the residents of the Pemberton Valley about our experiences with two IPP sites, the Millar Creek and Rutherford River projects. We hear often that IPPs are a source of "green energy" but we do not hear anything about the social and environmental impact of the construction process.

There is nothing "green" about the construction of these projects. I am inviting the people who treasure the Ashlu to visit the wasteland of an IPP construction site. Come and see for yourself the Rutherford River project. Not only is there an ugly, intrusive building but re-arrangement of the environment continues along the banks of the Rutherford to complete a kayaker's Disneyland – i.e. paving paradise and putting up a parking lot. We look still at piles of gravel, cranes, noise, dust and a massive parking lot full of heavy equipment. The inconvenience and unsightliness of IPP construction is not inconsiderable.

Come see the gash on the mountainside at the completed Miller Creek project and speak to the people who put up with its construction process. Ask them how many tons of gravel were trucked past their doorsteps and if they have observed any changes in their fields, streams and view. Take a moment to admire the new set of power poles and overhead power lines along the Meadows Road that the residents had no idea would be part of the process until it was a done deal.

The long-term economic benefit of an IPP does not come to the local community but its construction process and continued existence will change that community forever. No Sea to Sky tourist will ever drive by our IPPs and say it is commendable that we established not one but two alternate energy sources. They may look at the overhead power lines, the kayak park, the building and wonder what we were thinking, but more than likely they won’t look at all because there is no longer anything beautiful to see on those sites.

Evelyn Coggins

Pemberton

 

To Sylvia Dolson, Whistler Bear Society

Re.: Letter requesting our assistance in reducing landscaping that attracts bears residential areas.

A letter was received by my employer, Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners, recommending to remove all plants that are bear foods from landscaping in residential areas. The list of plants provided included almost all indigenous plants that grow in Whistler backyards, if nature is left to its own devices. Grasses and dandelions were also included as a "bear food" to be removed from residential neighbourhoods.

Ecosign's conclusion (most of us read the letter) after reading this letter was that the Bear Society is actively lobbying the municipality to create a new bylaw that would allow threatening Whistler residents with an enormous fine (up to $50,000 or six months in jail), if they do not comply and eradicate what will amount to all semblance of natural growth from their own properties.

There was no one in our office who even for a moment thought that this was either environmentally responsible, respectful of people's properties or a practically feasible idea. The reactions were unanimously outraged, surprised and incredulous.

Our office consists of a group of 12 professionals in the field of engineering, resort planning and landscape architecture, all long-time Whistlerites who are well acquainted with the bear issues here. If we can't see the point of this idea, I think (and hope) that you are not going to get very far with it.

Our opinion on this does not imply that we do not share your concern for our Whistler bears’ safety and I think I can say that we generally applaud and support the efforts of the Bear Society. However, the solution must be found in other measures than eradicating a large portion of naturally occurring plants from our neighbourhoods and properties.

Mieke Prummel

For Ecosign Mountain Recreation Planners

 

Sylvia Dolson responds

As part of an independent review in Whistler’s Bear Hazard Assessment, it was recommended that landscaping that is attractive to bears, i.e. artificially planted shrubs and trees that produce berries, no longer be allowed at landscaped sites and that they be replaced with plant species that do not attract black bears. Furthermore, under the province’s Bear Smart Program, urban and rural residents are being asked to remove unnatural attractants like fruit trees.

In response, the Whistler Bear Society wrote a letter to landscapers, property management companies, nurseries and the RMOW asking for their assistance in "reducing" landscaping that attracts bears into residential areas, by passing this information on to their clients and "encouraging serious consideration". More specifically, we suggested that these plants be removed in locations "where we don't want bears to feed."

Our main areas of concern are public, heavy-use human areas, particularly adjacent to children’s play areas, and the core village area. That having been said, 85 per cent of all human-bear conflict complaints arise in residential areas, so we decided to address those areas as well.

Our goal is to ensure that landscaping decisions are made giving consideration to bears. Bears are and will continue to be attracted to residential areas to forage on many different foods including birdseed, garbage, and compost. But, a paramount attraction into town, are the thousands of berry-producing shrubs in Whistler.

There are quite a number of native substitute species that do not attract bears to feed in human-use areas, such as: white birch, cinquefoil (found in dry areas to the east), juniper (berries are not that attractive), alder, willow (other than red osier), maples, and white rhododendron, just to mention a few.

Once bears have been attracted to residential areas, they can cause significant property damage in attempts to access other human food sources. For example, a bear caused over $20,000 worth of damage to the hot tub covers at the Montebello complex. The bear was initially attracted to this area by the berries in the landscaping, as was clearly evident in his scat. It seems prudent not to attract bears in the first place, and thus not encouraging this type of behaviour, that most people consider to be highly undesirable.

As a result of this behaviour, many bears are relocated and destroyed, not to mention the often high cost of repairs to property.

Just to clarify, the provincial legislation you refer to was introduced in 1999 and is already in place. It allows Conservation Officers to issue a Dangerous Wildlife Protection Order which requires the removal of food, food waste, or other substances (which includes plants) that can attract dangerous wildlife (bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes) to their premises. If people fail to comply with the order, they could face a penalty of up to $50,000 and/or six months in jail. An immediate fine may also be issued of $345.

In addition to this legislation, the Whistler Bear Society will support the recommendation within the Bear Hazard Assessment to put a bylaw in place enforcing the removal of plants that attract bears in certain areas.

Thanks for the opportunity to clarify your concerns. We will be offering an information forum in late November for all those interested. Details will be announced in the papers.

Sylvia Dolson

Executive Director,

Whistler Bear Society

Canadian Bear Alliance

 

To all Whistlerites and fellow B.C residents that have driven Highway 99, I pose you a question: How many people know someone who was involved in an accident on 99? I do and now I say that’s enough.

Within one year, four of my friends have been involved in collisions on 99 due to vehicles crossing the line, regardless of legal definition. All obviously illegal and seriously dangerous. I believe the only real and viable method of stopping these horrible accidents is to install a median. The local government has said the median is not in the proposed plans. Then when? When a member of a politician’s family or relatives are involved? Let’s stop this now. Install the median and eliminate almost all accidents on 99.

I have registered the Web address, www.medianforlife@hotmail.com, and I urge everyone to do their part and send your letter of support. A simple "I support" in the subject box and your name, then they will be sent to the appropriate individuals.

PS: I am not politically motivated, just concerned.

Arne Gutmann

Whistler

 

After reading your article "Nebbeling supports Intrawest’s plan for Pemberton airport" (Pique Aug. 27), I felt compelled to respond.

I personally have never met Mr. Nebbeling, but in light of that matter, I feel his remarks about Pemberton and Prime Air are without merit and not very accurate, to say the least, and are in need of correction.

A lot of folks are aware of the transportation issues at hand regarding the resort area and more specifically, the need for air service. Since the appointment of the 2010 Winter Olympics, this issue has been front line. I think that given Mr. Nebbeling’s position in politics and his responsibility to the public, he needed to do his home work on the issues he lent comment to.

To my knowledge, Mr. Nebbeling has never contacted Prime Air in the recent past to find out what progress Prime Air has made recently with regards to the airport and starting air service. To use phrases such as "substandard system" is simply irresponsible. I am not sure what Mr. Nebbeling meant by a "standard system" exactly and I know what I am talking about with regard to Prime Air.

Mr. Nebbeling feels that to, "make Whistler a catalyst you have to think much bigger". Well Mr. Nebbeling, Prime Air did. The new management submitted plans for an entire airport project that is much bigger, world class I might add. Call me and I will be happy to tell you all about it. Pemberton has submitted it to their consultants for review, which is a very prudent thing to do.

Now that you are aware of this, can you tell me, what will Whistler do to lend support to helping Prime Air bring thousands of tourists to Whistler and the community? I ask this because Mr. Nebbeling also stated "Quite frankly, what they (Pemberton council) have in mind is not what we are looking for." The last time I met with Pemberton council, the airport was still in their control and it still belongs to Pemberton. So, respectfully, what "we" are looking for in your statement doesn’t really count.

I disagree that your assumption that "in order to have a successful airport, you need quality linkages with other airports and people should be able to come in from wherever they live." I think that in order for the airport to be successful, you need to have a successful air service and in order for a start-up air service to be successful, you need the support of the resort community. This has been successfully demonstrated in Sun Peaks, whereby Sun Peaks Tourism, The ski lift/mountain company and the accommodation sector shared the risk and the responsibility by way of a "guaranteed load factor" to the air carrier to ensure its success. It was a group effort and it was successful and it worked. Didn’t you read one of Adam Daff’s last articles?

If Tourism Whistler, Intrawest, the municipality and the accommodation sector would support Prime Air in a similar manner, a successful air service would happen. After all Whistler is approximately 40 per cent bigger than Sun Peaks, how could it not? The truth is that if Pemberton makes the "right decision", the corridor will surely benefit no matter what. After all, most of the tourists flying to Pemberton will be doing so to take advantage of the time and convenience to get to Whistler faster, in order to ski and most likely stay longer and visit more frequently. So with that in mind, who benefits the most?

Contrary to Mr. Nebbeling’s belief that "nothing has been done over the last 10 years," I think that I will send him a picture of the airport terminal that was built in 1995. Prime Air’s "people" as stated by Mr. Nebbeling, have been around for many years, but not the current management team.

Prime Air has made substantial progress over the last four months with their efforts to begin chartered flights and scheduled chartered flights. We continue to grow the necessary infrastructure to support our efforts in anticipation of the start of air service. Prime Air has signed a letter of intent with Charter Bus Lines to become our ground transportation operating partners and our reservation operators. They are well recognized and a leader in their industry.

We just met with Customs & Immigration and have submitted our application with terminal site plans, for Customs & Immigration to clear our passengers at the Pemberton terminal as our planes land. Laurence Black, owner of Blacks Pub & Grill is waiting for approval of his plans and permits to begin constructing his new restaurant facilities at our airport terminal. Current plans for water hook-up, landscaping and paving are under way. Finalizing of our flight schedule, reservation Web site for this up coming winter season is near completion.

In spite of Mr. Nebbeling’s belief that "nothing has been done in the last 10 years," I think a mountain of work has been done in just the last four months.

Continuing on, Mr. Nebbeling comments on needing facilities and needing airplanes that can handle the load. He mistakenly believes that "we are not talking about jumbo jets, it’s planes up to 100 passengers…." It’s my understanding that Intrawest’s proposal to Pemberton Village included the use of 737 Jets. The capacity of the 737 jet is around 128 passengers, up to 140 depending upon the modifications of the plane. If Mr. Nebbeling is supporting the Intrawest plan, what "not jumbo jets… planes up to 100 passengers" is he talking about? Is it prudent to support plans you are not entirely familiar with?

The de Havilland Dash-7 plane is the perfect plane for the job. It is specifically designed to carry passengers and cargo and to land and take off in conditions that are required for air service at Pemberton. In fact it is the only approved plane by Transport Canada that is allowed to perform scheduled charter air service at Pemberton. Not only that, its decibel level during flight is quieter than a lawnmower.

Voyager is the largest commercial Dash-7 passenger air service carrier in North America and Prime Air has an exclusive operating agreement with Voyager Air Ways. This makes Voyager, the most recognized air carrier that can operate at Pemberton Airport.

As far as provincial funding and the Village of Pemberton are concerned, can anyone really build and operate an airport with $540,000? I heard that Intrawest spent nearly that much on their proposal to Pemberton and their consultants to help them. If that were true, and I really don’t want to be guilty of making the same mistakes that Mr. Nebbeling has, then Intrawest could have built their own airport in Whistler, like Mr. Nebbeling suggested, and avoided all this controversy, according to Mr. Nebbeling’s facts and logic. Then Intrawest could fly 737 jets into their airport, like they proposed.

As I previously stated, I have never met Mr. Nebbeling and one day I would like to meet and laugh about this, but it puzzles me as to why a man in his position would act in such a manner and comment in such a way. He is way off the mark here and his facts and logic are grossly misrepresented.

I think that the Village of Pemberton, the council and the mayor are on the right track, a little slow from Prime Air’s stance, but getting there. We are putting our best efforts together to make this happen. As far as Prime Air is concerned, we can’t wait to start flying, so don’t miss the plane.

Albert R. Bruno DC

CEO

Prime Air

 

I have just heard about the recent proposal for the sightseeing gondola between Shannon falls and the Chief's second summit that will take tourists to the top of the Stawamus Chief. The first word that comes to my mind is "disgusting"! This has got to be the most absurd idea for a proposal in the Sea to Sky corridor ever. When are the greed-driven developers going to stop? Is anything sacred? While we're at it why don't we have wild black bear rides or a salmon shotgun shoot out?

Why are we drawn to Whistler and Squamish in the first place? Could it be the wild beauty? The lack of man made structures? The absence of people? I say if you can't climb it or hike it under your own power... too bad.

To quote Kevin Cassidy, "tell them to take a hike."

Joshua Wolsey

Pemberton

 

It is truly amazing that Canada finds the money to send a representative of another country’s monarchy on an extravagant Scandinavian tour and a self-confessed felon to an Irish conference, but cannot find the money to put the coach of a gold medal Olympian on a plane to Athens. Priorities, I guess. Whose priorities, I’m not too sure.

Alex Nikolic

Tofino, B.C.

 

To the woman who hit my dog on Highway 99 Saturday, Aug. 21st. I wanted to let you know that "Kai" is doing fine. He is a tough little guy and his only war wound is a bit of tire burn on the inside of his leg; no broken bones; no internal bleeding.

I know that it was not your fault, and I was never upset with you. Thank you for your initial concern, and also to the people that gave us a ride home.

Everything is back to normal for Kai and hopefully he has a new found respect for big heavy metal things that go fast.

Robin Ridsdale

Whistler

 

Good Luck in Prince George!

As a long time local (23 years) I read with pity your self chosen path… to Prince George?

I just returned from a 2,000 mile road trip visiting that region of the province. Listen up, Whistler is a jewel! And your beef about construction, sorry but it’s a part of life. Do you think your $140,000 house in PG magically appeared there? Cheaper living? Since when has the north been known for its cheaper prices?

You chose to live in Whistler, it’s a destination resort. With that come trade offs. Whistler doesn’t owe you and your husband "affordable housing" or "awesome career opportunities". It owes you nothing! And all the "awesome people" you met here, well, they are all a bonus and now you are going to write them off for PG? Some friend you are.

So in realty it’s not Whistler that’s the problem here is it? The "sinister gold digging mistress" and "greedy girl" is really you!

Hope your expectations of living improve for you in affordable PG. Talk to you in a year when you’re shaking your head saying "what were we thinking moving here? Whistler was great." Oh well, hope your dreams and financial goals all come together for you up there. We’ll look after everything Whistler has to offer. Come on back to visit, say for the Olympics, though maybe you’ll be watching in PG with all your new found "awesome friends"… down in the bar.

PS the sprinkling restrictions apply whether you rent or own

Scott Green

Whistler

 

As summer heat turns to fall rain, I want to say a big thank you to all the businesses and individuals who coloured Whistler with the incredible assortment of flowers we've enjoyed all summer. From the highway medians and restaurant walls, to private homes and strata-run complexes, Whistler has been awash in the glorious shades of the rainbow all summer long. Planting and nurturing a diverse range of flowers takes time, patience and love, and my appreciation goes out to all those who put their energy toward making Whistler more beautiful place to live.

Summer wouldn’t be a Whistler summer without you.

K-L Grant

Whistler

 

Welcome back Spring Creek students

On behalf of the Parent Advisory Council of Spring Creek Community School, we would like to invite all new students and their parents to come and join us for coffee and juice on Tuesday, Sept. 7 th from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

We would also love to see all returning parents too and catch up on the summer stories! School is only one hour on Tuesday so, if you have the time, please come and join us.

Barb Leigh

SCPAC

 

Once again the great people of Whistler have come together to help a friend through tough times.

I am talking about my most amazing friends who, after my truck randomly burnt on Canada Day and all my equipment – including my turntables – was destroyed, organized a fundraiser for me to help get a new set of decks. It was held at Garfinkels on Wednesday, Aug. 25 and it was a huge success. And I just want to say how thankful I am for having such awesome friends who came out, supported and donated to the cause. I will be getting a new set of decks and will continue to supply Whistler with the phatest underground beats and international artists cause you guys rule.

I want to give special thanks to my girl Lindsay for going out of her way to organize the party, Garfs for letting us throw the party, OJ, Toddski, Garth, Lennie, and Plastic Surgeon for supplying the beats, Mike for working the door. Also, thanks to all my friends, especially The Alpine House guys, Phroh, Big J Cook, my roommates and the people who supplied the prizes. I love you all for your support and you sure know how to make someone feel great.

Jamie Tobin

Whistler