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Letters 16.14

Investing in kids

Investing in kids


I would like to express my support towards Ralph Forsyth and his exasperation regarding the daycare situation in Whistler and indeed the Province of B.C. Certainly any reduction in daycare spaces is extremely short sighted. The RMOW has a goal of retaining a high percentage of local workers and this will be impossible to achieve with the costs of employee housing and a lack of daycare spaces. Not many families can afford housing in Whistler or Pemberton with only one income and Squamish is becoming less affordable as well. This puts increased stress on families; parenting in shifts is not the answer.


B.C. has one of the highest child poverty statistics in the country. Quebec has created a universal daycare program which costs all families less than $10/day. It is true that the federal Conservatives destroyed the viability of daycare when they stripped direct spending towards childcare. When asked about the correlation between affordable, effective childcare and incarceration costs for Conservative policies regarding harsher crime penalties, MP John Weston drew a blank.


Studies have shown as much as a three-fold cost benefit in social spending when the money is spent on early childhood programs. Higher graduation rates are one benefit. Our local graduation rates for boys and aboriginal students show we have some work to do in our corridor. Canadian Association of Police Chiefs study reports: "79 of 100 people entering Canadian correctional facilities don't have their high school diploma." Universal daycare can equalize children's readiness for Kindergarten - a measured statistic, also an indicator for graduation. Presently, socio-economics are a better indicator. Social programming for teens is challenging but necessary to keep some kids in school. Even with passionate youth workers and educators, this is a hard group to reach.


There has been a lot of focus on gang violence in the Lower Mainland, the only solution offered is increased jail time and more policing. Too bad the infamous Bacon brothers didn't learn to play well with others at an early age! Helping families with affordable childcare and housing as well as improved education funding is the better way. The children entering Kindergarten this year will retire in 2074. We have a provincial election coming up; do you want bigger bridges or better kids?


C. Jewett
DPAC Chair,
Sea to Sky School District


Now is not the time to cut back

In Doug Player's letter to the editor last week, he questioned why Tourism Whistler would need funding from the RMOW "when the Olympics will bring exceptional free publicity next year."


In fact, I was the one who raised the tourism funding question at the recent RMOW budget meeting that he refers to, but my question was not asking why Tourism Whistler receives this funding, but why their funding is being cut back in this critical time of need!


With the tourism industry experiencing one of the most challenging economic downturns ever; soon to be followed by a 2010 aversion year (where regular guests choose not to visit due to the hosting of the Games); Whistler needs to be more aggressive than ever!


And while the profile and publicity of Whistler should increase as a result of the 2010 Games, if we truly want to maximize the opportunity, we need to do so through proactive and strategic communications, marketing and sales efforts.


Now is not the time to cut back on our investment in tourism.


Brenda Baker
Stoney Creek Resort Properties


Shortsighted decision
I am from Whistler and at least two-three times a week I take the 7:45 a.m. commuter bus to Squamish. During my travels I have met the regulars who frequent this early morning bus. The "regulars" are usually night shift workers who take the morning bus home. They rely on the 9:10 p.m. Squamish Commuter bus to get to work. I value that these workers, just like myself, use the transit system as an economical and environmentally sound way to get to work.


The municipality has recently confirmed that the 9:10 p.m. will be cancelled as of April 20th. According to the municipality this bus is cancelled due to low ridership on the 1 p.m. bus to Squamish. However, over 20 people ride the same bus to get to Whistler at 9:10 p.m. However, the main reason is the road closures for construction, which begin late April from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.


These workers are a valuable resource to the community and should be commended for using public transit as a safe option to get to work. Many of these workers have decided to take this bus after a car accident a few years ago killed a number of night workers. If this bus is cancelled these workers will either have to take their cars, and possibly jeopardize public safety, or take the Greyhound, which is more expensive and makes their work day even longer.


The Squamish commuter conveniently picks up most night workers from their neighbourhood in Valleycliffe after 9 p.m. They will now have to leave their homes at 7:40 p.m., which adds an additional 1.5 hours to their commute, and take two buses.


I am appalled and very upset by the decision to cancel this bus. VANOC just recently released the transit plans for the Olympics. The regular bus service from Whistler to Squamish for February 2010 is supposed to encourage drivers to get out of their cars and promote Whistler to the world as a community which values public transit. I think the cancellation of this bus goes against those principles and values.


Jackie Dickinson
Whistler


Accessibility takes a hit
There has been a lot of talk going on about accessibility lately, and yes the RMOW has done some good work with the long overdue new ramps in the village.


However, if you can't move people around in the community then Whistler will never be truly accessible, in my view. It is not just people with disabilities that have mobility issues, but also seniors, kids, residents and the temporarily disabled due to ski, work and mountain biking injuries, just to name a few.


It was a great winter to have public transit in White Gold and Spruce Grove with the new accessible bus fleet, with a split route for the first time on both sides of the highway. And it was at zero cost to the taxpayers, the environment and resources, thanks to the feedback from many in the community last year and people like Emma Delsanto, B.C. Transit members and many others who made it all work.


Spring schedules are here and there is a six-hour blackout period during the day with no transit in those areas. And then again at night.


Pay Parking is coming to the day lots and there will be fewer options for residents to get around on their own. We can only hope that some of the revenue from parking will help fund our public transit system when it kicks in. Transit costs for Whistler are 53 per cent funded by the RMOW and 47 per cent by B.C. Transit. The RMOW portion is funded through taxes and revenues. B.C. Transit needs to see ridership and population numbers to fund public transit in each area.


There is a $1.7 million shortfall in funds for public transit this year, from the RMOW side of this - and that is just to keep the service as it is, even with scaled back times and routes. If that cash does not come into play soon they may cut back on other routes and that may affect you this time around.


Many people helped fast track the new accessible bus fleet for Whistler. It is a shame to have them not in use! Limited Public Transit has a direct affect on everyone's lifestyle and well-being, sadly some of us more than others.

This affects you drivers as well, with more cars on the road and less places to park.


Let us hope the RMOW can find the funding gap for public transit, and fast, for the benefit of everyone.


Hugh Tollett
Director, The Whistler for the Disabled Society


One of several Smiths
I am one of the K. Smiths of Whistler who didn't write last week's letter to the editor, "Other choices are out there," or any previous letters signed "K. Smith."


Perhaps printing the first and last name when publishing letters in our widely read community newspapers would avoid confusion. There are four K. Smiths listed in the Whistler phone book. Would Kevin, Kim or Kursten please step forward.


Dr. Karen M. Smith
Whistler Eye Clinic


The best of people
On March 25th, our Mom and Dad, who were visiting from Toronto, were skiing at Whistler Olympic Park enjoying a bluebird day, when Dad had a massive heart attack and died.


In the midst of experiencing this horrible ordeal, the best in people has been shining through. We would like to thank Sue, Sara and Scott, who were first to find Dad and tried to save him.


We would also like to thank the following groups of people: Liz, Nicola, Blair, Matt and others from WOP ski patrol for their professional and compassionate efforts; Steve, Sheila and others of the RCMP for their comforting words and follow up support; The ambulance attendants (the names of whom we have not yet found out) for all of their efforts; The incredible staff at the Whistler clinic for their support and thoughts; Jan at the coroner's office for her soothing tone and guidance; George at the Squamish Funeral Home for his respect and dignity; And all of our dear friends and the Allan family for their unwavering help.


All of your support has truly overwhelmed our family and has reminded us of the compassion of humanity and strength of our community.


The Flaser and Palmer families
Squamish and Toronto


Looking for reality
I am writing because no one has ever really brought up this issue.


I work and live in Whistler and I am looking for a place to live, because we are getting kicked out of our place for the Olympics. So I am looking for a place to rent long term.


When I call all these advertised places that say "long term" they tell me I have to be out for the Olympics or pay more money to stay at a place I already live in. Like, WTF. Are people so greedy?


And when they don't rent their place out from now till December, they wonder why and get upset.


Where are all the locals going to live? What ever happened to the spirit of Whistler? And people wonder why their two-bedroom place has six people living in it.


Has anyone ever wondered how someone making under $500 a week can pay more than half of that to live here? It is cheaper to buy a place than rent off some greedy landlord to line his pockets.


If you need me I might be living in a travel trailer in lot 3. Someone get a grip here.


Chris Marks
Whistler


A little consideration, please
As a resident of Glacier Lane, I along with my fellow residents have had to put up with a quite a few annoyances in the past year.


The bus service jumped from 50 cents to $2 while the residents and tourists of the Benchlands bus route continue to enjoy free service.


During the construction of the new ski bridge it was the two-week long detour route around the Base II gondola station, pockmarked with more potholes and troughs than a World War I battlefield. Whistler-Blackcomb telling daytime skiers to park in the spots that the staff housing residents buy parking permits for.


But all of that pales in comparison to the indifference shown during the snow clearing of the Base II parking lot during the wee morning hours of Friday, March 20th. From 1 to 5 a.m. I lay awake listening to dump truck after dump truck hauling loads of snow past my apartment building, literally four to five trucks, back and forth, every five minutes on average (that's right, I counted!). Surely the same work could be done in the early evening hours when such racket is more tolerable, especially in a town that is so sensitive to noise bylaws after 10 p.m.!


Somehow I doubt such a thing would be tolerated outside the homes of any Whistler-Blackcomb executives, not to mention anybody on the municipal council. It's not asking for too much, just a little respect and consideration for those of us who have to work for a living in this town.


James Bell
Whistler


Less than the full package
Whistler is always full of surprises. We booked a week long vacation over Christmas only to experience unfavorable conditions due to the lack of snow. You can't fault the RMOW for that I know. So we kept our eyes open and read about the fabulous conditions building in late February-early March. Out we came for another week.


Imagine our disappointment when we arrived to find out that Crystal Chair would only be open on weekends, thus depriving us once again of a good portion of Blackcomb. I know that all businesses are challenged during these crazy economic times, but when customers commit to spending good money, it would be nice to know that you're getting the full package!


Carol Deane
Thornhill, Ont.


Older, wiser, the dream lives on
As every local knows, Whistler is the place where dreams are born. Inspired by the awesome nature around us, each of us has gone against the status quo and sacrificed many creature comforts in order to find our place here. Some have successfully built their castle in the sky and are living the dream. Others are only starting out, finding their way through the maze of tourism, small town hierarchy and economic challenges that make up the underbelly of our valley.


As quickly as dreams are inspired, so they are broken. Those who don't have the heart to face adversity or the determination to stay true to their personal vision, will walk away and Whistler becomes a memory of what could have been. Those of us who are too stubborn (or, some would say, too stupid!) to take no for an answer, dig their heels in even deeper and refuse to give up.


In 2007, a group of friends came together to start a general contracting company now known as Pura Management. The idea was to work collectively to benefit directly from the increase in construction activity promised by the 2010 Olympics and eventually branch off into different smaller businesses supporting the creative people around us. But mistakes were made, great friendships were lost, and Pura's reputation has suffered as a result.


Additionally, a handful of people in this town feel we owe them money from a job with a bankrupt contractor (and we ask these people to contact us to begin positive communication moving forward into the future).


But despite the adversity Pura faced in its start up phase, we are too stubborn to let our dream die. We believe in local businesses and people benefiting from the economic growth in our valley. We are against the outsourcing of any products or services which the talented and entrepreneurial people who make up the backbone of this community have to offer.  We believe in a sustainable community based on green principles and a global vision.


Pura Management is older, wiser, and back in business. Please contact us to find out more.


Christopher Reading, Founder, Director, Pura Management
Nicole Erika Trigg, Co-Founder, PR/Business Manager, Pura Management


Read the ingredients
Re: Andrea Whitfill's "Brand Awareness" article (Pique, March 26).


While Andrea makes an excellent point - she is a great journalist - her argument carries one major flaw. Andrea mentioned nothing about reading through ingredient lists. Indeed, this is the first step towards environmentally responsible behaviour.


The term "natural" is not regulated by any governing body; literally, the term "natural" is defined as "any carbon-based substance." "Organic," on the other hand, is regulated.


The result is that consumers may be misled by a "natural" label on products.


Instead of directing anger towards corporations (who are in business to make a profit, after all!), I suggest that consumers take some responsibility for their own purchases and read through the ingredient lists. Knowledge is power!


Keely Coxon
Everett, Wa.