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Letters to the Editor for the week of Dec 29th, 2011

New Year's Resolution
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At the very outset of the Olympic Bid process in 1998, the Province of B.C. floated the concept of an enduring legacy, as a means to win public support for the building of tax funded infrastructure. Fourteen years later, we as a community, are still no closer to understanding the implications of that decision.

What is quite clear is that the Whistler Sport Legacies Society continues to conduct its affairs with seemingly little consultation or regard for the community that bears its name and grants it substantial relief from the financial burden of property tax.

Why is it that the WSL reports only to its own Board of Directors? If it is actually owned by the bodies with representation on the Board, then why do the assets and liabilities of the Society not appear on the RMOW financial statements? The RMOW appears to continue to issue payroll benefits to the Chief Executive Officer of the WSL without any formal reporting structure being evident.

Are there other unidentified financial benefits being contributed by the RMOW on an ongoing basis? What does the WSL intend to do with $1.2 million emergency "capital fund" it acquired from the province last summer?

Clearly, the WSL has enjoyed a very favorable ride on the backs of all municipal, provincial and federal taxpayers over the past decade. If we truly care about the future of the legacy and wish for it to be a success, then it's time we understood the relationship better and attend to its inherent flaws.

As a New Year's resolution, I would suggest that we add to our list, a request for more transparency and accountability from the Whistler Sport Legacies Society.

Brad Sills

Whistler

SAR Lawsuit will cost more lives

It angered me in 2009 and it still does... The lawsuit against the Search and Rescue Society in Golden (GDSAR) has apparently been settled, and it seems we may not be allowed to learn what the settlement was.

(In 2009 Gilles Blackburn and his wife Marie Fortin went out of bounds near Kicking Horse Resort. Fortin died after seven days lost in the backcountry. Blackburn was rescued on the ninth day.)

The reason it angers me is that there doesn't seem to be any positive outcome to such a lawsuit — regardless of what some might argue.

The only outcome is negative. Let's face it; any lawsuit of this kind really just ends up compensating one individual at the expense of the rest of society.

Search and Rescue organizations exist solely to help people in need. Now they need to spend more money on insurance to cover themselves against such lawsuits. And that money has to come from somewhere. If it can't be found, then services will get cut.

I'm sure some SAR operations in B.C. will need to cut services, or cease operating altogether. Those amazing people who volunteer to save people's lives may reconsider doing it if they face consequences for the one time out of a 1,000 when they might make a mistake. And ultimately, the next time someone chooses to put themselves in danger and get in trouble, there may be no one available to help them.

And let's be honest, insurance doesn't solve any problems — it doesn't save a person's life, it doesn't improve operating procedures. All insurance does is provide money to the next person that wants to sue. In fact it encourages suing.

Why should such organizations have insurance at all? In fact I would suggest that actually cutting insurance costs and applying those funds to their operations is in fact a better solution for all involved. It will mean fewer lawsuits and more lives saved!

My sentiments do go out to Mr. Blackburn for the loss of his wife, it must have been tragic.

But, I believe we all need to think about whether the SAR society is to blame. Mr. Blackburn and his wife knew what they were doing; they knew the dangers involved in going out into the backcountry. To blame the very organizations who's sole reason for existing is to HELP people (they're not making money out of this) is, in my opinion, very selfish, and only helps perpetuate the sad state of our society, where it's easier to blame someone else, than to take responsibility for our own actions.

How about we stop "expecting" search and rescue to be there and suing them if they make a mistake, and start being "thankful" that they exist at all to help us when we need them.

Rich Cochrane

Whistler

Support early learning

I would like to sincerely thank the girls at the Whistler Children's Centre in the Dandelions program for all their work this year. My daughter absolutely loves going to Dandy's and literally beams when we walk through those gates.

I feel like she learns so much every time she goes there. The teachers have limitless energy and care for all the little munchkins. They know every intricate detail about the kids they have at the centre. Not only does having this service make it easier in going back to work but also gives mom and dad time to ski if we are not working that day.

Unfortunately, childcare is not accessible to all families. Due to the lack of funding from the provincial government, B.C. has the highest cost of childcare in Canada.

How can it be that in Quebec it's only $10 a day to send your child to daycare and in Whistler it's $70?

My dream is that individuals, communities and governments place value in education by supporting initiatives associated with early learning. Go to: http://www.ecebc.ca/news/integrated_project.html to endorse the plan for an integrated system of Early Care and Learning in B.C. If this plan goes ahead it could potentially reduce the fees for childcare in B.C, improve wages and conditions for early childcare workers and a bring recognition that early care is important for the developmental years of our children.

Caroline Morris

Whistler

happy parking solutions

On Sunday mornings before there was pay parking, mom and I would park in the shade of the trees in Lot 5 a few minutes walk from the path we took to the market. After Lots 1-3 became pay parking we were lucky to find a spot anywhere in Lot 4 or 5 because the mountain bikers got there first.

That will probably happen again and the people who exchanged "free parking" for a vote may be doubly annoyed, first because they were not able to find a spot, and then, because they'll have to pay off the parking debt with taxes. So I agree with the experts who say no one will be happy with this "compromise".

In the interest of making most people as happy as possible under the circumstances, I offer a three-part plan, free of charge.

1. Reinstate ticket pay parking in all lots. Graduate the rates for the respective Lots, $8, $7, $6, $5, $4, for example. Charge $4, $3, $2, $1, and $0 after 5 p.m.

2. Sell seasonal or year round corporate parking in Lot 1, and in Lot 2 if necessary.

3. Set up parking refund programs.

I think the North Shore Credit Union already refunds the cost of parking to customers who ask. When I bought my Aussi hat at the Hat Gallery the owner gave me a local's discount I didn't ask for.

Perhaps she and other businesses would instead consider discounting purchases by the price of parking? She would have saved a couple dollars on my purchase.

The muni could refund all parking costs to locals once a year. That would give us the option of paying a few dollars now, or much more later in taxes. I know I wouldn't take the refund. Besides, people my age would probably lose our receipts or more likely, and frightening, forget where we put the envelope we kept them in.

When the time came to get the refund even more people would decide they didn't need the money as much as they thought they did when they paid for parking. If the muni gave the refunds between Christmas and New Years, people might be too busy to bother getting their refunds, or feeling more generous at that time of year, may not take the refund.

However, any local who needed the money or just wanted "free parking" could get the refund.

Whatever, I suspect the refunds claimed would be only a few per cent of the income lost by having "free parking." Maybe everyone would be happy.

Doug Barr

Whistler

Rejoice at Christmas Eve carol service

Every December 24th, members of the Whistler community, and visitors, come together to celebrate at the annual Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols.

Everyone is welcomed and, for an hour, the outside world is left behind. This year the tradition continued and it is important that we acknowledge the many volunteers who have helped to make our 28th annual Carol Service such a special event.

Our readers are local residents who, with their families, contribute to our community in many ways throughout the years — Cain Susko, Rebecca Blaser, Karen Smith, Dave Williamson, Rowena Vincent-Nordin, Janet Hamer, Charalyn Kriz, and Rosemary and David Malaher. Along with our host, Chris Quinlan, their readings and prayers reminded us of the importance of peace and good will toward all.

What would a carol service be without music? Thank-you to the Whistler Children's Chorus, the Whistler Singers, our wonderful pianist Rachael Lythe and our amazing guest percussionist Lauri Lyster. Without sound, we wouldn't hear the choirs and we are so very lucky to have Whistler's own Andrew Griffiths as our "sound guy."

We would also like to thank the Westin Resort and Spa — especially Rowena McHugh — for providing us with our venue and all the local businesses, which willingly displayed posters.

Thank-you to our local papers for our colourful ads.

Finally, thank-you to everyone who joined us at 6:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve to celebrate in the spirit of Christmas. You out did yourselves singing the carols — they sounded great!

See you next year — same time, same place — for the 29th annual Carol Service.

Alison Hunter and Janet Hamer

Whistler

more thoughts on parking

I read (the) article in ... Pique regarding pay parking with a slight smile on my face. (Pique Dec. 15).

I'm curious to know why after solid evidence of increased income that the council has made parking in Lots 4 and 5 free for everyone! I'm one of the local residents who lives and works in Whistler and free parking is certainly going to give my family and I a break, and encourage us to stay and spend more money when in the village instead of having a two-hour window of free parking in Marketplace.

However, free parking for everyone? Why doesn't the council offer free parking to the people who have invested time and money into the village and mountain — namely the locals and season pass holders?

The council could generate a tag that could be placed on the inside of the car's window, which qualifying persons could purchase for a nominal fee of say $20, or so, which would cover the cost of generating and managing the scheme.

They could very easily still generate some money from that scheme as well as the tourists — but keep it reasonably priced — the closer you are to the mountain the more expensive the parking, with Lots 4 and 5 cheaper?

Obviously I'm not aware of the logistics of this, however, if the council can generate some money then why not — just don't penalize the people who live and work here, the very people that help ensure that the tourists have a great vacation and keep coming back year on year. Just a thought.

Gillian Rowan

Whistler

Re-branding starts at home

You should ask (Ron) Casey (mayor of) Canmore whether he would use an American company to brand Canmore instead of one of the good firms in Calgary? (Pique Dec.22).

Apparently The City of Calgary hired a California-based company in 2008 to come up with a more modern brand and campaign strategy for Calgary Tourism. After more than two years and $200,000, the only outcome has been a decidedly anticlimactic positioning statement: "Canada's Most Dynamic City."

As an Alberta marketing expert for The Marketing Edge, I was interviewed by the Toronto Star regarding the Alberta government's initiative to rebrand Alberta....who will they use?

I feel branding should reflect the feeling of the people who live in a region, how can foreigners do that? I have lived in Banff, Edmonton and Alberta, maybe they should pick me! I won't charge $200,000 and I can come up with something better than I have heard from anyone from the USA!

Karen Hope

Calgary, Alberta

Pemberton Meadows Centre alternative needed

I am writing about a matter that deeply concerns me, (the closing of the Pemberton Meadows Community Centre). I am twenty-one years old and moved to the Pemberton Community when I was eleven years old.

Upon graduation from Pemberton Secondary School, I was able to attain two athletic scholarships to different universities in British Columbia. The scholarships were earned because of my level of play in both basketball and soccer.

The Pemberton Meadows Centre's programs have been a huge link to my success as both a high school and university athlete. I am positive the scholarships I earned would not have been awarded to me if I did not have the Pemberton Meadows Community Centre, and the facilities it offers, available to me throughout my high school years in Pemberton.

I am currently working towards a degree in Human Kinetics. During this education I have learned that recreation and a healthy, active lifestyle is key to personal success. Throughout Canada, and the western world in general, obesity ranging from infants to seniors is rising. I feel Pemberton has a wonderful opportunity to buck this trend, and having a facility such as the Meadows will most certainly help that.

I have continued to be part of recreation and athletics in Pemberton through various coaching, refereeing and voluntary positions. I can only view the closing of the Pemberton Meadows facility as detrimental to the community in a huge way at both youth and adult levels.

I am just a young man, but the fact that a gymnasium was not built to support the main sports being consistently played in Pemberton in the newly built Community Centre, is something that simply boggles my mind.

To conclude, as a resident of the SLRD I would like to put forth the idea to exercise as many options as possible to keep the Meadows facility open, at all costs, until a suitable alternative is provided to the community.

I also submit to you that utilization of the Pemberton school gymnasiums and the Mt. Currie facility is not suitable due to current usage, school priority and cost.

Thanking you in anticipation for your action on this matter,

Vincent Selina

Pemberton