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Letters to the editor for the week of February 13th

They'll pave paradise to put up...
opinion_letters1

They'll pave paradise to put up... a parking lot?

Philip Langridge, a resident of Taluswood, along with well over a thousand others signed a petition to voice opposition to the proposal by Whistler Blackcomb to pave a substantial area of the Dave Murray Downhill, Timing Flats, to construct, of all things, a parking lot!

Many more will follow. (Langridge) recently took his cause to Whistler municipal council to seek support for his opposition and failed to get it. Without getting into the merits and rationale of Langridge's entreaties to municipal council, or whoever else will listen to him, I am a strong advocate of opposing this proposal by Whistler Blackcomb.

It appears to be subject only to the blessing of the province under the Whistler Development Agreement between them. The area is located on Crown land, and Whistler Blackcomb has to meet its obligations for trail design and development, passenger lift development and environmental concerns. I don't think Whistler Council has a legal say in the matter, but they certainly have a voice and they should use it.

This paper reported on the council session, and Philip Langridge (and his son, Andrew) subsequently wrote thoughtful letters to explain why he felt he deserved their support. I and a number of my friends recently signed a petition opposing the proposal because the construction of an ugly parking lot (are there any other kinds?) on an existing, iconic ski run cannot possibly be in the best interest of Whistler residents; particularly those residing in the Nordic community, which will be most impacted.

However, my opposition is not vested in (poor) research, hysterical concerns of skiers and riders colliding on a more restricted Dave Murray ski run — it's just that it is such a bad, bad decision for all stakeholders — the community, the province and Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc.

When Doug Forseth, senior vice president operations at Whistler Blackcomb, became aware of my opposition he gave me a courtesy call to provide some facts and balance to the debate and media coverage.

I got to know and respect Doug, Dave Brownlie (WB's president and CEO) and others on the management team through my two years with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Games (VANOC) as its CFO when Olympic venue agreements were being negotiated.

The spirit and intent of all those agreements was to leave a post-games legacy in which disturbed areas, like the timing flats, would be at least restored to their previous condition — if not enhanced.

Local residents and citizens of Whistler expected and deserved that kind of assurance from VANOC, and both parties had promised to live up to it.

Doug made a sensible case for their parking lot proposal — as in the best interests of a publicly traded commercial enterprise — and it was clear that much thought and planning had gone into it. I would have expected nothing less from Doug.

Whistler Blackcomb has an outstanding management team and a strong board, not least (former VANOC CEO) John Furlong among them. Doug pointed out the impracticalities of re-grading the terrain when there is valuable infrastructure — fibre optic cabling, etc., that would be needed to attract world-class downhill events in future.

I agreed — but that is all unrelated to constructing a parking lot. There's a lot that can and should be done to that area to restore and improve its appearance — trees, blueberry bushes, natural grasses, etc., — but not asphalt.

The point is, that aside from the obvious negatives from a community and aesthetic perspective, paving a ski run, increasing traffic flow through our Nordic community, pedestrian safety issues on Nordic Drive, the need for yet another traffic light at the Nordic Drive 99 exit, etc., — it is simply a bad business decision. Bad for Whistler Blackcomb, a disaster for those in the immediate affected community, and a blight on Whistler generally.

Whistler Blackcomb says, "Its strategic focus includes a disciplined capital allocation process that contemplates investing capital strategically to improve guest experience and drive growth..."

And, it has some excellent examples of that — notably an $18 million investment in the replacement of the Harmony high-speed quad chairlift with a new high-speed, detachable, six-pack quad chairlift going into Crystal Ridge. However, the continued success of Whistler Blackcomb depends in large measure on preserving and enhancing its brand — arguably its most important asset — in both domestic and international markets.

Would the Swiss, or Austrians ever allow a parking lot to be constructed on an iconic downhill run like the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuhel? The Swiss won't even permit a winery operation to mar the landscape of its valley's of vineyards — they are all underground and out of sight.

The meagre return Whistler Blackcomb could ever expect from this minor parking lot investment is far outweighed by the risk it assumes to its reputation and brand arising from the 5,000 or more I would expect will eventually sign up to oppose it — and others.

If international opinion weighs in as I expect it will — there could be 10,000 or more. It is such a bad decision. The risk far outweighs the return.

Whistler has been an operation since 1966, but is a relative newcomer to the public capital markets where 75 per cent of its ownership now resides. Whistler Blackcomb Holding Inc. files its Annual Information Form without an Annual Report to Shareholders. It does not yet have a policy or process for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that public companies in mature capital markets are either required or motivated to have. It should adopt one.

CSR is a duty of every public company to protect the interest of the society at large. Surveys of senior executives (myself included) indicate that CSR creates business value in a number of ways — by building reputation, enhancing employee morale, and strengthening competitive positions.

Even though the main motive of business is to earn profits for its shareholders, the duty of management and directors is "to the Company" — all stakeholders — not just to its shareholders. In Whistler Blackcomb's case, the welfare of the local community is a big part of that — they are significant stakeholders. Here's an opportunity to discharge that duty and make a sound business decision at the same time.

Whistler Blackcomb has a terrific vision: " to be the number one mountain resort in the world... to play, to work and to invest..."

It will have proposals in the future that will involve more capital, may be controversial and will require the support and goodwill of the citizens of Whistler to get them through.

Paving the timing flats is to squander both its goodwill and capital, not least its well-earned social capital. Why pave paradise to put up a parking lot?

Rex J. McLennan

Whistler

Is increased traffic the concern?

Messrs Phillip and Andrew Langridge, further to your letters of February 6th, me thinks thou dost protest too much, particularly after viewing your presentation to council, which was somewhat over dramatic.

Every time I go up the Creekside Gondola I see that this unused parking lot has been gated, and looks just like your iconic Dave Murray downhill run; covered in snow like it is every winter.

Have you given consideration to the possibility that the citizens of Whistler might like the idea of an overflow parking lot?

It might only be used a few times per season, on one of those epic, blue-sky Saturday mornings following a 30cm overnight snowfall when every possible parking spot in Creekside is occupied.

Is it possible that you and the other residents of the Ridge at Taluswood are really only concerned about the possibility that, heaven forbid, there might be more traffic on Nordic Drive?

Gary McDonnell

Whistler

Other lasting 2010 Olympic legacies

• Pinecrest wetlands destroyed, Red legged frogs wiped out.

• Literally tons of garbage left behind in some of the most sensitive of ecosystems, even today.

• Over 2,000 dump trucks of contaminated mine tailing dumped into Howe Sound.

• Millions of dollars wasted on the hydrogen highway idea.

• Wildlife tunnels installed in the wrong places.

• No wildlife fencing anywhere on the highway, making tunnels ineffective.

• Centre-divided highways: Elsewhere highways are designed to allow animals to cross while protecting cars from head-on collisions with animals. (On the Sea to Sky highway) we get the concrete ribbon of death for wildlife.

• It is now a faster highway to drive, but not a safer highway.

• The southbound exit from Squamish is now one of the most dangerous for drivers.

John Buchanan

Squamish

Sweeping conclusions

Your "Opening remarks" in the Feb. 6 edition (of Pique) make some sweeping conclusions about Russia that are at best misinformed, and at worst deeply Russophobic.

You mention Russia TV actor Okhlobystin and the Holocaust in the same sentence. I am sure you are writing that because you assume that he speaks for all of Russia and western actors never ever say dingbat things that are offensive.

You mention that the money spent on Sochi could have been put to work on humanitarian things, like Canada spending money on humanitarian things instead of sending troops to Afghanistan.

Oh, and I am sure you are aware of the corruption allegations against "opposition leader" Nemtsov when he was a government minister in the 1990s, not to mention the destruction of Russia's economy under his watch.

I recently moved to Vancouver after 15 years of living in Moscow. I love it here, and I loved it there. I will be the first to point out that Russia has many serious problems and the current leadership has much to be desired.

But before you go bloviating about Russia, stick to what is relevant. If you cannot figure that out, then keep the tone of your comments down. 

Tim McCutcheon

Vancouver

'Mountain Highway' designation needed

There have been a lot of rumblings lately about the speed limits on our highway.

I too wish I didn't have to be on the lookout for police radar, although I'm quite good at it.

Have you not noticed how those so-called "80 per cent of drivers" are driving expensive cars that claim to do the driving for you — like parallel parking and all wheel drive holding power on the corners?

What happens when these folks hit snow or black ice? Those same people with the all season tires, and poor driving skills slide off the road and close the highway for us prepared drivers, or worse, they cross the centre line and cause a head-on collision.

I suggest those people who want to see legislative changes to our highway should put their energy into petitioning the government to designate our highway as a "Mountain Highway" which will require snow tires for everyone including rental cars.

Now that would make the highway truly safer.

Steve St. Arnaud

Pemberton

'Wild attitude' plays role in crashes

The notion that the longer drive, in time not in distance, is what causes crashes on the road is a flawed conclusion. It is the frustrated, over-excited speeders who are annoyed having to pass a normal considerate driver, or follow behind one who will not exceed the posted speed of 80, who are causing the crashes.

This apparent belief that anyone should get to destination before getting started is the kind of mental aberration that many drivers have. Their actions include following too close, cutting sharply in front of others, passing with inadequate vision and believing that everyone but them should drive in the curb lane.

They will honk and flash their lights, and follow way too close if they come up behind you, although you may be driving five kilometres per hour over the speed limit, and finally in a rage will roar around you and pull in very close in front and slow down.

It is clearly an attitude, and not reason, that motivates this craziness to drive on the Squamish highway at 110kmph and more, on roads that for the most part do not safely allow it.

Increased speed is done with increased tension, a requirement demanded by this kind of reckless action for it is without purpose. The gain in time is miniscule, as anyone with basic arithmetic would know.

This desire to drive faster than the posted speed is like a defiance for even through Lions Bay, where the posted speed is 60, it does manage to hold most drivers down to 80.

All crashes nowadays are measured and investigated extensively, always showing that someone was in the wrong place, or with wild attitude, or not paying attention and often with speed.

Terry Smith

Squamish

A voice for change

Hello Pique and Pique readers! I am Christepher Wee, Mr. Gay Canada 2014.

I am proud and honoured to represent all Canadians as your Mr. Gay Canada 2014! Thank-you to my new family of brothers! This journey and title belongs to all of us! I am so proud of each of you. I know that together we are going to make a difference!

Thank you for everyone who voted for me for the People's Choice Award, for your support and encouragement and all the efforts you put in to encourage your family, friends and colleagues to support me! I hold this award in your honour because this award belongs to each of you!

To Heather, who is my costumer extraordinaire, thank you so much! I share Best National Costume with you!

To my MGC family who honoured me with Mr. Congeniality, we really share this together because we are brothers!

To the panel of judges, thank you for bestowing me with the honour to represent all Canadians and giving me a visible voice to make difference!

To the Mr. Gay Canada organization and sponsors, thank you so much for making all this possible and bringing awareness to our community! With your efforts, a positive and empowering difference is made!

To my family and friends thank you for all your love and support!

As I move forward in working with the youth of our great nation and visit the warm cities of each province and territory, I hope to inspire and unite Canadians to build a better tomorrow together. We as Canadians have always been in the forefront of human rights movements and progressive implementations of programs. I know that together we can continue to lead and influence the world and leave a legacy all Canadians and citizens of the world can be proud of.

I am blessed and grateful to be your Mr. Gay Canada 2014! With your help and support, together our voices will be heard and difference will be made!

Christepher Wee

Taxation no longer affordable

I recently took the opportunity to review the Pemberton 2014 Preliminary Budget that was released in November 2013.

I then took the opportunity to educate myself and make some comparisons between our 2013 property taxes in the Village of Pemberton compared with the Resort Municipality of Whistler.  

Specifically I took our home assessed at $704,000 and compared with a Whistler property with similar value. Here is what I learned:

Pemberton $700K Whistler $700K

Property Tax 4,879.34 3,854.02

Sewer & H20 1,195.72 279.00

Dyking 506.88 n/a

Garbage 315.00 296.00

Total 6,896.94 4,429.02

The Pemberton sewer and water charge includes a suite, and garbage is paid to Carney's Waste systems — an alternative to taking garbage to the Industrial park and paying a per-bag fee during sporadic hours when the service is available.

It is interesting to note, that a home assessed at $1,100,000 in Whistler pays $793.47 less than we do in Pemberton, even with a $400,000 higher assessment.

I recognize that our -$700,000 assessment gets us "more" in Pemberton than in Whistler (think new home with yard vs. 30-year-old A-frame in Alpine Meadows). A $1,100,000 assessment is more typical of a home in Tapley's Farm. There is also a 25-minute drive between the options, with added costs in insurance, fuel, repairs and maintenance, etc.  

I don't profess to have all the answers, but would like to strongly encourage that boundary expansion should be the first priority of staff, mayor and council.

I do not want to pay more tax for a barn, a bridge or a field house at this point. I've heard it suggested that the boundaries of Pemberton could/should include the Fire Response areas and support that idea.

Presumably the Area C residents that rely on Village of Pemberton emergency response teams also use the facilities and services that are funded by our village taxes.  

I recognize boundary expansion may not be popular among all residents, but if you take a step back and look objectively at the situation, it is clearly the best solution for the community as a whole. Boundary expansion would result in a broader tax base with which to absorb the costs of offering services.

Additionally, I would encourage the village to review its spending relative to the population being served. We are being taxed out of the affordable housing option. Young families, which are the bulk of constituents, are being squeezed on every front.

Please take a step back and look to a bigger, more viable future.

Joanne Molinaro

Pemberton