The market sets rates
As a
"scum" landlord, I would like to respond to the article "Council
takes on ‘scum’ landlords" (Pique Nov. 9).
There can be
no such thing as "gouging" in a market economy. If there is high
demand for a place to stay, and someone is willing to pay what you might think
is a high rate, a landlord can charge whatever someone will pay. If the rent
prices become too high in one area, and the high rent areas cannot supply staff
to work in the businesses, or regular people to buy their goods, then the
businesses slow down and rents come down. A landlord takes all the risk in
developing and owning property and should be able to charge the "market
rate". Only the market can determine what a fair rate is.
I would like
to know if the council will be calling for increased rents and organizing warm
fuzzy group hugs and support dinners for the landlords when there comes a time
there is a crash in demand and they cannot rent their properties anymore. I
encourage small residential landlords to speak their mind at bclandlord.com
Christian
Saxvik
North
Vancouver
Grip it, kick it, solve it
I wish I could say that I was stunned by the lack of focus or
discipline in the discussion at council surrounding “scumbag landlords”, but
having sat at that table for many years I cannot. I must point out, however,
that council will get virtually no support from landlords in solving the
problem of excessive rents unless council takes an even handed approach. If
council intends to address the issue of excessive rents, they had best at the
same time address the issue of the grossly excessive damage caused to rental
properties each year by seasonal “wrecking crew tenants” who are merely passing
through and have little commitment to either the community or the property in which
they live. Like scumbag landlords, wrecking crew tenants are a very small
minority, but dollar wise they are a significant problem. If nothing else,
wrecking crew tenants drive up rents for the crop of tenants that follows.
To complete the picture, council should also address the
ongoing, rampant disturbances inflicted on long term, decent families in many
of our residential neighbourhoods who are unlucky enough to find themselves
stuck beside a party house for the season.
These are not new problems. City hall has the tools readily
available to address the issue of party houses but to date has proven to be
remarkably ineffective in doing so. I cannot imagine that our current gang of
legislators will prove any more effective than previous posses in dealing with
these nasty and complex issues.
Please Ralph, prove me wrong. Don’t just talk about it —
do something! And don’t just stop at a round table, a committee or a focus
group — my eyes glaze over at the very thought of yet another gab fest
circling around a very real problem. Get a grip on the problem, kick it in the
butt, and solve it.
In closing, wrong legal advice usually causes more damage than
no advice. Most room-by-room or bed-by-bed rentals are, strictly speaking, not
residential tenancies. Thus they are not governed by the Residential Tenancy
Act and renters (or landlords) in those situations have no recourse to a
residential tenancy arbitration. In my view that is a good thing. If a renter
or a landlord is not covered by the Residential Tenancy Act, and if they get
ripped off, they can proceed straight to Small Claims Court. The small claims
process is a simpler, more effective and more satisfactory process than a
residential tenancy arbitration will ever be.
Nick Davies
Whistler
Kudos to Raeside
The hallmark of a seasoned political cartoonist is the ability
to deliver a regular dose of sanity (usually by taking the piss) in addition to
giving credit where credit is due. To this end, Adrian Raeside deserves kudos
for his cartoon this past Remembrance Day, which, hopefully, the good folks at
Pique Newsmagazine will publish in the Nov 16th issue.
Sometimes I wonder why we bother with Remembrance Day, as
current military actions worldwide raise into question whether we’ve learned
anything at all from the horrors of war. Raeside’s cartoon spoke to those
concerns with a touch of class and sensitivity rarely seen amongst political
cartoonists. Here’s hoping that world leaders will learn the lessons of wars
past, so that all the painful sacrifices were not in vain.
Mark Grist
North Vancouver
Whistler Remembers
Once again the community of Whistler turned out in large numbers to offer and display their tremendous support for the sacrifice of Canada's fallen and remaining Veterans.
My great appreciation to all of those who assisted in making the day such a special community event.
As across much of Canada — under a cold and threatening November sky, hundreds came to the Whistler Cenotaph and stood as one to share our common loss and express our common respect.
All of the members of the Colour Party, Veterans and invited guests were moved by the turnout as well as by the outpouring of affection and remembrance.
Thanks to all that attended and to all that took time in their day to pause, reflect and remember.
"...we will remember them"
Brian Buchholz
Remembrance Day Committee
A child remembers
My six-year-old son wrote a poem for Remembrance Day. He came home from school on Thursday and asked for a pen and a piece of paper. I didn't think much of this as he likes to draw, etc. But I noticed after I gave the pen and paper to him he was at the table with it and was quite serious... seemed to be writing a lot and would stop and scratch his head every so often, cross something out and start writing again.
I asked him what he was doing and he replied that he was, "just working on something…"
I asked him if he needed help and he said, "no."
A little while later he asked me if he could read me a poem
that he wrote for Remembrance Day.
Patricia Westerholm
Whistler
Remember
All the soldiers
Who have died in Flanders Field
Stand Alone
Dead
With poppies above their hearts
So now we bow are heads
And think about
The soldiers
Who have died in the war
– Connor Westerholm
Through the roof success
On behalf of the board of directors and the youth in our
programs, I wish to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to all those
individuals, local businesses, and of course volunteers who helped ensure
that the recent Zero Ceiling Charity Rummage Sale, held on Saturday, Nov.
4
th
, was a resounding success. We exceeded our expectations
this year with an astounding $7,500 raised during the one-day event! All
funds raised will go towards operating our upcoming
Snowboard Instructor Program and Winter Day Visit Program.
This event could not happen without the very generous donations
offered by the community. An amazing level of support came from local
businesses such as the Westin, Resort Quest, Shoestring Lodge, Sundial, Pan
Pacific, Delta Village Suites, Wildflower Lodging, Coast Hotel, Marriot, Après
Accommodations, and Tourism Whistler. Also, an annual supporter of this event
is vital to its success and deserves a huge thank you, the Re-Use-It Centre and
Whistler Community Services Society. What’s more, enormous draws to the event
were the great items donated by Helly Hansen and the excellent tickets kindly
donated by the Vancouver Canucks!
Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank all of the
great communities in the Sea to Sky corridor who showed up to support our event
and all of the individuals who are helping to make the Whistler dream a reality
to many disadvantaged youth.
I am truly proud to be a part of such a caring and encouraging
community. Thank you — we look forward to doing it again
next year!
Marc Zurbuchen
Program Manager, Zero Ceiling
A challenge for all
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Petro-Canada National Sport Leadership Conference in Vancouver. This was not just an opportunity to learn about Coaching in Canada and about our provincial and national sport organizations. It was an opportunity to see the passion, excitement and commitment from Canadians and sponsors across our country as we move towards the Olympics.
I would like to thank Tami Mitchell and Pacific Sport B.C. for providing me with the opportunity to attend this amazing conference. Many keynote speakers took part in the conference but I was most inspired and motivated by what one speaker said. At then end of John Furlong’s speech he left us all with a question: “What part are you going to play in our Olympics?” I challenge you to ask yourself the same question and get involved.
Christine Suter
Whistler
