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Clarification on German needs

Mr. Barnett’s editorial of July 10th regarding the fact that the German National Olympic Committee needs to secure 100 rooms otherwise they will be moving the German House to Vancouver was bang on but I’d like to make one important clarification.

Mr. Barnett’s editorial of July 10th regarding the fact that the German National Olympic Committee needs to secure 100 rooms otherwise they will be moving the German House to Vancouver was bang on but I’d like to make one important clarification. They need 100 rooms at full service, “proper” hotels.

The editorial mentions that they need 4 star properties, but unfortunately the very nice one-bedroom suites in Whistler’s condo style hotels do not qualify, as they need to have amenities such as room service and daily housekeeping for their guests.

The Germans gave me a mandate to help find 100 studio or one bedroom suites in Whistler and I had a full slate of site visits planned at various condo style properties around the resort on Saturday, June 28th. They called on Friday and they proceeded to cancel all the site tours as they simply were not interested in condos and clearly confirmed that they were only interested in the full service hotels. They did an extensive tour of Whistler’s top hotels on Saturday morning, but blew off the site visits of the condo style hotels in order to free up more time to head back to Vancouver to scope out potential venues in the city.

VANOC has blocked the rooms at most of the full service hotels in town. They have indicated that they’d love to help the Germans get 100 rooms at the hotels they have, which is terrific and Whistler should thank them for that, but the issue they have is they still have not met their complete needs as they can’t get enough of the stratified condos to participate in their program. This means they don’t have the ability to simply give 100 hotel rooms to the Germans. It’s not as though all the condos are booked. In fact, it’s quite the opposite as most of the condos are not booked. The problem is the owners have not made them available as they seem to be holding out for the “pay off the mortgage” deal, which simply isn’t going to happen.

I think Whistler’s situation is best summed up by quoting from a significant 2010 client who was explaining their decision making process. She said: “The advantages of basing our program in Vancouver are that we can get all our rooms at a full service hotel under one roof, it is 1/3 the cost given we’re looking at low season rates in Vancouver, we bring our clients in for waves of four-night stays so it’s much easier logistically and all the events we want to watch are in Vancouver. It’s a no-brainer for us to choose Vancouver.”

I am confident that Whistler will have a fantastic 2010 experience, but we need the help of the condo owners who need to make their units available to book.

Ben Thomas

Whistler

Too green for our own good?

Well we have succeeded in killing the go-kart track and mauling the Canada Day Parade in the name of our often-touted green corridor but we should remind ourselves that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

The Salt Lake City sliding track constructed for the 2002 Olympics uses 1,900 horsepower to cool it and to build it 55 miles of refrigerated piping, 900 tons of ammonia, 4,000 cubic yards of concrete and 200 miles of reinforced steel. And with our track costing four times as much I would expect our environmental impact could not be less.

Adding in Kadenwood's exclusive lift and the new Peak to Peak gondola we will have 2,500 additional horsepower in the valley. Electrical generated and eco-friendly you say? Goggle B.C. Hydro's Dirty Little Secret and find that our marginal demand for electricity comes primarily from dirty coal-fired plants in Alberta, our country's worst polluter, and run-of-river projects that damn our smaller streams.

So before we shut down or contain events for local kids let's clean up our own act. Just getting rid of two-cycle municipal weed wackers, currently used to cut our boulevards and at our golf clubs, would allow sufficient carbon credits to run a decent parade many times over and room for a four-cycle go-kart track.

Lennox McNeely

Whistler

Green effort great

I would like to respond to the criticism of the Canada Day parade in Whistler. I commend the organizers particularly for taking a “green approach” this year. It was a great effort and should be recognized as such. If some spectators were disappointed they are entitled to their opinion. However, it should not detract from the enormous effort of those behind the scene. The Chamber of Commerce operates as non-profits everywhere do, on a limited budget with limited resources. Instead of pointing a finger, perhaps the writer might consider lifting a finger.

Aldyne Rubin

Victoria

More ways to the truths

Re: G.D. Maxwell’s Too Negative? You Decide (Pique July 10, 2008)

I remember a now dearly departed mentor of mine Archbishop Ted Scott, who when asked to put his hand on the bible and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, said to the courtroom clerk, “I don’t think any one person is in possession of the whole truth”.

Precisely because he was so right in my view we need all points of view to get to the widest and wisest picture of the truth as can be known.

So yes we need more of the facts as Councillor Wake and those at the RMOW understand them. We need more opinions as Max and other media editorialists and columnists colourfully express them. We need smart people to help us understand more of how differing values and self interest shape public opinion.

But what we need most in our often fragmented communities is a more rigorous and active public square. We need to create more space where we and our leaders together can move from knee-jerk public opinion to informed public judgement.

And there are many positive signs that this is occurring in pockets here and around the world. Whistler 2020 is a prime example. Through our work in the Forum we see dozens of effective open spaces and wiki-worlds springing up. Just yesterday I watched the Newsweek’s noted columnist Fareed Zakaria’s new show on CNN called GPS – The Global Public Square , where he committed to moving beyond got-ya journalism and admirably did so.

It is not that Max is too negative or that we tend to obsess over the problems that happened yesterday. It is that collectively we need more ways to get to the truths that will help us resolve the challenges of today and tomorrow.

William Roberts

President, The Whistler Forum

A view from outside the inner circle

Thanks, Councillor Tim, for your efforts on our behalf over the last term of office. I couldn't have put in the time and effort that is required or handled the criticism that you all have. But I think you are wrong to have singled out G.D. Maxwell for his remarks.

The media's job is to hold elected officials’ feet to the fire. I read a lot in my newsgathering, including some top national and international periodicals. I always read letters to the editor because that is often where the best wit and wisdom is found in publications. I seldom read unsigned editorials and only occasionally read columnists.

The major exception to that is Pique Newsmagazine. I always am curious to see what Bob has to say in his thoughtful way and truly enjoy Maxed Out.

You might be interested to know that outside the inner circle, it still feels like there is very poor communication from council to the community and it looks like spending is out of control. It's not just the library — how about the organic composter system? How sustainable is that? How many multiples of budget is it now?

I get the impression that the only councillor who consistently spends our money as if it were her own is Nancy. She also doesn't seem to be under the thrall of the bureaucracy or have developed an edifice complex — a common affliction amongst politicians. I don't know her personally but I hope she will consider running for mayor.

One final thought that I hope will be discussed in the coming election campaign as we get beyond the five-ring circus that's coming to town: weren't the “financial tools” an effort to move some of the tax burden from local ratepayers to tourists in order to cover some of the municipal expense of hosting those tourists? Shouldn't we then be talking about reducing property taxes rather than just playing with a bigger pot?

Jamie Pike

Whistler

Take leave of the galley

Being a politician is not for crybabies or sissies. Citizens have been and always will be critical of policies made by their elected officials. It is the duty of journalists, cartoonists, reporters, and columnists worldwide to dig in the cess-tank and come up holding handfuls of scum, and to scribe their opinions. Whether right or wrong. I believe it is referred to as freedom of speech in the democratic world.

So enough of the whining and moaning. If a politician can’t take the heat, as the saying goes, “get out of the kitchen.” There is no room for feeling personal humiliation and defeat in politics… It must be business as usual, no matter what G.D. Maxwell writes.

J. Simpson

Whistler

To laugh or to cry?

The Pique, through Bob Barnett and G.D. Maxwell, do exactly what the media is supposed to do. Challenge, encourage discussion and engage the community in the politics of our resort.

The last few years have been difficult enough to survive in the resort even before the steamroller of the Games is bearing down on us. If council is pleased with their work I guess somehow it was not communicated to us, the taxpayer.

At least Max made us laugh about the issues when the alternative is to cry.

Sharon Audley

Whistler

More Max

I just finished reading Maxed Out. I enjoyed it as usual. I think that every community should have a G.D. Maxwell writing a Maxed Out column.  Keep up the good work.

I Justason

Sussex Corner, N.B.

Imagination run wild

Doesn’t the imagination make things so much more interesting than reality? Uninterested in seeking context, clarification or explanation from Whistler-Blackcomb, the Alta States column last week was contrived based on a number of assumptions. While columnists write based on their opinions, surely understanding the full scenario is prudent before forming and publishing an opinion.

If you would like to seek clarification or ask questions about any of Whistler-Blackcomb’s initiatives, you’re welcome to contact us. Mr. Beaudry didn’t.

Dave Brownlie

Whistler-Blackcomb

Intrawest has been awesome

Michel Beaudry never ceases to amaze me with his bitterness towards the town of Whistler, Whistler-Blackcomb and Intrawest. As someone who has been lucky enough to snowboard at resorts all over the world for the last 25 years, and live here for the last 21 or so it has been a pleasure to find out that the only ski area that actually gives two hoots about the “actual mountain experience” is my home playground of Whistler-Blackcomb. Too long a line in the village on busy days? Let’s put up a gondola and other lifts years ahead of schedule. Getting kind of crowded somewhere? Let’s put up a high-speed quad and get rid of the lines. People like my mum who can’t ski any more but love to get up into the mountains and breathe the alpine air can’t wait for your hated Peak to Peak to open. Actually she’s almost counting the days till it opens. I bet all the people that hop on the Rocky Mountaineer can’t wait to experience real mountains with bears on them. Live in the creek and want to ski Blackcomb… hop on.

Intrawest has been awesome at “build it and they will come”. As Donald Trump once said, “everyone hates my developments until they are done, then they all want to live there”.

ROI… that “abomination” is going to be packed. Want an unspoiled valley, go one over. This valley was logged before any ski area ever got here. Private ski area? Who knows until you ask? At least they ask. It is a pleasure to live in a valley where the main employer is constantly trying to progress the experience of Whistler.

The old Whistler sucked. There I said it. People like me who did, or were, anything different, were treated like crap, by people just like you. We weren’t allowed on Whistler. People used to pile abuse on us at every turn. It was kind of funny and we laugh about it now but personally I like the new Whistler. I hate the Toad Hall Poster. It sums up everything I hated about Whistler. Looking for someone to blame for selling Whistler out? Take a look at the poster.

The new Whistler is the awesome. Snowboards everywhere? Awesome. Gay Ski Week? Awesome. National Brotherhood Ski Week? Awesome. Old people, young people, white people, black people, brown people, all skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking and doing all the other things that you can do in this fantastic town. And they are doing it together. Progression of the mountain experience is the future. I guess Michel can’t see that from where he lives in the city .

Ken Achenbach

Whistler

Licensed to dance

Re: Time for a Better Location? (Pique Letters July 10th)

I am compelled to respond on behalf of Soul Funktion Dance Studio and the families who attend our programs and to the general public. This letter seems to take an unfair stab at the professionalism of Soul Funktion and myself. I realize that sometimes letters to the editor are very one-sided, and since I do not know Joanne Laderotue, I will hopefully address her concerns by writing this letter.

First of all, due to tremendous interest and support from the community, Soul Funktion has been steady in its popularity since its first year in 2003. We have just completed another successful year, finishing with our Year-end Production "All You Need is Love." Thank you to everyone in the community who supports this event and everyone who endlessly works to make this show a huge community gathering!

Let me be very clear in stating that Soul Funktion is both a safe studio and operates legally under the municipal law. Soul Funktion complies with municipal bylaws, provincial and federal laws, as well as the Royal Academy of Dance Policies.

The Royal Academy of Dance is one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organizations in the world and has very strict guidelines as to what makes a studio safe and suitable for children to enjoy and advance in the art form of dance.

In addition to that, Soul Funktion holds its classes in an area that is zoned "IS-2." This zoning allows for craft and vocational schools, therefore we do in fact operate with a municipal business license.

And I am certain that our parents are experienced enough in picking up and dropping off children to do so with caution and complete safety.

The final point I would like to clarify is that over the past four years, I have exhausted the search throughout Whistler for a possible permanent facility for Soul Funktion. Currently we run 75 classes a week with prime after school hours and operate out of three studios totaling a footprint of 4,000 square feet. This happens week after week for the entire school year. Based on the size and time required to run the studio, our current location is the best and most suitable place in Whistler for the time being.

I would like everyone to know that the reason I am here, the reason the studio is here and the reason that each year this studio strives to deliver stronger and better programming is for the children and families of this community.

I hope everyone experiences a harmonious summer, full of health and well being!

Codi Dalen

Soul Funktion Studio Director

Directors have proven their commitment

I have worked as a preschool teacher at the Whistler Children's Centre since 1997 and have had the opportunity to work with three friendly, strong and committed directors, Marian Hardy, Julia Black and Kari Gaudet.

Marian opened the Whistler Children's Centre and created the programs for children aged three months up to six years of age and was a beloved member of the community.

When Marian left the centre, Julia Black was hired to fill her shoes after so many years and it was a big task. Julia immediately made the effort to organize an all day planning session for teachers to determine what it was we needed for the centre to improve and to address any concerns we had. As teachers, we requested better wages and benefits, clearer policies and a parent handbook for new families, as well as opportunities for professional development. Julia ensured that all of this happened in her first year of being the director.

Julia worked long and often thankless hours in order to continually improve the centre for children, families and teachers. Teachers received wage increases and opportunities to purchase ski passes or other wellness options, families received orientations when they joined the centre in order to have questions answered before their child started, and as teachers we received training in the High Scope preschool curriculum, which cost thousands of dollars.

When Julia went on her maternity leave, Kari Gaudet became the director who also continued to have an ongoing commitment to children, families and teachers during a time of many government cutbacks to the early childhood education field. Kari did an excellent job during her year as director and also worked many thankless hours.

Unfortunately when Julia returned from maternity leave, the Teddy Bear Daycare was potentially going to close and when Julia offered to help find enrolment spaces, she was wrongly accused of being responsible for the decision to close Teddy Bear. I have been disappointed to hear so many rumours and false allegations against Julia throughout the community after she has spent so many years demonstrating her passion for early childhood education and her suppport to children, families and teachers of the Whistler Children's Centre.

I hope that as a community we listen closely to the facts and address any questions to Julia directly rather than believing everything we hear. Julia, I thank you for what you have done for the Whistler Children's Centre and I hope that you hang in there!

KJ Johnson

Whistler

Fond remembrance

For over a decade Clare Rothermel has been walking in through the staff door at the Pony Espresso. Last week Clare passed quietly in his sleep and I can’t fathom that I will no longer see his figure behind the wheel of his pickup (hurtling down the highway at a reckless 40 km/h) or coming through my back door. Clare and the whole extended Rothermel clan epitomize what is great about living in a small community like ours, they are a warm, outgoing family who are always ready to say a good word, flash a bright smile or tell a bad joke.

I would like to extend my condolences and thoughts to the whole family as well as wish Clare a warm thank you and farewell.

Mike Richman of the Pony

Pemberton