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Letters to the editor

When I initially read the Aug.31st edition of the Pique , I was disturbed – as many readers were, I imagine – by the article, "RCMP investigate possible theft of deposit.

When I initially read the Aug.31st edition of the Pique , I was disturbed – as many readers were, I imagine – by the article, "RCMP investigate possible theft of deposit." The fact that something like this could – and did – happen in Whistler is rather unnerving.

I was subsequently shocked upon learning the victims in the aforementioned article were personal friends and employees of the restaurant in which I am a manager. Any situation where a criminal preys upon the innocent is disgusting – but personally knowing the victims, I find this particular crime a complete and utter outrage. While I am hoping the RCMP will apprehend the criminal behind this despicable housing scam, the cynic in me says the bad guy sometimes gets away. The former would, of course, be the ideal outcome; however, should the latter be, it is my hope that there is such a thing as divine – or karmic – retribution.

As we at Sushi-Ya do not want to assume a passive or – God forbid – an apathetic role in this recent event, I am writing to inform the public of our effort to raise funds for our victimized employees. We are now selling "Good Karma/Good Sushi" raffle tickets for $2 at our restaurant. A ticket purchase will qualify a participant to win a $50 dinner certificate at Sushi-Ya. The drawing will take place on Sept. 16, and the winner will be notified by telephone.

Financial compensation is not the main goal (though, candidly speaking, it would be a very welcome by-product for our friends who lost a substantial amount of cash); first and foremost, we want to show our Japanese friends that there are many decent people – especially here in Whistler – who really do care, and will gladly lend a helping hand. Our intention is to restore hope and trust with our fundraising effort, and by supporting this cause – dinner or no dinner – I believe everyone stands to win something.

Lucy Kennedy

Sushi-Ya Manager

As you know, the Spring Creek School will bring with it the necessity to divide the community.

I would like to ask for council's support in ensuring that the criteria for the new school boundary take environmental concerns into account. The first criterion when deciding who should go to which school is whether the child can "walk, ride, or roll" to school. It has come to my attention that the school board has decided that the boundary is going to be Lorimer Road. This would mean that children who live across the street from Myrtle Philip would have to drive or take the bus (walk to MPCS and then take the bus from there!) to the Spring Creek school. I have no objection to having Lorimer Road as the dividing line with the caveat that any child who can walk, ride, or roll to Myrtle Philip should attend that school (there could even be a definition of what this distance means) .

Before the school board makes it decision final and formal, I ask that the council, as an official and objective voice, send a letter and speak with the superintendent, reminding her of Whistler's commitment to the environment. What kind of message are we sending our children when we emphasize the importance of saving the environment by "walking, rolling, or riding" to school (an annual school contest) and then the school board neglects to make this a criterion when establishing boundaries?

I would like the council to discuss this issue at their next council meeting and hope that they find it important to assist in ensuring that the criteria for the new school boundary are commensurate with Whistler's commitment to the environment.

Karen McKibbin

Whistler

I also rode the Tour de Soo, having an awesome time with no complaints. I have to wonder about Al Whitney though.

After reading his letter in last week’s Pique I think he somehow got some moss between his ears. The new trail he criticizes resulted in the destruction of some moss. No trees were destroyed nor has any wildlife been displaced.

The "destruction of the environment" is a subjective position to take. Most trails are well built and result in very little "destruction." Even in extreme cases of bad trail design the "destruction of the environment" is minimal, resulting mainly in visual impacts. He suggests that trail builders adopt due process because of problem trails, but the reality is that 95 per cent of the trails in the corridor have been built this way and few are problem trails. When compared to; logging, hydro lines, railways, highways and buildings the impact is negligible.

Look at the big picture Al and celebrate a non polluting activity. Mountain bikes are good for the environment. If you really want to do something significant then live in a smaller home, park your car, do with less stuff and, of course, ride your bike.

Craig Koszman,

Whistler

Bravo Al Whitney!

Congratulations to you for having the balls to finally speak out about the continual and continuing erosion of the pristine Whistler backcountry as it is inexorably shredded by many of those who consider it as their personal playground.

Too bad that BCAL are totally immersed in their work of deciding exactly who should have tenure in the valuable lands surrounding Whistler, but they seem totally lacking in the desire or the resources to monitor or enforce what uses are happening on Whistler's doorstep.

During my tenure at Whistler I waged an unpopular crusade against bikers, trail bikers and ATV operators over the last five years to no avail, and perhaps now, if others of influence like the well-travelled Mr. Whitney speak out in defense of our wetlands and wildlands, perhaps now something might be done.

The municipality and the provincial parks branch should also take notice of the ever increasing demands on this precious resource, as should interest groups like AWARE, so that they can all come to the table to discuss what mitigating action should be taken in the years to come.

There has to be a solution, and quietly allowing an ever increasing number of individuals and operators to head out in an uncontrolled manner into the untenured lands around Whistler is surely not the answer.

What surrounds us is wetland and rainforest. Let us preserve it.

Paul Burrows

Salmon Arm, B.C.

Regarding Al Whitney's letter, "Of trails and due process," printed in the Aug. 31 edition of the Pique

I would like to correct several misconceptions Al seems to have. Firstly, the Tour de Soo, while run under the insurance of WORCA and PORCA, is not organized by them, nor are they responsible for any aspect of the race course. The race is organized and presented by the Whistler Bike Co. Secondly, the new route that Al takes such exception to was not built or sanctioned by WORCA, PORCA, or the Whistler Bike Co. It was while performing maintenance on the upper section of the course that the new route was found, and we decided to incorporate it in the race.

While Al does present some good points, including the braiding of trails in the heavily used areas near the village and the recent trend towards building "fall line" trails that erode quickly, the new route in question is in fact quite well built. The steep sections of trail are built on bedrock, which will not erode at all. The route twists and turns its way across the mountain, connecting steep rock faces with flat trail. Yes, the trail crosses roots, and the ground cover on the route itself has of course been removed (and I should point out that what Al refers to as "moss" is in fact creeping charlie, a common and fast growing ground cover). Anyone who can explain how to build a trail without disturbing the ground cover can please contact me.

As for Al's assertion that the route had noticeably degenerated during the course of the race, there is no way he could know if that was true. I rode the course, before and after the race, and was struck mostly by how little the route had changed. I have also revisited the route after the recent rains, with the same observation.

Of the 45 km trail which comprises the Tour de Soo race course, 43 km follow the roads and trails left after decades of industrial logging, along with highways and BC Hydro right of ways. I find it interesting that Al chose to ignore the massive destruction and erosion caused by the large slash areas through which the course passes, and focus on one small section of trail. The addition of the new route was in fact well received by the majority of the 65 racers who participated in the Tour de Soo.

I applaud anyone who wants to get involved, but please, before attacking volunteers with accusations of irresponsible behaviour and destroying the environment, check your facts and talk to the relevant parties. As for public process, well, that has given us back filled wet lands, bulldozers in the alpine, our lovely backcountry tenure system and the 2010 Olympic bid. Forgive me if I don't have much faith in it.

Peter Colapinto

Owner, Whistler Bike Co.

Lack of respect of private property owners has continued in the Pemberton Valley in spite of Jim Fulton’s letter in your June issue.

My property has been posted with "No trespassing" signs since before I purchased it in the Late ’80s and I have continued to maintain the signs every spring. It’s only been the last three or four years that people have felt compelled to pull down the signs as an excuse they didn’t know it was private land. Over the Victoria Day weekend this year, people tried to extend the trail by putting up signs and cutting five fences north of me, over three more pieces of property.

Like Jim Fulton, we are tired of being threatened – and worse. I am the one that owns the land and pays all the taxes. How I choose to use or don’t use my land is not anyone’s business. Because my "back yard" is bigger than an average Pemberton resident’s doesn’t make me "unequal" or give them the right to play in my backyard. The concept they are preaching and assuming toward me is called "communism!"

I have had my property surveyed, and on Aug. 3, 2001 the surveyor general was up and approved the surveyor pins. Removal of surveyor posts and markers is illegal and has a very high fine, in the thousands of dollars.

At the encouragement and suggestion of a village council member and dyking employee that people didn’t "…like signs that said ‘NO’ they would rather have an explanation why…," I have posted the following sign:

"How would you like people walking through your yard, cutting trees, pulling up shrubs, cutting down your fences, leaving garbage and dog shit for your kids to step in? Negating and showing disrespect for your personal property rights of ownership and privacy? If you are reading this, that is exactly what you are doing: trespassing on private land without permission under the B.C. Trespass Law. Please leave and do not return! Thank you! The owners."

People that drive and park to take their dogs for a walk on my property were actually mad and offended. My response is that they were mad because their conscience got to them. I have been dreading this final holiday weekend.

M.J. Berthoud

Pemberton