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In answer to Garry Watson's questions regarding the Olympics: I have looked for info on the bid. Unfortunately its like eating a rice cake: very little substance and a whole lotta air.

In answer to Garry Watson's questions regarding the Olympics:

I have looked for info on the bid. Unfortunately its like eating a rice cake: very little substance and a whole lotta air. I want to see some meat on the bid and since I’m the payin' taxpayer I shouldn't really have to look.

The big deal about the budget is this: accurate and organized budgets are essential to ANY business. If they can't manage a few million, I'm somewhat concerned about giving them hundreds of millions. Furthermore, British Columbia has an abysmal track record when we mix big business, opportunistic politicians, and our collective need to prove to the world how great we are, in to large publicly supported mega projects.

I certainly do NOT feel obligated to realize the vision of the Olympics. It was a business opportunity first and foremost, don't kid yourself. And it didn't pan out, that's all. Myrtle Philip and Co were skiing here long before any talk of the Olympics. Personally, I prefer her vision, although I don't think she really had one. It seems like she was just having fun.

When I ask the question "what’s in it for me?" I'm asking about the bill. I ask this because since the start of corporate sponsorship of the Olympics every host venue has lost millions of dollars, while official sponsors increase their sales dramatically. I want to know how much taxpayer money it costs to run an Olympic-grade indoor speed skating oval six years after the Games, and why can't Coke, McDonald’s and Adidas pay for it? I guess it doesn't matter as long as we win gold, right?

If the Games are a good thing for Whistler then bring ’em on, but so far it is not looking good. The Olympic tradition includes tremendously negative impacts on local infrastructures and lifestyles, corruption and graft, and huge legacies of public debt, not to mention the carpet-bagging of local businesses. Remember gang, there is a reason why the Games have a promotion machine this large.

It’s the only way to polish a turd.

Alex Macdougall

Whistler

 

As the story editor for the television series Whistler Stories , which is currently in production in Whistler, I wanted to thank you for the recent article in the Pique (Jan. 25 "Beautiful Fishbowl"). We think it helped explain to residents and visitors, who we are and what the series is all about.

We understand there are a few people in Whistler who are misinformed about the direction of the series and that it might jeopardize Whistler’s image as a world-class resort. I want to emphasize again that the nature of the program is that of a journalistic documentary and NOT the mountain equivalent of "Temptation Island". Our show is dedicated to chronicling the lives of a variety of compelling characters who live, work and play in Whistler as they overcome challenges in their lives including athletic, social and financial challenges.

In an age where the line between documentary television (journalistic) and drama is being blurred by so-called reality shows, I think it is important to be clear about the nature of the show. We are not enhancing or altering the lives of those featured. There are no prizes.

Aside from snow, credibility is the most important commodity for our producers working in Whistler. I am convinced that we are producing an intriguing and insightful documentary series that will accurately reflect the rich life in this remarkable world.

We think viewers will agree when Whistler Stories airs across the country next winter.

Lionel Goddard

Story Editor, Whistler Stories

Dear Mayor O'Reilly and Ms. Denbak

As a resident who dearly loves living in Whistler, I feel compelled to write to you both regarding the matter of annual meetings of the World Economic Forum.

Please understand that I was very saddened to witness the presence of so many black hooded riot police here last summer to oversee the safety of delegates to the Pacific North West Economic Region conference. Whistler's world-known image of being a nature wonderland, with administrators who care about the environment, and who strive to bring the world to Whistler, will be damaged if yet another controversial conference is allowed to come here.

No amount of economic advantage can obliterate the sight of riot police controlling dissenters. All the effort put forth to make Whistler what it is today will be shattered in an instant. Council and Tourism Whistler have worked too hard to permit this to happen.

The authorities in Davos, apparently, have had enough. Whistler must learn from them and not even consider filling this gap. I urge you both to abolish the notion of allowing such a conference here.

With great respect for you both,

Betty McWhinnie

Whistler

 

Small hydroelectric projects may be characterized as just "run-of-the-river," ("Power and liquid gold", Pique, 18 Jan 2002), environmentally benign, "green," and all that, but they will prove to be a very real visual irritant if they proliferate beyond some reasonable regulatory limitation.

What might that be? Well unfortunately, private exploitation – independent power produced independently – will ensure that what monetary benefits may be derived will not remain largely within the community, (nor can they) be identified with the beneficent natural feature. And tourists do not come here to admire how we have denigrated our landscape.

A decade ago I made a presentation to Squamish town councillors saying that the lakes from whence Monmouth Creek originates were, or could be, the community’s most secure water supply, and that the development of that creek's power potential could substantially reduce future water taxation's, or eliminate it. (I was asked if I could submit my calculations, and I did, and however preliminary, they are probably still on record).

In any event, if the little power projects were community sponsored, for community benefits, they would not be so grating on local sensibilities. (The town of Nelson I believe, may still be an example). The regulatory rule then is, if it benefits a community directly, i.e., is applied against taxes, then it may proceed. In this way, may the power philanderers be constrained.

Wayne L. Mulherin, PEng.

North Vancouver

 

On May 16, 2001 the good people of B.C. obediently placed their necks on a chopping block, thoroughly convinced this was the gateway to heaven on earth.

In doing so, they have awarded absolute power for a term of four years to a handsome nincompoop whose only rival for ideological idiocy is the recently-elected half-wit monkey-boy president of the United States. In the course of his election campaign he (Campbell) made something like 80 promises which he claims will be carried out more or less immediately.

These include major tax-cuts, which he is convinced will bring about huge increases in the amount of tax collected. They also include abolition of photo-radar, which will restore to motorists their God-given right to travel at breakneck-speeds, while making attention-distracting cell phone calls. They also include a promise to hold a referendum in which the non-aboriginal (the same ones who voted him into absolute power) will decide the fate of the aboriginal people.

He has promised to roll back the billion dollar infusion of money into the Medicare system by the previous government and bring back the utopian days of privatised Medicare. Among the other goodies he has in mind are the privatization of OUR gas and electrical systems. So that we may share the joys of power blackouts and astronomical energy prices, with the deliriously happy citizens of California and Alberta which have been endowed since the recent privatization and deregulation of their power utilities. (Two years ago Alberta had the lowest gas and electric rates in Canada. Today its rates are the second highest in North America, exceeded only by California).

He will also abolish the freeze on university tuition fees in order to encourage the children of the poor to accept jobs flipping burgers instead of wasting their time trying to horn in on the educational privileges of their wealthy neighbours. The followers of the Green party will no doubt be happy to see him abolishing the environmental measures adopted by the NDP, such as the creation of new parks in forested areas and establishing regulations to stop the clear cutting of our magnificent forests and reducing the output of greenhouse gasses.

Don't get me wrong I am not suggesting that the keys to paradise are possessed by the NDP. In fact many of their leaders have betrayed the party's social democratic principles. It is only when the choice is between the "Liberals" (i.e. reprogrammed Socreds, "reformites", holy rollers, etc.) and the NDP, that the latter is a better choice. Perhaps four years from now, when the misled voters have sickened of the bitter soup ladled out by Campbell & Co., a progressive coalition of environmentalists, economists, and real Canadians can take power and start to build a better world in this most environmentally favoured and most beautiful area of Canada, and perhaps the world.

Phil Robinson

Whistler