Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Letters to the editor

This letter was addressed to Stan Hagan, Minister of Sustainable Resource Management As your ministry completes the review of the Lillooet Resource Management Plan I would like to state my support for conservation and sustainable forestry in the Lill

This letter was addressed to Stan Hagan, Minister of Sustainable Resource Management

As your ministry completes the review of the Lillooet Resource Management Plan I would like to state my support for conservation and sustainable forestry in the Lillooet area.

I am one volunteer of many in Lillooet, B.C. Many letters like this one are being sent to your office. Please do know that many constituents are supportive of conservation efforts by your ministry.

I also believe the ministry should respect local First Nations in any land use plans or decisions.

I support the Conservation (CRTC) Plan, as submitted by the Lillooet LRMP in 2001, and encourage the ministry to increase the protected areas s outlined in that plan. I favour more protected areas than previously decided.

I am concerned about 45 species at risk identified in our areas and request a plan that includes protection and habitat conservation for these species.

I encourage the ministry to consider areas designated for logging as long-term sustainable forestry projects. Forestry in the Lillooet TSA should utilize selective logging practices and create opportunity for more local employment through secondary forestry industries in our area. Please stop large clear cuts and the large-scale export of raw logs from our natural and beautiful surrounding area.

Conservation, and opportunities for outdoor recreation and tourism, should be the highest priorities. Our area has national and international potential for wilderness recreation and appreciation. Our sustainable economic future requires that we diversify. Enhanced conservation is the best option.

Vivian Birch Jones

Lillooet

An open letter to the Resort Community of Whistler

The debates have been passionate, the decision has been made and regardless of your position on the World Economic forum it’s now time to come together and move on.

There has been much public discussion regarding Whistler hosting the World Economic Forum. As much as we tried as a resort community, we couldn’t seem to find common ground with this particular issue. We have discovered that the short and long term socio-economic opportunities and threats of such events have the potential to elude our collective wisdom. What is clear to us and likely to all citizens of Whistler is that our values around mutual respect, a deep regard for place and a spirit that continues to create a vibrant resort community are things we hold in common.

These are the values that will guide us as we develop positions on opportunities that come forward from the larger world. We are determined that through shared decision making we can identify opportunities with the clarity that allows us to speak in one voice, and we stand committed with the broader community to strive for ever stronger partnerships and understanding.

Whatever the outcome of Whistler’s relationship with WEF we are committed to move forward in solidarity, and trust that in the end this is what will best serve our resort community. We encourage all citizens of Whistler to consider moving forward in a similar manner.

Doug Forseth, Senior Vice-president of Operations, Whistler-Blackcomb

Ken Derpak, Director, Finance, Whistler-Blackcomb

Suzanne Denbak, President & CEO, Tourism Whistler

Kem Cretney, General Manager, Delta Whistler Resort

David Campbell, Owner, Keir Jewelry

Victor Burt, General Manager, Westin Resort & Spa

John Nadeau, Chair, Whistler Chamber of Commerce

Drew Meredith, Realtor

I am writing this letter as a concerned resident of Whistler, after reading the moments of a "concerned" Vancouver resident in last week’s paper.

I have spent 25 years raising a family and working in Whistler. Thank God the most complicated medical treatment my children ever needed was stitches. I drove to Vancouver in labour three times to have a doctor deliver them and I still have a family doctor in North Vancouver.

More recently, I was diagnosed with stomach flu in Whistler, treated with morphine and sent home. Thinking I would be OK and being used to fighting the flu occasionally, I drove to Vancouver the next day only to find out the "flu" wouldn’t let me get out of bed. A few days later, I contacted a doctor in Whistler about my symptoms and was told to go to emergency as he thought I had a gall bladder problem. Luckily, I had a friend nearby and was taken to Vancouver General to find that I had severe blood poisoning and was at that time a 10 out of 10 for emergency treatment.

I found myself facing a serious medical problem on my own away from family and friends and certainly in no condition to even realize how sick I really was. I underwent surgery and two weeks of heavy antibiotics and am still undergoing tests to see if all is well.

I can only imagine how much simpler the past few months would have been if Whistler had a surgical centre equipped with up to date diagnostic equipment and that the first doctor could have referred me there.

In this day and age, when private money wants to assist in providing additional medical facilities available to everyone, including the local residents of Whistler, I cannot for the life of me understand any significant reason to say we don’t want it. Get a grip… the world economy is changing around us and if we think that the government will improve the medical system in Canada in the near future, think again.

The Whistler Medical Clinic does a great job but is under-equipped for many emergencies, and as our population ages and our children grow up we need to expand our thinking. Imagine if we had all listened to the individuals fighting against having a skating rink or the high school.

I urge the Whistler/Pemberton residents and property owners to consider the construction of a surgical centre in Whistler as a gift, because we would never be able to build a hospital in Whistler without private money and private energy. This might save your life one day, take the time to understand the proposal.

Ann Chiasson

Whistler

First let me get my Liberal credentials out of the way. I've been President, Vice President, Treasurer, Constitutional Chair and Policy Chair of B.C. Liberal Riding Associations. I've been a delegate at more B.C. Liberal conventions than I can remember, seconded the nomination of a B.C. Liberal leadership candidate, founded the first B.C. Liberal policy discussion plenary, and I'm the inaugural winner of the Harry Con award for outstanding service to the B.C. Liberal Party.

Attorney General Geoff Plant's letter to The Pique, which smells of a form letter sent to community newspapers around the province, creates a new standard of semantic gymnastics the likes of which haven't been seen since Spiro Agnew.

One of the reasons there are misunderstanding is because Attorney General Plant created an obfuscating series of questions designed to produce a confusing series of responses. Mr. Plant's cohorts in the Vancouver NPA learned this lesson during the last municipal elections with regards to their referendum on whether or not to move to a ward system. The NPA dominated council at the time and created such a diverse and varied choice of options that there was no consensus on which system to move towards, therefore the status quo was maintained. This referendum follows the same principles, asking a series of motherhood questions designed to elicit confusing responses that the hacks in the backrooms will be able to massage and spin to their own liking.

Mr. Plant's caveat about "possible exceptions" to the referendum's binding authority gives the B.C. Liberals a convenient escape hatch to ignore the referendum, should they choose to, and do what they want.

This referendum is being used by gutless leaders who want to pervert a democratic process to suit their own subtle and cowardly racist motives.

Chris Childs

Whistler

The Whistler Nordic Youth Club, after a very successful eight-week program, would like to give a big thank you to the following individuals:

Nesters Market, for supplying our weekly snacks; RMOW, especially Kristi King and her Monday nights staff, Michele in the ticket booth and volunteers Scott and Jenn; Rita Rice, for her good graphic design and other various duties; Cheryl Morningstar, for encouraging support; Whistler Secondary principal Ken Davies; Myrtle Philip principal Bob Daly; Parent volunteers Susie Anderson and Brad Sills; Brad Sills for having the keen desire of hosting a day for the club at the Callaghan Country ski trails (unfortunately the weather didn’t co-operate); Coaches, without the enthusiasm and knowledge of our coaches Miriam Bride, Toby Henderson, Joanna Harrington, Nikki Kassel and Murray Farbridge this program would not have been possible; Parents, for encouraging your youth to participate in the sport of cross-country skiing.

We will be back next winter with a more expanded program, stay tuned. Early registration will take place at the Strut Your Stuff in September 2002.

Michelle Crowe

Co-ordinator

Whistler Nordic Youth Club

The other day, standing in a lineup on beautiful Whistler Mountain, I made a startling realization. While all students of the children’s ski school are required to wear a helmet (very good idea), the instructors are left to choose on their own. Of course I could not find one instructor who was wearing one.

What kind of message is this sending to the little kids who are the most impressionable, especially by their older, and seemingly much cooler ski teachers? I am 22-years-old and I, along with all my friends, wear a helmet at all times on the mountain. I wear it because of the steep terrain I like to ride, and the proliferation of rocks on such terrain. My buddies wear one because of the hard metal rails they love to slide. It doesn't matter why, it just makes sense.

I for one think that Whistler-Blackcomb should change this policy.

Brian Hockenstein

Received via e-mail

Community behind the youth

Blackcomb Freestyle Club wanted to thank all the local shops and businesses for their generosity and support they gave that made our B.C. Champs competition a huge success. We had 85 youth competitors from all over British Columbia who had an awesome experience and are sure to come back for more good skiing and to visit new friends.

It is great to have a community that gives to the future of our youth to help them to come closer to their dreams and acknowledges their achievements. Keep the dream alive.

Tanya Petersen

Whistler

Here’s proof that people in Whistler are excited and interested in making arts and culture a part of Whistler! On Friday, April 19 the first ever Whistler auction of fabulous photography was held at the GLC as part of the Exposure events of the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival.

"Raise the Ceiling" was organized in conjunction with the Whistler Photographic Society and the Zero Ceiling Charity. The event featured an exhibit of mountain sports photographs created by local photographers and International Showdown photographers. You may have seen it – the display was up all week in the conference centre atrium. Great images, ranging from Dave Heath’s (winner of the Showdown) mountain biking and storm skiing shots to fresh powder shots from Paul Morrison and Greg Griffith, incredible ski images from Randy Lincks, Therese Lundgren, Bonny Makarewicz, and beautiful scenics from Eric Berger, Dave Humphries and Guillaume Tessier, to name but a few of the 26 photographers who contributed their art. J. Grant Brittain from Transworld Magazine in California donated two amazing skateboard photos that were bid on numerous times.

Thanks to all the purchasers of our photo art! YOU BOUGHT OVER 75 per cent OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS IN ONE NIGHT!

As a photographer I feel that the reason we take photos is to remind us of the simple beauty of the world, from a quiet mossy stream to a whirling mountain blizzard. Guess you do, too!

Kudos to Chris Winter of the Zero Ceiling Society for opening the eyes of under privileged youth to our beautiful mountains and thanks for your help. This fund-raiser will help you touch the lives of more young people.

Extra special thanks to Catherine Yates and Jeannette Nadon for the organizational assistance and to Maureen Provencal and Greg Eymundson for the hands on help. Hats off to the Garibaldi Lift Company for hosting us.

See you at the next Photography Auction!

Leanna Rathkelly

President, Whistler Photographic Society

This letter is in response to an editorial "PVTA deserves support" in The Whistler Question addressing the merits of interconnecting trails as a community benefit.

The undersigned Coalition of Pemberton Property Owners (CPPO) in principal support the good intentions of the Pemberton Valley Trails Association. However, all is not well in the valley. Our group was recently formed to protect the property rights of owners and to educate new residents and tourists. We believe that coverage of the issue requires a balanced response.

We disagree with the contention "that most landowners consider having a public trail nearby to be an asset." The vast majority of the Pemberton valley lands are privately held for the purpose of farming. More recently large farm parcels have been purchased to assure privacy from neighbours and the general public. Neither of these user groups are in favour of public access to their lands for differing reasons. While some of us seek peace and quiet enjoyment of our lands, others need to protect their livestock and crops from intruders.

Another misconception is that dykes are public property. The majority of the dykes are built on private property to protect all flood plain residents. The Pemberton Valley Dyking District has acquired Easements over MOST of these privately held lands for the sole and express purpose of maintaining their structural integrity. The PVDD does not condone trespass on private property.

The CPPO strives to work with the community to support the development of public trails where appropriate. The community recently embraced the "gateway" concept recognizing the opportunities that tourism brings. Public access to backcountry recreation may require access through private property. When this is the case, the owner must be consulted and/or compensated. This has all too often been ignored by some individuals who are establishing trails on private lands with out the owner’s knowledge or permission. IT WILL STOP!

Individual trying to stop trespass on their lands have met with strong opposition from persons using their property often in ignorance of their infraction because they are in possession of, or have seen a trail map purchased from a business benefiting recreational activity. These maps are being produced and sold by individuals who have been instructed to remove some trails from the map. They continue to violate the property owners’ rights, thus our coalition has been formed to counteract their activity and other trespasses.

Individuals that choose to ignore "Private Property/No Trespassing/Keep Out" signs and destroy fences in the valley will be prosecuted. Those persons promoting trespass for commercial reasons can expect a class action lawsuit.

We thought it appropriate that all the facts are presented on the evolving trails development and hope that balanced information will lead to good solutions.

Rick Staehli

Acting CPPO Chair

While I appreciate Dave Ward’s comments on the 2 nd Annual World Freestyle Snowmobiling Competition on Brohm ridge at the Black Tusk snowmobile club chalet, I have a real problem with someone writing an article with absolutely no knowledge of this two-year, carefully and thoroughly planned event. I invested 40 hours a week of my own time, with no salary, to make this Snowmobile Awareness Day a huge success.

First of all:

1. It’s Miss Linda Stang, Miss Yamaha Canada – not Ms.

2. Who said anything about a gap jump? The eight professional snowmobile athletes had the table top built to their specifications. They complained it was too small and was no bigger than you average black diamond in a snowboard park. On this day the athletes were relaxed, having fun. Hardly risking their lives.

3. Professional snowmobile athletes risking their lives? These athletes do this for a living, travelling around the world doing freestyle snowmobile shows. Some have been riding for 14 years. This was a show, eye candy, to demonstrate freestyle manoeuvres – not big air, unlike big air snowboarding.

4. Obviously Dave Ward did not attend the competition as he would have been educated on snowmobile riding techniques by Polaris, educated on avalanche gear, educated on the area Parks through Forestry, and be persuaded to buy the new RX1 environmentally-friendly four-stroke Yamaha, revealed for the first time.

5. Why is it that 125 media and 450 spectators, including grandparents, children, parents, Whistler residents and their dogs, attended? Obviously the community supports it.

6. Last but not least, this was a community event. Local businesses pulled together as a hole to make this event successful and to address their issues on safety and awareness. Your co-operation in informing spectators of your issues would have been greatly appreciated. Land and Waters, Forestry were there. Where were you?

In conclusion, I find it odd enough how Whistler has suddenly become a motorsport destination. Last week we had a Washington man stuck in the backcountry for a few days with his snowmobile. What is it going to take to get motorsport education in Whistler out there?

Linda Stang

Miss Yamaha Canada

While I would agree in some cases with the author of the letter Where is the customer service? (Pique, April 5), I write today to celebrate exceptional service by one woman of a local company.

Last week I observed a woman with several dogs in her charge directing them expertly. Rochelle, of Trail Dogs, poopy bag in one hand, whistle around her neck, was not satisfied to merely walk and pick up after her charges, she was also picking up garbage, bottles and tins left by other walkers.

I just had to meet this woman and congratulate her on her community service. My husband and I had cleaned up this site just last fall and it was littered with trash again.

Rochelle is a bubbly young woman in full control of her four legged charges and with a definite passion for keeping Whistler clean and pristine. Rochelle regularly travels with more than one bag to pick up after her fellow walkers as well as her four legged friends. She is quick to smile and offer advise on dog behaviour and community service.

Please join me in celebrating Rochelle's contribution to our community and for going beyond the duties of her job at Traildogs.

Lynn Turberfield

Whistler

Reclaiming my words

Having voiced my own unique reasons for wanting the WEF to come to Whistler, I now find myself embroiled in the controversy somewhere in between The World Economic Forum in Whistler Committee and the large populace voicing their opposition. It's an interesting place to be situated.

The World Economic Forum in Whistler Committee used a quote of mine last week in their ad, out of context and without my permission. A caller speaking on behalf of Tourism Whistler informed me of this on Thursday morning, when it was too late to change the ad, assuring me in the same breath that they were acting within their legal rights. The fact that morally and ethically they were standing on quicksand didn't seem to enter into their decision. Their tactics lead me to believe they operate with the same ruthlessness as the corporations they are so keen to invite: a disregard for individual freedom; a keen ability to co-opt individual expression and use it to their corporate advantage; and sufficient money to influence public opinion.

I'm not deluded into thinking the WEF wants to meet here to work out sustainable solutions to the world's problems. Their meetings are clearly aimed at furthering the money-making agenda of their corporate members. My reasons for saying "bring on the forum" were to witness up close the current of corporate power that wreaks havoc around the world, and the powerful response it elicits from those opposed to it; to wake us up from our acceptance of all things corporate and see what it is we really host here on a daily basis. I also found some of the reasons against hosting the forum to be hypocritical. For example, how many village merchants would be so strongly opposed were it slated for October?

Having seen the Machiavellian tactics of The World Economic Forum in Whistler Committee, however, I won't mind too much if council decides to heed the larger number of voices opposed to the WEF and restore some faith in local democracy. For that I'd be willing to give up my front row seat at the spectacle.

Stephen Vogler

Whistler

Editor’s note: At Monday’s council meeting on the World Economic Forum Tourism Whistler president Suzanne Denbak apologized to people who were quoted in the ad for not notifying them prior to the ad being published.

You can catch it on cable….

For those in our community who missed Monday night’s council meeting on the WEF at Millennium Place (a fabulous venue for it), it might be worth watching on cable. It was a fine example of local democracy in action. Thirty-six residents and one non-resident spoke. By and large it was informed debate, well reasoned, and…. passionate . In fact, the passion for our little community that sits on the world stage was palpable. It made me even more proud to live here.

The end result was a compromise that did not completely satisfy anyone, but took into account everyone. It wasn’t the path that I would have chosen, but it was the path that the community, on balance, asked for.

The WEF may not come here now. If they do come, it will be a much better fit for our community than it was. The community has spoken and was heard. We need more of this.

Get some popcorn and watch your community in action, warts and all.

Tim Wake

Whistler