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To the Premier, Finance Minister and MLA for Howe Sound As a member of the School Tax Action Committee, a small group of concerned citizens established in Whistler in 1991, I have had the opportunity to witness first hand the efforts of our municipal

To the Premier, Finance Minister and MLA for Howe Sound

As a member of the School Tax Action Committee, a small group of concerned citizens established in Whistler in 1991, I have had the opportunity to witness first hand the efforts of our municipal council and citizens to lobby the provincial government on our behalf. The goal was to redress the grossly inequitable school tax problem that has existed in Whistler for well over a decade. Recently there have been many meetings and briefs between Whistler and Victoria representatives. The information given the government was clear, to the point and without rebuttal. We were told that Whistler's problem was going to receive some kind of recognition this year. "Trust us," we were told.

It has been made evident to me with the new budget that there has been absolutely no provision for the tax inequity problem. Though the government understands the depth of the inequity (the case for gross inequities has been too well documented) it has refused to come to terms with the deep impact on Whistler's social fabric and economic future because of the "optics" of providing relief to beleaguered resident property owners and tenants who could be perceived by the public at large as wealthy and undeserving. Better to let Whistler's problem slide than to be seen to be granting relief to the rich and wealthy!

Rather than deal with a long-term structural anomaly or property taxation in Whistler, they, the government, have embraced the "optics" as an excuse to not act. It is a "built-in" reason to do nothing. But why do nothing? It is for the simple reasons of saving money and having one less item on the agenda to attend to.

I do not want to go too deeply into the specific issues here. They have been well documented by Mr. Garry Watson's letters to the editor before. As a reminder, please remember that Tofino was given relief for the very same problem that Whistler has experienced for years. But picture this: Tofino's average single family assessment exceeded the average in the rest of its school district by 2.3 times. This was the main criterion used to determine the need for taxation adjustment. They received relief. Now picture this: Whistler's average single family assessment exceeded the rest of the district by 4.2 times! We received none. There is no other comparison for school tax inequity in the province that comes even close. It gets better – the inequities are growing, just wait until you receive your tax bill this year! The decision to deal with the situation by doing nothing is governed by money and politics, not equity and long-term logical thinking.

Perhaps, the government would prefer the "optics" of landlords raising the rents 20-30 per cent when they receive this year's tax notices. Or would they prefer the "optics" of having resident property owners and tenants lining the streets of Whistler when the IOC rolls into town next week? There is nothing like a banner reading, "Whistler residents and property owners cannot afford the Olympics – go away" to make for great "optics" in the media.

What the government (read Gordon, Collins and Nebbeling) has failed to take into account is that, "The camel's back is broken. We, the resident homeowners and tenants, can take no more." A provincial tax truck has just hit us and we are lying, bleeding in the street in need of emergency care.

Finally, consider the need for a strong community at a time when it will be needed most. The Olympics will require a solid base of volunteers in Whistler for events to go well. The young twenty-somethings and teens who are traditionally working on the mountains, restaurants and bars will not be available for volunteer work. What will be needed are the very people who will have left because those without foresight now did nothing to stem the hemorrhage of residents leaving under the burden of ridiculous taxation.

I urge you to fax our MLA, Mr. Ted Nebbeling 250-356-8508; Finance Minister, Mr. Gary Collins 250-387-5594; and Premier, Mr. Gordon Campbell 250-387-0087.

You may also contact me at pomara@telus.net if you are interested in being part of a group focused on re-addressing the school taxation problem that faces Whistler.

Paul O'Mara

School Tax Action Committee

 

This letter was addressed to Finance Minister Gary Collins.

Enclosed is a copy of my letter to the Vancouver Sun dated Feb. 21, 2003 pointing out their error in reporting on the level of the school tax increase in Whistler this year. I have also had reference to letters sent to you by our MLA Ted Nebbeling on Jan. 28 and by a local Whistler resident, Clive Nylander, on Feb. 14, both of which further emphasize the severe impact the "abnormally high" and "killer" school taxes imposed on permanent resident owners here.

Your own budget statements failed to disclose that the purported 2.5 per cent rate increase would produce $40 million more in gross taxes on residential property than last year or 3.6 per cent in total dollar terms, on top of a $29.5 million increase, or 2.9 per cent, the previous year. When you factor in the Homeowner Grant this year, the net increase is more like 5.27 per cent. The increase in Whistler alone is estimated at $3.2 million or 22 per cent above last year, bringing the average permanent resident owner's tax up to $1,800 with no Homeowners Grant, compared to the provincial blended average net tax of about $240.

I have just seen your ministry's calculation for 2003 of the $1,077,139 total relief that might have been extended to Whistler under your policy instituted last year regarding communities with extreme disparities in average values compared to the rest of their school district. However, as was done last year, by imposing a second level test requiring a saving of higher than 20 per cent to qualify for relief, it appears that it is your intention to again disqualify Whistler from any relief, in spite of the fact that the disparity in assessed values in Whistler compared to the rest of the district have increased to an even higher extreme ratio of 4.9 to 1, compared with 4.2 last year.

In my discussion with officials of your ministry extending over the past year and a half and certainly at the meeting between yourself and the mayor of Whistler that I attended along with several municipal senior staff last August, I was led to believe that Whistler's special circumstances were well understood and sympathized with and something would be done. You seemed only to need more time to structure a more workable solution and to deal with the perception of Whistler as a community of wealthy people.

There is still time this year to review your policies regarding relief and at least eliminate the second test and the Blended Rate calculation (or "fudge factors"). I would very much appreciate an early opportunity to meet with you again, along with our mayor and municipal staff, to explore this further.

At the very least you owe us an explanation. We're facing a $3.2 million increase over last year's already excessively high level of tax and our expectations of a firm commitment from you to extend relief this year is surely justifiable.

Garry Watson

Whistler

 

Vancouverites should be proud of themselves for having the courage to debate the Olympic issues and conduct a vote. Our politicians decided we weren't worthy of a vote in Whistler. Nor in the rest of B.C.

And while both sides worked very hard and should be applauded for their efforts, we should recognize that the "No side" raised the issues that probably wouldn't have been addressed otherwise. Plus, they did all their work at no cost to taxpayers.

In these "tough economic times" when we all have to "tighten our belts" and "make difficult decisions," that seems like the more fiscally responsible approach.

Van Powel

Whistler

 

I am writing this letter to raise my concerns over the planned Highway 99 closures in the Culliton Creek area, that are scheduled to commence in March. (editor’s note: the closures are now scheduled to start April 28.)

As a Whistler-Vancouver commuter, I feel that closing the highway until 6 a.m. is too late. As a regular early morning driver on the highway, I can attest to the fact that traffic between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. is significant and closures, until this late hour will create significant problems for a number of individuals trying to get to their place of business.

During the summer of 2002 the line painting closures ran until 4:30 a.m. or 5 a.m. Closures until 5 a.m. still allow individuals travelling the highway the ability to avoid Vancouver rush hour – closures until 6 a.m. make this impossible.

At the very least I would argue that the highway should be open by 5 a.m. on Mondays. Not only would this satisfy the Vancouver commuter who is trying to get to work, but also the numerous "weekenders" who choose to travel early Monday morning instead of Sunday evening.

I hope that the highways department and Whistler council will consider my opinion on the closures and work to come up with a compromise, which considers everyone travelling the highway between Whistler and Vancouver.

Perhaps the one-hour travel window between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. could be reduced to a half-hour and the highway could be opened at 5:30 a.m.

I think that the volume of traffic travelling the highway from Squamish to Whistler between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. would surprise the highways department; this is a very busy time.

Jason R. Shorter

Whistler

 

Palms away

I write this letter with equal amounts of sadness and joy. I’m leaving Whistler.

The Backpackers is closing its doors and up for sale.

I must say the roller coaster ride in this job has allowed me to enjoy the company of many thousands of young minds. And to the hundreds that return each year: sorry, I won’t be here for you next season.

This is a special good-bye to the ones (Backpackers) that have stayed and decided to make Whistler their home. I miss you already.

Calen Keath

Whistler

 

A tale of two drivers

Recently, I had to run to catch the bus at Village Gate Boulevard, but got there a couple of seconds after it pulled away from the bus stop and was waiting for the light to change at Northlands Boulevard. I got to the front doors and tapped on them, but the driver shook his head "no" to indicate that he could not let me on there. I knew the next stop was only a couple hundred metres down Northlands and headed that way in a sprint. The driver knew my intentions as he passed me on the way and stopped at the next stop to pick up passengers, yet when I got within 50 metres of the bus, he pulled away and left me gasping and furious. I could have been there in another 5 seconds or so and I knew he could see me in the mirror.

If the municipality wants locals like me to leave their cars at home and take the bus, it should impress upon the transit company that service counts. And why can't they pick you up when waiting at a stop light? They can let you off wherever they want. A driver told me that when I asked about the policy of picking up, but you can only be picked up at a designated stop.

On another occasion, I witnessed a mother and young son getting on the bus in Tapley's Farm and they did not have proper change, so she put in two toonies. The driver asked if they would be taking the bus home again and the reply was "yes." He asked about what time they would return and made out a transfer for the approximate time because he said she had paid about double the fare. Which driver do you think has the right attitude for a resort community?

We have a good transit system, but it's only as good as the people that operate it. Just like any other business.

Terry Spence

Whistler

 

Re: Whistler should take stand against war (Pique letters to the editor Feb. 14)

As a recent American visitor to Whistler, I enjoyed reading the letters from readers, but I must take exception to Mr. Richmond's points regarding the US and Iraq. I can respect Mr. Richmond's right to his own opinions, however when you use "facts" to substantiate your claims, they need to be correct.

Stating that a 3 mpg improvement in US SUVs would eliminate the need for Middle East oil is a complete fabrication. Anyone that is capable of doing the math would see that.

Stating that the US and UK traded Anthrax and Smallpox to Iraq in the 1980s would seem a bit difficult to believe, again, one would think this is totally false or at least a huge exaggeration of circumstances at the time.

Stating that the oil embargo with Iraq, which explicitly allowed sales of oil for humanitarian (i.e., medical and nutritional) needs, was the cause of deaths by malnutrition and disease of children in Iraq would seem implausible. Are we to assume that if Iraq had been able to sell more oil, it would have funnelled the proceeds to these causes? They didn't do it when it was allowed, why not?

As far as the prediction of increased terrorism due to an overthrow of the current Iraqi dictatorship, we will never know the answer to this, there are clearly as many who feel the opposite will be true.

In closing, most Americans do not want a war, including myself. However there are times that require a strong stance and real repercussions for failure to comply with, in this case, UN decrees. Do you really think that Iraq would be co-operating at all if 180,000 US and UK troops were not sitting at his border? The last 10 years would suggest not.

Bill Weber

Connecticut, USA

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 40-plus people who attended each of the Literary Leaning events held on Sunday, February 23rd and Monday February 24th at Uli's Flipside in Creekside. It was a wonderful celebration of food, drink and literature. The writers appreciated the support they received in the form of a real live appreciative audience. We also drew many curious people who had never attended a reading. They came away asking for more. It was a great cap to a wonderful couple of days.

This event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Celebration 2010, the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the City of Vancouver, and the Canada Council for the Arts. A great deal of behind the scenes effort also took place. Thanks to Stephen Vogler for organizing the venue, food and securing Bonnie Bowman to read at our event; to Brandi Higgins who secured Adam Schroeder and Nancy Lee; to Rebecca Wood Barrett for her efforts in getting the word out to the media; to Ryan (sorry no last name) our wonderful host (and a closet literary genius himself) at Uli's and the Arts Council who involved us in the Celebration 2010 events.

I am continually impressed by the people in our community who come out to support the arts and in particular the literary arts. Thank you. Without you, we'd be toiling away on our computers without an audience to hear and appreciate our words.

Stella L. Harvey

Whistler Writers Group

 

On Saturday, Feb. 22 nd at Millennium Place a most extraordinary event took place. Gathered in Franz Wilhelmsen Hall for Heritage Night were Olympic athletes of various sports, from 1956 in Melbourne to 1998 in Nagano, and others who had participated in the Games or the Whistler Bids from 1968 onward. The Whistler Museum and Archives holds this heritage event annually in a cozy, living room-type atmosphere where memories and accomplishments of local community members are celebrated.

This year’s province-wide theme was: "The Heritage of our Town" and the museum and archives focused on "Olympic Experiences." For our first heritage event in a larger venue the list of distinguished guests included Rob Boyd as a fabulous master of ceremonies; The Malaher Family, Volunteers at the Calgary ’88 Games; Kennedy Ryan; Phil Chew; Terry Spence; Garry Watson, member of four Garibaldi/Whistler Vancouver Bid committees; Shannon Smith; Willy Raine; Tara Teigen; Doug McDonald; Anna Fraser-Sproule and Ross Rebagliati.

It was an amazing feeling to listen to personal memories of past Games and hear about the highs and lows of training and competition. Many athletes who could not be present were referred to in stories so that the spirit of other Canadian Olympians was evoked throughout the night. The participants and speakers gathered on-stage in various old Olympic outfits of red, yellow, gray, orange, black and white to take turns asking the audience Olympic Trivia questions. The grand prize of the evening was a copy of Whistler: Against All Odds, by Michel Beaudry, which had been graciously donated by Armchair Books. Congratulations to Michelle Crowe for being in the lucky seat!

Complementing the event was the unveiling of an ongoing, small exhibit in the lobby of Millennium Place featuring "Hats and Helmets from past Olympic Games." To view this exhibit, drop by MY Place Monday through Saturday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., until March 9.

A special thank you to Christian at Millennium Place for a flawless technical evening; to videographer, Brian Hockenstein; photographer, Scott McAlpine; the Whistler Arts Council for their competent support; and to Celebration 2010 for the chance to expand our vision! Thank you again to all participants and speakers who generously volunteered their time and shared with us a part of their lives that we don’t often get to hear about. What a treat to have so many down-to-earth, inspiring, talented people living in our midst.

We look forward to next February when we will again host a night of Living History.

Kris Shoup, Karen Overgaard, Kerry Clark and

the Board of the Whistler Museum and Archives Society