School boundaries make sense
In response to the letter from Beth Harlow in the last issue of the Pique, I wish to comment on behalf of the Board. The Board made the decision on the Myrtle Philip Community School boundary. Therefore it is most appropriate for the Board to answer for the decision and process.
The School Board recognizes the frustration and anger of a number of Spruce Grove/White Gold parents regarding the school boundary decision.
The reality of the geography of Whistler and the central location of Myrtle Philip Community School is that there is no school boundary decision that will satisfy everyone.
The School Board went through a lengthy public input process commencing in November, 2001, culminating with a public meeting in Whistler on March 13, 2002. Option 1 received only one more positive response than Option 2 on the survey of parents.
The problem with Option 1 (all students north of Alta Vista go to Myrtle Philip) was, and is, that it will result in too many students at Myrtle Philip. At the public Board meeting on March 13, 2002, Spruce Grove/White Gold presenters argued that a migration of families from the north to the south of Whistler was underway and that this would result in Option 1 becoming viable over time. In an attempt to be responsive to these parents, and despite the misgivings of some Trustees and many in the audience, the Board voted to select Option 1, subject to a review when new enrollment numbers became available. If the migration of families did not occur then the Board would revert to Option 2.
The Board voted to commence the review in November 2002 and to make a decision by January 2003. In response to a question from the floor, Chair Amy Shoup made it clear that the decision could be made as early as November.
The boundary issue was discussed at Myrtle Philip PAC meetings in the fall of 2002 and the Board was specifically asked by the PAC – the official voice of the parents of elementary students in Whistler – to make the decision as soon as possible to facilitate planning.
Thus, the information that the Board might make a decision as early as November was available to those who attended the entire March 13 meeting, or read the minutes of the meeting, or attended any MPCS meeting in September, October or November, 2002.
The Board regrets that Ms. Harlow was unaware of this timing. Effective communication with all stakeholders on issues of concern is one of the most difficult challenges the School District faces.
In any case, the Board reviewed the projected enrollment figures in November 2002 and again in June 2003. The most recent figures show that, with Spruce Grove/White Gold attending Spring Creek, the primary classes at Myrtle Philip will be filled to capacity and there may be a few places available in intermediate classes.
(Note that the only certain thing about these projections is that they will be different from the actual number of students who show up for classes in September).
On June 11, 2003 the Board passed a motion authorizing Myrtle Philip to accept applications for transfer from Spring Creek. When actual enrollment and spare capacity, if any, is determined in September, a lottery will be held to select students from the list of applicants.
In summary, the Board has gone through a lengthy public input process; has adhered to the schedule of review and decision-making agreed to at the March 13, 2002 meeting; made a thoughtful decision based on lengthy reflection; reviewed this decision six months later; and will continue to review the decision on a periodic basis.
The Board regrets that it is unable to satisfy all the residents of Whistler on this issue.
Amy Shoup
Board Chair
Preserve the Last of the Flat Waterfront Parkland Areas in Whistler
It is very disturbing to learn that Whistler is to lose one of its last attractive potential waterfront park sites to a towering, four-plus story private luxury hotel.
The massive building proposed for the site at the south end of Nita Lake would leave nothing but the narrow, paved Valley Trail right beside the water’s edge and this would be permanently in the shadow.
Once green space is gone, it is gone for good.
Whistler Council should be preserving this beautiful, sunny, green waterfront space, so close to everything in the Whistler Creek area, for the use and enjoyment of the general public – both tourists and local residents alike. Public parkland is a key component in any world class year round resort.
Patricia Oswald
Vancouver
Step up for the real Whistler
Two weeks ago you wrote an excellent editorial about the nature of the local community in Whistler, about how Whistler folks really to "step up to the plate" and help each other out. This editorial really spoke to me, as through my volunteer endeavour I see this side of Whistler all the time, and I fell it is the "real" Whistler which the outside world never sees, and which goes unsuspected even by some permanent residents. We do not talk about this Whistler enough.
The "real" Whistler was exemplified for me the last few days when I saw numerous locals step up to the plate to help out the voiceless and helpless victims of our often heedless society; namely the unwanted animals of the WAG animal shelter. Please allow me to say some heartfelt thank-yous on behalf of the animals, who cannot speak for themselves.
The WAG Carwash fundraiser was a success, thanks to the kind generosity of Lance Eymundsen of Home Hardware, who volunteered his carpark space and provided hoses and washing materials. Thank you Lance and let’s do this again next year!
Thank you to the hardworking volunteers who stood in the hot sun and scrubbed a stream of grubby vehicles, including Karen Davies, Raine Playfair, Anita Wheatley, Peter Deas, Susan, Samantha and Harrison Shrimpton, Frazer and Morgan McGaw, Leslie and Ro (sorry, don’t know full names for you two!).
Thanks all those kind people who submitted their vehicles to our amateur washing efforts and gave generously in return. We made well in excess of $400, which will buy lots of kitty litter!
Thanks to Lori of Mountain FM, who drove away in a sparkling clean Mountain FM truck and proceeded to advertise the fact on air, bringing in more customers. And thank you to the nice lady from Teddy Treats who showered us with yummy treats for the dogs
Thanks also go to the valiant team who walked dogs and hauled a dog-house for WAG in the Canada Day Parade! Thank you Gail, Francesca, Julie, Erica and doggie paraders Sophie, Jelly Bean, Scooby and Lyle.
WAG will soon need its devoted supporters more than ever, as we boost our fundraising efforts towards building a badly-needed new shelter. Look out for news very soon on an exciting July fundraiser to kick off this campaign. And of course we’ll see you and your dirty pooches at the ever-popular WAG Doggie Wash in August!
WAG always needs volunteers. Get your tails down to the shelter or call us at 604-905-7750.
The secret’s out for good
As I sit here at my house in St. John's, Newfoundland watching the intense television coverage of the Olympic 2010 announcement, I cannot help but feel the pain that some of the Whistler locals must be going through.
Years ago your town was one of Canada's best kept secrets. A beautiful mountain town hidden away from all the evil that lurks in a major centre. Much like my home province; a province founded on fish and the men and women who caught them. Yet, my forefathers and you long time-locals have been screwed by the officials whom we elect and pay.
It took Joey Smallwood Two referendums to get Newfoundland and Labrador to join Confederation, and after losing the first one, he narrowly got us through on the second try in 1949. Lucky for us, I guess.
In 1992 the Canadian government halted all fishing activities in Newfoundland and Labrador, all the while knowing that in the early 80's research showed that the cod stock was rapidly depleting. Yet my government didn’t care, our export was fish and without that what were we good for?
Whistler is growing steadily, and as a young ski instructor for Intrawest and as a lifeguard at the Meadow Park Sports Centre I know first hand how difficult and expensive it is to survive (let alone live) in that quiet mountain town. I was able to pull it off for three years, barely. After today, and the announcement of the Olympics, many young boys and girls will not be able to enjoy everything Whistler has to offer as I did.
With greedy landlords and landladies trying to take every penny I earned for lodgings in a slum-like apartment, this announcement just makes it worse (Tourism is a British Columbia money-maker, and Whistler tops that list – why not bring the Olympics in? Who cares of the aftermath that will follow?). I only had to take care of myself, knowing that I could never and would never be able to afford to live there – let alone try to raise a family as many of my swimming lesson patrons parents were doing. We finally find something beautiful and as soon as the wrong people get their hands on it they exploit it for their benefit and profit. Thanks a lot Joey. Thanks Hugh. Thanks Gordon. Thanks a lot Jean. From one end of the country to the other no one can escape our lovely government. Chances are I will not be coming to visit in 2010.
Jeremy Eaton
Whistler 1999 - 2002
To the RMOW, Mayor and Council of Whistler,
With regards to the Nita Lake development, I think regardless of the outcome lets at least be honest and face the facts as they are.
FACT 1 – The developer, however he likes to present it, is in this for one thing only and that is money. The bigger the development the more money he makes. He is not, even if he likes to think he is, doing this for the benefit of us, the community of Whistler. He is doing it for a bottom line and we are being given a few crumbs to help him get his way.
FACT 2 – Mr. Lambert bought his property (he did not build it) with what he thought was a protected view, due to the zoning that was in place at the time of purchase. I think if people were honest we would all react the same way if the view form our homes, no matter what size, was threatened by rezoning that appeared to go through due to "the sweeteners" offered by the developer. The only difference here is that Mr. Lambert appears to have the wherewithal to challenge it.
FACT 3 – Can the RMOW and Council HONESTLY say, hand on heart, that this would have gone through had there been no community incentives on the table? If the answer is Yes, then can I ask why the original owner of the land, the late John Taylor – who spent 20 years trying to get the RMOW and council to get a similar development passed – was continually and repeatedly turned down? One can only assume that it was because he did not offer the right sweeteners!
So, as I said, whichever way this goes, please do us a favour and stop trying to dress it up as something that is being done for the sole benefit of the community – especially when you could go ahead and rezone the wetlands to protect them and you have in the last three years turned down several projects that offered huge amounts of employee housing.
I also hardly think privatizing our rail access, thereby making Whistler totally dependent on road access for the future, is in our best interests. Nor is it environmentally friendly.
Wayne Bennett
Whistler
WEF questions linger
As the Vancouver business community lobbies to hold the WEF in Whistler, it should consider how and where the accompanying protesters will vent their frustration upon being denied access to Highway 99 and the conference. Recent events on Lake Geneva may offer some indication.
Alex Nikolic
Whistler
