Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Letters to the editor

I am writing on behalf of the board of trustees for the Whistler Public Library to express our appreciation for the decision that council made last week to endorse the direction taken by RMOW staff with regards to the new community facility which wil

I am writing on behalf of the board of trustees for the Whistler Public Library to express our appreciation for the decision that council made last week to endorse the direction taken by RMOW staff with regards to the new community facility which will include space for the library.

We are fully aware of the financial considerations that council had to address in taking this step to move forward and we applaud the recognition that a new library facility needs to be provided for the community and for the many visitors to the resort who use the library in ever increasing numbers. We are also appreciative that the current site will remain the location of the new library. The board has endorsed this site as its central location in the village is convenient for the full range of library patrons.

We have been increasingly concerned that the longer the decision took to move forward, the cost of the new building was escalating so that the community would be receiving less and less of a facility the longer we waited. We have also been worried that the library project would be competing with the development of Olympic infrastructure requirements. Please be assured that the board will continue to fund raise in order to contribute to the enhancements that will make this facility special for Whistler.

We are so pleased that it looks possible that construction could start in the spring of 2005 with an opening date in 2006. Again, please accept our thanks for the decision to move forward.

Anne Fenwick

Chair

Whistler Public Library

 

Well here it is; another comment on the sale of BC Rail and the upgrading of Highway 99. Although my written words (not the ones read here) have sent me lower then ever before, cost me my job and damaged others, for which I am truly sorry, I must make another comment that will get me tossed from house and home, keep me in the unemployment lineup and ensure my financial persecution to the point, that for many years to come every time I walk outside I will expect a giant Visa card to fall from the sky and squash me. Here we go.

Apparently the proceeds from the sale of BC Rail are going to be used to pay for the upgrading of our highway. Please inform me, when BC Rail is purchased, will CN make out a cheque directly to Intrawest or will it just be an electronic transfer within the Bank of Montreal?

Maybe I shall move to Victoria. I hear that due to the warm winters, it’s the best place in Canada for those forced to live in a cardboard box.

Bjorn Gimse

Whistler

 

Sustainability? It seems like we’ve tampered with the original blueprint of Whistler so much that now we’re stuck trying to hold it altogether. To maintain the success(?) of this valley we have look after its two greatest attributes – the environment and the people.

Hats off to council for its attempt to get the public involved in the process of where to go from here. Unfortunately, it seems the way in which the municipality gathered information and the results, doesn’t accurately represent our community. I personally believe the RMOW also has its own agenda on the direction we are to follow. As always, resident housing is a main concern for the future of this area. Infill would definitely be the quickest and easiest way to solve Whistler’s housing problem, but at what cost? Not only will each neighbourhood have to endure the years of service installation and construction, but the loss of green space (animal habitat) and urbanization will last forever.

The current housing market in Whistler offers little hope for most of the people to ever own their own chunk of land with a house and yard. Even with partial, or full ownership of a house, it’s becoming increasingly frustrating and difficult to pay the high taxes. For the stability of Whistler over the long term something must be done to keep residents here and to attract new long term people. If everyone is happy living in moderate to high density housing, then maybe council is moving in the right direction. I don’t believe that’s the case.

With the Olympics now unavoidable, something must be done with the 600 acres (given to First Nations and local municipalities) of Crown land being freed up. Perhaps the Callaghan Valley offers us an opportunity to build a subdivision of affordable, moderately sized homes with environmentally sustainable techniques. Doesn’t it make sense to focus our attention on an area where upwards of $50 million is going to be spent on new facilities already? Would this not also be more efficient and less obtrusive to all living here now?

The Olympics will leave a legacy to be remembered. Will it be when property values went from ridiculous to absurd and they developed every greenspace in the valley, or…

Steve Wragg

Whistler

 

Every evening, as I wait to take the bus to work, I count the passing cars. I do my own little Highway 99 transportation survey. Two of every three non-commercial vehicles are SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks. Two of every three cars are, well, not cars. Most have two occupants or less.

This is a typical result of the gluttonous, greedy, lazy and wasteful mentality adopted by our society. The uninhabited monstrosity keeping watch over Nita Lake is Whistler’s crowning glory of our ultra-extravagant and over-indulgent nature. As much as Whistler may like to change these flagrant displays and abuses of material wealth, one thing that can not be changed is human nature.

"And the rich man in his summer home singing just leave well enough alone." - The Grateful Dead.

Alex Nikolic

Whistler

 

It seems to me the most obvious question in regards to further development in Pemberton is, when is enough, enough?

On nearly every corner of our little town there are piles of rubble, scaffolding, construction fencing and signs offering fantastic opportunities for potential investors. At present we have the second phase of The Peaks going in, mountainsides being blasted away to make room for townhomes at the Pemberton Plateau, and the 80-unit Pioneer Junction complex is moving along rapidly in its construction. Next to the Pony Espresso is a fairly large commercial space with residential apartments above which looks to be moving into its later stages of completion. What used to be woodlands next to Cottonwood Court in now a new townhouse complex which, from what I understand, has two more phases yet to go in. Word on the street is that Mountain Building is moving and that the old one storey building will be giving way to a two storey building with residential above and commercial space below... hearsay I admit but I am willing to bet not too far from the truth.

In recent memory the Shell and McDonald’s were erected kitty corner to the Petro Canada. Many new single family dwellings along the railroad track along with countless others within the town limits have sprung up. Fairly extensive renovations have taken place at AG foods, the commercial space containing Radioshack and Peoples Drug Mart, as well as the Petro Canada.

All this has happened in the short 18 months I have lived in this town. The amount of change I speak of would be impressive growth for a town 10 times our size and is simply astounding for a community of under 2,000.

I feel compelled to ask: Is it time to perhaps pull back? Should we have a look around and let some time pass before we move ahead with yet another development?

With increased residents and commercial interest comes increased revenue, but also increased traffic and community concerns. Are we growing so quickly that we may end up looking back at our mistakes wondering why we didn't learn from other bedroom communities caught up in a pre-Olympic frenzy?

I remember Canmore pre-1988, before the poor planning and rapid growth that turned it into an eyesore reminiscent of a Calgary suburb. It was a beautiful little mountain town, full of community and potential, much like Pemberton. Today Canmore is chain hotel heaven, conveniently located along the highway. Houses on top of houses. Most of the old timers seem to have gone. Left is the unmistakable grumblings of resentment and regret.

No one is saying we have to leave things as they are... but moderately paced, well thought out growth, controlled by the community – not developers is – a viable alternative to the building frenzy which only seems to be escalating. Why not slow things down? Get a fresh outlook in a couple of years, once all the already finalized developments have actually become communities. At that time we can re-evaluate what Pemberton's needs are. Why are we in such a hurry?

BC Rail has waited this long (to rezone a piece of property in Pemberton); they can wait a little longer. They have many other pieces of land in communities all across the province that they can develop in the meantime. Their representatives have made it clear that they are interested in moving forward in a way that benefits our community. If this is truly the case they will not mind waiting a little longer or finding a buyer that will accept the current zoning. It seems pretty clear from the vote of 45 to 1 against the development (taken at the bylaw meeting on Tuesday, March 9) that the members of this community do not feel we would benefit at this time from another development.

So I ask council to take what was said by all parties to heart and not move ahead with the rezoning of the BC Rail property at this time.

Bernice Raabis

Pemberton

 

While there is no excuse for locals not to recycle with convenient drop areas in Whistler, there is a bigger concern about the amount of recyclables being thrown daily into the landfill by tourists and locals who may not have the means to get to the dump sites.

We are not locals but have owned a place in Whistler for eight years, we vacation there 15-20 times a year and do recycle when visiting. Why?

1. We know where the recycle sites are; 2. We have access to a car to take care of the task.

For the one-time visitor enjoying a week or two vacation, they may not have access to a vehicle or know about the recycling areas, so usually have no choice but to throw recyclables into the garbage.

Many condo and townhome sites have a common garbage dumpster for their residents and vacationers. Why not also have a dumpster for recyclable products?

By making recycle bins available people will use them. As you can see in the attached photo of the dumpster at our complex, people are conscience about recycling and opted to set the bottles and cans to the side of the dumpster, hoping they would be recycled properly. (This was only one Friday night’s worth of bottles.) Unfortunately , when the garbage is picked up the cans and bottles are tossed into the garbage truck. Like I said, if a separate bin was available at each complex it would get used.

I have no knowlege about the AWARE speaker Helen Spieglman's presentation, Addicted to Waste. What do we need to do in order to attain our community's goal of a "zero waste" future? As Mark Beaven and Katrina Koric, stated in their letters to the editor (Pique, March 5, 2004), there is definitely room for improvement and yes, Whistler is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Just a couple simple changes will benefit all.

Lisa Habben

Seattle, WA

 

We have a fabulous good news story.

One of your local residents has become a member of our extended family via her baking. A few years back Deborah Chandler graciously came on board offering her baking talents to the children and families of Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver. The attention and love she puts into baking different goodies is amazing. She wraps each one individually so the children can tuck them in their pockets to take to the hospital. What a delight to see the kids faces when the baskets arrive. We are so lucky to have this generous lady share her loving spirit and talents with us. We also want to thank the Sea to Sky Courier services who donates there time and delivers Deborah's special baskets of baking.

Barb Eberhardt

Executive Director

Ronald McDonald House, Vancouver

 

Meadow Park to Rainbow Park

I would like to thank Bob Kusch, manager of program and community services, and the crews at the RMOW’s Parks Department for the regular X-C ski grooming that was carried out on the multi-use Valley Trail from Meadow Park to Rainbow Park this winter; this was the best and most consistent it has ever been. The good maintenance of this trail enabled many X-C skiers and walkers, as well as dog owners and their beloved pets, to enjoy the winter season even more than usual. We are all looking forward to repeating the experience next season.

Carol Fuegi

Whistler

 

Vive le Valley Trail

On the eve of its (supposed) grand reopening for the year I sit and ponder the fact that I am now going to be free at last. The past four months have been the longest I’ve known since moving to Whistler eight years ago. The reason you ask? Well it’s the stretch of our wonderful Valley Trail between Emerald and Alpine.

Having done the typical rent thing since moving here I have had the experience of living in Tamarisk, Alpine, White Gold, Nordic, Whistler Cay and now Emerald. In each of these districts I have been an avid year round user of the Valley Trail system, running, walking, biking, cross-country skiing and more recently pushing and pulling my two boys, aged 3 and 8 months, along with me.

I didn’t quite realize how much I relied on the Valley Trail for my mental well being, freedom of movement and daily commuting until I didn’t have it anymore. Having to bundle two youngsters up and either having to use the car or the (excellent) bus service just to go and get milk is annoying when I can kill a few birds with one stone so to speak and a) get my exercise, b) get the kids out of the house and to sleep and c) save myself $3 or more by not having to go into the village.

My question to the Municipality of Whistler, mayor and council, is: why is the Emerald to Alpine section of the Valley Trail the only section in the whole valley not maintained over the winter (Nov 15th-March15th)? I have, of course, phoned and been informed that it is because it is used for Highway 99 snow dump, and yes, I see that.

However I don’t see why the trail couldn’t be plowed after snowfall has ended and the highway is cleared. The sign on the gates does say "open weather permitting" and there have been many days between snowfalls where we could have used the trail if it were cleared.

I know I am not the only person to feel this way about the trail being closed. I would like to see something done about it for next winter and will be writing to the mayor and council with regard to it. In the meantime, roll on March 15th and Vive le Valley Trail!

Rachael Lythe,

Whistler

 

He lived humbly but passionately with the wild. It made him brother to all untamed things of nature. It drew him apart and revealed itself wonderfully to him… and took him to itself at last.

— J.E.H. Macdonald

On a beautiful bluebird day on Cayoosh Mountain, my partner of eight years, Chris "Beeker" Romeskie, was taken from this world by the forces that be. Beeker died on a Sunday, doing exactly what he wanted to be doing, and though I can find lots of "good" in his death, it does not change the fact that he is gone and a huge Beek-sized hole has been left in the lives of many.

The continual outpouring of love and support from our community and our extended network of family and friends has been astounding and has helped to carry me through this difficult time. On behalf of myself, my parents, Bill and Angie McKay, and the Romeskie family, Julian, Beatrice, Greg, Janis, Lars, Jen, and Lara, I would like to try to thank those who have shown me that though I may feel alone without Beek, I am far from alone. Please bear with me (and forgive me if I forget anyone) as I wish to convey a most heartfelt Thank You to:

Our friend Andie Osborne who was touring with us that day and who did all she possibly could to bring Beeker back to life and to keep me sane throughout.

The kind folks on their road trip from Big White, who picked Andie and I up on the Duffy Lake Road and brought us back to Pemberton.

Our "best man" Chris Hammons, who came to us without question that night as a shoulder to lean on, and with the help of his extraordinary wife, Emma Jane, took over many of the numerous details and arrangements necessary.

The RCMP officers, Steve and Mel, who treated us with compassion and respect in a time of great emotion.

The members of the RCMP, Pemberton Search and Rescue, Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Patrol, and Blackcomb Helicopters who worked together to bring Beeker home.

The coroner, Brian Pothier, George McKenzie from the Squamish Funeral Chapel, and Kerri Palmer, RCMP victim services co-ordinator, for their guidance and assistance with such unfamiliar territory.

Our wonderful friends and neighbours in Pemberton; Rena, Anne, Nicole, Trevor, Gloria, Chris, Ryan, and the gang at the compound, who opened their homes to those from out of town who needed a place to stay. As well as the Greenwood Country Inn B&B for graciously hosting Beeker’s other "moms" Benedicte and Agnete, who provided invaluable support to the Romeskie family and I.

Our roommate Craig McGee for his understanding and hospitality.

Our many thoughtful friends who fed us so well and took such good care of our home and all of us. Your kindnesses never cease to amaze me as you look out for me and help to complete many unfinished tasks. Beeker and I are extremely fortunate to have so many close friends to share our lives and care for us.

All those who sent beautiful flowers, cards, wrote emails, and called, knowing you were sharing in our pain helped to ease it a little.

Our friends who have moved or were away working or playing and came home to be with us when we needed you.

The folks at the Pique and the Question for their thoughtful tributes.

My various employers who have been so compassionate and accommodating during this stressful time.

My banker Jessica Averiss, the staff at the Royal Bank, and my lawyer Peter Shrimpton, your assistance with the many details and piles of paperwork has certainly helped to lighten my load.

The Squamish crew, particularly Damian and Elise Kelly, Derek Flett and Andie for hosting a wonderful reception following the Thursday chapel service.

Toadhall for so quickly putting together the memorial stickers. Seeing them around reminds me that he was an inspiration to many and that we all miss him.

Emma Jane Heatherington and Ronnie Lister for arranging Dusty’s as our venue for Beeker’s celebration of life and Leslie and all the staff at Dusty’s for pulling it off. I wish it could have gone on all night; it was amazing to look around such a crowded room and know just about everyone there. Beeker would have loved it!

Wayne Coughlin for stepping up to the plate as Master of Ceremonies and doing an incredible job.

Nicole Heisterman, Todd Kemp, and Greg Griffiths for putting together the beautiful framed photos of Beek for the Romeskies, Dusty’s and myself.

Merrie Beth Board and Suzanne Baker for singing, Beeker and all the angels surely heard you.

All those who waited upstairs and outside, your presence and perseverance were greatly appreciated.

The Samurai and Blackcomb Patrollers for wearing their colours, I felt the strength of our numbers.

Our photographer friends, Bruce Rowles, Jia Condon, Rich Prohaska, Greg Eymundson, and Blake Jorgenson for putting together the slide show as an outstanding tribute to Beeker. Heather, I couldn’t have sorted through Beek and my slides without you. For a guy that actually didn’t pose too often it is an awesome collection of photos.

The many local businesses and individuals who contributed to the silent auction and raffle, your generosity was overwhelming! As well as Lon and Julie Martin for organizing the auction and raffle with the help of Gloria Doerksen.

Katrina at Digimatize productions for creating the DVDs of the slide show. I feel so proud of him and the message this portrayal of his life sends. Carpe Diem!

Everyone who contributed to the memorial fund, your good will and open hearts will be embodied through a lasting legacy to Beeker in the backcountry.

Everybody who came out for Beeker and Trevor day, "What a beautiful day!"

Tanya Reck for her wisdom, empathy and the special picnic she brought to the Peak. It is a comfort to know that others appreciate what I am going through.

Pete Hammons for the handsome plaque on Beeker’s axe as well as Rich and Chris for mounting it. Beek would be pleased that anyone wanting to touch it will have to pull a few moves.

My parents, Bill and Angie McKay, for their unconditional love and support. I never doubted that you would be here when I need you and do all you can to help. Your attention to particulars, provision of refreshments at Dusty’s, and sponsoring my brother and his wife to come out for a visit as well as my trip to Mexico are greatly appreciated.

My Uncle John for coming from Mexico to be here for my family and for inviting me to escape for a while to his home on the beach.

Mes beaux-parents, Julian and Beatrice Romeskie, for welcoming me as a family member from the day that I met them. I could not have wished for a more wonderful second family, including the Cauchois clan in France, Dean and Martha Yager, and all the members of your enormous network of family and friends. Your strength and love is a pillar for me to lean on and all that you do for me is appreciated more than you can imagine. I see Chris in all of you and pray that our connection continues to grow. Je vous embrasse.

Beek, my big bird, for taking me into the mountains, being my guide and sharing your life with me. In uncountable ways, you have shaped me into the person I am today and I am eternally grateful for your influence, patience, commitment and love. Everyday with you was an adventure and I will carry you with me always. I see you baby.

I know that in the days to come there will be times that I need you all and I know that you will be there. Again, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You.

Nicole McKay

(a.k.a. Little Bird)

Pemberton