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This week's letters

I'm writing this letter in hopes that the smokers in B.C., most importantly, here in Whistler, get this message: Your cigarette butts are fire hazards! The other day while I was at Rainbow Lake, a girl had flicked her cigarette butt into the trees.

I'm writing this letter in hopes that the smokers in B.C., most importantly, here in Whistler, get this message: Your cigarette butts are fire hazards!

The other day while I was at Rainbow Lake, a girl had flicked her cigarette butt into the trees. My friend had noticed her do it, as well as noticing the cigarette was still lit. He then went over and put the cigarette out for her, while she continued into the bathroom. What was she thinking? Does she not hear/watch the news? Or does she not care?

My letter is not to tell people how bad smoking is for your health, but even worse: it could result in major forest fires. If I had my way cigarettes would have another tax added on for forest fire prevention. Two out of three fires are started by mankind. Please, please, please put out your cigarette butts properly!

Heidi Hawkins

Whistler

 

I would like to offer my deepest thanks and gratitude to the communities of Gun Creek, Tyax, Pemberton and Whistler, and everyone's collective effort in rescuing our friend Brent McIvor from the Eldorado Creek area in a mountain bike accident on Sunday, June 27.

I was quickly dispatched to people like Dave Steers and Russell McNolty of Pemberton Search and Rescue through the local RCMP. Patricia and John Goats of Pemberton Helicopters were able to respond to a provincial dispatch in a timely matter that made the world of difference, getting a helicopter in before dark to the rescue site. Thank you so much for your help and effort. The landing site was not the easiest to manoeuvre and John's piloting made it feel like we were coming into an airport.

I am also grateful to have met Dr. Jel Coward, who was able to stabilize Brent's condition and help ready for transport. Without him, I feel it would have been impossible to move Brent five feet. And I am sure the medical attention he later received in Whistler and in Vancouver helped save his life.

I would also like to thank people like Barry and his wife at Spruce Lake Wilderness Tours, and Clyde at Tyax Mountain Lodge, who helped make the rescue logistics come together, and their efforts are deeply appreciated. Thank you.

Finally, I would like to thank Keith McIvor and Aron Griffiths, my friends. Two people that I was riding with, after being with some of the nicest spirits in Whistler for the better part of the day. These friends helped Brent through those first hours of his condition, and without them, who knows what could have happened. They were there for him, and myself alike.

Thank you so much.

Kevin Raffler.

Whistler

 

Re: Ashlu River and Sigurd Creek power projects

The Run of River projects proposed for the Ashlu and Sigurd Creek should be disallowed as they would destroy a natural river system, negatively impact our air and water, destroy fish and wildlife habitat.

Politicians must recognize that leadership and vision are vitally necessary at this time.

Myra Farrell

Squamish

 

Thanks to the WSS teachers

It is June 24 th and tomorrow will be our youngest child’s last day of school. He will write his last provincial exam and this thought makes us reflect on the last seven years we have had children attending Whistler Secondary School.

We moved from West Vancouver in 1997 to embrace the lifestyle that Whistler offers. When we decided to make the move we came to the high school and met the principal at that time, Rick Smith. He toured us around and made us very comfortable about the education our children would get at Whistler Secondary. He made us aware that because it was a small school, all the options for classes that large schools offer would not be available at Whistler. We felt comfortable with what was offered and our children embarked on their education at Whistler Secondary that September. Rick got to know both our children and always took an interest in what and how they were doing. He was greatly missed by both children and my husband and I when he left Whistler Secondary.

Now both children have graduated from Whistler Secondary, our daughter in 2001 and our son this year, and we want to thank both past and present teachers for their dedication and inspiration. Being a teenager is a tough job, but it can be an even tougher job trying to understand, teach and support a classroom full of them. They say it takes a community to raise a child, but it takes enthusiastic, dedicated teachers to turn a teenager on to school.

We can say that both children had the very fortunate experience of having some of the best and most dedicated teachers B.C. can offer right here at Whistler Secondary and we know that both our children will go forward with the right skills and confidence to master whatever they choose because of the guidance and care they received from the teachers at Whistler Secondary.

Thanks to all the past and present teachers at WSS.

John & Moe Richmond

Whistler

 

The Green River Motocross Track had its first CMA sanctioned practice event on Sunday, June 27th. The weather was fantastic and the track was prepared very well. We had 65 riders from all over the Lower Mainland come up to ride and they are all looking forward to the race we're hosting this fall.

We would like to thank all the volunteers who came out so far this season and especially those who made the trip out on Saturday. It was awesome to see so much work getting done in one day. Thank you to the crew who worked the event; you all did an amazing job. We couldn't have pulled it off without you.

Chad Breitenstein

Green River Riding Club

 

The Comfortably Numb Trail Race was held this past Sunday, June 27 th . Ninety-five runners competed in a gruelling 25 km Trail Race starting at the Wedge Mountain parking lot, and finishing at the Spruce Grove Ball Fields. This was the First Annual Comfortably Numb Race, and is part of the Iron Lung Trail Running Series. We will definitely repeat this event at the same time next year.

The "Co-Race Directors" would like to say "thank you" to all those individuals who volunteered their Sunday, and all the local businesses, without whose help and contributions this event would not have been possible, or the success that it was.

Any proceeds left over (after we pay all our bills) will be donated to WORCA. If not for WORCA there would not be the amazing system of trails in the Whistler area for runners and mountain bikers to enjoy.

David Higgins

Paul Nichols

Scott Pass

Kevin Titus

Co-Race Directors

Comfortably Numb Trail Race

 

The Whistler Youth Soccer season is drawing to a close for this season and it is time to thank the Pique Newsmagazine, especially Andrew, for his support of our club and being an integral part of our ability to communicate with our parents about registration, game and soccer camp dates. The reporting of events, whether school or community based, has allowed our club to grow over nine years from an initial 15 or 20 athletes to the current 400 plus athletes and create an awareness for parents that our club provides a great opportunity for their children.

Parents can look forward to fall registration in August, a new play schedule with Squamish and Pemberton in the fall and an opportunity to increase their skills for the fall by joining the club sponsored camp, put on by the European Football School from July 5 to 9. Plenty of room left for all ages, especially in the 12-17 categories.

Thank you to parents, coaches, players and club executive for their dedication to the Whistler Youth Soccer Club.

Andrée S. Janyk

President, Whistler Youth Soccer Club

Whistler