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Ironically, the logging community of Pemberton is in an uproar over their backyard being logged.

Ironically, the logging community of Pemberton is in an uproar over their backyard being logged.

In the early 1990s when some members of the Lil'wat Nation put a roadblock up to prevent the building of a logging road, and logging in our community; our neighbours, the Pemberton loggers, their families, the townspeople, and businesses did everything in their power to put a stop to the Lil'wat blockade. Why, some businesses even had petitions hidden behind their counters to this effect.

In the early 1990s, Lil'wat blockaders were trying to put a stop to the building of a logging road that was being built where over 2,000 of our ancestors were buried during the small pox epidemic.

The Lil'wat Nation's territorial hunting and gathering areas have been adversely affected by logging, and our mountain sides have been clear cut.

The Pemberton people were sure adamant about preserving their right to log when it wasn't in their backyards. They weren't concerned about slides, flooding, or the aesthetic consequences of logging, including how it would affect tourism, until it started to threaten their backyard.

Maybe what Pemberton is now experiencing will give other logging communities some empathy towards communities in which they have logged, or are planning to log.

Theresa A. Peters

Vancouver

The point he was making however bears repeating again and again, that logging the watershed in the backyard of Pemberton Village is senseless.

Hopefully it will not be another case of "they'll do what they want!" a rationale which has plagued Canadians since Confederation, and brought to mind similar undefended actions taken against Canadians.

When the Chretien Liberals issued their platform 10 years ago, the Red Book included a promise to "replace" the GST. It never happened.

When Premier McGuinty was seeking election in Ontario last fall, he campaigned on a promise of "no increase in taxes".

Read my lips: he raised them shortly after taking office. Again, the Canadian taxpayers sighed, "What can we do?"

I recall what The Financial Post described as "the great grand-daddy of all" when in 1917 income taxes were introduced as a temporary necessity to fight World War I.

Is it true then that Canadian tax sheep won't bleat no matter how much they're shorn?

The B.C. Assessment authority and helpless Resort Municipality of Whistler obviously think that way, notwithstanding some smoke-and-mirror local taxpayer grant. The U.S. company planning to log Pemberton's watershed likewise.

When more than 12 million Canadians failed to exercise their franchise (June 28 th ) it demonstrated the complacency Canadians have toward their democracy.

Government… and now business, have learned what wimps we are. And although I might seem to ridicule Mr. Maxwell's protest regarding the log-off, I salute his position in support of Pemberton Mayor Elinor Warner.

Al Eaton

Whistler

Re: Valley Trail connection from south end Alta Lake to Scotia Creek/Alta Lake Road West

I am writing to you to ask that you reconsider the decision to pave this section of the Valley Trail. This trail transects an environmentally sensitive zone (wetland and what was a lake two years ago).

I have been involved in this issue over the past near three-year period, and the following summarizes the communications I have had:

• 2001 discussion at Municipal Hall with Jan Jansen, he commented that at that point the decision had been made that this section of the Valley Trail would be paved ("written in stone").

• 2003 discussion on telephone with Jan Jansen, trail surface pavement vs. no pavement options were "open for discussion".

• September 2003 letter (enclosed) sent to Keith Bennett (no reply)

• June 2004 telephone discussion with Keith Bennett, who commented "it will be paved".

• June 2004 CSP Draft Open House, discussion with Joe Paul and Kevin McFarland, they suggested writing to the mayor and council if I believed that a five-year old decision needs review by staff in light of new CSP.

My understanding is that the plan is to in fact pave this portion of the trail. While the Valley Trail connection is a good amenity for the larger community, given the importance that Whistler places on environmental sensitivity, it may be best to leave the surface of this section gravel, in keeping with the excellent trail standard of what is in the Lost Lake Park. The decision was made approximately five years ago to pave this area, I ask that you request staff to review this decision by passing it through the framework of the Natural Step and the CSP.

I urge you to refer to the draft CSP. In particular, I strongly suggest that you consider statements such as the following made therein:

• Our Vision, Priorities and Directions (Blended Future), Protecting the Environment,

Page 20: A sustainable ecosystem management approach has been adopted to ultimately maintain ecological integrity, and to minimize Whistler's physical degradation of natural areas…

Whistler land use goals are complemented by the integration of sustainable technologies and best practice into all infrastructure and systems that support the resort community.

Page 22: Ecologically harmful materials and practices are replaced with more sustainable alternatives.

Further, "Section 4, Recreation and Leisure Strategy, 4.2 Current Reality" refers to challenges ahead, including the need to use "sustainable energy and materials, and protecting cultural and natural areas." It seems that the ultimate objective is to offer recreation in a way that is environmentally responsible, using sustainable energy and materials.

In preserving this area and exemplifying stewardship, the RMOW has the unique opportunity to educate residents and visitors about the long-term goals regarding sustainable development. As set out in section 13.4.10, signage and information regarding importance of these natural areas and why this portion of the trail is not paved could be provided.

There are design and planning techniques to accommodate various user groups. Please think about the long-term goals as set out in the CSP, and do not continue with the "old ways" which are not consistent with those long-term goals. Simply put, paving over wetlands and lakes is absolutely contrary to the whole basis of the CSP.

I appreciate Mr. Paul's and Mr. McFarland's suggestion that I put my recommendation in writing, and I thank you for considering this request. In summary, we should be restoring our wetland valley trails to permeable surfaces, not paving more.

Shannon Smith

Whistler

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District has decided to hold a second public meeting about the Ashlu River power project. Thank you everyone who has helped to this point.

In the meantime the applicant, Ledcor Power Inc., has hand delivered letters in our area offering amenities and jobs. When and if we need any amenities, we will ask the SLRD.

What we would like from Ledcor is for them to withdraw their application for a hydro power project on the Ashlu River.

Joanne Lynn

Upper Squamish Valley

My name is Shorty and I once lived at WAG. Last year I wrote you a letter because Auntie Rachelle from Trail Dogs, my Mom, Caroline Heaney at the Chateau and Uncle Corby from Three Dog Bakery were putting on a little dinner to help raise money for the new WAG shelter. Our dinner, known as the K9 Wine and Dine, was so successful we raised over $7,000. That’s a whole lot of milk bones!

Well, I’m 3 years old now and sooooo much smarter than I was last year. I’ve things pretty much figured out. Me and the other dogs around town have been talking and we think that the Second Annual K9 Wine and Dine is going to be bigger and better than ever! We have lots of great sponsors, a famous actor named Chris Quinlan is going to be our auctioneer and CityTV will be here to show the world that Whistler knows how to treat its doggies right. Please join me, Cooper, Logan, Jake, Taxi, Petie, Snap and Karma at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s Woodland Terrace – Sunday, July 25 th , from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for humans and $25 for dogs and are available at WAG or contact Auntie Rachelle at 604-905-9273. This is an evening for dogs and their owners. The price of the ticket includes a three-course meal for the dogs (a yappetizer, dinner and dessert AND a doggie bag to take home) and a barbecue, complimentary self-parking and a live auction for the people. This is the social event of the summer. Tickets are limited – so get in their fast!

If you can’t make it for dinner and would like to make a donation, please come by WAG during visiting hours (11 a.m.-1p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.).

Shorty the Dog

(a.k.a. the Shortman)

Whistler

Merci beacoup

All the students, teachers and parents from Ecole La Passerelle in Whistler would like to send an enormous thank you to Tim Malone and his energetic staff at the Edgewater for an incredible year-end celebration. The kids loved the horses, watersports and games, and the adults enjoyed the evening event just as much. We would also like to thank IGA for sponsoring our Hot Dog Day fundraiser for our trip to Science World. Thanks are also sent to Nicklaus North Golf Club for making us one of the recipients from this years Local's Day.

Our students send a big Merci to you all.

Caroline Jauvin

On behalf of the students and parents.

Ecole La Passerelle

Spring Creek

The Big Sky Super Skins Tournament & charity silent auction was a huge success! We are pleased to announce that because of generous donations and sponsorships by community-minded businesses and individuals, we not only met our target of $10,000 but exceeded it! The Pemberton Child Care Society is now over $11,000 closer to achieving our ultimate goal of a desperately needed new childcare facility and our more immediate mandate of maintaining and improving our current rooms and programs in the decommissioned old high school.

Thank you! Without the continuing support of the community it would be progressively more difficult to sustain our current programs, let alone improve on them and expand them to meet the growing needs of our community. We feel children are the heart of the community – to keep Pemberton healthy we need to keep working towards improving our available child care. Our young families will leave if we don’t.

Again, thank you. The degree of success achieved at this event was made possible through the support of the many sponsors, donors, players, volunteers and the staff at Big Sky Golf & Country Club.

Lisa Ames for

Pemberton Child Care Society/Big Sky Super Skins Tournament

On behalf of the eighty five plus players that attended the Alpenglow Ultimate (Frisbee) tournament this past weekend I would like to thank everyone involved. The venue at the Myrtle Phillips fields was first rate, the volunteers were great and our sponsororship from Nesters Market and the Longhorn Saloon made the tournament an event to be remembered.

We were able to attract Ultimate players from all over the Vancouver area to come up and compete for the fourth (non-consecutive) Alpenglow title. The team that walked away with this year's first place is the same team that will be representing Canada in the junior division at the World Ultimate Championships next month in Finland.

Once again I'd like to thank Nesters and the Longhorn for making this tournament such a success. Everyone who attended is excited to come back next year.

Scott Barr

Tournament Director