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The smell of jobs disappears

The smell of jobs disappears Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

The smell of jobs disappears

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. But who thought he would arrive this year as Jacob Marley's Scrooge in Sea to Sky Country?

I'm talking about the announcement of the closing of the pollution-spewing pulp mill of Woodfibre, south of Squamish. Whoopie!

I have been waiting for this day for more than 30 years of travelling between Vancouver and my home in Whistler. Would you believe the mill has been there since 1912 polluting the valley with stink, smog, and smoke? There were days you could gag as you drove along what was described as "One of the most scenic drives of Canada."

The sad part is the loss of some 300 jobs. But there is always call for experienced mill workers. And whether it's a gold mine, silver, coal or pulp, one of the first rules is that some day it ends.

We sincerely offer the best of luck to those affected. Meanwhile, Merry Christmas and thanks Santa.

Allan Eaton

Whistler

 

In the spirt of giving…

This letter is to the individual(s) who removed (chopped down, stole) the young spruce tree from our friend's front yard on Fitzsimmons Road. We assume it went into your home as a Christmas tree. How ironic, given this is the season of goodwill, peace, happiness and the spirit of giving.

Your actions have left a hole not only in the yard, but also in the hearts of the people whose lives were affected by the tree. We can only hope that the spruce brings you, your family and friends happiness over the season. In the spring, would you please be so kind as to plant another spruce in the forest? You can purchase them at a garden centre.

Finally, we recommend reading Tree, A Life Story, by Dr. David Suzuki, so that you realize the magnitude of your actions.

Anne Kennedy and Scott Hepworth

Whistler

 

More deterrence needed

I have lived in the Sea to Sky corridor, and now Squamish for almost three years. I am here, like most people because of the lifestyle, close drive to Whistler and the relaxed attitude. This combination, as wonderful as it is, has potentially devastating consequences.

I am referring to the relaxed attitude our RCMP officers take when dealing with drinking and driving. I wonder how many more of our friends and families have to die on the road between Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton before harsher penalties are handed out.

I just lost a dear friend to drunk driving. He was 22 and his passenger was 19.

In no way am I blaming RCMP officers for the actions of others. It just surprises me that in three years I have only seen two or three breath testing stations set up on the road out of Whistler. We all know people who have been drinking and driving and not even been tested because they have told the officer that they thought they were fine to drive. Sent off on their merry way to make it home safely – maybe, maybe not, maybe to drive into an oncoming car and kill people. Who knows?

I know I will not make any new friends by writing this; hopefully though I might keep the ones I do have.

Please, for all our sake, bring in random breath testing and take the licences of those that do drink and drive, not just for 24 hours. Then, maybe we might see less deaths on the Sea to Sky Highway .

Jessi McLennan

Squamish

 

 

 

Hold the phone

Re: Ted Pryce-Jones

John 8:7 states: "If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone."

To all of you who are arguing so strongly against Ted's phone call to Bob Lorimann during the campaign, I have a question for you: Have you ever used the phone at work for personal reasons?

I understand (from a person sitting near Ted while he was on the phone) that the call was made during his coffee break. I don't know what was said during the call, and very likely nor do you. It seems that we should all refer back to paragraph one and offer Ted and Bob a bit of grace.

Merry Christmas.

Evan Bryn-Jones

Whistler

 

 

The road on the west side

Re: Legal Name of Alta Lake Road: What’s in a name?

From time to time, articles in our local papers refer to Alta Lake Road incorrectly. In the name of historic fact it has never been called Westside Road. It is the road on the west side of the valley and referred so by locals.

Alta Lake Road was part of the original Pemberton Trail. Early logging companies widened it from their camp where Function Junction is today paralleling the railway to the Alpha Lake Railroad crossing, up the hill and around to just past the hostel (then Cypress Lodge). It was known as the back road.

It wasn't until 1964 that Highway 99 was completed and it became possible to drive here from Squamish – on a rough unpaved road. Before that, some brave souls used the Pemberton Trail and hydro and logging roads to venture to this valley.

Then in 1965, the Highways Department linked Highway 99 to the Alpha Lake Railroad crossing and widened the gravel road as far as Rainbow Lodge (now Rainbow Park). It was called Alta Lake Road because that was as far as it went. In 1972 the Highways Department extended it to Alpine Meadows.

On all major maps, road signage, tax notices and addresses in the telephone directory the legal and correct name of Alta Lake Road is used. The new sign on Highway 99 is incorrect and they are in the process of correcting this.

Florence Petersen

Founder, Whistler Museum and Archives Society

Whistler

 

 

Music to my ears

The hour was late, the morning early as I made my way home the other night. The footsteps of my riding boots on the cobblestones echoed through the empty streets. A fog hanging low shrouded everything in mist including the large waning moon overhead. The night made me shiver, so I pulled my hat down lower.

As I approached the foot bridge over Village Gate Boulevard, five of the country’s finest came around the corner, through the fog and fanned out across the bridge, their heavy winter coats and no doubt flack jackets made them sort of swagger with their arms out, hanging loosely by their sides. In an instant I thought well, I couldn’t get all of them, spread out like that, even if I was fast. The next thought was flee, a quick glance over the side at the 30-foot drop to the pavement below, put a stop to that idea.

About half the bridge length separated us and I just couldn’t help it. I had to act. I started to giggle. "Looks like a scene out of a movie," I said.

One of the lady police officers replied:  "Yeah, we heard you were coming to town."

As I passed by I held up the battered old case I was carrying and said, "Good thing that’s a saxophone in here and not a gun." My giggling continued on down the street as did theirs the other way.

I had been asked earlier on in the evening if that was a Tommy gun or a saxophone that I was carrying in that case. Thinking about it later, well the case and instrument were made in Indiana in 1924, about the time of the depression during the gangster and the big band era. I wonder if it hasn’t seen a similar situation, but maybe a different outcome. I know it’s been played a lot, so much that the silver coating has been worn off. Sometimes I swear I hear it talking to me as I play it late at night. Who knows where that sound comes from, but it is music to my ears.

Bruce Timothy Chandler

Whistler

 

Prohibition doesn’t work

RE: Weston backs Harper on drug sentencing (Pique online Dec. 5, 2005)

One can only assume that John Weston is in cahoots with drug dealers and organized criminals. Why else would he support mandatory minimums?

The more we "crack down" on drug dealers, the more profit they make. It drives the small-timers right out of the game, drives up the competition between the big ones we don’t catch, and therefore increases the gun-violence. This isn’t an opinion, it is a simple fact.

Has Weston never heard of Al Capone, or Pablo Escobar? Probably he has, and that is why he is pandering to the closed-minded, backwards-thinking bigots who traditionally vote Conservative.

The only sensible way to end this violent drug war is to legalize, regulate, and educate. It might not be perfect, but it would be a lot safer, cheaper, and more effective than what we have currently.

If Prohibition were ever going to work, it would have worked by now.

Russell Barth

Federal Medical Marijuana License Holder

Former Federal Marijuana Party Candidate (Ottawa West-Nepean, 2004)

Ottawa

 

What’s truly magic

For an event such as the Whistler World Cup to occur it takes a strong team of people. From start to finish this team sent a positive message from Whistler to the rest of the world.

The snowmakers who in such a short period of time supplied the key ingredient to get the event off the ground. The groomers that helped build the SBX course under a reduced building schedule. The event staff who make sure the course is safe for the riders and string out kilometres of B-net. The team of course dyers who created a substantial visual impact for the riders as well as for TV. The course maintenance workers who consistently maintained a smooth riding surface for the athletes. The course marshals who endured five days of competition with one of the largest fields of athletes to date. The TV personnel that delivered the best shots possible to the world on behalf of the resort of Whistler. As well Whistler-Blackcomb for providing a great venue and the tools necessary to pull off such an event.

Much like the team at the World Championships last year, this World Cup team worked together to provide a great venue for the athletes. It's truly magic when this can be done achieved so early in the season.

Jeff Ihaksi

Whistler

 

 

Generosity makes a difference

I would like to thank Ian Lowe and all the staff from the Residence Inn by Marriott-Whistler for their very generous donation to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation. Thanks to a used bed sale, they helped raise over $1,000 for Sea to Sky charities.

It is because of the overwhelming generosity of locals and businesses in our community that allow us to make such a significant difference in our communities. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Mei McCurdy

Executive Director

Whistler Blackcomb Foundation

 

 

In the loop

A big thank you to the RMOW and Intrawest for working together to offer a cross country loop up on Whistler Mountain again this winter. In a town desperately in need of higher elevation cross country ski trails (Callaghan will only be 800 metres) this is an excellent start towards some "higher thinking." As a "ski town" it is important that we show the world that we are able to offer all the major winter sport activities. It doesn't look very good when people from Whistler drive to Hollyburn at Cypress to go skiing.

From all the skinny ski skiers, we appreciate the local alternative you have provided.

Tobi Henderson

Whistler

 

 

Do you know where your dog is?

On Nov. 24, as I walk by our neighbour’s field in beautiful, quiet, rural Pemberton, I see four sheep galloping as though scared. I immediately come to attention and let my gaze follow the direction from which they ran. There, another bigger sheep is being dragged down by a young male husky, which is gnawing the said sheep’s butt.

My blood curls! For a nanosecond, I want to think they are playing; in my world only! The sheep’s only game is "to play dead" after getting away once, only to be chased down again by this dog who refuses to detach himself from the sheep’s rear-end. I had heard of this sort of behavior in coyotes taking down wildlife, but this scene, I had not expected!

My heart beats faster! I pick up my legs and reach the owner’s front door just in time to gasp and scream: "A dog is eating your sheep!" I am soaked from the rain, out of breath and looking quite mad. They finally understand and bolt through the doorway. The farmer goes for the sheep, the son goes for the dog; everyone is running around, including the chickens. Only Tom, the gorgeous black and red male turkey, cannot run. He is in tall grass in the corner of the wooden fence, sitting still, hyperventilating from fear, I think – and the 8-inch wound atop his back is gouged down to the flesh. The dog got to him first!

My eyes sting! I learn that two chickens also are missing from the count. The dog is caught and secured until a decision can be made and damaged assessed. It turns out Mr. Husky came from a few kilometres up the road and entered the inner coop. The running sheep I saw earlier had just stampeded through a chicken-wire fence trying to get away from the predator. There are bird feathers of all colours everywhere and the rain is washing the blood off Tom’s back.

And what is your dog doing when you’re not home?

Annie Ginet Casarin,

Pemberton