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Threatened and insulted

Community must participate in affordability Affordability in Whistler is an important issue that needs to be tackled by both the community and the municipal government.

Community must participate in affordability

Affordability in Whistler is an important issue that needs to be tackled by both the community and the municipal government. The challenge is that in a capitalist society, many charge what the market can bear. In recent years the experience has been the market could bear a lot, especially with regard to real estate, leases and rent. This vicious cycle is fuelled by greed and opportunism and is difficult to reverse. The Whistler Housing Authority has tried to deal with this problem by setting price restrictions.

Judging by the response, I'm not the only person who feels threatened and insulted by the Barnfield case. I was appalled by Nick Davies’s contrasting view stated in the Question Dec. 8 (Homeowners need stability ex-housing authority chair says). "Davies said that in his view, there should be employee restrictions but not price restrictions… ‘Middle management types may not be interested in a home with a double restriction and it may induce people to leave the valley.’"

What? I believe people are leaving because the previous council failed to deliver any housing regardless of restrictions. Although Davies made it clear he couldn't discuss the Barnfield case, you've got to wonder whose side he's on, certainly not the 500+ families on the waiting list for price restricted homes!

I sincerely hope the new council can do a much better job of creating and protecting affordable housing and I think it’s crucial the community co-operates by offering fair rent.

Mike Roger

Birken/Whistler

 

 

Barnfield answers back

The residents of Barnfield who have launched this action against the RMOW acknowledge the level of interest that this action has raised among the citizens of Whistler.

When you review the list of names that are attached to the petition you will note that: each of the men/women are decent people; civic minded, honest, and hard working family people. Barnfield families have nearly 400 years of combined commitment to Whistler. We filed this petition over two weeks before the municipal election. We chose then to remain silent and not make this a major election issue. The RMOW also made no information on this petition available to the public until after the election.

We have tried in many ways to engage the municipality and the WHA to reach some consensus regarding the proper interpretation of the covenants registered on our Titles, and to this end have received no satisfaction. This is something the residents have been working on for over eight years and now we are trying to reach a resolution through the courts that will ensure stability in our lives and for future purchasers of our homes.

To refute some of the allegations made in past editions of the Pique and Question newspapers:

1. Barnfield residents are NOT seeking to remove the restrictions with respect to ownership or occupation of our homes by Whistler employees and retirees. Those restrictions will still be registered against our title.

2. Barnfield residents are seeking clarity from the courts on how the value of our homes appreciate over time.

3. Barnfield residents are also asking for the courts to ensure that in a situation such as the untimely death of an owner that the WHA does not frustrate the passing of our homes to our children. This is a big issue for all the residents of Barnfield as we have over 25 children living in our neighbourhood.

4. We have always honoured the Rental Rate Restrictions that limit the rent that can be charged to tenants by Barnfield homeowners.

We thank the support that we have received from friends, neighbours and community members who know and respect us and understand what we have been trying to accomplish since 1998.

Barnfield Homeowners Association

 

 

 

Lessons to learn from

Having listened, at the last council meeting, to Councillor Wilhelm-Morden's reasons for opposing the privatization of Whistler's Waste Water Treatment Plant, I applaud her and urge all council members to consider such a move with the utmost wariness. I, too oppose this action for the following reasons:

1. The Harris government of Ontario had privatized all water testing labs prior to the tragedy in Walkerton. Their testing was done through the private sector.

2. The municipal government in Hamilton, Ontario was persuaded to enter into a Water and Waste Water P3 arrangement. This proved to be ill-fated. Hamilton Water and Wastewater treatment is back in public hands since last January.

3. The federal and provincial governments will be assigning several million dollars for the upgrading of the Whistler infrastructure. This, plus the initial expenditure have and will have been paid for by taxpayers. The supplying of Water and Waste Water Treatment should continue to be operated and financially controlled by the municipal government.

4. The loyalties of a public agency are to the citizens of its community. However, a private sector company must also be accountable to its shareholders. Those interests might not always harmonize.

I fear that council might be entering into this privatization agreement without fully realizing what the implications might be, one of which could well be that of the fate of Terasen Gas. Please, please give serious consideration to all aspects before making a decision.

Betty McWhinnie

Whistler

 

 

 

Squamish can learn from Canmore

Canmore, Alberta, just east of Banff, has boomed in the past decade with $130 million worth of commercial development during that time. However, about 10 per cent of downtown commercial space is sitting empty. The reason? Development outside the town centre has significantly hurt the town's retail core. So a group of concerned business owners has formed a business revitalization zone. But Canmore's mayor has said that no amount of redesign will fix the problem, as the town is simply overdeveloped commercially.

Squamish is booming and is in the midst of facilitating large-scale commercial development along Highway 99. Wal-Mart and Home Depot are coming, Canadian Tire is already here, and the District's website notes that the Parallax Factory Outlet Mall will be located on a 10-acre parcel on Highway 99 with 100,000 square feet of retail space. One of the proponents of the factory outlet mall told me that the mayor has told him that he will ensure that the development actually happens.

Meanwhile, some Squamish town centre business owners want to start a business improvement area. There is a great concern that the continuing commercial development on the highway will adversely impact the town centre's businesses.

The parallels between Canmore and Squamish are obvious; hopefully the solutions are too to the town's decision-makers. The only fear is that it may be too late for Squamish, the expanding Whistler pit stop.

Ron Enns

Squamish, B.C.

 

 

 

Whistler shines in the rain

Anyone with a case of cabin fever should get their ski goggles on and head to the new tube park. My wife and I dragged our 6, 7 and 9 year olds out of the house to make the best of a rainy day. It may have been the best day we have ever had as a family; the rain clearly added to the fun. We do plan on trying it out again when the sun is shining, but I cannot imagine that it will be any better.

David Krasny

Whistler

 

 

 

Holiday thanks

Re: Holiday Hampers for the Lower Communities, Skatin, Baptiste Smith

Thank you to Pemberton food bank, Fran Cuthbert and all her volunteers for the generous hampers and presents for the children.

Thank you to Putting Children First for their generous gifts to the children.

Thank you to Whistler Real Estate-Pemberton office.

Thank you to Coats for Kids.

Thank you to other private citizens for all of their time and efforts, Julie, Steve, Brenda, Margaret, Karl.

Thank you to B.C. Ambulance for their gifts to the children of the three communities, Baptiste Smith, Skatin, Tippella.

Sylvia Shanoss

Mount Currie

 

 

 

What’s that smell?

This letter is directed to the person who took our son’s car seat from the office area of the Spring Creek Daycare on Thursday, Dec. 15th.

I'll make this short; you could do us a favour and return the seat, no questions asked. Otherwise if your friends and family notice that you have recently acquired a Costco Alpha Omega Elite grey and black 3 in 1 car seat with the faint aroma of toddler puke, maybe they'll do the right thing and tell you to return it.

If not I guess you really do need it more than us, so Merry Xmas, but thank you for leaving my son stranded with no way of getting home, and do remember that Whistler is a small place and the word is out.

Thanks to Krista and Shawn for lending us a seat for the night and to Tara from Babys on the Go for getting us through the weekend.

Sandra Paley

Squamish

 

 

 

Looking for help

This letter is addressed to all local massage therapists and spa owners interested in participating in a program currently being developed for the Sea to Sky corridor.

In conjunction with the women's shelter in Squamish, safe houses are being opened in Whistler and Pemberton. I am currently looking for therapists, spas and clinics in each municipality who would like to donate one hour per week of their services and/or space for the purpose of providing massage to the women of the shelters.

Ideally this program could include such beneficial practices as yoga, meditation, holistic health and esthetics, among others. Any professionals involved in these industries are also encouraged to offer their services for this endeavour.

I believe this to be the ultimate opportunity for therapists to be able to apply their gifts of nurturing and healing as an important tool in rebuilding the women's self esteem and hope for the future.

For more information, please contact Monica at 604-932-2199

Monica Geniele

Whistler

 

 

 

Donation overlooked

Re: Pemberton's "Zurcher park carols by Candlelight" (Pique Dec. 21)

Although we were unable to attend, we sincerely hope the weather co-operated for this planned celebration.

This park was suitably named for a well respected Pemberton Pioneer, however many are dumbfounded, as are we, as to why the Pemberton municipal officials refuse to acknowledge that the land for this fine park was donated for use by the community by Tom and Betty Jarvis.

Tom Jarvis

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

 

 

 

Give thanks to the fearless

Once again I am blown away by the limitless amount of talent in this town. My good friend Katie had a dream of doing a dance show to some Metallica songs. So for that KS, I thank you for your vision. Besides, who knew that it would grow into what ARTdrenaline became Dec. 16-17. I feel like a proud parent and need to thank a lot of people.

First I would like to thank the dancers for giving so much of themselves over the last three months. Your work more than paid off. I don't think there was a person that left the show that wasn't moved by your performances.

Next I need to thank the actors for sharing so much of yourselves and for helping out wherever needed. Photographers, artists and filmmakers you all blew us away with your submissions. I can't wait to see what the future holds for each of you.

Heather Paul of Short Skirt Theatre gets my vote for Citizen of the Year. Is there nothing you won't do for the love of art? I don't think so! So much of ARTdrenaline wouldn't have happened if we didn't have your undying support.

We couldn't have been online without the web design support of Stacie Schaitel. Erin Sharp is a king, rock star and angel amongst men. Thank you for giving and giving and giving some more. Not only are you an exceptional artist but WOW... a kick butt drummer too! Yo, Chili Thom thanks for stepping in at such late notice and exposing so much of yourself. You can "Kick Start Our Art" anytime buddy!

All those awesome folks at MY Millennium Place who are probably very sick of my face by now... a great big thanks! (Dennis and Morgan that means you.) Christy Bower, we appreciate the way you lit us up. Johan Bos, thanks for just being there.

I would also like give a special thanks to Nicole Fitzgerald for not only helping us get the word out, but for also blowing our minds with her extraordinary talent!

Just when you think that the little guy might get swallowed up in the big money momentum trend of this town, people come together in such a way that reminds me of why I can't leave Whistler anytime soon.

Less Fear/More Love.

Angie Nolan

Swift Rock Productions

Whistler

 

 

 

If we love Canada

We love Canada because it feels good to look at a map of this splendorous piece of geography so fortunately situated on this spinning globe, knowing that we have a place here.

We love the breathtaking vastness as well as the generous variety of our resources, climate zones, and ever-changing geographic features.

We love Canada because we experience Canada through the lens of the particular city, town, or homestead where we live with our Canadian neighbours.

We love our diversity of so many types of different people sharing a common love for this land which we all see through common human eyes.

We love the honesty of our hard-working people making our common opportunities here grow from one generation to the next.

We love our mutual tolerance for our diversity of beliefs which enrich the universal understandings of us all within our tolerant and democratic framework.

Our genuine love for Canada is based equally on our people and geography, and is welded by our values of honesty, democracy, self-reliance, and tolerance. But this love of Canada does not mean that we should accept political corruption or the erosion of our democratic federated values.

In fact, it is our very love for Canada that should make us dislike a political party that continues to deny Canadians a modern meaningful democracy such as is found in Australia, which has both proportional representation and an elected Senate.

It is our love for Canada that causes us to dislike a political party that denies Canadians honest government that keeps its promises.

It is our love for Canada that causes us to reject a political party obsessed with an increasingly intolerant, corrupt, and wasteful centralism at the expense of our true federal nature since confederation.

If we love Canada, how could we tolerate corruption, cronyism, dysfunction, and waste by any Canadian government? If we love Canada, we will use our democratic obligation to remove such corrupt governments from power whenever they appear.

If we do not love Canada, we will hold our noses and reward this corrupt Liberal political party so that they can continue to centralize, causing so much regional discord dividing Canadians.

If we do not love Canada, we will give the corruption, self-serving cronyism, and staggering waste of this Liberal party another mandate to continue with more of the same.

If we love Canada, we will vote for a party that promises democratic reform, honest government, and a return to a genuine federalism that does not rule by pitting one region against another.

We love Canada because we have faith in ourselves as honest, decent people with democratic values, and for this reason, because we love Canada, we must remove this presently corrupt Liberal party from office for the coming term.

We can always vote Liberal again once they have spent time in the wilderness to reform their act.

E H Millyard

Lillooet, B.C.