Always there to help
Kathy said: “If you need any advice, just call – and don’t worry, we’ll be back.”
Bob then said: “Good luck — follow your heart.”
These were the last words I heard from the Barnett’s when they were in Sydney, on the way to New Zealand two weeks ago.
We had been talking about my plans to start my own media business — and having worked at the Pique, I couldn’t believe my luck that the Barnett’s were in town.
After five years away from Australia, it was cool they were temporarily staying near Bondi, an iconic Aussie beach.
That also meant dinner on the beach, which Bob and Kathy paid for. And they paid for it in a way that wasn’t awkward – the kind of way that you remember and hope to repay someday soon.
Over dinner we talked about business, bikes, the Olympics and, of course, hockey. Kathy was particularly enamoured with Roberto Luongo, the Canuck goalie who was, apparently, playing “like a brick wall”.
Bob and Kathy finished each other’s sentences — Kathy was easy to understand, and as always, I had to really listen to Bob.
It was sensational to see them after three years and they seemed as happy I can remember them ever being. Kathy talked about some difficult issues that all business people deal with, but it was still clear she loved her job.
She also talked about the sacrifices she and Bob made when they started the Pique and shed further light on just how difficult running a business can be.
“Business acumen” is one phrase she used specifically and I also remember thinking that this meant many things. During the course of the next few hours, and also drawing on what I’d seen when I was their employee in Canada, I understood “business acumen” meant having to make tough decisions that don’t always make you popular.
It meant doing the sums at night after spending a day selling your product. It meant seeking the best staff in an environment that can be difficult to find people. And as the publisher of a community newspaper in an amazing little town like Whistler, it meant finding time for the betterment of the community — the kind of time that wins you a Business Person of the Year award.
Things will be extremely difficult for a lot of people for a long while, but I will take solace in the fact that Kathy ran her own race. She was brilliant with numbers and as prudent as any big city executive, but she chose to get married and start a newspaper in one of the world’s most beautiful places.
I’m just terribly sad that this shocking accident means I won’t be able to call Kathy for advice, or encourage her to come to Australia for a bike tour, or a surf, or even a barbecue.
My thoughts go to everyone in Whistler, for the community at large will suffer because of this loss — especially everyone at the Pique, Kathy’s family and friends, and most of all — Bob.
Adam Daff
Australia
A friend, a mentor, a
fiery spirit
I have been away this
week and have just come home to wrap my head around losing Kathy. I know you
must have hundreds of these letters by now and I'm sure there is nothing left
to say except that my heart is breaking for all of you that were closest to
her, and for the rest of us that considered her a friend and mentor and a role
model. Kathy was that for me. I know so many things will be said in the next
few weeks about the person who was so dedicated to her husband and business and
community. And I know we will hear a lot about the pragmatic, logical,
even-keeled business woman who worked quietly and diligently behind the scenes,
never seeking the limelight. But tonight, for some reason I'm remembering the
fiery, emotional and passionate Kathy. The woman whose eyes would well up when
she talked about something she felt strongly about. The woman who rarely minced
words. The woman who was as loyal to her friends as she was to her morals and
principles. The woman who you didn't want to "cross". Some people
never got to see that side of Kathy. I'm relatively certain all of you did (at
the Pique) and I'm sure many of you will be able to identify with my memory of
Kathy tonight.
About mid-way through
the 16 or so years I've known her, I had the misfortune of "crossing"
Kathy. I did something that really pissed her off. I didn't do it intentionally
or with malice, but I did it. And, she let me have it. I have never, in my
life, regretted making such a careless decision as that one that wounded Kathy.
I spent about four days in hell, trying to explain myself, feeling like a
thoughtless, disloyal, disrespectful and careless excuse for a friend. And she
let me. And then when she finally agreed to talk to me, to hear my apology in person,
I sat with her in the front seat of my car in our office parking lot and we
balled our eyes out, and she leaned over after I was done blabbering and she
hugged me, and said, "we'll be ok". I remember feeling — even more
than relief — this profound sense of admiration for a woman who was confident
and convicted enough to rip a strip off me yet kind and compassionate enough to
let our friendship continue to grow despite the bump in the road. Kathy has
taught me a lot of things over the years. She taught me how to read a balance
sheet and an income statement. She taught me how to keep my books. She taught
me how to write a proposal. She taught me about credit. And how not to use it.
She taught me how to contribute to the community (and told me not to ever
regret putting my family before the community when I had to). She taught me how
to be a mentor. But that day, as I sat sobbing opposite her in the front seat
of my car, with her hugging me, she taught me to live and learn. To forgive and
move on. Tonight, I'm thanking god that she gave me that gift and that I count
her as a friend that will be dearly missed.
Bob, my heart goes out
to you. I don't know what to say, but if there is anything I can do for you or
for the Pique or for any of Kathy's many causes, I hope you'll ask me. To the
rest of you at the Pique, I hope you know how she talked about all of you. She
was so proud of your team and I know she's proud of you now as you carry on her
and Bob's vision.
Danielle Kristmanson
CFOW official speaks to Barnett’s committment
On behalf of the Community Foundation of Whistler, I would like to extend condolences to Bob Barnett, the Murphy and Barnett families, and Pique staff. Kathy was a principal community member, and integral to the formation and success of the CFOW. As a founding board member, Kathy worked to establish the CFOW as a credible and viable organization.
She involved herself with numerous initiatives including the youth foundation, social justice, student scholarships, marketing, and fund development. No matter what the deadline, the issue, the problem or the discussion, she conducted herself professionally with her usual smile and sparkling personality.
As a board member for five years and president for two years, she provided clear leadership and encouraged fellow board members to accept new challenges while giving them the confidence to believe that they would succeed. She was always willing to take on whatever came along and could be counted upon to provide generous support for the CFOW's needs. Above all, Kathy inspired her colleagues to give of themselves for their community. We will miss her greatly.
Kerry Chalmers
Executive Director Community Foundation of Whistler
A loss in the family
Growing up as a son of two teachers I got used to the idea that once my parents were comfortable leaving me at home they would take their two months off in the summer away from us to journey around the world enjoying the freedom that they had earned after years of raising two young boys. I have worked at the Pique for the better part of five years. It is a close-knit family, and one that is just coming out of its years as a troubled teen. Often we affectionately refer to Bob and Kathy as ‘Mom and Dad’. And as we exit our infancy and slowly work our way through adolescence we are more and more getting used to the idea that Mom and Dad will leave every so often without us to experience some summer holidays away from the kids.
My parents still take frequent holidays. At the moment they are enjoying their retirement in Africa. I have always pondered the thought of what might happen if one or both of them failed to return safely. Unfortunately a parallel to this situation has just taken place. A patriarch of the family has failed to return. With this comes a terrible of feeling of loss, uncertainty of the future, and the emotions involved going through the memories.
I remember Kathy as one who expected the best from everyone in the family. Respect was only given after it was successfully earned. I can remember many times metaphorically screaming my way back to my room as you made me redo a million different proofs for the cover. Sometimes I felt like you could never be pleased. But, after a few years working with you I finally saw the light and the wisdom in your teachings. You have made me a better artist and designer. And I will miss what I could have achieved and learned with you in the future.
I will also miss getting to know you better. I know because of the position you were in, you had to live your life a little misunderstood by your family. I am thankful I took it upon myself to really try and get to know the other side of you. You were always there for me when I needed a ride home or a trip to the city. I will miss our conversations and learning about how you have lived your life finding a perfect balance between work and play. You’ve set an example that’s not so easy to follow. I will think of you when I’m feeling lazy. I will quote you often in my head “One of my biggest pet peeves is a whining man!” I will do my best to retain what you have taught me.
So as a family we begin the process of healing, remembering and moving on without our Mother. She built a roof over our heads and made us feel safe underneath it. Always there in a time of need. Always there to steer us in the right direction. And while the times in front of us might be painful, I’m sure you can rest comfortably knowing that what you have created and the family that is left behind will do our best to keep your legacy alive.
Jon Parris
Whistler
Sustainable taxation?
Whistler Council, from which
nearly every second statement is about some kind of sustainability, obviously
does not understand the meaning of the sustainable taxation. For the first two
years in office, this council has spent merrily and even forgave tax to
Whistler-Blackcomb like money was falling from the sky instead of snowflakes.
Now is the moment of truth and they will grace us with the cumulative increase
of more than 40 per cent over five years. I think we are in even bigger trouble
based on the accuracy of their various previous financial projections.
The argument of the Mayor is
that without these increases the services to guests of Whistler as the premier
ski resort would be impacted. Maybe the council members should take, in
addition to a course in financial management, a course on Macro Economics. The
economy is a curious beast. You push one lever up, and five go down.
These tax increases may
actually result in decreased quality to the guest experience in Whistler.
Whistler is a premier ski resort but even right now the level of service in
many areas leaves much to be desired. Let's face it, service does not come even
close to Austrian, French or Swiss staff in any small European ski resorts that
have been on the job all their life and their actual livelihood depends on good
service.
I have news for the council —
taxes are part of the cost structure for products Whistler is selling. You
increase taxes and rent for employees and business owners goes up, prices for
guests go up and Whistler becomes less competitive. It becomes even more
difficult for employers to attract quality staff, or for younger Whistler
residents to afford any housing if they have a desire to stay and make their
living in Whistler. And let's not even talk about some businesses that are
trying to make a living on the edge of profitability — how will their
bankruptcy maintain guest experience? And last but not least, higher property
taxes have negative impact on property values.
We can provide amazing guest experiences.
Let's transfer each guest by helicopter from the airport, provide private
porters for skis and top world chefs for private dinners for all our guests at
existing prices. And in three months we can close the resort down.
As somebody wrote some time
ago, providing the Fire Chief with a Porsche to drive to a fire would greatly
increase the responsiveness of our Fire Department.
I personally have no problems
with these tax increases if Mayor Ken Melamed would be courageous enough to
convince us with proper arguments about their needs and then call a referendum.
Right now the council thinks they can just pretend to listen and then decide on
their own what is best for Whistler.
Drago Arh
Whistler
Sustainability depends on where you are standing
Perhaps I am unclear on the definition of sustainability. I was under the understanding it is a concept to describe a process or state that can be delivered indefinitely without depleting the fixed resources available from social, environmental or economic sources in the world around us.
As a business person I know that if my expenses exceed my revenue my business is not ‘sustainable’ and that I must make some changes in order to continue without having to deplete the resources available to me. If I don’t, than some sort of catastrophic event is very likely to occur.
When it comes to our municipal finances there seems to be a lack of understanding that continuing to spend more money than can be brought in is unsustainable. But, of course for the municipality it isn’t, as they can simply pass the shortfall on to the taxpayers and, voila, their vision is balanced and sustainable. In a way it is like a farmer continuing to pull a larger and larger crop from the ground without worrying about what he needs to do to achieve the higher yield. It’s a short term strategy with long term consequences.
Quite frankly guys, there aren’t a lot of leaves left on the money tree and they aren’t growing back as fast as you are picking them. It is time to rethink how you go about your business.
The Chamber of Commerce has been asked to provide input on budget matters and perhaps they should be brought in to advise not only on realistic and achievable priorities from an economic point of view but also on the expenditure process. There isn’t a business person in this community who has not had to make some tough decisions when facing a broken or unsustainable business model. (The period between 2003 and 2006 comes to mind) and have successfully reinvented themselves. I hope you take them up on that offer.
Finally, if you continue to feel you must execute the budget presented so as to achieve the goal of being the number one mountain community then perhaps it is time to reexamine the ‘sacred cow’ of no physical growth in this community. Broadening the tax base can be done on a managed, sensitive basis. Growth is not a four letter word. Continuing to grow revenue through yearly six per cent tax increases is not the only option available.
I understand that you have made ‘tough decisions’ and that you feel any further cuts would be ‘catastrophic’ and thus ‘impossible’. The resulting projected increase in taxes over the foreseeable future may be sustainable from your point of view, but it sure isn’t for those of us that have to bear the burden of those decisions.
I encourage you to listen to all those and anyone who can help you with this dilemma.
Pat Kelly
Taxpayer for 28 years
Empty tank headaches
Gas station nightmare! Every time the gas tank in my car gets under that red line, I cringe, and hope that my husband will have to put in gas before I do... Every time — and I do not exaggerate when I say that every time I go to get gas at the ONLY gas station in this town I have a problem with the pump or employees: the pump will accept my card but the computer will freeze, and if I call for "help", help means, try again, only to get frustrated enough to just pay inside after a few attempts. Once inside I am told my credit card will not be charged... I just cross my fingers and check statements line by line every month. And if dare to go inside to advise the attendants that a pump might be frozen or wasn't working properly I am only looked at and told "you were able to get gas, were you not?"
Yeah, I was, after changing pumps, cursing at the machine, freezing my big pregnant tush off in minus 15 degree weather with a child inside my car. Yes I was, but the point is that if this is going to be the only gas station in town it needs to work, and the people that work for it, need to help the customers.
And, can someone remind me why we only have one gas station in a town with a 10,000-plus population, whereas Pemberton, with a population of 3,000-plus has three?
Paloma Astiazaran-Rance
Whistler
