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‘Tis the season to volunteer

With the holiday season upon us, it’s that time of the year when we begin to think of giving to others.

With the holiday season upon us, it’s that time of the year when we begin to think of giving to others. But have you ever thought of giving the gift of volunteering time?

Since so many people are facing a difficult economic situation, you might want to consider giving time to a cause such as the Canadian Cancer Society, which is a gift to thousands of people affected by cancer.

The Canadian Cancer Society has a variety of volunteer positions available, which include leadership, event committee, and short term roles. With events such as Relay For Life, Daffodil Days, Door to Door and Cops for Cancer, there are many ways to get involved.

Two in five Canadians will develop cancer during their lifetime. The Canadian Cancer Society is championing the cancer cause by funding outstanding cancer research, providing caring support to those living with the disease, and leading critical prevention programs.

The Society couldn’t do it without the generous support and valued time contributed by over 5,900 volunteers in the Greater Vancouver Region. We invite you to expand your knowledge, skills, experience and community spirit by considering a leadership role at the Canadian Cancer Society.

Now is the time to make cancer history. You’ll be connecting with one of Canada’s strongest, most respected organizations, with a vast network of volunteers. Your involvement can have a powerful effect.

While volunteering, you will receive personal satisfaction, meet inspirational people, and lead innovative life-changing initiatives. You’ll also have a lot of fun and develop friendships that you’ll remember forever.

You have your own reason for wanting to make cancer history, and we need you!

To volunteer in your community, please call me at 1-866-770-4809.

Kim Aubert

Volunteer Resources Coordinator

Canadian Cancer Society

Greater Vancouver Region

Commendable effort

On behalf of Tourism Whistler and our Board of Directors, I would like to thank Whistler Blackcomb, along with the RMOW’s emergency response crews, for their speedy reaction time and thorough support efforts for our resort guests during and after the recent Excalibur Gondola incident.

Whistler Blackcomb’s track record of safety is exemplary; their focus on the guest experience first rate; and their quick actions and genuine concern in a time of crisis unparalleled.

Thank you for your ongoing care and support!

Barrett Fisher

President & CEO

Tourism Whistler

Proud of our partners

On behalf of Mayor and Council, I would like to acknowledge the contributions of various community partners in the recent evacuation from the Excalibur Gondola at Whistler Blackcomb. In particular, I would like to recognize the efforts of the Whistler Blackcomb staff and ski patrol, B.C. Ambulance Service, the Whistler Fire Department, RCMP, Emergency Social Services, Whistler Medical Clinic, and Whistler Search and Rescue.

We are relieved that the injuries sustained by evacuees were not more serious, and commend Whistler Blackcomb for successfully coordinating the evacuation. We also recognize Whistler Blackcomb for their ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of resort guests.

We are proud that we have such strong community resources and partnerships, and that we are able to respond so capably to unfortunate events, such as this, when they arise.

We hope to reassure residents and visitors that we are taking every effort to provide an experience in our resort community, which is both safe and memorable. We are thankful for the great community spirit that brings us together, not only during difficult times, but also as we celebrate community successes, such as the recent opening of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola and our journey to hosting the 2010 Winter Games.

Mayor Ken Melamed

Resort Municipality of Whistler

A big thank you

Having witnessed the re-opening of the upper line of the Excalibur Gondola on Dec. 20, and knowing that crews are working to repair and open the lower line as quickly as possible, I’m compelled to write and say, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and the business community at large, thank you to Whistler Blackcomb, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the various community organizations that facilitated the evacuation of the Excalibur Gondola this week. We’d also like to wish those who sustained injuries as a result of the incident a full and speedy recovery.

On the basis of Whistler Blackcomb’s commitment to this community, its team of safety and maintenance experts and its timely and transparent communication throughout the week, our businesses took comfort knowing that the situation was in expert hands and that operations would return to normal as quickly as possible. Knowing that, they were able to focus on what they do best, namely, create a truly memorable Whistler experience for our customers and guests by warmly welcoming them into our hotels, restaurants, bars and stores and providing them with great value and great service.

This community is exceptional. It shares its successes easily, as we experienced only last Friday with the opening of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, and comes together naturally when support is needed. Our cup might not overfloweth this season, but it is already full to the brim! Let’s make this a wonderful season for all!

Fiona Famulak

President

Whistler Chamber of Commerce

Proud of first responders

It was with a great deal of pride that I watched Whistler Blackcomb’s rapid response to the failure of Tower 4 on the Excalibur Gondola. Top management, right on down through the ranks, they came on scene, each performed their well-practiced task, helping to mitigate and defuse any more injury.

I was equally proud of Whistler’s first responders, they too were on scene within moments, and like a hand in a glove they worked seamlessly with  W/B’s crews.

I arrived not long after the tower failure, and viewed the coordinated evacuation efforts.

“Beep” sometimes happens, but it is very reassuring to know that for whatever the reasons it does happen, we here in Whistler are extremely well served — be it on the mountains, or in the RMOW — with respect to our very professional and highly trained personnel.

T. Thomson

Whistler

World class

I was as distressed to learn of the Excalibur gondola tower problem as I was honoured to participate in the Peak 2 Peak opening last weekend.

I thought The Province and other media got the headline wrong. It should have been "World Class Response by Whistler's Emergency Workers.”

John Weston, M.P.

West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country

Temple needed in valley

Now that the Peak 2 Peak Gondola is up and running and completed on time and within budget, Rick Temple will be retiring from Whistler Blackcomb and moving on. Perhaps the municipality should consider hiring him for any capital projects coming up, so that we don't have to suffer the cost overruns and delays like the library. It makes sense to have someone that can get the job done right the first time to be in charge.

Way to go Rick! We need more guys like you!

Terry Spence, a.k.a. "Toulouse"

Whistler

RMOW expenditures due for review

With great dismay, I have been examining the financial expenditures in 2007 of the Municipality of Whistler.

As we have a new council in place, I hope they will review these expenditures (read wages) and act accordingly and quickly. We are living in tough economic times and I see that the City of Vancouver, Intrawest and many other communities and companies are reviewing their needs and financial responsibilities.

Excuses and buck passing will not do.

One of many concerned taxpayers.

Peter Alder

Whistler

What a difference!

We are extremely fortunate in Whistler to have school counselor Brenda Montani.

Brenda works in both elementary schools in our community. Recently, Brenda organized “I can make a difference day” in both schools. The students were shown a video that exemplified how people can make a difference in the lives of others by even the smallest action or lack of action.

The students were then given a card which they wore around their neck. They were instructed to think about people in the school that had made a difference in their lives; they then passed the card onto that person, and told them how they had made a difference.

Students who received cards were to write their name on the back of the card. At the end of the day, the card went back to its original owner, with a list of the names of people who had received their card as a result of their initial kindness.

That day our school was filled with more love than ever. Students excitedly complimented and praised each other. I heard one student thanking a staff member for loving him. The list goes on and on.

I wanted to thank Mrs. Montani for putting in the effort and for making a difference that day. Brenda, you are a fabulous member of our community, and “I can make a difference day” is a tribute to you and the excellent work you do in our schools.

Thank you.

Jane Douglas

Whistler

A duty to all

The Dec. 12, 2008 Editorial in The Chief newspaper criticizes me for not discussing with the editor, Sylvie Paillard, a matter being handled by council on an "in-camera" basis. I refer the Editor to section 117 of the Municipal Charter entitled 'Duty to Respect Confidentiality':

"117 (1) A council member or former council member must, unless specifically authorized otherwise by council,

(a) keep in confidence any record held in confidence by the municipality, until the record is released to the public as lawfully authorized or required, and

(b) keep in confidence information considered in any part of a council meeting or council committee meeting that was lawfully closed to the public, until the council or committee discusses the information at a meeting that is open to the public or releases the information to the public.

(2) If the municipality suffers loss or damage because a person contravenes subsection (1) and the contravention was not inadvertent, the municipality may recover damages from the person for the loss or damage."

As made clear by section 117, any decision to release confidential information to the public must be made by council.

Regarding my campaign comments on communication, I did not anticipate that anyone would interpret those as a commitment by me to illegally release confidential information. For clarity, no communication policy of a municipal government can authorize illegal conduct by a mayor or member of council.

In my opinion, the foundations for improved communication are a clear understanding of the framework and mutual respect among the parties involved. I look forward to working collaboratively toward elevating the level of communication in our community on that basis.

Greg Gardner

The HR council of Whistler is hoping that this letter might be included in this week’s issue.

Saying Goodbye to Louise Lundy

In her two and a half years as President of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, Louise Lundy contributed so much to our community, Whistler businesses and the overall Whistler experience that draws our seasonal employees, many of whom now have a viable chance to see us through to 2010 and beyond.

As a group of Human Resources Leaders in the Valley, we continually benefited from the efforts and relentless focus that Louise had on building a community that could attract and retain the very best people. We name but a few of her conquests, knowing that she has initiated incredible momentum on the right initiatives for Whistler today:

· She lobbied government to speed up and decode the rules around sponsoring foreign workers. We now welcome Australians on two-year working visas and are able to process sponsorship applications in half the time.

· She spearheaded and aligned businesses big and small around the principles of delivering guest service with true Whistler Spirit .

· When there was reluctance to steer the mighty Olympic Housing ship, Louise took the wheel and brought us the Phoenix project. Though it was not to be, we thank her for her dedication.

· The business community now has a proven resource in the Chamber — real tools to help them navigate the challenges of hiring, training, coaching and recognizing their most essential resource — their people.

She built an incredible team, she created clear purpose and built consensus around some very tricky issues. She often checked in with our group to see what challenges employees were feeling and what they were up against day to day. She genuinely wanted to know and wanted to work to make it easy to come to Whistler — and to stay.

We wish Louise the very best — connecting with her family, her animals, her friends and time to enjoy the mountains, the lakes and the community she came for.

Many thanks.

Liza Walli,

on behalf of the HR council of Whistler

Club Intrawest, Delta Whistler Village Suites, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, The Four Seasons, Hilton Resort & Spa, Nita Lake Lodge, Pan Pacific, Resort Quest, Whistler Blackcomb, and the Westin Resort.