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School board has listened I wish to provide some background to the current discussions about the 2010 school calendar for Whistler Secondary School. Concerns are being expressed about both the substance and the process of board decisions.

School board has listened

I wish to provide some background to the current discussions about the 2010 school calendar for Whistler Secondary School. Concerns are being expressed about both the substance and the process of board decisions. When considering their positions on these issues, members of the public may find it helpful to take the following points into consideration:

1. The board developed its original plan in a very open process that included public meetings and extensive surveying. The survey was designed and implemented by a professional contractor. All feedback received (and there was a lot) was carefully considered and discussed.

2. This was an issue on which trustees did not hold all the same initial views, and it took much deliberation to reach a decision that felt right. The eventual decision required several hours of passionate, principled and reasoned debate, all of which took place in a public meeting.

3. The board considered a number of key factors when making this decision. These included the following:

• academic responsibility to our students

• responsibility to parents and employees

• careful management of staff and school district assets

• professional advice

• partner and public input

• the experiences of other Olympic communities

4. A suggestion has been made that the board has not welcomed or considered input that is contrary to the initial decision. This is incorrect. The board has regularly monitored and discussed the calendar in light of new information and advice. Modifications have been made to calendars at three schools in Squamish (to date) and some changes have been made to the calendar at WSS. The board has achieved a Whistler calendar which makes a sincere attempt to balance various legitimate interests, some of which are competing or mutually incompatible.

5. A recent presentation to the board by WSS PAC members was reasoned and passionate, but did not raise, in the view of the board, any issues that had not already been considered and discussed. The board responded quickly, and in writing, to the PAC presentation.

6. Some have stated that the board, in its current plan, will be locking students out and depriving them of their education. This is, of course, not true. The board believes that the current calendar ensures the maximum access to the maximum number of students for this unusual school year. In fact the current calendar provides hours of instruction that are in excess of Ministry of Education requirements.

7. Key reasons for retaining the current calendar are as follows:

• the risk of substantial student absenteeism, with no chance for absent students to make up work if schools remain in session (the WSS PAC, in their recent presentation, told us of a significant number of families that have already finalized plans to be absent)

• assurances from educators that students will not suffer academically

• the opinions of all partners

• the still-open possibility of renting the facililty, thereby providing revenue to enable the District to run some alternate programs during the Olympics

• the need for finality on the calendar issue so that affected parties can proceed with certainty

8. The board has heard the view that it should ignore the needs of those students whose families plan to be absent. The board does not believe that this would be consistent with our responsibilities to students, families and other partners.

9. Finally, it is important to note that school calendar legislation requires an extensive consultation process when calendar changes are introduced after the initial calendar is adopted. Were the board to seek a change now, a new consultation process lasting approximately six weeks would be required, meaning that the certainty that many in Whistler seek would be denied them until at least July, and more likely into next fall.

In summary, the board has listened to disparate (and competing) points of view, considered evidence and opinion, and made a decision that we believe serves our students as effectively as possible during a period that will be disruptive no matter what calendar is chosen. We appreciate the concerns that have been expressed, and are confident that 2010 will be another successful year for Whistler students.

David L. Walden

Chairperson, Sea to Sky School District

Little planning around calendar

Given the latest communication from the School Board it is apparent that no further changes will occur to the school calendars for next year.

At the same meeting that saw the WSS request turned down, three Squamish elementary schools successfully applied for a one-week extension to their Olympic break. Much consideration is being given to the minority of parents at WSS who will be taking an extended holiday during the Olympics. Hopefully the minority of opinion at the Squamish elementary schools was similarly weighted to understand the plight of working parents who will not have the luxury of choice when their children's schools are closed during the Olympic Games.

What adjustments have been made in Squamish to accommodate these students in childcare programs? Last year when we checked to see what plans were being made by District of Squamish Parks and Recreation, there was no change expected. Presently there is no after school program. Pemberton was not planning any changes to their programs either. However, there is an information and strategy meeting regarding this issue on Wednesday, June 3, 7-9 p.m. at Signal Hill Elementary. Sea to Sky School District Students in Grades 10 and up may volunteer through www.vancouver2010.com , nothing further has been planned for secondary students that either do not qualify or choose not to participate in this program.

As for Whistler, we haven't heard any official announcements regarding childcare during the 2010 Olympic Games.

The District Parent Advisory Council for School District 48 (Sea to Sky) has said all along that the 2010 calendar decisions should be made with the most vulnerable in mind, not the most privileged.

Cathy Jewett

DPAC Chair

SD 48 (Sea to Sky)

Rift overstated

AWARE would like to thank Jesse Ferreras for taking the time to dive deeper into the environmental movement (The Green Rift, Pique May 21), however we feel there were many mistakes in the article, in regards to AWARE, that need to be corrected.

AWARE's position on independent Power Projects which has been published in this paper before is:

"AWARE believes that run of river energy can be one of many ways to provide green energy. However, we are calling for a moratorium on all Independent Power Projects (IPPs) on rivers until a comprehensive study of all existing and proposed projects can be done to determine which rivers are best suited environmentally to these projects.

"AWARE also believes that all such projects should remain in public hands. A completed study would also require an independent and transparent oversight so the public still has the ability to monitor its assets."

Jesse Ferreras states that, "AWARE thinks they're (IPPs) an environmentally careless way to get electricity," but this has never been AWARE's position. When Jesse interviewed me for this article his first question was to ask me if it was true that AWARE thinks IPPs might be a solution to green energy and I said yes. When AWARE came up with its position on IPPs there was consensus from the board of directors that it was the process of how applications are looked at and the oversight environmentally of such projects that we took issue with, not the IPPs themselves. It is important for the province to take some time to look at all rivers where IPPs are possible and decide which ones are best suited to IPPs and which ones, for environmental reasons, should be left alone. There also needs to be improvements made in the way Environmental Assessments are carried out to ensure that projects that are considered too environmentally sensitive can be turned down. Once this oversight is in place AWARE would welcome the opportunity to discuss the merits of individual IPPs in the context of a provincial plan.

Secondly, Jesse chooses to mention a private e-mail that was sent by a past director of AWARE acting as an individual, independent from her role with AWARE. In fact at the time the individual was no longer an AWARE board director. It is important for an organization like AWARE to allow its directors (past and present) to speak freely on issues that are important to them. When an individual director makes a comment, it does not mean that their position is that of the organization as a whole. When comments are made in public to media or to individuals as AWARE, directors are asked to specifically state that they are speaking on behalf of the group and are only able to do so after ensuring that it reflects the views of the board.

Jesse Ferreras has taken a matter between two individuals and made it appear to be one reflective of AWARE versus Nigel Protter. All of AWARE's official communications with Nigel have been cordial and like I mentioned in the interview with Jesse, we actually agree on many things even within the IPP debate. We have had him make a co-presentation at one or our meetings, have shared drinks and conversation with him in the past, and I have personally thanked him for sending me information on IPPs that I have forwarded to other directors. Jesse also failed to point out that many people who disagreed at the Tzeporah Berman talk, went for drinks afterwards and discussed their differences. I hope that this positive relationship based on dialogue will continue. This is the kind of thing that needs to be celebrated, not picked apart.

Any split in the environmental movement, real or perceived, detracts from pressing issues the media should be covering, such as ongoing problems with completed IPPs, the removal of regional planning authorities to have input into provincial government decisions (Bill 30) around IPPs, and the mysterious lack of an overall study of the effects of multiple IPPs. AWARE suggests more focus on these and other relevant environmental issues. Within any group there will continue to be disagreement, but as long as we continue discussing these ideas and working towards a solution, we can move forward together and try to create a shared vision for the future. I would invite anyone who wishes to discuss IPPs further to e-mail AWARE at aware@direct.ca

Sara Jennings,

AWARE President

Beyond any rift

Quite a thorough centrefold article Mr. Ferreras wrote on The Green Rift (Pique, May 21). But taking the time to read through it all left me wondering why is he so concerned to want to pick a fight, or see that others do?

As the Whistler Forum hosted the evening with Tzeporah Berman back in April, we felt that those with differing views on carbon policy and renewable energy were doing a lot of listening to and learning from each other. For a change most came away feeling that it wasn't another tired old debate with the spouting of pre-existing positions. Instead we all have a lot of thinking through to do of challenging issues and tough choices.

Interestingly, I just read with green envy of $270,000 the University of Calgary has to bring together 100 randomly selected Canadians to think through these tough issues in advance of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December ( http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/april2009/climatechange ). Citizens will learn about key policy issues on climate change and then deliberate and vote on some of the same questions that will be negotiated by politicians and other decision-makers at Copenhagen.

For a lot less the Forum would work with Pique to bring 100 from the corridor together for a parallel process. We need to get beyond yellow journalism or green journalism to solutions-focused journalism and engage citizens in meaningful dialogue on the tough choices we and our children face. Otherwise it won't be a green rift but a brown raft we'll be on.

William Roberts

President, The Whistler Forum

Village businesses lose

I would like to further comment on the well thought out letters from Tim Allix and Lauren Sampson from last week regarding the conference centre pay parking decision. Specifically, the impact on small business.

A two-hour max? Do the mayor, councillors and staff not come to the village for a snack and a movie? A social drink on the patio with a few friends? Dinner? Shopping for that special present?

I have had numerous regular customers inform me they will avoid the village if this pay parking problem continues. This will most certainly reflect where local dollars are spent.

Listen to your people. It's not too late to re-think and reverse this decision.

Scott Gadsby

General Manager, Citta Bistro

A two-wheel answer

Every car owner in town is very upset about the parking situation in the village. The municipality paving this, and charging per hour that. What all you drivers need to consider is: what are my options?

I think a very good answer is, "Get a bicycle."

We've just had Bike to Work Week, and the weather is here, so come on, get the bike out! Or go buy one!

I used to live in Whistler Cay, and have recently moved to Tamarisk. The distance seemed far, but I love my steady 25-minute bike into the village along the trails, and round the lake and golf course. I've kitted myself out in wet weather gear as well, just in case! I'm ready! I've been living in Whistler four years and see no need for a car! I carry my groceries home daily in my backpack.

Come on drivers, consider your options, you'll even be doing the environment a favor and setting your kids a good example!

Claire Mosley

Whistler

The Potato Mafia's response

I feel that we need to clear some thing up and ask you, the accused, some very important questions regarding the fresh food you eat.

We have now been called the "Potato Mafia" and told that we need to be knocked down a peg or two. I ask you Pemberton, where do you think your fresh veggies and fruits come from? Do you so cleverly think that it just appears in the grocery store, a steady supply in response to demand?

The answer of course is very hard working farmers all over the world supply each and every one of you with food.

The reason that farmers are getting so upset with their "new neighbours" is that farmland is disappearing before our eyes and people who know nothing about anything are going around calling us names and discriminating against our way of life.

If farmland is continuously sold for horse ranches and hotels pretty soon we will have nowhere to plant your food. I foresee a future where the farmers get fed up with the negative attitudes towards them and stop growing food for you altogether, let you slowly starve or get your veggies from a steroid-induced greenhouse in Toobadforyou land. That sounds fresh and delicious doesn't it?

Sure you can grow your own garden, but what about all the other people in the world who cannot?

Yes, we do essentially supply food all over the world, as our potatoes are sold to large commercial growers who keep the potato chips in the bag you are currently consuming, or the fries on your plate. The fresh potatoes in the grocery store, I will give you one hint about where they come from. Idaho potatoes - we just shipped them a few loads of potato seed to grow more for the commercial market.

I do not speak for all the farmers in the valley with my frustration; however I do feel that a few of them agree with my statements. Stop the discrimination and keep in mind that Farming Feeds MY Family. Save the farmland!

Melissa Ronayne

Pemberton

Post-election musings

I agree with Bob Barnett that in tough times we tend to "become a little more conservative" and hug the status quo come election time (Pique Opening Remarks, May 14). Still, I feel the NDP ignored (along with the media, pundits, pollsters, etc.) an issue that should have made voters bolt upright in our La-Z-Boys: Premier Gordon Campbell's proposed Recognition and Reconciliation Act. Recognizing Aboriginal rights (including Aboriginal title) province-wide would further erode the province's already anemic negotiating position and the resulting treaties (constitutionally protected!) would saddle B.C. with onerous, long-term commitments that the province should not be obliged to accept and may not be able to fulfill. It could not possibly be in the provincial interest, yet NDP leader Carole James was apparently far too timid and politically correct to press the premier on the issue.

The Single Transferable Vote (BC-STV) had all the hallmarks of having been designed by a committee. Voters, wisely in my view, rejected it. STV adherents lost me when I learned that in my multi-seat riding my preferred candidate(s) could be declared elected even before I cast my ballot. My vote would then be sliced, diced, bundled and packaged like toxic debt and transferred to other candidate(s) I may actually oppose. Ironically, even the Citizens Assembly found the present First-Past-The-Post a fair electoral system. As most FPTP shortcomings stem from vote-splitting, I think run-off elections in ridings where no one got 50 per cent plus one vote could fix the problem.

Joe Bako

Vancouver

I'll be, the roundabout!

I wish to thank the Village of Pemberton and council for the beautification of our one-and-only roundabout! The area is quite busy all day long and the newly painted crosswalks ensure the safety of all users, whether on bicycle, on foot, in strollers, or driving. As well, the surrounding bright landscape and centerpiece welcoming our new visitors, are quite pleasing to the eye and will make you slow down and smell the flowers.

To a great summer!

Annie Ginet Casarin

Pemberton