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Rent increase out of hand

Keep rents fair I am a renter in the Whistler Housing Authority Beaver Flats building in Creekside. I consider myself very lucky to be living in this housing and to have a fairly secure place to live, especially coming into the Olympics period.

Keep rents fair

I am a renter in the Whistler Housing Authority Beaver Flats building in Creekside. I consider myself very lucky to be living in this housing and to have a fairly secure place to live, especially coming into the Olympics period.

That being said, I recently received disturbing news that I think warrants some action. I arrived back in Whistler from my vacation, part of forced cost reductions from my employer, to find a note from the WHA property manager informing me that my rent would increase by 3.7 per cent. This is the second straight year the rent has increased.

My question to the WHA and the board is: How was this rental increase determined? In the last 12-month period, to April 2009 in Canada Inflation (based on the  Consumer Price Index) rose 0.4 per cent. So in a period when we are seeing very little inflation we are seeing a well-above-CPI increase in WHA rents. This most recent 3.7 per cent increase being over nine times higher, in fact.

We are in a period of worldwide financial crisis. I know of many workers in town who have had their salaries cut and/or hours reduced with little hope of a pay increase or even equalization in the next financial year. I have seen my overall wages roll back +5 per cent and virtually no chance of seeing a pay rise next financial year.

So in a period where my wages have actually been reduced by roughly 8 per cent my rent will have risen close to 7 per cent.

I think most renters would appreciate an explanation of why the rent has increased well above CPI. How about giving us a break in this economic crisis and drop the increase for next financial year, or at least reduce it to 0.4 per cent in line with CPI?

Erin Day

Whistler

(Editor's note: The annual allowable rental increases are set by the Residential Tenancy Branch of the British Columbia government. The annual allowable increase for 2009, set by the RTB last September, is 3.7 per cent.)

Call pay parking what it is

In an argument over semantics, whether we called the parking that we used to have "free" or "subsidized" is irrelevant. What we need to do is call what we have now a "parking tax" (or more precisely a "Drive to Whistler Village" tax). Want to come see a movie? Pay the movie theatre their twenty bucks, and then kick an extra six bucks over to the muni (30 per cent tax rate). Need to get your bike tuned? $80 to your mechanic of choice, two dollars to the muni to drop off your bike, and another two, to come pick it up (20 per cent). Want to come up and ski for the day? How about coughing up an extra eight or twelve dollars to RMOW for the privilege.

The RMOW is right. There's is no such thing as free parking, we all agree that snow needs to be cleared, lines painted, rules enforced and facilities maintained. But there's also no such thing as free roads, schools, sewers, water, etc., but as taxpayers in this town we acknowledge that we pay for these things. We also understand that as the costs associated with providing these services go up, so do our taxes. Sad, but true.

In a time where "value", and "guest experience" are bandied about this town ad nauseam, let's examine how our dear, valued(?) guests might feel when they come up to Whistler to stay, only to be charged an additional RMOW tax every time they come in to town to shop, eat, pick up equipment, or just to stroll about the village. If we're here to "host" the world, just maybe we as a community should be able to offer them a place to park their cars for awhile without reaching into their pockets.

Mike Grantham

Whistler

Thank you Rick Clare

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff at Tourism Whistler, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Rick Clare, Tourism Whistler's outgoing Board Chair.

Rick has been the Chair of Tourism Whistler's Board of Directors for the past 11 years. He has been a strong supporter of and tireless contributor to Tourism Whistler since 1987, when he first joined the Board.

An entrepreneur and long-time Whistler businessman, Rick will continue to serve on the Board as Commercial Director and in the capacity of Past Chair. We have all benefitted from his knowledge of Whistler, his strong community relationships, his business acumen and his sage advice.

From all of us at Tourism Whistler, Rick, we thank you for your commitment and dedication!

We would also like to congratulate Roger Soane, the General Manager of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, on his recent election by Tourism Whistler's Board of Directors to the position of Chair.

Thank you Rick; and welcome Roger!

Barrett Fisher

President & CEO, Tourism Whistler

Suzuki wakeup call

I sat  and listened to the David Suzuki talk the other week. He scared the  livin shit out of me!

It is  green this and green that these days. Local, provincial, and federal governments alike are talking environment. For all this "Talk" it seems that, in Canada anyway, we are crap when it comes to action. Last year Canada ranked a dismal 15th out of 17 industrial countries for environmental  responsibility. This year a report just out dropped us to 16th, and it  wouldn't surprise me if the U.S. surpasses us and we end up being the worst  country in the world, causing more damage to mother earth than anyone  else.

Locally the mindset seems to be fill it, build it, install a low-flush toilet, and pat each other on the back for being so green. In the meantime everybody forgets about the fact that a habitat has been permanently destroyed in the process. Of course no matter where you build, habitat is going to be destroyed, but not all habitat has been created equal. The highest value habitats are the wetlands, and aquatic environments such as our local streams and sloughs. Conductivity between these high value areas must be maintained as well. Permanent wildlife corridors established in combination with wildlife fencing to help cut down on the human-wildlife conflict.

So on the one hand local government wants to ring the green bell, but at the same time they are looking at the possibility of filling in Cattermole slough to build a road, filling in the Squamish estuary to build a road, and building a road that threatens the health of Meagan Creek.

The local government of Squamish has been talking since the '90s of laying out an environmental framework for the valley. This would identify high value habitat areas that are necessary to sustain a healthy biodiversity. To date we have a big fat nothing on this. This OCP for wildlife would allow the town to grow in a planned and responsible manner.

Hopefully David Suzuki's talk sparked people to start making changes that matter, this doesn't mean that we all run out and live in Tofu-walled houses with Granola roofs, it just means bringing common sense back to life/. Squamish can make a difference.

John Buchanan,

Squamish

The many shades of green

I enjoyed reading the May 21 cover story on The Green Rift, however I do not think that the issues presented are necessarily as black and white as they appear.

Firstly, an issue that no one seems to have brought up about the carbon tax (even the NDP) is that as a tax it allows those that can afford it to continue emitting and increasing atmospheric CO2 indefinitely. The government in return makes more money as emissions increase. A cap and trade system, on the other hand, puts a firm limit on the amount of CO2 that can be released into the atmosphere by province, region, or source. If a source (let's say a refinery) is increasing capacity causing it to emit CO2 above and beyond what its allowance is, the refinery may purchase credits or "stocks" from another facility with emissions below its limit. While this system keeps CO2 emissions from increasing forever, it costs the government money. They need to develop and regulate a rather complex carbon economy. It is not surprising that two out of three political parties choose the system that makes (rather than costs) them money.

This means nothing for hydropower plants - they have always been essentially "carbon neutral" save construction and operation-related emissions. This does not mean that they have no environmental impacts. What should be of concern is that many of these IPPs are not "run of the river" in the true sense. By definition run of the river projects must keep flow consistent at the input and output points (i.e. they do not alter flow conditions). While traditionally flow alteration was seen through the flooding of large tracts of land (the best example being the Bennett Dam/Williston Reservoir in the northeast), new projects limit this type of land alteration. However, the Ryan River project, for example, uses a "small holding pond" and a very large 10 km long pipe to moderate flow and hold back the water. It's like a reservoir you can't see and is by no means "run of the river" in a traditional sense.

I guess we're all lucky that the power company swears there are no fish in that part of the river; I don't think they would approve of this turbined pipe. It is my concern that these projects alter the physical and chemical properties of water in such a way as to have downstream impacts; especially when considered in combination (cumulatively) with other IPPs on reaches emptying into shared waterways. These are things that as a society we need to weigh against our energy needs and alternatives.

Hydropower is the way to go if all you care about is CO2. However, I urge you to go out on a sunny day, put one hand over the road, parking lot, driveway or any other asphalt, and place the other hand over a vegetated surface. Picture this on a global scale and ask yourself how land-use changes may be contributing to climate change. This doesn't really relate to IPPs, but will give you an idea of how our problems may go much deeper than can be acknowledged by a tax or alternative energy plan.

The focus on CO2 also turns our attention away from harmful air pollutants like sulfur and nitrogen oxides responsible for the acid rain that led Ms. Berman to activism. For the time being, hydrocarbons are not going away, which could be a good thing because I believe that fossil fuel sources are often safer, lower in toxic emissions, and more economically feasible than many of the alternatives that are being pushed through in the name of CO2 (biofuels, hydrogen, etc.) - not to mention the experience we have with their use. If we used them differently they could last us much longer, but that's another letter all together.

Many alternative energy sources are made from or using petroleum products. For instance I was just in Wyoming as part of a field trip for an air pollution conference, where I saw a field of plastic composite wind turbines made using coal-fired power and equipped with natural gas turbines for calm days. Hydrogen "fuel" is made from natural gas, et cetera. If we run out of fossil fuels we will have trouble producing most alternatives.

I find it exciting that the field in which I do research and have studied for so many years is now in the mainstream. I just fear that scientific illiteracy is often used to sell the public policies, consumer goods, whatever, that may not be as they appear. If you have the time, explore these issues further. Try a scientific search engine like www.scirus.net and please remember that there are many shades of green.

Judi Krzyzanowski

Mount Currie

Soccer girls say thanks

Whistler's Secondary School Girl's Soccer team competed in the B.C. Provincial "A" Tournament May 28 to 30 in Nakusp. They did our community proud with an eighth place finish. There were 12 teams who qualified for the tournament, many who have fields to play on all year round, out of a total of schools that entered a team this year. The weather was sunny and hot but that didn't stop these young athletes giving it their all. Congratulations girls!

On behalf of the team I would like to thank Whistler Secondary School, the PAC and Nesters for generously supporting the team, allowing them to go more affordably.

A special thanks to the coaches Stefano Baradel and Bernard Messeguer for their enthusiastic coaching and commitment to these girls over the past few months.

We would be remiss in not thanking the Whistler Youth Soccer Association and Andree Janyk for building these young athletes' skills over the years which enabled them to compete at this level.

Lastly, thanks to all the parents who came along and helped out and made this such a fun event. We were definitely the most spirited fans in the tournament!

Karen Gardner

Whistler

If only it was so easy

In response to Claire Mosley's letter about everyone getting a bike (A two-wheel answer, Pique letters May 28).

Claire obviously doesn't have a family of four or five that she has to shop for, otherwise she would know it would be very difficult, if not next to impossible, to do this on a bike.

Also, we don't all live in close proximity to the village. There are people living in Black Tusk and Pinecrest Estates who all work and shop in Whistler.

What about the people that are injured, elderly or physically not able to ride a bike? How can they be expected to get on a bike? I think the view expressed in the letter is very short sighted.

To those of you that are able to ride a bike, all the power to you... but would you please put a helmet on?

And to the municipality, who continually amaze me with their decisions.... Thanks for forcing those of us who would prefer to support the local shops, to shop in Squamish - where there is plenty of parking and it is free!

Bobbi Sandkuhl

Whistler

Many thanks

This winter, Whistler, just like other communities in this world, was strongly affected by a declining economy. The face of the village changed with businesses closing, layoffs increasing and the demand for our local food bank and social services and assistance increased.

Despite these difficult times local businesses, organizations and community member still stepped up to the plate to sponsor, donate and assist with events and programs to continue to enhance the lives of local families. I would like to take the time to acknowledge Whistler businesses and valuable community members.

The Whistler Alcohol and Drug Committee recently finished a series of Family Fun Day events which provided activities and events to local families at a discounted price. I would like to acknowledge The Tube Park, The Core and Ziptrek Eco-Tours for sponsoring activity days.

Also, The Grocery Store, Nesters, Tandoori Grill, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Rosalind's Desserts, The Four Seasons, Kay's Katering and The Whistler S.S. Hot Lunch program for donating food for our highly successful Family Dinner in February where over 60 people attended.

Recently, a group of teens (Grades 10-12) completed a Peer Mentorship Program at Whistler Secondary School. The program was highly successful with 17 participants who over a two-month period were educated about important issues affecting teens and learned about valuable community resources related to: sexual health, drug and alcohol prevention, LUNA, sexual exploitation and bullying. Local service providers from the RMOW, Vancouver Coastal Health, Howe Sound Women's Centre, Whistler Community Services Society and Sea to Sky Community Services donated their time to educate teens in our community.

I would like to gratefully acknowledge Whistler Secondary School and the RMOW for the use of office space and facilities for implementing this program, and also Nesters for donating food, and local businesses such as Daily Slice, Panoli's, Gone Bakery, Samurai Sushi and the Whistler Secondary School Lunch program for providing affordable meals to the students during their participation of this program.

I would like to thank Davin Moore and Claire Mozes of WCSS, Bev Oakley, The Parent Advisory Committee at Whistler S.S.,Caroline Stroud, Kevin Damaskie, Rae MacDonald, Kristin Trotter and Kiran Pal-Pross for their help and support of this program.

It is inspiring to see so many people, organizations and businesses working together and collaborating to enhance and improve the families and youth in our community.

Jackie Dickinson

Whistler

May fun for families

The Whistler Waldorf School celebrated the season with a fun and festive May Fair on Saturday, May 23. Hundreds of kids and their parents enjoyed singing, making crafts, dressing up, eating some fabulous food, listening to music, and of course, dancing around the May Pole.

The May Fair was made possible only by the help of our energetic and loving volunteers. Thank you to every single parent who helped out! Thanks as well to our generous sponsors: Nesters Market (for the BBQ fixings and drinks), Rona (for the bird house wood), Aphrodite's Organic Cafe and Pie Shop in Vancouver (for the pie and quiche), the Whistler Roasting Company (for the yummy lattes) and Senka (for the flowers the children made into garlands).

Thank you to Mayor Ken Melemed for coming to help us cut the ribbon, officially opening the new playground at the school which was made possible from a generous grant from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and the RMOW.

We are also grateful for the beautiful sunshine and gentle breeze that kissed our faces as we played, and especially for our children: your smiles and laughter make it all worthwhile.

Peggy Vogler for,

The May Fair Organizers,

Whistler Waldorf School

Big Sky's big heart

On behalf of the Pemberton Area Community Food Bank, I would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the generosity of Big Sky Golf and Country Club, staff and members. The generous donation of food items and monetary donations on the opening day was overwhelming. The donations will assist greatly in the month-to-month needs of the food bank.

The Pemberton Area Community Food Bank does not receive funding or grants (federal, provincial or community), we reply solely on donations and the support of the community. Along with the Christmas Hamper program, the food bank operates year round as an emergency food bank, and delivers the service on a minimal budget. The donation of food items helps this program to sustain the service all year.

All the Big Sky staff and members should be commended for their community support and commitment.

Fran Cuthbert

Volunteer Coordinator, Pemberton Area Food Bank

Fortunate families

Once again, the generosity of the Pemberton community has shown itself.

The Pemberton Child Care Centre would like to thank Garth Phare and the staff of Frontier Pharmacy for choosing us as the recipients of their Staff Community Fund. The list of things remaining to be completed at our facility has already begun to be reduced in size - more quickly than we could have imagined!

Paul Vacirca and everyone at Pemberton Home Hardware held a fantastic Ladies Night with great food, beverages and lots of laughter and prizes given out. The sold out event's proceeds are being generously donated to the Pemberton Child Care Centre and Pemberton Meadows Daycare.

The children and families of Pemberton are truly fortunate to have your ongoing support, and thank you.

Shannon Ellis on behalf of the Board of Directors,

Pemberton Child Care Society

Whistler gives big

Whistler, we asked and you gave.

A big heart felt "thank you" to all the local businesses that donated their services or products to our Heart and Stroke Foundation fundraiser at the GLC last Thursday. It was a great success for a great cause.

If you were not able to make it out for the fundraiser, please join us on May 26 in the IGA parking lot for the "Big Bike Ride." We start pedalling at 4 p.m.! Register at bigbike.ca Team Hope.

Nick Swinburne

Whistler


Fortunate famili
es

Zero Ceiling would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to our silent band of cheerleaders who, through their unstinting support, allow us to continue to provide life altering opportunities to some the most marginalized youth in our province.

Whistler Blackcomb - wow, you guys are amazing! Your generous assistance with both our day visit and Work to Live program has literally transformed the lives of hundreds of youth who would otherwise be shut out of such opportunities.  

To Rob McSkimming and Bea Searle - thank you for all that you do to facilitate the programs.  

To Chris Beckett and his team in the rentals department, thank you for keeping our day visit youth warm and equipped for what is often their first experience on mountain (but I am assured by most - not their last!).  

And to Marc Emerson at the Snowboard School, thank you for your patience and graciousness with our snowboarding day visits - and for being such a fantastic mentor (along with Dave Anderson) to our snowboard instructor participants. Your guidance and belief in them is so very valued and appreciated.

To the team in the Whistler Blackcomb Food and Beverage Department, thank you for embracing the expansion of our Work to Live program and for providing the opportunity for youth to learn valuable employment and life skills lessons in a supportive team environment.  

Nicole Baudisch and Tara Souch at House - you are some of our youth's greatest advocates, thank you for making their transition to communal living as easy as it can be. And to Karen Baulkham - just, thank you!

Thanks also to Mike Kohari (General Manager) and the Tantalus Lodge, who year after year provide the accommodation for our trainees to come to Whistler pre-winter and be introduced to this fantastic environment, your ongoing support is so greatly appreciated.

To Graham Turner at Showcase Snowboards, thank you for always thinking of us for fundraising opportunities tied to your events, and for helping us with gear for the youth - you have been an amazing support for many years and we truly appreciate it.

To the gang at the Whistler Community Services Society, thanks for providing the friendship that our youth need when they first land in Whistler - and the ongoing support required to make it possible for them to stay here.  And to the youth mentors, Ben, Nick and Adam - thanks for being there.

To the RMOW, thank you for supporting us through your Community Enrichment Grant program - your ongoing belief in the youth and their potential is evident in your continued support of our Work to Live program - and so important for the youth to hear.

To Sandy Black at Affinity Sports, thank you for donating the outerwear the youth needed for their first foray onto the mountain, ensuring their experience was fun (and warm!).  

Blake Jorgensen Gallery - thanks for assisting with our fundraising efforts. And finally, thanks to our successful graduates of this year's Work to Live program. You guys took a leap of faith to come here and turn your lives around - and you succeeded in the most outstanding manner!

We as a community are so very fortunate that you have chosen to stay and make your home here.  As Archimedes wrote, 'Give me a place to stand and I can move the world'. I can't wait to see where you go from here! Elle Maloney Executive Director Zero Ceiling

By Elle Maloney

Whistler

Many thanks

This winter, Whistler, just like other communities in this world, was strongly affected by a declining economy. The face of the village changed with businesses closing, layoffs increasing and the demand for our local food bank and social services and assistance increased.

Despite these difficult times local businesses, organizations and community member still stepped up to the plate to sponsor, donate and assist with events and programs to continue to enhance the lives of local families. I would like to take the time to acknowledge Whistler businesses and valuable community members.

The Whistler Alcohol and Drug Committee recently finished a series of Family Fun Day events which provided activities and events to local families at a discounted price. I would like to acknowledge The Tube Park, The Core and Ziptrek Eco-Tours for sponsoring activity days.

Also, The Grocery Store, Nesters, Tandoori Grill, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Rosalind's Desserts, The Four Seasons, Kay's Katering and The Whistler S.S. Hot Lunch program for donating food for our highly successful Family Dinner in February where over 60 people attended.

Recently, a group of teens (Grades 10-12) completed a Peer Mentorship Program at Whistler Secondary School. The program was highly successful with 17 participants who over a two-month period were educated about important issues affecting teens and learned about valuable community resources related to: sexual health, drug and alcohol prevention, LUNA, sexual exploitation and bullying. Local service providers from the municipality, Vancouver Coastal Health, Howe Sound Women's Centre, Whistler Community Services Society and Sea to Sky Community Services donated their time to educate teens in our community.

I would like to gratefully acknowledge Whistler Secondary School and the RMOW for the use of office space and facilities for implementing this program, and also Nesters for donating food, and local businesses such as Daily Slice, Panoli's, Gone Bakery, Samurai Sushi and the Whistler Secondary School Lunch program for providing affordable meals to the students during their participation of this program.

I would like to thank Davin Moore and Claire Mozes of WCSS, Bev Oakley, The Parent Advisory Committee at Whistler S.S.,Caroline Stroud, Kevin Damaskie, Rae MacDonald, Kristin Trotter and Kiran Pal-Pross for their help and support of this program.

It is inspiring to see so many people, organizations and businesses working together and collaborating to enhance and improve the families and youth in our community.

Jackie Dickinson

Whistler