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Torch illuminates new perspective

As I watched the Olympic flame go past this week I suddenly welled up with emotions that I have not felt for a few years around this town.

As I watched the Olympic flame go past this week I suddenly welled up with emotions that I have not felt for a few years around this town. I realized in that moment that I had let myself become progressively more bitter towards the Games, especially in the last few months.

Living under the prawn-sandwich-eating, all-powerful, corporate thumb of VANOC has taken its toll on my Olympic spirit and I think I had come to really hate the Games. But the moment I saw that flame I knew that I did not hate the Olympics at all! I realized that I've loved the Olympics my entire life. I can't wait to see the athletes, their coaches and families, countries and fans roaming the village. It's gonna be so awesome and exciting.

Right then, with the flame just gone past, I blurted out for the first time, my new five-week life mission statement... "I refuse to allow my hatred of VANOC to ruin my love of the Olympics!" I will welcome the world's best. I will cheer our athletes who have dedicated their lives to represent me and our country. I will stand in the village and watch our boys show the world who really runs hockey.

The Olympics aren't about all the crap that's gone on around here the past few years. We're gonna win a shitload of medals this year and I deserve to enjoy every second of it. I've earned it.

Despite the best efforts of the organizing committee I will not have my Olympic spirit taken away from me! I'm tougher than you. I'm a Whistler local. I'll be welcoming the world here every weekend long after you're gone and then we'll park our cars wherever the hell we want!

Go Canada go.

Dallas Finn

Whistler

 

Canadians for a day

Dear Whistler residents and Olympic organizers:

We spent two days in Vancouver and three at Whistler in order to preview the Olympic venues. We had a terrific time.  It was an honour to be "Canadians for a day" at your celebration when the Olympic torch came to town. Whistler is so beautiful, the restaurants meet any desire (love the crepes), the inns so accessible and, most importantly, your people friendly and helpful (thanks Welcoming Host Jane).

Based on our time there, we know both athletes and visitors will find Olympics 2010 a memorable and enjoyable experience. We hope you do also!

Sharene and Zac Elander

Anacortes, WA USA

 

It's late, but still idiotic

Yes G.D. Maxwell, you are right. We who disagree copped out and said little. I am included in the nearly mute gang.

It was clear right from the start when politicians of every stripe put on their best serious-stupid smile looking as if they were about to get laid. What they didn't know was that they already were. It is like the HST. Fait accompli. Like all flat taxes. I feel there are many who appear to agree with all the whoop-de-do, or perhaps they don't dare say anything against it, lest they be excommunicated for blasphemy.

I, like many I know, try to console myself that it will soon be over. Then all we will have to talk about will be the cost. Even then the rah, rah people will never stop. They will be loudly looking forward to the next time common life gets disturbed again with streets closed off and posts nailed to the highway making traffic more crowded and hazardous.

Yes I am late but I feel that now, right in the middle of this purposeless obscene expense, doing way too much to prove nothing, that some have bent themselves into extreme efforts catering to the idiotic notion that there should be winners and losers, as though that were a good thing to categorize people into such a belief that anything is accomplished by pushing themselves unrealistically to the point of injury and sometimes death.

Skating can be an interesting pastime or even a means of travelling, as skiing is a means of travel like snowshoeing. Slalom was a means of coming down a hill safely without getting one's speed dangerously high. Some competitive types saw a way of making a race out of it. If anyone wants to ski or skate they can without making it a game.

Terry Smith

Garibaldi Highlands

 

I believe!

Years ago, before the Vancouver bid for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games went through, I started volunteering with Whistler's 2010 Team.

To start, I picked up forms that people had filled out that included what they thought about the possibility of the 2010 Games, and typed the info into the Internet.

Following that I volunteered at Whistler's 2010 Information Trailer, that was the place to learn about bidding for the Games, preparing for the Games and cheering for the Games. I met people from many different countries, people with such great stories to share.

If you did not see the information trailer, the Olympic rings were hoola hoops and lots of fun. A bobsled from the 1988 Calgary Games and a podium with gold, silver and bronze medals were there for people and dogs to get their photos taken.

Now I have great memories and one of my favourites is in the spring of 2003 - someone on the Whistler 2010 Team sent e-mails out suggesting we wrap gold ribbons around the trees in Whistler to show our support. I was too busy for that but I took a gold ribbon out of my present-wrapping box and tied it to the rack on the top of my car.

After Vancouver won the bid I left the ribbon there and it is still attached to the rack on the top of my car today. I never tightened or retied the ribbon, it just stayed through the rain, the sun, the wind and the snow. This golden ribbon braving the elements for close to seven years to cheer for Canada gives just one more reason to believe!

Go Canada Go!

Leslie Weir

Whistler

 

Swifter, higher, smiley-er

I can't wait for the main event to finally hit town. It's going to be a very special time to reflect on for all who attend or are involved. I for one will seize every opportunity to revel in all it has to offer, soaking up the glorious atmosphere amongst the visiting nations.

There will always be individuals who find the Olympics thrust upon them in their home town as a real inconvenience and will continue to gripe at every late bus, road closure, lack of parking, etc., I say let them, if that's how they want to be.

I think that on the whole, everyone is pretty well stoked about the hype and eminent arrival of the "world coming to Whistler" and this comes across to everyone they engage with. Store workers, hotel staff, bartenders, everyone.

So I have to say, if we're trying to portray a good image to the world of our little town, trying to ensure that everyone enjoys the ensuing events.... why oh why oh why do the RCMP continually look and act so damn miserable all the time? These guys are very visible to us all and no doubt will become more visible over the next few weeks. I never get a smile, never a "how are you?" never any sense that that they genuinely want anyone around them - let alone actually be happy around them.

The RCMP has a tough job I know, but wouldn't it make their day go a little better if they had a smile on their faces? Wouldn't this come across to all who pass them?

C'mon guys. Make an effort and show a little cheer once in a while. No one's suggesting that you cease to be professional, perhaps just simply seem a little more approachable and engage with the community around you!

Ashley McMillan

Whistler

 

Mons Road is not a freeway!

With these busy times ahead, an increased number of local and commercial vehicles are using Mons Road to access the gas pumps in front of Sabre. Many of these drivers are new to town!

At the same time more pedestrians are using this street to access the bus stop at the other end of the street. Although there is a Valley Trail at the beginning of Mons Road and one at the end, motorists and pedestrians are forced to share the road at some point.

With the lack of lighting and no Valley Trail I would like to extend a friendly reminder to be cautious and for your safety and ours remember... Mons Road is not a freeway!

Chris Kolbuc

Whistler

 

Bar lowered

Well done B.C. Transit, you have managed to lower the bar yet again.

I arrived for the #4 Alpine Meadows bus at midnight Saturday, Feb. 6 and after watching buses for the other routes come and go, as well as numerous out of service busses pass by, our bus finally arrived at 12:50 a.m.

Forty-five minutes last night, 50 minutes tonight, I can't wait to see how long you make us wait tomorrow night!

"Inept, Unprepared, and a Total Waste of Time" should be your logo, as that seems to be your modus operandi.

Gerry Graham

Whistler

 

Canadians for a day

Dear Whistler residents and Olympic organizers:

We spent two days in Vancouver and three at Whistler in order to preview the Olympic venues. We had a terrific time.  It was an honour to be "Canadians for a day" at your celebration when the Olympic torch came to town. Whistler is so beautiful, the restaurants meet any desire (love the crepes), the inns so accessible and, most importantly, your people friendly and helpful (thanks Welcoming Host Jane).

Based on our time there, we know both athletes and visitors will find Olympics 2010 a memorable and enjoyable experience. We hope you do also!

Sharene and Zac Elander

Anacortes, WA USA

 

Now that we're on the buses...

While it is a bit late for wholesale changes to the Olympic bus system, here are a few items that might help.

All of the buses have empty advertising panels above the seats on each side. Turn on the lights and tell us what's going on. Even paper signs taped to the panel can provide current and accurate information. If everyone is travelling on the bus, why not put the information on the bus?

What can be said about the north/south disconnect and its shuttle bus band-aid? The bus routes seem to be an exercise in putting lines between points rather than people between destinations. North buses go to Main Street. South buses go to the gondola loop. If you want to go somewhere else - tough.

To kill two birds with one stone, why not have the buses circle within the village and overlap at the same time? For example, buses #1 and #2 currently enter the village on Village Gate Boulevard and go straight to the gondola. If the buses went along Northlands and Lorimer and through the Upper Village people could connect with the Main Street buses at the abandoned shelter near 7-Eleven. People could get off at Marketplace, the Medical Centre and other places. Those actually going to the gondolas might be a few minutes later but most people would already be off the bus closer to their destination or already on a north-bound bus.

Likewise, buses #3 and #4 from the north serve no purpose by going down the highway to Village Gate Boulevard on their way to Main Street. If they went East on Lorimer they could drop people off near Marketplace, in the Upper Village and across from the gondola loop on their way to Main Street. Again, many people would be able to get closer to their destination and others could make simple connections to go farther south.

It's not on the map but there is also a bus loop at Meadow Park Sports Centre. Buses #3, #4 and #99 stop there twice on each trip and #23 and #104 terminate there. What about a direct bus from Meadow Park to Creekside, stopping only at stops along Highway 99?

What can I say about service from Squamish? From the transit loop in Squamish to the gondola loop in Whistler there is capacity for 300-400 people per hour with buses every 10 minutes through most of the day. The #98 bus does go through Lorimer and the Upper Village making it easier to continue north or get off before the gondola. See, it does work.

In Squamish service has improved a great deal by having buses between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. return to the transit loop instead of only dropping people off. If you commute to Whistler for a Monday to Friday, 9-5 job the service is phenomenal. If you need to leave Squamish before 5 a.m., good luck. If you return to Squamish after 8:45 a.m., which I do, enjoy your walk home.

There needs to be some sort of service in Squamish between 2 and 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. It might be reduced frequency or coverage but there needs to be something.

Murray Gamble

Squamish

 

Ice theatre an inspiration

I wanted to say how pleased I was to watch the Nix show at Lost Lake at the end of January. I had heard mixed reviews but I was plenty surprised by the calibre of art that was presented. The show was the perfect length and was quite enjoyable.

I was glad we took a chance on the show and it was great to see so many locals of all ages in attendance. It is all too obvious in Whistler the calibre in the arts that locals have. It is usually viewed through photography, visual arts (painting) and even musical arts. It is not usual to see a theatre performance have such a strong showing. Hopefully the success of this show provides continuing opportunity for future theatre performances to come to town.

Thank you to the cast and crew of the show and thank you to all the other amazing artists this city has to offer who provide inspiration for all of us in everyday life.

Iain Warren

Whistler

 

On the mark

As a company that has built its business on marketing to travellers from around the world, I must compliment the B.C. Government and in particular, Tourism B.C. for their current marketing campaign, "You Gotta be Here."

Showing the beauty and sophistication of British Columbia through the eyes of our province's international stars, including Michael J. Fox, Sarah McLachlan, Ryan Reynolds, Eric McCormack, Kim Cattrall and Steve Nash, allows the ad to not only get attention but speak to a very wide demographic. My wife loves the ads as much as my children. These international celebrities come across as being warm, convincing, sincere in their messages and proud to be showcasing B.C. to the world.
This campaign hits the mark. The call-to-action is simple. I believe it will result in more business for B.C. and has me wanting to explore more of our beautiful province. Well done!

Randy Powell

President & CEO

Rocky Mountaineer

 

Face the truth

RE: Mayor Pretty-Face in Vancouver (Alta States, Jan. 21)

I honestly fail to understand how a person's high cheekbones, photogenic fashions and canary-in-the mouth smile could possibly provide insight to their character and authenticity as a human being. Especially the high cheekbones!

Shame on the writer who uses such a device - shoddy journalism and woe to Pique for printing it.

Perhaps there is an element of sour grapes because of the results of Vancouver's last civic election?

Carol Siblock

Birken

 

No friend of new AWARE

For more than 20 years our resort municipality has had a vibrant environmental organization which had continually been the lead on issues that were important to the viability of our corridor. Partly because of AWARE we have more wetland than we would have been able to save otherwise, we became part of The Natural Step, developed a vision in 2020 that is the envy of cities across Canada, created a Centre for Sustainability, have credible recycling, are the first community in B.C. to be carbon neutral, maybe have the greenest municipal council in Canada and more. There is much to be proud of, and much that could have been showcased this winter. Where AWARE had influence it did so because it kept a rational stance, made connections backed by research, focused on acting locally with solutions rather than protests, and worked with councils to make a better stance for the environment, (and sometimes held back on easy criticism in order to produce a future win).

Sadly that era appears to be behind us. We now have an AWARE board that publishes blanket statements that confuse opinion with information, implies connections where few exist, makes banal observations as if they should alarm us, but give no credit to the fact that things are much better than they might have been otherwise. Most unfortunately AWARE appears to have given up on working with organizations to help them become more environmentally sound. "Holier than thou" criticism is so much easier.

The new model of AWARE has published its damning stance on Whistler's Olympics. They include such items as concern for loss of biodiversity, "huge" energy and water demands, and in the same statement, (but with the writers not recognizing a problem of logical typing), accuse VANOC of a "lack of institutional accountability." It may be a surprise to this AWARE board that it would be difficult in the extreme to accept the responsibility of running an event of this size and have no impact. With effort, however, VANOC has sought ways to reduce these impacts. By starting with an office of sustainability, and at least acting on some issues to reduce their footprint, VANOC has made many strides towards producing the "greenest" Games to date. Green enough? Certainly not. As green as we are technically and socially able to produce at this time? VANOC has probably come pretty close. Besides the major legacies we have been given, there is a new spirit of voluntarism in the town, and a bigger sense of community that will I think bode well for our local environment too.

The new AWARE finally wants to "provide warnings and solutions to problems experienced in Whistler to the IOC and future host cities." The president of the new AWARE connects the Olympics in a causal way to poverty, when empiricism shows the opposite, and wants a more democratic IOC showing that she has no understanding of the structure of that organization either. With the kind of shooting from the hip analysis and thought that has gone into their criticism to date they are unlikely to find willing listeners from either future host cities or I hope the group she represents. It could have been otherwise.

Six years ago as we won this bid, there were members of AWARE who saw the Games as an opportunity to showcase just what this community has accomplished and wants to accomplish going forward, that can be taken as good for the environment. With this latest statement from AWARE we have lost that opportunity.

Al Whitney

A past board member of the old AWARE. and certainly no longer a member of the new

Whistler