Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Council not listening

This letter was addressed to mayor and council. A copy was forwarded to Pique for publication.

This letter was addressed to mayor and council. A copy was forwarded to Pique for publication.

I decided to write this letter, because it appears that you need to hear from "everyone" in the community before you are going to get the message that we don't want our money spent on another party.

I hear it everyday in discussions, the community is against this frivolous spending of our money. Letters have been written, people have attended meetings, but the message doesn't appear to be sinking in.

We had an absolutely awesome experience through the Olympics and Paralympics. If this didn't enhance tourism and show the world what we have, this party you are planning certainly won't have any impact.

Please listen to what we are saying - we don't want our money spent on a party!

It will never live up to the Olympic/Paralympic party, nor the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival... so please give it up! There are so many other very necessary things this money could be spent on. If you can't figure out what they are, just ask the community... I'm sure you would get a lot of suggestions. Here are a couple of mine: WAG, another sheet of ice, better maintenance of the pool - the list could go on and on.

You already spent our money on your Olympic jackets. (Even part-time pool deck employees received one. I didn't realize a lifeguard needed an outdoor uniform!)

And who knows, your Olympic memory book for all the municipal staff could be at the printer right now. So your employees got what they wanted... now would you mind giving the community what we want please?

PS: Thanks Tom and Grant for listening.

Bobbi Sandkuhl

Whistler

 

Thinking beyond sponge cake

I understand the need for the Post-Olympic party in order to keep the spotlight on this community for as long as possible in the interest of tourist dollars. However, I am wondering if a portion of that money could be turned into a Whistler Olympics 2010 Award for one or more deserving Grade 12 students who have shown exceptional talent in either athletics and/or academics. Applicants could be asked to write an essay on the Olympics' and Paralympics' legacy and impact. As an annual scholarship presented at graduation ceremony, a Whistler Olympics 2010 Award would have a much longer lasting effect than sponge cake and a few balloons and would be a way to keep the flame going in Whistler's youth.

Alison Wells

Whistler

 

We the people

A $96,000 party on a weekend that history has shown is busy no matter what is going on. A long weekend that does not require an extra push, a long weekend were most locals are working because of the business levels.

So who is this party really for?

You say it's for the locals but it is not, it is just a publicity stunt to put heads into beds. That's the bottom line.

Why not gather information on what the locals really want? Why not create a suggestion box and actually let us decide for once? Was it not us that created the amazing Olympic experience?

We as a whole were able to have the paid parking removed from the conference centre. Let's we as a whole stop this ridiculous spending of our money.

It is not the decision of five people to decide were this money belongs. It was not five people that brought the Olympics to Vancouver and Whistler. It was all of us.

Paul Rowe

Whistler

 

Fuller disclosure

Re: We're going to dance (Maxed Out, April 15)

I am only human and a sinner too. I allowed myself to be lulled into a false sense of security over Cheakamus Crossing and the oft-mentioned asphalt plant. It is beginning to seem like for that egregious error I will surely go to hell. It was Nov. 11, 2008 and my wife and I were in the real estate office about to sign the sales agreement on a home in the athletes' village. I remember it well, seeing as it was Remembrance Day. We were feeling pretty fortunate. Only weeks before, we were way, way down low on the WHA list. Yet that day, we were about to sign for the juiciest four-bedroom townhome in the entire site.

You may recall that my daughter, Morgan, is severely disabled. When we enquired about accessible housing we were told that the WHA planned for 25 units reserved for accessibility challenged residents. Unfortunately, they were all one- and two-bedroom apartment style units. No one had anticipated that a large family with a disabled child or invalid parent would want to buy a bigger home (we had both). So, it was decided to let us have our pick of the litter at Cheakamus though we would have to pay to renovate the home to suit our daughter's needs (and not be allowed to recoup the projected $25,000 budget should we ever sell the home).

That fateful day in November we found ourselves sitting with Greg Ambrose, the sales agent for Cheakamus Crossing, as he pulled out the disclosure statement for review. Over 70 pages long with all the attached schedules and addendum, there was much to cover. We discussed strata councils, garbage pick-up, screen doors, taxes, irrigation systems, roof integrity, fencing, as well as the sewage plant and the decommissioned landfill.

Just before my eyes glazed over and we jointly passed out, the talk turned to the asphalt plant. Greg told us of its existence and I said to my wife I thought I had seen it. In my groggy state I stupidly pointed to a property on the map, on the other side of the bridge, down the road, pretty much where that giant security tent was located during the Olympics. Rather than correct my error about the location, Greg read aloud the two sentences regarding the asphalt plant:

The development is adjacent to an operational asphalt and gravel facility which may create associated noise, dust, odours and activity. The municipality is currently negotiating the possibility of relocating the asphalt operation with the owner of the asphalt and gravel facility.

Now, you and I both know only the first sentence should have been included in a truly honest disclosure statement. The second sentence had no business being there as it wasn't "disclosure" at all but wishful crap strategically placed by WRE, WDC, WHA, the RMOW, the CIA and quite possibly the UDA to sop us off. Deception maybe, deflection certainly, in my opinion.

That was it. At the time the plant was already shut down for the season. I had no idea that it was actually located on the other side of the bridge - OUR side of the bridge - or that, when active, 50 dump trucks a day would go screaming past just metres away from our future front door.

I also didn't know that Linda Watson, the first principal of Spring Creek Elementary School, used to have a teacher do a "sniff" test before letting the kids, my kids!, go outside for recess.

I was such a sap. I so much wanted a home I could afford, in a neighbourhood offering so much potential, that I allowed Mr. Slick to sell me dubious goods. My radar and (usually) healthy cynicism got switched off. Which pretty much explains why so many real estate agents are rich and drive new Lincolns while I'm not and don't.

So, next time you feel the need to pay the bills by making us Cheakamus owners look like a bunch of lazy, whinging, NIMBY saps, though some of us may indeed fit that description, put yourself in my shoes for a minute. There is hope for you yet if your crusty heart softens a bit and exudes a little empathy.

Adam Protter

Whistler

 

A little respect for others

So rarely does something get stuck in my craw, but lately I swear! Bear with me and I'll make this rant as short and sweet as possible.

I'm just guessing here but I imagine that if my friends and I climbed over your fence one night and were hanging out uninvited in your hot tub or living room you would tell us to get out and probably call the cops, you might even consider kicking my ass. That reaction would be entirely reasonable as we were trespassing on your property. See where I'm heading with this?

Last night I told a guy to "get the ^%$ out of my hot tub" and I am unapologetic about this, especially since this stranger is a repeat visitor, never brings us any beer and hasn't offered to help us with our strata fees. Whistler is always a much nicer place to live when people aren't climbing over other people's fences, taking other people's bikes and dropping litter everywhere but there's always one tool isn't there? Moving on...

There are a number of people who can not walk five metres in either direction to put a drink bottle or piece of trash in the garbage. You know who you are and you suck. I see these benevolent strollers picking up random pieces of garbage they see and I want to say a big "thank you," but obviously it must be a struggle for them to keep up with so many idiots opting to leave their garbage on the ground instead of using a bin. Whistler is so beautiful with so many bins, so I have to ask, what is your excuse?

Julie Andrews

Whistler

 

Picking up in Pemberton

Creating the necessity for the conservation officer service to put a bear trap on Frontier Street is a crappy thing to do. Bears are barely out of hibernation and it is already obvious we can't deal with the waste we create.

On my many walks around town this spring, I have seen deplorable amounts of garbage all over this valley, including garbage-filled, fish-inhabited streams, the mini landfill created by plowing Frontier Street for a backup Olympic parking site, tires, tail pipes and you name it strewn around the town - not to mention dog feces everywhere because people let dogs roam around (who unfortunately can't clean up after themselves).

Pemberton is an absolutely stunning valley at all times of the year and we should take pride in being here, not make it look disgusting. FYI: Pemberton is not your dumping ground to throw around crap (real and otherwise). There are many bear proof garbage bins located around town so use them. In addition, any businesses that do not have NEW bear proof Carney's waste bins should get them because they work.

If you have bird feeders, our feathered friends can feed themselves this time of year without our help.

If you love the Pemberton valley, please pick up after yourself, pick up after your children, and pick up after your dogs so the bears, the fish, and the rest of the creatures that live here don't have to die doing it.

Kathy Jenkins

Pemberton

 

Community grows on you

This is so long, but not goodbye. I'm just moving back to the city. But before I pack up my long underwear I wanted to say thank you to everyone who's made my stay here so memorable.

For the last 2.5 years I've been CTV's Bureau Chief in Whistler. I will never forget the time I've spent here, or the friends I've made. You've all handled yourselves so well, especially when the pressure was on. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Hospitality is what you do, but my sense is that here it's much more than an industry.

Before this Olympic/Paralympic posting I'd spent my career in several big cities, traveling to crime scenes and war zones - never considering I might be missing out on community; never thinking my job would lend itself to actually living in one. I'm so grateful it did.

It's one thing to drop in and out of a story. Get your clips, some facts, file, and leave. It's entirely another thing to wake up the next morning surrounded by the people you're reporting on... who may or may not like or agree with what they saw on last night's news. It makes you careful, it makes you care, and I sincerely hope it made CTV's coverage of the Games, and the years leading up to it, better. After all, Whistler has been my home too.

I promise to come back often. Until then remember I'm only a click away... on channel 9.

Sarah Galashan

CTV News, Vancouver

 

Thanks for thinking of Keith

I would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the fundraiser for Keith O'Connor last week at the Elephant and Castle. It was an amazing night and we managed to raise over $6,000 to help Keith get the wheelchair he needs and begin adapting his home and car.

The success of the evening was due to many people. Special thank yous go to Evan and staff at the Elephant and Castle for letting us take over the entire bar, the Accelerators for fantastic live entertainment, Lynn Gervais, Christy and staff at Rocky Mountain Productions and Sam the DJ. Also a huge thank you for the generous donations of which there are too many people to thank personally, and to all the helpers on the evening, especially the best administrator in Whistler, Rose Lawrence!

Whistler is such an amazing community to live in and organizing a fundraiser like this has shown again how generous, enthusiastic and caring people here are, even people who have never met Keith. It will make such a difference in his future and he would like me to pass on a huge thank you to all involved.

Whistler you rock!

Helen Dalziel

Whistler

 

Best year of the icon, gone

On behalf of the Whistler Museum and Archives I would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who participated in Icon Gone 2010. Without the support and generosity of the Whistler community the event could not have gone ahead this year.

Icon Gone was as entertaining as always and the Museum thanks everyone who came out to watch a fantastic show. This year's winner was Andrew Mitchell with his hilarious presentation on the bike as Whistler's greatest icon.

The Whistler Museum would like to thank Whistler Foto Source for donating four 8x10 framed photographs, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for donating a free night's accommodation, Outdoor Adventures for donating an ATV adventure for two and to Nesters Market for donating lovely gift bags.

Also, a special thank-you goes out to Alex Kleinman for constructing the truly awesome Icon Gone Crown. The Museum would also like to thank Maureen Douglas for once again stepping up to the challenge of refereeing Icon Gone, which is no easy task!

A heartfelt thank-you also goes to Michele Bush for keeping the laughs coming. Lastly, Icon Gone could not have happened at all without the dedication, passion and determination of this year's debaters who took this battle of wits to the next level with dynamic, hilarious and emotional presentations. Thank-you to: Shauna Hardy Mishaw, Kevin Damaskie, Cathy Jewett, Nicole Fitzgerald, Mike Berard, Andrew Mitchell and Stephen Vogler.

Icon Gone 2010 was the best year yet. I look forward to seeing everyone next year when Icon celebrates its fifth anniversary!

Leah Batisse

Curator/Executive Director

Whistler Museum and Archives

 

Salmon-lovers' migration

For anyone interested in joining us on a day trip to Victoria on Saturday, May 8th, please contact Jim at  jhorner@shaw.ca . We will look into organizing transport from Whistler to show support for our Coastal Wild Salmon stocks from the dangers of open net fish farm practices that currently exist. Biologist Alexandra Morten will be completing her 500 km walk from northern Vancouver Island that afternoon so the more who show up the better. Information can be found at www.salmonaresacred.org

Jim Horner

Whistler

 

Dress for Less a success

On Sunday, March 28th we held the first annual "Father Daughter Dance Dress for Less Sale." We raised almost $200 for the Whistler Children's Centre and this was only the first year.

By the time the Olympics and Paralympics were over we had very little time to organize and advertise. Our thanks go out to the following people and organizations for spreading the word on such short notice: Rob Palm at The Whistler Real Estate Company for running an ad in Pique for us, Janet Pashleigh of Whistler 4 Kids for posting the event on her web page, and to Spring Creek and Myrtle Phillip Elementary schools for getting the word out to students and parents.

Our thanks also to Erica Finsson at The Gap for donating a clothes rack to display the dresses and to Wanda, Melissa, Linda, Kim, Wendy, Erica, Chantal, Megan, Kari, and Yuka for offering your time, ideas and organizational skills.

Finally, we send a big thank you to all those who donated and purchased dresses and shoes. It was a great event for a great cause.

Vicki Swan

Whistler