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Norwegians have a simple solution

I read about the library shortfalls with interest and that "unexpectedly" high energy costs are a key problem. I am reminded every time I walk past the building of how we allow technology i.e.

I read about the library shortfalls with interest and that "unexpectedly" high energy costs are a key problem. I am reminded every time I walk past the building of how we allow technology i.e. "LEED" ratings and heat pumps, to trump grandma's simplicity.

Example: in Norway, a wealthy country high in latitude blessed with oil, hydroelectricity and "smarts," their windows come with shutters, then double or triple pane glass, then fitted insulating curtains.... Our library has expansive architectural glass. Let's guess a typical insulating R factor of 2 to 4. What if the last person out pushed a Norwegian button and closed some curtains or cellular blinds at night to boost the insulation R factor to say 7.5?

Would a 200 to 300 per cent reduction in night time window energy bleed save $28,000 per year do you think... allowing for the expected seven-day a week return on capital?

Just wondering... West Vancouver Library shares this pain by the way.

A Rowland

Vancouver

 

Balancing acts

Councilor Chris Quinlan was mistaken in a recent Pique story on the library budget when he said, "A computer draws a huge amount of power, a phenomenal amount of power, and there are a number of computers in there," and that, "There has to be some sort of contribution for that amenity... to actually go and draw power and have the use of the Internet, and that is all subsidized by the taxpayers, then we have to look at things that are outside of the box."

Unless you work for Pixar, the average home PC only draws about 250 W per hour, or about a quarter of what it takes to run a coffee maker. Doing a quick calculation using the top residential electrical rate of $0.09 per kWh, it takes a maximum of $0.18 to run a PC for an eight-hour day, hardly a huge drain on the public purse.

What's more disturbing is the idea coming from municipal hall that everything needs to be monetized. Facing a looming revolt from property taxpayers, it's easy to see why council would want to shift some of the burden onto the community amenities. While the idea of charging for computer time at the library (although there's a temporary grey area in the Library Act, it clearly goes against the intent of the law) is being floated, there are other revenue streams the RMOW is looking at as well. The proposed transit hub, basically a mini bus depot, is planned to be "revenue self-sustaining," which I take to mean that there will be a fee charged to either the bus operators or passengers for its use. If you think pay parking was damaging to village business, imagine the effect if the RMOW slaps a user fee onto tour operators from Surrey and Richmond. What's next: coin slots on public washrooms?

The library cuts and the threatened cuts to Meadow Park, snow clearing and other services close to the hearts of Whistlerites, are really old school ward politics at their worst. The idea is to make the cuts as visible and divisive as possible. Is $54,000 going to make enough of a dent in the municipal budget shortfall to justify the hardship (especially to younger seasonal residents) that shortening the library hours will bring? Hardly. The RMOW is refusing to make any meaningful cuts in its own house and that's where the budget crisis lies.

One last thing, the RMOW is claiming they've gotten the budget shortfall down to $1,183,000 from the original $2,800,000, but $983,000 of that comes from deferring repayment of capital related to the debris barrier and parking lots. Basically, that's like balancing your household budget by not paying your credit card bills.

David Buzzard

Whistler


Just in time for the holidays

To all residents and guests of our ever-growing little community,
hope you had a Merry Christmas and all the best for a healthy and prosperous 2011.

And special holiday greetings to our monopolistic Creekside business (read: Husky). Nothing like a 3.5 per cent increase in the price of gas over the Christmas Day break to send a holiday greeting.

While I realize that the rate had remained unchanged since July, and costs have somehow increased in the last little while (must have missed the latest oil well and pipeline crisis in the news), it seems very coincidental that the rate would go up on or about the day that the largest number of guests arrive in Whistler.

Ironic isn't it, that almost every business entity on the continent is slashing prices 25 to 50 per cent over the Christmas-New Year's period, but our local gasoline retailer offers a different approach to recognizing the holiday season. Gotta love a captive audience!

Perhaps Husky uses the same budgetary process as the RMOW; similar to wages, the price of gas is tied to the contracted rate in the Vancouver metro area. Sorry, a contract is a contract. Economic circumstances and reality are irrvelevant.

C'mon David, look at the bright side, transit usage is bound to go up.
Hmm, hope that doesn't put a bigger hole in the parking revenue budget!
Happy New Year!

Dave Deally

Whistler

 

What do we have to gain?

Re: Upper Lillooet Hydro Project Public Comments Close on Jan. 9.

Wake up Pemberton. It is time to rally if you would like your voice heard regarding the Upper Lillooet Hydro Project. January 9 is the last day for public comment regarding this huge project that is happening in our back yard.

First of all, I would like to say that, yes, I like to have power to turn on my lights and live my life. However, there needs to be further investigation and planning for this significant project.

I would like to express my concern over the lack of public engagement regarding this project, encourage others to get involved, and share some of the impacts. This project is spread over three locations - the Upper Lillooet, Boulder (Pebble) Creek and North Creek. The scope of the area impacts a provincially listed rare and endangered ecosystem - old growth habitat. In addition, the area of focus most likely contains several endangered, yellow- and blue-listed wildlife species, including (but not limited to) the Coastal tailed frog, sooty grouse, olive-sided flycatcher and grizzly bear.

This project also affects winter range for ungulates. This project is detrimental to fish and fish habitat. It alters the water flow and the accumulation and distribution of sediment, large woody debris, coarse woody debris and gravel for spawning. Fish species known to occur within the scope of this project include: chinook, sockeye, coho, pink, chum, steelhead, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bull trout (provincial blue listed species), large scale sucker, mountain whitefish, redside shiner river lamprey and coastal sculpins.

What emergency measures are in place should a crisis situation present itself (such as sudden de-watering of the stream, leaving entire populations of fish stranded and/or dead)? What regulations and emergency measures are in place regarding the immense variability in seasonal and very low flow rates? Why does this project only have a 40-year life span? What does the Lillooet River watershed have to gain from this project? What environmental mitigation is being put forth for this project? Who is monitoring this project during construction and life span to ensure that environmental guidelines are being adhered to? What does the community of Pemberton have to gain?

Creek Power states on its website: "It is expected that there will be 20 to 150 direct jobs, on average, during the three year construction period... and once operating, four full-time, year-round positions for the life of the project...." Is this really a significant source of local employment? It is clear that the only thing to be gained is the huge economic benefit for Creek Power, Inc.

For more information, visit the Upper Lillooet Hydro Project Website at www.upperlillooethydro.com. You can also comment on the project on the Provincial Environmental Assessment website, http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/public_comment_periods/comment_forms/UpperLillooet_form.html

I encourage you to learn more and speak your voice. Your opinion and concerns matter. As a lot of you know, this is a special place. Let's make sure that all of our questions and concerns are at least addressed before this considerable project goes any further.

Dawn Johnson

Ben Cleland

Pemberton


Businesses making the shift

Thank you to Lisa Richardson for her insightful article about corporate social responsibility in Whistler ( Pique , Dec. 23). It was inspiring to read about what a few of our local entrepreneurs are doing to make their businesses, our region and the snow sports industry more sustainable. Kudos to each of you!

As ecological and economic concerns continue to mount it is becoming increasingly obvious that businesses like the ones Ms. Richardson mentioned in her article are on the right track. And the good news is, there are many more businesses in Whistler who are committing to more environmentally and socially responsible practices.

To help Whistler accelerate its progress towards becoming a sustainable resort community, the Whistler Centre for Sustainability (WCS) recently secured funding from Environment Canada to launch a program called iShift Business. Designed to assist local businesses and non-profit organizations with the development, implementation and monitoring of sustainability action plans, iShift Business will be delivered through a series of four half-day workshops, beginning next Tuesday, Jan. 11. Participating organizations also receive several hours of one-on-one consulting time with WCS staff.

Thank you to the 26 local businesses and non-profit organizations that have already signed up for iShift Business. We are inspired by your commitment and we are looking forward to working with you!

There are still five spots remaining! If you are a Whistler business owner or manager interested in embedding sustainability into your business strategy and daily operations, please visit www.whistlercentre.ca for more information or call me at 604-932-6696. The first workshop takes place next Tuesday, Jan. 11, so please don't delay!

Jeannette Nadon

iShift Business Coordinator

Whistler

 

Dear Lower Mainlanders:

Recently I've been reading a lot of letters to the editor complaining about how Whistler is changing and not for the better. I would like to address a few things:

1. Pay parking - no one likes it. We don't and you don't, but you have to deal with it only a few days a month. We deal with parking farther and farther away daily. There are no secret spots for locals, as some claim; they are very clearly marked out to everyone. We may park closer only because we get up earlier for our work and make the best of the situation.

2. Things aren't the way they used to be. No they aren't. All those people you see in the clubs and bars that are drinking, causing a commotion and making your life hell are the same people you called friends 40 years ago. Remember you have changed as well. People come here to escape their world and live their dreams, just because yours are now a little slower, don't make others' fun seem the worst thing that has ever happened to you.

3. Taxes. Congratulations you pay property tax. I don't get that luxury. I live here permanently, work two jobs or more and still there isn't going to be a property deed with my name on it for a very long time. Like many who now choose to make Whistler their permanent home, I have accepted that I will not own a home here. You bought many years ago (or have made a lot of money) and now have a second (think about that for a second) home. You are more than likely sitting on a million dollars' profit from the original price. Congrats! If you can't afford to own a second or third home here, sell it to me at the price you bought it for and I will gladly pay any of today's taxes.

4. Working and living here isn't easy. Most of us have multiple jobs and sacrifice a lot to build our community. Please remember how well we all have it and stop complaining that your vacation home isn't the way it once was or you are burdened by owning too many things.

Michael Holland

Whistler

 

Doggy Doo

Dear Dog Owners in Cheakamus Crossing. The minefield of doggy doo is starting to really take shape around this neighbourhood. I kindly ask that you take responsibility for your dog and clean up the waste that he/she is leaving behind. It is a privilege to be able to walk your dog around the neighbourhood without a leash. However, if the minefield is not cleaned up, you will soon find that you will be required to leash your dog as well as being banned from some public areas. The state of Cheakamus Crossing due to these little bombs is an embarrassment and is being seen and stepped on by everyone who uses the Whistler Athletes' Centre and Hostelling International facilities. Is this the crappy visual we want to send out to the world? Please, be a responsible owner.

Christian Boone

Whistler

 

Lost in the mail

I would like to comment on the reporting of our post office losing another 49 staff hours a week, further guaranteeing even poorer quality of service.

My heart goes out to all of our cheerful overworked Posties. In the past few years I have written to our MP, John Weston, to raise awareness of the long lineups here in Whistler's post office. He did everything in his power to help and directed me to consult with the Minister responsible for Canada Post, the Honourable John Baird.

His office responded with a very polite go-away letter. Well people, my best advice to you is simply do not use Canada Post. There is no hope. They are not interested in providing competitive service and are running the system into the ground.

I run a business that relies on receiving parcels daily. All of my resources have stipulations in large underlined letters: "DO NOT USE CANADA POST." It is the only way I could be successful.

My kids received a Christmas card from their uncle on Friday, Dec. 31. It was mailed from Toronto on Dec. 16.

You think we have it bad. My close friend is Mayor of Queen Charlotte. Their Priority Post is sorted in Vancouver and trucked to Prince Rupert via  Prince George and put on the ferry. There are two direct flights from Vancouver daily.

So the more you use couriers, the better and less expensive service the couriers will provide.

Canada Post is a dead horse that is challenged with a letter let alone a parcel. Give it up for the competing couriers that do want your business.

Jim Horner

Whistler

 

BRATZ BIZ 5 TH artisan market better than ever!

With an increased number of shoppers, an outstanding lineup of entertainment and a top quality artisan market BRATZ BIZ continues to amaze! Co-founders Laslett and Shrimpton still wrestle with the public's perception that craft fair items created by kids aren't worth the trip. Once you've been to BRATZ BIZ, you'll be coming back every year. The quality of crafts Whistler and Pemberton youth are producing is very high. This year's event saw a record number of vendors selling out early in the day. The public likes the warm country Christmas atmosphere. Community support was evident by not only the number of attendees, but also by the thoughtful feedback Laslett and Shrimpton received throughout the day.

BRATZ BIZ is organized by two Whistler moms who have been working with Whistler's crafty kids since 2006 to help young artisans learn the business side of marketing arts and crafts. With this support, young artisans are enabled and empowered to take individual projects to a whole new level. Each prospective artisan begins by meeting with a jury to discuss whether their product is saleable or not. If it is not, the jury works with the artisan to modify, redesign, or in some cases, begin again. 2010 jurors Vincent Massey, Janet Pashleigh and Michelle Kirkegaard were new to BRATZ BIZ and found some of the entries very difficult to evaluate. You don't want to hurt kids' feelings, so finding a way to re-invent something that is not saleable can be a very creative challenge.

Laslett and Shrimpton are looking for local businesses to support their ongoing project. Operating costs for BRATZ BIZ are paid for by the generosity of business owners who believe that what BRATZ BIZ teaches are important life lessons for our youth. Major sponsors for 2010 were: Nesters Market, The Whistler Grocery Store, Whistler's Creekside Market, Walsh Restorations, O'Mara Construction Management, Thornhill Real Estate Group, Local Automotive, Carney's Waste Systems, Corona Excavations, Mountainberry Landscaping, Southerncross Construction, Stonebridge Marketing, TKT Contracting and Windsor Plywood.

In addition, in-kind donations of goods and services help to reduce overhead and raise funds through draw prizes at the event. BRATZ BIZ would like to acknowledge LIGHTMAKER for the development of a new web site www.bratzbiz.ca .

Without volunteer support, BRATZ BIZ would not be manageable for its co-founders. Thank you to every volunteer for your support and precious time! If anyone is interested in learning more about BRATZ BIZ, becoming a volunteer, sponsor or perhaps a first director, please contact Laslett or Shrimpton by e-mailing bratzbiz@shaw.ca . Thank you to the community for continuing to support BRATZ BIZ and for the generous donations which will help to put a few extra bags of groceries in the arms of those waiting at Whistler's Food Bank this holiday season.

Susan Shrimpton

Whistler