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Wrong place at the wrong time

I am writing this letter 12 hours after the tragic death of the 24-year-old girl on Highway 99 so lots of details have not been released yet, but I am not here to jump to conclusions on this particular incident.

I am writing this letter 12 hours after the tragic death of the 24-year-old girl on Highway 99 so lots of details have not been released yet, but I am not here to jump to conclusions on this particular incident. What probably happened was that this poor innocent girl was at the wrong place at the wrong time and she died in an unfortunate accident. My job in Whistler has me driving all over the highway and every night I see people that are not that innocent. It seems that when people have consumed alcohol they decide that stumbling on the highway in dark clothing one-inch from the highway line is a good idea. People run across a slippery highway 10-feet in front on my van while I'm driving 60 km/hr.  People even try to play chicken with my van jumping out of the way at the last minute, trying to get really close. Every night my heart stops and I have to slam on my brakes because of some reckless pedestrians. Every night people ask to get hit in this town and unfortunately tonight someone innocent took it for all the idiots who will hopefully think twice and realize that highways are dangerous and utmost safety precautions should be taken when walking on the highway especially at night.

Bernie Peup, Whistler

 

Safety comes first. So another death comes to Whistler Hwy (99), and what is the village worried about? How to screw more from parking and the library hydro bill. What about street lighting on the highway? This would have made it easier for the driver to see her. Why do people insist on walking the highway at night with dark clothing and with their backs to oncoming traffic? I've even seen some with iPod headphones on so they can't even hear traffic coming. I have spent many winters in Norway and there you have to wear reflectors pinned to your outside clothing by law if you're walking by the highway. You can pick them up for free at local banks, though with the money problems within the village you might find a fee added (nothing in life is truly free).

Jim Clark

Pemberton

 

Three times in the last week I have almost run over pedestrians on Highway 99 in Whistler, who suddenly appeared from trails hidden by snow banks and jumped out onto the highway in front of my SUV without looking. Another time in the last week I almost hit a snowboarder who decided without warning to cross against a red light while I had the green light. Again, he didn't bother to look before crossing. Remember what we all learned in kindergarten, LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING THE ROAD! Otherwise you may never snowboard again.

Bill McGinn

Vancouver

 

Reading through the employee handbook, as a former union shop steward with the Newspaper Guild, I was struck by a couple of points.

First there is a clause at the beginning of the document that states that either party can modify the handbook by simply giving written notice. That means that if council or senior staff had the political will to roll back the staff pay increases, then all they need to do is offer written notification that they're going to change the handbook and it's done.

Despite the reasoning that RMOW wages are high to prevent potential labour actions, there isn't anything in the handbook to actually prevent them. If the Staff Relations Committee (what the RMOW staff has instead of a trade union) decided they wanted to change the conditions of the handbook, then they could give written notification, and walk out until their demands are met. Without an actual collective agreement (I helped negotiate a collective agreement, and let me tell you, this isn't one), there is nothing to base a back-to-work order on, since the agreement allows for either side to change the handbook. The RMOW is paying staff union wages and benefits, without the benefit to the RMOW of a union contract.

Secondly, the bargaining structure is very peculiar. In a union negotiation, representatives of the local union, plus a professional negotiator from the main union, sit down in a hotel boardroom with a negotiating team from the company, usually a group of labour lawyers and senior managers answering to the company's board of directors and hammer out a deal. In my experience, while it's usually a civil process, the different sides are negotiating to either get a better deal for the union members, or to save money for the company. At the RMOW, there is something called the Joint Staff Management Committee (JSMC), made up of members from the Staff Relations Committee and senior municipal managers. The rub is: all the members of the JSMC stand to benefit from any wage or benefit gains. There isn't anybody representing the interests of the taxpayers.  It's like a tug of war with both teams on the same side of the mud hole.

David Buzzard

Whistler

 

Now that 2011 is upon us, it is time to prepare for our constitutional right to cast a ballot in the Municipal elections to be held in November. Although this may seem a little early, Council needs to enact a Municipal Bylaw to maximize the number of participating voters. During the 2008 municipal elections only 2903 votes were cast in Whistler. The Mayor was elected with 1527 votes. This low turnout of voters was not unique to Whistler and a number of municipalities in B.C. have addressed this low voter issue by enacting bylaws allowing for elector registration and voting by mail. Many Whistlerites are effectively disenfranchised because they are not in Whistler during the rainy season when municipal elections are held. This period is typically the period with the fewest number of residents and homeowners in Whistler. It is not unusual for businesses to close during this time to allow for their owners and staff to take their holidays before the start of the busy season. In order to increase the participation of Whistler residents (and property owners who are entitled to vote) I am asking you to enact a bylaw similar to BYLAW NO. 16685M (mail ballot and elector registration by mail), which was enacted by the City Of Surrey.  I can forward a copy to you should you so desire.

Zbigniew Ciura

Whistler

 

We face imminent loss of the BC Transit-funded service between Squamish and Whistler. The buses carry commuters, shoppers and those seeking government and medical services in Squamish. Due to neglect, waste and a lack of active management, costs have reached such a level that municipal partners are backing out.  
Now, I read that BC Transit is spending nearly $7 million to put electronic fare boxes on 700 buses. The equipment will collect only a very small amount of information and only from those with passes. No information will be collected from people paying cash or those using tickets.
The same amount of money would employ over 150 people for one year, equip them with computers and give them an office to work out of. For longer-term results, 30 people could be employed for five years.
Not only could these people collect information from pass holders, they could talk to people using cash and tickets too. They could ask what people like or dislike. They could ask about changes people would like to see.
They could even talk to people who don't use transit, to find out what changes might get them on the bus. They could make presentations to schools, government and public service groups about the benefits of transit.
The service between Squamish and Whistler saw fares rise from $5 to $8 on November 1. It faced possible termination on December 31. Then it faced the possibility of reduced service for the first 3 months of 2011. For now, it is continuing with the regular service and the increased fares until the end of March. No one knows what to expect on April Fool's Day.
The increased fares and uncertainty of continued service have caused people to leave the bus in droves. By the end of January there may only be the driver and the electronic fare box. With recent developments in GPS and automation, they may be able to get rid of the driver too. Then there won't be any need for people on the bus at all.
For more information, to show your support and add your thoughts, visit Whistler Squamish Bus on Facebook.
Thank you. 
Murray Gamble
Squamish

 

Biologists tell us that IPP's (independent power projects) have a negative impact on fish by affecting water quality, water temperature, nutrient content, downstream water quality etc.

They say that removing water from the fast flowing portion of streams is especially damaging because it reduces nutrient formation for downstream feeding fish.  If every IPP has this defect then the cumulative negative affect of large numbers of IPPs in an area such as the Upper Lillooet and Ryan River watersheds must be enormous. IPPs are bad for business in general.  They will result in B.C. losing its advantage as a low cost electricity provider. Recent rate increases are just the start. The more IPPs, the higher rates will go. IPPs are bad for the tourist business. The Sea to Sky area has tremendous potential as a world-wide tourist draw - the sort of business that provides long term jobs. But say goodbye to Supernatural BC. Will anyone be interested in visiting IPP powerhouses, dewatered streams and sightlines ruined by transmission lines? IPP's are an exploitation of a natural resource in the name of profit. These projects must NOT be allowed to proceed.

Doug Helmer

Pemberton

 

It is only in North America that international travel has become much more cumbersome, especially when crossing a border. Actually it has always been cumbersome, even well before 9/11.

I was raised in Western Europe and travelled by air, bus and car to various European countries, including Spain in the last years of the Franco regime, and crossing borders was always smooth and easy. I can't remember ever being asked a question!

I came back recently from a trip to France and, as usual, the immigration agents didn't ask any question. It's not as if no one was paying attention... we ran a gauntlet of custom agents who were carefully looking at passengers. They did pull aside a couple of people.

Both soldiers and policemen carrying machine guns at the ready were visible in downtown Paris, but this has been a routine sight since the Algerian war brought the bombings of several places in France. The threat of bombings has continued during all the following decades.

At one time, in the '80s, one couldn't enter a department store without having one's bag being searched and, like many, I got in the habit of sitting at the back of a coffee shop rather than at the front... just in case.

It could well be that the Europeans aren't as worried by threats as North Americans because so many have lived through WWII and the major destruction of so many towns and villages. My first childhood memory is hearing air raid sirens, being dragged to an underground shelter and, soon after, hearing bombs exploding in the distance.

On the way back the security line at CDG Roissy airport wasn't overly long and we moved quite quickly, even though everyone had to take off his or her shoes, coats, belts, coins, electronic equipment etc. Security staff was attentive, yet cheerful, so it made the process practically pleasant.

Crossing borders by car between European Union countries is definitely easier than crossing the US border in both directions.
J. L. Brussac

Coquitlam

 

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 can 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

 

Dave Deally - Regarding your January 6th letter about Husky gas prices being raised immediately prior to the Christmas vacation:
1) I am connected in no way what-so-ever to Husky, or the Oil and Gas industry.
2) The 3.5 cent per litre price occurred throughout Sea-to-Sky and Lower Mainland. It was not specific to the Whistler Husky as you suggested.
3) The price per barrel (West Texas Crude) in July 2010 was $76.18. In December 2010 it was $89.04. We were in fact overdue for a gas price increase.
4) Over the past few years Husky has pegged their gas price to Squamish, though for many years previously, when there were two gas stations in the same area (and neither advertised their rates), both stations charged a "Whistler" premium.
5) Be aware of the effect on visitors to our town reading letters such as yours, when the facts are incorrect.
Scott Pass
Whistler, B.C.

Dear Editor,
CN is very concerned and takes issue with the article in the December 19 edition of the Pique Newsmagazine article entitled, SLRD to meet with CN Rail to resolve trail access, which promotes the public's use of the rail right of way to access biking and hiking trails in Pemberton.  
There was a reference to individuals that require access to the local trails should avoid Highway 99, as it is unsafe, but then proceeds to advocate an equally unsafe option, which would put the pedestrian trail in an active railway corridor. Clearly, the safety of the public must be paramount in locating an appropriate route to the trail system and CN believes, and the numbers indicate, that putting people in close proximity to active trains is not a good idea.  
In 2009, there were 256 grade crossing and railway trespassing accidents  across Canada, causing 71 fatalities and 36 serious injuries. One disturbing trend is the fact that fatalities associated with trespassing increased by almost 10 per cent in 2009. The challenge is that most of these incidents were caused by routine activity, complacency or people taking risks.  
Safety is CN's number one priority and our policy of not allowing trails within the rail right of way and restricting public access to the existing employee walkway on the bridge are line with our commitment to safety.
The public is reminded that trespassing is a violation of the Railway Safety Act and CN will be taking measures to enforce no trespassing and ensure the safety of the public and our employees by erecting No Trespassing signs, stepping up enforcement and having our trains whistle as they approach the bridge.
Kelli Svendsen
CN Senior Manager
Public & Government Affairs

For the record

In last week's story about Whistler's assessments the reporter mistakenly wrote that property values declined in all the sample values provided by B.C. Assessment. That was a mistaken reading of the tables, as two of the properties cited increased - the White Gold property increased from $945,000 to $983,000, and not the other way around, while the Alpine property cited increased from $940,000 to $964,000.

Also, property assessment on the sunshine coast will see changes in the -5 per cent to +10 per cent according to this year's valuations. We apologize for the error.