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Olympic legacies 2.0

Budget shortfalls (such as the one Whistler is now grappling with) are not so much a matter of insufficiency of tax dollars, as of distribution of those tax dollars. And that distribution reflects our values as a society.

Budget shortfalls (such as the one Whistler is now grappling with) are not so much a matter of insufficiency of tax dollars, as of distribution of those tax dollars. And that distribution reflects our values as a society.

So as Whistler spends $50,000 on yet another party to celebrate the Olympics, it behooves us to acknowledge that during the same period that billions were being spent to host the Games, children were dying in this province as a result of cuts to Children's Services. (Report by B.C. Children's Representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Jan 27, 2011)

It is a tragedy that will likely suggest to future historians that British Columbians (or at least the government we elected) valued $100 million luge runs more than children's lives. And with the other cuts Victoria made, that we valued ski jumps, skating ovals and new highways more than we valued school programs, abused women and seniors on a fixed income.

The provincial government had no problem offering $30 million in bonuses to highly paid Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) executives, for example. But in 10 years it has refused to offer a single penny to people earning minimum wage.

Closer to home, the Whistler Public Library is closing for almost two months a year (52 Sundays) because of a budget shortfall of $54,000.

Yet we paid Whistler's former administrator $250,000 a year to be Whistler's rep on VANOC. Values, you see. And I'm afraid the library is just the beginning because the post-Olympic municipal budget is still short over $800,000. And since the new Olympic bus station and its so-called green buses are going to cost Whistler taxpayers millions of dollars in extra service charges every year, more drastic cuts are inevitable. Of course it's not just in Whistler - every community in B.C. is facing cuts to libraries, school programs, women's centres, senior's programs, etc., etc. In fact, Whistler got off much better than other communities in the province: at least we got some tangible assets out of the deal.

But I'm afraid VANOC's notion that the Olympics broke even is a fantasy worthy of a Disney movie. It seems to have conveniently forgotten the billion here and billion there that taxpayers paid for things like security. And the highway. (Remember, we were told it was absolutely essential for the bid.) And fancy bus stations. So by all means celebrate the amazing performances of the Olympic athletes. But as you eat your cake, don't use the athletes as an excuse to rationalize the reckless Olympic spending that will likely contribute to cuts in services for years to come. The Olympic athletes I know would sleep in a tent and eat beans for a chance to compete against each other. No, the expensive trappings that come with the Olympic dream go to another group altogether. And there are undeniable consequences, as the report on Children's Services makes tragically clear.

Van Clayton Powel

Whistler

 

Pound-foolish attitude?

This last Friday evening, at about 5:20 p.m,. I was entering the Blackcomb Gondola to go up to Base II where my car was parked. As soon as I took a seat, the gondola stalled and remained that way for over 30 minutes.

Not knowing how long this interruption would take, I decided to walk to the bus loop, take the local transit to staff housing and then walk from there.

I had believed that this service was free, but was surprised to see all the other passengers pulling out their wallet to pay for the ride and upon inquiring, found out the fare was $2.50.

Being a Season's Pass holder at Whistler Blackcomb for 18 years and usually charging my purchases to the pass while on the mountain, I hardly ever carry cash on me, which proved to be an unfortunate situation that day.

Not being one to beg for "freebies" I walked with my skis on my shoulder from the bus stop to the base of Blackcomb and hiked up the ski hill to Parking Lot 7. During that time I was reflecting on a few things: I was wondering whether my B guests from KLM Airlines were stuck in the Gondola with their 2 children. I had recommended they park at Base II. I explained that it was not only free, but also more convenient for lift access, especially with the kids and that it still allowed them to hang out in the Village after skiing and easily return to the car.

After I made it up the hill, I saw that their rental car was still in the Parking Lot and was sincerely hoping that they were still in Whistler Village, which to my relief proved to be the case.

When I asked them later how they managed to get to their car, the father told me that he took the bus. He had mentioned to the bus driver that the Gondola wasn't working and that he needed to get to his vehicle; the driver replied: "that's not my problem" and charged him the fare.

I am aware that transit and mountain transportation are two different entities, just like the parking lots in Whistler Village and those that belong to the mountain. It is unfortunate that there is little cooperation between the two operations and if there is, it is usually about finances. While we locals might understand the politics behind it, it is hard for visitors to understand these issues.

I believe the reputation of Whistler suffers because of this penny smart and pound-foolish attitude.

Something else that kept my mind occupied that evening was the fact that busses within the village are free, which is of great convenience. However, the employees that live in a sardine box - i.e., staff housing, have to pay $2.50 to go home after the operation hours of the Gondola; but I guess they can just walk up the hill like I did.

Margit de Haan

Pemberton

 

What about the children?

I am writing regarding the recent inhumane slaughter of 70 or more sled dogs in Whistler, or more specifically, regarding the vicious way many people have chosen to react to the tragic incident.

There are members of our community, including a mother and two innocent young children, who have had to leave their home and any semblance of normal life behind... and now require police protection to ensure their safety.

This is due to receiving threats of death and other violence in person at their home and also through the internet, by outraged members of the public who decided to take matters into their own hands.

When you threaten another person with death or acts of violence because of whom they are related to or whom they work with, it doesn't make you a martyr, an animal rights activist or any other kind of hero. It makes you a terrorist, nothing more, nothing less.

I love animals and children, and believe nobody has the right to inflict cruelty or abuse on either. So instead of victimizing children (or anyone else) any further, how about giving due process a chance?

Let's let the authorities investigate the evidence and circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and not make things even worse than they already are. There needs to be accountability. I will support whatever punishment and/or help the court of law deems appropriate for ALL those responsible for the inhumane slaughter. Not vigilante-style lynching by the public. Two wrongs don't make a right. Instead of putting so much energy into hating let's focus that energy into making something positive come out of this, to ensure nothing like that ever happens again.

L Noble

Pemberton

 

 

More transit needed now

There are 23 daily transit buses, each way, between Gibsons and Sechelt. Eight trips extend north to Halfmoon Bay. The Sunshine Coast has been building and improving its regional transit system since 1989.

Every day 30 express buses leave Horseshoe Bay to travel the Upper Levels Highway to Vancouver. Another 40 travel via Marine Drive.

There are more than 1000 bus trips across the Vancouver harbour bridges each day and the Seabus makes more than 125 crossings. Still, there is frequent congestion and occasional gridlock on the bridges and the highway.

The Sea to Sky Highway was built for 2025 traffic levels. Already some intersections are frequently above capacity. On Friday and Sunday afternoons it can seem like an endless mass of slow moving cars.

It is time to consider a transit system connecting the people along Highway 99 from Lillooet Lake to Britannia Beach. When we have it working, it can be extended to Vancouver and Lillooet. The question remains; do we start building it now or wait until walking becomes quicker than driving?

Many things have changed in the 21st century. Squamish has become a satellite of the Lower Mainland. Medical, government and business services are closer to Pemberton and Whistler than ever before. People in the southern SLRD deserve transit to get to work, visit doctors and government services, attend university, pursue recreation and, yes, shop. People from D'Arcy, Seton Portage and Lillooet deserve access to services and shopping too.

Until we have a regional transit system, let's preserve what little transit we have. Extend the Squamish Commuter, as I have described before, to provide three trips each way between Squamish and Pemberton or Mount Currie.

Print a schedule that contains trips for both Commuter services. Make the schedule available to everyone but don't just do it once. Every Friday a bag full of sales flyers lands on my doorstep. Retailers don't assume that a flyer today will bring me to their store next month or the month after. Transit is a service, a business. A client base is always a work in progress.

Building transit needs more than buses, shelters and schedules. Like recreation centres, retail outlets and professional services it needs to be promoted and advertised. Ridership needs to be built and developed. The notion that if you build it they will come makes a wonderful movie but it does not work in the real world.

Real estate companies buy whole pages of advertising even though we can find more information at their offices or on their websites. The most prominent feature on the front of a newspaper is the name of the publication, even though we already know who they are.

Transit needs to be promoted as the alternative to congestion, pollution and parking problems.

Transit is necessary and inevitable. We can fight it until it overwhelms us or we can create a foundation and build on it.

Murray Gamble

Squamish

 

Love Means Never Having To Say the 'F Bomb'
I think of the Pique as "Whistler's community paper." Avant garde - sometimes. Bohemian - maybe. Cutting edge - on occasion. Community focused - regularly...
I know I am getting old, but good writing is good writing and repeatedly dropping the "WTF" and "BS" bomb, in this example, does not make for better writing.  For the writer to "need," and the editor to permit the use of profanities was churlish and sophomoric. The Pique isn't Facebook, Twitter, the Georgia Straight or private conversation. You can do better. You should do better.
Increasingly, Pique seems to have surrendered its self-restraint. There are, absolutely, times for gritty, no-holds-barred writing. For me... this wasn't it.
B.K. Buchholz
Whistler

 

Thanks Whistler

On behalf of the flood victims in Queensland Australia, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in the "Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal Fundraiser" held at the Crystal Lounge on Feb. 10th. The overwhelming support and generosity by all really showcased the Whistler spirit to help people in need. To the local businesses that so generously donated raffle prizes, thank you. To anybody who was unable to make it out that night but still donated, thank you. To the musicians Jon Shrier, Big Mountain Rhythm (Matt, Jeff), Bryce Doey, thanks for putting on a great show guys. To the staff who worked their tails off and donated 25 per cent of the tips that night, thank you. And of course to all that attended (Aussies, Canadians, Kiwis, English, Americans and many more) thank you so much. With that being said the total raised was $5139.74. There are many more people to thank who assisted in preparing this event, you all know who you are, so thank you. Well done Whistler, you have dug deep into your pockets during these difficult times and helped people who are in desperate need. Thank you all. Even from so far away we can still make a difference!!

Jono Young

Bar Manager, Crystal Lounge

 

The answer is to reduce costs

I'm a Washington State resident with vacation property in Whistler.

Last November, it took two voter-approved initiatives in Washington State for the governor and legislature to get it. Finally they understand that they need to resolve their budget problem by cutting costs rather than raising taxes.

However, in BC, initiatives don't work the same way, so the only solution is to elect a new council and mayor that understand that in these financial times, costs need to be reduced to solve the (municipal) budget crises.

Perhaps after the next election when (hopefully) there will be a lot of newly-elected officials, they will get it.

Kerry Chesbro

Sammamish, WA

 

Safety first

This past Friday I witnessed something that still has my blood boiling. Driving south on Highway 99 past Mons Crossing I saw a small child almost lose his life. The roads were in very slippery condition with snow falling, traffic was moving well below the 60 kilometre speed limit and everyone was doing their best to stay in control. Two vehicles ahead of me an SUV slowed down and pulled wide into the oncoming lane to go around a biker pulling a kiddie trailer. As the driver did this he/she lost control and went into a four-wheel slide narrowly missing the biker and trailer. When I carefully went past the biker I looked and sure enough saw a small child in the trailer. Now I know that Whistler is a bike friendly, eco-minded community, but really? Where does common sense come in here? I can't think of many more dangerous circumstances to place a child in than towing them down the shoulder of a highway on icy roads in a snowstorm, a few feet away from a steady stream of traffic. Whistler needs to think about some bylaws to address this, since it seems that some people are not capable of thinking for themselves.

J. Neil

Whistler

 

Valentine's Day roses for dance helpers

Myrtle Philip Community School Valentine's Disco Dance would like to thank Bryce from Sharp Audio and Visual in Function for lending us an awesome sound system for the night and The Great Glass Elevator for the candy and balloons.

It was all put together with the unwavering support of Jennifer Friesen, Arnica Wight, Claire Friesen, Colleen Fraser, Evangeline Canon, Gerhard Reimer, Shelly Ledingham, Sharon Broatch, Amy Ryan, Louise St. Jacques, Willow Jenner, Kevin Friesen, Eric Wight, Judy Bachman, Stella Fraser, Graham Fraser, Mike Friesen and Spencer Wight.

Happy Valentines to you all.

Arnica Wight

Valentine's Disco Dance Coordinator

 

 

CRS Trading going strong

We've just read the "Back to the Future" (feature) on Britannia Beach and for the most part it was a very good (feature), but we would like to make a few comments.

There was somehow a miscommunication during Rudy's conversation with Susan and, as the owners of The CRS Trading Post, we feel that the article has put a bit of a negative spin on our business.

In response to some of the comments written, during the spring, summer and holiday seasons this parking lot is always busy. As far as the parking lot being "empty in the late afternoon" the day you were here, this time of year is and always has been our slow season.

People are still dealing with the after effects of Christmas and every retail outlet in North America deals with this same issue. The exceptions of course are businesses such as electronics, cell phones and fast food industries, as they have always been immune to any economic changes any time of year.

Yes, highway construction did have a negative effect on revenues, and we did have an overall loss of 10 per cent because of it, but thanks to our strong client base (to whom we will be forever grateful) they got us through the tough times.

I am pleased to say that we have not had any losses since the completion of the Sea to Sky Highway, so this issue has never been "A major contributing factor in our decision to sell," as the article states.

We've worked very hard to build a successful, viable business that the new owner can take to the next level.

My husband and I have lived and worked together 24/7 for eight-and-a-half years and it's simply time for a change.

As far as Britannia being a place where our dreams "almost" came true, for us we feel that they did. We've gotten to meet people and gain clients not only locally, but from all over the world, and thanks to Rob MacDonald we have a fantastic heritage-style house that overlooks the Howe Sound.

We've been supporters of and somewhat involved in the development of the commercial section of Britannia, and it's going to be amazing when it's completed. I can definitely see people stopping here as a "destination" stop instead of a "pit" stop, and I have no doubt that it could rival Granville Island as an artisan village.

But I'm also sure that it could take a couple of years to be completed, and although I'm sure that Rudy would have no problem waiting until it's finished, I envision myself somewhere in a warmer climate.

Sue and Rudy Doornbos

The CRS Trading Post

Britannia Beach, BC