Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

A bitter pill

With Whistler visitors and property in the doldrums, the municipality has found one more way to discourage people from buying resort properties.

With Whistler visitors and property in the doldrums, the municipality has found one more way to discourage people from buying resort properties.

I am referring to the tax bill for five per cent of property taxes that arrived this week in my mailbox and that of a friend/fellow Whistler property owner. We mailed in our property taxes on June 12, a few days after receiving our bill.

Shortly thereafter, a Canadian postal strike occurred, ending June 27.  The municipality cashed the cheque on July 6 (two days after the receipt deadline).

We have no way of knowing whether the delay was in the postal service or even in the municipal office, but the postal strike seems likely.

A five per cent charge is far out of proportion to the loss of two days of interest to the municipality and punishes us for the failings of a Canadian governmental agency (the postal service).

As part-time residents, we had no other way of paying any sooner.

We paid the bill promptly upon receipt specifically to avoid any mail delay.  I think the municipality needs to find some way of obtaining an amnesty from the province for those whose payments were delayed by the postal strike.

Whistler cannot expect us to recommend purchasing property to our fellow Washingtonians when we are abused like this.

We have owned our home in Whistler since the winter of 88-89 and enjoy our time there, but this leaves a bitter taste.

Michael J Bishop

Seattle, WA

 

We want to work with RMOW
I would like to clarify some misconceptions recently reported regarding the Whistler Aggregates operation near Cheakamus Crossing and the work that Alpine Paving has performed in Whistler over the past 32 years.
The asphalt plant has been operating at its current location since 1997. At the time, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) informed Whistler Aggregates that appropriate zoning was in place to allow for asphalt manufacturing and processing, and no rezoning was required.
There is also confusion about the rezoning of the land buffer between Whistler Aggregates and Cheakamus Crossing. In March 2008, the provincial government, through the RMOW, asked Whistler Aggregates to consider exchanging a portion of our site - nearest the then-developing 2010 Olympic Athletes' Village - for land on the opposite side of our site. The objective was to create a buffer between the Athletes' Village and our quarry operation.
As a good corporate citizen and supporter of the Olympics, we agreed and invested $45,000 in various environmental and land studies as part of the required rezoning process. On August 17, 2010, RMOW staff recommended the rezoning in a report presented to Council. However, four councillors are opposing this rezoning application and attempting to force Whistler Aggregates out of business.
In addition, in late 2009 the RMOW requested that we move the asphalt plant 150-metres from its current location to create additional space between the plant and the residential community.
Whistler Aggregates agreed to invest approximately $2 million to purchase and install a new plant, which will meet the most stringent air emission standards in the province.

Despite the environmental and community benefits of the new plant, Whistler Aggregates has received a "cease and desist order" from the RMOW. The legality of the order is now before the courts.
The efforts of RMOW council to force its staff to pursue legal action against Whistler Aggregates and to continually seek ways to delay or stop the rezoning approval process is a waste of taxpayer dollars.

We want to work with the RMOW council to resolve these outstanding issues and continue contributing to the Whistler economy.
Frank Silveri
Whistler Aggregates

 

 

Safety No. 1 concern for WB

Last week a letter to the editor ran in Pique Newsmagazine regarding an incident involving the Westcoaster Luge, raising safety concerns of the ride.

With safety the No. 1 concern at Whistler Blackcomb, any and all incidents are examined to identify any possible adjustments we can make to ensure similar circumstances are avoided in the future.

Whistler Blackcomb would like to provide some information regarding the operating procedures and safety precautions in place at the Westcoaster Luge, as well as what modifications have been made, to ensure an incident like this does not happen again.

Upon arriving at the Westcoaster Luge guests are met with signage reviewing the ride and the risks associated. Guests are informed the minimum requirements to ride alone include the guest to be of eight years of age and over 48 inches in height. With an adult driving, an additional guest over the age of four, and at least 40 inches, can ride as a passenger. Before uploading, guests are asked if they have ridden the luge before, are given instruction on how to operate the cart, and are asked to demonstrate the skills required to the staff person.

Once guests begin to upload they pass multiple signs reminding guests to control their speed, slow down on corners and maintain a distance of 75 feet between themselves and the cart in front. Upon arriving at the top, guests are met by an additional staff person who monitors the track and releases the next person down the luge when it is safe to do so.

The staff person uses two cameras, positioned at the first and second turn, to know when the previous guest has cleared the first 125+ metres of the track. Based on the speed of decent, the staff person will signal to the next guest when it is safe to begin descending.

Following the incident, the BC Safety Authority was notified and an independent, professional engineer was engaged by Whistler Blackcomb to assess the safety and make recommendations for future use of the luge.

While it was determined the signage and rules and regulations met all requirements Whistler Blackcomb has decided to make two changes.

First, the speed sign has been disconnected and the focus will be for guests to enjoy the ride; it's not a race.

Secondly, Whistler Blackcomb has ordered six padded helmets to offer children, should parents desire. Throughout the rest of the season Whistler Blackcomb will test the fit and response to the helmets, implementing this as a permanent offering next summer or continue to look to a viable head protection solution.

If guests have questions regarding the operation of the Westcoaster Luge, they are encouraged to talk with the staff to ensure they have a full understanding of how to enjoy the ride.

As with this incident, if guests see something they believe to be a safety concern, Whistler Blackcomb welcomes and is appreciative of all feedback so we can continue to improve and ensure a fun, safe experience at Whistler Blackcomb for all guests.

Tabetha Boot, PR and Communications Manager

Whistler Blackcomb

Bottled water ban?

With dismay I watched a gentleman load up his shopping cart with eight two-litre bottles of water.

Here in Whistler.

A town with some of the best drinking water right out of the tap.  A town (supposedly) determined (to implement) green, eco-friendly policies.  Perhaps it's time to better advertise the quality of the water here?  Or even better, to ban the sale of bottled water?

Sarah Bourne

Whistler

 

Sprinkler madness

A few Piques ago I read an article about how we in Whistler consume more water per capita than many other resort towns.

This summer we were blessed by a substantial amount of rain. Yet Whistler has still decided that it is appropriate to waste water every night (rain or shine) to water all the little patches of grass that surround the village and taxi loop.

And what better time to program the sprinklers than 1 a.m. when all the bars are closing and traffic in the taxi loop is at an all time high so now not only do we water grass that doesn't need it but we are sending pedestrians and tourists on the street to avoid getting wet on the sidewalks.

And at least 40 per cent of the sprinklers are not set correctly spraying water all over the streets instead of the grass. So now pedestrians have to run all over the place, it's RIDICULOUS.

This issue has bothered me all summer long and when I read the article about conserving our water use I couldn't believe it.

This town is so small and you would think that figuring little details out like this is just common sense, but apparently not. My solution: the sprinklers should not be automatic. If it has rained for a week straight then leave the damn sprinklers off.

And TEST THEM OUT!! Make sure they are aimed correctly. And instead of 1 a.m. to 3a.m. watering try 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. as nobody is around at those times. Very simple.

You should hire me and I will make sure this is done correctly. And then when I retire from my new RMOW job you can take the taxpayers' money and throw me a party! I deserve it.

Bernie Peup

Whistler

Time for recap on major issues
In reading all the many letters that are being written about Council and our Mayor, it is quite apparent that we, the taxpayers, are not impressed with the decisions they have made while serving their term.

The way our money has been spent is truly unbelievable- Olympic jackets, $97,000; party, $300,000; subsidizing a restaurant at Cheakamus (and yet no other restaurant owner was aware of it). Then there are the raises they receive, when some of us haven't seen a raise in over 10 years.

The list goes on and on and on and on... but the point of my letter writing is (to say that) I think it would be very interesting if we were able to see a list of the major issues that council and our mayor have voted on and to see how each person voted, because the way it stands right now-all members of council are being painted with the same brush!

And who knows, there truly could be a sane one amongst them that should be voted back in.

Bobbi Sandkuhl

Whistler

( Editor's note: the jackets actually cost $108,885 plus tax after receiving a discount of $106,312. )

 

Cancer sucks: please help

For some reason (the song) "Convey" is now on my iTunes Purchased list. It's a funny song. Thursday September 8, 2011 I will be riding with a convoy in Calgary, Alberta to raise money for The Canadian Breast Cancer Agency.

The ride will be hard, fun and inspiring. Cancer is hard, not fun, not inspiring, cancer can be beaten, one pedal, one step, one breath at a time.

I have been fighting the good fight for over 10 years. (In) 2001 my brain cancer was found, (and in) 2005 my breast cancer was found.

I am still here because of friends, family and strangers. I know there is a time when cancer will be nothing but a bad memory for everyone, finding the cure will be an awesome memory for everyone.

The cure needs cash, visit https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/StartUp.aspx?EID=70406=en-CA to sponsor me, or if you are in Whistler please drop off donations, pennies are fine, my team and I will roll them, at municipal hall, 4325 Blackcomb Way. Cancer sucks.

PS: If you are a woman who lost a breast or two to cancer, take note that no matter how much ice cream you eat the breasts don't grow back. I'm not saying you shouldn't eat ice cream it just does not help the way I hoped it would. I think keeping a sense of humour helps.....

Leslie Weir

Whistler

 

100 years young

The Whistler Museum would like to thank all who came out to participate in any or all of the events during last week's five-day-long "100 Years of Dreams" celebrations! This was the largest series of events that the Whistler Museum has ever produced and we were thrilled by how well-attended and well-received it was.

While the opening of Rainbow Lodge in 1914 might be a better choice if searching for the seminal moment for the community we know today as Whistler, we chose to commemorate the anniversary of Alex and Myrtle Philip's first trip to the Whistler Valley because we felt there are elements of that story that resonate just as strongly within our community today. Indeed we can trace the modern-day cliché "came for a visit, stayed for a lifetime" back to this seminal visit. Besides, there's no reason we can't do it all over again in 2014.

We'd like to take all the credit for the event's success, but, admittedly, we think the summer's longest stretch of warm, sunny weather helped out a bit as well. Can we take credit for that too?

Of course, none of this would have been possible without our many partners, sponsors, and volunteers. First and foremost, Kristen Robinson, Angie Nolan, and Ace MacKay-Smith were involved in the planning and execution of the events from the very beginning. Additionally, we benefitted greatly from the support of Canadian Heritage, the RMOW, Mountain FM, the Whistler Arts Council, Pique Newsmagazine , the Whistler Question , the Vicious Circle, The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center, the Whistler Naturalists Society, Whistler Animals Galore, the Whistler Real Estate Company and Race & Company.

A big thank you goes out to Starbucks Marketplace for donating iced tea and coffee for the Museum Open House and Furry Friends Day. We would also like to thank Whistler Roasting Company and Namasthé Tea Company for donating delicious coffee and tea for the Museum Book Reading and Storytelling evening.

Finally, our many volunteers filled in expertly in a pinch, ensuring that all our specific events went smoothly. Alex & Myrtle would certainly agree that it is our unique community-our "human soup" as G.D. Maxwell so eloquently described it-as much as our natural landscapes that makes Whistler so worthy of such celebration.

Till next year! What next, Whistler 101? While thoughts of summer school might seem like a bummer, we're sure Whistler's current crop of dreamers could find inspiration from even that foreboding theme for a summery celebration of this place we call home.

The Whistler Museum Staff

 

 

Pemberton steps up

The organizers of the Two Acre Shaker would like to express our extreme gratitude to the community of Pemberton for its overwhelming support.

We experienced many significant hurdles in the weeks leading up to our event. We were hoisted onto the shoulders of the town and carried through.  Special thanks to: Jordan Sturdy, Daniel Sailland, Village of Pemberton staff and council, Susie Gimse, Russell Mack, Kyle Bubbs and the rest of the Pemberton Fire crew, Art Den Duyf (owner of Sabre Group), Peter Jensen (Olemotive Auto), Ben Hansler, Sergeant Eric Rochette, Amy Hazeldine, Karin Emond, Emily Mann, Angela Mawdsley, Tyson Rivet, Andor Tari, Andrew Calwell, Moldy, Howie Meyers and Chas Yon.

And, finally, a heartfelt thank-you to all of the rest of our truly amazing friends who rallied around us to keep this fantastic event alive.

We love you all!

Kirk Becker, Two Acre Shaker organizer

Pemberton