Hydrogen not viable as a fuel
Thank you Pique Newsmagazine for the well balanced article by Matt Palmquist regarding hydrogen fuel, its current usage and future possibilities.
After reading this article, and other research documents, it seems obvious that this form of energy as a fuel source is not presently viable. While the many engineering problems associated with hydrogen as a fuel could possibly be overcome in time, people need to think in terms of decades for this to take place.
Producing this fuel by renewable resources would be the desire of everyone. Fact is that only 3-4 per cent of current production is by this method. Natural gas and coal are predominantly utilized to produce the "fuel".
When I read that our provincial transport minister, Kevin Falcon, praises the virtues of clean public transit buses, well, this is a half truth. It's true that the proposed new buses will be non-polluting, but the gasification plant will not be. Because one of the many engineering problems is transporting this fuel it needs to be manufactured in close proximity to where it is used. This means a gasification plant within Whistler. This plant will increase the nasty emissions we are trying to reduce. Simply using the natural gas as fuel source to run the bus would be cleaner, less costly and without a leap of technology.
Another point presented in the Palmquist article is that massive spending on hydrogen technology will discourage investment on less consumptive forms of moving people around. One could imagine if hundreds of millions worth of efficient gasoline-hybrid engine research were to take place that a 100 km/litre capable engine could result.
If reducing emissions is the desired goal then Whistler town council should reconsider the offer of locating hydrogen buses here.
Steve Anderson
Whistler
What global warming?
I would like to congratulate Mayor Melamed and council on their amazingly successful commitment to "go green" and help reduce global warming.
I had to turn on my heat this week.
Could you please STOP?
Neil Collins
Whistler
A wonderful experience
What does it mean to belong to a community? To truly be a local? Does it mean that you have to have lived somewhere for a precise amount of time, be involved in certain aspects of community life or know the right person? I have often pondered this question since I moved to Whistler in the fall of 2003. I grew up in the UK but my parenting is Australian and Irish. I was born in Hong Kong and studied my degree in Edinburgh, Scotland. So you see for me it is hard to know where one can call home. You might say I am slightly nomadic. But since moving to Whistler I really do feel that I have found somewhere that I can call home.
But it was not easy to infiltrate that tight knit small town community life. As a foreigner you come to Whistler as a tourist, on your “gap year” and most times out of not you do not have too much interaction with the locals in town and therefore do not get to see what goes on at the real grass roots level.
As with so many friends that I know, one winter turns into another and another. People that you met last year become that little bit more of a friend. You recognize people that work all around town and you start to know them by name and even though your accent might throw people off the scent you know that you belong here. The community begins to open its doors to you. I began to volunteer for community events, opening my eyes to what kind of town Whistler really is. Deep down there are truly talented people living here who thrive on the “joie de vivre” that resonates and infiltrates this diverse community. Not just the athletes that we see up on the mountains and read about in magazines but artists, storytellers, business owners and directors, designers, actors, performers and so many more. Whistler is so much more of a jewel than meets the eye and that is quite a feat when you look around at the magnificent mountains and scenery we are surrounded by.
I have been working for the Whistler Arts Council this summer as Event Assistant. I feel privileged to have worked with this office of inspirational, talented and dedicated people and to have met such talented individuals who live and work in Whistler. I wanted to say thank you for this wonderful experience.
Kassia O’Connor
Whistler
Fundamental problems with GAS
This letter was addressed to Graeme McLaren, project
assessment director in B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office. A copy was
forwarded to Pique.
I am writing regarding the proposed Garibaldi at Squamish resort. I am very disappointed that this project has been resurrected. Going to the open house and looking at the materials on the website has only reinforced that there are some very fundamental problems with the project.
Climate – The Squamish area has very wet and rainy winters. The ski hill will have a lot of snow at the higher elevations, but poor visibility can be expected for much of the winter. In addition to that snow, the winters also see a lot of rain, even at high elevations. I ski at Garibaldi Provincial Park and can confirm that a bulletproof rain crust is a dominant feature of the snow pack. The peak elevation of the ski hill is low. As climate change causes the snow line to creep up, that 1,200 metres of vertical can only be expected to shrink. The provincial government should take this opportunity to act on the rhetoric and proactively address climate change — permitting low elevation ski hills is not moving in the right direction.
Disturbance to Garibaldi Provincial Park – I was very disappointed to read that the resort will be visible from the Neve Glacier traverse, one of the premier wilderness ski traverses in North America. I hope this won’t be one more spoiled wilderness area in Canada’s recreation capital. Also important for Garibaldi Provincial Park, is that grizzly bears are finally beginning to recover. For the grizzly bear population to continue its recovery and remain viable, juvenile bears need to be able to sagely disperse. The materials on the website say that the Culliton Creek drainage is an important movement corridor, the success of which is contingent on local planning decisions. This resort would act to effectively hem in the bears on the west side of the park. Here is a perfect opportunity to act on the provincial policy and honor the grizzly bear recovery area.
Local Recreation Amenities – I was also disappointed to read that the project has been expanded to encompass Brohm and Cat Lakes and the Brohm Interpretive forest. The Environmental Assessment Office needs to acknowledge that these areas are already in use. They are very important to the local community, far more important than whatever money will be generated for the developer by their development. Brohm and Cat Lakes and the Brohm interpretive forest are a part of a precious community recreation network that needs protecting.
Nowhere in the open house presentation or the materials online have I seen sufficient justification for the impacts that will occur with the development of this resort. Downhill skiing is not a growing industry. Whistler’s occupancy rate is less than 50 per cent. I do acknowledge that jobs may be created resulting in fewer Squamish residents commuting to Vancouver for work, however, more tourism jobs is never the panacea it is made out to be. Tourism generates low wage jobs. Whistler will tell you that these jobs are only getting more difficult to fill. The only raison d’etre for this project is to enrich a developer.
If the residents of Squamish are looking for more local employment I would rather see the District build on the potential for higher paying industries, like high-tech or value-added wood products, than sacrifice the natural environment and local recreation amenities for minimum paying wage jobs. There are many other options for developing the employment base of Squamish.
The provincial government has shown itself to be less than responsive to local concerns regarding development. I am deeply concerned that this project may go ahead despite the strong local opposition demonstrated in the letters posted on your website. If this turns out to be the case, at a bare minimum please ensure:
1. The golf courses and housing around Brohm and Cat Lakes and the Brohm Interpretive Forest are not permitted;
2. The highway commercial is not permitted;
3. No development is permitted at the high elevations visible from the Neve Glacier traverse;
4. No development is permitted near the Culliton Creek drainage; and,
5. The development is made many, many times smaller and compact — if more second homes are foisted on the Sea to Sky corridor they should have as little footprint as possible.
Mr. McLaren, I trust you will support the community in any recommendations you make on this project.
Gillian Altwasser
Pemberton
Non-natives billed more than they owe
The more I learn about Native land claims, the more convinced I become that non-Natives are being billed far more than what we owe. (First Nations future improving but long way to go, Opening Remarks, Aug 3). Worse, the provincial government is apparently prepared to saddle B.C. with onerous, long-term commitments that the province should not be obliged to accept and may not be able to fulfill. Bob Barnett is correct about the Olympic leverage B.C. First Nations have but, I think, there is more. Premier Campbell is keen on privatizing public assets. The recent lavish settlements suggest to me that he has come to view the treaty process as a means to alienate Crown land and withdraw ALR hectarage.
Although vociferously opposed by Natives and the politically correct, the referendum was timid and lame. It didn’t ask the basic question: Can aboriginal rights be a realistic and reasonable concept in today’s egalitarian and pluralistic democracy? After all, aboriginal rights (or facsimile whereby dominant newcomers ceded special rights to those already here) were not a Native concept and certainly not a Native tradition from pre-Columbian times. The 16 original questions are edited down to eight. Gone was the B.C. Liberal phrase: “workable, affordable and final treaties,” and reference to transparency, local government participation, fairness to all British Columbians, etc. Still, the 36 per cent participation and 80-plus per cent approval was impressive and a very accurate gage of electoral sentiment. Since the result was to be binding, the referendum should’ve restored some of the provincial government’s bargaining poser eroded by the courts.
Instead we got the “New Relationship” Non-Natives aren’t just getting hosed; we’re getting pressure-washed. In the final analysis though, the B.C. government and First Nations need to realize that if there is one thing more insidious in a democracy than screwing a minority, it’s screwing the majority.
Joe Bako
Vancouver
Giving back and thinking
of Ken
Whistler! What an
outstanding community we live in. Yesterday, Aug. 12
th
, the 2nd
Annual Ken Quon “Ride On” Memorial Fundraising Cross Country bike extravaganza
took place on the wonderful and varied trail types of Lost Lake Park. The après
BBQ was hosted at Nigel and Buffy Woods’ superlative Riverside R.V. Campground
bathed by afternoon sunshine. Talented realtor, Glenn Mishaw, never sounded
better, his melodic vocals and guitar serenaded the hungry and thirsty throne
of cyclists, much to their listening delight.
As agreed, Scott Tabor,
the bikers were reminded to do a little cross training and put on their running
shoes for this year’s Four Seasons hosted Terry Fox Run on Sept. 16
th
.
Thanks to Bill MacDonald who heads up our B.C. Ambulance Unit here in Whistler
and his crew for cooking hundreds of burgers, smokies, tubesteaks (both regular
and veggie) on the barbies to satiate the after race hunger pangs. George
Skoupas of the Longhorn in true tradition of Jackie Gleason’s “George the
Bartender” dispensed brimming smiles and libation both “Russell and Whistler”
to the thirsty riders. Doug Rogers of Saber Rentals erected and created a tent
city which was much appreciated, especially during the morning showers, and
protected tables of swag from the elements.
Lieutenant Dave Rushbrook
and about a dozen Whistler Volunteer Fire Department members manned first aid
positions on the bike course. At the start of the races, competitors and
campground guests were treated to an old time siren when Whistler’s oldest fire
wagon led the bikers along the dyke to the start line. After race festivities
featured “Trail Builder Extraordinaire” Eric Berry’s wooden bike stunt ramp.
The ramp provided great fun as the very young children turned it into a
playground balance board and that kept their parents hopping playing spotter.
When it came time to challenge the bikers on the Berry’s Road with the now
inserted teeter-totter, James McSkimming just edged out Jessie Melamed by
performing a perfect “Manuel” manoeuvre on the descending inch and a half wide
plank.
Ann and Francis Chiasson
and their team of reliable ReMax realtor colleagues provided the riders and
guests with fantastic prizes. Scott McIver’s woodwork skills shone through on
the ReMax Corridor Cup Team Challenge Medals and Trophy, which thanks to the
skill, speed and determination of Team Whistler No. 1, the trophy will remain
in the Whistler ReMax Office for the coming Year. Team Whistler defeated strong
challenges from Pemberton and a very high powered and favoured team from
Squamish for the undisputed bragging rights to “The Home of the Top Team of
Cross-Country Bikers in the Corridor”. The gauntlet has been thrown and when
word spreads, it will be interesting to see who shows up to challenge Whistler
riders’ supremacy next year.
Wild Willies Ride Guides
provided marshals, timing, set-up and clean-up, along with a number of WORCA
members, and Gillian Tiffin of Eleni Floral Design and Décor provided the very
colourful daisies that each biker placed on their helmets which were later
placed on Ken’s marker in Lost Lake Park.
Ken’s professional career
as a superlative Manager of IGA Marketplace was well honoured by his fellow
grocers. Owners, Cynthia and Jimmy Chan, many of the staff and especially Ken’s
friend and fellow manager, Tim Pugh, and his relentless effort kept the hungry
bikers well fed.
Thanks to the generous
contributions of time, money and product, the Ken Quon “Ride On” Memorial Fund,
on behalf of the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association, has given Bill
MacDonald the go-ahead to purchase another much needed “Propaq Monitor” to
equip Whistler’s second ambulance. This gift to the municipality is in keeping
with Ken’s creed “of giving back”.
Thank You Whistler!
Tom Thomson
Whistler
Believing the best
I am writing to share a true story about a special someone who revived the notion within me that there are angels on earth. Today, we are surrounded with so many tales of misfortune and injustice that it is only right to tell the tales of goodness and miracles when they shine upon us. So I begin…..
I set off to the N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre in D’Arcy where I volunteer as an Early Childhood Education student four days per week. As I was leaving D’Arcy, I realized that my wallet was missing from my purse. I had $400 in my wallet this day. It was a horrible feeling to experience — knowing that all of my savings for a month of bills was gone.
When I arrived home, I called my good friend Lisa (who is a teacher at the centre as well) and told her my story. She reminded me of the miracle of manifestation. To believe that I would get my wallet back and to visualize it. Together, we went through the motions of believing in the best possible outcome. She guided me in saying “I am so happy and grateful that….” So, I said: “I am so happy and grateful that my wallet has come back to me. I am so happy and grateful that I don’t have to worry about replacing it. I am so happy and grateful that everything has turned out the way it is supposed to.” We ended our phone call and I had let go of the money loss and welcomed the miracle instead.
Twenty minutes later there was a knock at my door. Standing at my door was a man I had seen around the community. He said, “Did you lose your wallet”? His name is Walter. Walter went on to tell me that as he was driving to work that afternoon he had spotted a wallet on the side of Pemberton Portage Road in Birken where I reside. He stopped and picked it up. He then noticed that there were bills in the bushes and the ditch. Walter picked up every single bill — all $400 worth, all in $20 bills. I now know that I had placed my wallet on my car when loading up my belongings and drove out the driveway and onto the highway.
Walter came to my house and gave me my miracle. Walter from Devine, you are a good man. You gave me so much more than money. You gave me renewed inspiration and hope — that good things happen to those who believe in goodness. Thank you and bless your heart. I know that you have raised the vibration of Selflessness and I just wanted to share your song.
Jeanne Cross
Birken
Whistler team made successful Pre Tour
On June 25 I left Whistler for final preparations for my journey and goal of completing the 20 Stages and 3,550 km of the Tour de France route. With a team of 15 inspired road riders and five service team staff we embarked on July 7 th on an incredible journey from London to Paris on which we rode each identical stage, always one day ahead of the pro riders in the Tour de France. The focus was not that of a race but to start and arrive together as a team, while raising awareness and donations for the Kinderschutz Zentrum Dortmund, a non-profit children’s aid centre that cares for abused and neglected children. Despite the many organizational hurdles we experienced we successfully completed our “Pre Tour” under the patronage of pro Rider Eric Zabel.
While still in Whistler I started to collect pledges and with the incredible support of friends I was able to raise close to $1,200, which exchanged into roughly 800 Euros. I proudly presented this donation to the Kinderschutz Zentrum on Aug. 6, 2007.
At this point I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks for all the support and encouragement I received. Thank you so much for all the generous donations, which ranged from $2 from my friend’s 7-year-old daughter to a generous $500 donation! I can assure you that the money went to a good cause, as I was fortunate to visit the Kinderschutz Zentrum Dortmund and personally see what a wonderful and much needed service they provide.
In addition I would like to say a huge thank you to Val Burke, exercise physiologist and endurance coach with Reach your Peak, who did an amazing job preparing me for the event! I still cannot believe how well I did and that I completed each stage! Thank you Val! Without you this amazing experience would have not happened for me!
Another big thank you to Tracey Menchions for her never ending encouragement, for always checking in on me after my long lonely rides through our beautiful Sea to Sky corridor, and countless massages that kept me going!
More thanks to all my friends for their support, encouragement and for still being my friends, even though they had to look at a picture if they wanted to see me because I never had time for them in the past year!
A huge thanks to the boys from Fantyk Co and Christine and Jay from Snowcovers for getting me covered with all the bits and gadgets I needed for the Pre tour. Couldn’t have done it without you!
So thank you all, without all your love and support this experience would have not been possible for me!
Gabi Moeller
Whistler
Chopra’s Spirit moves people
Congratulations to Glenn Isles and Whistler Wellness, as well as the extended group of organizations and individuals that were involved in bringing the Deepak Chopra Seduction of Spirit conference to Whistler. The event — held for the first time in Canada — brought in a group of 475 attendees over six days, as well as the profile that comes with an internationally renowned leader such as Deepak Chopra.
Following on the heels of the successful second annual Whistler Wellness Week in May, these events play a major part in achieving our goal to showcase Whistler worldwide as an exceptional alpine wellness destination.
Michele Comeau Thompson
Tourism Whistler
