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Still looking Eight months, hundreds of calls, hours of scouring the classifieds... And still no luck.

Still looking

Eight months, hundreds of calls, hours of scouring the classifieds... And still no luck. What has become of the accommodation in this town, when a young guy who always offers hundreds on top of an asking price STILL has nowhere to live?

I've been told "We're looking for professionals". Apparantly a professional driver (I drive taxis) doesn't count. Just today I went for a viewing and was told it was still available. However, once I arrived and the landlord realized my age, she told me she had already promised it to somebody else. I offered my references and she said "Oh... you really don't want to give me all that information.” This is after offering $1,500 on an $1,100/month unit, and a full month’s damage deposit.

I go to every viewing with a great attitude, offer a larger damage deposit for assurance, and have references ready. Only one landlord has ever even called my references, out of at least 30 places I have gone to see.

If anyone reading this is renting out a unit, please don't just SAY you don't discriminate based on age since it is against the law. Take it one step further and actually call everyone’s references, and base your decision not just on your visual impression of the person.

If you have a unit for rent, don't hesitate to call.

Adam Skelly

Whistler

School support heartwarming

In reference to Linda McGaw’s letter of Aug.30, “Parking lot politics rebuked”, Ms. McGaw’s support for our local schools is heartwarming.

Our children graduated from Whistler Secondary School, one in 2001 the other in 2004, after our family moved to Whistler in 1997. They have both gone on to finish post secondary school and are now back working in Whistler in their chosen fields.

During the ups and downs of high school life the staff at WSS was supportive and sensitive and the door was always open for any of us to voice our concerns. Both our children feel they had an advantage being in a small school because their teachers knew them well and they never felt like they were just one of many.

It is wonderful to run into one of their teachers on the chairlift, at the grocery store, at a fundraiser and they are still interested in their past students. In fact my son still gets a birthday e-mail from one of his favourite teachers.

The staff of our schools embrace the healthy Whistler lifestyle and we should be thankful that they work, live and volunteer in our community.

To really appreciate what the Whistler schools have to offer your children, don’t sit on the sidelines and complain, get involved and “join the PAC”.

Maureen & John Richmond

Whistler

Paths for all

As an active senior citizen in Pemberton, I am shocked to hear of the negotiations to give grazing rights to some in our farming community, which would result in forbidding access to walk on dykes bordering their grazing fields.

Taking my dog (and yes, leash and the true 'doggie bag'), I have been a constant user of the "Urdal-Fraser connector", a path through fields, leading along the Lillooet River and back along the dykes. Within easy walking distance of the village, family homes and farms, this area is shared by families, young riders, kids and adults on bikes, joggers and just amblers like me.

There is a herd of cattle grazing alongside, behind (electric) fences just below the dykes: never have I seen the cattle upset by people, children or dogs.

I grew up in a farming area in Northern Europe, with lots of dykes to keep out the North Sea. Dykes belonged to and were shared by all: humans and animals alike. We grew up with respect for this public property. Why can this not be done in our community and valley? What is the SLRD doing to protect the interests of the WHOLE community?

Renate Williams

Pemberton

Paths for all

As an active senior citizen in Pemberton, I am shocked to hear of the negotiations to give grazing rights to some in our farming community, which would result in forbidding access to walk on dykes bordering their grazing fields.

Taking my dog (and yes, leash and the true 'doggie bag'), I have been a constant user of the "Urdal-Fraser connector", a path through fields, leading along the Lillooet River and back along the dykes. Within easy walking distance of the village, family homes and farms, this area is shared by families, young riders, kids and adults on bikes, joggers and just amblers like me.

There is a herd of cattle grazing alongside, behind (electric) fences just below the dykes: never have I seen the cattle upset by people, children or dogs.

I grew up in a farming area in Northern Europe, with lots of dykes to keep out the North Sea. Dykes belonged to and were shared by all: humans and animals alike. We grew up with respect for this public property. Why can this not be done in our community and valley? What is the SLRD doing to protect the interests of the WHOLE community?

Renate Williams

Pemberton

Going big; going irresponsible

It took 40 years but I finally went on the trip that I've wanted since I was a little girl dreaming of horses, meadows and mountains. It was almost perfect, and would have been had I not left it so long. Civilization is slowly creeping up on the land that used to be the true backcountry, where you could be out there for weeks and not see a soul unless you wanted to, and sometimes not even then.

A small group of us headed out on horseback with our guide, a man who is the third generation of his family to call this beautiful land home. After a couple of days of pure peace the weekend came. A large group of mountain bikers came in. Some of these people claim to be environmentalists and are working towards teaching others to be "aware" of environmental issues. Yet they drive in their fossil fuel-burning vehicles for three hours and fly their gear into what was a remote area, seemingly unaware of the place they've come to.

The horses still have the right of way here but it doesn't always feel like it when you have to pull over a string of them several times in an hour to let one or two bikes through at a time. I got the impression that some of these people had no respect for the place that they were; they could have been on any trail, anywhere.

Most of the bike riders understood that the horses had the right of way, one group even asking what the proper etiquette was for passing. But most of that was lost on me by the third time my horse spooked because of bikes coming up behind him — one time on a slide that went several hundred feet down. It could have been disastrous had I not been on a horse that knows the trails.

Our guide was a man of few words when it came to this subject. "Well them pedal bikes ain't as bad as it could be." We could see it in his eyes though, as he sat on his little bay horse looking down the grassy meadows through the aspen groves to the snow capped mountains beyond. People were moving in on the land that his father and grandfather respected and loved for its wild beauty.

Times are changing and there’s nothing one man can do. I believe, though, that there is something that we can all do if we practice what we've been preaching and leave these lands to the slow moving horses and those on foot that have enough respect to pack in their own gear, the people that really do respect the land and are not just out on another ride. At the very least, hire a guide who knows the area and what's right or wrong, to keep yourselves and others on the trails safe.   Linda McMurter

Pemberton

Toy-less again

I was one of the people victimized by thieves who operated in the Alpine Meadows area during the first weekend of Crankworx.

First there was anger, then depression, and the jealousy I feel while watching other people enjoy their motorcycles.

Now I have prevention in mind. As a taxi driver in town, I know many of you do not lock your bikes at night. I did. Beware the rain, for it is a thief’s best friend.

If I could end with a small tip for the RCMP, it would be that Alpine and Creekside are easy targets for these characters, primarily because of their easy escapes southbound. If you would please patrol these areas north, south, and down the west side road on these busy rainy nights, I am willing to bet it's not an early visit from Santa Claus you get, but a couple of losers with all our toys.

Chris Long

Formerly of Alpine

Fox News and bears

In response to the letter from Joseph Masters who seems to feel the need to contact "animal control" every time he sees a bear, Mr. Masters needs to be reminded of where he has chosen to buy his vacation home. Despite our large village footprint, we are in the mountains in what is hopefully still considered a wilderness area. This is the reason that most of us chose to move here.

Living in the mountains means big snow storms, icy roads, forest fire hazards, Internet connections that go down for a week and the possibility of wildlife encounters. If this is not for you there are many gated communities with guards at the doors waiting to take you in.

I can sympathize with some of people’s fears if they are not used to being in close proximity of bears, but to compare the potential of a bear attack with the actual slaying of six tourists by masked men in St Croix in 1972 is beyond ludicrous. Might I suggest stop tuning in to the Fox News station as it seems to be clouding judgment between sensationalism and reality.

Ru Mehta

Whistler

RIP our Whistler bears

I could not pass up the opportunity to reply to Joseph Masters’ letter to both the Pique and the Question newspapers on Aug. 30. I agree with Mr. Masters when he states, “this is a real problem that requires positive action”. However, I would like to take this time to enlighten Mr. Masters on a few points, as he is uniformed. Don’t worry, I too was relatively “uniformed” until recently.

I was fortunate enough to attend two information sessions given by the RMOW Whistler Bear Group and take this time to commend their diligent and dedicated practices in bear reform and management.

It’s true, British Columbia is in fact a relatively vast space, seemingly ideal for bear relocation. However, current research suggests it is sometimes “cruel” to relocate bears as in many cases they are released into another bear’s territory, which creates conflict and sometimes death. Thus, relocation is not always the obvious or correct solution.

I also would like to point out that while there may not be any “garbage” on Horstman Lane, I invite Mr. Masters to take a stroll through his neighbourhood to look for other bear attractants, such as planted Mountain Ash and other fruit/berry-bearing vegetation within their gardens, bird feeders, compost, pet food and barbecues. If there were ever a perfect example of the need to educate both the tourist and the local resident, this is it.

I hope that everyone can benefit from the same bear information session I attended to understand the complexity of the problem. Visit www.bearsmart.com to access the wealth of information available to all of us.

I would like to thank Mr. Masters for his letter, as I believe it will create more dialogue and this is exactly what we need — a continuous barrage of dialogue until the solutions are found and action is taken. Please don’t let this subject hibernate as the season turns to autumn and then to winter. This is the right time for expert and community discussion forums, to develop ideas into actions and to plan for the spring. Just think how good we will all feel when as a community, we can make a difference!

PS: RIP Barley, Slip, Andy, Juniper, Beari, Millie, Komor, & Blue

M. Marsh

Whistler

Access for disabled needs improvement

This letter was addressed to Mayor Ken Melamed, a copy was forwarded to Pique.

My husband, Moaris and I have lived full time in Whistler for 13 years. Moaris has given many volunteer hours to the community as a Weasel Worker and as a mountain ski guide for the Destination Sales Department. Unfortunately, Moaris has undergone three major spinal surgeries in the past few months with the last being 10 weeks ago. Following these surgeries Moaris is only able to walk short distances with a cane. In fact he is disabled and his prognosis has not yet been determined. Out of necessity we have obtained a handicapped parking pass to minimize any distance that Moaris may have to navigate.

On Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 29, we tried to access the GLC for a late lunch via Kids Camp, only to find that there was access only by a locked gate which we were unable to activate. We did indeed get access when another vehicle left, and did find three disabled parking spots, but felt insecure parking there, as there were other signs that stated this area was for drop off only. On our way home we tried to park near the NSCU in the village, only to find that the one handicapped parking spot was used by a vehicle without a handicapped parking pass.

Until we were faced with this situation, we were unaware of the lack of accessibility for the disabled in Whistler. With the upcoming Olympic and Paralympics Games being held in Whistler, we were surprised and dismayed at the inaccessibility we have encountered.

Upon phoning the municipal hall on Aug. 30 to inquire as to whose portfolio held services for people with disabilities, I was directed to Kevin McFarland’s phone line, where I left a message, and then to Wanda Bradbury’s line. Wanda promptly returned my call (Kevin e-mailed back later) and suggested that I could sit in on the “Accessibility Committee” meetings. While I realize this is a well practiced public relations response, Moaris and I are faced with a necessity of access now, in order to carry out any business or recreational requirements.

We feel we should not have to consider the possibility of having to move from Whistler while waiting for his possible recovery. Public transit is not an option at this time as Moaris would have difficulty walking to the nearest bus stop as well as negotiating the stairways at the village end.

Who is taking responsibility for improving accessibility for the disabled in Whistler? What will happen to other Whistler residents as they age and perhaps lose some of their mobility?

Please forward this letter to whoever is responsible for assuring adequate services for the disabled in our community. If the community of Whistler is to maintain its reputation, it is imperative services for the disabled are enhanced.

I sincerely hope my letter will stimulate such action.

Kieran Semko

Whistler

Leaders helped club grow

On behalf of the Whistler Skating Club, we want to say thank you again to the skating club’s long-term President, Dorothy Harwood, and Treasurer, Sharon Iles. They literally dedicated years of service to the club and have retired this year!

It is amazing people like this that make it possible to run successful sports clubs in our community! Under their leadership and the leadership of many other parents filling volunteer positions, the Whistler Skating Club has grown into an active, vibrant club that teaches skating skills to beginners and supports them all the way through should they decide to compete! Their legacy to the community will carry forward under a new president this year, Susan Shrimpton, and a host of parent volunteers that know what it is to give of their time and energy for a good cause!

Thank you again Dorothy and Sharon from all the parents of the Whistler Skating Club!

Lorna Van Straaten

Public Relations

Whistler Skating Club

Many people help cancer fight

Dear Whistler, in case you don’t know me, I have fought three cancers and one of the big reasons I have made it this far is the B.C. Cancer Agency. Everyone who works there, including doctors, nurses, clerks and volunteers, has the ability to keep a stiff upper lip and a positive attitude.

Friends and family are another one of the big reasons I have made it this far. One of the best stories to share is the day I had to go down to Vancouver for a chemo treatment. My husband was away working, so I had a couple of great friends pick me up at home and take me right to the B.C. Cancer Agency. When my chemo was finished another friend picked me up and took me to her home in the city, where I rested until another friend from Whistler came by to pick me up and drive me home. At home another friend, who is also my husband’s aunt, was there to stay the night to take care of me and our dogs.

It may sound greedy, but I am asking for more. One dollar from everyone who lives and or works in Whistler would make a great addition to The Tour of Courage, a blood cancer fundraising event Sept. 21-23. Carol Fevang and I will be riding in this event.   The funds will go to The B.C. Cancer Foundation. Donations can be made at www.tourofcourage.ca , Vancouver Event, Leslie Weir or Carol Fevang, or call 604-938-4438, e-mail lweir66@telus.net for more information.

Leslie Weir

Whistler