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Letters to the Editor for the week of April 19th, 2012

Longer ski season good for everyone
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On behalf of the Whistler business community, the Whistler Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Whistler Blackcomb for its recent decision to extend the ski season on Blackcomb Mountain until May 28, 2012.

The decision will help to ensure that potential guests keep Whistler top of mind during the month of May, can ski or board through the May long weekend, as well as take in the broad range of other off-mountain recreational pursuits we offer in the resort.

Let's all stay primed to Connect. Assist. Exceed. and to WOW! our guests during the month of May!

Fiona Famulak

President, the Whistler Chamber of Commerce

Spearhead Range huts one step closer

The Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival is truly about bringing people together to both celebrate and strengthen our community. Thanks to festival organizer Sue Eckersley donating space and resources, the Spearhead Huts Committee was able to host a successful fundraising event last Sunday (April 15) at the Whistler Conference Centre. The Mountain Culture Show welcomed more than 400 people to a night of multi-media hosted by the talented Mitchell Scott, publisher of Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine.

We would like to thank all of the incredibly talented entertainers — photographers, writers, athletes, comedians and filmmakers — who made the night so memorable.

A huge thank you to our sponsors Arcteryx, Salomon, Harbour Air, Long Beach Lodge Resort, Scandinave Spa, the Escape Route, the Core, Icebreaker, Innate, Outdoor Research, Petzl, Patagonia, Dynafit and the Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau. Their generosity resulted in raising $4,500 through a silent auction. Scotiabank hosted a 50/50 draw raising $1,480. But the biggest surprise of the evening was the presentation of a $10,000 cheque from Patagonia.

The incredible show of support for this event was overwhelming. Our goal of building a network of huts in the Spearhead Range is now one step closer. We are excited to move forward on the next phase of the project. To learn more or to get involved as a volunteer, visit our website at www.spearheadhuts.org

Jayson Faulkner

Chair, Spearhead Huts Committee

Liquor licensing about more than municipal facilties

I find it odd that the survey presented by Whistler Community Services Society regarding Liquor Licensing issues was focused primarily around municipal facilities.

When I took the survey myself, I was expecting a more in-depth inquiry into the public opinion of the food and beverage industry. Instead we were routed through questions that all revolved around events — and only events that are held at municipal facilities (Olympic Plaza, Spruce Grove Field House, Rainbow Park, etc.).

Events such as Jazz on the Mountain, and Feast in the Mountains are important resort offerings no doubt. They contribute a lot to the financial health and success of the resort. However, one of Whistler's largest industries — Food and Beverage – has been forgotten in this questionnaire. Even the article written by the Question interviewed an event producer who declined to deal with the liquor license that he was in fact offered — a beer garden.

British Columbia's on-premise Liquor Licensing now primarily allows for two different licenses (with the exception of private members only clubs and such); Food Primary and Liquor Primary.

The difference between the two can be vast at times, and very, very close at others. The single largest mandate for Food Primary Licensing is that the main focus for your business is food. Obviously, every single way that you operate your business must revolve around food service. Including the fact that when you apply for licensing you have to submit an inventory of cutlery, plates, bowls, etc. to ensure that you are actually going to serve food. These are all good and proper measures. Advertising, promotions, special events — everything must revolve around food.

Even every single customer.

Now this is the biggest sticking point between us and everyone else in the world so I'll repeat it — including every single customer. This means that Joe and Jane Smith who come off of the street looking to only have a glass of wine and not eat food must be denied service. Regardless if they don't want to spend their time in a noisy sports bar, they must go there to enjoy a drink, as they have to seek out a Liquor Primary Licensed establishment.

You should see the faces of (people) not from Whistler as we tell these thousands of customers a year about this rule. Nobody understands these rules. Nobody from Europe will ever understand that they cannot just have a glass of wine at the nice elegant restaurant, and instead they must go across the street to the place with the line-up.

Our Food Primary License can operate on 70 per cent food sales, and only 30 per cent liquor sales, and even still one single customer who does not eat with their drink can warrant us receiving a massive fine (in the thousands of dollars) or closure (costing much more than the fine). On more than one occasion, we have even had police officers approach resort guests on our patio and ask them if they are intending to eat. Most of them think they have done something wrong and are about to be arrested.

This has to be the single largest impact on our guests' experience in Whistler when it comes to liquor licensing. Not our community facilities.

In my opinion, it would make sense to allow a business to provide a daily percentage of food and liquor to prove that they are adhering to Food Primary Licensing Rules and Regulations. There is a huge disparity between B.C.'s liquor laws, and those of our guests' home. As a resort food and beverage operator, it surprises me that this was never addressed in the article of liquor reform, and it will surprise me even more if it is not addressed when it comes time for council to submit requests for reform to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch.

Brenton Smith

General Manager, La Bocca, La Brasserie, Amsterdam Pub, Hot Buns Bakery, Maxx Fish Lounge & Bar

Policy Before Pipeline

I fully agree with Clare Ogilvie's statement in last week's editorial that we need a national energy policy (Never mind the pipeline we need an energy policy, Pique April 12). To connect grassroots energy on this critical energy policy, I will be running across B.C. this summer, connecting with people along the way, hopefully igniting a broader discussion on the topic of the tar sands and how we can all transition to a clean energy future. Highway 16 from the B.C./Alberta border to Prince Rupert will be my route and I am looking forward to capturing and sharing perspectives via YouTube and social media that contribute to the shaping of a national energy policy.

The tar sands are a complex issue with far reaching implications for Canadians and the global community of which we are all citizens. There are jobs and revenue at stake on both sides of the issue as well as environmental and social factors that need careful consideration. I expect to encounter a diverse array of perspectives on my run; some supporting, others opposing and still others undecided on whether the tar sands should be expanded via pipelines like the Northern Gateway or Trans Mountain. While I oppose the tar sands development without a coherent national energy policy that involves all Canadians (and not just the petro-industry and its Conservative government supporters) I welcome, and I am sympathetic to other points of view (especially where jobs are concerned). If you really look at these proposals, the jobs they will create (temporary and permanent) are miniscule relative to the consequent liabilities — social, cultural and environmental. Once we sell all of our resources offshore, what remains to create wealth and further energy in the future? I believe, as do many British Columbians, that we should not be so shortsighted as to sell out our future for a few petro-bucks today. Canada has a choice to be a first-world leader in sustainable economic development or a third world gas tank. It is our choice.

It is critical that all of our voices be heard — now, more than ever before. Recently, the federal government retroactively shortened the environmental assessment and regulatory review of projects like the Northern Gateway pipelines, dramatically reducing the opportunity for public participation. That means the Northern Gateway review could wrap up in May of this year — a full year-and-a-half before it was scheduled to end. A "streamlined environmental assessment" also means Kinder Morgan's expansion plans could be fast tracked.

Lacking a national energy strategy, leaders that have a vested interest in a particular energy sector, such as the tar sands, can unilaterally choose to invest in it regardless of the true cost. The fundamental issue is the provision of clean, affordable energy to all. The creation of a national energy strategy will help guide our leaders and keep them accountable to us — and to our children.

Please visit www.bandtogetherbc.com to join the dialogue and learn more about the campaign.

Kim Slater

Whistler

don't Just say 'no' to oil tankers

I didn't see the addendum to Council's motion over tanker traffic along the B.C. coast and (Enbridge's Northern) Gateway (pipeline). There must be such a document.

This addendum must highlight additional worry over the oil tanker traffic running in and out of Burrard Inlet — 71 such transits in 2010. For decades these tankers with up to 700,000 barrels on board have run the First and Second Narrows passing within one kilometre of the Canada Place cruise ship facilities.

These oil tankers are but small cousins to the super tankers running from Alaska to Washington State along B.C.'s "Graveyard of the Pacific." These behemoths' passage would also have to be soundly disparaged by the addendum.

Incongruously, pundits suggest that if Gateway is not completed, increased pipeline deliveries to Vancouver and greater numbers of tanker sailings through Vancouver harbor may result. Uh.

The addendum must also certainly express Council's abhorrence that every year, hundreds if not thousands, of petrochemical and petroleum tanker rail cars pass through our valley (beside) our many watercourses.

Finally, such a document has to argue for the cessation of all road-based petroleum shipments wending their way along the shores of Burrard Inlet, Howe Sound and alongside our valleys many streams, rivers and lakes.

Save the whales, save the landscape, save the cruise ships but throttle back on the hyperbole.

Brian K. Buchholz

Whistler

Pipeline pipedream

The news that Whistler Council is standing up to the Northern Gateway project would be laughable if it were not so pathetic. Personally I am ambivalent about the project but I am not an energy-guzzling monster stuck on a mountainside where not so long ago a whistle-stop railway siding used to stand.

On any good skiing day a quick glance across the parking lots will reveal them to be full (despite crude efforts to drive skiers away). What powers these vehicles? Does the council think they run on air alone? All those cool skiers and riders seem to have forgotten that they are as much a part of the energy-consuming problem as certain ex-governors of California with their six Hummers and poor English.

If these folk are serious about energy conservation then I ask them to sell all their vehicles and walk. But no, not them, far too cool. They don't even car pool.

And whilst they are at it they should give up skiing and riding then energy will be saved on lifts and we won't have to clear cut great swaths of mountain forest to enable certain hedonistic Bett-cell deprived individuals to zoom mindlessly downhill.

Clearly the council thinks that the energy conscious owners (of Whistler's luxury homes) recycle everything, get their water from nearby streams and derive all their energy needs from wind turbines on the roof.

Coming from Africa, I am used to seeing ostriches with their heads in the sand but I didn't know that the Canadian equivalents put their heads in the snow.

Recently Christians around the world celebrated Holy Week culminating in Easter. The number of languages heard around the village was astounding. I even heard my language, Swahili.

Needless to say, Whistler Town (let's face it, it is no longer a village) benefits from these well-heeled visitors. How does the council think these people got here? Do they believe that the Venezuelans and Argentineans rode their horses from the Chaco to B.C. for a week's skiing? Shipperley rode his two horses from Buenos Aires to Washington, D.C. in the early 1930s and it took him three years!

Very few of us like the idea of a pipeline across the north of our province, and the inevitable oil spills will scar the land forever. And it will be our fault, not so much because we let it happen but more because we are here. We exist. We consume. At this point in time there are more people learning English in China than live in England. More people are being issued with driving licenses there, every year, than live in B.C. All the big car manufacturers are there churning out vehicles for the local market.

Our culture in the West is based on consumerism. Our politicians have long faces if they have to report zero growth. We seem to feel that we have a God-given right to consume everything in our path yet we deny the people of China that same right by not supplying them with oil via the Northern pipeline.

It took me a while as a "dumb immigrant" to understand the saying "put your money where your mouth is." Clearly the Whistler Council still does not comprehend this simple phrase.

Nigel Mathews

Pemberton

Thanks, with a heavy heart

It is with great sadness that I write this letter.

However, there are many people who need to be thanked. Losing a friend is never easy, but it is times like the last few weeks that our small town showed how close we all are. Gary Repo, an employee of Tourism Whistler passed away suddenly on March 28, 2012. He was a colleague, a brother, a son and a friend. He will be sorely missed!

I would like to firstly thank all of those who came forward in support during an extremely tough time. I wish to thank Barrett Fisher and the wonderful staff of Tourism Whistler for providing us the Grand Foyer at the Conference Center for Gary's "Celebration of Life" and to Center Plate for providing snacks during the event. Thank you to Colin Perry and the staff of the Delta Whistler Village Suites hotel for providing accommodation for Gary's family and friends who travelled great distances to join us.

Special thanks go to my closest friends who stayed with me to ensure that I would get through this tragedy, you gave me the strength to provide Gary with a beautiful send-off.

Cheryl Reynolds, what can I say? Your tireless efforts in putting together the slide shows and just being there when I could have been so lost. You are a wonderful friend!

Gary's death has left a gaping hole in my life that thanks to all of you much of it has been filled. Hugs to all of you as you have proven what a great place we live.

Thank you.

Mark Manze

Whistler

Say no to Smart Meters

This message is a call to action for Whistler homeowners who have not yet had a "smart" meter installed on your property.

Numerous problems have already been identified with the smart meter program.  In particular, privacy of personal information, lack of network security, inexplicable increase in apparent consumption, the involvement of disgraced Accenture behind the scenes and the conflict of interest between the BC Hydro Board Members and Corix (the company installing the meters).

While these issues are all serious, and certainly merit our consideration, I am writing about a far more serious issue: The smart meters represent a proven and very serious health risk.

According to independent researchers, smart meters will blanket our neighbourhoods with EMF and RF at levels between 100 and 160 times higher than continuous cell phone use.  You can see for yourself the dangerous levels of RF and EMF being emitted from these things every 4-5 seconds, by using a high frequency analyzer. This is being done by many different sources all with the same conclusion.

What I am urging all Whistler homeowners to do (if you don't have a smart meter yet) is send an official letter to BC Hydro refusing the meter on your property.  You can find a template for this Opt Out Letter on the whistlerwatch.org site.  It is also important to post a laminated sign next to your meter stating that they do not have your permission to install a Smart Meter. This no trespassing sign can be found in The Smart Meter Action Kit at citizensforsafetechnology.org .

The following are just a few of the reputable scientists and doctors publicly speaking out against "smart" meters: Dr. David Carpenter, physician, Harvard Medical School Graduate. He headed the New York State Department of Public Health for 18 years, is dean of The School Of Public Health at the University Of Albany and is the director of The Institute For Health and the Environment; Daniel Hirsch, a senior lecturer on Nuclear Policy at the University Of California; Dr. Henry Lai, research professor at the Department of Bioengineering at the University Of Washington; Professor Franz Adlkofer at the Verum-Foundation in Austria.

In my townhouse there are six meters grouped together right outside my front door, and one hundred units total in my concentrated neighbourhood. There has been absolutely no testing on the long-term health effects of this arrangement.

This neighbourhood has a lot of children who love to play outside — from the neighbourhood playground, to street hockey, to skateboards and bicycles etc. These children, who absorb twice as much radiation as adults, I fear are at serious risk of health problems such as various types of cancers which can take roughly 20 years to manifest as a result of chronic exposure to Electro-Magnetic and Radio Frequency Radiation.

Please do not give up this fight, as I feel it is one of great importance.

Jeremy Thom, Co-Owner The Vibe Dance Centre