On Jan. 11 the SLRD board voted to oppose the proposed power project development on Ashlu Creek.
This issue has beleaguered our community for far too long, and on behalf of the concerned paddlers and community members, we wish to express our appreciation of the local government’s response to the concerns that have been expressed.
At the same time, the overwhelming response from those I have spoken to who attended the third public hearing on this matter, is concern about the fragmentation of our community by this issue. That a lack of planning from the provincial government has placed the local government, and yes, even the developer, in this position is inexcusable.
It appears clear that responsibility for much of how this issue has divided our community must be accepted by the developer, due to the manner in which they chose to interact with those expressing concerns. Yet, while we should be celebrating that the Ashlu will be maintained as it is, we are saddened that this issue has been portrayed in such a confrontational manner, pitting neighbour against neighbour, and community against community.
We look forward to a planning process which will identify streams not appropriate for development, and which will also identify streams where these projects should be developed. Only through such a process can we as a united community provide certainty for our future needs, be they those of First Nations, energy needs, community needs, recreation and tourism needs, or of the needs to responsibly develop our resources.
The paddling community has never asked for more than to have some of the special waterways, that so characterize the unique recreational and tourism values of this area, set aside to be simply rivers and streams running free, for all to enjoy, now and in the future.
We ask the local government to take a lead in this effort, and to take the necessary steps now for planning to identify how these resources may be utilized in the future, so as to avoid the possibility of further controversy over the other such projects we know are proposed in this area.
Stuart Smith
WKABC River Projects Co-ordinator
Squamish
It is 9 a.m. Saturday morning, I am surrounded by over 100 pieces of artwork and various other donations from the fundraising event held at the Telus Whistler Conference Centre for Southeast Asia Tsunami Relief. Judging by the amount of bid sheets and items that require pick up, to say the event was a success is an understatement. Since last Thursday when the go ahead was received to make this "suggestion" a reality the past week has had a somewhat surreal feel to it.
A few phone calls, a couple of humbly phrased requests and the wheels were in motion to making this event a success. The speed at which the word spread through the art and entertainment community was like lightening, calls began flowing in immediately following these initial contacts – people simply wanted to offer their talents and/or services in any way possible. I refer to this event as a snowball, it started small, however there was no doubt in anyone's mind that this would quickly grow into something quite big with a significant impact on many.
The generosity of businesses, residents and guests does not come as a surprise, it is part of who we are as a community. And as such, not only are we quick to give, I trust that we are as equally responsive in showing our appreciation.
Thank you to all of the volunteers, silent auction donors, businesses, entertainers and artists that came together so quickly in making this event such a success. While there is no effort or contribution that is deemed of any less or more value than others, there are a few people whom I would like to personally express my utmost gratitude as these are individuals who work behind the scenes in pulling events such as this together.
Danielle Pilbeam, Conference Services Manager, TWCC – thank you from the bottom of my heart for your time and energy in helping me pull this event together in the 24 hours prior to the event. Thank you for leading the volunteers, providing the endless donations with an appropriate display so that the number of guests that arrived would be able to view and therefore bid on the various auction items.
Ruth Howells, MY Place Volunteer – thank you for walking into a lion's den and lending both your time, energy and writing skills so that our guests would be able to bid on items and that the endless number of items could be received and placed on the tables.
Karen Goodwin, you were a godsend. Without you pulling in on the day of the event, the artwork displayed throughout the auction would not have had the appropriate descriptions.
Wayne Doucette, AVW-TELAV – without you the performers and entertainers would not have been heard or seen. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding throughout this very last minute event. I know the entertainers and I very much appreciated your technical expertise, your being here took a load off my mind.
Lindsey Turner, TWCC – thank you for lending your artistic eye to the display and receiving last minute items for the tables.
Leah Spencer – for assisting with our volunteers and moving items up on the auction table.
Lawrence Black and Andy Flynn for upping the ante within the Restaurant/Bar/Nightclub community, the dollars are still rolling in.
Michele Comeau Thompson – thank you for bringing the media exposure to this event and co-ordinating the announcers and dealing with my endless questions on how to get the word out about the event.
And last but not least, Barb Hirano for approaching Tourism Whistler with the idea of a community-wide event – this would not have happened without you.
These are just a handful of the people that contributed to this event, the list of contributors is endless, and each of you deserve a warm and sincere thank you.
Wendy Mah
Event Manager for the Tourism Whistler-hosted fundraiser for the Southeast Asia Tsunami Relief Fund
I do not dispute the atrocious effects of the South East Asia tsunami, and my heart (and donation) go out to those affected. I recognize the immediacy required to get the funds and relief to these areas and think it wonderful that Tourism Whistler hosted a fundraising event (Jan. 7).
However, such a sensational tragedy may cause us to lose perspective on the other on-going tragedies in the world, and the people affected. For example, according to UNAIDS: worldwide in 2003 three million people died of AIDS, five million people became infected (the largest number yet) and close to 40 million were living with HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that since 1981, over 12 million children have been orphaned because of AIDS. Global spending on HIV/AIDS has reached US $5 billion. The UN projects that by 2007 US $20 billion will be required for the prevention and care of HIV/AIDS in low and middle income countries.
Absolutely I applaud our efforts as a country and municipality to help the tsunami victims. Hopefully the thin silver lining is that we are all more sensitive to our impact as global and local neighbours to those who suffer.
Linda Glenday
Whistler
I am writing on behalf of all of the residents of Pemberton who commute daily to Whistler to work or to play. It seems as though it only matters to the municipality of Whistler that people can only commute to Whistler to ski, or work a 9 to 5 job. They give us two trips a day on the WAVE, at a cost greater than that offered by Greyhound (when purchasing a 10-ride pack in Pemberton depot at only $22.10). How is this possible? The municipality of Pemberton actually pays $10 towards every 10-pack purchased by Pemberton residents to Greyhound. So in other words our tax paying citizens of Pemberton are paying for a third of our trips.
So why do I complain? It is very clear, the WAVE 90 per cent of the time there are more than five or so people standing for the duration of the trip. Is this safe transit? Clearly with the amount of accidents on Highway 99 between Whistler and Pemberton you can ask yourself that same question.
What I am asking of you the public voice is to try and work together with our community and get better and more transit; our options are bleak. With your help we can get later busses for late night commuters (most dangerous time of day on the highway). Maybe we should all try hitch hiking; I am forced to do it three nights a week.
As for the Whistler town council giving more busses to go to Squamish and also a late night service because of a tragic accident last year, what about the lives lost on our stretch of the road? Open your eyes to what is important for both communities.
Chris Milne
Pemberton
Let’s say no to Bombardier.
I am once again disappointed in our council. I am disappointed to see that money and economic impact are more important to the council than making a stand against something that’s detrimental to the environment. I am speaking of the Bombardier conference and "launching" of their new models of Sea-Doos on Green Lake. I disagree with council and Barrett Fisher in their justification for allowing the launch of the Sea-Doos. Yes, it’s great there are "cleaner" Sea-Doos being built, and kudos to Bombardier.
But wait a minute, what about the idea that Sea-Doos shouldn’t even be manufactured in the first place? I just wish a company would look at the impact their product has on the environment and not only design cleaner-running engines, but stop manufacturing leisure vehicles like these altogether. Of course, that’s a pipe-dream, and unrealistic, but it’s still a wish I have.
As a community, we stood up and said no to the World Economic Forum. If it’s even possible, I hope the community of Whistler will put a stop to this conference as well. We lived without the WEF, and we can certainly live without the Bombardier convention.
Wake-up council, and be stronger advocates for the environment, please! Ken Melamed, thank-you for being you.
Linda McLaughlin
Whistler
Re: the invitation from the Squamish Economic Development Office to a Jan. 15 community event to "help define the Squamish ‘brand’... positioning Squamish for 2010 and beyond."
This so-called "branding" exercise is absolutely ludicrous in my opinion. I thought that Squamish had already chosen a "brand" (I detest that word, by the way – it sounds rather callous and commercial) – it's called the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, which has been trademarked by the District of Squamish. Squamish became known as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada not on a whim, but for good reason – this community's surroundings include a vast and stunning array of natural assets relating to outdoor adventure recreation, more so than pretty well any other community I can think of.
It is not people getting together in a conference room that will define the Squamish "brand"; in Squamish's case, the "brand" is staring us right in the face, every day. If the Squamish politicians and bureaucrats want to reject or ignore that "brand" and develop a new "brand" (like shopping centre/factory outlet/big box/tacky tourist town destination) to try to "take advantage" of 2010 (am I allowed to use the year 2010 in writing?), then that's what they'll do, with some token and politically correct public input. I wonder what would happen if Whistler decided to have a "branding" exercise to consider deviating from downhill skiing/snowboarding and outdoor adventure recreation.
I'm getting meeting'ed out, a sentiment I've been hearing from quite a few folks around town lately. On Jan. 15, I'll be outside with family and friends in the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, using my skis to brand some pristine powder with figure eights, rather than attending yet another meeting in which the politicians and bureaucrats try to convince the gullible public that they actually have some input into decisions that have probably already been made.
Ron Enns
Squamish, B.C.
I would like to add a bit more Mount Revelstoke history to Iola Knight's informative letter in the Dec. 23 rd issue. The UBC ski team of 1946-1947 consisted of Gar Robinson, Doug Fraser, Arnie Teasdale, Gerry Lockhart, John Frazee, John Barry, Gordon Cowan, Jack Skinner, Gordon Hall, Don Anderson, Don Fernside, Jack Leggatt, George Darby, Ron Bruce and myself. We were training at Christmas in preparation for the inter-collegiate meet at Banff in January and the Western Canadian Championships in February at Revelstoke.
The course was definitely a big hill – a 3,000-foot vertical in just over a mile and a half. It had two slight changes of direction but basically it was just a straight slash down the mountainside. Very intimidating! In those days there were no groomers, no Weasel Workers, no nets, no chairlifts; just a start gate and a finish gate. The trees on either side gave a clear indication of the limits. We side tramped the course ourselves.
The championship in February was a four-way event: downhill, slalom, cross-country, and jumping. Our coach, Peter Vajda, sadistically decided that I should do all four while he saved the real talent for the downhill and slalom. The cross-country was the first event and consisted of 11 miles of slogging through 50 cm of overnight snow! It didn't help me much in the downhill the next day.
I no longer have the race results but I do remember that Gar Robinson won the downhill, breaking the record he had set in the training race at Christmas. Gar is still racing successfully in the Masters Series in spite of his advanced years.
Jack Roocraft no longer competed but he skis here at Blackcomb with me regularly. Earl Pletsch's jumping career ended when he lost an arm under a train wheel.
After the championship the course was never used again as it was considered to be too dangerous. It is now completely overgrown with trees.
Gerry Reynolds
Garden Bay/Whistler
PS. While I still have my shaky pen in hand I would like to commend Ken Melamed for his common sense and moral courage!
Will our ignorance prevail?
The rebuttals to my letter (The choice is yours, Pique letters, Dec.30) are proof of the dire need for education and information on the true history of settlement in the SLRD and on the genocide that did happen here.
To Mr. Truman, the only true bad white man or person, whatever colour, is the one who refuses to admit injustice has occurred or is occurring and does not act to correct it.
To S. Anderson, I was referring to the will of the Pemberton Community being disregarded by the Miller Creek IPP, not the native community. My mistake for not being more specific. So just to let you know, no offence is taken by your comments because I'm home alright... I'm all home.
Heidi G. A. Stoecklin
Pemberton
It is now four months since my fiancée and I returned to Plymouth, United Kingdom from Vancouver. And how we miss British Columbia! Though I fancy Plymouth as the new Vancouver, there are limits to the extent of one’s fantasy.
In our short time living in Whistler and its environs we were overwhelmed with the kindness of spirit and zest for life exuded by all those we encountered. The boys in Fanatyk Co, whose perseverance with my boot fit is now legendary back home. Mike and Julie who graciously tolerated our inexperience as Relentless crew. Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau who facilitated our earliest adventures into the backcountry. Pete and Jill whose culinary mastery and hot tub were truly a home away from home. To these and those many more who made our stay so wonderful, the warmest thanks.
And Pique too. Never before have I got so excited about each new issue of a local magazine. It so manifestly reflects the community, with wonderful articles relating Whistler’s history, the conservation effort and modern policy challenges. It is rare to read a local magazine that is so relevant to resident and visitor alike.
A final congratulations to Guitar Doug on his musical entertainer award. Whistler would be the poorer without him.
There are many great outdoor adventure capitals, but few that are so well organized, with a local populace not only focussed on the sport in question, but broad enough to acknowledge the wider issues of humanity both locally and in more distant parts of the planet. I wish Whistler well with its forthcoming challenges. I trust it will develop as a community, not lose sight of its roots, and remember those little people without whose dedication and charm it would not be the success it is today.
Gary Matthews
Plymouth, U.K.
Re: When the Music's Over...
We would like to thank Mr. Povoden for supporting the Whistler Village Centre by spending thousands of dollars at Bestsellers. It is people like Mr. Povoden that allow the Whistler Village Centre to succeed in providing a mix of independent, locally owned shops as well as some internationally recognized chain stores. Currently, there are 11 locally-owned and operated stores, which is greater than half the total number of stores located in the Whistler Village Centre.
As a representative of the company responsible for the leasing and operations of the Whistler Village Centre, I would like to clarify some points brought up in Mr. Povoden's letter. Firstly, it is not the "financial penchant of Larco" that is causing the closing of Bestsellers. In fact, the Landlord would have very much liked to retain Bestsellers as a valued client in the Whistler Village Centre, however, for reasons unknown to the writer, a formal response was never received to the renewal proposal presented to Bestsellers last summer. In fact, out of the 11 renewal proposals sent out to tenants of the Whistler Village Centre whose leases have expired or are expiring shortly, Bestsellers was the only client with whom we were unable to negotiate a lease renewal. After exhausting all attempts to, at the very least, obtain a counter proposal from Bestsellers, we reluctantly went to the market to find a replacement tenant, hiring a local real estate agent, Bob Hamilton of the Whistler Real Estate Company, with expertise in the Whistler commercial leasing market.
To answer Mr. Povoden's question as to what will become of the retail space currently occupied by Bestsellers, we advise that it will not be a store selling fleeces, property rentals or ski/board rentals. The premises are leased to Object Design Gallery, an independent jeweler which showcases and sells the work of independent contemporary artists (www.objectdesigngallery.com). Incidentally, they accepted the same lease rate that was proposed to Bestsellers.
Finally, in the near future, Mr. Povoden may not have to drive "down 99" to Park Royal to get "movies, music, et al," if he, and other residents of Whistler show their support for London Drugs in Whistler, which sells these and other items not currently available in Whistler at all or are available at prices that are not affordable to many Whistler residents.
It is our hope that the mix of independent and national stores in the Whistler Village Centre will help keep expenditures by Whistler residents in Whistler, and reduce the need of residents to spew a tank full of gas into the environment, driving to the city to purchase goods and services available in Whistler at affordable prices. So the good news, then, Mr. Povoden, is that hopefully the music is NOT over. But please turn out the lights anyway when you leave the room.
Jonathan Lazar
Director, Commercial Properties
Maple Leaf Property Management
