The news that Whistler Sport Legacies and Callaghan Country have been unable to reach an agreement on the sharing of trail grooming and trail access is extremely disturbing to me for two significant reasons.
Firstly, the (2010) Olympics were bid on and carried out to enhance the local community and businesses. The exposure to the world and the additional infrastructure were supposed to do this. Otherwise we would have never have committed to spending the billions of dollars that it cost to host the Games.
I am an enthusiastic supporter of the Games for these very reasons. Now I read that the organization that is managing the Whistler Olympic Park is behaving in the absolutely opposite manner - it is causing hardship to the very business that pioneered the Callaghan Valley as a cross-country ski destination, and in fact helped a great deal to secure the bid for the Games when hardly anyone even knew where the Callaghan Valley was.
Secondly, and more importantly, the WSL is a (government supported) organization - it is owned by the community. It should be behaving as the citizens of the community would like to see it behave.
I have been skiing in Whistler since 1969, and have known Brad Sills for over 35 years. So I know that shortly after he arrived in the valley in the mid-70's he began volunteering with the Search and Rescue. And, that over the past 30 years he has put in thousands of volunteer hours and risked his own welfare to carry out innumerable search and rescue operations.
You only need hear a few of his rescue stories to appreciate his dedication. I mention this because I want to highlight what a selfless and integral member of the Whistler community I know Brad to be.
Now the community has to negotiate a cost-sharing agreement with him and we are treating him like dirt.
Is this the thanks we give to someone who has given so much to our community?
I would hope that the citizens of community of Whistler let the WSL know that this is not how we want them to carry out their duties for us. Surely a compromise can be reached that enhances a deserving local business and shows our respect for one of our upstanding citizens.
Len Chaston
Vancouver
Serious business
To all candidates and those contemplating running for mayor and council show us your resume in both local papers as soon as possible.
You want to be hired by the voters of Whistler and represent them then show us what you got to offer and we will decide who will get the job.
PS: Professional politicians please do not apply.
Casey Niewerth,
Whistler.
The law is for everyone
This spring a friend of mine was coming home to Pemberton through Whistler. In front of her was a vehicle trying to turn left into Emerald Drive so she carefully passed the vehicle on its right side touching the fog line.
This action, the RCMP constable told her, was a violation that would cost her a $140 fine.
During this summer the speed limit was reduced along Portage Road to 30km all day as opposed to only during school hours as it used to be. This would be safer for the kids using the new skate park. Again the RCMP upheld the law, fining people who disregarded the newly posted speed limit.
The following week as I sat behind a tribal police truck heading passed the school towards the traffic lights at the end of Portage Road, the truck steadily drove away from me doing more than 40km hour with no lights or siren.
I thought it was "I'm an officer of the law" not "I'm an officer above the law."
Then this week an RCMP constable was injured in his vehicle while on duty, and damaged the vehicle he was in. Luckily no other members of the public or other vehicles were involved. Will this officer be charged for speeding inside the village boundary? Also, after hitting the cone and losing control while trying to pass on wrong side (a $140 fine) of the vehicle in front, which couldn't move out of way because of the cones, will he also be charged with driving without due care and attention?
Don't get me wrong I admire what the 98 per cent of police officers do on a daily basis. It's only the 2 per cent who treat the power as their own free "get out of jail card" and hide behind the badge with the attitude of "Do as I say not as I do" that make me and others distrust RCMP.
I believe officers would get more respect if the public saw them treating fellow officers who have committed violations as heavily as you or I.
The law is for all or not at all.
Jim Clark
Pemberton
Pay-parking 'a mess'
After reading the proposed parking rates and consultant's report in this week's council package, the only thing that came to mind was, "oh, what a mess they've made."
At least the municipality has accepted what everybody in town already knows. Even with their new parking scheme, there's not going to be any money to pay back the cost of the Fitzsimmons Creek debris barrier, nor anything to put towards transit.
Even with the newly projected revenue ... the municipality is barely going to be able cover the operating costs and capital repayment, so all of this brings no upside to the community at all, and we will have to find room in the budget to pay for the construction of the $5,700,000 debris barrier.
This sentence from the consultant's reported jumped out at me, "The perception of "plenty and free" often leads to inefficient use of resources by consumers."
Well, there still is plenty of parking; even over the Labour Day weekend there was ample parking in Lot 1 at 2:30 p.m. on the Saturday afternoon.
It was free; building the Fitzsimmons Creek debris was once the province's responsibility before the municipality took it over in exchange for the parking lots, Whistler/Blackcomb had the responsibility for maintaining the lots (snow clearing alone over the 2010-2011 winter was about $300,000) before they handed it over to the municipality, and the municipality hadn't spent millions to pave the lots.
Lastly, Whistler is a huge retail village, and the "inefficient use of (parking) resources by consumers," holds those consumers in the village, which is a good thing for the resort.
David Buzzard
Whistler
Pay parking price matters
As we inch closer to election time pay parking is still an unresolved issue and articles published previously in the Pique such as "Pay Parking hurting business, survey says," on April 6th suggest it is one of prime economic importance. Local businesses continue to denounce the initiative as a destructive force on the local economy.
We have all seen the day lots go from being over capacity with trucks constructing their own parking spaces out of embankments to no more than a few dozen cars on a busy long-weekend.
The whole situation has been a careless waste of one tax dollar after another. Rates were aggressively set out of the gate, then Bob MacPherson, in his first council meeting after a lengthy leave of absence, proposed a solution that would see rates increased across the board, a decision met with so much criticism that it lead to the "Hell No, We Won't Pay" Facebook event that had support of over 1,200 people, with the actual event requiring increased police supervision.
Council's response was to approve a recommendation to hire a consultant, David Hill, a "professional parking manager", to resolve the issue. Hill organized two council workshops to assist the Whistler Village Day Skier Lot Operating Committee in establishing the Whistler Village Day Lot parking rates that have yet to be announced. Hill's comment to the Pique in their July 6th issue - "I don't know that the cars are out there," after we have all seen the lots go from overcapacity when they were free, to empty at the latest high rate, should tell us all we need to know about Mr. Hill's ability to resolve the issue.
Not to worry, with a little bit of background knowledge and the application of some basic economic principles, a rational solution to the problem of setting a price becomes a trivial matter.
According to Councillor (Ralph) Forsyth, the incident all began when the province forced an ultimatum on the RMOW of either financing the $12 million price tag for the lots or rent them for $500,000/year, otherwise they would bring in a pay parking company to manage the lots, limiting their liability.
Everyone must recognize that this conjuncture undoubtedly marked the end of the free parking era in Whistler's day lots. The RMOW conducted a cost/benefit analysis, which revealed that borrowing against their reserves to finance the purchase was the most viable, long-term decision for the resort. They reasoned that revenues generated from a pay parking initiative could help cover capital, and operating costs, support community transportation initiatives, and reduce the burden on property tax.
Rates were aggressively set and the market has responded with a decrease in demand that has had a trickle down affect on business throughout the resort, pricing the "Whistler Experience" out of the market as we try to stay competitive with other top vacation destinations. Couple this affect with the appreciation of the Canadian dollar and stiffer cross-border international travel regulations and we can all understand why those lots are always vacant and you hear those dreaded words "dead season" being muttered far too frequently.
I propose that we follow the most basic model of price determination in a market: supply and demand. In the July 6 issue of the Pique , Mayor (Ken) Melamed dismissed price as an irrelevant factor. (Said Melamed:) "This is not about price, it's entirely about convenience."
Melamed is suggesting a rare type of demand known as "inelastic," which is generally only associated with luxury items like gas, alcohol, cigarettes, and narcotics, in which demand is not sensitive to price.
I disagree.
I think that if price is increased and the demand is not meeting the supply, then price must go down, which would suggest the demand is "elastic".
A nominal fee (say $5) could be much more manageable for our village customers. The Village employees could have parking passes (say $50/month) that can be issued and possibly compensated thereafter by their employer, similar to the way Spirit passes operate.
I would also provide businesses with an opportunity to validate customer parking just as Ned Flanders used to provide free of charge to customers just for browsing at the "Leftorium" in the Springfield mall. Business owners will have much more control over their parking needs and can develop a parking strategy to maximize profit and remain competitive.
Volume can make a big difference and if locals can see a corresponding decrease in bus transit fares/passes, not increases like we have seen, then maybe the people will be a little more sympathetic to the RMOW's play.
Whistler's prosperity is dependent upon attracting visitors to the resort and it is the job of Council to understand the potential role the RMOW can play in supporting the type of private sector development that can facilitate tourism and foster economic growth.
It's about time Council pulls big government off the back of the little guy, initiates a constructive dialogue between the public and private sectors, and makes decisions based on sound economic principles. This is why I am throwing my hat into the circle and announcing my candidacy for Council.
I believe Whistler's largely youthful (nearly half the population is 25 to 34 years old), highly educated, innovative and artistic population is capable of adding so much more value to the "Whistler Experience".
If we can circumvent some of the bureaucratic rule and regulation that is repressing entrepreneurial led growth, then we can begin to restore Whistler's vibrant economy. It's time Whistler's youth takes control of their future and exercises their democratic right to vote, selecting six council members and one mayor (who) understand the key drivers of economic success, voices the concerns of the people, makes predictable, reliable, and transparent policies and performs its function at a high level, in a sustainable way.
Jay Rolston
Whistler
Time for Rainbow to get commercial
Now that the Olympic (Celebration) Plaza is open, the Jazz on the Mountain festival initiated, Crankworkx and GranFondo bigger and better, are here to stay, tourism has made this one of the best summers in our history.
We are truly international, a world-class venue. Good for us locals to welcome the world. We give to our "guests" our paid parking, our paved trails, and our friendly markets.
The Village is a place where the tourists can hang out!
Now more than ever it is essential for us to have a new community commercial centre. The heart of sustainability calls for residents to have a place to grocery shop, to gas up, and to meet for coffee.
Several years ago a master-designer and team developed land, local contractors built homes, and 250-plus families have come to live (in Rainbow).
ASAP councillors, we need you to complete the vision. As powers that govern you have a moral right to pass the third reading for (the commercial development at Rainbow).
Residents of Rainbow have been waiting since 2008. The old Rainbow lands have been transformed into the new neighbourhood at Rainbow.
It is a place where the residents want to hang out!
Ross and Harlene Walker
Whistler
Misinformation?
Last week when I read the papers I was shocked to see an old familiar name, Bill Barratt. I was more shocked to actually see Mr. Barratt trying to call someone out on "misinformation."
Though I have only witnessed Mr. Barratt's questionable conduct with one debate near and dear to my neighbors, and me I do recall a few brief quotes that constitute "misinformation" from Mr. Barratt himself.
On Tuesday, June 29, 2010 Barratt said, "the asphalt plant was already a permitted use and the owner was actually looking to add a concrete batch plant."
As a matter of fact, rezoning application 272 dated March 16, 1998, says under present zoning - IP1: Existing use: Basalt and Quarrying manufacturing and processing, intended use: Manufacturing and processing of aggregates, manufacturing and processing of Asphalt and redi-mix concrete, the storage of related equipment.
Mr. Barratt also said, on June 29: "As much as everyone would like to believe the site is not zoned, we and our solicitors do not share that view and believe the courts would reach the same conclusion given the documents...."
In his Aug. 30, 2010 letter, Donald Lidstone Q.C., the municipality's solicitor for the asphalt plant issue stated: "the asphalt plant does not comply with the current zoning bylaw; the asphalt plant is not grand parented, nor does it have any legal right to operate at its present location"
Read this yourself and judge who was giving "misinformation?"
Tim Koshul
Whistler
Parking regs unfair
I just read the new Cheakamus Crossing "Parking Regulations" posted on the garbage room door in Whitewater.
This in itself is disappointing, as I would have expected a copy in my mailbox or possibly e-mailed to us through WRM.
I am deeply disturbed to learn that they will block the parking lots with boulders and sic the bylaw services on us to ticket and tow. This is the same bylaw department that didn't (or was forbidden to) enforce zoning infractions at the asphalt plant and won't issue the $300-a-day fines against a plant operating in the face of a "cease and desist order."
I view this as an attack on the residents of Cheakamus Crossing.
Cynically and conveniently timed so we cannot write letters to the Pique or Question for another week or go and challenge the Mayor and council for two more weeks (after these new rules go into effect).
This is eerily similar to the asphalt plant provincial court case being conveniently scheduled for a couple of days after the municipal election.
We all bought into the vision of a new community for Whistler Families, a legacy from our herculean effort to make the Olympic Games the success they were. Yet those whom we trusted to plan this correctly, most of who enjoy large driveways, street parking, garages that actually fit a vehicle larger than a Prius with nary a stinking, toxic factory in sight, have sullied that vision.
They decided to ignore the asphalt plant operating illegally in contravention of the zoning and actually continued to buy its untendered, over-priced products all while working hard (and spending hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars doing so) to entrench the plant in the neighborhood.
They (directly from the mouth of Ken Melamed) intentionally made the Cheakamus Crossing driveways and garages tiny, the parking options nearly non-existent to deliberately coerce us into using public transit.
Now they are squeezing us, taking away our last overflow parking options to force their dream of a little Utopian Village; where model Whistler worker bees, their homes IKEA uncluttered perfect, live their Spartan lives sharing a car, lining up for an always-late bus to boost the ridership numbers, just to go to the village and spend our minimum wages on some carbon credits.
This neighborhood has been touted as a place for Whistler's families. Yet families can be messy; their lives aren't always neat & tidy. Some drive pick-up trucks; many have two (or more) vehicles. We live in paradise and enjoy the mountains, trails, rivers, lakes and streams. We do so with both downhill and cross country bikes, multiple pairs of skis, campers, skidoos, boats, trailers and we reasonably expected to be able to store them at or near our homes.
Our neighbors in the areas where the mayor and councillors live, can park all the equipment they wish. Other public parking lots have many "long-term" residents. In fact Cheakamus Crossing is the only neighborhood where no street parking is allowed under any circumstances, at any time. What is it about us that these uncaring powerbrokers must continue to beat on us? Why can't we have an option to park our trailers and our vehicles that don't fit in our miniscule driveways?
Why wouldn't some effort be made to find a compromise, open a discussion, find a way to manage the optics instead of coldly informing us that we must rent a storage facility within 10 days or go to hell? Is it because we are all subsidized, that we are not quite "real " citizens who haven't completely paid our own way? Did we make it easier for them to pass these odious rules because some of us challenged them and exposed the dangers, lies, mis-information and the double-dealing cronyism that occurred with the asphalt plant?
This situation is unfair. I will not suffer for the grievous errors made by Whistler 2020 Development Corporation, the mayor and council. They built a Paralympic Athletes Village without one single unit capable of housing a family with a disabled child or infirm elder. That we are doing so is only because we spent $25,000 modifying a home, including expanding the driveway just to fit a wheelchair lift equipped van. Where am I to park my truck so I may conduct my business and not be forced to sell and move? My two large vehicles, my trailer and I are not the reason they can't sell the market homes and lots.
I am not responsible for the fiasco with Whistler Sports Legacies and the Falls restaurant space. If they had done their due diligence in the first place they would have found it easier to sell a beautiful home in Whistler without an asphalt plant spewing toxins next to a quarry blowing up mountainsides, a mere 290 metres away.
Adam Protter
Whistler
Thanks for the lift
I would just would like to say a huge thanks to the group who carried me, my bike, and gear down the mountain and took me to the (The Whistler Health Care Centre) after a rather nasty ankle smashing crash on last week's Toonie ride. Comfortably Numb is no short walk.
I love how the bike community here is selfless and no one hesitated to help me - friends and strangers alike. I'll pay this back by acting in the same manner as you did, plus if you see me out I owe you all a beer too.
Thanks also to my lovely wife who came to meet me at the clinic for the umpteenth time to pick-up my broken ass.
I love living here. I'm never leaving.
Lloyd Craythorne
Whistler
Previous regattas remembered
Re your headline "Whistler's first sailing regatta " (Pique Aug. 18, 2011) - this is not so. For many years in the sixties and seventies the Alta Lake Sailing Club held many sailing dinghy regattas.
The venue was Dick Fairhurst's Cypress Lodge, West Side. Amongst the sailors and organizers were Brian Rowley (whose Davison 12 is now sailing in the Yukon!!!), Don Gow, Denis Beauregard, Jackie Pope and many others. Other clubs were invited to race too including Ambleside Sailing Club in West Vancouver.
The after party was always great fun, which led to the nickname of the Regrettas - the morning after!! Just setting the record straight.
Moira and Tony Biggin-Pound
Squamish Yacht Club
