Highway 99 Between Squamish and Pemberton a Safety Risk

Dear Mayor Melamed:

RE: THE LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON HIGHWAY 99 AND IN WHISTLER VILLAGE POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF LOCALS AND VISITORS FROM ABROAD

On Tuesday evening, my husband and I left Whistler Village at 6pm in order to be in Pemberton for a Christmas Concert at Signal Hill Elementary School at 7pm. We have snow tires and a 4x4 SUV and we trusted that Highway 99 between Whistler and Pemberton would be safe enough to drive.

By the time we reached Emerald Estates we realized that the road had not been ploughed, nor had any gravel or salt been distributed on the highway. We were very surprised as last year we had absolutely no problem making our way to Pemberton in 30 minutes, in time for the Christmas Concert. Subsequently, we had to drive at 40kms per hour over a sheet of pure ice, all the way to Pemberton. Along the way we passed several trucks and a few cars that had pulled over onto the side of the road.

On our return, we pulled aside so that a snow-plough could pass us and clear the way. Only after passing us did the driver lower the plough and start clearing the highway and to our astonishment, did not combine his work with the usual shedding of gravel and salt, despite having a load of gravel in his truck.

Just that afternoon, I had spoken to my girlfriend who mentioned that she had struggled to drive up Blackcomb Way with her family car, also equipped with snow-tires. She was on her way to fetch her four-year old son from ski-school. Obviously, you are aware that Blackcomb Way is in the middle of Whistler Village. This same Mom, had called me a week earlier in tears to say that she had been distraught on a drive back from Pemberton in mid-afternoon. I empathized with her, stating that the week previously, I had to travel back from Pemberton to Whistler at 20 kms per hour because of the pathetic conditions on the road.

I have lived between Pemberton and Whistler for the past 15 years. I have driven Highway 99 more times than I can count, both for business and for pleasure. Although I am extremely impressed by the work of Kiewet & Sons, the American company that renovatedand made improvements to Highway 99, I am disgusted with the lack of maintenance of this same highway: The same highway that Moms and Dads travel home on to Pemberton after working in Whistler each night. The same highway that Moms and Dads and families travel home on to Squamish each night, after work. The same highway that visitors from abroad are destined to travel when the Olympic Games take place in February 2010.

Never have I, my colleagues and friends experienced such poor road conditions as this Winter Season.

Today, for example, I travelled to Pemberton on business and was astounded at the amount of vehicles, both SUVS and commercial vehicles, that had pulled over to the side of the highway, because they were unable to navigate the slush and ice on the road. This was on the way up to Pemberton. There was an accident on Suicide Bend involving a truck that had jack-knifed because of the ice and slush. We were pulled over and had to wait until a snow-plough made it’s way up the vicious turn. Instead of spraying the entire road with gravel and salt, as per past years of service, it simply drizzled a slight stream of gravel in the middle of the incline.

Upon my return, I once again encountered trucks and SUVS that could not make their way up certain inclines, and then, around a blind bend, an accident involving two vehicles. I passed three fire trucks, two ambulences and several police vehicles. Luckily, I was able to pass by quickly, but other travelers were not as fortunate. Furthermore, as I drove past the scene of the accident, I noticed a young lady in tears who had obviously been involved in the incident. All of this could have been prevented if enough gravel and salt had been distributed onto the highway.

This status quo has caused me to wonder what on earth happens to the exorbitant tax dollars we pay in Whistler? Surely, with the highest taxes paid in British Columbia, the least we may expect are safe local roads and highways. Also, I have pondered the question as to whether we have begun to export gravel and salt to Patagonia, as the snow-ploughs appear loath to secure the highway as they have done in years gone by. Are they too lazy to drive down to the gravel pit? Are they saving gravel for the two weeks when they expect to impress the international tourists during the Winter Olympic Games?

What about lights along the highway? Was the $6 Billion dollar Olympic budget not enough to provide sun-powered lights that would at least illuminate part of the way for travelers, both local and international?

I hereby inform you that I will be forwarding this letter to the Vancouver Sun, Global TV, the Pique Newsmagazine, The Whistler Question as well as releasing an entire horde of Press Releases on the Internet, with the intention of bringing attention to this vital situation that essentially puts all of our lives at risk on a daily business. I have also created on Online Petition to gather signatures in support of an immediate mandate by the Municipality of Whistler to improve the maintenance and upkeep of Highway 99 throughout this winter season.

I will be most happy to inform the local and international public of the new and improved maintenance of said Highway once my colleagues and I have personally experienced professional snow-ploughing , salting and professional maintenance of Highway 99 and local roads within Whistler Village. Until then, I shall keep the world informed of the fact that driving along Highway 99 between Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton presents a threat to human safety and security.

I look forward to hearing from you or a member of the Ministry of Transportation at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Lisa Haeck

Mother, wife, tax-payer and employee in Whistler, B.C, Canada

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION HERE.....(CLICK)

The Food Bank in Whistler Needs Food, People!

I took a friend to the Food Bank in Whistler today and I was devastated to see how empty it is. Sarah says that because so many people are out of work in Whistler, many are relying on the Food Bank.

Even though the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation gave $5,000 to the Food Bank recently, it must have all been used up because they are in dire need of the following:

Rice, canned fruit and vegetables, LARGE canned soups, Canola Oil, butter, eggs, bread flour, pancake mix, kraft dinner, Honey, Jam, pasta, pasta sauce, cookies, cereals, dishwash soap, toilet paper.

Please take your food donations directly to Sarah at the Whistler Food Bank, at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church on the first and third Monday of each month between 11 and 1pm. This way the food is fresh. Please do not donate food that has expired :) Try to imagine that you were receiving the food - it's nice if it's fresh and yummy, isn't it!

Thank you so much to Sarah, Lorna, Kari and Nataly for doing such an excellent job supporting people in need in Whistler. The Whistler Community Services Society helped our family the first three years we were in Whistler and it is because of their endless generosity and support that we have been able to make steady progress and settle into the community.

Be an Angel - Donate some food today to the Whistler Food Bank.
Thank you and Bless you all!

Pique Publishes Smut and Loses My Readership

I am not amused. At all. In fact, I am frustrated to the point where I had to write a letter to the Editor of the Pique Newsmagazine in Whistler.

"Dear Bob,

With regard to Carlucci's smut article -what were you thinking?

I have been reading the Pique since 1997 with great enthusiasm. The articles and news have cheered me up, educated me and kept me involved in our local community.Last Thursday, February 5, 2009, was the first time in these 12 years that I slammed the Pique down and swore to only use it as fire kindle in the future.

The Pique, as everybody knows, is a FREE local newsmagazine. It is available at the Library, in Hotel lobbies, next to all watering holes and coffee shops. It is very easily accessible to our children. I was disgusted to see Carlucci's article, and accompanying photos as the feature story. Carlucci's column, at a push, may have been appropriate in Penthouse, Playboy, Maxim or Sports Illustrated, NOT in a freely and easily accessible local news mag.

My daughter and her friends browse through the Pique, SNAP and the Whistler Question quite often to see if their friends, teachers or anyone of interest features. I balked at the idea of our children coming across this smut. Thankfully I was the first and last person to read it in our family. My husband agrees with me and encouraged me to write this letter.

I have noticed, over the past few months, that your publication has become more liberal when using colourful colloquial idiom to describe men and women, but your publication of Carlucci's article is unacceptable.Unless you make some commitment to keeping the Pique clean, my friends, colleagues and peers are going to refuse to read it or make it accessible to our families.

I hope you publish this because I know how many other parents agree with me. I will be copying this letter on my blog and I look forward to some form of response from you.

Sincerely,

Lisa Haeck

Whistler Mom and Long-time Resident"

My beef wasn't with the article itself, although it left much to be desired, but with the fact that the Editor thought it was remotely appropriate for the thousands of families in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton. What Editor in his right mind thinks it is appropriate to have photographs of dildos and leather whips in a news magazine that lies around most family homes in the Sea to Sky corridor?

Best the Pique cleans up its act or it will be used on a massive scale to light our fires in winter and swat flies in summer.

Teddy Bear Daycare to Stay for Another Year!

Well, whaddaya know! Amazing what happens when the community of Whistler, in British Columbia, Canada, stands together, isn't it.

The good news is an announcement was made this week to state that the Teddy Bear Daycare Centre will remain open until 2009.

Well done Whistlerites, Whistler Blackcomb CEO Dave Brownlie and Whistler Municipalities' Bill Barret! This is what is known as Affirmative Action.

I see that Councillor Tim Wake is quoted in the Whistler Question for the second week running with a quote stating that "The municipaility is really trying to pay a supportive role here..."

Well Councillor, why all the Hoopla in the first place? Many parents had to consider an alternative with the threat of Teddy Bear Daycare's closure, and now, at the last moment, suddenly everybody has to do a double-take as the MY Space Society and the Municipality concede to allow the Centre to operate through a third party.

Was all of this nonsense necessary in the first place? I doubt it. After all, as Councillor Ralph Forsyth so eloquently put it - neither the Society nor the Municipality had a plan for the space that was supposed to be vacated on June 30th other than to suggest a "cultural experience". Like that reigns supreme over our children's education and welfare!

Sue Adams of Whistler, Chair of MY Place Board on "Cultural Experience"

Fascinating.
Whistler's Sue Adams is:

• Chair of MY Millenium Place Board, [yes, the one that decided to close Teddy Bear Daycare Centre's doors],
• Partner in the Pemberton Valley Supermarket,
• Managing Partner of Bevendale Enterprises Inc. [Grocery Store and Delish Cafe in Whistler]
• Chair of North Shore Credit Union,
• Chair of the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival,
• Vice- chair of the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Board
• Chair of the Advisory Council for the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
• and now appointed to the provincial government's Small Business Roundtable
  

I'm stunned! Is it possible for one person to actually manage all of the above in a competent capacity simultaneously? If so, she should apply to Google - they love multi-taskers!
Seriously though Dollz, I was a little shocked to find out that this is the same person responsible, along with the other members of the MY Millenium Place Board, who decided to annilihate the Teddy Bear Daycare centre in favour of "cultural experience". What is more disconcerting, as Councillor Ralph Forsyth stated, is that the children and daycare are being evicted despite the fact that Adams and her Board do not have a PLAN for this so-called "cultural experience". Futhermore, and this is cherry on the top, Adams says that she doesn't KNOW when a decision might be made on how the space will be used.
Yet this is the most recent appointee to BC's Small Business Roundtable - doesn't that imply some form of competence? What is competent about evicting the daycare without a plan as to what or who will replace it?

Adams admits in her interview with the Whistler Question that the Millenium Place Society doesn't have money to put into reconfiguring the daycare space for arts and culture and she "recognizes" that the Whistler Municipality isn't able to pay for any changes. Then we are informed that the "sale of the building to the municipality leaves the Board up in the air". What does that mean? Has there been some kind of back-handed deal so that it's actually the Municipality that wants the Daycare evicted? I'm lost, somebody please explain so that I can understand.

In the meantime, here's a NEWSFLASH for Sue Adams, Mayor Melamed and councillors: Dave Brownlie, CEO of Whistler Blackcomb has offered to put up the funds to continue running the daycare. Here's hoping that Mr.Brownlie can talk some sense into these people - for the sake of the kids and their families and methinks that a letter to Minister Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister responsible for Regulatory Reform is in order.

Whistler Community Outraged by Lower Mainland Gang Invasions in May

"Village Idiots" - that's what Bob Davis, a former resident of Whistler, wrote about the gangs of young punks who descended upon Whistler over the May 17th long weekend.
Most of us know by now that there were 3 stabbings over a period of 2 days in our usually tranquil and safe mountain resort.
I blogged my disappointment at the unrest and the violence and I expressed my support for Dave Gibbon's idea to have a road-block set up just outside Squamish where the RCMP could screen the cars and turn away gangs who are coming up to cause trouble.

Seems there are others who agree - take Chilli Thom's expletive letter to the Pique this week , entitled "UFC WHISTLER....WTF?", where he ends off : "I hate to say it but I feel we need to put a gate just outside Function and start doing some "profiling" on long weekends, turning people around and standing up for our citizens."
Yes, but Function is a little too close for comfort , in my opinion - I can quite easily imagine these gangs camping near the Cheakamus and sneaking into the village at night just to upset our people and wreak havoc.

As Mr. Davis writes in his letter to the Pique News Magazine: "The reports [of the unrest] failed to indicate the fact that the perpetrators were gangs of young East Indian men from the Vancouver or Surrey area. Obviously omitted so that racial tensions aren't escalated. But let's discuss facts, this is who they are and they are bringing a behaviour to Whistler that is common in the Surrey and Lower Mainland area. The difference so far is that they haven't pulled their guns out and shot a resident yet. Is that what it's going to take to get some real action out of the "leaders" in our community?"
I don't know Bob, I hope not. Does anybody know a councillor with enough "cajones" to stand up and look at preventing a repeat performance next year? I can't think of one. I know that the RCMP, Dave Gibbons and other nightclubs are doing everything possible to keep the peace, but our councillors need to stand up together [asking for a miracle] and vote that gangs and groups of young people from this area should not be allowed to enter Whistler. Plain and simple.

Again, I pose the question, are we going to allow these gangs into Whistler during the Winter Games in 2010? If so, the May long weekends will seem like a picnic compared to the violence that will erupt in our community for those 2 weeks - it's just par for the course. Gangs = trouble.

It doesn't matter if our local RCMP are bolstered by 30 or 50 police officers from Vancouver, incidents will occur regardless, as they do in Vancouver and Surrey. It is the "element" that these gangs bring with them that makes them dangerous and unpredictable.

Methinks we need to hold a referendum whereby these "idiots" as Bob so eloquently describes them, are kept the hell out of Dodge - in this case, our peaceful town.

So Dollz, the next council meeting is on Monday, June 2 at 6.30pm at Millenium Place in Whistler Village. See y'all there!

Walking in Whistler, Walking Close to Heaven

Hubby and I walk the Whistler Valley trail every morning at Sparrowfart (South African for very early). At first, when we began this awesome endeavour, it was difficult to get out of bed when it was snowing outside, but eventually, as it warmed up and the buds started sprouting and the leaves appeared on the trees, we came to jump out of bed, into our tracksuits and outside in enthusiastic leaps and bounds!

This morning in particular, I was a little melancholy,probably because it was raining, and as we walked, I reached out along the path and touched the new branches on the Cedar trees. They have such a beautiful, haunting aroma, and they were wet with the soft rain that came down as we walked. Sometimes Hubby and I chat non-stop for the entire hour, othertimes we just take in the glorious majesty of nature and carry on, holding hands as we walk.

As I was walking I was asking God for a sign that all would be well, and what do you know, I was distracted from my fixed gaze on the trail to a loud trumpeting noise up above us. A long line of about 80 Canada Geese were honking their way north. We stopped and watched and then suddenly, we heard a louder call, almost like a trombone. Hubby said, "Look, he's calling his family", and he pointed to a lone goose on the water. God, that was so cute. We watched as two geese broke away from the v-shaped flock so high above and literally spiralled down to the lake where they splash-landed near their companion. They all honked and splashed together for a while, and then they sat quite still on the quiet lake.

It was such an amazing site that I promptly burst into tears, Hubby laughed and picked me up, swung me around and then I started laughing as well. What a clear, wonderful message that all is indeed well.

I was so grateful for this morning's blessing.

MYMPS "kicking out kids to pay for artists" in Whistler

...those were the words uttered by Councillor Ralph Forsyth at Tuesday's council meeting in Whistler, regarding the decision by the Maurice Young Millenium Place Society to close the Teddy Bear Daycare at the end of June.

Councillor Forsyth pointed out that Millenium Place was built with funds donated by the Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation.

Dave Brownlie, CEO for Whistler-Blackcomb reminded us that the original $400,000 investment made by the Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation was intended specifically for a daycare facility.

"...the key donations have been for daycare because of the needs of the community."

What an absolute shame that among the other councillors: Eckhard Zeidler, Bob Lorriman and Nancy Wilhelm-Morden, none had the wisdom to stand with Ralph Forsyth in his suggestion to accept assistance and funding from Whistler-Blackcomb to continue operating the Teddy Bear Daycare.

Essentially, the Maurice Young Millenium Place Society has chosen to boot out the little tots between 3 and 5 years of age who were so very happy in the village daycare, just so that the daycare space can become a "functional hub and physical home of Whistler's emerging cultural precinct".

Boy, have they got their priorities upside down!

Who can blame Whistler Blackcomb for expressing "real disappointment" at this ridiculous decision.

Victoria Day Weekend a Sign of Things to Come??

Friends and family and their young childen visited us over this past long weekend and were grateful for the respite from the city traffic and chaos as they settled into Whistler's fresh mountain air, brilliant sunshine and promise of a peaceful time away from Vancouver.


That is until we visited Rainbow Park, Lakeside Park and other parks in Whistler, trying to find somewhere peaceful and safe for the kids - yes, I know that sounds ridiculous. If you live in Whistler you know what I mean. But throughout the Village and in the surrounding parks and on the trails, we literally bumped into or had to push through gangs of little and big punks! They were loud, obnoxious, rude and unruly, and mostly under the age of 25.


It it weren't for the local RCMP who were everywhere on patrol, God knows what would have been left of our precious mountain resort!
In fact, the hooligans broke into our local RCMP station, and fights abounded throughout the village until all hours of the morning, despite excellent cooperation between the RCMP and local bars.


The problem appears to be a result of certain Hotels and Resorts in Whistler who don't seem to care that our community safety goes down the toilet each time they allow gangs and groups of young punks in for a few dollars more.
Mark Munn, who is with the Hilton Resort and Spa in Whistler was someone with whom Bob Lorrimon, a local councillor in Whistler, chose to discuss the matter. Lorriman writes that the issue needs to be balanced, and I quote:"The young Lower Mainland guests can make up a significant portion of bookings for the weekend and the hotels need the revenue." (as published in Whistler's piquenewsmagazine.com


In my opinion, that is nonsense! Isn't the safety and well-being of our community far more important than bringing in accommodation revenue for a weekend.
So the hotels make more money, but the RCMP station gets broken into, people get stabbed, the punks are evicted from hotel rooms because they disturb other guests and so on. How does one "balance" this kind of situation?



As far as we are concerned "the young Lower Mainland" guests/gangs can stay just where they are.
If Whistlerites had wanted to live among gangs and continuous crime, they would be living in Surrey. There is a reason we chose to live here: we considered it safe for young families, and a peaceful haven from the big city rush.
And what about the Winter Games? Are we going to let gangs from the nether regions of BC invade and destroy our town during those two weeks?

It's going to take a lot more than "balance" to keep the trash out of Whistler.
I like Joey Gibbon's, of the Gibbons Hospitality Group's suggestion:


"...we put a roadblock up in Squamish and not let anyone up under 19..."

Baby Bear Cub Shot in Whistler.

Shame, shame, shame on the ignorant fool who felt compelled to blast a baby black bear to its death with his shotgun just outside Whistler Secondary School on Thursday last week.
Well done, Ace! Did you feel almighty, strong and powerful after shooting a bear cub not larger than a poodle? What the hell were you doing with a SHOTGUN AND AMMO in your car in Whistler anyway?
We are proud of our peaceful community and we do not enjoy the thought of the likes of you travelling up to our mountain resort armed with lethal weapons. I trust that our local Mounties made that very clear.
Good on the Whistler RCMP for nailing the perpetrator just 15 minutes after the incident was called in.
Perhaps part of this perp's sentence could be an education in common sense.

Anyway, a Gold Star for Otto at Whistler Secondary for his comment on the article in The Province.
Otto, dearest, gotta love ya for your willingness to consider that this perp might have mistaken the bear for a bigger bear. Even if it was a large bear, which we Whistlerites see almost everyday during the summer season, this dude had no right to stop and kill it. This isn't some Arnie Schwarznegger movie. According to local sources, the dude was travelling in his car, stopped on the highway, got out of his vehicle and blasted away as if he was being charged by a bull elephant. RCMP officers reported on Global TV that the cub wasn't bigger than a purse doggie.

Bear cub shot dead near Whistler high school
Staff Reporter, The Province
Published: Friday, May 09, 2008
Police in Whistler are trying to determine why someone shot a young bear cub near a high school.
A 24-year-old West Vancouver man is under arrest on suspicion of cutting the infant bruin's life short around 8:30 a.m. Thursday on a trail near Whistler Senior Secondary School, just as students were arriving for class.
Whistler RCMP said a citizen who saw the cub just before it was shot thought she heard two gunshots, then saw a man getting into a vehicle with what she believed was a shot gun.
She wrote down the license number and phoned police, who pulled the suspect over and arrested him about 15 minutes later.
Inside his car they found ammunition but no gun, that latter of which they are still searching for.
The motive of the bear's killer is not known and police continue to investigate with Conservation Services. No charges have yet been laid.
© The Vancouver Province 2008

???Fri, May 9, 08 at 02:04 PMha! I am a student of WSS and it was pretty horrible for all us to be crowding around it all dead and like.... I just waisted my morning looking for the shotgun in the school forrest until I read this, thought he was some whack job on foot not in a car... I couldn't understand why he would do this, I called the animal shelter almost a week ago because the same baby bear was pretty much abandoned actually, my friends and I were feeding it apples cause we felt sorry for it. The stupid shelter did nothing and just told us not to feed it cause the mom is still "sleeping" apparantly. Anyway we all just tryed to assume that the man who shot it was scared it was a real big bear in the bushes rather than a cub, it would feel more comforting to assume that rather than a crazy phyco killer at our school! lol anyway e-mail otto333@hotmail.com if you have any questions

Whistler Public Library an Expensive Disappointment

Thank you to Bob Burnett, Editor of the Pique News Magazine for publishing my letter concerning our disappointment with the new Whistler Public Library (link below)

"Letters to the editor
Judging by the covers… My family and I waited in anticipation for the opening of the new library in Whistler. For more than four years, we have been members of the Whistler and Pemberton libraries. All of the press releases and the information that it took approximately $11 million to build the new library led us to believe that it would offer enough books to cater to the needs of our children, teenagers, students, our senior citizens and all ages.

We were in the library the other day with my family and friends from Vancouver who used to live here. All the kids were asking, "Where are all the books, mommy?" In fact, we offered to donate some books as the shelves were so bare. Several rows of shelves are empty! One would think that with a budget exceeding $10 million, books would have been a priority on the agenda!

When we finally decided to check out, we were told that the computer system was "down". The librarians had to write down all the serial numbers of the books by hand. Surely, with a budget in excess of $10 million, we could expect an operational system.

Given that Whistler is an international destination for working students from Europe, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, China and Japan, there should be books for them in foreign languages. My husband and I are speechless, but that is nothing in comparison to how our children and teenagers feel when looking for books that are suitable."

PIQUE NEWSMAGAZINE LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Thank God for The Pique News Mag in Whistler

What would life be without The Pique? I for one would be bored to tears.
Despite how much technology I use on a daily basis to satisfy my craving for learning and information, I still wait with eager anticipation for each and every Thursday so that I can sit down with my coffee or a glass of good wine and devour every page.

I know The Pique is available online, but it isn't as fun and it doesn't satisfy the ritual that I and so many other Whistlerites have adopted.

Thank you again and again to Bob Burnett and his amazing team for this outstanding publication in Whistler.

Whistler Community Supports RCMP Local Const.Devon Jones

A valued member of our community and our local RCMP, Constable Devon Jones, needs our support. Recently, in an incident in Kamloops, Constable Jones came to the physical aid of his colleague, RCMP officer, Constable Peter Sellars who was being physically attacked by another off-duty officer.
A provincial court Justice, Judge Allan Betton has found Constable Jones guilty of assault causing bodily harm.
But I ask you, seriously Dollz, if someone had your mate, colleague, friend in a choke-hold, would you just stand by and watch or would you come to their defense.

That's what Constable Jones did, he came to his colleague's defense. Unfortunately, someone decided to press charges against our local boy.

We have created a Petition and we will circulate it all over the country, if necessary, to show that we believe that Constable Jones acted in an appropriate manner in the circumstances - that is: he came to the physical defence of his colleague during an altercation while all concerned were off-duty.

Please sign the Petition, which we will then forward to Staff Sargeant Norm McPhail to show our ongoing support for Constable Devon Jones.

If you are able to donate even $5.00, please do so at the local Barber Shoppes in Whistler.

Whistler Supports Constable Devon Jones Petition

RCMP officer found guilty of assault Devon Jones convicted of causing bodily harm during Mountie dance
By Claire Piech - Pique News Magazine - Whistler, B.C., Canada

Whistler RCMP officer Devon Jones has been found guilty of assault causing bodily harm after an altercation with a fellow officer during the 2006 Mountie Stomp Dance.
The decision was released on Wednesday Feb. 13 by provincial court judge Allan Betton, almost three weeks following the trial in Kamloops where the incident occurred.
“(Jones) is to appear in court on Feb. 29 in Kamloops to receive sentencing,” said Inspector Norm McPhail, head of the Sea to Sky Regional Police Services.
“He remains on regular duty until we get a disposition on the case.”
The trial took place from Jan. 21-24 and investigated whether Jones’s actions during the dance were justified.
Jones allegedly punched another off-duty officer, Constable Brooke Argue, in the face during the charity fundraiser, knocking Aruge unconscious.
Jones maintained that Argue had a “tiger claw” throat grip on Constable Paul Sellars, which prompted his intervention.
All three officers were off-duty at the time of the incident.
Testimony at the trial described the scene then degenerating into an alcohol-fuelled brawl, with all participants being RCMP officers.
The RCMP will also undergo an internal code of conduct investigation against Jones. Such an investigation can lead to formal sanctions placed on the officer in question.
Said McPhail: “We are just awaiting the disposition of the case by the presiding judge, and then we’ll make decisions as to Devon’s duty status, transfer, that type of thing, after that point in time.”
Jones is a five-year veteran of the force and was the Whistler/Pemberton RCMP detachment’s community policing officer from 2004 to 2007, as well as the detachments media liaison.
During his time in Whistler, Jones has developed a reputation for community involvement, including cycling with the Cops for Cancer tour and riding a stationary bike for 24 hours to raise money for Camp Good Times.
“In terms of his character on duty and dealing with Devon as a police officer, he is an excellent, very professional person, very much a supporter of the youth in town,” said McPhail.

Whistler's Unique Culture

Shucks, I just had to blog this one, Dollz!

For those of you who don't already know, I work at this incredibly colourful "boutique" in Whistler's Function Junction where we "recycle" anything and everything. It's called the Re-Use-It-Centre. We were recently featured on Global's "Destination Whistler" for the countdown to the Winter Games in 2010.

Anyway, we're hip, we're cool and we see EVERYTHING!

Two days ago, two Dudes are standing outside our receiving area, hoping to unload their mattress. I've seen better beds in Africa, so we politely informed them that they would have to take their hokey mattress to the local dumpyard.

A few minutes later, I am called by a fellow employee to witness this abomination: these two laddies trying to squeeze their beloved mattress into the dumpster!

So, with hands on hips, like any old Mama, I shouted in my most ladylike voice:

"Hey Dudes, please don't do that, you''ll get an awful fine and we'll get into big trouble."

And one of the lads, the one with the Afro yells in a scene straight out of a movie,

"So where're we supposed to take it, BITCH!"

I just stood there with my mouth open - he hadn't said it in a derogatory way - more like Eddy Murphy or Will Smith in an action movie - and then I cracked up. I have never been spoken to in that fashion.

Everybody else who was witness to this cracked up as well and one commented,
"Some people's children, eh!"

The funniest thing is that the guy who shouted this profanity, also cracked up laughing at my reaction.

A couple of saucy responses raced through my mind, like:

"Why don't ya take it to yo Mama's house, Dog!" or better still,

"Yo, you can jus' shove that mattress where the sun don' shine Sugar!", but my strict upbringing got the better of me and I just reminded them that the Waste Transfer station was only 7 minutes down on Highway 99.

So we all giggled for the rest of the day and when I told my hubbie that evening he said he just might have tossed the lads into the garbage dumpster, but he couldn't help giggling himself when I reenacted the scene.

What would we do without our sense of humour here in Whistler?

The Year of the Rat

While I was getting ready for work this morning, I listened to Canada AM, and besides the wierdest show about onions, the Doll was advocating biting a match between your teeth while you peel an onion!! Seriously, I'd rather cry.

Anyway, this oddball/sweet guy back East somewhere saves rats - big giant rats. He has about 87 of them all over his house in various cages and they are kinda cute. Right...and it dawned on me yet again - "each to his own". As crazy as it sounds, that Dude is doing his bit to make life a little better for animals.

It took me a long time to really come to appreciate what a precious gift dogs are to us humans. I truly believe that they are Angels in furry disguise, and so now every year for me is the Year of the Dog.

In ancient times, the Chinese considered the rat to be a bringer of fortune and a protector.

So, bring it on, let's celebrate along with our Chinese neighbours - the Year of the Rat it is!

GMC Calls Super Atheletes to Whistler, Canada

Britt Janyk, Emily Brydon and
Kelly Vander Beek will be in Sestriere,
Italy, this weekend, challenging the Super-G.

This means that they won't be able to make it to Whistler for the Canadian Championships.

So, what happens? GMC, the official corporate sponsor, puts in a call to Ken Read, CEO for Alpine Canada, and says something like, "Hey Dude, get some heavyweights over to Whistler for the weekend."

So, Ken Read contacts Manuel Osborne-Paradis, Erik Guay, John Kucera and other Canadian super male skiers who will actually be in Whistler, B.C. this weekend for the Canadian Championships.

Apparently, Osborne-Paradis said he was cool about the change in plans, but he didn't dig the late date.
Erik Guay had planned on going home to Quebec or staying in Europe to ski his ass off. He was cool about being in Whistler.

Last year Guay, at 25 years of age positioned himself as the leader of the World Cup circuit.

"It's been a frustrating year," said Guay. "My little back injury definitely set me back. Before that, summer training had gone real well. There's been ups and downs, but no podiums.
"Once I'm able to ski the way I want to -- and it's coming -- the podiums will come, too."
John Kucera, from Calgary, is a giant slalom and a downhill racer: super_G and super-combined. "I've been so close and it's started to (anger me) a little bit, but I still have to stay relaxed and focused. You get to that point where you want it so bad, you do all the wrong things."

Meanwhile, here in Whistler, we're just getting warmed up for the Winter Games in 2010.

Quotes thanks to © The Edmonton Journal 2008

Whistler "World Class" Destination

Listen Dollz, we know it, all of us locals - whatz all this "world class" BS?

Whistler is and always has been "world class" - just because VANOC received a budget of $6billion, suddenly, Whistler must be turned into some fake "Disneyland" of Canada - we don't think so.

Since the highway between Vancouver and Whistler was navigable, Whistler was an elite destination for the international jet-set who became tired of skiing in Lausanne or the Dolomites. For the locals, Whistler was a hidden paradise in the mountains - and escape from the frenetic city, a jewel to be cherished.

Those of us who live, work and play here are not interested in becoming a fake destination so that we can fit into the superficial perceptions of some city folk with budgets that are larger than their egos....we support sustainable growth, green growth and economic growth that compliments and provides for the families who sustain Whistler...these include families and individuals in Squamish and Pemberton.

We love this place, we all moved here for a reason and it had something to do with the majesty, beauty and clean air...we aren't going to welcome anyone who'll mess that up for us.

So, let's keep it real, folks. This can all work out for all of us, if we reject superficial cliches and foreign interference. Hopefully, the new CEO of Intrawest and the Dudes from VANOC will appreciate our sentiments.

Whistler Skier Wins World Cup Ski Cross at Deer Valley, Utah

This Dude can MOVE!!

It was a great day for Whistler on Sunday, as Davey Barr, a skier from Whistler, dashed into the lead and then went on to win the first World Cup Ski Cross that has been hosted in North America.
Go Davey!!

Barr has been skiing since he could walk and started out on Rainbow Mountain in Whistler when he was still a young tot.

"I was just happy to be in the final, that was my goal coming in. So when I came across the finish line first - I don't know if I can even put it in words."

Wild Freestyle, which has been a constant at ESPN X GAMES for years now, is comparable to motocross for skiers, with bumps, rollers, jumps and banked turns a part of the course. Some serious wipe-outs occur when poles and skis get caught up.

Be sure to have your feet up and your beers cold for the Moguls Event at Cypress Mountain next Saturday and the aerials event on Sunday!

Whistler's Barr wins first World Cup ski cross held in North America

Whistler will miss Kathy Barnett

It was a shock to read this morning about the passing of cherished community member, Kathy Barnett, wife of Bob Barnett and co-founder of our favourite newspaper, THE PIQUE Newsmagazine.

Since first visiting Whistler as a tourist from Europe, and now settled here in this gorgeous town with my family, I have loved THE PIQUE for its universal appeal, its diversity of content and its cover presentation every Thursday.
In fact, I recently became addicted to reading it online as well, but I still wait with anticipation for each Thursday when the new edition appears FREE in local groceries stores and all over Whistler Village.
I know for a fact that THE PIQUE is a hit with tourists as it presents information that is essential to being "in the know" about Whistler, and providing insight into the various forms of entertainment that abounds in Whistler.

So we are joined by those in Whistler who knew and loved Kathy in wishing comfort and peace to her family and friends all over. She truly left behind a wonderful legacy and we are assured that her husband, Bob, will receive all the support and affection he needs in the coming days and years ahead.


OBITUARY: CO-FOUNDER OF PIQUE DEAD AT 49

Death of newspaper publisher rattles Whistler community
CATHRYN ATKINSON

Special to The Globe and Mail

February 4, 2008

The death of the co-founder and publisher of Whistler's largest weekly newspaper in an accident while on holiday in New Zealand has sent shockwaves around the resort.

Kathy Barnett, who along with her husband, Bob Barnett, began Pique newsmagazine 13 years ago, was cycling with an organized bike tour when she was struck from behind by a car on Jan. 30. Her husband, Pique's editor and co-owner, was not injured in the accident, which occurred on the State Highway 1 near Lake Taupo, on New Zealand's North Island.

The couple had taken most of January off to travel in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, and had been due back at the end of this week, said Darren Roberts, the Pique's executive director. Mr. Barnett returned to Canada over the weekend, but was not speaking about his loss.

Mr. Roberts said he had broken the news of Ms. Barnett's death to the Pique staff while they were in the middle of putting the weekly together late on Tuesday.

"The paper came out on time. Everyone worked together and we got it done," he said.

Ms. Barnett, 49, started the magazine with her husband in 1994 after several years at the Question, the other weekly in Whistler.

Mr. Roberts said that in the high-pressured world of local press publishing, where new newspapers rarely survive longer than a year, Pique stood out because it had grown consistently and now stood at 100 pages an issue, with a circulation of about 15,600. This, he said, was due to the combination of Ms. Barnett's business abilities and Mr. Barnett's editorial vision.

"I know the first four years were very challenging for them. They pushed and pushed," said Mr. Roberts, who joined the Pique 2½ years ago.

"I would sit with Kathy and talk about the big picture and she was always willing to make things better and push forward. She was unafraid to take a risk."

GD Maxwell, a Pique columnist, knew the Barnetts for 13 years. He said the news of Ms. Barnett's death was like "getting hit really hard with a hammer and walking around in a daze."

He described the Pique as "an incubator in this town for talented people."

"They wanted the Pique to be a literate and literary news magazine, and I think maybe it was Kathy who came up with that concept. They wanted it to be of the community, but not a community newspaper because she didn't like that model."

Ms. Barnett was heavily involved in the wider business community and belonged to Whistler's Chamber of Commerce for eight years, acting as its chairperson in 2004.

Louise Lundy, the chamber's current president, said Ms. Barnett would have been familiar to most Whistlerites.

"It's a horrible shock. I don't think there are too many people here who didn't know Kathy, and who weren't affected by knowing her personally or affected by the work they do at the Pique," she said.

"She was provocative but fair, and always willing to print the good and the bad," she said. "The first thing many Whistlerites do on Thursdays is grab their Piques, grab their coffees and go to the letters pages to see what is going on in the town."

Mario Enero, who owns two Whistler restaurants, La Rua Restaurante and Caramba, first met Ms. Barnett when she was a university student in Vancouver 24 years ago, and had remained her close friend ever since.

"I cannot walk down the street because everybody stops me to talk about it. [Losing her] is so new, it's hard. People are phoning me from Victoria, from everywhere," he said.

READ THE ARTICLE IN THE GLOBE AND MAIL:
And here are some comments to THE PROVINCE Newspaper:

COMMENTS ON THIS STORY

Sonya McCarthy
Thu, Jan 31, 08 at 12:37 PM
If you are a Whistlerite ( a local community member of Whistler) and you hear the name Kathy Barnett you would think, That she is a community professional and a hard working womenwith a large heart. Kathy is and always will be a great rock in the history of our town. Sorry for the loss to her family and the community she loved .

Maggs
Thu, Jan 31, 08 at 01:26 PM
She will be missed. My thoughts are with her family.

Eric JohanssonThu,
Jan 31, 08 at 06:58 PM
I am a cycle tourist from Vancouver currently on Holiday riding in New Zealand and am terribly sorry to hear about this accident. Many other cyclists have been hit down here and I am thinking of cutting my trip short because of the apaullingly impatient and discourteous drivers down here. I have nearly been hit several times including along the section of road where Kathy was hit. Young drivers and commercial vehicle drivers are particularly bad. A huge number of drivers still drink while driving as cans and bottles fill the road margins and are seen flying from vehilcle windows daily. There is also a tendency for drivers to drive along the sholder and tail gate which seems to be the cause of this latest accident. Taupo was also the scene of a brutal murder of a young scottish girl (tourist) 2 weeks ago. Not the safe south pacific paridise that one imagines.

Linda Price (West)Fri, Feb 1, 08 at 01:33 PM
I am so sad for her husband and family. She was a beautiful lady with such spirit and always the wonderful smile. I am thinking of all the Whistler friends who will be suffering at the loss of Kathy.

Peter McKellarSun,
Feb 3, 08 at 04:27 PM
I am a resident of Rotorua, New Zealand, not far from Taupo and wish to respond to Eric Johansson. Firstly my sympathy to the people of Whistler for the loss of one of your outstanding citizens. My response to Eric is that I broadly agree. New Zealand is a great place but the roads are generally not as good as those in Canada and for some odd reason our drivers do not seem to have the courtesy and patience that I noticed when I was in Canada. I am a cyclist myself but cycling on the open roads here is something that I would hesitate to do, especially on the section of Highway One south of Taupo which is narrow, windy and very busy. I guess the message from me to any visitors from overseas is please do come and visit our country, it is a lovely place and you will be made most welcome. But don't let your guard down, we aren't a perfect paradise and we have problems down here too. The various misfortunes that befallen some of our visitors recently are causing New Zealanders the utmost distress and concern as well. We feel our counry is a safe place and want everyone to feel the same.

READ THE ARTICLE IN THE PROVINCE

Whistler's Bus Service Sucks...or does it?

"Wanna catch the bus into the Village with me?"
"No thanks, it's too cold on the bus."
A local woman from Whistler, teacher Iwona Smazynski, made a complaint that the buses in Whistler are "like an igloo".
She was being polite.

Apparently a spokesperson for B.C. Transit said that the heaters are being fixed.
Fantastic, but how many of us will freeze in the meantime?

Sources say that Ms. Smazynski also complained about skiers bringing their ski and snowboard equipment into the buses when the racks were not able to hold them.

B.C. Transit said that this problem would also be solved. Kewl. Really? When?

Oh, and did you know Dollz, that we will be getting 20 Hydrogen buses next year??
Question: Why do we have to wait?

Buses are the main form of transport in Whistler for the working class, surely the service should be a priority for the local community.