Wages not the only answer

In a recent article (Pique, June 29) Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden stated: "If employers can't find employees because the salaries are too low for those employees to actually live in Whistler, they'll have to adjust those salaries accordingly."

I'm having a really hard time wrapping my head around that narrow focus. Is our mayor so out of touch? Sure, it is time to take a serious look at wages, but how much do you have to be paid to make spending $900 a month for a bed (not a room) affordable or even reasonable — that is if you can find even that?

If all businesses paid the standard living income, there are still not enough employees to service all the jobs in town and nowhere near the housing for them all.

A small start would be to fill all those "mandatory" Whistler Housing Authority suites (suites built in homes that must be rented to residents of Whistler) that are sitting empty. Give the homeowners a choice — rent out those suites or buy out the covenant and the money goes towards housing.

We need some real, multi-faceted solutions (housing, wages, transit to name three) and I am shocked that Nancy chose to put all her focus on businesses. 

Cathy McGeough
Whistler

Whitewater Rodeo raises $35,000 for Zero Ceiling

Grab the river by the oars! The 20th Annual Wedge Whitewater Rodeo kicked off the summer by raising an incredible $35,000 for Zero Ceiling! A huge, heartfelt thank you to The Adventure Group, Wedge Rafting and our board director, Joey Houssian, for donating 100 per cent of gross proceeds to Zero Ceiling. The money raised will support youth who have experienced homelessness to live and work in Whistler for 12 months and develop the skills to live independent, autonomous lives. Thanks to Paul Button and his team of Wedge rafting guides that gave the crews the ride of their lives.

Thanks also to Gibbons Whistler for providing the après barbecue and afterparty, and Good Fortune Collective for their creative vision.

We are very grateful for the extremely generous support of the Szocs Foundation, Whistler Blackcomb, Rocky Mountain Chocolate, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Intracorp, Onni, and all the local businesses that supported our silent auction. 

Thank you to our amazing volunteers Catherine Power-Chartrand, Amanda Burrows, Jasmine Jade, Hannah Edleston, Camilla Heaton, Jessica Brady and the hardworking Zero Ceiling board members.Congratulations to the 2017 winning crew: Hippies! 

We can't wait to see you on the river for more rodeo action next year!

Chris Wrightson
Co-executive director, Zero Ceiling

Thanking an extraordinary volunteer

Tanya Goertzen, our superb Spring Creek Community School Parent Advisory Council (SCCS PAC) chair, left us at the end of this school year.

Words alone cannot express the gratitude we feel towards Tanya. As our chair for the past six years, Tanya has led our PAC tirelessly through many projects, events, presentations and discussions.

She has always interfaced with students, parents and the community with extraordinary professionalism, commitment, thoughtfulness and integrity.

She has created important and long-lasting PAC legacies at our school including the recent unveiling of our new soft-surface playground — a collaborative effort together with Martin Pardoe and spearheaded by Tanya.

We are a stronger PAC and have a more enriched school experience for our children because of her.

Pop by her store, the Upper Village Market, to thank her for her extraordinary community service for so many years!

Thank you, Tanya!

Katherine Currall
On behalf of the Spring Creek Community School PAC Members

Golf fundraiser success

The 12th Annual Rotary Club of Pemberton and Pemberton & District Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament was a great success again this year with the proceeds supporting Rotary and Chamber projects.

Over $14,000 was raised that will be split between the two organizations.

A special thank you to our sponsors: Scotiabank; Pemberton Valley Building Centre; SLRD Area C; Pemberton Community Fund; Nesters Market; Pemberton Valley Supermarket; Mountainview Storage/Whistler Real Estate; Innergex; Whistler Welding; Freybe; Onside Restoration; Sabre Rentals; Valley Chainsaw and Recreational; Event Rental Works; and Barney's Automotive.

Thanks also to our volunteers Jennifer; Maya Nelson; Sarah Daws; Alia Meyers; Jessie Bull; Erica VanLoon; Phill Read; Pemberton Rotary; Linda DenDuyf; Scotiabank staff; and Pemberton Chamber members.

Prizes and welcome bags were gratefully received from Scotiabank; Big Sky Golf Club; Slopeside Supply; Whistler Blackcomb; Freybe; Stonhard; Mile One Eating House; and the English Bay Cookie Company.

The barbecue was courtesy of Pemberton Valley Supermarket, Mile One Eating House and Freybe.

Thanks to our silent auction donors: Grimm's Gourmet & Deli; Blackcomb Helicopters; Freybe; Pemberton Valley Building Centre; Canterbury Coffee; Rod Nadeau of Vidorra; Lucia Gelato; Meadows at Pemberton; Quality Coffee; Canadian Wilderness Adventures; Superior Propane; and James Linklater.

Donations all came from Peak Ventures and Kevin Smith.

Entertainment was provided by Big Sky Golf Club.

And thanks to our sponsoring golf course and the staff at Big Sky Golf for all their assistance before and during the event.

Shirley Henry
Secretary Treasurer, Pemberton and District Chamber of Commerce.

Pemberton Children's Art Festival a success

The Children's Art Festival at the Pemberton Museum was a great success.

Over 350 children came with their parents in tow. There were lots of outdoor activities and crafts for everyone to enjoy.

The Iswalh Dancers from the Lil'wat Nation opened the event with a welcome dance and blessing. Following this, the interactive art exhibit from the Children's After School Art Program opened to the public.

Fritz Kym lent his hay wagon, decorated by the children, for the parade, and we hear that the Art's Council won best float! Thanks to Penny McLean for being the float decoration coordinator. The Senior's Association and museum provided sweet treats and cool drinks.

Entertainment was provided by the Kawano Sisters, Cayley Alexander and Israel who sang their hearts out for Canada 150.

Lisa Vertefeuillier facilitated an awesome cookie decorating (and eating) session. Artist Valerie Butters led the after-school art classes through the month of June and set up the magical installation of children's art at the museum.Mae Cataculum with Nathaniel Dolan Miller and Sarah Daws made a video that tells the story of Pemberton and the district's history over the last 150 years as seen by Mount Currie.

Trish Belsham helped to coach the children on the reading of the stories. The organizing partners, Pemberton & District Museum & Archives Society and the Pemberton Arts Council would like to thank all the volunteers who made this program possible with a special thanks to the SLRD and the Village of Pemberton for funding the program.

Visit the partner's website for more information and to view the video.

Niki Madigan
Curator, Pemberton & District Museum & Archives
Marnie Simon
President, Pemberton Arts Council