Pay Parking, Increase Taxes and Daycare

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Permalink Reply by Ed on June 24, 2009 at 1:16pm

Ken Melamed:

“Surviving in Whistler has always been a challenge, so it is hard for me to completely buy in to the idea that it is any worse now. In fact Whistler has become more affordable and less overpriced in the last 5 years. Rents have stabilized, more resident restricted housing is available, tourist accommodation prices have fallen, and the value of goods and services in hard to match anywhere. An additional upside is that there now exist more jobs, better job choice, and greater opportunities for local business. The resort has matured into an ever more stable position, and we are actively engaged in the continuous refinement of our product, service and value equation.”

I’m not sure where Ken is getting his information from but Whistler is a far cry from being affordable for locals. Young adults are sharing closets for $600 a month and rooms for $900. I know this because I live in this town and it’s a very small town when you get to know the local bubble. Rents are far from stabilized; just taking a look in the local papers can show that. More resident restricted housing is GOING to become available but it is not at the moment. It costs $450,000+ to live in the new development Rainbow which most people cannot afford. I find it hard to believe that Whistler has matured into an even more stable position when I know of people in the service industry that don’t have work as well as local businesses having to layoff staff as they don’t have the customers. I’m sure what side of Whistler Ken is seeing but it doesn’t seem like we are seeing the same Whistler, are you?

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Permalink Reply by Ed on June 24, 2009 at 1:17pm

Ralph Forsyth response –
“I was opposed to the deal that created paved pay parking in the day lots but I did support pay parking in the village, because it's an easy source of revenue but also, research (from Aspen among others) indicates that the local businesses actually did more business after pay parking was implemented, also you can ask the Village North Merchants I believe they saw a rise in business after the pay parking went in there a few years back...
I am convinced however that after the games things will be a lot different, mostly due to downward pressure on rents in Whistler, by this time next year we'll see about 400 units of employee housing delivered, that should leave a lot of vacancies. It won't solve all our problems but it will solve the biggest one we've had for the last 20 years. As for tax increases etc I have many ideas on how we can increase revenues without taxes and even how we can help locals increase their income levels...”

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Permalink Reply by Ed on June 24, 2009 at 1:17pm

Eckhard Zeidler’s response:

Zeidler’s response to taxes is that it’s something that is happening across the nation and it should be no surprise to use as it’s affecting all communities. However he does want to take action to help with costs and budgeting after the 2010 games, “I have called and have support for an Official Community Plan process starting right after 2010. This process will involve huge public input over a period of time and if the feeling seems to be to cut services then I'll be at the front of the line to do so. Start thinking about what you can do without from the RMOW.” - Zeidler

Regarding the parking situation it seems that he doesn’t feel that anywhere should be free parking but didn’t touch the subject about how pay parking in Whistler is going to affect local businesses or staff that are trying to find places to park while they work or enjoy our town. “Drivers should pay for what they use, transit users should get the best pricing possible. Check out Tranlink rates for transit. Ouch. Free parking exists only on a monopoly board.” – Zeidler

When talking about this subject over lunch yesterday, a good comparison was brought up. Whistler at the end of the day is a “super ski resort” like a “super mall” and if you want customers to come and enjoy your services you make it easy for them to come. So “super stores” have massive free parking lots, shouldn’t our “super resort” do the same?

In response to daycare, “The province and the feds have been downloading stuff onto us - and onto YOU for years, we don't need to roll over and take it. Call your MLA. Call you MP, scream bloody murder about daycare - we do.” - Zeidler

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Permalink Reply by Ed on June 24, 2009 at 1:18pm

Grant Lamont’s response:

“affordable for who is the question I always ask.
anytime you build a community based on growth, greed, consumption and profits at every level you are going to get this scenario. Seen it in Colorado as well.
As a community we have to focus on what is a need and what is a want just like the choices we all make in life.
I have had hundreds of friends leave the valley for the over 25 years I have lived here and it is never easy saying good bye.
What we need is a good shake out as we are overbuilt with accom, retail and should solve some of our problems going forward with some intellect instead of a concrete truck.
The whole world is in a crisis right now. Affordability is on the run all over the Province, look at houses in Chase for $500 k.

Tough times call for tough choices which I have been trying to do on council for the past 7 months.
We were left a big steaming pile by the last one with some big bills to pay and cash reserves that were run dry.” - Lamont

Thanks for the reply Grant, but you didn’t really tell me much other then deal with it and you don’t take any responsibility for what you guys (mayor and council) have been doing as you blame the previous mayor and council. Thoughts comments? I’d like to hear them.

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Permalink Reply by Kyle on July 15, 2009 at 3:09pm

July 14, 2009
Mayor & Council of Whistler Resort Municipality
4325 Blackcomb Way
Whistler, BC
V0N1B4
Attention: Shannon Story, Manager for Legislative Services
Dear Mayor and Council,
SUBJECT: FREE PARKING PETITION
Please find enclosed a petition in support of free parking in Whistler village with 1,401 signatures. People have been signing in support of free Whistler village parking from the beginning of June; less than two months.
This response is due to your recent ill-advised decision to expand pay parking in the Conference Centre underground parking and double the pay parking rates. This is a small taste of the opposition you will face if you continue with your plan to implement pay parking for skier day lots 1, 2 and 3.
www.freewhistlerparking.com began because we’ve have had enough. The comments on this website from Whistler residents, guests and concerned individuals are enlightening. There are many unintended consequences to your policies you may not have fully considered.
Your comments to date in defence of pay parking can be summarized as follows: Cars are bad for the environment so we should have fewer cars. As we are a resort whose economy is based on travelers getting to Whistler while driving on our new $1 billion highway, I find this position lacks common sense.
Another defence is that Whistler Resort needs the revenue from pay parking to help balance our budget. In light of Mayor and Council’s spending practises the past 10 years, in conjunction with the spending currently underway and forecast by Mayor and Council, this defence is troubling. That Mayor and Council are directly responsible for an unbalanced budget is further troubling. As individuals we have to balance our spending or face dire consequences. Why do you feel Mayor and Council should be exempt?
Revenue generated by pay parking needs to be considered against the economic cost of guests not visiting Whistler Village. Is it your goal to have fewer people visit Whistler Village, reduce property values and have less tax revenue? If these are your goals, then bravo and congratulations! Left unchanged, reduced visitors, jobs, tax revenues and property values will continue to be the result of your misguided policies.
It is especially troubling because you are insulting the individuals who drive to Whistler Village to work, get a coffee, go skiing and snowboarding; all while contributing to the vibrancy of Whistler Village. Some of your arrogant policies include: giving yourself unheard of raises, buying unnecessary and costly skiing jackets ($38,000), trying to ram through more pay parking and increased municipal spending; all on the public dime. The result is an anchor on our prosperity and well-being.
I look forward to a spirited discussion at the next council meeting.
Sincerely,
www.freewhistlerparking.com,
one of the many volunteers, Nathan McLeod

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