In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1984. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: The 1984 municipal election saw many new faces elected to council, with no position being filled by an incumbent. Terry Rodgers (the only candidate who had previously served on council) was elected mayor over Whistler’s previous mayor Mark Angus and candidate Jack Bright. On council, the four new “aldermen” were Paul Burrows, Diane Eby, Doug Fox and Nancy Wilhelm-Morden, none of whom had previously been on council.
Question: What do you think of Whistler’s new council?
Rollie Horsey – Retired (former alderman) – Alta Vista
I am not unhappy with it. I didn’t expect two females, but I have no objection to it. I felt the new mayor who was elected was pretty well foregone.
Al Bosse – Contractor – Alpine Meadows
I was impressed by a couple of the people running but I don’t know enough about the rest of them. I think it’s fortunate that we have one person to carry over from the present council to the next one, but I was not surprised more didn’t carry over. I’m willing to give the new ones a chance.
Laurin Kyle – Leisure Connections – Brio
I was really pleased but not surprised. From what I understand all the people elected are competent. The choice the voters made seems to be good – it was very important to me.
In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1983. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: In the spring of 1983, Whistler Mountain Ski Corporation began studying the economic viability of a waterslide at the base of their northside lifts. The waterslides did go ahead and open, though not until August 1985. Find out more about the waterslides here.
Question: Do you think a water slide would be an asset to Whistler?
Cherie Chaffey – Cocktail Waitress/Student – Alta Vista
That sounds like the first step toward finding something fun for kids to do here – an especially bad problem in the winter. It sounds like a great idea for adults too – I think they’re really popular in the States. We need things like that to make Whistler a year-round resort.
Stephanie Simpson – Grade Four Student – High Forest
Yes, I think it would be great. Everyone would use that and then maybe then more people would come to Whistler. They could advertise it on TV. I think our teachers would let us go on it for a treat. I’ve never been on one but I’m not afraid of them.
Al Bosse – Contractor – Whistler Cay
I think it would be a real help to occupy kids – especially the teens and pre-teens. Adults would definitely use something like that too! Myself, I think I’ll wait ’til about 500 people have tried it before I’ll go on.
As we get further into each year we’re looking forward to seeing when the first snow fell. This week photos of snow in the valley turned up in 1982, 15 days later than 2018’s first snow on October 2.
1979
Tuesday night craft class – one of the many Adult Education courses currently being offered at the Myrtle Philip School. Left to right: Inge Neilsen, Jenny Busdon, Ruth Howells, Marilyn Willoughby and Kelly Fairhurst.
The logging truck that burned near Green Lake on Thursday.
Whistler Creek Lodge showing where the worker fell off the roof on Friday.
Cartoonist Tom Thomson stands in front of his cabin in White Gold Estates with the sign put up by the Whistler realtors in answer to his cartoon of September 26.
Edith Iles (right) makes her speech before giving Gay Guthrie the “Endurance Award”.
1980
Fire Chief Lindsay Wilson shows the Myrtle Philip kindergarten class the workings of one of the Whistler fire trucks. The visit was in recognition of National Fire Prevention Week.
The town shapes up! The addition of curbs and paving in front of the town centre approach really sets it off against the new snow on the mountains behind.
Long weekend parking problem! New curbs create a traffic problem outside the Whistler liquor store on Saturday just before closing.
The view of the Whistler United Pharmacy, now open for business in the Blackcomb Professional Building in the centre of Whistler Village.
Whistler’s first paved ski area parking lot! Grandview Blacktop crew paves the day skier parking lot in front of the base area daylodge.
This giant saw blade decorated and donated by Germaine Degenhardt is one of the prizes to be sold off at the Pemberton Lions Club auction on Thursday, October 23.
1982
A Whistler wonderland appeared overnight Sunday, October 17 with the season’s first snow in the valley.
DeMolay youngsters take full advantage of the first snow of the season and run through a very crisp game of flag football Sunday.
The world was someone’s living room – so who needs a TV when you can sit and watch the crowds stroll by in the municipal parking lot.
Newcomers and old-timers enjoyed tea and nibbles at the second annual Welcome to Whistler Tea put on by the Alta Lake Community Club in Blackcomb Lodge Sunday.
Whistler Council shows the signs of a gruelling three-hour public hearing held to discuss bylaws for the equestrian centre October 18.
Rich Miller outside Granny’s Food Emporium, which will open in Whistler November 1.
Pierre Trudeau, insulation contractor, Alpine Meadows.
1983
Connie Kutyn dismantles the stage in Village Square that helped feature entertainers all summer long. She and Al Bosse built it earlier this spring.
Two friends watch from the stands…
… as their classmates get started in the meet.
Winners of the Fire Prevention Week poster contest are, left to right: Madeleine Demries (gr. 3), Nicola Dedeluk (gr. 6), Jocelyn Willoughby (kindergarten) and Rachel Roberts (gr. 5), all students at Myrtle Philip Elementary School.
Building a log cabin is traditional work using a minimum number of modern conveniences. David Stary chisels a section to fit precisely the log beneath.
Whistler residents were delighted Wednesday to hear of $7.8 million worth of completion plans for the long empty convention centre. Plans for the building include a completely refurbished roof, atrium, theatre and tall, bright banners to orient visitors to its location.
1984
Part of the aftermath of last week’s severe flooding in Pemberton.
Farmer Tom Kempter lost close to 150 tonnes of hay when flood waters destroyed it last week. Kempter lost two-thirds of his winter feed for his livestock.
Tracy Comber was one of the many Whistler volunteers who flocked to Pemberton to help with the massive clean-up job. She helped with cleaning equipment at the flood-ravaged Pemberton High School which sustained about $500,000 in damage.
Whistler’s slo-pitch league almost became snow pitch this season, but Stoney’s pulled ahead before the flakes fell and won the championship in the 19-team league. Saturday’s championship game against the Gourmet Rainbow Reefers saw the Stoney’s crew win 14 to 8, and had some observers calling the league the Beer and Whine league by the end. Next year should be another interesting season as the Tapley A’s make their long awaited slo-pitch debut. Left to right: Norm Trottier, Lance Fletcher, Marianne Hardy, Dave Kipp, Paul Liakakos, Tim Malone, Val Jazic, Will Moffat, Sue Christopher, Dave Murphy, Barb Simpson, Wendy Jazic and Ron McCready.
