Roger Moxley – Whistler Museum and Archives Society

Whistler's Answers

Whistler’s Answers: January 24, 1985Whistler’s Answers: January 24, 1985

January 25, 2024 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

Another year, another year of questions and answers!

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 1985. 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 1985, developers proposed to build a convenience store and laundromat on the corner of Alpine Way and Highway 99. While some people were opposed to the idea, many in the community supported the idea. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on the site in July 1986 and by the end of the year residents could stop by McKeever’s General Store and Dirty Harry’s Laundromat. You can learn more about the businesses and Harry McKeever here.

Question: Do you think there should be a convenience store in Alpine Meadows?

Chris Sloan – Logger – Nesters

Definitely. It’s just too inconvenient to come all the way into the village for a quart of milk. Besides, it might give some of the other places more competition.

Laurel Gibbard – Front Desk Clerk – Brio

I think it’s a good idea. I think it would be helpful for those people who live there who wouldn’t have to come into town for every little thing. I would not want to see it open all night, though. 11 in the evening would be fine.

Roger Moxley – Construction Worker – Chaplainville

Yes. It would service Emerald, Alpine and probably even a token number from the West Side Road. But you have to ask: is it for the residents or for the tourists? Obviously a local convenient store would be for the local residents.

Whistler’s Answers: May 5, 1983Whistler’s Answers: May 5, 1983

May 5, 2022 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

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: Because summers were a slow season in Whistler in the 1980s, some businesses closed and others, like Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, operated with a smaller staff than during the busy winters. This left winter employees looking for work in between ski seasons.

Question: How have you found the job market in Whistler this summer?

Craig Reid – Golf Course Employee – Alpine Meadows

I just arrived here a week ago and heard they were hiring people with experience on the golf course. I applied last week and heard this morning that I had the job. Right now I’m checking out a few restaurants as well in case I can grab a little extra work.

Nicole Chetwynd – Ex-Blackcomb Employee – Alpine Meadows

Well, I’m going back to Vancouver because I can’t really find anything here. I have some waitressing experience and asked around at a couple of restaurants and some stores but they all say it’s going to be too slow to hire. Nothing came up so I’m going.

Roger Moxley – Ex-Restaurateur – Chaplainville Estates

I found a really good job this summer as a house-husband so I plan to putter around the house, sit on my dock and enjoy a few cocktails. I’m always checking out the market for part-time work but I think there’ll be lots of jobs around this summer.

Whistler’s Answers: January 20, 1983Whistler’s Answers: January 20, 1983

January 20, 2022 Whistler Museum 0 Comments

It’s a new year, which means we are on to a new year of Whistler’s Answers!

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 1980, when the Town Centre was still in relatively early stages of construction, the Labour Relations Board ruled that Whistler Village was a common site, meaning only union workers could be employed. By 1983, however, as some construction had been completed and more businesses were opening, this policy was being reexamined in a different context.

Question: Do you think Whistler Village should drop its union policy and become an integrated site like Tumbler Ridge?

Roger Moxley – Union Labourer – West Side Road

Whistler Village as a whole concept cannot afford to go union. I’ve been in the restaurant business and know that it would be difficult for these places to survive if they’re going to have to pay union wages. It should be up to the employer. The unions are going to have to realize that times have changed.

Stan Hammond – Non-union Carpenter – High Forest

Yes, because I don’t think there should only be unions in Whistler Village. It doesn’t go along with the free enterprise system. It also doesn’t give employers a chance to find the least expensive way of getting their building completed or business done. I actually don’t see why they insisted on unions here in the first place.

Dave Lalik – Union Carpenter – High Forest

Now that the major construction of the village is finished I don’t think it should be a general policy but should be left up to the tenants of each building to make their own decision. That’s just a common sense approach, it seems to be.