Tag: Whistler Question

Whistler’s Answers: April 4, 1985Whistler’s Answers: April 4, 1985

April 4, 2024 Whistler MuseumWhistler 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 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: This one seems pretty self explanatory, so we think we’ll leave it there.

Question: What do you dislike most about politicians?

Doug Schull – Ski Shop Manager – Whistler Cay

Dishonesty, I guess, that’s a tough one. They hide everything. They always seem to skirt an issue in the most pleasing way depending who they’re talking to. They never address the issue they are talking about. Instead, they always deal in generalities.

Rick Mathews – Ragman – West Side Road

Insensitivity – but not in local politicians. And since their main task is to get elected, they will tell you what you want to believe. Generally speaking, I don’t like people who are not forthright.

Sandy Spetifore – Motor Licence Clerk – Pemberton

I think they forget who put them in. They forget about the little people and all the promises they made before they were elected. And while I think there are a lot of honest politicians, there are quite a few who are in it just for the financial gain.

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Whistler’s Answers: March 28, 1985Whistler’s Answers: March 28, 1985

March 28, 2024 Whistler MuseumWhistler 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 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: This one seems pretty self explanatory, so we think we’ll leave it there.

Question: Do you think the local credit union should exchange foreign currencies other than the US dollar?

Mel Person – Electrician – Seattle

I think it wouldn’t hurt to be accommodating to the majority of people who come here. If there’s Germans and Japanese who have money to be exchanged, it probably would be good to offer money exchanging services. For me, it’s convenient to do it before coming up here.

Daryl Nelson – Contractor – Seattle

I can’t see why not. If you’re thinking of this as an international resort, I’d say it’s more an unseasoned resort. Sun Valley is more seasoned. Besides foreign visitors who come up here have to come through Vancouver anyways, and as long as they know they can’t change their money here there’s no trouble.

Fred Postnikoff – General Contractor – Surrey

I think they should cater to all currencies. In the lower mainland you’ll see currency exchanges in shopping centres, and I would think in a community this size that relies so much on tourism you’d have no trouble changing your money.

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Whistler’s Answers: March 21, 1985Whistler’s Answers: March 21, 1985

March 21, 2024 Whistler MuseumWhistler 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 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 the early 1980s, a recession prompted the provincial government to bring in deep cuts and wage controls in various public sectors, including education. In 1983, the Social Credit government brought in “restraint bills” that included changes to and new policies in an effort to reduce education expenditures, as well as changing the taxing powers of school districts. Districts were required to present balanced budgets to be approved by the provincial government. Such cuts to the budgets led to reduced programs, larger classes, times of working-to-rule, and greater reliance on fundraising and parent volunteers. In May 1985, the conflicts between school boards and the government resulted in the firing of all elected Vancouver School Board trustees after the board refused to submit a budget that fit within the provincial guidelines, claiming that such cuts would make it impossible to provide quality education. The trustees were replaced by a government appointed trustee.

Question: Do you think school boards should submit budgets in excess of provincial government spending restrictions?

David Jones – Retired – Whistler

I think teachers should curb their wage demands a little. If they did that, then the level of education would be maintained. As far as I know, if the teachers reduced their demands, education would be fine.

Nancy Wauthier – Mortgage Officer – Vancouver

My gut reaction was that, from an arbitration point of view, you always propose a little more than you really want to ensure you come out with what you need. It’s a bargaining tactic. Although I’m in favour of restraint, the question is can those budgets be cut? I don’t think there’s any question that there are certain inefficiencies in school boards, or in large government departments or private companies.

Jill Brand – Consultant – Vancouver

I think it’s one of the only ways that they get the point across. If they submit within the guidelines, the government will believe they can work within them. I think they have to let them know or else the government won’t get the message.

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Whistler’s Answers: March 14, 1985Whistler’s Answers: March 14, 1985

March 14, 2024 Whistler MuseumWhistler 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 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 the early 1980s, a recession prompted the provincial government to bring in deep cuts and wage controls in various public sectors, including education. In 1983, the Social Credit government brought in “restraint bills” that included changes to and new policies in an effort to reduce education expenditures, as well as changing the taxing powers of school districts. Districts were required to present balanced budgets to be approved by the provincial government. Such cuts to the budgets led to reduced programs, larger classes, times of working-to-rule, and greater reliance on fundraising and parent volunteers. In May 1985, the conflicts between school boards and the government resulted in the firing of all elected Vancouver School Board trustees after the board refused to submit a budget that fit within the provincial guidelines, claiming that such cuts would make it impossible to provide quality education. The trustees were replaced by a government appointed trustee.

Question: What do you think of the Social Credit government’s handling of education?

Basil Lukson – City Planner – Vancouver

I guess the quick answer is that I don’t think restraint should be applied to education the way that it has. With the rate of unemployment in BC compared to the rest of the country, obviously restraint hasn’t been working as it should. I don’t disagree with the concept of restraint, but it hasn’t worked with the schools.

Dr Dale Forsythe – Chiropractor – Kelowna

There’s no question there’s been the need for an overhaul in the BC education system for the past few years. In my own office I see the abuse of the English Language when people are filling out questionaires, for instance, but when it comes to current budges, they can’t give you what they don’t have. My patients require more care too, but the same applies.

Mike Price – Salesman – Vancouver

I would say they are cutting budgets and handling it in an ad hoc way. I’m an ex-University student and I think what George Pederson (UBC president who resigned last week) was saying when he stepped down was that it is being done like that. If they spent half as much on education as they do on highways it wouldn’t be so bad.

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