whistler - November 09th, 2005
Note moved from ted comments to here.
November 08th, 2005
I had hoped to respond to Ben Thomas' question on Ted as a muni leader, but could not find a location to comment.

I do not think you can compare the current municipal structure to the one that Ted contributed to in the early and mid '90's. Whistler was still becoming a world class resort. Things needed to get done, and they did. The Mayor is only one vote on Council, and as with our current Mayor they need to work closely with the administrator. Council has since adopted a governance model that indicates the role of staff and the role of elected officials . It is worth a read, particularly all the new candidates. Ted (and staff and Council of the day) also worked with a somewhat quirky administrator, that took strong direction form Ted). Under Hugh the decision making shifted more to staff and the administration. I think that our community would like it somewhere in the middle. The key is to have an informed Council that understands the issues and are able to ask for the necessary information from staff/community to make the best possible decision. I also hope that Council does not become block voting or hold information from other Councillors (slates). The reality is that most politicians are strong on ego (you would have to be to simply survive a campaign and the weakly Pique articles). Teamwork with your competitors is inherently a conflict.

I did work under Ted and the Council's of the day. Ted was a challenge - but I had good debates with him and we were able to achieve most of the things staff wanted. I also found it a challenge to work under Nancy, but I would like to thank her for that. I became a more informed and prepared professional. Regardless I think the staff that perform will excel with the great minds that likely will make-up this Council.

Caroline Lamont

anonymous - November 10th, 2005
Great dialogue here.
Nice to see some constructive comments.
Ted's tenure really was a different time, it was also a time where things got done. I don't agree with everything that was decided under Ted's direction but that's what's great about a democracy. At least Ted and the council of the day made some decisions and got some things accomplished. Like them or not, they risked being unpopular and went with what they thought at the time was in the best interest of the community, I for one would like to see another mayor and council follow through occasionally regardless of the political fallout. Remember, 2010 is fast approaching, its time make some decisions and get things done.

anonymous - November 11th, 2005
Max got it dead right in the Pique - 10 November
"..when Ted was mayor, he was the beneficiary of two very strong, very important forces. The first was the planning, rezoning and approvals for projects that were put in place when Drew Meredith was mayor..."
(Note: Not a single new affordable housing initiative was created in the 6 years Ted was mayor.)
"The other powerful force Ted rode during his term as mayor was the steep, uphill lifecycle curve Whistler was climbing."
(Note: Drew Meredith's administration built the wave, Ted just rode it.)

anonymous - November 15th, 2005
I've had two veteran muni workers tell me they would "move on" if Ted is re-elected. These guys are reasonable and well-respected members of the community and not prone to whining because they have a "tough boss". An arrogant bully is a much different animal than is a demanding but fair member of the team.

In reply to the above posting, affordable housing has been an issue in Whistler since the very early 90s. It may not have been at the top of everyone's agenda as it is now, but it was nevertheless a pressing issue.

anonymous - November 16th, 2005
Which two veteran muni workers are you refering to? Or did you make this up? If the best you can do is call people names, please, go away.

anonymous - November 16th, 2005
I'm just passing on what they told me because I think it shows voters what some experienced people at the Hall are thinking. Do you think revealing the names of those muni workers would be beneficial to those workers if they decide to stay on even if Ted is elected?

anonymous - November 16th, 2005
That was a quick flip flop. If they were really going to quit, they would not hesitate to stand up. They are just trying to scare voters away from Ted. You are simply name calling.

anonymous - November 16th, 2005
Again, just passing on what two muni workers told me. I think that the fact they're even considering quitting is interesting. I don't hear anyone threatening to quit if Nick or Ken is elected. I don't hear stories from a large number of sources complaining about the climate of fear under Drew or Hugh. If Ted was a great boss, I would expect numerous veteran muni workers to endorse him. So far, the 5 or 6 that I've talked to have told me they hope anyone but Ted is elected.

anonymous - November 17th, 2005
this is from a post on marianne wade's blog:

With all due respect, Gordon, this is a very small town. Signing your name to a comment can mean employment suicide either immediately or in the future. This blog site is the ONLY means through which a significant portion of the community can take part in the discussion. Unfortunately, this often requires maintaining anonymity.

T. H.

anonymous - November 18th, 2005
From the "undecided voters" postings:

I have heard the stories of Ted's tyranny around Muni Hall first hand, and too many times. I was also a newbie to Whistler when the "Helmut Dog Scandal" was news and watching Ted put on a tie and parade out in front of the media to get the "save the puppies" sound bytes was sickening professional politicking at its worst.

Alex Hugessen

anonymous - November 18th, 2005
Had any of you attended the Mayoral Forum on Sunday you would have seen for yourself what an arrogant, boorish, ego centric man Ted is capable of being. I am acquainted with him as I have lived here for many years and remember when he was last mayor. I rather liked him back then. On Sunday, however, he was so utterly undignified, rude, and defensive -- not to mention at a loss on the issues, I was embarrassed for him.

anonymous - November 18th, 2005
Ask Ted how much he (and he RMOW) paid to settle the Helmut Banka debacle. Childish political grandstanding.

anonymous - November 19th, 2005
From this weeks Pique, (Letter to the editor)
What would you do?

Before I get started I would like to clarify that I am currently an undecided voter for the position of mayor in the upcoming municipal election.

Topic: The Hounds of Bankaville.

For years on the Green Lake ride we would hear howls coming from the woods at the end of rough double-track just seemingly hacked through the bush. Often we had thought of checking it out but hadn't ventured in for a peek at the source of these tortured sounds.

One day a friend and I did venture in and came upon the alpha male of the pack which had been chained up and was so f----- up that his chain had gone close to two-fingers into his flesh and had scabbed over. Each time he moved he howled because of the injury, which hadn't been treated in months.

Behind this large husky/malamute/wolf/hyena X were a malnourished, caged and rabid motley crew of mangy dogs with no water and seemingly feeding upon the sick and the weak to sustain themselves. Nice!

Upon seeing this we calmed down the big male and gave him some water, as did we with the rest of the dogs.

My dog, Bo, had a look of disgust and sadness as we rode with haste to the nearest phone at Sabre. I called the RMOW and lodged one of many complaints.

What would you do?

Grant Lamont

anonymous - November 19th, 2005
Is this a trick question?

I'd probably telephone the organizations responsible for, firstly, mistreated animals (SPCA); and secondly the Crown land on which the dogs were kept (at that time, I think it was Land and Water BC).

As the land in question was not RMOW land, I probably would not call the RMOW.

anonymous - November 19th, 2005
You should have seen the media coverage at the time. Every tree-hugger in town was calling for action. Every animal lover as well. And... Well, almost eveybody. But Max would not know. He was not here then. Prehaps he does not like dogs.

anonymous - November 21st, 2005
Brian - you have it almost correct - Grant did the right thing, the Muni did the wrong thing & Ted caused the out of court settlement & the community paid the bill!!