Whistler Welcome Wagon (08.13.04)
I've been called many things by many people. After 30
some-odd years rarely am I fazed by these names. That is until the other
day when I was actually called an ambassador. An ambassador of Squamish
to be exact. I remember it clearly because for a preciously brief moment
I envisioned fancy license plates, special parking stalls and powers stretching
above the law. Then reality came crashing in as I realized there's no
such thing as ambassador immunity.
However, lacking an official ambassador title I would
be delighted to do my part. On behalf of Squamish I feel my first order
of business should be to welcome the newest great insurgence of members
to our community. The northerner's known as Whistlerites.
That's right the gig is up you resort lovin' fools, we
know you're here. All those crazy boys and girls who have been calling
Whistler home for the past several years are being ousted out of their
Disneyland by rising property taxes and housing prices. With Pemberton
also out of reach if you want to stay in this amazing corridor we are
the one option remaining that doesn't involve a winning lottery ticket.
"Flush twice, it's a long way to Squamish." Yes, the
butt of countless jokes appears to be the final frontier for affordable
housing in the corridor. Granted, long time residents would argue that
the housing prices went completely insane the moment we got the bid. The
first clue is someone paying far to close to a half a million for a Valleycliffe
crap box complete without insulation and barely enough electrical outlets
to survive. In Whistler dollars however, that's still a steal.
So it is, Whistlerites by the thousands have descended
upon our quickly changing town. And just in time to see our secret mountain
home become Whistler's shopping center. The writing is on the highway
and with more than just one corporate cookie cutter headed our way, now
more than ever it's important to remember your neighbors. The local people
/ businesses that have been working, living and spending in Squamish for
years now. I'm sure the new players on the highway will do fine business
but there's people like Helmut who have gone a long way to make Sea to
Sky Fine Meats the locals choice. Not to mention our unique Sub's Plus
downtown beside the Royal Bank. I defy you to find a place that could
possibly put more character into each and every meal (No, they didn't
pay me to say this, although they're more than welcome to). Then of course
there's the bike and climbing shops, the motor sport shops, the coffee
and lunch spots, the list goes on and limited research will quickly tell
you the right choice to make.
So once again, welcome to Squamish brothers and sisters
of the north. May you have the time of your life while never forgetting
that every dollar is a vote.
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