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 December 1982, Whistler’s council gave three readings to Bylaw 231, which proposed to replace Bylaw 124 and redefine a sign as an object both outside and inside a building. Bylaw 231 would prohibit neon signs inside Whistler businesses and branded merchandise displayed in a window could be considered as signs. Some Whistler Village business owners opposed the new bylaw, and thought that signs should be considered individually, to avoid “a five-storey neon sign down the side of a building here” while still allowing small, “tasteful” signs. The proposed bylaw sparked heated debate within Whistler, but was ultimately adopted by council on January 10, 1983.
Question: What do you think of neon signs at Whistler?
Jeff McAllester – Ski Keep Manager – Alpine Meadows
Overall the village would be better without them. Neon has its place, but cheap signs and an over-abundance of them will make this into a little Tahoe and one Tahoe is plenty.
Charles Seeberg – Computer Programmer – Vancouver
The ones I’ve seen here I like. If additional signs are put up i the same tasteful fashion they would only add to the charm of the village. They’d have to be only one or two words though, and not flashing.
Mike Young – Travel Consultant – Whistler Cay
I’m not opposed to neon as such, but some that flash and turn can be quite distasteful. I think in the case of Whistler Village if the signs are required to be a certain size and kept indoors we should be alright.
WHISTORICAL 