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 1982. 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 July 1982, various publications, including The Vancouver Sun, published pieces on Whistler and the Whistler Village Land Company (WVLC). Some of the articles published implied that the WVLC had shut down and that Whistler, as a whole, was closed. In January 1983, the provincial government did step in and form a Crown corporation, Whistler Land Co. Developments, to take over the liabilities and assets of the WVLC, but as of July 1982 the WVLC was still operating.
Question: What was your reaction to media coverage outside of Whistler during last week’s events?
Sue Sherin – Assistant Manager at Whistler Tops – Alpine Meadows
Basically I thought the treatment the press gave to Whistler was pretty sad.
Because of the entire economic situation, what’s happened here is no different than anywhere else. But the coverage we’ve had – it makes people not want to come.
It’s beautiful here. And it’s been built in only two years. What does the press expect? They should give us more of a chance.
Mayor Pat Carleton – Westside Road
I think it’s been a disgraceful form of reporting. It just goes to show you that what you say is not necessarily what is printed.
All the media outside of Whistler – and I don’t name anyone specifically – has twisted the whole thing out of context. Nothing has been made clear.
The coverage has blown the negative aspect way out of proportion. I’ve even had a call from Lorne Greenaway in Ottawa (Whistler’s MP). He thinks the whole town has been shut down.
Alex Kleinman – Construction Manager – Alta Vista
I was disappointed in the bias taken by the media. I was hoping to see a little more of both sides of the story.
There are a lot of things which are still happening here – as well as things that aren’t.
Rather than ask municipal and Land Company officials on the history and evolution of the whole project here at Whistler, they have taken comments out of context and made that the story.
WHISTORICAL 