Councillor disagrees with Sima contribution
Whitehorse City Coun. Betty Irwin says she doesn't agree with the $1.6 million the city is giving to Mount Sima to help buy a new $3-million chairlift.
Whitehorse City Coun. Betty Irwin says she doesn't agree with the $1.6 million the city is giving to Mount Sima to help buy a new $3-million chairlift.
Irwin said this morning she was the only member on council who voted against the proposal at the end of the day, but not everybody immediately fell in love with the idea when the matter came forward.
City council, she said, was essentially faced with three options:
• take over the ski hill and close it down;
• take over the ski hill and operate it; or
• find some way to help the Great Northern Ski Society secure the money for a new chairlift.
Irwin said she recognizes the value of the recreational facility, but she also recognizes other non-profit organizations have to and do live within their financial means.
The ski society has already received significant financial support from the city over the years, she said.
There are others in the city who could use the money for causes more important than providing a new chairlift, Irwin said.
Once a year, said the councillor, the city helps out with a food drive, pats itself on the back for what a good job it's done and moves on.
"But people are hungry all year long,” said Irwin. "To me, I guess I look at things a little bit differently when we talk about money in amounts like that.”
The city's contribution was announced Thursday by ski society president Craig Hougen and deputy major Doug Graham. The new chair is expected to be operational Dec. 1. (See story, page 6.)
Graham explained the city began talking to the society about the possible contribution about six weeks to two months ago. Discussions began when council learned the federal Building Canada Fund was providing the $1.6 million the city had already set aside for the reconstruction of Black Street.
Irwin said she's been told the city is not a social agency, and it's best to leave alone matters of that nature.
But that doesn't mean local organizations pressing for much-needed social housing and more food for the food bank and shelters don't still need what they need, Irwin said.
When it comes down to it, she said, the Mount Sima facility is essentially for the middle and upper class, because only the middle and upper class can afford what is an expensive sport.
Irwin said the lower class can't afford the sports, but they still have needs.
"How are we benefitting all of the citizens of Whitehorse if we are constantly spending money on this?”
Voicing her position, she recognizes, may not win her any popularity awards.
"But if you feel strongly about something, you have to be ready to be backed up against the wall and face the firing squad.”
Irwin said having the city take over the hill to close it down or operate it was simply a non-starter for her because of all the related expenses and liabilities which would come from either option.
The ski society leases Mount Sima from the city for $1 year, and the city has exempted the property from taxes.
Comments (16)
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Thomas Brewer on Jun 8, 2011 at 1:55 am
Still blowing the Social Inclusion horn Mike? Interesting....
$1.6 million was freed up from city coffers as federal money came in to complete a road reconstruction project - from federal gasoline taxes if I'm not mistaken. So the funds for the lift were already collected and allocated in the budget.
Personally, I would much rather see my tax dollars go to a rewarding infrastructure that benefits thousands of people instead of a few in social housing. $1.6 million doesn't build much these days and then there's operational costs that go on forever.
As for the argument of Mt Sima being a middle and upper class only use facility... you're probably right. Equipment costs money, lessons cost money, lift passes cost money. Those who challenge themselves to finish school, attain employment, make intelligent decisions get rewarded with the ability to utilize facilities like Sima, or travel, or donate to charity - it's free choice.
Those who chose to not do these things, essentially choose to not participate meaningfully in society.
Programs like the RCMP's Young Rider's (that was the name, no?) and Whitewater Crew, where they take youth at risk (another politically correct term coined for kids who drop out and get into trouble) got the kids out boarding on Sima or whitewater rafting, to give them a taste of what hard work and perserverence can provide are/were great investments.
How many times have we heard the youth of Whitehorse say there's nothing to do here... shut down Sima and those complaints would only increase.
And what about the health benefits to having a local recreational facility like Sima...
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Francias Pillman on Jun 7, 2011 at 9:25 am
What will a government study tell me that I already know. Throwing money at poor people does not help the problem. Giving them a brand new house does not help the problem. Maybe it's time I turn into these dis-advantaged/marginalized folk I hear about so much. Maybe I'll get a brand new house out of the deal.
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Michael McCann on Jun 7, 2011 at 8:35 am
Mr/Ms Pillman I would respectfully suggest you get a copy of the Yukon Government's reports "The Dimensions of Social Inclusion and Social Exclusion in Yukon 2010" and the "Whitehorse Housing Adequacy Study". Read them thoroughly and then spend some time with an NGO providing services to special populations in our/your community or the Government's Services to Persons With Disability Program or the Social Services Social Assistance Program. Take the time to know the reality before using such a broad brush.
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Josey Wales on Jun 7, 2011 at 6:11 am
Perhaps as the re-branding debacle we should hold the hill's fate to a town wide referendum...in addition to the apparent LACK of confidence we have with our city hall.
there must be something in our civic electoral act (if we have one)..that will help all you return to ..gasp..private sector "work"
Snip snip...start trimming Buckway or face a tax revolt.
update on CoW ward Trevor the problem dog?
I see heaps of his human cousins downtown daily...why are they not "incarcerated" ya, know.......in the interests of public safety?
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Josey Wales on Jun 7, 2011 at 6:01 am
Option number one..shutting it down, would have been the best choice.
from day one this little pet project has been a FAILURE...heaps of public money sucked into the special interest vacuum.
it is a town...not Disneyland or Banff. Could you please stop decorating it like a entitled theme park?
Sold the hill for a dollar eh?
Certainly a contractor out there willing to refund you/us that dollar...and terrace the money pit Sima.
And since YOU feel that density living in our wilderness city is essential...FILL it FULL of condo's that are so trendy up here in the TO north of 60 it has evolved into.
At least in hair dressing a bad decision can simply grow out.
Yours & the fools called council...does not, they create a taxation legacy the like of which we have not seen SPIKE so OFTEN.
And why? Because you have not a clue.
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Francias Pillman on Jun 6, 2011 at 11:33 am
"The marginalized,and the excluded in our community go to bed hungry, without a safe roof over their head each and every day." I'm so tired of hearing about these so-called marginalized people. These people get enough handouts, and contribute nothing. Sitting around and feeling sorry for yourself is not some sort of un-curable disease. Your people's only solution is to throw money at them. How about they stand up for themselves? Living other peoples lives for them is equally contributing to the problem.
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Garcia's middle finger on Jun 6, 2011 at 7:55 am
While one could argue all ski lift use and some bicycle use is purely recreational, the same argument could also be made that a lot of vehicular traffic is recreational and unnecessary.
The question is, what proportion of the ski lift is user pay vs government subsidies, and is that proportion in line with what "Sunday" drivers pay in fuel surcharges vs public money spent on roadways?
Just asking.
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Brice Carruthers on Jun 6, 2011 at 6:38 am
To all you leftists:
Why should my tax dollars be redistributed to people on welfare? Now, there might be something to be said about spending this money wisely, but the alternatives suggested here are worse! I'd rather spend my tax dollars on a new chair lift any day, rather than increases to welfare payments, giving free housing, etc., for what are essentially people that expect too much.
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Steve E on Jun 5, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Whitehorse is becoming an elitist's playground. Get a taxpayer funded government job with all the perks then jump the queue for programs that the now disenfranchised working class from the private sector are only lucky to get. If you have a job with the government you are on the inside track for cheap housing for your retired parents and or in-laws from back east. If you want to start a business, an inside track gets you up and running whether it's feasible or not. Three cheers for the government employees winter wonderland and nirvana funded by the rest of us. Need customer service at Tim Horton's or CTC, don't worry there's a government program to supply cheap labour from another country.
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Dave m on Jun 5, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Oh my god, the city council that cries about having to raise taxes,fees, water and garbage rates every year just to break even now has 1.6 mil to blow on a ski lift? What is going on here? Thank goodness councilor Irwin disagreed with this but what about the other councilors? Where were they? It seems this city has a addiction to paying anything for sports facilities or transit thanks to the unending transfers of gas tax dollars and deep pocketbooks of taxpayers.
I think this mayor is out of control and thanks to being re elected has the green light to blow money on anything. I had hoped that getting several new councilors last election would restore a level of accountability and common sense to city hall but obviously not.
Why is one red cent of taxpayer money going to a ski hill of all things in the first place?
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Gene Brown on Jun 5, 2011 at 9:26 am
You are right on objecting to these spend it like it will always be there projects. And another brilliant move is the bicycle paved road they just finished up in Porter Creek from Azure road South along the Alaska Highway, how many millions were spent on this to impress tourists? This city thinks we are another Anchorage, ha, I have news for you, we are 15 times smaller than Anchorage and don't need paved bicycle paths. This city spends money like some spoiled little rich kid, shame on all of you city councilors for letting this happen. We need someone inside the city infrastructure who can spend money wisely and stop this raising taxes every time they spend too much and run out of Funds. Just my opinion ;-)
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tiredoftaxes on Jun 5, 2011 at 2:42 am
Betty Irwin appears to be the ONLY sane councilor. It is ironic, that Councilor Graham was on the Sima board when they bought the original malfunctioning chairlift and now thinks it's a good idea to replace it...with City money.
If this is going to be SOOO good for tourism, why don't they apply for money from Tourism?
To all COW Councilors...that money you're flushing down the toilet is not YOURS it's OURS...instead of helping the homeless, sick, poor and marginalized as a city should, you're building luxury items. What next: a Bev Buckway THEME PARK????
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Calivn Klippert on Jun 4, 2011 at 4:13 am
Congratulations Betty. It's bout time someone spoke up. We spend spend far to much money on unnecessary items that do not benefit all of our citizens. More senior housing, better health care, how about donating that 1.6 million to the badly needed MRI machine. How about funding more police, doctors and nurses. It's very nice to help purchase a ski lift, but lets think about what is necessary before we spend money on the frivolous. Let's get out of debt. That's a novel concept.
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Michael McCann on Jun 3, 2011 at 10:37 pm
I applaud Betty Irwin for having the courage to speak out. She is absolutely correct in her assessment. The marginalized,and the excluded in our community go to bed hungry, without a safe roof over their head each and every day. Most recently when an official was asked what can be done to help someone with a disability get housing, they were told "get a tent". The City appears to be only paying lip service to helping the disadvantaged in our City.
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June Jackson on Jun 3, 2011 at 2:50 pm
1.6 million? Bucky running to the bank to borrow more money? or, everyone getting another tax hike?
Sima has been a money pit since it opened. 1.6 mil is not pocket change..if the city can come up with that kind of money why are you taxing my ass off? and raising the cost of service?
Do they realize how many people DON'T SKI? Its a very expensive limited use facility. I can't wait until the next election.
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Yukon Bambi on Jun 3, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Thank you Councillor Irwin for trying to make some sense in City Hall. Not too sure why tax payer dollars are being dumped into a non-profit luxury item? Does this mean we can expect to see the City cut $1.6 million from elsewhere in their budget?