Publisher's Note

Since its inception in December 2002, Sun Peaks Independent News Inc. has published nearly 1.5 million copies of SPIN, the Sun Peaks summer and winter magazines and the Sun Peaks Visitors Guide. To put this in perspective, that’s close to 30 million pages of information about Sun Peaks and close to 15 billion printed words. I tried to calculate the number of letters typed but got lost in the zeros.

To date SPIN has inserted over 1 million copies of Sun Peaks literature directly into homes and businesses in various regions of B.C. and to stay in the positive I try not to think about how many cat litter boxes SPIN has lined, how many rainbow trout it’s wrapped up or how many woodstoves or campfires copies of SPIN have lit. Old copies only please folks.

When I look at the numbers, I say “holy cow,” but as with any small publication like SPIN, we’re only as good as the people behind it and it’s those people that truly have made the difference. To date SPIN Newsmagazine has had six editors behind the wheel and each one has not only brought a unique style of writing and English composition to the publication, they’ve also grown with the community through the eyes of SPIN. I also need to take my hat off to the dozens of writers who’ve graced the many pages of SPIN over the years with their tales, stories, articles, letters and sometimes heated opinions on any number of subjects. Without these seasoned writers, journalistic hopefuls and, in some cases, opinionated so and so’s, we could never have become an informative, engaging, news and information source to our readership and the people of this great community.

Many people may not think about it when they’re reading a copy of SPIN with their morning latte or their après beer but no one has ever paid to pick up a copy of SPIN Newsmagazine. SPIN is free and it’s the loyal and continued support of our many advertisers each issue that keep this publishing ship above water. Whether it’s a full page colour advertisement or a black and white business card, we hold all our advertisers in the highest regard as, without their trust in us to market their businesses, SPIN would simply cease to be. In closing, I think that SPIN Newsmagazine has become many things to many people in this community over the past decade and be it good, bad or indifferent in your Sun Peaks world, Sun Peaks Independent News, or SPIN, is here to stay.

Publisher's Note

As will happen in other resort towns, people from around the globe flock to Sun Peaks, B.C. each winter to ski, work, holiday, party, and do whatever it was that inspired them to come here. While the success of Sun Peaks Resort as a resort community is based on the positive experiences of all our guests and visitors, it’s also directly tied to the positive attitude of those that call it home—the Sun Peaks “locals.”

As SPIN publisher I’d like take this time to enlighten all those new to this great community on a few subjects as the locals see them, so while they’re here they too can also live the positive Sun Peaks lifestyle that sets the tone in this great community.

As we’re a global community, being a Sun Peaks local isn’t really based on years lived here, but is based instead on a positive attitude while living here. True locals don’t litter the ski hill, parking lots, village core, or anywhere else, with their garbage, cigarette butts, dog crap or anything else, as these same locals are the ones who invariably pick all this garbage up each spring. Snow doesn’t make litter, empties or dog crap go away, locals make it go away. Locals never walk on Sun Peaks Road as that amounts to Russian roulette with cars and trucks. They walk the lit and ploughed Valley Trail, night or day. Locals don’t fight, smash bottles and scream at the top of their lungs when leaving the bars and restaurants at 2 a.m., they quietly leave the village core so as not to disturb others not attending their after party. Locals don’t drink and drive, they get a sober ride home or they walk the whole 15 minutes it takes to get anywhere in this town. Locals are respectful of those visiting Sun Peaks and instead of saying, “What do you want?” to a guest or customer, locals say, “What can I do for you?” or, “How can I help?”

While everyone that lives, works and breathes Sun Peaks may be here for different reasons, the simple fact is we’re only as good as the collective show we put on to the world, and the success of that show is on everyone’s shoulders. If you want to be a Sun Peaks “local” during your stay here then we’ll happily welcome you with open arms, but with that title comes the same responsibilities that one would expect if we all moved to your hometown.

Publisher's Note

On Saturday, Nov. 19, eligible voters will cast their ballots to elect the first full term mayor of the Mountain Resort Municipality of Sun Peaks. While municipal status was granted on June 28, 2010, this year we fall in line with all municipal elections in B.C. and will, going forth, vote every three years for our mayor and council.

The Sun Peaks election is different from other municipalities in B.C. this year, as all three of the Sun Peaks elected councillors were re-elected by acclamation with no one challenging their positions. Furthermore, the one provincially appointed councillor (a first in B.C., if not Canada) will be named by the Province after the election. The same cannot be said for the mayor’s race, as Sun Peaks’ first incumbent mayor, Al Raine, is being challenged by local resident Ms. Renate Kals.

Ms. Kals, a long-time resident of the community, has been a very outspoken opponent of the new mayor and council and other community leaders over the past years and currently uses her own web blog to further her “Save Sun Peaks” cause. On the other side of the race is incumbent Mayor Al Raine whose first 18 month term as mayor has been full of new and sometimes bumpy territory in guiding the community through the municipal transition process of bylaws, taxes and legal challenges.

While the democratic system of Canadian politics allows anyone eligible for public office to run in an election, sometimes one has to question the true rationale of political candidates. The job of being a mayor in B.C. is truly a thankless one in the end, and the annual salary, simply put, is less than my truck’s fuel bill per annum.

So the question begs, why would someone run for mayor? There are only two reasons that come to mind. One: they have lots of excess time on their hands and want to do something positive for their community. Or two: they feel that the leadership is lacking and their goal is to smooth out the rocky road of community governance as it stands.

I think it can be safely said that while both may very well be valid reasons to throw your name in the political ring, does the latter really do any good for community well-being as a whole? Is the new municipality of Sun Peaks already broken after only 18 months in existence?

That’s a question you’ll have to ask of or answer yourself once you step to the polls on Nov. 19. All politics aside, just make sure get out and vote as that’s your Canadian right.

Publisher's Note

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 18 months since Sun Peaks Resort became the first Mountain Resort Municipality (MRM) in B.C. While there are a total of 13 resort municipalities in the province, Sun Peaks’ designation as an MRM allows for special features such as an appointed councillor, additional hotel tax rebates, and other grant/funding streams that many other municipalities don’t have. Although there’s been considerable debate on both the supporting and opposing sides of this new municipality, the reality is, it’s now legislated and written in law that the people of Sun Peaks, B.C. can collect their own property taxes and govern their own destiny from within.

As a long-time local and publisher of the local newspaper, I tend to hear a lot of scuttlebutt about how council should be or shouldn’t be doing this or that, and what they’re doing is good, bad or indifferent to the needs of this community. The funny side of it is that many people, regardless of their feelings toward the new municipality, or Sun Peaks as a whole, have no real clue what they are talking about or what they are really for or against, because they don’t understand local governance or read the bylaws or meeting minutes in the first place! The term “knowledge is king” comes to mind whenever I hear someone complaining about something in this community they really know nothing about.

Democracy is a wonderful thing and it shows in no uncertain terms what the true will of the community is. People running for municipal office are either elected by their peers to represent their community or they’re not, Palin and simple. Pun intended. Local governance is just as it sounds—a town, hamlet or small village governed by elected citizens of that community for the betterment of that community.
It takes a huge amount of personal time and effort to represent your community on council and it’s the people with a willingness to make a positive difference that tend to succeed in these positions, because we all know they don’t do it for the money.

If political change is what the people of Sun Peaks wish for, and this I truly question, then people should not only educate themselves in the governance of Sun Peaks, they should also step up and run for the position of mayor or councillor in the Nov. 19 election.

In closing, I’d like to truly thank our current mayor, council and staff for their baby steps, take our time, let’s do this right the first time, fiscally responsible approach to the governance of Sun Peaks over the last 18 months. To all those that think you can do a better job, you have until 4 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2011 to put in your nomination papers. Good luck to all on Election Day.

Publisher's Note

As September dawns clear and cool, many of us are drawn to the actuality that summer is on its way south and the days of colourful leaves and morning frost will soon be a reality. The change of seasons signal major changes to come—imminent or not.

For many people who live in the Sun Peaks area, this means it’s time to get busy. Having your house ready for severe winter weather can be a major task if you wait too long, so now is the time to winterize your home. Check your windows, doors and attics for drafts or cold spots, get your chimney cleaned and make sure to get any gas appliances checked and serviced before the snow flies. I’m sure you don’t want to miss an epic December powder day because you forgot to service your gas heater.
An amazing thing about living in the mountains is that one day you have your doors wide open in the brilliant sunshine and the next day you’re lighting a wood stove or your gas fireplace in an effort to stay warm. Be smart and be prepared.

Fall in the mountains is also foraging season for our friendly neighbourhood black bears. This spring was a tough one on our local bear population with a long snowy winter and a cold wet spring with little food available. This was made obvious by several “too close for comfort” bear encounters in the community. As fall cools, the bears of Sun Peaks will once again start to forage for whatever food they can find around the valley and if you let them find it, they will. From now until early December, the bears will be making the rounds looking for any scrap food, garbage or anything else that will help with their winter survival. It’s our job to make sure the food is not the man-made kind.

It seems year after year, lazy or just plain ignorant people leave their garbage around and wonder why they have a bear wrecking their house or car. Please be bear aware and don’t keep any garbage or food sources outside or near your house. As they say, “A fed bear is a dead bear” and it’s never their fault. They just do what’s natural and that is to look for food.

In closing, I would like to say that SPIN Newsmagazine is sadly losing one of its long time employees after this issue. SPIN editor Lailani Mendoza is moving to Edmonton to take a position as news editor for the Living Light News. Lailani has been with SPIN for three years and the team here is very sad to see her go. In her time with SPIN, Lailani has risen to the job of editor, learned how to ski and come to understand the inner workings of this small but complex community. Her professionalism, work ethic and outgoing attitude was always present and we wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavours.

Publisher's Note

Unlike the rest of Canada and most of the United States who’ve been scorched beyond belief over the last few months, summer has finally arrived in the B.C. Interior. While it’s been a tough haul for anyone in the tourism industry in British Columbia with less than stellar weather in June and July, now is the time to make the best of it because before too long, the mornings will start to cool and the kids will be back to school.

So before the time flies by and you start busting out those old ski movies to get your winter stoke on, get out and enjoy what this great place we live in has to offer. While no one likes a rainy, cool summer it does offer up some great positives. The alpine blossoms on the upper mountain of Sun Peaks, while late to bloom, are a kaleidoscope of brilliant colours and are an absolute sight to behold, and they probably will continue to be until the end of August. The golf course at Sun Peaks is as lush and green as I’ve ever seen it and our forests are not tinder dry and burning like in Ontario. I know that many things like work, family and busy lives tend to get in the way of our summertime fun, but as August rolls on you better make some time to enjoy what we have.

At the beginning of this month, I finally went on a hike to Tod Lake and Mount Tod—my first, I hate to admit, in a decade of living here. We passed tourists in flip flops and hikers of all shapes, sizes and abilities going in every direction. But one thing I noticed was a distinct lack of Sun Peaks locals. I thought to myself, I wonder if all the locals are like me and just spend too much time working and not enough time enjoying what is just outside our door? Well, guilty as we all may be of getting wrapped up in life, make some time and get out there.

I’m sure most of the people that have read this far probably are the same people that already have a 2011/2012 Ski Pass in their junk drawer or at least have paid for it. If you smiled at that last sentence, do you realize that with that season’s pass, you get two-for-one tickets for biking, hiking and golf at Sun Peaks until those respective seasons end in a few short weeks?

Don’t let these tickets for fun summer activities sit until November when you say to yourself, “Damn; I should have used those before they expired!” Invite a friend up from Kamloops, have some family up for a day or even donate them to a charity like Big Brothers and Sisters that might use them, but get outside and enjoy what little precious summer we have left and do something you haven’t done in a long time—if ever before. After all, when was the last time you played 18 holes in your backyard, went for a hike to Tod Lake/Tod Peak or jumped on a mountain bike and tested your fear factor? As the saying goes, “Just Do It!” You’ll be glad you did.

Publisher's Note

Like any other tourist town in beautiful British Columbia, Sun Peaks depends on local, regional and international tourist traffic and the dollars spent by those visitors to keep the wheels greased and the local economy flowing smoothly. After several years of economic uncertainty, things finally appear to be turning around in our favour. While an economist I am not, I do think that the future of this great resort community looks brighter than it has in some time.

What really set me along the path that there is light at the end of the economic downturn tunnel was the recent Canadian Enduro Championship motorcycle races held on July 9 and 10. While events like this do not meet the traditional model of mom and pop, kids in tow events at Sun Peaks, it shows that if you think out of the box, true change can come from within.

The vision of Kamloops off-road motorcycle legend Guy Perrett and his local crew, this two-day event has put Sun Peaks Resort on the map for all the off-road motorcycle enthusiasts from across Canada that came out for the inaugural race of the World Enduro Canada racing season. A record 183 riders registered for the event and to say they brought their entourages with them would be an understatement. All one needed to do was look around at all the expensive trucks with expensive dirt bikes in the backs of them, let alone all the wives, kids, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends and dogs that came along to watch them race.

Some residents and visitors may scowl at the sound of 180 dirt bikes ripping up the countryside around Sun Peaks; but the smell of money was unmistakable. Hotels were booked, restaurants were hopping and the word on the street was “Wow, this place is great, we’ve never heard of it before; everything we need is right here. We’d love to bring our snowmobiles back next winter.”

While I appreciate the fact that many people choose to visit or even live in Sun Peaks for the natural tranquillity it offers, the stark reality is that tranquillity does not pay the bills. While two-stroke motorcycle smoke may smell awful to some, it smells like money to me. In conjunction with the other Sun Peaks summer events like the Symphony of Flavours and the Retro Concert weekend, it’s the large festival/race events like this one that will truly make Sun Peaks a successful year-round destination.

A huge shout out to all the local Sun Peaks dirt bikers that put their blood, sweat and tires into making the first Sun Peaks race a true success. The grass and bushes will grow back, the mud puddles will dry and the money will stay where it belongs, right here in Sun Peaks. Hats off to all the organizers, volunteers and the many Sun Peaks businesses and organizations involved in making sure this new breed of Sun Peaks visitor keeps coming back year after year. Now let’s talk $nowmobile racing, shall we?

Publisher's Note

On the eve of game six of the Stanley Cup finals, I became acutely aware of something about human nature that I find really quite interesting. Even though they lost that game, the Vancouver Canucks made it to game seven and have a chance to win the Stanley Cup, at home nonetheless, for the first time in 40 years. But instead of people saying “wow”, people were on the “hate” bandwagon before the first period was done and the big show isn’t even over yet.

While the outcome of game seven has yet to be realized as I type this column, it doesn’t really matter. And, even though I want the Canucks to win, the lesson in human nature does matter.

Victory in business, love, sport or anything else we do is seen as a success and is rewarded and applauded, while anything short of winning is quickly dismissed as a half-hearted failure by those outsiders that seemingly love to judge others successes or failures.

No one likes to lose or fail at anything; that’s simple human nature. It happens in all our lives to one extent or another, and before you jump on the lampooners’ bandwagon maybe put yourself in the shoes of the ones on the supposed losing end. Do people go into business to lose money? No. Does it happen? Yes. Do people actually think that professional athletes are no good at what they do because they lose a game or two in a playoff series after playing nearly 100 games? Give me a break! I would love to see all the Luongo haters out there pad up and see how many shots they can stop.

While it’s difficult to always stay in a positive frame of mind when the heated passion for one’s favourite sport is showing its true colours, we can all learn from this. The age old saying of putting yourself in another person’s shoes rings so true about now. Why people find anything positive in putting others down is beyond me, and mostly it seems to be people who could never perform at the supposed loser’s level of success anyway.

Before you judge others as misguided failures in any aspect of life, maybe have a good look within and really ask yourself if you could perform any better given the same circumstances. I think you all know the answer to that one. How about saying “Good job, I don’t think I could have done that,” instead of the classic negative response of “I could do better.”

Marvel at people’s successes, however small, and understand their failures with an open and compassionate mind—because nine times out of 10 at least they put their best foot forward. Did you?

Publisher's Note

Is there something different about the air in Sun Peaks that makes some visitors, guests and even residents lose all aspect of common sense while spending their winters in this beautiful resort community? It’s not often that I’m at a loss for words, but this seems to be one of those times or subjects that simply makes me speechless and has me shaking my head in absolute disbelief.

As the snow melts, albeit slowly this season, people’s true colours really begin to shine. Unfortunately, these true colours are coming from the ditches and bushes in our small community in the form of bottles, cans, wrappers, cigarette butts and every other form of human garbage and animal waste that one can imagine. One local even found a complete steering wheel column and ignition system from a Porsche sticking out of a snowbank. That strange find led to some head scratching about how that car left the mountain.

It’s inconceivable to me that people can actually be so disrespectful to a place that brings so much joy and fun-loving recreation to so many. Now we aren’t talking about a few bottles and butts on the ground—we’re talking about tons of garbage and countless piles of dog crap left in every ditch, on every road and trail in the community. Do people actually think that snowbanks are a great place to chuck their garbage and bags of dog crap, if they choose to pick up their dog’s crap at all? The sheer volume of litter that shows up each spring makes Sun Peaks look like a city out of a developing country and it’s not until our annual volunteer based Trash Bash that it once again resembles beautiful British Columbia.

I’m sure this isn’t a unique problem to Sun Peaks but I’ve never seen so much litter thrown around in any place I’ve travelled in B.C. Maybe other communities simply have a different way of dealing with it. What will it take to change people’s ways? Maybe more signage, more garbage cans, more poop bags and a big burly litter/dog poop cop wielding a big stick might make people think twice before simply tossing their Timmy’s cup in the ditch. I thought picking up after your dog meant picking up the crap it takes and taking it home to your garbage can, not picking it up and throwing the poop bag in the bush, ditch or in the trees as if it were a Christmas decoration? Was I brought up differently than everyone else? When I was young my parents taught us that litter was a bad thing and one did not simply discard rubbish where ever you wished.  Litter in any form is just plain wrong. Will people ever learn? Unfortunately, I seriously doubt it.

Come out and be part of the Sun Peaks 14th Annual Trash Bash, June 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a Trash Bash Dinner. Meet at the Burfield Lodge between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. for route assignments.

Publisher's Note

In today’s hustle and bustle world we live in, you rarely hear about this strange race of humans that seem to absolutely thrive in Sun Peaks. They don’t worry about such things as getting paid, they rarely have a bad day at work, if you can call it work, and for the most part the place would probably go to hell in a hand basket without them here. They are the countless and sometimes nameless volunteers that work each day, each race and each event that happens in Sun Peaks, and I think they need to be recognized.

While of course I’m biased toward the Velocity Challenge Safety Crew, as many on this team have been with the event since its inception over 22 years ago, there are so many others as well: the Sun Guides for braving winter’s wrath everyday to make sure that the tourists get to know the mountain at their own speed; the Rosedale Friday race series crew that are there week-in and week-out to make sure the wannabe Bode Millers of the world have a place to race; the volunteer crew that run the Fondue Evening descent and Fresh Trax breakfast each week up at the Sunburst Restaurant—always a smile for the new crowds each week even though they have nightmares about melted chocolate and cheese at night, all the young guns that help Toby and crew make the Monster Park a thing of beauty each morning and of course all the parents that put in countless hours with the Sun Peaks Alpine Club. To all the folks over the years that have helped the Sun Peaks Health Association raise over $400,000 towards a new health clinic, take a bow. And last but not least all the hard working parents involved in the Sun Peaks Education Society and the brave men and women of Sun Peaks Fire and Rescue that keep us safe day and night.

For all of these people that put in their own time and effort to help others or further a cause or event, it’s not about them, it’s about making a positive difference in their community. It’s not hard to make a little time each week to help someone out and, who knows, it might even put a smile on your face, which in the long run is worth way more than a few dollars in your jeans.