Dear Editor,

I have been away for the past three months and on my return I have noticed a festering sense of anger and distrust against the provincial and Whistler governments. It seems to be a revolt against paternalism and secrecy, and frustration at not being heard.

We will just pass the HST in Cabinet and bring it in, then eventually everyone will accept it. We don’t have to pay attention to your anti-HST petition because we can hold it up in court indefinitely. We have a majority and we can do whatever we want.

We have a legal opinion (or several) that says we have to abide by an agreement with Alpine Paving to pay them $400,000 so they can move their asphalt plant 150 metres, or they will sue us. But the legal opinion and agreement are secret and you will just have to take our word for it. “Trust us.”

Now the RMOW says it has authorized the cutting of 300-year-old trees in the community forest, in order to “manage” the forest.

People are angry. Maybe it’s the economy or the long, hot summer. They are not going to stand for paternalism. We do not trust our politicians any more.

Cut the first old-growth tree and Whistler will have another Clayoquot Sound protest on our hands.

Ruth Buzzard

Whistler