In this episode of The Whistler Podcast, Mayor Jack Crompton and Cole Stefiuk speak to Cathy Jewett and Heather Paul about the 2021 Whistler Excellence Awards. Jewett and Paul share their thoughts on the individuals and businesses recognized at the event and discuss the valuable work being celebrated, as well as reflecting on how Whistler has pulled together during the past 18 months of the pandemic.
Both Jewett and Paul are former winners of the Whistler Citizen of the Year.
In this episode of The Whistler Podcast, Mayor Jack Crompton and Cole Stefiuk speak to Cathy Jewett and Heather Paul about the 2021 Whistler Excellence Awards. Jewett and Paul share their thoughts on the individuals and businesses recognized at the event and discuss the valuable work being celebrated, as well as reflecting on how Whistler has pulled together during the past 18 months of the pandemic.
Both Jewett and Paul are former winners of the Whistler Citizen of the Year.
That was great. Thank you very much. It wasn't horrible. As I thought it would be
Mayor Jack Crompton:Hello everyone. I am Jack Crompton. He's Cole Stefiuk, you can, this is The Whistler Podcast as always. We want to acknowledge that we live, we work, we play on the traditional unceded territories of the Lil'wat Nation and the Squamish Nation. Today. We're going to do something different. H ey Cole?
Cole Stefiuk:We are going to a scrap, everything that we've done before and change it up completely for a one-time only episode one time
Mayor Jack Crompton:One time only
Cole Stefiuk:Until next year when we do it again, exactly.
Mayor Jack Crompton:This is our review, the Whistler podcast review of the 2021 Whistler Excellence Awards. Uh, and we do have some special guests that will be joining us today. Tell us about a special guest Cole.
Cole Stefiuk:Well, to be honest, I've only met one of them before today and that's Heather Paul. Who'll be joining us a little later. She, I believe won Citizen of the Year, few years ago, right?
Mayor Jack Crompton:2017.
Cole Stefiuk:And then Kathy Jewett who won the year before against Heather Paul. I'm pretty sure it was.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yes. We should ask them about the sort of, you know, competition between the two of them.
Cole Stefiuk:Yeah. Yeah. That's actually a great competition. Have everyone was just competing to be the best citizen. That would be, that would be the perfect civilization.
Mayor Jack Crompton:You should, uh, you should put together some sort of report to the United Nations on community building and, uh, uh, your plan around everyone the competition.
Cole Stefiuk:The problem with that is to get everyone involved, like to get every person in, like you kind of would probably have to incentivize them and then are they really doing it for the greater good of the community? Like the people who we have in our community who are going up for this award every year, that's totally just their passion for this town, right? There's nothing, there's no like ulterior motive behind it.
Mayor Jack Crompton:$150,000 reward for winning
Cole Stefiuk:I mean, I guess if it gets people to do the right thing, maybe I don't know. All right. I'll talk to the UN later about it.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Alrighty. Sounds good. So the theme of last night's awards was"Whistler Together". I found that particularly poignant is there's been and continues to be nothing more important as we face COVID then our community working together. So throughout it, we, we were talking about this concept of together, which was born out of some work done by Whistler Community Services, as they thought through, how do we as a community take on a COVID. So I thought it really fit for the night.
Cole Stefiuk:Yeah, I totally agree. I thought that was a great a way to tie the whole show together. And of course, I mean over the past year and a half being, you know, working together has been so important. So yeah, I think it worked perfectly and I think everyone who like talked about it, uh, they, they all gave slightly different answers, but brought it all together to the same point, which I thought was, was very interesting.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Um, the Whistler Excellence Awards were on the line again this year, which is unfortunate. It's nice to be with other people, but as far as online events are concerned, I thought it was exceptionally well done. So congratulations to Reactive Design with the chamber of commerce and blue shore financial for, uh, such a great event. If you want to watch it, you can see it on YouTube and just type in Whistler Excellence Awards. It will come up. It's worth a watch for sure. If you don't have time to watch it. And you'd rather just listen to Cole and I review the awards you're in the right place.
Cole Stefiuk:I think so. Yeah. No, it was a great show though. It was, I was eight took, it took number one spot yesterday over football, which is pretty big for me. Okay. So yeah. Yeah. Jumped, uh, jumped ahead of football. So,
Mayor Jack Crompton:Huh. What was last night was Thursday night. Who was playing football,
Cole Stefiuk:The New York giants and the Washington football team. I still think it's silly that they haven't had a new name yet. They're just called the football team, but that's not what this is about. We're talking about the excellence awards. The game was not excellent. That's for sure.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Well, let's get into the, with their excellence awards, uh, our review. So the, the, you know, the highlight award every year is the Citizen of the Year and it's presented by Race and Company this year. The nominees were Dr. Karin Kausky, Yoann Barelli and Stella Harvey. Karin Kausky is a physician in town who has done a lot of volunteering around promoting, uh, primary care, uh, coordinating our community. As we face COVID Yoann Barelli has been organizing people to clean up the roadways around our community and done a really exceptional job and Stella Harvey has been organizing the Whistler Readers and Writers Festival for an incredibly long time and has really committed, um, to this community and improvement in our arts experience, uh, in Whistler, which is, which is, and she also runs a, a writers and readers circle, but, uh, does some interesting work as well. Did you, did you know of each of these people coming into last night?
Cole Stefiuk:Uh, well, again, like I said, this to you when we were talking earlier today, before I came, before we came in, like I'm still somewhat kind of newish to the community. I mean, I've only lived here for a couple of years now and it's been through COVID, so it's been kind of, not as easy to get out there, but I hadn't heard too much about Stella and her contributions to the community. Obviously we had Dr. Kausky on the show and, uh, that was obviously incredible with her, what she was saying during that, like, during that conversation we had was, you know, so much different than what I thought the conversation was going to be about, like her social prescriptions and like how she kind of brought the community into what she does and community services and mental health and stuff. It was, it was incredible to see that that's a, you know, a doctor in our community and Yoann. And is he actually the first time I met him, he not, he like, basically just walked into the studio while I was doing a show and say, can we talk about what I'm doing and cleaning up the highway? And I was like, absolutely. Get on here. Let's do it. And that was like, you know, when I first got here and he still keeping up the great work, so it's good to see
Mayor Jack Crompton:He's an inspiring guy.
Cole Stefiuk:He is, he has his path cause like his passion for, you know, the environment. And of course this community was, was, I mean, you could, you could hear it in the conversation we had, and that was two years ago. And to see that, you know, he's still putting in the work and now nominated for Citizen of the Year. I mean, it's, it's, it's awesome to see. It's inspiring to see.
Mayor Jack Crompton:I agree. Well, the winner was Dr. Karin Kausky and I think your point about her work around social prescriptions is what I find most inspiring. She did a TEDx talk, um, that you'll be able to find on the internet, I guess, in the next couple of months that everybody in our community should watch it. Uh, it talks about that concept of social prescriptions for health, which basically just means it's not just about prescribing drugs, but it's also about prescribing, um, whole foods and access to food, access to housing and, and to, uh, resources so that, um, we can be whole people. And I think that that is a incredibly, um, interesting concept. That's really got my attention for sure. So congratulations Karin Kausky.
Cole Stefiuk:Totally well-deserved and honestly it could have gone to any three of them, but obviously, you know, I'm glad that that Dr. Kausky got her shine for, for all the work she's done for the past year and a half.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. I think it was a real fit for this year, for a year where we had faced COVID and, and the healthcare community has pulled together. I mean, in her acceptance speech, she talks about exactly that, that, uh, she's grateful to win the award, but she feels like she shares it with all of the healthcare workers that she works alongside. And it's been how it's been a really community response to COVID-19. Uh, so I thought it was fitting. It was Karen Kausky. Absolutely. All right. So the next, uh, award we're going to talk about is the Business Person of the year it's presented by BDO. Uh, the nominees were Jerry and Sana Marsh from Creekside market. Uh Kaoru and Hidemi Ono at Senka florist, Priyanka Lewis at Brickworks Hospitality Group. Ever bought flowers for your girlfriend from Senka.
Cole Stefiuk:I haven't yet. Um, but I'm also a bad boyfriend and I don't buy flowers at all. Yeah. I, uh, honestly, when I was watching the, this last night and when they had their nomination speech, I was like, it's been a long time since I bought my girlfriend flowers. Maybe I should hit up Senka and get her some cause it's been a long time,
Mayor Jack Crompton:Uh, every year it's the father daughter dance. And, um, Senka does an unbelievable job keeping, uh, dads in, um, corsages and boutonnières. And, uh, I'm always struck that they are so enthusiastic about the work that they do. They, they, they love the flower business and they also are, um, really connected to what happens in the community. So, uh, yeah, Senka Florist. Great. Do you spend any time at Brickworks?
Cole Stefiuk:Yeah, I've gone there a few times. Brick works and we've worked with them a lot here at Mountain FM as well. They've they do a lot with us and we do a lot with them and yeah, it's never had a bad meal that's for sure. Never had a bad time there. You know what I mean? It's always just hits spot every time, every time.
Mayor Jack Crompton:And most people probably know Priyanka as Pri who has been not just a great business operator, but really a strong advocate for the, um, restaurant, uh, industry in our town through COVID-19 it's, it's funny that line of COVID-19 goes through all of these awards. The way people have responded in the midst of such a challenging time has been, uh, impressive and Pri has gone above and beyond, uh, working for her business success, but also for the business success of the, the general community. She regularly phones me to give me insight on what's actually happening on the ground, which is such a big deal. As we try to make policy in such a short timelines, that understanding about what's actually happening on the ground, what's happening with employment, what's happening with housing, what we should be sharing with the provincial and federal government. So she's run her business. And I know from conversations that are, she's taking care of her family and she's really taking care of this town. So congratulations to Pri for all of our good work. And then the last was Jerry and Sana Marsh with the Creekside market and they were awarded the business people of the year. Uh, we used to back 10 years ago when I had, uh, when I was operating a taxi company, Resort Cabs. Our office was in Creekside and it was right next to the Creek side market and, uh, the service line through their business, uh, just about how they take care of people and how they keep their, their staff sort of making that such a welcoming place, I think, um, is why I think that that customer service focus for the Creekside Market is why, uh, they are the business people of the year, this year. So congratulations to Jerry and Sana and the whole team. I mean,
Cole Stefiuk:That's a cool group effort, that one, right. Cause like that they were saying in their speech before and after they won and like that the, the, um, the culture, I guess you could say in there is always feels like you're just going into like a small town. You know what I mean? I guess it is. But like, it has everything you need, but it feels so small and community based. It's awesome. That, that was my, that was my go-to grocery store.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. It's, Cole's go-to grocery.
Cole Stefiuk:I think in a better endorsement than that. Right,
Mayor Jack Crompton:Exactly. Uh, so congratulations to them. Hey Cole, if we continue through this whole list of awards, uh, it's not going to be as compelling an episode. Why don't we throw to an interview that we did with Whistler citizen of the year from 2016 Councillor Cathy Jewett So Cole, uh, I am pleased to introduce you and welcome to our listeners, the 2016 Citizen of the Year Counsellor, Cathy Jewett. Cathy, thanks for joining us today on our retrospective of last nights events, we're grateful you joined us,
Cathy Jewett:Uh, pleasure to be here. And it was a great event to watch. I thought that Mark and Stacy and the Chamber of Commerce did a really great job in making us feel like we were sitting in the Fairmont.
Mayor Jack Crompton:I agree.
Cathy Jewett:I wasn't dressed the same though.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah, no, definitely. That's part that of the, of the whole event that's missing is dressing up and seeing others dressed up. So Cathy, you were a founding member of the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment. You sat on multiple parents advisory council, as well as on the BC Confederation of parent advisory council. As a director, you organize the Whistler social sustainability speaker series and helped out with the Whistler mountain ski club. For five years, you assisted with the community foundation of Whistler volunteered as a ride guide with WORCA. You volunteer at the Audain Art Museum and you hold the chair of the Communities that Care Whistler board of directors. And that, that I just read is only what your 2016 with their excellence award bio said, you've added so much more to that since what motivates you to spend so much of your life giving to Whistler? I think that that's what marks the people that were, uh, nominated this year. And I'm just wondering what motivates you to continue to give your life to this place in the way that you do
Cathy Jewett:Well, I give my life, but I get a lot back. So I'll tell you that right off. One of the great things about living in a town this size is how much impact one person and many people can have. It's the Margaret Mead thing. Um, you know, it's, um, uh, we can make such a difference in a small town. And so when you have an idea, um, AWARE was started with an ad in the Whistler Question, uh, WORCA was started over beers at the Boot, um, you know, things that are really important organizations in our town started very small. And, um, this week's article and in the Pique about how the library got that started. It just really gives you an idea of how, if you have a way to make this a better place, um, that you should carry that idea forward and find other people that have that same enthusiasm and you can make it happen. Yeah.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Were your parents volunteers, like, did you grow up in a family that volunteered to help their community?
Cathy Jewett:Um, my dad, for sure. My dad, um, was a Big Brother, so we would have, um, dinner every week and do an activity with his little brother. Uh, he was a boy scout leader as well. Um, and also he said to me, there's two kinds of people in this world, as we always hear, but he said there's givers and takers, um, to, uh, to be a giver.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Uh huh. You've lived that out well, uh, there's a couple of memorable moments moments from the 2016, sorry. A couple of memorable photos from the 2016 Whistler excellence awards. One is with your arms raised in victory, like over your head. And the other is one taken with all of the previous winners, um, of the Citizen of the Year award. And to me, those two photos really reflect, uh, something, two things about you. One is joy, you're, you're a joy to be around, but also the second being a deep commitment to team Whistler. And those two things I think were I read through the list of the 2016 winners and that was through the whole group, just team, a community team Whistler. Do you remember the, uh, what do you remember about the 2016 Whistler excellence awards?
Cathy Jewett:Um, well, you know, first of all, you always have to recognize the people that you're nominated with because they're phenomenal people also, um, Heather Paul and Donna Savage were my fellow nominees. Um, and they still continue to give what I, I said when I got out there and I didn't have anything prepared, maybe I did, but I just kinda like, wow. Um, but I looked out there and I said, everyone else, if you have been the citizen of the year, stand up. And so we have Thelma Johnston, we had Andre Janyk, two people that aren't with us anymore. Uh, we had Ann Townley, um, Joan Richoz,, Garry Watson. It was just so great to see all those people stand up. And then I asked for people also that have been nominated to stand up as well. And, um, you know, it does really show, um, how deep the, uh, commitment is to volunteerism in.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. Yeah. That's one of the, I remember that now, so clearly as you describe it, and that is exactly what is so great about the Whister Excellence Awards is seeing and getting to celebrate what everyone has done for this town. What were your thoughts on last night's awards?
Cathy Jewett:Oh, well, um, it was great. I, as I said, I think Mark and Stacy and the Chamber did an awesome job. Um, I really enjoyed getting to meet the, the, all the nominees and, uh, listen to the award winners. And it was a lot more focused because you don't have like, um, oh, am I going to eat my bun now? Or, uh, can I get a glass of wine, um, or whispering to your friend or anything? It's, it's like full focus on these people, which I think is really great. Um, you know, I want to give a shout out to one of the boards I sit on as a council appointee is Whistler Community Services Society. And I, I want to thank them. Um, you know, Padraic O’Rourke won the rising star, um, but, uh, Michael Barton from ILSA(Indigenous Life Sport Academy) and Gizem Kaya from Whistler Community Services Society, um, also great stars and the sustainability award that was their community services did ike congratulations on that. Um, the citizen of the year award. Wow. Um, my doctor is Karin Kausky. Um, but also, uh, this Tuesday, um, I'm not sure when this will air, but this coming Tuesday at our Committee at the Whole, um, we're going to hear, um, a presentation on community health and Karin is going to be there. And it's something that she strongly believes in. And when you listen to her about determinants of health, uh, it's so important, um, how people live, whether it's their housing, uh, their housing is huge. One of course, whether they can afford good food, um, whether they can afford to look after themselves. Um, it's really important. And that's why one of the things that she always talks about, um, is how poverty is a determinant of health and how we need to work to pull people out of that, uh, and, and try to try to help people that find themselves in that situation. That's one of the reasons why I love working on Whistler community services, uh, the work they do, uh, with the Food Bank, um, and other programs, uh, is just it's heartwarming.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. I thought last night's theme around, um, first responders, uh, was, was, was really interesting. And you have a long experience serving as a first responder as a ski patroller. Um, I, so I assume that that celebration of first responders and healthcare professionals really resonated with you last night.
Cathy Jewett:Oh, for sure. It did. I mean, um, I know my, uh, my past colleagues on the patrol, you know, they had to, uh, gown up, um, and do all kinds of crazy things on the side of the hill. Um, on the other hand, um, in the Whistler Healthcare Clinic, they not only had the usual injured coming off the hill, they also had to deal with the COVID, um, situation at people that were, um, that needed to be tested and diagnosed and, um, and immunized against it. And, um, also if you know, the ambulance attendants, um, every, everyone had to work extra hard this last year. And I also, one of the words that was used on the award was Together, um, which is also, as you may be aware of theme of Whistler courses, um, and together as is really what, um, what we've had to be. And it's nice living in a small town like ours, even though we have a lot of people visiting here, we still really feel like a tight little community. I feel.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Um, we were, you and I were on a phone call with the Minister of Municipal Affairs this morning. And you were, uh, calling in from where
Cathy Jewett:Portabello! I went, oh, oops, what's the heck this morning that we were having the minister, the minister's call got changed. And I was like still working on the old time. So I'd gone to my, uh, bootcamp and went for coffee at Portabello and walked in and just started congratulating everyone, um, because they, uh, one the, uh, Service Excellence in a Large Business. Um, and it really is, um, great service. They're great food. And, uh, I also want to, you know, thank, uh, the Fairmont for all the support. Again, they've given to the community of COVID. Um, you know, one of the things they've done is they've taken the raw materials that have come into the Food Bank and then cook things so that then you could pass it out a soup or, um, a lunch or, uh, because a lot of people were isolated. Um, and so those meals would be delivered to people at their door and the Fairmont, um, was really helpful in that. And I'm really glad that they got some recognition because they've been a great community partner, this, uh, they they've always been, but particularly during COVID,
Mayor Jack Crompton:Did the people at Portabello know why you were congratulating them?
Cathy Jewett:Um, actually quite a few of them did that, but one, one didn't. And, and she's like, I hope that it, um, it puts some wind in their sales.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah, yeah, no, I, you said earlier that the timing's right to be able to celebrate what's happening in this community during really difficult time, I think is, is, is a big deal you're right. The timing was perfect.
Cathy Jewett:Well, there's a lot of pressure. So, you know, I think of Dr. Karin Kausky, uh, yeah. How long does it take to get in to see her? I don't know. Um, but she's also doing so many other projects. Um, and we have, uh, an employee shortage. We have a doctor shortage. Um, we have a labor shortage here. And so I hope that the people that are working really understand how critical their contributions are to making this, uh, a great place to live
Mayor Jack Crompton:About, uh, the nominees of the other nominees of the Whistler Citizen of the Year, Stella Harvey and Yoann Barelli.
Cathy Jewett:Well, both those nominees, Stella done stellar work as, uh, as a coach for writers, but also just getting the Writers Festival going. That's another, like, here's an idea. Um, and I'm going to do it. And with Yoann Barelli same thing, here's an idea, and I'm going to do it. I'm I ride my bike along the highway. Um, and he rides his bike along the highway at times, and he just see the trash and it is heartbreaking. Um, we had, um, we had a fellow that was pushing a cart, like a buggy across Canada doing that, but Yoann really, um, pulled a lot of people together that might not, uh, normally volunteer or understand or see something that would, would spark that in them. And so one of the things he did, uh, by getting people enthusiastic about keeping Whistler beautiful, uh, was to put teams together. And, oh my gosh, if you ever saw them on the side of the highway, some of the stuff they were pulling out was just phenomenal, the huge piles, like, you know, like a tire or, well, I don't know how many people put Christmas trees in the ditch, but apparently quite a few, um, still there in June. Um, so, um, we did a really great job of cleaning out and it was also a real team building thing for all those people. And so, um, hats off to you, Yoann.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. Uh, thank you for joining us today. Is there anything you want to leave us with, uh, as, as far as last night's awards or just to us generally in this community?
Cathy Jewett:Um, well, I just want to, um, again, um, you know, express my congratulations for Dr. Karin Kausky a very deserving award winner of the citizen of the year or COTY as we call it. I don't, you know, uh, I hope she enjoys her parking pass. I don't know if that's still a perk. Um, but
Mayor Jack Crompton:I've been told, I've been told by a couple other systems a year that that should be made, not a one-year award, but like permanent you park for forever. What are your feelings on that as a counsellor and as a pharmacist in the area
Cathy Jewett:Well, Jack, how many times have you seen me drive a car? That's true.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Well, free bike parking. There you
Cathy Jewett:Go. Yeah. Um, but, uh, at any rate, you know, what is valuable for some people and it's valuable for people that need to, uh, to respond to emergencies. So I am all for that, but, um, I just think people use these awards, um, as inspiration, uh, in their own work and in their own volunteer experience.
Mayor Jack Crompton:We are so grateful to have had the 2016 Citizen of The Year. Cathy Jewett with us. Thank you for joining us today. It's great to be able to hear from someone who's actually stood on that stage and accepted that award. I'm a big fan of Cathy Jewett. She's a good friend, and she's such a servant to this town. Let's get back to the awards innovative business of the year. Uh, this was presented by Beedie Living and the nominees were Whistler Connection, the Whistler Institute and Bluebird Strategy, WNorth, um, I have a bit of a dog in this fight, actually, two dogs at three dogs in this fight. Uh, Whistler Connection is an organization that our company works very closely with the company that my, my wife runs was their transportation services. Um, so, uh, love that business love the people that operate it. Bill and Stephanie Murrey were the founders of that business. And they're still connected to this community. It's still connected to Whistler Connection and still working for the success of this town, Dan Harmon. Um, all of the people at a Wister connection are an impressive group. The Whistler Institute, which used to be the Whistler Learning Centre, which was founded by a group led by Steven Milstein. I sit on the board of the Whistler Institute. That's what I have a them as a dog in this fight. And in fact, today we just had our annual general meeting. And after, I don't know, at least 10 years of Steven Milstein's leadership as chair of that, uh, uh, organization, he stepped off the board. And so, um, uh, just not, not because he was, didn't want to continue the work, but because we, we time out, uh, on our board, um, commitments, so huge, huge, thank you to him for all he's contributed, but certainly they continue to be innovative. Um, and then WNorth, uh, Heather Odendaal and the team there who, um, have pivoted, I mean, her whole business has been live in-person conferences and conventions. Imagine if that was your business during COVID-19, it's an impossibility. And yet, uh, they have pivoted they've remained relevant. They'd remain speaking to the world and adding value. So congratulations to WNorth, because they were awarded the innovative business person of the year, sorry, Innovative Business of the Year. What were your thoughts on that section called?
Cole Stefiuk:I'm so glad that we're having this conversation. And I hope that a lot of people in the community who may not be as closely tied to it as you, like, I mean, myself is what I'm trying to say. I guess, listen to this because hearing more detail about, you know, all of the people and businesses involved and hearing more in-depth stories about the people behind them and what they do for this community is, is a lot. Because like, if you're really, if you're really new or if you're relatively new to the community, uh, you know, you saw what, you know, who they were, what they were and what together meant to them and talking about their business, but to get more in depth stories like this is nice though. And thank you for that, Jack. And, uh, yeah. I mean, all of these companies have had to push through so much this year and I'm sure, like you said, WNorth, th that's their whole thing. So I'm glad that they persevered and got the Innovative Business of the Year award because of it, their work, working their pivot. Yeah.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah, no, it it's impressive. Uh, congratulations to all three nominees. The next one is the rising star of the year, which this year was presented by the hotel association of Whistler. And the nominees were Michael Barton of the indigenous life Sport Academy, Padraic O’Rourke from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, and Gizem Kaya from Whistler community services society. This is one of my favorite awards, this idea that we recognize people that are giving so much to our community early in their lives. What do Mikey from, the ILSA is an impressive guy. He's joined Court Larrabee there. And he's a real leader. I think, uh, in that organization, it's been neat to see, uh, that pivot they've made from, uh, first nation snowboard team into a broadening of what that organization does. It's really started to touch the lives of people outside of that sort of narrow board sports, uh, focus. And that's a vision that, that Mike he's really brought to the table. Uh, Gazem at Whistler Community Services. I mean, the amount of energy that she brings to the work is unbelievable. And in a time where we're all getting tired, that energy and enthusiasm is critical to success. Uh, and then Padraic O'Rourke from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler was the winner. He was awarded this year, impressive guy with, I think, a real clear vision of where he wants to take his organization. And you really heard that in his acceptance last night, I thought,
Cole Stefiuk:Yeah, definitely. I've never had the pleasure of meeting, uh, Padraic, but I mean, like I said, hearing his passion for what he does is obviously always good to see, and that's what you want in a rising star. Uh, I haven't met, uh, Michael either, but I know, I mean, we know Court and, uh, we know the work that he's done and obviously his partner right there. Uh, and I think court wanted a couple of years ago with rising star or he was nominated. He did win. Okay. Um, so it's great to see that they continue their great work and I've met them a few times and we, first time I thought she was in charge of the Whistler community service society. She came in and her passion. I was like, you are, you, are you like the boss? She's not, but like, she, like, she has so much passion for the work that they do. They will, I'm sure. Oh, of course. And we had, we had Jackie on earlier this year and she had nothing but great things to say about Gazem's work and passion and her like her drive to continue the WCS, his work is, is inspiring.
Mayor Jack Crompton:I agree. I, I, she, um, I think she's the kind of person I want to follow, you know, enthusiastic about the work cares about the people. Um, yeah. I, it, she's an impressive person for sure.
Cole Stefiuk:Inspiring is the word. Yeah,
Mayor Jack Crompton:I agree. I agree. The next category was the Sustainability in Action Business award presented by Cascade Environmental. The nominees were Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler community services, society and innovation building group Whistler start with Innovation building Group. They do buildings that are, um, really high performing from an energy perspective. And they've built a number of those, uh, around BC, but, you know, down the road in Pemberton and other places, they're continuing to really push the industry on how you can build more cost-effective and energy performing buildings and, and doing some really interesting work around, uh, sustainability innovations, the right name for them, for sure. Um, Rod Nadeau that is the team, their innovation building Whistler Blackcomb. We all know Whistler Blackcomb and their vision to get to zero waste and for energy, uh, that's exciting work. And then Whistler community services society, and all they've done to promote sustainability and getting garbage out of the waste stream and reusing it, um, is really impressive as well.
Cole Stefiuk:I agree. A hundred percent and, uh, I feel like sustainability, it has so many different like meanings behind it in a way. And these, these nominees definitely sort of hit all of them, whether it's socially, whether it's environmentally it's sustainable.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah, yeah. In different ways too. I think that, that you're right, like very much, um, you know, Gazem didn't win the rising star this year, but she won the sustainability and action visits award because the Whistler community services society, uh, was awarded this one this year and congratulations to them. They
Cole Stefiuk:Absolutely a hundred percent. And we can just copy and paste what we said five minutes ago, a book examine what a Whistler community service society does and put it here. Yeah,
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. That energy that enthusiasm has really, I think, carried through this year. We continue to receive that from them in the work that they do. Yeah. Our next item is the Champion of Arts and Culture presented by the Whistler Real Estate Company. And the nominees this year are three, I think, unbelievably important people to this community. They have committed so much to making Whistler what it is. Um, first Dave Peppa, Petco Black Ohm Tattoo, Brandon Barrett from Pique newsmagazine and Shauna Hardy from the Whistler Film Festival. Uh, Brandon I think is unbelievable in the amount of work that he puts into this town. I mean, his work is arts and culture and as he writes, but then he acts, he writes, he he's just always on create and, and he's always presenting to our town creative work. I love him as an actor in, in, in live theater because, um, it's, it's always wry, funny. He's good.
Cole Stefiuk:I haven't had a chance to see him yet. So when, when theater shows up, yeah. Cool. Cause I mean, I was really only here for maybe seven or eight months before everything kind of stopped. So like I haven't had a chance to do a lot of those events. So when I get a chance, I look forward to seeing Brandon life. Yeah,
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah, yeah. Dude, get out next time he writes a play or he, he, um, is acting in, want to make sure you get out there and watch it. He is tremendous. And then Shauna Hardy, you know, founder of the Whistler film festival 20 plus years in this town, and it's changed the beginning of December for Whistler because at the beginning of December used to be a time when we would turn on and we'd be ready to welcome people, but there'd be no people here to welcome and we'd have to wait a couple of weeks until they showed up. She fills this place and she's filled this place and she's moved on now. She's no longer in that role, but the legacy is, is deep and long and important. And she's, she's changed this place. I think the three of them have changed this place.
Cole Stefiuk:I agree. And Whistler film festival. I mean, I love it. I can't wait. I can't wait for it to come back. I know I did get to experience that one before, before COVID hit.
Mayor Jack Crompton:That is good. It's such a fun event. I love it. The winner was Peppa. So he is, uh, a painter. I mean the, the amount of stuff that he does in this town is incredible. His latest, if you have a chance to go into the Whistler village and the Whistler Olympic Plaza where the new washrooms are, he painted the mural on the back wall of the washrooms. It's amazing. It's, it's definitely we're seeing, but the time and energy that he's put into art in this town, visual art is, is, is pretty impressive. And I was excited that his name was drawn as much as I like to see the other two folks when I wish they could have awarded all three, if I'm honest, but I think he is a really, really important and exciting recipient of this award. Yeah,
Cole Stefiuk:I agree. I forget who the presenter was, but when they were talking to her, it might've been Brandon saying it when he was doing his speech, but saying about how, like for such a, for a sports town, uh, how much we love and appreciate the arts here is, is pretty impressive. Cause usually you get towns, it's, it's one or the other, but we really do have both to such high, you know, appreciation for everyone. And, and this award just goes to show and I, I have a really embarrassing thing. Uh, I've been, I I've known Dave since I got here, obviously. And I've been looking to get a tattoo and obviously looking at all the tattoo shops like his, I just, as you said, it realize that Black Ohm is like Blackcomb. And I know that's a really, I was so late to the party on that. As you said it, I was like, oh my God, it's right there. And I was super embarrassing, but a great artist. And uh, obviously like you said, he does so much great visual art for this town and the murals, the chair. I saw his charity project on his Twitter yesterday as well, which is, which is awesome. So yeah.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Impressive. Okay, Cool. It's time for another visit from a, another former winner. Welcome 2017 Citizen of the Year. Heather Paul. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls please welcome the 2017, the citizen of the year. Heather Paul. Welcome Heather.
Heather Paul:Hi.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Nice to see you.
Heather Paul:Nice to see you too, or hear you. Yes,
Mayor Jack Crompton:But you are not our first guest today. Heather, we had your citizen, your predecessor, Cathy Jewett on earlier to hear her thoughts, uh, listeners may not know, uh, but there is a tradition for the previous citizen of the year to present to the next Cathy presented to you. And I found out what she said about you. Cathy said she writes, directs and acts and opens people's eyes to the importance of local theater. She's chair of Arts Whistler. However, many of her contributions fall outside of traditional roles from fundraising for Zero ceiling and the Whistler Blackcomb foundation to emceeing the Jill Ackhurst Welcome Dinner. This year's citizen of the year uses her talents to bring people together. And this woman is the queen of drama. My first question is, are you in fact, the queen of drama,
Heather Paul:I got too old to be the queen of drama. Now I hear that. And it feels like such a past life. My road just took a different turn after citizen of the year, which was a good, like a great gift. And arts is still so important to me, but it seems to have morphed into something else. I haven't done a play in years. So what is that? It feels like I won the award and then I just stopped.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Maybe you can win again for us for this next phase. Has there ever been a double winner?
Heather Paul:That's it that's something that was discussed has been in, uh, over glasses of wine and jokes. I think that if there have to be a burning bus and I save every single child in there for it, you know, I think, and I think I'm the youngest citizen of the year, which
Mayor Jack Crompton:Certainly,
Heather Paul:I mean, have to throw that far. I was,
Mayor Jack Crompton:You know, you still are. You still are for sure. You still are. Um, so it's not that you're too old to be queen because certainly there are, I mean, how old is Queen Elizabeth?
Heather Paul:Oh, I feel like a queen, but I did not need citizen a year for that. My mother can tell you that Cathy nailed that one for sure. I'm trying to work on it, but yeah, I might be a little dramatic.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Fair enough. What do you remember about the 2017 excellence awards. When you stood on that stage and spoke to our community about yourself, it seems like, uh, uh, you always talk about other people. What's it like to stand up on a stage and talk about yourself?
Heather Paul:That's it? That's a tough one. I think my, my first memory is my husband beside me. So you get a little emotional. I didn't realize how much I hadn't written a speech because honestly I was so young and beside great people who have served the community for many more decades than I had. And I've busted when they said my name and I didn't realize how much pent-up anxiety I had about, about it all. Um, and then walked up there and I don't remember much, but someone recorded it and it's, I I'm proud of what I said. I, the first thing I did say was though is thanks this is gonna look great on my resume. So there's that, um, I, I do remember pointing out something that I think is really important to, um, to point out that every one of these is that it's women who mostly are winning these awards and that's not a time to go. You know, finally, the women are getting recognition. This is because, um, volunteerism and nonprofit work is, um, where women can find leadership opportunities. And that's where I was able to find leadership opportunities outside of my traditional role of, um, what paid my bills. Um, and so there's in years of volunteer award and I was, I was just so over the last 10 years in research, 15 years in Whistler was just, it was, I was just obsessed with, um, giving back to a community that I'd fallen so deeply in love with and to do that means volunteering and giving yourself. And, uh, you know, I I've been asked to join the pack many times and I've always said, the pack is the Parent Advisory committee at school. And I've always said, you get five men on that committee that are not just flipping burgers at fundraisers and I will be there, but I want to see more male representation at volunteer and nonprofit organizations.
Mayor Jack Crompton:And my back, I wasn't sure if you were frozen or what was going on there. I was just stunned by what Heather said
Heather Paul:I was going should i keep talking?
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. So I'm going to ask you this. Do you remember Al sitting beside you that night?
Heather Paul:Uh, yeah, I do. It was right there and he's why I got it. He supported me, you know, I'm a better person. The only reason I shine this from him, the only reason I could do what I did with his support being right beside me at every opening nigh,t painting sets with me until two o'clock in the morning. And just telling me to go do it, driving me to my first audition with Whistler theater company in 2002, I cannot breathe. I, everything I've done is from his support and he helped me out. So I do remember him there. I remember what he was wearing, I remember him. I remember his face as the first face I looked at when they said my name and I wish I could have brought him up there. But thanks for that.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Sorry. Oh, I know.
Heather Paul:I didn't think I cried during this long.
Mayor Jack Crompton:I w I asked myself whether I should say it or not asking or not. And then I decided I should. Um, well, you know, from, from that and Al and all that he has meant and means and delivered to this community as the two of you have served this place. Um, probably one of the ways that he's, he's done that as give you a confidence to stand in front of whole groups of people, uh, and deliver. You've hosted this thing a number of times. And I was interested, as I thought about talking to you today, what's your process to prepare to stand in front of our community and walk us through a celebration of ourselves.
Heather Paul:Ah, that's a good question. My goal is to look like I haven't practiced, and I do that by practicing a lot, know your topic, know what you're talking about, that when I couldn't memorize everything, because there were just so many names and fixing, and the other thing is to provide a little entertainment, which I think you, uh, bring someone up right at the beginning to make a fool out of themselves alongside of you and the audience is yours for the nights. And so I do have to shout out to you for taking part of a song and dance musical at the beginning of the 2018.
Mayor Jack Crompton:I think so, so cool. The story is Heather said, Hey, I want to do this like musical number, song and dance thing. And, um, I was, oh, sounds good. Go for it. No, no, no, no. I want you to be in it with me. And so, uh, we dressed up, we sang, we danced. It was so fun. And I used to, when I was in high school, um, do theatre, but I had done very since, and it was so fun and Heather's right. Like, look like you aren't, um, you haven't practiced for, this is the best way to do it. And the way you do that is by practicing. So we practiced a bunch and it was so fun. Heather, thank you for that. That was so fun.
Cole Stefiuk:It wasn't like an original song or was it like, uh, what'd you guys do for like a song and dance?
Heather Paul:It was a rewritten version of a lady. And, uh, that's why the lady is a tramp. Yeah.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. And we were, we, we we've actually decided that we're going to perform it now, here for you.
Heather Paul:I can look up the lyrics. I mean, I could do it.
Mayor Jack Crompton:That's true. Oh, I could. Yeah, but Cole actually, isn't going to let us do it today, unfortunately, but we'll, we'll figure out a way to do it in the future. Exactly. Um, so TEDxWhistler just happened and you were a big part of helping deliver it at the SLCC. Um, and actor Omari Newton was one of the speakers and his talk was unbelievable. And it was titled the essential service of art, basically saying that art is an essential well service. I just basically, I could've just let his headline speak for itself. It speaks for itself the essential service of art, and he made an amazing case, uh, for it. And Stella Harvey was one of the nominees this year. I wanted to hear from you. Why is the work of artists so essential in your view and why is Stella's work so essential for our community?
Heather Paul:Um, I think one of the things that working in art does is give you confidence. It makes you think outside of the box, I think an artistic mathematician is a fraction more creative and closer to the new discovery than one who isn't. I think that the athlete who is, has a song in their soul or a visual appreciation to the world around them in an artistic way, like what Chili Thom used to paint. Um, if it speaks to an athlete, they might just go a fraction faster. I think every kid who can get up and speak on stage or tries to, or thinks about it, or learns a poem that they can recite in their own room, it brings them a competence that will lead them into boardrooms or stages anywhere else, anywhere they go in life. Um, it's essential to bring color into the world of whatever you're doing instead of being black and white. I worked in technology and I survived in technology because I'm an artist. And with Stella's work, I love that. I really love seeing that the arts champion award is there. I think a lot of the arts champion award is originally was recognized businesses that are supporting the arts. And I think that's integral. I think businesses is supporting the arts is a important piece. It's, it's about connecting to the community in a personal way that a business wouldn't normally get to do and talking about something that sometimes is over overlooked. Um, when, when it is actually something that helps you live and breathe and get through, um, any sort of trauma or life lived. So, um, but so nice to see Citizen of the Year recognizing work in the arts community and not just the Arts Champion of the Year one. And with Stella's work, you know, that the writer's festival is one of the first grass roots festivals that has stayed incredibly authentic to Whistler while bringing writers from all over the world here. And it's put, it's put us on the map when it comes to conversation about the English arts in a way that is graceful and still shows the true source of who Whistler is. And not necessarily the tourism view that people get when they walk in here without your own personal guide. And I think Stella has really worked hard to keep that authenticity and that grass roots, uh, visual that the rest of Whistler Writer's Fest is while still being an incredibly professional CBC, nerd book review collaboration of people. Yeah.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Uh, well said, uh, Karin Kausky since the year. Um, I think well-deserving, um, do you have anything to say to welcome her, to your, your, what, what would you call your it's not society, your, your number? Do you have anything to welcome her?
Heather Paul:The number, you know what I really liked the bravery of that choice. I think the last couple of, I think I was part of that, that year, where there was a tie. And do you remember, I had to call Val Litman from the BC Chamber of Commerce. I did get, I had to get people on board with having a tie. It was, it was controversial. And then, and then the next year having a teenager nominated, and then this year with Karin, with Karin, I love the recognition that Karen probably work 90 hours a week during COVID. That is, that is an incredible amount of volunteer hours and that you, so you, you know, normally it would be a very black and white, uh, volunteer position. Um, I did not get to this new year for my tech work for my help desk for rebooting your compute. Um, let me install that virus. So yeah, I, and I just love how the brave change, and I think that's what this, that this is the way that this our excellence awards are going to survive is if they've really look at taking some brave and bold steps when nominating and awarding people. And I think they've done it again with Karin and I, I like this. Um, I don't, I don't want to take away from the incredible volunteerism around misser, but it's a good moment during COVID to recognize, um, the kind of effort to keep Whistler healthy and how much of effort was required to that in the last 18 months.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Uh, do you have anything to leave us with? Thank you. But do you have anything to leave us with?
Heather Paul:Uh, I, you and I talk about this all the time. I think that, uh, the next generation, we need to change up the Citizen of The Year award. We need to not necessarily change up its credentials, but really get it out there as being a goal for people to achieve. Um, my son wants a Kid of the Year award. He's been trying started a garbage cleanup at school, and he he's, he's, he's basically gunning for a fellowship, but I told him not at like, you better start volunteering. Um, but he's, I think that, I think that there's opportunity to really re-engage the community and giving back to each other and to our own passion. I think that if we have to move it from being a collective pat on the back, uh, from people that, you know, and see well and Nesters to faces that we don't recognize. And don't, I think part of COVID's problem in Whistler, when we had outbreaks that it was specifically a young as a young group of people and it wasn't spreading to the rest of the community. The how long have you lived here, community and the long standards, like the old teeth like me, and that's a problem with the community. That's a problem. I wish, you know, it, it I'm hooray. It did not spread, but why didn't it because we're not connecting with the younger generations that are coming in here, we're waiting until they decide to stay. And that's, that's not, I think that's how we're going to grow as a society is if we really change up the Whistler excellence awards, and look at how we're connecting to the people who come and dedicate to four and then maybe decide to live here of their lives and root down as a family here, right at the beginning, how are we connecting to them? How are we inviting them to a dinner table? And to the Whistler excellence awards, well
Mayor Jack Crompton:Said, my friend, thank you.
Heather Paul:I think there's one more thing I would like to see the word citizen also include those indigenous people from the Lil'wat Nation and the Squamish Nation, whose land this is and have them clearly qualify as they are as not just citizens, but ancestral land owners and land dweller as here, they qualify for listed citizens of the year. They qualify for every one of these awards that like
Mayor Jack Crompton:To see it and
Heather Paul:I'd like to see what are the SLCC staff members walk up on that stage soon.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. Yeah. I like that idea. Okay. So I believe, unless on the other side of this, I am corrected again, that that was 2017 Citizen of the year. Heather Paul. Love talking to Heather Paul. We, we should have her on again soon. Hey.
Cole Stefiuk:Yeah. She could be the first three time guest.
Mayor Jack Crompton:So does she count as a guest for as, yeah. Yeah. Okay. So we can make her the first three times. Yes. Okay, perfect. Uh, let's get back to the awards. Um, new for 2021 was the resilient business of the year, which I think speaks to COVID directly. Just the resilience that we've needed to show us presented by BCIT the nominees were the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the Whistler Racket Club and Whistler Blackcomb. We've talked a lot about the Fairmont today. Obviously project Padraic won the award for rising star. Um, but certainly the Fairmont has done really interesting things around ensuring that their staff are safe, ensuring that their guests are safe, um, and really sharing that information throughout the community. There's a lot of through, COVID a lot of really valuable insight that has come from head offices that are outside of our community. And Fairmont has been one and the Fairmont Chateau has done a really good job of making sure that people that don't have those large, you know, mothership, uh, networks are able to access that same kind of safety, um, information, which is, I think served us really well. Yeah. I agree. We've talked about them a lot already, so that's true. Moving on, uh, Whistler Racket Club has reinvented the, uh, tennis facility and they've done so during COVID-19, which is an amazing thing to say, uh, you know, a food and beverage and recreation company expanding during COVID that just doesn't make any sense. And they've done it in a pretty impressive way.
Cole Stefiuk:Yeah. Honestly, they they've done some great work and like, I, I know a bunch of people that, that just recreationally that's where they go and it wasn't maybe before the pandemic and now it's like their go-to spot. So definitely resilience. Cause they grew over the past year and a half, you know?
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. And then, uh, the third end, the actual winner was Whistler Blackcomb. And, uh, I think what they did around line management around ensuring that people could get on the mountain and ski and snowboard, uh, and which is so critical, I think to this community, this particular communities, mental health, uh, mental health has been a major challenge around the world during COVID. And you heard that through a lot of the people's comments last night, um, and keeping the mountain open for sure helped me. Uh, and I know helped so many people in our community and they did so getting a huge amount of, um, the, the, the challenge just kept getting, uh, more and more as it went. And I just have this vision in my head of their senior management team, out in the lines, talking to people and helping us all be safe. So I think that, that they were a good winner this year for the resilient business of the year. I agree,
Cole Stefiuk:Dude, that having a ski season and feeling nothing but safe on the hill was so nice. I know some people gave him flack for lines in the original lineup to get into the gondola, but who cares? I felt safe the entire season. And like you said, the mental health boost of getting up there when I got the chance was incredible. And, uh, and yeah, I think this is well-deserved every business in town should feel proud of what they've done to stay resilient throughout the past year and a half. But having the Whistler Blackcomb put together almost a full season, uh, and not closing cause of their own doing at all, because you know, the third wave that hit in March and April, but honestly having them open was such a relief. I was so worried and they put it together and it was, oh man, well-deserving well deserving.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah, I agree. Uh, the next item is the service excellence, small business award. And this one's presented by Reactive Design. The nominees were Armchair Books, Moguls Coffee House got a little like corner of the village. They've got two nominations right there and the Whistler medical clinic, um, I thought Diana Chan from Moguls really said it well last night, talking about team mental health, taking care of each other, which they obviously did it moguls. But I think that, that she really spoke for our town.
Cole Stefiuk:Yeah, I totally agree. And all three of these I've, I mean, I had to go to the, uh, you know, Moguls is obviously a great place to go grab coffee and I've never felt like uninvited in there. And Armchair books is great too. And, and all these, I've never, I had to go to the medical clinic way too often to admit over the pandemic, nothing to do with COVID at all. And they were nothing but like super friendly and gracious even with everything going on. So yeah, I don't know, just, we had all of, I just great, great service from all of them. And I just proud of every business in this town for that kind of work.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. I think Armchair books could have been an innovative business or resilient business or service excellence. They started to do a lot of delivery, book delivery, taking on Amazon. So need, we need that. We need it. So congratulations to Dan and team at armchair, congratulations to Diana and the team at Moguls. And the winner was the Whistler Medical Clinic, uh, for all that they did this year testing and taking care of this community during a very difficult time. We're grateful for all they did at the Whistler medical clinic.
Cole Stefiuk:You mentioned that like Armchair could have been put for any of these. Do you not get that with like almost every business we've talked about? Like they probably could have been nominated for like any and all of these awards.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Oh, for sure. It's incredibly here, right? Yeah. They all everybody's stepped up. It's so true. Yeah. And our last award, uh, that we're going to talk about today is the Service Excellence, Large business award. It was presented by Wister black home and the nominees were Nestor's Market and Pharmacy, Portabello and Creekside Market, uh, Creekside market already had one, uh, business person of the year. So you know, could give it to them to right. Yeah. They can't get, do awards. This isn't the Oscars where you can win like seven.
Cole Stefiuk:Yeah. You got to share it around a little bit, you know? Exactly. Exactly.
Mayor Jack Crompton:And then, uh, Nesters Market and Pharmacy, amazing place, uh, Eric Poulin and team at the pharmacy and, uh, Bruce and his team in the Market, they just do such good work. It's it's a similar story, I think to what you said about Creekside Market. I think when the tagline where the local shop came up, it's true. Like that's where I go when I want to see my friends. Oh yeah. I go shopping for corn flakes.
Cole Stefiuk:Yeah. And we work with them a lot and Nesters here at mountain and feminine and Bruce is always such a great guy to talk to. We hang out, sometimes live at his store. We've done it a couple of times and he's always just a fun chat and great guy. So yeah. Good to see you. And
Mayor Jack Crompton:Have it having said that we can't give multiple awards. This isn't the Oscars, the winner of the large business award was Portabello, uh, which is, uh, you know, another Fairmont, um, operated organization. Congratulations to them really impressive work by the people at, uh, the Portabello. Uh, just, I, I love going there for sandwiches, man. It's good sandwiches at Portabello.
Cole Stefiuk:I you're going to hate me for this. Haven't had them yet. Yeah, I know. I know Jack. I know, I know.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Let me get up there. I
Cole Stefiuk:Was nervous about this episode because there was a few of the amazing businesses on here where like, I haven't really gotten a chance to fully experience or, or go to or whatever. And I knew you would just kind of hold judgment and I can see it in your eyes. So
Mayor Jack Crompton:I'm judging you right now. It was a great event. Obviously hope that next year we can be back in person. Um, my question for you, Cole is what award will you be, uh, uh, targeting. So what we'll be working towards over the next year,
Cole Stefiuk:Um, it is funny. You bring that up. I'm not going to lie. Cause right before, right before the pandemic, I was putting in a lot of work to try and build my community presence for actually something outside of the Whistler excellence awards, but all that work, I think after seeing all the amazing people that we have in this town, I won't be up for any of them because the competition is very stiff. Um, but one, one day, obviously you want to try and, and put in enough work to be at least considered for something like citizen of the year or rising star. Cause I'm still new.
Mayor Jack Crompton:Yeah. But maybe innovative business. Maybe you just take mountain FM in a totally different way. Like you just go and start doing, I don't know, crazy stuff on Mountain FM. And you're the first
Cole Stefiuk:Person ever to include a radio station and the word innovative in one sentence over the past 20 years. Thank you for that. I appreciate it. Big idea to big ideas. Let's see what I can do. Yeah.
Mayor Jack Crompton:So closing thoughts. What were your, what were Cole Stefiuk's thoughts on, on the Whistler excellence awards this year?
Cole Stefiuk:They were excellent. Is that a cop-out answer? I want to know if you wrote the lovely poems that you read,
Mayor Jack Crompton:It was a team effort. So, um, the Mark and Reactive Design, uh, and Chanel at, um, uh, the Whistler chamber wrote them and then brought them to me. And I did a lot of editing and rewriting so that it felt more like my voice, but it was a lot of fun. They they're, they're fun to work with. I think that piece was compelling primarily because I think of the photos and the images that they did such a great job presenting that could have been B roll, right. It could have been just B roll of firetrucks and police officers and, and, and people working in social services, but it was our fire fighters and our police officers and our, um, social service folks, uh, doing their work in our home. And so it felt nothing like B roll. It felt like a real clear presentation of us. And I loved, I loved it.
Cole Stefiuk:It was great. Yeah. Whether you wrote it or not, it was, it was a great segment for sure. And then my last question was they asked all the nominees this, and they put it at the end. So I figured the last thing we talk about would be fitting if it was this, what would be your symbol of their theme of being together and all that like that? A lot of people holding the hearts up, hugging what would be yours?
Mayor Jack Crompton:Oh, that's a good question. Um, I guess for me, it's just an image of that ski line last winter of all of us waiting to get up there together in a line, but doing it in a, in a safe way. And there's a lot of anxiety and frustration and anger around those lines. But for me, they represented us being us in the middle of a pandemic. And that has really stuck in my head as sort of an image of what together means. Wow.
Cole Stefiuk:You might be one of the only ones with that answer, but I like it a lot. I
Mayor Jack Crompton:Like that. It's not a hand symbol, unfortunately.
Cole Stefiuk:No, that's okay. I was hoping you would throw up like a gang sign or something, but
Mayor Jack Crompton:Like a Wu Tang. Uh, well, I, I certainly enjoyed the evening and I just encourage anyone who hasn't had a chance to watch if you've got this far in this episode and you still haven't watched the excellence awards themselves it's time to do so. Um, enjoy that, enjoy the, uh, celebration of our community. And thank you for listening today to the Whistler podcast, which is brought to you by the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and Mountain FM.