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Passing the buck

It seems no one wants to touch this one. Concerns continue to mount over the plan for transportation throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor during the Olympics, and calls for answers keep getting deflected.

It seems no one wants to touch this one. Concerns continue to mount over the plan for transportation throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor during the Olympics, and calls for answers keep getting deflected. The term "artery" is a very apt description for Highway 99 to those relying on the highway to make a living. And we all know what happens when an artery is clogged. But despite this looming and very real threat to Squamish residents' livelihoods, every organization connected to the decision process is steadfastly refusing to speak about, or speak to those directly impacted.Our calls requesting answers on impacts to local businesses went to the 2010 Commerce Centre, which takes its direction from the Ministry of Economic Development and is meant to "help inform, educate and connect businesses to the opportunities of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."But, whereas the Ministry of Economic Development is charged with addressing business issues, they won't speak to impacts of 2010 in the corridor, according to the Commerce Centre's Beatrice Gill. This, she said, is the Ministry of Transportation's job. So we're to believe that people at the Ministry of Transportation - who, if no one has noticed, have a few other things on their plate at the moment - are keeping Squamish businesses in mind while planning to take over the community's main artery? It's possible, but it would be more believable if even a single phone call had been made to consult with highway-reliant businesses. It would be more believable if those involved in deciding how transportation will work in 2010 ever returned a phone call to the media, which is tasked with informing the public. Instead, the questions are taken by a PR minion and an email response carrying none of the information requested is the result. Irene Kerr, VP Transportation and Services at VANOC, gave this statement: "We are working with our transportation partners to ensure residents and visitors are able to move smoothly throughout the Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky regions during the Games. Our plan focuses on park and rides and bus service for spectators travelling the Sea to Sky Highway, and at this point, we don't believe permitting will be required on the highway. We are committed to getting residents and businesses the information they need so they can plan accordingly. To that end, more detailed information about the transportation plan will be available this fall so residents and businesses can plan well in advance of the Games."So make way folks, the train's coming and there's nothing to do but hang on to your worries - hey, it's just another seven months or so.

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