[gagbandit]

Sparkles

I do not know who slashed our tires and I never found out. When I called the RCMP he noted that the other four vehicles present, all which had BC plates were left untouched. I never found out who did it and the criminal was never charged.
My point is prejudice – and it’s disapponting. Like I said in my post I’ve been coming here for over twenty years. When Snow Valley was truly that, before FAR, before all the condo’s, before the developments and as I recall before the Elk was open for fishing. For me, Fernie still has that charm and I will keep coming. I am teaching my family about this special little spot on the planet. What bothers me is this growing intolerance. Perhaps it is preciptated by money loaded tourists, perhaps by absent land holders, perhaps by the run up of real estate prices – I don’t know. Usually its a result of ignorance.
When I read things like “rape and pilage albertans” or “albertains that complain about having to pay pst when they don’t live here” I’ll call it out. I could retort with equal examples but what good would that do ? It’s prejucicial and unhelpful. It also doesn’t reflect the welcoming attitude and great friendships I’ve cultivated here over the years. It simply promotes prejudice, hate, and for a mindless few somehow allows them to justify doing stupid things ( like maybe slashing albertan tires ) – I’d love to catch ’em and have them prosecuted.

[gagbandit]

I personally agree with conservation measures. I’ve been coming to Fernie for over 20 years, and have owned a second home here for just about as long. Years ago I was disappointed, but agreed, when they closed the Wigwam for conservation reasons…. Mr Bulltrout needed protection. I don’t agree with a discrimnatory Tax regime as an effective means of conservation however – especially when it singles out one group over another. The Gov’t is often more concerned with collecting a “mother nature” tax than truly conserving. A strict number of licenses would be more effective in my opinion.
I always find it disappoiting to see discriminatory attitudes on these posts – it reflects a broader problem and often reflects ignorance. For example to single out ALbertans as having a “rape and pilage attitude” promotes hatred. It also doesn’t reflect local reality here in the Elk. Over The last 18 months the Campbell gov’t has issued some of the largest leases to the oil companies so they can develope coal bed methane here in the Elk. And let us not forget the mainstay of the Elk economy – open pit coal mining. But I guess that is ok because it is not nasty albertans getting all the royalty $$$ – it’s the BC gov’t – and they are displaying just as much an appetite for “rape and pilage” royalty money as the King Ralph does.
B.T.W. last summer, while floating down the elk with my 8 year old son someone slashed all four of our tires. It taught him a real lesson of tolerance, charity and understanding. This hateful behaivour often bred by the kind of attitude reflected here. I love the Elk, Fernie and the whole area. I have always respected it and it’s residents. It’s too bad that some of them do not see their own economy and gov’t for what it is and choose instead to foster prejudicial attitudes while closing their eyes to reality.

[gagbandit]

oops I meant to say that they IMPORT more than they EXPORT

[gagbandit]

Griz – I think the only questions re interest rates are when will they go up, not if they will go up. The US cannot sustain the downward pressure on the $USD. Their current account deficit is massive. They export way more than they import – and its increasing. As a result they must sell more $USD (than others buy ) to pay for the imports. They also are running a massive budget deficit ( war is really expensive ). All of this puts huge pressure on their $. The only way to sustain it will be to raise interest rates – and ours will follow. I bet ( but what do I know ) that we will see 7%-9% within five years.
All this being said, what I have been doing is only renewing 1 year mortgage terms. Each year I grind the shit out of the bank for the best 1 year rate. They will negotiate quite a lot for a one year term.I haven’t paid more than 3.25% for the last three years. I haven’t paid more than 1.5% less than their best posted rate for the last four years. I’ve saved at least 1.5-2% each year for the last three. When the rates begin to climb – at a clip of greater that 1.5 % a year I will lock in and not until. Until then my bank manager hates to see me coming each year ’cause he know the game and he will continue to drop his interest rate shorts for a one year term. ….. It’s also fun to negotiate !
Now where to buy ? I bought in Alpine Trails, four years ago. The property has almost doubled. It can’t keep this up for ever – there will be a correction – there ALWAYS is. No one can predict when. Just make sure that you can hold on for the long haul. You might make $$ if you buy/sell in the short run but in the real estate game you should NEVER bank on this. In the long run, real estate is well proven to be a sound investment.
…. and what nicer place than Fernie to buy and hold for the long run ?

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