Thank you Argo

I was appalled and embarrassed by the recent articles quoting Joe Rich residents attacking and assaulting the efforts of the Argo Highway Maintenance crews. These people used the term "we, the Joe Rich residents,” and I can assure you, as a Joe Rich resident, they do not speak for me!  

I live at the 1,050 meter level out here on Philpott Road, where the snow accumulation and temperatures are as bad or worse than any of the local byways. I can't claim to be as knowledgeable about what it takes to keep the roads clear as these "complainers" do, but I can say that one of my chores in the operation and maintenance our small hobby farm is the care of our 1,000 foot (plus) driveway -- including snow removal.  If what I have to deal with in this task gives me even a little bit of insight into what the Argo crews have to deal with, then my hat goes off to them. As far as I am concerned, these guys do a great and wonderful, though apparently thankless, job in horrendously ugly conditions. Thank you Argo for a job well done!

While I've got you here, I would like to point out for the information and enlightenment of those who assume they can do a better job that, surprisingly, Argo does not control the weather, which includes temperature (hot and cold), wind, rain, sleet, snow, shaded corners that can result in ice on an otherwise bare surface, fog and white-out conditions. And while we residents can choose to stay home safe, off the roads, these guys have to get out there and deal with it, thanks or no thanks. I would also like to take a risk by saying that I would hazard to bet that few residents have had a driving incident as a result of road conditions because, as residents and knowing the road, we tend to drive to the conditions not the posted speed limits. 

While the Department of Highways will, does and do claim that the 100km speed limit on the narrow, two lane, winding stretch of Hwy 33 that starts on Walker Hill and ends at the Big White turn-off, has nothing to do with accommodating the ski industry, the fact of the matter is that a vast majority of the major incidents that occur on that stretch of highway is the result of idiots in a hurry to get up to the powder in the morning and back to the pubs and clubs in town for the night.  You might wonder why the stretch of highway, on Hwy 97, between the airport and Lake Country (fairly straight, four lanes and divided) is 90KPH. I guess they don't have a ski hill to get to.

My wife and I have contacted Argo on a number of occasions, requesting their assistance and they have responded quickly, positively and satisfactorily.

Anyway, I just wanted to make sure Argo, Wayne and his boys, know that there are those of us who know and appreciate what they do and how it is done.  And I wanted them to take comfort in knowing that they are in the company of great and wonderful people, like our Police Officers, who get dumped on by those who don't but think they know. Thank you!

John B. Collinson