The asphalt plant, bed caps and liveability. They're some of the more contentious issues in Whistler, and they were front-and-centre during last week's all-candidates meeting hosted by the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE).

An audience of about 120 people gathered at Millennium Place last Wednesday (Nov. 2) to hear from Whistler's candidates for mayor and council and ask questions relating mostly to environmental issues. One of the more contentious moments came after a question about how the long asphalt plant saga has been handled at municipal hall.

"It was a rezoning application that came forward in 2009," said mayoral candidate Ralph Forsyth. "The first thing staff does if there's any application — do we want to look at this, should we bring this forward to an open house? We agreed to move that forward to an open house, which precludes any of the other steps in the rezoning process. I can tell you on every vote, by myself without a second, I voted to enforce the zoning."

However, that's not what fellow mayoral hopeful Nancy Wilhelm-Morden remembers.

"My recollection is different from yours, Ralph. Just to give you context, that was the lead up to the Games and all business of council was on hold," she said. "Then along came a staff report requested permission to continue processing of the application. Staff were looking for guidance on this issue, and in the middle of a time when no other business but Games business was being conducted.

"I started writing about it (in my newspaper column) because it raised a flag. Why was it being processed and why would people consider rezoning an asphalt plant next to a neighborhood?"

As for Mayor Ken Melamed, who's running for re-election, he admitted more could have been done and that council is looking to solve the issue soon.

"This has been one of the most difficult issues we've had to deal with in this term," he said. "I know it's impacted peoples' lives and reduced the quality for life in that neighbourhood. I'm not proud of reduced quality of life. I believe it's critical — council has committed to seek as remedy in the courts."

Out of 25 candidates for council, five hopefuls were not able to make it to the meeting — Andrée Janyk, Allan Jenner, Roger McCarthy, Brian Reid and Richard Diamond. One of the questions for the council hopefuls was about Whistler's bed cap, or growth limit, and whether or not it should be increased.

"There's been a lot of bed cap discussion," said council candidate Steve Anderson. "I don't see any reason to lift that. It's not the marketplace to do that."

Current councillor Grant Lamont, who is running for re-election, agreed, saying, "I am not for lifting the bed cap."

To mix things up, an audience member suggested that a few candidates ask a question of their competitors. Lamont asked fellow council candidate Duane Jackson if he had read the Municipal Act and Community Charter.

"I apologize — I haven't," replied Jackson.

Then, council candidate Jen Ford asked mayoral candidate Brent McIvor about how he'd work to make life more affordable in Whistler if he were to be elected.

"We need to cut spending and create new revenue. I think we can try to raise some funds to entertain secondary schools to come," responded McIvor. "We really need to take a hard look at the budget. People are mad as hell that taxes have gone up as much as they have."

Another highlight of the session included a colourful speech by second-time mayoral candidate Miro Kolvek.

"What you want to do is up to you. These old guys, Nancy, Ken, they've been here so long, there are so many issues and we need to make solutions," he said. "The people, they ask me about pay parking. Not good, Ken, not good. I love you guys."

Then Kolvek appeared to go up to one of the meeting facilitators and talked about smacking somebody for smiling.

"You cannot sue me because I have nothing and nothing to lose," he said. "I am here for you people, the community and my kids."