Should we ride at Sunshine? Sunshine mistreats their workers and controls the courts

This post was edited (spaces inbetween sentences deleted) because it took too much real estate on the front page.

-tg

I think that it's a matter for those closest to the victim to take lead in the scholarship. Get some grass roots support and some media coverage and I'll bet that SSV would contribute. 

So skippy... have you read all the documents regarding this issue with sunshine, interviewed the other staff, asked who was at fault? My question, is why weren't the employees charged as well as Sunshine. If I kill someone at work due to my error, it is NOT the companies fault, it is my fault. That has to be understood by everyone that works any sort of job, it is not 100% the employers fault. If proper training was provided and reasonable safety measures in place, then Sunshine should not be held liable.

Sorry, it is called personal responsibility and not enough people are taking it these days, they want to blame stuff on everyone else and are always looking for a scape goat. 

Enough said, it is always sad when someone dies, but blaming a faceless corporation is just a solution for small minds.

Pay attention at work everyone...

Don't quite see where the problem is, Skippy.  I only know the story from your link, but it looks like, according to the story you link to, the scholarship was only created by a court ruling that was overturned.  If it was overturned, then any conviction or penalty should be revoked as well, no?  If you were convicted of a crime and sentenced to 10 years in jail, and then on appeal you were acquitted, would you still serve your 10 years as a good gesture (corporation or individual, I don't see the difference)? 

I'll admit that your link is the only reference I have to the story so obviously I don't have all the facts, but as I read it, I don't see where Sunshine is so bad.  It is most certainly tragic, but no matter how much we wish the world was bubble-wrapped, or that all of our employers could guarantee our safety, sometimes people still die.  I have great sympathy for the family and friends.  Any loss of life in an accident is very sad.  But in every death, there is not always someone to "blame", and for better or worse, we rely on the courts to decide.  I can only hope (wish, dream, imagine, fantasize...) the courts make the right decisions and again for better or worse, we have to live with those decisions.  Additionally, I would hope that SSV and other ski areas learn from this incident and take extra care and attention to the risks that their staff face in the course of their daily duties. 

If the appeal was denied or unsuccessful, then I have to believe that the scholarship would still be available.  And in rebuttal to your main point, Sunshine WAS originally held liable - hence the scholarship as part of the original settlement and thus refuting your claim that corporations are untouchable (and to put it in perspective, SSV is not a "big ski area" in the grand scheme, by a wide margin).  Obviously, by virtue of the original ruling, the courts were most certainly NOT on SSV's side.  But the appeal was made and the original ruling was overturned, so it would seem to me that any ill feelings should be directed at the legal system, and not the people, businesses, families and groups who are affected by it.

I cannot imagine the emotions that this worker's family, friends, and co-workers have had to deal with for the past 6 years, and I wish them peace and solace.  But in this case, I think your blame or anger at Sunshine may be misplaced.  I may be wrong, and with more facts I would gladly change my stance.  But with the limited knowledge I have of the event, I find it hard to hold a great deal of ill-will towards Sunshine for merely trying to avoid a penalty they obviously feel is unjust or unfair.  I have to say, if I were in SSV's position, I would do the same.  If the appeal went against me, I would have to live with the consequences.  But if I won, I would be glad to be out of the woods. 

I know it ain't perfect and it may leave a bad taste, but it's the system we choose to live with and it's all we have right now, so we can either live with it or leave.  Perhaps a non-court-ordered scholarship could still be set up in the victim's name?  That would seem to still signify a legacy and also "have done some good for some other person in his circumstance working in the ski industry."

This post is absolutely not without sympathy for this tragic death.  And I mean no offence, Skippy.  I just calls 'em likes I sees 'em.

Condolences,

Gas

"but blaming a faceless corporation is just a solution for small minds."

 I'll give you the benefit of a doubt, assuming you don't know the details.

As far as I know, right from the beginning, the "faceless corporation" 100% blamed the whole incident on the other employees involved.  They were adamant that it had nothing to do with their "flawless" training and safety policy and everything to do with the other employees involved that day.  Way to hang your people out to dry.

That was a tragic day and Sunshine Village made life hell for those involved for a few years.  Nothing like dumping on people who already feel like shit so you can keep a good (fake) safety record, maybe save a few bucks on workers comp insurance.  Whoever called the shots in court and the papers, whether it's upper managment or their lawyers, are dicks. 

For the record, there are tons of great people who work as Sunshine, it's a fun hill, and I still ski there.

 It would have been a nice gesture if they would have kept the scholarship.