Selected articles -- Morning Star, March 21, 2010.

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Council Meeting, March 22, 2010

Meeting is at the Lavington fire hall!



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Selected articles -- Morning Star, March 19, 2010.

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Selected articles -- Morning Star, March 174, 2010.

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Photo gallery - Spring has sprung! Courtesy: Debbie Gibson.

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A message from Rafe Mair - Private power for export.

Rafe here

The BC Citizens for Green Energy, a front for the private power thieves who are about as green as a coal mine, have put out a release wherein, in Churchill's words, it would be difficult to demonstrate the opposite of the case more accurately.

Dr Shaffer is a professor at SFU and makes the following observations.

We have a hostile press and it's critical that you pass this on and ask them to do the same.

Mar 11th, 2010
by Marvin Shaffer

Every now and again you read something so outrageous you have to laugh. So it is with the report recently released by BC Citizens for Clean Energy: A Triple Legacy for Future Generations.

The essence of this lobby group’s proposal is that the government should develop an export policy for green energy targeting up to 17000 MW of exports by 2016, an amount greater than the size of BC Hydro’e entire existing hydroelectric system. Then it wants to target for more than double that amount of exports by 2036. And the legacy they offer if this is done:

- secure supply of renewable energy
- substantial reductions in climate change impacts
- the elimination of B.C. tax-supported debt within 15 years or less and eventually even the elimination of the provincial sales tax (or presumably the provincial component of the impending HST).

The promised legacies are, of course, nonsense. Committing all that energy potential to export won’t enhance B.C.’s security of supply. It is the export of privately-developed, privately-owned power this group wants government to promote. BC Hydro couldn’t use that power itself when the power is committed to export; it would just be the conduit making the development and exports happen.

Nor will the export sales substantially reduce climate change impacts. It will be the greenhouse gas targets adopted in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere that will determine how much GHG emissions will be reduced and potential climate change impacts avoided. Greater green energy exports from B.C. may affect how U.S. targets are met, but they certainly won’t determine what those targets are. (Read more...)

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Water issues - Response to comments.

I received the following comment on my article: “New water rates! - Supplementary.”

“Please note that the average consumption for the Greater Vernon Area is around 500 litres per person per day or about 45 cubic metres per quarter. That is for one person. So there will have to be a total change in consumption pattern for couples or families to use less water than 20 cubic metres per quarter.

Leon Gous “

I do appreciate the constructive comments of Mr Gous, who after all, is one of the “Founding Fathers” of the original Master Water Plan and one of the “Adoptive Fathers” of the much inferior present Master Water Plan. He possesses more relevant information than most people. I totally agree that the average individual water consumption on an annual basis could be about 500 liters or even more.

However, averages are derived from individual observations, some higher, some lower. Averages also include heavy summer use on gardens and lawns. Could individual customers survive on less than 20 m3 per quarter? My answer is an emphatic YES.

To prove my point I researched our water bills (2 people with frequent visitors from grown up children for Christmas and New Years and a birthday) going back 7 years. During those years our total water consumption for the first quarter was 240 m3 which averages 17 m3 per person per quarter. That should be convincing enough that it is possible for a person living alone in an apartment to use less than 20 m3 of water each quarter.

Considering this example I believe I was justified for my comments that was:

“You might be interested to note that if you were one of those using less than 20 cubic meters of water per quarter in 2009, your water price increase in 2010 will be greater than for those using 20 cubic meters or slightly more quarterly.

For example, if your quarterly water consumption was 15 cubic meter per quarter last year your total water bill was $164.88. The same amount of water this year would cost you $200.80 this year or 22% more.

If you really saved water and only used 10 cubic meters quarterly your increase over last year would be $52.52 or 35%. Is it not an eye opener?

This points out a failure of the system: up to 20 cubic meters per quarter there is no incentive to save water.”

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Selected articles -- Morning Star, March 14, 2010.

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Water Devolution -- The continued saga.

Interesting turn of events: While NORD has engaged Allan Nielsen-Welch as a facilitator in reviewing the Greater Vernon Water structure and the various participants have appointed their respective representatives, the City of Vernon instructed its solicitors to appeal (seek judicial review of) the decision of Arbitrator Wallace.

Any attempt to reduce legal fees in respective budgets appear to be premature. Is it worth reviewing the structure of Greater Vernon Water in light of these developments? Only time will tell. Stay tuned!

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Selected articles -- Morning Star, March 7, 2010.

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Readers write - Computer Whiz..............

I was having trouble with my computer so I called Richard, the 11 year old next door whose bedroom looks like Mission Control, and asked him to come over.

Richard clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.

As he was walking away, I called after him, 'So, what was wrong?'

He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.'

I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, 'An, ID ten T error?

What's that? In case I need to fix it again.'

Richard grinned. 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?'

'No,' I replied.

'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out.'

So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T

I used to like the little shit.

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Lunch and Learn!

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Photo gallery - Take-off on water and on land. Courtesy: Debbie Gibson.

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The hunted hunter!

Selected articles -- Morning Star, March 7, 2010.

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These two articles deserve further examination. We know that we'll need a certain sum of money to meet our financial obligations. The Figure below is an estimate of our budget.

Pay attention to the line "Fees, charges & other income": $9,892,576. That's how much money is needed from water fees to cover expenditures.

Based on the two news articles above we might start Stage two water restrictions immediately. That means we'll have fewer days to water, hence even without water use reduction due to price increases we'll have difficulty meeting our fiscal objectives.

The Table below demonstrates the expected consequences of reduced sprinkling days.

If there will be further reduction of income due to lower water consumption we will have a major problem. This problem further demonstrates the need for a reformed financing alternative using taxation to cover our mortgage.

The debt payment from the above budget table stands $2,680,961 for 2010. That would be approximately 0.3 mill rate ($30 for each $100,000 value). Compare this to the mill rate for Parks and Recreation at 1.252 (on improvements only, empty lots do not contribute), Multiuse at 0.3718 and Theatre at 0.2039. With these facilities we are being taxed for the operations and maintenance as well (even subsidize organizations by guaranteeing ticket sales).

As always, I must emphasize that these are my ideas only and do not represent my Council in any way!

Have an opinion? Share it with me by dropping a line!

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Gotcha!

APRIL 1st, 2010

Forget the previous message!

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Selected articles -- Morning Star, March 5, 2010.

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Regional district approves water rate increase -- Richard Rolke

Greater Vernon residents can’t avoid higher water bills.

North Okanagan Regional District directors unanimously approved an across-the-board nine per cent water rate increase Wednesday.

“The reality is we have a $4 million bust,” said director Mike Macnabb of a shortfall facing the utility.

“There was an established plan to increase rates and it was artificially held back. Now we have to pay the piper.”

Macnabb added that the funds will go towards improved service for customers.

“If we compare our rates to other places, they are reasonable.”

Under the new rate formula, 20 cubic metres of consumption will be included in the quarterly base fee at a rate of 92 cents per cubic metre.

A new rate specifically for summer (July to September) is also being proposed. It would go from 92 cents per cubic metre to $1.10.

“We were told that the increase is needed for the Duteau Creek treatment plant debt and operation of the plant,” said director Doug Dirk.

“Also, future capital issues are coming up and the increase is needed because reserves have been exhausted.”

Dirk admits that higher rates will hit residents in the wallet.

“There may be more people not watering their lawn,” he said.

And if that occurs, there could be negative implications for the utility.

A reduction in consumption could lead to a drop in revenue which means rates may have to rise even further.

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Let's visit our largest neighbour and see what their water rates are:

Kelowna Water Rates

Effective August 16 2009

Water Regulation Bylaw 2173

Residential

Monthly flat rate $6.22

Variable monthly consumption charge

First 30 cubic metres $0.246 ------>$ 7.38 maximum (360 cubic meters $160.70/yr)
Next 50 cubic metres $0.324------->$16.20 maximum
Next 45 cubic metres $0.491------->$22.10 maximum
Total (if 125 cubic meters are consumed)-->$45.68 maximum

Average (of 125 cubic meters) $0.36544/m3

Consumption in excess of 125 cubic metres $0.983
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Black Mountain Irrigation District 2009 Domestic Toll Rates:

Residential -------------->$31.00 per month
Residential with Suite -------------->$49.50 per month

Multi-Family – Medium Density (Each duplex, triplex, four-plex)$29.25 per unit per month
Multi-Family – High Density (Incl. Apartments, Townhouses) $26.00 per unit per month

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Glenmmore-Ellison Improvement District 2010 Water Rates
Residential Customers

2010 Water billings are issued quarterly with an option to prepay the year. Customers are billed on a per unit basis at a flat rate charge of $96.00 per quarter per unit plus an additional water tax levy, depending on the size of the property, based on the District's assessment of the property as follows:

Quarterly billing for properties up to 1/3 of an acre - $96.00 per unit plus $8.85 irrigation tax for a total of $104.85.
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Rutland Waterworks

The Trustees of the Rutland Waterworks District Enact the Following:

1. For purposes of this bylaw, “QUARTERLY” means a three (3) month period, consisting of ninety (90) days.

2. That effective the 1st day of January, 2009 the following domestic water toll rates shall apply:
(a) Single Dwellings $40.08 per QUARTER for the first 15,000 gallons ($.594/m3);
$1.28 per thousand for the next 24,000 gallons; ($.284/m3);
$1.43 per thousand for the next 30,000 gallons; ($.318/m3);
$1.91 per thousand gallons thereafter ($.424/m3).
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Southeast Kelowna Irrigation District Taxes and Tolls (Bylaws 627 and 630)

1. For the year 2009 there is hereby levied the following taxes:

(a) A tax at the rate of $63.00 per acre or minimum of $63.00 per parcel on all Grade “A” Lands.

(b) A tax at the rate of $63.00 per acre or minimum of $63.00 per parcel on all Grade “B” Lands.

17. Metered Rates

Any service charged a metered rate will be billed monthly for water service.

Monthly metered rate:

$2.18 per 1,000 US gallons ($.574/m3)

Minimum monthly rate: $33.25 ($399)

Due 21 calendar days after date of billing

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Selected articles -- Morning Star, March 3, 2010.

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Readers write -- "We're going to keep doing it wrong until we like it that way." (Willie Nelson )

Gyula's insightful prediction that water rate increases may result in users turning off their taps and therefore reducing income to Greater Vernon Water could be among a constellation of consequences.

The increased cost of water will have an impact on on wildfire risk reduction, community stability and the containment of urban sprawl.

Homeowners, whether on a hobby farm or residential property who have reached the maximum cost they can sustain will have to decide between moving or letting their property go tinder-dry.

Ideas, on CBC radio, aired a chilling program: Visions of Wildfire. We are approaching a time when wild-fire management will be a contradiction of terms. Rather, it will be a shift of wind turning a fire back on itself or the snows of winter that dampen massive conflagrations, leaving the fire alive in the roots of the forest, ready to regain vigour as soon as conditions are right.

A wild-fire expert on BC Almanac CBC radio cautioned that the volume of water used to control wild-fire far exceeds that of responsible irrigation.

Media images of wild-fires, global or regional, are a powerful educational instrument. We are aware of wild-fire behaviour and risks, we recognize which structures will become charred shells and which will remain relatively untouched. We know that fuel reduction is key. However, there is a limit to what you can do when the structure you live in is wood and you do not have the financial where-with-all to replace your wooden decks, siding and roof.

According to experts, grass-fires and fire in debris-laden forests are among the fastest moving fires. Throw scorched lawns and shrubs into the mix and you have a ready-made wick abutting our dry forests.

Valued and much-missed long-time neighbours and nature-lovers were forced out of their hobby farm after the first dramatic water increase. They could not bear to watch their fruit and ornamental trees whither and die. Retirement income and open-ended regional taxation/fees/rates are not happy bed-fellows.

Established residents contribute to the vitality of our community, they have lived our history and understand that we must be vigilant with respect to the preservation of our values. They care about the well-being of our friends and neighbours. They are the eyes and ears on our children and homes.

When the last of the majority of taxpayers/rate-payers/fee-payers are "tapped" dry, the next logical step is to bring in more taxpayers, rate-payers and fee-payers. Goodbye "rural living at its best", hello urban-sprawl.

Gyula's warning that diminished income to Greater Vernon Water will affect water rates ought to be a wake-up call. The unpleasant taste of V.I.D. water is for many a distant memory, the unpleasant taste left in in one's mouth from unwise "conservation" taxation will linger no matter which way you wash it.

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New water rates! - Supplementary.

You might be interested to note that if you were one of those using less than 20 cubic meters of water per quarter in 2009, your water price increase in 2010 will be greater than for those using 20 cubic meters or slightly more quarterly.

For example, if your quarterly water consumption was 15 cubic meter per quarter last year your total water bill was $164.88. The same amount of water this year would cost you $200.80 this year or 22% more.

If you really saved water and only used 10 cubic meters quarterly your increase over last year would be $52.52 or 35%. Is it not an eye opener?

This points out a failure of the system: up to 20 cubic meters per quarter there is no incentive to save water.

More problems will be discussed later.

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How the "Pavement Picasso" Does It - Huffington Post

Move over, hopscotch boards. U.K. artist Julian Beever and German artist Edgar Mueller are two dudes who independently make some pretty amazing 3D chalk sidewalk murals. It's almost as if the guy from Mary Poppins and Wile E. Coyote started giving art lessons. These optical illusions use perspective so that when seen from the right angle, the drawings seem as real as a photograph. Curious? See how it's done!