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coldstreamer@shaw.ca******* Issues related to the District of Coldstream, local government issues, political commentary, local area photos,oddities in the news etc....
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Greater Vernon Water Utility - North Kal Lake Assessment Open House
REGIONAL DISTRICT of NORTH OKANAGAN
MEDIA RELEASE – February 17, 2011
MEDIA RELEASE – February 17, 2011
Greater Vernon Water Utility - North Kal Lake Assessment Open House
COLDSTREAM, BC – The Regional District of North Okanagan - Greater Vernon Water Utility (RDNO-GVWU) is accepting comments from the public on the Draft Source Assessment for the North Kalamalka Lake Intake. The Assessment is in compliance with the RDNO- GVW Permit to Operate issued by Interior Health Authority (IHA) under the Drinking Water Protection Act. The Assessment has involved extensive field work and a technical review from IHA, Ministry of Environment (MOE), the District of Coldstream, the City of Vernon and RDNO staff.The Public Open House encourages the public to comment on the draft report. The recommendations to create a protection zone will be of interest to those in the District of Coldstream since the area is within its municipal boundaries. Just as important are comments from the City of Vernon residents and businesses plus Electoral Areas “B” and “C” as they may receive their drinking water from this source. Input received from the Public Open House will be reviewed by the consultant and included in the Final Report as long as it is consistent with existing science and drinking water protection objectives.
The Public Open House will be held February 24, 2011 at the Regional District Board Room, 9848 Aberdeen Road from 5:00pm – 8:00 pm with presentations at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. For a link to the full report, please go to www.rdno.ca
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For more information:Renee Clark
Water Quality Manager
250.550.3700
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Thursday, February 17, 2011
SPrKL News - Reminder! - Note change of time of presentation - 6PM instead of 6:15.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011
SPrKL News - Reminder! - Note change of time of presentation - 6PM instead of 6:15.
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Thank you from Leo!
Thanks so much to the Coldstream Ratepayers Association for the pot luck dinner, kind words and the plaque on my retirement from the Fire Department. It has truly been my pleasure and I would like to thank everyone in the Community for the incredible support shown to the fire department members over the years. Also, a very special thanks to Maria and Greg for having put together a wonderful video presentation on my behalf, (even though I was naked in one of the pics). That meant a great deal to my family and I.
Thanks again,
Leo Lecavalier
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Sunday, February 13, 2011
SPrKL News - Reminder.
If you are concerned about the health of Kalamalka Lake this presentation is a MUST to hear!
So we can determine refreshment quantities, please email or phone me if you plan to attend
Louise Christie 250 542-9109
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Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
SPrKL News
So we can determine refreshment quantities, please email or phone me if you plan to attend
Louise Christie 250 542-9109
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Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Another point of view on water rates.
Some thoughts on a balanced and reasonably fair water rate system.
"To me heavy consumers of water were subsidizing low water users in amounts that were too high even given the goal of promoting consumption. This particularly extends to high use commercial customers." (Manager of Greater Vernon Water Utility).
The above quotation is the opinion of the Manager of the water utility. This opinion is very difficult to rationalize.
Treated water delivered to customers via a pipe line system is a commodity the production cost of which determines its unit value. The construction cost of the system, the infrastructure cost, was and still is, the investment allowing the product to be produced and marketed.
Viewing the issue from this perspective it is quite obvious that the product cost should be distributed among the customers on a consumption basis. For instance, when one goes to the private water distribution centre to get their water in a 5 US gallon bottle they pay for the number of bottles they purchase. There is no question of who subsidizes the system to what extent. You pay for what you get. The same principle should be applied to water rates.
There is no question that there is a convenience in not having to go the market to buy water, thus, a reasonable access fee is warranted, like $25.00 per quarter. In addition, the cost of infrastructure financing (about $3 million) should also be included in the base fee until the question of taxation is settled.
Finance managers would love to have a secure income to cover expenses. They would love nothing better than having a flat fee to cover the cost of running and maintaining the water system, including the financing costs. However, we have another objective which is to encourage water conservation. The larger the flat fee component of the water rate the less ability we have to influence water conservation. We must have a reasonable balance between flat fee (or base fee) and user fee (or consumption fee). The latest fee proposal by the utility manager is not a reasonable balance.
The new accelerating block rate helps in controlling consumption, however, the large flat component largely eliminates this benefit to low consumers. The unit cost of their water is huge in comparison to high consumers (in the range of $5 per m3 for low users compared to $1.50 per m3 or less for heavy users). This is where improvements must be made.
Hopefully, the next meeting of GVAC will provide a more palatable water rate system.
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Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Readers write --No to "Acton Prison"!
Priscilla Judd has left a new comment on your post "
300 people came out to the Lumby Council Meeting tonight. Paul Fisher spoke for all concerned citizens of Lumby and area.
No Prison for Lumby!
Stopping Lumby Mayor and Council will take everyone to stand up. To get the facts and how to help check out these websites:
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Monday, February 7, 2011
Photo Gallery - Winter scenes: The Monashees and Vernon Mountain - Courtesy: Debbie Gibson.
The Monashees
Vernon Mountain
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Job opportunities - 2011 Census.
The 2011 Census is staffing 35,000 jobs across Canada. As requested by Statistics Canada, we have added a Census jobs link on the District website. The Census jobs application link will remain on the District’s home page until the end of March.
Some background on the Census jobs:
· Applicants to be over 18 years old and who can commit to at least 20 hours per week including evenings, weekends and holidays.
· Rates of pay ($14.72 to $18.04 an hour) vary by assignment. The work period is early March to the end of July 2011, depending on assignment.
Irma Breitkreutz
Executive Research Coordinator
District of Coldstream
9901 Kalamalka Road, Coldstream, BC V1B 1L6
Phone 250-545-5304, Fax 250-545-4733
Email ibreit@district.coldstream.bc.ca
Website www.districtofcoldstream.ca
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Sunday, February 6, 2011
Selected articles - Morning Star News
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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***Coldstreamernews***
We must protect our rights and freedom! (Photo courtesy of D. Gibson) Click on eagle to watch EAGLECAMS
About Me
- Coldstreamer
- I have been a resident of Coldstream since 1976. I have had 15 years of experience on Council, 3 years as Mayor. As a current Councillor I am working to achieve fair water and sewer rates and to ensure that taxpayers get fair treatment. The current direction regarding water supply is unsustainable and I am doing all I can to get the most cost effective water supply possible.