Sunday, February 28, 2010

Predicting the effects of water rate increases for 2010.

As I reported earlier there will be significant increases to our water rates for 2010. I made some calculations comparing water costs using 2009 rates to the proposed new rates. Selected six models as examples of cost increases as follows:
Low consumption: single person using 20 m3 of water quarterly (11% increase);

Low consumption: couple using 40 m3 of water quarterly (12% increase);

Moderate consumption: family of four (no outside use) (14% increase);


Moderately high consumption: couple with garden (21% increase);


Moderately high consumption: family of four with garden (27% increase), and


High consumption: family of four with large garden (27% increase).
Results can be viewed at:
Waterrates2010.

To calculate your own costs visit mywaterrates and replace the red values with your own quarterly consumption values (m3 on your water bill). This formula works for all water customers in Greater Vernon.

Here are some hype from 2004 trying to convince taxpayers to support the “borrowing referendum”:


Note the graph showing “slight rate increases” if the referendum passes. Well, it did. What happened to the slight rate increases?

We also were given the list of items and the time-lines for their installation before the referendum as shown below:



Note what we were offered for $35 million and when they would become realities. Since then we have received an additional $25 million in grants and instead of declining, our water rates are skyrocketing. Beware of politicians offering you the stars and the moon! It would have been nicer to tell us the truth in 2002 and again in 2004.

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Selected articles -- Morning Star,February 28, 2010.



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Thursday, February 25, 2010

New water rates!

Greater Vernon water rates will be increased significantly for 2010. See the rate structure proposed by staff and accepted in principle by NORD:



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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Photo gallery: Spring is coming. Courtesy: Debbie Gibson.





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



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Readers write -- Killing Kalamalka Lake

Thursday February 25th, SENS (Sustainable Environmental Network Society) will be presenting:

"Killing Kalamalka: How nutrient loading is threatening the future of Kalamalka Lake, Vernon's main domestic water source"
with Randy Schellenberg.

Schellenberg, spokesperson for the Citizens' Coalition to Save Silver Star Provincial Park, will take us on a virtual tour that explores sources of contamination of headwater streams in the community watersheds that have led to sobering discoveries further downstream, including findings on the west side of Kalamalka Lake. Topics of discussion will include Vernon and Silver Star wastewater, biosolids composting, effluent irrigation, and the MacKay reservoir.

Thursday February 25th, 7 PM, at the Schubert Centre.
Admittance by donation.

Huguette

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Monday, February 15, 2010

Readers write -- Sorry Boss!

Hello, boss I cannot come in to work today. There was a moose born on my front lawn and the mom won't let me out of the house!!!!

Meaghers Grant is about 40 miles west of the Halifax

Baby Moose 12 Hours Old - Born in the middle of downtown Meaghers Grant, Nova Scotia.

The mother picked a small, quiet Neighborhood, and had her baby in a front yard just of John Grant Back Road, at 5:30 am.

What an awesome place we live in to see such a sight.

Makes it really tough to use your front door.



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Coldstream Technical Committee Meeting



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Sunday, February 14, 2010

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



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I believe most of us know for whom we are working: our constituents.

It is us who receive complaints from the taxpayers when they are dissatisfied with service. It is our duty to address their concerns and rectify those concerns. Sometimes they do write to the Editor of this paper but most concerns come directly to us.

The facilitator's first report can be accessed here.


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Coldstream Ratepayers News! All Coldstream residents are ratepayers!

The opinions expressed by "Coldstreamer" are strictly his own and do not represent the opinions of Coldstream Council!

Because I value your thoughtful opinions, I encourage you to add a comment to this discussion. Don't be offended if I edit your comments for clarity or to keep out questionable matters, however, and I may even delete off-topic comments.

Gyula Kiss
coldstreamer@shaw.ca;

***Coldstreamernews***

***Coldstreamernews***
We must protect our rights and freedom! (Photo courtesy of D. Gibson) Click on eagle to watch EAGLECAMS

About Me

My photo
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.