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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, March 10, 2013
Water issues - an explanation.
Kiss FM has a poll on water rates but the information they provide is confusing.
The 20 cubic meters of water that was included in the base fee last year was not a privilege of low users: all users had the first 20 cubic meters included in the base fee. In fact, customers who used less than 20 cu m were at a disadvantage even then as many of them used less than 20 cu m. All users over 20 cubic meters started to pay consumption fees. Even now, all users get the first 20 cubic meters for $14.00. Again, customers who use 20 cu m or less bear the larger proportion of rate increases, far from being privileged.
Kiss FM poll question:
"Do you agree with all water users having to pay consumption fees, including the one who use the least?"
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Selected article - Morning Star News.
What was not reported is the fact that staff recommended an additional $2 million for “Master Plan Capital”. My motion, seconded by Director Spiers, was to fund that $2 M from reserves and it was approved by the majority of Directors.
Here are the reasons:
we do not have an approved Master Water Plan;
the $35 M approved by referendum cost $13.6 M so far in repayment:
collected over $42 M in additional capital to date for an unknown MWP;
hard to follow the capital expenditures without a plan;
annual capital requisitioned for MWP could finance the project if borrowed;
borrowed capital could complete whatever final plan approved in a short time;
borrowed money spreads costs over a 20-year period (like a mortgage);
payments are reduced as population grows.
I have no trouble approving legitimate infrastructure costs. So far I question a number of projects on which hard earned taxpayers’ dollars were spent. If one does not know which direction the new plan will proceed it is hard to judge if a particular project is warranted. My intentions are to ensure that the most cost effective plan is developed. To date I have my doubts.
Here are the reasons:
we do not have an approved Master Water Plan;
the $35 M approved by referendum cost $13.6 M so far in repayment:
collected over $42 M in additional capital to date for an unknown MWP;
hard to follow the capital expenditures without a plan;
annual capital requisitioned for MWP could finance the project if borrowed;
borrowed capital could complete whatever final plan approved in a short time;
borrowed money spreads costs over a 20-year period (like a mortgage);
payments are reduced as population grows.
I have no trouble approving legitimate infrastructure costs. So far I question a number of projects on which hard earned taxpayers’ dollars were spent. If one does not know which direction the new plan will proceed it is hard to judge if a particular project is warranted. My intentions are to ensure that the most cost effective plan is developed. To date I have my doubts.
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Coldstream Council Meeting - March 11, 20103.
Note: Council Meeting will be held in the Lavington Fire Hall!
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Saturday, March 9, 2013
Another call for the Coldstream Fire Department.
Coldstream firemen were called into action again this afternoon as a house fire needed their attention in the Lakeview Drive area. Black smoke was observed billowing from a home around 4 pm. At this writing (6 pm) the fire appears to be under control as the white smoke indicates.
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Friday, March 8, 2013
Cheerful announcements from RDNO
At yesterday's GVAC meeting new water rates were also set. To no one's surprise it was increased again. The increase would have been much higher without the majority's support of funding $2 million from reserves.
My argument for postponing the $2 M raise was that we should not continue raising funds for an unknown master water plan. We should have a well defined plan and borrow the money so the costs could be spread over 20 years instead of all being paid for by current customers. We need a plan! We have been fumbling around with ill-defined temporary measures for over 10 years paying the price for the errors! For more info on water rates please see No Free Water.
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Thursday, March 7, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
GVAC meeting. Budget debate is part of the agend.
Greater Vernon Water Utility budget will be debated. You are welcome to observe the debate! Come hear how your dollars are spent!
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Monday, March 4, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Press Release - Fire at RDNO Recycling Facility, 116 Birnie Road
Posted Saturday, March 2, 2013
Late Friday night, March 1, 2013 a fire destroyed the Regional District of North Okanagan’s (RDNO) material recovery facility (MRF) to the point that it is currently not usable. This facility received all of the RDNO’s Blue Bag Recycling Program material (approximately 100 tonnes per week) for processing and marketing and also approximately 5,000 tonnes per year of commercial recyclable material.
The entrance to the Greater Vernon Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF) is not compromised and the RDF will remain open as usual. With the smoke still rising from the fire, those with respiratory ailments should postpone their trips to the RDF.
Other options for recycling at this time are Interior Freight and Bottle Depot in Vernon and the RDNO’s other two RDFs in Spallumcheen and near Lumby:
Interior Freight and Bottle Depot – 4205 24th Avenue
Open Monday to Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Armstrong/Spallumcheen RDF – 3367 Powerhouse Road
Open Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lumby RDF – 221 Trinity Valley Road
Open Thursday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Arrangements are being made with other recycling businesses to take the material until the RDNO can either rebuild or finalize a contract with another recycling facility. “This is very unfortunate for the 30 plus employees of Bluewater Project Inc and Venture Training who have been providing the processing services for the RDNO for over 10 years” stated Patrick Nicol, Chair of the RDNO Board of Directors, “We are relieved that no one was injured in this fire.”
Blue Bag collection services will continue as usual; however, some temporary stockpiling of material (paper, cardboard, plastics and tin) may be required until more permanent arrangements can be made.
For further information, please call the RDNO at 250-550-3700 .
Late Friday night, March 1, 2013 a fire destroyed the Regional District of North Okanagan’s (RDNO) material recovery facility (MRF) to the point that it is currently not usable. This facility received all of the RDNO’s Blue Bag Recycling Program material (approximately 100 tonnes per week) for processing and marketing and also approximately 5,000 tonnes per year of commercial recyclable material.
The entrance to the Greater Vernon Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF) is not compromised and the RDF will remain open as usual. With the smoke still rising from the fire, those with respiratory ailments should postpone their trips to the RDF.
Other options for recycling at this time are Interior Freight and Bottle Depot in Vernon and the RDNO’s other two RDFs in Spallumcheen and near Lumby:
Interior Freight and Bottle Depot – 4205 24th Avenue
Open Monday to Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Armstrong/Spallumcheen RDF – 3367 Powerhouse Road
Open Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lumby RDF – 221 Trinity Valley Road
Open Thursday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Arrangements are being made with other recycling businesses to take the material until the RDNO can either rebuild or finalize a contract with another recycling facility. “This is very unfortunate for the 30 plus employees of Bluewater Project Inc and Venture Training who have been providing the processing services for the RDNO for over 10 years” stated Patrick Nicol, Chair of the RDNO Board of Directors, “We are relieved that no one was injured in this fire.”
Blue Bag collection services will continue as usual; however, some temporary stockpiling of material (paper, cardboard, plastics and tin) may be required until more permanent arrangements can be made.
For further information, please call the RDNO at 250-550-3700 .
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Friday, March 1, 2013
Huge fire above Kalamalka Lake south of the lookout.
Photos by Debbie Gibson.
Correction, the fire reported earlier appears to be at the recycling centre above the highway. A closer examination of the structures in the fire indicates buildings on fire. CHBC reports that the fire might be at the RDNO Recycling Centre.
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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.