"Water Woes" the Most Used Title?

This blog should've kept track how many times people's Letters to the Editor used that title.
Lots and lots of times, indicating what's on people's minds.

On Friday, March 9th, on page A9, here's one from John Hegler:



"We already have one of the highest water rates in North America, if not the highest yet, on top of that, another three per cent will be added, when inflation is only 1.9 per cent.  Rational:(sic) pile up reserves.

"...they not only threaten you,

 they are trying to blackmail you as well

 that you have 30 days to phone in to comply

 or pay a $265 fine plus

 another $35 per quarter

 on top of your water bill."

Would it not be nice if all the people struggling out there to make ends meet, could do the same.

Greater Vernon Water and the District of Coldstream send you a letter wanting to install a wireless transmitter on your water meter.  In this letter, in my opinion, they not only threaten you, they are trying to blackmail you as well that you have 30 days to phone in to comply or pay a $265 fine plus another $35 per quarter on top of your water bill.

I applied to Coldstream Council to be put on the agenda regarding this matter.  At this meeting, there was a person representing Greater Vernon Water, their spin doctor, who said it would cost $200 per house for the transmitter.

"The third batch goes out

 with the threats being added again.

 The mayor agreed it was a threatening letter."

Taking the population of Greater Vernon with an example of three people per house, would translate into over four million dollars.  She also announced that the first batch of letters sent out, they have received too many complaints over the threats in the letters.  The second batch of letters that were sent out, the threats were eliminated, they didn't like the compliance rate of the second batch of letters, so guess what?  The third batch goes out with the threats being added again.  The mayor agreed it was a threatening letter.  What a joke!

Now we lost a water meter reading job, and Vernon already has one of the highest unemployment rates.

In my opinion, they sit in their office with a cup of coffee in their hands, pat themselves on the back and give themselves a raise as they read your water meter on low frequency radio waves.  This is just the beginning of more raises to be added to your water bill.

Multi, multi millions of dollars have been spent on this Duteau Creek money pit, and millions more to come.

In a democracy, you are supposed to have freedom from fear, but in Greater Vernon, in my opinion, we live in a dictatorship.

Is this the new "norm", moving forward?  If they want something bad(sic) enough, in my opinion, they would do so at all costs.

Again, in my opinion, these people are so far out of touch with reality, they could not run a pop corn stand."

John Hegler

"Many people miss Mr. Common Sense (Brian Harvey), the former manager of the now defunct Vernon Irrigation District," Kia would've reminisced, adding "it's as though robots are running things nowadays!"

Robots?
Or at least people who can't put themselves in users' shoes...or won't.

Mayor's Dumb Comment

"It seems like a considerable change -- a doubling (of the cost of water)," said Coldstream mayor and GVAC member Jim Garlick.

A considerable change?
Ya think?
Duh!

"...water prices are rising astronomically.

  The average quarterly bill was about $1,500

 when the business opened five years ago

...now it's about $3,000."

Michael Parent, Sunshine Laundry Express owner

Maybe as a GVAC member, Garlick's been asleep during GVAC's annual water rate setting meetings.
Whatever it is, like a typical politician with tunnel vision, he's simply blind to the political inefficiencies that exist in the North Okanagan...and the problems they themselves create.

At issue is the Morning Star's story today, headed "Laundromat Drowns" which indicated Sunshine Laundry Express closed its doors Thursday...permanently.  The owner stated "...water prices are rising astronomically.  The average quarterly bill was about $1,500 when the business opened five years ago and it's now about $3,000."

Think back to the KPMG-recommended governance review from years ago...which was summarily rejected by all the local politicians.  It recommended consolidating the various governments into one--or two.  That in itself would've provided a ton less of administrative and bureaucratic costs.  Why?  Well, just think of the proximity and administration of Vernon City Hall, five minutes drive there's the Regional District of North Okanagan, five minutes from there is the new Municipal Hall at Coldstream.  And don't forget the MLA's office somewhere in the middle of all that government.  They--and their bevy of bureaucrats--cost a whack of money.  Year after year.

Today's editorial states, in part, "...increased water rates can't be avoided as Greater Vernon's utility needs to replacing(sic) aging infrastructure as well as meeting evolving water quality standards enacted by government agencies.  GVAC officials weren't aware of Parent's (laundromat owner) challenges but they insist they will investigate."

Huh?
Investigate?
What the hell is there to investigate?
We have among the highest water rates in the Okanagan...and there's no indication those increases will stop.

The editorial concludes:  "...GVAC needs to always consider how utility rates impact all businesses and particularly high-use users of water, whether it's a laundry, car wash, brewery or golf course."

Ah...the voice of reason.
Unless, of course, those types of businesses are no longer welcome in the North Okanagan.
Many owners of those businesses suspect that's not far from being true!

Sleepy Garlick concludes:  "are there efficiencies we could help them out with?  Is there (efficient) equipment that could be used?"


Equipment?

Jeez...
Maybe there's a robot mayor available...

How about the sheer numbers of high-priced engineers running into one another at all these bureaucratic levels?
And all the consultants they hire to do their jobs...also high-priced engineers.

"Yeah, Garlick could help load the moving truck," Kia would've said, "as it heads south to a more business-friendly community."

Sorry to see you close, Sunshine Laundry!