Water Goes Uphill in the North Okanagan

...Judging by yet another round of rate increases.

On Friday, the Regional District of North Okanagan issued what they term a "preliminary review".

It can't be preliminary if the rates have been enacted and are merely subjec to budget ratification.
And it can't be a review when new rates are taking effect now.

That aside...three areas of water billing are affected:

1. The first 20 cubic metres--the "allowance"--of water consumption in each of four Quarters is gone.  You will pay 60 cents per cubic metre as soon as the first drop hits your sink.
2. The Base Fee--the amount you would pay if you used no water at all in each Quarter--has risen to $66.20, an increase of $16.03.  Through 12 months, that equals $64.12 more for not using any water.
3. Bureaucrats--likely feeling the growing public chill--smartly chose to eliminate the 2010 third quarter surcharge of 18 cents per cubic metre.  Third Q--you know--when it's really really really hot and we need to water more).
4. Then, just to prove these gougers have left no stone unturned in their search for water...er...a...money, they get you coming or going with the sliding block increases: Block 1 is 0-10 m3 = 60 cents/m3.   Block 2 is 10 (shouldn't it be "11"?) to 40 m3 =75 cents /m3;  Block 3 is 40 (41) to 80 m3 = 90 cents/m3;  and Block 4 is any quarterly usage over 80 (81) m3 at $1.10 /m3.

One cubic metre (m3) equals 1,000 liters which equal 220 Imperial gallons, far too much for one bath unless you have at least a few people sharing that bath with you.

All joking aside, this isn't about conserving a scarce resource--or people's taps would automatically be turned off at a maximum per year usage for that household.  It's about getting the maximum revenue that the public can bear so that the water utility doesn't have to address the slippery issue of having too many engineers on staff.  Engineers who hire work out to other engineers, acting as consultants, so the first engineers can be at arms-length (blame) from decisions that go sideways.

Bureaucratic professionals are overseers, they don't do the work themselves, which adds up to a whopping 45 to 50 per cent of what we pay going to wages and benefits. 

Increasingly, committees of unelected people make decisions that affect you and your family.  You cannot vote them in--or out.  They've been appointed.  Noteworthy in this category is the Okanagan Basin Water Board, who now give grants to communities!  But only if those communities jump through the OBWB's hoops.  Heaven forbid the OBWB would actually focus on something meaty, like increasing reservoir storage at the Duteau plateau for a growing community!   Or Interior Health (beats me why they insist on adding the word "Authority" to that handle, as though they lack clout!)...who are mandating water quality changes that would make Abu Dhabi proud.  But unlike the OBWB, they don't bring a penny to the table.  Neither do they prevent mudboggers and unauthorized access to the Duteau Creek water reservoirs, with nary a sign or improved fencing planned.  Nope, they simply demand what we must do. 

The result of this latest flash through family wallets is that rich people can use all the water they wish--because they can well afford to pay whatever the bill says.  The waning middle class--and poor families--simply cannot conserve the resource any further than they already have, especially today with the focus on growing your own food.  What's next for them?  Not washing clothes?  Not bathing the children?

It'll soon be cheaper to truck water in from Aunt Martha in Winnipeg. 

"We have an Aunt Martha in Winnipeg?", queries Kia.

VernonCentral.ca

...the only place you'll see videos of Viper Hockey Games and Stars of the Game.

Free classifieds.  Great local restaurant features with Phantom Foodie.  Tips on getting--and keeping--a job.  Hugh and Kathy's Excellent Adventure.  Physio advice. 

And lots more.

Welcome to the community, VernonCentral.ca.

"Any classifieds for dog treats?", asks Kia.

So what do you do all winter?

That's the question I'm asked most often when I run into Highlands' members in town throughout the winter, generally followed by: "...must be nice to have six months off."

Yes, it is nice.
No, we don't go away (bin der, dun dat, as the saying goes).
The world's a different place nowadays, so travel has less appeal for us both.

My reply generally begins with "Do you recall how crowded it was on the patio during golf season?"  People nod in agreement, laughing, when I say:  "I'm making more..."

More what?  Palms.  Palms...oh yes...those lovely, swaying-in-the-breeze and whipping-you-in-the-face thingys on three sides of the clubhouse patio all summer long. 

And there's always room for a few more, so here we go:

Cocos nucifera, under lights during winter

Wodyetia bifurcata (Foxtail palm) seedlings are growing nicely

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nannorhops ritchiana, Pritchardia hillebrandii, Chamaerops humilis

 

 

 

...with more still to germinate. 


















There's also the Trachycarpus fortunei in the heated palm hut to look after.

33+ (yes!) year old Trachycarpus fortunei

"I'm so bored, I'm waiting for this Roomba to move so I have something to play with," moans Kia.

...winter!  (yawn)

...did you see it move?  think I did...

It'll soon be late-March, and the start of the golf season...

Kelowna's 10-year Tax Increase Record

You'd think Kelowna was in another world...
Yet they're only 45 km south of Vernon and Coldstream.

Excellent story and in-depth research by their community newspaper "The Daily Courier" (issue December 9, 2010).

Why "excellent"?
Because reporter, Ron Seymour, actually informed the public that Kelowna's proposed 2% property tax hike equates to a $30.00 increase in municipal taxes only.
He then writes something that Vernon's Morning Star does not report (and never has)...he concludes:

"This figure ($30.00) does not include other charges that appear on tax notices mailed to property owners...those levies, for such things as the school board, hospital board, and regional district, typically almost double the total tax bill."

Good reporting, good story!  Congratulations to The Daily Courier.

Could our area's residents hope for such worthwhile information in "The Morning Star"?

We can only hope...

"And Kelowna's Mayor, Sharon Shepherd, deserves kudos for her desire to keep the hike at, or below, the cost of living increase," offers Kia.

Residents here can only hope for that too...

Kudos to Kelowna, all the way around...

Coldstream Municipality Spent the least Per Capita

But don't send them a Thank You card yet.
This Mayor and Council have a long way to go before Coldstream is sustainable.

In the province of British Columbia from 2000 to 2008, municipal operating spending (excluding capital expenditures), grew by 57.7 per cent, while population and inflation grew by only 28.7 per cent.

Did anyone hear a little bell go off? 

By 2008, less than one in 10 municipalities (representing only 1.2 per cent of the provincial poopulation) had been able to keep spending growth in line with population and inflation growth for the period studied, reports the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in their B.C. Municipal Spending Watch 2010.

Not keeping spending in line must've been contagious, because Coldstream's spending has grown 60.7% since 2000.

Has population increased by 60%?  No.
Laudable is Coldstream's per capita spending in 2008 ranked lowest in B.C. municipalities for the second year of the study, amounting to $566 (vs. $501 in 2007).
Coldstream's population at 10,320 "just" squeaked into the ranks of communities with a population of 10,000+, which somewhat skews numbers.  To compare, Vernon's spending in 2008 was $995 for each of their 38,400 population.

But before you pat the backs of Coldstream's Mayor and Council, ask yourself (and them) why Coldstream's Fiscal Sustainability Gap (FSG) is so high (more than half of Coldstream's land is locked within the Agricultural Land Reserve, where few--if any--services other than water connections exist). 

• Coldstream's FSG = 2.91.  Spending increased at nearly three times the rate warranted by population increases and inflation.
• Vernon's FSG = 2.61.  Spending increased at just over two-and-a-half times the rate warranted by population increases and inflation. 
• In Coldstream excess spending in 2008 amounted to $1,559,606.  If excess spending in 2008 had been eliminated, a family of four would have saved $618 on their property tax bill.
• In Vernon, excess spending in 2008 amounted to $10,287,057.  If excess spending in 2008 had been eliminated, a family of four would have saved $1,070 on their property tax bill.

What's Coldstream Municipality spending our money on?
Yes, roads are being repaired; yes, aging infrastructure needs almost constant upgrading.

But we know where approximately half the money goes:
"At least 48 per cent of municipalities’ budgets go to salaries and benefits, with a further 15 per cent going to contracted services," continues the report.

Forty-eight per cent to wages and benefits?
Yup.
The private sector could not survive with those levels, and it should be no different with public sector wages.
The only difference is municipalities simply dig deeper into our pockets at tax time.  Municipalities don't have to sell a product to make money.  When public wage increases are not prudently managed, it distorts local employment markets, reduces productivity, and increases tax levels.

Two years ago when small businesses were asked how satisfied they were with the value-for-money of municipal public services, most small businesses chose "poor" (48%) or "adequate" (37%).
Only 7% said their value for tax money from municipalities it was "good".

Why are businesses so peeved?   
Because small business pays a disproportionately larger share of property taxes relative to property value and services consumed while residents pay a disproportionately small share.

But data collection of public expenditures at the municipal level is poor, admits the study.  That, however, is where Alberta is a leader!  Alberta municipalities must report both the number of employees they have and their salary and benefit spending.  In B.C., only the number of employees is collected voluntarily by CivicInfoBC, and only one-quarter of municipalities comply!

According to a recent CFIB study, small businesses in British Columbia pay, on average, 2.94 times the property tax that residents pay based on the same assessed property value.  This is particularly unfair considering that in many municipalities businesses must pay extra for many services that are provided as part of the tax bill for residents, such as garbage collection.

One thing's for sure:  when public wage increases are not prudently managed, it distorts local employment markets, reduces productivity, and increases tax levels.
Municipal leaders are quick to point out they get only get 8 cents on every dollar of taxes raised by all governments.  However, they don't include that user fees now generate additional revenues equaling (or greater than) property tax revenues.  And since user fees are more times than not charged to existing property owners (applying for renovation permits, parking permits, etc.) this effectively increases even further the taxes portion the user pays!

It's not just business.  Can your family afford to keep paying above the "sustainable level" each and every taxation year?  Are you receiving as much "bang for your buck" as you did in services back in 2000?  In 2001 and successive years?
The answer is likely No.

Short of waiting for the next election what can be done?

Public sector wages must be frozen until they are within 5 per cent of wages for equivalent positions in the private sector.  Statistics Canada data has demonstrated that municipal employees are paid significantly
higher rates of overall compensation than their private sector counterparts.

Municipalities need to focus on core services (clarify via public forum).  And then stick to them!
Residents and businesses alike do not want to have their hard-earned tax dollars spent on cultural or wishy-washy programs.  "Culture is best disseminated by grandparents", intoned a local taxpayer recently, adding "not by some bureaucrat".  The core services issue should really hit home with all of us.  Only in the North Okanagan are levels of government virtually running into one another.  When one level of government infringes on the responsibilities of another level, unnecessary duplications and inefficiencies occur.  The wish of a Coldstream councillor comes to mind -- he wants to have the Lavington Park grass mowed more frequently (than Greater Vernon Services was doing).  Then there's the distribution and billing of water.  And water infrastructure...the list is never ending.  A year later, there are arbitrators and lawyers involved and a plan for a new Mechanic's Shop that just happens to have space for a new piece of equipment...a Coldstream municipality mower for the grass at Lavington Park.  But that's innuendo...jumping the gun, as Coldstream goes to a referendum re borrowing money for the Mechanic's Shop.

Spend, borrow.  Borrow, spend.  And just like the years-ago referendum for borrowing for a new Coldstream Municipal Hall, council has stated that even if the referendum is denied, they'll still go ahead and build the Mechanic's Shop (as they did by building the municipal hall when that referendum was denied by voters).

Begin the process of setting spending limits.  Zero-based budgeting!
Just like business does.
Read last year's CFIB study results here
When it comes right down to it, Coldstream's Mayor and Council should ensure that municipal operating budgets are on a sustainable path, and that all taxpayers receive value for money, not just residential taxpayers.

"But they haven't even adopted the recommendations in last year's report," muses Kia.
 No they haven't.

Men's Night Wind-up

Rain pounded on the roof before dawn...fortunately by the first tee-off at Noon the sky had cleared and wind had dried the fairways, if not the greens.   Vying for cash prizes, wind-up attendees played 18 holes on Sunday, with scores added to the previous 18 qualifying holes. 

"There were a few evil pin positions out there," grinned several golfers, obviously having enjoyed the competition.  Prior to dinner, about half the group got together for a fun (and somewhat expensive!) "Horserace" round on holes 1, 7, 8 and 9.

All present raised a glass to "Friends not Here", at our Veitch/Geistlinger Memorial Tourney.  Dinner consisted of Baron of Beef, Stuffed Pork Roast, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Mixed Vegetables, and Monica's famous Asian Salad.  "Didn't think anything could top the Tuesday steaks," admitted newcomer Jake Harper, "but this was fabulous".  Chocolate cake rounded out the dinner.

Julie greeted thirsty golfers

Our young spotter, Nicholas, watched holes 6 and 7 and--despite "a few close ones"--the $5,125 up for grabs will carry over until 2011.

$400.00 for four Mystery Deuces was shared among Mike Gernat, Freddie Chirkoff, Vic Zesty, Mike Quibel, Rob Wasiliew, Bill Richardson, Jake Harper, John Simmons, Rob Bourne, Bob Westgate, Garry Hamilton, Dave Miller, Colin Banks, and Greg Davis.

Men's Night Manager Denny Wallace, with able assistance from Bob Westgate ensured all attendees went home with a merchandise prize.

(left) Don, Kim, Garry, Bob, Denny, Tony, Terry, Darrel,Al

Closest to the pin at 12 inches garnered Dan Odenbach a $100.00 result.

In the Card Draw, the first two draws at 100% went unanswered; subsequent draws at 50% (with the balance funding next year's Card Draw) resulted in Kim Creed finding the correct card to win $208.00.

Colin Banks' low gross of 99 for 36 holes was--frankly--outstanding, and he was awarded $200.00.

The low net prize went to Mark Holmes, whose 36-hole handicap of 35.9 netted him 87.1 and $200.00.

The 2011 membership went to Councillor Jack Gilroy...who had to race off with Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert to attend the Union of B.C. Municipalities meeting at Whistler commencing the next morning.

For more photos, click Highlands Golf Photos

Open Letter to Environment Minister Barry Penner

An oft-heard complaint is -- "Where are the police when you need them?  When you don't need them, they're everywhere!" 

Okanagan residents can now add Environment Minister Barry Penner to that perennial complaint.

He was nowhere to be found at the end of April when Stage 3 water restrictions were imposed in the North Okanagan, and we're guessing he hasn't kept track of the decidedly dysfunctional Regional District of North Okanagan (whose directors come from Coldstream, Vernon, and Areas B "etc." and sit on the equally dysfunctional Water Board).  Minister Penner likely hasn't read the 10 year old report that stated new water source(s) should be sought for a growing community.  He likely also wasn't aware that the Water Board's budget this year included $100,000 of taxpayer dollars for yet another water study.  Residents are still shaking their heads that yet another study is being commissioned, wasting another year or two.
 
Minister Penner was today quoted in The Province newspaper as saying: "People can help (water levels) by using less water now."   Is he finally getting his cattle prod aimed at the inefficient directorship of the water board at RDNO so that new--or deeper--water sources can be acquired on the Aberdeen Plateau?

Nope.  He's talking about fish.  Not people.

Fish?

Yes, indeed.  Environment Minister Penner wants water conserved so that returning salmon can spawn (warmer water makes salmon more prone to disease and parasites, the article explains).  

"...if we don't," Minister Penner concludes, "water levels could fall to where voluntary measures may not be adequate.  People can help by using less water now."

Really?

Well, Minister Penner,  you're obviously also unaware of a letter to the editor of The Morning Star by one of this province's taxpayers--a  Mr. Greg Allan--whose water conservation efforts have resulted in an alarming scenario.  His letter follows:
   "I received our second quarterly bill for water consumption and it showed our household used 12.5 cubic metres from April 1 to the end of June.  During the previous three-month period, we used 15.5 cubic metres, for a six-month total of 28 cubic metres.  We were expected to use 40 cubic metres in that same period, so we conserved 12 cubic metres of water, more than half of a three-month allotment.  We get this water conservation concept.
However, we paid for 40 cubic metres, or put another way, we paid 30 per cent more for that water than a customer who used 40 cubic metres.  It sure pays to conserve.  When I received our first bill, I went to the North Okanagan Regional District office and spoke with Al Cotsowth and he told me that 'snowbirds' were to blame for the new water rate structure.  Apparently they are not using enough water, yet are benefitting from the infrastructure improvements being made to the water delivery system.  As well, our household is in the very small minority of households that uses less water than the average (20 cubic metres/three months) household.  He mentioned that only four or five other households had contacted him after receiving their first bill under the new rate structure.  I suggested to him that households that conserve water should have their balance carried forward to the next period, just like cell phone minutes.  
This logical suggestion seemed to be beyond the capability of the billing system and might I suggest, beyond the grasp of the politicians and bureaucrats that set the water rates.  At the end of the day, our household will stop conserving water if the rate structure does not change (bold--Editor).  Twelve cubic metres would be a good start to filling an in-ground pool.
Congratulations NORD, you have just created a water guzzler. (bold--Editor).  Now I just have to figure out how to get some level of government to give me the money to pay for my pool?
Hey, Colin Mayes, I have a shovel-ready project.  Is there any infrastructure money left that needs to be spent?"


Thanks, Greg Allan, for pointing out who the real culprit is...the North Okanagan Regional District.


"The fish can blame NORD, too," suggests Kia.

Minister Penner should too, now that he's finally interested.

Thank goodness the Salmon are returning, or the minister would still not know what's wrong in this area...NORD!  

Vernon Jubilee Hospital fundraiser Golf Tournament

Sixty-five avid supporters of the Tower of Care fundraising campaign for Vernon Jubilee Hospital were welcomed to Highlands Golf on Saturday, August 28th.

An 18-hole round of golf, replete with refreshments at #7 Teebox -- dubbed "aiming fuel" -- was played in gorgeous sunshine and pleasantly warm temperatures, versus the blistering heat of most of August.

Organizers of the event were Triboda Printing Company and VNet Consulting.com.  The numerous volunteers directed groups to their shotgun start Teebox, with mobile communications from Tac Mobility keeping everyone in the clubhouse and on the course apprised of memorable golf shots.  A very excited voice announced "Hole in One" on the Men's KP at Number 7."  Folks enjoying the event from the patio chimed in, "Can't get closer than that to the pin!"

Leland Wilson shot a Hole-in-One on the Men's #7 KP.

 

 

Prior to the BBQ dinner of 10 oz. Striploin Steak (or Chicken Breast), Triboda ushered participants to the putting green and chipping area beside the clubhouse.  A "Marshmallow Drive" was announced, with the object to hit a marshmallow the farthest.

Pictures say it all:

"There's gotta be a trick to this..."

"I think I have it figured out..."

Winners of the coveted Team Spirit Award were The Pink and Purple People Eaters,(from left) Deb, Deb, Marlene, Diane, and Lee.

Following the BBQ dinner, awards and prizes were presented.  A silent auction, raffle, and 50/50 draw concluded the evening.

The cooks, headed by James from VNet, (front left in photo) did a marvellous job

Triboda Printing is still adding up the event proceeds, with an announcement expected soon.

A big thanks to these Prime Event Sponsors:  Undercover Essentials, MQN Architects, Village Green Hotel, Tac Mobility, Banner Recreational, Pure Granite Rocks, Baron Insurance, DWF Gallery.

Secondary sponsors included: Gold N Time, Ram Computer Services, HP, GPA, Proveer, VernonBCBusiness.com, LakeFront Capital Management, VernonCentral.ca, SunFM, Edmonton Oilers, Sylvan Learning Centre, Vnet Consulting, Pure Granite Rocks, Sandman Hotel, Sweet Caroline's Bakery, 104 Grey Clothing, KPMG, Kal Tire, Marvel College, Canadian Western Bank, Okanagan Spirits, Sandler Training, Curves, Triboda, Cottons Chocolate, and Sweetwater Springs.

"Thanks, Triboda and VNet, for bringing your event to Highlands Golf," affirms Kia, adding "The costumes were delightful."

Jim Bodkin Letter to the Editor re: NORD

Vernon resident, Jim Bodkin, submitted a thought-provoking letter to The Morning Star, published July 28, 2010, that deserves reprinting.

"It was sad to read that NORD (North Okanagan Regional District) turned down supporting a second bus from the Kalamalka campus of Okanagan College to UBCO and the airport despite the obvious need.  I am glad that Vernon stepped up and decided to underwrite the necessary bus subsidy on its own.  Why support was not forthcoming from Coldstream and Areas B and C completely baffles me.  Surely they too have live-at-home students attending UBCO and travellers interested in accessing the airport via bus.

Perhaps the time has come to take a hard look at the viability of the North Okanagan Regional District and its worth to local taxpayers.  The compensation of politicians reported recently shows heavy five-figure double dipping by both Vernon and Coldstream representatives at NORD.  We taxpayers pay for this double dipping from a single pocket but service on NORD is an integral part of a Vernon and Coldstream politician's job and taxpayers should not be billed for it twice.  Surely it is excessive to pay each of these reps from $10,500 to almost $15,000 extra to represent Vernon and Coldstream at NORD.

I was amazed to read that the head staff honcho at NORD is paid more than Vernon's head guy.  NORD embraces a huge area but the vast bulk of the population is in Vernon and there is far less complexity in the NORD job.  There are lots of other $75,000 and up jobs at NORD too.  Do the citizens of Vernon and Coldstream really need them?  Does it not makes sense for NORD to just deal with the rural/village areas where there is more commonality than exists with urban centres?

Both Vernon and Coldstream have issues with NORD over parks, especially the creation and maintenance of tot lots, small urban green spaces and play areas in city neighbourhoods.  The rural NORD directors think these are just urban fripperies that are expensive to keep up so they refuse to have NORD fund them.  Likewise, some of them opt out of funding for historic sites such as the O'Keefe Ranch and leave the cities to bear the brunt of the cost.

Vernon got so frustrated at NORD lack of action regarding Polson Park and its long ago burnt down grandstand that it finally took matters into its own hands and forced a confrontation that led to something being done...a 'something' that will dig deeper into the pockets of Vernon taxpayers than it should and something that should have happened years ago if the NORD parks and recreation was not so dysfunctional.

Remember the sports complex fiasco that NORD initiated in Coldstream then washed their hands of once a controversy started?  NORD parks and recreation stepped back to observe the fireworks from the sidelines saying it was up to the locals to decide despite NORD being the initiator and largely responsible for the whole mess by doing such a poor planning and presentation job in the first place.

At present, Vernon and NORD are at war over water.  Legal action has been initiated by Vernon to get out of what it sees as NORD-created extra costs on the management of the water distribution system in the city.

NORD has spent millions getting Duteau Creek water, water that was never originally intended for human consumption, to look better, taste better and get rid, hopefully, of the ongoing boil water advisories.  Next they will come looking to dig deeper into taxpayer pockets to spend more to raise the dams, build better weirs, etc. to get some more quantity into the Duteau system.  Virtually none of the mega bucks spent to date have added to our water supply.  Time to change gurus from my way of thinking or at least get the NORD fuddle duddlers out of the picture.

All things considered, it seems prudent to put NORD under a microscope and see what makes sense from a taxpayer point of view.  Cherry picking opting out or collective vetoing by the various rural NORD entities is too expensive for the city taxpayers of Vernon and Coldstream to continue to tolerate.  The rural-urban differing viewpoints have degenerated into an unacceptable waste of taxpayer dollars for all concerned.

NORD costs too much, does too little and is too animosity prone."  Jim Bodkin
     
"Mr. Bodkin for Mayor," offers Kia!

...of Coldstream!, suggests Kia's owner. 

10 kw Wind Turbine...operational again

Again operational, after two months and four days of downtime! 

Shown (at the right of the two) in the photo, this is the third Aurora inverter installed.

The first--slow to start up even when its parallel partner at the left was sending electricity to the grid last year--failed around midnight on May 19th, 2010. Sent back to Power One in California, after three weeks they had no answer as to why it failed. So the contractor asked for a replacement inverter to be sent. After several weeks it arrived and was programmed and wired parallel, only to discover it had an "internal fault". Power One was again contacted by Paul Wende of Energy West Power, who insisted a new 6 kw Aurora inverter be put onto Air Express to mitigate this lengthy downtime.

The third Aurora 6 kw inverter arrived Thursday, was immediately programmed, then installed Friday.  We're finally up and running again.

Of the changes made, contractor Paul Wende stated "we have implemented an independent braking function so that when the controller senses either a certain RPM, or voltage, or windspeed, or turbine head temperature, that it will apply the 10 kw dumpload in parallel with turbine output, thus loading the turbine and dissipating excess energy." He added: "We basically installed four new wires."

And early the next day, Paul said 16 kilowatts had been produced since Midnight.

"Thank goodness we have another fan going in this heat," pants Kia.

Coldstream Council Noise Bylaw

They've done it again.

And this Coldstream Bylaw No.1570--a bylaw to regulate or prohibit the making or causing of noises or sounds in the Municipality--will likely draw as many chuckles as did Coldstream's Weapons Discharge Bylaw

Many communities have a noise bylaw.

Apart from the fact that Coldstream's is mute on decibel ranges, this bylaw will no doubt stand out because it regulates or prohibits movement.

What?  Movement!  Movement?  Really?  Really?
 Yep.  Here's their definition:

  (iv)  "Noise" includes any loud outcry, clamour, shouting or movement, or any sound that is loud or harsh or undesirable;"

It's subjective, too.
"General Regulations: (B) No person being the owner or occupier or tenant of real property shall allow or permit such real property to be used so that noise or sound which occurs thereon or flows therefrom, disturbs or tends to disturb (italics mine) the quite (sic), peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort, or convenience of any person or persons on the same property or in the neighbourhood or vicinity.  (italics mine).

Movement?  Tends to disturb?  Entirely subjective.

The capacity at Highlands Golf, a commercial recreation facility within Coldstream, is 129 patrons.

Coldstream Council--despite having two lawyers aboard as councillors--obviously doesn't realize that legally-acquired commercial zoning and the patron capacity that results from that zoning does not require patrons to be invisible or whispering while they are at the premises.

"Yet another moronic bylaw from Coldstream's Mayor and Council," whispers Kia.

Speak up, I didn't hear you!

Duteau Creek Reservoirs at 94% of Previous Low

To address issues surrounding Stage 3 water restrictions (imposed end of April) raised by residents and the business community, the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has created a Drought Response Team, comprising 3 elected officials, 1staff, as well as Fisheries and Environment reps. 

"There will also be a group of stakeholders -- including residents and businesses -- that will present information to the core task force," states Richard Rolke's article in the June 4, 2010 edition of The Morning Star.

The article states:  There's some concern the process could become cumbersome with so many people involved.

Really?  REALLY?  No kidding, Kermit!

Had directors on the water board and bureaucrats been acting on our behalf -- whether 10 years ago or 20 -- we would not have to remind them today that we exist.

Is it any surprise that golf courses, turf farms, car washes, hotels, restaurants, landscaping and swimming pool contractors need water?  

This isn't rocket science, boys.
And some of these boys have been around a long time, undoubtedly privy to the study 10 years ago which indicated that Duteau Creek's water storage needed to be increased for a growing community.

Yet today, "we have $100,000 in this year's budget for a(nother) study," stated Al Cotsworth, water manager, recently.

"We have a lot of bureaucrats covered but the general public isn't," said old boy and water director Doug Dirk.

Well, Doug Dirk is certainly part of the problem, having served on Coldstream Council for at least 12 years, and a water director as well.   Had Doug Dirk managed to, even temporarily, remove the gigantic bias hat he perennially wears, he would already have been representing business.  Businesses would not today need to join a committee.

So why are businesses and residents being invited to join the "drought response team"?

To spread around the blame? 
To drag things out for 18 months? 

"I can't see having that amount of people meeting over 18 months and having as good a result," said director and Vernon Councillor Patrick Nicol.
As good a result as what?
As what the present boys have achieved?

They've achieved bugger-all.
Pardon the colloquialism. 

So what have directors and councillors been doing?
Certainly not representing business.

In an 8-minute drive-radius, there's the North Okanagan Regional District (home of the water authority), there's Coldstream Municipal Hall, Vernon City Hall and, naturally, also Eric Foster's MLA office, as well as Colin Mayes' MP office.

Over-governed and under-served.
Yup, that's us.

Now more and more people will sit on committees, and form additional committees (the Okanagan Basin Water Board and the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council come to mind, to name only two).

It is your duty to represent us.  All of us.
Not just to receive our property tax dollars.
We would happily voluntarily reduce (to use the water authority's phrase) our property taxes by 20 per cent.  Would you then realize we businesses are here in your community?


In the case of Highlands Golf, we possess a 55 gpm water allocation, bought many years ago with hard-earned dollars.
Isn't it illegal for the water authority to take money for something they cannot supply?
Imagine a business doing that.
It's called fraud.

So how could directors and bureaucrats have planned without the need for all these committees?
By drilling wells (and no, Antwerp Springs is NOT the only spot to drill wells), and increasing upland reservoir storage.

To this businesswoman, six half-empty reservoirs would be considerably better than the current two.
Sounds simple to me.
But then I'm not a water director or a bureaucrat or a councillor.

"They need to muddy the water," offers Kia.

They're already halfway there. 

Freak Storm Damages Wind Turbine Components

It was very sudden.
Just before midnight on Wednesday, May 19th, peaceful sleep dramatically ended with an intense sound...actually two intense sounds.

The sound of a horrendous wind nearly tearing branches from 30-foot fir trees not far from the open bedroom window had us immediately sitting up in bed, listening intently.  In the dim light of a clear sky I could see long branches being whipped like a flailing octopus from the west (or northwest).

The wind was quickly second in importance as the virtual roar of the wind turbine's blades reached a crescendo previously unheard.  My husband and I looked at one another and both said "It's not turning out of the wind," referring to the 10 kw wind turbine's blades.

The next morning at breakfast we tried to describe the wind turbine noise and couldn't exactly get it right.
"Like a jet engine," offered my husband, "increasing in intensity."  I nodded in agreement and looked out the window at a now-gentler breeze over the property.

"The turbine is dead, not turning at all," I admitted, "something's wrong."

Within five minutes I had opened the shop door and looked over the components.  Did the heat-dump go on?  I felt its exterior, it was cool.  I looked at the user panel, windspeed reading was 4 meters per second, yet the blades were not turning.  And RPM read zero.  Odd, it was even facing into the wrong direction.
Dogvane read Normal, no errors.  I glanced at the two 6 kw Aurora inverters.  No power lights were on, nothing was showing on the inverters.

Paul Wende, contractor was called and arrived mid-morning.  Inside the controller box he examined the "rectifier block", adding that "it's fried."  Minutes later, the prognosis was "no it's not, it's fine...but both  inverters are fried."

Paul assured me that both inverters will be returned to the manufacturer and that they're under a five-year warranty.


Downtime!


 "I always thought downtime was a good thing," intones Kia.

Not in this case!

Fortunately, no fire ensued.

An inch of rain and hail...yet tight water regulations remain

Monday's thunderstorm--despite its intensity--was a relief from hot dry windy conditions.
And the water authority's "tough love" rules for residents.

We didn't even mind the temporary flooding as eavestroughs were quickly overwhelmed and spilled their contents, one-inch gravel moved from slopes onto lawns, and thunder's intensity was immediately matched with clanging and bouncing hail. 

Numerous reports of flooded basements, driveway washouts and early-crop damage were heard, yet everyone ended their story with "...but thank goodness we received rain."

Less grateful, apparently, are officials at Greater Vernon Water, as reported in The Morning Star on May 21st.

Story by Richard Rolke, Morning Star Staff:
Restrictions have evolved, but Greater Vernon remains firmly under stage three water rules.

Rain has translated into some new snow at higher elevations, but there's still a concern that drought conditions may develop because of low reservoirs.

"We want to leave it where it is for now," said Arnold Badke, the North Okanagan Regional District's engineering general manager, of stage 3.

"We are very close to going into stage two.  We will look at reservoir levels next week.  If we are getting some ways into stage two, restrictions may change."

Badke believes weather conditions could change again so there is a need to be cautious.  "If things don't happen as we expect, we could be in trouble.  We still have to preserve water for July and August," he said.

On Wednesday, the NORD board approved a bylaw to regulate water use in Greater Vernon.  But prior to  adoption, directors made some changes to stage three rules in an attempt to minimize the impact on residents and businesses.

"I think it will address most of the concerns," said director Wayne Lippert.  "We had input from the landscape and pool industries.  We heard from agriculture and there's been changes to meet their needs."

Filling, refilling or topping up of pools will now be permitted for two hours per day, one day a week, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. before June 15 and after August 31.  Between those dates, only topping up will be allowed.

The bylaw had previously suggested that pool filling could occur between midnight and 6 a.m., while a ban on all filling originally occurred.  "I am glad someone listed to some common sense and research," said Lee Kazmar, owner of Pools, Ponds and Waterscapes.

Under stage three, no new permits for newly seeded lawns will be issued but renewals of permits issued under lesser drought response stages will occur before June 15 and after August 31.

Placement of sod may take place until June 15 and after August 31 with a permit for a period not exceeding two weeks.

"It looks like we'll be able to work through stage three regulations," said Bonnie Leibel, owner of Lavington Turf Farms.  Leibel was concerned the old rules would keep people from purchasing turf because they couldn't irrigate.

The regional district will now establish a drought response team to prepare for future situations.

"Shouldn't the drought response team have been formed--and met--before stage 3 restrictions were issued?" questions Kia.

That would have required a modicum of planning...entirely foreign to our area's bureaucrats!

And a little birdie told us that our area (and our water board) remain "the laughing stock" of two of Kelowna's water districts.   "Why don't they (water authority) just drill new wells?  We did and we're in good shape."

Many people want that question answered.

Creating our own water woes

An excellent Letter to the Editor by resident W. Lightfoot concerning "the water issues".

I wonder if we are being hoodwinked.  Canada and B.C. in particular have more fresh water than anywhere in the world.  Billions of gallons a minute get flushed into the ocean.  It seems that we have a collection and distribution problem in Vernon.

I have lived here for 22 years and always abided with restrictions that were not onerous while my in-laws in Kelowna have never had restrictions.

I wonder why, when their population in the same time has added the population of Vernon to its usage.

I might add they pay half the rates we do as well.

This seems to be confusing as they live in a drier part of the Okanagan.  It seems Vernon does not have enough water for its present propulation never mind forecasted increases.  No one seems to have addressed the problem, which appears simple.

We spent some $40 million to hook onto a "creek" while Kelowna saw a rather large lake to draw from.  Vernon is very good at conserving water as evidenced by the early 90's implementation of water meters which reduced consumption to the point where the city raised water rates because they didn't receive the dollars projected.

Does that not sound like water is a commodity?

I wonder if this colossal error in using a creek instead of the lake is just being brushed aside with the pretense that we are the Sahara desert and everyone should only shower weekly while our good neighbours in Kelowna use what they wish.

Nice rocky landscaping will increase household temperatures so that most will increase use of air conditioning, increasing carbon footprint, etc.

Pipelines carry oil all over North America, why not water to the Okanagan from Mica Dam or the Fraser River or...?

I also wonder if the present level of Okanagan Lake is more due to someone guessing wrong and letting out more at the south end to prevent floods than due to usage.  Kelowna treats water used and returns it to the lake.

I would also bet that the lake will come up two to three feet by the end of July.

My family has a cabin on a lake on Vancouver Island and it can drop/rise 15 feet in a year due to keeping water in the rivers below for fish and I assure you no one worries about the lakefront owners.

It appears that Vernon/Coldstream has created its own problem and the only solution they have even contemplated is "let them eat cake".

It is time the 'powers that be' addressed the long-term problem of water as there is no doubt that folks will be coming from all over Canada to live here and will not put up with onerous rationing.

Take it from Okanagan Lake now and make the problem regional which will quickly make it a provincial problem and hence solvable.

By W. Lightfoot, reprinted in its entirety.

"I love that man," beams Kia.