Farmers Squeak -- Proposed Water Rate Drops

Yes, the 9 per cent proposed rate hike was excessive.

Greater Vernon water had said rate increases were as necessary for water conservation as they were to help pay for the Duteau Creek water treatment plant.

But farmers don't need chlorinated water for their crops.
So why should they pay for increased costs of chlorination at the plant?
Besides, the Master Water Plan had promised farmers' rates would increase (only) by the cost of living.

At Wednesday's North Okanagan Regional District meeting, directors voted in favour of rescinding the 9 per cent proposed increase to 2.5 per cent.

Thankfully, Ted Osborn, long-time manager of the Coldstream Ranch, was able to provide the historical perspective--a nudge--to officials.  What is disturbing is that some directors and water authority officials "have been around almost as long as Ted", according to one attendee. 

Bureaucrats and elected representatives seem to increasingly rely on selective memory to support their ever-increasing thirst for funds.  The promise--indeed the guarantee--to farmers was almost broken by their greed and poor planning.

Highlands Golf--a company that also doesn't need chlorinated water for its crop--was under-represented twice by Doug Dirk...once as Councillor in Coldstream, and again as a director on the water board.   No concern from him about Highlands--his corporate constituent. 

Highlands Golf and other commercial non-potable water users can only dream of being represented by a Ted Osborn...

"He has a good memory," intones Kia.
   ...and a conscience to match.