Governance -- North Okanagan

Hot topic.
So much so that North Okanagan Regional District officials issued 5,709 questionnaires in 2008.
What percentage was returned?  19.

Were the 4,606 unreturned questionnaires indicative of a "status quo" feeling among residents?  The North Okanagan Regional District reads it that way today, 15 months later.

But I don't.
Judge for yourself:

Question 1:  "Do you want to change the way your Electoral Area is governed, either by joining and(sic) existing Municipality or becoming a separate Municipality?  Answered by 97.5% of respondents:  Yes 20%, No 80%"  But 4,606 questionnaires were not returned!

The Results on Page 4 here  stated 80% of respondents were not in favour of change.
Creative accounting indeed! (and I'm not referring to the Arthur Anderson accounting firm's name change!)

My contention is that the 4,606 people who didn't respond remain, 15 months later, disgusted with--and apathetic to--the entire region's governance woes and continuing squabbles.  And if I am correct in that assumption--from talking to people--the results of Q1 would then be:  4,826 Yes, and 883 No, a resounding 84.54% YES.

Proof that NORD's "open" questionnaire design was flawed?  Easy.  "It is impossible to predict the full range of opinion..." according to GATech rules for designing questionnaires.

Then add that the questionnaire was not "successfully delivered" -- to use NORD's phrase -- to residents in Coldstream, Armstrong, Lumby or the City of Vernon, and you can see where objectivity flaws begin to ramp up.

One might be tempted to ask:  "Surely the Regional District wouldn't issue a flawed questionnaire."
Sure, if it meets their goal to maintain the status quo.

First we have to look at the North Okanagan Regional District's "governance map", whose colour-defined boundaries could not have been more arbitrarily set if an open box of pushpins had been thrown into the air by a drunk.

The electoral area map reminds me of the ALR map along my property's road...after years of searching for the reason that ~5 per cent of my rocky property is locked within the Agricultural Land Commission, a chance conversation with Russell Short, area Land Surveyor in the 1990's provided the answer.  "Yes, we drew those (broad, felt-pen) lines around 1972," he said, adding "and we always intended to go back and fine-tune those ALR boundaries along your road, but we never did because there was so much work to do in such little time."  The Agricultural Land Commission still uses those felt-pen boundaries today.
Sigh.

Based on the preceding paragraph, it's probably a logical extension to conclude the NORD electoral area map was also haphazardly drawn with a wide felt-pen tip.

One may now ask...so why do I--living and paying taxes in the Municipality of Coldstream (adjacent to--but not within--the purview of NORD's electoral area) care about how the North Okanagan Regional District conducts its business?  Because they affect me and my business as well.

In addition to paying taxes to Coldstream, I also pay taxes to NORD.
Really?  Yes.
And you didn't receive a NORD governance questionnaire? Right.

So what taxes do I pay NORD--in whose jurisdiction I don't reside?

I have no idea what most of the following are, but the property tax breakdown for NORD on my Municipality of Coldstream property tax bill is:  Residential:  $52.43, $1.66;  Business: $78.53, $3.52;  Recreation $88.72,  Septage $51.48, and  Unmetered Fire Hydrant $306.00.

The total taxes I pay to NORD equals $582.34, approximately 10 per cent of my annual property tax bill.

So, back to governance, and two decidedly hot-under-my-collar issues relating to my property:

• My property is entirely on a septic system, and no sewer hook-up is available on the street.  Why does NORD impose an annual "septage" tax of $51.48?  

• My unmetered fire hydrant was installed by my contractor as a requirement of the Commercial Zoning bylaw, entirely at my cost, inspected by the building inspector prior to the line being backfilled, and is on my property.  I am providing a service of fire protection to not only the District of Coldstream, but also my immediate neighbours.  Why does NORD impose an annual fire hydrant tax of $306.00?  

These two issues alone warrant my not only receiving a questionnaire from NORD, I'm considering sending an Invoice to them for my service in extending fire protection where none existed previously.  I may still do that...retroactive to 2001 when the NORD taxes for the fire hydrant started arriving.  And the Septage bylaw?  Haven't a clue, as NORD Bylaw 4004 "Septage" link goes nowhere.

Lemmee see...my historical fire hydrant taxes totalled $2,506.00 since 2002.
But before I issue NORD my retroactive invoice, I'll contact the provincial authorities in Victoria, who are well aware of "the problems" we Okanagan North residents face with over-governance (via duplication) and outright tax and fees gouging and ultra vires bylaws.

In the past, successive provincial municipal affairs ministers have been aware of the territorial infighting and castle-building synonymous with our region.  But we still had to raise our own swords and shields, most recently in 2005 when I was tipped off to attend the public session of a NORD meeting--scheduled for the next day--to hear then-Mayor of Vernon Sean Harvey's diatribe (replete with pounding fist on the table) that "farms pay 6 cents (for water); all others pay 42."  At a time when other jurisdictions south of us were redefining their water categories to more accurately reflect their users, Sean Harvey--as Chairman of NORD, whose mandate included the water authority--our North Okanagan Regional District was surreptitiously planning to entirely eliminate one category...the Commercial Non-Potable Irrigation group, to which my recreation facility belonged.

I--and the other five in that category--hastily hired a Solicitor to represent us at the Board level, after which Sean Harvey and other board members quickly learned the error of their ways.  Transparency in local government?  Nope.  Had I not been tipped off to attend that meeting, we six commercial irrigation users would likely have gone the way of the dodo bird within a few short years.  Today, we remain grandfathered, as noted in the Greater Vernon Water Utility "Rates Imposition Bylaw No. 2387, 2009" where the following proviso is now added: "...not available to new customers".

Yet regional growth appears to remain a top priority here, as headlined in the January 13, 2010 Vernon Morning Star Newspaper, with NORD chairman Herman Halvorson admitting a regional growth strategy "is required by the provincial government."

So, it can be deduced only certain growth is welcome, judging by the "...not available to new customers" referenced in water categories.

The North Okanagan purportedly wants commercial growth.  And why wouldn't they?  At 2.9 to 4.0 times the residential tax mill rate, businesses are easy to service...and gouge.  Business owners can't even vote in a jurisdiction where they own the storefront if they don't reside there, yet tenants (of all people!) can vote, despite their not contributing to property tax coffers.

Reminds me of an anonymous adage:  "Overserving some people and underserving others is a good plan for getting elected."  

As if to underscore that statement, NORD Chairman Halvorson admits "the regional district can't be everything to everybody simply because of limited financial resources."

"Ever heard of procedural fairness?" questions Kia, adding "that might go a long way to getting at least 50 per cent of questionnaires returned."

For your next questionnaire, NORD, first consider designing it correctly, then add a Comments section for each question you pose.  You'll be surprised at what you can learn.

Vancouver 2010 Thanks for the memories

The B.C. government would like to see all those gorgeous Olympic photos taken by the public.

Sadly, I have none.

Doubt anyone would want a photo of my feet, plopped day after day in front of the TV, only inching forward with the suspense as racers approached the finish line.

My toes always came in second!

Seventeen days.

From the breathtaking and stunningly-beautiful Opening Ceremony (we’re still talking about it), through every foggy, slippery, slushy, SUNNY outdoor event, to the mesmerizing track skating and ice dance and hockey events, we were all transfixed...one exception though.  The H couldn’t take the pressure of the gold medal hockey game and went GOLFING (while I watched it!!!!).  He came home exuberant, having had the words “Canada Got Gold” yelled at their group from homes adjacent to their fairway. 

The young slider’s fatality crushed us all, as the memory of it does today.

The words of the coach still echo...”no-one should die in sport.”

Poignant and true.

...and how very typical of Canadians during the Closing Ceremony to make the best of the “mechanical foible” from the Opening Ceremony.  The mime “toolman” was wonderful, as that fourth hydraulic lift was on all our minds.

We grimaced as VANOC’s John Furlong attempted French, phonetically, his Irish brogue winning out.

I’m sure his tongue had to go to a chiropractor soon after that valiant effort!

The singers, the dancers, the audience’s lights glowing and waving continuously, the beaming medalists on parade, the native costumes and colours...most of all the SMILES (and tears) will be long remembered.  The courageous skater from Quebec—whose Mom passed away so suddenly—carrying the Canadian flag into the closing ceremony was emotional, and we walked each step with her.

The television coverage, I must say, was marvelous.  CTV announcers did us proud.  Brian Williams and Lloyd Robertson head a very accomplished and dignified team.

And to hear that 1,800 people worked on the broadcast of this event to the world...wow.

Loved the comment “Blue Coats 1, Cypress 0” of the stupendous efforts to keep the course ship-shape.

Man can move mountains...or at least clad it in snow for 17 mild days. 

My family and I moved to the Okanagan from Vancouver 32 years ago, desiring a bit more space and a slower pace.

In all those years we’ve never regretted the move...until now (for 17 days).

Until Vancouver 2010...when we would love to have been part of the excitement and fun at Robson Square, indeed at Whistler Village, and at the events.

To see families out on the temporary “pedestrian mall”, strolling amid laughter and lights, was delightful.

Hopefully, Vancouver’s Mayor can extend the experience with a permanent pedestrian mall/town centre.

The media—and Dr. Rogge—are correct. 

Who would have imagined such spontaneous patriotism, time and time again, at each and every venue!

The exuberance, the friendliness...were as evident as the games wound down as on the first day.

It was truly a wonderful feat that the Vancouver Olympic Committee achieved...and the people of Canada loved it.

From sea to sea to sea.

Thank you Premier Campbell for making this possible.

I hope “the most gold medals of any host nation” is satisfying; you deserve our thanks.

And that of Prime Minister Harper.

...and thank God the NDP weren’t in power.  They would’ve screwed it up big time!

...now what do I do with my days now that the Olympics are over?  Ha ha.  

Hiking!  If I can get up the mountain after sitting on my fanny for more than two weeks.

Thank you, Vancouver Olympic Committee, for a wonderful 17 days.

Water Rate Gouging

Yes, water rates should increase.
Yes, the snowpack is the lowest in recent history.

But--and it's a big but--what is evident in the last few years is the insidious and increasingly unchecked control that bureaucrats and committees of unelected citizens have over issues that affect our lives.

First things first...

Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Feb. 11, 2010 Budget Workshop
Recommendations:

• that an across the board water rate increase of 9% be approved;
• that 20 cubic metres of consumption be included in the quarterly base fee at a rate of 92 cents per cubic meter;
• that the rate per cubic meter be increased to $1.10 for the third quarter billing cycle (July to September).
• that the base fee be charged to all properties with a service connection whenever the property is not served by an approved alternate potable water source.
• that the rising block rate concept be approved in principle and that staff report back with a proposal to implement rising block rates for 2011.
• that staff consult with the farming/agricultural community and report back with a recommendation on the appropriate criteria to qualify for the irrigation rate.
• that staff ensure that appropriate notification is provided to GVW water customers regarding 2010 rate changes.

B.C. Hydro did it a year ago through the arms-length B.C. Utilities Commission, when the Step 2 "conservation rate" (more correctly, the penalty rate) was implemented.   What does Hydro's Step 2 have to do with our area's proposed water rate increases?  Well...see the second point above, concerning 20 cubic metres...doesn't that sound like a Step 2?

Now the Greater Vernon Water Authority (GVWA) is doing it through the Greater Vernon Services Commission (GVSC), under the North Okanagan Regional District's purview.  The common denominator?  None of these people are elected by us.

Ratepayers are routinely gouged to mitigate the effects of planning deficiencies (and downright bungling) by bureaucrats, all under the guise of either the environment or the global common good or whatever is the catchphrase of the day...

The people we do elect are powerless to stem the might of the bureaucracy.  The people we do elect are not without blame however.  Our councillors are very quick to appoint committees ("stakeholders", neighbourhood groups, workshops, and the like) to chew on a subject and spit out recommendations to Council.

All above board and, well, very transparent, in the opinion of elected officials as "the ultimate decision remains ours."  Not so, because once a stakeholder/community recommendation is offered, councillors have--time and time again--lacked the intestinal fortitude to go against the group's recommendations.   

The days of politicians making decisions for us because they represent us--are gone.

And to prove the adage the only constant is change,  today's Morning Star newspaper headlines--albeit on page 17--Changes to Water Act (is) focus of workshops to (among other things) "explore proposals for change".

Residents appear to have no recourse to decisions made by unelected groups.  Perhaps this is the crux of the governance debacle that has plagued the North Okanagan in recent years.

You may recall that former B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs, Ida Chong, instituted the process of governance review in our area.  It went nowhere--not entirely because Ida Chong was an ineffectual minister, which she indeed was--but the governance review failed because of the power of bureaucrats whose minions are protected by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the B.C. Government Employees' Union.

While the hated--or loved--"A word" (Amalgamation) does pop up every few years as a result of just such examples as above, love it or hate it, amalgamation would hopefully get rid of an entire level of government.

Which level?  Your guess is as good as mine, but this stakeholder and uninvited committee member would celebrate the demise of the North Okanagan Regional District.   What of the regional areas such as BX, Cherryville and others, you ask?  Plunk 'em on the laps of their nearest City or Municipality...either Coldstream or Vernon.  Those communities would love the tax dollars.  We residents would be eternally grateful for no more expansions to the NORD building (twice in eight years), and all those salaries and desks and computers...and committees of stakeholder groups.

Elected officials would, once again, be responsible to voters for their setting of water rates and conditions.

Water...a finite resource.  Elected representatives...powerless today.

"So I'll resume my digging," offers Kia, adding "I might find water."

Who will light the Olympic Cauldron at B.C. Place tonight?

My guess is Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canadian astronaut.

Enter your guess under Comments, below.
(No entries after 5:30 p.m. Pacific time Friday, February 12, 2010)

We were all incorrect...
Torch bearers at B.C. Place were Rick Hanson (Man in Motion), Catriona LeMay Doan, Nancy Green Raine, Steve Nash and Wayne Gretzky.  The indoor cauldron was lit.

Wayne Gretzky then rode to the outdoor cauldron and lit it among cheers from onlookers. 

It was a great opening ceremony...Congratulations Vancouver!

Warm Winter 2009/2010

Minimum temperatures for Coldstream, B.C., Canada this winter, using Bios remote weather station: 
Dates omitted indicate similar temps to the last date listed.

Oct. 27/09        .4C
Oct. 28          -2.2C
Oct. 29          -0.2C
Nov. 11         -5.0C
Nov. 12         -5.0C
Nov. 13         -2.0C
Nov. 14         -5.0C
Nov. 15          1.0C
Nov. 16          2.0C
Nov. 18          2.0C
Nov. 27         -1.1C
Nov. 28         -0.6C
Dec.   1         -5.0C
Dec.   2         -8.0C
Dec.   3         -7.9C
Dec.   4         -6.0C
Dec.   5         -5.5C
Dec.   6       -12.0C
Dec.   7       -15.0C
Dec.   8       -16.0C
Dec.   9       -12.3C
Dec.  10      -10.0C
Dec.  11      -12.0C
Dec.  12      -  8.9C
Dec.  13      -13.4C
Dec.  14      -20.6C
Dec.  15      -14.0C
Dec.  16      -  7.0C
Dec.  17      -  3.1C
Dec.  22      -10.3C
Dec.  23      -13.1C
Dec.  24      -12.5C
Dec.  25      -10.1C
Dec.  26      -13.2C
Dec.  27      -10.5C
Dec.  28      -10.2C
Dec.  29      - 0.6C
Dec.  31      - 7.0C
Jan.1/10     - 3.2C
Jan. 2         - 3.0C
Jan. 3         - 1.4C
Jan. 4           0.0C
Jan. 5         - 1.0C
Jan. 6         - 8.8C
Jan. 7         -12.5C
Jan. 8         -  6.7C
Jan. 9         -  5.2C
Jan. 10       -  2.8C
Jan. 11          1.0C
Jan. 12          0.6C
Jan. 13          0.7C
Jan. 14          0.8C
Jan. 15        - 1.6C
Jan. 18        - 0.3C
Jan. 19          1.8C
Jan. 20          0.0C
Jan. 23        - 6.8C
Jan. 24        - 1.4C
Jan. 26          2.0C
Jan. 27        - 4.0C
Jan. 29          0.5C
Jan. 30        - 0.5C
Jan. 31          1.0C
Feb.  1           1.0C
Feb. 2          - 0.6C
Feb. 3            0.0C
Feb. 4            1.2C
Feb. 5            1.0C
Feb. 6            3.1C
Feb. 7          - 0.7C
Feb. 8          - 0.5C
Feb. 9          -1.0C
Feb. 10        -1.0C
Feb. 11         0.5C

"Is it any wonder I'm shedding?", muses Kia.

Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.

Ice on Golf Greens

Mild late-winter weather--including an entire afternoon of light rain Wednesday, January 14th, 2010--has led to a rather thick (5 mm, about 1/5 of an inch) coating of ice on Highlands' greens.

While the occurrence is relatively rare on this southslope property, low winter sun angle combined with virtually flat greens and mild temperatures, do create conditions that cause concern.

Nine years ago when the golf course was constructed, greens were seeded to Pencross bentgrass.  Over the years as the inevitable invasion of Poa annua occurred--via seed stuck into golf-shoe cleats--we've wondered how to eradicate the invader.

The current weather anomaly may just help us achieve that.

A turfgrass science study conducted in Alberta, Canada, concluded that--depending on duration of ice cover, up to 120 days--bentgrass is less susceptible to ice-damage than Poa.

"Only time will tell," suggests Kia, adding "I'll keep the deer off greens until then."

 

Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert "Gets It"

He really does! 

Wayne Lippert, mayor of Vernon, was recently quoted as saying "We're working very hard to try and not have a property tax increase this year as the economy has hurt a lot of residents." 

Downright refreshing.

But Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick and his council are going down a different path.
The path that leads to taxpayer disgust.

"Maybe we Coldstreamers should realign municipal boundaries...might be easier than trying to convince Garlick et al that they're way off base," sighs Kia.
 

Coldstream Council doesn't get it. B.C. Assessment does.

The 2010 property assessment notice arrived this week.

For the first time in recent memory, assessments have gone down.  Highlands' assessment saw a considerable decrease.  The Morning Star reports Coldstream's assessment roll declined from $2.18 billion last year to $2.13 billion in 2010.

Kudos to the British Columbia Assessment Authority.  They get it! 

They recognize that 10 to 15 per cent increases to property values, year after year, simply can not continue in any economy, let alone the present downturn.

So we'll save one-quarter of last year's tax bill?
Nope.
Why?

Because Coldstream Council doesn't get it!

In a complete dismissal of findings contained in the B.C. Municipality Spending Watch, Mayor Garlick and Council are drafting a budget that will likely include a five per cent tax increase this Spring.

They appear hell bent for leather on surreptitiously replacing the lost taxes from the Owens-Illinois (glass plant) in Lavington, closed last year.  Rather than cutting taxes for those of us who still reside here, this Council wants us to make up the difference...as though OI hadn't left.   

But what of all the NEW money that's been flowing in from the Federal Government's Economic Action plan.  A portion went to Coldstream to build roads and bridges.  Money also comes back to Coldstream from the Gas Tax Fund, as well as the Building Canada fund that includes water and sewer upgrades (the new Duteau Creek water treatment plant will be operational this year).

Local librarians got a 4 per cent increase...and Coldstream hired a CA (yup, a chartered accountant for a community with half of its land in the Agricultural Land Reserve and a population of 10 thousand, and who--by the way--advised Council that the Commercial Recreation category has been taxed too low...ahem!).

Then there's the North Okanagan Regional District (which is also part of the tax base) added on to their offices again (the second time in five years...how often do you renovate?).

At least Paramedics got a 3 per cent raise.


Wait a minute.
Paramedics received a smaller increase than Librarians?

"Can paramedics treat idiocy?", asks Kia.











4 governments, 1 taxpayer...

Foxtail Palm Seeds

They're not duck eggs...they're seeds of Wodyetia bifurcata, originally discovered in northeast Queensland.

Received Nov. 30/09 from the Central Florida Palm and Cycad Society.

A hot water cycle (inside pillowcases) in the washing machine is followed by removing all traces of fruit.  Then into hot water to soak for 2-3 days, with water changed daily.

Seeds were then placed horizontally in community pots of varying sizes, barely covered with 2-1 mixture of peat moss and perlite.   To retain humidity, pots were covered with cellophane.  Germination minimum 4-8 weeks.  Adjacent (versus Remote) germinators.

The little greenhouse-on-wheels is kept near the basement woodstove (it is winter in Canada, after all!).


One day, years from now, they'll begin to resemble the wonderful traits of this genus.



The following lovely picture is from "atree4me.com"

"I'll never be able to get the frisbee out of such a tree," worries Kia.

Butia capitata (Jelly Palm)

Another indoor palm behaves as if spring had arrived!...

Native to Brazil, this beauty, when older, can withstand -10 to -12C.

Also known as the Wine Palm, delicious dessert fillings can be made from its fruit.

A vigorous grower, each frond in the picture is newly emerged.
This palm hasn't quit growing since last summer when it was on the patio in a tub.  Now indoors in the foyer, it responds to care despite low light conditions.


"At this rate, it'll soon be a frisbee obstacle," warns Kia.

Indoor Palms

Brahea armata (Blue Hesper Palm) two seedlings, and Chamaerops humilis (Mediterranean Fan Palm) in foreground.

We should do some weeding," suggests Kia.

Palms indoors

For some palms, spring has arrived!

Shown is the new spear produced by Hyophorbe lagenicaulis--the Bottle Palm.

Palm Hut for Trachycarpus fortunei (Windmill Palm)

Finally planted in the ground after 32+ years, the Windmill Palm is enclosed in a hut for winter...

Minimum temperature so far this winter was on December 14th, 2009 when temp dipped to -20.6C (-5.1F). An electric Patton heater inside the palm hut maintained -2.0C (28.4F).

On mild days, the door is left open with the heater turned off.

"That's me guarding the hut," attests Kia.

Lawsuit against B.C. Hydro? Co-defendant B.C. Utilities Commission?

Is a group action lawsuit the only way to get their attention?...

Probably.

It's time to get serious.

Last October's implementation of the electric utility Step 2 Conservation Rate had onerous implications for folks in predominantly rural areas.

Why? Because natural gas isn't available in their area--or on their street.
Deregulation in other industries such as telecommunications has led to choice for consumers. Not so with customers of B.C. Hydro who have no access to natural gas!

It's impossible for this writer to ascertain just how many British Columbians have no access to gas but since the massive switch by consumers to natural gas over the last 20 years, we are undoubtedly in the minority.

Using my residence as an example--where natural gas is available both east and west of my location (but not at the roadfront)--Step 1 is billed at just shy of 6 cents per kilowatt hour to a maximum of approximately 1,376 kilowatt hours monthly. Usage beyond that is charged at one-third more...at .0827 cents.

This abuse of B.C. Hydro's monopoly, sanctioned by the B.C. Utilities Commission via their approval of rates, is tantamount to an abuse of authority. Not noble efforts to stem the impact on climate change!

You'll ask "have you contacted hydro and the utilities commission to resolve the issue?" Representatives either don't have the authority to even pass along a concern--or don't know to whom it should be passed to--or feel it remains a fair system in their opinion.

The little guy has never felt smaller than when wondering how to convince the big guys of such a travesty of procedural fairness and justice.

My contention is that Step 2 is an erroneously applied penalty rate because customers who have no access to natural gas cannot possibly keep electrical usage within the narrow confines of Step 1.

Now to find somebody to run the gauntlet...

Coldstream allows firearm discharge next to Golf Course!

Listening for more than where your golfball lands...

Coldstream Municipality's Weapons Regulation Bylaw 1550, 2009 is a fait accompli.

Highlands Golf--whose zoning is Commercial Recreation--is now located smack in the middle of two firearms zones.

The golf course's north and south boundaries are abutted by the new Green Zone, in which "...open to discharge of Weapons subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of this bylaw and any Provincial or Federal regulations or restrictions."

The golf course's east and west boundaries are abutted by the new Yellow Zone, where "...limited to the discharge of Weapons with a muzzle velocity less than 152.4 metres or 500 feet per second and a muzzle energy less than 5.7 joules or 4.2 foot pounds, shotguns with shot only, and archery equipment for target practice only."

...adjacent to a commercial recreation facility?

"Sounds like it's Open Season on golfers...maybe those rocket scientists can tell me what MY muzzle velocity is", muses Kia.