Councillor Kiss Provides Clarity

As always!
Gyula Kiss' clarity is a necessity for the rest of us to understand what is going on.

I am referring to the spur-of-the-moment visit (blog story Wednesday, June 22/16) yesterday from Kari Gronvold, a technician at Salmon Arm's Gentech Engineering Inc, with the company's "Lavington Questionnaire", presumably because Gentech has been hired by Greater Vernon Water as a consultant.

For what?
Who knows?
Well, Ms. Gronvold didn't elaborate as to why Gentech was doing a questionnaire.

I assumed yesterday--and discovered today that I assumed incorrectly--that the questionnaire should've been only for those folks in Lavington who currently received raw water from Greater Vernon Water.

Boy, was I wrong as I discovered on Gyula Kiss' blog!

Get a load of THIS:
copied directly from Mr. Kiss' blog:

"

SAC members could have learned a lot by asking the politicians why they publicly rejected the referendum during their election campaign after they supported the MWP. They could have saved a lot of time.  Even Director Macnabb wondered about why there was a change of heart by many of the politicians:

 

“To turn around and say they support the plan, but not the $70 million to fund it is disingenuous in my mind,” Said Director Macnabb...
"“I’d rather work collaboratively than aggressively.... By stamping our feet saying you must do the funding, that’s not going to happen,” he says. (read all)
 

As it happened the Staff supported Option 2 prevailed, eliminating all of the options that would have used Kalamalka and Okanagan lakes for fully separated domestic supplies. Never mind the threat of climate change and higher treatment costs. 

The process will totally dismantle the original VID irrigation system and replace it with a complicated new system. There will be three supply lines (domestic only from Mission Hill, mixed irrigation/domestic water from the Duteau Treatment Plant and a new untreated irrigation water supply directly from Harvey Lake). All those systems will be the financial responsibility of the domestic customers. They will pay the cost of construction, operation and maintenance and the replacement value of the total system. The current 4% agriculture contribution of the total budget is a smidgen of those costs." 

Three supply lines?????
and a new untreated irrigation water supply directly from Harvey Lake?????

Where the hell is Harvey Lake?????

Find Waldo....er....a Harvey Lake.

So when the Gentech technician yesterday said that lines would be twinned, she was obviously referring to a new line on the north side of Buchanan Road to provide raw agricultural water from Harvey Lake?
 
I asked how much of the domestic/fireline (6 inch) had already been completed (50%?  80%  20%) over the years on the north side of Buchanan as people subdivided/development permits were awarded.  She said she didn't know, but agreed that residents here "choosing where to install a new treated domestic connection" would hinge on that information.  That's what was puzzling because we already have treated water to our homes and businesses...we simply don't have raw untreated water for irrigation.

Why would we choose to install a new (redundant, in my mind) domestic connection?

And I mentioned to her that I read in one of the Master Water Plan consulting reports (can't remember which one...MWP 2002? 2004?  Addendum?  MWP 2012?) that irrigation needs/usage on the north side of Buchanan Road was relatively low in the scheme of things, and likely would never justify the costs associated with providing twinned lines on Buchanan.

Well, so much for that, huh?

And where's the question on the Lavington survey that asks whether we are each prepared to pay for a new connection to our properties?  Or are there grants to pay for it (laughable...as that's our money too!)

So will Buchanan Road end up with 3 lines?

• the huge treated water pipe on the south side that takes treated water from DCWTP in a westerly direction to North Vernon and BX customers as well as fillling Goose Lake?

• the (partially completed?) "spurs" on the north side of Buchanan Road, i.e. that supply fire hydrants?

• then a third (albeit called twinned) line on the north side of Buchanan Road, presumably from the planned Harvey Lake source, that supplies raw agricultural water for irrigators here?  Despite consultants stating the irrigation demand here is so low as to not warrant the cost of providing twinned (that includes raw water) lines...

"GVW are the opposite of Master Communicators," states Kia.

They'll just blame the Stakeholders' Advisory Committee members...for selecting Option 2.

Now I'm REALLY Confused

Had a visit today from a technician named Kari Gronvold of Gentech Engineering Inc. of Salmon Arm.
She indicated she didn't know a commercial facility existed here.

She stated she was doing a survey on providing domestic water connections to residents along Buchanan Road, including the Coldstream Ranch.

Before I get into an explanation of WHY I'm confused, here is the blank questionnaire she gave me on leaving, after she had taken copious notes following my answers to her questions.

Click on pages to enlarge:

Where my confusion began was with the questionnaire's second sentence, which reads:

"The RDNO is looking to separate the existing

 agricultural raw water from the

treated water supply by twinning the mains."

(underscoring by blog author).

 

Existing agricultural raw water?

Huh?

 

That hasn't been available on Buchanan Road since chlorination occurred at Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant.

We used to have raw irrigation water here (I think that ended some time in the late 90's when all the water on this street had been chlorinated).  Raw water was available in the early years of our property ownership (since 1975) firstly through the Vernon Irrigation District (VID) and then through the North Okanagan Water Association (NOWA).  Then GVW took over with the dissolution of the Greater Vernon Services Commission...and many residents believe that's when common sense died an agonizing death.

On reading the questions, I believe this questionnaire is only for those residents of Lavington/East Coldstream whose water is diverted (prior to entering the Duteau Creek Water Treatment Plant) and supplies their farm irrigation with raw water...but not domestic water.

"A new domestic water service will be planned

beside the existing irrigation/domestic service.

If a different location

 for the service connection is required,

 please indicate the approximate location...".  Gentech questionnaire

I have no idea how much raw water is diverted from DCWTP, nor do I have any idea how many customers in that area have no treated water for domestic use...and therefore, no domestic connections.

So here's the puzzler:  The questionnaire concludes with  "A new domestic water service will be planned beside the existing irrigation/domestic service.  If a different location for the service connection is required, please indicate the approximate location...".

Huh? 

Since the big water main on the south side of Buchanan Road delivers treated water and serves most of Vernon and the BX/Spallumcheen as well as filling Goose Lake with chlorinated water, how can "existing agricultural raw water" be separated from the treated water supply at all on Buchanan Road?

And one question, in particular, raised my ire and got me on my soapbox:

"Does your current service(s) meet your daily demand?  (I replied during the technician's visit that my professionally designed irrigation plan, submitted during the development permit application stage in 2000/01, cannot today adequately water my property because of the water conservation measures that GVW has imposed (even/odd numbering for watering days, no watering Mondays at all).  Why?  "Cookie cutter rules" that don't take into account site-specific things like slope, aspect, winds, etc.)

I also used the opportunity to show the technician the sign on the clubhouse wall:

So...why the questionnaire?
It likely confuses all of Buchanan Road's residences, who have had domestic (treated) water for a long time. 

So why would they want a new (second) domestic connection now?
When we're already getting domestic (treated) water, and don't have raw irrigation water any more!

"It's probably a case of GVW bureaucrats not advising Gentech Engineering of who actually is on raw irrigation water," suggests Kia.


They likely gave Kari Gronvold the wrong map!

That's likely why...
Same old, same old!

 

UFW?

UFW stands for Unaccounted For Water on the Greater Vernon water system in the North Okanagan, and its volume is actually staggering.   

Some reports have it that UFW accounts for the same volume as metered domestic water usage, despite the graph below continuing to cloud the numbers...a practice not uncommon within the GVW bureaucracy.


Here's today's Letter to the Editor from D. Knol:

"On May 25, my husband and I parked in the cul-de-sac behind RONA as we were going for a bike ride.  Upon arrival, we noticed a city truck parked there.

"...I did not agree with the amount

 of water being wasted."  D.Knol

A hose was hooked up to the last fire hydrant, with water being pumped into the street and going down the drain.  Two hours later, we arrived back at our vehicle to see the same city truck, but now with two hoses hooked to the fire hydrant spewing out water.

The water was so deep that it was actually going over the curb and running down the walking path.  The drains could hardly handle the water going down them.  When I went to the back of our car, the water went over the top of my shoes.

Now I know they will say that they were flushing the lines, but really how long does it take to flush lines?

I am a little perturbed that we are told to conserve water, to let our lawns die and to think of the fire season, which I can agree with for the most part, then to see the thousands of gallons of water being wasted, that I have a problem with.

I contacted the city yards and later I talked to a gentleman about my concerns, and I was told they were flushing the lines.  I told him I did not agree with the amount of water being wasted, which he then told me that it was necessary because of the algae which grows in the lines.  I indicated that I thought there should be another way to handle this and found it disturbing to see that much water wasted when we are told not to water and conserve.  His response was we would not be happy if we got sick from algae in the lines and would rather see dead lawns.

I know we have chlorine in our water.  Would that not help some with the algae and is the water not constantly moving?  According to this gentleman, it is not.  I know there are dead-ends like behind RONA, but for the most part, I would think the water is constantly in motion.

He then told me it takes three years to flush all of the lines so it is a never-ending cycle.

Then I was then told this was basically our fault because we voted against the $70 million expansion.

I may be wrong, but it was more than two hours that the water was spewing out of that hydrant.  Is that necessary?  Personally, I think not."

                         D. Knol

Click on chart to enlarge:

(blog note:  I neglected to capture a snippet that continues the last sentence "The last category graphed below captures miscellaneous activities such as bulk water sales (truck filling station), water main flushing, water quality monitoriong stations throughout the distribution network, and firefighting."

But even the "Parks/Road medians" category has changed, with no new numbers available, with the recent reorganization of Parks in the North Okanagan.

"So...yet another quasi-useless number from GVW," states Kia.

But it was a good letter to the editor.
Wonder if there were backflow prevention devices on the flushing process...and a meter.

 

Duteau Gets Pounded With Rain

Time and again during May and June of this year, the Aberdeen Plateau's weather systems have dropped a ton of rain into Duteau Creek's reservoirs.

A few recent photos:

"If these systems result from an ebbing el Nino," suggests Kia, "we're all thrilled!"

 

It's frankly wonderful to turn the irrigation system off at Highlands Golf.

But wait.
Water rates will simply increase...because GVW won't receive sufficient revenue to meet their requirements.

Thank You, Coldstream Muni

A big thank you to Coldstream Municipality for caring about the little things.
The little things that are ultimately so important in the scheme of things.

What is it?

I had asked the municipality to have Roads Supervisor Mike Pethick inform their roadside mowing contractor of an important plant growing on Buchanan Road.
A plant so important--despite its lowly name, Milkweed--that I simply couldn't stand the thought of its near-blooms being mowed as part of Coldstream's maintenance program.

The real plus is that along straight stretches of Buchanan Road--where visibility isn't an issue--and few driveways exist, the sporadic stands of Milkweed really could be saved.

A May 20th blog entry includes photos of the Milkweed stands.

Imagine my delight and pleasure today as I drove along Buchanan Road and saw the Milkweed stands protected!

(Click on photos to enlarge)
Before and after mowing photos follow:

May 20th, prior to roadside mowing

June 17th, after roadside mowing

But there's a surprise!

The June issue of Okanagan Life magazine, read today, has on page 10 and 11 an article entitled "Bee helpful"...

It features a story by the co-founder of Border Free Bees that details how she and other academics at OUC and Emily Carr University and Simon Fraser University are "spearheading aid for endangered pollinators".  As it turns out, their projects include planting Milkweed to help Mason bees, an endangered species.

School children have grown Milkweed from seed and planted the seedlings!
Their website is chock full of projects, including how to build Mason Bee homes.

So people aren't simply helping Monarch Butterflies, we're aiding Mason bees too!

Here are some more photos of plants that butterflies and bees love, including those around the patio at Highlands Golf:

Monarda (also known as Bee Balm)

Milkweed, ready to bloom on Buchanan Road, saved from the mower's blades, thanks to Coldstream municipality!

Monarch butterfly on Lavender at the Highlands Golf clubhouse

Hold still for the photo, Mr. Bee!  flitting around the Lavender

More pollinator-loving flowers at the Highlands Golf clubhouse...almost hidden in the middle is the little pond.

The orange flowers in the last photo are Asclepias (another member of the Milkweed) family, particularly loved by butterflies and bees.
 

"A tip o' the appreciation hat to Mike Pethick's roadside mowing contractor for the District of Coldstream," smiles Kia.

Little things do mean a lot.

Democracy Denied

Great title.

Dennis Windsor's letter to the editor, published today, dealt with the Master Water Plan fiasco (and what ensued since the November 2014 borrowing referendum for $70 million was denied by the electorate).

It's frankly what many other folks have said too.
Here's Dennis' letter:


"The elected officials and administrative staff in charge of Greater Vernon Water appear to have forgot(sic) that their mandate is to serve the interests of all citizens supplied by Greater Vernon's water utility.

In the fall of 2014, voters in all jurisdictions served by GVW overwhelmingly defeated a referendum to borrow tens of millions of dollars to implement the master water plan (MWP).

"How long can GVW continue to justify

the high costs to treat Duteau Creek water

to potable quality and then apply that water

to agricultural crops?"

D.Windsor

By the spring of 2015, the politicians' response to the referendum defeat was to form a stakeholder advisory committee to review the MWP, with the SAC membership to be comprised of people from various categories of water users.

The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee and GWV(sic) administration screened the applicants for the SAC and established the terms of reference for the SAC deliberations.  The committee meetings were chaired and managed by a GVAC member.

The SAC was subjected to lengthy reports of the development of the currently MWP and GVAC system.  The SAC meetings focused on non-cost aspects of the water utility.  There were no in-depth reviews of system operations, budgets or customer willingness and ability to pay.

In the course of more than 10 meetings over the past year, each lasting several hours, SAC members had little opportunity for input or open discussion.  It appears the SAC was formed and manipulated to product(sic) the desired stay the course result.  GVAC's recent announcement of  'no charge(sic) required to the MWP' is not surprising.

But what happens now?  Where will GVW get the funding required to implement the MWP which includes, among other capital items, upgrades to the Duteau reservoirs and treatment systems?

How long can GVW continue to justify the high costs to treat Duteau Creek water to potable quality and then apply that water to agricultural crops?  Will Duteau Creek even be a reliable water source if there is sustained severe drought?

During a drought who has priority access to the limited water supply -- agricultural or residential customers?  Any day now, GVW will demand cutbacks in water use in anticipation of a drought and will follow that by announcing increases in water rates or base rates so they can meet their budget.  The only plan appears to be GVW's intent to continue the Duteau folly and pay for it with ridiculously high water rates.

Unfortunately, when the customer balks and revenue no longer covers expenditures, our elected officials will have no choice but to make up with the shortfall through tax levies since the public has already said a resounding no to borrowing.  We have to pay, no matter what.

GVW customes are the majority of voters in Vernon, Coldstream and the portions of Areas B and C.  How GVW implements the master water plan, how our water needs are met and what are changed for our water service will be closely watched.

Elected officials, as they should be, eventually will answer for the narrow-sighted actions of GVW.  Time will tell if the core of democracy, the will of the people, still prevails."
                                 D.Windsor

Click map to enlarge:

The Duteau system, source consultant report.

"Potable--and soon to be filtered--water being applied to agricultural crops is, frankly, an insane waste of money," says Kia, "but GVW doesn't care what they do with OUR money...neither do elected officials."


Elected officials will eventually answer for the decisions they've allowed GVW to make.
Take solace in that.

And Dennis Windsor should read Rafe Mair's take on Democracy...dead or dying here.
It's as though Rafe were writing about our area's water fiasco.

Especially the part about the media not doing its job!
But Rolke's priority is a rainbow-painted crossing in Coldstream.

Rafe Mair's "Broken Democracy"

Part II of his excellent feature is now online here.

While it speaks to the Federal system, parallels with the Liberals in Victoria are provided.

"He's an eloquent writer," says Kia, "and truer words were never spoken about British Columbia's government."
 

You've got that correct!

The Demise of Democracy?

Many people feel democracy is already dead.

I feel democracy is "heavily encumbranced".

But maybe that's not descriptive enough...in other words, democracy remains the type of governance we supposedly enjoy, but incredible obstacles exist today that appear to prevent democracy working the way many people over the age of 50 feel it should...or remember that it did.
And those obstacles appear to have no other purpose--to me anyway--than to prevent democracy from working the way it used to.

Examples?
Well, just look at the arm's-length appointed committees over which we voters have no control:  the B.C. Utilities Commission, an appointed committee that decides B.C. Hydro rates that consumers will pay.
Decidedly arm's-length.
Locally, to offer only one example, how about the Okanagan Basin Water Board, an appointed committee over which we voters have no control.  Yet they have the power to impose water restrictions and issue water grants to communities.  Yes they do.

But this blog entry isn't about my fear that democracy is dying.

It's about a former politician who believes the same thing.
Rafe Mair, a former politician, has penned his fear May 31st on TheCommonsenseCanadian blog, and its compelling Part I is entitled: "Responsible Government -- and How It Blocks Democracy".

Don't be quick to scan it and believe that it's only about Federal politics when you read the heading "Prime Ministers Don't Like Losing".  Mr. Mair encourages you to replace federal democratic references with those of local governments.

So:  Mayors Don't Like Losing is an appropriate replacement.
And Members of the Legislative Assemby Don't Like Losing is also appropriate.

Still not convinced, and haven't read the article?
Well, perhaps these headings will encourage you to digest Mr. Mair's feature story:

Buying Loyalty,
The Carrot and the Stick,
A Heavy Punishment,
No Questions Asked,
should pique your interest.

Would this protest sign even have existed in any North American community say, 30, 40 or 50 years ago?

"Looking forward to Mr. Mair's Part II," says Kia.

Me too.


Source:  CommonsenseCanadian

 

Two Battles Ended

Gyula Kiss' vehement opposition to the 2012 Master Water Plan--and biases of bureaucrats, consultants and politicians alike--has been unwavering.

At Thursday's Greater Vernon Advisory Committee meeting, Mr. Kiss continued to oppose the "biased" information that had been provided to the Stakeholder Advisory Committee that led to the committee's recommendation to maintain the two existing water sources and the two existing treatment facilities.

As reported by Rolke in today's Morning Star story, Mr. Kiss said the committee did not consider broad-based information. 
No-one would argue that broad-based information had not been provided the committee.

"When it came time to receive the stakeholder report for information, Kiss did not raise his hand as opposed.  Chairperson Cunningham tried to clarify Kiss' vote," said the story, "but did not get a response."

"I guess he's in favour," Cunningham said.

No, he's not.
But he knows his water battle has ended.
And he was--understandably--preoccupied during the meeting.

Because another battle had just ended.
A very personal one.
Mr. Kiss' wife, Debbie Gibson, lost her battle to cancer nine days ago.

So it was only through his incredible commitment to the community--and the water situation--that he even attended the Thursday meeting.

Two battles have ended for Mr. Kiss.

Residents offer sincere sympathy to the Kiss family on their bereavement.

And our considerable thanks for his efforts on the water battle.

Wages and Expenses: City of Vernon, Coldstream Muni, Regional District

And the beat goes on...
or, alternately, up and down like knickers (mostly up).

Elected officials do pretty well, it seems.
But regional district employees do even better...ahem.

Regional District of North Okanagan boss, David Sewell's wage increased more than $20,000 since last year!

The following is a compilation of the Statement of Financial Information (SOFI data) from the Coldstream Annual Report (2015 Annual Report - PDF), the Vernon Annual Report (2015 Draft Annual Report - 28.7 MB) and the agenda package from the RDNO.  A big thanks to Bob Spiers for providing the information!

There is a Total Remuneration (which excludes expenses) added. It is simply the addition of the Municipal Remuneration (Col. 1) & the Nord Remuneration (Col. 4).

In 2011 these 2 columns totaled $399,139.54.
In 2012 the total increased $45.113.48 to $444,253.02. (11.3% increase).
In 2013 the total increased to 446,972.39 (a point 6% increase).
In 2014 the the total remuneration decreased to $419,616.41 (-6.12%).
In 2015 the total remuneration increased to $456,626.77 (8.8% increase). 

(Coldstream Coun. Kiss who gets committee pay for his GVAC services was not listed on the 2015 report so year to year comparison may be skewed)

Click graphics to enlarge.

2015 GVAC Politicians' Salaries  & Expenses: 

 

2014 Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Politicians' Salaries and Expenses (revised 06/26/15)

2013 Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Politicians' Salaries  & Expenses

2012 Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Politicians' Salaries  & Expenses

Regional District Elected Officials Remuneration & Expenses 2015
(Note:  The Elected Officers Remuneration Schedule has been changed in 2015 report from that of the previous reports. Only reported NOW is remuneration & Expenses for Directors and Alt. Directors appointed to RDNO BOARD.  Those elected officials that are committee appointments only (like Coldstream's Kiss and other municipal officials that serve on committees only ) who receive remuneration in the form of committee pay only ($150/meeting) are no longer listed. Non elected officials like the water Rep on GVAC and his alternates are also no longer listed.

When comparing the 2015 list to the 2014 list (link provided at bottom) please take this into consideration.  

2015 Regional District Employees' Salaries and Expenses:

The Regional District employees' salaries and expenses from 2014 is on pages 4, 5 and 6 at this link.



"What would justify regional district boss Sewell's wage going up $20,000 in one year?" intones Kia.

Thanks to Bob Spiers' excellent blog for the information!

Langdon's Insult

Time and again, the North Okanagan's relatively new recycling program has been criticized by residents.
People are fed up and resorting to placing all the "unsupported materials" which, years ago, were accepted in the blue bag program, into the garbage.

As a result, Mother Earth suffers degradation.

The Regional District of North Okanagan appears immune to the criticism and doggedly stands behind their masters in Victoria who imposed the system here, all with the tasty carrot of a million bucks for each regional district to get the system implemented.

Following Bonnie Shideler's excellent letter to the editor some time ago, another criticism today hit the newspaper, penned by Mark Levey.  From conversations I've overheard, the comments appear to mirrow what many people have decided.

Excerpts of his superlative letter to the editor follow:

"A quick visit to MMBC's own website gleans this little gem of information:

B.C.'s Environmental Management Act defines packaging as 'a material, substance or object that is used to protect, contain or transport a commodity or product, or attached to a commodity or product or its container for the purpose of marketing or communicating information about the commodity or product."

"The truth, as known by avid recyclers, is vastly different.  The plastic bag used to 'contain' my potatoes is not a blue bin item, the moulded styrofoam used to "protect" my stereophonic equipment is a no-no.  Bubble wrap?  -- forget it.  The carton that is used to 'transport' my juice?  Not in MMBC's program, thank you very much.

"Who cherry-picked the manufacturers that are part of the program?  Who decided that they needed to be cherry-picked?  Who (because it certainly isn't us, the citizens of B.C.) benefits from this minimalist and inadequate approach to recycling?

Before the intervention of MMBC, the list of recyclables was growing and, unhampered by restrictive regulation, local depots were finding more and more ways of accepting and recycling items that were not even on that growing list.

I, for one, have quit trying to do the right thing.  After either watching the Emterra driver sift through my recycling bin and leave certain items on my lawn, the street or boulevard, or coming home to find the scattered mess, I decided to be a non-recycler.  That is after being an avid recycler, both at home and on the job site for more than 30 years.

I've been a non-recycler for awhile now and I am astounded at the time it frees up by just stuffing everything in the garbage, the space it frees up without those damn bins (and all the containers for the stuff the bins don't take) all over the place, the guilt it frees up over wondering if you're doing the right thing.

Now don't get me wrong.  I'm still a recycler, just not here in B.C.  When I vacation in Mexico, in a town about the size of Enderby, I can recycle plastic bags, glass and all sorts of stuff that you can't here.

When I visit my in-laws in Ontario, I can recycle there, because the program makes sense.

I just hope that, in my lifetime, B.C. comes up with a sensible, inclusive plan for recycling that will make people want to contribute their small efforts towards a common good.  MMBC ain't it." 
                     Mark Levey


So...now get a load of what Mr. Allen Langdon, Managing Director of Multi-Material B.C. wrote in a letter "Recycling rules explained" just two days earlier.

This blog however will begin with Langdon's concluding sentence, because it is so insulting to residents...and their intelligence:

"...we strongly encourage residents who wish to recycle

 these items to combine depot trips

 with other weekly errands

 such as grocery shopping."

         Allen Langdon, MMBC

Excuse me?

Combine depot trips with other errands?

Duh!

Who the hell put this man in charge?

Who does he think he is to suggest something -- to adults -- that even a six-year old would instinctively know?

Langon's insult.
It's patronizing and condescending.

So typical of a corporation that probably wouldn't have existed had it not been for government receiving the owner's bribe...yup, that's what the million bucks was and is.  It was to "encourage" regional districts to implement the program.  No competition, no bidding by other contractors, all under the guise of 'brought to you by industry'. 

What bloody nonsense!

Especially since the largest bakery in Canada--Weston's--is one of the 'brought to you by industry' companies.
But guess what?
You can't put Weston Bakeries' plastic bread wraps into the recycling system either!

Langdon's letter isn't even worth including, except for other yadda yadda phrases such as:
"...and at depots achieves a positive outcome."
"...accountability and transparency is new to B.C."
"...difficult to properly collect and recycle at the curb."
"...takes up a large amount of space on collection trucks, making it inefficient to include."
"...very difficult to process."
"...require special handling and manual sorting."
"...can become tangled."
"...can wrap around sorting machinery, causing delays."
"...only certain...in a way that meets MMBC's strict end-market environmental standards."
"...appreciate the concerns around CO2 emissions created from driving to depots, and the difficulties that seniors or others may face."


So...anybody want to STOP purchasing from these industry manufacturers?  For the list of corporations that "bring you" MMBC, see blog story here dated April 25, 2014 entitled "Exactly, Jennifer!"

The people who pull Langdon's strings (besides the Liberals in Victoria) are:

John Coyne, Chair of Unilever Canada (multinational/Anglo-Dutch)

Denis Brisebois, Treasurer, Metro (multinational/Canadian)

Christine Bome, Walmart (multinational/American)

Scott Bonikowsky, Tim Hortons Inc. (multinational/Canadian)

Robert Chant, Loblaw Companies Limited (Canadian)

Dave Moran, Coca Cola Refreshments Canada (multinational/American)

Gord Meyer, Procter & Gamble (multinational/American)

 

 

"Time to stop buying Weston bread," offers Kia.

 

And Walmart, Metro, Unilever, Tim Hortons, Loblaws, Coca Cole and Procter & Gamble products.

 

 

 

 

Yup...and Walmart, Metro, Unilever, Tim Hortons, Loblaws, Coca Cole and Procter & Gamble products.

 

A big thanks to Bonnie Shideler, Mark Levey and many others who've written in opposition to RDNO's recycling "program"...more accurately described as a recycling farce.

 

Retired Bank Economist Defends Amphitheatre

...by blaming NIMBYism, of all things that could be blamed on the Amphitheatre defeat.

In Kelowna's Daily Courier on Tuesday, June 7th, David Bond (reportedly an author and retired bank economist), wrote under the heading Economic Letter:

"NIMBYism is the result of our growing isolation..."

"The rise of Not-In-My-Back-Yard activists (NIMBYs) appears to be rampant in our society."

He blames Vancouver's Mayor Gregor Robertson of "vehemently opposing the doubling of the existing Trans Mountain Pipeline bringing crude oil from Alberta to the Lower Mainland for export."

After another paragraph expressing that shipping crude by rail is "vastly more risky", he then states:

"The same is true of the folks who objected to the planned outdoor amphitheatre in Greater Vernon.  They attacked the professionalism of the project's distinguished architect and the head of the society proposing to build the facility.

They trumpeted (apparently proudly) that no amount of due diligence would change their position.  And, regrettably, the provincial government, looking toward the upcoming election, has caved in to these localized complaints before any of the planned studies to address the issues of sound containment and traffic management could be completed...of course, ignoring reality is standard operating procedure for the folks in Victoria."

Another paragraph about folks in Maple Ridge who, in March, protested the provincial government's plans to buy a vacant hotel and convert it into a shelter for the homeless.  It would be a 'low barrier shelter', which apparently means that addicts would be able to use drugs on the premises...Lots of opposition from the neighbourhood.  He retired bank economist then concluded "In truth, they had no interest in helping the homeless if help was to be offered in their neighbourhood."

He then postulated:

"In communities across the province and indeed the entire nation, similar conflicts, big and small, are all cases of NIMBYism.  Why so much conflict?  This is a non-trivial question because NIMBYism frequently blocks economic and social development.  What has happened to our society?  Is positive change now simply unachievable?"

He goes on about intelligent individuals and what they and their not so intelligent counterparts believe, he continues that progressive persons will not make a rational argument against cultural facilities or housing for the homeless.  And that it's a "lack of social cohesion, fear of the unknown and preconceived beliefs which are immune to rational discussion."


"Could it be that the 'really good ideas' were exhausted long ago?" questions Kia...

 

Interesting NIMBY story?
Perhaps.

In an odd juxtaposition--one could say--the Daily Courier published a story that could much easier have been the feature on their "Opinion" page.
Instead of Mr. Bond's letter on NIMBYism.

It was entitled "Tax-Dodging 'Farmers' force you and me to pay more", written by their columnist Ron Seymour.   And it's infinitely more interesting--and considerably of wider interest to more people generally--than Mr. Bond's 35-mile away opinion on Vernon's amphitheatre!

So here's the link to Tax-Dodging 'farmers' and why everyone else now has to pay more in taxes.
Because the owner of the property with the highest assessment in the entire Okanagan last year--at $10.8 million--applied for (and received) "farm status", which dropped his assessment to a measly $3.9 million, saving him about 40 grand in annual property taxes!

Coldstream Releases Compensation Report

Click on each table/graphic to enlarge:

 

When the Patches are Worse than the Holes

BLOG UPDATE:  JUNE 8, 2016.
Happy to report that this morning, crews were at the site and "ground down to pavement level" the "humps and ridges".  Thank goodness!!!!



June 4th story:
Anyone who regularly travels -- in both directions, in both lanes -- the 2500 block of Highway 6 had been anticipating when road crews would finally patch the almost-countless frost breaks and potholes.

The area from the Polson railway overpass all the way to the traffic light at the Science Centre was one that could loosen the fillings in your teeth.

How nice then that the patching work was completed...but hold on.
Literally, hold on.

What used to be alignment-jarring three-inch holes and cracks are now...wait for it...alignment-jarring two-inch humps and ridges.

Difficult to get a good shot, but anyone recently travelling this stretch must be disgusted!

Where are the standards of paving performance?
There must be standards...somewhere!

I recently heard that Kelowna has a supervisor who--after paving is done--goes to the site with some kind of a small machine that "reads" and inspects standards such as depth, coverage/height, and overall visual quality of the paving work.  If standards aren't met, the contractor must immediately return to redo the work.
And you can bet that contractor's bid won't be accepted for future work if quality is lacking.

That "reader" machine is only in Kelowna?
Pity...

"Welcome to Dogpatch," says Kia.

College Amphitheatre Plans Dead

It was the wrong location.
The lack of parking, environmental protection of an extremely sensitive gully of glacial origin, as well as the vehement opposition of residential housing owners a stone's throw away were clear at the outset.

A commenter on Castanet today suggested Polson Park should be considered for the amphitheatre...sure there are parking issues there too, but certainly no more than at the original College location.  Many people could walk or bus to the Park to attend!  Besides, the burned-down Bandstand could finally be replaced and again be home to music during summer.

The swift and "forceful" (described by a delighted Coldstream councillor Cochrane) rejection of the site by the Provincial government--when Okanagan Summer Festival Society head Diane Bond said that the group hadn't yet gotten to the stage that the government had been asked for permission to use the Crown land--surprised some.

Today's Morning Star newspaper stated "The government nixed plans for the amphitheatre after consultation with Eric Foster, Vernon Monashee MLA."

In the same issue, the Editorial quoted Foster as saying:  "I made my feelings, and the feelings of local residents, clear to the Ministry of Advanced Education..." but the editorial added "However, while government's ability to listen to the public over the amphitheatre issue deserves praise, its inability to do the same with Stickle Road can't be ignored."

"Through three public meetings and countless letters and e-mails, the Ministry of Transportation has been told to put a traffic signal in at Stickle Road and Highway 97.  But instead, it has cast that input aside and gone in a completely different direction," the editorial adds.

Foster didn't even attend the public meetings concerning Stickle Road.

To this cynic (and others), the reasons are simple:

1.  The next provincial election is scheduled for May of 2017.

2.  Foster has announced he will run for a third term.

3.  There are many more residences--voters--near the now-failed site of the Amphitheatre than are affected by the MoT's lacklustre decision on Stickle Road, which "does nothing for the residents and RV park on the west side of Stickle Road, closest to Swan Lake," as reporter Rolke stated.

So maybe Foster simply exercised his Party Whip position with Victoria?
Nah.

Why not?

Because he would've earlier had quite the opportunity to practice it...but then again, it's definitely dicey to practise on the province's actual Leader of the government, Christy Clark.

Blogger par excellence Laila Yule explains it, no holds barred, here. 

Seems there's a certain cheque for $150,000--for which no records exist--donated by Foster's boss in an indigenous community in Massett on Haida Gwaii, B.C.
Turns out Clark's brother may benefit from the donation that will see a feasibility study completed for a new gym for the native school (and aren't they under federal jurisdiction?)

Clark's former boss, Gordon Campbell, about to wind down his duties as High Commissioner to the U.K. apparently "decries global corruption", according to The Tyee.
Campbell was quoted as saying corruption should be driven out. 
And Tyee's story "Why Do So Many Liberal Operatives End Up In Trouble?".

So maybe it's a good thing Campbell's coming home.
So he can tune up his successor Clark?

Nope...to teach Foster how to perform his Whip duties within the party, which is his job.

"The only thing that keeps Libs in power is the NDP, who self-destruct regularly," offers Kia.

Yeah, we've already had two reigns of terror by the NDP.

Maybe Campbell will help drive Clark...out.

It shouldn't require a new Class 5 license.