INSIDE

Elections 2005

Point Roberts Water District

1.Why are you running for the position of water district commissioner, and what would make you a good choice for the job?

Renee Coe
Personally, I like to stay connected to the community. When our family first moved here over 16 years ago, my focus was working on getting a primary school established. Along with other dedicated moms, I helped start the Parent Teacher Organization. I continued my involvement with the school serving on the superintendent advisory committee and was a member of the Blaine schools long-term strategic planning process. I served nine years as an election official. I enjoy my involvement with the Historical Society and I am an avid photographer taking many pictures of this wonderful place.
When the board seat opened, it was an opportunity for me to take on a new challenge. For over 10 years, I have worked as an office manager for an aviation-simulation engineering firm. My duties include accounting, shipping and receiving, international travel arrangements and working with vendors and customers on a daily basis. I have been to many community meetings here in Point Roberts and at the county level. Incorporation-informational meetings, taxpayers, voters, fire department, school board, county sewer, parks and recreation, comprehensive plan meetings both in 1990 and 2002. I believe I have a good understanding of the many views and opinions shared by involved community members. The Point is a complex space juggling the need to stay rural and the desire to grow. Balance is crucial to why we all live, work and enjoy this great place. I feel my extensive management experience, as well as being a long-time active member of our community has prepared me for the role of water district commissioner.

Snider Vick
Point Roberts needs to become self-sufficient. We need to develop our own resources to maintain the quality of life we have and fulfill our commitment to those who have invested here. As a builder I have purchased property to build houses for people who will improve the economy of the area and also made commitments to employees and subcontractors who are residents of the Point to provide them work and further stimulate the economy. Without adequate water for existing landowners, their and our dreams can’t be fulfilled, 
I’m willing to step forward to fulfill my community responsibility and apply my engineering background, business management skills, and problem solving ability to help plan for the future needs of Point Roberts. Finding and developing new sources of water to get us through the next 50 years will require someone who can be conversant in hydrology, chemical engineering, utility construction, community planning, political negotiation, and administration and cost control. I’d be glad to discuss my specific background in these areas with anyone interested. Without this kind of expertise on the board, we are at the mercy of Canadian politics, their pricing, and the uncertainty as to whether they will continue to supply us with what we already have run out of.

2. If the state allows Point Roberts Water District to issue 100 more water connections until a long-term solution is found to supply issues, how do you think the district should decide who gets a connection now?

Renee Coe
First, I believe that anyone who requests a water hook-up and pays for the installation and monthly fees should be entitled to the same process whether they are building now or in the future. Secondly, in order to be fair and equitable to everyone, I would suggest that applications be submitted to a third party (such as an unbiased accredited accounting office) by a certain date. That third party would then hold a lottery draw. This process would release the district and the board from any influence in the decision-making process. After attending district meetings in the last three months, I have seen the board make difficult decisions. Even with their best intentions to be fair, people have manipulated the process for personal gain. Making the process open to all potential customers, and by taking the administration of “who gets connections” away from the board, might be the most practical way to insure impartiality and protect the district from culpability.

Snider Vick
I think that the district should continue the practice of releasing connections to those who were in line to have building permits issued by Whatcom County before the enactment of the moratorium. In addition they should further restrict the release of these connections to people who actually start building a single-family residence or equivalent. The emphasis should be on getting connections to people who really plan to build and not just pay money to hoard a scarce commodity. Requiring the connection be paid for up front with an understanding that the permanent connection would not be delivered until the occupancy permit was issued would work. This would require some form of temporary connection issued for a limited amount of time during construction.

3. What would you like water district staff to pursue as the primary solution to a long-term secure water supply to serve future residential and commercial use?

Renee Coe
Of course the first and easiest solution would be to secure additional water from the Greater Vancouver Water District. Unfortunately, the GVWD has to appeal to the B.C. Legislature, which may potentially become a lengthy process with an uncertain outcome. Prior to 1987, water came from the many wells situated around the Point and from the community reservoir. I think we need to again address the possibility of using the wells for short-term supply. I would also like the district to look into the feasibility of a storm-water management system. The annual average rainfall here is approximately 30 inches a year. We should be looking into ways to harness this valuable resource rather then letting it flow back into Boundary Bay and the Georgia Strait. Desalination is also an important avenue to explore. Another potential course is the use (in new homes) of cisterns for “gray” water. Recycling used water for flower gardens and lawns would help increase the water table, especially in summer when our water is used the most. I believe water conservation should be a priority in every household, now and in the future.

Snider Vick
First try to negotiate with Vancouver to allow us to buy additional water on an as needed basis with a limit of doubling our potential allocation. At the same time develop our own ground water to supplement the Canadian water as needed. Affordable treatment equipment is available to provide excellent water at less cost than buying from Canada and it can be operated on an as needed basis to meet seasonal demand.

4.When and under what conditions do you think the water district should pursue the implementation of the existing sewer plan?

Renee Coe
In the spring of 2003, Hammond, Collier, Wade & Livingstone, an engineering consulting firm hired by the water district, presented their updated sewer comprehensive plan to the community. Engineers Bob Bergstrom and Robin Nelson outlined three options. Option one was to do nothing. Option two was to sewer the commercial core. Option three was a total build-out of all developable land. Bergstrom’s estimate of option three at that time was $25 to $50 million. Maintenance costs would be higher, increasing our monthly bill substantially. Most importantly, Bergstrom added that the process of sewers “would involve massive community involvement.” Currently the city of Blaine is in the process of building a new water treatment plant. A recent Northern Light article states that this past January Blaine customers have seen their sewer rates jump 25 percent. The city could raise rates another 12.5 percent in 2006, and 12 to 12.5 percent annually until 2010, culminating in a monthly bill of $80 – up from $40 in 2004. Absorbing the cost of implementing sewers for the entire Point could be staggering for many taxpayers, especially those who only use their homes six months of the year. When and if the “whole community” voices their overwhelming support of moving forward with sewers, then as water district commissioner, it would be my obligation to fulfill that request.

Snider Vick
I think a sewer system should be pursued only when residents or businesses are supportive of one. The ideal system would be an expandable system which could service the portions of the Point with the most need. Any sewer plan should only proceed when there is strong support in concentrated areas that would make the system cost effective. As Point Roberts has more full time residents and new stricter health department regulations go into effect, more people will be challenged with keeping their septic systems going and will be looking for a solution. Newer sewer systems with a modular design are available now to solve problems and can make Point Roberts a better place to live. The final answer lies with the voters who will approve any sewer system and the board needs to be in tune with the voter’s sentiment.