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LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR
The Editor:
It has been said it takes a village to raise a child, well I
have learned it takes a community to build a home. As my wife
Maria and I prepare to move into our new home I would like
to take this opportunity to thank the many good folks here
at the Point who made it possible. You know who you are, so
it is not necessary to use last names. First the realtors,
Jerry, Jim, Maureen and John, who were key in helping us move
our other three properties and get the new lots which gave
us the cash to build.
Next I want to thank Bill, Brian and Ron who did the clearing
and hauling away the trees on the new lots as well as doing the
site work for the foundation. Then there was the hardworking
concrete crew – Peter, Elliot, Maddog, Alberto and others
who put in the septic and did our foundation, floors, etc. The
framers – Laird, Robbie and Lee did a great job to top
things off. For the roof and siding, we are indebted to Al and
Terry. The drywall crew of Dan and gang were super. For the plumbing,
we must thank Mark and son.
For all things electrical and appliances we owe a special thanks
to Gordie and Kathy for their kindness, friendship and cheerful
service. From our neighbors in Blaine, I must give a big thank
you to Jerry for getting us warm and cozy. Judd deserves mention
for his help in painting the hard-to-get-to places. Not to be
overlooked are Lorne, Bud, George, Carrington and the rest of
the gang at the hardware store for our lumber package and always
being cheerful and responsive to many purchases.
For getting us online and talking, thanks go out to Brent, Jim,
Kelly and Deb. The ladies at the bank – Carrie, Darlene
and all – were always cheerful and helpful when I needed
their services. Thanks go to Steve for showing up as he heard
I needed gutters. For all things to do with tile and stone, we
must give a special thanks to the other Steve for a house that
looks great both inside and out. Thanks go out to Kevin for prompt
deliveries on items we needed from north of the 49th. Last, but
not least, we must thank Shane for putting the finishing touches
to all.
If I have overlooked someone the fault is mine but you know who
you are and we are thankful to all for your advice (Jeff comes
to mind) and encouragement. So from this old soldier and his
bride, we owe you all a big thanks and well done Point Roberts.
Andy & Maria Anderson
Point Roberts
The Editor:
Boards of commissioners of water districts are created and
endowed with extensive powers under section 57 of the
Revised Code of Washington. Commissioners of Point Roberts
Water District #4 are responsible to use these powers
in the interest of all the residents of the district.
This responsibility cannot be delegated. These are their
duties.
Among these powers, paragraph (3), section 57.08.005 deals
with supplying water. “To construct condemn and purchase, add
to, maintain, and supply waterworks to furnish the district and
the inhabitants thereof and any other persons, both within and
without the district, with an ample supply of water for all uses
and purposes public and private with full authority to regulate
and control the use, contents, distribution, and price thereof.”
Past boards have known for years that they were approaching
the limits of the supply of the Greater Vancouver Water District
(GVWD) contract yet took no direct action and only recently
tried to delegate the responsibility to the district manager
to request more water from the GVWD, as well as approach the
Department of Ecology (DOE) for a larger allocation of connections.
They should have written the GVWD directly under the commission’s
signature requesting reopening the contract to increase the supply
and at the same time, schedule a meeting with the DOE.
As elected officials, commissioners have the authority to get
the attention of the DOE staff if they present a rational plan
to increase the water supply. The plan should show that they
can manage and have the power to control the water usage on
a daily basis so that the daily use will not exceed the contract
limit and at the same time, meet the state requirement of maintaining
a maximum daily demand of 350 gpd per equivalent residential
unit (ERU), see WAC 246-290-221. This would increase the available
connections by about 400. These additional connections would
buy the time required to develop existing brackish water sources
using a reverse osmosis packaged water treatment plant. Such
plants produce high quality water at less cost including capital
cost than paid for Vancouver water. Such sources have the potential
of increasing the potable water supply by at least 50 percent.
When the members of a board sign vouchers for payment and sign
the annual budget, they are more than authorizing payment and
the forthcoming year’s expenditures, they are stating that
they know how the expenditures are covered by the water rates
charged.
There are two costs in particular that should be followed closely:
Cost of water per 100 cubic feet since this is the basic on
which water is sold. This includes the purchase price of water
and all other costs incurred before the water enters the distribution
mains, i.e. all costs within treatment facility including capital
cost; and cost of distribution. This includes meter reading,
system maintenance, office costs, etc.
Essentially, the cost of water and cost of distribution are
two cost centers that should be programmed for monthly review.
This information is critical in establishing equitable water
rates. For example, the cost of GVWD water for 2004 was $1.56
per 100 cubic feet. To this must be added treatment and other
supply costs estimated at least .25 per 100 cubic feet for
a total of $1.81 per cubic foot. The rate charge for over 600
cf is $1. This means that those using over 600 cf are being
undercharged by .81 per cf.
The commissioners have never established a risk management
plan. Recognizing the isolation of the district, such a plan
is critical. This district relies on two men, the manager with
an able assistant to operate a complicated and widespread vital
service. There is no back-up plan. Incidences occur and the
response must be immediate. For example, a line break must
be isolated within one hour.
A board must establish policies so that the staff can deal
with the present while the board plans for the future.
Syd Wallace, commissioner, Point
Roberts Water District #4, 1977 to 1990
Point Roberts
Letters
Policy
The All Point Bulletin welcomes letters to the editor; however,
the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor.
Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number
for verification. Letters must not exceed 450 words and may be
edited or rejected for reasons of legality and good taste.
 A
fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers
will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid
personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for
publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered
on an individual basis.
Thank
You letters should be limited to ten names.
Only
one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be
published.
Please send
your letter to: P.O. Box 1451, Point Roberts, WA 98281
or fax (360) 945-1613.
E-mail:editor@allpointbulletin.com
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