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The Times Advocate, 2008-06-25, Page 66 Times -Advocate Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Opinion Forum News Suggestions about water rates As a result of attending the recent "information" meeting I would like to offer the following comments and suggested remedies. First of all if I was council I would look at the consult- ing firm as if they were my doctor and look for a "sec- ond opinion." It was obvious that their approach was very engineering orient- ed and in the 45 minute opening \ 1 Letters " dialogue / dia- • t tribe the most the discernible word di for was "next" meaning another unreadable slide which was not clearly explained (printed hand- outs could have solved this allowing spe- cific information to be available for the audience). As well it was obvious that they had not identified all "sin- gle service multi user" situations. Nursing homes and commercial and I believe trailerparks, Huron Park, and barrack operations such as Veris, boarding houses, WOTCH and other "single service / multi users" were not placed into the equations. Finally only a numbers approach was used with no consideration of socio/eco- nomic impact on our residents. Additionally no atten- tion was placed on the impact of vacancies by using landlords as the collection agency. In my case a build- ing with eight occupants in seven units plus two com- mercial store fronts, if I let the building become empty and shut the water off outside the building I would still be responsible for $5,400/year plus taxes of approxi- mately half that number I do not wish to discuss the need for additional pipe line water or the need to pay for it. It is my opinion that council asked the consultants for a system that was more user friendly and a fairer distribution of costs across our town populace with consideration of "user pay." I am reasonably certain that a family of six including four teenagers (fixed cost $142), 10 or more Veri employees (fixed cost $142) and my eight occu- pants and two commercial (fixed cost $1,278) use approximately the same volume of water at disparate costs. Having been told the numbers used were a result of: • Debt Retirement • Administration • Water cost • Pipe line cost Step 1: I am certain staff can give accurate numbers for annual debt retirement needs, administration, water cost based on today's annual volumes. Now add the three costs and divide by volume to give a cost / cubic metre. Now drop the fixed cost and only bill for water per cubic metre used (a truly fair pay approach). Step 2: When the costs of the pipeline come due (in the future) simply add them to the previous formula giving an adjusted cost for billing. With this approach we no longer have a requirement to catalogue our resi- dents and no one is favoured. Vacancy problems disap- pear and we now have a flexible plan whose billing can be adjusted "up or down" to reflect actuals as opposed to a "blue sky" guess as to costs over a 10 year period. Also hopefully a more staged approach to costs to the benefit of our residents. D. E. WINTER„ Exeter Need to find a way to reallocate costs The development of new water rates continues to be what I expected a roll out of the new rates with them being implementated as soon as possible. The public has very little impact or input in the establishing of rates and the only defense we have are our council members. Is it fair that those individuals who use the least amount of water when all charges are included pay the most? The current high fixed allocation increases total water cost to small water users seniors and individuals on fixed incomes. Correcting the need for multi -unit apartments to pay higher costs for water has resulted in them and other small water users paying the most for water. A price differential for water used of $4 - 6 is substantial. Increasing the variable rate to include higher fixed costs, is one way to smooth out the cost of higher water. It has the disadvantage of increasing business water rates and forcing the municipality to review water rates and make corrections on a regular basis to assure that all costs are recovery. The panel suggested another way to allocate fixed costs based on property assessment. Property assess- ment will create a situation where economic value becomes the base for fixed costs allocations. This takes into consideration the different value between a 450 square -foot apartment, a 3000 square -foot house and a commercial or industrial user. It has the advantage of spreading fixed costs over a wider base with a variable rate based on value. Service costs and land values are related. The cost of farmland and land with access to services is different. A large part of one's land value is created by the public's investment in water and sewer infrastructure as well as public investments in soft ser- vices, like libraries, recreation facilities and schools. The panel indicated that the largest part of water costs do not relate to the water we drink, but to the cost of providing fire protection. The use of property assess- ments as a means to allocate cost associated with fire protection is not unreasonable. Property insurance rates are determined by the availability and type of fire protection service available. A $300,000 home 20 miles from a fire station in the middle of a bush has a differ- ent premium than one beside a fire hydrant. The value of a property reflects its service cost. Charging part of the stranded debt and pipeline cost as a function of property value will allocate the loss evenly across all owners lessening the large cost differential for water used. Allocating fixed cost to the variable water rate may create an administrative nightmare and would likely require significant adjustments for high-volume users. The use of property assessment values looks like it might smooth out the impact of the fixed costs in a more equable way and assure that they are recovered an issue of importance. The use of residential occupan- cy rates as the base for the calculation of fixed charges was also suggested. Is it that unfair for a family living in a 3000 sq. ft. home to pay a cost for water closer to a senior or other fixed income individual living in their own home or apartment? The cost decrease is not that much a reduction of $2 would result in an extra $10-15 a month. Can we as a community not afford to find a way to reallocate costs away from small water users? It is up to you councilors. FRED SIMMONS Patriotic comedy show at Playhouse GRAND BEND - Popular performer Neil Aitchison hit the Huron Country Playhouse stage as Constable Archibald F. Inkster in the musical comedy "Sorry... I'm Canadian," which started yesterday. "This character started out as a one- time appearance in Bending the Bows at the Drayton Festival Theatre back in 1996, and just blossomed into a full-blown alter - ego of sorts," says Aitchison. "I find it amazing how well the character has been embraced by audiences over the years. People don't hesitate to come up to me on the street and start talking about the show, or hand me jokes and anecdotes to use in the act," Aitchison adds. Aitchison, born in Harriston, was "released" from his local high school in 1967 and went on to pursue a degree in broadcasting at Conestoga College in Waterloo. His growing popularity became clear when Aitchison was voted the first Class President of Conestoga College after a political campaign assert- ing the charming slogan "I Promise You Nothing!" Described by Rt. Hon. Ramon John Hnatyshyn, for- mer Governor General of Canada as having an "enor- mous rapport with the audience," Aitchison continues to be a powerful professional speaker, advocating "the power of laughter." "Sorry...I'm Canadian" celebrates the idiosyn- crasies of the true north strong and free. Audiences can expect Aitchison to put a new spin on his trademark outrageous opinions about Canadian current affairs. In addition to comedy, audiences will enjoy a myriad of musical selections in this lighthearted show covering the Great Canadian Songbook. "Sorry...I'm Canadian" plays eight shows a week until July 12. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Huron Country Playhouse Box Office at (519) 238-6000 or toll free at 1-888-449-4463. Visit www.huroncountry- playhouse. com for more information. Looking for a job? EXETER — Are you wondering what to put on your resume because you lack on-the-job experi- ence? You might not realize that all of the valuable skills you have gained through your education, recre- ational activities and volunteer experiences can help you promote yourself to employers. Though you may not have all the work experience listed on the job posting, employers may want to hire you! Instead of focusing on your lack of work history, try focusing on your transferable job skills. Transferable skills are sets of abilities needed to do a broad range of jobs. You may have more career -related skills than you think. Things you do all the time may be great transferable job skills. Do you have a positive atti- tude? Can you communicate effec- tively? You may already have many skills that employers find valuable. Where do you get transferable job skills? You may naturally be an enthusiastic or organized person. Skills are also gained over time by experiences you've had. For example, as a student you have probably become organized and punctual. If you have played a lot of sports, you have probably learned to work well as a team member and are goal -oriented. Employers realize that they need people with transferable skills to get the job done. This is your chance to get noticed! If you focus on your skills, employers will realize you can be a valuable employee. Some common transferable skills in high demand are: • Problem solving and adaptability skills; • Effective interpersonal communication skills; • Organizational skills; • and effective teamwork skills. Define your strong points and build on them to promote yourself to potential employers. Did you know there is an ever-increasing demand for a skilled and adaptable workforce? Your skills, tal- ents, knowledge and creativity are key to your future success. Skill requirements are changing rapidly, which means you have to continue building your skills and knowledge. Summer jobs are a great way to help you develop your skills and get the work experience you need to prepare for the rapidly changing world of work. If you need help identifying your transferable skills, visit the Exeter SCCY Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 349 Main St. S., call 235-1711, fax 235-2716, or e-mail ash - ley. Blake@servicecanada.gc. ca For information on the Government of Canada summer work experience programs, call the toll- free Youth Info Line at 1-800-935-5555, the touch- tone phone or teletypewriter line (TTY) at 1-800- 926-9105 or visit servicecanada.gc.ca ASHLEY BLAKE YOUTH SERVICES OFFICER Communities in Bloom Be a "litter lifter" On Earth Day, many Exeter students of all ages, picked up many bags of garbage from every area of town. However parks, streets and parking lots are in need of our constant attention to keep the litter from accumulating. In an effort to posi- tively reinforce people who stop to pick up garbage as they notice it, �1•`L Communities in Bloom volunteers • In Bloom" mn challenge you to be a "litter lifter". If we catch you picking up litter in Be/ Part Of1 public places, we will issue a redeemable coupon. In a few weeks, Communities in Bloom judges will be visiting Exeter to evaluate using eight criteria. The first one focuses on "Tidiness of green spaces, medians, boulevards, sidewalks, streets, ditches, road shoulders, signage, vacant lots" etc. If we all become Litter Lifters as we go for walks, or as we go about our business, picking up stray garbage whenever we see it, we will all benefit from the tidier results. Until Thanksgiving 2008, become a litter lifter and enjoy a complimentary reward if we catch you! The more often you do it, the more likely we will catch you. Ready, set go! Be a litter lifter!