15.1°C Not observed 
Dear Editor,
Isn't it somehow odd that a consulting company would jump into the political arena with the following statement: "....that replacing the meters in parts of Lillooet other than North Lillooet would demonstrate the local government‘s intention to install meters throughout the district."
According to March 3's Council Briefs, True Consulting, which prepared the district’s water conservation plan, wrote this in its review of the quotes that came in for meter installation.
We've been told there is "no money in the Provincial coffers"; so spreading meters about town is supposed to create the illusion that there is, and that there is enough money to complete this utterly wasteful....NOT green....project, while we are headed towards another hot, dry, waterless summer, merely estivating, instead of tending bountiful gardens?
If you believe in water meters, the REAL questions are: Will there be enough funds for universal metering? Will everyone on the DoL sewer and water system be billed the same?
Why will water cost roughly three to four times what it costs us now (and that’s only the beginning!) while the infrastructure remains the same?
When work does begin on the infrastructure just how much will the price of water rise?
And most importantly: How can our community be assured that we will NOT lose the control over OUR water?
My question is: How many times does the cart have to be put before the horse for some people to realize that it just doesn't work that way?? I believe the people of this community have been insulted enough; ignored enough and taxed enough.
And let's not forget about the $1 million loan the DoL voted to go for with only one sensible councillor voting against the motion.
(Coun. Bob Rindero has since supported the bylaw.)
At a time when everyone is clamoring for fiscal restraint, our council votes for an enormous hike in the spending authorization without council approval for the CAO from $20,000 to $250,000.
Now some people think that this needs to be in place for an "emergency"...like there's a "sale" on that only lasts a few days and the council might not be meeting for two weeks.
Gosh, I thought that was why "special meetings" could be called for in 24 hours; blank cheque to $75,000, for Dept. Heads as well.
That adds up to a LOT of loose change!
When the mayor is questioned as to the reasons for such outrageous hikes, the public gets a lecture about how in past years it took forever to buy a pick-up or toilet paper because they just couldn't go buy it without coming to council for approval.
Now tell me, is this supposed to be a logical argument in favor of over-spending??
At least we know what they’re doing with the toilet paper!
Kate Maxon
Lillooet
(Editor's note: The bylaw discussed at the March 1 meeting and adopted Monday authorizes the district to borrow money, but is not a loan in itself.
Borrowing money under the revenue anticipation borrowing bylaw requires council's further approval.)
Re: Editor's Note: Give me a chance to borrow
$1,000,000 at 1.1% interest per year, and I'll be at the bank when it opens in the morning.
Come-on BRLN, we are quickly burning thru the capital reserves and operating reserves (Kathy Young where are you when we need you?), and the mayor says of our CAO Mr. Loyer: "here comes my boss", and you don't think this administration is going to grab the change to feather their resumes before they leave.
No problem getting another council approval-it happens all the time!
Lloyd Stock
Posted on March 21, 2010 @ 7:38 pm PST | Report post to Editor | 3509502