In view of the continuing long-term boil water advisory and the recent, long-term “Do not consume” alert, I/we, the residents of Sicamous, have not been served potable water for a long period of time.
Recently, the district charged and billed the residents in full for a service/product that was and is not acceptable or usable. In other words, the district billed the residents in full for a product/service that was not received. How can the mayor and council justify charging for something that was not provided.
At least the product was usable to flush the toilet and, should there have been a fire, the water would have been useable to extinguish a blaze. A generous allowance by the residents of 50 per cent, or half price, for this substandard product may be acceptable, provided that this is a short-term problem.
Also, quality of water, or lack thereof, and/or high water taxes, do not entice any business to relocate here. And God knows, this town desperately needs new businesses to become established to provide employment and a sound tax base, etc.
In times past, Sicamous boasted two banks and the credit union, numerous restaurants, two hardware stores, at least three sawmills, and it provided the town with good employment and a viable climate to make a decent living. Taxes were reasonable then.
The ad-nauseam boil water advisories are an onerous task and have potential for someone to get seriously scalded.
Walkerton, Ont. comes to mind, and so does Revelstoke, as well as Penticton where, for a time, beaver fever became a problem. E-coli in Walkerton killed around six or seven people. An alternate, safe potable water supply should be a priority and that is totally doable.
I realize lowering the water rates will cut into the district budget; however, cutting out some of the frills that are currently being contemplated or worked on should yield considerable savings to maintain and/or enhance the absolute necessities this town desperately needs.
In closing, I would like to remark that a potable and totally reliable water source is of far greater benefit and need for all Sicamous residents than a new, white elephant of a city hall.
Nick Verburg