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Standard The Hope
Office: 604.869.2421 www.hopestandard.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015
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A2 FIRST SNOWFALL Manning Park Resort receives first big snow fall of the season
B1 -B3 HOPE CRIME PREVENTION VOLUNTEER SPEAKS Louise Marlatt makes a difference fighting crime in the community of Hope
A11 COMMUNITY STEWARDS A peak at the efforts of leaders, making a difference in their field of service
ERIN KNUTSON/HOPE STANDARD
Supporters gathered at the Telte Yet Campground Monday to help raise awareness of addictions in the community for the Addictions Awareness Walk and to speak on behalf of those afflicted with the disease.
753 Waterworks Ltd. held accountable by its users Erin Knutson Hope Standard
INSIDE Opinion . .. . . . . . . . . A6 Community . . . . A2 Sports ..............A12 Classifieds . . . .. A14 $
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Concerned 753 Waterworks Ltd. users met Thursday evening at the Rec Centre Conference Room with members of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Resource Stewardship Division Water Management Branch, Neil Murphy, co-owner of 753, a representational committee headed by concerned users and the District of Hope. The public hearing was an opportunity for all parties involved to discuss ongoing objections and concerns about allegations of mismanagement and planned rate increases that were disclosed by the company in late August. Murphy was brought under fire, when he failed to successfully field questions by the group. Educated and well-researched questions about structural engineering, operations management, misappropriation and direction of current funds, were embarrassingly negated by Murphy. Photographs of current wells were presented to Murphy, illustrating missing flood prevention measures, and lack of adequate flood proofing devices on current wells, leaving them open to a host of foreign substances. “It’s not flood protected — when you go in, it doesn’t meet guidelines, there’s no fencing” said Sara Burleigh, a member of the committee.
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Questions of fines were also brought to the forefront as Water Comptroller Pieter Bekker and the Ministry were asked about governing practices involving the management of 753. “Were you fined?” asked Burleigh. “Fined,” repeated Murphy. “No, the problems we experienced were predominantly that the well dropped, and the existing casing needs significant upgrading.” Murphy sat through a barrage of allegations, and statements accusing the company and the Ministry of over 26 years of indifference, negligence, and disastrous management and administration practices, leaving the system derelict and users looking for a potential hook up with the District. “This is clearly an oversight. The system has obviously degraded over a period of time, but we are open minded and we want to know what we’re getting into,” said Mayor Wilfried Vicktor of the District’s reception of a potential takeover at a later date. Concerns over seniors paying the rate increase, which could potentially amount to a staggering $108.25 a month, had users outraged both fiscally and morally. Word on potential resolution from the Ministry will have to wait until the end of November according to Comptroller Bekker, who sat steadfast with the Ministry as they were held accountable by hostile users.
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