Portland water system to go another $100 million in the hole
To the Portland City Council, borrowing another $100 million has become like putting an $8 lunch on a credit card to you and me. This time, our fearless heroes take us further into hock for the water system.
Beyond that, it's pretty hard to tell from the proposed city ordinance exactly what the money's going to be used for. "Additions, improvements, and capital equipment that facilitate supply, treatment, transmission, storage, pumping, distribution, regulatory compliance, customer service and support" -- in other words, something to do with water.
The council will vote tomorrow -- the public can try to figure out the project details later. Of course, by the time we find out what the money's really going to be used for, the time period for challenging this ordinance will be over. That's standard public process for municipal finance here in the Rose City.
While we're on the subject of water, what's this all about? We thought the city was claiming that it was too late to stand up to the feds on their requirement that we treat Bull Run water for an organism that wasn't there. Now all of a sudden we're back on with asking for a variance? Haven't we already started bleeding tens of millions on the assumption that the feds aren't going to cave?
To get needless regulations off the backs of the city's residents would be good news indeed, but some days it's hard to keep straight whether the city is really fighting or not.
Comments (16)
I saw that too and wondered, "haven't we already been led down the alley by PWB over this?"
Oh now I get it. Act like you are seeking a variance while getting the funds locked up in the meantime.
I'd like to cut these guys a break and think they cared about being fiscally responsible, but...
The vagueness of the ordinance does allow "interested parties" to work out the details over lunch. You know details about campaign contributions and private job offerings after terms expire.
I have discussed this with the EPA and Portland Water Bureau officials and I did a post about it on Beaver Journal yesterday.
EPA does not seem like they are going to allow a variance. The Portland Water Bureau Administrator David Shaff left a comment on our article and I corresponded with him via e-mail. I have tried to reach out to Randy Leonard's office but they declined to comment.
One of the things I wanted to know and requested info on from Commissioner Leonard was how much the city was paying CDM under the new contract so that I could determine whether building a new treatment facility would be cheaper in the long run versus paying CDM as a consultant and facing possible fines and litigation.
Anyways you can check out the article I plan on doing a update on it in 3-4 weeks after I send a formal request for more information directly to the City Attorney.
I love the word may. This can mean anything. Since Randy can raise water rates as much as he wants when he wants, why not?
As far as EPA giving in, it just isn't happening. EPA does what it wants and doesn't care what anyone thinks and never changes it's mind. It's like having a whole fed agency full of Randys.
This EPA scam is the greatest thing Leonard, Shaff and CH2MHill Glicker could have ever wanted. Spend more money on a failure, borrow more money, raise rates, drive away businesses, waste more time until EPA due dates appear. Then tell us their "window dressing" attempt was doing their best to help us fight EPA.
Sorry folks...Cryptosporidium was never the public health problem EPA asserted. Greed and financial/ debt insolvency are the driving forces to degrade our water for no public health reason. And that goes for the open reservoirs too. They are fine as they are with some minor changes. We just spent millions in improvements. Good luck with the new Radon and volatile organic contaminants you'll be breathing with the covered reservoirs.
Can't wait for the dishonest rebuttals from unqualified morons, but then that's all they have. The facts don't support any drinking water treatment or reservoir covering.
It just looks like our city council is caving to corporate rule, thereby taking away from our community our wonderful sustainable treasure, the Bull Run Water System, one of the best in our country. By the time they are done, we will lose our good drinking water, as toxic chemicals will be added. Water rates will double. The financial and the health risk of our community is at stake. Much more, and the list is long!
Shame on our Council and Leonard who is Commissioner of Water. They will go down in Portland's history as the greatest sell outs evah!!
They just want the public to only know what they send out in press releases, and want us all to think the nail is in the coffin. Citizens are smarter than that.
We citizens and this community need to stand up to say NO to EPA.
I believe EPA is driving this and I thought they were a Fed agency. Besides why the heck isn't someone leaning on Bluemanure or Wyden/Merkley to speak for us? I mean Sam will hop a plane in an instant to get Earl to earmark streetcar funds.
Besides if Randy can get a 30% increase on a "just-in-case-we-need-it" scenario from EPA, what happens to rates if he actually has to do something?
Steve,
Look behind the curtain, see what is really driving this, who is driving EPA and lobbied for this LT2 Rule?
and then -
Article on EPA scientists complain about political pressure:
. . Besides why the heck isn't someone leaning on Bluemanure or Wyden/Merkley to speak for us? I mean Sam will hop a plane in an instant to get Earl to earmark streetcar funds. .
They have been leaned on.
Why so much inertia and silence about this matter?
They are "waiting" for city to act?
Contact those in Congress and press on them.
We have a round about game going here.
More on that later.
Yes, Sam does hop for the streetcar. Not so for our sustainable Bull Run Water System. His "green sustainable followers" need to take their blinders off and press him about this matter. Maybe they think drinking toxic chemicals and having radon back up into our living and working spaces is green?
"Additions, improvements, and capital equipment that facilitate supply, treatment, transmission, storage, pumping, distribution, regulatory compliance, customer service and support"
Sounds like they found the way to purchase new fire trucks.
Steve,
If no one stands up them, then it is time that we did. We don't have cyrptosporidium, and our community cannot afford a billion dollars for a problem we don't have! It is folly.
I have tried to become educated on this matter for several years. Water is a basic and important.
This is where I learned about some backgrounder on the matter:
"If no one stands up them, then it is time that we did."
Sorry, I give up, I grew up here, got advanced degrees here, contributed to the economy here, but there comes a time when the grifters at all levels of govt win. No one wants to stop them from Randy (who needs an excuse to kep raising rates) to Congress who don't have saving taxpayers money as a priority.
I think we are at that point. I give up and like anyone who disagrees get told to go someplace else, I'll take them up on their suggestion in about 5 years.
Steve,
Many feel this way.
While it may be a despairing situation.
where will we all go to?
I have decided to stay aware, no matter how ugly the picture is and that where I live I will step up for justice and truth. Should I have to leave the insanity here, I am afraid problems will be elsewhere. My hope is that "elsewhere" will not be as horrible as the insider game and agenda we have here.
I happen to believe that standing up for our wonderful Bull Run Water System is one of the most important steps we could do now.
Do call Congress members here anyway and let them know what you think.
They may not have heard from enough people yet, as so much of this is happening under the radar screen.
Thanks Steve for the conversation.
Take care.
Just read from this website again.
Might help explain the situation and why the public needs to contact Senator Merkley and others now. Let Leonard know what you think about this as well.
http://friendsofreservoirs.org/
Here are excerpts from a Nov. 15, 2010 letter to Mayor Adams and City Commissioners: . . . . .
The Senator was unaware that the Water Bureau’s burial plans will cost ratepayers $403 million (nearly $800 million with debt service). He was surprised to learn that the Water Bureau was already spending $22 million on the $99 million UV Radiation treatment plant despite the fact that the “variance” sampling of over 9000 liters has detected zero Cryptosporidium oocysts. He is aware that EPA’s sampling method does not distinguish between harmless and harmful Cryptosporidium.
Senator Merkley told us that Commissioner Leonard has never spoken with him with about assisting in the community effort to retain our open reservoirs. Senator Merkley advised that without the City making an effort his role supporting the community is more difficult. He noted Commissioner Leonard’s reputation as a fighter and wondered why Leonard doesn’t bring the full force of his potential to this cause.
While Commissioner Leonard has suggested that the community blame the Congressional delegation if alternatives aren’t secured for the open reservoirs, clearly City Council will be to blame if a serious effort is not made to retain Portland’s open reservoirs. . .
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
The Occasional Book
Hope Larson - A Wrinkle in Time, the Graphic Novel
Rudyard Kipling - Kim
Peter Ames Carlin - Bruce
Fran Cannon Slayton - When the Whistle Blows
Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 32
At this date last year: 66
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (16)
I saw that too and wondered, "haven't we already been led down the alley by PWB over this?"
Posted by jc | January 4, 2011 10:02 AM
Oh now I get it. Act like you are seeking a variance while getting the funds locked up in the meantime.
I'd like to cut these guys a break and think they cared about being fiscally responsible, but...
The vagueness of the ordinance does allow "interested parties" to work out the details over lunch. You know details about campaign contributions and private job offerings after terms expire.
Posted by Ralph Woods | January 4, 2011 10:05 AM
Hey Jack,
I have discussed this with the EPA and Portland Water Bureau officials and I did a post about it on Beaver Journal yesterday.
EPA does not seem like they are going to allow a variance. The Portland Water Bureau Administrator David Shaff left a comment on our article and I corresponded with him via e-mail. I have tried to reach out to Randy Leonard's office but they declined to comment.
One of the things I wanted to know and requested info on from Commissioner Leonard was how much the city was paying CDM under the new contract so that I could determine whether building a new treatment facility would be cheaper in the long run versus paying CDM as a consultant and facing possible fines and litigation.
Anyways you can check out the article I plan on doing a update on it in 3-4 weeks after I send a formal request for more information directly to the City Attorney.
Posted by Benjamin Kerensa | January 4, 2011 10:31 AM
"additions and improvements that may be financed"
I love the word may. This can mean anything. Since Randy can raise water rates as much as he wants when he wants, why not?
As far as EPA giving in, it just isn't happening. EPA does what it wants and doesn't care what anyone thinks and never changes it's mind. It's like having a whole fed agency full of Randys.
Posted by Steve | January 4, 2011 10:36 AM
This EPA scam is the greatest thing Leonard, Shaff and CH2MHill Glicker could have ever wanted. Spend more money on a failure, borrow more money, raise rates, drive away businesses, waste more time until EPA due dates appear. Then tell us their "window dressing" attempt was doing their best to help us fight EPA.
Sorry folks...Cryptosporidium was never the public health problem EPA asserted. Greed and financial/ debt insolvency are the driving forces to degrade our water for no public health reason. And that goes for the open reservoirs too. They are fine as they are with some minor changes. We just spent millions in improvements. Good luck with the new Radon and volatile organic contaminants you'll be breathing with the covered reservoirs.
Can't wait for the dishonest rebuttals from unqualified morons, but then that's all they have. The facts don't support any drinking water treatment or reservoir covering.
Posted by insider | January 4, 2011 12:43 PM
It just looks like our city council is caving to corporate rule, thereby taking away from our community our wonderful sustainable treasure, the Bull Run Water System, one of the best in our country. By the time they are done, we will lose our good drinking water, as toxic chemicals will be added. Water rates will double. The financial and the health risk of our community is at stake. Much more, and the list is long!
Shame on our Council and Leonard who is Commissioner of Water. They will go down in Portland's history as the greatest sell outs evah!!
They just want the public to only know what they send out in press releases, and want us all to think the nail is in the coffin. Citizens are smarter than that.
We citizens and this community need to stand up to say NO to EPA.
Our city council won’t!
Posted by clinamen | January 4, 2011 2:09 PM
"our city council is caving to corporate rule"
I believe EPA is driving this and I thought they were a Fed agency. Besides why the heck isn't someone leaning on Bluemanure or Wyden/Merkley to speak for us? I mean Sam will hop a plane in an instant to get Earl to earmark streetcar funds.
Besides if Randy can get a 30% increase on a "just-in-case-we-need-it" scenario from EPA, what happens to rates if he actually has to do something?
Posted by Steve | January 4, 2011 3:58 PM
Steve,
Look behind the curtain, see what is really driving this, who is driving EPA and lobbied for this LT2 Rule?
and then -
Article on EPA scientists complain about political pressure:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/04/epa_scientists_complain_about.php
Posted by clinamen | January 4, 2011 5:06 PM
. . Besides why the heck isn't someone leaning on Bluemanure or Wyden/Merkley to speak for us? I mean Sam will hop a plane in an instant to get Earl to earmark streetcar funds. .
They have been leaned on.
Why so much inertia and silence about this matter?
They are "waiting" for city to act?
Contact those in Congress and press on them.
We have a round about game going here.
More on that later.
Yes, Sam does hop for the streetcar. Not so for our sustainable Bull Run Water System. His "green sustainable followers" need to take their blinders off and press him about this matter. Maybe they think drinking toxic chemicals and having radon back up into our living and working spaces is green?
Posted by clinamen | January 4, 2011 5:24 PM
"see what is really driving this"
The article just says political pressure. Save me some time and tell me who you think is pushing their buttons and why.
I know in town the guy that used to run PWB is managing a big consulktant that wants to cover the reservoirs.
EPA, for whatever reason, is one of the strongest agencies in the Fed govt and it seems no one stands up to them.
Posted by Steve | January 4, 2011 9:19 PM
"Additions, improvements, and capital equipment that facilitate supply, treatment, transmission, storage, pumping, distribution, regulatory compliance, customer service and support"
Sounds like they found the way to purchase new fire trucks.
Posted by bendover | January 4, 2011 9:56 PM
Steve,
If no one stands up them, then it is time that we did. We don't have cyrptosporidium, and our community cannot afford a billion dollars for a problem we don't have! It is folly.
I have tried to become educated on this matter for several years. Water is a basic and important.
This is where I learned about some backgrounder on the matter:
http://friendsofreservoirs.org/background.html
Posted by clinamen | January 4, 2011 10:25 PM
"If no one stands up them, then it is time that we did."
Sorry, I give up, I grew up here, got advanced degrees here, contributed to the economy here, but there comes a time when the grifters at all levels of govt win. No one wants to stop them from Randy (who needs an excuse to kep raising rates) to Congress who don't have saving taxpayers money as a priority.
I think we are at that point. I give up and like anyone who disagrees get told to go someplace else, I'll take them up on their suggestion in about 5 years.
Posted by Steve | January 5, 2011 6:27 AM
Steve,
Many feel this way.
While it may be a despairing situation.
where will we all go to?
I have decided to stay aware, no matter how ugly the picture is and that where I live I will step up for justice and truth. Should I have to leave the insanity here, I am afraid problems will be elsewhere. My hope is that "elsewhere" will not be as horrible as the insider game and agenda we have here.
I happen to believe that standing up for our wonderful Bull Run Water System is one of the most important steps we could do now.
Do call Congress members here anyway and let them know what you think.
They may not have heard from enough people yet, as so much of this is happening under the radar screen.
Thanks Steve for the conversation.
Take care.
Posted by clinamen | January 5, 2011 9:03 AM
Just read from this website again.
Might help explain the situation and why the public needs to contact Senator Merkley and others now. Let Leonard know what you think about this as well.
http://friendsofreservoirs.org/
Here are excerpts from a Nov. 15, 2010 letter to Mayor Adams and City Commissioners:
. . . . .
The Senator was unaware that the Water Bureau’s burial plans will cost ratepayers $403 million (nearly $800 million with debt service). He was surprised to learn that the Water Bureau was already spending $22 million on the $99 million UV Radiation treatment plant despite the fact that the “variance” sampling of over 9000 liters has detected zero Cryptosporidium oocysts. He is aware that EPA’s sampling method does not distinguish between harmless and harmful Cryptosporidium.
Senator Merkley told us that Commissioner Leonard has never spoken with him with about assisting in the community effort to retain our open reservoirs. Senator Merkley advised that without the City making an effort his role supporting the community is more difficult. He noted Commissioner Leonard’s reputation as a fighter and wondered why Leonard doesn’t bring the full force of his potential to this cause.
While Commissioner Leonard has suggested that the community blame the Congressional delegation if alternatives aren’t secured for the open reservoirs, clearly City Council will be to blame if a serious effort is not made to retain Portland’s open reservoirs. . .
Posted by clinamen | January 5, 2011 10:49 AM
Care about your drinking water?
Turn up the pressure!
Posted by Starbuck | January 5, 2011 11:28 AM