Letters to the editor, July 29
Mission Valley Power consumer’s alert
You have until today to submit comments to MVP’s Consumer Council Chair, Lissa Peel, P.O. Box 97, Pablo, MT 59855, regarding a “proposed” rate increase. It is the Consumer Council’s purpose to “provide the electric utility consumer with opportunities for participation in the development of policies and schedules to be implemented by utility management.” You have a right to comment before the rate schedule becomes final. Here’s why you might consider doing so:
1. Representations made during public meetings and other communications are that there is a budget “shortfall” of $350,000. While some projects have been delayed, MVP’s Utility “Board didn’t want to cut the budget anymore and proposed a rate increase for basic charge of $2.50 for all rate classes... This increase would raise about $350,000.00.” However, the proposed budget increases by 1.5 percent – approximately the same amount that the Board proposes to get from SOME of its consumers.
2. An across-the-board increase of $2.50 per month per basic charge targets residential and general services classes and completely fails to allocate costs of service to all classes. With 14,286 residential customers and another 3,408 general services consumers (total 17694), increases of $2.50 a month ($30/yr.) equates to $531,820 - more than the $350,000 desired revenues.
3. It’s time for irrigators to share costs in appropriate horsepower charge and in minimum seasonal rates increases. The Public Announcement (see the MVP website) asserts that “irrigation horse power will not change,” but it’s been a long time since irrigators’ basic electrical rates have increased while other single and three phase general services consumers rates have been, and are proposed to increase again.
4. Management recognizes that attrition has not been as high as expected, and that replacement employees are still on staff. The three most recent annual reports show 83 to 86 employees; with the current employee count at 85. MVP has failed to balance staff requirements with real needs and revenue projections, further creating budget imbalances.
This proposal should be addressed in light of what’s fair, just and defensible.
Still think this rate increase is minimal? Now you know enough to let them know whether there’s any justifiable increase at all!
Karen Maurer
Big Arm Resident
Bread Basket thanks
The Diocese of Helena Aid to the Needy Programs of the Catholic Church has awarded $1,000 to assist the Bread Basket in Ronan in its mission. This grant came at a time when more families than ever are coming to the Bread Basket for food. Local citizens and businesses in the Mission Valley always donate time, food and money to help feed our community’s needy families for which we are extremely grateful. The Bread Basket also receives commodities from the Montana Food Bank Network in Missoula, however, as more and more small communities find it necessary to fed their neighbors, the amount of support is spread thinner to go further to meet the greater need.
Each month, the Bread Basket is able to give families enough food to last three or four days. We serve up to 140 families per month.
Thanks to all of you in the community who consistently support the Bread Basket’s effort in feeding our friends and neighbors as well as those responding to the donation and volunteer envelopes included in the June Ronan Telephone Company bill. A big thank you to Ronan Telephone Company for donating this insert year after year.
It takes about 45 volunteers, including our volunteer board, to keep things running smoothly. We are blessed to have many faithful helpers but can always use more. Please consider volunteering or donating to the Bread Basket. We appreciate your efforts any time.
As harvest time approaches, remember us along with your neighbors who love fresh, healthy foods from your gardens. Our families really do appreciate these little things so much.
The Bread Basket Board
Ronan
Big Arm celebration
The Big Arm 100 year commemoration that was held July 24 was a big success. A great team of volunteers, about forty in number, made it a fun day for all that showed up for the fundraising activities. Lunch was a beef brisket barbecue with corn on the cob, cole slaw and dessert. The days events included a living history presentation of Big Arm and the school house that is being restored by the community. In addition to the history talk, there was a great vintage car show that was well-represented with old wagons included.
Children attending participated in three legged races, a root beer drinking contest, a “find the cherry in the chocolate pie with out using your hands” contest, darts, bag toss, raw egg relay and other vintage games played when the Big Arm school was actually a school house back in the early 1900s.
Polson did not show up for the water war so the Big Arm combatants had mock battles to prepare for next year. Rumor has it that all of Polson planned camping trips out of town so they would not have to show and watch Big Arm celebrate winning the coveted forty-two-inch trophy filled with jelly beans.
Our thanks to all the volunteers and the people who attended the days’ events, you made it special. We now have enough funds to replace the siding on the school’s south side, which is in a sad state of disrepair.
Paul Maurer
Big Arm resident