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Wednesday, 10 September 2008 |
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
 Al Farnstrom - Conrad City Judge
The increase was deemed necessary to fund the debt service on bonds the city will get to pay for improvements to the sewer system as well as cover operation and maintenance costs. The improvements will bring the system into compliance with the DEQ and mandated federal requirements.
Harry Whalen, who was in Conrad in July to brief the council on the proposed new rate system, was again on hand to answer questions from the public.
Whalen is a Circuit Rider for the Montana Rural Water Systems, Inc. He has worked for 20 years, figuring out funding scenarios for rural water projects.
He spoke in terms of EDU, Equivalent Drilling Unit(s), which refers to the cost according to the pipe size of the water user.
Whalen commented, “This is a commitment to the future of the infrastructure of your city.”
You may recall that at the present, Conrad has 1,204 water connections; 1,138 on ¾-inch, 35 on 1-inch, 14 on 1-1/2 inch, 13 on 2-inch, 2 on 3-inch and 2 on 4-inch pipes.
Those customers on the ¾-inch line will see their base rate charge go from $15.57 to $22.50.
Blue Sky Villa is served by 4-inch lines and will take a huge hit, seeing their present rate charge go from $47.50 to $421.
Those on the 3-inch line will see their rates go from $33.14 to $210, customers on the 2-inch lines will see their rates jump from $26.74 to $136, the 1-1/2 inch line users will have an increase from $20.36 to $88 and those with a 1-inch line will go from $17.17 to $31.50.
For those individuals who are connected to the water line but not using any water or who have turned off their water, will be charged $22.50 per month.
The city anticipates issuing a little over $2.9 million in sewer system revenue bonds. They have applied for over $1.220 million in grants to help reduce the cost of the project. |
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Wednesday, 10 September 2008 |
 PMC HAS TWINS – Andre and Stephanie Harris have two new additions to their family. Dr. Peter Barran helped deliver Scarlet Olivia Harris and Steele “Iron Man” Brennan Harris Aug. 29.
This survey, sent to a random sample of homes, will help the Pondera Medical Center identify the health services needed in the community. The information will be used for grant applications, new programs, and by community groups interested in addressing health issues.
Pondera Medical Center has been selected by the Montana Healthcare Research and Education Foundation, the Montana Office of Rural Health (MORH) and the Rural Health Resource Center to participate in the Community Health Services Development Program (CHSD).
Through the CHSD Program, Conrad and Pondera County receives assistance designed to help communities stabilize their health care delivery system. This program was developed by the University of Washington School of Medicine. It has been used in other Montana communities as a way to develop and maintain quality health care to serve the continuing and future needs of the community.
“We are very excited about working with Pondera Medical Center on this project,” said Kristin Juliar, Director of the Montana Office of Rural Health.
She went on to add, “The CHSD Program promotes health care as a local affair. Health care delivered in rural communities is affordable, high quality, and necessary to the good health of the entire community. Citizens of rural counties can take responsibility for the health of the community. Most communities face a large number of complex issues in providing high quality healthcare, but fortunately, Conrad and Pondera County can engage effective problem-solving, the most important factor in the survival of rural health services.”
Conrad and Pondera County will receive assistance in identifying their most important health concerns through the use of an economic impact assessment and a community health survey that will be distributed to a random sample in mid-September, 2008. The survey will analyze local community needs, use of local health care services and overall community health. |
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Wednesday, 10 September 2008 |
 HELP FOR CANCER – From the left, Cheryl Sawyer, 3 Rivers Communications office manager in Conrad and board member Kerry Schaefer, far right, present a $2,000 check to Barbie Killion of the Conrad Cancer Foundation on Wednesday afternoon. The CCF helps defray costs of expense to family members so they can visit and be with a loved one being treated for cancer. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
Barbie Killion from the Community Cancer Foundation was equally surprised and happy that 3 Rivers was donating an additional $2,000 to her group.
“As a cooperative we feel it is important to support our local communities and give back to our members,” commented General Manager Steve Krogue.
He went on to add, “The summer golf tournament is a fun way to raise money, and it lets our friends and neighbors participate in our fund-raising efforts.”
This year Conrad School Superintendent Lynn Utterback organized a team including the school superintendents from Choteau, Fairfield and Power to play in the tournament and support the chosen Conrad charities.
This year was the eighth annual charity golf tourney that the cooperative has sponsored.
A total of $18,000 has been raised and given to nonprofit groups in Conrad, Choteau, Fairfield, Lima, Shelby, Ennis, Browning, and Twin Bridges since the golf tournament’s inception in 2001.
Cheryl Sawyer, customer service representative for 3 Rivers in Conrad, noted that local businesses sponsored teams or were hole sponsors and they included Mountain View Co-op, Northwest Farm Credit, Conrad Building Center, Kronebusch Electric, Sun River Electric, U.S. Bank and First Interstate Bank.
The Caring for Kids program has been giving out swimming pool passes to Conrad families for the past 10 years, making sure that all local kids have the chance to have fun cooling off with their friends at the pool.
If you are interested in supporting Caring for Kids or would like to request a pool pass for your family contact Syvertson at 271-4020 (w) or 278-3390.
The Community Cancer Foundation is a resource for Conrad area families who have a loved one dealing with cancer.
The foundation can help with medical bills, rent, groceries, daycare, fuel or other living expenses.
Applications are available at the Conrad Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by mail. You may contact them at Community Cancer Foundation, Box 743, Conrad, 59425.
Killion encourages those facing cancer or their families to apply as the need arises. All requests are kept confidential. |
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