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August 13, 2009 Front Page |
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BPA Rate Increase Results In ‘Slight’ OTEC Rate Increase
The Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) wholesale power rate increase will result in slightly higher rates for Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) members. After carefully reviewing the impacts of BPA’s 7.6 percent rate increase, OTEC has determined that it now needs to raise rates for the first time since 2004.
Effective Oct. 1, 2009, OTEC will eliminate the monthly consumer charge and instead implement a monthly delivery charge on each account at a rate that is $5 more than what the consumer charge currently is. Implementing a delivery charge instead of a consumer charge brings OTEC more in line with industry norms. Placing the increase on the delivery charge helps bring OTEC’s rates more in line with the actual cost of service of delivering electricity to its members.
The delivery charge is essentially the cost of operating a local utility to deliver electricity to the consumer’s location. This cost includes, but is not limited to, the costs of operating and maintaining poles, wires, and substations. OTEC contracted with an independent consultant to perform a cost of service study in 2008.
County Commission Meeting: More Justice Court Cases
By Eden Taylor
Justice Court Judge Lise Yervasi reported to Commissioners Carl Stiff and Tim Kerns at the regular County Commission Session on Aug. 5. (Commission Chair Fred Warner Jr. was not in attendance as he was out of town attending a CIS meeting concerning city/county insurance.) Yervasi explained the need for an additional full-time employee in the Justice Court. Justice Court handles misdemeanor violations, small claims, traffic cases and fish and game cases. Currently the court operates with two full-time employees, but an additional person is needed to file and collect fees.
In 2008, traffic cases were down to just 700 cases. In the current year cases are up, causing a higher work load for the Court. In addition to a higher work load, fewer people are paying their fees. The court is collecting only 60% of the fees. Yervasi feels that the court could collect 80% to 90% of the fees if additional staff was employed. A reduction in fee collection means less revenue for Justice Court.
Celtic Festival And Highland Games Coming Aug. 22
The 2009 Eastern Oregon Celtic Festival and Highland Games are coming to the Baker County Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 22. This year's exciting event is Scottish American Athletic Association (SAAA) sanctioned, meaning professional athletes from around the country can and will compete in Baker City as part of the national highland games circuit. Much like the rodeo circuit, professionals accumulate points at sanctioned events, which lead each year to the national highland games finals.
The festival will include a wide range of entertainment including three well-known musical groups: Ordinance, Guess When, and the City of Trees Pipe and Drum Band - all of whom bring traditional Celtic melodies to life featuring instruments such as the fiddle, bagpipes, didgeridoo, drums and whistles. For those who enjoyed the magic of River Dance, Irish Dance Idaho is traveling to Baker City from the Treasure Valley to perform the traditional Irish step with artistic precision and intricate choreography for the audience. A sheepdog demonstration with trainer Bernie Miller is planned for spectators, with Irish Wolfhounds heading up the Parade of Clans during the opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. Visitors can also experience Celtic storytelling in full brogue, haggis tasting, and the infamous Bonny Knees contest. The kids' games - like the adult highland games, only smaller - will be hosted by the Kiwanis Club help to round out the day.
10 clans will set up their tents around the fairgrounds to help visitors find their Celtic ancestry. For those more interested in shopping and cuisine, approximately 25 vendors will attend.
Gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday, with the competition beginning at that time. Admission is only $3 for adults and $2 for children, with kids under age 5 admitted free. Clan and vendor registration forms are also available at BakerHighlanders.org, or call 523-4340 for more information.
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