Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (May 31, 1959)
Long-Range Program to Meter Water Users Reaches Mid-way Medford'i water depart ment is near midstream now in long-range program to place all city water users on metered rates. The program's purpose, ac cording to City Water Super intendent Robert L. Lee, is two-fold: i 1. To conserve water, by reducing waste; 2. To render charges fair nd equitable, by basing them on actual individual use. The metering program has been under way about five years, Lee reports. Customers still on flat rates, who num ber about 4,100 at present, can expect metering within the next four years. Nw Construction Some 500 commercial, .in dustrial, institutional and multi-family customers were metered from 1954 to 1957, according to Lee. Since 1956, he reports, all new structures of any type requiring water have been metered. The department is now con cerned with metering residen tial customers, of whom only about 30 per cent have been affected so far. Lee stresses the importance of metering to water conser vatipn. "If we went back to flat rates, we would be out of wa ter in a very few years," he states. Thanks to a policy of metering customers outside the city limits, Lee explains, the annexations of such areas as Kenwood-Grandview and Berrydale brought about 600 metered customers into the city. Having some customers in side the city on flat rates and others on metered rates ob viously is not proper. As Lee puts it, "We can't ride the fence indefinitely. Sufficient Water Placing everyone on flat rates, according to Lee, would hasten the day when new wa ter sources would have to be tapped. With total metering, he explains, the city can ex pect sufficient water from Big Butte . Springs until about 1972. Thereafter, additional water would have to be tak en from the Rogue river. Lee describes metering as "one of the most effective and reasonable means of wa ter conservation." "Our water is much too val uable and limited in quanti ty," the Mectfora water com mission states in an informa tional booklet, "to be distrib uted at flat rate charges which inherently encourage wast and indiscriminate use." Other Oregon cities with metered rates, according to the commission, are Ashland, Grants Pass, Roseburg, Cor vallis, Eugene, Salem and Portland. The majority of cit ies across the nation, it re ports, already have meters. Mot Raise Cost Lee emphasizes that -shifting from flat to metered rates is not an attempt to raise the cost of water to individual consumers. "Meters in themselves don't set the rate," he says, Meters simply measure the amount of water used, while the rate schedule for this water is a "separate consideration," he explains. Lee reports that a custom er's monthly charge for me tered water is generally lower in winter months, and higher in summer months, than the flate rate charge. The yearly rate for average customers, is about the same. One basis for the belief that metering means higher water bills, Lee explains, is the higher costs to metered customers outside the city, many of them in special wa ter districts. These customers, he emphasizes, are paving not only, for the water itself but for retirement of district bond issues.- In addition, he points out, the city seeks a re turn on its investment from outside customers while sell ing water approximately at cost to those inside the city. General Fund The meters, costing about S28 each, are being financed from the water department's general fund, Lee reports. Most residences, he says, have a meter box or other installa tion facility near the street in the parking strip out front. He adds that the city has been preparing for metering ! for some 20 years. Reading and maintaining meters and preparing bills mean more complicated and more costly procedures than those for the flat rate method. "But," Lee says, "the initial cost and operating cost are more than offset by the sav- j ings in water. Water isn't free." Another factor he cites is CABINETS - SCREENS Daor and Window Frames Economy Cabinet Shop KE 5-1173 that metering costs are well below the costs of new supply facilities that would be re quired sooner, and on a larger scale, if the waste inherent in flat-rate service were to con tinue. Water Saved Water saved through the use of meters becomes avail able to other customers, so that Medford can expand that much further before the Big Butte Springs source must be supplemented by more expen sive water from the Rogue. The commission's leaflet states that under metering, "each customer pays for his water service on the basis of the amount of water he uses as an individual customer. "With flat rates," it contin nues, "the charges for water service are based on the aver age amount of water used per customer by a large group of customers. "In other wdrds, if you use less water than the average flate rate customer, you are paying too much for water service and on the other hand, if you use more water than the average customer, your water bill is lower than it should be at the expense of others." Two Fronts , The metering program, Lee Rogue Valley to Increase Interest Interest on savings deposits at Rogue Valley State bank, Medford, will be increased to 3 per cent effective July 1, Clarence Young, president, has announced. The board of directors voted to increase the interest rate, which is paid semi-annually, because o'f higher interest rates prevailing - on govern ment bonds. A high percent age of savings deposits is in vested in government secur ities to keep funds immediate ly available for depositors needs, he said. Young also announced that work on the branch office building on East Jackson st, near the Medford Shopping Center, is in progress. He said directors hope the branch will be open in August or early September. He said that accounts open in the present bank may be transferred to the East Med ford branch on request. J'' Yf R3(D)CSC5W - R3 ... and, as Our WITH ANY PURCHASE AMOUNTING TO $200 You May Choose As Your Gift IN FEES 13 Furniture Come In and reports, is currently progress ing on two fronts. On the one hand, a conversion for all cus tomers in the Pierce Heights area is now under way. This east side neighborhood bound ed roughly by Valley View dr. and Windsor ave. on the west, Oakwood dr. and Acorn way on the south, and the city limits on the north and east was chosen, according to Lee, because the water must be pumped into the area at high er cost and because many customers have expansive lawns and large service con nections. Meter installation for Pierce Heights residents is currently in progress, Lee re ports. He says these custom ers can expect to be billed on a metered basis starting in November. Changed Account The other approach in volves requiring establish ment of metered service whenever a flat rate account is changed. Lee points out that over 1,000 account changes are recorded in the city each year. Account changes, he ex plains, are marked by turn ons of water at a new or exist ing residence. While occasion ally these" turn-ons follow temporary discontinuance by an absent family, most repre sent the arrival of ' a new oc cupant. "We believe," Lee says, "that the change -of -the -account basis for metering will distribute the installation load over a three-year period." At Brownie Troop Visits Mail Tribune Plant Members of the St. Mary's Brownie Troop 76 toured the Mail Tribune plant last week. Accompanying the group were Mrs. Al Carrara, Mrs. Earl Igo, Mrs. Martin Spiel busch, and Mrs. Margaret Eakin. , Making the tour were Ja neen Payant, Susan Ran dolph, Carla Dibble, Patricia Evans, Bernadette Becker, Karen Swindler, Tina Car rara, Mary Burich, Karen Teutsch, Lynett Stinson, Bob bi Swindler, Leta Norris, Rita Spielbusch, Tresa Lucas, Rena Spielbusch, Carolyn Shasky, Barbara Doody, Thresa Han ley, Linda Budreau, Ronly St. George, Patti Doyle, Joan Lit tlefield, Monica Dunn, Judy Holtzinger, Gloria Igo, and Mary Taft. HOME FURNISHERS 220 N. Bartlert Next to Greyhound Depot SP 3-4394 WITH ANY PURCHASE AMOUNTING TO $35000 You May Choose As Your Gift $ 10 IN FREE Furniture Let Us Prove To City Point the end of that period, he adds, all remaining flat rate services would be changed over. The metering program came, under fire at a recently city budget committee meeting. Councilman Ed Hall, Ward I, who said he was "very much opposed to meters," asked if public cooperation in rationing water at critical pe riods would be a better con servation method. He cited one period about 10 years ago when residents were asked to water their lawns on alter nate days based on their ad dress numbers. Prefer Meters "People as a whole," Lee replied, "mucli prefer to be metered than to be required to irrigate only at certain times." A committee member asked Lee about "promises" in the past that Medford customers would never have meters. "Such statements may have been made in all sincerity by some individuals," Lee said. However, he added, such a guarantee -vas never an ac tual provision of any bond is sue. He remarked that Med ford's remarkable growth to day could not have been pre dicted years ago. Officer Installation Set by EP Lions Eagle Point - Installation of new officers for the Eagle Point Lions club will be held at the Rogue River Lodge in Shady Cove June 6, with Dep uty District Governor Leon ard Carlson of Phoenix serv ing as installing officer. New oficers are Glenn Cly- mer, president; Charles Mar tin, first vice president; Ernie Gregg, second vice president; Clarence Davis, third vice president; Stewart Hopper, secretary-treasurer; G. Lee Hayes, tail twister; Hoyle Jor: dan, Lion tamer; Darrel Cope- land, director, two years: John Ousterhout, director, two years; and Robert Cocks, director, one year. Installation will be held in conjunction with the Eagle Point Lady Lions auxiliary, Officers were elected at a meeting at the Teenage club recently. Alaska was purchased from Russia for $7,200,000. Are Starting Their . O . Whilst WEJ)AY, (Gift to ADDITIONAL FURNITURE When You Buy During This Birthday Sale! WITH ANY PURCHASE AMOUNTING TO 50000 You May Choose As Your Gift IN FREE Furniture You That Quality Officers Installed, Awards Presented At Southern Oregon Ashland - Robert Mead, Southern Oregon college jun ior from Klamath Falls, was' installed by retiring president Richard Clark, Medford, as president of the student body during the spring special awards assembly in Chur chill hall. Serving with Mead will be Ron Leggett, Bonanza, sec ond vice-president; Janet Meyer, Klamath Falls, secre tary; Maureen McCurdy, Med ford, treasurer; Larry Hall, Ashland, yell king; George Olson, Klamath Falls, first vice-president; Ona L i 1 e s, Roseburg, Larry Barloen, Klamath Falls, Ron Fader, Ashland, Alvin Born, Klam ath Falls, representatives-at-large; Sue Main, Ashland, par liamentarian; Larry Hoover, Lebanon, convocations; Jack Henry, Klamath Falls, pub licity; Jim Ochs, Klamath Falls, council editor. Presidential awards , were presented by Clark to Dick Simonson, Medford; Lois May Ashland; and Claudia Pierce, Coos Bay; for outstanding service to the college. Pzesenled Plaque Dr. Alvin Fellers, director of student affairs, and Toby Kay Deller, retiring social chairman, presented Clark with a plaque for his out standing service as president. James Boyd, Medford, was honored as the first SOC stu dent to receive a National Merit Scholarship bonus award. Richard Clark was an nounced as the recipient of the $100 for the coming year. Mrs. Mabel W. Winston, dean of women, ' announced the dormitory citizen award winners: Pat Urie, Reedsport; and Larry Wait, Roseburg. Claudia Pierce and Vernon Arnold received the Victor P. Mills award of $50 each. James McDonald, Medford, was named Phi Delta Kappa's "Man of the Year in Educa tion." McDonald s e r v e cr as president of the Student Na tional Education association last year. Outstanding studentsin chemistry and mathematics were presented handbooks by Dr. Elliott B. MacCrackenr chairman of the science-mathematics d i v i si o n. Linda Wright, Ashland, chemistry; Patrick McCabe, Gold Hill, mathematics; and Norman Pawlowski, Jacksonville, physics, were those honored. JUNE 1ST You, You WITH ANY PURCHASE AMOUNTING TO $75000 You May Choose As Your Gift IN FREE Furniture Home Furnishings For the best poetry written during the year, Dr. Arthur Kreisman, chairman of the humanities division, gave rec ognition to William Black, Medford, who also received honorable mention in a state wide Centennial poetry con test, v Charlotte Riley, Medford, president of Tri Zeta, wo men's service honorary, pre sented a $25 award to Judy Johnson, Ashland; and Judy Paulsen, Ashland, president of Sigma Epsilon Pi, women's scholastic honorary, gave an award to Sue Main, Ashland, secretary of the organization. Britt scholarships for stu dents from Jacksonville were named by Dr. Arthur S. Tay lor, chairman of the social science division. They are: Vickie Tweedy, Edna Welch, Sonja Smith, Edgar Walker, Norman Pawlowski, Clyde Smith, Ron Muir, and John Winningham. Dr. Fellers gave recognition to the nearly 200 students awarded State scholarships throughout the year. Youths Invited to Join Air Patrol Jackson county boys and girls 14 through 17 years old have been invited to join the Medford squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, Commander Lt. John Keener, has announced. He said the cadet training program offers classes in av iation education, photogra phy, radio and communica tions, meteorology, search and rescue procedure. Additional classes are planned in me chanics, gasoline model air plane building as well as for mation of a marching band. The cadet staff is under the command of Lt. James Re- neau and Lt. Viva Ann Mac Manama. Cadets earn a cer tificate of proficiency and can receive the rating of air man third class on joining the Air Force. . Meetings are held each Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the Civil Air Patrol building at the Medford airport. ROAD OPEN The north .entrance road to Crater "Lake - National park was opened to two-way traf fic Friday morning, the park service announced. May Choose WITH ANY PURCHASE AMOUNTING TO 100000 You May Choose As Your Gift $30 IN FREE Furniture Aren't- Necessarily Grange News Upper Applegate Grange June 7 will be Church Sun day for Upper Applegate Grange members who will at tend the 11 ajn. worship service of Ruch Community church. Later they will meet at the Grange hall for a pot luck dinner. All Grange mem bers are urged to reserve this date and be present. Plans for the event were completed at the regular session of the Grange on May 22 at which Master Kathleen Scovell pre sided. . According to the report of the relief committee, Edwin Rutter, who sustained a spinal injury, is in Rogue Valley hospital. Clara Flesher is con valescing following surgery, and Floyd McKee who has been ill at his home, is im proving. Agriculture Chairman George Redhead stated good feeder steers from California were bringing from 28 to 32 cents in the local livestock auctions. Broilers in some areas have been selling for 14 cents per pound, and eggs likewise are bringing low prices, he stated. Ways and Means Chairman Ethel, West announced the schedule for square dances continues unchanged with workshop sessions the second and fourth Monday evenings and square dances every fourth Saturday night. A sum of $4.40 was turned into the treasury from this source, Contributions were also re ceived from the Upper Apple gate Extension Unit and from the Little Applegate Sewing club for use of the hall. A community bridal shower for Nancy Lou Redhead whose wedding to Anthony Mitschke of Medford is scheduled June 5', is being planned for Satur day evening, June 13, it was announced. This event will be4 held in the Grange hall and everyone is invited to attend. Entertainment and refresh ments are being arranged by Anna Scott, who is general chairman. ... Thanks to all who assisted with the Mother's Day dinner May 10, was expressed by the Grange Master. Members were reminded to bring sack lunches to Ruch school Monday, June 8, to assist in giving the 4-H Cover ed Wagon "Train a send-off when they lunch there en route to Corvallis for their summer school session. Phoenix Grange Memorial services were held May 26 at the Phoenix Grange. In memorium were Andrew Chapman ( and Gert rude Luvin. Chaplain Mona Ferns was Expensive opportunity to purcS h- t a""-aon " P " I " ' '"misnings at a I in charge, participating in the services were the three graces, Mabel Cox, Ethel Hocker smith, and Mabel Johnson, a song by Vaughn Quacken- bush, tableau with Evelyn Cyr at the cross and poem by Velma Johnson. During the business session, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Reich stein were obligated in the first and second degrees. "Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hocker smith were presented a 25 year gold certificate and Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Lattie re ceived their 5-year attend ance pins. Voted to become members were James Bruce Cyphers, Paul Whisenant, Bayard Getchell and Ronald W. Baker. Mr. and Mrs. Wil liam Wroe were accepted to become members by demit. Master Charles Johnson an nounced next visitation is scheduled for June 16 at Eagle Point Grange. , HEC Chairman Mrs. Sol Cox requested members to bring their General Mills cou pons and referred to the May 5 bulletin for rules on the chrochet and canning contest. Mr. and Mrs. Charles John son and Mr. and Mrs. Dee Hendrickson are planning to attend Oregon State Grange convention in Baker. Refreshment committee in cluded Mr. and Mrs. Olin Poe and Mr. and Mrs. Ira Luman. NEW LOW PRICES On CHAIN LINK "Life time" Superior Fencing! Large quantity purchases make this low cost possible. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOWEST , PRICES IN THE ROGUE VALLEY on the HIGHEST QUALITY CHAIN LINK FENCNG AND HARDWARE fin FREE UlJlGH'S Construction 1 1 1 North Fir lJ t I ilfL.V'lfrl. 4 " I Iff as I JL OPEN EVENINGS MONDAY THRU FRIDAY TILL 9 P.M. o For Furniture With a Sense of Style SHOP Next to Greyhound MAIL TRIBUNE, Mtdford. 0 Sunday, May 31, 1959 Forest Service Accepts Project Rogue River National for est officials last week ac cepted conditionally the con struction of new buildings at the Prospect ranger station and is now occupying them, according to Carroll Brown, forest supervisor. The buildings constructed by E. J. Fordyce and associ ates, local building contract ors, include four residences, an office, gas and oil shed and water pressure tank, and building. Construction has been start ed -on the Star Ranger station new residence south of Jack sonville. Two barracks will.be started at the Union creek sta tion 11 miles north of Pros pect, Brown said. The French paint and var nish industry increased pro duction by 55 per cent in the last five years, reaching an output of nearly $200 million in 1957. HELP US! We Need O.rhing, Shoes Dishes, Furniture. W Pick Up. HELP OTHERS! The Salvation Army SPrinq 3-7335 ESTIMATES Phone SP 2-2461 SP 3-4394 I
