gffirefly

Oh.

2007-04-21T00:29:00.000-06:00

Ok, I'm full of crap.

2007-04-11T18:11:00.000-06:00

I'm not going to stop blogging.
I couldn't do that, Hawkeye just got here, TSJ might be returning, slowly, and Sue called me Buttercup! (Did she go to High School with someone named Buttercup?)
Who was that other guy that commented...

David has probably been getting a real kick out of this, since he is setting me up with a different site, where I can change things (colors, themes, etc.) at a whim. I'll probably do more playing with my blog than actual writing. Well, to be honest, that's what I have been doing. I promise I'll have it up and running soon...

...Justin! No, no, no, I was not the Naked Peta Chick! I made fun of the N.P.C.! And speaking of that, why do people who are protesting something get away with things like that? If there was a protest on Central, Oh, how about People Emulating Transvestite Ardvarks lobbying in opposition of the Proposed Coal Plant, (PETA, lobbying in opposition of PCP) naked of course, on Central, do ya think they might be shut down?

Ok, I'm gonna go.
I have to finish the new header for the other site, and I have like, three or four posts to finish. (only one of which is on the Coal Plant!)

Hmm..

2007-04-06T18:45:00.000-06:00

I see I have another referral from a google search for the ever popular "Coors Light Party Ball". Also got a hit for "Naked Peta Chick"!

By the way, In case anyone is wondering, yeah, I've pretty much given up on this site. It just does not give me the joy it used to. I may just make it a photo site. No, not those photo's, ya perverts!

Anyway, have a great Friday night!

2007-03-28T20:36:00.000-06:00

Nice sign. Wonder if that got inspected.

Cool.

2007-03-28T20:30:00.000-06:00

We are bloggers

2007-03-12T19:12:00.000-06:00

Dave wrote a nice piece the other day. Made me think about how I look at things since I started blogging. Blogging can actually make your life appear more interesting than it really is. It also makes me think alot more about how different people see the same issues, and how a little extra information can make the difference.
But the main thing blogging has done for me is give me an outlet for all the things I think about that many of the people around me have no interest in. Few members of my social group care very much about the coal plant. Or golf courses. Or the malting plant RR spur. These things come up in conversation and I hear something along the lines of The Citys corrupt, vote 'em all out and start over, this article on ice off walleye fishing is great, think we can get the boat on Francis yet.
And yes, as those who read here know, I will try to be on the boat. And I am quite knowledgeable about ice off walleye tactics, and midsummer, and fall walleye tactics. Jigging and cranks and spinner rigs. But there are other things I am interested in. And blogging gives a nice outlet for those things.

Tribune coverage, and contracts that are written with invisible ink.

2007-03-12T12:04:00.000-06:00

"and conservatives who think government should keep its nose out of the power plant business."
Now I'm a conservative. No one asked if I wanted to be a conservative, I'm not even sure what the criteria are. But I have been labeled, the Tribune said so, it must be true.

"At the same time, a federal agency may decide whether to fork over a loan for 75 percent of the plant's costs."
After stating yesterday, "The RUS is ready to fund this project," it now appears that perhaps we should wait for the RUS to actually state that as fact.

The coal plant needs water, and a lot of it. The city of Great Falls has a contract with SME to use some of its water rights from the Missouri River to provide raw water to operate Highwood Generating Station.
"That's a business deal that is done," Gregori said. "The contract stands whether or not the city of Great Falls is a member of SME."

In my inquisitive, anal, conservative way, I have tried to investigate this fact. First, I attempted to locate anywhere the City had actually admitted to having "Contracts with SME"

1. 3/5/07 ECPI board meeting.
Mr. Liebert asks "is there an actual written contract with SME?"
Ms. Balzarini replies "Yes, there is a Power Purchase Contract" No other information. (sidenote. How does the City think a contract to purchase power means anything? We know ECP is buying power from SME. When people are asking for documents relating to the Joint Venture, Management of ECP, Capital Investments etc. why do we keep being told Power Purchase Agreement? It means nothing except that we are purchasing power!)

2.We all know about Geeguy. Poor guy asks and asks, and get's nuthin.
3. I went to the City website. A search for "Water service contract with SME" I get this and this.
Of note in this/these documents-Page 37, Investment in Joint Venture. Financial statements for the joint venture may be obtained at 3521 Gabel Road, Suite 5, Billings Montana 59102. Or you might get a nice letter from SME's lawyer, saying "we don't wanna give 'em to ya".

Page 53. Long term Debt. City commission adopted res. 9534 authorizing 1,500,000 (count the zero's) for ECP. term of the note is 20 years. It is intended the debt will either be repaid at the time constructuon financing is acquired, or from operating funds of the electric utility, with a pledge from the General fund as backup security for the debt obligation.

Page 65. On March 15, 2005 the City Commission approved a Water Service Agreement....
(go to commission minutes, march 15 2005)

Of note in the Agreement:

"this agreement shall commence upon the date the MDNC issues its Order approving the transfer of water rights or sale of water by the City to Southern..."
Has the City applied to the MDNC for transfer of water rights or sale of water? If the City does not apply to the MDNC is this still a binding contract?

"Southern shall be entitled to credit against said monthly billing for Southerns difference in cost of power than paid therefore by the City as set forth in that certain Agreement dated the 22nd day of October 2004"
Which "certain agreement" is of course, the infamous Power Purchase Contract. Oh, wait, no it isn't. You see, there is the PPC, then there is a document dated Oct. 22nd, which I cannot find, that evidently clarifies this statement in the PPC. "Part of the deal will be to exchange low price energy for future consideration for water for HGS. We will work out the details later."

Well, my time to blog (lunch) is coming to an end. I do not believe I learned anything in my quest for contracts. Perhaps I will continue later on.

"Do you believe a majority of county residents support the plant?"
"Yes, if their questions are reasonably answered," Lawton said.

My god, I may agree with Lawton on something.

2007-03-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

I have spring fever so bad.
Dreaming of that first trip to a lake.
Any lake.
Reading fishing magazines just makes it worse.
Need a new fishing license.
Which store. hmm.

Maybe the river. Close, Quick.
Need firewood for that.

Ahh, spring. It's coming.

So, I’m going

2007-03-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

to pick on the people on the Tribune forums. If anyone comes over and has a problem with that, Please, defend what you said, this is an opportunity to share you opinions.

“The last issue is on the right to vote on this issue. There is NO right to vote on this issue. We are a nation that uses representatives, elected by the people to make decisions for us. This keeps us from becoming a nation of mob rule. Our elected representative follow the laws that determine when and how the people vote on issues. The present issue does not allow a vote. Which is a good thing.”

There was a right to vote on this issue. It was taken away, by the City. How in hell, with all the controversy going on, is that a good thing?

“It does not matter whether 80 or a million turned out to protest, the law is there to protect is from a mob. What happens if a mob were allowed to force a vote that affected your rights? This is why we have laws.”

Change the word mob to citizens.
How’s that for ya. Those people down there protesting are the people that care enough to do something. You may not approve, or agree, but those are the kind of people, doing the same things that started the free country you live in, that gave you the right to vote, and assemble, equal rights and civil rights and all those things you claim to support while you sit there in judgment of those that do not agree with you.

“There are people who have much at stake here...for some it is pride..for others control....I cant think of a single group that has more at stake than the poor.”

What in hell do the poor have to do with this? Is FedEx “the Poor?” General Mills, Meadowgold, the Refinery, Benefis, Do they need help paying their electric bills?

“Putting this to a vote is a childish soultion to a serious matter and a weak-kneed approach to Democracy. You're obviously a liberal.”

Voting is a childish solution? You just pissed off every American bone in my body. Go to some other country. Or just %*&# off. Please.

“We elect our commissioners to represent us. We need to give them our input and them let them make the decision. If you don't agree with their decison, then you can vote them out of office.”

And how will voting them out help the current situation? It will be too late to do anything.

“You make the same basic mistake that so many do: The city is a minority partner in the project. You grossly overstate the city's stake. Seventy-five percent of the plant is being put up by co-ops. Are you saying the co-ops are poorly managed and run by a bunch of bunglers?”

Are you saying that the City of Great Falls stake of 130 to 180 million dollars is chump change? I do not give a crap what kind of partner the city is. I want to know what they are doing with that kind of money, and who is going to be responsible for it IF something does not work out as planned. . am I saying the co-ops are poorly managed and run by a bunch of bunglers? No. Am I saying that the City of Great Falls is poorly managed and run by… well you get the picture.

Perhaps the environmental concerns are getting most of the attention, but people have the right to voice opinions. I happen to believe there are environmental concerns. I doubt they are significant enough to stop the plant. I can live with that.

However, regardless of that, there are, obviously, other concerns. One of the biggest concerns is still developing, and really, has nothing to do with the Coal Plant except as the basis for the question.

You'll note that most of the topics covered above are more significant for people's rights and governmental issues than for debate over a coal plant.

Is our democratic, representative, by the people for the people, form of government going to continue to refuse to disclose public information when the Public asks for it?

Why?

2007-03-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

When asked "Why was ECPI started?", Mrs. Balzarini replied, "To represent the City in SME"

On November 1, 2005, the City Commission adopted Ordinance 2925 which restructured Electric City Power as a non-profit organization. The Official Codes of the City Great Falls (OCCGF) 5.20.040 states that the City Commission shall approve the articles of incorporation and the bylaws by resolution. Resolutions 9529 and 9530 were submitted to the Commission.

The non-profit corporation would secure and provide reliable, long-term supplies of electricity to the City, its residents and electric consumers. The proposed ordinance identified and defined the duties and obligations conveyed to the non-profit Board as well as the duties and obligations retained by the City Commission. It included items such as the purpose, powers, rules of operation, and tax-exempt obligations of the non-profit corporation and its board.

"the City of Great Falls does hereby establish an electric utility to construct, operate and maintain electric facilities in, along, across, under, or over City property: and to market or otherwise provide electric services to consumers."

The non-profit corporation would operate for the primary purpose of securing and providing reliable, long-term supplies of electricity to the City, its residents and electric consumers.

5.20.050 Purpose of the Corporation.
The Corporation shall operate for the primary purpose of securing and providing reliable, long-term supplies of electricity to the City, its residents and electric consumers.

Pardon me for being a bit slow, but in all that jumble up there, NOT ONCE does it say "to represent the City in SME."

2007-03-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

First off, I am again going to thank Joe Briggs for his comments, not so much because it added something important to the discussion, but because it added to the discussion. It is also appreciated that Joe seems to have the unique (in politics) ability to admit he does not know something.
He also very politely hands off responsibility for additional answers to a member, any member of the City Commission who may happen to know the answers. However, I have come to the conclusion that the City must not have any answers.

Just like they don't have important documents, and instead of just telling you, you can't have them, they make you run in circles...oh wait, the City can't tell him we won't give them to you.

Free Thought notes that the answers to my questions are not really relevant to the existence of the plant, or the City's involvement in the plant. He is correct to an extent. However, I believe it is too late to worry about the City being involved, they are. Which means that we all are. It is too late to figure out why, but it would be nice to know how, and to what extent, we are involved. And the information the City had, when they got it, how they used it to justify involvement, and the expected benefits that can be deduced from that information are things that more than a few people are interested in.

Which brings me to jocko.
The first time I read his comment, I thought, what a bunch of bullshit. It kinda grated on me.
I cannot believe that someone can read that Q & A and say the questions were answered with frankness and honesty. Does that include the questions that were not answered? How is it honest to answer a question with a statement that is in no way relevant to the question? How is it honest to state that there are no suprises on the horizon, what was it, two days before you learn your price tag just shot up a couple hundred million? How can you look at the big picture here and accept that there is no risk? Isn't there a risk that it will cost more than expected, and your power won't be as cheap as you thought, and you already have signed contracts stating what you are going to sell it for, and those water credits aren't gonna bail you out forever.....

Two more things real quick.

After everything is said and done, would this power be cheaper than power that will be available on the open market in 2010?
"Over the life of the plant, absolutely," Lawton said.

What does he mean by "over the life of the plant"? When they fire up that big ass boiler, start pumping 3,200 gallons per minute out of our river, start shoveling that beautiful black coal and pumping all those EPA approved chemicals and gasses and particulate matters into Big Sky Country, obscuring the Highwoods with a gray film of soot, When Lewis & Clark start coughing in their graves, On that day, at that minute, will this power be cheaper?
(sorry, got a bit carried away there)

And didn't that one study that just came out, the one the City got to calm down the bond underwriter, didn't it just say we are now shooting for competitive prices?

OK, ok, I'll post something.

2007-03-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well, GeeGuy is all over the coal plant story. I wasn't going to blog about it, but hey, why not.

City officials said the cancellation (Northwestern contract) cost the city more than $1 million over five years.
And so far, the city, trying to see if they can build a coal plant, has cost$1 million for the water credit and $1.5million for a bunch of studies and stuff they don't even have access to.
Any of you businessmen out there willing to spend $23,000 for a briefing on a feasibility study that says it's ok to spend $130million? No, you don't get the study, but you'll be told what it says.

Lawton said he "absolutely" thinks the city is run well, but he said running a city is different from running a business.
Well, yeah, what else would he say.

In government, there can be extended discussion periods as officials try to discern what the public wants.
Or, you could let the public vote-that might help give you a clue what the public wants!

Are there any other cities you know of trying to buy into coal-burning power plants?
"They're all over the place," Lawton said.
Perhaps this is nitpicky of me, but they are not all over the place, in fact I don't believe there is a single one in this entire state.

( I wrote that yesterday. But, of course, I was right.)

I'm not going to go on, other wiser nutcases can disseminate the Q & (blow smoke up my) A.

I notice others are discussing some of the comments on the Trib Forum. I have been noticing for quite some time, one of the main things I have an issue with over there is the assumption from some of those folks that this power plant will make a difference to the average resident of Great Falls.

It will involve specialized labor. The number of construction jobs touted does not impress me. Joe Bob making minimum wage pouring concrete isn't going to get on up there. Oh, wait, Joe Bob doesn't make minimum wage, and he doesn't need a job.
There are 15 jobs posted on the Job service website since yesterday morning, with an average wage of over $9.00 per hour. Those 300 construction jobs will benefit our economy by the workers (maybe we can get some more Brazilian welders in here, really piss of the local unions! Again.) temporary stay here. Of the long term jobs, maybe 25% local employees. Max. So 15, 16 Joe Bob's get jobs.

It will not affect the price that average resident pays for power, unless the price of the default supply goes up as a result. Which, of course, will not happen. The City said so.

Will it lower our taxes? Schools, City Government, will be paying less so they will have more money, right? And every Great Falls resident who pays taxes should get a break on shipping FedEx. I mean, come on, what other benefit am I going to see?

I am a bit confused about something else. The tax thing. If the plant is not annexed into the City, as it seems will now be the case, will the City be able to collect any taxes? Will the plant sitting up there actually add to the City tax base, or will we be paying to supply municipal services to an entity that does not even bring tax revenue into the City?

The Tribune coverage on this does not impress me much. Follow up! They should do a part Two on the Q & A - Real answers to the questions!

To whom is Electric City Power planning on selling approximately 40 mW of power?

If Electric City Power ends up oweing SME money, isn't it true that the City of Great Falls would ultimately be responsible for repaying that debt?
If not, please explain.

Isn't it true that Tim Gregori, of SME, has stated there are risks involved in building a coal plant?

What are the risk scenarios that the City and SME have outlined, and the planned measures to reduce those risks?

Why did the City repeal Ordinance 2681?

Have the City and SME downplayed the possible risks to paint a rosy picture for the residents of the city?

Has the City enforced the 3 minute comment rule at any time for a discussion not pertaining to the coal plant?

"City officials acknowledge a key moment came in 2003, when NorthWestern Energy unilaterally canceled a power contract with cities and school districts across the state. "

Is it true that City officials and SME were discussing building a coal plant before the summer of 2003?

Etc.

Hi boys and girls!

2007-02-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

I haven't been around much. To much going on. I feel a bit guilty sometimes, but I manage to squash that down, and the feeling goes away. I have lots of ideas about things to write about the coal plant. Sadly, most of them require a level of research and writing that I have not been able to attain lately.
I do question how a group of cooperatives, that get together to form another cooperative, become a corporation that is not, apparently, interested in sharing information. The letter GeeGuy received, with it's use of words like compel and comply and I think there was a legally required in there, makes you wonder, why?
Is it really that hard to dig up a couple files, to calm down the people questioning what you are doing?
The City of Great Falls, on its website, directed you to contact SME for financial documents on the joint venture. That's what he did isn't it? And got stuffed, bam, nope not givin' em up. We aren't even going to tell you why, just no, we don't have to.
I noticed at the end of the letter from the City, it states that there are "other records". So they have lot's of stuff, to bad none of it is the important stuff. I see golf was in the news again.

And speaking of the City, I do believe I have been neglecting speaking of sign regulation. Who has noticed a real difference? Anyone? Helloooo......

Are there still sandwich boards on public property outside the BID? yes
Are there still signs advertising a business that has been closed for longer that 90 days? yes
Are there fewer temporary signs? possibly
Are there still signs over the height restriction? yes
Have we seen an economic change? ???
Have we seen a new Sign Inspector, who's salary is paid out of permit fees, hired? ???
Have we seen fewer sign related safety issues? ???

yeah, big difference. It's all the fault of casino's.

I wonder if the lights and camera's work over at the skatepark. Might be about time to revisit that little issue, it's going to be spring soon. I'll have to give that assignment to my squad of young sleuths.

2007-02-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

"The proposed action would have a negligible effect on children or persons living in poverty, as these population groups are not generally present at or near the Salem Site."

They think of everything.

Happy Valentines Day.

2007-02-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

I see GeeGuy has changed his colors in honor of the day. I can honestly tell you, I never considered that I would go over there and see Pink and Red! Wow.

Well, we got home awhile ago, and immediate panic ensued! My boy could not log onto the internet! Oh, the horror! Bereft of his internet! How will he survive!
So I got it figured out, and now I won't give him the computer.
Ha. I'm a mean Mom.

Oh, I just gotta link to this post.

Gotta joke in honor of the day.

Several men are in the locker room of a golf club. A cell phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands free speaker function and begins to talk. Everyone else in the room stops to listen.
MAN: "Hello"
WOMAN: "Honey, it's me. Are you at the club?"
MAN: "Yes"
WOMAN: "I am at the mall now and found this beautiful leather coat. It's only $1,000. Is it OK if I buy it?"
MAN: "Sure, go ahead if you like it that much."
WOMAN: "I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the new 2007 models. I saw one I really liked."
MAN: "How much?"
WOMAN: "$90,000"
MAN: "OK, but for that price I want it with all the options."
WOMAN: "Great! Oh, and one more thing...the house I wanted last year is back on the market. They're asking $950,000"
MAN: "Well, then go ahead and give them an offer of $900,000. They will probably take it. If not, we can go the extra 50 thousand if it's really a good price."
WOMAN: "OK. I'll see you later! I love you so much!"
MAN: "Bye! I love you, too."
The man hangs up. The other men in the locker room are staring at him in astonishment, mouths agape.
He turns and asks: "Anyone know who this phone belongs to?"

I see

2007-02-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

there is a nice little article in the paper today about Bed and Breakfasts in Montana. Written by a Tribune staff writer. She does not mention any local B & B’s. Oh, wait, our business friendly city doesn’t have many left, do they. The article discusses the tendency to house B & B’s in historical home or buildings. I never had an opportunity to visit the Charlie Russell Manor, but I would have liked to.

I lived near the Collins Mansion for a while when I was younger, when it was just an old abandoned house sitting on the hill. It made me think about history, the people that built it, that lived there. I looked at the old carriage house when it was for sale. I watched both buildings rejuvenated, and had the opportunity to visit the Collins Mansion for an evening dinner once, walk across the old parquet flooring in the foyer, and tour the upstairs bedrooms. The front bedroom with the windows that give you a view of the city spread below, with the lights gleaming in the dusk, twinkling off the river.

There is also an article about the Montana Bar in Miles City. There seem to be a lot of Montana Bars around. Wonder if the one in Miles City would be interested in an old sign. All it needs is some cleaning and a few light bulbs. And since it does not seem to have an owner, it should be free!

2007-02-10T21:40:00.001-07:00

Frickin’ video games.
I am no good at them.
I spent damn near an hour playing Galaga and I can’t even get to 92,000.
I always get after my boy for getting mad at his games; he can have kinda a temper, and gets frustrated.
I tell him to calm down, it’s just a game.
So I’m sitting here, I crash and die despite my best efforts, and there may have been some minor cursing and such.
My son walks out (laughing) and tells me “Calm down Mom, It’s just a game!”
Little brat gets a higher score than me his first try.
Frickin’ video games.

FYI

2007-02-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

SME is owned by five rural cooperatives and Electric City Power, which is owned by the city of Great Falls. The rural cooperatives are based in Red Lodge, Lewistown, Hysham, Ashland and Huntley. They serve about 120,000 residential and industrial customers in 22 counties.
February, 2007
That's a lot of people. No worries, those 120,000 people all want this plant, Right?

Gregori admits that carbon emissions were not at the forefront of discussions four years ago when the project started, but as concern over global climate change heats up, so does the pressure to curb carbon emissions — a greenhouse gas which scientists believes contributes to global warming.
February, 2007

Er, carbon? Emissions? We didn't hear nothin' bout no emissions four years ago. What's global warming? Anybody?

Ms. Coleen Balzarini, the City of Great Falls Fiscal Services Director and the Executive Director of Electric City Power said on this very issue: During the last legislative session, the City did request a change in law to allow us to serve residential customers within the City limits. The legislature opted to not approve that request. The City is considering making a similar request this session, but has not made a final decision to do so, and has no guarantee that even if the request is made, that it will be granted.
December 2006
But, but....

The city of Great Falls also hopes to use its share of the power to serve its 50,000 residents through a nonprofit municipal power authority.
March, 2006

State law has no mercury emission standards for coal-fired power plants. But two other plants' owners have agreed to mercury standards, setting a potential precedent for state regulators.

Hedges said her group broke off the talks because Southern Montana would not agree to language essentially forcing it to work toward 90 percent removal of mercury in the coal-burning process. A new coal-fired plant at Hardin and a proposed plant near Roundup have agreed to similar standards, she said. "We said there's no agreement unless (Southern Montana) does what other facilities have been willing to do," Hedges said. Gregori said Southern Montana proposed a floor of 80 percent removal, along with a promise that the plant would install special technology that would increase the mercury removal to an undetermined point, possibly 90 percent.

"I hope that Southern Montana is being honest and does what they say they're going to do, but I don't want to tie (our) hands based on their promises," she said. "I'd rather have it in writing."
February, 2006
In writing. Yeah, that would be nice. SME must be tryin' to be environmentally friendly - by saving paper!

The rural electric co-ops making up SME are Beartooth, Fergus, Mid-Yellowstone, Tongue River and Yellowstone Valley electrical cooperatives. They serve 23,000 member-customers.
September, 2004
I thought they served 120,000 members? And if we add 23,000 + 50,000 (that's Gt Falls) we still only get 73,000 so where did 120,000 come from?

For three years now, the leaders of the co-ops and the city of Great Falls have been privately developing a partnership and deciding whether to build their own coal-fired power plant somewhere in central or Eastern Montana.

The power would be produced in Montana and sold at cost to Montanans, Gregori said.
June, 2004
But...

Yellowstone Valley General Manager Terry Holzer said the group is banding together to buy better power for its 100,000 customers.

Lawton was careful to say all Great Falls has agreed to so far is to pay $500 to join the cooperative and pay a fair share of exploring energy options.
October, 2003

So, I guess that means we are a member of SME. We don't need no stinkin' contract!
Oops, customers number changed again! Can't we get that dang number to stop doing that?

But don't worry now. These people know what they are talking about. We can trust them to do the right thing with out taxpayer dollars. They are our friends, our leaders, they do not need contracts and things of that nature. They are obviously smart, trustworthy, honest, loyal....

Note the dates on those articles. Then think about other things you have read about this. Are we being bamboozled?

How's it going.

2007-02-06T21:01:00.000-07:00

All kinds of things going on I want to write about, as usual.

Oh, for those of you with reading comprehension issues, or ADD or whatever, you might just want to go check on batting averages or something, this might be one of those posts.

Once again, I'm a year older. Discussing it with the sister tonight, we both decided we are just going to stop aging. Sounded good to me. Birthday's aren't much fun when you are the birthday planner, decorator, cake cooker etc. And then mine is stuck between Christmas and Valentines day. There's another overrated holiday. I like it when the chocolate goes on sale though. Any holiday the chocolate goes on sale is good.

On to flowers. I like flowers. I buy the bouquets at the store, I attempt to get them to grow in my flowerbeds, but don't spend a lot of money on something for me if it is just going to die! Depressing. I like the little tea roses, in the pots. As soon as they enter my house, they begin to droop, and within a couple weeks, they die. Gave up trying that years ago.

Oh, hey, anyone know what that is?

Duh, I know it's a car, ha ha.

I think it kinda looks like a car coming out of shell of a car.

$1,363,000.00

Type:Quad-Turbo W16
Displacement:7994 cc
Horsepower: 1002 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 922 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
0-60 mph: 2.9 sec
Top Speed: 248.6 miles/h
Miles Per Gallon: N/A (Ya think?)
Redline: 8000 rpm

Fun.

More...

2007-01-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

Joint venture: an organization that results from a contractual arrangement and that is owned, operated or governed by two or more participants as a separate and specific activity subject to joint control in which the participants retain an ongoing financial intrest or responsibility.

That is right out of the City of Great Falls Notes to Financial Statements June 20, 2006. So, my interpretation of the City's statement is that a joint venture requires a contract of some sort. But apparently, they now do not feel that a joint venture needs a contract. Hmm.

Another thing I noted in the same document. "During the fiscal year 2004, the City entered into a joint venture with SME G&T..."

Now I could link to document after document here, documents stating that The City and SME are partners, ECP and SME are partners, some statements of which predate there even being an ECP, or an Ordinance allowing the city to operate an electric utility. I can show, with documents off the City website, that it has been stated that The City operated an electric utility as far back as Aug 2003, when in fact the ordinance to create it was not passed until October 2003. And then they had to do it again. Ordinance 2925 was adopted by the City Commission in November of 2005. That set it up as a non-profit, and apparently, took away our right to vote on spending money on HGS.
I can show, with documents off the City website, that the City has made statements referring to SME as a partner, or ECP as a member of SME, without any apparent documentation that a partnership exists. The SME website states the City/ECP is a member.

Is the City of Great Falls, through it's Municipal Utility, Electric City Power, a partner in a joint venture with SME G&T?

If we are to take Exibit A of Resolution 9537 to hold as an actual commitment to be a Joint Venture then how can we make the statement that we have not committed to annexing HGS? Exhibit A clearly states "5(e) an annexation agreement..."

Section 3 of that same document, Exhibit A, states "SME will permit the City as Co-owner of the Station to participate fully in the decision making process relating to the development of the Station..."
The financial statement from the city States "This Joint Venture does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the City's Finance Report since the City does not exercise administrative control."

What is administrative control?

Here is a little statement from our Fiscal Manager. April 2005.
"Electric City Power: Coleen Balzarini stated that Electric City Power was building its customer base with the goal to sell 65 mega watts of power. She added that the City requested the Public Service Commission transfer the license from the City to Electric City Power. They denied the request without prejudice and Staff was working on a re-submittal. Additionally, Staff was working on a pilot program for small customer supply. Mrs. Balzarini reported that the City was the first entity to apply the new statute providing for this so the PSC was treating it as a contested case. The goal for the City was to give consumers a choice."

Wait! Hold on! They want to give us a choice!
It's all good now, don't listen to him.

Mommy....

2007-01-31T09:56:00.000-07:00

Why is it that those little voices in the night are never saying Daddy...
Daddy's miss out on so much. Like cleaning up red jello, that is no longer tolerated in the child's little tummy.
at midnight.
and 2.
Mommy...I'm hungry. at 3.
And no, I don't believe for one minute that Dad is really sleeping.
He wasn't really sleeping when the babies needed feeding in the middle of the night, either.
Mommy...I had a bad dream...Mommy...I hear a noise...mommy

and furthermore...

2007-01-27T18:06:00.000-07:00

Concerning the Joint Venture agreement between SME and ECP- I found an outline (Basic Terms and Provisions of the Development Agreement between the City of Great Falls and Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative) of what it would, could, should be.
Exhibit A of Resolution 9537 states that "ECP would own a 25% undivided ownership interest in the Highwood Generating Station, including all common facilities, transmission facilities and rights and other interests which are part of the Highwood Generating Station." This agreement will also address the parties’ ability to mortgage or encumber their respective ownership interest for financing purposes and to dispose of their ownership interests. (Sounds like something that needs to be set in stone before we start building and financing this project. Oops, to late.)
It also says,
"5. The City and SME agree to negotiate in good faith to develop mutually agreeable and definitive forms of all other agreements necessary in connection with the ownership and operation of the station, including:"

"5(c) A resource integration agreement under which SME will provide specified services for the City to support its ownership interest in the Station, and the parties will agree to make available to one another any surplus output to their respective ownership interest in the Station."

5(d) A raw water supply agreement under which the city will supply all non-culinary water necessary for Station operations, and will take all actions necessary, including obtaining any needed regulatory approvals to provide this water supply.
I haven’t heard, has this been discussed with the Army Corp of Engineers? Does it need to be?

Let’s go back to Resolution 9537 for a minute.

“WHEREAS, the City commission has previously adopted Ordinance 2925, which authorized and approved the creation of Electric City Power, Inc., a Montana nonprofit corporation, (the “Corporation”) in order to secure and provide reliable and economic supplies of power to the City of Great Falls (the “City”), its residents and other electric consumers served by the City."

I believe that stated, with absolutely no hedging, that ECP wishes to supply power to the RESIDENTS of the City. Let’s read a bit further, shall we.

"WHEREAS the Project is reasonably expected to provide firm and reliable supplies of electricity at stable cost-based rates for the benefit of the City, its residents and the electric consumers served by the City and the Corporation, and the City expects to derive other substantial benefits from the Station as described herein; and "

Here’s the “herein”

"(a) The continued growth, economic development and prosperity of the City and its residents requires the availability of secure, reliable and economical supplies of electricity at stable economical and cost-based rates for all residential, commercial, industrial and other electric consumers within the City; "

There is that RESIDENTS word again. Now, does that mean if they cannot sell to all the consumers, and that includes 56,000 RESIDENTS the City will NOT have growth, economic development and prosperity? I think it is pretty plain that the city has always intended to attempt to sell power to the residents of the City, and any claims to the contrary are in direct contradiction to the stated purpose and intent of Electric City Power Inc.

Now let’s skip down a bit.
Section 2, Development of the Project
"(b) the City Manager is further authorized and directed to engage in all discussions and negotiations with SME that are necessary or desirable in connection with the Highwood Generating Station and the Project, including the preparation of a development agreement between the City or the Corporation and SME (the “Development Agreement”). It is the intention that the Development Agreement shall be substantially consistent with the terms and provisions attached hereto as Exhibit A. Upon the completion of such negotiations, the City Manager shall present a substantially final form to the Development Agreement to the City Commission for final approval."

Resolution 9537 was passed by the City Commission on Dec 6 2005

In the minutes of the March 6 2006 ECP Minutes “The Board briefly discussed a draft of the Development Agreement between the City and SME. Executive Director Balzarini explained the purpose of and need for such an agreement and noted that City staff and The City’s bond counsel would be discussing the agreement with SME officials on March 13th. Balzarini briefly discussed the cogeneration facility before detailing for the board two upcoming meetings with SME:
The SME annual meeting in Billings on March 13th
The March project update meeting and Meeting of the SME Board of Directors on March 16-17, 2006.”

So, where is that Development Agreement? I want to know how much we are actually going to be spending, and have it in writing somewhere. We all know prices of things can change in a short period of time. Like in December of 2005, this coal plant only cost 300,000,000. (section 1.04) (holy crap. did you see what else that said right there? 1.03. "in place of the current default supply of electricity" did it really say that?)
Seems like that Agreement should be showing up at a Commission Meeting soon.

Concerning the missing Feasibility Study of November 4th, 2003.
I question that it even exists.
I would welcome any attempts to prove me wrong. In April of 2005 this document shows up to justify money requested from the City. There are several studies on there, but I see nothing that could be considered a feasibility study aimed at our specific, local, economic benefit.

Regarding the statement by our Mayor on the GreaterFalls Coal Plant post. I had a friend contact the Tribune. They have little knowledge of documents relating to the managerial or financial aspects of ECP. The extent of documentation they have been “given full access to” is promised access to the EIS and Engineering Reports that will be coming out “Soon” and anything else that would be considered public record, that anyone else can get. (Page 5, section 7.01)
I would guess we will all have access to those two documents, and many of us can write about them as competently as a newspaper reporter.

I also cruised over to the State site, and looked up Nonprofit Corporation Act, since that is what ECP states it is, a nonprofit corporation.

I will leave you with this, I have bolded pertinent parts:

(5) A corporation shall keep a copy of the following records at its principal office or a location from which the records may be recovered within 2 business days:
(a) its articles or restated articles of incorporation and all amendments to them currently in effect;
(b) its bylaws or restated bylaws and all amendments to them currently in effect;
(c) resolutions adopted by its board of directors relating to the characteristics, qualifications, rights, limitations, and obligations of members or any class or category of members;
(d) the minutes of all meetings of members and the records of all actions approved by the members for the past 3 years;
(e) the financial statements available to members for the past 3 years under 35-2-911;
(f) a list of the names and business or home addresses of its current directors and officers; and
(g) its most recent annual report delivered to the secretary of state under 35-2-904.

Our future...

2007-01-27T00:06:00.000-07:00

So I had a comment in my e-mail. Intelligent fellow, I think, I'm actually not quite sure if he was questioning my writing ability or his own intelligence....but anyhow, he said I should write as a mom so here goes.
Standard keepmyassoutoftrouble statement-no insult real or imagined intended for anyone as long as you have a certain level of morals and class. If you don't, consider yourself insulted.

So. What are we teaching our kids. Brittney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, Etc. What are these women thinking. So you make some money, your face is on the front page, that gives you the right to be a... What is the word? Who the hell goes out and conducts themselves in a manner that photographs of certain parts can be taken? Ohh, I'm a celebrity, how about I get plastered and get my picture on the Enquirer-Hey, look at me, I'm fucked up!! Good times.

My Mother always said If you are going to wear a dress, you will act like a lady. There was no wiggle room there.

My little girl is learning the same thing. You chose to wear the dress, you will learn how to behave. Makeup? on a 5 year old? Hell no. There will be no high heels, there will be no spaghetti straps, who the hell is that woman on my TV showing her bra to the viewing public. No belly buttons shown, no piercings, you live in my house you will follow my rules. Who are these people that put their kids in beauty pagents, dress them up to parade around in costumes that scream sex, don't they grow up fast enough?

Modesty. Where did it go?

What is going on in our country that some of the most well known people seem to get married and divorced on a whim. Yeah, shot a movie together, true love, divorce and marrige in less than a year. Sorry, That was infatuation the next one will last longer. Hey honey, he cheated on her with you, ya really think he won't cheat on you? Disposable relationships.

Damn. I do not have words to express my disgust for some of the things I see in our world. Sadly, many of them are invited into our living rooms. TV shows that talk about casual sex as if it is a part of everday life-oh, wait, it is! The morning after pill. Should it be legal? Don't go screw around, er, have unprotected sex, you won't need to worry about if you can get the damn pill!

And if any one feels this post is sexist, aimed at females conducting themselves poorly - it is. Guess what, that is the way it is. There is a difference. Women need to conduct themselves differently than men do. Been that way for forever. Deal.

Who do you want your daughter to be?

Questions.

2007-01-24T09:12:00.000-07:00

A friend asked yesterday why I didn’t write a piece questioning Dona’s presence, and absence, on these blogs. I thought about it and this is what I came up with. I am not trying to be confrontational, rude or disrespectful. These are honest concerns, and I do not believe I am the only one who wants answers. So, with all due respect:

Dona Stebbins, Mayor of Great Falls

The people on these sites are citizens of this city, and we supported you when you ran for political office. We cheered when you criticized the same things we did, you were a voice among us, with many of the same issues and concerns we had. We celebrated when you were elected, and looked forward to changes in this City.

On October 7th in a Greater Falls thread concerning Explore! The Big Sky, you stated “I do think the city has a responsibility to promote events like this, but the City’s responsibility to the taxpayers MUST take precedence. Let’s hope everyone learned to PAY ATTENTION!”

On October 31st I said “I have no impact on the outcome of this election except my single vote on election day.”
On November 2nd you replied “That single vote has great power! Put enough of them together, and change happens. It is my belief that our elected officials have forgotten where the true power lies. It is not really theirs - it belongs to all of us, and only theirs on loan. Government derives its’ power from the consent of the governed.”

On November 14th, after winning the election you stated “My allegiance is to the people of Great Falls.” You went on to say “To those who supported my candidacy, thank you all. I will do my best to represent you fairly. You know that I will listen and answer your questions.”

These are things you said, and I agree with wholeheartedly. But there have been issues brought up, and questions that need answers. Not so much about the coal plant, but about the City’s involvement, financial responsibility and managerial abilities in the electrical utility. We just want to know what our City is doing, and who will be left with the debt if, somehow, this is not as beautiful and perfect as we are being told.

Who is listening now. GeeGuy has been relentless in his search for answers. He has questioned on his blog, written to the Tribune, written to Colleen Balzarini. Where are the answers?

“The City’s responsibility to the taxpayers MUST take precedence. Let’s hope everyone learned to PAY ATTENTION!”

We have.

Coal Plant vs Electric City Power

2007-01-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

So there is a lot going on with these issues.
There are the environmental pro's and con's, we have treehuggers demanding that we not pollute our air and water with emissions from a coal plant. We have industry experts, this is safe, it will not harm you!

We have warnings about eating to many locally caught fish because of existing high mercury levels in our water, and bald eagles testing positive for mercury posioning.

We have dire predictions about our source of power in the next few years.

We have a fantastic outlook for jobs building the plant, and dire predictons that they will not be filled by local workers.

We have a place to build the plant, with an alleged adequate water supply, out of town, ready to go. Except for the lawsuits over land use and zoning changes.

We have a group of people with experience owning and operating power supply and generation facilities. 5 electrical Co-op's who formed SME. Shortly after, the City of Great Falls joined. These are a couple of things I noticed on the SME website. All emphasis is mine.

"These providers of public power and related services have embarked on a course of action to ensure that their members/consumers – approximately 120,000 Montanans – will have a locally-owned and controlled supply of electric energy."
So they are including the citizens of Great Falls, as members/consumers. But we do not have a right to vote on spending the money to build it.

"The five member cooperatives serve approximately 65,000 Montanans, and the City of Great Falls has a population of 57,000."
That's where they get the 120,000. Us and them. But our City leaders are not sure, at this time, if they are going to sell to us little citizens. If they even can.

"Southern Montana Electric G&T’s HGS will meet wholesale energy needs of the five member cooperatives and the City of Great Falls. HGS will use Montana coal and Montana limestone to generate approximately 250 MW of power that will be earmarked to meet electrical energy needs of approximately 120,000 Montana energy consumers at “cost-based” rates. HGS will be wholly owned by Montana energy consumers."
Again, we have 120,000 consumers who will own this plant we do not get to vote on. And lets look at that closely. At 25% owner, the City will get 25% of the power, right? We have almost half of the people used to justify this project, why only 25%? 25% of the power is 62.5 mW. Right now, the City has contracts to sell 16-20 mW. What we gonna do with all that extra power when we ain't selling it to the 57,000 energy consumers who paid to build the plant. (That would be every Tom, Dick and Harry who pays taxes in the City I believe. Maybe a Paul and couple Joes too. And don't forget Jane.) Do we get dividend checks when the City sells that power to someone else? It's member owned, right?

"Southern Montana Electric G&T will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utility Services (RUS) for any project financial needs. "
Now, here is one of my problems. This is misleading. ECP is a member of SMEG&T. Right? However, ECP is not getting any money from RUS. The 5 co-ops are getting money from RUS. But we are a member of SME. But we cannot get RUS money because ECP is not a Co-op. So how are we a member of SME when we are removed at will so they can get money ECP has to go to the City for? RUS will not finance the 25% that ECP is funding. The City has, in fact, paid for parts of the studies that will allow SME, but not ECP to get money from RUS. But isn't ECP part of SME?

"The EIS is funded by Southern Montana Electric G&T, and administered by RUS, and will evaluate the environmental impact of the proposed project."
Here we go again. Funded by SME and their dirty little stepson, ECP. Because ECP is a member when we have 57,000 people who need power, but not when we go ask the govt. for $$$

Well, that's enough for now. My head is spinning from all the acronyms, and I think I'd best stop before this gets too long. Believe it or not, this is only the tip of the things I can think of to write about. There is the EIS statement. Water Rights. Did you know right now Fort Peck is within inches of being at it's lowest level ever, and the gambling boats on the lower Missouri are terrified we might stop letting out water, because they cannot allow gambling when they are anchored. They must be in the channel, and they need water for that. And do you know how many endangered species of fish, or species of concern are listed in the draft EIS for the area below Morony? Know how many your fishing regs identify? Know how much coal cars cost, and how long it takes to get them? Know how much the cost of construction materials has gone up in the last year, and may in the next year? Is Electric City Power actually a corporation since they were involantarily dissolved? Why are they still holding meetings? And spending money? Why can I not find how much money they have actually spent so far? Don't they keep books? Credit, debit, how hard is that? Where do I find how much money the 5 Co-op's have spent?? Where are the Articles of Incorporation for ECP? (Are they filed right beside that acct ledger?) Where is some kind of agreement between SME and ECP saying We spend This, We own This. Are these not standard questions for a project of this magnitude?
What is our City thinking?