Serving the Community of Orcutt, California • September 23, 2009 • www.OrcuttPioneer.com • Circulation 17,000 + PUC Approves Golden State Water’s Tiered Rate Plan Some changes are under way at proportion of Golden State’s fixed that all of the proposed changes were usage customers toward reduced Golden State Water, the company costs will be recovered based on the reasonable, consistent with law, and usage and provide incentive to stay that provides water for many Orcutt water consumed.” in the public interest, which resulted within the second tier, according to area homes. A.08-09-010The ALJ/GW2/jycdocument goes on to explain in approval. Golden State. The Public Utilities Commission that “water sales and revenue col- The new three-tier system is part of However, according to opponent of the State of California authorized lection will be decoupled throughTABLE a 1three13 year Pilot Program and will Gerald Trimble at OrcuttWater.com, Golden State to “implement a rateA.08-09-010 a water ALJ/GW2/jyc revenue adjustmentPROPOSED mecha- RESIDENTIALinvolve RATES extensive FOR regular reports to some calculations show that cus- BAY POINT, LOS OSOS, SANTA MARIA & SIMI VALLEY design that will establish different nism and a modified cost balancing the Commission. The purpose of the tomers may be billed less, but that rates based on levels of consumptionRATEMAKING account.”CURRENT PROPOSED The CommissionCURRENT foundPROPOSED three-tier13 QUANTITY RATEstructure is to shiftAVERAGE higher CONSUMPTION additional charges may show up on AREA SERVICE SERVICE QUANTITY TABLE 1 ANNUAL AT WHICH in order to promote con- (METER) (METER) RATE TIER I TIER II TIER III CONSUMPTION NEW BILL later bills for unused water. CHARGE CHARGE ($/ccf)PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL RATES FOR WOULD RATE ($/ccf) RATE ($/ccf) RATE ($/ccf) EXCEED servation and that decou- BAY POINT, LOS OSOS, SANTA MARIA & SIMI VALLEY Though conservation is be- CONSUMPTION CONSUMPTION CONSUMPTION CURRENT BILL ples sales from revenues,” (ccf) (ccf) (ccf) ing publicized and surcred- RATEMAKING CURRENT PROPOSED CURRENT PROPOSED QUANTITY RATE AVERAGE CONSUMPTION according to Commission AREA SERVICE SERVICE QUANTITY 3.3460 3.8480 4.4250 ANNUAL AT WHICH its being offered, Trimble BAY POINT (METER)$27.60 (METER)$24.30 RATE3.275 TIER I TIER II TIER III CONSUMPTION12 ccf NEW~ 14BILL ccf 0 – 8 ccf 9 – 14 ccf 15 ccf and up CHARGE CHARGE ($/ccf) WOULD documents. RATE ($/ccf) RATE ($/ccf) RATE ($/ccf) feels the company is merely 3.185 3.663 4.212 EXCEED LOS OSOS $28.40 $19.30 2.731 12 ccf CURRENT~ 15 ccfBILL With this new plan, “cus- CONSUMPTION CONSUMPTION9 – 14 ccf CONSUMPTION looking for ways to increase (ccf)0 – 8 ccf (ccf) 15 (ccf)ccf and up tomers will see a reduced 3.34601.422 3.84801.635 4.42501.881 revenue by encouraging SANTA MARIA $19.65 $13.95 1.267 23 ccf ~ 25 ccf BAY POINT $27.60 $24.30 3.275 16 – 27 ccf 12 ccf ~ 14 ccf monthly or bi-monthly 00 – – 15 8 ccfccf 9 – 14 ccf 2815 ccfccf and up customers to use less but 2.19103.185 2.51973.663 2.89804.212 service charge with a LOSSIMI OSOS VALLEY $11.60$28.40 $11.00$19.30 2.30302.731 1812 ccf ~~ 2515 ccf still pay the same. consumption rate that in- 00 – – 13 8 ccfccf 149 –– 1420 ccfccf 2115 ccfccf and up To learn more about Gold- 1.422 1.635 1.881 creases based on quantity SANTA MARIA $19.65 $13.95 1.267 23 ccf ~ 25 ccf en State’s water policies, 0 – 15 ccf 16 – 27 ccf 28 ccf and up consumed and that is bro- 2.1910 2.5197 2.8980 visit www.cpuc.ca.gov and SIMI VALLEY $11.60 $11.00 2.3030 18 ccf ~ 25 ccf ken into three tiers… The 0 – 13 ccf 14 – 20 ccf 21 ccf and up search A.08-09-010 or go to reduced service charge 13 Explanation of symbols: “ccf” means “100 cubic feet,” and “~” means “is approximately equal to.” www.gswater.com will mean that a higher Rebecca Ross Klosinski reporting 13 Explanation of symbols: “ccf” means “100 cubic feet,” and “~” means “is approximately equal to.” Ernest Righetti High School Pool- 8 - Officially Open On Thursday, September 9th, The official “first dip” took place on Righetti High School held the of- Tuesday, August 25th with the entire - 8 -ficial grand opening of its new Righetti High School Boys’ Water state-of-the art pool and adjoining Polo Team symbolically diving as physical education facility. Super- a team into the pool intendent Dr. Doug Kimberly says, The boys’ water polo team has been “This aquatics center is a wonderful practicing in the pool and hosted its asset for our community and some- first scrimmage on September 8th thing that will be enjoyed for years against St. Joseph and Atascadero to come.” High Schools. Both the girls and The Righetti High School Aquat- boys’ swim teams, as well as the ics Center includes a traditionally girls’ water polo team, will also call sized pool for high school use with this pool their home. Students in dimensions of 25 yards by 25 meters, physical education classes will be a depth range of 3’6” to 7’3”, and utilizing the pool as part of their p.e. nine 8’ racing lanes. It also includes classes beginning in the spring. a multipurpose building that is com- This facility was made possible as prised of two teaching classrooms. part of the school bond passed by The Water Polo team at Righetti takes the first dip into the new pool. voters in 2004. Need Extra Money? Specializing in Alzeihmer Residents RAINBOWS DIAMONDS ANXIETY AND PANIC YOUR OLD CASH FOR PL IS JEWELR SIL COINS Worry • Fear • Phobias GOL AT PAY END VER GET HELP NOW INUM READING • STUDY SKILLS • S.A.T. PREP Permanent • Medication Free • Affordable ING D MATH • ALGEBRA • SPANISH Y WRITING • GEOMETRY • AND MORE Nell Stilwell 1130 E. Clark Ave #130, Orcutt 805 264 7753 Robert 928-9944 (805) 938-5160 www.missnell.com (805) 925-9023 OP Orcutt Pioneer ~ September 23, 2009 2 Orcutt Pioneer Scout Keeps Eagle Eye On Top Rank Your Community Eleven years ago Shane Bower hours in the community to earn Eagle “One day he set himself a goal to Newspaper joined the Boy Scouts of America. Scout, all of which culminated in one reach the highest scouting rank by This May he earned the highest big final project. his sixteenth birthday and with a Orcutt News for Orcutt Folks honor a scout can receive lot of hard work he did it!,” says Published on or about the last – The Eagle Scout Badge. mom Sheila Bower, “We couldn’t Wednesday of each month Looking back, Shane be more impressed with his focus Distribution 17,000+ : says he first joined the and hard work and when we finally 15,091 in mail scouts because many of had his Eagle Scout Court of Honor 1,998 delivered to businesses in his friends had done so ceremony it was like the feeling you the Orcutt area and they seemed to be get when you watch someone you Publishers: Steve Southwick having a lot of fun. The love get married. It brings tears to friends he made in scouts my eyes!” & Stephanie Southwick Hull kept him going back, but When asked how he feels about his Reporters & Photographers: something else pulled accomplishments, Shane says, “I’m Steve Southwick, Stephanie Southwick Hull, him toward a greater very happy. I feel like I could do James Jepsen, Rebecca Ross goal. just about anything now. Scouts are Contact Phone: “I stayed in because just a lot of fun and I learned a lot of Business & Advertising: (805) 714-6584 of my friends,” he says, core values. It definitely makes you Parents John & Sheila Bowers with their son, Shane, Postal Address: “and because of the urge stronger.” Orcutt's newest Eagle Scout. P.O. Box 2545, Orcutt CA 93457 to be better.” After graduating from Righetti, “My little brother goes to Orcutt E-Mail address: But making it all the way to Eagle seventeen year old Shane wants to Scout is not an easy task and Shane Academy and K through 8th are in earn an Associates degree from Allan [email protected] Casmalia,” he explains, “I was out Graphic Art Department credits part of his success to his troop. Hancock in both business and struc- “I’m part of Troop 95 and we’re there visiting and I saw that there was tural engineering and then move on James Jepsen, Art Director a very active troop. We are highly really nothing there. So I called and to Cal Poly in the same fields. He [email protected] recommended when kids join,” he they had a spot for me to work on, so also hopes to stay involved in Scouts, Art Dept. Fax (805) 980-4889 shares, “And only about 4% of all I layed out a brick pavilion and put a become an adult leader, and guide Webmaster: Archie Miller scouts will reach Eagle Scout, but table on it. It took about three weeks other young men toward becoming [email protected] about 85-90% of Troop 95 makes it.” over Christmas break.” Eagle Scouts. www.OrcuttPioneer.com Shane had to pass through a series Shane is clearly proud of his project Rebecca Ross Klosinski reporting of ranks and log countless service and his perseverance, as is his entire family. ROOM established 1978 ADDITIONS Come Come SeeSee Thomas R. King, What’s What’s New!New! Owner Halloween Decor Lic.