Gale Kleckner sent in a picture similar to the one above – and I said I would take a look at these two poles at the corner of Columbia Place and Columbia *Street. I also asked when the new pole was installed.
I took a couple of pictures, drove around the neighbourhood twice reflecting on my past and an idea I had many years ago. What I discovered was that my eyes had been fooling me for 30 years.
Most of that area west of Okanagan is underground wiring – similar to new subdivisions in the Tuc-el-nut and Willows area in east Oliver. My past I lived in that neighbor twice in my life – many of the homes sit on the orchard (5 acres) owned by my parents. The second was an idea of making Oliver as wireless (visual) as possible and using the utility companies and the Town to make that a reality over a long period of time.
The idea to use franchise fees paid by utilities companies for the right to dig holes for pipes and erecting electrical poles and phone lines – creating a budget – fueling that piggy bank with a percentage of all taxes paid – say one percent – and then get the utilities to help win a prize. That prize a more visually appealing place to live. Taking small streets and putting the wires below. Pick any street with few wires to start it off – get the community involved.
The ugliness of heavy overhead wiring near the hotel, the bridge and the community park. She agreed something should be done about it.
I am firm in my belief someone else will come along and have -the same idea- and then get it done.
There is no better time than now to plan for the future.
Thanks to John Kiss for correcting me on the street names. Both Gale and John indicated that Fortis installed the new pole about 3 months ago and for some unknown and undisclosed reason – they moved on and maybe forgot about this small project.
I agree that above ground wires are somewhat unsightly but having had experience with underground wires make me wonder about their long term feasibility. Moved to a home where there was underground wiring and woke up one morning with no power. Power company ascertained that there was a break in the underground wires and promptly changed it to overhead. Best to make sure how they plan on handling these situations.
PS- Quite honestly after a short period of time I never noticed them.
Never heard a problem until BT woke up this morning to make my day….
A one off problem IMHO is not the answer to a great idea. A bit like choosing a partner at the alter …………and then…….
Publisher: This is an idea. Not a plan. You have to buy into an idea before you plan the work and work the plan. Junior I knew you got it.
I agree Jack, overhead wires are so 19th century! But I am always told, “The cost would be prohibitive to put them underground”. But, look at the cost of replacing them whenever there is a storm out at the coast.
If it can be done in new subdivisions, then why can’t it be done in town!
Publisher: Let’s be fair – it is costly but in a concerted way doing a street a year or some formula agreed upon – progress can be made. The problem is in many old sections new homes are being built or reconstructed – but not a whole re-development that would require underground. It takes foresight, a plan, willing partners and a big celebration. You might be surprised what the utility companies might come up with.