Author: North Coast BBQ

The City of Manzanita approved a new rate structure in July to catch up on nine years of inflation. The plan also rewarded water conservation, and we went to monthly billing.

Complaints about this needed adjustment seem oddly centered on monthly vs. quarterly billing without focusing on the required catch-up from nine years of no increases. And very little has been mentioned about water conservation.

The city, with the help of numerous experts and the active participation of the community, meticulously crafted a new rate structure. This was not a hasty decision. It was a well-researched and considered change. However, due to the referendum, the water rate study now has to be redone, incurring a cost of $8500, not to mention the additional time and more attorney fees. The city has already spent $4500 on attorney fees.

Should the November ballot referendum pass, it will not restore what we had before. If it passes and we go to quarterly billing, rates have to cover the higher costs and account for the difference in averaging, and thus the base will very likely be higher. If it doesn’t pass, we go back to monthly billing, reverting to the current rate.

All of this confusion—for what? We needed a rate that covers the costs and a rate structure that encourages water conservation. This is what the city did.

Ultimately, the genuine cost is wasted time and dissension. We have a limited city staff and an unpaid city council. Their time is finite – and significant projects like the comprehensive plan are waiting.

Sunday afternoon at NCRD Rick Estrin and the Nightcats took us to church. Virtuoso of the mouth organ, tin sandwich, or harmonica, Estrin took the stage in a lavender suit with more moves than the Solid Gold Dancers. From the opening number, Estrin and the wildly talented Nightcats brought the house to their feet playing a wide ranging mix of musical styles from old school Blues and R&B to Surf Rock.

Drummer, Derrick ‘D Mar’ Martin played drums for 15 years with Little Richard and has the chops to prove it. He worked the room with an amazing extended solo that had the audience begging for more.

Keyboardist Lorenzo Farrell has played with musicians like Elvin Bishop, Wee Willie Walker and others. A highly sought after instrumentalist, Farrell has been with the Nightcats since 2003.

Norway born guitarist, Kid Anderson, played with legend Charlie Musselwhite from 2004 until joining the Nightcats. His work as an engineer and producer at Greaseland Studio won him the 2017 Keeping the Blues Alive award.

These cats are the real deal and it was clear through the sets at NCRD that these musicians enjoy each other and what they do.

The show produced by our local good eggs—the North Coast Music Project was a fundraiser for the new health center and pharmacy in Wheeler. Once again NCMP brought great live music from world class performers to our corner of the world.

Miz Honey had an engagement with local gal pal Nina Kahnie and missed what she heard was a smoking after party at The Lighthouse with more great live music by Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys who performed with a special appearance on drums by Tony TC Coleman. Estrin and the Nightcats played a final set to close out evening.

Miz Honey heard that the dance floor was packed with sweaty bodies, and the wine and Bacardi’s flowed like the mighty Nehalem River.

Until next time, stay sweet and juicy!

Miz Honey Crisp

I am posting on behalf of Miz Honey Crisp