SUBreports
A report on activities of interest to SUB customers
Volume 13 Issue 2
Summer 2014
Let’s Party
Like it’s 1776!
SUB’s July 4th Celebration
is now in its 11th year!
offset the cost. We love making top-notch
entertainment affordable for families. It’s a special
way to thank the community that supports us all
year.”
A
s a SUB customer, you already know we like
to save our ratepayers money. And like you,
we really, really like to find a good deal.
So if you’re in the mood for fun and food and
fireworks, come on down to SUB’s July 4th Light of
Liberty celebration in Springfield’s beautiful Island
Park. Tickets are just $5 in advance, and buys you
live music, an awesome fireworks show, and for
those with children, access to a huge kids area.
“SUB donates every
dollar earned to
Project Share, a
fund that helps our
Springfield neighbors”
Join us in the park and tap your toes to
music from nine-time GRAMMY award
winners Asleep at the Wheel. Their
famed country swing sound has been
called “jazz with a cowboy hat.”
“Springfielders can see these amazing
performers for just five bucks on the 4th
of July,” says Jeff Nelson, SUB’s general
manager. “Catch them in Portland two days later,
and you’ll pay at least $30 for tickets … and you
don’t even get fireworks!”
How does SUB keep ticket prices so low? “It’s
thanks to the amazing corporate sponsors who help
Opening for our headliner is Sol Seed, a popular
local reggae fusion band known for high-energy
performances, infectious enthusiasm and uplifting
music. Called “the Next Big Thing” by the Eugene
Weekly, SUB is glad to welcome them to the Light
of Liberty stage.
Getting our party started is the event’s house band
Mystery Train, a group of local business people
who get together to rock Springfield with covers of
one-hit wonders.
“Light of Liberty is a celebration of our birth as a
nation, and also a celebration of community,” says
Jeff. “To that end, SUB donates every dollar earned
to Project Share, a fund that helps our Springfield
neighbors who need a little extra help during the
winter to help with heating bills.”
Event-goers are welcome to bring picnic food into
the event (see some restrictions in the event program), but as always, we’ll have plenty of food and
treat vendors on hand.
So check out the enclosed program guide for event
details, then join SUB in Island Park for the best
summer party in town!
Bingo! at the Lane County Fair
It’s the odds-on favorite for hands-down fun
Now that you’ve marked your calendar for 4th of July fun (see page one), you’re probably
wondering what to do with the rest of your month.
Well, pull out your calendars now and mark out Wednesday, July 23 through Sunday, July 27 for
the Lane Country Fair!
Come enjoy midway rides, animal exhibits and great music, and when the heat gets to be too much,
mosey on over to the south entrance. That’s where you’ll find SUB’s bingo tent, a cool place for a
hot game of chance.
Just 50 cents a game!
You know if it’s sponsored by SUB, it’s got to be a good deal, right? And sure enough, there’s no
cheaper thrill at the Fair than playing a bingo card under SUB’s big top tent. At just 50 cents a game
– and with jackpots that can climb as high as more than a hundred dollars – you might find you’ve
just paid for your Fair experience!
And really, everyone who plays wins at SUB’s bingo booth. That’s because all proceeds go to Project Share,
a fund that helps Springfielders who need a little extra help managing wintertime heating bills.
Chillax with SUB!
Too much excitement at bingo? Chill out at SUB’s refreshment center, just steps away. Refill your water
bottles or sip from our water fountains, then take a trip through our misting tent.
Remember, tanking up on tap water saves you money, and saving you money is one of SUB’s favorite pasttimes.
Bottom line? Come out to the Lane County Fair, and follow the crowd to the coolest attractions around!
MEET the Board
SUB’s water and electricity services
are provided under the direction
of SUB’s Board of Directors, five
Springfield citizens who are elected
to four-year terms, and who serve
at-large and without pay.
The Board meets on the second
Wednesday of each month. The
public is invited and encouraged
to participate in these meetings, at
which SUB policies and procedures
are formulated and adopted.
David Willis
Position 1
Term exp. 12/31/16
Virginia Lauritsen
Chair, Position 2
Term exp. 12/31/14
Tom Draggoo
Position 3
Term exp. 12/31/14
Ken Boyst
Position 4
Term exp. 12/31/14
Pat Riggs-Henson
Vice-Chair, Position 5
Term exp. 12/31/16
Straight talk about
cross connections
SUB is in the process of updating a database
that lets us know about potential “cross connections” in our water system.
Cross connections are plumbing configurations that could allow potentially contaminated
water to enter your home’s drinking water supply. The situation is easily remedied by installing a “backflow assembly,” a plumbing device
found in most hardware stores.
Most common household fixtures, like toilets
and sinks, have built-in features that prevent
potentially impure water from flowing back
into your home’s water supply. But some
water-using fixtures, like sprinkler systems and
hot tubs, require the installation of a backflow
assembly.
If you have a sprinkler system, hot tub, pool or
other water feature that requires one of these
devices, you may receive a letter from SUB asking you to verify the information we have on file for your address, such as
checking on the location and status of your backflow assembly.
SUB water employees are happy to make home visits to customers with questions, or those who are having trouble
determining if they have a backflow assembly installed. The goal is to ensure the pure drinking water delivered to customer homes remains healthful to drink and use.
Thank you for doing your part in maintaining Springfield’s water supply!
pHabulous water
... delivered right to your tap
The drinking water supplied to Springfield homes is of the
highest quality and exceeds all drinking water standards.
However, plumbing inside homes does vary, and some
pipes and plumbing fixtures may contain lead, copper or
both.
Larger communities like Springfield are required by
federal law to adjust pH levels to reduce corrosion, which
helps ensure water flowing through such pipes does not
pick up any lead or copper and enter the home’s drinking
water supply.
To comply with this law, SUB raises the pH of water coming from the Willamette Slow Sand Treatment Facility
and beginning this summer, from the Thurston wellfield.
The pH remains well within the range for drinking water.
A special
note for
fish owners: If you have tropical or other fish affected
by pH, be sure to test the water in your aquarium once
a week for several months after you set it up. Chart the
fluctuations to determine the natural pattern of your tank.
There are several methods for adjusting pH for your fish.
Contact your favorite aquarium store to discuss your
situation.
And for a more in-depth look at the (excellent) quality
of your water, read SUB’s latest Consumer Confidence
Report (CCR), available at www.subutil.com/ccr
Note that water data is for 2013. If you’d prefer to
have a printed copy mailed to you, just call SUB at
541-746-8451.
Watts Happening
New Board Member Joins SUB
SUB is pleased to welcome Dave Willis to its Board of Directors. Dave was
recently appointed by the Board to serve out the remaining term left vacant
by the passing of Board Member Joe Matthieu in February.
Dave is a seasoned insurance specialist who has worked with State Farm
Insurances for the past 25 years, with a previous career in counseling and
child welfare. In addition to owning his own business, Dave served as president of the Twin Rivers Rotary Club and currently serves on the boards of
several financial services organizations. In addition, he is an active member
of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, chairs the Springfield Youth
Day of Caring and is an active member of his church.
He and his wife Peggy have two sons, two daughters and six grandchildren.
They moved to Springfield in 2003 to enjoy the beauty of the Northwest
area.
“SUB board members have the immense responsibility for setting policy
for the utility, and they do it without pay,” says Jeff Nelson, SUB’s general
manager. “They are truly some of the most dedicated, hard working volunteers in Springfield.”
Springfield’s newest river path
Next time you’re
looking for fresh
air and beautiful
river views, visit
Willamalane’s
newly completed
multi-use path
along the Middle
Fork Willamette
River.
A Survey is Afoot!
Periodically, SUB conducts a survey of its ratepayers to better understand changing customer priorities. If you are a SUB customer and have
been with us for a year or more, our independent survey company may
be calling you sometime in the next few weeks.
The survey takes just a few minutes, and is completely anonymous.
If you are contacted, we hope you will take a moment to provide feedback. Your answers will be combined with your neighbors’ responses,
and will provide Board Members with the important information they
need as they set policy for the utility. Responses also give staff valuable
insights into customer expectations as they explore new services on
behalf of ratepayers.
Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts!
SUB rates are low
This four milestretch meanders
along the river
under the cover
of trees, and is easily accessible from either Dorris Ranch on the west or
Clearwater Park on the east. It’s perfect for a stroll or family bike ride,
complete with picnic tables and plenty of benches along the route to
encourage you to sit a spell and stretch out your visit.
Our average residential customer pays nearly $430 less annually
for electricity than other consumer-owned utility customers in
Lane County!
Electric Rate Comparison
Based on 1,500 kWh
Point-in-time June, 2014
(national average from March, 2014)
$178.50
National
Average
$140.77
As you ride or walk, you’ll pass by SUB’s Willamette Wellfield. Keep
your eye out for this interpretive sign, which describes SUB’s drinking
water sources and how our community can work together to protect
them.
Local Utility Average
(without SUB)
$87.45
SUB
$10
$30
$50
$70
$90
$110
$130
$150
$170
For more information, or for directions to either trailhead, visit
Willamalane.org/pages/parks/middleforkpath.shtml
Independent spirit. Low rates.
The Springfield Utility Board is a customer-owned
municipal utility operated independently from
the city and responsible only to its ratepayers. We
deliver exceptional service, and some of the very
lowest utility rates in Oregon!
SUBreports is a regular publication of SUB’s
Community Relations Department. We welcome
your feedback. If you have questions, comments or
story ideas, please call 541-744-3794.
POSTAL CUSTOMER
Springfield Utility Board
P.O. Box 300
250 A Street
Springfield, OR 97477
ECRWSS
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
EUGENE OR
PERMIT NO 17