Paradise sewer opposition holds protest

The numbers might have been few, but the message was loud - "No sewer - no million dollar levy." That was the chant that a group of people were shouting from their vehicles as they weaved through the streets of Paradise Friday evening to continue their protest of the proposed sewer system. 

Nineteen men and women gathered Friday at the Paradise park, where Tim French and Cody Lampman spoke against the proposed sewer, which was approved by the Sanders County Sewer District at Paradise board three months ago. "I feel like I'm being violated. They're stuffing it down my throat," said French, who vehemently opposes the system and placed five "No Sewer" signs in his yard. "It's ridiculous to spend over a million dollars for something we don't even need," he added.

Most of the $4.5 million for the project will be paid for by grants, but the Sanders County Sewer District at Paradise committee's approval for the project included a special assessment levy to cover a $770,000 loan, which means Paradise property owners will be taxed around $185 annually, in addition to an estimated $35 monthly sewer bill. Those opposed to the sewer system had the chance to vote it down by writing in their objections by May 26, but it amounted to less than the 50% needed to halt the project. 

Commissioner Carol Brooker and Sanders County Sewer District at Paradise Chairman Sunny Chase both have said that those in opposition have been putting out incorrect information about the project. In particular, many have said they were told of meetings or didn't have the opportunity to have their voices heard, but Chase insists that all meetings were posted in the community and residents have known what the plan has been for quite awhile. The committee has scheduled another meeting ‪on Friday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m., at the Paradise Center.

"In the beginning, they said everything was going to be completely paid for, except for your $35 a month sewer bill. Now, it's grown to over four and a half million," said Lee Ann Overman, one of the protest organizers. However, Chase said that is also incorrect. "From the beginning we had financing from Rural Development. Their help always comes in two parts: a grant and a loan. In 2016, we were told that we would have a monthly payment of $35 and have to pay $169 a year in taxes," said Chase. "Since it was three years between that time and the land purchase, we had to get more grants and increase the loan amount to match the increased cost. $185 per year is close to the original amount stated to us, $169," she added.

It took about 30 minutes for the seven vehicles to drive up and down the Paradise streets with their No Sewer signs, balloons and American flags. French said only one person left their house to confront the group, but two houses have placed "Sewer Me" signs in their yards to show their support for the sewer system. There are 35 No Sewer signs throughout the community, but Brooker feels those in favor of the system are just not vocal about it.

"We want to make everybody aware in the town, in Plains and the whole area what is going on down here. They're trying to force the town to put in a sewer that we didn't get a vote on and we didn't get a vote on the levy. We don't want a million dollar levy over 70 homeowners," said Overman. 

I do believe Paradise needs a sewer system, but the cost that they had to do to reengineer the plan is too much," said John Sheehan, referring to the engineers changing plans to accommodate a proposed subdivision and RV park of Bridger Bischoff, who had 40 votes toward the levy to account for each of his subdivision plots. Tiffani Sheehan said Bischoff should not have had any votes because his property is located outside the town boundary, which she said goes from Sixth Street, down North Street to First Street. But Brooker said that because it's not "a legal town," there are no town limits and the district is the former elementary school district boundaries, which is bigger than the physical residential area. The commissioner also noted that even if the sewer system isn't installed, that doesn't mean Bischoff won't be able to create his subdivision, which he could do by putting in his own system, something other developers have done. "Sure would be better for the future of the area if he could hook up to a public water and sewer system," said Brooker.

Danny Risland and others at the protest believe those who are against the proposed system, and have good working septic systems, should be grandfathered and not be forced to participate. Overman said they have started a petition to stop construction of the sewer system, which is expected to begin in March. Overman said that as of Friday, they already had about 40 signatures, but she's confident more will sign the petition, which she plans to send to a District Court judge.