Dear Editor,
Please allow me to share my thoughts regarding the issue of the lake harvester which city council recently decided not to sell, despite extremely limited use since purchasing it several years ago.
Based on the figures described in Tribune article of April 10, the cost of removing aquatic vegetation from the lake by the machine so far is in excess of $1,000 per pound of harvested material (50kg , after a reported outlay of $123,000).
I suggest that a cost benefit analysis of this operation can only result in a resounding summation: sell the harvester – the sooner the better due to seasonal use for a buyer and cessation of continuing maintenance and depreciation.
The article reports commencement of any future use of the machine will cost $23,500.
Reportedly, an impediment to the use of the machine is the lack of regulatory permits from the province, and the difficulty and cost of acquiring them.
Any due diligence practiced before acquiring this machine originally, absent any prior approval by provincial regulatory authorities, seems to be of the manner of “Ready, Fire, Aim”.
Respectfully,
John Pickford
Williams Lake
