In anticipation of next Wednesday’s public hearing on proposed sewer rate increases, volunteers began canvassing neighborhoods Sunday handing out a brochure explaining the necessity of the rate hikes.

At the same time, another group of volunteers was collecting signatures of property owners on form letters to protest the proposed increases.

The Record accompanied Jean Thompson-Ibbeson Sunday as she distributed the city’s brochure explaining the proposed rate hikes to homeowners in the Mink Creek neighborhood of Colfax.

Thompson-Ibbeson is a professional advocate who works for the Rural Community Assistance Corp. The agency is a nonprofit organization paid by the California Water Resources Control Board to assist communities like Colfax in public education efforts regarding water quality issues.

In addition, the agency collaborated with Colfax city staff in preparing a brochure called “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Sewer Rate Increases Adopted by the City of Colfax.”

Despite its formidable title, the brochure is designed to explain – in plain English – why the rate increase is necessary and what will happen if the rate increase is defeated.

Although many people were not at home, the residents who did speak with Thompson-Ibbeson were polite and seemed resigned that the rate increases were inevitable.

As one elderly resident, who declined to be identified, said, “Well, I guess we’re screwed.”

In the process of canvassing the Mink Creek subdivision, Thompson-Ibbeson and Ryan Arba, an unpaid student intern from the University of Southern California, encountered Cathy West, who was gathering protest letters.

West was one of the leaders of the July protest. She said she was informing residents of their rights and collecting signatures of those who wanted to protest the rate increases.

While West accepted a packet of brochures from Thompson-Ibbeson, she declined to distribute them without obtaining permission from Elan Vitkoff, an outspoken activist in the original rate increase protest.

On Monday, Vitkoff claimed she was in favor of a rate increase that would pay off the existing debt for the city’s new wastewater treatment plant, but objects to how the city structured the rate increase.

Therefore, Vitkoff has what she calls “Plan C.”

She intends to submit letters from a majority of property owners protesting both rate increases at next week’s hearing, but also intends to attach an equal number of signed “Petition to Reform” documents from the very same property owners.

The petition, in whole, reads: “I have protested the present Prop 218. I (signature) agree to pay $27 ONLY to re-pay the loan. I also agree to NOT protest the 3rd prop 218 which will be sent in December 2008.”

Although the petition does not state a timeline, Vitkoff claimed the petition guarantees that residents would pay the $27 rate increase for the next 20 years.

However, a third Proposition 218 proposal does not exist.

Asked if she thought the state water board would accept her Petition to Reform as a legally binding document within the context of Prop 218, Vitkoff said she would work with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association to “legalize” the petition.

Meanwhile, both sides continue their door-to-door campaigns.

Former Councilwoman Sharon Gieras distributed brochures in downtown Colfax Sunday.

She indicated that she and former Mayor Jim Albright would be knocking on the doors of people who signed July’s protest letters this week.