What started out as an attempt, successful, to weed out those board members that were all Waller appointees, spun out of control as new board members went radical.
Losing all local control, the workers are highly paid outsiders without ties to the community. We are now faced with control freaks running our non-profit organization.
Top to bottom are discrepancies. One glaring problem is some of the marinas that host float homes, are not considered part of the district even though they collectively pay through the marinas, that are.
The casting out of Reid, who worked hard to gain the status that allowed him to be licensed for all aspects of the department, was cast aside in favor of the power play that introduced the contracted form that now exists.
We are now being asked to voted for a bond issue. It is my position that the need was caused by bad management. If we are to improve/reform this organization, we need to use our votes to replace some of the misguided power brokers. I urge a no vote on the bond issue, and worthy candidates to step up that will represent our community, not outside companies. Perhaps a recall election would be useful.
DFO Day in CdA
6 years ago
4 comments:
Thank you Herb!
Many concerns,they haven't gathered bids yet, they are looking for land so no land price,no equipment costs yet I have concerns on the design of the system my biggest is why are we going to repipe everything, reline a 75 year old tank install new generators and install a new tank close or in Bayview.It might be cheaper to drill new Wells in or close to town and get rid of all the old piping
Herb. I have followed your blog for several years and am happy to see you posting frequently again. I appreciate your thoughtful, well presented perspective. Although I don't always agree the blog gives me pause for thought and now and again I have changed my thinking.
On this issue, the BWSD bond, I believe you are spot on.
I wonder how many people are considering the proposed new tank's location and the location of the completely new 12" mainline at the very Western end of the District boundary in spite of the Board itself saying during a recent meeting that all the development was happening on the Cape. The proposed tank and pipeline would certainly benefit a couple of local developers. One of which currently has no water to their property because of elevation. The new tank location would solve that. The same developer has been rumored to say that once they get the water they just need to get sewer. Most everywhere else nowadays require new development to foot it's own development costs AND to contribute to the overall system. How a responsible Board can justify saddling rate payers with a $7000+ per connection debt is beyond my understanding. Particularly when 40% of the households in the 83803 zip code area are at or below the Federal Poverty level.
At a recent Board meeting the Board claimed among other unsupported statements, that if the bond is not passed the Farragut tank could just "blow up"! Really? The Idaho State Park regional manager said the sister tank they use, built at same time, was actually structurally tested a few years past and found sound. They wisely chose the practical and fiscally responsible methodology of applying funds to replacing pipe. I wonder how much further we would be right now had the Board elected to do the same rather than spending tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours of meetings on consultants. The Board's Chair at the Sept general informational meeting said publically more than once that they (the Board) were just citizens like the rest of us and didn't know anything about this stuff. A refreshing bit of honesty.
I hope people vote and Vote NO for this bond. I further hope the Board will get to work to deal with the water (and sewer) issues in a realistic and fiscally responsible manner. This may mean they have to begin listening to the entire community, stop denigrating anyone who disagrees with them and actually get real work done. After all. The system belongs to all the rate payers. The Board is simply there to provide stewardship.
Again. Thank you Herb. One of the very real issues in Bayview is the absence of any real informational outlet. Certainly there are a couple of newsletters but both have a no politics policy. I get confounded by the difference between "politics" and information but that is as it is. Many residents also do not have regular internet access. Access here is both difficult because of location, cost and not everyone believes 24/7 internet access is essential for a good life. Your blog provides thought provoking insight for those people who follow you.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Herb. I have followed your blog for several years and am happy to see you posting frequently again. I appreciate your thoughtful, well presented perspective. Although I don't always agree the blog gives me pause for thought and now and again I have changed my thinking.
On this issue, the BWSD bond, I believe you are spot on.
I wonder how many people are considering the proposed new tank's location and the location of the completely new 12" mainline at the very Western end of the District boundary in spite of the Board itself saying during a recent meeting that all the development was happening on the Cape. The proposed tank and pipeline would certainly benefit a couple of local developers. One of which currently has no water to their property because of elevation. The new tank location would solve that. The same developer has been rumored to say that once they get the water they just need to get sewer. Most everywhere else nowadays require new development to foot it's own development costs AND to contribute to the overall system. How a responsible Board can justify saddling rate payers with a $7000+ per connection debt is beyond my understanding. Particularly when 40% of the households in the 83803 zip code area are at or below the Federal Poverty level.
At a recent Board meeting the Board claimed among other unsupported statements, that if the bond is not passed the Farragut tank could just "blow up"! Really? The Idaho State Park regional manager said the sister tank they use, built at same time, was actually structurally tested a few years past and found sound. They wisely chose the practical and fiscally responsible methodology of applying funds to replacing pipe. I wonder how much further we would be right now had the Board elected to do the same rather than spending tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours of meetings on consultants. The Board's Chair at the Sept general informational meeting said publically more than once that they (the Board) were just citizens like the rest of us and didn't know anything about this stuff. A refreshing bit of honesty.
I hope people vote and Vote NO for this bond. I further hope the Board will get to work to deal with the water (and sewer) issues in a realistic and fiscally responsible manner. This may mean they have to begin listening to the entire community, stop denigrating anyone who disagrees with them and actually get real work done. After all. The system belongs to all the rate payers. The Board is simply there to provide stewardship.
Again. Thank you Herb. One of the very real issues in Bayview is the absence of any real informational outlet. Certainly there are a couple of newsletters but both have a no politics policy. I get confounded by the difference between "politics" and information but that is as it is. Many residents also do not have regular internet access. Access here is both difficult because of location, cost and not everyone believes 24/7 internet access is essential for a good life. Your blog provides thought provoking insight for those people who follow you.
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