WATER BOARD STIRS FLOOD OF CONTROVERSY: ALLEGED VIOLATIONS, SECRECY FUEL THREATS OF LEGAL ACTION; SPECIAL MEETING SET MAY 22 TO ADDRESS LEGAL CHALLENGES
Printer-friendly version A special joint investigative report by East County Magazine and Channel 10 News 10news.com story By Miriam Raftery May 19, 2009 (La Mesa)—A water board controversy has sparked public outcry in East County. No, we’re not talking about a torture tactic—though many ratepayers fear pain from steep rate hikes in the Helix Water District. The local “water board” controversy centers around allegations that the Helix Water Board voted on hefty rate-hikes and eliminating irrigation meters for homeowners without adequate public input, possibly violating state law. Two cure and correct letters (PDF 160 kb) sent to the district allege that the board failed to provide adequate notice of hearings, did not follow proper meeting procedures, appointed an ad-hoc committee after adjourning a public meeting and then reconvened to take action after some citizens had left. The Board has called a special meeting for Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m. specifically to address the legal issues raised. Printer-friendly version
EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS SENT TO HELIX WATER DISTRICT IN OPPOSITION TO THE RATE HIKES
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Helix Water Board’s management withheld 68 letters sent by ratepayer from at least one Board member until after a vote was taken on rate hikes at the April 27 meeting. Below are excerpts from those letters. All opposed the rate hikes; many accused the board of unfairly targeting homeowners over businesses, particularly owners of large properties even if they have already reduced water consumption sharply. There is still time to submit public comments prior to May 27, when the Board is expected to finalize proposed steep rate increases and delivery a doubly whammy for some residents by also eliminating cheaper irrigation metering for residential customers. “This proposed tiered pricing mechanism is unfair to many Helix Water District ratepayers as it imposes an unfair burden on large families and owners of large lots.” – form letter sent by several dozen different ratepayers “My brother and I are both in our late 70s and on Social Security. We have more than 25 fruit and nut trees (some of which are 40 years old) as well as vegetable gardens. After eating and canning the fruit and vegetables for our own use, the excess is donated to senior nutrition programs and food banks…At the proposed Domestic rate of even level 1, the resulting water bill would bankrupt us unless we kill all our trees and abandon our garden—although doing so would require added outlays at the market to replace that which we had grown for our consumption.” – Carl Schirmer, El Cajon (who shares his property with three generations in his extended family) “I oppose the proposed water rate increase because I am the mother of 5 kids, and I cannot afford to be paying more for my bills. My husband just got laid off from his job, and it’s been hard enough as it is.” – Niram Mashkour, El Cajon “If there really was a serious water shortage in San Diego County, there would be a moratorium on building more darn houses. The water districts are money gouging bureaucracies who have to account to no one and are out of control.” – Shirley Watkins, owner, Shady Lane Trailer Park, El Cajon “We are a non-profit therapeutic riding program for handicapped children. We are below your requested usage level but that is irrelevant to the fact that what you are proposing is unfair. Hold every customer to the same standard and ask them to conserve the same percentage. If they don’t conserve as you are asking, then penalize them! Don’t penalize only the property owners for owning property and then ask nothing of all your apartments and condos that have no reason to conserve because you expect the larger landowners to save their share as well! It’s wrong.” —David Carter, program director, Horsemanship for the Handicapped, La Mesa I have covered my pool in order to reduce the amount of water required. If I were to drain the pool, the surrounding earth would cause thousands of dollars of damage to the pool due to buckling. For almost a year, my outside watering has been at 40% and 50% of normal watering levels and 0% during and after rains. Furthermore, at least 1/3 of my property has been fallowed, is not irrigated at all, and about a dozen fruit trees have been allowed to die due to not watering. To charge us more per unit for water for domestic users than to charge commercial and government users is wrong. ” –David C. Wilson, El Cajon “We are operating the last orchard in Lemon Grove. It is considered to be a historic site by both the Lemon Grove Historical Society and the City of Lemon Grove. When we inherited the property, we were advised to split the lot and sell. After much consideration, we decided to carry on the tradition our grandparents built. Perhaps not a good decision, yet truly a labor of love—one that is appreciated by hundreds of people. Our delicious fruit is consumed by seniors, who count on it year-round. We donate fruit to the Ronald McDonald House children and their families…We have cut back to the absolute minimum to save the orchard…But the proposed rate increase will destroy the orchard as we are currently having difficulty making the water payments in the summer months…Technically we are not a “business” as we donate the fruit. However…we are asking for commercial rates for the orchard.” – Susan and Clifford Brandt, owners, “Old Dunn Orchard,” Lemon Grove “How could it be deemed equitable that an owner of multiple acres can get a 100% plus increase, whereas an owner with little or no yard would receive a 22% increase? What is the incentive for the vast majority of homeowners that have smaller or common area sites to conserve our precious resource when there is a disproportionate monetary increase? The only fair solution would be to apply a flat per unit rate that would apply to all domestic users. A flat rate would: 1. Cover the projected costs, 2. Factor in 10% or more conservation, and 3. Ensure that everyone conserves water. — Robert Dykmans, El Cajon “Property values in the Mt. Helix area will certainly drop with the rate increase you are talking about. Owners, like myself, who have large lots (1.25 acres) will most certainly have to let a large portion of the landscaping die…I guess that the larger lot owners are going to be subsidizing the smaller lot owners…at least until we can help elect different board members.” – Alan Foster, La Mesa “We have 7/8 of an acre upon which we raise fruit trees, vegetables, and ornamental plants. We raise and sell hundreds of plants every year. Since 75% to 80% of our water is used for irrigation, do we qualify for the irrigation rate that your water district has? We received your note that water rates may go up. This would put a financial burden upon us if it happens.” – John
$20 MILLION IN ENERGY-EFFICIENCY INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESSES OFFERED
Printer-friendly versionMay 19, 2009 (San Diego) – Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) announced today that more than $20 million in rebates and incentives are available this year to business customers for qualifying energy-efficiency projects—the largest pool of incentive money in the utility’s history. The Gas Company shared the news with more than 300 business representatives gathered for its 4th Annual Energy-Efficiency Expo in Downey, Calif. “The higher funding levels will benefit the environment and also help businesses weather the current weak economy,” said Mark Gaines, director of customer programs for The Gas Company. “We’re helping to pay for many energy-saving projects with low up-front costs and fast paybacks, which can improve profitability for participating customers in a relatively short time.” The event featured a panel of customers who have taken advantage of the company’s energy rebates, incentives, free on-site energy-efficiency assessments and zero-interest financing programs. “I saved about $20,000 last year on energy costs and I didn’t spend a dime to do it,” said one of the panelists, Yusheng Xu, president of Tri J Heat Treating Co. in Pomona. Xu rearranged his work process to make better use of his most efficient furnaces, which The Gas Company identified during an on-site assessment. “The Gas Company offered to help finance my new energy-efficient furnaces through a $50,000 loan with no interest, no points and no fees,” said another panelist, Jeff Mueller of American Die Casting in Fontana. “It was a no-brainer.” For more information, business owners and representative can contact The Gas Company at (800) GAS-2000, or visit www.socalgas.com/energyefficiency The Gas Company’s energy-efficiency programs are subject to change without notice and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available. These programs are funded by California utility customers and administered by The Gas Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. The minimum loan amount available per meter is $5,000. Maximum loan amounts are $250,000 and $100,000 for taxpayer-funded institutional customers and non-institutional customers, respectively. Other terms and conditions apply. Southern California Gas Co. ’s service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles in diverse terrain throughout Central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. The Gas Company is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. Printer-friendly version
“LOST BOYS OF SUDAN ” SHARE HARROWING STORIES OR SURVIVAL FRIDAY AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionMay 20, 2009 (El Cajon)–Students from the Sudanese Cultural Club at Cuyamaca College will share their own harrowing stories from their war-torn homeland, including riveting tales demonstrating the triumph of the human spirit in Darfur, a land ravaged by genocide. The program, titled "An Afternoon with the Lost Boys of Sudan: Stories of Hope and Survival", will be held Friday, May 22 from 1-3 p.m. in the Student Center. Students are encouraged to ask teachers about extra credit for attendance. For more information, call Marvelyn Bucky at 619-660-4202. For directions to Cuyamaca College, visit http://www.cuyamaca.edu/map&directions.asp. Printer-friendly version
FIRE DAMAGES BANK AMERICA IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionMay 19, 2009 (El Cajon)–At 7:33 p.m. tonight El Cajon Firefighters responded to reports of a fire in the kitchen area of the Bank of America branch, located at 512 Fletcher Parkway. Upon arrival fire crews found smoke coming from the rear of the building where they made entry. Quick action by firefighters had the fire knocked down in 15 minutes. The bank will remain closed until repairs can be made. About 15 firefighters fought the blaze. Damage was contained to the kitchen area and to a small room located in the back area of the bank. There were two bank employees inside at the time the fire started, they were able to escape unharmed. The fire is now under investigation. Preliminary damage is estimated to be $100,000. Printer-friendly version