Information in the Press-Banner’s “Lompico water board fires manager” article (Page 3, March 12) was a shock to residents of Lompico and a call to action.
The sudden termination of the water district’s manager has caused concern and mistrust regarding the actions and accountability of the board. Without an active Grade 2 licensed chief operator, the district is out of regulatory compliance, and our water service is at risk.
For the past two decades as district manager, Michael Eggleston served our community with integrity and dedication. He managed the district with honesty and a straightforward approach to people and problem solving. He worked diligently to keep systems up and running 24-7.
The board’s use of the “at-will” status of employment to terminate him abruptly after 20 years of service, without cause and without notice, was unconscionable.
The issues of system volatility and insufficient revenue are ongoing challenges. Given the sources of our water and the aging infrastructure of the system, vigilance is required to monitor, maintain and repair it. To contract responsibilities and duties to a part-time water consultant may not effectively maintain system operations and ensure water quality.
The Department of Health Services will soon determine if the proposed contract will satisfy the water quality management regulations mandated for public safety. If contracted, the board must manage and monitor these services with due diligence. To safeguard the quality of our water, the community must stay informed and be involved.
In November, three of five board positions will be open for election. Conscientious, trustworthy, civic-minded residents are needed to serve on the Lompico Water District board. The willingness to set aside narrow self-interest to support the greater interest of the community is essential. The steady flow of clean water to our homes is at stake.
So much for local control, rate control and keeping Lompico water in Lompico.
Director’s Henry Conflict of interest was cleared by the California Fair Political Practices Commission. While in doubt Director Henry always stepped out of the room while Lake Blvd. was brought as an agenda item.
Anyone connected to the gang: ED FRECK, DEB LOEWEN (FRECK'S WIFE), ED & BONNIE HARRIS, SEAN WHARTON, LOIS HENRY, BILL SMALLMAN, MERRIE SCHALLER, NATALIE STEINBERG, ROB HANSEL and anyone with an address on Lake Blvd. should be disqualified by the people of the district immediately. Unfortunately, CHRIS KILGUS is now compromised, and this came as a stunning surprise to us. Is there anyone on the WEST side that could step up? A majority of 3 would change the District and break the lockhold Freck has on the water district. This would stop.
LOIS HENRY was told by the attorney for the District that she had a CONFLICT OF INTEREST regarding any vote on Lake Blvd. stuff. She is to stay out of the board room and cannot vote if anything on Lower Lake comes up on the agenda. She has decided NOT to take the attorney's advice-to go against the law to participate in Freck's agenda. The theft of the money by Mindy, the secretary, was done UNDER LOIS' WATCH. SHE was watching over the deposits, and volunteered to make the deposits. Why didn't she double-check everything? Isn't she a former credit union president? She should know how to add, right? Will LOIS be held accountable? The total amount stolen is growing daily.
Let's get some good solid NORMAL people on the board. There's more of us than them. Let's clean up this mess before Freck has us all paying for his road repairs out of water money. Let's get rid of these Lower Lake Blvd. freaks
AT LAST AND FINALLY.
If ever there was a time for us all to be awake and aware that our votes MEAN SOMETHING, NOW IS THE TIME. Research every candidate (starting with their address) - and don't believe what is written as a candidate's statement on the ballot. Those are written by the CANDIDATE!!! Duh. Watch your mailbox & your emails. The last campaign had the Lower Lake people barraging everyone with outrageous lies. That's how they got on the board. Be careful where you get your information.
And NOTE: Pretty colored signs on Lompico Road are usually Deb Freck and her crayons. Watch out. They look real cute but are filled with crap. Duh.
Not paying attention and letting other people handle things has turned our water into WHO KNOWS WHAT? WE did this to ourselves; NOW LET'S FIX IT. Let's roll.