Elect Carp Water Board Challengers

My involvement in water issues began in the 1980s as a Carpinteria Valley Association director. Since then, I have been extremely active following water issues in Santa Barbara County and the state, knowing first hand what goes on.

The voters of Carpinteria Valley have a unique opportunity. For the first time in the history of the Carpinteria Valley Water District, the customers are fortunate enough to have three Carpinterians running against three entrenched incumbent directors. Only a few times in the past has even a single person challenged them. They are usually appointed and remain in their posts unchallenged.

Look at your water rates which are among the highest anywhere. The law firm employed by your district is currently or has represented Venoco, Chevron, the developers of Rancho Monte Alegre, the Montecito Water District, and Casmalia Toxic Waste Dump. The owners of Casmalia, whom the law firm represented, declared bankruptcy and left the taxpayers with millions of dollars in clean-up fees. The present board not only denies any legal conflicts exist but has even gone so far as to give them an award.

You are being given a chance to elect three new directors who will listen, work, and respond to you and all customers. The slate of Brown, Ducharme, and Orozco will constitute a majority on the five member water board so things can change. Let me stress the importance of all three being elected. The present members vote and stick together; therefore, change is very unlikely if even one is re-elected.

Don’t pass up this rare opportunity to elect Clay Brown, Lynn Ducharme and Alonzo Orozco who will have the interests of Carpinterians as their focus.