The Other Truth

There is some incorrect and misleading information being presented about the Goleta Sanitary District (GSD) during this election, and the constituents of the District deserve accuracy and clarity. Ms. Whalen incorrectly states in her campaign literature that there has not been an election of directors GSD in over 25 years. District elections are held every other year, and there have been two contested elections in the last 15 years. In both of those election the incumbents were re-elected by the voters. More importantly, it is clear that the voters see no reason to change the qualified and dedicated members of the Board because of the excellent service the District provides.

Ms. Whalen also claims that the District’s service charges have increased 76% over the last three years. This is also inaccurate. In 2007-08 the service charge was $24.86 per month for a home, and for 2010-11, the charge is $36.86, a 48 percent increase. The bulk of that increase was implemented to fund initial costs of the District’s portion of the mandatory plant upgrade to full secondary treatment levels, a $50 million project. The Board anticipates that approximately $8 of that increase will be removed from the service charges next year when a low interest federal loan is completed, bringing the rate down to approximately $29. A survey of seven local agencies last year showed rates between $29.29 and $74.17 with an average of $47.17. The current GSD rate is over $10 less than the average of other local agencies, and the anticipated rate next year will be nearly equal to the lowest rate charged in 2009-10 by nieghboring agecies.

The existing Board of Directors and staff of the Goleta Sanitary District are committed to protecting public health and preserving the environment in the most efficient and cost effective way possible. For this reason we seek your vote for John Carter and Jerry Smith who pledge to govern the District with knowledge, experience and integrity.