Once again Cathy Jones spews her half-truths and exaggerations to impugn the administration of CSA No. 2 (“A contrived emergency or just a case of mismanagement?” My View, Oct. 5).
The water system is not owned by the residents of Spring Valley. CSA No. 2 is funded by the residents within the CSA, as are all county service areas.
The ordinance that went into effect last year included increased fees for new water hookups. The ordinance also addressed the ongoing issue of water wasters by incorporating the tiered water conservation rate structure. If you look back into the letters written by Ms. Jones you will see that she denounced all efforts to increase funding for the CSA.
Mark Dellinger does not have the authority to stop construction of new homes in any CSA. Mark Dellinger may advise the board of supervisors. The BOS is the only entity with the authority to impose a moratorium (other than the Department of Health Services) on building in the unincorporated areas of Lake County.
The voters within CSA No. 2 defeated a measure to place a special tax on all parcels (not just current water users) within the CSA to fund needed improvements identified by Special Districts Administration.
Historically some water users in CSA No. 2 have wasted water. Continued water waste by a few impacts the entire water system. The tiered water rate structure has resulted in conservation by some, but those residents who do not care, and can afford the additional fees, continue to waste water.
The fact is that Special Districts Administration staff has continually monitored and addressed ongoing issues within all water systems. In CSA No. 2 staff has informed the water users within the CSA of the need for various improvements. A small faction within the CSA has denounced SDA efforts to fund the improvements needed. This same faction would prefer that the improvements not take place so that they can stop the growth in their community.
Cathy Jones and her cohorts need to stop taking potshots at the administration of their water system and start being proactive about supporting improvements to the life blood of their community — water.
Suzanne Schneider
Kelseyville
