Letter: Voting ‘Yes’ is the right thing to do, but it’s just the beginning
To the editor,
Here’s a thought – would you rather own de-valued land with water use restrictions, or join together to meet collective water needs? That’s essentially the water district question facing property owners. Yes, forming a water district means paying fees and possibly supplemental water assessments. But the successful end result is enough water to supply our collective needs.
It’s easy to criticize the proposed water district – “just more government,” “another tax,” “let the State take over” – but it’s time to get real. Landowners have got to get organized to take care of business and local control has proven time and again to succeed.
Forming the water district is the right thing to do, but it is not the main thing that needs done. The real job ahead lies in supplementing water supply where we can and conserving as we go, and landowners are best positioned to do this under the umbrella of a Water District.
“Yes” on the Water District. After 35 years managing water resources, I stand with others who agree this is the best way to go.
Christine Halley, Water Resource Consultant to City of Paso Robles
Ms. Haley couldn't have said it any better. She put in countless hours on the County's Paso Basin Advisory Committee and was one of its most respected members.
BUT, just saying to vote YES on the Water District is not enough. You need to be more specific. There are TWO propositions, and from my understanding means you have to vote Yes on one and NO on the other. There will be a lot of people who will vote YES on both of the proposals and cancel out their vote. Please clarify.
Also, again my understanding is that the residents of the cities of Paso Robles and Atascadero do not vote in this process. Is that correct?
What about those homeowners in Templeton? Do they vote?
The Paso Basin Advisory Committee developed a list of solutions. We need a funded management agency to implement these solutions. Ms. Halley was a great asset on the Advisory Committee. Let's vote Yes on Measures A & B to put the water district in place – so we can get to work!
Mr. Hanush, only the folks in the unincorporated areas are voting on the water district, since Paso, Atascadero and Templeton all have a governance structure in place for managing their water. However, we will all be at the table during development of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Measure A is for the funding, Measure B is for formation of the water district. A Yes vote on both Measures A & B is needed to put the water district in place.
Mr. Hanush, you are paying for water management and compliance with the new SGMA law through your city water bill. The same can be said for those in Templeton and portions of Atascadero. In other words, you are paying them to represent you. We in the unincorporated areas are asking for the same represention which is why I urge a YES vote on Measures A& B.
Ms. Haley couldn't have said it any better. She put in countless hours on the County's Paso Basin Advisory Committee and was one of its most respected members.
BUT, just saying to vote YES on the Water District is not enough. You need to be more specific. There are TWO propositions, and from my understanding means you have to vote Yes on one and NO on the other. There will be a lot of people who will vote YES on both of the proposals and cancel out their vote. Please clarify.
Also, again my understanding is that the residents of the cities of Paso Robles and Atascadero do not vote in this process. Is that correct?
What about those homeowners in Templeton? Do they vote?
The Paso Basin Advisory Committee developed a list of solutions. We need a funded management agency to implement these solutions. Ms. Halley was a great asset on the Advisory Committee. Let's vote Yes on Measures A & B to put the water district in place – so we can get to work!
Mr. Hanush, only the folks in the unincorporated areas are voting on the water district, since Paso, Atascadero and Templeton all have a governance structure in place for managing their water. However, we will all be at the table during development of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Measure A is for the funding, Measure B is for formation of the water district. A Yes vote on both Measures A & B is needed to put the water district in place.
Mr. Hanush, you are paying for water management and compliance with the new SGMA law through your city water bill. The same can be said for those in Templeton and portions of Atascadero. In other words, you are paying them to represent you. We in the unincorporated areas are asking for the same represention which is why I urge a YES vote on Measures A& B.