FPUD directors disrespect ratepayers

At FPUD’s June 23 board meeting, advertised to discuss new water rates, only two board directors showed up: Hayden and McDougal. The others completely disrespected ratepayers and the meeting was cancelled for lack of a quorum.

After the official meeting, Patricia Walker asked why FPUD employees (including GM Lewinger) have free retirement with no co-pay. If ratepayers take a hit, Patricia wants everyone to take this same hit.

Lewinger claimed (tiny) FPUD could not attract/keep qualified personnel without free retirement. Hayden agreed. I stated I paid over $93,000 into San Diego City’s retirement fund for 18 years of service and people line up for blocks and from other state’s for San Diego City jobs.

Patricia asked Lewinger why police and fire department employees paid into their retirements but FPUD’s water district employees did not. No reply. I applied FPUD’s new water rates to my May 2008 billing and my water bill would increase by $27.41 for identical water usage. Astronomical!

Lewinger falsely claimed the SDCWA was installing new desalination plants to produce millions of gallons of potable water. In reality, Carlsbad alone is installing desalination plants which power-hungry water gurus are fighting against.

In my 2004 campaign against Director McDougal (NCT, 10/13/04), I specified “desalination from the Pacific Ocean is the only way to combat drought conditions in Fallbrook.” McDougal disagreed. Was I right, Fallbrook?

Desalinated ocean water is California’s only new, unlimited supply of potable water. Let’s lead these water gurus to the Pacific Ocean by hand.

Archie McPhee