FPUD appears ready to provide water outside district

At FPUD’s June 30 board meeting:

1.) Nancy Howland’s presentation expressed disgust with FPUD’s management. She had previously asked FPUD to give water discounts to low-income seniors, as SDG&E does. GM Lewinger’s response was, “If we do that, we will have to charge everyone else more money.” She charged that Lewinger is presently receiving $15,000/month to be a part-time, non-resident manager who has another business of his own and spends little time in Fallbrook. She suggested Fallbrook’s board members were self-serving who had businesses in Fallbrook and accused FPUD’s management of deceiving Fallbrook’s ratepayers. She asked for Lewinger’s resignation and replacement of all FPUD’s Board of Directors. During her entire presentation, Chairman Hayden and GM Lewinger disrespectfully laughed. Subsequently, Hayden and Lewinger cruelly insulted her senior discount request.

2.) I compared the new rates to the 2004 water rates using my May 2008 water consumption. The difference was an increase of $74.91. I then charged Director McDougal with violating his pledge to “reduce water rates” during his 2004 election campaign.

3.) McDougal’s family is deeply involved in real estate but McDougal successfully argued against eliminating water meters for new construction/development during the present water shortage condition – a conflict of interest.

4.) Orange Grove Energy power plant, located inside Campus Park West’s proposed development area, is seeking California permits. FPUD plans to provide 2.8 million gallons of potable water/month for 25 years for this future power plant located inside Rainbow Water’s service area.

Archie McPhee