Article Contributed on: 10/28/2009 2:31:22 PM
While collecting signatures for the Parker Water and Sewer District [PWSD] recall petition one of the most frequent comments heard was, "I didn't know it is an elected board!"
A lot of people assume that the PWSD Board was appointed by and/or PWSD was a sub department of Parker. Many people do not understand that the Parker Water and Sanitation District is an entity separate from the town of Parker. While their boundaries generally overlap, there are parts of both that are not in the other and the history of both has crossed paths in various ways in the past.
I believe that a lot of this misunderstanding has come from PWSD holding their elections quietly in May where the District was able to strongly influence the candidate selection. I have been told that in last May's election fewer than 500 people voted with about 280 votes required to win. Sources also say that one person bussed half of the winning vote total from an old folk's home to influence the election. Whether the later is true or not a similar scheme could easily be employed to control the board make-up.
With 22,000 registered electors in the district, it is not appropriate to hold "private", controlled elections for positions that hold so much permanent, long range impact on the value of our homes and businesses.
With more than half of the district now opting for permanent mail in ballots, one board member has written in the Chronicle that this May's Board election for two seats will cost $50,000.
This comment speaks in multiple ways to the underlying motivation for the recall:
1) The current PWSD Board still is thinking in terms of the "Private" elections of the past.
2) The current PWSD Board has not explored the financial benefit of coordinated elections.
More importantly, this comment is consistent with a mindset displayed by this Board on many issues. It is a mindset that refuses to challenge the status quo and to think conservatively as they spend our money.
The time has come for the PWSD Board to take whatever action is necessary to move Parker Water and Sanitation District elections to the November coordinated election where costs are shared with others.
The December 15th Recall Election is by mail ballot to all 22,000 registered electors putting to rest the misunderstanding of who selects the PWSD Board of Directors.