Letter to HDWD from Watchdog Horne

Yucca Valley, Ca.-At the Nov3 Hi-Desert Water District meeting, Director Sheldon Hough, speaking as a rate payer, requested staff to give him cost information on Public Record Act requests.

This will probably cost more than the original requests, especially when some requests are answered verbally. Maybe there would be fewer requests from the citizens of Yucca Valley if board members would answer questions at meetings without a hassle and allow more than three minutes during public comments when discussing a $121,000,000 wastewater project when only a few will pay and all will receive the benefits.

If Director Hough spent less time checking on Public Records Act requests and more time on why **standby fees dropped from $292,000 in 2005 to $171,000 in 2009, the district would be better served.

He should also compare the minimal cost of answering public record requests with the $66,000 annual medical costs for the board of directors or the $1,240 a month each one can receive in compensation if they attend the number of meetings they are allocated.

Bill Horne, Yucca Valley

**Missing standby fees story to follow.

At the request of Mr. Bill Horne, and with his permission, the above letter was sent to me to post on Cactus Thorns. Horne is the experienced voice of concern for the ratepayer speaking out on wasteful spending. He is greatly respected for his water knowledge and as the HDWD Watchdog.

Horne’s letter was originally published in our local newspaper on November 10, 2010. http://hidesertstar.com/articles/2010/11/10/editorial/doc4cda4e3b7c368049950455.txt