LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Water Rates Not as Bad as You Think

By Sara Shelton

I’ve been going door-to-door in our neighborhoods, handing out candidate information on the two city council candidates I’m supporting, and have found that the majority of residents I spoke to are concerned with their water bills. So I’ve taken the time to read, ask questions and have come up withsome conclusions on my own.

Our charges are in the median range. In other words, if we compare what we pay versus what other cities are paying we are right in the middle.

The outrageous statements coming from the rabble raisers simply confirm that they don’t have a grasp of the situation California is in. San Juan Capistrano’s Water Department is forward-thinking and makes 50-year plans for the future-not simply day-to-day schedules. The Ground Water Recovery Plant will be a viable source of water in the future.

Some people have been demanding that we “shop around” for the cheapest water. Oh please, let’s get real. Bringing in another source of water would require retrofitting our entire city…. Whoops, there goes the savings. It’s not the same as shopping around for the cheapest gasoline.

And don’t forget to include other things that factor in to the other agency’s revenues but don’t show up as a water fee, like property taxes and special district assessments, like Mello-Roos.

So please educate yourself and look at the candidates records before you jump on the band wagon with the senseless. Make an informed decision as to who you want representing you on our City Council. I’m going with the candidates who have demonstrated their worth: Ginny Kerr, currently serving us as aplanning commissioner, and Councilman Sam Allevato, a proven leader.

Sincerely,
Sara Shelton