Dear Editor,
$90,000 Face Lift.
Thank you, YCN, for bringing this info to the public’s attention, specific for the ratepayers of the county water district. Apparently, the water board feels it may be necessary to repair their public image. Really after two years of infighting, personal attacks on each other, three board members and one ratepayer bringing a legal action against the balance on the board, calling police to break up board brawl, really now…
Early in the beginning of the new board, they felt they needed to hire an attorney to train them on rules and regulations and specifically on state law. Jeff Weldon was employed by the board to help. (Note: Jeff has been SD2 attorney for some time.) This was a good move for the board. Unfortunately, some of the board members did not clean the wax out of their ears and failed to listen to or comprehend the attorney. We, the ratepayers, had to pick up the tab of approx. $30,000 to pay Jeff. Jeff resigned, apparently because some of the board were violating state law.
Larry Brewster is a state rep. who was employed by the board as interim manager, at a rate of $90,000 a year, for reasons I do not know for sure, as at the time we had a very seasoned assistant manager who eventually replaced Duke E., the previous 19-year manager who recently retired. One might argue whether that expense was necessary for ratepayers.
We could write a book on this 2-year old drama and misfortune for the ratepayers; the cash register is still ringing, and it’s our dollars and I am fed up, extremely disappointed.
I see at the last board meeting they did not pass the $90,000 face lift, but did purchase $1,500 of lipstick for part of the face lift. If you are now a concerned ratepayer, I will be happy to brief you on more.
About me: I am a retired realtor, farmer, have been involved in real estate for 20 years; however, for 13 years I represented a builder in Lake Hills, within the water district and assisted in approx. 150 home sales. More info coming.
Terry Odegard
Billings Heights
