Enforcement of Water Rules

A number of statements made in your article “Showdown in Porterville” (Feb. 28) prompt me to clarify issues concerning the enforcement of the Santa Ana Mountains County Water District rules and regulations.

I personally have deep sympathy for the working homeless of Porterville. This district would hope to resolve the issue of illegal service connections in Porterville in a manner that would allow these tenants to relocate into homes other than “shacks” and “abandoned boxcars.” However, the addressable issue between the district and Sam Porter remains one of illegal service connections.

According to your article, rent, including water charges, ranging from $60 to $175 per month is being charged in Porterville. An average rent would then be $117.50 per month, times the 36 dwelling units, for a monthly income to Porter of $4,230, or $50,860 per year. The water district has received no remuneration for the 14 dwelling units in question for connection fees; no flat-rate charge of $7.25 per month has been filling our coffers for the past nine years. How many dollars has this district lost while Mr. Porter has the potential of increasing his income by $50,000 per year?

If this district’s publicly elected “maverick”--a person who refuses to abide by the policies or views of a group--fails to adhere to regulations which were produced by a committee of board members on which he sat, how does the district enforce rules on other customers? Reference is made to the ranchers within our district. The majority of landowners ranch barren land which has been made valuable through the district’s efforts to serve water since 1962. These individuals paid service connection fees. Had they not done so, it would be injurious to the remainder of our district consumers.

Comments concerning complaints before the Local Agency Formation Commission from other landowners require clarification. One very small developer and one large landowner de-annexed from our district. However, two even larger developers totally support our ability to service their water and waste-water needs.

In your article, Henry Sakaida continues to falsely accuse himself of being guilty of the same violations as Porter. Sakaida omits the crucial fact that no water service connections have ever been hooked up to trailers at Sakaida’s nursery.

Other violators have been contacted. They too will have a hearing.

Enforcement of the district’s written policy happens to be an obligatory responsibility that I will fulfill.

J. FRED SIMS

General Manager

Santa Ana Mountains

County Water District