Water District’s Decisions Questioned

If this week’s Three Valleys Municipal Water District’s board meeting is a harbinger for what’s ahead in 1989, I am extremely concerned for our consumer welfare, our water quality, and the quality of the board’s decision-making policies.

Clearly the new board, which looks to be spearheaded by Director William Koch of Pomona, will support issues that have no real bearing on water quality or delivery. His and Muriel O’Brien’s discussion of their reasons for not supporting the California Health Department’s State Drinking Water Program was reprehensible. In their shortsightedness, they fail to understand the importance of a regulatory agency working in tandem with the EPA as well as the full water industry to help clean up much of our underground supply.

Countless times, Mr. Koch has sought measures that would add to his personal financial gain and his political platform. Currently he is doing everything he can to discredit the general manager, Richard Hansen, and the present board. He continues to fuel the fire to the E. F. Hutton investments issue rather than attempt to recover the lost monies for “we the people he serves.” I am saddened to see that one man like Mr. Koch could bungle the district’s ability to recover the lost monies. Had he not prematurely publicized the matter, the district probably would have recovered the full amount.

If Mr. Koch is able to get the votes to oust the present general manager, I am certain the district will be further crippled in its ability to provide quality service to us, because there will be no real sanity at the helm of this ship.

Now is the time that all of us get involved by either attending each and every board meeting or reading the board minutes available upon request to protect the quality of our water service ahead. We cannot afford the politics and the sleazy tactics that Mr. Koch and his ilk have already demonstrated.

JOY SARAFIAN

Claremont

The San Gabriel Valley section of The Times welcomes all viewpoints about issues in the San Gabriel Valley. Letters should be as brief as possible and are subject to condensation. They must include signature, valid mailing address and telephone number, if any. Pseudonyms and initials will not be used. Send letters to: San Gabriel Valley Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1333 Mayflower Ave., Suite 200, Monrovia 91016.