A New Day for Santa Margarita Board

* Congratulations to the newly elected directors of the Santa Margarita Water District.

The voters have given you a clear message and mandate for change; going forward, the board must be responsive and responsible. We cannot afford nor will we tolerate past arrogance and abuse of authority.

The failure to act quickly and decisively upon discovery of irregularities in district management and operations was an insult to the landowners and residents who pay handsomely for inefficiency in this utility. It’s also a demoralizing comment for the district’s many hard-working employees, who are trying to deliver a good day’s work, not partying it up at company expense.

As a resident-customer, I was amazed and appalled at the previous board’s inept attempt to maintain the status quo in the desperate belief that the public would ignore or forget the scandal.

As a former government agency executive and public utility consultant, I know it doesn’t have to be like this. Probably like you, I was equally angry about the former board’s arrogant attitude and its failure to act decisively, as though the paying public has no right to demand an accountable utility.

The new board has a rare opportunity to initiate positive change and overdue reform. I plead with the (new directors not to) squander this opportunity. Too much is riding on it. Too many eyes are closely following your deeds.

Y.W. HONG

Mission Viejo