Sewer Issue Should Be Put on Ballot

It is with interest that I read two stories in your paper on July 23: The Camarillo City Council will at a cost of ONLY $3,500 find out if the citizens want to subsidize seniors’ sewage rates (I agree with that position). The other story talks about an end to the Thousand Oaks Sewer WAR!

I have been saying for a year for the council to put this issue on the ballot (rather than the partisan recalls). Now I ask Mayor Judy Lazar to have staff draft an insert in our sewer bill with the choice of (a) agreeing to the $75-million new plant complete with all the pork, (b) agreeing to Zeanah/Parks and my position to trim the fat, or (c) agreeing to sell the plant to the thriving, cost-efficient private sector. Use the dough to pay off the debt on the giant city hall and spare the citizens the high rates while having a company provide the same rates while making a margin of, say, 30%!

Regarding the cost of these experts, nobody brings up the fact that the EIR/preliminary report, of which I have only seen one copy (with its slick cover--which I have seen in the utility manager’s office) and [which] is NOT available to the public (taxpayers), cost ONE million smackeroos! Also, the selection of the experts was done by sending about 65 reqs to bid and 42 of them came back, like Elvis would say, “Return to sender!”

In my company I send about 100 letters a week. If I get two or three back all hell breaks loose for wasting the company’s resources! However, when the taxpayers are taken to the cleaner NO ONE including your reporter lets the beleaguered taxpayer know. I hope you will let your readers know by publishing this sad but true diatribe.

NICK E. QUIDWAI

Executive Director

Concerned Citizens of Thousand Oaks