Water Issues Require a Vocal Public

One solution to the San Gabriel Valley’s ground water contamination problem is energetic public participation in Rep. Esteban E. Torres’ congressional hearing in Baldwin Park next Monday.

Years of government-funded study have been concluded with no clear direction for cleanup activities. Congressmen will gather testimony that will show a history of bureaucratic delays and faulty management.

Los Angeles and Burbank have already begun cleanup activities and Pasadena has performed some research on cleanup methods. These cities all have some agreements with potentially responsible parties.

We public officials need citizen involvement and pressure to keep us focused on the problem.

The board of directors of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District has performed poorly since I became a member on Jan. 2. Those who live in Duarte, Monrovia, Arcadia, Temple City, North El Monte, South El Monte and South Pasadena must find out why. Four examples will suffice:

* An agreement between three local water groups and the federal Environmental Protection Agency was sent to the state Water Resources Board on a 3-2 vote and over my objections. The vote was taken without first receiving guidance at a public hearing.

* My motion to require separation of our travel and conference expenses by district so that we are individually accountable to the public, failed by a 3-2 vote.

* Our recently passed annual budget proposed $25,000 for public relations. That was cut to zero by a 3-2 vote.

* My motion to spend $1,500 from public relations funds left over from last year to purchase 1,000 reprints of a popular series on water issues failed by a 3-2 vote.

Voters must learn their options, what management plans, what contracts have been signed and what work has been done under these contracts. Active public participation could have changed the outcome of the votes I mentioned above.

What has been missing is the hot breath of the voters on government officials and public office holders.

R. WILLIAM (BILL) ROBINSON

Director

Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal

Water District

West Covina