Who dragged whom? (November 18, 2015)

The Daily Press reports that Hesperia Mayor Pro Tem Bill Holland claims it was a letter to the editor that dragged Hesperia into the water fight in Apple Valley (Hesperia official backs AV’s acquisition attempt, November 17, 2015). Either he hasn’t been paying attention, or someone is not being completely candid with us.

The September 17 Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the Town of Apple Valley, lists Alternative 3: Alternative Operator — City of Hesperia as the operator of Apple Valley’s water system in the event of a hostile takeover of Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company. So does the Final EIR, dated November 7, 2015.

For Hesperia not to be in the loop on this issue means that EIR preparers Rincon Consultants took it upon themselves to include Hesperia as an alternative operator, and then two months went by without anyone at the Town of Apple Valley reading the EIRs, or reading them and thinking it might be a good idea to call over to Hesperia and let them know their name was being bandied around.

Whatever the case, Hesperia’s involvement in this issue almost certainly has nothing to do with a letter to the editor.

Greg Raven is Co-Chair of Apple Valley Citizens for Government Accountability, and is concerned about quality of life issues.

Published: Daily Press, November 27, 2015