Transparency for all (February 20, 2016)

Pat Orr belittles both Liberty Apple Valley (LAC) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) by minimizing the scope and importance of the documents LAV must provide to the CPUC, and by implying that no one (but him?) could possibly understand the filings anyway (Is transparency a one-way street?, Apple Valley Review, February 10, 2016).

It is true that the documentation demanded by and provided to the CPUC can be dense, but running a water utility is a non-trivial endeavor, despite the Town’s cynical insinuations to the contrary. As for understanding them, though, there is no question that the CPUC understands the filings. This is shown in its rulings, which are also part of the public record. These are not people who are faking it, or who are just marking time until the end of the day.

In addition, LAV issues water quality reports and other documents into the public record, and these also are readily available.

The complexities of water system management revealed by the documentation, though, make it clear that we need to have professionals running our water utility, not a bunch of Johnny-come-lately politicians and bureaucrats who seem literally to be clueless about what is involved.

I agree with Mr. Orr on one thing: It is kind of sad to see the old Apple Valley Ranchos name and logo go. That’s the cost of progress, I suppose.

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