What Are We Doing?

Polls and votes (November 15, 2016)

Your excellent report on the Claremont’s failing eminent domain litigation against Golden State Water left out one interesting detail: Claremont received voter approval before moving forward (Liberty sees Claremont’s eminent-domain loss as sign of things to come in Apple Valley, Daily Press, November 16, 2016).

Compare that to the Apple Valley Town Council’s approach. Although represented by the same law firm as Claremont, Apple Valley fought voter input tooth and nail, while claiming overwhelming support.

For almost two years, Town representatives assured us of widespread approval for their hostile takeover bid of our water company. At least three of our councilors claimed to have spoken with hundreds if not thousands of residents eager for the Town to bury us in debt to buy something we already have: A locally-controlled water company that sells water at a fair price. Of course, we had to take their word for it.

An informal poll on the Town’s website offered only the chance to support the takeover. The Town then spent tens of thousands of dollars on at least two outside polls. After the first poll, the Town claimed, 70 percent […] say they are in favor of the town acquiring the water system. After a subsequent poll, the Town implied that support for the takeover had grown.

Yet when Chuck and Pat Hanson started Measure V to validate that support at the ballot box, Town Hall panicked, promoting its own competing ballot measure and spreading falsehoods about its contents, including the whopper that Measure V would be a roadblock to the Town’s designs. If only!

The Town is using the same legal team to make the same frivolous arguments that resoundingly lost in Claremont, but without popular support. It’s time for Town Hall to give up on this fool’s errand, and hand out pink slips to those responsible for this multi-million dollar disaster.

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

Published: Daily Press, November 20, 2016