Correcting the Town’s public records response (January 25, 2019)

Dear Sirs,

This response [to my public records requests here and here] is seriously inadequate.

The first and most obvious problem is that you fail to mention the August 11, 2015, transparency report.

The second problem is that these reports were supposed to be made public monthly starting in August 2015, but there is no mention of what happened to the missing months’ reports in your response.

The third problem is that there were two Blue Ribbon Water Committees, not one.

The fourth problem is that it is almost inconceivable that you not have any documentation of the costs of either of the two BRWCs.

The fifth problem is that in the October 17, 2017 Daily Press, Town spokesman Gina Whiteside is quoted as saying that legal costs and expenses for the takeover amounted to $942,085.82, presumably atop the $1.5 million reported previously. Clearly, this number came from somewhere, yet you fail to provide the backing documentation even for an amount that has already sort of been made public.

The sixth and perhaps most serious problem is that you fail even to mention my response for a listing of all costs and expenses for the water acquisition process. According to the latest transparency report you cite in your response to my request for public records, the budget for this process is $3,500,000. If no one is keeping track, how in the world do you know where you stand relative to your budgeted amount?

In closing, I am very disappointed in this response. I therefore renew my request for a listing of all costs and expenses, paid directly or indirectly, by the Town of Apple Valley regarding the acquisition of the water company.

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