Letters: Lompico needs long-term fix

EDITOR,
I live in Lompico Canyon and I’m a customer of the water district.  I think anyone taking a careful look at our district’s situation will reach the same conclusion I have, that joining SLV water district is the best way to ensure we have a reliable, affordable water supply in our future.  To give us this choice, I urge voters in Lompico to re-elect the three incumbents: Lois Henry, Rick Harrington, and Bill Smallman for the Lompico water board.
Despite best efforts, our water district over time has been unable to get a consistent handle on the money, effective oversight, addressing our limited water supply, or how to keep up with the constant demands of a small water system and increasing state regulations. The end result is our high rates, plus a staggering bill due for lack of maintenance, the cost of bringing our system up to current standards, and paying off retirement funds. This debt took decades to accumulate, and needs a long term solution.
The board is actively improving our water services: buying modern, improved test equipment, ensuring service to tanks, pumps, wells and other components, upgrades to control systems for more efficient operation, and promoting advanced training and certifications. The daily operation of the district has vastly improved, but there is not enough money to solve the big problems.
We calculated our bill with SLV’s rates, and even as low water users, we’ll save about $350 a year, money that can go straight across to cover our share of a bond. It is a simple, painless solution to bring us security and peace of mind, as well as clean, affordable water. 
We need all three incumbents to return to the board to see this through. Please vote for Lois Henry, Rick Harrington and Bill Smallman.
Debra Loewen, Lompico