Letter: Water rate increases are unfair

EDITOR,
I object to the proposed rate increase by the San Lorenzo Valley Water District. I think this is not appropriate, considering their recent multiple increases in water rates, the current recovering economic situation, high gasoline and other costs, our adequate free water supply, the district’s $10 million reserve, generating a $300,000 yearly interest return, and no apparent real effort to reduce costs. I think restraining spending, cutting expenses, spending some reserves and realizing that people will likely use more water this summer with this new abundant winter’s rainfall that is ending the drought would be more appropriate.
I also object to the current automatic pass unless defeated proposal system, and the way objections must be submitted by each customer writing a letter at each proposed increase, rather than including a ballot card and an objective pro-con explanation in each bill, or allowing online voting on the website, by e-mail or some other fair and easier yes-or-no tally. I, for one, am retired, on a fixed income, and not well able to afford these increases.
Michael Alperin, Ben Lomond