Vote Chris Hobbs for Marin water board seat

The IJ editorial board’s tepid endorsement of fourterm incumbent Larry Russell for the Marin Municipal Water District Division 5 seat published Oct. 11 cries out for challenge.

As a member of theMarin Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers board, I want say the IJ was right to note that Russell has fallen short on opening up the district’s deliberations to the sunshine of ratepayer transparency.

Most board meetings remain in mornings when concerned and affected customers cannot participate. Russell’s past campaign violations and his often board meeting participation from remote hotel and casino locations are further evidence of his questionable commitment.

His claim that he is “the technical link” on the board is no qualification for his re- election to a fifth four-year term. The district’s current management and staff have the responsibility and skills to ensure high quality water and efficient reliable storage and distribution facilities to meet customer expectations. The board needs financial and policy planning talent more than technical skills.

Moreover, the board, under his long-term tenure has presided over long-term neglect of funding needed for facility upgrades and replacement. Its huge recent rate increases that are mostly unrelated to customers’ current water usage were rushed through and were caused by poor board oversight during Russell’s tenure.

Russell turned a deaf ear to valid customer concerns that the billing rate structures, amounts and design are unfair and inappropriate. Customers are paying currently for longlived facilities’ investments that instead should be funded extensively by long-term borrowings at unprecedentedly low long-term interest rates. That way, future users would be paying a fair share of the investment costs for long-life equipment.

Belatedly, the district has engaged a consultant to provide long-term financial planning. Russell’s challenger,

Chris Hobbs, recognizes the importance of financial and policy planning and improved Board transparency. He deserves ratepayers’ votes.

— Paul Premo, Mill Valley