Cave Creek/Desert Hills residents used as pawns

It’s apparent what Mr. Sorchych/Sonoran News feels about Global Water Co., but let me state that as a resident of Desert Hills and the “dreaded square mile” in particular, for those of you who have followed this issue, Global came to our rescue with their swift and decisive action. Prior to that time we were not just low on supply but had absolutely zero water every day between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. seven days a week.

I realize that this was a business decision on the part of Global as much as it was a strategic decision of Cave Creek Town Council to buy Desert Hills Water Co. in an almost spur of the moment action–voted on, incidentally, in an emergency vote to preempt Global possibly acquiring Desert Hills Water and, at the same time, sidestepping Cave Creek residents, since they cannot rescind this action. One of the most troubling parts in all of this to me is that the citizenry of Cave Creek and Desert Hills have been used as pawns, to which I don’t foresee a good end for either group.

Unlike citizen Bob Williams and editor Sorchych, my wife and I, and many others, have attended every Corporation Commission meeting since late spring, speaking out against the Desert Hills Water Co. and its owner Mary Beth Rowland. Granted, the commission didn’t resolve our problem as fast as we needed, but as in all governmental actions, the wheels turn slowly but surely.

I am troubled by the remarks directed toward Commissioners Mayes and Mundell–they are, first of all, not deserved by them. My wife and I, along with many others, tried to resolve this issue without commission input. But without the commission’s help, we would still be without water. Try living in a house where, for months, the toilets can’t be flushed, schedules have to be revised to certain hours in the day and at one point, when we were at a Level 4 curtailment, were not allowed to use any outside water at all under penalty of having our meter removed.

As to some of the content of the Williams letter to the editor and Sorchych’s editorial (Sept. 20), they are misleading and also inaccurate.

First to Sorchych: While he has his own reasons for gloating over what he seems to consider a victory, he fails to point out that Desert Hills Water Co. has a deficit supply of water for its customers. He also doesn’t mention that at the commission meeting of Sept 14, it was acknowledged by all, including your own town council and manager, that a lot of money would have to be appropriated– $400,000 to $500.000 the first year–to get the system up to acceptable levels of operation and also as much again for up to 10 years to stay abreast of growth in the area.

He also fails to mention that the town only has a “handshake” agreement with Arizona American Water Co. until March 30, 2007. At that time, according to their representative at the meeting, it would have to be reviewed for continuation. If that cannot be consummated, we are wondering where the town of Cave Creek will turn to supply us.

These are just a couple of thoughts directed at Sorchych.

After all, he seems to be the man when it comes to anti‑government rhetoric in most other views, but that certainly was not the case when I saw him stand up and praise town council’s action that Monday night. I must say, though, his reporter, Linda Bentley, gave what I thought was a balanced, if incomplete, overview of the matter.

For writer Williams: Your letter typifies what we have discovered here with many of the citizens in Desert Hills when we were trying to get them involved earlier this year. They operate from a level of misinformation, emotion, and also apathy. The most glaring mistake in your letter was about Commisioner Mundell, suggesting we not vote for him in November. He is not up for re‑election and in fact is term limited now. As to all the “facts” you mentioned, they are what I said earlier–emotional, misinformed and not fact‑based but not unlike a lot of citizens’ viewpoints on issues.

I invite you to read the transcripts and minutes of all the various meetings by the parties in this situation. You will discover the citizens of Desert Hills will have no say in the affairs of our water supply, including rate hikes. But, at the same time, the citizens of Cave Creek have taken on over a $2.5 million liability for which we here will not have any tax liability.

As for former Vice Mayor Mozilo’s comments, they are not really worthy of any comment, since they, too, are appallingly inaccurate and also highly emotional–not something I would expect from a former town official.

Mike Gilson

Desert Hill