Squandering Our Water, Our Rights and the District Integrity:

By Russ Baggerly

Casitas delayed the construction of the Robles Fish Passage Facility for a number of years under the mistaken flag of "hard negotiation". The District obviously didn't believe the advice from their own high priced attorney hired to guide them on the issue. He said in essence 'you won't win anything fighting the federal government" and left.

Casitas said the Lake would go dry during a long drought if water for the Steelhead Trout is required to be released. This information caused apoplexy amongst the bass fishermen. However, this data shown to be mistaken because water conservation was not included in the calculation. Further, lots of water use facts thrown out by management were later determined that they " could not to be justified".

Casitas said that because of the water requirement for the Steelhead Trout, we are now in a Water Shortage Emergency! The announcement scared the bejebbers out of lots of people wanting to build their houses. But, the District failed to notice the event properly according to State Law, and failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act and had to rescind the emergency.

Casitas said that 200 "Matilija Conduit Customers" would loose water service as a result of the dam being torn down and water rights would be lost. Not true. The State Water Resources Control Board told Casitas that the conduit is not a part of their license and never has been. Lake Casitas serves as the conveyance for water delivery.

The Board of Directors (Pete Kaiser not included in this indictment) and the management of Casitas Municipal Water District have squandered the integrity of the District by making these wild claims and by the tenor of their actions.

If ever there was a "time for a change", clearly it is now. This election day, whether you vote by absentee ballot or at the polls, the campaign for a change at Casitas Municipal Water District is offering you a unique opportunity to restore good government where it is needed. Three candidates, Russ Baggerly Div. 5, Pete Kaiser Div. 3, and Dan Nelson Div. 2, can restore the public trust. But we need your vote to accomplish this much needed task.