Candidate Statement Helix water 2012

By Joel A. Scalzitti

Have you paid your water bill lately?

The current board seat has voted "yes" to raise water rates for the past 6 years in a row! We've seen water rates increase 78% in this period! We cannot afford to let this continue! This current board seat also sits on the County Water Authority Board and has voted "yes" to their rate increases too! They say higher water costs are responsible for these unwarranted rate increases. The fact is that excessive salaries and pension benefits are causing much of these rate hikes.

I served on the Helix Water Board before the current rash of incredible rate increases and I know where cuts to this budget need to begin! In my term board members allowed only 2% per year in rate increases (to avoid rate spikes). And, for two of those rate increases I voted no! I have the experience that we need to change the status quo. "Let's put an end to these excessive rate increases and these unacceptable salaries and pensions!"

The average Helix employee makes $139,000.00 per year in pay and benefits. This is over twice the average `family' income of local ratepayers. Helix's compensation policies are similar to many California cities now facing bankruptcy.

The current board sold a piece of land to SDG&E for $2.66 million just to buy down these excessive water rates this year. This means they are selling "our" assets and trying to create the illusion they are staying under an 18% rate increase during this election year!

The buck stops here; we need independence and experience on this board now! I'm ready on day one to challenge staff and the current employee representatives to reform and cut unnecessary spending. Cars, trucks and equipment need to be used for longer periods before expensive replacements are purchased! Pensions and wages need to be more competitive to the private sector.

Please join me on November 6th in getting our water rates back on track and reforming our `Budget and Pensions' to a more competitive market!

Please Vote Joel Scalzitti - the experience and leadership Helix needs!

Joel4Water.com
(619) 246-3749