I am writing to congratulate the Parker Water and Sanitation
District for going ahead and raising water and sewer rates despite
enormous pressure and opposition from residents and Parker
politicians alike.
It takes reasoned guts and resolve to do what is right and
needed and not do what is popular or emotionally desired.
I’m amazed at the bluster and rudeness of the opposition,
including Mayor David Casiano and Parker Town Councilmember Lisa
Coe. What exactly are their qualifications to pontificate about the
water and sanitation industry? I wasn’t aware they were experts in
this area.
Nothing like using the power of a political office to bludgeon
people and policy you don’t like or disagree with.
Have any of the people protesting the rate hikes ever lived
anywhere where the water is yellow or brown out of the tap? Or
where it fizzes with carbonation like Alka-Seltzer when you fill
your glass? Or where the water smells like sulfur, and there’s
nothing you can do about it except install your own water
purification system? I have experienced all these situations in
places I’ve lived across the country.
Have any of the protesting mob seen the water rates just across
town at Willowbrook Water District on the far west side of
Littleton or other small water districts that don’t have their own
water sources — like Parker water and sanitation does — and have to
buy 100 percent of their water from someone else? Even with the
rate increase, Parker water and sewer rates are much lower than
some other districts right here in the Denver area.
Parker, and this area in general, is a steppe climate. Water is
precious and I believe we are very fortunate and should be grateful
that Parker water and sanitation has sufficient water reserves for
the future and that it produces clean and clear water from the tap
on demand.
So contrary to mob opinion and threats of board recall, I would
like to say “great job!” to Parker water and sanitation and to
their board members for giving me one less thing to worry about
(water quality and availability) at a very reasonable price — even
with the rate hikes.
— Dave Schallert
Parker
