Guest Commentary
by Hugh Akston
Will Otay Water District ratepayers finally see an advocate on the board?
In a word…no. With little fanfare last week, the District appointed a new board member to replace Jaime Bonilla, who resigned to help his buddy Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador run for President in Mexico. Four finalists were interviewed at the May 2 board meeting, with one eventually being selected. Chula Vista resident Mitch Thompson got the nod.
Who is Thompson? A quick Google search brings up some interesting articles about his time serving as an interim Chula Vista councilman, including accusations of corruption.
Thompson supported Chula Vista’s failed attempt to pass Proposition A, a half-cent sales tax increase voters defeated in a 2009 special election. He not only supported the measure, he took part in debates and even wrote an op-ed as well. Right off the bat in this op-ed, he used the same tired argument of death and destruction:
“If it [Prop. A] fails, we’ll have more crime, more potholed streets, almost no recreational facilities and libraries, and our beautiful city will rapidly decline.”
You may be asking does a Chula Vista sales tax measure have to do with the Otay Water District? If you recall, last year the Otay board, led by Bonilla, passed free lifetime retiree health and dental benefits for its managers, and then for the rest of their employees. At the second meeting in which benefits for all non-management employees was being considered, over 100 ratepayers came out in opposition to the proposal.
Where did Thompson stand on this issue?
Based on his application, he didn’t mind at all. He states one of his missions in serving as a board member is to “Enhanced [sic] public credibility (unfairly tarnished) to the good job being done by the District.” So, it looks like Thompson has no plans of reforming employee benefits as a means to help reduce the overhead costs of the District. He also stated he has participated in various focus groups about the decision to grant these free lifetime benefits, as well as the District’s pursuit of a desalination plant in Mexico, which the District has publicly stated it has budgeted $3 million to evaluate.
While these outlandish benefits may not be the sole purpose for rate increases, that doesn’t mean the District shouldn’t be doing all it can to reduce costs and operate efficiently. Otay ratepayers have seen over 40 percent in rate increases in recent years. They should be assured their District is doing everything possible to reduce costs.
Otay voters will get their chance in November to send a real ratepayer advocate to the dais. It looks like that person will be going up against Mr. Thompson.