Setting the record straight on Triunfo Sanitation District

My opponent for a seat on the Triunfo Sanitation board is again bringing up very old matters that were answered some two to four years ago. Nevertheless, since he and his supporters want to rehash it out again let us look at them again.

•The auditors for TSD were the same for the Ventura Regional Sanitation District. Yes, they were, but the reason why is that it cost Triunfo less money for its yearly audits and it is less disruptive to staff when the audits are done at the same time.

•Both VRSD and TSD have the same law firm. Again yes, they do. When VRSD separated from the county in the early 1980s, separate council was employed. Past TSD boards have felt that it would be in the best interest and would be lower in cost to keep the same lawyers who know TSD the best.

•A board member serves on both TSD board and VRSD board. True. This is by state law. The TSD board has no control over this.

•The general manager of TSD is also the general manager of VRSD. This is again true. VRSD is the staff for TSD. I would think you would want the best administrator to be your top administrator. To hire a general manager just for TSD would cost about $100,000 a year. •My opponent talks about the grand jury report. The TSD Board is moving to or has complied with most all grand jury suggestions. We now have an independent auditor. The board is committed to an allelected board where all areas of the district are represented.

•As to his remarks about the $3.1 million left in a non-interest checking account, that money was in that account to pay for current bills including the new water tank, which has been constantly delayed. The account did earn a 3 percent bank fee credit. Ron Stark Oak Park Stark is the TSD board chair and a candidate for reelection