Tank warfare




I must say, the little fiefdom that has been created around the LVMWD is kind of scary and demands everyone’s protest. These guys—yes, guys—are elected officials. Therefore, they represent the residents of this community.

Water is a precious commodity in our region and we all must be mindful of what it takes to have it whenever we want it. For reasons beyond my comprehension, my water bill for my small, 2,000-square-foot home is out of this world, and there seems to be no end in sight.

For the leaders of the LVMWD to cavalierly decide to install a new water tank in the event of a catastrophe to the tune of nearly $10 million, and a monstrous increase to our monthly bill, is appalling. This should be a citywide or regional referendum.

These guys are not protecting us. They are little Napoleons making decisions for the little people.

What are the people going to do about it?

Valerie Rodriguez

Westlake Village

The recent action of the Las Virgenes Water Board to abandon a “probability study” regarding their imagined need for a $9 million water tank is highly disturbing.

The proposed tank has been promoted by the district as assuring the availability of potable water in the unlikely event of a major water emergency.

OK. On the surface this might make sense, but only if the risk versus cost equation survives an honest “cost-benefit” analysis.

The district president, Charles Caspary, abruptly decided that a factual evaluation might threaten their unbending plan. They apparently do realize that facts can be difficult things.

Maintaining drinkable water during a service disruption seems a solid objective. But these disruption emergencies are generationally rare. LVMWD has never had on—ever.

If one should ever occur, a “boil water” order would be issued to residents. Avoiding that hardship is worth trying, but not at the planned 4 percent increase in monthly water rates.

Most of us would probably pay a onetime $100, maybe $200 fee, to avoid a week of boiling our water, but we will not accept a permanent 45 percent increase in our water bills just to avoid the remote chance of a “boil water” inconvenience.

Every government agency would like to staff for every possible emergency. We could double our police force and double our fire service—just in case. But cost realities force us to strike a balance between probability, risk and the price tag.

This concept eludes our LVMWD Water Board, and to them a 45 percent rise in water rates is apparently “no problem.”

Well it’s going to be if our LVMWD Water Board directors plan to stay in office! “Recall” is a risk and a probability study they may want to do.

Karen Basch Agoura Hills

A few weeks ago I returned from a trip to see that The Acorn continues to give almost endless space to opponents of the Westlake Reservoir water tank.

As a former LVMWD director, I was not surprised that Charley Caspary, current LVMWD board president, found it necessary to, once again, reiterate key points in the reasoning of the majority of directors who favor the tank.

During my 10 years as a director, no issue was studied in greater detail than the tank. Rightfully so, as there are arguments on both sides. Clearly, opinions differ on need and cost benefit for this facility.

I was persuaded to favor the tank as I reflected on a director’s obligation, under law, to assure a reliable supply of clean water to all district ratepayers, of course, at the best price possible. And LVMWD water is the least expensive of all agencies in the area and will remain such, or very close to it, after the tank is built.

Perhaps this obligation, “the buck stops here,” moved Director Polan to change his position from that expressed during his campaign and vote for the tank. Who knows?

But Director Steinhardt most regrettably has now taken it a step further and “crossed the line.” Arguments on both sides have been called “misleading,” but I do not recall anyone claiming heretofore that an opponent was “dishonest.”

We see character assassination far too often at the federal level and it disgusts most of us. It’s a shame we must hear it from a municipal representative.

Joseph M. Bowman

Westlake Village



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