Candidate for
Member, Board of Directors; South Montebello Irrigation District; Division 2

Dear Neighbor,

In having to deal daily with governmental bodies, private companies and the general public, I firmly believe that the customer is why we function (in business or in the public trust) and not the other way around.

Water is essential for every facet of our life, be it for drinking, cooling, heating, vegetation growth, dust control on construction projects and/or the general cleanliness of our community. It is important to monitor and maintain our water supply with the same vigor that we preserve any other important commodity.

We must be vigilant to assure pollution plumes or other contamination, be it man-made or naturally occurring, do not degrade our water basin as happened in La Puente. And we must assure our water users that the safety and security of our water supply is the very best we can have.

It is important to continually check on and upgrade existing fireflow and general water pressure for the public good.

The South Montebello Irrigation District must better emphasize customer service with its ratepayers and should be cordial and able to effectively work with other governmental agencies in and out of the water industry for the overall betterment of our community. In addition, it is important for all of our government agencies, including the South Montebello Irrigation District, to acknowledge that in holding a position of trust for the public good they owe the community they serve the respect they deserve. Lastly it is important to note that the South Montebello Irrigation District is a publicly sanctioned monopoly charged with water delivery, storage and acquisition in the most efficient, safe manner possible... it is not a competitive, for-profit private corporation answerable only to its stockholders. It belongs to the residents of South Montebello and we alone are the sole stakeholders.

Respectfully,

David W. Manuel