Let’s look at recent projects undertaken by the Town of Apple Valley: The Yucca Loma Bridge, purchase of the Hilltop House, running a mile or so of unusable purple water line, extending the otherwise neglected Bear Valley bike path by a few feet, paving the Mojave River walking path, micro-surfacing select roadways to make them look better for a few weeks, and retrofitting town parks with rubber pellets that even the Town claims create health and environmental hazards
and are a fire hazard […] contaminating the surface and groundwater.
Each of these was paid in part by grants. Without grants, the Town would not have been able to afford any of these inessential projects. So on what essential priorities are in the Town budget? From outward appearances, only payroll and attorney fees.
Keeping our water system up-to-date and ready to serve is clearly essential, which is why Liberty Utilities continues to invest millions in our community even while under attack by the Town Council.
Now imagine, if you will, the Town Council mismanaging our water system the way it does everything else, including street maintenance and our flood-control system.
Will the Town Council raise water rates to keep our system pristine, or let it degenerate until outside grants are necessary to restore safety and functionality?
Let’s hope we never have to find out.
Greg Raven, Apple Valley, CA
Published: Daily Press